Noel McCarthy

161. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number and location of new Irish embassies and consulates planned for opening before the end of 2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/25]

I wish to raise the need for the development of the IDA site in Fermoy in my constituency of Cork East. Formerly the Fitzgerald Camp Army barracks, the site was handed over by the Department of Defence to the IDA some 23 years ago but it has, unfortunately, remained idle since. This is a massive shame considering the associated infrastructure is in place on-site. However, no tenants have been foun…

I wish the Minister well in her new role. I look forward to working closely with her. I raise the urgent need for the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant in Mitchelstown in my constituency of Cork East. An upgrade of the existing plant has been acknowledged by Uisce Éireann and is badly needed to ensure extra capacity is created to further housing development in the town. The current housing…

71. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on flood prevention measures being undertaken in Rathcormac, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5074/25]

I wish both the Minister and the Minister of State well in their roles. I look forward to working closely with them. Could I get an update on flood prevention measures being undertaken in Rathcormac, County Cork, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister of State for his response and for the update. I commend the officials in the OPW and Cork County Council, and the previous Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, on the work done to date, and the establishment of the individual property protection scheme for east Cork. While I acknowledge that areas such as Midleton, Castlemartyr, Mogeely …

I again thank the Minister of State for his response. I previously mentioned his predecessor and the good work he did within the Department. When he visited areas in east Cork last year, unfortunately, he did not get the opportunity to visit Rathcormac. Following the Minister of State's response, I would appreciate it if he could get an opportunity to visit. The people of Rathcormac would be very …

16. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the staff numbers employed by the passport service in each of the years from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the steps being taken by his Department to reduce the turnaround times for a decision on first-time and renewal passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4446/25]

23. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of first-time and renewal passport applications received in each of the years from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the number of applications approved and passports issued over the same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/25]

I want to congratulate the Minister and Minister of State on their appointments. I want to inquire about the staff numbers employed by the passport service in each of the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive, and the steps being taken by the Department to reduce the turnaround times for a decision on first-time and renewal passport applications. I would also like to know the number of first-time and rene…

I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome staff increases and a reduction in the turnaround times for a passport. Many people have been in touch with me regarding passports during my time as a councillor and now as a Deputy. While things can sometimes be very touch and go in respect of whether people can travel on time, I have always found the passport service very accommodating when it can be…

With a certain number of passports printed in the Passport Office in Mount Street, Dublin, and the majority processed in the printing facility in Balbriggan, is the Tánaiste considering the possibility of establishing another printing service in the Cork Passport Office? This would greatly benefit those attending the Cork Passport Office rather than the Dublin one and reduce the burden on the othe…

This is my first speech in the Chamber. I thank my supporters in Cork East for showing their faith in me, and my family and supporters for believing in me. I wish to bring to the Taoiseach’s attention the R624. Cork County Council is producing an assessment report on the proposed options for the access road to Cobh, the only road access to Great Island. A crash there lately cut off access to the …