Ken O'Flynn

469. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if he has received reports, correspondence or internal assessments since 1 January 2025 concerning emergency department overcrowding at Mercy University Hospital Cork; if he is satisfied that patient numbers, waiting times and triage conditions at the facility meet national emergency care standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60852/25]

470. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current cleaning and infection control schedule in place at the Mercy University Hospital emergency department; the number of full-time and contracted cleaning staff assigned to the department during daytime and nighttime hours; and the date of the most recent deep-clean audit or environmental hygiene inspection overseen by her Department. [60853/25]

471. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific patient welfare measures mandated in emergency departments under HSE policy, including the provision of seating, refreshments, and pain relief for patients awaiting assessment beyond two hours; and whether she is satisfied that these minimum standards are being enforced at the Mercy University Hospital. [60854/25]

472. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of reported security or public order incidents recorded within the Mercy University Hospital emergency department in each of the past three years; the measures in place to protect staff and patients; and whether additional security staffing or Garda liaison has been requested by hospital management. [60855/25]

473. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she has commissioned or received any recent reports on stress, burnout, or workplace safety among nursing and support staff at the Mercy University Hospital emergency department; if he is satisfied that staffing ratios are adequate; and the steps being taken to retain and support front-line workers in that setting. [60856/25]

71. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the Government’s current strategy for aligning Irish defence and maritime security policy with its international obligations, ensuring that infrastructure in Cork including marine cables, ports, ship-yards is resilient in the face of hybrid threats; and the strategy for communicating clearly to citizens and businesses how this evolving posture affects regional risk and opportunities (details supplied). [60377/25]

91. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance given the recent completion of the State’s investment recovery in AIBGroup €390million returned, the final accounting position on the bank bailout including all direct and contingent costs; the amount of the funds that are earmarked for regional investment or will be returned to the Exchequer; and the assessment that has been made as to how Cork-based businesses and regional development programmes might benefit from this release of fiscal head-room. [60376/25]

103. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach given the commentary in a newspaper (details supplied) that debates on Irish unity must account for identity and cultural plurality, the way in which he plans to engage minority identity communities in any future unity frameworks; the progress that has been made on updating the Government's cross-Border consultative mechanisms to ensure inclusive representation; and the role Cork-based constituencies, with diaspora and cultural links, have in shaping national policy on identity, unity and constitutional change. [58423/25]

109. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach the current status of the Government’s commitment to establish a Cork city centre taskforce, as publicly referenced by him and by officials of his Department earlier in 2025; and the progress, that has been made to date in establishing this taskforce. [59281/25]

110. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach the date on which his Department last met with Cork City Council or other stakeholders regarding the creation of the Cork city centre taskforce; and if he will publish the minutes or action points arising from that meeting. [59282/25]

111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if a chairperson, secretariat or terms of reference have been designated for the proposed Cork city centre taskforce; and if not, the reason for the delay in appointing these. [59283/25]

112. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if funding has been earmarked within his Department’s 2025 or 2026 estimates for the establishment and operation of the Cork city centre taskforce; and if so, the amount allocated. [59284/25]

113. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if he remains committed to ensuring that the Cork city centre taskforce will be operational within 100 days of the next Dáil term; and the timeline for its creation, first meeting, and publication of an initial work programme. [59285/25]

114. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach the main objectives proposed for the Cork city centre taskforce; the way in which it will coordinate with existing urban regeneration, business support, and enterprise initiatives in Cork city; and if he will ensure that its remit includes direct consultation with local businesses, residents, and elected representatives. [59286/25]

115. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if his Department has examined models used for city-centre regeneration in other jurisdictions, such as the Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC or the Dublin City Centre Taskforce, when designing the Cork initiative; and if those learnings will be published. [59287/25]

116. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if he will commit to publishing a quarterly update on the progress toward the establishment of the Cork city centre taskforce, including stakeholder engagement, budgetary provision, and measurable outcomes. [59288/25]

122. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the original budget approved for the construction and fit-out of Ireland House, Tokyo, in 2018; and the current projected final cost, including itemised expenditures on land, construction and fit-out (details supplied). [57854/25]

123. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the primary causes of the €12 million overrun for the construction and fit-out of Ireland House, Tokyo; the extent to which rising construction costs in Tokyo, changes in project scope, design alterations, or unforeseen site conditions contributed to same (details supplied). [57855/25]

124. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the Ireland House, Tokyo project still delivers value for money for Irish taxpayers, particularly those in constituencies such as Cork North-Central with strong export interests in Japan (details supplied); and the way in which this aligns with the strategic objectives of the "Global Ireland 2025" initiative. [57856/25]

125. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any contractual or procurement procedures were modified during the construction or fit-out phases of Ireland House, Tokyo; if so, the specific changes that were made; and the reason (details supplied). [57857/25]

126. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated annual operating cost of Ireland House, Tokyo compared to the previous leased embassy facilities; and the way in which these costs will impact his Department’s budget for supporting trade promotion in key markets such as Japan. [57858/25]

127. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures his Department has implemented to prevent further cost escalations and ensure robust oversight of public funds for Ireland House, Tokyo and future overseas capital projects. [57859/25]

128. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the original budget approved for Ireland House, Tokyo, in 2018, including allocations for land, construction and fit-out, alongside the current projected final cost (details supplied). [57863/25]

129. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the primary drivers of the €12 million overrun for Ireland House Tokyo, including the impact of rising construction costs in Tokyo, changes in project scope, design modifications, or unforeseen site conditions; and his views on the project’s value for money for Irish taxpayers, particularly those in export-driven constituencies such as Cork North-Central, where businesses rely on DFA-supported trade promotion in Japan, Ireland’s largest Asian trading partner (details supplied). [57864/25]

130. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contractual or procurement procedures altered during the construction or fit-out phases of Ireland House Tokyo; the specific changes and their cost implications; and the estimated annual operating cost of Ireland House Tokyo compared to the previous leased embassy facilities (details supplied). [57865/25]