Micheál Martin

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this very serious and important issue. It is important to detail the timeline of events and steps taken by the Football Association of Ireland regarding these allegations. As the Deputy said, and as is my understanding, an internal email was sent by a former FAI CEO in May 2023 regarding rumours relating to a former coach and alleged historical inappropriate b…

-----an independent complaint-handling firm. I will raise this matter with the Ministers for sport and for children, obviously.

I appreciate Deputy Aird raising this very serious question. I agree with him. Approximately 24 million hours-----

-----of home care were delivered last year. This is all the more reason for a proper regulatory framework to govern it. We intend to place this on a statutory footing in terms of home care entitlements and so on. However, training and supports are vital. Quality of healthcare must be at the centre of this and the legislation will be published shortly.

First, there will be increased investment in water. I have had discussions with Irish Water in respect of some rural towns or where there are certain developments where bespoke arrangements have to be arrived at between developers, for example, who could develop waste water treatment facilities and supply in accordance with guidelines issued by Irish Water and subsequent inspections-----

I know that but I am saying this will have to happen.

The demand is growing all the time and we must develop innovative ways of meeting that demand.

I am sure the Deputy will understand I am not in a position to outline the budget today - that will be in October. I have made it very clear since my appointment - and I have spoken to the Minister for Social Protection - that child poverty is a key priority of Government. I have asked for specific proposals in relation to it in the forthcoming budget. I said yesterday that nothing is off the tabl…

The cost of congestion in Galway is particularly high and the failure to get the ring road system through has been a significant contributing factor to this. It is currently with An Bord Pleanála but we need that ring road developed, and parallel with that, investment in public transport. There is investment under way in public transport in Galway both rail and through the NTA but I take the Deput…

Last year, the Government initiated a policy of purchasing or establishing State-owned centres as opposed to relying entirely on the private sector, which has been criticised a lot by the Deputy's party and the Opposition more generally, in terms of housing asylum seekers pending adjudication of their asylum applications. In respect of City West, it is fundamentally a value-for-money consideration…

On costs, we waived the development levies for a significant period. This resulted in unprecedented levels of commencements over the two years prior to this year. The commencements in 2023 and 2024 were significant. There was a massive increase because we waived the development levies for a restricted period. After that, we have had a lower level of commencements. The Government is doing a range o…

Irish Water should engage with the Deputy on the issue. It should engage with Oireachtas representatives on issues of similar significance to that in his constituency. I will certainly convey my views to Irish Water in that respect.

I am familiar with the issue. The payment was extended on a number of occasions previously. I will talk to the Minister for Health in respect of this. I will have to check if it would be possible to do a separate ring-fenced occupational scheme. However, I doubt it because doing so would open up precedents for a range of other schemes. These workers put themselves on the line for the country and i…

There has been a long-standing commitment to the M20, and we are making progress. The route design is due to be published today, I think.

Which is good. We will go stage by stage. This is a key piece of infrastructure. We will examine the issue of tolling and the impact on local populations in particular, because there can be a significant impact on those who travel short distances to and from work, etc.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy oversees the implementation of the programme for Government commitments on the environment, climate action, energy and emergency planning. It considers the wide range of issues that require action in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable f…

First of all, I thank the Deputies for raising those issues. Deputy Bacik raised the question of how we square the circle as regards data centres and AI. There needs to be a balanced debate in this House on this question because digitalisation and the green economy are both pathways we have to pursue. There is no question about that. I would take issue with Deputy Coppinger’s statement that we hav…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 16, inclusive together. As agreed by the Government, the Department of the Taoiseach has convened an interdepartmental group to examine the recommendations made by the Dublin city task force. The goal is to make Dublin city centre a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape and a desirable location to live, work and do business in and visit. To deliver on …

Did the Deputy say 6 a.m.?

Deputy Heneghan is full of energy. I thank all the Deputies for raising various issues. Deputies McGrath and O'Sullivan asked about the Cork city task force. The docklands have been the main development focus in Cork city for some time. Under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, some years ago €400 million was allocated to Cork for the docklands and the Grand Parade and a new librar…

Deputy Bacik raised that; I apologise. I am not opposed to that because I like the concept whereby we acknowledge funding is required and propose a mechanism. It will not fund everything. We will not be awash with money.

A very minimalist levy could yield ongoing revenue that would be of significant use for Dublin City Council to get things done. That is an important principle because increasing numbers are coming in, impacting on services and so on. I think David McRedmond has done a good job overall at An Post. He has modernised it and he has-----

It is not his remit. There have been issues with people retiring and so on. It has not been an easy one. Government has had to intervene and step in with €10 million to support postmasters and will continue to intervene to support postmasters. I want to put on record that I think overall and in difficult circumstances he has done a good job. Deputy Ó Murchú asked about the public realm. They are …

People are doing different things and are behaving differently. That said, I will come back to the Deputy with where that legislation is at.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 24, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out a number of commitments relating to national security and defence, and work to give effect to these is well under way. The establishment of a ministerial council on national security is a key commitment in the programme for Government and it will function to enhan…