Naoise Ó Cearúil

20. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach for a report on his attendance at the EU-African Union summit. [5813/26]

I, too, wish to raise the issue of Sudan and other conflicts in Africa, such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and the Sahel. Ireland has a proud history of peacekeeping in Africa. Has there been any discussion or consideration about UN peacekeeping troops being deployed to Sudan in the future? Would Ireland consider such a request?

7. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the status of developing and implementing a single point of access for children’s disability, mental health and primary care services to ensure timely access to appropriate supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4955/26]

I am asking about the development and implementation of a single point of access for children's disability, mental health and primary care services to ensure timely access to appropriate supports. In many instances, cases are being sent from section to section within the Department itself and we are not getting proper conclusions for constituents and people coming to us.

I welcome the positive news and the developments, particularly on the implementation plans. It would be great to get an idea of the timelines for implementation. We have had a number of cases in our office. One that strikes me quite strongly involves a young person with autism and mental health difficulties. They were referred by their GP to CAMHS, which said the young person fell below the thresh…

These are all extremely positive initiatives. I commend the Minister of State on them. However, what remains to be addressed is how children and young people with autism are being dealt with through mental health supports. It is said that children's mental health supports need to be addressed through the relevant channels. Rather than actually analysing and looking at these two issues separately, …

One hundred and seven years ago today, in 1919, this House - Dáil Éireann - sat for the very first time. It did so at a time of conflict. There was more conflict to come with a brutal Civil War. This country has moved significantly from war - the War of Independence, the Civil War and the Troubles in the North - to peace. There are lessons to be learned internationally about our own process and ho…

It feels a bit like Groundhog Day here today. In February of last year, in one of my first contributions to this House, I spoke about water outages in Kildare North. Indeed, I had a Topical Issue on the very same issue in June of last year. I hate to admit the greater Dublin area, in relation to Kildare, is growing. Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge, Kilcock and Clane are under severe pressure when it …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle.

I assume I will have my full time. Last Wednesday, the Minister for education visited St. Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge, Kildare North, which the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, also visited last May. The school in question has been in temporary accommodation for 19 years, since its foundation. The floor is collapsing and the ceiling is falling down. I have asked the Minister t…

Families in Kildare North are still reporting that their children do not have confirmed secondary school places for September. This is despite the apply to school pilot programme the Minister for education introduced in Celbridge and other locations around the country to provide earlier clarity and reduce duplicate applications. The overlap between towns in Kildare North is delaying offers and lea…

Artificial intelligence is no longer emerging; it is already embedded in how society functions. It shapes how information is ranked, what people see online, how decisions are made and, increasingly, how power is exercised. This reality requires us to move from abstract discussions and act with urgency, clarity and competence. One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it is something peopl…

2. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [65718/25]

I acknowledge the Taoiseach's criticism of the Iranian and the Russian regimes. Similar to Deputy Byrne, I have particular concerns about Greenland and Denmark. Has the Government engaged with Denmark or EU parties regarding recent EU statements on Greenland? What is Ireland's position on safeguarding EU territorial and sovereign lands such as Greenland, particularly as we move into the EU Preside…

18. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at COP30 in Belém. [65719/25]

I note that, following the Taoiseach's attendance at COP in Belém, the EU made a significant decision to permanently stop Russian gas imports and phase out Russian oil. Similar to Deputy Byrne, I wish to highlight the issue of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels in the context of significant investment in public transport, in terms of DART+ West, for example, going to Maynooth and then Kilcock. …

Much of society has moved online. Applying for a passport, banking and whatever it may be is now online. It is not realistic or fair to expect young people not to be online and it is not fair on young people that they are not online. The age verification goes some way but as many speakers have brought up already, the algorithms behind social media are an issue. Much of the discussion here is about…

13. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the way in which the findings of the 'Future Forty' report will shape Ireland’s fiscal policy in the coming years, with particular reference to demographic change and global trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64370/25]

In September, the Tánaiste's predecessor published the Future Forty report. In what way will the findings of this report shape Ireland's fiscal policy in the coming years, particularly when it comes to demographic change and global trends? I am sure the Tánaiste is aware that a quarter of the population by 2060 will be over the age of 65, the Tánaiste and myself included, believe it or not. That w…

Go raibh maith again, a Thánaiste. While I said in jest we will both be retired by 2060, you never know. The main thing to bear in mind is that a quarter of the population will be at retirement age. That is going to have a significant impact on pensions and healthcare. Measures have been taken already - auto-enrolment will begin in the new year, which needs to be acknowledged. It is a crucial step…

I thank the Tánaiste. I appreciate all that. The report contains measures we could take to achieve productivity gains. There are elements we could really tap into when it comes to digitalisation, in particular, and the likes of artificial intelligence, AI. There need to be guardrails for AI and that is why the national AI office is being established. There needs to be a proper and comprehensive ex…

14. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the facilitator’s work plan with women’s sheds representatives will be completed; the way in which his Department will support its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68388/25]

We have seen the excellent work being done by men's sheds throughout the country and now at women's sheds. I commend the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and Department of Health on establishing a workforce to establish a national governing body for women's sheds. When will the facilitator's work plan with women's sheds will be completed? How does the Department pla…

As the Minister of State said, the work of men's sheds nationally has been rightly recognised. It is now time to recognise the work of women's sheds. It is a different space. While traditionally there would have been the ICA, women's sheds offer a different type of social space and give women different options for engaging in their community. This came about initially because representatives of Na…

I appreciate that the lack of an umbrella body has made it more difficult. I acknowledge the work that the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, are putting in, working with representatives from women's sheds throughout the country and ensuring good governance structures are put in place to ensure that there is longevity…