John Connolly

Like other Members of the House who spoke previously, I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, well in her role and congratulate her on her reappointment. It is a difficult portfolio but the Minister of State will have the support of the House in all earnest efforts to try to improve services for patients in this area. I compliment the Business Committee on enabling this debate. I am familiar…

Tá mé an-sásta an cheist seo a chuir ar an Aire ar son an Teachta O'Sullivan. Mar is eol dó, bhí díospóireacht againn aréir inár bpáirtí parlaiminte ar an ábhar seo. Last night at our parliamentary party meeting, this issue was raised and concern was expressed by a number of Members about the application of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. The Minister will be aware that the sc…

That is no problem. I could not be mistaken for a better person. I welcome the Minister's response and the sentiment contained in it, particularly the information that a new scheme is being proposed in this area. This would be welcomed by all Members of the House and many sectoral interests working on behalf of people with disabilities. In respect of the report submitted to the Department of the …

I welcome that.

Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus tugaim leithscéal an Teachta Crowe don Teach. I am sure that, like us all, the Minister has received substantial correspondence on this issue. There is a perceived discrimination in the application of inheritance tax that impacts families who have no children of their own. As the Minister will be well aware, strong bonds exist between au…

I thank the Minister for the response. We are all aware when proposing any change that it must be balanced against other areas within the Exchequer. The concern is that some people are entering a phase of their lives where they must give consideration to this issue. Our worry is that what they are passing on to their relatives is as much a tax burden as an asset. There should be some consideration…

I thank the Minister for his response and for giving the issue further consideration.

There is a theme, which I heard many Deputies remark on at the outset of their contributions, that this is a topic that will be difficult for many, having lost loved ones through road traffic accidents or incidents. I am particularly conscious as the Minister, Deputy O’Brien outlined at the start of the debate that the number of fatalities in recent years has increased despite much good work which…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis seo píosa a rá faoi chúpla rud áirithe atá sa chlár Rialtais. Tosóimid ar an bpointe ar chríochnaigh mo chomhghleacaí air maidir leis na Gaelcholáistí agus an gá atá orainn níos mó Gaelcholáistí a chur ar fáil do chuile cheantar, go mór mór in aon cheantar a bhfuil Gaelscoil ar fáil ann. Ba chóir go mbeidh rogha Gaelcholáiste a bheith ann sa cheantar céanna. Is mór an t…

Is trua í ar bealach gur faoin ábhar seo a bhfuil an chéad deis agam cúpla focal a rá sa Teach, ach sin mar atá sé. Is ábhar tábhachtach é do mhuintir mo Dháilcheantair. Fiú amháin é sin, níl a fhios agam an leor í an díospóireacht seo ach ceapaim go bhfuil gá le próiseas eile chun muid ar fad a shásamh go ndearnamar chuile rud a bhí deis againn a dhéanamh chun tionchar na stoirme a laghdú agus da…