Catherine Connolly

98. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 13 February 2025, for an update on the Corrib go Cósta project; if the design options have now been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/25]

My question relates to the urgent need for flood defences in Galway and specifically an update on the Corrib na gCósta project. Have the design options been developed? I understand from a previous question that they are now out, but the Minister of State might just clarify that, and the status of the project given the appalling delays that have taken place up to now.

I wish the Minister of State the best in his job. Forgive my frustration. Maybe I should not use the phrase " appalling delays", but rather the absolutely unacceptable delay. I sat on the council. Like many people here, I was very familiar with the CFRAM programme and the necessity then following that to have flood defences. I think I am on my fourth Minister; it could be the fifth. Everyone took …

I hope the Minister takes a hands-on approach like his previous colleagues. I live in the Claddagh. I know the area; I have a vested interest. Besides that, however, it is a very important project. From day one there was a misunderstanding with regard to a once in 100 years event. That is what they were planning for when it was quite clear, and we witnessed the recent storm, that this was going to…

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104. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 13 February 2025, for an update on plans to review and strengthen the ethics in public office legislation following the completion of the review of the statutory framework in December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…

Could the Minister give me an update on the plans to review and strengthen the ethics in public office legislation? The review of the need to change it was done and we are into our third year now since December 2022. Could the Minister give us an update on the specific plans of the Government?

I am glad it is in the programme for Government. However, the Minister did not provide any dates whatsoever. There are very serious issues here. These are being raised not just by me but also by SIPO, year after year, in its annual report. SIPO has highlighted the gaps that exist and its lack of power. Will the Minister display some sense of urgency in relation to the issues that have arisen rega…

I thank the Minister. I appreciate that he is making this a priority. I also appreciate he cannot give me a date, but there has to be recognition that the existing legislation is totally inadequate, that SIPO has repeatedly pointed out a range of difficulties in terms of its lack of power in the context of ensuring that the highest standards in public office obtain. We know that. I am not going to…

I want to raise the issue of the report from Sheila Noonan, the negotiator, which is now in the possession of the Minister, Deputy Foley. When she was appointed almost two years ago, she was to report within six months. The report is completed and with the Minister. I have two issues that concern me. The first is the question of what the next steps will be. We need a clear outline of what is going…

Gabhaim buíochas le mo chomhghleacaí an Teachta Healy. I was elected in 2016 and since then, with all my colleagues here, we have begged, implored and appealed to the Government to declare a housing emergency to recognise that we have crisis but it has utterly failed to do that. Once again, it keeps turning language on its head, even in relation to social housing as it called HAP provision social …

11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application (details supplied) to the European Innovation Partnership under call 6; when funding announcements will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13801/25]

I do not know which Minister is answering this question but it relates to the Irish wool industry and a farmer-led initiative that will be a crucial lifeline for rural areas. It specifically relates to the status of an application under call 6 of the European Innovation Partnership. I have provided the details. When will funding announcements be made? Can the Minister give any further details?

I thank the Minister. I have been following up on this for a number of years now. We got a report from the Agile Executive on the possibilities for wool. Like seaweed, this is an area we have utterly neglected despite the substantial potential for growth for indigenous industries. The report tells us that "Wool has a unique composition that makes it applicable to many markets including Horticultur…

I understand the restriction on the Minister with regard to the evaluation process. I understand that but will he clarify the dates for me because I missed them when he was delivering his response? On wool in general, I am very concerned at how slowly progress is being made. It took us years to get the report that was commissioned. Some €100,000 was set aside. The report cost €70,000 while €30,000…

I missed the dates.

14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason mineral soils were included under GAEC 2, despite its intent to apply only to carbon rich soils, that is, peatlands and wetlands; if he intends to amend Ireland’s proposal to align with EU requirements and prevent detrimental impacts on small farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [138…

This is a very specific question. I know the Minister is very familiar with this because there was a protest outside the Dáil on the issue. I am not sure whether things have moved forwards or backwards. What is the reason that mineral soils were included under GAEC 2 and why was the percentage chosen despite the regulation being intended only to apply to carbon-rich soils? I fully support the prov…

I understand the baseline conditionality. I am no expert on this, but I listened to carefully to what those who are experts are saying. It seems on the face of it that small farmers are disproportionately affected by the percentage employed. I can only tell the Minister what I have been informed of, which is that the Department has decided that if 51% of the parcel comprises peatlands and wetlands…

I have no intention of scaremongering.

I do not think the Minister was. I do not think the farmers who were up here protesting were scaremongering either. They were clearly setting out their concerns. I have set them out as best I can in the context of the two percentages being used. The percentage for mineral soils and the percentage for wetlands and peatlands could be clarified in simple terms. I accept the Minister's bona fides in t…

This Government has pushed a policy of might is right at every level. It has seriously undermined years of Dáil reform. That reform was brought in to make democracy stronger in order that all voices within the Dáil would be heard. The Government is being disingenuous and dangerous. I take particular note of the speeches of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and one of the Ministers in which language was …

It has effectively reduced the opportunity for openness and the accountability on the part of the Taoiseach by reducing the time available to Members to question him. It has reduced the time for the Order of Business. It has reduced the time for our Private Members' business. All the time, it has said it is doing the opposite.