Paschal Donohoe

That, Deputy Gannon, is indeed funding. It is evidence of the commitment we have to make a difference. In conjunction with our budgetary process, which is the way all these things have to come together, we will look at how we can support that report and make sure it gets the funding it needs, just as we have done with the north inner city task force

Deputy Murphy is raising an important issue. The welfare of horses is critical to the future of our breeding industry here in Ireland and we also need to ensure the right standards are adhered to to fulfil the commitments we have to animal welfare. I will have to revert to the Deputy, and I will, with a detailed answer to his question because it is important and I do not have a briefing in front o…

It is really important we have two Deputies here today raising an issue that is so important to global welfare and to many countries that need further support at this time of difficulty. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl asked two questions. The first is about our commitment. I confirm that we will uphold the commitments we have at the moment. Unfortunately, that is not the case for every country at the moment d…

I agree with the Deputy. I disagree with him that the programme for Government does not contain a reference or a commitment in relation to that. It does.

The Deputy is correct that we have to accelerate our path to energy self-sufficiency and do that through green energy. The three ways in which we will do it are: first, through the support of MARA and the implementation of the new planning framework off the shores of our country; second, by continuing to put in place the investment that we are committed to putting in place in our ports and directl…

I acknowledge the role that Deputy McCarthy is playing in trying to support the development of the IDA site in Fermoy. I agree with him regarding the potential it has and the important role it could play in supporting jobs in his community. The IDA is committed to looking at how good and productive use can be made of this site. While it has received some approaches, that has not yet translated int…

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I know that is the commitment with regard to the publication of these important guidelines. I am not aware if there is any reason why that deadline will not be met but I also know there is a new Minister in that Department, and I am sure the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will want to consider this issue carefully. I am sure he will want to publish them as soon…

It is important to emphasise that the fact those lines have not yet been connected is not because the Government does not care. It is because a huge amount of damage was done.

We have been successful in working through the regulator and the Department to see the majority of the connections repaired. I agree with the Deputy that for anybody to be in a situation where they do not have contact with loved ones, their local community or the health service is a significant problem. I will ensure that the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, is aware of this issue. I know that huge effor…

I am aware of the bad news that the Deputy’s county has had to confront in terms of job losses. I know the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs will work hard to support those who are losing their jobs at a moment when there is already uncertainty across the world. With regard to Offaly, I want to reassure Deputy Nolan and the communities and constituents she represents of the commitment that the …

To return firstly to the previous matter raised by Deputy Michael Murphy, I acknowledge that he has been raising his issue with me but as the Minister for Health is here, I thought a direct response from her was perhaps more helpful to him. In response to Deputy O'Shea, I acknowledge the importance of the issue and thank him for raising it. I know an awful lot of work has happened on this. Fundin…

Yesterday, the Government made a commitment regarding a State facility. It made this commitment in order to ensure we will have available to us emergency reserves that could be used if we find ourselves in a position where supply into our country is in some way threatened. We want to identify if there is any role for the private sector with regard to this. I emphasise that the announcement the Gov…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in relation to Graiguenamanagh. The introduction of these flood relief schemes does two things. Firstly, it increases confidence in moments of flood risk. Secondly and most importantly, these schemes work. I have experience of flooding in my constituency on a very different scale from other parts of the country. I have seen at first hand the harm and stres…

The Government has redoubled its efforts regarding dereliction. The previous Government did so with the introduction of a number of grants that are being used in a very successful way to turn derelict properties into homes. There is a derelict sites register that is used at the moment. I am sure Galway County Council does not lack will regarding the issue. It sounds like the hotel mentioned by the…

I am going to deal with this issue because it is an issue of such importance to Deputy Burke. He has raised it with me on a number of occasions in addition to raising it with the Minister for Health. As he knows at the moment the capitation fees that are paid to GPs in respect of nursing home residents are the highest paid in respect of any patient recognising the complexity of health needs that I…

My Department, like finance Ministries elsewhere, is assessing the potential impact of tariffs on our economy. The assessment of our economic outlook, which will incorporate the latest developments in the global economy, will be set out in the spring forecast, which will be published in April. From an economic perspective, the US is our largest bilateral trading and investment partner. In 2023, t…

As I said to the Deputy, the analysis with regard to this is under way. Owing to the uncertain environment we are in, it is appropriate that a number of weeks be taken to do this work. That work will be concluded and published in April. On the imposition of tariffs under the first President Trump Administration, two learnings emerged. First, the EU did respond. The EU has indicated it will respon…

The Deputy put a set of questions to me and I answered them. She wanted to know whether we are particularly exposed to changes happening in global trade, and I said we are and outlined why. She asked if there is an analysis under way to consider risks we face. I confirmed there is, told the Deputy when it would be complete and told her how it would be published. That work is all under way. On the…

As the Deputy will be aware, in making any decisions on VAT rates or other taxation measures, the Government must balance the costs of the measures in question against their impact and the overall budgetary framework. The programme for Government is clear. It commits us to introducing measures to support SMEs, in particular in the retail and hospitality sectors. It acknowledges the increased cost…

I absolutely appreciate the value of the 9% hospitality rate and the help it can offer to the hospitality sector. I understand that 9% is the rate that can have the biggest effect. The timing of this relates to the fact that it will be a significant move. If a move is made - and my view is that when we decide the scope of that move, it should be concentrated on the food and catering sector - its …

I understand the value of the 9% VAT rate. It is my intention to be able to deliver such a move, but such a move would entail a significant cost, which is why it needs to be part of the overall budget process. As to what that VAT rate will be applicable to, my view is that it can have the biggest impact on food and catering, as I made clear in my earliest answer to the Deputy. The expansion beyond…

That is not the question the Deputy put to me. The question he put to me-----

No. Let us be clear. The question the Deputy put to me, which is the question I will answer initially - I will go on to clarify - reads: "To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline Exchequer returns and tax receipts for January 2025 ... " That is the question that was put to me, and I will answer it. I am happy then to elaborate beyond that on the further points the Deputy has made. The E…

The Deputy has been against every attempt to broaden the tax base. He is against all our attempts to do that. He is against carbon tax. He is against local property tax. I ask him not to stand up here and point out to me the dangers of a narrow tax base when he is against any efforts to widen it. He has been against our running budget surpluses, which are in place to deal with the very kinds of ri…

We got a real insight into the thinking of Deputy Tóibín and Aontú there. He characterised foreign direct investment as transitional investment in jobs. Is he going to tell the people who work for the semiconductor sector here that their jobs are transitional?