James Geoghegan

One of the issues the NESC compact growth report highlights in Dublin is the scourge of dereliction and what we need to do to tackle it. As the Taoiseach is aware, the Dublin city task force covers this issue at great length. On several occasions I have asked about where the task force is at and about its recommendations. From the replies he has given, I know the Taoiseach is committed to the impl…

7. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand free public transport access for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22821/25]

I have already wished the Ministers of State, Deputies Canney and Buttimer, well in their roles but this is the first time I have been here when the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has been in the Chamber and I want to wish him well. I found him very approachable as a Minister when I was a councillor and I am looking forward to the continuity of service as a TD. What are the Minister for Transport's pla…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is good that we have contained in the programme for Government a commitment to expand free public transport for children. It is very welcome that the measure announced in the budget to extend the age from five to eight years and then to nine years of age, will be introduced in quarter 3. There is a certain practicality to all of this. I regularly …

One of the issues specific to Dublin when it comes to children taking public transport is, of course, the Luas. The Luas is a very busy tram, particularly at peak times. As we have seen, when we expand and invest in the Luas, we grow the passenger numbers. In that context, I would ask the Minister of State to support inquiring into getting the Luas extension from the Point to Poolbeg into the nati…

I thank the Minister of State for attending. This Topical Issue is very straightforward and I hope he will see the practical sense in what I am proposing. Dublin Port is carrying out a major expansion plan that will meet its future needs. In the context of what is taking place in the world right now, never has investment been so important to ensure we have access to ports for trade. The planning …

I thank the Minister of State for that very welcome response. Before any of the announcements were made by the Trump Administration, the Government had made extremely clear that there would be a commitment to and focus on investment in infrastructure. Understandably, the focus of that additional investment is on housing and water but we must not forget about public transport. It is so essential fo…

This is a very serious moment that deserves a very serious response. I listened very carefully to some of the Sinn Féin speakers earlier when they said what we need is better engagement with the United States and a beefing up of our diplomatic efforts. Does that mean Deputy Mary Lou McDonald will engage next year with the US Administration? When Sinn Féin talks about the all-island economy, does t…

28. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will meet next. [13795/25]

32. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will meet next. [15528/25]

33. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with transport will meet next. [15529/25]

A very important infrastructure project is before An Bord Pleanála at present. This is the expansion of Dublin Port. Part of this expansion includes the construction of a new bridge alongside the toll bridge. Part of this bridge will facilitate the extension of the Luas from the Three Arena to Poolbeg via Irishtown and Ringsend. Does the Taoiseach agree it would be common sense that we proceed now…

It is the Dublin city task force.

11. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Finance if he can detail the key impact of the ESRI working paper, The Impact of Deglobalisation and Protectionism on a Small Open Economy - The Case of Ireland, on policy in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15839/25]

My question relates to the policy response to tariffs that were hypothetical when I tabled it and that are now real. I am concerned about a creeping narrative emerging from certain quarters within the Opposition, and Sinn Féin in particular, which seeks to pitch Ireland against Europe in the response. Does the Minister agree that in our response to this we need more, and not less, Europe? The Sing…

I thank the Minister. There is no sugar-coating the tariff announcements made yesterday evening. We are only beginning to understand their effects. It is now the reality that the United States, which started globalisation, is seeking to bring an end to it. We in the European Union need to be proud of what we have done in developing the largest single market in the world. We need to ensure we do mo…

Investment in infrastructure is a key part of the programme for Government. Housing and water infrastructure are key in that but public transport is too. Dublin Port is carrying out an expansion plan and is going to build a new bridge alongside the toll bridge that would facilitate the extension of the Luas to Poolbeg. I ask that in the lifetime of this Dáil we get that project at least to a stage…

I marvel at Deputy Boyd Barrett's success in naming all the clubs in his constituency. I will add Ranelagh Gaels, Clanna Gael and Templeogue Synge Street to that list of clubs looking for pitches. In fairness, the point was well made. It is one most people in the House would agree with. I will touch on three matters. The first is youth prevention. I am not talking about the diversion programme, w…

7. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will again be supporting a national organic food fair which took place in Merrion Square in 2024; whether smaller fairs might be supported in other smaller Dublin or urban parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13804/25]

I congratulate the Minister and all the other Ministers on their roles and wish them well in their brief. They might not see me here much but this is an issue of interest to me. It is about the farm-to-fork philosophy. A very successful organic food fair was run in Merrion Square last year. My question is on whether it will be funded again this year. Second, can the type of funding that went towar…

I thank the Minister of State and I welcome his support for the funding of farmers' markets and organic food fairs. In all seriousness, these fairs are a very good way of bridging some of the differences and divides between rural and urban Ireland and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of rural Ireland in urban environments but crucially, there is a real economic value to this. Mos…

I thank the Minister and it is great to hear that. It is important to reiterate the importance of the funding for projects right across the country, including ones that will take place in my own constituency in Merrion Square. Ultimately, if we want to have a successful, thriving food culture and a thriving restaurant sector in Dublin, it is about promoting these farmers' markets everywhere. It is…

During this debate we have, quite rightly, heard references from both sides of the House to preserving the international world order and the rule of law. However, a Deputy from the Social Democrats - I do not know whether he was enunciating Social Democrat policy - said there should be a plebiscite on the triple lock. This is a matter both parties that formed the Government had a very clear positi…

-----for the very simple reason that we do not want our peacekeepers and where we carry out peacekeeping missions to be vetoed by China, Russia or any other major power. The extraordinary proposal from the Social Democrat Deputy was that his role as a legislator would somehow be transposed into some makey-uppy vote of the general public unrelated to our Constitution. It is only when our Constituti…

The antidemocratic suggestions are not being put from this side of the House. The world around us is changing as we speak. In recent weeks and months, the postwar system that has brought us peace and security unknown to any past generation has been called into question. Our European friends and allies recognise this. Policy changes that would have been unthinkable a decade ago or even a year ago …