John Connolly

I cannot say that I did not have concerns about this Bill when I noted it on the summer legislative agenda. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding of its intention. As I had read it, my concept was that this was a further centralising of the decision-making process on transport policy by the NTA at the expense of local authority members. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, has assured me that is not the inte…

29. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [36935/26]

12. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [30661/26]

The Taoiseach recently alluded to the historic success of the social partnership model in the country and the impact and role it had in maintaining living standards, social cohesion and limiting industrial action. In alluding to that, I was hoping that we might be in a position to say that we are to commence a new period of social partnership between the employers, employees, and the Government as…

There was widespread relief among the general population in Galway, and particularly among the local authorities and transport authorities, following the recent decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála to grant approval for the Galway city ring road. This will obviously allow for the development of the road but also enable the city to develop a new metropolitan transport strategy. One group of people for…

9. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [29772/26]

We heard earlier the impression some like to portray of the World Economic Forum. I noted that in some of the discussions the Taoiseach attended and some of the engagements he participated in, there was widespread discussion on the whole area of social cohesion. Could he outline today some of what was discussed in terms of developing further cohesion among all nations and across nations? He might …

16. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore energy clearing house. [7909/26]

3. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress his Department is making in tackling child poverty. [7897/26]

Among the priorities of the child poverty and well-being programme in the Taoiseach's Department is to enhance participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty. In many of our disadvantaged communities, there is an absence of active and passive recreational spaces where children can congregate, come together, enjoy each other's company and generate some po…

17. Deputy John Connolly asked the Taoiseach for an overview of the Budget 2026: Spotlight on Disability report recently published by his Department. [18505/26]

We all very much welcome the introduction, as the Taoiseach mentioned, of the new therapy and education service that will be implemented in special schools from next September. I very much welcome this for two schools in my constituency, Ábalta Special School and St. Joseph's Special School. One other commitment of the programme for Government - I think it is also included in the strategy in the T…

I ask the Minister for an update on the fiscal measures currently in place to support enterprise development and investment in regional towns and rural communities; the further tax-based initiatives being examined to promote balanced economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter

The Tánaiste will be aware that the national planning framework proposes to distribute the future population growth of the country equally between the greater Dublin region, the regional cities and the metropolitan areas that surround them. To facilitate that, we need enhanced infrastructure development, and we need to increase housing options for people in those locations. We also need to look at…

I very much welcome the Tánaiste's support for the initiative. My understanding of it is that while the local authorities would be the gatherers of the tax, it does require Department of Finance legislative change to try to make sure it is possible and feasible for them to do so. There is a sincerity and a genuine need for it in those cities or regional towns where there are significant numbers of…

Ar an ábhar sin, ba mhaith liom tús a chur le mo chuid focail le buíochas a ghabhadh leis na daoine atá ag obair go deonach sna clubanna ar fad sa tír agus atá ag déanamh an-obair le daoine óga agus ag cur spraoi ar fáil do na daoine. Is dóigh go bhfuil siad ag obair chomh maith ar son ár gcóras sláinte toisc go bhfuil siad ag tabhairt aire do na páistí agus ag tabhairt deis dóibh a bheith aclaí i…

Yesterday, the National Transport Authority, NTA, provided an opportunity for Members to raise issues with it regarding public transport in our constituencies. When I asked about expanding and developing further bus services in Galway, particularly the 424, the NTA advised me that the budget for 2026 has not yet been defined so it could not provide me with an answer. Of greater concern was the fac…

Gabhaim buíochas le hOifig an Cheann Comhairle as ucht an ábhar seo a roghnú ar maidin. Mar a dúirt an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, I wish to ask the Minister to discuss the availability of the shingles vaccine for those aged over 65 or those with compromised immune systems. Shingles affects approximately one in three people during their lifetime, with the risk of contraction increasing significantly …

I understand the vaccine is available, as the Minister of State outlined. I also understand that when the process of assessing whether it would be provided through the immunisation programme was undertaken, there was a period of public consultation and a substantial number of submissions were made in the public consultation that highlighted that the cost of the vaccine - at that time between €480 …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht agus deis seo chun ábhar na Gaeilge a phlé sa Seomra inniu. Tá téama sa díospóireacht go dtí seo – luaigh mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Dolan, é, arb as Gaillimh dó chomh maith – go bhfuil muid ag iarraidh daoine a spreagadh chun a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid. Is rud thar a bheith tábhachtach é sin. Mar a dúirt an tAire níos luaithe, tá Gaeilge ag chuile dhuine. Tá Ga…

180. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether a further opportunity to apply for large-scale sports infrastructure funding will be open to sporting organisations in 2026; if so, the level of funding that will be available; the criteria for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16268/26]

It is regrettable that the debate has come about in this manner. We have all expressed an opinion as to how valuable SNAs are to children and the school system. That has been worthy of recognition before today. I had the privilege in my career of working with many SNAs. I have seen children thrive through their intervention. If I go back to the start of my teaching career, I think there were aroun…

I recently asked the Minister for Health for an update on the development of the elective hospital at Merlin Park in Galway. Looking back at some documents I have, I note that the elective hospital was first proposed in 2018. It was also included as part of the national Sláintecare programme. It has been included in every HSE capital plan up to 2025. The description in each of those documents has …

The first thing I should have said is that I appreciate the Minister of State being here as a Minister of State in the Department of Health to take this question and provide an answer. However we present this, it is a significant change in what was to be the provision of a facility that had intended at its outset and up to 2025 to provide for 200 beds. I recognise fully the point she made that the…

I recently raised with the Taoiseach the issue of the higher rate of suspected suicide among members of the Travelling community compared to the general population - there is a suspected rate difference of between seven and ten for members of the Travelling community. In recent weeks, the Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community held a number of meetings to engage on the issue of …