Carol Nolan

The schools are out, summer is well and truly upon us, and for most families this will be an opportunity to enjoy spending time with their children or grandchildren. Others will watch the kids being able to spend more time with their friends. For some families, however, this summer will be a continuous nightmare, and it will be spent trying to keep their teenage children from ending their own liv…

I thank the Tánaiste for his response and assistance. I directly informed the HSE about this situation, and I received an acknowledgement, but I will reach out to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and, with the consent of the parent, will pass on all details. My concern is that this is an emergency situation, and it was not treated as such in Offaly CAMHS. For any parent to be told that they …

The Tánaiste will share my profound horror at the recent brutal murder of Jamey Carney, the absconding of her so-called partner to Jordan and the wider pattern of escalating violence against women that was raised earlier. Will the Tánaiste also agree that no aspect or provision of the International Protection Act should ever inadvertently give cover to someone or hamper An Garda Síochána in the ef…

There are serious and ongoing concerns regarding the lack of access to occupational therapy for elderly people. I am dealing with a situation where an elderly man of 90 years who worked all his life and paid his taxes cannot get access to an occupational therapy appointment despite at least eight separate medical referrals. I have followed up myself and sent an email to the HSE and the local prima…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. There are certainly constructive and long-overdue elements within this legislation, particularly the reforms proposed around judicial reviews. For far too long, communities, local authorities and applicants have been trapped in cycles of chronic delay - delays that frequently extend into years. We all know of cases where judicial review has been used…

I wish to raise serious concerns again about the dental system and the total collapse of dental services for medical card patients and the lack of timely assessments for schoolgoing children. I and others have noted that this has really regressed. In the 1980s, as schoolchildren, we all had those timely assessments but we seem to be going backwards. It is getting no better. Even PRSI patients have…

I begin by briefly addressing the motion concerning Ireland's opt-in to the proposed EU directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences. I have no difficulty with supporting proportionate, targeted measures that genuinely strengthen our capacity to tackle the illegal trafficking of weapons, particularly those entering the EU from conflict zones or through organised …

I wish to speak about the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026. It is a Bill that gives the State and the European Union sweeping new powers to obtain, preserve and transfer electronic evidence at extraordinary speed. I raise a simple question: why is the political will so strong in some areas but so weak in others? When it comes to digita…

There are moments in this Chamber when the sheer disconnect between political rhetoric and the political reality becomes almost unbearable. If Sinn Féin truly wants to build a future worth having, it should start by protecting the children who are meant to inherit it because while Sinn Féin tours the country promoting its future of Ireland commission report, which is full of language about hope, o…

I am happy to speak on the critical importance of the tourism and hospitality sector, particularly as we face mounting challenges that threaten thousands of jobs and the viability of businesses right across rural Ireland. In my own constituency of Offaly, tourism supports 2,200 jobs, so I stand firmly with Offaly hoteliers and the Irish Hotels Federation in their call for targeted Government inter…

Tá áthas orm deis a fháil labhairt ar an mBille Airgeadais seo atá os ár gcomhair tráthnóna inniu. As an Independent TD for Offaly, I have consistently highlighted the intolerable burden of high energy and fuel costs on families, farmers and hauliers across my constituency. I accept that this Bill seeks to provide some temporary relief in that it increases the diesel rebate scheme cap to €120 per …

I will be supporting the measured and balanced amendment proposed by Deputies Collins, O'Donoghue, O'Flynn and Fitzmaurice. Let me make clear that I recognise the grave humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the continuing heartbreaking loss of innocent civilian life. No one with a conscience can look at the suffering of families and children there and remained unmoved. I also unequivocally condemn …

We are told constantly that Ireland must prepare for a changing world: automation, the green transition, AI and new labour market demands. Yet, when we examine how this Government is actually managing the National Training Fund – the very tool meant to deliver those skills – an interesting picture emerges. Through a series of recent parliamentary questions, I have exposed the reality. In 2025, the…

Beidh mé ag tabhairt tacaíochta don rún seo agus tá áthas orm an deis a fháil labhairt ar an topaic fhíorthábhachtach seo. Beidh mé ag tacú leis an rún seo mar cuireann sé na deacrachtaí atá ag daoine atá faoi mhíchumas os ár gcomhair go soiléir. Tá sé ríthábhachtach go bhfuil rún mar seo againn arís mar bhí topaicí mar seo os ár gcomhair cheana. I am happy to get the opportunity again to speak o…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As I said earlier, I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. As the Deputy is aware, passports, in particular children's passports for family holidays, are an important topic for Members as we approach the busy summer travel period. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wishes to assure Members t…

I wish to raise the Road Safety Authority's, RSA, defective implementation of the EU certificate of professional competence, CPC, driver training directive and, in particular, its latest flawed initiative, namely, a biased heavy goods vehicle, HGV, driver safety survey that is deeply concerning for road safety and the future of the haulage industry.

I thank the Minister of State for taking this question and for his response. It is very disappointing to see that neither the Minister for Transport nor the Minister of State with responsibility for transport is here because there are serious issues around the RSA. Last month, the RSA commissioned Leeds Beckett University to carry out research on HGV driver safety. There are a number of issues wit…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. May I come back?

Okay.

Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurological condition in Ireland. Unfortunately, people are without supports in many counties. In my own county of Offaly, there is no neurologist, specialist nurse or team and people have to travel. It really shocked me that the HSE responded to a recent parliamentary question by telling me it has no idea of the number of people living with Parkinson's …

I welcome the core intention of the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill. Any measure that seeks to strengthen the legal framework for protecting our most vulnerable children from those who would do them harm deserves full support. The provisions aimed at safeguarding children from the influence of individuals guilty of major crimes, enhancing care orders, and promoting better interagency co-o…

This Government's housing policy is not just a failure; it is outright betrayal of the Irish people. While Irish families are sleeping in their cars, or if they are lucky enough, in emergency accommodation, this Government has spent €9.2 million of taxpayers' money on accommodation for asylum seekers. Dozens and dozens of properties bought, no problem at all. That is real homes, real apartments an…

I will be opposing this Bill not merely on the grounds that I have profound conscientious difficulties and objections with the legislative intent driving it, but also because I sincerely believe that if it was implemented, it would represent an impoverished health policy that would fail to protect women and, of course, the lives of the unborn children that it will impact. In fact, it was on the b…

I welcome the publication of Ireland's first national camera safety strategy. Any measure that reduces speeding and saves lives on our roads is certainly worth considering in a constructive manner. Across the country, thousands of schools and communities will breathe a sigh of relief when they hear this news because far too many parents have their hearts in their mouths sending their children to s…

Tá áthas orm labhairt ar an mBille seo inniu. The ESB, Ireland's own exaggerated prices, surpluses and bonuses board, has been charging households and businesses some of the highest energy prices in Europe while boasting about profits and posting record profits. It is obscene and extremely unfair on households and businesses that are struggling to survive and yet it goes on and on. That is partly …