Paul Nicholas Gogarty

I said “significant”.

On this occasion of marking International Women's Day, I wish all the very best to mná na hÉireann, and to women across the world. Despite this being the second quarter of the 21st century, we have so many issues that still need to be resolved. It is absolutely shocking. It needs to be called out at any level. Obviously, women are well able to do it for themselves, but there is a litany of abuses …

Deputy Tóibín did not want to give too many examples but it is important to keep ramming the examples home. Just over the past three years, there have been several instances which have highlighted concerns regarding the mismanagement and waste of public funds by the Irish Government bodies and agencies. There was a seven-year inquiry into NAMA’s €1.6 billion Project Eagle which resulted in €14.4 m…

In my limited time to talk about policing community safety, I will focus on a couple of key points. The first is pay for gardaí. We need to create total pay restoration to the levels before the economic downturn. As I have mentioned in respect of nurses, if we are to have gardaí posted in urban areas, they need a Dublin allowance as an incentive. Otherwise we will be unable to replace the officers…

The Irish people are a generous people. We recognise the need of so many people fleeing persecution and war who come to this country. Long may that continue. People have said to me on the doorsteps that they recognise the fantastic contribution being made by people from various countries around the world in, for example, our healthcare system. However, there is concern about people who are economi…

Is feidir leis an Teachta críochnú.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Agus Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl faoi láthair, tá sé tábhachtach gur ardaíodh an t-ábhar seo. Aontaím go mór leis an rún. Is tábhachtach go n-aithníonn an Rialtas an obair seo mar beidh mé ag labhairt faoin Aire i gceann tamaill. Maidir leis an díograis agus an tiomantas chun an Ghaeilge a shábháil beo inár gcultúr, tá bealach ann chun é seo a fhorbairt…

I congratulate the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Violence against women is a global problem. It happens in so-called capitalist societies, socialist societies, religious communities and secular communities. It happens across the world. It may have an increasing risk in areas of deprivation and poverty but it is not related to income or social status either. We have our own background of patriarchy and mi…

Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine three years ago was a terrible attack on a sovereign nation, escalating into a conflict that has killed more than 1 million people, created 7 million refugees, displaced 3.7 million people internally and put almost 13 million people, including more than two million children, in dire need of humanitarian aid. Tens of thousands of children were also abducted b…

I have short enough speaking time but I welcome that the Minister of State has mentioned there has been some progress on graduates in the special section of the Department of the Taoiseach. There are also quite a number of areas, however, that require urgent re-examination. Reference is made to 60% of people with disability working. If one looks, however, at people who are termed disabled to a gre…

Driver test waiting times have become a major issue across the country. From speaking to people in different parts of the country we know there are huge differences depending on ones location. The Government has itself acknowledged since last year the need for significant restructuring of the RSA and its €90 million budget but there is a lot of work to be done. There are 72,000 learner drivers awa…

It is good to have the opportunity to speak on housing again so soon. I welcome the motion from my Social Democrats colleagues. Looking at the Government amendment, I would vote against it but I will put on the record that I am participating in a pairing arrangement today and so will not be voting. However, I will speak in support of the motion. It is very important to emphasise a couple of things…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Agus Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl go luath i gceann coicíse, bhí mé ag smaoineamh faoi conas a chothaítear níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid, go mór mór i measc na nÉireannach nua. I ndáiríre, tá fadhb againn. Léiríonn figiúirí ón Roinn Oideachais go bhfuil 8% de dhaltaí bunscoile sna Sé Chontae Fichead ag freastal ar Ghaelscoileanna agus go bhfuil 8.3% de na bunsc…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Taoiseach. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil caighdeán Gaeilge an-mhaith sna gnáthscoileanna freisin agus go bhfuil na hÉireannaigh nua ag lorg áiteanna chun an Ghaeilge a labhairt an t-am ar fad freisin. Tá a fhios agam sin. Is mór is cuimhin liom nuair a bhí mé i mo mhéara ar Chomhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas, fuarthas cuireadh ó ghrúpa reilige ar Lá Fhéile Pádraig agus bhí a…

Honourable Members of Dáil Eireann, we stand at the dawn of a transformative age, one driven by the power of artificial intelligence. In business, AI offers unparalleled potential to boost productivity, streamline operations and foster innovation. Our economy can harness AI to enhance sectors like manufacturing, healthcare and finance, positioning Ireland as a global leader in technological advanc…

Why is it that despite investment, we seem to be, at best, running to stand still in respect of our mental health services? There are many things to cover, but I will focus on some of the matters that are getting worse despite a record allocation of €1.48 billion in budget 2024. Of particular concern to me and my constituents, and the topic I wish to concentrate on in my brief contribution, is the…

As I look around the Chamber, I see the busts of those involved in the 1916 Rising. The Proclamation of the Irish Republic resolved to cherish all children of the nation equally. This has been used before many times. It can almost become cliched at times, but it must be stated that in the area of special education, we are not cherishing children equally. Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Righ…

Here is a quote for the Minister of State: Every child gets free health and development checks from 0 to 5 years. This is to make sure they are healthy and developing normally. Checks will happen with a healthcare professional, for example your public health nurse (PHN), GP practice nurse or GP. They will normally happen at home or at your local health centre. You can use these visits and healt…

These checks are crucial for the early identification of any developmental concerns, allowing for timely interventions. and they can significantly enhance or basically curse a child's prospects in the future if it is not looked at. Parents are understandably concerned about the need to have their children assessed in a timely manner, and it cannot be done privately. Maybe that needs to be examined…

The Road Safety Act was a progressive piece of legislation and I commend those involved in its implementation. The legislation, which I broadly welcome, targets three main areas namely mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions; penalty points and some movement around speed limits. It is not a universally well received piece of legislation but we must look first and foremost at savi…

I reiterate my support for the recommendations of the Housing Commission report and emphasise the need to act on a macro level. I will outline a few more suggestions I will bring forward in more detail at a later stage. The first is increased penalties for housing not occupied including the right of a local authority to make a compulsory purchase order faster than the current derelict sites proces…

I have one minute and 30 seconds to speak. I actually supported curtailing this debate because it was all done and dusted when the Government was announced. There is a simple sentence that describes this ministerial appointment splurge. It is "The Late Late Show", with one for everyone in the audience. That is what it seems like. I can take on board that we have additional tasks and we have to dea…

Legislation to enable a domestic violence register was listed as a priority in the Fianna Fáil manifesto before the general election. However, this important matter is not mentioned in the programme for Government. Will the Minister for Justice indicate whether it is still a priority - he has said that it is - and, if so, when will legislation, to be known as Jennie's law in memory of the late Jen…

Last month, Storm Éowyn rampaged across our country, causing havoc in its wake. Our power grid was crippled, with smaller communities especially devastated and left without power for weeks on end. Despite the best efforts of ESB Networks and international volunteers, getting repairs done quickly proved a challenge. I thank everyone on the front line for their work, but nationally this is another w…

Where do we start? I will point to a few sections of the document. On housing, there are a lot of aspirations but nothing tangible or deliverable, and given that the previous targets were not met, we have no faith that these ones will be. I mentioned climate earlier in the context of Storm Éowyn. The programme is equally woolly in this regard. We are talking about meeting our 2030 targets but not…