John Clendennen

Licensed firearms, namely shotguns and rifles, have an important place in rural Ireland from their use in controlling vermin and predators to their use in protecting crops, livestock and poultry. Many of the groups representing licensed firearms users have expressed concerns about inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of firearms legislation. In 2016 a firearms consultative pane…

Sport has a unique ability to lift the nation. In recent weeks, we have seen that first hand with what the boys in green achieved, reaching the next stages of qualification. That is replicated in golf, rugby and GAA. I acknowledge the Government investment in pathways, participation and high performance. Sport is a proven formula to provide success and joy right across society. However, a young ma…

4. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress being made by his Department on creating an operational AI regulatory sandbox by 2 August 2026, in line with the EU AI Act 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62583/25]

On 12 January 2022, which will forever remain one of the darkest days in the history of County Offaly and indeed Ireland, a young woman, Ashling Murphy, had her life taken in the most brutal and senseless way in the cold light of day. Since this House last sat on 22 October, the courts have delivered their verdicts and sentences. However, there remains a deep sense of unease and dismay among many …

I thank the Minister for the work he and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, have done over recent weeks and months in relation to this budget but also the work the Minister has done since 2017 when he took office in the Department of Finance. The certainty he has brought to the country and to the economy cannot be taken for granted. I am very conscious that when it comes to budget time, there are no e…

Cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí agus múinteoirí ó Choláiste Naomh Cormac i mo Dháilcheantar Uíbh Fhailí. There is a concerning trend of anecdotal examples of cloud infrastructure firms choosing overseas locations instead of Ireland for new investments at a time when the sector is frustratingly awaiting the publication of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, policy paper on large energy …

As a new TD, I am proud to represent the people of Offaly. Little did I think that less than 12 months into this Dáil term, we would be faced with the need for a confidence motion of this nature. It seems that some Opposition Deputies have more of a problem with democracy than with Government policy. What really transforms the lives of people in this country are not Opposition headlines or politic…

112. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is evaluating to promote the conversion of older buildings for housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53283/25]

15. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the steps being taken to help reduce the cost of doing business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50598/25]

Apologies for my punctuality. I acknowledge the work the Minister has done in relation to small businesses, especially the establishment of the small enterprise unit within his Department and the National Enterprise Hub. I ask the Minister to provide an update on the steps he is taking to reduce the cost of business.

I thank the Minister. I welcome the cost of business advisory forum. Over the summer, I conducted a survey with over 600 respondents. A key finding was that over two thirds of SMEs that engaged in the survey were uncertain about the future and lacked the confidence we need to ensure they have. Other key findings were around easing the cost of labour pressure, cutting energy costs, tackling insuran…

When it comes to protecting jobs, I ask the Minister to strongly consider, along with his Cabinet colleagues, introducing the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector in the upcoming budget. The Minister spoke about the kitchen tables to boardroom tables where decisions were made. Small businesses need help. A VAT rate of 9% is an important stimulus in that regard. To look at the figures, there are …

7. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to clarify the precise change to the triple lock that recently announced legislation will result in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48880/25]

55. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the proposed changes to the triple lock will impact Ireland's policy of being militarily neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48881/25]

For clarity, I am going to go with Questions Nos. 7 and 55 together. The Government's intention is to change legislation to the triple lock mechanism that governs the deployment of Irish troops overseas. At present, as the Tánaiste knows, that requires the approval of the Government, the Dáil and a mandate from the United Nations. Could he clarify precisely what changes are now being proposed, and…

I thank the Tánaiste for the details and his repeated clarity provided surrounding the proposed changes. Many people seem to remain unclear as to why the Government believes it necessary to move away from the existing triple lock. The cynic in me questions whether there is a co-ordinated campaign of misinformation in relation to this matter-----

-----claiming it will compromise our neutrality. I wonder where that comes from.

Will the Deputy let me speak?

Many believe the triple lock has provided a clear reassurance to the Irish people that our participation overseas is grounded in neutrality and a UN mandate. However, in an ever-increasingly precarious and uncertain world, we should not find ourselves in a position where the likes of peacekeeping missions by Irish troops could be vetoed by UN member states. There has been mention of Ukraine and i…

I thank the Tánaiste. Irish troops have served with distinction at Camp Shamrock for several decades, none more than Deputy Callaghan who has just departed the Chamber. We have a proud and unbroken record of deployment of troops to Lebanon. We must protect that in the best interests of Óglaigh na hÉireann as our only full-scale peacekeeping mission in the world today. We must reiterate the point …

88. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the operation of the home energy upgrade loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48877/25]

I thank the Minister of State and welcome the progress made. I agree with him on the sentiments around interest rates and the take-up. The demand for retrofitting is definitely rising but we need to monitor the correlation of draw-downs versus retrofit. There is a body of work to be done here where there is essentially cash investment in retrofitting. It is welcome but I am not so sure the broader…

For anyone to make a decision on a loan, he or she will consider three key, fundamental points. These are the interest rate, affordability and the loan term. That really determines whether it is feasible or viable. There is one particular cohort, which is our elderly, where the term of the loan may not make sense for them. There is a body of work to do on energy poverty and climate action. I would…

As per the last census, there are some towns in my constituency of Offaly with up to 40% of households still relying on peat turf for home central heating. That is ten times the national average of 4%. These families are caught up in the crossfire between climate policy and home heating regulations. For many, moving from turf to a full retrofit is simply not financially feasible or logistically po…

7. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has undertaken a review of utility infrastructure deficits in rural towns and villages; how these deficits are currently limiting the delivery of rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36137/25]