Joanna Byrne

I thank the Minister of State for being with us and for her presentation. I welcome the progression of the Bill, though many of the items in it could and should have been implemented a long time ago, had Government not voted down many of the same proposals when they were made by Sinn Féin. This includes bringing RTÉ under the aegis of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Sinn Féin also proposed a …

I move: That Dáil Éireann shall take note of the Report of the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport entitled "Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill", copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 17th September, 2025. I am delighted to have the opportunity to discuss in the Dáil the report on pre-legi…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for being here this evening, for his contribution and for his acknowledgement of the work of the committee over an extensive period in recent months. I also thank the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, for acknowledging that work. Given the controversies around RTÉ and the fact that it is back in the headlines this week, I very much welcome the decision tha…

Another week and another Private Members' Bill to try to address the real issue that is adversely affecting the Irish people, and yet another seemingly disinterested and dismissive amendment from this do-nothing Government. What is beyond laughable is that it will ignore this issue and continue to inflict the highest energy bills in Europe on the Irish people. Then, come election time, the Governm…

1. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport given the significant deficiencies in Ireland’s swimming pool infrastructure and the pressing need for urgent investment and strategic planning to ensure every Irish person has access to swimming facilities, to outline in detail the way in which he intends to action this; the timelines for same; and if he will make a s…

Considering the significant deficiencies in Ireland's swimming pool infrastructure and the need for urgent investment, can the Minister of State make a statement outlining how we intend to action this, and provide some indicative timelines for same?

Ireland has only public pool per 81,000 people. That is a significant deficit compared with other nations like Scotland, which has one per 14,000 people. The Government, like previous Governments, has acknowledged the problem but there is no viable plan to resolve it. The Minister of State has accepted the Swim Ireland report, a pool within reach. That remains a distant reality amid critical swimm…

An adequate number of swimming pools for modern Ireland will not be delivered by the already oversubscribed large-scale sport infrastructure fund or the community sports facilities fund. The local authority swimming pool programme was to provide capital grant aid to local authorities for new, refurbished and upgraded swimming pools and never really did. Now the shift for future funding has moved t…

40. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in light of his Department aiming to open the new round of the CSFF in the first half of 2026, when the new guidelines will be published in advance to include updated eligibility and likely assessment criteria in this next round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32741/26]

The Minister might get a sense of déjà vu because I spoke on this matter during Questions on Policy or Promised Legislation last May. For those who need these vital services in Louth, it is Groundhog Day. I raise the need for additional funding and resources for the three housing adaptation grant schemes in Louth. On 1 May, just over a third of the way through the year, Louth County Council had to…

Just over a year ago, I had the privilege of hosting Dignity4Patients in Leinster House where five courageous survivors of convicted sexual abuser, Michael Shine, shared their testimonies with TDs, Senators and political staff. Survivors Larry, Cianan, Gerard, Peter and Ian spoke with one voice on behalf of the hundreds of known victims who had come forward. Their message was clear: truth matters …

Right through last year and continuing up to this week, I met principals of DEIS schools in Drogheda on various issues. Even back then, before the announcement of the DEIS plus scheme, it was very disheartening for schools to tell me they were very worried about being forgotten once more and as it turns out, they were right. DEIS schools in Drogheda provide an incredibly supportive environment fo…

The Minister of State is paying lip service to the dedication of the staff carrying the can for inadequate Government investment in areas ravaged on the basis of the criteria he listed, namely lone parenthood, unemployment and children living in State-funded emergency accommodation and international protection accommodation. We have Mosney seven minutes down the road and we have the D Hotel, the o…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide that the municipal district area that includes the Local Electoral Area of Drogheda Urban shall be known in the Irish language as Ceantar Bardasach Chathair Dhroichead Átha and in the English language as the Municipal District of Drogheda City, and for that purpose to amend the Local Government Act 2001; to provide that …

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

I never imagined that I, as a first-time TD, would still need to speak about workers’ rights, rates of pay and fairness in employment. The phrase, “a decent day’s pay for an honest day’s work”, should have been long retired before 2026. This debate, which should not even be a debate, has been around since before I was born and before my parents and grandparents were born. The points being raised h…

It has not.

I sincerely welcome these statements on football as an opportunity to talk about the sport I have always, and will always, love. Some of my fondest memories are of growing up in the terraces among the fans, come hail, rain or shine, supporting our home team of Drogheda United through the good times and the bad. If the emotion and love of football supporters - League of Ireland supporters, cruciall…

How much noise needs to be made before the Government snaps out of its slumber and legislates for all of the people affected by the huge fuel price increases? It has selective hearing, sight and amnesia. It has selectively chosen who is to receive the most minimal cuts to fuel costs in some sectors while the general public and those in many industries who have to be on the road daily are forgotten…

Hear hear.

I would like the Government to urgently address a serious situation facing a primary school in my constituency that has the potential to impact hundreds of children and families. Despite providing the first breakfast club of its kind in the State, St. Paul's National School is hugely concerned that because it does not fit the new model for school meals, it is at risk of losing this vital service. …

As we have just had Daffodil Day, I feel we must mention the Irish Cancer Society here. Every one of us knows somebody who has battled cancer, and with one in two people in Ireland affected, this cause sadly touches us all. The Irish Cancer Society provides significant support for cancer patients and their families in County Louth, with services witnessing higher demand throughout 2025. With only …

We in Sinn Féin see no reason to oppose this Bill. We look forward to its progression to Committee Stage. It would address many of the issues this party has raised over the years regarding media ownership and independence. We may seek to submit amendments on matters on which we believe the Bill is not strong enough, but I am sure engagement on that would be welcomed. The parent legislation of the…

I welcome the intention of this Bill, which clearly aims to protect children from harm, and I commend People Before Profit on bringing it forward. We will support this Bill through to the next Stages, but we may work with People Before Profit on some amendments to it. We have been examining algorithms at several Oireachtas committees, including the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Culture, Communi…

131. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the proposal to introduce a social media ban for under 16s has been abandoned; and if so, the reasons. [16790/26]