Erin McGreehan

I appreciate the strong line the Minister is taking on this. It is positive that this will be the single line of importance for his Department during the European Union Presidency. It is important we take a zero-tolerance approach to this and that we look after our children. As I said, it is a public health issue. The damage it has caused to our children will stay with them. I also extend that to …

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell, for being here today. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the long-awaited and much-needed scoping exercise on the disgusting paedophile Michael Shine. He abused his position. In a depraved manner, he took advantage of his perceived respectability, and the trust we usually place in the medical profession, to abuse hundreds of patients. Today, I ac…

15. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [7891/26]

I welcome the establishment of the offshore wind energy clearing house. This shows how important the Government thinks energy security is and how important it is that we achieve it. As we all know, Ireland is dangerously exposed when it comes to energy. We are still far too reliant on imported fossil fuels, leaving our citizens and the economy at the mercy of global volatility. We have seen the co…

It is great to have an opportunity to speak about the European Council meeting. The message could not be clearer from Europe and Ireland that we are operating in a far more volatile and uncertain world. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are driving our instability, and that instability is driving directly into energy prices and supply chains. People are facing the consequences of that in th…

81. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland is working with EU partners and international organisations to ensure that trade flows, market access and regulatory stability are maintained during global economic uncertainty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22537/26]

In what ways is Ireland working with EU partners and international organisations to ensure trade flows, market access, and regulatory stability are maintained during the global economic uncertainty? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister. It is really good to hear about all the work that is going on in Ireland and the EU. We know the Minister is in agreement that our economic future and our social cohesion really depends on how we maintain those strong trade relationships and how we respond to real pressures that people are facing on the ground with energy costs and food security. I am very glad to hear that t…

It is important that we do. With the EU Presidency, Ireland has a real opportunity to be a leader. Ireland is an economic success story, but with Ireland's Presidency of the EU let us make sure that we are cushioning ourselves and that we have a strong Europe, a strong Ireland and a strong economy.

I acknowledge the temporary measures that have been introduced to help address the rise in fuel and energy costs. They will offer some short-term support at the time when many households and businesses are feeling real pain. I have spoken to many Louth hauliers, coach operators and households who are desperately worried about what is to come. This conflict in the Middle East is the latest supply c…

113. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had meetings with his counterparts of the other 26 EU member states regarding the Council’s position on CAP post-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/26]

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion on scoliosis services and the wider need for accountability within our healthcare system. First and foremost, I must acknowledge the frustration, anger and stress experienced by children and families waiting far too long for spinal surgery. Every child deserves timely care when clinicians determine it is needed. While additional …

5. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first meeting of the delivery and monitoring committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which he chaired on 8 December 2025. [71666/25]

Across this House we are incredibly impatient and adamant that this committee at the Department of the Taoiseach must deliver for disabled people. Right across the country, every single day, many of us speak to people with disabilities, and families who have children with disabilities who are caught up in not getting access to education, housing adaptations, timely assessments or transport in thei…

24. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on implementation of the well-being framework published by his Department. [71667/25]

The well-being framework shows the overall national progress on, in particular, incomes, job quality and mental health indicators. However, it makes clear that progress is not evenly felt. Single-parent households, unemployed people, renters and young people continue to experience lower well-being outcomes. We need to have more community-based supports for mental health. I believe in social prescr…

143. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the establishment of the academy system within the FAI for which funding was allocated in budget 2026. [16779/26]

23. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the 44th British-Irish Council summit in Wales. [70936/25]

I would like to ask about this from a cultural point of view. There are a lot of things that we can benefit from that can come out of the British-Irish Council. I see local opportunities, particularly in County Louth, to enhance our Irish language, arts and music between communities. Omeath District Development, for example, has led a project. It is doing incredible work unveiling and celebrating …

We have a grant-----

It is great to have this debate in the House. As the Minister of State knows, fishing is a very important industry for County Louth. It is a working industry, from Carlingford Lough right up to Port Oriel and at all the small landing points along our coast. These businesses are employing local people, sustaining families and contributing directly to the regional and national economy. The reality …

The findings of the north Kerry CAMHS look-back review are deeply concerning. Potential for harm was identified in respect of over 200 children’s files. Behind each number is a child and family who trusted the State. In too many cases, their trust was not upheld. While the review relates to Kerry, the prescribing safeguards must be a national priority. A young man recently came to me about his ex…

150. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Defence if she will report on the revised NDP defence sectoral plan for the period 2026 to 2030; the way in which defence infrastructure in Louth will benefit from this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12179/26]

I highlight and press an issue in County Louth, namely, the inadequate school accommodation across the entire county. In recent weeks, I have spoken to many principals and school communities in the county. Most recently, I met with St. Mochta's National School and Monksland National School. Their classes are being squeezed into spaces that were never intended for teaching children or learning. The…

Before we move on to the next speaker, I welcome on behalf of Senator Michael Kennelly students from the Presentation Secondary School in Listowel, County Kerry, and their teachers Norma Dowling and Louise McAuliffe. They are all very welcome today and I hope they have a wonderful day in Leinster House.