{"head":{"counts":{"debateCount":2,"resultCount":2}},"results":[{"debateRecord":{"house":{"showAs":"34th D\u00e1il","committeeCode":"","houseCode":"dail","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/house\/dail\/34","chamberType":"house","houseNo":"34"},"chamber":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/def\/house\/dail","showAs":"D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann"},"lastUpdated":"2026-09-17T17:19:02+00:00","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/main","formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/main.xml"},"pdf":null},"date":"2026-09-17","counts":{"contributorCount":53,"divisionCount":0,"debateSectionCount":34,"questionCount":1,"billCount":1},"debateType":"debate","debateSections":[{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_2","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions","counts":{"speechCount":2,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)  Ar dt\u00fas b\u00e1ire, ba mhaith liom c\u00fapla focal a r\u00e1 faoin Teachta Michael Healy-Rae.  Danny, as you are here in the Chamber, I just want to pass on my best regards to your brother and to condemn outright what happened yesterday in Dublin. I am very sorry for him, for yourself and for your family. I wish him a speedy recovery. He is a tough guy and I know he will get through it. This should not happen. It should never have happened. I just wanted to say that to you. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Danny Healy-Rae  Thank you, Minister. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_3","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Data Centres","counts":{"speechCount":10,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_2","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_3","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_3.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  This question is about data centres and the demands being placed on the grid. We introduced a Bill yesterday about the prioritisation network. Can the infrastructure that we have withstand the increased demand coming from data centres? Will the Minister accept that public infrastructure should be given priority for housing, water connections and electricity to deal with the scarce grid capacity ahead of the new data centre developments? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  Ireland's industrial electricity demand is primarily concentrated in our digital economy. This is our core energy-intensive industry. Data centres are fundamental to Ireland's position as a leading global hub for digital and technology-driven enterprise. They form a critical part of the State's digital infrastructure, supporting activities including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, financial services and public sector digital services. Their economic footprint is substantial with \u20ac104 billion in gross value added - that is about 20% of Ireland's economy - enabled by data centre-dependent sectors. Approximately 183,000 people are working in Ireland's technology sector with around 19,000 jobs directly in the data centre industry.  While Ireland has attracted some of the best data centre and tech companies in the world, the integration of large-scale demand on our grid must be facilitated in a sustainable way. The Government's large energy user action plan, LEAP, will progress a plan-led approach for future energy-intensive industry which will unlock investment and innovation in Ireland's renewable energy sector, maximise wider benefits in jobs and skills across Ireland's regions and ensure that the cost of developing additional infrastructure is borne in a manner that is fair. This is being reinforced by unprecedented grid investment of up to \u20ac18.9 billion, and that is beneficial to our whole economy and to our society.  Alongside LEAP, the CRU large energy user connection policy establishes a sustainable connection pathway for new data centres that manages demand by requiring generation and system support, addressing security of electricity supply and network constraint considerations, and promoting Ireland's renewable energy ambitions by bringing 80% of new energy demand for any new data centre connection through renewable sources. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I thank the Minister for the reply. I note what he says about the economic footprint and the necessity for a plan-led approach. I will come back to that in some of my later questions. However, we have had and continue to have a first-come, first-served, laissez-faire attitude, and some larger energy users have been facilitated in hoarding connections that they have. Some housing developments, like the one in the midlands, that have tried to get connections have been put behind data centres. A significant proportion of the connection queue consists of speculative applications, and communities and other connections have been left behind. The European Commission last December said we need strategic prioritisation of scarce grid capacity. Will the Minister move away from the first-come, first-served attitude? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  We have to manage the demand that is there. Ireland's demand will grow and will double between now and 2050. That is why the grid investment programme is so important, and that we improve the resilience, distribution and capacity of our grid.  To get to the kernel of the Deputy's question, no housing development has not been connected because of a data centre. PR6, which is our investment programme, outlines all the various things we need to do across the economy and society, that is, the 300,000 new homes we need to build, industrial growth, economic growth and infrastructural projects like MetroLink that we announced yesterday. That will require further electricity demand. We want to drive that through renewables. About 50% of our electricity so far this year has been generated through clean renewable sources. We have doubled our wind capacity in ten years and solar is a major part of our energy mix now as well. That said, however, large energy user demand has to be managed in a planned way and that is what the LEAP does. The large energy user, LEU, final decision from CRU ensures that happens. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  A lot of this comes from the admission by CRU that it could not have a prioritisation and had to deal with it on a first-come, first-served basis. At this time, when there are soaring energy bills and businesses are struggling with costs, we see that there are new proposals to give data centres access to cut-price gas infrastructure. The public cannot understand how the Government could justify asking ordinary families to pay more and more for electricity, heating and energy prices while facilitating further subsidies to and preferential treatment of some of the wealthiest and the largest corporate energy users in the whole State. For years we know that ordinary households and small businesses have been shouldering a disproportionate amount of energy taxation, network charges and energy costs, but at the same time the cost associated with expanding and reinforcing infrastructure for large energy users continues to grow. We see the amount of energy in the Dublin area, for example, that the large data centres are taking up. All we are calling for is fairness between the ordinary people who are struggling with their energy bills and the large corporate energy users. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I did make reference to the Bill that Sinn F\u00e9in published yesterday. As with any Bill, from wherever in the House it comes, be that Opposition or Government, I will look at it and do so in a positive way.  The network charges are set by CRU. From 2020 to 2026, the data centre sector saw an average increase of 175% in network costs. I do not set the network charges; that is just the reality. There is, though, an overall issue of affordability, which I know we will get to during the course of the morning, whereby we see elevated prices right the way across the developed world, including here in Ireland. That is where the work of the national energy affordability task force, which will conclude soon and report to me, is very important. We have to do our best to soften the blow of increases, particularly for households and small businesses, but how we get to a sustainable way of doing so is by accelerating renewable delivery and delivering the infrastructure projects we need, like the North-South interconnector. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh)  Bogfaimid ar aghaidh go dt\u00ed an ch\u00e9ad cheist eile a bhfuil Teachta i l\u00e1thair di, Ceist Uimh. 3. T\u00e1 s\u00ed ceangailte le Ceist Uimh. 6. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  C\u00e9ard faoi Ceist Uimh. 2? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  T\u00e1 an Teachta as l\u00e1thair. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh)  N\u00edl s\u00ed anseo. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Data Centres"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_4","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Energy Prices","counts":{"speechCount":11,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_2","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_4","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_4.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"3. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the recent energy price hikes; the measures he is taking to address this; if he will reintroduce an electricity credit in budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. PQ65939\/26"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"6. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to discuss energy costs. PQ66297\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  It is interesting that the Minister mentioned the task force because I wanted to speak to him about the recent energy price hikes and what resources he is taking to address those. What will the budget say? Will there be an energy credit? Will the Minister commit that there will be no carbon tax increases? What other supports will be available for households facing soaring heating costs this winter? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 6 together.  I cannot announce the budget yet but I understand that energy will be an important part of it.  To deal with both the questions, we know the situation in the Middle East. That is having a serious impact on prices. That follows from the continuing illegal war in Ukraine, which has caused significant disruption to energy markets. I and the Government fully recognise the pressures the resulting high prices are placing on Irish consumers and businesses. We have introduced a series of measures to reduce fuel prices and further measures are under consideration through the energy affordability task force and as part of the budgetary process.  Specifically on fuel, the package of Government support measures, which now totals over \u20ac1.4 billion and which is the largest per capita in the European Union, is helping to reduce the cost burden at the petrol pump and diesel pump and assists key sectors such as agriculture, haulage and the productive sectors that are critical to keeping our economy moving.  A range of measures in budget 2026 also supported households, including the reduction of VAT on electricity and gas to 9% right the way through to 2030; enhanced social protection payments, in particular the extension of the fuel allowance payment to those in receipt of the working family payment, that is, about 468,000 households; and the \u20ac400 income tax disregard for households involved in microgeneration.  Very importantly, there has been a record allocation of over \u20ac640 million for residential and community grant schemes through the SEAI, allowing us to target 73,000 households this year. Why is that really important? It is because when we retrofit homes and businesses, we bring about permanent savings for those households and businesses.  I amended the grants earlier this year. We have seen a really significant increase in the number of applications. In some areas they have doubled because we have broken them down. You do not have to do just one deep retrofit. We brought in windows and doors grants, wall cavity and attic insulation grants and a heat pump grant of \u20ac12,500. To the end of August, we got 89,000 applications. That is more than in all of last year, so people are responding to the supports that are there. It is important from a climate perspective that we are reducing energy consumption and emissions from households and businesses, but critically it is decreasing costs. As far as we can estimate, a home retrofit can lead to savings of between \u20ac750 and \u20ac1,120 per annum on energy costs. These are real measures. If anything, during the course of the budget I want to accelerate that and look at other areas we can help through permanent changes.  Other areas are under consideration in advance of the budget. The national energy affordability task force, NEAT, will feed into that, and we are in the middle of budget discussions right now. A big focus will be on continuing and accelerating the retrofitting programme. We have done approximately 287,000 homes and approximately \u20ac2 billion has been invested there since 2019. That is an area where we need to refocus our efforts and accelerate delivery. There are those who are struggling with energy. While the 90 days arrears figures have plateaued, they are still a concern. I will say to people that if they are in arrears they should ensure they engage with their energy providers and enter into repayment arrangements. No one who is engaging with energy companies will be cut off. We will have protections during the course of the winter. Our disconnection rates are absolutely miniscule, and rightly so. However, we have to continue doing everything we can to work to soften the blow of increases we are seeing right the way across the world and the European Union. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  The Minister mentioned some of the schemes like retrofitting and heat pumps. Does he accept that he is way behind on his targets? There is a crowd called Centrica, which, when the State sold off the family silver 15 years ago, bought Bord G\u00e1is Energy. Centrica made a profit of only \u20ac814 million last year, which was way down from \u20ac1.55 billion the year before. Its energy section, Bord G\u00e1is Energy, made profits of \u20ac72.5 million. They are the ones increasing their bills. We know all about the geopolitical conflict and all of that, but the Government has the resources to make extra direct commitments to people who are struggling, such as not increasing, or removing, the carbon tax on home heating oil in particular and dealing with other energy credits. With the windfall profits they are making, there should be extra charges and an extra tax on those windfall profits. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Danny Healy-Rae  I want to talk about the price of green diesel. It has gone up to \u20ac1.60. There is no package in place for construction works vehicles, even though the T\u00e1naiste and the Taoiseach promised it in early May and the Taoiseach reiterated it where the Minister is sitting now. He said that construction vehicles would be included. They are involved in construction of houses and roads and everything. The vehicles involved include rollers, diggers, graders, dumpers and teleporters. None of those vehicles have been included even though the promise was made. The Minister mentioned it himself. They have not been included. Since 1 September, farmers have been left hanging. That is why I did not vote for what the Government proposed in this Chamber on 28 August. Farmers and agricultural contractors were not included on 28 August. The Government has \u20ac100 million left over after some scheme. Where is that now? Who has it? Are they going to spend it and give it out? People have parked bigger machinery because they cannot afford to run it. That is going to have a detrimental effect. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I turn first to Deputy Daly and the area of potential windfall taxes on energy companies. That is something being discussed at EU-wide level. It was discussed in Brussels when I was there earlier this month. If there is an approach on that it will probably be a pan-European approach. The Taoiseach referred to it yesterday. The last time, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, approximately \u20ac200 million was collected. It is not going to move the dial on energy bills, but it might give the State more in its armoury to make permanent changes to households such as acceleration of solar and things we are doing already.  I turn to Deputy Healy-Rae. I will answer the other one, but the scheme I am responsible for is the road transport support scheme, which is for the hauliers. There were more than 4,000 applications. More than 3,000 have been paid out already. We are working through the rest of them and there will be an appeals process once that scheme closes. Agricultural contractors were included in the original scheme managed by the Department and the Minister for agriculture. However, the Deputy is correct to say that the Government did agree on a scheme in relation to construction vehicles. That is being worked through at the moment. Again, that does not fall directly under my remit but as a member of Government, it is a Government decision that has been made. What we have been and are working to now over the coming few weeks are the measures we can take in the budget. One is about permanent changes and the second is on supports and what can be done there. We have to focus it on those who need it most. More than a quarter of Irish households receive direct fuel support payments. It is unquestionably a difficult time across the world with regard to elevated prices. We will do our best, but we are not going to be able to deal with every single cost increase. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  For the last part of this I want to focus on home heating oil. As the Minister knows, the prices for home heating oil have surged by approximately 60% over the past year. It particularly affects people in rural areas and people in older houses. A lot of those people have not had the resources or the funds to pay for solar upfront or to pay for retrofitting. They feel excluded from this scheme. People in those families need relief, which means reducing or removing the carbon tax on this home heating oil and reintroducing the energy credits worth at least \u20ac400 per household. They are the fairest approach. Everybody can benefit from it. Will the Minister commit to looking at that in the budget and making some real difference to the people living in fuel poverty? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Danny Healy-Rae  Maybe that is what is wrong. If the Minister is not responsible for the construction industry, and Martin Heydon certainly is not because he is the Minister for agriculture, maybe that is where the problem lies. The facts are that the T\u00e1naiste and the Taoiseach promised that construction and the vehicles involved in construction would be covered. Many of those construction companies were locked into prices they had for jobs at the start of the year and locked into contracts. The T\u00e1naiste even mentioned quarries and processing materials. None of those people have got one bob yet. I am asking in the name of God - does the Minister think these people can carry on in the wind?  Green diesel has gone from 90 cent last January up to \u20ac1.68 yesterday. Everything I know is using green diesel. The Government has seen after the haulage, but I have to say that is the tax that they have paid. The Government did not find it anywhere else. It came from them and the Government is only giving it back to those people. It is the same with the people who are paying for green diesel. The Government will have to do something for them. Every machine involved in civil works, maintenance of roads and maintenance of waterworks is using green diesel and they have got nothing. How long more is it going to take to develop a scheme for them? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  First, we recognise that \u20ac1.4 billion of supports have been brought in already. I do not think anyone will dispute that. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"(Interruptions)."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I am going to get to it. We have to put it in context. That is not a small amount of money. That is a major support and marked diesel was included in that in the context of the excise reductions. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Danny Healy-Rae  It was 3 cent. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  Actually, when you look at it overall it is approximately 7 cent per litre. In fairness, the question put by the Deputy relates to progress with the establishment of the scheme for construction contractors that are not covered under the other two schemes.  On foot of the Deputy raising this, I will make urgent inquiries with regard to the progress on that scheme. We provided significant moneys to the haulage sector, and rightly so. I was at the Irish Road Haulage Association's conference in Killarney in the Deputy's county the week before last and addressed about 900 delegates there. They are very important to our society and economy, as are construction contractors.  To get back to Deputy Daly's question, home heating oil is an area where we have seen significant increases. We have stated already that, in particular, there is a reliance in rural Ireland - not exclusively but the majority is in rural Ireland - on home heating oil. We are very aware of the substantial increases in that space. I, the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach are working on proposals around that. We will work through that between now and the budget. The provisions that will be in the budget will be announced on budget day. We have not concluded the work on that. Suffice to say we are acutely aware of the issue around home heating oil and, as I mentioned already, the issue around accelerating the deployment of further grants to make permanent changes to households and businesses. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Energy Prices"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_5","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Data Centres","counts":{"speechCount":8,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_2","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_5","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Whitmore","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_5.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"2. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will commission a report into the number of data centres that the Irish energy grid and water networks can handle."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Whitmore","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jennifer Whitmore  My question is very simple. Will the Minister commission a report into the number of data centres the Irish energy grid and water networks can handle? It is incredible we are in 2026 still asking for a simple report on the capacity of the energy and water systems to handle the huge increase in data centres over the past ten years. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I answered Deputy Daly in detail earlier on the importance of ICT to the Irish economy. I want to put that in context. We have about 190,000 people working in the ICT sector, underpinned by data centres. It is an important part of our digital infrastructure and it is part of our large industrial energy use. It has to be managed appropriately.  EirGird, as transmission system operator, is responsible for the operation and planning of the electricity transmission system. EirGrid balances supply and demand continually while also planning for Ireland\u2019s long-term electricity needs. Ireland has attracted some of the best tech companies in the world and some of the best data centres in the world. When considering their impact, we need to weigh wider economic benefits, including tax revenues, employment, broader digital infrastructure value and significant support and linkages provided to other high-value sectors of the economy. The Government and I recognise the need to balance those opportunities with the challenges being faced and we continue to work with the sector towards a secure and decarbonised energy future. The large energy user action plan, LEAP, which we published in January of this year, sets out a plan-led approach to planning to sustainable new energy intensive industrial developments. That is critical. Through LEAP, a range of large energy user development scenarios, including spatial considerations, will be assessed to inform policy choices going forward and to support a more integrated approach to a plan-led energy system across the system operators, the regulator and Government. Water usage management and conservation across commercial and industrial - that is, non-domestic - sectors, including data centres, is under the remit of Uisce \u00c9ireann. Uisce \u00c9ireann has advised that, overall, data centres are not a major driver of demand on the public water supply network. It is my understanding that they account for, on average, less than 0.3% of the water supplied by Uisce \u00c9ireann. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Whitmore","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jennifer Whitmore  We have seen incredible growth in data centres. In 2015, 5% of our electricity use was by data centres. It is now 23%, is projected to grow to 30% in the coming years and will continue to grow even further than that. I know the Minister's and Government's argument for the red carpet being rolled out for data centres relates to the economic benefits they bring. However, the report the Government came out with in relation to that was essentially a work of fiction. The Minister talks about how many people work in the ICT sector here and says that is why we need so many data centres. That also is fiction because Sweden has the highest proportion of its workforce working in the ICT sector at 9%, yet only 3% to 4% of its electricity use is by data centres. Ireland has 6% of its workforce in ICT, which is significant and I am not understating it, but it does not mean we have to allocate 23% of our electricity use to that sector. Where is the comparability with what is happening in Europe? We are way off the scale with data centres. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  First and foremost, there is no red carpet being rolled out. The Deputy has acknowledged, to be fair, the significant employment underpinned by ICT in this country - high-paid jobs, good jobs and careers paths for many of our people. Ireland is at the leading edge of new technologies and we want to remain in that place. That said, we have to manage demand and supply. That is why the grid investment programme is critical. We have to get ahead of demand projections, and we will do that through renewables. The LEAP and the large energy user decision published by CRU are critical because any new connection will only be provided to a data centre or large user in that space who brings forward 80% of the energy through additional, renewable sources. That will be managed in a plan-led way. We published that earlier this year. That is the policy. It is not that anyone who applies to be connected gets connected. That is not the way it is done. That has been changed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Whitmore","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jennifer Whitmore  The LEAP would enable, potentially, 50% of our electricity to go to data centres in the coming years. While the Minister said 80% has to come from renewables, there is a six-year path to that happening. In those six years, they can be based on gas. Data centres are pushing up our energy prices, they are making our grid unstable and they will make it impossible to meet our climate targets, which should be a concern to the Minister. That risks us having to pay \u20ac28 billion in fines. There is no point in the Minister shaking his head. That is what will happen unless the Minister knows something different. Has he been told by Europe those fines will not be imposed on countries that have not met their targets? We have to work on the assumption there is a \u20ac28 billion fine coming our way in 2030. The Minister is playing chicken with the EU on this. If it makes us pay it, we will be in serious trouble. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  The charge that the grid is unstable is incorrect. It is not. We have to be responsible in what we say in that regard. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Whitmore","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Whitmore.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jennifer Whitmore  We have had a series of brown-outs over the past number of years. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  It might suit a certain political narrative of large energy users and big corporations against everyone else, eating up all our energy. That might play well on social media. There is a reality to managing economic growth. Why do we want to manage economic growth? For the good of our people, for jobs, for people's livelihoods, so they can pay their mortgages, so they can live well - that is why. This is part of our industrial policy. The LEAP sets out how that is done in a plan-led way. It is not a question of anyone rocking up and, as the Deputy puts it, a red carpet is put out. That is not true. That does not happen. I take it the Social Democrats want to see continued investment in our country. Maybe they do not but we do. We have to accelerate the delivery of grid infrastructure, which we are doing through PR 6. That will enable us to get ahead of demand projections. That is the reality. There is no cost of compliance agreed with the EU and no formula. None of that is agreed. Anyone bandying around figures of \u20ac20 billion or \u20ac28 billion is just incorrect. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Data Centres"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_6","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Data Centres","counts":{"speechCount":5,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_2","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_6","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_6.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"4. Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in light of recent reporting on data centre energy consumption, water use, carbon emissions and their impact on household energy bills, if he is confident in the Government\u2019s current strategy and if he is proposing any changes to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  The Deputy should maybe replay my answer to the last four questions but I understand why this is an area of interest.  I thank him for tabling this question.  Our industrial electricity demand is primarily concentrated in our digital economy. I say this because we are not a large industrial nation. We do not make trains or cars. We do not have heavy industry here. Our heavy industry is ICT. Other countries in Europe have large heavy industrial bases and use energy for these. Part of our competitiveness as a country, and our attractiveness, is because of the expertise of our people and the digital economy. A critical part of supporting jobs in the economy and future growth is supporting activities such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and financial services, right down to public sector digital services.  The economic footprint that the ICT sector brings, which I mentioned earlier, and I am talking about ICT in general, is about \u20ac104 billion in gross added value. This is about 20% of Ireland's economy. It is significant but it has to be managed appropriately. The large energy user action plan is the way forward. We will always keep it under review. It is very clear now with regard to new connections that there have already been connection agreements. As mentioned earlier, about 23% of our energy is used by large data centres and large energy users. Going forward from the adoption of LEAP, it is very clear how new connection agreements would be granted. I do not grant them; they are granted independently of me, and rightly so. It all has to be balanced.  To answer the question directly, we published the policy and adhere to it. It is constantly kept under review. My big focus as energy and climate Minister is accelerating renewables, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and getting our bills down, while also ensuring that we can continue to attract indigenous investment and foreign direct investment. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  It might be a bit tedious answering the same question three times but there is a reason that the first question asked by each of three Opposition climate spokespeople has been on data centres. It is because of the level of concern that exists in the Opposition. We see around the world that people are waking up to the impact that data centres are having in their communities, from energy use to water use. The Minister spoke about industrial strategy. We hear time and again that we have no heavy industry here and, therefore, we can have a big data centre industry but the Minister for agriculture uses the exact same argument. He used it on the radio the other day when trying to justify no changes to the status quo in the agriculture industry. We cannot have it both ways. Even in Germany, where there is heavy industry and a lot of jobs attached to it, it accounts for about 25% of the country's energy use. We are going to exceed 25% over the next few years given the trajectory. This is why we are concerned and we just want to make sure the Minister is staying on top of it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  Deputy Ahern is perfectly entitled to raise the issue. I welcome the fact it has been raised and note it has been raised by three of the Opposition parties. It is a matter that is appropriate for discussion. This is why, in fairness, when I came into this portfolio we looked at the situation and what existed before and moved forward with the large energy user action plan, which is a plan-led approach, looking at regions also. This is the appropriate way to do it. I mentioned to Deputy Daly earlier the PR 6 capital investment in the grid. This takes into account, over the next five- or six-year period, all of the growth that we need across various sectors. It also shows what we need to deliver infrastructurally, such as the north-south interconnector and the Celtic interconnector. It is a year late because of weather and other issues but it needs to be delivered. The acceleration of renewables is critical. In the first five or six months of this year, about 50% of our electricity was generated through renewables. It is certainly going in the right direction, with solar being a major part of our mix. Offshore will be the next critical part and we are expecting planning decisions over the course of the next few months to get these projects into construction between now and 2030. It will be a massive game-changer for the country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  Absolutely, and we are all focused on bringing through more renewable energy. Offshore wind is vital. Our issue on this side of the House is that the renewable energy we are creating at the moment is being gobbled up by data centres. We also know the impact this is having on energy bills. We also know how much water they use. I know it is a relatively small percentage but there is an unfairness at the heart of how they are treated, whereby ordinary people were asked to abide by a hosepipe ban this summer whereas data centres actually doubled their water consumption during that time. It is in situations like this that people feel the unfairness. They see they are not getting a fair shake. That is why we are bringing up the issue. We completely acknowledge the importance of underpinning jobs in the ICT sector but, on the other hand, we have to be concerned about some of the types of jobs these hyper-scale AI data centres are going to create and whether it is a good thing. We need to keep this under review. We spend half our time here talking about how we will regulate and rein in these big ICT companies while, on the other hand, we are doing everything we can to facilitate their continued growth. We have to watch this. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  Any connection application made goes through an independent process and it can be accepted or declined. Not every connection application that is made is approved. That is a fact, and if we look at how many new data centres have been built or delivered in the past few years, there are very few. Someone referenced Sweden. If we look at Finland, it has received extremely large data centre investment, to the tune of about \u20ac20 billion. Obvious we have to step through what is appropriate and what can be managed and manage overall demand, while really focusing on expanding our grid capacity for everybody, for the good of jobs and our people and, very importantly, to ensure we have more renewables in our system to reduce bills. This is where the focus is at. Deputy Ahern is perfectly entitled to raise the matter.  With regard to AI regulation, it is a debate that is current and that will continue. It is important that it is done appropriately. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Data Centres"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_7","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Environmental Policy","counts":{"speechCount":10,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_2","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_7","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_7.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"5. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the additional measures he is taking to address the fact that the EPA has said that emissions are falling \"far too slowly\" (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  What additional measures is the Minister taking to address the fact the EPA recently stated emissions are falling far too slowly? Will he make a statement on the matter? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  We are committed to supporting emissions reductions in the built environment sector across the economy. That is what Deputy Daly specifically asked in the question. We are taking action every day to implement climate mitigation measures, which also provide warmer and more comfortable homes and support energy affordability, energy security and energy sustainability for households and businesses.  The EPA's latest provisional greenhouse gas emissions inventory, published in July, shows the impact this work is having. Emissions fell in all main sectors in 2025 and emissions from buildings decreased by 4.7%. Overall emissions have fallen for a fourth consecutive year and they are at the lowest level they have been for 36 years. Emissions per capita are now at the lowest level since 1990. On foot of these record reductions, we are projected to achieve the first carbon budget and the sectoral emissions ceiling in the residential and public and commercial building sectors.  Looking forward, existing measures and additional measures are projected to improve. They will not get us to 50% by 2030 but the EPA projections to 2030 have improved across most sectors. This is a clear sign that we are making progress.  Very importantly, for four years we have been able to decouple economic growth from emissions growth. We are back to the 1990 emissions level but we have 1.5 million more people in the Republic, 1 million more homes and more than 1 million more cars. We need to accelerate this and try to bridge that gap. A big part of this, and Deputy Daly mentioned the built environment in particular, is made up of the grant schemes and the investment in retrofitting that I mentioned. There have been about 287,000 home upgrades.  We need to do more on the public built environment also. Some very good work is being done in our university sector and in hospitals and local authorities. It is our job to accelerate this. The next climate action plan, which I will publish well before the end of this year and intend to bring to Cabinet at the end of October, will cover this year and 2027. It will be a more focused plan and will identify strategic climate priorities that will shape our approach to closing the gap to 2030. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  My question was on what additional measures the Minister will be taking. He knows that many people feel excluded. In my view, there is not a just transition because people cannot afford to get on a lot of these schemes. There is the risk of fines from Europe, of up to \u20ac28 billion, as has been said. The Minister also mentioned offshore wind.  I spoke with developers yesterday who told me it is unlikely that a turbine will be wet by 2035. We had a target of 5 GW. Clearly, that is not going to happen. Will there even be 1 GW in place by 2030?  We are way behind on solar energy too. The programme for Government outlined that there will be solar guidelines, but we are still waiting for them nearly one and a half years later. Developers, communities and people need to know and have clarity about what is going to be allowed into their community. Some of the solar developers work better than others. Some have better community engagement than others. Does the Minister have any views? Is he going to tell us when those guidelines will come in? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  There were a number of supplementary questions there. The Deputy mentioned the accessibility of grants. That is what I changed earlier this year. We do not want to leave anybody behind. There are some questions later about the warmer homes scheme, which is the full 100% grant. We have done full deep retrofits, which are 100% grant-aided, for close to 40,000 homes for lower income families. That is really important. I changed the grants earlier this year to break them down and I brought in the windows and doors grant. Previously, people could not get these grants unless they did a deep retrofit. The combined grant is \u20ac4,800. I doubled the heat pump grant to \u20ac12,500. Wall, cavity and attic grants were all increased. These grants are all accessible. It is not necessary to do everything together. With certain BER ratings for homes, it is possible to get the windows and doors grant with only one additional measure, like attic additional insulation. We are seeing people respond to that. I gave a figure earlier of well over 80,000 grant applications.  I always keep this situation under review in respect of whether there are additional supports - not increased grants - we can bring in. That is paid for through the carbon tax, and this is why it is important that the tax is used to make permanent changes for households. I responded to the Deputy earlier in relation to home heating oil. We are looking at it in advance of the budget. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I am not going to speak too long about the carbon tax, except to say it does not work. It is also not ring-fenced. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  It is ring-fenced. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  The Government gives the impression it is completely ring-fenced, but it clearly is not.  Apart from committing not to have any more carbon tax increases, because people in poorer households are suffering much more than others because of the carbon tax, will the Minister consider solar energy guidelines? I ask him to answer this question because we have not got an answer to it yet. We see what is done in the Netherlands. It has a solar ladder that prioritises rooftop, followed by urban and industrial land, then brownfield sites and then agricultural land as a last resort. There is a more plan-led approach in Denmark, underpinned by strong local engagement, municipal-led site selection and a long tradition of community participation. Some of the solar companies work much better than others with their community engagement. I see that in the various developments happening around County Kerry, but guidelines are needed, as opposed to having communities depend on industry-led guidelines that the companies themselves operate to varying degrees. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  On the planning guidelines, work is being done on them. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the lead on that process. Obviously, we feed into it.  I agree with the Deputy. Most companies in the development sector engage well with communities. After these questions conclude, I will be out in my own county, in Ballyboughal, for the opening of a very large solar farm up there. Solar energy is a very important clean resource. There are 3 GW of it in our energy system now. If we go back 11 years, there were approximately 2 MW. It has grown substantially. Households are responding as well. We have over 1 GW of rooftop solar energy installed and it is having a significant impact in reducing people's bills. I want us to do more on this. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Browne, over the next few days and seek an update on the progress being made with the solar PV guidelines. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  Will they be in place by the end of the year? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I am not going to give the Deputy a date now, because I will have to talk to the Minister. We are feeding into that process. I ask the Deputy to let me get a timeframe that is realistic and I will come back to him directly. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Environmental Policy"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions","counts":{"speechCount":0,"speakerCount":0},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":false,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","speakers":[],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_9","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Climate Change Policy","counts":{"speechCount":5,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_9","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_9.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"7. Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment his Department has made of the impact of the exceptionally hot and dry conditions experienced in Ireland during summer 2026 (details supplied); the additional measures he intends to introduce to protect and support communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (Deputy Timmy Dooley)  I thank the Deputy very much. The Government is committed to protecting Ireland\u2019s present and future generations with a whole-of-Government approach to climate adaptation underpinned by the 2024 national adaptation framework, NAF. This framework, as the Deputy knows, is co-ordinated by our Department via the national adaptation steering committee, NASC.  In 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, published Ireland\u2019s first national climate change risk assessment, NCCRA. It identifies national climate change risks and ranks areas where action is needed to be prioritised to make Ireland more resilient to the impacts of climate change. We know from the NCCRA, and from the standardised climate data from Met \u00c9ireann, that more frequent and intense storms, longer periods of drought, rising sea levels, heatwaves, floods and coastal change are just some of the impacts of our changing climate to which we must adapt.  It is that data and knowledge which has underpinned the development of ten sectoral adaptation plans, SAPs, covering 13 key sectors such as agriculture, water management, flood risk management and health. Those plans were approved and published by Government in November 2025. In developing the plans, sectors were required to collaborate on cross-cutting issues and with climate action regional offices, CAROs, to ensure a cohesive approach at both the national and local levels.  In 2024, 31 local authority climate action plans, LACAPs, were published, which included adaptation actions to build resilience against flood, heat, and drought in our communities. Since 2022, approximately \u20ac19 million has been paid to local authorities by our Department to develop the implementation of their local plans.  A new adaptation taskforce, which the Minister established at the end of last year, provides for senior-level oversight and co-ordination of Ireland\u2019s approach to adaptation, including systemic delivery barriers and cross-cutting issues and risks.  In terms of water restrictions, which I know is one of the most important issues and the one that was very much in play during the most recent period of warm weather, reduced rainfall and impacts on ecosystems and river levels, these are matters for Uisce \u00c9ireann in the first instance and not ones for which the Minister has any function. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  We had a great summer here. We all enjoyed the bit of heat, but it is the second year in a row where we have experienced our hottest summer on record. Temperatures that used to be anomalies in the past are now becoming consistent. It is that direction of travel that we are really concerned about, because we all know it has such huge impacts on our society. This is the case in urban areas when it comes to a lack of green spaces. Even new apartment designs that are single aspect do not allow for draughts to come through apartments. We have huge societal issues that we have to grasp here. This is aside from the impact it is going to have on our agricultural sector, our growers and all of that as well. There will also be an impact on our biodiversity from the wildfires we saw across huge swathes of our mountains and forests during the summer. In my area in Dublin South-West, this included the beautiful Featherbeds, where we had disastrous wildfires. We need a co-ordinated approach. The Minister of State spoke about local authorities, but what is the co-ordinated approach? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  The Deputy has got it, as we have. The challenge is real. We have moved to a point where the doubters in relation to climate change are starting to understand that it is real and that it is here. We have to put in place a systemic approach to addressing it in respect of the adaptation and mitigation measures we put in place. As I said, it is co-ordinated centrally. The involvement of the local authorities is the appropriate way. We have the sectoral plans in the first instance across the various areas. The Deputy identified agriculture and the impact climate change is having on that sector. We saw the intensity of that in the south east. There are, of course, issues that will have to be addressed there in relation to winter fodder, etc. It also, however, has implications for cities and towns. The Deputy identified those areas. This is why the local authorities will play a key role and it is why they are being funded by central government to develop their plans. As the Deputy also identified, this will also require a whole-of-Government approach, and that is the strategy we are deploying here. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  With El Ni\u00f1o happening next year, this sitation is presumably going to get worse. We are likely to have another record heatwave next summer. Aside from the issues we spoke about earlier, there are also serious health implications here as well for vulnerable communities and older people. The 2023 climate action plan said it was necessary to develop a new public health heatwave plan and to seek to ensure more uniform planning country-wide for heatwaves.  That recommendation was not included in the 2024 or 2025 versions of the climate action plan. I wonder if it will be included this time around. Other things we need to look at are temperature regulations for workers, maximum working temperatures and a legal maximum it is safe for people to work at. Multi-departmental work needs to happen. We want to make sure it is being done. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  The health issues are an important area, in particular for people with compromised immune systems or categorised illnesses and the elderly who find themselves depending on their accommodation. That is why, as I identified, there are 13 sectoral plans, one of which is health. That is clearly for the Department of Health and the HSE to work on, developing plans and procedures to mitigate, insofar as possible, the greatest impacts of significant increases in heat. It also has an impact on the supply of food and food security, which is an important component. That is why the agricultural piece is in there.  Local authorities and entities like Uisce \u00c9ireann need to be able to ensure that there is a ready supply of water, that we do not have to reduce usage and that we will not be left in a position that there is not a ready supply of clean water. All of the elements the Deputy identified are appropriate and right. A plan is in place. The sectoral approach is the way to do it. We believe the funding to local authorities from central government addresses the concerns the Deputy raised. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Questions Nos. 8 and 9 taken with Written Answers. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Climate Change Policy"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_10","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Fuel Poverty","counts":{"speechCount":8,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_10","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_10.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he aware of cases where people eligible for fuel poverty supports, including the better energy warmer homes scheme, go through the lengthy application process and are ultimately, on decision, deemed eligible for only minimal upgrading works due to building regulations requiring a heating system that they do not have."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"17. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of anomalies in the better energy warmer homes scheme whereby people who are experiencing energy poverty and are eligible for upgrades cannot get works done on their house due to building regulations and heat loss issues."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul McAuliffe  The Minister will have heard me raise this issue in the past. It relates to the better energy warmer homes scheme. The Government has taken significant steps to increase the number of people eligible for the fuel allowance. However, there will be people this winter who do not have a heating system in their home and have no mechanism to gain one because of recent EU regulations in regard to stand-alone fossil fuel boilers. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  The warmer homes scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits to households in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports. I am pleased to say delivery under the scheme has ramped up hugely in recent years. Just over 3,000 homes were upgraded in 2019, compared with 8,100 last year, or 109% of what we had targeted. Between 2019 and August of this year, we did 39,500 fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty. Budget 2026 provided \u20ac340 million for warmer homes, with a target to complete 11,500 homes this year. We must also remember the scheme has developed over time and it is delivering deeper upgrades that take longer to complete. The average cost per home under the scheme in the first half of 2026 was \u20ac28,500. It is a significant investment, and rightly so.  In addition, under the national retrofit plan, a new, higher fixed-amount grant for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation was introduced for homeowners who are qualifying social protection payment recipients. That allows qualifying homeowners at risk of energy poverty to get these works done using SEAI-registered grant contractors on a shorter timeline. Eligible applicants can keep their place on the warmers homes scheme list. That is a change the Deputy looked for, which we were happy to make.  The success of the scheme has meant a serious increase in applications, with over 10,800 this year, up 52% on last year. A waiting list action plan is being developed. I met the SEAI only last week about this. The SEAI is also engaging with contractors to increase their output. Under the warmer homes scheme, upgrades recommended by the SEAI technical surveyor will depend on many factors including age, size and the type and condition of the property. Heating system upgrades, which the Deputy specifically asked about, can be recommended under the scheme in certain cases where the home is being insulated under the scheme and statutory major renovation obligations are triggered. Where more than 25% of the area of the walls is being externally or internally insulated, the existing heating system must be appraised for replacement.  People with existing boilers, because of EU regulations in place in Ireland under the energy performance of buildings directive, cannot receive a grant to replace it with another fossil fuel boiler. I am looking at measures on that in advance of the budget. The warmer homes scheme is great and we are seeing turnaround times between application and completion of works reduce. I will have an update on that in the next couple of weeks. The number of homes done through the scheme has increased year on year. It will be close to 11,500 this year. I do not have the projections for the end of the year but it will be an increase on last year. On what we can do to help people with boilers that are coming to end of life, I am working on that in advance of the budget. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul McAuliffe  I appreciate that. The Minister is correct that the warmer homes scheme is hugely popular. That and the increase in the fuel allowance are exactly the kind of ring-fenced funding that carbon tax provides. The difficulty is that people who are heading into this winter have either no central heating system, no back boiler system or a broken gas boiler and they cannot get the warmer homes grant because they have no boiler to register the heat loss indicator. They used to be able to get the local council grant but that is gone. As a last resort, I was able to send them to the Department of Social Protection for an emergency payment, but the Department is now saying it will not fund it either. I am aware of people heading into a second winter with no heating system and no way of getting it who also cannot get the warmer homes grant. There is clearly a regulatory gap. It is not an issue of funding but there is a problem whereby people just do not have the \u20ac2,500 or \u20ac3,000 to get a boiler and they cannot get the warmer homes scheme or any sort of support so they will have no heating this year. That is clearly not Government policy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I agree with the Deputy. I mentioned in my first response that I am looking at this very issue right now in advance of the budget. I announced earlier this year that we would trial high-temperature heat pumps, plug-in heat pumps, which I think will be an option. A pilot of about 100 homes is ongoing. I think a number are in the Deputy's constituency. We will get the data from that. It could be a very good near-term solution. We will get the data by the end of the year or early next year. Should the data stack up, it provides us with an opportunity to roll this out at scale. It has the potential to be a really good option.  I am also looking at other measures in advance of the budget, which I discussed only last week with Cabinet colleagues, the Taoiseach and the T\u00e1naiste in budget preparation, looking in particular at that cohort with end-of-life boilers, where the boilers either are gone or are about to go, and what we can do in that space. The high-temperature heat pump has real potential but we are in the middle of that pilot right now. I met the European Heat Pump Association last week, something I would not often say. We had a good meeting looking at what is being done across Europe. There are some interesting examples, in particular in relation to high-temperature heat pumps. I am focusing on this because it could make a significant difference for many households if the data stacks up that it would work without a major retrofit on top. That is something we want to ensure we can do.  I will keep the Deputy in the loop and come back to him specifically on this issue. I am aware of the cases he has raised with me where people in this bind cannot afford to replace the boiler and are going into their second winter post the European buildings directive, which precludes local authorities from providing grants. I know that some people are trying to see if they can buy a second-hand boiler but that is not sustainable either. I will keep the Deputy in the loop. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul McAuliffe  I thank the Minister for acknowledging the issue. I have even raised this issue with Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner, because it is a good example of how something intended to have a positive contribution to our environment goals is having a negative impact. These kinds of things undermine confidence in the EU because they are a silly application of something. The problem is the technology does not exist. There is no gap between a \u20ac2,500 gas boiler and a \u20ac30,000 or \u20ac40,000 electric heat pump. The new pilots are welcome.  There is a balance with regard to Exchequer funding as well. I accept that. The SEAI has met me. It has been proactive. It has had the pilot scheme, which was implemented in a number of cases I brought to the SEAI, where compassion was needed. However, we need to put in place a permanent scheme. I welcome what the Minister said about the budget.  The scheme needs to be easy to use. A lot of these people are older people who do not understand all the mechanisms of different grant schemes. I appreciate the Minister's support because there are people who really need it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  We will conclude our work on this over the course of the next couple of weeks. There will be a lead-in period. If I am able to get approval to do something specific in this space, I will see it implemented in January.  I recognise the costs. We doubled the existing heat pump grants to \u20ac12,500. They are significant, but for lower income families, can we go that bit further and just cover the heat pumps? It involves labour costs and installation. The grant covers a significant amount of the cost of the equipment. Where the plug-in heat pump has real potential is that it reduces the need for a lot of other work, such as radiator replacement and that type of thing, which sometimes puts people off doing the work.  However, I expect to be able to make announcements in the coming weeks. If I get approval, there will be a lead-in period. I just wanted to say that. If I get it, I would love to bring it in in January of next year. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul McAuliffe  Should I have a word with Jack Chambers? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  You certainly can. All interventions are gratefully received. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Fuel Poverty"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_11","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Data Centres","counts":{"speechCount":8,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_11","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Brian Stanley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_11.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"11. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the impact of electricity demand from data centres on the public network; and the studies that have been carried out to determine the impact on householders in terms of additional costs and so on. PQ65585\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Brian Stanley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Brian Stanley  My question relates to the impact of electricity demand from data centres on the public network. What studies have been carried out by the Department to determine the impact on householders and any additional costs to the public in general? It is not a case of arguing against all data centres. There will be data centres, but the proliferation of them in this country is high and they are having a significant impact on the grid and on costs. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I thank Deputy Stanley. Many Deputies have raised this matter today, understandably, and I have answered in detail. However, to answer the Deputy, for fear of repetition, data centres provide essential digital infrastructure for the economy and strengthen our position as a strategic knowledge-intensive location for the digital and tech sectors. As I mentioned earlier, just short of 190,000 people work in ICT, so it is significant. We are not a large, heavy industry country but I would contend ICT is that sector. The digital infrastructure is underpinned in many ways by data centres, which provide significant support to all areas of our economy.  We brought forward the Large Energy User Action Plan, which I published in January 2026. It sets out the plan-led approach to enable Ireland to attract the next generation of investment in strategic energy-intensive sectors in the medium to long term. It will ensure future growth remains aligned with Ireland's green transition, energy affordability and security objectives, as well other strategic Government priorities such as the provision of housing, transport and water. The Government remains committed to investing in critical infrastructure to deliver electricity to a growing population and growing economy, with new housing and expanding businesses. Our grid investment programme provides an historic investment in Ireland's electricity grid infrastructure of up to \u20ac18.9 billion, with over 520 capital projects to be delivered over the next five years. They include 29 significant transmission infrastructure projects and 32 distribution substations. I meet every month with EirGrid and ESB Networks about their work programme to monitor that investment.  In the Deputy's area of Laois, in July I was delighted to open the ESB Networks Bracklone 110kV substation, which was the first major substation to be delivered under this capital programme. It will have a massive positive impact on the area and on energy and electricity capacity----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh)  : Go raibh maith agat. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  -----in Laois, and particularly Portlaoise. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Brian Stanley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Brian Stanley  Significant work is going on to upgrade the network and it is badly needed, but there is a cost to it. The Minister outlined the 190,000 jobs, but very few of them are in data centres. The point I am making is that almost a quarter of the available supply is being used by data centres and there are reports it could grow to more than one third and more. That puts huge pressure on the network. It puts a huge amount of pressure on EirGrid and ESB Networks to upgrade the grid and put significant investment into it. I am in favour of the investment in it because I welcome the opening of the substation in my area, where it is needed for the increased industry and jobs in the area and the increased population, not to mention the housing that is being built, but a recent study has shown data centres are putting an additional cost on householders.  The data centres are getting cheaper electricity than Joe and Mary Public. That is the point. They are getting cheaper electricity while the public is paying for the upgrade. There is now an upgrade levy on everyone's bill. That is the key point the Minister needs to take home. We have a huge proliferation of them compared with other EU states and some American states are saying \"No, not on our patch\" to them now, but we are accepting everything. We need to have a more measured approach to this. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I fully understand why the Deputy is raising the issue and it is important we debate it, but not every application is accepted. I do not just accept every application for connection that comes in. Applications for connection agreements are made and they can be accepted or refused. We have set out how new applications have to be processed in a plan-led way. It is not just first come, first served or that people just apply for a data centre and get it. PR6, the grid investment programme, outlines what we need to do to get ahead of the energy demand projections and it is a big programme.  In response to another Deputy's question earlier, I mentioned network charges, which are set by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. I do not set them. I know the Deputy did not say I do.  Regarding data centres, between 2020 and 2026, the network charges have increased by 175%. That is just to put the facts on the floor of the House. It has to be managed appropriately. I agree with the Deputy about that. That is what is being done and it is a big programme. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Brian Stanley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Brian-Stanley.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Brian Stanley  There are a number of issues. We are trying to construct 50,000 homes per year and there were reports again this week that the supply of housing is being hampered by the supply of water and electricity connections. There is clearly a pull factor and the Government has to take into consideration that there have to be jobs in other sectors and homes have to be built. There is pressure here every day with people talking about it. We are putting pressure on the Government about it. The Government is under pressure and is putting pressure on officials and local authorities to step up to the plate and drive on the programmes.  We have to look at things in the round, but we have a habit in this country - and I do not want to give the House a history lesson going back to the crash and so on - of putting too many eggs in one basket. This is a high-profit industry. We are accepting the data centres. I agree that not all of them get planning permission, but the sheer number going in and the supply of water and electricity going into them could throw the economy off to one side and have a negative effect on other sectors. That is the key point. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I responded earlier about water usage. Uisce \u00c9ireann estimates that approximately 0.3% of water is used in data centres. They are its figures. I just wanted to put that on the record of the House again. However, I reiterate that it has to be managed and we are doing that. That is why Peter Burke and I brought forward the Large Energy User Action Plan. It sets out how, in a plan-led way, some of the conditions of future connection agreements for data centres are that there must be capacity and 80% of the energy must be brought forward through new renewable sources. We have not seen a large number of data centres being connected in recent years. It is not the case, as the Deputy acknowledged to be fair, that when applications are made, not even for planning but for a connection agreement, they are all granted. We have set down clearly what are now the criteria for getting a connection agreement and that is important. It is important that we manage current and projected demand well and appropriately. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Question No. 12 taken with Written Answers. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Data Centres"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_12","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Environmental Schemes","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_12","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Grace Boland","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_12.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"13. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the actions he has taken following his concerns regarding the level of underspending by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, in 2025, the changes to governance structures and delivery arrangements that he has sought; and the measures being put in place to ensure that allocated funding is translated into increased delivery of home energy upgrades in 2026 and 2027. PQ65126\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Grace Boland","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Grace Boland  Earlier this year, the Minister wrote to the SEAI expressing concern that it had left \u20ac120 million in capital unspent. Since then, he has highlighted the rising numbers of applications for retrofitting.  There is a recognition among the public that, to be as energy secure as possible, they need to retrofit. The Government has fantastic ambition in this space but is the SEAI set up for success? Does it have sufficient resources and capacity and the correct skill sets? What are we doing to make sure it delivers on the Government's ambition in respect of retrofitting? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I thank Deputy Boland for a really important question. She is right to highlight the fact that the SEAI underspent last year, even though it did more homes than it had ever done before. That is not a situation that we want. We want this money invested in permanent changes to reduce energy consumption in households and businesses to reduce their costs and reduce emissions. That is why, earlier on this year, I worked directly with the SEAI and instructed it to break down the grants to make them more accessible. We brought forward new windows and doors grants and we increased the fixed grant levels for attic and cavity wall insulation. We put a greater focus on supports for undertaking retrofit measures on an incremental basis as opposed to undertaking just one deep retrofit, the cost of which many households could not meet. A very purist approach was taken before. A retrofit had to cover everything. We have changed that to give people a pathway towards a full retrofit.  I see that Deputy O'Gorman has arrived. I listened to his interview on this issue on the radio earlier, when he said there had been no changes to SEAI grants over the course of the past year, which is not correct. It is therefore timely that he has arrived.  With regard to the take-up of grants, this year we have seen 88,000 applications. We have to watch the spend, however. I do not have the final year projections. Obviously, we will not see what has been expended yet. I know the SEAI is spending and investing more than ever. I expect an element of underspend this year. I do not know what that amount will be. It will be substantially less than last year. It is not something I welcome but I acknowledge the fact that we have brought in a whole suite of new schemes. With the support of Deputy Boland and of the Government over the coming weeks, I intend to seek additional supports. I am not referring to increased grant amounts but to additional things that we discussed here earlier, such as boiler replacements. Frankly, these are things that should have been done before. We are also looking at storage. That is what we are working through right now. We are watching the spend very carefully. I met with the SEAI again just last week. I meet with the authority regularly on this. Real progress is being made on the number of homes being retrofitted and that is to be welcomed but we need to make sure that the moneys raised are fully invested in retrofitting measures for households and businesses. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Grace Boland","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Grace Boland  I agree with the Minister that it is absolutely essential that the money Government is providing to the SEAI is actually used and given to people for retrofits. I also very much welcome the improvements the Minister has made in the scheme this year. They have made it much easier and more financially viable for people to put in new windows, doors and so on. I appreciate that.  In terms of the warmer homes schemes the Minister mentioned earlier, the issue has been raised that there are people who are in serious danger of not having heating in their homes this year. What is the SEAI doing to decrease turnaround times and to reduce them from the current 22 months? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I do not have the figures. I gave Deputy McAuliffe an answer regarding the uptick earlier on. We did 8,100 warmer homes schemes projects in the last full year, 2025, which is a big increase. Overall, just short of 40,000 homes have been done. We will exceed that this year. Obviously, we still have a few months to go. We will exceed the number done the previous year. I have mentioned the issue of those who have end-of-life boilers. There are specific things that we can do. We are piloting high-temperature heat pumps, the plug-in heat pumps, at the moment. That pilot will continue for the next few months. Should efficiencies arise from that, should it be an option and should the data from that pilot stack up, there will be an opportunity for us to roll that out at scale. That would be a very viable replacement for boilers. However, in the meantime and in advance of the budget, I am working on measures for that particular cohort.  I will get the exact figure but turnaround times have gone from 22 months to 15 months. That is from the date of application to the completion of works. It is still a long time. There is a lag in getting a contractor and so on. However, there is a big focus on that because there are significant savings to be had for people, particularly those in energy poverty. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Grace Boland","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Grace Boland  I welcome that. I had not heard about the 15 months. When I looked at the SEAI's website yesterday, it was still telling me that turnaround time was 26 months. It is important that be updated, notwithstanding whatever we can do to reduce the times.  On actually getting this work done, the SEAI appoints a contractor from its approved list. Is there a sufficient number of contractors on the SEAI's approved list? What can we do to increase the number? We really need to do whatever we can to make sure that people are warm in their homes this winter. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  On the specific question of the contractors, that was part of the discussion I had with the SEAI last week. It went out to public procurement for contractors for the warmer homes scheme and selected a number of contractors. I have asked the authority to review that with a view to adding more. I know of a couple of contractors around the country, very good companies, that did not make the list. I am looking at Deputy Carthy, who might be aware of one such company in his own area. These omissions surprised me. I have asked those questions of the SEAI at our meeting. I met with it on that particular issue the week before last. It is going to come back to me. I think we have an opportunity to get more contractors into the warmer homes scheme, notwithstanding the fact that the authority has awarded contracts only recently. It is about having additional resources to fast-track delivery. Particularly during an energy crisis and when we are seeing such price increases, these really good climate measures and energy reduction measures are also permanent cost reduction measures. We need to treat that appropriately. I will come back to the Deputy to clarify the turnaround time. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Environmental Schemes"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_13","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Waste Management","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_13","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_13.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"14. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has received any reports from the National Waste Collection Permit Office since March 2025; the issues addressed in any such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  Has the Minister of State's Department received any reports from the National Waste Collection Permit Office? I do not know if his prepared remarks touch on the issue of the number of waste collectors in each local authority area but there is a fear around the impact consolidation is having on consumer prices. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  The National Waste Collection Permit Office, which the Deputy will know is hosted by Offaly County Council, is the designated nominated authority for the processing and review of all waste collection permits issued within the State. The Department is, of course, in regular contact with the NWCPO. This contact includes meetings, fora and steering committees to discuss topics including but not limited to the operation of the waste collection market in Ireland, the collection of the waste recovery levy, and the implementation of relevant actions in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.  The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a commitment to introduce further measures to incentivise the prevention and segregation of waste. Arising from this commitment, the National Waste Collection Permit Office commissioned an independent study on incentivised waste charging and its potential implementation through the waste collection permitting system. This study, which has been shared with our Department, examines what changes could be made to the permitting system for waste collectors to fully incentivise waste prevention and improve source segregation practices by their customers to minimise their waste collection bills.  Recommendations will be considered in conjunction with outcomes from the recently completed feasibility study into transitioning our national waste collection system from the current competitive licensing system to a franchise model. Both will inform the development of the next iteration of the WAPCE with a view to improving the rates of recycling among households and businesses to meet targets to established by the EU waste framework directive. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  The reason I ask this question is that I believe there is a need for a hands-on approach to one particular issue. I do not know if it is the same across the board but in many rural counties we have seen a pattern of behaviour where large multinational waste collection companies decide to come into a county. In the first instance, they try to purchase all the local waste collection services. Where that does not happen, what appear to me to be very aggressive marketing strategies are employed. This can sometimes involve multiple representatives calling to doors and leaflets such as those I have here with me offering knock-down discount prices. The fear is that this is an attempt to monopolise the system outside of the regulations. Is the Minister of State aware of this practice and is he planning to take any action in response? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  I am familiar with the practices the Deputy is talking about. There has been debate about them for some time. There is widespread concern that, in some places, there is a multiplicity of waste collection trucks moving around the same area one after another.  That obviously has an impact on the environment, traffic congestion and so on. All of these matters are under review under a broader outlook in terms of the circular economy. From a Government perspective, the strategic approach is to try to reduce and minimise the amount of waste that is out there and to try to get greater reuse of commodities that are generated from scarce resources. It is about reducing the impact on our environment - much of that is about behavioural change and ensuring the appropriate systems are there to encourage our citizens to not disregard or dispense with products that have the capacity to be upcycled. That is very much feeding into our strategy.  I know what the Deputy is talking about, which is the operationalisation of that on the ground. However, over time, the ambition of the Government is to reduce the amount of waste that will ultimately be collected. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  We all have a shared objective in that regard; we all want to reduce the amount of waste. The difficulty is that in the scenario I spoke about, where these multinational companies essentially secure de facto monopolies in local authority areas where they are the only real option, the knockdown prices go very quickly. You are then back to what are eye watering, staggering costs for waste collection that would not be in place if there were local competitors. Will the Minister of State ask his Department to carry out an analysis, in conjunction with the National Waste Collection Permit Office, in respect of how many operators have licences and are operating within each local authority area and what the average costs are? I think the analysis will find a correlation between a reduction in providers and an increase in cost. Ultimately, this is a twin-track approach. I agree entirely with the Minister of State that we need to reduce waste but we also need to ensure that our families are not being fleeced by these large corporations which are knocking out all of their competitors outside of an agreed policy framework. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  What the Deputy is clearly referring to is the need for a comprehensive policy framework in place that looks at, in the first instance, the reduction of waste through recycling, upcycling and minimisation. That is a given and we all support that. In getting to that better place we want to get to, we must still have a competitive edge or a capacity to manage the cost of waste disposal where certain waste products have to be disposed of. I am certainly prepared to ask the Department to have a further look at what that entails. There are different models out there that have been looked at. There is competition for the marketplace. There is the direct competition of a series of local operators. That is challenging because it is possible for others to buy up licences - that is the marketplace - but, of course, we also have to ensure citizens are not fleeced in the event of predatory practices of some large operators. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Waste Management"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_14","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Electricity Grid","counts":{"speechCount":8,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_14","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_14.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"15. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on updates to Ireland grid as part of PR6; and if he will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  I thank the Deputy. The system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, are charged with responsibility for upgrading our electricity system, including planning and constructing new investments in the grid. They are accountable to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, in that regard. However, investing in and ensuring a fit for purpose electricity grid is an absolute priority for me and the Government. I regularly meet with ESB Networks and with EirGrid - I am meeting with EirGrid later today on its work as well. I meet EirGrid and ESB Networks together every month, specifically on PR 6 and the work programme.  In July, I was very pleased to open ESB Networks' new Bracklone 110 kV substation in Laois. That was the first one of those delivered under the PR 6 programme. There was really good work done. There was also the North-South interconnector, the Moneypoint 400 kV series capacitor and the Letterkenny 100 kV line redevelopment, which are covered under the Critical Infrastructure Act. We saw Moneypoint come through pretty much straight away after that. The system operators are waiting for confirmation from local authorities on planning conditions for the North-South interconnector. Monaghan County Council is the lead local authority. I hope it discharges its consent without any further delay. The Moneypoint capacitor has now received full consent.  That grid investment programme is unprecedented and worth up to \u20ac18.9 billion - it is really critical. When you break down the 520 projects, it is really down to 29 transmission projects and 32 distribution projects. Ten of these transmission projects are already under construction. That is really good. One of the priority distribution projects is already completed and three further projects are in construction.  I meet with them every single month to go through the list of the main projects to make sure timelines are not slipping, to identify any risks that are there and to keep the pressure on. I thank ESB Networks and EirGrid for all they are doing. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I thank the Minister for the reply. We saw the Central Bank report yesterday and its concerns that the connection for essential infrastructure like energy and water are clear barriers to the delivery of essential housing, particularly social and affordable housing, and it takes up to four years now. We also saw the impacts of Storm \u00c9owyn, which I saw in my own constituency. Apart from the impact on the grid, there was also flooding in the Listowel area. The Minister mentioned some of the projects that are under way, such as the 29 projects and ten under construction. What are the delivery timelines for them and when does the Minister expect they will be completed?  If we look at some other countries, particularly Denmark, they do not really have an energy crisis. They are totally resilient. The infrastructure is in place there and they are almost completely energy independent. Could the Minister give me some insight into the timelines? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  It is important there is visibility across the projects and there is. I have no difficulty in getting that information to the Deputy but the operators make public that detailed information on the progress of investments, and rightly so. In December, CRU published the transmission baseline programme, which sets out all of the transmission projects in PR 6, along with the associated delivery milestones. EirGrid publishes updates in respect of delivery against these milestones every quarter. They are available on their website. It is rightly made public. We are not saying every single project will be delivered on time under this massive programme but I have asked it to really identify and focus on the most critical projects under PR 6. I meet them every month together and I am meeting EirGrid again today. Above all else, this provides that resilience for the grid, allows us to increase our capacity, get more renewables into our system and provide more storage - we are third in Europe for long duration battery storage but we still need more. This is the absolute focus of what we do and the real priority area for us. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  The Minister says he meets them regularly. Is he saying the delivery of the projects are all up to date and on time? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  No. I said I meet them regularly. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  There is an elasticity there. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I have two questions arising from what the Minister said. How far behind are some of the projects or what projects concern the Minister? What steps are being taken to get them up to speed? Second, on grid prioritisation, what is the Minister's view on that and will he support the legislation we brought forward yesterday? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darragh O'Brien","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Darragh-O'Brien.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darragh O'Brien  On the projects that are outlined, from the detail I get as to where they are, a lot of them have already commenced and that is good. There is not major slippage within it. We will get the Deputy some details on that. Not every milestone in every project will be hit but I want the majority of them hit. Already, I have given the example of Bracklone in Laois, which was delivered ahead of time and on budget. We really need to get the North-South interconnector started. That is why it is so important that consent is discharged by the lead local authority.  I met representatives from Monaghan, Cavan and Meath over the summer. They were the three local authorities. That needs to start. Above all else, if I were to pick one project that needs to happen it is the Noth-South one. We will look at the Deputy's Bill, which was only published yesterday. I am happy to see what is in it. We will review it and I will come back to him. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Electricity Grid"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_15","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Climate Action Plan","counts":{"speechCount":7,"speakerCount":4},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_8","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_8","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_15","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_15.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"16. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects to publish the Climate Action Plan 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. PQ65428\/26."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"21. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the planned publication of the Climate Action Plan 2026. PQ65687\/26."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"45. Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the status of the Climate Action Plan 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. PQ65972\/26."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Roderic O'Gorman  Today is 17 September and no climate action plan for 2026 has been published. I ask for an update on when the Minister will publish the climate action plan for this year or if he plans to publish one this year. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 21 and 45 together. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Aengus-\u00d3-Snodaigh.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Aengus \u00d3 Snodaigh)  Before the Aire St\u00e1it continues, I remind the House that I have to cut the time in a few minutes. He has two minutes. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  I will always take your direction, a Chathaoirligh Gn\u00edomhach.  The Government is committed to delivering on Ireland\u2019s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across government to implement climate mitigation measures every day. We have a robust climate delivery framework and detailed plans in place across all sectors. The priority is driving implementation, particularly of high-impact measures with multiple societal and economic benefits.  The EPA's latest provisional greenhouse gas emissions inventory, published in July, shows that this is working. Ireland recorded overall emissions reductions for a fourth consecutive year. All main sectors saw reductions in 2025. The Green Party's time in government was helpful in ensuring we remain on that trajectory. Emissions from energy industries decreased for the fourth consecutive year, by 7.1% in 2025, to an all-time low as investment in renewables continues to reduce emissions. Emissions from buildings decreased by 4.7% and tonnes of CO2 per household are at their lowest recorded level. In addition, other sectors also showed reductions with the industry sector emissions down by 3.3%, transport down by 1.5% and agriculture down by 0.2%. Significantly, the EPA's report shows that the first carbon budget has now been achieved on the back of these record emissions reductions.  Ireland now has the lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions in 36 years which is notable given a concurrent population increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than 1 million new homes and over 1 million extra vehicles on our roads. Given the strong economic growth over this period, we can now see a clear decoupling of growth from emissions which is a key milestone in Ireland's transition to climate neutrality. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Roderic O'Gorman  It is 17 September and there is still no climate action plan for 2026. The idea behind the climate action plan was that on the one hand we have the five-year carbon budgets making the big economy-wide changes but on the other hand we had to have accountability for what was being done on an annual basis. Those of us in the Opposition, environmental NGOs and the public need to see on an annual basis if the Government is actually passing the measures and implementing the steps that will make those big five-year economy-wide changes possible. We had a series of climate action plans published annually so the Government could be held to account. That is the fundamental problem with the Government's failure to publish the climate action plan for this year: it cannot be held to account. The Minister of State can give his answers with these great five-year plans for the future but what confidence do we have that they will be achieved when we do not know what is to be done in 2026? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  We have been waiting for a long time. We were told the plan would be published by the end of quarter 3. I heard the Minister refer to the plan for 2026 being published by the end of October as well as the plan for 2027. It would be very welcome if the Minister of State could confirm that. It is better late than never that the Government is getting its act together. This is about transforming our theoretical targets into practical measures for Departments and Ministers. We cannot hold those Ministers to account unless we know what they are actually trying to do. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Timmy Dooley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Timmy-Dooley.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Timmy Dooley  Work on finalising the draft of the next update to the climate action plan is currently under way, with the climate action plan programme board providing guidance and oversight of the development of the update. Officials from Departments with responsibility for key sectors have been actively engaged in the process and are working on finalising the update to the plan.  Public consultation on the plan closed last month, with more than 270 submissions received. Officials are carefully considering the views and priorities raised by the public to ensure that they meaningfully inform the next plan. Publication of the plan is expected later this year. This plan will be more focussed and will identify strategic climate priorities that will shape our approach to closing the gap to 2030 and include a range of new actions to support mitigation in all key sectors.  In the meantime, the roll-out of retrofitting measures, renewable energy deployment and more affordable electric vehicles continues at increasing pace. The climate action plans for 2024 and 2025, which build on the series of preceding plans, remain in place and provide a strong framework for delivery of climate action to 2030. Many of their commitments are multi-annual in nature and we will continue to focus on accelerating their delivery. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Climate Action Plan"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_16","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions","counts":{"speechCount":0,"speakerCount":0},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":false,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","speakers":[],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_17","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Disabilities Assessments","counts":{"speechCount":10,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_16","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_17","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_17.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"58. Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the progress being made to provide alternatives to assessment of needs. PQ65850\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  I ask for an update on assessments of need. There are now over 23,000 on the waiting list. This is not working for anybody, particularly families who are awaiting services and therapies. Since August, the autism assessment service has been up and running and the disability amendment Bill has been brought to Cabinet. I ask for an update on how this is going and how we can improve the circumstances for the children and families who need therapy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (Deputy Emer Higgins)  I thank the Deputy for his question. I know my office followed up with his office to fully understand where he is coming from on this. I understand he wants an update on the autism assessment and intervention pathways protocol as well as assessment of need, AON, waiting lists.  The autism assessment and intervention protocol is being implemented by the HSE and it will be the preferred assessment route for autism. It will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services. This may reduce reliance by parents on the assessment of need process as a means of acquiring a diagnosis. It is important to be aware that children who are managed through this pathway or children managed through any pathway retain their right to apply for an assessment of need.  The protocol and assessments generally will be supported by the creation of 11 HSE in-reach teams, providing clinical guidance and administrative support to staff across the HSE services, delivering assessments and interventions to autistic people. Positions in these teams are currently being filled, with interviews being scheduled or offers being made to candidates from existing panels. It is anticipated and hoped that all 11 teams will be in place by the end of the year.  As the Deputy said, there are huge challenges arising from this significant increase in demand for assessments of need in recent years and it is clear that change is needed. There has been progress in recent years with a noticeable increase in the number of completed applications. Over 5,900 assessment of need reports were completed last year, which was a 43% increase compared to the previous year. Over 3,343 assessment reports were completed in the first six months of this year. This improvement must continue at a rapid pace. As the Deputy mentioned, significant legislative and operational work is under way to improve the AON process and to reduce waiting times. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  I suppose that information is the information that is available, even from the press release yesterday. I would like the Minister of State to get into some detail on what is being proposed in the legislation because we are talking about statutory guidelines that will standardise the assessment of need processes and procedures State-wide. The statutory guidelines will be used by the HSE to ensure consistency in how assessments are carried out across the State. I would like know how exactly this is going to happen because this is going to come on us very quickly. It is obviously about what exactly is meant by focusing on the needs of the child. Will the Minister of State also give the latest updated number for those who are on the waiting list for reassessment of need?  At this point in time, it is a breach of the law where the State is meant to provide that assessment of need within six months and obviously that has not been happening. I can only assume what we are talking about now is from the point of view of trying to streamline. It is about seeing how that works and how this will improve the lot of those people who are on the waiting list and their families. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  I thank the Deputy and all members of the Oireachtas committee who were involved in the joint Oireachtas committee, JOC, report on this. As the Deputy is aware, a Bill proposing targeted amendment of the Disability Act went before Cabinet yesterday. The disability (amendment) Bill 2026 will introduce changes to make the AON process more efficient, consistent, fair and transparent while maintaining a person's statutory right to an assessment.  As the Deputy mentioned, this will come at us quite quickly because so much preparatory work has been done in this regard, both on the standardised guidelines that will underpin it but also through the work of the Deputy's JOC. We hope to have this in the House on Second Stage next week. I look forward to being able to discuss it with the Deputy more at that point. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  Could we actually see the Bill as quickly as possible? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  Yes. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  Usually, I do not trust myself when I am doing a search online but I have not been able to see the wording of the Bill, so I ask that we ensure copies go out from that point of view. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  We will. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  I checked it with somebody else because I would never generally trust myself in my ability to search for documentation.  Could I get the updated number of those on the waiting list for assessment of need at this point in time and over the six months? I accept the Minister of State is saying that people are not losing that statutory right so there is a need to deliver on that. I understand she will explain it more next week, but how will this streamlining process work in relation to AON? When will we see the offering of the autism intervention protocol and autism assessment service? When will that improve things and will it provide an alternative pathway so parents and those children can get the diagnosis required for getting the service they absolutely need? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  The autism protocol was launched before the summer. Since then, HSE staff have been trained up in it so the anticipation is that this will be formally rolled out next month. We are waiting for a full update from the HSE in that regard, but I know a lot of work has gone into the training since then and the launch has put this into focus in terms of the specific figure the Deputy is looking for. The HSE reports that at the end of June, 23,282 children were overdue an assessment of need report within the statutory timeframe. Obviously, that is completely unacceptable and is something we are very committed to changing. That is why we are bringing in a number of reforms to change that. Part of that reform package will be the Bill coming before the House next month.  The autism assessment and protocol will also be part of how we help address this, as well as single point of access which the HSE is rolling out to ensure there is no wrong door for families. We will also continue our wait-list initiative to ensure we are continuing to supplement our teams and CDNT teams by outsourcing to ensure we can get through those numbers as quickly as possible because it is totally unacceptable. I will point out that an assessment of need is not required to access services and the number on our waiting list for CDNT teams has reduced quite significantly in recent years. Therapies are being provided to many of those children which is very important. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Disabilities Assessments"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_18","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Disability Services","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_16","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_18","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Liam Quaide","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_18.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"59. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is aware of the National Disability Services Needs Analysis commissioned by the HSE and undertaken by an organisation (details supplied); whether the final report will be published in full in order to inform the Oireachtas and the public of the scale of unmet need and pressures across disability services, and to support scrutiny of future service planning, funding and capital investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Liam Quaide","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Liam Quaide  The campaign group Before We Die has been seeking access to a report undertaken by Grant Thornton and commissioned by the HSE, under the title of the national disability services needs analysis. This appears to be a major examination of need across disability services intended to inform future planning, funding and investment. Yet, the HSE has told Before We Die that the report will not be published while at the same time saying the report is not being withheld. Why is a report of this importance being kept out of public view? Will the Minister of State commit to publishing it once it is completed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  I thank Deputy Quaide. I am aware the HSE has commissioned a national disability services needs analysis and the publication of this report is a matter for the HSE. The focus on my Department to identify the scale of unmet need is the work that is currently under way on the disability capacity review, which will go to 2040. This is an update to the disability capacity review 2032, a review of disability, social care demand and capacity requirements, which was published in July 2021. It provides estimates of current and future requirements for community-based disability services and supports. It also identifies costings, based on projections of the future size and age structure of the future disability population out to 2032 and estimates of the scale of unmet need. The updated review will extend the horizon to 2040 and work is ongoing. The publication of that report will follow once it is completed. Using updated methodology, it will project future user demand, age structures, needs profiles and required resourcing of specialist disability services.  The service areas and supports covered will include residential day services, respite, home support and personal assistance, children's disability network teams and multidisciplinary teams. The updated projections will use a variety of updated data sources on current and future demand for specialist services among adults, children and young people. These include the national ability support system, the CDNT information management system, IMS, the HSE day services database and the census among others. The update will use the most recent data available where possible. In most cases, this means data from 2025 though the use of data for projections is also governed by technical considerations such as representativeness and availability. Given the extensive scope of the capacity review, expert stakeholder engagement is and has been an important part of the developmental process and the updated review has involved a variety of organisations so far. There will be continued consultation with relevant organisations throughout. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Liam Quaide","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Liam Quaide  The separation of the Minister of State's decision-making around the publication of the Grant Thornton report from the HSE's decision-making is perplexing because this report seems to span across disability services.  As we all know, there are children waiting years for therapies, families unable to get adequate respite or home support, young people falling into gaps as they reach adulthood, adults living with ageing parents who have no idea what will happen when they can no longer care for them, older adults with no consistent care pathway, and people being placed far from their families because services have not been planned locally. Behind those figures are people living with immense stress, uncertainty and exhaustion. The HSE has commissioned this work to establish the scale of current and future need. The draft material clearly confirms that demand is outstripping capacity and that planning, funding, capital and investment are not aligned with long-term needs. If that is the HSE's own analysis, why on earth would the response be not to publish it? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  The information that I have is that the HSE commissioned the report to conduct the national disability service needs analysis in the spring of this year. The HSE stated that the report was intended as a baseline planning exercise rather than a definitive assessment of future disability services requirements. It was designed to identify trends, pressures and areas requiring further examination rather than to provide a conclusive statement of need. The work examined demand, capacity, workforce requirements, service pathways and regional variation with the intention of informing future internal planning, internal policy development and investment decisions. The Deputy is right that it is up to the HSE whether to publish the report and the information I have is that it has decided not to do so due to recognition of the limitations in the underlying data and the significant caveats that accompany the analysis. The findings of the needs analysis will continue to be used internally to inform strategic thinking and contribute to ongoing planning work. However, it is the body of work that my Department is doing that is giving us a more holistic view, a better landscape to operate in and more information.  I thank the Before We Die group, which the Deputy referred to, for its involvement as a stakeholder. The information the HSE has given me is that it received a slide deck of how its contributions were evidenced in the needs analysis. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Liam Quaide","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Liam-Quaide.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Liam Quaide  I thank the Minister of State. I find this rationale extraordinary. For years, disabled people and their families have told us that services have developed reactively, after people reach crisis points, if they are developed at all. The HSE has now commissioned what sounds like a substantial analysis drawing together population data, waiting lists, workforce information and the experiences of families, providers and disabled people. Before We Die participated in that research and is now being denied access to it. The response, as I mentioned, from the HSE was that it is not being published but it is not being withheld. That sounds like a phrase straight out of Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four . It is completely contradictory. The context here is one of abject political failure, chronic neglect of services and immense suffering as a result, documented over and over again across the disability sector. We need the figures to set that out systematically and begin addressing it. If the report exposes serious gaps, publish it. If the data have limitations, publish these too. Do not commission a major analysis of what disabled people need and then bury the findings. Who in the HSE decided not to publish it? Will the Minister of State intervene in that decision? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  The HSE has decided not to publish it. This is its report and it is not for me to publish it. I will provide the Deputy's feedback to the HSE and I ask that he do the same. It is important to note that the HSE report was baseline to help inform current need and capital planning. What my the Minister, Deputy Foley, I and the team in the Department are doing is working to provide a disability capacity review to 2040 that will look further to the future and will have wider scope. That is the report that is most relevant here. It is important that we publish it afterwards and that we work hard to ensure it gives a holistic and accurate view of the current landscape and future needs. That is why we are focusing on that report. An awful lot of work has gone into it. I have mentioned the national disability support system, the CDNT information management system, the HSE day services and the census. Many data points are going into this. That report will give us the information that we need to be able to plan better. That is the report that I am focused on. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Disability Services"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_19","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Childcare Services","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_16","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_19","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Claire Kerrane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_19.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"60. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the eight locations for State-led childcare facilities."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Claire Kerrane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Claire Kerrane  I send my best wishes to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and his family. I ask the Minister for an update on the eight locations that will be chosen for the first time for State-led childcare facilities. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I join the Deputy in sending best wishes to my constituency colleague, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. We are mindful of what he has had to endure and we wish him the speediest of recoveries. I am also mindful of his family. This is a traumatic time for them too. I know the whole House sends our best wishes.  On the Deputy's question, substantial progress has been made in the State-led early learning and childcare capital programme, which was launched at the end of January. The full business cases are being developed for a number of projects in preparation for final approval, with some of these close to completion now. Projects are developed into full business cases following the approval of a preliminary business case in line with the framework set out in the infrastructure guidelines. The nature and the development of the work required to prepare the full business case varies by project. They are all different and individual. It can include things like independent property valuation, building surveying, due diligence checks on the property, conveyancing, procurement and appointment of technical advisers, detailed design work and associated cost planning and operator selection. This is all required to be underpinned by appropriate legal and contractual arrangements.  In some instances, properties are at the point of being sale agreed. Operator selection has been undertaken in some projects and will proceed shortly in the case of others. A cost harmonisation exercise is being undertaken across the programme to ensure consistency in the reporting of capital costs and inform investment decisions, particularly from a cost transparency perspective. This is due to be completed in the coming weeks.  The projects currently being developed at full business case stage are spread across the country and, combined, would deliver more than 700 new places. I intend to make an announcement in the coming weeks regarding these specific projects following the agreement of sale prices. In parallel, a further tranche of projects has been prepared as preliminary business cases to bring forward to the steering group meeting later this month and I hope further projects will be approved in principle after that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Claire Kerrane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Claire Kerrane  I thank the Minister for the update. It is important that we see that substantial progress as we approach October and come almost to the end of the year. There are many eyes on where the eight locations will be. I appreciate I sound like a broken record about Boyle in County Roscommon. The feasibility study about the need in Boyle in north Roscommon is that there are 20 childcare places per 1,043 households. I have lost count of how many times I have put that on the D\u00e1il record, but the Minister will be aware, or her Department will be aware, of a former childcare building that was available in the town and was made known to the county childcare committee and her Department, the forward planning unit of which is leading on this. I want to make that case once again. I appreciate and welcome that a decision will be made in the coming weeks. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  The Deputy is right. I appreciate that there are many eyes on this and there is great interest in this initiative, it being the first time that the State is actually stepping in this area with the State-led early learning and childcare initiative. I intend to make the announcement in the coming weeks. I am conscious of the case the Deputy makes about her own area. She has made it eloquently and consistently. I acknowledge Deputy Martin Daly has also made it eloquently and consistently, as have many local councillors. I am conscious of Deputy Kerrane's and Deputy Martin Daly's interest in this area. We are continuing to take applications. This is a long-term commitment by the Government. It is time-consuming. There is the initial business case, then the full business case and then commercial negotiations, which are sensitive. We are pleased with the progress that has been made and look forward to the coming weeks. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Claire Kerrane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Claire-Kerrane.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Claire Kerrane  I have raised with the Minister many times the matter of looking at other ways that we can quickly build capacity. The State-led approach is one for sure, but there is also the building blocks programme. I again ask that consideration be given to allowing building blocks capital to be used to buy existing buildings. In many towns, particularly in rural areas like my own, across Roscommon and Galway, there are buildings. It is the quickest way to build badly needed capacity in the early years sector.  The other point that is important to make is that we can forget about capacity if we do not have the workforce. Far too many early years educators are being lost. They are leaving the sector.  Pay is a major issue that needs to be resolved. We will not have State-led services and growing capacity to meet demand or come anywhere close to meeting demand if we do not respect and recognise the workforce. That means paying them adequately and what they deserve and respecting the profession. That needs to be looked at in this D\u00e1il term. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I agree with the Deputy on looking at every possible mechanism that we have to extend capacity. The building blocks scheme is one. In terms of it being State-led, the State is stepping in, particularly with the purchase of buildings. The State will continue to purchase buildings or build them, if that is required in an area. There is also the building blocks scheme for extensions. We are looking at a suite of measures that will, in the quickest timeframe possible, deliver availability or additional availability by supporting providers to do that or through the State stepping in.  I agree with the Deputy on the importance of the workforce. There is no point in having buildings if we do not have the workforce. We have a valuable and important workforce currently working in the system and we want more staff in the system. The Deputy will be aware that over two years the Government has invested over \u20ac90 million arising from an employment regulation order. The Deputy knows my views on wanting that to be expedited and put in place as quickly as possible. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Childcare Services"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_20","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Departmental Policies","counts":{"speechCount":5,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_16","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_20","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_20.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"61. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanism her Department uses to assess whether policies developed in the name of equality are having unintended or disproportionate impacts on the rights of other groups, particularly children, women and girls; whether she considers that equality policy should require an assessment of the competing rights, privacy, dignity and safety of those affected before such policies are implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I thank the Deputy and appreciate the question. As Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, I am always conscious of the potential impacts of the work of the Department and others on the rights of children, women and girls. Indeed, my work has a very strong focus on improving conditions for women and children across this country. Equally, the Department of public expenditure and reform leads on the equality budgeting programme, which seeks to identify the impacts of policies and expenditure across a broad range of equality grounds. The European Institute for Gender Equality, EIGE, undertakes an assessment of the impact of actions by governments on gender equality. It has found the Government's action on equality for women and girls to have positive impacts and placed Ireland sixth in the EU on its gender equality index for 2025, up from ninth in the EU in 2024.  Across government, there are established mechanisms in place when formulating new policies, including public consultation, reviewing the available evidence and undertaking further research or legal analysis, where appropriate, and stakeholder engagement. As Minister, I inform my Government colleagues of proposals and, whenever appropriate, seek their agreement. Government approval is required for significant new or revised policies or strategies which must indicate any impacts on equality. Government approval is also required at several points before the publication of legislation.  As the Deputy is aware, the general scheme, or draft heads, of a Bill undergoes scrutiny by an Oireachtas committee before the text of the Bill is finalised. The relevant Oireachtas committee will usually invite stakeholders to participate in this process. A Bill must then pass through five Stages in both the D\u00e1il and Seanad before it can be enacted.  In order to ensure a more inclusive and fair society, policymakers need access to data related to equality. Robust and comprehensive evidence allows the Government to design and evaluate policies and services more effectively. Disaggregated data, or data broken down by characteristics such as age or gender, allows policymakers to compare the outcomes for population groups. That is why we published the National Equality Data Strategy 2026-2031 earlier this year. The strategy provides a framework to support the collection and use of equality data across government. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ken O'Flynn  I thank the Minister for her reply but, with respect, it did not answer the question I asked. I did not ask whether she is committed to equality. I asked for the mechanisms. When a policy or recommendation is made by the Department in the name of equality, what is the actual process for checking whether it takes the rights away from somebody else? In my question, I named women, children and girls. I do not have to look very far for an example of that. We can go back before the summer recess. I trust the Minister is rested and had time to enjoy the summer. In that time, I hope she finally took the opportunity to read the book What's the T? , which was recommended for 15-year-old girls by a State-funded body's Pride reading list. Last year, the Minister told the public that she was not familiar with it, yet the well-respected former Minister, Charlie Flanagan, said he had raised the issue with her and asked her to read it back in 2023. Her own office was emailed excerpts of the book in March of this year. The point is that if a sexually explicit book can be recommended to children in the name of inclusion and nobody in the Department can tell me who checked whether it was safe for those children, the mechanism I am asking about does not exist. If it did, it would be in the Oireachtas Library. Does the assessment exist? It is a \"Yes\" or \"No\". If so, could I have an example of that assessment? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  To reiterate, in terms of the book the Deputy referenced, the Department has no role in the oversight or recommendation of any of the books referenced. There is no role for the Department to do that.  On the Deputy's specific question on what exactly happens regarding assessments that are made of impacts on children, women and girls from an equality point of view, I have made very clear to him that when any Department is bringing forward any kind of policy or strategy, there must be a robust interrogation of it. If anything new is being introduced, it goes before a committee. There is an interrogation at committee level. As I referenced, any policy introduced is also analysed by EIGE, which placed Ireland sixth in terms of equality for women and girls in 2025, up from ninth. I also told the Deputy that the Department of public expenditure leads an equality rights budgeting programme. That also seeks to analyse the impacts of policies and expenditure across a broad range of equality grounds. I have been very clear on the mechanisms that are in place. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ken O'Flynn  The Minister did not answer my question on whether she read the book or not, but she made the statement, in respect of those types of book, that her Department has nothing to do with it. This may come as a surprise to her, but she is the Minister for children and equality. These are recommended books describing sexual acts to 15-year-old children. If the buck does not stop with her, as the Minister, where does it stop? Where is the mechanism that protects those children? That is what I am asking about today.  The Minister's reply was very disappointing. Will she come clean to the House and tell us whether she has read the book or the excerpts? Will she tell us who was telling the truth and who was not telling the truth? Was it her or the former Minister, Charlie Flanagan? What is the story? If the buck does not stop with her, who does it stop with? This is about the protection of children. When explicit books are being recommended to children and placed on a reading list for children, I would think the Minister for children is surely responsible. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  To be very clear, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has no role in the publication of books. The Department neither publishes the books, and nor does it recommend them. That has nothing to do with the Department.  Deputy O'Flynn referred to an account given by a former Deputy. I have said that I do not share that account. I have a different remembrance of the engagement I had with the former Deputy, and it is completely at odds with what he has suggested. Notwithstanding that, Deputy O'Flynn asked what mechanisms we employ in terms of equality and ensuring that there are not any disproportionate impacts. That is specifically what is written in the Deputy's question. He asked what mechanisms are in place that might protect against unintended or disproportionate impacts on the rights of other groups, particularly children, women and girls. I have clearly outlined to the Deputy that there are a number of mechanisms in place, including in the Department of public expenditure from a budgetary point of view, the analysis done by the European Institute for Gender Equality, the responsibility placed on every Department to analyse the impacts of whatever policies or strategies it is introducing, or the role played by the wider D\u00e1il in the legislation going through the House. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Departmental Policies"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_21","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Children in Care","counts":{"speechCount":9,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_16","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Sonra\u00edodh Uain D\u00f3ibh - Priority Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_21","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_21.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"62. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in Tusla care who have come to the attention of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in each of the past five years; whether Tusla is adequately providing for children at risk of reoffending; and the number of juvenile detention beds. PQ66252\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mattie McGrath  There is growing concern among many parents, guardians, teachers, youth workers, garda\u00ed and many others across society about the number of young people who are displaying challenging and disruptive behaviour. Some are even going on to commit crimes. Will the Minister make a statement on the matter, please? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  The Government's youth justice strategy 2021-2027 identifies family support, early intervention and community-based diversion programmes as key components in preventing offending and promoting desistance. Enhanced family engagement through Garda youth diversion projects, Tusla services and reintegration planning is regarded as an essential element of effective youth justice practice in Ireland.  It is important to note that Tusla's remit is primarily focused on child protection rather than on the prevention of crime. That is important. The prevention of crime is a matter for the Department of justice while child protection is a matter for Tusla. Tusla works hand in hand with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na as both State organisations work together to help children and families who need their combined assistance.  Officials from the Department are in regular contact with officials in the Department of justice in particular by way of engagement through the youth justice oversight and youth justice governance and strategy groups. These help to implement the youth justice strategy 2021-2027, which is led by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Under this strategy the Government committed to strengthening family support interventions, including through the Department of justice's youth diversion projects.  At the core of the Children Act 2001 is the premise of detention as a last resort. This is a critical factor to understand in the youth justice system. The Garda national youth diversion bureau's role is to keep young people who offend out of the formal criminal justice system where appropriate and reduce the risk of reoffending.  Although family support is a central pillar of Irish youth justice policy, I am advised by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, that there remains a need for more robust Irish outcome data specifically measuring the extent to which family support interventions reduce reoffending among young people. Current policy is informed largely by international evidence and by broader assessments of youth diversion and early intervention programmes.  It is important to recognise that the overwhelming majority of children in the care system will never come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, let alone be in conflict with the law. It is important to say that. The vast majority of children in care never, ever come to the attention of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and it would be remiss of us to suggest otherwise. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mattie McGrath  Of course, we all want to see the optimal result. We do not want to see any children to be involved in antisocial and disruptive behaviour but unfortunately there are. The Minister gave a nice flowery answer there that she is responsible for the welfare of children and not if they are offending but they are both intrinsically linked. Does the Minister have concern about the increasing number of young people engaging in persistent antisocial and offending behaviour? What does she intend to do about the situation and the cause of that trend? Is she satisfied that Tusla, schools, youth services and other State agencies have the resources and supports necessary to intervene effectively with at-risk children?  We also know a lot of children in the care of Tusla and the State have gone missing in the past couple of years. That is an appalling vista. The Minister\u2019s answer here is not really helpful. We need to get to the bottom of this. It is a growing trend and it is worrying. While the vast majority of children do not do this - and we are delighted about that; it is great \u2013 we need to have accountability. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I absolutely appreciate the Deputy\u2019s concern. I think we all share the concern. However, I must also speak to the fact and the fact is the vast majority of children who are in the care of the State never, ever come into contact with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. In fact, I would say they thrive with positive intervention and it is not appropriate to suggest otherwise. There is a close working relationship between the Department of justice and my Department, with my Department looking at it from a child welfare point of view and with the Department of justice looking at it from a crime prevention point of view.  There are more than 5,000 children in the care of the State. A very small number come from particularly complex and challenged backgrounds and it is for that reason they are in the care of the State but that is a very small percentage. In that respect, I want to acknowledge the work that is done by Tusla in terms of family support. I can list some of the family supports that are there. For example, there are parenting supports, which are overseen by Tusla and its partner community and voluntary organisations. These include parenting supports to help parents feel confident and capable in their parenting role, targeted outreach programmes designed to reach specific groups of families who may be at risk of social exclusion----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I call Deputy McGrath. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mattie McGrath  I agree with the Minister about the vast majority, thankfully, but it is the minority who are involved in this behaviour. It is also a sad minority who have gone missing in State care under the watch of Tusla. A previous Minister said he did not lose a wink of sleep. Pat Rabbitte is a former chairman of the board of Tusla. I think Tusla is wholly unfit for purpose. Goodness, accountability is not there. Children can go missing. We saw from the UCD report some time ago how children were being trafficked in hotels in Cork when they were under State care. This is a shocking vista. You cannot just wish it away by saying the vast majority of children are not involved in antisocial behaviour. Thankfully, they are not. We all have responsibilities, including parents, to ensure that. However, the ones who fall through the cracks and who do end up in State care deserve to be minded, nurtured, rehabilitated and taken care of and, above all, the State should know where they are. If they are not with their family and are in State care, the State should know where they are, whether they are accounted for, whether they are missing or whether they are being trafficked or involved in other horrible activities like that. It is a shocking situation. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  To reiterate, we are all concerned with any young people who find themselves in difficult situations. I am mindful there is a percentage of children, and not just children in State care but children who are not in State care, who find themselves involved with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or who find themselves involved with crime or whatever. That is not just exclusive to the children----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mattie McGrath  That was my question. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  That is not exclusive to the very small minority who are in State care who find themselves in very similar circumstances. Other children outside State care find themselves in similar situations. For that reason, there are significant supports being made available from a family point of view to support families and young people so that they can readjust their lives, whether that is by way of counselling and therapeutic supports, a strengthening of the family resource centres - the Deputy will be aware that service has increased by 15 in the past year and a half to 136 family resource centres - services provided by the 12 area based childhood programmes, ABC programmes, which see parents, as the first and most important carers and educators in their children's lives, can be supported. There are also 121 Tusla child and family support networks and 27 children and young people\u2019s service committees. There are a number of support agencies working to ensure that children get the best possible opportunities and supports in life. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Children in Care"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions","counts":{"speechCount":0,"speakerCount":0},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","speakers":[],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Question No. 63 taken with Written Answers. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_23","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Departmental Legal Cases","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_23","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_23.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"64. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount spent on litigating judicial reviews in Cork for failure to complete AON in the necessary timeframe since 2020. PQ65644\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Thomas Gould  Will the Minister make a statement on the amount of money spent on litigating judicial reviews in Cork for failure to complete assessments of need in the necessary time since 2020? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  There has been significant increase in demand for assessment of need, AON, in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. Unfortunately, demand has outpaced the capacity of the system to respond, resulting in long waiting lists for children to receive their assessment of need.  The Disability Act sets out grounds under which applicants may make a complaint regarding assessment of need, including completion within statutory timeframes. Over the past years, there has been an increasing amount of litigation seeking enforcement orders under the Act.  It is important to note that if AONs are not provided within the statutory timeframe applicants can use the statutory complaints and redress system. Therefore, they apply to the Circuit Court for an enforcement order as opposed to the High Court judicial review process.  The total legal spend for the period from 2020 to 2025 is \u20ac498,072. These are the HSE's own fees and do not include the legal spend of the parties who bring claims against the HSE, which have been paid by the HSE. That is because these are discharged by the State Claims Agency.  Inability to meet the rising demand for AON is resulting in significant financial cost to the State but, more importantly, is causing delay and distress to children and families who should have access to supports as early as possible. It is very clear that change is needed. There has been progress over the past two years with a noticeable increase in the number of completed applications. Over 5,900 assessments of need were completed last year, which is a 43% increase compared to the previous year, and 3,043 assessment reports have been completed in the first six months of this year. This improvement must continue and it must continue at pace.  In addition, significant legislative and operational work is under way to improve the AON process and reduce waiting times. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Thomas Gould  I want to confirm something. Did the Minister of State say the amount spent in Cork was \u20ac4,980? I find that figure unbelievable. I ask her not only to check that figure but also to include the amount that is paid by this State for families to bring these cases. I will tell the Minister why I find the figure unbelievable. Last year, nationally, the State spent \u20ac10.5 million defending approximately 1,000 cases of assessment of need that were overdue. This Government is therefore spending more money fighting families in the courts than providing assessments of need for children who desperately need them. Without the assessments of need, those children cannot get the supports they need in the services. They also cannot get the supports they need and the services they need when they go to school. This Government's decision is to fight it. To give the Minister of State another figure, only 7% of assessments of need in Cork were completed on time. These children have rights, and this Government just does not seem to give a damn. These figures speak for themselves. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  We absolutely do care. That is why this week, at Cabinet, the Minister, Norma Foley, and I brought forward legislation in this regard. To be clear, the HSE has not contested applications to the Circuit Court. The figure that was provided to me today in response to the Deputy's question is for the HSE's own legal fees, as I have said. They do not include the legal spend of parties who bring claims against the HSE that have been paid to the HSE. They are discharged by the State Claims Agency. I do not have the figure from the State Claims Agency but I can absolutely request that for the Deputy.  To be clear, significant legislative and operational work is under way to improve the AON process and reduce the waiting times. This includes continuation of the targeted wait list initiative, improved training and guidelines for assessment officers and targeted amendment of the disability Bill, which was brought to Cabinet this week, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the assessment of need process.  I agree that it is unacceptable how many children are waiting on these assessments. That is why we are bringing in these reforms - to help change that situation for people. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Thomas Gould  The Minister of State says the HSE is not contesting these cases, but 1,000 families had to bring cases against the State last year, and the State spent \u20ac10.5 million then. What was it spending the money on? Why was that \u20ac10.5 million not put into assessments of need? To give the Minister of State figures from Cork, there are supposed to be 14.5 assessment of need posts in Cork; there are only eight. In August, 2,000 assessments of need were overdue. The average waiting time is 27 months. It is supposed to be six months, but children are waiting over two years. No disrespect to the Minister of State, and I do not doubt her sincerity, but I come in here every year raising assessments of need and children who need supports and need this done, and every year I fear what the Government will do. These figures speak for themselves. Children are waiting 27 months for vital assessments. This Government has failed the children of Ireland. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  Children are waiting too long, absolutely, and it is not good enough. What has got us here is the increase in demand. That is due partly to changing demographics, and that is a good thing, but it is also due to more awareness within families and among parents exercising their right. Parents - I am sure the Deputy is the same - do not want to know the why; they want to know what we are doing. The only way to fix this is to change things, and that means reform. We are bringing in legislative reform, policy reform and budgetary reform. From a legislative perspective, the Minister, Norma Foley, and I brought to Cabinet this week a Bill on the assessment of need, which will be debated in this House next week. It is about making the approach more efficient, more effective and more standardised. From a policy perspective, the HSE is introducing a single point of access and the new autism protocol and pathways initiative. From a budgetary reform perspective, as well as building capacity within the system, we are investing. This year alone we invested \u20ac20 million in the wait list initiative. To be frank and honest about this, however, it will take time. These changes will make things better for families and children in this situation but it will not happen overnight. We need to invest in these reforms if we are to change things, and that is something the Minister and I are determined to do - to change things for these families. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Departmental Legal Cases"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_24","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Childcare Services","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_24","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Edward Timmins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_24.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"65. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, in the targeted plans to reduce childcare costs for parents, whether there are plans in place to review the core funding programme to ensure that funding reflects the increasing costs faced by childcare providers, and if consideration will be given to increasing funding and, where necessary, allowing providers greater flexibility to adjust fees to ensure the continued financial viability and sustainability of services. PQ65960\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Edward Timmins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Edward Timmins  I wish to raise the concerns of some service providers as to whether there are plans to review the core funding programme to ensure that funding reflects the increasing costs faced by childcare providers and if consideration will be given to increasing funding and, where necessary, allowing providers greater flexibility to adjust fees to ensure the continued financial viability and sustainability of services. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I thank the Deputy for the question on this important matter. Since core funding was introduced in 2022, it has been incrementally increased year on year through funding secured in the annual budget cycle. When first introduced in 2022, core funding had an annual allocation of \u20ac259 million, of which \u20ac210.8 million was entirely new funding for the sector. That annual allocation has increased each year and now, in the scheme's fifth year, is worth over \u20ac482 million. That is an increase of over 86% in core funding over four years, bringing the total to \u20ac1.7 billion since the scheme began - an investment by the State of \u20ac1.7 billion. This unprecedented increase in year 5 of the scheme includes \u20ac21 million in funding dedicated to support partner services in adhering to the core funding fee management conditions from September 2026. The annual budgetary increases to core funding have ensured that the scheme remains responsive, balancing the needs of providers while seeking to meet a range of other objectives.  Core funding has been developed using the various components associated with the cost of delivery of service provision, such as staff pay and conditions, administrative staff and time, and non-staff overhead costs. The base rate calculation also accounts for the increases to the cost of delivering services encountered by providers. These components have been factored into the calculation of the budget for core funding since the scheme began in 2022.  The core funding base rate has increased year on year since the inception of core funding, with a 20% increase in hourly rates between years 1 and 5 of the scheme. Accordingly, this has ensured that the scheme has kept pace with inflation and, thus, has reflected the dynamic costs profile inherent to the sector over that period. In particular, the base rate was enhanced this month to support all providers to keep their fees more affordable for families, through the core funding fee freeze and maximum fee caps, in the face of rising cost pressures.  The Department will explore further developments to the allocation model as part of the 2027 budgetary process. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Edward Timmins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Edward Timmins  I thank the Minister but I want to raise the concern among providers about the fee arrangements under the core funding programme and the disparity between long-established childcare providers and numerous service providers entering the scheme. I welcome what the Minister has outlined - the continuous improvement in funding from \u20ac259 million when the programme started in 2022 to an increase of over \u20ac480 million from September 2026 - but the current fee arrangements have created unintended inequality between service providers. Service providers that have been involved in the core funding programme since its introduction have had their fees tied to a rate being charged in September 2021, while new service providers are able to establish their fees based on current operating conditions, subject to applicable fee caps, which puts established childcare providers at a disadvantage. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I want to be clear that I am absolutely committed to continuing to engage with the sector and all concerned to continue to develop the scheme in order that it can support providers to deliver high-quality early learning and childcare to children that is sustainable. I think that is the rub of the Deputy's question - sustainability.  To address concerns surrounding service sustainability, targeted measures including a flat rate for sessional-only services and a minimum core funding allocation were introduced in year 2 of the scheme. These were enhanced in year 4.  The Department also ran a fee increase assessment process during programme year 3 of core funding, whereby partner services charging fees below the county average were eligible to apply to be assessed for a fee increase. I have made the decision to launch a revised version of this process for the upcoming programme year, the sustainability review process.  That is exactly what the Deputy has asked, in terms of those who are having challenges around sustainability. I have made the decision to launch that sustainability review process. The eligibility criteria for the review process have been refined to target vulnerable services where fees have been frozen at low levels since at least 2021. Without such a review, there is a risk that these providers will be unable to continue operating, which would reduce the number of places for children available in the sector. That review is exactly as the Deputy asked, namely to support providers. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Edward Timmins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Edward-Timmins.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Edward Timmins  I am happy to see this is progressing. Several providers involved in core funding since 2021 have contacted me and they have experienced a considerable increase in their overheads. I would also like to point out the fee payment thresholds table. Can I ask that County Wicklow be aligned with Dublin? At the moment it is in a mid-east bracket, and strangely for some of the mid-east brackets the upper limit on the threshold is lower than for some of the midlands. There seems to be an anomaly there. Another anomaly, which is slightly related, is that if a child moves from senior infants into first class they end up using a facility one hour less per day. That parent contacted me to say they are being charged \u20ac93 extra per month. That is because the childcare provider no longer receives the subsidy for that one hour per day. Yet the parent, who is now putting their child in for one hour less per day, ends up being charged the higher fee. These kinds of anomalies need to be looked at. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I reiterate that there is unprecedented investment by the State in this sector. I think \u20ac1.7 billion speaks to the determination of the State to support early learning and childcare provision. That is in terms of supporting providers, the workforce and parents. We are moving into budget 2027 where there are negotiations, which I imagine will be ongoing to the eleventh hour, to see how we can advance in each of those areas. It is unprecedented in terms of this sector to speak even at this point in terms of \u20ac1.7 billion. On the issues the Deputy raised around sustainability, that sustainability review is now open to providers to engage. In terms of the specific issues he raised, there are differences between early learning and childcare provision and school age childcare provision. Notwithstanding that, the State is committed to continue investing in the early learning and childcare sector. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Childcare Services"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_25","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Disabilities Assessments","counts":{"speechCount":10,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_25","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_25.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"66. Deputy Matt Carty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on the waiting list for an assessment of need in counties Cavan and Monaghan, by county; and the number waiting more than three, six and 12 months. PQ65953\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  I return to assessment of need, specifically in my constituency, to ask for details of the number of children currently on the waiting list for an assessment of need in those counties, and the numbers waiting for more than three, six and 12 months. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  The Department and the HSE are working intensively to address delays in the provision of assessments of need to children and their families. There has been significant increase in demand for assessment of need in recent years. Applications have risen from 4,700 in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025. That reflects both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. Unfortunately, demand has outpaced the capacity of our system to respond. While the HSE does not provide assessment of need data by county, data is provided by regional health area and local health office, so I am able to give the Deputy specifics for Cavan and Monaghan. The most recent data for Cavan-Monaghan LHO is for quarter 2 of 2026 and shows that 634 applications were overdue for completion at the end of June. Of these, 543 were overdue for more than three months. Up to June of this year, 123 assessment of need applications were received in Cavan and Monaghan for 2026.  It is clear that change is needed, not just in Cavan-Monaghan but across the country. There has been progress over the past two years with a notable increase in the number of completed applications. Over 5,900 AON reports were completed in 2025, a 43% increase compared with the year previous. Some 3,043 assessment reports were completed in the first six months of 2026. This improvement must continue. Significant legislative and operational work continues to improve the AON process and over time will reduce waiting times. This includes continuation of the targeted waitlist initiative, improved training and guidelines for assessment officers and the targeted amendment of the Disability (Amendment) Bill, which was brought to Cabinet this week, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the AON process. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  I hope the Minister of State's voice gets better soon. I know it is difficult when one is in this position with a sore throat. However, I have to say that regardless of the tone in which she is able to deliver it, her answer is incredibly worrying on a number of fronts. First of all, there is now a backtracking. I have a parliamentary question response from the HSE in January where I was given county-specific data. Now, the Minister of State is telling me the HSE does not provide that. Again, there are difficulties in the response with the fact that this Government is breaking the law by failing to provide children with assessments of need they are legally entitled to, within the timeframe they are legally entitled to. Yet, the information the Minister of State is providing in response to that is becoming more limited and restricted. In the first instance, I ask her to get a handle on that. Second, the numbers she has cited from January to now - the most recent figures - suggest to me that there is an increase from 509 children who are waiting for a stage 2 assessment, to over 600. Is that true? Are there more children currently waiting more than a year for assessment of need in Cavan and Monaghan than was the case at the beginning of this year. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  The information I have provided the Deputy is the Cavan and Monaghan figures combined. It shows that 634 applications were overdue for completion at the end of June this year. That is the figure up to the end of June. Of these, 543 were overdue for more than three months. That is the data the HSE has provided to me. Applications received in quarter 1 and quarter 2 this year for Cavan and Monaghan combined are 123. Those 634 applications are the data up to the end of June. That includes the 123 applications received this year but if we are talking about those overdue for completion at the end of June, the figure is 634. That is the information. It is provided by regional health area and local health office area. That is the Cavan-Monaghan combined figure. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  To be clear, this is an important point. I asked, through a parliamentary question, as is my constitutional right, for the assessment of need number in Cavan and Monaghan, by county. The Minister of State is telling me that the HSE does not provide that. I am telling her it did provide it, as recently as January. I am aware of that because I have a parliamentary question response. That is telling. If it is not dealing with the Minister of State and sending her into this Chamber with a shortfall in the information she has been asked for, how can she trust it in respect of what I contend is the much more serious matter that just in Cavan and Monaghan, 634 children being failed? They are not only being failed in a moral sense but are being absolutely failed in a legal sense. The Government is breaking the law in respect of these children, and despite the assurances the Minister of State and others have provided to us, this has real-life implications. Many of these 634 children are being denied access to other services because their assessment of need has not been carried out. This Government needs to get a grip on it. I have been here since 2020. I have been listening to the same rhetoric from Ministers about all the measures that are going to be taken to improve matters but it is going to take a little bit of time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I thank the Deputy. The Minister of State to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  As time passes, the situation gets worse. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Will you conclude, Deputy Carthy, please? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  I am asking the Minister of State to knock some heads together and sort this out once and for all. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Higgins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Emer-Higgins.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Higgins  With all due respect to my predecessors and the Minister's, while the Deputy may have heard what plans were coming down the tracks, what he is hearing from us is what plans are happening, what changes are happening and what reforms we are delivering. This week the Minister, Deputy Foley, and I brought to Cabinet legislation that will make it more efficient, more effective and will provide standardised guidelines for the entire assessment of need process. That will be in this House for debate next week.  From a policy perspective, the HSE has developed, launched and is about to implement two very significant changes. One is the single point of access, which means there will be no wrong door for any child. I hear this all the time from parents. Someone is on a waiting list for primary care or a CDNT, gets to the top of the list and is told they are on the wrong list. That will be no more. That is a significant change for families. Also, the autism protocol and pathways initiative is being launched. From a budgetary perspective, we are building capacity within our teams. The workforce in disability has increased by 22% in five years and we are investing in the wait list initiative to reduce the number of children in Cavan-Monaghan and across the country who are waiting on an assessment of need. These are real changes that will deliver for children and families. I appreciate it will not happen overnight but these reforms are needed to change the situation for those children and their families. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Disabilities Assessments"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_26","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Parental Leave","counts":{"speechCount":5,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_26","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Wall","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_26.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"67. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider increasing the duration of parent\u2019s leave to support more working parents to stay at home with their children during the first year, given her Department has policy and legal responsibility for all family leaves."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  There have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The combined durations of maternity, paternity and parent's leave and benefit now equate to 46 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family, supplemented by an entitlement to 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave and 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave per parent.  Under the Parent\u2019s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child, as required by the EU work-life balance directive. The entitlement is for each parent in their own right. The leave is non-transferable to ensure that fathers are also supported in their caring roles and to promote women\u2019s equal labour market participation. The principle of non-transferability is also required by the EU work-life balance directive.  Under the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age of 12 is entitled to 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16 years of age.  The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 complements existing family leave entitlements and introduces additional flexibility for working parents and carers. Under this legislation, parents and carers have a right to request flexible working arrangements in line with Article 9 of EU Directive 2019\/1158. An entitlement to five days of leave annually for medical care purposes was also introduced under this Act. A key priority in First 5, the whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families, is to support parents to look after their babies at home for the first year of their lives, given the benefits of parental care in that first year for children\u2019s outcomes. Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure they respond to the needs of families and are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Wall","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Wall  Paternity leave is a fairly recent policy, introduced in 2016. In 2020, the uptake was 48.6%; in 2023, that increased to 54%. Of those who avail of paternity leave, only 43% go on to parent's leave. Compare that with those who start on maternity benefit, of whom 75% go on to parent's leave. Ireland offers \u20ac299 per week. For working families, this represents a 72% drop; that is the figure we have been given, based on quarter 1 average incomes. Other EU countries offer much more to parents. I again ask whether the Government is considering extending parent's leave. When will parents in this country see such an extension? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future commits to examining the extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The first action plan under the new national strategy for women and girls, published in August, includes measures to support working families in balancing work and family responsibilities, including extending parent's leave. The Department is taking forward work to implement that measure and to look at and examine it.  The programme for Government also commits to introducing pay-related parent's benefit and exploring other payments where a similar model could be applied. A pay-related model was introduced on 31 March 2025 for jobseeker\u2019s benefit. The Department of Social Protection will draw on the learnings from that scheme to inform the development of options for parent's benefit and other family leave schemes.  There is a programme for Government commitment to examining the extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. Work on that is under way. Work is ongoing in the Department of Social Protection on pay-related parent's benefit. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Wall","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Wall  Will the Minister fill us in on the work under way in the Department? This is a huge issue, as she and everyone in this House knows, for many parents. Nine weeks' parent's leave is simply not good enough for those who have to look after a newborn, particularly in cases where a C-section was involved, which parents have contacted me about. Given the amount of work and care needed to ensure the health of the mother and child, nine weeks does not help the situation. What stage is the work in the Department at? Will the Minister look to a public consultation on this? I am sure she will get plenty of feedback from parents because that is what we have received in our office in the weeks and months since we started raising this issue. Will the Minister confirm her and the Government's thinking on increasing paternity leave to replicate other EU countries, which offer a far better scheme than is available in Ireland? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  While I appreciate what the Deputy has said about the nine weeks, it is important to reiterate that up to 46 weeks of paid leave is available to two-parent families. The programme for Government contains a commitment to examining the extension of parent's leave and benefit and other flexibilities, as does the national strategy for women and girls. My Department is in the very early stages of looking at that. There will be engagement and consultation on that. The pay-related model is also important. That is to be undertaken by the Department of Social Protection. Between the programme for Government commitment and the national strategy, there is a commitment for this to be looked at. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Parental Leave"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_27","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Childcare Services","counts":{"speechCount":5,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_27","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Wall","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_27.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"68. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to give an update on the sites to be selected for the roll-out of the State-led childcare pilot; and if she has considered the inclusion of County Kildare, given it has one of the lowest levels of community childcare provision."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I thank the Deputy. I announced \u20ac135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. This is a ground-breaking initiative for Government and it began this year. Capital funding will be used to acquire and fit out the buildings, depending on requirements. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030, with the funding provided through the national development plan. The level of investment will ramp up over the lifetime of the Government.  The programme was launched earlier this year and has eight objectives, including the delivery of additional supply in suitable locations, cost-effectiveness and timeliness, and supporting improved public management of the sector. A range of tools have been developed to assess projects\u2019 alignment with the programme objectives, including a forward planning model to analyse early learning and childcare supply and demand.  The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched. These projects are in different stages of development. Some relate to existing buildings ready to be occupied or fitted out, while others are longer term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relate to a building or property only, where a separate process to identify an operator would be required.  The Department has a long list of projects under consideration, including project proposals received through preliminary appraisal forms from city and county childcare committees. I am advised that no formal proposal has been received from County Kildare via a preliminary appraisal form.  The Department is aware that this list is not exhaustive and I reiterate that the scheme remains open. There is an opportunity for people to make proposals at any point and I am very happy to do that. As Deputy Wall is aware, the first point of contact is the local city and county childcare committees. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Wall","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Wall  I thank the Minister for her reply. It is disappointing to hear we have had no proposal from County Kildare. As the Minister is aware, I have discussed with her on multiple occasions in the House the deserts that exist in County Kildare, particularly around towns such as Kilcullen and Newbridge, where parents come to me and say they cannot find childcare. The question I have as a result of the Minister's reply is whether parents can contact the childcare committees. It seems to me that unless a provider contacts the childcare committees we will not get the facilities we need in Kildare. It is parents who are contacting me and it is parents who are facing these problems. I have previously given examples in the House of people who have made a life in Kilcullen having to move back to counties such as Kilkenny because they do not have childcare facilities in that town. This is still happening on a weekly basis in my county. Again, the question I ask is whether the Department will get involved in identifying these deserts that we and the Minister have spoken about in the House previously rather than relying on childcare committees and proposals that childcare committees might get from providers. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  To be clear, proposals to the city or county childcare committees are not all from providers. They can be from anyone. Deputy Wall will appreciate that there has to be some form of a process and the first line of the process has been identified to be the local on-the-ground mechanism of the county and childcare committees. It is free to anybody to make a proposal. In the first instance, this year we are looking at provision of buildings and primarily where a building might be available. I am aware that community groups have stepped forward, as have individuals. The proposals can come from anywhere and there is an openness in the city and county childcare committees to look at any proposal that comes their way. Of course we will look at other opportunities as well. There are opportunities through local authorities. We are very open to working with anybody who has a viable proposal. In the first instance a preliminary business case will be made and then a full business case. To assure the Deputy, the process remains open. If anybody wants to step forward we are very happy for consideration to be given to the proposal. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Wall","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Mark-Wall.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Wall  By the end of the day I will be sending the Minister a number of proposals from County Kildare because so many families are asking me this question. The problem I have with the Minister's answer is that we are still reliant on viable proposals. Parents are hard-working, as we have just discussed with regard to parental leave, so how are they to come up with premises? I have contacted schools and local sports clubs to try to get them involved in this and they are not forthcoming with the premises. We still have these deserts, as I call them, in Kildare and other counties because I have been contacted by people in other counties. I ask again that when the Department receives these multiple questions from parents it looks at these deserts and works with the parents, who are ordinary decent families working each day but finding it more and more difficult to get childcare places and do not have the time, energy or perhaps know-how to identify places. This is where I believe the Department and the childcare committees come in. I ask that when the Minister receives the proposals from me later today she actively looks at them and at providing childcare places in County Kildare where they are needed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I suggest, as I have already outlined, that the first line of contact is the local city and county childcare committees. That is the process. I would be surprised at this point if Deputy Wall has not engaged with them because I know he is very active on the ground and I imagine he has already engaged with them. If he has not, that is the first line of contact. Whatever proposal Deputy Wall has, it should go to them first. They are on the ground and can discuss with him the potential possibilities or the viability of a particular project he might want to advance. As it stands, this year we are looking at buildings that might be available because this is the quickest access. If opportunities present themselves we will look at building facilities or whatever. Let us be very clear that there is a process whereby a proposal, suggestion, idea or vision can be discussed on the ground with the local facility, which is the local city and county childcare committee. I suggest that if Deputy Wall has a number of proposals he engages with them first and if they are viable they will come to the Department and we will do all we can to progress them. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Childcare Services"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_28","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Public Sector Pay","counts":{"speechCount":7,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_28","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Joe Cooney","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_28.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"69. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will confirm that pay increases agreed under the public sector pay discussions will automatically apply to health and social care workers employed by Section 39 organisations. 65462\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Joe Cooney","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Joe Cooney  In March 2025, a commitment was given that section 39 workers would be brought into future public sector pay agreements automatically. I accept that budget 2027 is not finalised and that public sector pay discussions have not started but I would like confirmation from the Minister today that the commitment given in 2025 will be upheld for the people and organisations delivering front-line disability, older person and community services on behalf of the State. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  The March 2025 pay funding agreement for workers in community and voluntary health and social care organisations, whom Deputy Cooney has referenced, represents a significant investment in the sector and provides certainty for workers and their employers on the application of future pay adjustments in the public sector. The agreement was negotiated between Government Departments and unions, with the involvement of relevant funding agencies and employer representatives, with, as always, the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission.  The agreement includes funding for a 9.25% pay increase for workers directly employed by these independently operated organisations. In funding terms, the deal amounts to an increase of approximately \u20ac70 million per annum for the organisations delivering specialist disability services and supports funded by the HSE. Taken together with the earlier October 2023 agreement, which provides for an 8% increase, this amounts to a 17.25% increase in available pay funding over a three-and-a-half year period. The final increase provided for in the agreement, a 2% general round increase, is due to be applied on 1 October. The level of funding increase for individual service providers is assessed and validated by the HSE with reference to the service agreements in place. This ensures the uplift takes account of pay-related costs in each service agreement.  In a landmark step by the Government the arrangements also include automatic linkage for these workers to general round increases in any future public sector pay agreement. This treatment is an important step forward for workers and has been a landmark step forward by the Government and much sought after by workers. It is a huge assurance and reassurance to them that there is automatic linkage to any general round increase, not only in the upcoming public sector pay agreement but public sector pay agreements going forward also. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Joe Cooney","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Joe Cooney  Section 39 workers have been left behind. After the crash their pay was cut in line with the public service but it has never been restored in the same way. It has taken over a decade, with the Labour Court and threatened strike action, to begin to close the gap. We are still not there. Even the agreement reached in 2023 was not fully honoured because the funding released to the section 39 organisations did not cover the full cost to employers, including pension and PRSI contributions. Small providers without reserves or fundraising capacity could well be pushed towards cutting services rather than staff. Funding levels for section 39 organisations must cover the full cost of employees' salary increases as well as their pensions and PRSI costs. Has this been raised by the Minister and the Department in the current budget discussions? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I reiterate that the agreements reached in recent years, including the 9.25% increase and the 8% increase in 2023, are a 17.25% increase over a three-and-a-half year period. This is significant. As always, the Government's priority is to protect vital services for those who rely on them while ensuring sustainable employment for the dedicated workers who provide quality supports and services. The phased increases recognise that staff should be fairly paid for the difficult work they do. Notably, the ability of organisations to actively recruit and retain staff has also improved as a result of these funding agreements.  To respond to Deputy Cooney's point, as part of the agreement a comprehensive data-gathering exercise is being conducted on pay and funding arrangements in the sector. This exercise is crucial in order to create a shared understanding of the sector.  The outcome of the exercise will inform targeted measures on the low pay issues that affect the long-term sustainability of services and it is expected that this work will be finalised shortly. These arrangements relate to services funded through statutory grant aid arrangements, funding for services commissioned through tendering arrangements, which is not covered----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I thank the Minister. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Joe Cooney","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Joe-Cooney.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Joe Cooney  The consequences of a failure to deliver a fully funded package for section 39 staff and organisations will, unfortunately, fall on the vulnerable people who rely on them. These organisations operate on a tight service level agreement with the HSE. Pay parity for staff must be supported by a ring-fenced, fully funded package from Government that includes the full cost to their employers, which is important. Anything less will move this crisis from staff and organisations directly onto families, unfortunately. Organisations funded under section 39 already find it difficult to compete with HSE and section 38 pay scales. This will compound the existing recruitment and retention difficulties resulting in increased staffing shortages, greater reliance on agency staff and a higher risk to service delivery. Organisations may be unable to adequately support their existing staff or meet the needs of current service users and their families. We need to fix this issue properly, once and for all. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I reiterate that this is and has been recognised by all concerned, including the workers the Deputy referred to, as a landmark step by Government that ensures these workers will be automatically included for any general round increases in any future public sector pay agreements. That is very significant in the first instance. In the second instance, regarding the specific issues raised by the Deputy, an exercise is currently under way, which was agreed to at the time, to get a further, clearer and more transparent insight into the issues within the sector because there are a variety of different issues in the sector. That exercise is under way and nearing completion. It is a data-gathering exercise and the outcome of that exercise can and will inform targeted measures on the low pay issues that affect the long-term sustainability of services. The arrangements relating to the workers the Deputy referred to are arrangements through statutory grant aid arrangements. Funding for services in those circumstances is part of that data-gathering exercise.  It is important to say as well that the organisations funded under section 39, while supported by the HSE, are independent entities. They are not public bodies and their staff are not public servants. The terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately determined by the employer and their employees, notwithstanding the body of work that the State is doing and the commitments that we have given regarding the automatic linkage to public pay. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Public Sector Pay"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_29","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Early Childhood Care and Education","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_29","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Keira Keogh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_29.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"70. Deputy Kiera Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is considering in budget 2027 to expand childcare capacity, particularly in rural areas experiencing significant shortages of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. PQ65983\/26"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Keira Keogh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Keira Keogh  As the Minister will know, families in Ireland, especially in rural communities, are continuing to face significant challenges, not only in affordability but also in accessing childcare. I know that she is concerned about it, as am I, and I know we have many programme for Government commitments, including the creation of additional childcare places, initiating State-led childcare, especially in areas of unmet need, and getting to that \u20ac200 per month. With budget 2027 approaching, will the Minister outline what measures she intends to consider in supporting childcare provision in rural Ireland? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I recognise the Deputy's sterling work in a personal capacity as Chair of the children and equality committee, her leadership in that respect and her personal commitment to the issues in relation to early years in childcare. The view shared by the committee that the Deputy chairs excellently, and across Government, is that we should improve access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare opportunities.  Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. Data from the annual early years sector profile for 2024-25 shows that the estimated number of enrolments increased by approximately 25% from the 2021-22 programme year. A 25% increase in those three years is significant. However, it appears, and I absolutely accept, that demand for early learning and childcare remains higher than available supply in certain parts of the country, particularly for younger children.  The Department supports the ongoing development and resourcing of core funding, which has given rise to significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced, and this will continue to be the case in 2027. Core funding, which is presently in its fifth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available. This provides stability to services and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service.  Budget 27, as the Deputy is aware, is currently being considered by the Government in the context of the annual Estimates process, which officials are actively engaging in. I have also engaged directly with the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers. The Deputy will therefore appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage other than to say openly that I am pursuing an ambitious budget package intended to reduce costs to parents, to support providers in the workforce and to increase the availability of places.  In addition to current funding to expand capacity, the Government is also supporting the expansion of early learning and childcare capacity through capital funding. We are doing this through a number of different mechanisms, including schemes like building blocks and the State-led initiative. In terms of building blocks, capital funding schemes have been in operation since 2024. The building blocks extension scheme is currently operating and will deliver quality, affordable, full daycare places for those aged under three across the country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Keira Keogh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Keira Keogh  I thank the Minister. I welcome the increase in enrolments. I am really thinking about my own county of Mayo. Even when we have increases in the national childcare scheme, and I hear about these great subsidies, I know many parents in my county are not able to access them. The last data I got was that we only have one registered private childminder in the whole county. There has been a bit of an uptake on the pre-registration course, with the deadline of September 2027 approaching, but after that course there has not been a sign-up.  I am very concerned that right now we only have one registered childminder. People are already struggling to find a place with a private childminder or within a centre, and now we have this looming deadline coming in September. I am extremely concerned. What I want to see addressed is the potential crisis with private childminders if they do not start registering soon. In relation to State-led childcare, in my own area, because we are focusing more on the voluntary boards of management and the community-led element, we do not have any proposals in that area yet for Ballina. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  Just to be clear, significant work is under way to encourage more childminders into the registration process. A review is under way in terms of how that is working and what we could do differently in future, including what further supports we could provide or whatever the case might be. I am very pleased to have brought that review forward to give us a clearer line of sight of what we need to do to get more of the childminders on board, recognising their invaluable work and the important contribution they make to early learning and childcare. Specifically, in terms of the building blocks and the scheme that is there, a large proportion of the projects supported through building blocks have been in rural areas. It is important to make that point. The State-led process was announced in January. We are working at speed and I acknowledge the work of everybody involved. In the coming weeks, we are hoping to make announcements around the State-led projects. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Keira Keogh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Keira-Keogh.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Keira Keogh  State-led childcare will be a game-changer but we cannot just rely on the community and voluntary boards. In cities like Dublin and Cork, the boards may have accountants, HR professionals or solicitors guiding them. In rural Ireland, the same people who are on their GAA board are also often on the board of the community childcare facility, so we need to look at that. I also really welcome that a review is ongoing in relation to how we can better support private childminders to get registered. We need to reach out and allow people, even in a confidential way, to come forward. Good representative organisations are speaking for childminders but a lot of childminders are not even registered with those organisations. I held a public meeting and childminders were nearly afraid to come to it. An anonymous survey where they can engage in a confident way would be welcome. If we do not get increased registration soon with this deadline approaching, we could be in an even bigger crisis by September than we are in right now. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I reiterate that the process is an open one. It is open to anyone to get involved and to engage in the process. We would absolutely welcome existing childminders, including those who are registered and those who are not registered, all of them, coming forward to share their thoughts and views on what might be done to support it better going forward. I again reiterate that we hope in the coming weeks to make the announcement around eight proposals for State-led childcare this year.  Including for rural Ireland, opportunities remain open for any group, individual or organisation that wants to reach out to the city and county childcare committees with proposals whether a proposed building, a site, a building that requires purchase or even a building that simply requires fit out. The Department is very flexible in offering any kind of support we can to enhance the availability of the provision of early years and childcare facilities. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Early Childhood Care and Education"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_30","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Care Services","counts":{"speechCount":3,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_22","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_22","showAs":"Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_30","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_30.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Question No. 71 is in Deputy O'Rourke's name. We do not have time but does he wish to ask the question? "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is taking to increase residential places for adults with intellectual disabilities in County Meath; and the number of new residential places planned for 2026 and 2027."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darren O'Rourke  Along with a number of colleagues, including Deputy Guirke, I met a number of residential providers, including in Clonmore in Navan, County Meath. It has proposals at an advanced stage in relation to providing additional residential places. It among other needs the support to do that. I implore the Minister to make that happen as quickly as possible. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Norma Foley","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Norma-Foley.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Norma Foley  I will provide the Deputy with the answer. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Is f\u00e9idir teacht ar Cheisteanna Scr\u00edofa ar www.oireachtas.ie. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"  "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Care Services"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_31","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 Cheannair\u00ed - Leaders' Questions","counts":{"speechCount":68,"speakerCount":8},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_31","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":" Deputies","uri":null,"memberCode":null,"role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Carroll MacNeill","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  Ar\u00e9ir, chonaic muid ar an teilif\u00eds n\u00e1isi\u00fanta ceathrar sceithir\u00ed de chuid An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Is daoine iad seo a rinne iarracht imn\u00ed tromch\u00faiseach a ard\u00fa taobh istigh den Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Deir siad gur cuireadh ar leataobh iad, gur cuireadh bac orthu agus gur gearradh pion\u00f3is orthu. T\u00e1 s\u00e9 de cheart ag an phobal anois a bheith ar an eolas faoi c\u00e9 a bh\u00ed ar an eolas sa Rialtas faoin d\u00f3igh ar caitheadh leis na sceithir\u00ed seo agus an gn\u00edomh a rinneadh de bharr na himn\u00ed tromch\u00fais\u00ed a chuir siad chun tosaigh.  Last night, four Garda whistleblowers took the extraordinary step of going on national television. They waived their anonymity and told the public their story. These are people who tried to raise serious concerns from inside An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, who have given decades of service and tried to fulfil their duty to challenge wrongdoing. Instead, they say they were sidelined, obstructed and penalised. Anyone watching the programme last night could see they were devastated. It has taken a real toll on all of them and on their lives. Two of them worked in the protected disclosures office itself, the very system established after the Maurice McCabe scandal to protect people who speak out. Last night, they described a system in crisis. We heard about a shotgun that disappeared from Garda custody and 13 years later turning up in the hands of criminals. We heard much more. We heard about the confidential protected disclosure file concerning that weapon that was marked for closure without the knowledge or consent of the person responsible for managing the case. This morning, on Newstalk, deputy commissioner Paul Cleary acknowledged that former Commissioner Drew Harris had intervened in the protected disclosure process. What whistleblowers were telling the public last night as interference has now directly been acknowledged, in respect of the Commissioner's involvement, by one of the most senior officers in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. That is a shocking development.  One issue brings the human consequences of all of this into particular stark focus, the Garda holsters which were dangerously defective. Just six days before Detective Garda Colm Horkan was murdered, another garda suffered life-changing injuries when his firearm discharged while it was in one of these holsters. Detective Garda Colm Horkan was murdered after his own firearm was taken from his holster and used to kill him. It has been suggested that this was only possible because the holster was defective. The holsters were supplied not by a specialist firearms manufacturer but by a maker of saddles for horses. When the protected disclosure office sought the assistance of retired lieutenant colonel Ray Lane, an experienced weapons expert, Garda management intervened and blocked it. Lane was not appointed and the authority of Rose Sweeney, who had discretion to make that decision, was badly undermined.  Many of these matters are not secret. They have been raised internally, discussed in this House and reported prominently in national newspapers over the years. The Department when the Minister was Minister for justice knew about this. It was informed in August 2020 about the issues regarding these holsters. A protected disclosure was made directly to her that month shortly after she became Minister for justice. I want to ask her directly because she avoided answering some of these questions in the years that have gone past. When was she first made aware of an issue with the holsters as Minister for justice? Was she briefed about the safety concerns surrounding them? What did she do about the treatment of the whistleblowers raising these concerns? When all of this came across her desk as Minister for justice, what did she do about it? Does she now accept given the statement of the deputy commissioner on Newstalk this morning that the former Garda Commissioner in fact interfered in an independent process surrounding the protected disclosure? What does she say about that? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Helen McEntee)  I would like to use this opportunity, because I was not aware of the details last night, to wish our colleague, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, well. Any attack on an elected representative is an attack on our democracy. It is something we all need to condemn and push back on. I wish him and his family well.  Like a lot of people here, I also watched the documentary last night. It covered a wide range of very serious matters over the past several years. Many of them, as was referred to in the programme, related to protected disclosures and investigations, which are still ongoing, related to matters before the courts, both criminal and civil, and before the WRC and related to and subject to investigations by Fiosr\u00fa, the office of the police ombudsman. The Deputy knows for that reason I cannot comment. The reason I cannot comment on any of these matters is that we, as a House in 2014, passed legislation brought to the House by Brendan Howlin, which made it very clear that the legislation would prevent any of us, under law, from commenting on or confirming the existence of or details of any specific protected disclosure. Importantly, the legislation----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  On a point of order, the Minister is aware that these protected disclosures are closed so that does not prevent her from answering any questions, just to be helpful. They waived their anonymity. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Deputy, allow the Minister to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  To be very clear - the legislation is very clear - while individuals may choose to talk about it, that does not allow us, legally, to talk about it. That is clearly set out in the legislation. Individuals chose to speak about it last night but that does not enable any other person to speak about it. I want to be very clear about that. The legislation was agreed by this House in 2014 and enhanced in 2022. What is really important about the legislation is that it was put in place to allow whistleblowers to come forward and to make sure there was an independent process that took these matters away from politicians, from myself and from anybody in this House, and rightly so. It was decided this would be the approach because of what happened in the past. That is why this legislation was enacted. I fully support it because we have seen over the years many people who have come forward and highlighted issues in the workplace. We should all welcome this. We should protect whistleblowers, make sure people feel they can come forward and when they do that there is an independent process. We also have to respect that process and make sure anybody who is the subject of a protected disclosure is afforded the protection of that independent process as well.  The Deputy mentioned my time as Minister for justice. The very first thing I did, the very first time I got into my car to go anywhere as Minister for justice, was to go to Castlerea to meet the colleagues of Detective Horkan, who were understandably devastated, and to meet his family whom I know are still going through an unbelievable trauma they will probably never be able to fully comprehend. I made it very clear at the time that my job as Minister was to make sure that garda\u00ed, in doing their jobs, were protected, had what they needed, that the legislation was in place for them and that we provided the resources for them to make sure they were kept safe. I also introduced changes to make sure the oversight within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na was as strong as it could be.  Coupled with that, in 2020, the Garda anti-corruption unit was established in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. This was to make sure any wrongdoing within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na was dealt with. Through the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, I strengthened the role of the board and the An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na audit committee, which now have statutory roles in overseeing the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of procedures in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na dealing with protected disclosures.  I also produced the legislation that established Fiosr\u00fa and the whole reason for that was to make sure that where complaints were made by garda\u00ed about issues in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, they would be dealt with more quickly. The process was too slow. There were too many elements to it. It was taking too long and not producing effective results----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Thank you, Minister "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  -----so I made sure legislation was put in place to speed up the process. We all want to make sure there is a system in place that protects whistleblowers but we also need to make sure we adhere to the legislation.  Finally, I will come back to the last point. There is an opportunity for this legislation to be reviewed. That will come up soon----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I call Deputy Doherty. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  -----and all stakeholders need to be included in it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  With respect, these are really serious matters. The Minister has not answered any of our questions - not one - and this is not the first time. She has dodged questions from other people in the Opposition previously in the D\u00e1il.  The first question I asked had nothing to do with the protected disclosure. Why will the Minister not tell the public? Let me read it again. When was the Minister first made aware there was an issue with the holsters? It has been alleged the issue with the holsters resulted in the death of a garda. That has nothing to do with the protected disclosure. It is about the Minister being upfront, honest and transparent about when she, as Minister for Justice, was made aware of it. Second, when was the Minister briefed about the safety concerns regarding the holsters? Why will she not tell us? What is she hiding?  On another question I asked, the assistant commissioner admitted on the radio today that there was interference by the former Garda Commissioner in the protected disclosure process. That does not have to do with the protected disclosure itself; it is the process relating to these protected disclosures. What does the Minister have to say about that as a member of the Government and a Minister who was in office----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Thank you, Deputy Doherty. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  -----at the time he was interfering with an independent and autonomous office? It is earth-shattering that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na admitted blatantly on the radio----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Conclude, Deputy Doherty. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  -----that it interfered with the process. I will ask the question again and ask that the Minister stop hiding. When was she first made aware of the issue with the holsters? Will she give the date? When was she briefed----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  We have the questions, Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  -----about the safety concerns? What did she do about it? What does she have to say----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I call the Minister to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  -----about garda\u00ed at a senior level saying they interfered with the independent process? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":" Deputies","uri":null,"memberCode":null,"role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputies  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  First, I will not be lectured to by a party whose history when it comes to protecting our garda\u00ed is less than standard. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"(Interruptions)."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I have done everything in my role as Minister for Justice to protect garda\u00ed and make sure that when they carry out their duties they have the resources they need and that the legislation is in place to protect them. That is always how I have carried out my work. It is how the current Minister carries out his work and how the Minister before me carried out his work. There is a clear process in place. There is a clear structure in place, which clearly outlines that, where matters are a protected disclosure and where issues are before the courts or other bodies, I am precluded from commenting, as are others, so I am not hiding. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  You are hiding. Just answer the question. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Deputy Doherty, allow the Minister to answer the question. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  No, hold on a second, I am not hiding anything.  Let me be clear----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  Is the Minister saying she cannot answer the question as to when she and the Department were first made aware? That is just nonsense. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Allow the Minister to continue. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  The Deputy just does not like the answer "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  There is no answer. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  We elected representatives to this House who then passed legislation in 2014. Sinn F\u00e9in supported the legislation in 2022, which strengthened----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  How can the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, tell us that you were told in August 2020? How can the Minister for justice tell us that when the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will not tell us herself? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Carroll MacNeill","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill  Stop interrupting her. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Deputy Doherty, allow the Minister to respond, please. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  Okay, I apologise, but this is very frustrating, with respect. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I have been pretty clear in what I have said. It is a matter of public record that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na changed the holsters. It said that clearly. It is also a matter of public record that the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 states clearly that procurement or any of the other matters the Deputy outlined are the role and responsibility of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and that I had no role as Minister for Justice in that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  When were you informed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  It is also clear----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  When were you informed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  It is also clear - and we have done this for a reason - that there is a differentiation between the roles of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, the actions and roles of the Ombudsman----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  Why will the Minister not tell us when she was informed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  -----and those of me or other Ministers. That was clearly introduced and voted for by this House in 2014 and again in 2022. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  Why will she not tell us? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jennifer Carroll MacNeill","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill  Stop interrupting. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  It is ridiculous. It is a simple question. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  We now move to Deputy Gannon. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Gary Gannon  I join Deputies across the House in condemning yesterday's assault on Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I wish him a speedy recovery and send best wishes to him and his family.  Last night's \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" programme was shocking. It showed that the oppressive and vindictive culture that existed when Maurice McCabe was targeted for speaking out has not been rooted out of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. We heard credible allegations that Garda personnel who raised concerns were isolated, undermined and penalised. Again and again, protecting the institution appeared to take priority over investigating what had been reported.  The concerns were not trivial. They included firearms and ammunition being stored in appalling conditions, warnings about unsafe holsters being ignored, the refusal to technically examine the holster worn by Detective Garda Colm Horkan when his firearm was taken and used to murder him and alleged interference with a protected disclosure file concerning a shotgun which disappeared from Garda custody and was returned to criminal hands. Most extraordinary, the people working in the Garda office responsible for protecting whistleblowers became so disturbed by what they witnessed that they became whistleblowers themselves.  Deputy McEntee was Minister for Justice while much of this was happening. A new Garda protected disclosure office became operational on 6 January 2025. The establishment of that office was public knowledge, but the public announcement said nothing about what was happening to the existing office. We were not told its permanent and experienced personnel were being excluded, that outstanding confidential files were being transferred to a new team or what safeguards were being put in place to protect the continuity and confidentiality of those files. This restructuring was directed by the former Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, so my question to the Minister is precise. Before the change took effect, was the Minister or her Department told the existing personnel would be removed from the office and that their outstanding protected disclosure files would be transferred to a new team? If she was told, what questions did she ask? Did she seek assurances that those files would be protected and no member of staff would be penalised for raising concerns? If she was not told, does she believe the former Garda Commissioner complied with his statutory obligation under section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act to keep the Minister and her Department fully informed of significant developments capable of damaging public confidence in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na?  Operational independence gave the Commissioner control of the decision. It did not release him from his duty to account for it or to keep the Minister fully informed. The Taoiseach yesterday suggested he could not comment because these matters involved protected disclosures, as did the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade today, but confidentiality protects the whistleblower, not the Government or senior Garda management, from having to account for their failings. This is not about revealing the context of any disclosure. It is about whether the system established to protect whistleblowers was purposefully undermined.  I do not think anyone who watched the RT\u00c9 documentary last night decided we could continue as we are. What measures does the Government intend to take to ensure this is investigated thoroughly? Not a single person here believes we can just revert the investigation of these disclosures to Garda management. What does the Government intend to do about it? What exactly was the Minister informed of by the former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the change in the office personnel? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I thank the Deputy. There are two parts to what he asked. One is the matter of a protected disclosure and that is the information given by the individual last night. As I said, it is for individuals to disclose what they have disclosed, but it is not for me to discuss it. The matters discussed last night about the office, as the Deputy mentioned, are clearly, as was set out, the subject of an ongoing investigation, so it is not for me to comment on them. That is set out clearly in the 2014 Act.  My understanding of the new unit in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na was that it was a move to enhance the unit. I note it was in January 2025. An election had taken place in November 2024 and there was a change soon after that, but that change in the unit was to move it from being a part-time unit to a full-time unit and to ensure the garda of most senior rank was an inspector, which was not the case before that. That was clearly the intention in establishing a new unit. I am afraid I was not party to whether people transferred over. It is not information I am aware of, but the whole intention of establishing a new unit in 2025 was to enhance it, put it on a permanent footing and make sure the most senior rank in it was inspector, which had not been the case previously.  It is important for me to stress that there is an onus and obligation on each of us in this House, particularly given what we saw in the past, which was the reason for introducing legislation in 2014 and for enhancing it. It is why at the end of this year a review will start to look at the legislation, whether it is operating effectively and whether there are things we need to change. I encourage and suggest, particularly after last night, that all of us and the stakeholders involved in this need to make sure representation is made to that review because we need to make sure legislation we enact, which has put this into an independent process away from the political system, as it should be, is operating as effectively as possible.  When you put something at arm's length from the political system, you need to make sure it is operating effectively, as it should be, while maintaining that independence. I do not think any Minister for justice should have a role in a protected disclosure. No Minister for justice should be the investigator in something that is brought forward. I do not think anybody in this House believes they should.  We now have an opportunity to review the legislation. I believe it has worked effectively. Again, I commend the many people who, despite great personal impact on their own lives and the lives of their families, have come forward to highlight issues, not just in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na but also in other workplaces. That is the importance of the legislation. It is not just about An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na but An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is quite literally charged with protecting people in this country and with the security and protection of this State. We need to make sure the structures within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na are such that, if people are not doing things correctly, there are repercussions. We need to make sure there are oversight structures in place. As I have outlined, many such structures and oversight mechanisms were introduced when I was Minister for Justice and many have been followed up on by the current Minister. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Gary Gannon  Again, I did not ask the Minister whether she was informed of the details of any protected disclosure. We know that section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act requires that the Commissioner inform the Minister for justice if there are incidents happening that have the potential to undermine public trust in the office. Public trust has been very clearly undermined by any number of issues captured in last night's RT\u00c9 documentary. Those charged with looking after whistleblowers, taking on their files and investigating their claims had to become whistleblowers themselves and were then removed from the protected disclosures office. Does the Minister not believe that is an issue worthy of the former Commissioner, Drew Harris, informing her of as the office was changing over? Does she not feel such an issue was incorporated into that Act? Is she satisfied that the information she was given was enough? This goes to the heart of ministerial accountability and Ministers' role of informing Parliament. It is very clear that there was a gross failure and that people were being penalised. What exactly did Drew Harris inform the Minister of when he was making this change? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I know I sound like I am repeating myself but it is important to say that the Act very clearly states that, under the law, it is not an option to comment on or confirm the existence or details of any specific protected disclosure. What the Deputy is referencing, what was highlighted last night and what was spoken of by individuals clearly suggests that is what is being talked about here. I am not trying to be evasive. I am trying to be very clear. Legislation was enacted that very clearly precludes my commenting on the matter. As for the office itself, I was not aware of how the structure was changing or what individuals were or were not being carried over. That is not something that was brought to my attention because it is a matter for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. The 2005 Act very clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. My role as Minister for Justice at that time was to make sure that we strengthened oversight mechanisms where we needed to.  To refer specifically to Fiosr\u00fa, individuals made a complaint, the complaint went to the ombudsman that existed then and it then went through a process of criminal investigation that might have come to an inconclusive answer. Those individuals then had to start at the beginning and potentially go through a civil process. It took a long time and nobody was getting answers. The process was protracted and was not working effectively. That is why Fiosr\u00fa was introduced. It was to ensure we would have a quicker, more efficient and more effective process. That was my priority and focus as Minister for Justice.  I again stress that, at all times, no matter what was going on, I adhered to and followed the rules, regulations and legalities of the 2014 and 2022 Acts. That was my responsibility as Minister. I took it very seriously and still do. I have always adhered to the rules in that regard. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  We will look into that. I want to be associated with the Minister's comments about Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I am thinking of him, his family and his supporters in south Kerry, many of whom I know very well.  Deputy Doherty raised the question of when the Minister first knew about the holster issue. I have the answer. It took three attempts before the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan's Department would tell me, but we now know it was August 2020. It is shocking that it took three attempts.  The whole country is talking about last night. This does not give me any pleasure. Everyone in this House knows that I have been raising these issues for years. It does not give me any pleasure to stand here today to say what I have to say. Luke, Brian, Donal and Rose are incredible people. They are real honest people. Many of these revelations are not new, by the way. There is a man sitting up there in the press gallery, John Lee, who has written about this for years. So has Mick Clifford. They deserve great credit. There are so many layers to this programme and so many issues that have not been covered but the Minister should not worry; we will cover them in this Chamber over the weeks, months and years to come.  The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, as the sitting Minister, will have to answer for how An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and his Department acted. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, will also need to outline to the House what she did. I am not talking about the details of the individual protected disclosures. I am interested in process and pathways. Brian O'Reilly sent the Minister his protected disclosure in September 2023 as it impugned the then Commissioner. That was the correct thing for him to do because it was about the Commissioner. The Minister sent it to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner later that month. That was also the correct thing to do. In October 2023, the OPDC sent its statutory direction that the Secretary General of the Minister's Department be appointed to investigate this. The Secretary General made no objection to this. That is where it sits. What happened next was detrimental to Brian O'Reilly's life, his career, his livelihood and the well-being of him, his wife, his children and his family. As Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee directed that the investigation be removed from her Secretary General and redirected to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, thereby usurping the OPDC's statutory direction. Giving such direction is that office's role. We in this party know the legislation. Deputy McEntee, as Minister for Justice, thereby revealed Brian O'Reilly's identity, depriving him of the legal protections he was entitled to and exposing the nature of his allegations. In doing so, she acted without legal authority and directly interfered with a serious and significant protected disclosure. She did exactly what the Taoiseach spent all day yesterday lecturing us about, telling us that it would be completely and utterly inappropriate. How does the Minister explain this? It was either done deliberately - to be fair to her, I actually do not think it was - or it was just incompetence or a mistake.  Everybody in here is talking about this. On 25 March this year, I told this Chamber that the issue of the holsters, one of which I am holding now, and how the Minister handled protected disclosures would haunt this Government, the Minister herself and the previous Government. Last night's programme absolutely confirmed that to be the case. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I will start where I finished in answering the last question. In my role as Minister for Justice, at all times and on any matter, I adhered to the law and the structures we have to adhere to under this Act and legislation. The Deputy can look elsewhere, shake his head at me or say that I was incompetent or whatever it is he was trying to suggest. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  I did not shake my head. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  That is exactly what he has suggested. I have adhered to the legislation at all times. At all times, I ensured that I everything I did in the Department was to ensure accountability and oversight, even at times when that did not make me popular, which happened quite a lot. How did we make sure there were better structures in place? It was by introducing new legislation, putting in place better oversight mechanisms within the board of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, making sure the audit committee had oversight of what happened on protected disclosures and introducing Fiosr\u00fa so that we would have better protection for those who brought forward protected disclosures. We also amended the 2014 legislation introduced by Deputy Kelly's former party leader. All of this was to make sure that, where people brought forward protected disclosures, procedures were adhered to and that those people were protected, encouraged to come forward and supported, where possible.  I cannot be any clearer in saying that I have always adhered to the rules and the regulations as set out to me. I have always acted in accordance with the law. When it comes to protected disclosures and matters relating to such disclosures that are still before the courts or a tribunal or inquiry, the Deputy will know that this is not something that any of us can talk about. The Taoiseach was very clear about that yesterday. I have repeated that many times this morning. As I have already said, we have an opportunity to review the legislation. There is a legal requirement in the Act to ensure that a review will start by July of next year. I am informed by the Department of public expenditure and reform that this review will start by the end of this year. There is an onus on all stakeholders to participate in that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  I have laid out the facts. I have the documentation here in front of me. I am not interested in the details of the actual disclosures, the pathway and the process. I know what happened here. The Minister will have to explain it, despite everything she has said there, because the way the Brian O'Reilly case was managed by the Minister simply was not appropriate. Most of all though, today, I am thinking of the family of Colm Horkan. I have met them several times, and I know others here have too. They are broken. They are devastated. He should never have been wearing that version of this holster that night. The State let him and his family down. Someone has to stand up for them. Collectively, as a Chamber - Opposition or Government, it does not really matter - we all have to stand up for them.  Will the Government - I mean this - finally do the right thing and sanction an independent investigation into everything to do with how faulty holsters like this were given to our brave men and women serving as garda\u00ed across the country? I know that is what the family wants. I know that is what they deserve. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I thank the Deputy. I too have met the family, and not just on that occasion I mentioned. It was the very first thing I did as Minister. I met them subsequently and I know how difficult and traumatic this is for them. I know they never want anybody else to go through that. The death and the murder of any individual is traumatic enough but for this to happen to somebody who is tasked with protecting each and every one of us is reprehensible. We all agree on that. I do not think anything we can do will ever take that away from the family.  It is very clear that we have a number of different investigations and processes still under way. That might not suit what people want to say here today but that is a fact. It is the case. There is an obligation on each and every one of us to make sure that any independent investigation is adhered to. Beyond that, and the Taoiseach asked this question yesterday, we must ask ourselves what do we want to do and how do we respond. We have an opportunity to review the legislation to make sure it is acting in accordance but we have to make sure any independent process that is under way is allowed to continue. It might take longer than any of us would like, as is the case in many instances, but we have an obligation to ensure any process under way is allowed to conclude. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  Every TD in this House knows Irish Water is not fit for purpose. Every day, an Opposition TD or a Government TD raises an Irish Water issue in this Chamber. Every day, Government and Opposition TDs are on local radio criticising Irish Water. It beggars belief that despite water shortages, hosepipe bans and future and continued scarcity of water due to climate change, Irish Water would decide to close down and decommission a perfectly good water treatment system plant and reservoir. That is exactly what it proposes to do with the Poulavanogue water treatment plant, serving the town of Clonmel. This is one of the plants currently serving the town and has done so for the best part of 100 years. Irish Water also proposes to decommission the Ragwell reservoir, a facility that can hold up to two days water supply for the town.  At the same time, it is bringing very hard water into the town. This supply already supplies part of the northern part of the town and has created huge financial problems and pressures for families who are already hard pressed. It damages white goods, electric kettles, dishwashers, washing machines and showers, forcing families to replace these on a regular basis. Many families are being forced to install water softeners at considerable cost and to pay for the maintenance. Now, Irish Water proposes to impose this very hard water on homes and businesses in the town. Irish Water refuses to even consider softening this hard water at source, something which is done routinely throughout Europe and in the United States. Irish Water has also refused to mix the soft water supply at Poulavanogue with the hard water supply from Monroe to reduce the hardness. South Tipperary TDs have asked for copies of the various reports Irish Water have relied on when making these decisions. We have not received those reports.  I am asking the Minister to immediately and urgently intervene with Irish Water to stop the closure and decommissioning of the Poulavanogue water supply, maintain the Poulavanogue supply for the purpose of a backup water supply for the town and for mixing with the hard water from Monroe and make available to TDs and public representatives all reports pertaining to the closure of the Poulavanogue supply and Ragwell reservoir. Irish Water must be made accountable on these issues and others. I ask the Minister today to make sure that happens by intervening with Irish Water on these issues. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I thank the Deputy. While I do not have the specific details of the case he outlined, I will bring this and all of the challenges he outlined directly back to the relevant Minister. Unfortunately, we still have a number of communities that are impacted by water infrastructure, much of which is decades old. It is important that the Government ensures that the significant amount of funding we have put directly into Irish Water is invested in communities and spent as quickly as possible and that the upgrades to our water facilities, treatment plants, piping and infrastructure that is decades old happen as quickly as possible.  From July of this year, Uisce \u00c9ireann marked a commitment to invest in the reimagined water infrastructure right across Tipperary, the Deputy's county. There was a \u20ac16 million upgrade in the Rossadrehid water treatment plant, the construction of which is now under way and will provide a safer, more reliable water supply for homes and businesses right across the region, originating in the Galtee Mountains. It is obviously an important source of water for the plant and it provides services to thousands of homes and businesses across the region.  This is about making sure every part of the county has access to that type of supply of water. It is about making sure the investment and significant funding that have been provided by the Government, through the national development plan and directly to Uisce \u00c9ireann, is invested as quickly as possible and people see the benefit. One of the biggest challenges we have, and I see this in my county as well, is that our population has grown very significantly in a short space of time. It is about making sure we can keep up with that growth, keep up with the delivery of houses and make sure that, at the same time, we are not just investing in new infrastructure but also replacing old and outdated infrastructure, in particular.  The specific issue the Deputy raised is one that many people deal with in their communities. There is then the impact it has on their appliances, which means they have to change them or invest in softeners. That is a frustration and something people do not need to deal with. That is why we are investing this significant amount of funding overall. On the specific cases the Deputy mentioned, I am happy to bring them back to the Minister to see if more can be done to speed up the process and address the concerns raised by the Deputy's constituents. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  Irish Water is an unaccountable quango. It has absolutely no respect for TDs or public representatives. Every TD in this D\u00e1il can speak directly to every Government Department, including every section in the Department of Social Protection. TDs can contact county council staff at management, engineering and administrative level. They can speak with HSE staff at all levels. They can talk to Garda officers at local and national level. In fact, every TD in this House can speak directly to any organisation that deals with the public. Why is Irish Water different? Why does Irish Water refuse to deal directly with elected public representatives? That is the case. There is no way Irish Water will speak directly with Members of this House or members of local authorities. Why is Irish Water the only organisation that does this?  We are elected democratically and Irish Water should be available to every TD in this House through a nominated local official who can deal with issues arising locally and nationally. I ask the Minister to intervene directly with Irish Water in relation to stopping the closure and decommissioning of the Poulavanogue treatment plant in Clonmel. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I fully agree with the Deputy. Irish Water should be and is accountable to every single person in this House. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  No, it is not. That is the problem. It is not. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Allow the Minister to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  There is a process in place and it should be the case that the Deputy can access and can talk directly to people. I am not saying that it is working effectively; it is clearly not if the Deputy is raising this here. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  We get put talking to a call centre. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  However, it is absolutely essential that an organisation that has been provided with \u20ac12 billion, as it has been in a revised national development plan, and that has been provided with billions of euro to support the delivery of homes and to invest in our capital infrastructure is accountable to every person in this House. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  It should be but it is not. We can only call and talk to a call centre. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Deputy Healy, please allow the Minister to conclude. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  It is frustrating. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I understand that, but the Minister has the floor. I ask the Minister to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I am agreeing with the Deputy. I am saying very clearly it should be the case. Deputies should not be standing up here saying that they cannot access or engage with people. I will again raise this directly with the Minister. We have spoken of it. I have spoken of it. My party colleagues have spoken of it. Any organisation that receives billions of euro of taxpayers' money from the Government should be and is accountable to every Member in this House. It is not acceptable if the Deputy is not able to access, talk directly to or get answers from people. I fully agree with him. I am very happy to raise the concerns he has raised here today. I am very happy to relay that back to the Minister. I expect that, as a public representative, I should be able to speak to and engage with officials on the ground when it concerns billions of euro of taxpayers' money and I am elected as a people's representative to monitor where that goes. I fully agree with the Deputy and I will raise his concerns directly. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 Cheannair\u00ed - Leaders' Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_32","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 na Comhalta\u00ed Eile - Other Members\u2019 Questions","counts":{"speechCount":4,"speakerCount":2},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_32","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"John Connolly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-Connolly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"John-Connolly.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"John Connolly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-Connolly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"John-Connolly.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy John Connolly  Ba mhaith liom inniu ceann de phr\u00edomhchusp\u00f3ir\u00ed oideachais an chl\u00e1ir Rialtais a ard\u00fa is \u00e9 sin an gealltanas an c\u00f3imheas dalta agus m\u00fainteora a laghd\u00fa agus pl\u00e9 a dh\u00e9anamh ar an deis at\u00e1 ann t\u00fas a chur leis an ngealltanas sin a chomhl\u00edonadh i mbuis\u00e9ad 2027. I wish to discuss one of the key educational commitments of the programme for Government, specifically the one to reduce the general pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools to 19:1. The opportunity afforded to Government to contribute to fulfilling that commitment should be utilised as part of budget 2027. As I said, the commitment aims to bring the general pupil-teacher ratio down to 19:1 over the lifetime of the Government and it is time we started looking at that given that we are now in the second budget of five of this Government.  The primary staffing schedule furnished to schools for this current academic year, 2026-27, advised schools that they will operate on the basis of a general average of one classroom teacher for every 23 pupils. We know that there are schools where there are children in classes of greater size. Yesterday I spoke to a parent of a child in senior infants where there is a class of 29. While the trend is going in the right way, Department of education statistics highlight that in the last academic year some 39,000 school children were in classes of 30 or more.  I acknowledge there are local-based factors that contribute to that and it is not all simply down to the primary teaching schedule. However, in comparing 23:1, as it is for the next academic year, and 19:1, where we hope to get to, we have some distance to travel in the fulfilment of the commitment. I think everyone can appreciate the benefit to a pupil's learning to be in a class of a smaller size.  My own professional experience was that within the schools where I was privileged to work, wherever we encountered a challenge in the progression of a pupil, be that an academic challenge, behavioural challenge, social challenge or communicator challenge, the best resource that we could make available to try to meet those challenges and to work with the pupil was to increase discrete pupil-teacher time. That is at a premium and it is at even more of a premium when we consider the broadened curriculum, the new curriculum framework that is going to introduce new subjects. This is an issue that is pressing and pending. Schools are inundated with people selling online tools, schemes and programmes to try to help with the issues that pupils encounter. However, without a shadow of a doubt, all of those fall into insignificance when compared with the progress that can be made by providing additional discrete pupil-teacher time.  The Minister will be aware that more children are undergoing NEPS and, indeed, non-NEPS psychological assessment. The outcomes of these assessments are generally the formation of a report where a number of recommendations will be provided to the class teacher that they should incorporate into their teaching for the benefit of a specific pupil. It is simply impossible for a teacher to do that when they are teaching a class of 25 or 26 pupils. The issue is pressing. It is a commitment of the programme for Government and I hope that we will start to try to fulfil that commitment in the upcoming budget. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Helen McEntee)  I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. At the outset, I commend the fantastic job that all of the teachers and staff within our schools do. While I take the opportunity whenever I can in my role, particularly last year as Minister for education, I had an opportunity to travel right around the country to meet with many teachers, SNAs, secretaries, principals, caretakers and assistants - everybody who plays a significant role in the education of our children. The work they do is absolutely phenomenal and I want to acknowledge that here. That is why Government is investing a record \u20ac14.1 billion in education and the intention very clearly is to continue that investment.  We can look at the number of people employed in our schools, which is important for the question the Deputy has asked. Teacher numbers at primary level increased by almost 6,000 between 2019 and 2025. We have seen a massive increase in the number of teachers who have been employed. During that time, we also saw a massive increase in the number of SNAs and the number of assistants who have been employed. Over 24,000 are now teaching in our schools, supporting our teachers and most importantly supporting our children as well.  In terms of the overall staffing schedule and the overall ratio, based on that investment we have gone from 26:1 five years ago down to 23:1 for the current school year. When the number of SNAs and assistants within a classroom is taken into account, it brings the overall number down. At the same time, I appreciate that for some classrooms the numbers are much higher. I appreciate that for some schools, while they might be around the average, some classes are much higher and we want to try to bring the numbers down as quickly as possible or in the most stable way possible.  There is a clear commitment within the programme for Government that we would bring that 21 number down to 19 and it is a commitment that we have said we will reach within the lifetime of the Government. The Minister for education will obviously be engaging with the Minister for public expenditure and reform. How that is decided and what priorities are set this year are matters for the Minister, but I know that she will be seeking to get as many resources as possible and to provide as much support as possible to our teachers and importantly to our children as well.  As the Deputy knows, we have more favourable ratios implemented for the DEIS urban band 1 schools. We have again seen the highest level of investment in our DEIS schools, making sure that those who need our help the most, particularly because of perhaps their family background, because of where they are from or because of instances that have happened in their lives, are provided with as much support as possible.  I fully agree with the Deputy. My own little man went off to school this year and I see the impact that a teacher can have on the environment in a classroom. That can have a long-lasting impact on a child, whether they like school, whether they want to go to school, the dynamic in the classroom, but also how they learn and how that then sets them up for later in life.  We need to do what we can do to reduce the numbers to provide as much class time as possible between students and their teachers, their SNAs, their assistants. That is our objective and our goal. It is why the money allocated to education has increased and why I hope in this year's budget we will see a further increase again. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John Connolly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-Connolly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"John-Connolly.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy John Connolly  The last point the Minister made is relevant today in particular. This morning, we heard and read of a new ESRI study produced in partnership with Tulsa that highlights that school attendance rates are dropping. In recent years, we have seen a decline and it is pertinent that there is concern about that. In schools with higher levels of disadvantage, attendance rates are not as good as in schools that do not have that same level of disadvantage. However, it is important to point out that there is a level of deprivation in every school. Certainly, in DEIS and DEIS plus schools, there is a greater concentration of that deprivation but all schools have pupils whom staff will recognise as being deprived. As the Minister pointed out, one of the things that increases the chance of that child attending school is a good relationship between the pupil and the teacher. That is easier to build when there are fewer pupils with whom the teacher has to work. That is a very pertinent point the Minister made.  The Minister is right in saying that in recent years the Government has significantly increased the number of teachers. They have not all been applied in the mainstream setting, and I am talking specifically about the mainstream setting.  We have also seen an increase in the diversity of pupil profiling and an increase in pupil needs. It is important that we try to achieve that 19:1 ratio and that we start to work on that as soon as possible. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I fully agree there are lots of things we need to focus on to make sure children are going to, staying in and progressing in school. When I was Minister of the Department, following on from the work of the previous Minister, Deputy Foley, before me and work the Minister, Deputy Naughton, is now carrying on, there was an action plan put in place specifically looking at attendance and how we can ensure children come to school, particularly where the levels within DEIS bands and primary schools were increasing at an astronomical rate. I think one in four was missing more than 20 days throughout the year, not including weekends and bank holidays and everything in between. There is a huge amount of work we need to focus on to ensure children are going to school and that parents are supported. In particular, for those who need that extra bit of help, the hot school meals are essential to that. It is making sure children have food and are able to focus and concentrate in school. The books we have introduced take an additional cost off of parents when they start school or at the beginning of any year. We also provide funding and supports to make sure uniforms can be bought, that the resources can be provided and that schools can get what they need. I appreciate that is something else in the budget that we need to keep increasing to ensure schools have the resources they need.  Again, I appreciate there is a lot of work we want to be able to do, but we have fantastic schools and teachers in this country. Our objective as a Government has to be to continue to invest in both. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 na Comhalta\u00ed Eile - Other Members\u2019 Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_33","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna ar Pholasa\u00ed n\u00f3 ar Reachta\u00edocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation","counts":{"speechCount":49,"speakerCount":21},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_33","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aidan Farrelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Duncan Smith","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Duncan-Smith.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Duncan-Smith.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Eoghan Kenny","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Eoghan-Kenny.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Eoghan-Kenny.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul Nicholas Gogarty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter Roche","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-Roche.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-Roche.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Eamon Scanlon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Eamon-Scanlon.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Eamon-Scanlon.S.2002-09-12","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Rice","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-Rice.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-Rice.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Se\u00e1n Kyne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Se\u00e1n-Kyne.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Se\u00e1n-Kyne.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Tom Brabazon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Brian Brennan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Brian-Brennan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Brian-Brennan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"David Cullinane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","memberCode":"David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  People are being hammered by the rising cost of fuel. The price of petrol and diesel has increased sharply in the last while. In some forecourts across the country this morning - I do not know if the Minister has seen it - people are being asked to pay \u20ac2.20 for a litre of diesel. People have seen these prices go up day after day. They also know that when these prices go up, the Government rakes it in with regard to additional VAT it charges on these high prices. It is not just petrol and diesel; home heating oil has skyrocketed. The price of 1,000 litres of home heating oil has gone up hundreds of euro in the last two weeks alone and households cannot take any more of this. I am asking the Minister serious questions here because people need action right now. They do not need commentary; they want to know what is going to happen.  Is the Government willing to further cut excise on petrol and diesel? That is exactly what needs to be done to help families and workers at this time. Will the Minister implement the legislation I am bringing before the House today, which removes carbon tax completely from home heating oil, a fuel that people need to keep their homes warm this winter? The Government has not removed a single cent of excise from it up until now. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Helen McEntee)  The Deputy is right; people need action, not words. That is exactly why, at this time and at this moment in the year, \u20ac1.4 billion has already been provided to people to try to assist with what is a very challenging time - I fully agree with the Deputy - much of which has been caused by the conflict in the Middle East, where we need to focus our efforts as well. While we are a small country, we still have a voice and we need to use it to ensure every effort is made to end the conflict because that is the first and quickest way in which we can see a reduction. However, we have expanded the fuel allowance, and the tax reductions on energy and fuel have been extended to October, which the Deputy voted against in the Chamber, so that we give people that bit of a break and make sure there is certainty in the time ahead.  On top of that \u20ac1.4 billion being provided in supports and reductions in tax, we have a budget coming up. On both a permanent and temporary basis, the Taoiseach, the T\u00e1naiste and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, have all said they want to do something on home heating oil and will do something in the budget to assist people in both the short and long term. The Deputy can be assured of that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aidan Farrelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Aidan Farrelly  Increasing the cost of using public transport by an average of 15% is a political decision. It is happening because this Government refuses to invest in the National Transport Authority, NTA, in the expansion of the network and ultimately in its passengers. We now know this is only the start of the fare increases. The Government intends to raise them again and again. While Government backbenchers love the photo-op of opening a new bus stop, what people who stand at those bus stops need the Government to do right now is to demand that these fare increases are reversed and that they do not happen. The Government is making this decision during a climate emergency, when we should be doing everything in our power to incentivise the use of public transport, not disincentivise it. It is making this decision amid an affordability crisis where 15% will become 30%, which will become 50%. I have a very simple question: Will the Minister, her Cabinet and their backbenchers reverse this decision? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  As the Deputy said, the National Transport Authority made the decision to publish the new fares on 3 September of this year, with the revised fares taking effect from January 2027. This was a really important step in standardising the national fares structure. It is in line with a strategy that was published back in 2023. Since 2022, we have seen inflation of almost 21%, which has of course driven up the cost of operating our public transport. The public transport network is not immune to this inflation, in the same way that people getting into their car and driving to work are not.  At the same time, in that period, we have seen costs drop, specifically by 20% in the cost-of-living fares reduction, the young adult card discount of 50% and the extension of free travel to children under nine, so we have seen reductions in costs for all people outlined there. It is about getting the balance right and being able to invest in the network to expand it so that more people can access it while also taking into account the fact inflation is impacting that sector. At all times, and to reassure the Deputy because we are all impacted by this and have significant public transport in our constituencies, we want to make sure it is affordable for people. All of this has to be kept under review and we have to make sure we are doing everything possible to ensure any of the changes and the \u20ac1.4 billion I mentioned are passed on to our public and private transport operators. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Duncan Smith","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Duncan-Smith.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Duncan-Smith.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Duncan Smith  The Labour Party and I want to raise with the Minister the compounding crisis year on year for school transport. It is impacting every constituency. I represent a largely urban constituency, yet I am dealing with ten families in Swords who are unable to get school transport up to Col\u00e1iste Ghl\u00f3r na Mara in Balbriggan. This is happening every single year; kids are being left at the side of the road. My party colleague Deputy Wall is dealing with over 100 families across four routes in Kildare South and Deputy Eoghan Kenny, who is sitting behind me, is also dealing with over 100 families in his area of Cork. Leitrim County Council, Cavan County Council, Galway council and the Minister's own county council in Meath - everywhere - are saying school transport is not working and kids are being left at the side of the road. Can we have a solution, not only for this year but a proper plan for school transport so that we are not back here next year with more kids being left at the side of the road? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Eoghan Kenny","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Eoghan-Kenny.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Eoghan-Kenny.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Eoghan Kenny  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  We do have a plan. Every year, more and more children are getting access to school transport. I appreciate not everybody is getting access and there is more work we need to do. I think the figure was 181,000 young people who had access to school transport this year. We have to acknowledge we only have so many buses and drivers, but we also need to make sure we have a system that works effectively.  One of the most important things we will work on in the time ahead is a new ticketing system. We know there are buses where not all of the tickets are being used. There are people who are taking up tickets and then not using the bus. We need to make sure that if that is the case, the seats can then be provided to somebody else who needs the bus more. We can only do that if we have an automatic ticketed system whereby people can monitor who is getting on the bus and who is not. That will be one of the most important things we do in addressing some of the issues and challenges. That work is under way and is happening through the Department.  I appreciate it is a challenging issue. We all deal with it in our constituencies, but importantly, it is extremely stressful for parents. Again, I stress that more money is being spent - significant amounts, hundreds of millions - every year on school transport. More children are accessing it, but we need to make sure we have the buses, the drivers and the appropriate system in place to monitor who is on it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  With huge numbers of households struggling with the hikes in electricity and energy costs, how does the Government think it is okay for ordinary working people and householders to pay twice as much per unit of electricity as the billionaires who own the data centres in this country? Now that it is clear it is not going to do so, how can the Government honestly justify not supporting imposing a levy on those billionaire owners of the data centres so that we can give a serious break, \u20ac500, to every household to help them with their energy bills and to all those with disability, yet oppose that and defend the status quo ? Is that not the reason people will be marching again this weekend on the Affordable Ireland demonstration in advance of the budget, because the Government is protecting the interests of the billionaire owners of data centres that are hoovering up our electricity while ordinary working families are being hammered with increased energy and electricity bills? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I am pretty sure no matter what we did in this House, the Deputy would be encouraging people to protest either way and that is people's right. That is something we must protect, but he cannot ignore the fact that as a Government, this year alone, we have introduced supports of \u20ac1.4 billion.  In other parts of Europe and the world, very few governments have been able to introduce that type of funding and support to assist people at what is a really difficult time. The debate will take place later this evening----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  Not for the data centres, it is not. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  -----and obviously the Deputy does not acknowledge that data centres represent critical infrastructure, that they are central to our modern economy and that significant work was being done through the large energy user action plan, LEAP, which is the new strategy looking at large energy users. A main focus of that is how we can introduce more renewable energy and how we can reduce the energy needs of those large data centres. We do not have any other large industries that are drawing on our grid but I fully agree with the Deputy that we need to make sure that individual homeowners are not paying for larger businesses and their energy costs and their needs. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  They are. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  There is a clear plan in place, which is already happening because I have seen it in many businesses, to make sure that where possible, businesses put in place their own measures to make sure they are focused on a zero-sum approach and can produce their own electricity and their own grid through renewable sources. That is where we need to get to and I agree with the Deputy on that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul Nicholas Gogarty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty  As we come to the beginning of this term which will bring the Government to two years in office, are we finally going to see some joined-up thinking? The Government has asked councils to rezone additional lands for housing in unsustainable areas when we do not have the infrastructure in place already, in places like Clonburris and Adamstown. They are areas with no electric vehicle charging infrastructure for a domestic tariff and inadequate parking, where people are fighting in Kilcarbery, Seven Mills, Adamstown and Citywest for spaces. The Government is saying this is to encourage a greener society and get people to use public transport but the public transport does not exist. There is an inadequate train network and the buses keep being missed. The P29 express service, for example, was missed four times out of four two weeks ago and twice today and yesterday. There is No. 13 and the C-spine routes. All over my constituency, the buses are not turning up. The National Transport Authority is not accountable to anyone and is not fit for purpose. If the Government is also increasing the fares, it is giving a big middle finger to people in my constituency. Where is the joined-up thinking that says if more housing is going to be put in, it will have facilities and infrastructure alongside it and buses that actually exist? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  Every local authority is probably conducting the review of their own county development plan at the moment. It is important in that review that we are all increasing our housing targets and the allocations that we have been given, and that we are making sure land is zoned on land that is appropriate, but also that land can be opened up where it needs to be. To support that, there is a significant fund that has already been provided. More will be provided at a later date but money has already been provided to local authorities to open up lands to provide infrastructure, whether roads, electricity or water, in the right place and where it is appropriate. Then our towns and our cities can grow and expand because that is where we have a lot of the infrastructure while at the same time making sure that in rural communities, people can build homes on their land, whether they live locally or are born locally. It is about getting that balance right. We have a national development plan of over \u20ac100 billion and much of that is to make sure we are delivering houses in the right places and the infrastructure is there so that people can access them and the local authorities can deliver them. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan  The programme for Government commits to improving cancer care and access to treatment in the regions. Cork University Hospital stopped carrying out stem cell treatments in 2009. Since then, blood cancer patients from Cork and the south west have had to travel to St. James's or Galway at the most vulnerable time of their lives. I know a number of people who have had to travel to Galway and recuperate there after their treatment. A \u20ac27 million stem cell unit at CUH has had a project team in place since 2024. The HSE's own tender notice admits that CUH is not providing optimal treatment for stem cell and CAR-T therapies. Patients' advocates and clinicians will be in Leinster House on 7 October in a meeting organised by the Minister's own party's Senator, Eileen Lynch. To be fair to Eileen, she has advocated for this for a long time, as well as others in Cork and Kerry. I have written a number of letters to the HSE about this and I get the same old gibberish responses. We just want a definite answer. Can the Minister confirm the funding is there, the timeline for its delivery, since, as I said, the project team has been in place for a number of years, and if CAR-T therapies would be part of that as well? If the Minister does not have a response today, she might provide it in writing afterwards. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  Unfortunately, I will not be able to give the Deputy a direct response today. I hope the Deputy would agree that this Government, the previous Government, and governments before that have placed a huge emphasis on investment in cancer care, prevention and on identifying it at the earliest stage possible, then providing the treatment, and also investing in new therapies. I know the CAR-T therapy that the Deputy referred to, which is a breakthrough, its significance, and making sure that every patient across the country has access to it, which is near their home, given the circumstances that they are going through. While I cannot give the Deputy the exact answer today on timelines, figures or funding, I will bring it directly back to the Minister and ask her to respond. I have no doubt that she will engage with the Deputy and Eileen. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  I call Deputy Roche. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darren O'Rourke  The fifth-class----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Sorry, Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter Roche","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-Roche.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-Roche.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peter Roche  Wrong one. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darren O'Rourke  Roche, not O'Rourke. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter Roche","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-Roche.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-Roche.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peter Roche  Last weekend, I happened to be out doing some community events and on three occasions I met three different individuals who are representative of the men's sheds. They all came with the same story about the threat to the funding model that they had and the fear that maybe the funding has ceased for this year. I know that some works were done in the interim but what I want to do, given the outstanding commitment that they make to the men's sheds and the community effort that they are involved with in tackling loneliness and promoting well-being, I want us to be sure that the funding model that we put in place is fit for purpose and does not threaten those very schemes into the future. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I met a number of members of men's sheds at the National Ploughing Championships this week and they raised this matter with me directly. I have known and worked with men's sheds locally and at a national level for many years. As the Deputy said, I can only commend the position and role that they have in our communities in addressing the well-being of older men and health issues, and bringing people together in a way that simply did not exist before they were put in place. I commend the teams that operate, deliver, expand and manage them. I have no doubt about the commitment of the Department responsible. At this stage, it crosses over a number of different Departments naturally. That commitment to funding will remain but we need to ensure that where they are growing, which they are, and to open up in different counties that the funding can grow and expand with them. I will raise this directly with the relevant Ministers and bring back the Deputy's comments. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darren O'Rourke  The Minister is familiar with this issue, and I call on her to intervene personally and urgently. The fifth-class students in Gaelscoil na R\u00edthe in Dunshaughlin are currently being accommodated in a small library room in an old prefab. Support hours are being provided in the staff room. This is because a promised prefab that should be in place is not in place and they are being told that it will be the end of quarter one 2027 when it is delivered. This was a positive news story with an additional junior infants class and it was welcomed. The school has gone above and beyond to facilitate additional students. It is incredible to me, and to all of Ireland, that it would take the guts of 12 months to deliver a prefabricated modular unit to this school. The Minister knows well as I do, the factory is literally a couple of hundred yards up the road. I ask the Minister to please intervene personally with the Minister and the Department. Get this done. The problem is with the Department. Get it resolved. It is unacceptable that they have to wait that long. This should be delivered in the next handful of weeks, in my firm opinion. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  As the Deputy outlined, this is actually a really positive story. We have all, the Deputy included, worked closely with parents over the past number of months to make sure that the additional classroom that was needed to ensure that children going from na\u00edonra\u00ed were able to go into a Gaelscoil in their local community. That happened. I welcome the work by the Minister, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to support us in making that happen. My objective now, the same as the Deputy, is to make sure that the classroom, is provided as quickly as possible. A commitment was given and I have been speaking directly with R\u00f3n\u00e1n, the principal, but also with the Department, to make sure that we can provide that as quickly as possible. We do not want any child to be in a classroom or an environment that is too small or that is not necessarily as appropriate as it should be. We are doing everything that we can to make sure that the classroom is provided as quickly as possible. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Eamon Scanlon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Eamon-Scanlon.S.2002-09-12","memberCode":"Eamon-Scanlon.S.2002-09-12","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Eamon Scanlon  Sligo University Hospital will shortly submit its options appraisal for formal capital approval for the replacements of its orthopaedic theatres. This project will provide two new replacement orthopaedic theatres, essential storage facilities and additional beds. I appeal to the Minister for Health and the Department to move swiftly in approving this critical development. The existing orthopaedic theatres are no longer fit for purpose.  Over the past 18 months, numerous operations have been cancelled due to leaks from roofs, radiators and humidifiers, resulting in breaches of theatre sterility. Six orthopaedic surgeons have been unable to perform scheduled procedures while patients face unacceptable delays and prolonged suffering. I urge the Minister and the Department to please prioritise this capital project as a matter of urgency. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I acknowledge the work that has been done to get to this point in trying to make progress on this capital investment. I will raise this directly with the Minister and highlight the Deputy's representations on behalf of the local community and those working in the hospital in ensuring that these type of services can be provided. Again, while I cannot give the Deputy a commitment today, I will raise it directly with the Minister. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Rice","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-Rice.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-Rice.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig Rice  I will raise how badly newly qualified student nurses have been treated by the HSE in Cork. In June, these students interviewed for posts and were offered jobs in named clinical areas in CUH. In September, the HSE tried to row back on this decision in really shoddy terms. It organised two meetings with the students that were cancelled and then, at short notice of just five hours, it called the students before it and said that instead of getting jobs in named clinical areas, they would be placed on the bank. We accept and welcome the bank. It will reduce the cost spent on agency staff, but it is not appropriate for newly qualified student nurses who want to be part of a team, want to expand their skills and want to expand their practice.  Ultimately, these students were offered posts and accepted them. They had offers and accepted them. Does the Minister accept that the HSE is in breach of contract to these newly qualified student nurses by trying to row back on this? Why have student nurses in other parts of the country, including Galway, not been offered permanent posts? These are badly needed across the country, We need to hire these students and offer them permanent contracts and jobs in the health service. It is so badly needed. Staff morale is on the floor and is getting worse with the way the HSE is treating its staff. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  Without knowing the details of the contract or what happened, I take what the Deputy is saying. I am not contradicting that, but without knowing the details of what has happened, the timelines and why it has happened, I do not want to comment on something I do not have information on. The Deputy is right. In any business, if somebody is offered a contract and they have signed it, an agreement is in place. It is important that this is followed through on. We also want to make sure for anybody entering into a workforce for the first time that their first experience is a positive one. It is the role of the HSE to work with and to support our newest staff, whether they are nurses, doctors or people working in specific fields. Again, while I do not know the details of what happened in this specific hospital with these specific nurses, I am happy to take it back to the Minister and highlight the fact the Deputy has raised it. If she is not aware of it, I will ask her to engage with the Deputy directly on it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  The decision made by the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to scrap the men's shed grant for 2025-26 has shocked the 500 men's sheds across the country and their local communities. The grant, small as it is, helps toward basic things like rent, insurance, ESB, heating and water. The withdrawal of the grant will have serious consequences for the sheds. Many will have to cut opening hours or reduce activities and some will face closure. As the Minister knows, men's sheds are at the heart of local communities. Of course, they are non-profit. They are places where men can gather to socialise, share skills, build friendships, combat isolation and loneliness and support each other in mental and physical health. The withdrawal of this small grant, which does so much good, beggars belief. It is not good enough. I am asking the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to restore this grant immediately. It is a vital grant. It is a small grant but it does exceptionally good work. It should be restored immediately. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  Deputies Healy and Roche have referenced, and I reiterate, the importance of our men's sheds. I acknowledge the significant contribution they make within our communities, particularly for the men who avail of the services. I do not think they see it as services; it is a place for them to go to engage, address and talk about issues that are important to them, as well as engaging in activities. I will raise the Deputy's concerns directly with the Minister. I have no doubt, as there are various strands of funding that have been allocated over the years, particularly in the Department of Health as well as the Department of rural affairs, directly to the men's sheds, that we will continue to support and fund men's sheds and support their growth. How that is done and what funding stream will be decided in the upcoming budget, but I will raise the Deputy's concerns directly with the Minister, Deputy Calleary. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  The T\u00e1naiste recently echoed his predecessor as leader of Fine Gael, Leo Varadkar, in saying that this Government will provide a budget for people who get up early and go to work. Was the T\u00e1naiste thinking that this includes the tens of thousands of workers who stand at 7 o'clock every morning at bus stops and in train stations across the country five days a week, who are now facing an average increase of 15% in their costs to get to work? Many of them are facing increases of up to 33%. These planned fare hikes are an attack on workers and people who get up early in the morning. This is a political decision. This is a direct result of this Government changing the 2:1 ratio of investment in public transport to roads----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul McAuliffe  That is not true. It is still 2:1. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  ----- which was trumpeted at the start of this Administration. The NTA does not have the money to do things right because it is not getting it from the Government. The Government is throwing commuters under the bus. The Government was able to find almost \u20ac1.2 billion behind the back of the couch to subsidise diesel and fuel. Why can we not look after commuters in the same way? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Marie Sherlock  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  That is simply not the case. I outlined in a response to a previous Deputy that we have seen costs reduce. We have a 20% cost discount in terms of a living discount. The young adult Leap card is a 50% discount and we have allowed children under nine to travel for free. We have tried to put in targeted measures over the years, while at the same time recognising that the cost of fuel is impacting our public transport sector in the same way it is impacting everybody else. We also want to ensure there is investment in our public transport, that more people can access it, that we are encouraging more people, whether it is through buses, trains or cycleways, and that we are able to provide that investment as well. There is significant investment, through the national development plan and the Department of Transport, but we have to get that balance right. It is about making sure we have those targeted measures for younger people and students and discounted measures for people who might need them most, while at the same time trying to get that balance right. I appreciate that nobody wants to see their fares going up, but in a review of some of the rail lines, what we have seen - even in my own constituency - is that fares have gone down. We will see fares go up and down depending on where they are and what type of investment is happening. It is always about getting the balance right and trying to make it as cheap as possible for people. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Se\u00e1n Kyne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Se\u00e1n-Kyne.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Se\u00e1n-Kyne.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Se\u00e1n Kyne  While solar energy has an important role to play in achieving Ireland's renewable energy targets, there is growing concern across Galway about the scale and location of proposed solar farm developments. Many constituents have raised concerns about solar proposals, including the projects being pursued on productive, top-tier agricultural farmland and in close proximity to rural homes and communities. The closest panels in the case of the Lackagh proposal in County Galway are within 50 m of some homes and within 100 m of other homes in a local estate. Councillor David Collins held a meeting last Tuesday regarding local concerns, including the impact of construction traffic on the local school, the proximity of the proposal and the future expansion of Lackagh village, which I attended. In line with the commitment contained in the programme for Government, will the Minister provide an update on when the solar energy guidelines will be published and commenced? Will we see guidelines this year, or will they be put on the long finger, as the wind guidelines were? Does she accept that clear planning guidance is required urgently? Will the Government consider a temporary moratorium for large-scale solar projects? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I agree with the Deputy on both fronts. I think we all agree that we need to invest more in renewable energies. We need to invest more in offshore wind and in solar of all types, not just on land but on roofs and on our public sector and service buildings. We also need to engage with communities and make sure that we get this right. What the Deputy has outlined in his county is a similar concern that I have in my own county where a huge number of solar farms have been approved and more applications are coming in. It is important that we get that balance right. We all support the expansion of renewable energy. We know we need more of it given all of the discussion we have had this morning on fuel prices, the increase in prices and how we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels but, at the same time, we need to make sure that there is guidance. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is leading on this and he is working closely with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Department of housing. The intention from the Department of housing is to issue the national planning statement specifically on this, akin to guidance, and that work is under way. I do not have a direct timeline for the Deputy, but like him I would like to see it happen as quickly as possible. I would like to see it to continue to engage with communities so that any expansion can be done in a managed and appropriate way. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Tom Brabazon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Tom Brabazon  I raise the issue of trees that have been planted by local authorities in roadside pits in the 1970s and 1980s. In many instances, they were very welcome at the time, but a lot of the trees planted at that time - over 50 years ago - were clearly the wrong species. Some of them have grown hugely and they have huge root systems. The root systems have uplifted footpaths and private boundary walls. They have invaded front gardens and done damage to driveways on private properties. When residents raise these issues with their local authority, they are given a claim form, told to fill it in and send it to the council.  It is then passed on to Irish public bodies. Irish public bodies routinely denies liability, saying \"It has nothing to do with us and there is no negligence to see here\". I have a letter from IPB to a constituent, saying that while it notes their allegation that the damage was caused by the roots of a nearby tree, the cause of the cracking was yet to be established definitively. What else could possibly have uplifted a wall? It is utterly ridiculous and dishonest.  Can the Government intervene in this? It is not fair that elderly residents are left to foot the bills for repairing private property damaged by the State. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  While I cannot point to something specific to this at the moment, I do know a body of work is being done, looking at trees planted along our roadside. That is specifically following Storm \u00c9owyn and some of the recent storms where the trees have become a danger during the storm, including taking down electricity wires and by causing danger on our roads. Unfortunately, we know a young man was killed in one of the recent storms because of a falling tree. A body of work is being done through the Minister, Deputy O\u2019Brien\u2019s Department, engaging with the ESB and local authorities to assess where trees need to be taken down and that they can be taken down and that that body of work can start as quickly as possible. Whether what the Deputy raised can be included in those discussions or conversations is something I will bring back to the Minister. I think we are all very conscious of the need for us to be clear about where we are planting our trees and the implications that may have, whether on our roads, for our electricity grid or for residents as the Deputy outlined. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Brian Brennan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Brian-Brennan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Brian-Brennan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Brian Brennan  My question is on dereliction and how we can get county councils to enforce current Government policies. Dereliction is a plague on most cities, towns and villages in Ireland. I commend the Government incentives to bring properties back into use such as the vacant property refurbishment grant, and the vacant above-the-shop initiative. Local authorities have the tools to deal with dereliction with the first step being simply to register derelict properties but I am simply astounded why some councils do not see fit to embrace these policies. If you look at the derelict site register today, there are 154 sites registered in Waterford and 367 sites registered in County Limerick and only four sites registered in the whole of County Wicklow. Why should hard-working businesses and communities in Carnew, Shillelagh and especially Arklow have to accept less dereliction enforcement than any other county in Ireland to the detriment of these town and villages? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It is really important that we do everything in our power to bring derelict properties back into use, that we use every lever available to us and where local authorities are not responding that we look at what other levers are available. It is a priority for this Government, and a priority in the Government\u2019s housing plan. The Derelict Site Act contains a number of actions and powers that can be provided to the local authorities. There is a derelict site register, statutory notices requiring remedial works, annual levies and compulsory acquisition powers. However, as the Deputy said, we have seen that some local authorities are much better at this than others. He rightly said the number of properties in Wicklow on the derelict site register is far too low at four so much more needs to be done. I understand the Department of housing has recently met Wicklow County Council to highlight this and to be clear that more needs to be done on its part. The Minister, Deputy Browne, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and particularly the Minister for Finance are looking to bring in a new derelict property tax. That would be an incentive to make sure that all parties move on this matter. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"David Cullinane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","memberCode":"David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy David Cullinane  I recently met the parents of children with disabilities where the children are either on a list or attending the Waterford south city children\u2019s disability network team. I find these meetings very difficult because the story is always the same, unfortunately, with parents battling for access to services and children missing out on developmental supports. What they told me in relation to this team is shocking. We know there are staff shortages across many CDNTs but this CDNT has no psychologist, has had no nurse \u2013 or at least the parents have not had access to a nurse for over a year \u2013 no dietician and the number of occupational therapists has reduced from two to one. Even the most basic supports like incontinence pads were not being made available to parents for those children. It is truly shocking that parents have to battle for the most basic services. I ask the Minister to look at what is going on in that particular CDNT. It is obviously a problem across all CDNTs. They are not fully staffed. We have children across Waterford city whose parents are battling. Those children are missing out on developmental supports because the staff are not there. It is not good enough and I ask the Minister to raise it with the relevant Minister. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  I am happy to raise the specific cases and specific area. I know it has been a challenge over the years to fill all the teams across the country but there has been a huge focus and a huge investment specifically in disability funding to try to fill the particular places the Deputy mentioned. There has also been a look at restructuring and how the teams work so that you are not dependent on perhaps the senior clinical officer to be able to sign off on various different strands of support that might need to be provided. I will raise the Deputy\u2019s concerns directly with the Minister. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul McAuliffe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Paul-McAuliffe.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul McAuliffe  Yesterday the Cabinet approved going to tender with the Metro project. It is the largest investment in public transport the State will ever see. When I went to the pre-tender engagement in DCU I saw the global nature of this project with potential suppliers from right across the world. The reality is the global nature of the project will hit the ground from next year with enabling works and for the next ten years, at the very least, my community will face many of the challenges of Metro as well as its benefits. We absolutely welcome Metro - it is a really important project - but we need to get out now and start telling communities what this will mean for them in terms of construction, traffic disruption, engagement with genuine concerns and so on. I urge the NTA and TII to start that work now and engage with local residents' associations. They want to be part of the process and be part of the success of this project. Inevitably, they will have concerns and questions as with any project. I urge that we ensure that everyone is part of a project that will be with us for a long time to come. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  The Deputy is right. One of the biggest barriers or things that slows down projects is a lack of engagement and at the earliest stage possible. I fully agree with the Deputy and support the need for the NTA and TII to engage directly. I know the Deputy will do so himself in his own capacity and to highlight what is happening and the benefits and the challenges that will arise as is the case with any development of this size or significance. This is a massive investment in the Deputy\u2019s community and in our communities in Dublin, in particular. It is really important that we can move this project along as quickly as possible. It is really important that we bring people with us and that they are aware of everything that is happening. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Marie Sherlock  I must say to the Minister as Minister for foreign affairs it is an appalling situation that on the one hand, Ireland goes into the EU Council of Foreign Ministers to advocate for the cause of Palestinians and yet here at home adopts a mean spirited and hypocritical approach with regard to refusing so many Palestinian students visas. There is a 70% refusal rate this year. It was only 15% last year.  My specific question relates to the EU Digital Omnibus package, Ireland\u2019s position and the Minister\u2019s role in that. Effectively, the direction of travel is to loosen the protections in the AI Act. Last week, alarm bells were sounded by the developers of AI. AI has enormous potential for positive impact, particularly in the area of health, but we know for workers, consumers, for our security and democracy there are particularly terrifying prospects. What is the Minister doing to ensure that we have much better AI regulation in the European Union and that we are not going to diminish the existing standards and protections there already? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Helen McEntee  The Digital Omnibus package is one of perhaps 12 pieces of legislation we are bringing forward at the moment under the simplification objective we have during the Presidency. I want to dispel the myth that might be out there that changing legislation in some way weakens or loosens it a bit. The whole objective is to make it more straightforward and simplify it where we can while, at the same time, protecting people\u2019s rights and making those responsible and accountable for protecting consumers too. Like the Deputy and everyone here, I am also concerned at the pace and speed at which AI is moving. We need to make sure that in the EU, the appropriate regulations and rules are in place but that we also do not stifle growth and innovation. We need to make sure we are embracing and enhancing our day-to-day lives with the technology as it is evolving. We also need to monitor and manage it. What you will see during the Presidency is Ireland taking a very central approach and making sure we get the balance right. We are not trying to have fewer rules; we are trying to make sure they are better and that we can apply them better as well. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna ar Pholasa\u00ed n\u00f3 ar Reachta\u00edocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_34","debateType":"debate","bill":null,"showAs":"Home Heating Oil (Emergency Mineral Oil Tax Reduction) Bill 2026: First Stage","counts":{"speechCount":5,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_34","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  I move:  That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the temporary reduction of mineral oil tax on home heating oil (kerosene used other than as a propellent) for the purpose of alleviating cost of living pressures; to provide for the extension of such reductions by order of the Minister for Finance; and to provide for related matters.  Go gcead\u00f3far go dtabharfar isteach Bille da ngairtear Acht chun laghd\u00fa \u00e9igeand\u00e1la a dh\u00e9anamh ar ch\u00e1in ola mianra.  Is reachta\u00edocht \u00e9igeand\u00e1la at\u00e1 sa Bhille seo chun costas teasa t\u00ed a laghd\u00fa anois go d\u00edreach. T\u00e1 seo ag goilleadh go holc ar ghn\u00e1thdhaoine na t\u00edre seo toisc go bhfuil praghas ola chun teach a th\u00e9amh ag dul in airde. Bh\u00ed a fhios againn \u00f3 th\u00fas an tsamhraidh go dt\u00ed anuraidh go ndeachaigh s\u00e9 suas \u20ac500. M\u00e1 amharcaimid ar an m\u00e9id a tharla le tr\u00ed sheachtain anuas, t\u00e1 an praghas ola faoi choinne teach a th\u00e9amh imithe suas \u20ac300 in aghaidh m\u00edle l\u00edtear. Is ard\u00fa millteanach \u00e9 sin at\u00e1 ag cur br\u00fa millteanach fud fad an St\u00e1it seo. Seo an t-ocht\u00fa huair at\u00e1 moladh tugtha chun tosaigh agam \u00f3 mh\u00ed Aibre\u00e1in ag \u00e9ileamh ar an Rialtas an ch\u00e1in ar ola chun tithe a th\u00e9amh a laghd\u00fa agus a \u00edsli\u00fa. Seacht n-uaire i ndiaidh a ch\u00e9ile, v\u00f3t\u00e1il Fianna F\u00e1il, Fine Gael agus na Neamhsple\u00e1igh in \u00e9adan seo, siocair gur c\u00e1in charb\u00f3in at\u00e1 ar an ola seo. An uair dheireanach a rinne siad \u00e9 n\u00e1 coic\u00eds \u00f3 shin. T\u00e1 an Bille seo tagtha os comhar an T\u00ed. Beidh v\u00f3ta ann an tseachtain seo chugainn. Mar gheall air seo, ch\u00edmid go bhfuil br\u00fa anois \u00e1 chur ar an Rialtas feidhmi\u00fa agus \u00e9 ag caint ar rud inteacht a dh\u00e9anamh sa ch\u00e1inaisn\u00e9is. Cuirim f\u00e1ilte roimhe sin, ach n\u00edl a fhios againn go f\u00f3ill cad \u00e9 at\u00e1 s\u00e9 i gceist aige a dh\u00e9anamh.  This Bill is very simple. It is a response to the fact that people right across this State feel as if they are being fleeced in relation to the cost of home heating oil, and why would they not? The fact is the cost of home heating oil has gone through the roof. This has happened not just in the past couple of weeks, which I will discuss. The cost of home heating oil from last year to the start of last summer increased by over \u20ac500 for a fill. This is the eighth occasion on which I have brought forward either a financial resolution or legislation before this House demanding that the Government respond, demanding that it have ordinary workers' and families' backs and demanding that it get rid of carbon tax on home heating oil while people are just trying to keep their homes warm. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, along with her Cabinet colleagues, those in Fianna F\u00e1il, the Independents and some in the Opposition, like the Soc Dems, vote to continue to place these taxes on home heating oil and to place additional burdens on people out there trying to keep their homes warm.  When I say this is the eighth occasion, the reason I keep bringing this back is that I have stood in too many houses and had too many conversations with people who tell me they are pushed to the pin of their collar just trying to keep their homes warm. I told them I would have their back and would not give up. This is why we introduce this legislation now, demanding that the Government respond, demanding that the Government see sense and demanding that the Government get rid of carbon tax on home heating oil while these prices go through the roof, and by God they are going through the roof.  In the past three weeks alone, the price of home heating oil, according to the forecourts buying it, has gone up \u20ac300 for a 1,000 litre fill. That is on top of the fact that it already went up \u20ac500 compared with where it was last year. Yet, the Government still argued and voted two weeks ago not to reduce a single cent of tax on home heating oil. Worse than that, and you could not make this up, the Government's plan is, on 14 October, to increase the cost of home heating oil. Lo and behold, Sinn F\u00e9in produces this legislation and then Simon Harris has an epiphany: \"Oh, maybe we need to do something in the Finance Bill and in the budget.\" As I said earlier, talk is cheap. What people want is action. What people want are results. This legislation gives them the results they are demanding: reduce the cost of home heating oil and get rid of carbon tax on it. The Government can do that with the stroke of a pen. It does not need approval from the European Union. That is what a responsible government that has the back of ordinary workers and families would do.  It is not just home heating oil that tax needs to be cut on. The Government needs to cut the tax on petrol and diesel. What is happening out there is madness. Right across this State, people are driving up to their forecourts and seeing prices of \u20ac2.14 and \u20ac2.15. In places like Limerick we are seeing prices of \u20ac2.21 for a litre of diesel. It has gone through the roof. In the past three weeks alone, the price of diesel being sold to our pump operators has gone up 30 cent.  What is the plan from the Government? Again, the law states that on 14 October it will put the price of diesel up another 2 cent by increasing carbon tax. Hopefully, it will see sense and not proceed with that madness, but that alone is not enough. The Government needs to reduce taxes on petrol, diesel, home heating oil and green diesel, and that can be done. We have the resources to do it. It is what needs to be done. This legislation is the first step in getting the Government to get its head out of the sand, to understand the pressure that ordinary Irish people are under every single day of their lives and, instead of making things harder, to make sure that it lifts some of the burden. It is not lost on anybody that when the price of home heating oil goes up, more money goes into the Government pockets in the form of VAT. When the price of diesel reaches \u20ac2.20, it should be remembered that 23% of that increase goes into the Government's pockets in the form of VAT. Hundreds of millions of euro is flowing into the Government because of these price increases. It is time the Government gave it back to the people, cut the taxes, abolished carbon tax on home heating oil and removed further taxes on petrol and diesel to get these prices back down. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Is the Bill opposed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Defence (Deputy Helen McEntee)  No. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pearse Doherty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Pearse-Doherty.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pearse Doherty  I move: \"That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time.\" "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Cuireadh an D\u00e1il ar fionra\u00ed ar 1.36 p.m. agus cuireadh t\u00fas leis ar\u00eds ar 2.17 p.m. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":" Sitting suspended at 1.36 p.m. and resumed at 2.17 p.m. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Home Heating Oil (Emergency Mineral Oil Tax Reduction) Bill 2026: First Stage"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-17\/debate\/dbsect_35","debateType":"debate","bill":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/bill\/2026\/83","event":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/bill\/2026\/83\/dail\/2","houseCode":"dail","stage":"2","isBillStage":true,"showAs":"National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026: Second Stage (D\u00e1il)"}},"showAs":"National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026: Second Stage","counts":{"speechCount":15,"speakerCount":13},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_35","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Se\u00e1n Canney","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Se\u00e1n-Canney.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Se\u00e1n-Canney.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louis O'Hara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aidan Farrelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Grace Boland","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cathy Bennett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Se\u00e1n Canney","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Se\u00e1n-Canney.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Se\u00e1n-Canney.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy Se\u00e1n Canney)  I move: \"That the Bill be now read a Second Time.\"  Before I start, I wish Deputy Michael Healy-Rae a quick recovery from the horrible attack yesterday evening in Dublin. I spoke to him last night. He was in good form and on his way back home. He and his family need time for him to recover. It has been such a harrowing experience. I am delighted to see that an arrest has been made, and we will leave that with An Garda. It is very concerning for everybody that something like that could happen in broad daylight in our capital city.  I am pleased to bring the National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026 before the House. This is a practical Bill but its purpose is significant. It is about making sure that the law that supports road safety, vehicle compliance, enforcement and public administration is modern, clear and fit for purpose. The policy rationale is straightforward. The State must be able to use accurate vehicle and driver information lawfully and responsibly. Local authorities must have the collision data they need to identify risks and target action. Enforcement systems must work efficiently. The Bill also advances the Government's digital agenda and improves the efficiency of public service delivery. The law on motor tax, vehicle records and speed limits must reflect how services are now delivered and how road safety decisions are now made.  There is also a practical necessity. Much of the legislation being amended was designed for a paper-based system. It assumed the display and surrender of discs. It contains data provisions that predate the general data protection regulation and does not fully reflect current systems for vehicle licensing, compliance checking or the use of road safety information. The Bill updates that framework. It gives public bodies legal certainty. It also gives the public confidence that the system is operating properly.  Above all, there is a road safety imperative. Better information supports better decisions. Better enforcement supports better behaviour. Easier verification supports better compliance. Road safety is not secured by one measure alone. It depends on safer behaviour, safer infrastructure, effective enforcement, reliable data and clear responsibilities.  In practical terms, the Bill does a number of things. It modernises the national vehicle and driver file; underpins the Check My Vehicle service; removes the need to display a paper motor tax disc; allows open-ended declarations for non-use; supports more flexible and evidence-based speed limit management; provides a statutory basis for sharing collision data with local authorities; clarifies the operation of penalty points in multi-offence incidents; and makes targeted improvements to court and enforcement procedures.  I will deal briefly with each Part of the Bill. Part 1 contains the preliminary and general provisions. It provides for the Short Title, commencement, collective citation, construction, definitions and repeals. These are technical provisions but they matter. They give the Bill its legal structure. They also remove provisions that are obsolete, superseded or no longer consistent with the policy changes being made. Part 1 repeals older provisions on the display of vehicle licences, non-annual payment of motor tax, obsolete notification arrangements and the offence of failing to display a motor tax disc. It also amends a provision of the Road Traffic Act 2024 so that the approach to special speed limits can be adjusted later in the Bill.  Part 2 deals with the national vehicle and driver file, NVDF, and the Check My Vehicle service. The NVDF is the State's central database for vehicle and driver information. It supports vehicle registration, driver licensing, motor tax, enforcement and road safety. The current statutory framework is pre-GDPR and general in nature. Part 2 modernises that framework. It sets out more clearly the records and data held on the file. It includes appropriate data protection provisions for personal data. Part 2 also places access to NVDF data on a clearer footing. Where bodies need information to carry out their functions, access can be provided for in secondary legislation. The legal basis and purpose can then be set out clearly. This includes bodies such as An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Revenue Commissioners. The objective is simple: access must be lawful, transparent, proportionate and linked to the function being performed. This Part also underpins the Check My Vehicle website. A person will be able to enter a vehicle registration number and check certain information held on the NVDF. That includes the status of motor tax and roadworthiness tests. It will not disclose the owner's name or address. As paper discs are removed, this service will provide a clear way to verify compliance. That will be useful for car buyers, driver testers, driving instructors and others who have a practical need to check relevant information.  Part 3 removes the requirement to display a paper motor tax disc and makes the related changes needed across older legislation. This measure forms part of the wider paperless discs project, under which physical insurance and roadworthiness discs will also be abolished. The requirement to display a disc belongs to a paper-based system. Compliance can now be verified through electronic records. The law should reflect that. The Bill therefore repeals the offence of failing to display a motor tax disc. It does not remove the obligation to have motor tax. The offence of not having motor tax will be capable of being dealt with as a fixed-charge offence. Part 3 also removes outdated references to surrendering, taking back or displaying paper discs. This includes references to refunds, bouncing cheques and driving tests. A vehicle licence will be deemed to be issued when the owner receives a receipt for payment, either in a local authority motor tax office or through the online motor tax service.  Part 4 deals with declarations of non-use of a motor vehicle. At present, a vehicle can be declared off the road for a period of between three and 12 months. This can create unnecessary administration where a vehicle remains off the road for longer or where the period is uncertain. Under this Bill, a declaration may be made in the last month of motor tax and may continue indefinitely until the vehicle is brought back into use. This will simplify the process for vehicle owners and reduce avoidable renewals. It will also prevent arrears arising simply because there is a gap between the end date of a declaration and the next taxing of the vehicle. The Bill makes clear that arrears will not apply to the first application for motor tax following an open-ended declaration of non-use. The integrity of the system is also protected. It will be an offence to use a vehicle while a declaration of non-use is in effect. The Bill also provides transitional arrangements. Declarations already in force will end on the date specified in the declaration. If the vehicle remains off the road after that date, a new open-ended declaration will be required.  Part 5 concerns speed limits. This Part makes targeted amendments to the Road Traffic Act 2004. The purpose is to make sure that road authorities retain the flexibility they need within the national speed limit framework. It allows local authorities to set a special speed limit of 60 km\/h on local roads in built-up areas where that is appropriate This is necessary because the Road Traffic Act 2024 changes the default speed limit position. Without this amendment, local authorities could lose the legal power to apply a 60 km\/h special speed limit to certain local roads in built-up areas, even where road circumstances and traffic planning justify it. That was never the policy intention.  Part 5 also allows for a special speed limit of 100 km\/h on national secondary roads, including national secondary managed roads. This supports the next phase of speed limit reform. Under that phase, the default speed limit on national secondary roads is to be reduced from 100 km\/h to 80 km\/h. Where a road authority considers that a particular national secondary road meets the criteria in the speed limit guidelines, it should be able to retain a 100 km\/h limit through special speed limit by-laws. Speed limits are among the most visible parts of road safety policy. They influence behaviour. They affect stopping distances and the severity of collisions. These amendments do not weaken speed limit reform. They help ensure reform can be implemented sensibly, lawfully and consistently by the authorities best placed to understand local road conditions.  Part 6 contains a number of important road traffic and roads amendments. The first allows a jury to consider the lesser charge of careless driving where a defendant is acquitted of dangerous driving. This amendment arises from Mr. Justice Haughton's report on the death of Shane O'Farrell in 2011. Where the evidence may not establish dangerous driving to the required standard but may establish careless driving, the court process should be able to reflect that.  Part 6 also provides a legal basis for local authorities to receive and process road traffic collision data from An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or the Road Safety Authority. The data may be used for specific road safety purposes. These include identifying and assessing safety risks on public roads, targeting maintenance or construction, and supporting the proper allocation of resources. This Part also provides for nominated local authorities where two or more local authorities agree that one authority should perform a specified executive function on their behalf. This is a central road safety provision. Local authorities require robust information to identify collision-prone locations, assess emerging risks and target engineering interventions. Collision data helps them move from reacting after incidents occur to identifying patterns and intervening earlier.  The Part also clarifies the application of penalty points in multi-offence incidents where a driver is disqualified. Recent legislation introduces the concept of a multi-offence incident. That means that where several penalty point offences arise from the same incident, more than one set of points may be endorsed. A practical difficulty can arise where fixed-charge notices from the same incident are paid at different times and a driver has already been disqualified before a later, higher set of points is notified.  The Bill makes clear that the swapping-in of penalty points will not apply where the driver has already been disqualified. This avoids having to dismantle and reconstruct an existing disqualification. There is no appropriate legal basis for doing that. It could also unfairly advantage or disadvantage the driver, depending on the sequence of notifications.  Part 6 also provides for operators of mobile safety camera vans to give certificate evidence in court where a fixed-charge notice is not paid. This means they will not have to attend in person to give testimony in every case. It is a practical enforcement measure. It supports the efficient presentation of evidence and helps ensure road traffic enforcement can operate effectively.  Taken together, the Parts of the Bill form a coherent package. Part 1 clears away obsolete provisions.  Part 2 modernises the NVDF and supports public access to defined vehicle information. Part 3 removes the paper motor tax disc requirement while maintaining the obligation to have motor tax. Part 4 simplifies declarations of non-use and Part 6 strengthens court, enforcement and evidence-led road safety functions.  The Bill is technical in places but its public purpose is clear. It makes dangerous behaviour easier to detect, it makes lawful compliance easier to verify, it gives local authorities better information for road safety work and it ensures that the legal framework keeps pace with modern systems and modern expectations. It also supports the Government\u2019s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 and move Ireland towards Vision Zero by 2050. Strategies must be matched by practical action and this Bill is one such action.  The Bill asks the House to support measures that are reasonable, targeted and necessary. It allows data to be used lawfully and responsibly where it can improve road safety. It modernises a motor tax system that should reflect the digital age. It gives local authorities the information they need to make roads safer. It supports speed limit reform and strengthens the practical operation of enforcement. Above all, it asks us to recognise that road safety is a shared responsibility. Every death on our roads is a life ended. It is a family changed forever and it is a community left to ask whether it could have done more. We cannot normalise poor road-user behaviour and we cannot allow outdated systems or avoidable legal uncertainty to stand in the way of road safety. The Bill is a necessary step in reversing current trends, strengthening accountability and building a more modern, evidence-led and future-focused road safety system. I commend the Bill to the House.  I acknowledge the officials in the Department who have worked tirelessly on this. I also acknowledge the work of the Ministers, Deputies Lawless, Naughton and Chambers, previous Ministers of State in this position who helped to formulate the Bill in their time at the Department. I thank everybody for their support. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Before I call Deputy Daly, there was a request for copies of the Minister of State's speech and I am not sure whether they have arrived. We have an agreement at the Business Committee that speeches are provided. I take it that what has arrived for Deputy Daly is not the speech. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  No, it is documentation for me. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  It is something different. We are still waiting for the speech but it is on the way. That is fine. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  At first glance the Bill appears to be technical and administrative, dealing with databases, record keeping, data sharing arrangements and, as the Minister of State said, motor tax and various amendments. I know that other amendments are to come on Committee Stage and we look forward to hearing about them. Following the M9 crash, the Minister of State said legislation is being prepared, following discussions, and we look forward to seeing what the amendments will be.  A lot of elements in the Bill are sensible and long overdue. It modernises the national vehicle and driver file and introduces open-ended non-use declarations. The legislation finally delivers on a commitment to introduce provisions to facilitate the sharing of collision data with local authorities and this is also welcome.  While the Government asks us to focus on the administrative reforms, there are families throughout Ireland facing a different reality in the midst of the growing road safety crisis. Road death numbers are going in the wrong direction despite what is happening across Europe, where deaths are decreasing. Dangerous driving is becoming increasingly common. Communities see less Garda traffic enforcement and we know that since 2009 the numbers in the Garda road traffic unit have decreased by about 600. Last year, they went up by five or six but clearly this is not enough. No more than in dealing with public order on the streets, we need visibility to deter people from breaking road traffic laws. Too many families are suffering and, at a time when people are deeply concerned about safety on our roads, the legislative priorities should be stronger enforcement, policing resources and investing in black spots and rural road safety. This administrative Bill is focused largely on databases and processes, and motorists are entitled to ask the simple question as to what problem it actually solves. That is why we look forward to seeing what amendments will come on Committee Stage. At the moment the Bill will not stop reckless speeding or dangerous overtaking, put more garda\u00ed on the roads or make junctions safer.  Some of the people who came before the transport committee emphasised the importance of proper design in towns and villages, in particular to ensure road safety. They also emphasised the importance of the visibility of garda\u00ed. These are the ways in which we can save lives on the road and make sure the trend in road deaths starts to decrease or at least halt. Vision Zero by 2050 seems an awful long way off. The truth is that the Bill does little to address the issues that are keeping communities worried and anxious. This year has been the deadliest year on our roads since 2010, with 120 people already having lost their lives. This should set off alarm bells because every road death, as the Minister of State mentioned, is more than a statistic; it is a son or daughter whose future is cut short, a family grieving and a community traumatised.  Road deaths are not inevitable. They are not unfortunate accidents. They are often the consequence of a lack of investment, policy failures, enforcement failures and investment failures. For years road safety campaigners, communities and Garda representatives have been warning that visible traffic enforcement is declining. An awful lot of money has been spent on a lot of road safety campaigns, which some experts who have come before the committee have said do not work. Visible enforcement is one of the strongest deterrents. When drivers believe there is little chance of being stopped, compliance declines and risk-taking increases. Communities throughout the country are reporting growing levels of dangerous behaviour on our roads.  When Sheila Gilheany of Alcohol Awareness Ireland came before the committee, she showed us statistics and compared the likelihood of being stopped by the police in Australia with the likelihood of being stopped in Ireland. The statistics showed that when people in Ireland go out to drive at night, they do not think they will meet a garda, whereas in Australia the opposite is the case and there is a much higher rate of random stops by police. If my memory serves me correctly, the number of people who die on our roads with alcohol in their system is way higher than it is in Australia because the deterrent effect is there with far more random stops. The number of people stopped on our roads has collapsed compared with 2009.  The Minister of State mentioned the non-display of road tax. I ask him to encourage the local authorities and the Garda not to prosecute people any more for failing to display a tax disc on their car. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louis O'Hara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louis O'Hara  This legislation is long overdue to address a number of technical issues and, in particular, to legislate for the sharing of collision data. Since late 2023, local authorities have been unable to receive vital Garda collision data. While the Department did provide for the partial sharing of this data, there is a legitimate question to be asked as to why it has taken nearly three years for the issue to be resolved. Without all of this data, local authorities, which are responsible for maintaining the majority of the State's road network, face significant barriers in implementing road safety measures. This clearly should have been an urgent priority for the Government, yet it has taken years to get to this point and it has caused delays to many road safety measures.  On the broader issue of road safety, the latest road fatality statistics show that 2026 is likely to be the deadliest year on Irish roads since 2010. Road fatalities are up 17.8% so far in 2026 when compared with the same period last year. This demonstrates that Ireland's roads are becoming more dangerous. Each road fatality statistic represents a life lost and a wider family devastated, and it demonstrates the constant work needed to make our roads safe for all who use them. The Government's target of halving road deaths by 2030 is moving further out of reach. Despite these trends, the Government has ignored the overhaul that is needed in road safety policy and governance, which was recommended in the 2024 Indecon report.  This failure in road safety is seen at a national level. In my constituency, many towns and villages across Galway have seen road safety projects delayed and this is having a significant impact on the people who live in these areas.  One example I would like to raise is that of Kilmeen Cross in County Galway, which the Minister of State will be familiar with. This is an area where there have been a number of serious accidents. A road safety scheme was first proposed there years ago, including lights and a roundabout, but it has been left in limbo for years. It has been passed back and forth between the council and TII, with no clarity as to when it will be progressed and no funding allocation to begin construction works. That needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.  We also have the example of pedestrian crossings and traffic calming on the national road through Kinvara, which has been held up for 20 years. We have the example of Bridge Street in Dunmore. This is also a national road where there has been a failure to progress the regeneration and road widening project. Residents have again been left waiting years for that to happen. These are the basics that we need to get right to prevent tragic incidents from occurring on our roads. It is not acceptable for crucial schemes, like the ones I outlined, to be left stuck in limbo for years. The Government and TII need to get their act together and get these schemes progressed.  Another aspect I would like to raise is the failure of the Government to adequately resource the Garda roads policing unit and the poor level of speed limit enforcement. I have raised many times with the Minister of State that there are only 58 speed camera vans responsible for monitoring speed limits across 1,900 camera zones. Likewise, only a handful of fixed speed cameras are operating across the State. We cannot say that this is effective enforcement, especially when we know that speeding is one of the leading causes of road collisions. The Government cannot continue to treat rising numbers of fatalities on our roads as isolated incidents. The reality here is that rising numbers of fatalities reflect fundamental failures within the Government's approach to road safety, including the failure to adequately resource the Garda roads policing unit, the failure to invest in road safety measures and the failure to reform wider road safety policy and governance. The time to act is now to save lives on our roads and ensure that our roads are as safe as possible for all who use them. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Matt Carthy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Matt-Carthy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Matt Carthy  Go raibh maith agat. Cuirim f\u00e1ilte roimh an deis labhairt ar an \u00e1bhar seo. There are sensible provisions in this Bill that Sinn F\u00e9in can support. Giving local authorities access to collision data from An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the RSA should help to identify dangerous locations and target investment. Allowing a jury to consider careless driving where there has been an acquittal on a charge of dangerous driving is also reasonable. Modernising the national vehicle and driver file and removing unnecessary bureaucracy also makes sense, of course. I have to say, though, that legislation alone will not make our roads safer. We can pass new laws, create databases and introduce enforcement mechanisms, but none of that will make a blind bit of difference if there are not enough garda\u00ed in our communities and on our roads to enforce the laws.  The justice committee, which I chair, heard evidence this week from Garda management and the Garda representative bodies on Garda pursuits and roads policing. This followed some horrific incidents over the summer, including the tragedy on the M9. What we heard should be of concern to everyone in this House. There are serious deficiencies in the number of garda\u00ed trained to undertake vehicle pursuits, while roads policing numbers have actually declined by 40% since 2009. How did we reach a situation where garda\u00ed encountering someone driving a stolen car recklessly, potentially putting innocent lives at risk, have not been given the specialist training and resources needed to respond? We know that a pursuit will not always be the safest response, and public safety always has to come first, but garda\u00ed need to have options. They need the capacity to close roads quickly, to deploy stinger devices where appropriate, to co-ordinate air support and, where necessary and proportionate, to conduct a properly managed pursuit. That requires training and equipment, but above all, it requires garda\u00ed, and we still do not have enough garda\u00ed in our communities. Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael have absolutely failed in that regard, and they are still not going to reach their too-low targets. Communities see the consequences of this. There are restricted Garda station opening hours, insufficient community garda\u00ed and reduced Garda visibility on our roads. This all needs to be addressed.  I want to speak briefly about the whole issue of speed vans. I meet people daily who tell me that they believe that speed camera vans are positioned not where they will be most effective in saving lives but where they are most effective in revenue raising. The perception exists that the vans are located in places where the highest number of fines will be raised. That undermines confidence in road safety enforcement. Speed enforcement has to be about saving lives, not raising revenue. Camera deployment should be transparently based on collision risk, road design, speeding patterns and road safety evidence. If this Bill improves collision data sharing with local authorities, then that information should also guide enforcement towards where it saves lives.  We also need to have confidence in the national car test, NCT, system. In 2025, the latest figures we have, approximately 58.4% of vehicles that were tested in Cavan failed their NCT, which was the second highest percentage in the State. In Monaghan, there was a failure rate of 57.8%, the fifth highest nationally. Of course, there might be some legitimate explanations, including maybe vehicle age and mileage, but motorists and people in my constituency deserve more than assumption. The principle has to be that the same car should have the same prospect of passing its NCT whether it is tested in Monaghan, Cavan, Dublin or anywhere else. I have asked the Minister for Transport to investigate the disparities in the NCT pass rates and to compare like with like in respect of vehicles of similar age, make, model and mileage, as well as the defects recorded and outcomes at different centres.  I say this because in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, like many rural constituencies, a car is not a luxury. It is essential for work, school, healthcare and everyday life. An NCT failure can have quite profound impacts. It means repair bills, retest costs and serious inconvenience, and that needs to be dealt with. Many people would attribute any NCT failure they have had to the state of the roads they are forced to drive on daily. I again put on the record that it is inconceivable and inexcusable that the Government has again this year allocated less money to Cavan and Monaghan to fix local roads, at a time when costs are increasing and when roads are in the most deplorable state I have witnessed in all my time in politics. I am referring to local tertiary roads in particular.  Let us modernise the national vehicle and driver file and improve collision data sharing, absolutely, but it has to be recognised that legislation is only one part of road safety. We need an NCT system that people can trust, roads that are fit for purpose, speed enforcement targeted at dangerous roads, and, arguably most important, we need enough properly trained garda\u00ed with the equipment and resources necessary to actually keep those roads safe. No database, speed camera or new law can replace trained garda\u00ed on the ground and that is, above all, the challenge that this Government must finally address. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Ward  I welcome the opportunity to speak on road safety. It is an issue and concern for so many people. We have seen the recent horrific incidents on the M50 and the M9. Such is the fear in this regard that we have had reports since then of 75,000 fewer people taking the motorways in recent weeks.  I too am a member of the justice committee. This week, we heard from members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. They confirmed to us that there is not one garda in the State, as I speak here today, who is trained in pursuit. If I know this, and we all know this, we had better believe that criminals out there know this too. It is 2026, and not one garda in the State is trained to pursue a vehicle that drives away at speed or refuses to stop. This is absolutely shocking. Any member of the public I have spoken to during the last couple of weeks, since this information got out, has found this unbelievable. People want to know, and it is a legitimate question, how this has been allowed to happen. I spoke at another debate yesterday. At that same meeting, a member of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, brought out a document from 1988 that said garda\u00ed were going to get pursuit training. It has not happened. That is 38 years ago. I think I used the analogy of 1988 being the year in which Ray Houghton stuck the ball in the England net, and we still do not have a garda trained to pursue any fleeing vehicle.  There is also the issue of e-scooters and scramblers being used to terrorise people on our streets. The Government brought in legislation to tackle the use of scramblers after the tragic death of Grace Lynch, yet people in my community, and in communities across Dublin and across Ireland, will tell you they have not seen any change. Garda\u00ed need to be trained and resourced to tackle this problem. Garda\u00ed cannot safely intervene if doing so is a danger to the public, but it is also a danger to the garda\u00ed if they have not received the proper training. We have been telling the Government from this side of the House for years, for decades, that there has been a problem with scramblers, yet it took the death of a beautiful young girl for the Government to act.  It is being reactive again to a situation and not proactive. The Government also brought in regulations in relation to e-scooters to deal with the number of young people suffering from acquired brain injuries but it was another reactive response. We have been telling the Government for a long time that this has been a problem in our communities. What we heard this week in the justice committee was shocking, coming from the Garda itself. It told us we will see an increase in the number of people having scramblers and e-scooters taken off them or being prosecuted for either not wearing high-vis clothing or a helmet. It told us they are the people probably using them in a legitimate way, going to work or for legitimate business. They are the people who will feel the full weight of this law because they might have forgotten their helmet or high-vis. This is because, generally, these people are compliant and law abiding so if a garda asks them to stop, they will, but the lads running amok in my community and others across Dublin using e-scoters for drug dealing or intimidation will not stop; they will flee. The problem then is the garda\u00ed do not have the training to then pursue them. It is a catch-22.  The Minister said in relation to pursuit training that the Government would make it a priority to get garda\u00ed trained. We heard at the justice committee this week - if the Minister of State gets a chance, he should listen back or read the transcript - that by the end of this year, despite the urgency, only six garda\u00ed will have the proper training.  Another issue in the news this week involved a high-profile English football player who was arrested for dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide. I have raised this before. I have heard anecdotally from people contacting me that this is an issue in our areas. Young people have been seen driving around with balloons, which contain nitrous oxide. It is a dangerous situation. Anybody doing this is reckless and they need to stop. I said at the time we need to bring in roadside testing for nitrous oxide so if someone is under the influence of nitrous oxide, a roadside test can be undertaken. That might deter people from taking nitrous oxide and driving. We do not need a situation where we name another law after another fatality. We have a chance to bring in this testing. I urge the Minister of State to have a look at that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aidan Farrelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Aidan-Farrelly.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Aidan Farrelly  I welcome the opportunity to debate this Bill on Second Stage. I look forward to tabling amendments on future Stages. Any debate such as this is always emotional because we often think of somebody we know who has been hurt or whose life has been prematurely lost on our roads and we automatically assume the legislation and enforcement are in place to ensure our safety on the roads. This is a welcome step but as the Minister of State accepted in his opening remarks, no one law or policy will be robust enough to ensure our roads are safe.  I place no personal blame on anybody for this but it is intriguing that while we are, in comparison with our EU colleagues, quite below the average as regards road fatalities, I am concerned, as a youth worker and a dad of young people considering entering the roads as drivers, that for the age cohort of 16 to 25 years, we are disproportionately represented in fatalities. Our policy, training response and legislative response need to be evidence based and must have that in mind. Over the summer, I launched the idea of a driver theory test programme that would really look at that evidence and robustly engage with the next generation of road users, whether drivers, cyclists, e-scooter users or pedestrians. For a very small sum of annual funding - it is fully costed at about \u20ac5.5 million - 50 development officers could be hired in the RSA and sent out to schools to give a universal driver and road user training programme that would culminate in a fully funded driver theory test. We all know in this Chamber that to take control of a vehicle of any type is to take control of a significant weapon, yet what we have seen in cultural norms and behaviours that have evolved online or in person is that sometimes reality and perception are very different in that generation. This initiative would provide universal training in transition year or fifth year, in youth services or youth clubs to ensure young people can see, feel and learn the realities of what it is to be a road user behind the wheel of a car, as a pedestrian or a cyclist. I ask the Minister of State and his officials to consider that as part of budget 2027. It already happens ad hoc . I accept the RSA has a training programme but we are relying on teachers and garda\u00ed in the community who are already overburdened with work and cannot do it robustly and universally across the State. This is an attempt to offer that.  As part of the legislation, the Minister of State spoke about removing the need for physical tax discs in vehicles. I have had a bone to pick with this Government since I was elected a couple of years ago. I have always felt irked that I pay 13% more each year for my road tax if I do not have the funds to pay for it annually versus paying for it every three months. That is punitive. The costs are not representative of that punitive damage of 13%. It is certainly not 13% more in administrative costs to produce the discs, send a reminder email or post it out every three months. The Government now has an opportunity and I am offering something of a political win for the Minister of State. If there are no more hard copies of tax discs, that negates the need for any discrepancy between the cost of taxing your car every three months and doing so every 12 months. Only a certain cohort can pay upfront for 12 months. A lot of people cannot. We want people to continue taxing their cars and paying the tax. Let us do away with the 13% difference because all that does is punish people who cannot afford it.  I was a councillor for a few years before I was elected to the D\u00e1il. I could never understand how the body responsible for designing our roads never had access to collision data. I welcome that this is part of the legislation. It has the potential to ensure real-time engineering solutions are provided in hotspots or prevalent collision areas. I am worried it could become a bureaucratic mess to access data. While there is a legislative route, will the Minister of State provide more detail as to what that will look in practice for local authorities? Will there be a live interactive map updated consistently? Will there be certain thresholds of collisions? I will give the example of the R403 in Kildare. It is probably the longest stretch of straight road in the country. I have yet to find someone who disagrees with me. It is about 10 miles long, possibly even more and it is ruler-straight. At certain times of day, people are driving into stark sunshine at sunrise or sunset. It is also collision-heavy at crossroads. There have been tragedies along that road very recently and throughout the past decades. That the council did not have access to that information in a timely way to bring in engineering solutions does not make sense. I welcome this measure but I ask for further information as to how that communication will be conveyed between the Garda and the local authority.  The Government has missed a trick in some ways. I commend the response with regard to e-scooters over the summer.  The Social Democrats had a different proposal, which was to register e-scooters. People would have had to register those vehicles in the same way as a car or anything else. We could still go a way towards doing that as part of this review. If the Minister of State is considering that, he has my full support because it is as dangerous a weapon as many of the other weapons we ask be registered in the State. That is another consideration.  I do not want to repeat the points already made but I attach myself to the sentiment that even with the best will in the world of all of us here, including the Minister of State's officials in the Department who put together this strong legislation, proper enforcement and education are needed. The legislation is only one part of that jigsaw. I have put some proposals on education before the Minister of State that I ask him to consider. Equally, I ask him to convey that message on enforcement to his colleagues in the Cabinet. The garda\u00ed we have are doing what they can, but we can all agree that the bodies on the ground are not there, the training is not there and ultimately the back-up from society is not there to support them so that when they need to intervene, we will back them as opposed to them being prosecuted for trying to get involved in these incidents.  I look forward to contributing to this discussion further on Committee Stage and commend the Minister of State on the work so far. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rory Hearne  I also welcome the Bill. It is important, as my colleague said, we empower local authorities and the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to enhance their data-sharing arrangements. There are also other welcome aspects to the Bill.  I will pick up where my colleague left off and speak about my constituency. There is a serious crisis with the lack of enforcement. We have met and engaged with the parents of Grace Lynch, Martin and Siobh\u00e1n, and I still engage with them on an ongoing basis. What is clear from speaking to them and constituents who contact me, and from speaking to people living in Ballymun and Finglas this week, is that despite the introduction of Grace's law, things are as bad as ever. One resident from Finglas I spoke to today said that every time they leave the house, they encounter a scrambler or a scrambler-type e-bike travelling dangerously on the roads, paths, green areas and parks. Last week, while they were on their way back from Tolka Valley Park on the Cardiffsbridge Road near Dunnes Stores, an individual wearing a balaclava came across the road in front of the traffic from Deanstown Avenue and onto the green opposite. The resident said it is intimidating and people in their cars look fed up. It is utterly unacceptable that this is still the case.  I met one of the assistant commissioners in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na last week who confirmed there is an issue around the EU Presidency with Garda resources being diverted away, that it does not have sufficient resources to implement and enforce and that is frustrating. It is accepted that communities such as Ballymun and Finglas need high-visibility policing to enforce these rules to ensure the communities are safe but it is not being delivered. They also need youth diversion programmes and support in that. It is frustrating that the issues of road safety in relation to e-scooters and scramblers in the community are as bad as ever and it is not right. It is not acceptable.  The concern is, as has been said, that this involves more promises without delivery. Injuries continue to happen. We have seen the figures from the hospitals. Grace Lynch's parents plead with us and the Minister of State to try to avoid another tragic death but it is still happening. We need to see more action and resourcing and, as my colleague, Deputy Farrelly, put forward, the idea of registering e-scooters seems like a sensible proposal. We need action on that and we need enforcement because every community has the right to be safe. T\u00e1 s\u00e9 tuillte ag gach pobal a bheith s\u00e1bh\u00e1ilte agus t\u00e1 g\u00e1 acu leis sin. T\u00e1 n\u00edos m\u00f3 garda\u00ed ag teast\u00e1il \u00f3 Bhaile Munna agus Fionnghlas chun \u00e9 sin a chinnti\u00fa.  We need more garda\u00ed on the ground to enforce but they need training. It is absolutely scandalous that only six garda\u00ed will receive pursuit training before the end of the year. That is absolutely not acceptable. I will continue to push on this to ensure garda\u00ed have sufficient resources and are trained and that our communities are safe. We know e-scooters and scramblers are being actively used in drug dealing and intimidation by drug gangs and the most vulnerable disadvantaged communities are bearing the brunt of that. They have as much a right to be safe as everyone else in the country so we need to see serious action on that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Grace Boland","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Grace-Boland.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Grace Boland  Every one of us knows families and communities who have been affected by serious road traffic collisions and behind every statistic is a person, family and community whose lives have been changed forever. That is why we have a responsibility to ensure our laws, enforcement systems and road infrastructure are as effective as possible in preventing collisions and reducing harm. That is why I welcome the Bill. While much of it is technical in nature, its purpose is straightforward. It is about making our roads safer, ensuring public bodies have access to better information, modernising how key road traffic systems operate and strengthening the legal framework that underpins many aspects of our road safety policy.  One of the most important aspects of this Bill is the provision allowing collision data collected by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to be shared more effectively with local authorities. Too often we hear concerns from local communities about dangerous stretches of road, recurring collisions or persistent safety issues. Residents know there is a problem but decisions can be delayed because the necessary data are not readily available. That is why provisions relating to speed limits are important. Speed limits are among the most important tools available to improve road safety data. They influence the likelihood of a collision occurring and the severity of its consequences when it occurs. The flexibility provided under this legislation in speed limit implementation is sensible. However, these decisions must remain firmly evidence-based and factors such as road design, collision history, traffic volumes, nearby development and the presence of vulnerable road users must continue to guide decision-making.  When we discuss road safety, we cannot focus exclusively on motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Children travelling to school, older people and people with disabilities also have a right to use our roads safely. For those road users, even relatively small reductions in vehicle speed can make a significant difference and that is why ensuring speed limits are applied appropriately and consistently remains such an important part of our broader road strategy.  While I am speaking about speed limits, as the Minister of State will be aware, our local authorities have been tasked with examining local roads and implementing 30 km per hour speed limits where appropriate. I would very much like the Minister of State to give an update to the House on its status in each of the local authorities and if he does not have up-to-date information on the status, for him to engage directly with local authorities as I am hearing that there are some difficulties with local authorities moving that process forward. We all want our roads to be safer. Speed is a huge driver in that and it is important we see that process concluded as soon as possible.  I also welcome the provisions relating to dangerous and careless driving offences. At present the situation can arise that a jury does not consider the threshold for dangerous driving has been met, but cannot consider whether the evidence supports a conviction for careless driving. That means we get outcomes that do not accurately reflect the facts of a case. Allowing a jury to return a verdict of the lesser offence of careless driving, where appropriate, is a common-sense reform and I welcome it.  It will help ensure that accountability better reflects the evidence presented while maintaining the rights and protections that are fundamental to our justice system.  I also welcome the measures relating to mobile camera van operators. Requiring operators to attend court in very routine cases is not always the best use of limited resources. At the same time, efficiency must never come at the expense of fairness. Where a genuine dispute exists, defendants must continue to have the opportunity to challenge evidence and to seek the attendance of a witness. It is important that public confidence in road traffic enforcement is maintained alongside any efficiency gains.  The national vehicle and driver file sits at the centre of many of the systems that people interact with every day, whether renewing a driver's licence, taxing a vehicle or complying with road traffic regulations. Maintaining the accuracy, effectiveness and legal robustness of that system is essential. I welcome the decision to remove the requirement for a paper motor tax disc. It is a sensible modernisation of a system that has changed very little despite the widespread digitalisation of our public services. Most motorists now expect to access information and complete transactions online. I welcome that our legislation will reflect that. The key requirement is now that the electronic systems underpinning all of this are reliable, accurate and easy to access. Garda\u00ed, local authorities and members of the public must be able to verify a vehicle's status quickly and with confidence. We must also ensure that people who are less comfortable using digital services are not left behind as these changes are implemented. I very much welcome the statutory basis being provided for the Check My Vehicle service. This service gives members of the public access to important information and helps support transparency, compliance and consumer confidence. Modernisation of systems does not always attract headlines but it can save people time, improve their experience of interacting with the State and reduce the State's administrative costs. As services continue to expand and evolve, privacy considerations must remain to the fore. Public confidence in the State's digital services depends on people knowing their information is protected and that sensitive personal details cannot be disclosed.  Communities across the country want to see tangible improvements in road safety. They want safer junctions, safer routes to schools, safer town centres and faster action where risks are identified. The measures contained in the Bill may appear technical but their purpose is anything but. Better data sharing, more effective enforcement, appropriate speed limits and modernised public services all contribute to one common objective - preventing collisions and saving lives. I share my colleagues' concerns in relation to enforcement. That is also a huge piece, as is training and education, where there is scope for improvement. Ultimately, the steps we take with this legislation and with regard to enforcement and awareness and education campaigns will all be measured by one statistic. Is the number of road deaths and pedestrian injuries caused by vehicles falling? I very much hope this legislation passes swiftly through the House and that the various sections are commenced as quickly as possible. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cathy Bennett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Cathy Bennett  As we deal with a largely technical Bill related to various areas of Road Traffic Acts, websites, databases and day-to-day administration relating to driving, I want to touch on something else that is viewed by many as a glaring omission in the delivery of policy and that I would say is an error in policy. For many years, members of the diaspora have been pointing out the administrative burden associated with returning home to Ireland. Given that we are crying out for healthcare professionals and that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is actually advertising in Australia to lure Irish people, including construction workers, home, one could be forgiven for thinking that this could be a moment and an opportunity to be seized to actually progress long-standing recommendations to address the challenges faced by returning Irish immigrants. Unfortunately, for this Government, that does not seem to be the case. The pace of progress in obtaining reciprocal agreements for the recognition and exchange of driving licences between Ireland and other countries and US states has been far too slow.  I commend those who have long campaigned on this and on other diaspora issues, especially Safe Home Ireland and the Irish-US Driver's License Exchange campaign group, the latter of which last year published a report on this very matter. It brought forward proposals to allow for the simplification of the process. These warrant serious consideration. That is why there has been so much frustration at what is reported in the diaspora media as a slap in the face over the last few days.  The crux of the issue lies in respect and prioritisation. On respect, to use the words of one campaigner, \"No reason is given, no explanation made to those affected and their families, who have and continue to be impacted emotionally and financially by an unintended consequence of what we believe is just poorly worded legislation.\" On prioritisation, we see what the Government is capable of when it prioritises a matter. When it prioritised this matter, the programme for Government committed to working on reciprocal arrangements with countries with large diaspora populations. It committed to prioritising such arrangements as would benefit the commercial sector. I welcome the progress made with regard to the commercial sector early this year but my simple ask of the Government is to ascribe equal priority to Irish citizens who wish to return home to Ireland. This is clear-cut. Deputy Canney can either be a Minister of State for whom the diaspora are simply a photo opportunity or a handshake on his St. Patrick's Day jollies or he can be a real friend to our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who live abroad and who want to come home. He can be a Minister of State who does all he can within his power to help alleviate the administrative burden of returning home if that is their wish. I ask him to commit to making this a priority for his Department and to getting it done. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ciar\u00e1n Ahern","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ciar\u00e1n-Ahern.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ciar\u00e1n Ahern  The Labour Party absolutely supports the main thrust of this Bill, which is to improve data sharing between the State bodies responsible for road safety, that is, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, the RSA and our local authorities. At present, the information exists but the people who need that information to make our roads safer do not necessarily have access to it. That situation has been allowed to persist for too long. Nevertheless, I welcome the Bill being introduced at Second Stage today. If a person is seriously injured on a road, if there is a collision at a dangerous junction, if garda\u00ed repeatedly attend the same stretch of road or if local residents have been reporting a danger for years, that information should not disappear into the database of one public body and become inaccessible to another. It should be shared across the competent and relevant authorities to inform what happens next.  The purpose of road safety data is not just to produce statistics; it is to prevent the next collision from happening. My Labour Party colleagues and I are very supportive of the provisions in this Bill that allow road authorities to request and process collision data to identify and assess safety risks to plan for road maintenance, junction redesign and so on and know where the resources need to be targeted. The Bill specifically provides that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or another public authority may disclose collision data to a road authority or nominated local authority for those purposes. It also provides safeguards around the processing of personal data.  That is all very welcome but we have to ask why it has taken this long. We have known for years that there is a problem with the fragmentation of road safety data. Road safety campaigners have been banging this drum for a long time. In a previous debate on road safety in this House, I spoke about the frustration of public representatives who know the dangerous locations in their communities but who cannot always access the data necessary to understand the full picture. I know of several in my constituency and I am sure my constituency colleagues would point the Minister of State to the exact same spots. The issue is pretty straightforward. A local authority cannot properly redesign a dangerous road if it does not have information about what is actually happening on that road. It cannot always accurately identify black spots or junctions that are particularly dangerous for vulnerable road users like pedestrians or cyclists. It basically cannot identify patterns because the information is sitting in a different organisation.  That is why this part of the Bill is really important. We should be moving toward a system where collision information is routinely used to identify locations of interest, where local authorities are able to intervene quickly and where the State has national oversight of dangerous locations.  Fatalities are the most visible part of the road safety crisis but we also need to look at serious injuries that are happening on our roads. My colleague and the Labour Party's health spokesperson, Deputy Marie Sherlock, has done some important work in this area. There is a gap between Garda collision statistics and hospital data. Thousands of people are hospitalised following road collisions whose injuries are not necessarily reflected in the same way in the national collision statistics. What this means is that, once again, we risk making decisions based on an incomplete picture. This also needs to be addressed. If a person is seriously injured because of the way our road system is designed, that information should be available to help us make the system safer. In May, the RSA published an interactive map of road traffic injury collisions covering fatal, serious and minor injury collisions between 2016 and 2024. This is a really useful step towards transparency and evidence-based decision making. However, that information has to lead to action. We need local authorities to have the power, the resources and the obligation to act when the evidence tells us that a road is dangerous.  That brings me to the wider context of this Bill. Road traffic legislation is not merely an administrative exercise. Ireland is in the middle of a road safety crisis and I do not think any of us are being hyperbolic when we say that. The RSA figures tell us that very clearly. There has been enormous progress over the longer term; we should acknowledge that. Ireland has gone from hundreds of road deaths a year to figures that, for a period, were among the best in Europe. That progress is not something we should take for granted, but I fear that the eye has been taken off the ball. The RSA's long-term figures show a rise in road deaths from 134 in 2018 to 185 in 2025. The Garda figures report 190 deaths in 2025 as they include deaths in public places such as car parks and private roads. The Bill does not address this but we also need to clarify which are the more accurate figures when it comes to deaths as a result of cars. I would argue that the Garda figures are more complete in that regard but that is a discussion for another day.  Tragically, regardless of whose figures we use - those of the Garda or the RSA - the trend of increasing fatalities shows no signs of reversing this year. At the end of July, 105 people had already lost their lives on Irish roads, or 13 more than at the same point in 2025. More than 40% of fatalities occurred on Saturdays and Sundays. The RSA reports that 57% of fatalities occurred on roads with speed limits of 80 km\/h or higher, while 27% of those killed were aged between 16 and 25. Every one of these road fatalities and every life lost will have left devastation in its wake for the thousands of people grieving the loss of their loved one. We have all seen the consequences in our communities. In February, a man in his 80s, Frank Daly, was killed when a Bus \u00c9ireann double-decker bus struck pedestrians not far from here on North Earl Street. Three other people were taken to hospital. In June, a man in his 30s died following a three-car collision on the M21 between Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West. His death brought the number of people killed on Irish roads at that point in the year to 75, six higher than in the previous year. In July, three men were killed in separate collisions in Donegal, Cork and Kildare in the space of a single day. In August, we witnessed an absolutely devastating collision on the M9 in Kildare, where five teenagers lost their lives in a head-on collision after a car travelled on the wrong side of the motorway. Four other people, a family including a child who were on their way to Dublin Airport to go on holiday, were seriously injured. I am so glad to have seen an update from the three sisters yesterday to say they are getting stronger each day, and I wish them the very best as they continue their recovery.  These sorts of devastating events stay with communities. They stay with the emergency workers who respond to them - the garda\u00ed and anyone who happens to witness them - and above all, they stay with the families who are impacted by them. The barometer against which we have to measure every piece of road traffic legislation, such as this one, is whether it will make our roads safer. On the data-sharing element of this, I am confident this Bill will do that. On the speed limits element, though, which comes under Part 5 of the Bill, I cannot say I am quite as convinced. In fact, I find this part of the Bill a little concerning. Section 21 provides for local authorities to be able to continue to set a special speed limit of 60 km\/h for local roads in built-up areas. The Minister will be aware there is a long-standing campaign, with many different advocacy groups calling for a default urban speed limit of 30 km\/h. I support this campaign. At the very least, the sensible approach would be to standardise urban road speed limits. At present, a road speed limit could be 60 km\/h but if you were to transplant that exact same road into a different area, it would be 50 km\/h. It creates ambiguity, and when it comes to road safety and the rules of the road, ambiguity poses a genuine danger. It also sends the wrong message about allowing higher speeds in built-up areas. Drivers could legitimately ask why it is okay for one road to have a speed limit of 60 km\/h but another road to have one of 50 km\/h in very similar areas. They may be tempted to put the foot down a little bit more as a result, seeing a sort of unfairness there.  My clear position is that we should be reducing urban speed limits to 30 km\/h. It is increasingly becoming the international norm. It is also the policy direction that this State has already legislated for. The Road Traffic Act 2024 provided for a default 30 km\/h speed limit in built-up areas. The ink was hardly dry on that Act, though, before the Government started to roll back on it. I have tabled a number of parliamentary questions to try to ascertain why the Government was effectively moving away from the national default approach and instead instructing local authorities to introduce 30 km\/h speed limits through special speed limit zones. I have never really received a satisfactory response. Generally, all I get is that it is too difficult. Once again, that is not good enough. The question should not be about whether moving from 50 km\/h to 30 km\/h speed limits in built-up areas is difficult or not. It should be about whether it would save lives and prevent serious injuries. The relationship between speed and the severity of pedestrian collisions is well established. Around 5% of pedestrians would be killed at an impact speed of 30 km\/h, compared with approximately 50% at 60 km\/h and 90% at 80 km\/h. There is an extraordinary difference there. At 30 km\/h, we give someone a fighting chance. At higher speeds, the consequences of a mistake become drastically, dramatically more severe.  Speed limits are not about how we get drivers from A to B most efficiently. They are about what happens when something goes wrong, like a child running out onto a road, a cyclist falling off their bike in the middle of traffic or a driver getting distracted for a second or two. We cannot build a road system around the assumption that everyone will behave perfectly all the time. Our road system should be designed so that those mistakes do not automatically become fatal or risk life-changing injuries for those involved. The case for reducing urban speed limits to 30 km\/h is clear, based on the evidence from places where this has been done. Wales, for example, introduced a default 20 miles per hour speed limit on restricted roads in built-up areas in September 2023. Early evidence showed average speeds falling by around 4 miles per hour on a sample of main roads. In 2024, casualties on roads in Wales with 20 miles per hour and 30 miles per hour limits combined were almost 20% lower than in the year before. It is a relatively short period of data but the direction of travel is encouraging. It is certainly a lot better than the direction we have been heading in for some time now here. The Welsh Government has also estimated that the introduction of 20 miles per hour limits could prevent deaths and serious injuries while delivering wider economic and public health benefits.  We can also look to Spain. They introduced a nationwide urban 30 km\/h limit on streets with a single lane in each direction in 2021. Urban road deaths fell by 20% in 2021 compared with 2019. Their directorate general for traffic specifically linked the reduction to a package of urban road safety measures, including the 30 km\/h limit. Pedestrian deaths fell by 26%, cyclist deaths by 34% and deaths among people over 64 by 31%. Five years on, Spain continues to see a positive trend, with urban fatalities in 2024 5% below 2019 levels, while cyclist fatalities in cities were almost 19% lower and pedestrian fatalities more than 16% lower. The case for reducing urban speed limits as a default is not theoretical. This is what happens when governments decide that speed in urban areas should be designed around the safety of humans rather than the convenience of the fastest possible journey.  I pay particular tribute to the Love 30 campaign group, which has been to the fore in calling for 30 km\/h to be the default speed limit in built-up areas in Ireland, particularly in town centres, residential areas and around schools and places of public assembly. I had the pleasure of hosting Love 30 here in Leinster House for an audiovisual room briefing on the campaign, alongside other organisations including the Dublin Commuter Coalition, Irish Doctors for the Environment, Cycling Ireland, An Taisce, the Irish Road Victims Association and community groups from around the country, all of which support the default urban speed limit of 30 km\/h.  Whether it is pedestrians, cyclists, children on their way to school, older people going to do their shopping, people with disabilities navigating pavements and crossings, commuters waiting for a bus or teenagers hanging out with friends, we have to design our roads and institute a road safety system for all of these people. We also have to keep an eye on enforcement.  That is the other side of this debate. A speed limit that is not enforced is just a number on a sign. There was a 23% increase in motorists caught speeding last year. I do not know if we have got better in terms of enforcement or if just more people are speeding; I suspect the latter. We need to take a holistic approach to enforcement.  The obvious place to look is the decline in the number of garda\u00ed involved in roads policing and our failure to address that despite several promises over the years. We have the authorities, the strategies, the targets, the awareness campaigns and announcements but the garda\u00ed tasked with enforcing the law on our roads are being asked to do more and more with too few resources. In May 2024, we were promised an additional 150 garda\u00ed specifically for roads policing by 2025. We got 15. If we go back further, the picture is even worse. There are almost 400 fewer garda\u00ed working in roads policing today than in 2009, while there are more than half a million more cars on Irish roads.  I do not believe the roads policing position will get any better this year given the increased demands on our garda\u00ed due to the hosting of the EU Presidency and the circus around Donald Trump at the Irish Open last week. Enforcement has become so much more difficult as a result and the odds of being caught for those who break the rules of the road are increasingly in their favour. Driver behaviour naturally adapts to this new reality. We have also been incredibly slow at rolling out stationary speed cameras and traffic light cameras. I was very pleased to see Deputy Shane Moynihan raising this with the Taoiseach yesterday; maybe he listened to him. It beggars belief that we still only have nine fixed speed camera sites in the country.  Road design should also form part of the overall enforcement strategy from a proactive preventative perspective. I hope that the data-sharing element of this Bill will have a positive impact in that regard. We need to redesign the dangerous locations identified through collision data and crucially we need to give local authorities the resources to do so. The Government's own road safety strategy has a target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030. The baseline for that was 144 deaths per year and a target of 72 or fewer and yet we recorded 185 deaths on public roads last year. We cannot look at these figures and conclude that the current approach is working; much more needs to be done.  I want to briefly touch on the RSA given its role as a competent authority when it comes to road safety. The Minister of State will know that I have my concerns about the apparent rollback in the Government's commitment to reform the RSA and split it into two separate bodies as recommended in the 2024 Indecon report. As I have said on many occasions, there is an inherent conflict at the heart of the RSA in that it is both poacher and gamekeeper when it comes to vehicles on our roads. On the one hand it is tasked with making our roads safer and sometimes that can mean fewer cars on the road but on the other it is incentivised to keep adding more and more cars onto the road because it administers and is funded through driving tests and the NCT. Those functions need to be split. Let one body deal with driving tests and another deal exclusively with road safety.  I support the concept of an independent commission for safety with real powers to intervene and to take politics out of our decisions on road safety. Whatever model it takes we need a much more active authority in the road safety space. South Dublin County Council recently ran a consultation on proposals to install large digital advertising boards in various locations around the county. It was really welcome to see the RSA make a submission detailing the potential hazards that these huge electronic billboards would cause in terms of driver distraction. At the same South Dublin County Council and local authorities all over the country have been carrying out a speed limit review but the RSA has not given any comment to my knowledge on any of those speed limit reviews. That is exactly an area where the RSA should be using its expertise and experience, and advocating for what it thinks is the safest thing for our roads. We need a much more active authority, an authority that will work with local authorities, engage in public consultations and share its expertise.  The vast majority of the Bill represents a positive step. I have spoken about the data-sharing piece but the provision around multi-offence incidents which were introduced in the Road Traffic Act 2024 is also a move in the right direction, as is the provision concerning careless driving which as the explanatory note to the Bill states arose from the report on the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell. However, the Bill could have gone further particularly with respect to the speed limit issue. I want to see the evidence lead us in the right decision on this. We should not use 60 km\/h as a convenient compromise simply because it is already familiar. If a road is genuinely a major arterial route, we can assess it on its merits but in built-up areas the starting point should be 30 km\/h. That is what the evidence tells us will prevent collisions and fatalities. If an exceptional road needs to be treated differently, there should be a process for that exception. That is a much better system than beginning with a higher speed and asking communities to fight their way down to something safer. The principle should be the opposite: start with safety then justify any departure from that. We cannot legislate our way out of every collision but we can design a system that makes collisions less likely and makes the inevitable human mistake less likely to result in death or serious injury.  I welcome the Bill insofar as it finally recognises that road safety depends on information being shared between the organisations responsible for our roads. Local authorities, the Garda and the RSA all need to be on the same page and working from the same evidence in terms of black spots and what needs attention. I sincerely hope that will have a positive effect. I urge the Minister of State to reconsider the approach on the speed limits. We should start with a default 30 km\/h limit for built-up areas. We know that lower speed limits save lives and prevent life-changing injuries. The case has already been made by Wales and Spain, and the Road Traffic Act has already pointed us in that direction. I urge the Minister of State not to roll back any further on what was legislated for in that Act. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Darren O'Rourke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Darren-O'Rourke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Darren O'Rourke  I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Road safety is incredibly important and too many of the important indicators are going in the wrong direction. In Meath, for example, people are telling me the same thing again and again, and I know it myself: you never see a roads policing unit. Motorists can go for months or more likely years without encountering a Garda checkpoint or traffic control. That absence has consequences. When there is no fear of getting caught, dangerous driving becomes normalised. Behaviours such as speeding, mobile phone use, dangerous overtaking, and drink and drug driving thrive in the vacuum left by declining enforcement. The road safety experts are clear, as I heard when I was a member of the transport committee. Visible enforcement is one of the most effective deterrents we have and the Government has failed to resource it.  There is also the state of our roads. Across Meath, motorists are navigating broken and deteriorating surfaces, dangerous junctions, inadequate signage and long-standing black spots. Rural communities in particular carry a disproportionate burden of serious and fatal collisions yet they are expected to live with roads that are themselves a hazard. The road maintenance backlog is growing. Local authority funding is stretched beyond breaking point and this Bill does not address any of it. There is not one measure to fix a dangerous junction and not one euro for road repairs. Where is the alternative? For too many people in Meath there simply is not one. We have a complete lack of appropriate, sufficient and working public transport. Towns, including very large towns and villages, are left without reliable bus or rail connections, forcing people into cars often on roads that are neither safe nor fit for purpose. We cannot talk to people about road safety while offering them no viable way to leave the car at home.  While I welcome a number of the sensible and long-awaited provisions of this Bill, we have to look at the issue of enforcement. We need more roads police and roads policing. We need greater funding for roads maintenance and repair. Systems, of course, should talk to each other, and that is welcome. Of course, personal responsibility is hugely important in all of this. Some of the issues I have mentioned do not fall under the Minister of State's remit but I would ask him to work with his ministerial colleagues, particularly in the Department of justice, on these areas.  Another area that falls under the Minister of State's remit needs direct attention. As my party's spokesperson on education, I want to talk about the need for a standard and proactive approach to traffic calming at schools. When I was my party's spokesperson on transport, the safe routes to school programme was introduced. While it is excellent and very welcome, it is too slow and it is underfunded. Different schools have different approaches. Too many schools are left without important, and I would say essential, traffic-calming and child-protecting infrastructure. Dealing with local authorities is infuriating. There appear to be huge discretion and flexibility but there is no rhyme or reason when going from school to school.  One school has huge intervention, while another school in a similar or even worse setting has nothing at all. The local authority, in my experience, defends that position and contradiction. It makes no sense to me. We need guidelines and design handbooks for traffic calming at schools and we need a comprehensive plan for every single school. This, along with some of the measures the Minister of State is proposing here, will help. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Roderic O'Gorman  I will say at the outset that it is good we finally have this Bill before the House. We have been waiting for it for a while now. A number of its provisions represent real common-sense reforms. They look at the modernisation of the national vehicle and driver file, the removal of outdated paper motor tax discs, improvements to collision data sharing, which I will speak more about, and measures designed to strengthen road safety enforcement and planning. These are all positive, but we have to understand this Bill is coming forward in the context of wider road safety issues and the real carnage that is taking place on our roads at the moment. There were 190 people killed on our roads last year and, according to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, 134 already killed in 2026. Many of these deaths are preventable but all destroy families. Everything we do in this Bill and everything we do in the Oireachtas transport committee has to be with a view to getting us closer to the objective of Vision Zero, which is eliminating deaths and serious injuries on our roads. The Green Party and I have continually highlighted the need for stronger and more focused road safety responses, including better enforcement, safer road design and improved collision analysis. I might come back to enforcement at the end.  One of the strongest elements in the Bill the Minister of State has brought forward today is the provision allowing local authorities to access and process collision data for road safety purposes. For too long, local authorities have been restricted in their ability to analyse collision patterns and particularly to identify dangerous locations in their road network. The ability to access this information will enable evidence-based interventions, better targeting of safety investments and earlier identification of high-risk locations. At the moment, when the RSA and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na go through their analysis of collisions in an area, let us say in my home area, they might say there is a bad bend or junction in Blanchardstown and there have been six crashes there over the past three years, but because of GDPR right now they cannot convey that information to the local authority, Fingal County Council. That is going to be resolved in this Bill and it is something I welcome.  While the Bill creates the legal basis to share collision data, it does not require systematic collision analysis, a publication of findings or safety action plans arising from that data. As this Bill goes through, I hope the Minister of State will look at the data sharing being brought through, which is valuable, being supplemented with regular reporting on collision hot spots, publication of anonymised datasets, and the integration with the Vision Zero targets and commitments that identified high-risk locations receiving funding priority. There is no point in Fingal being able to say, \"Yes, there is a really dangerous bend in Blanchardstown\", if it does not have the money to actually do something about it. We have to have joined-up thinking here. We are solving one problem here but more has to flow from that.  The Green Party has been a consistent supporter of more appropriate speed limits because we know, and we have heard this at the transport committee from experts who have come in, that speed remains one of the principal factors determining both collision risk and collision severity. This Bill allows local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to set 60 km\/h limits on certain roads in built-up areas and provides additional flexibility regarding national roads. There is a potential risk that the legislation as it is currently drafted could be interpreted as creating opportunities for higher speeds in urbanised areas at a time when national policy is and should be moving us towards lower speeds and a safe systems approach. Will the Minister of State give an assurance that these amendments will not undermine the intent of the 30 km built-up area policy and the wider speed review? If that assurance cannot be given, I will struggle to support this Bill, notwithstanding the other positive elements I see within it.  The abolition of the paper motor tax disc is overdue and is something I welcome. As we know, the Garda is now relying on automatic number plate recognition systems and access to digital databases. The paper disc requirement does not serve any meaningful enforcement purpose any more and removing unnecessary bureaucracy while retaining enforcement capacity is good public administration. The expansion of the level of information available through the check my vehicle service for consumer protection is a positive step. Providing greater information on things like tax status, roadworthiness certification and vehicle characteristics will assist buyers in the second-hand market and may help combat vehicle fraud and cloning. However, I should emphasise the data protection safeguards must remain robust and GDPR compliance must be fully maintained as the database functions expand.  Beyond the items currently in the Bill, I argue that the Government should move more quickly on additional road safety measures. I will highlight a few of these. The implementation of the national safety camera strategy took a long time to be published. It is now published but when we asked the NTA and others about it at the transport committee, there was a real lack of clarity on when we were going to see outputs. I think only one meeting of the oversight body has taken place so far - maybe it is two at this stage - but how are we going to see this delivered? How are we going to see in our local authorities those red light cameras that would provide such benefit in catching motorists who are breaking red lights and are dangerous to cyclists, pedestrians and other motorists? Camera enforcement of mobile phone and seat belt offences, stronger road safety governance and the reform of the RSA have also been spoken about before. No doubt, we will come back to our difference of opinion on that again. It is also about improving regulation of dangerous vehicle use, including scramblers and high-powered e-scooters.  The Bill to date contains a range of practical reforms that will modernise transport administration and strengthen aspects of road safety policy, but we should also recognise that legislation of this kind must form part of a wider commitment to Vision Zero. Every death and serious injury on our roads is preventable. I passionately believe these deaths are preventable. The objective has to be not just the removal of outdated, bureaucratic processes or the simplification and opening up of databases but actually saving lives. That is what we have to be about here. In this regard, there is so much more to do.  The issue of enforcement is not directly within the Minister of State's remit but I am sure he has seen the discussion about the number of garda\u00ed available for roads policing. This has been in the media in the past week. Commissioner Kelly came into the transport committee in the last sitting at the end of July and spoke about his position on roads policing. There are 660 garda\u00ed assigned to roads policing right now. The Commissioner emphasised it is the largest stand-alone unit within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na but it is also significantly smaller than it was - 40% smaller than it was 15 years ago. We have a new Commissioner, whom I asked if growing the number of garda\u00ed in roads policing was one of his objectives, to which he said it was not. In fairness to him, he made the point he believes there could be more efficiencies and more done among the 660. However, I want to put it on record that I do not believe that 660 garda\u00ed on roads policing is enough, not when we had 190 people dead on our roads last year and 134 dead this year.  In particular, there were two pieces of agreement that every organisation that came before the transport committee in the past six months on the topic of road safety outlined to us. The first was that the RSA was not fit for purpose, which we have spoken about before. The second was that enforcement was the key, but we are not seeing adequate enforcement. I understand in the Minister of State's role of overseeing road safety that he has regular engagement with his own senior Minister and the Minister for justice. I ask that he take the message of enforcement back.  I welcome what the Commissioner said in terms of his approach to road safety on a general basis, but I do not believe we have enough garda\u00ed focused on this crucial part of their role. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026: Second Stage"}]}}]},"contextDate":"2026-09-17"},{"debateRecord":{"house":{"showAs":"34th D\u00e1il","committeeCode":"","houseCode":"dail","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/house\/dail\/34","chamberType":"house","houseNo":"34"},"chamber":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/def\/house\/dail","showAs":"D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann"},"lastUpdated":"2026-09-17T02:14:45+00:00","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/main","formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/mul@\/main.xml"},"pdf":null},"date":"2026-09-16","counts":{"contributorCount":149,"divisionCount":1,"debateSectionCount":13,"questionCount":0,"billCount":2},"debateType":"debate","debateSections":[{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_2","debateType":"debate","bill":null,"showAs":"Gn\u00f3 na D\u00e1la - Business of D\u00e1il","counts":{"speechCount":1,"speakerCount":1},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_2","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Before we commence business, I want to take this opportunity to welcome you all back to the D\u00e1il today and I hope you have had an opportunity for some rest over the summer break. As we begin a new D\u00e1il term and reflecting on developments over the past year, I want to emphasise our shared responsibility to ensure that Leinster House is a safe, respectful and professional workplace for everyone. Robust debate and political disagreement are essential to parliamentary democracy. They must, however, be conducted in a manner that respects the dignity, safety and well-being of all Members, all staff and all those who engage with the work of the Houses. Each of us has a part to play in upholding the standards expected of this institution and ensuring that any concerns are treated seriously and addressed appropriately. I look forward to working constructively with all Members during the year ahead. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Gn\u00f3 na D\u00e1la - Business of D\u00e1il"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_3","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 Cheannair\u00ed - Leaders' Questions","counts":{"speechCount":125,"speakerCount":17},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_3","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cian O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"George Lawlor","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/George-Lawlor.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"George-Lawlor.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":" A Deputy","uri":null,"memberCode":null,"role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donna McGettigan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cathy Bennett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Naoise \u00d3 Cear\u00fail","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Naoise-\u00d3-Cear\u00fail.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Naoise-\u00d3-Cear\u00fail.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  We will now proceed with the business. For the first Leaders' Questions of the session, I call Deputy Mary Lou McDonald. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  RT\u00c9 has reported very serious allegations and tonight four Garda whistleblowers will speak publicly on them for the very first time. They will detail how the process for reporting and investigating wrongdoing within the Garda has been repeatedly undermined by senior management, including former Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris. A process was established in the aftermath of scandals that rocked An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na more than a decade ago, in particular the treatment of sergeant Maurice McCabe. At that time, we were promised a fresh start. However, the Garda whistleblowers on tonight's programme say that instead of being protected, whistleblowers are targeted, penalised and vilified by those at the very top for making disclosures of wrongdoing. Protected disclosures made by these whistleblowers include the dangerous storage, movement and handling of firearms, defective ammunition and the issuing of defective holsters - all of which put garda\u00ed at risk.  Those speaking out are senior members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. They include Dr. Donal Corcoran, the person who was in charge of the Garda protected disclosures office; Ms Rose Sweeney, a case manager; and Detective Superintendent Brian O\u2019Reilly, head of the Garda Technical Bureau. What is absolutely astonishing here is that the very person running the protected disclosures office, Dr. Corcoran, and another charged with managing protected disclosures cases, Ms Sweeney, were themselves forced to make a protected disclosure. The question is: why? They state they did so because of the wrongdoing they observed and the absolute hostility they encountered in the Garda culture. They too became whistleblowers, and they too were targeted and penalised. Ms Sweeney says that she was repeatedly pressured to close files prematurely. Dr. Corcoran says that after he made his protected disclosure he was targeted and forced out of his job, reassigned a different role, sent to an office on the other side of the building, given no real work and left to spend his day staring at the four walls.  Why was Donal Corcoran so ruthlessly targeted and penalised? On whose order was Donal Corcoran removed from his job? Who repeatedly pressured Ms Sweeney to close files prematurely, and why? Why has this culture of hostility among the most senior management towards Garda whistleblowers been allowed to grow and go unchallenged?  Members of the Garda go to work every day to protect us and they in turn deserve to be protected when they step forward to blow the whistle on wrongdoing. However, instead of being supported they are being destroyed. Following the disgusting treatment of Maurice McCabe we were assured things would change but more than a decade on, we learn that hostility towards whistleblowers and towards accountability at the highest echelons of the Garda is as bad as ever.  Did any member of Government know about this? What action will the Taoiseach take to establish precisely what happened and what is currently going on within the Garda protected disclosures system? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  First of all, I have not seen the programme yet and I did not hear any of the material on radio this morning; I did not get the opportunity. The first thing I will do is get an opportunity to see the programme itself. I will not see it live tonight. I am at a function this evening but I hope to get an opportunity. I will get to see it. It is difficult to pre-empt seeing the entirety of it. Deputy McDonald is asking me to comment before the programme airs. That is problematic - day one. The second point is that there is, as the Deputy knows well, comprehensive legislation governing whistleblowers and there are robust structures, policies and procedures in place across the criminal justice system - indeed, across the entire governmental system. That is to ensure the effective management of protected disclosures and to provide support to people making disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, which was amended in 2022. Those Acts were part of the then Government's comprehensive approach to strengthening protections available to whistleblowers, including members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Under the Acts and the legislation, as the Deputy knows, Garda members and staff may confidentially disclose allegations of wrongdoing within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or to Fiosr\u00fa, and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and Fiosr\u00fa are operationally independent and both bodies have their own protected disclosures mechanisms in place.  The Deputy's questions at the end were fairly loaded as if she was suggesting someone politically might have ordered. I hope she was not. I am not clear what she was saying by putting those questions. We are not operationally involved in protected disclosures. Government Ministers are not either. There is a very distinct mechanism in place and both An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and Fiosr\u00fa have their own protected disclosures mechanisms. The Act also affords protection to persons making protected disclosures.  Again, part of that protection rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is central to the efficacy of the process. There is a real paradox here now in that the very people within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, or within the management and so on, are actually not in a position to comment specifically because protected disclosures have been served. That is something, because the Oireachtas passed this. There was never any issue about this and about the confidential nature of it as a protection for those who might wish to make a protected disclosure in any area of public administration.  Again, I will look at the programme. In the first instance, a new protected disclosures unit was established by the Garda Commissioner in January of 2025 within the Garda professional standards unit. My understanding is that was undertaken to strengthen the arrangements in place for investigating protected disclosures; strengthen in terms of personnel and exclusive control. By that I mean rather than having part-time people overseeing protective disclosures that there be a dedicated unit with a dedicated lead person in respect of it.  I am given to understand from An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Department of justice that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na encourages and supports employees in disclosing wrongdoing. Any allegations that have been made under the Protected Disclosures Act to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na are treated seriously and are examined for any potential discipline or criminal matters that may arise, so there is a process under way already.  Is rud an-t\u00e1bhachtach \u00e9 seo. I dt\u00fas b\u00e1ire, caithfidh m\u00e9 an cl\u00e1r a fheice\u00e1il. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  Although the programme has not yet aired, certainly the central kernel of the issue has been published by RT\u00c9. In fact, there is extensive material in the public domain on the core issues - not the detail perhaps but the core issues at play here - so I am surprised that the Taoiseach or somebody around him has not briefed him on that. Be that as it may, the nub of this is simply this. Tonight, the very person, Dr. Donal Corcoran, who was in charge of running the protected disclosures office will tell a story of how he and others experienced and observed consistent undermining of the independence of the office and active interference at the most senior levels, to the extent that he and another colleague were forced to become whistleblowers themselves and when they did that, they too were targeted and penalised.  Neither of those two who worked in this office are still in the jobs that they held. As Taoiseach, you need to establish the facts around it. I ask in good faith because I want to know and because we deserve to know----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Taoiseach will respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  -----did anybody in Government know that this was going on? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Did anyone in Government know what was going on? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  It is rhetorical. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The specific allegations with respect of those who have made protected disclosures - I cannot interfere in a protected disclosure. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  That is not what the Taoiseach is being asked. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  It was rhetorical, Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I cannot interfere. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  That is not what he is being asked, but anyway. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Deputy knows that. The Deputy has asked me to override, just now, the entire whistleblowers Act. That is what she has done. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  No, I have not. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  What is she asking me, so? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  I have asked----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Deputy is trying to make it political----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  -----that Donal Corcoran----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  She is trying to land it----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  -----and Rose Sweeney----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  as she always does. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  -----resigned "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy, please. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Deputy is interfering again and interrupting me. This is what she always does. I think the first thing we should do----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  Would the Taoiseach answer the question? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  With the greatest of respect, if we had a bit more whistleblowing in Sinn F\u00e9in a long time ago, we would have all been better off. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"(Interruptions)."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  But could I just make the point, I think the first thing that has to happen----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  That is a pretty disgraceful comment to make. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  No, sorry, it is not actually, but the first thing I want to say is we need to watch the programme this evening. I will watch it in its entirety. That is the first thing. I worked with previous whistleblowers. I worked with Maurice McCabe extensively, but I think it is important. It is also important to get a response from An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. What is An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na's response to the programme this evening? That has to happen. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  The Taoiseach is tasked with more than watching a TV programme. He is the Taoiseach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cian O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Cian O'Callaghan  Is mian liom c\u00fapla ceist a chur ar an Taoiseach faoi gh\u00e9arch\u00e9im an chostais mhaireacht\u00e1la. Mar is eol d\u00f3, t\u00e1 neart daoine ar fud na h\u00c9ireann ag streachailt le costais laeth\u00fala na t\u00edre seo. Is deacair an rud \u00e9 d\u00f3ibh iad f\u00e9in a bheath\u00fa n\u00f3 na soilse a choinne\u00e1il ar si\u00fal.  Eight energy companies have put up their prices in recent weeks. These increases will add hundreds of euro to people's energy bills, which are already the highest in Europe. We all know that Donald Trump and his disastrous war are to blame for rising prices but there are things the Taoiseach can do.  Why is it that Irish households are expected to shoulder the entire burden of these skyrocketing costs, especially when the profits of energy companies are booming? They have never been healthier. Just yesterday, the ESB announced its profits for the first six months of the year. They were up nearly \u20ac100 million. Today, we learned that its CEO is in line for a salary boost of a staggering \u20ac161,000, an increase of 51%. Energy companies are making enormous profits while pensioners go cold.  Instead of allowing this blatant and scandalous profiteering, the Government could introduce a windfall tax on their excess profits. The Taoiseach could take a stand by telling energy companies the burden of paying for these costs will not be borne by Irish households and that the people of this country, who are already paying the highest electricity prices in Europe, will not be bled dry. A windfall tax would push energy companies into reducing prices by threatening to take their entire excess profits. This would directly help households that are really struggling.  My questions are very straightforward and I would appreciate straightforward answers. Does the Taoiseach agree that it is immoral for these companies to be making such eye-watering profits? Will he introduce a windfall tax on their excess profits? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The energy crisis is fundamentally a global, external situation in terms of war in the Middle East, particularly the war in Iran and now the situation in Yemen with the Houthis gaining control of key ports and potentially a key waterway. It is compounding what has happened in respect of the Ukraine crisis and the massive increase in inflation and energy prices that arose from that.  In the first instance, the scale of the Government's response has been very significant, at about \u20ac1.4 billion to date. No windfall tax will come near that. Let us be very clear and straight about that. I think our last windfall tax, which was introduced during the Ukrainian crisis, might have brought in \u20ac200 million or more. I can get the precise figure for Deputy O'Callaghan. That is not without implications across the sector as well. There are a number of factors we have to take on board in respect of that.  The budget and the measures we have taken are and have been targeted in particular at low-income groups. The Parliamentary Budget Office, in its review, will say that even the measures taken in respect of diesel and petrol were proportionally better for lower income groups in our society. Add to that the changes we made to the fuel allowance and the child support payments, which were record increases, in the last budget. Furthermore, there was the expansion of the free fuel allowance in terms of the number of people who benefit from it. We have had energy supports through the Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, which have hit about 640,000 families in terms of getting their prices down long term because of installation of solar or various other retrofitting measures. That has been quite impactful and there will be more on that front.  In the forthcoming budget, the cost of living will be the central focus of the Government, particularly in terms of the income tax system and reducing the tax burden on people, the home heating situation and further supports for energy efficiency measures, retrofitting and so on. We will keep all taxation measures under review.  I accept that in times of crisis the supply chain, be it wholesale or retail, can inflate, or there can be price increases that are more the responsibility of the supply chain than the actual crisis itself.  Some work has been done on that in the UK. Our focus now, coming into the budget, is to have a range of supports to try to protect people. We will also look at childcare and the disability sector in terms of easing the burden. However, I think it has to be targeted and focused on those who are enduring the most of what is undoubtedly a significant hike in energy prices more generally. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I thank the Taoiseach. Excuse me, I was distracted. I call Deputy O'Callaghan. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ken O'Flynn  That is unusual. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cian O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Cian O'Callaghan  The vast majority of what this Government has done has not been targeted. The Taoiseach is kidding himself if he thinks that.  I asked the Taoiseach two very straightforward questions. I asked him to give his view as to whether it is immoral for energy companies to be booking record windfall profits off the backs of people who are struggling with the energy crisis. Does he think that is immoral? Does he have any view on it? Does he have anything to say about that? It is a straightforward question.  Keeping things under review is no good. Households are struggling now. We have put forward a proposal for a windfall tax, the aim of which is to reduce energy bills because companies could no longer pocket and keep excess profits under the proposal. That would create an incentive for them to reduce energy prices and bring down people's bills directly. It is a very straightforward proposal. It can and should be done. It has been done previously. Will the Government do it? Will it take action as quickly as possible to reduce people's energy bills by introducing a windfall tax? I have asked two very straightforward questions. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Of course it is immoral to exploit any emergency such as that we are experiencing right now. It is absolutely immoral for any part of the supply chain, be it a wholesaler, retailer or anybody else, to exploit the international crisis to extract more from people. In respect----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cian O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Cian-O'Callaghan.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Cian O'Callaghan  So, will the Taoiseach act? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Take it handy. There is no evidence that putting on a windfall tax would reduce any prices. We did it during the last crisis and prices did not reduce. However, its merit is in bringing some revenue back to the Government in terms of any windfall gains that were made. It does not have wide prevalence in respect of who in this country we could hit. We are not blessed with massive oil or energy companies. We also have issues around refining and so on, which we have to be careful about, frankly, on the supply side. It is easy to come up with simplistic things. I accept that we did a windfall tax the last time. Revenue of \u20ac200 million or more came in. It did not bring down prices but it at least gave the Government back some revenue. We are keeping that under review. It is something that has not been ruled in or out. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ivana Bacik  After the controversy surrounding the treatment of Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe a decade ago, a new Garda protected disclosures system was developed to protect whistleblowers and to ensure that where concerns are raised, they are followed up. An \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" programme from Rita O'Reilly, which will air tonight, will outline that these systems are not working as intended and, worse, that the people who bravely exposed institutional failures are being penalised and even purged. Just last week, Deputy Alan Kelly and I met the courageous whistleblowers involved and heard their stories directly. Many of their revelations relate to the question of serious failings within Garda firearms practices. In particular, there are serious issues with defective gun holsters. Horrifyingly, the issues with holsters arose in the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in June 2020 and the serious injury to another garda just days before that. Other serious failings relate to the storage and processing of guns and ammunition. These alarming matters were ignored by senior Garda management for a long time. Amid these appalling practices, as we know, there were people who blew the whistle, brave individuals who put their careers on the line to expose the truth. They will speak for themselves on RT\u00c9 this evening.  Earlier today, we heard the voices of Dr. Donal Corcoran and Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly, two of the whistleblowers, on \"Morning Ireland\". The detective superintendent said that those who came forward were silenced. Tonight's revelations will highlight the need for the Government, and in particular the justice Minister and the previous justice Minister, to respond to a series of important questions about the integrity of the governance system within our national police force and institutional failings. I know that the Taoiseach has not seen tonight's programme, but the Labour Party has been raising these questions for years and to date, we have had no answers. The current justice Minister had to correct the record, having given Deputy Kelly false information about when precisely his Department became aware of allegations about bad firearms practices in the Garda. Just last year, the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, said that the Department of Justice was not on notice of defective gun holsters until November 2022.  In fact, it was more than two years before that, in August 2020, that the justice Department was first alerted to these concerns, as the Minister then acknowledged in written correspondence with Deputy Kelly. At different times, he gave three different responses to Deputy Kelly, and the difference in dates matters. We will hear more tonight, clearly, about how badly whistleblowers were treated and about the entire reconfiguration of the protected disclosures unit in response to the allegations made. We heard Dr. Corcoran say this morning that the Garda is now in a worse position than it was in the time of Maurice McCabe. Clearly, there are serious outstanding questions for the office of the Garda Commissioner, and both the current and former Commissioners. There are also serious questions for the Taoiseach about ministerial knowledge and Government inaction. Precisely what did this justice Minister and the previous Minister do when alerted to the defective gun holster issue? What did the Taoiseach do when a protected disclosure was made to him on this back in 2022? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Deputy knows what happens when a protected disclosure is made. It does not go to the officeholder. It does not go to a Minister and it does not go to An Taoiseach. The Deputy knows that well. Why try to distort it? Let us get to the truth here; that is fine. It is reprehensible for any whistleblower to be intimidated or punished. I have no time for any of that. If the Deputy is serious about and honest in what she is saying, she should not be asking me questions that she knows well the answer to. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  Oh dear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That is dishonest politics. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"George Lawlor","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/George-Lawlor.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"George-Lawlor.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy George Lawlor  B\u00ed curamach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I have not seen the programme and I have not met the whistleblowers. The Deputy has. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"(Interruptions)."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Of course, and here we go again. Let us change the legislation because it is not tenable that we - all of you, with Government - put into law that we have to have confidentiality around the process. That gets broken in certain ways, whatever way you want and people might feel so frustrated that they have to. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  You dealt with McCabe. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I did and the legislation was changed subsequently. Whoever was in the D\u00e1il in 2022 amended the legislation. It seems to me to be an untenable framework now where, on one hand, if a protected disclosure goes in, it is meant to be dealt with independently and separately from Government, which I think is proper actually. It is proper that there is not political interference one way or the other in a protected disclosure. There is not political interference or intervention, nor can or should there be.  In the first instance, I want to see the programme this evening. With the greatest respect to everybody, at the very least what should be required is that everybody look at the entirety of what has been alleged and also hear the response to the entirety of what has been alleged. That is fair. I believe that one or two of these cases might have ended up in the courts already and that process might have come to a different conclusion.  From my perspective, we have to change the entire system now. It is very difficult for Government to respond to loaded questions as to who knew what, when and where when we amended the legislation in respect of how these protected disclosures are to be dealt with in respect of confidentiality and all of that. That is a problem. The Oireachtas should now deal with that from here on in. We need to develop a different system, it seems to me. Some people want confidentiality. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ivana Bacik  I am disappointed, frankly, to hear the Taoiseach's dismissal of these very serious issues. There are grave public safety concerns here. A Winchester sawn-off shotgun disappeared from Garda custody for 13 years. A protected disclosure was made in relation to that. This is in the public domain already. It referred to assertions against the Commissioner, Drew Harris. At that time, as the Taoiseach knows, the Garda Commissioner had to notify the justice Minister of this issue, as was required under the then section 41 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act, now section 36 of the amended Act. Of course there was ministerial responsibility here. The questions we have to ask, from the Labour Party, clearly relate to ministerial accountability and oversight of the process as legislated for.  It is Kafkaesque and GUBU-esque if those who are in charge of protected disclosures within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na - who have to be independent, absolutely, under legislation - are being victimised and even purged by the senior leadership of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. That is a matter of concern for the serving Minister of the day. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Taoiseach to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ivana Bacik  Undoubtedly we will hear more tonight and we will return to this, but there are very serious matters and serious questions for the Taoiseach's Government. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  There absolutely are serious questions but, again, you have to differentiate clearly with regard to a protected disclosure. If a person makes a protected disclosure, it has to be investigated. Would the Deputy accept that? If it has to be investigated, Ministers cannot interfere----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ivana Bacik  In accordance with----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Ministers cannot interfere in the investigation of the protected disclosure. What the Deputy is really implicating and insinuating here is that Ministers should. She is basically saying Ministers should interfere. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  No. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Yes, the Deputies are. They are basically saying that the Minister should find----- "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"(Interruptions)."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  If the Garda Commissioner is involved, Ministers have a role. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  If the Deputies allow me to finish, what they are saying is the Minister should find out what is going on----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  It is in the legislation. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Again, Deputy Kelly, shouting does not get you everywhere. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  I am not shouting. Read the legislation. Tighten up your argument. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  You tend to shout almost to prove the veracity of your case or your position. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy, please. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Deputy Bacik is the leader. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Thank you, Taoiseach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  There are legitimate issues of accountability, yes, in respect of issues that fall to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, its management and all of that but not in terms of protected disclosures. That is the point I was trying to make. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  There is a growing number of people who support full Irish independence. Polls show that the majority in this State believe that the people who live on the island of Ireland should make decisions over what happens on the island of Ireland. Brexit has shown that London neither cares nor knows much about the North of Ireland.  Irish independence and Irish self-determination are in touching distance of this generation. The North was purposely designed with an inbuilt two-thirds unionist majority to safeguard British rule but today, according to election results, not one of the Six Counties has a unionist majority.  Unity offers an amazing opportunity. I authored an Oireachtas report for the enterprise committee a number of years ago and I spoke to about 100 people from different backgrounds, including people from businesses, trade unions and civic organisations. Many of them were from different constitutional backgrounds but all of them agreed that if we fund, plan and deliver services together, they will be better services and they will cost less.  An example of this is the healthcare service. Catherine Sherry was married with three children and she lived just north of the Border. She was diagnosed with lymphoma in September 2024 at the age of 42. Treatment was not available to her in the North of Ireland. It was available in Dublin but she was not allowed to access it. Despite the fact that she was extremely weak, she was forced to go to London for treatment for long periods of time away from her family and she died in London, away from her family.  We should have a very simple policy of treating people in the closest hospital they need in this country. It would be of benefit to all people in this country. The Taoiseach should not tell me that we have, at this stage, cross-Border healthcare. It is minute and glacial. It is not as transformative as what unity would bring.  The Taoiseach is becoming increasingly isolated on the issue of Irish unity. He spent the weekend back-pedalling and downplaying the significance of Trump's statement. The Taoiseach is out of kilter with the D\u00e1il----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":" A Deputy","uri":null,"memberCode":null,"role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" A Deputy  That is not true. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  -----with his Government partners and also with his own party. Indeed, Fianna F\u00e1il supporters came into our Aont\u00fa tent at the ploughing yesterday and stated that they were angry and frustrated with the fact that Miche\u00e1l Martin is gutting such a core value of Fianna F\u00e1il.  The Taoiseach has given many excuses as to why not to proceed with a unity campaign. At one stage he said that we have to have reconciliation first before it should be considered. What evidence has the Taoiseach got that reconciliation is more likely in a six-county state under British rule? Reconciliation happened far faster in the South than it did in the Six Counties.  At the Taoiseach's next meeting with Andy Burnham, will he raise a key issue: that the mechanism for decision on the referendum for Irish unity will be made clear to the people of the North of Ireland, whom it affects? The Good Friday Agreement was about the North determining its own future. Surely they should know what that mechanism is. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  First of all, I am a member of a party and for me and my party, Irish unity is not a slogan or a campaign. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  It is not a priority. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Taoiseach, uninterrupted. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  It is a very precious aspiration that has informed the foundation of my party----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  Sitting on the fence. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----and sustains us to this day. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Butler  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I do not take lectures from Deputy T\u00f3ib\u00edn or anybody else. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  Oh. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The party he is a former member of did more to divide this country and damage the prospect of Irish unity for over 30 years. Deputy T\u00f3ib\u00edn endorsed that violent campaign for years. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  That is not correct. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That is true. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Will the Deputy allow the answer, please? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Unity is about building trust. It is about building understanding with those who do not share our aspiration.  It means grinding out the hard yards of reconciliation. I do not dismiss reconciliation like the Deputy does. It is important that we work at it and do it. It means acknowledging and atoning for wrong done in the past. That has not been done yet. The only people doing that are state actors. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  The Good Friday Agreement. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy, your party has had its question. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The British and Irish Governments have had the inquiries, but others have not come to the table in terms of atoning and saying what you did was wrong and so on. That has to happen. It means developing our shared understanding----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donna McGettigan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Donna McGettigan  You have forgotten the people of the North. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----of what it means to live on this island and how we share it into the future, and sometimes it means absorbing and ignoring the abuse of those who prefer to use it as a slogan.  I support unity. I am satisfied with the work we are doing to develop the potential for unity on this island. The Government and I have established the most dynamic and consequential North-South investment, development and research programme in the island's history. We have secured a budget of \u20ac2 billion. As of today, we have allocated more than \u20ac1 billion of our shared island fund to projects that actually change things, that bring people together and that give us a greater insight into the reality of life on our island than at any time since partition.  The Good Friday Agreement was not just about self-determination for one political tradition. There were three sets of relationships to the Good Friday Agreement: British-Irish, North-South and the two traditions within the North. The British and Irish Governments anchored that peace process. I was in government when we signed off on the Good Friday Agreement. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cathy Bennett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Cathy-Bennett.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Cathy Bennett  A long time ago. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The British and Irish Governments working in lockstep was critical. Northern Ireland was never embroiled in the politics of the union, in terms of Wales or Scotland or anything else like that, because we always asserted the exceptionalism of Northern Ireland because of partition. We always did that. If we embroil it in the union, strategically what will happen is the Westminster Government will look at everything in Northern Ireland through the prism of the union, through the prism of Scotland and Wales. What happened over the last two days is a strategic error. It is a real strategic error all for the sake of a photocall and a press opportunity. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Thank you, Taoiseach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"M\u00e1ire Devine","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"M\u00e1ire-Devine.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy M\u00e1ire Devine  You are rattling in your boots. You cannot lead. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That is not advancing unity in this country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn  You are out of step and soon you will be out of time. Next year you will be gone, fortunately. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Excuse me, Deputy T\u00f3ib\u00edn is on his feet. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Go raibh maith agat. The Taoiseach often strategically tries to make this debate one between him and Sinn F\u00e9in. I think he tries to do that to narrow the appeal of the issue. However, all the parties on this side of the Chamber support Irish unity. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Naoise \u00d3 Cear\u00fail","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Naoise-\u00d3-Cear\u00fail.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Naoise-\u00d3-Cear\u00fail.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Naoise \u00d3 Cear\u00fail  And on this side. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Here is the key issue. At the heart of the Good Friday Agreement is the idea the people of the North of Ireland would determine their future. Right now they have no idea how that can happen. The secretary of state for the North of Ireland recently said that this was an obscure mechanism and that he would not put detail in relation to how that mechanism can be exercised. Why is it that people who have the right to vote are being denied the understanding of what makes that vote likely to happen? Why is it that the Taoiseach will not even ask that question of Andy Burnham? Why is it that he has said he will meet Andy Burnham but he will not raise the issue of the mechanism for a referendum? The best poll in the North of Ireland is the election. Stormont should be the body to decide whether there is a referendum or not. That is the most defining view of the people of the North. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Taoiseach to respond, please. Thank you, Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Will he raise it with Andy Burnham? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  There are two things. The Deputy has limited in his commentary the level of engagement North and South on health. I do not know whether he has been to Altnagelvin and the cancer centre or the cardiac centre. I have met people from----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  That is 25 years in the making. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Sorry, Deputy, uninterrupted. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  It is very significant for people living in Donegal----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Not much has changed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy T\u00f3ib\u00edn. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Deputy has just dismissed it. It is a very significant investment by the Republic in the cancer centre in the North and also in cardiac care so that if a person in Donegal needs heart treatment immediately, they can get it in 20 minutes if they live on the Inishowen Peninsula. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Patients are still likely to go to Galway. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Likewise, the Deputy talked about reconciliation. I witnessed the marvel of Comhaltas in Belfast this summer. I went there. I went to east Belfast to witness the loyalist pipe bands participating in the Fleadh Cheoil. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Will the Taoiseach ask Andy Burnham? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy, that is unacceptable. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  I have asked him twice and he will not answer. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy, please. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Let us not dismiss the prospect of reconciliation----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  Why will he not answer the question? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----as a never-never, as the Deputy seems to be asserting. I will meet Prime Minister Burnham. Legacy will be on the agenda, which would be a real, substantive breakthrough----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The time is up. We now move to Other Members' Questions. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----for the people who have lost family members----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Thank you, Taoiseach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----because of the violence over that 30-year period. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  We now move to Other Members' Questions and I call Deputy----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I will also raise reform of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and we will discuss the British-Irish situation more generally then. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Thank you. The time is up. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 Cheannair\u00ed - Leaders' Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_4","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 na Comhalta\u00ed Eile - Other Members\u2019 Questions","counts":{"speechCount":7,"speakerCount":3},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_4","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Shane Moynihan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Shane Moynihan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Shane Moynihan  Is \u00e1bhar imn\u00ed agus buartha \u00e9 l\u00edon na ndaoine at\u00e1 ag cailli\u00faint a gcuid saolta ar bh\u00f3ithre na h\u00c9ireann. N\u00ed hamh\u00e1in l\u00edon na ndaoine ag cailli\u00faint a gcuid saolta, ach l\u00edon na ndaoine at\u00e1 \u00e1 ghort\u00fa go trom agus iad ag \u00fas\u00e1id b\u00f3ithre na h\u00c9ireann.  Road deaths and serious injuries continue to devastate families and communities across Ireland, in particular on rural and regional roads. Unsafe behaviour remains a significant contributor. Strong visible enforcement, as we have often discussed in the House, is one of the most effective ways of changing driver behaviour and improving compliance. While the Government has made welcome progress through the national safety camera strategy, the expansion of average speed cameras and the development of a more co-ordinated approach to technology-based enforcement are now things we need to seriously consider. If we are serious about reducing fatalities and serious injuries, we need to be more ambitious about how we use technology to make our roads safer.  Technology such as automatic number plate recognition cameras, average speed cameras, red light cameras and automated traffic enforcement systems have enormous potential to improve compliance, save lives and prevent serious injuries. The challenge that has been outlined by senior Garda officers to the transport committee this year is that significant Garda resources are still required to review and process any camera-detected offences, creating bottlenecks that can limit the scale and speed of enforcement. We should streamline those processes, reduce unnecessary administration and ensure that Garda time is focused on front-line roads policing and tackling the most dangerous of drivers. As part of that, we should examine a greater role for local authorities and other authorised bodies in enforcing traffic management measures, HGV restrictions and other road safety regulations, where appropriate.  The other side of this coin is that technology also has a preventative role. Many countries now use wrong-way driver detection systems that can identify vehicles entering motorways in the wrong direction, trigger immediate warnings and alert emergency services before lives are lost. We should continue expanding proven measures while embracing new technologies that can identify risks, prevent collisions and save lives. Above all else, we should remove the barriers that exist in our systems and processes, and where those barriers are legislative, we should change that legislation to make sure Garda time is focused on tackling dangerous drivers as opposed to doing back-office work in processing offences.  If technology can help us to prevent those deaths, improve compliance and free up Garda resources, we should not allow outdated systems, legislation or administrative processes to stand in the way. Today, I ask for the support of the Taoiseach. Ireland now needs a more ambitious programme of technology-enabled road safety enforcement and intervention. Will he work with me and other colleagues to bring forward the legislative and administrative changes as they are identified to ensure that these technologies are deployed at pace and scale to save lives and reduce serious injuries on our roads? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in his evidence-based, researched and informed way. Clearly, all of our thoughts are with the victims and the families of all of those who have lost their lives on our roads across the country in recent times. My understanding is that to date, we have had 134 fatalities this year, 13 more than for the same period last year. This is a very serious issue. The nature of the accidents and fatalities on our roads is also changing. The manner in which certain events are happening on our roads is not static, such as people driving the wrong way down a motorway.  The Deputy is absolutely correct. We have to tackle this through a combination of additional garda\u00ed and personnel but also far greater use of technology to deal with road safety. My understanding is that the Garda is taking this particularly seriously. It has increased capacity through the roll-out of apps on mobile devices and the deployment of high-performance unmarked cars, motorbikes, lorry tractor cabs and so on. On 1 January of this year, An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na introduced 390 new safety camera zones, including 55 community request safety cameras zones, bringing the total to 1,900 nationwide.  The Government recognises the significant potential of connected and autonomous vehicles and intelligent transport systems, ITS, technologies to improve road safety outcomes. We are taking practical steps to create the legislative, regulatory and digital foundations needed to support the safe deployment of connected and automated mobility and ITS technologies. The Government will continue to support the deployment of co-operative intelligent transport systems, which enable vehicles, infrastructure and traffic management systems to exchange critical safety information in real time.  The Deputy is correct. All of these technologies can improve road safety by providing advance warning of hazards and incidents, improving protection for vulnerable road users, supporting more effective traffic management and enhancing vehicle awareness of road and traffic conditions.  In March, the Government used a legislative framework, a statutory instrument, to facilitate the deployment of level 2 connected and automated vehicle technologies. It is an important milestone in preparing Ireland for the safe introduction of increasingly advanced vehicle automation technologies. On 26 June, the Minister signed the declaration of intent on automated vehicles, alongside 17 other EU member states, on testing and deployment. We are looking at rolling this out in the context of Europe-wide development. As I said recently in public, I believe that not everyone fully gets the degree to which technology can substantially change how we do road safety in this country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Shane Moynihan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Shane Moynihan  Gabhaim bu\u00edochas leis an Taoiseach as na freagra\u00ed sin. Cuirim f\u00e1ilte roimh an m\u00e9id at\u00e1 leagtha amach aige i dtaobh na gc\u00e9imeanna at\u00e1 \u00e1 dt\u00f3g\u00e1il le d\u00e9ile\u00e1il le s\u00e1bh\u00e1ilteacht ar \u00e1r mb\u00f3ithre. As the Taoiseach mentioned, the number of fatalities this year alone is the highest it has been in the last ten years. There is now urgency and a need for political priority to be centred on this issue. While fatalities are one side of it, there is another side that is not reported all that often, which is that in our cities and towns near misses or serious collisions involving vulnerable road users are a very real issue. I speak as a cyclist. Any cyclist moving around Dublin will see that there are issues with driver behaviour, in particular, and also, if we are frank, cyclist behaviour.  My ask today is whether we can explore whether local authorities, which already have the power to issue parking fines, can be incorporated into the processing of offences that are collected by cameras, so valuable Garda resources are not stuck in the back office processing offences, but local authorities are allowed to do that processing in a much more automated way. We need to change and shift driver behaviour and, as the Taoiseach said, technology is a key determinant in doing that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Gabhaim bu\u00edochas leis an Teachta. Ar dt\u00fas, adhmha\u00edm go bhfuil agus go mbeidh r\u00f3l faoi leith ag an teicneola\u00edocht maidir leis na b\u00f3ithre agus daoine a bheith n\u00edos s\u00e1bh\u00e1ilte ar na b\u00f3ithre. T\u00e1imid s\u00e1sta i bhfad n\u00edos m\u00f3 \u00e1iseanna a chur ar f\u00e1il ionas go mbeimid in ann an teicneola\u00edocht sin a thabhairt isteach. Mar aon leis sin, t\u00e1 g\u00e9argh\u00e1 go nd\u00e9anfaimid gach aon iarracht ar an togra seo.  On the role of local authorities, I would be cautious to a certain extent in terms of the legal framework covering all of that and capacity. However, it should be explored. The new community safety partnerships are a step in the direction of stronger community engagement with policing more generally. I would have to reflect on and explore that a bit more in terms of whether you would be better giving this to local authorities or keeping it with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. However, I do believe we need more garda\u00ed. Thankfully, since Covid, we have been ramping up the numbers of garda\u00ed going through Templemore on a cycle-by-cycle basis. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I thank the Taoiseach. That concludes Other Members' Questions. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  We will get to 15,000 very shortly. We are at about 14,750 at the moment. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I thank the Taoiseach. His time is up. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna \u00f3 na Comhalta\u00ed Eile - Other Members\u2019 Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_5","debateType":"orderofBusiness","bill":null,"showAs":"An tOrd Gn\u00f3 - Order of Business","counts":{"speechCount":92,"speakerCount":23},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_5","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ged Nash","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gerald-Nash.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Gerald-Nash.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Collins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Charles Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Charles-Ward.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Charles-Ward.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":" A Deputy","uri":null,"memberCode":null,"role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aisling Dempsey","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aisling-Dempsey.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Aisling-Dempsey.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John Clendennen","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-Clendennen.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"John-Clendennen.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louise O'Reilly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jen Cummins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Sorca Clarke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Healy-Rae.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Michael-Healy-Rae.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  In accordance with Standing Order 35, I call on the Chief Whip, Deputy Mary Butler, to move the arrangements for this week's business. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Mary Butler)  I move:  Wednesday's business shall be:  \u2014 Motion re Withdrawal of the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026 ( without debate )  \u2014 Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [ Seanad ] (Second Stage) ( to conclude at the end of the first speaking round; not to exceed 3 hours and 34 minutes )  Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Neutrality and Triple Lock, selected by Sinn F\u00e9in.  Thursday's business shall be:  \u2014 National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026 (Second Stage) ( to conclude at the end of the first speaking round; not to exceed 3 hours and 34 minutes )  Thursday's private members' business shall be the Motion re \u20ac500 electricity credits for households funded by an electricity consumption levy on data centres, selected by the Independent and Parties Technical Group.  Proposed Arrangements for this week's business:  In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that:  1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders:  ( a ) the Order of Business and Questions on Policy or Legislation shall be taken immediately following Other Members' Questions;  ( b ) private members' business may be taken later than 6.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken following proceedings on the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [ Seanad ];  ( c ) Parliamentary Questions to a Minister pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken; and  ( d ) topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of private members' business;  2. the proceedings on the Motion re Withdrawal of the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026 shall be taken without debate; and  3. the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [ Seanad ] shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply:  ( a ) the first-round speeches shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across);  ( b ) on conclusion of the first speaking round or where speeches conclude before the 3 hours and 24 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and  ( c ) members may share time.         Gov    SF    SD    Gov    SF      Mins    20    20    20    12    4          Lab    Gov    SF    IPTG    Gov      Mins    20    12    4    20    12          SF    ITG    Gov    SF    OM      Mins    4    20    12    4    20      Total: 3 hours 24 mins                         In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that:  1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders:  ( a ) no motion for a Committee report pursuant to Standing Order 111 or private member's Bill pursuant to Standing Order 169 shall be taken;  ( b ) private members' business pursuant to Standing Order 168(1) shall be taken for 2 hours following proceedings on the National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026; and  ( c ) topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of private members' business, and the D\u00e1il shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issues; and  2. the proceedings on the Second Stage of the National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply:  ( a ) the first-round speeches shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across);  ( b ) on the conclusion of the first speaking round or where speeches conclude before the 3 hours and 24 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and  ( c ) members may share time.        Gov    SF    SD    Gov    SF      Mins    20    20    20    12    4          Lab    Gov    SF    IPTG    Gov      Mins    20    12    4    20    12          SF    ITG    Gov    SF    OM      Mins    4    20    12    4    20      Total: 3 hours 24 mins                         "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Are the proposed arrangements for the business agreed to? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn  They are not.  The conversation on Irish unity is alive in Ireland and abroad, but preparations have to be made and the Government needs to lead out on those. I am asking for statements on preparation for Irish unity to take place at the earliest opportunity. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Gary Gannon  None of us has yet seen the \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" programme that is to air tonight but each of us in the Chamber, given what has already been revealed, will know that profound questions are going to be asked tomorrow about the structures that were created by this D\u00e1il ten years ago and updated in 2022. Are we really to believe that the Minister for Justice will not make himself available tomorrow to give a statement to this D\u00e1il and answer questions about the shocking revelations that will be aired tonight on \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\"? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ged Nash","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gerald-Nash.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Gerald-Nash.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ged Nash  The last public sector pay deal expired in June and, to date, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, has not created conditions to allow talks on a potential successor pay agreement. The Government is sleepwalking into public sector strikes and public sector action that will take place over the next few weeks.  When will the Government set down a meaningful frame to allow for public sector trade unions to engage on a potential successor public pay deal? We have yet to have a debate on this issue and the last deal expired in June. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Roderic O'Gorman","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Roderic-O'Gorman.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Roderic O'Gorman  We need to have a debate on the hikes in public transport fares that were announced in the last two weeks. The Minister for Transport needs to explain why he thinks it is acceptable, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, for fares for bus and train users to be raised by an average of 15%. These fare rises do not have to happen. An extra \u20ac70 million invested in the National Transport Authority, NTA, this year would ensure it does not have to go through. This is a political call by Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael and it should be debated before the budget is agreed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Collins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Michael Collins  It has been 23 days since the drug Skyclarys was approved for roll-out to Friedreich's ataxia patients. To date, not one patient has been contacted in regard to how they can receive this life-changing drug. Can we have a debate in the D\u00e1il today to clear that matter up? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Butler  I have listened to the five requests from the Opposition benches. The Government time this week is allocated to two important pieces of legislation. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, will take the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 this afternoon and tomorrow the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, will take the National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026, Second Stage, for over three and a half hours. The Opposition is entitled to put down whatever it wants under its own Private Members' business and has had two opportunities this week. The Order of Business stands. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  The Orange Order has applied to march down the Garvaghy Road on 27 September. This reopens an issue that caused years of deep confrontation, fear and trauma for the Garvaghy Road community - a community, by the way, that enjoys the right to live free from sectarian harassment. For 28 years, the Garvaghy Road has been free from an unwanted march. This hard-won progress cannot be put at risk. I have written to the Taoiseach on this matter, as has Upper Bann MLA and minister, John O'Dowd, and the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition. We appreciate the Taoiseach cannot interfere with an independent statutory process but we are asking him to listen to the community directly. Can he either travel to the Garvaghy Road prior to 27 September or, perhaps more realistically, receive the Garvaghy Road residents in Dublin before 27 September to engage directly with them? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  It is fair to say that Northern Ireland has made enormous progress on parades over the past decades. We have to avoid any return to the divisions of the past. I am aware of the decision of the High Court in Northern Ireland, of the Parades Commission ruling on the Drumcree march application and of the review announced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. It is important to recall the High Court's decision was based on procedural grounds and is not an approval for the parade to take place. I understand Portadown lodge has now notified the Parades Commission of its intention to hold a march passing through the Garvaghy Road on 27 September. I received a letter this morning from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition. The Government is continuing to monitor this situation. We are very conscious of the concerns of the residents. I have a strong personal recollection of the very traumatic, difficult history of this issue. This is a matter we will keep under constant review. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I do not wish to delay proceedings but I do wish to welcome the huge group of students we have from Denmark. They are most welcome. I call Deputy Rory Hearne. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  Taoiseach, will you meet them? My question was not answered. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy Rory Hearne, your question is up. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  My question was not answered. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I cannot direct the answer. Deputy Hearne is on his feet. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Lou McDonald","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Mary-Lou-McDonald.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Lou McDonald  It is a simple \"Yes\" or \"No\". Will the Taoiseach meet the residents? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy Hearne is on his feet. Please, Deputy Hearne, proceed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rory Hearne  When does the Taoiseach want to answer? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mary Butler  The Taoiseach has answered. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rory Hearne  Fine. The Central Bank report out today highlights that the length of time it takes to build a home has doubled in the past ten years. It used to take two years but now it takes four. The Taoiseach's policies created this housing disaster and this report shows that they continue to make it worse. We saw during the summer house prices and rents way beyond what any normal person can afford.  Why will the Government not take an emergency response to this disaster? Why will it not implement the common-sense proposals that the Social Democrats have proposed shifting away from the market and investor fund policies and instead get the State to directly build what it did successfully in the past through councils and through setting up a State construction company that could build thousands of genuinely affordable homes across the country? Can the Taoiseach see that the Government's policies are not working and that we need a major shift? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  First of all, the Central Bank report was from 2019 until the present day. The very measures the Central Bank highlighted are the ones we have taken over the past year and a half, in particular, and before that in terms of accelerating our planning process - all of which the Deputy opposed. Everything that the Central Bank has articulated needs to happen the Deputy has opposed. Regarding environmental assessments and apartment guidelines - you name it - the Deputy has opposed it all. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rory Hearne  That is not true. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Yes, the Deputy has. As for the Deputy's State construction company, that would take years now. A total of 80% of all housing now is funded by the State in one form or another or as a State investment process. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rory Hearne","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Rory-Hearne.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rory Hearne  Developers and investors----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  We built a record number of social housing units last year - 9,000 plus. This year, we will build more again. Over the past five years, if we look at the numbers of social houses that have been built, they have been very significant, and we have facilitated and funded that, apart altogether from affordable housing and so on. The Deputy never acknowledged that. There is significant momentum compared with where we were five years ago. We are the fastest in Europe in terms of house construction. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Taoiseach, we have to stick to time. Thank you. Deputy Bacik, please. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I would look forward to Deputy's support if we take other measures to accelerate----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Taoiseach, we have to stick to our time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----planning and housing----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I call Deputy Bacik. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ivana Bacik  The National Transport Authority's, NTA, plans to increase public transport fares by an average of 15% have come as a hammer blow to commuters already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Fares for some will rise by up to 35%. Certain cohorts of students have been excluded from student fare rates. These changes will disproportionately affect those on lower incomes coming at a time when housing, grocery and energy costs remain intolerably high and rising. This change also follows price hikes for parents of children using school transport. It comes after a summer when droughts and floods across Ireland and Europe have reminded us of the need to ensure that we take action to slash carbon emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and encourage public and active travel. The Government has been curiously silent. It has let the NTA take the hit for railroading through these plans. If the Government can find \u20ac400 million to subsidise diesel, it has the power and resources to make public transport affordable. The Labour Party is asking whether the Government give commuters a break and stop this fare hike. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  In fairness, we have been out talking about this and so has the Minister. Ireland has maintained an effective eight-year fare freeze alongside targeted measures like the young adult card, free travel for under nines and the 90-minute fare, which is support that compares favourably with international practice. We have to balance affordability with a financially sustainable transport system that is able to fund service improvements, network expansion and fleet investment. We have to do all of that. Most European countries rely on a mix taxpayer funding and passenger revenue. We have delivered one of the most significant fare reforms in decades through the 90-minute fare and youth discounts. Now, we have identified 140 new service initiatives and capacity enhancements in the 2027 budget submission that the NTA has submitted to the Department of Transport. This will be the biggest year on year service enhancement in many years. It is a balance between making sure that we have a sustainable transport system into the future and that we get more services on an annual basis. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ivana Bacik","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Ivana-Bacik.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ivana Bacik  It is the wrong direction of travel. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I call Deputy Ward. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Charles Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Charles-Ward.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Charles-Ward.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Charles Ward  Will the Government amend the remediation of dwellings Act 2022 to provide a State-led rebuilding option for vulnerable homeowners who cannot negotiate or navigate the scheme? Will the Government consider a public body or a State construction company taking responsible for rebuilding homes where people do not have the physical, financial or emotional capacity to do so? I have a constituent in Donegal who is an elderly man living with dementia. His wife has since passed away. He is now facing the impossible task of negotiating engineers, contractors, finances and building. He is one example of where people are stuck. He is 82 years old. He has worked all his life. He has contributed to society. He has done everything that is expected of him. Instead of living life in the last years in comfort, he is trapped in a nightmare where he cannot go forward. Does the Taoiseach accept that vulnerable and elderly people in these circumstances urgently need the State to provide a practical route to a safe home? They do not have the ability to do it themselves. They need help. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":" A Deputy","uri":null,"memberCode":null,"role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" A Deputy  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Certainly, I will refer this to the Minister for housing. Regarding the defective concrete block scheme, there has been very significant progress. Approximately 3,500 applications have been received, 1,289 applicants have commenced remediation works, 527 homes have completed remediation and 1,462 have submitted remedial works. We have spent about \u20ac322 million on the scheme so far. In relation to supports, of course people should get support in facilitating them in accessing the scheme, particularly those who are vulnerable and elderly. There have been ongoing amendments and so on in respect of the Act and the legislative framework that governs the defective block programme. I will talk to the Minister in respect of the issues the Deputy raised. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I call Deputy Collins. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Collins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Michael Collins  I have raised the issue of Friedreich's ataxia sufferers with the Taoiseach on numerous occasions in this Chamber for well over a year. There is a need to approve the drug Skyclarys for people like Emily Felix, Paudie Coady and Emma O'Shea - the latter of whom the Taoiseach visited when he was in west Cork. She has asked me to convey her thanks to the Taoiseach for doing this. The huge fight these sufferers have had to go through to have the drug Skyclarys approved by the State leaves many unanswered questions on how the rare drugs review group works in Ireland but, more alarmingly, Skyclarys has been cleared to be rolled by the State 23 days ago. To this day, no Friedreich's ataxia sufferer has been contacted by the HSE or otherwise as to when or how the drug is to be administered. Twenty-three days of these people's lives is like five years. In God's earthly name, is it not time to bring this suffering at an end? Will the HSE announce immediately a clear timeline for all 199 patients to be contacted with timelines for the roll-out of a life-changing drug for them? Can the Taoiseach tell us today when this will happen? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I appreciate the Deputy's interest in this issue. I was very pleased with the decision of the HSE senior management to approve the reimbursement of Skyclarys for patients over 16 years of age with Friedreich's ataxia following substantive engagement and negotiations with the company. The company did come to the table with a significant new offer in respect of the drug itself. The HSE has advised that it is working to have reimbursement under the high tech arrangements in place from 1 October. For the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older, the prescribing will be restricted to designated approved consultants with experience of treating patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Biogen - the product supplier - has confirmed that it expects to have commercial stock available in Ireland from late September 2026. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Thank you, Taoiseach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That is crucial, obviously. It was crucial that the stocks would be in the country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Thank you. I call Deputy Dempsey. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The HSE is now working through processes required------ "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Taoiseach----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----to enable the relevant specialists to register with the high tech----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Taoiseach, we have to stick to time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I apologise but it is a significant issue that everyone in the House is concerned about. I pay tribute to the families. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Aisling Dempsey","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Aisling-Dempsey.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Aisling-Dempsey.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Aisling Dempsey  I have had many parents contact me over the past few weeks about school bus places and the stress that is causing them. We have had the school bus transport review. The recommendations in it include changing the rules about the nearest school, the distance and all of the things we need to do. We have given ourselves until 2030 to do it but I do not believe we will at the rate we are proceeding at the moment. We need to the use the resources that are in front of us locally. That includes the Local Link. For example, in Athboy, we have a tradition there of pupils attending a school in Navan, which obviously is not their nearest school. A small tweak to that bus timetable for the Local Link would make that possible for those students. I ask the Taoiseach to engage with the Minister on that if he can. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  At this time of the year, the school transport issue causes a significant degree of stress and so on. Notwithstanding that, we are transporting far more children now. There are about 180,000 students being transported. It was a key part of the original free school initiative of Donogh O'Malley. Transport was key to it in rural Ireland, in particular. There is continuing expansion and additional resources. However, there are significant challenges in terms of students attending schools that are not the nearest school and so on. I take the Deputy's point on the Local Link. We need to look at how we can integrate existing services into the school transport service. I will talk to the Minister about that. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John Clendennen","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-Clendennen.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"John-Clendennen.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy John Clendennen  Over a short number of weeks, we will see over 300,000 people descend on Offaly for the Tullamore Show and, right now, the National Ploughing Championships. The Taoiseach has visited both events and has seen at first hand how well the Tullamore Show committee and the National Ploughing Association have organised them. I also acknowledge the role of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. There is a model in the National Convention Centre here in Dublin and the Cork event centre, which is in the pipeline. There is also an opportunity to have a midlands event centre catering for outdoor and indoor events. Now is an opportunity to look at this. It would be in line with F\u00e1ilte Ireland's corporate strategy for spreading regional growth to build a stronger year-round nationwide sector. Will the Government consider conducting a feasibility study to explore the potential for such a facility, which would bring employment, economic development and much-needed jobs? Offaly is best placed to fill that need. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I was at the Tullamore Show and the ploughing championships, and the Fianna F\u00e1il think-in was in Tullamore as well. It is all happening. I also went to Tullamore D.E.W. distillery, which has received \u20ac150 million in private sector investment in its extraordinary facility, which is linked to the farming community of the midlands and provides significant employment in the area. Offaly, Laois and the entire area is also becoming a potentially very significant energy hub, particularly for onshore wind, battery storage and so on. There is also rewilding and the placement of national parks potentially in the future, which is something I will look at. The Deputy talked about a possible new convention centre. Obviously, that would have to be fundamentally done by the private sector. The State has had a sort of a hit-and-miss engagement. The National Convention Centre took ages and it was complex. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I call Deputy O'Reilly. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  We have seen that the event centre in Cork has taken a considerable length of time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Deputy is on her feet. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John Clendennen","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-Clendennen.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"John-Clendennen.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy John Clendennen  Could there be a study? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  No. Deputy O'Reilly is on her feet. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louise O'Reilly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louise O'Reilly  I gave a commitment to my constituents that I would raise this issue at the first opportunity I got when the D\u00e1il resumed, and that is today. Last year, constituents of mine who live in Skerries and get the train from Skerries and Balbriggan were taken out of the Dublin commuter zone. That added hundreds of euro to the average daily commute. Now, we learn that the Government is proposing to hike the fares even further, by 15%. For some people that will cost an extra \u20ac150 to \u20ac250 a year, and that is just for the joy and pleasure of squashing onto overcrowded trains and waiting for overcrowded buses. The transport system for north County Dublin needs investment but that should not require additional money from hard-pressed commuters who are paying through the nose as it is. Will the Taoiseach intervene and ask the Minister for Transport to halt these hikes and look at real investment in the transport system for commuters in north County Dublin? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  As I said earlier, we have an effective eight-year fare freeze alongside targeted measures in terms of public transport. We have the----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louise O'Reilly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louise O'Reilly  No, prices went up. That is not true. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Deputy cannot interrupt. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----young adult card, free travel for under-nines and a 90-minute fare. For most of the year, I have been taking questions from Deputies, all of whom want additional services, be that additional bus or train services, better facilities and so on. We have to have a sustainable basis for funding extensive enhancement and expansion of public transport into the future. That is the balance that has to be struck in this case. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jen Cummins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jen Cummins  The Irish Men's Sheds Association has been contacting its members around the country to let them know that funding for 2025-26 will now not proceed. The association has been told that funding may proceed in 2027. The Taoiseach has been around as a politician for a very long time and I am sure he has visited many men's sheds. They are set up to help with men's mental health, their social, emotional and psychological well-being, friendships and social cohesion. They rely on this very small grant in many cases to remain open, and that is now being challenged. September is suicide prevention month. October is mental health month. Movember is in November. Christmas brings up a lot of things for people. I could go on about the months during which we will seek to make sure that mental health is preserved and minded in everybody, particularly men who account for almost 78% of deaths by suicide. Will the Government reinstate this funding and explain why it needed to be challenged in the first place? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I think a bit of a mistake has been made here. There is no threat to the funding for men's sheds. Government has been very supportive of men's sheds. I met quite a number of participants at the ploughing championships yesterday and they acknowledged that the Government has been particularly supportive of men's sheds. I have opened a good few of them and have been to them, particularly in Carrigaline in my constituency. They do a broad range of work, including in woodwork, construction materials, art, sculpture and so on. However, the Minister is reforming the grant application to reduce the burden because many men's sheds said the process of applying for grants was too burdensome. There will be a simplified grant application and the Minister will revert to people. I think people may have misread the situation. There is no such intention and no threat to the funding. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Barry Ward  In April 2022, I was pleased to support the cut in public transport fares in the aftermath of Covid by between 20% and 50%, depending on what kind of ticket passengers were using. At that time, the rationale was expressed that lower fares made public transport more attractive and more accessible and, therefore, more people used it. That is obviously desirable. It now seems that the Government is suggesting that is not the case or that there is not an evidence-based approach that suggests that lower fares allow more people to use public transport. The reality is that there are ancillary benefits to more people using public transport, such as reductions in emissions and congestion, etc. What is the evidence base for this decision that will lead to a significant increase of 15% in public transport fares? Is this something we could mitigate in some other way? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That was not the consideration. The more fundamental point is Government expenditure ceilings, which are set by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for public expenditure. Every Department has to operate within those ceilings. Most Deputies want us to expand services. Deputy Ward is correct insofar as the numbers of people on public transport have grown exponentially, which is a great thing. Then others - correctly, by the way - want more services. We need more services. One of the bigger issues this year has been the demand from Deputies representing their constituencies for more services across the board. Some 140 additional services will be announced for 2027. It is not an easy choice. I would prefer if we never had to increase fares but we are doing so. This year, the budget will be about \u20ac8.5 billion and about \u20ac7 billion of that will be public expenditure. However, there are ceilings to it and Ministers have to operate and make choices on how to do things. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin  There is huge concern in north Kildare about two monstrous data centres that are planned for outside Naas, all to feed the insatiable need for AI. Data centres already consume a huge amount of discounted electricity, while homes and small businesses are paying increasingly high energy bills. Before we broke for the summer, and indeed at a meeting in Naas two weeks ago, people's main concerns were around our grid infrastructure, water, the humming noise from these data centres and the increasing costs to subsidise AI. However, in the last couple of weeks, the CEOs of the top three AI companies have been ringing the alarm bells on AI. While this all sounds very sci-fi - \"Terminator 7\" nearly - it is unusual for venture capitalists to look for states to bring in some guardrails. I do not know if this is hyperbole or if it is the stock market, but the Government must pull the plug on these data centres and starve the beast of the data. There is an explosion----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I call the Taoiseach to respond. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin  -----in data centres all around Kildare. We need to reassess where we are going. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Deputy, your time is up. The Taoiseach to respond, please. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin  We must protect our grid and reassess the impact of AI. What is the Government going to do about this? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I will say two things. AI is here to stay----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin  I know. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----but at least within Europe, we have the European Union AI Act which has been in force since August. That is the first European Union-wide risk-based legal framework for AI, banning unacceptable uses and imposing stringent requirements on high-risk systems. I urge a note of caution that those who were driving this for the last four or five years are now saying \"Hang on a second\". "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin  It is unusual. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  It is, but they have developed the market fairly significantly. I am not saying. I believe in regulation. Europe is the most regulated; the US is not.  The second point I make is that we have effectively had a moratorium on data centres for four or five years in Ireland. That gets lost in all of the debate.  Yes, prior to that we had a significant growth, but data centres are an integral part of the ICT industry. We just cannot neatly separate them out as people are endeavouring to do. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Sorca Clarke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Sorca Clarke  Recent ESRI research shows that child poverty has risen sharply. After housing costs, some 260,000 children are living below the poverty line. I want the Taoiseach to picture a classroom with 30 children and I want him to imagine seven of those kids. That is the equivalent proportion of children who are now living below the poverty line in this State. It would take 5,000 52-seater buses to fit all of those kids. That would stretch from Leinster House to Glendalough.  I know that the Taoiseach is going to come back to me and talk about hot school meals and they are welcome, but a hot school meal does not lift a child or a family out of poverty. It does not pay their rent or heat their home. I know that the Taoiseach is going to talk about the strong economy, but that is not going to put a coat on a single child's back this winter. What specific measures will the Government take in budget 2027 to tackle child poverty and to lift children and families out of deprivation? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I want to make one fundamental point. The methodology used in that is open to question, in my view. Anyone below 60% of the median income is adjudged to be in poverty. I do not necessarily go along with the relative poverty approach. Consistent poverty and deprivation is a more accurate measure.  The Deputy spoke about DEIS. DEIS does not get measured. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Sorca Clarke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Sorca Clarke  I did not mention DEIS. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I apologise; the Deputy referred to a school classroom. In DEIS schools, there are much-reduced pupil-teacher ratios. She was quite dismissive of the hot school meals not being measured----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Sorca Clarke","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Sorca-Clarke.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Sorca Clarke  No, I was not. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That is \u20ac1,100 to a parent with one child. It is \u20ac1,700. That is not to be dismissed. It does not get factored into those surveys. Free schoolbooks were not. To me, preventing poverty is, first of all, about guaranteeing children access to education, food and good, regular hot meals, and also ensuring that their families have supportive incomes, which we do through the social protection system, and we have substantially increased the child support payments, with record increases. They were not incremental, as the researchers described them. It was actually a record level of increase. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Healy-Rae.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Michael-Healy-Rae.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Michael Healy-Rae  I thank the Taoiseach; the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill; the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler, Buttimer and Moran; and all of the other people who took time out from their busy schedules during the summer to come to County Kerry. Those meetings, those groups and delegations they met, were not photo opportunities; they were about work and about business in Kerry. I am grateful for all of that time, and I appreciate it.  As a retailer of fuel over many years, I have seen the broadsheets' projections for the next few days on what fuel is going to cost retailers and it is stark. I have a suggestion. As the Taoiseach knows, we had a fuel subsidy scheme in the Department of agriculture. Not all of that has been drawn down. The money is there. It is in a box. It is there, sidelined for this issue. The scheme has now been shut. I have met many people over a number of weeks. Could that scheme be opened again for farmers and contractors to avail of it - people who were not in time and for different reasons did not get it? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I thank the Deputy for his kind comments in respect of my visit to Kerry during August to meet various groups, particularly in the disability sector, and the schools and so on. We learned a lot from that about policy and how to approach issues.  The Government is looking at the entire energy question in the round, in respect of what is the most effective way to reduce the pressures for people. The food production system is important for food security, as is the haulage system because it gets goods to the markets. It gets them through ports. The economy depends on an efficient haulage system and it is also puts food on the shelves of supermarkets, etc.  We are looking at everything in the round regarding what is the most effective targeted way to help people. Through the social protection system, we want to target those on the lowest incomes, particularly children in families with very low incomes. We will look at all options in respect of this. The fact that many did not avail of that scheme suggests that we need to look at it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ken O'Flynn  The taxpayer pays for a special rapporteur on racial equality and racism. The job is to bring communities together. Instead, the person holding that office has told the Irish people that her group has \"inherited this island\" and will define its future. Let me be blunt: that office is funded by the public to reduce division instead of inflaming it. If another State appointee had made those comments, this House would be in uproar and answers would be demanded straight away. Does the Government still have confidence in Dr. Ebun Joseph as a special rapporteur, and does he agree with her comments regarding the Irish language? She said:  Please, please, please, let it go. We need teachers who do not have to speak Irish. Please, please, you know, like stop it.  Does the Taoiseach believe that those remarks are compatible with the office that Dr. Joseph holds at this particular time? Irish people are entitled to equality and they are entitled to respect, in particular where there is funding. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Irish Government could not accept any diminution of the status of the Irish language. In fact, we are doing the opposite. We are supporting the Irish language in all aspects of policy, through the language Act and the fact that the language is constitutionally the official language of the State and is a core part of the school curriculum, both primary and post primary.  I will have to look at those remarks in the context in which they were said, and I will discuss the issue then with the relevant Minister because the post is an important one in terms of dealing with racism, which is pernicious and too prevalent in our society. We have to deal with racism, but it has no connection to the Irish language or anything like that. We need an inclusive, harmonious society. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  What do bravery and principle and honouring this country's traditions of opposition to colonialism look like? They look like the actions of Aaron Rowe and Beoga and other artists who at considerable costs to themselves have dropped out of Ed Sheeran's US tour in solidarity with the people of Palestine.  Aaron Rowe, who is from Monkstown Farm in my area and whom I am proud to say I know, said:  I need to be true to myself and my ancestors who resisted colonisation and fought for a freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland. Free Palestine.  Is there not a lesson for this Government in the principled, selfless decision of Aaron, Beoga and the other artists to take this action in solidarity with Palestine in relation to the Irish football game against Israel and the Government's continued failure to show the kind of principle and courage that we have seen from these artists in calling for that game to be boycotted in solidarity with the people of Palestine? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  First, I disagree fundamentally with the Deputy's characterisation of the Government's position on Palestine. We have been very principled in relation to Palestine, both at European Union and at international level and in terms of our policies and allocations of resources. We stood up for UNRWA when it mattered most for that organisation in terms of doubling down on the funds we allocated when it was under threat from some EU member states at the time in the EU Commission. We have intervened in the South African case in respect of genocide before the ICJ. We have recognised the Palestinian state. At every international forum, we have raised the issue of Palestine and we also seek solutions in respect of a two-state solution in terms of trying to get humanitarian aid in to Gaza and, indeed, to stop----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  These artists are----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  -----the settlements and the violence by terrorist settlers against Palestinians in their homeland in the West Bank. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Time is up. We are significantly over time. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"An tOrd Gn\u00f3 - Order of Business"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_10","debateType":"debate","bill":null,"showAs":"Road Traffic (Amendment) (Jax\u2019s Law) Bill 2026: First Stage","counts":{"speechCount":6,"speakerCount":4},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_10","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Currie","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Currie.S.2020-06-29","memberCode":"Emer-Currie.S.2020-06-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  We are now into two Private Members' Bills, the first of which is the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Jax\u2019s Law) Bill 2026, being introduced by Deputies Barry Ward and Emer Currie.  Before Deputy Ward takes to his feet, I offer my heartfelt welcome to Nathan Murphy and Saoirse Aylward, who are from County Wexford. They are accompanied by Colleen Langan. They are most welcome to hear the introduction of the Bill. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Barry Ward  I move:  That leave be granted to introduce the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Jax\u2019s Law) Bill 2026.  Earlier this year, Deputy Emer Currie and I met with two women who had direct experience of losing a pregnancy as a result of the criminal activity of another person, namely, dangerous or careless driving as the case may be. This Bill is named for Jax, a baby who was never born. His mother and father, as the Ceann Comhairle mentioned, Saoirse Aylward and Nathan Murphy, are in the Gallery, as is Colleen Langan, whose aunt, Roisin Connolly, n\u00e9e Langan, was killed in 2010.  Saoirse suffered her accident in 2024, so there is a 14-year period during which this issue existed without any solution.  What is that issue? At the moment, dangerous and careless driving are essentially minor road traffic offences. They are prosecuted in the District Court. Careless driving carries no custodial penalty, but they carry very limited penalties generally, except where death or serious injury is caused by that dangerous or careless driving, in which case there is an option for the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, to accelerate those matters and raise them to the Circuit Court to prosecute them on indictment, with much bigger penalties and much bigger tariffs available to the court.  However, if somebody is in an accident as a result of careless or dangerous driving and a pregnancy is lost as a result of that accident, that is not viewed as a circumstance that makes that offence more serious. It was identified to us earlier this year that this is a gap in the law and we agree. Not only do we agree but so do over 75 Members of this House who have co-sponsored this Bill with us. I am not aware of any other Bill that has ever come before this House that has been sponsored by as many people. I applaud the fact that there is a cross-party consensus on this from every party and group in this House, who have supported this provision as a sensible measure, not to reopen a debate on ancillary issues but to acknowledge there is a gap in the law whereby it does not recognise the serious consequences a loss of pregnancy causes to an individual, a family and a wider group of people. That is a real problem.  With the Bill, we are striving to do something straightforward. We are trying to amend the road traffic law in a small way to acknowledge that statistics are not kept on pregnancies lost and that there is no real legal recognition or acknowledgement of the fact that when they are lost, it is a serious consequence for the person involved and it should be marked as a much more serious offence. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Emer Currie","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Emer-Currie.S.2020-06-29","memberCode":"Emer-Currie.S.2020-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Emer Currie  Deputy Ward and I are moving this Bill today, but it would not be before the House without Saoirse Aylward's extraordinary strength and determination. Saoirse was 31 weeks pregnant when she lost Jax as a result of a road collision. She was preparing for his arrival, had chosen his name, had charted his progress at hospital appointments and listened to his heartbeat, and then she had to say goodbye to her baby boy. My words cannot do justice to what Saoirse has been through, but I know that having lost her son she felt retraumatised by the justice system because while Saoirse was recognised as a victim of that collision, the loss of Jax was not.  At the moment when Saoirse and her family looked to the law for justice, the law was silent, but Saoirse Aylward was not. She has fought for Jax and every family who have found or could find themselves facing the same devastating circumstances. Careless or dangerous driving can be prosecuted on indictment when it results in death or serious bodily harm. This Bill would extend that to where such driving results in the loss of a pregnancy of at least 23 weeks' gestation or a foetus of at least 400 g. That change matters. Prosecution on indictment means these cases can be treated as serious criminal offences in the Circuit Criminal Court, with the wider sentencing powers that brings. This Bill would also allow the Minister to direct the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to collect and publish statistics on pregnancies lost as a result of a road traffic collision - losses that currently go unrecorded.  Saoirse and Jax's dad, Nathan, are here today alongside Susan Gray of PARC Road Safety Group, who supports victims and their families in navigating the system after a devastating loss, and Colleen Langan, who continues to campaign for justice for her aunt. Saoirse refused to accept the silence of the law and today this House has the opportunity to answer her. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is listening and responding positively. I hope we can now work together to deliver the change that Saoirse has fought for and justice for Jax. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Is the Bill being opposed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Mary Butler)  It is not opposed. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Barry Ward  I move: \"That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time.\" "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Road Traffic (Amendment) (Jax\u2019s Law) Bill 2026: First Stage"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_11","debateType":"debate","bill":null,"showAs":"Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2026: First Stage","counts":{"speechCount":10,"speakerCount":5},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_11","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rose Conway-Walsh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I move:  That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and, for that purpose, to make further and better provision for the prioritisation of applications under section 34 for connection to, or use of, the transmission or distribution system for electricity, and to provide for related matters. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I thank the Deputy, who is sharing time, five minutes in total. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. Before I start, I welcome Saoirse, Nathan and Jax's family. Deputy Johnny Mythen has kept me up to date about the previous Bill and I look forward to supporting it on its passage through the D\u00e1il. Before I turn to this Bill, I would like to thank Maeve Gleeson in the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, and Muireann Meehan Speed in my office for all their help in preparing it.  When grid capacity is limited, as it is at the moment, the delivery of homes, public infrastructure and essential services should be prioritised. This is the simple principle underpinning the grid prioritisation framework Bill. The Government's laissez-faire approach to data centres and other large energy users must end. It is clear the State needs a more strategic approach to allocating scarce grid capacity, as was recommended by the European Commission in December of last year. The urgency of this issue was re-enforced today by the Central Bank, which highlighted that constraints in essential infrastructure, including energy networks, act as a major barrier to housing delivery. At a time when families are locked out of home ownership and housing demand continues to grow, it is unacceptable that access to critical infrastructure----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  You are sharing time, Deputy. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I am sharing time. I will finish on this. This Bill recognises that electricity infrastructure is a strategic national asset and I commend this Bill to the House. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"R\u00e9ada Cronin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"R\u00e9ada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy R\u00e9ada Cronin  Gabhaim bu\u00edochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Over the recess, my office was inundated with appeals from worried constituents about two monstrous data centres in Naas. Not only are these data centres creating nuisance with sound and stature, but they are eating away at critical infrastructure of water and energy. Yet, we are expecting the people of Naas to pay increased energy prices to subsidise these monstrosities. It is clear to people that the Government has placed the development of these data centres above the needs of their families.  Our legislation is simple. It provides the necessary guardrails to ensure that critical infrastructure is prioritised for families and workers. The legislation is consistent with the recommendations of the European Commission, and it provides much-needed security to homes around Ireland that their needs will not come last. We have done more than enough of our fair share for data centres to store the banking, health and other data that businesses need. What we now need in Naas are homes, not more data centres for AI. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rose Conway-Walsh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh  I want to thank my colleague Deputy Pa Daly and Muireann Meehan Speed in his office for their work on this Bill. It is critically important. What is does is very simple. It prioritises the needs in local communities and areas. It seeks to strike a balance in regard to what is critical infrastructure for small and medium businesses that are really dependent on energy and also in terms of the housing that is needed to house employees in areas.  It is about getting that balance and addressing what is needed here because businesses cannot expand without electricity and cannot attract and retain workers if those workers have nowhere affordable to live. This does speak to the underinvestment in the grid and in electricity and how energy is really exposed in this situation. There has to be a rapid upgrading of the grid as well. However, we cannot continue to allow data centres to take priority over these homes and over workers, who sustain our economy and communities. The Bill seeks to put public interest first, ensuring that scarce grid capacity is prioritised for housing and essential infrastructure. It is a practical Bill that I hope the Government will support. It makes absolute sense. It is urgent given the pressure that is being put on the affordability and availability of energy to homes and small businesses. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Is the Bill being opposed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mary Butler","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Mary-Butler.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Mary Butler)  It is not opposed. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Pa Daly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Pa-Daly.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Pa Daly  I move: \"That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time.\" "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2026: First Stage"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_12","debateType":"motion","bill":null,"showAs":"Withdrawal of the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026: Motion [Private Members]","counts":{"speechCount":1,"speakerCount":1},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_12","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-MacLochlainn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig Mac Lochlainn  I move:  That leave be granted to withdraw the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Withdrawal of the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026: Motion [Private Members]"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_13","debateType":"questions","bill":null,"showAs":"Ceisteanna - Questions","counts":{"speechCount":0,"speakerCount":0},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":false,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_13","speakers":[],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Ceisteanna - Questions"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_14","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Cabinet Committees","counts":{"speechCount":25,"speakerCount":10},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_13","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_13","showAs":"Ceisteanna - Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_14","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"S\u00e9amus McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/S\u00e9amus-McGrath.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"S\u00e9amus-McGrath.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ryan O'Meara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ryan-O'Meara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ryan-O'Meara.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter 'Chap' Cleere","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-Murphy.D.2014-10-10","memberCode":"Paul-Murphy.D.2014-10-10","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_14.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"1. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will meet next. [64344\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"2. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [64294\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"3. Deputy S\u00e9amus McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [64265\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"4. Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [24827\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"5. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [64905\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [65085\/26]"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.  The Cabinet committee on housing last met on Monday, 14 September. The committee will next meet on Thursday, 22 October. The committee works to ensure a cross-government approach to the implementation of our commitments regarding housing policy. Housing supply has increased significantly over the past number of years, with recent home completions data showing almost 17,000 new homes built in the first half of 2026. This is a rise of 11% on the same period in 2025 and the highest number of half-year completions since the series began 15 years ago. We are also seeing the highest number of people buying their first home in well over a decade, with almost 12,600 first-time buyer mortgages drawn down in the first half of this year. Many of these households were supported by Government-backed measures, such as the first home and help-to-buy schemes.  Clearly, the measures we have implemented, backed by unprecedented State investment, are working. The housing activation office is now established. A core team of civil servants and experts seconded from Uisce \u00c9ireann, ESB Networks, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local government sector have been brought together to progress the work of the office. It is headed by a deputy secretary general for housing activation. The office actively engages with key stakeholders, including all 31 local authorities, utility and infrastructure providers, industry and others to ensure that barriers to the delivery of public infrastructure projects required to enable housing development are addressed in a co-ordinated way.  The Government has made available the highest ever commitment of Exchequer funding for housing of \u20ac28 billion up to 2030, along with additional funding through State vehicles including the Land Development Agency, LDA, the Housing Finance Agency, Home Building Finance Ireland, the first home scheme and the Irish Strategic Investment Fund.  Under the national housing plan, the role and remit of the LDA has been expanded. This includes a wider geographical remit and a focus on starter homes, mixed tenure of more social and private housing delivery, and infrastructure-led delivery. Through various delivery channels, the LDA has delivered almost 3,000 homes and is working on a pipeline of a further 25,000 homes on over 40 sites, with projects at every stage from design through to construction.  All 31 local authorities across the country have been tasked with ensuring that more than enough land is zoned to meet the needs of our citizens. The process is well under way, with the majority of local authorities having either fully or partially concluded the process.  To ensure that this land is activated for housing quickly, we are co-ordinating wider infrastructure investment through the housing activation office, which is now managing a multi-annual \u20ac1 billion housing investment fund. This is the largest ever investment in housing-enabling infrastructure. Over 80 infrastructure projects have been funded under the programme to directly enable the delivery of 86,000 new homes and provide the potential for a further 113,000 homes.  Our commitment to large-scale projects, such as MetroLink, has housing delivery as a core priority. Earlier today, we approved the next phase of work on this generational project, with main tendering due to kick off shortly. This project will enable tens of thousands of extra homes along its route.   Additional information not given on the floor of the House   Government's response to the viability challenge in Delivering Homes, Building Communities is multifaceted. It involves measures to decrease the delivery costs, such as the VAT reduction on the sale of new apartments and introducing greater flexibility to the size and mix of apartment developments through the ongoing development of new design standards for apartments. It involves the new rent framework which will help to boost investment in the supply of homes for rent and provide greater certainty to the wider residential market. The actions to support the delivery of apartments in Delivering Homes, Building Communities have the potential to result in significant cost savings in the range of \u20ac88,000 to \u20ac160,000 per apartment.  Last July, reforms to planning exemptions regulations took effect, giving homeowners the freedom to adapt their homes to changing needs and make decisions in relation to their own living space. We now have the highest social housing build per annum on record and have also allocated over \u20ac370 million to the second-hand social housing acquisition programme, which includes much-needed funding to support households to exit long-term homeless accommodation.  We are working to reform our housing system so that it delivers sustainably over the long term. This means effective State investment across a broad range of schemes and agencies, alongside large-scale private sector investment. Only by getting this balance right will we be able to deliver at the scale and ambition needed. Private investment alongside public investment is the only way to deliver the scale of housing needed. It is, therefore, critical that Ireland achieves a stable and predictable policy environment to attract and retain private capital, in line with the programme for Government commitment, including from international sources. Our plan is working and we are seeing the results. I am confident that we can build on our success to date by continuing to focus on delivery, making sure it is both scaled and sustainable into the future. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  There are only six Deputies, so I will propose at least two minutes each for the response. Deputy Paul Murphy wishes to come in. It has been precluded but only where the number of Members who have asked the questions would not be allowed in. I think Deputy Murphy will be allowed in today. I may not be in the Chair when that happens. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"S\u00e9amus McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/S\u00e9amus-McGrath.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"S\u00e9amus-McGrath.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy S\u00e9amus McGrath  I thank the Taoiseach for the update on the progress made on housing. I will raise one specific issue relating to the qualifying income limits for social housing. It is the intention of the Government to increase these limits. I want to raise the issue to ensure that happens as quickly as possible. As the Taoiseach knows, the limits were last changed in 2023, which was three years ago. There are currently three bands ranging from \u20ac30,000, \u20ac35,000 and \u20ac40,000 in terms of qualifying limits. In the past three years, wage growth has increased cumulatively by 15%. Even if we were to stand still, we need to increase those limits by 15%. I would strongly argue that we need to be more decisive than that. We need a seismic shift to help to narrow the gap between those who fall just outside the social housing limits and those who are in a position to afford accommodation in their own right. That gap is growing. One of the measures available to the Government is to increase the qualifying limits for social housing. We must ensure that social housing is available to working people on modest incomes. At present, that is not necessarily the case. The Government must ensure that happens. We cannot have a situation whereby the qualifying limits act as a disincentive to work, as is the situation at present. Each Member of this House is aware of discussions he or she has had with constituents, who spoke about cutting back their working hours in order to keep their incomes under the limits. I ask the Taoiseach to ensure this happens quickly. It is important. We need to narrow the gap in terms of the affordability of housing for individuals and families across the country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ryan O'Meara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ryan-O'Meara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ryan-O'Meara.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ryan O'Meara  I raise the concerns and annoyance of the thousands of people whom I represent in Newport, Ballina and Birdhill and who faced a disastrous summer in the context of water quality, a lack of drinking water and boil water notices as a result of Uisce \u00c9ireann's ill-handling of communications and a lack of clarity from Uisce \u00c9ireann on exactly what was happening. We are talking about thousands of households, or customers, as Uisce \u00c9ireann calls them. These are thousands of people whom I represent. On numerous occasions, the water was cut off and stopped in two large towns and a village. There has been boil water notice after boil water notice. The most recent update I got from Uisce \u00c9ireann was that the last boil water notice was because of heavy rainfall. As we go into winter in Ireland, I am worried if that is what Uisce \u00c9ireann thinks is causing a boil water notice for thousands of people.  My main criticism and critique is of the communication and the information provided. All of us in this House struggle to get accurate information from Uisce \u00c9ireann. I cannot advise my constituents or even keep them safe under boil water notices if the accurate information is not coming from Uisce \u00c9ireann. What are the Government's plans to make Uisce \u00c9ireann more accountable to this House and more accountable to us, as public representatives, when we ask it direct questions to ensure we get answers that are accurate in a timely manner? Uisce \u00c9ireann will get more than \u20ac12 billion from this Government between now and 2030 for infrastructure investment. The very least that we deserve from that, outside of an adequate water and wastewater network, are proper responses, timely updates and accurate information. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Peadar-T\u00f3ib\u00edn.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peadar T\u00f3ib\u00edn  For years, Aont\u00fa has been in this Chamber arguing about the fact that Ireland has the slowest planning, procurement, licensing, tendering and judicial review processes in the whole of Europe. This housing crisis has dragged on for nearly ten years at this stage. One of the main contributing factors has been that what the Government controlled was absolutely dysfunctional and was not working. We were singular in making that critique of the Government.  The Central Bank today issued a report which confirms the concerns that we in Aont\u00fa have raised repeatedly in this Chamber. The time it takes to build a house in this country has doubled in ten years. It used to take two years to build a house in this country but it now takes four years. It stands to reason that that action alone reduces the capacity of the Government and the country to build houses. How come this Government has tied up the whole process in red tape and bureaucracy, with the effect of making it more difficult to build homes in those periods? Why has the Government allowed the situation to become so dysfunctional? It is so frustrating. The aspect of building homes that the Government controls has been made more difficult and longer to achieve by the Government itself. That has led to people being homeless. It has led to people not being able to buy homes. It has led to increases in the prices of those homes. Will the Government go further to ensure that we again reduce the length of time it takes to build a home in this country by making its end of the responsibility more efficient? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter 'Chap' Cleere","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere  I was very saddened this morning to hear of the very sad and untimely passing of Eamonn Langton. Eamonn was a very successful businessman, a staunch Kilkenny man and a passionate GAA supporter. The Langton name and the Langton establishment are synonymous with everything that is good about Kilkenny. Recently he was made a freeman of the city. It was such a fitting tribute that he was able to be there with all his family and friends. A great Gael passed away this morning. We are thinking of him and all his family at this very sad time. I acknowledge that the Taoiseach wrote him a letter after he was made a freeman of the city. That was the last time I spoke to him and he was so appreciative of that formal acknowledgement of his contribution from the Taoiseach and leader of the country.  I will raise the issue of the vacant and derelict property grant. It is a very successful grant, which provides between \u20ac50,000 and \u20ac70,000 every year. There have been 20,000 applications nationally, with about \u20ac346 million paid out, so it is a really effective scheme we have going. About \u20ac3 million has been paid out in full in Carlow for 184 applications and for about 440 applications in Kilkenny with \u20ac9 million paid out. I have two asks here, which would be great. When it was originally introduced in 2022, the scheme paid \u20ac30,000 for a vacant property and \u20ac50,000 for a derelict one. This was increased in 2023 to \u20ac50,000 for a vacant property and \u20ac70,000 for a derelict property. Will the Government consider increasing that in the upcoming budget to significantly higher levels, considering the increased expenses and costs in construction at the moment? Also, is it possible from a technical perspective to introduce a partial drawdown stage? At the moment, people can only draw down the funding once the works are completed in full. Given the amount of funding involved, it would be appropriate if, for example, there were a possibility halfway through that people could draw down a certain portion of the funding to ease the challenges that many families and individuals are facing when availing of these grants. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  I have asked the Taoiseach repeatedly about the social housing income thresholds. We have had promise after promise that something is going to be done about them. Every single week, pretty much, people are coming to me who find that they have been on a housing list for five, ten or 15 years, all that time waiting, and then because their pay marginally increases, they go over the threshold and all the time is gone. They are left in limbo but their income is not enough to be able to get cost-rental or affordable housing. It is so unfair. At the beginning of 2023, when the Government last raised the limits - it had to be pushed on that as well - the average industrial wage allowed a person to qualify for social housing. Now, with the average industrial wage, a person is over the threshold. It is absolutely unfair. It looks to me like a strategy to get people off the list and maybe even to do away with social housing as we know it and replace it with a higher rent scheme. If it is not, let us see the Government raise the limits. Will it be done before the budget? When will it be done? By how much will it be raised? What will the Government do about the time lost by people who have been thrown off the list over the past three years and have been left in limbo? I would like the Taoiseach to answer those questions.  I would also like to ask the Taoiseach about the three- and four-bedroom issue in social housing developments. One of the major reasons family homelessness and child homelessness are rising, which is absolutely unacceptable, child homelessness in particular, even though there is an uptick in social housing delivery - mostly, it has to be said, through private developers, not through direct construction - is because local authorities are not building three- and four-bedroom houses. In my area, there are no four-bedroom houses planned in future developments over the next number of years and the percentage of three-bedroom houses is abysmal. Something has to be done about delivering three- and four-bedroom local authority houses in order to address child and family homelessness. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-Murphy.D.2014-10-10","memberCode":"Paul-Murphy.D.2014-10-10","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul Murphy  At this very moment, council tenants from Mac Uilliam are outside South Dublin County Council offices, together with activists from the local Community Action Tenants Union, CATU, branch, protesting because they are at their wits' end about the maintenance issues and the serious problems of disrepair in their homes. They do not want to be at this point. They have tried everything in terms of engaging with the council, including individually doing representations. I have been inside their homes and the conditions are utterly unacceptable for anyone to have to live in 2026. We are talking about massive amounts of mould and damp and kids being brought up in this scenario. We are talking about windows and doors being broken all over the place, which obviously creates an inconvenience for people but also a serious fire hazard for people being able to get out in the event of a fire. We are talking about lighting inside and outside the blocks being broken and heating being a repeated problem. We are talking about a big problem with rats, in terms of public health, and in certain areas of the estate there are big problems with a smell of sewage coming from the ground, which is an ongoing problem that we have been raising for years. They are now outside the council offices, forced to protest because they have been let down and have not even been given clear timelines by the council about when these issues will be repaired.  Does the Taoiseach think it is acceptable that council tenants who are now being asked to pay a big increase in rent have accommodation like this in 2026? Does he agree that the council needs to have meaningful engagement with these tenants and needs to provide a clear, short timeline to repair all the key issues they are raising? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan  When I last raised the issue of Carrignavar the Ceann Comhairle was in the Chair as well, so I do appreciate the time. Like Deputy O'Meara, I want to talk about Irish Water and its inability to deliver infrastructure at the rate that is needed. I point consistently to Glenville, Carrignavar and Knockraha in my constituency. The story is kind of the same. We are providing record investment in Irish Water and we are seeing very little return. Of the 37 projects identified by Cork County Council, about four years ago at this stage, six were allocated funding. The vast majority of them have not even been initiated and, as I said, this malaise continues.  I got excited when I found out that we were reintroducing developer-led infrastructure. I said, \"Jesus, we might have a chance at getting a house in Carrignavar some time in the next decade.\" Unfortunately, like the announcement about Glenville a couple of weeks ago, the only thing that is happening is that because the existing plants are so deficient, and in the case of Carrignavar three times overloaded, the plan is to introduce a modular wastewater treatment plant, which will essentially make them compliant with the existing waste they are treating at the moment. From what I have been told, it will not, in all likelihood, allow for any expansion.  These communities, which are small villages within ten minutes of the city centre, are facing being locked out of development at any meaningful level for next decade. Irish Water is telling us it takes on average seven years to deliver a new treatment plant by the time it goes through all the necessary procurement, environmental assessments and so on. We need to get real with ourselves and have a reality check. We need to ask ourselves whether that is acceptable in this day and age. I have not even got on to Knockraha because I am out of time but I would appreciate some glimmer of hope that those villages will be able to progress and develop in the future. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  In the first instance, Deputy S\u00e9amus McGrath raised the issue of qualifying income thresholds for social housing. To make the point more generally, we built 9,000 social houses last year and we will go higher this year. Deputy Boyd Barrett suggests that we want to get rid of social housing but we are building record levels of it. We are building more per annum now than we have done since the State was founded. Let us at least accept that. You can give out about the methodology if you want all-State construction, but we are getting it done. In any event, I would say to Deputy McGrath that one of the issues is that, legislatively, eligibility for social housing has been coupled with the housing assistance payment, HAP. That is an issue but we can deal with that too. I believe we need to increase the income thresholds. There are many working people who cannot avail of social housing right now, who should be able to. The gap between a certain cohort and those who can afford to get mortgages to buy is significant. There is a cohort of people who should have the option of being entitled to social housing.  Deputy O'Meara referred to the wastewater treatment plants in Newport, Birdhill and Ballina and the issue of boil water notices and poor quality water.  We had Irish Water in. We said to it, at a Cabinet subcommittee, that Deputies in the House are not happy with the level of communication. It said it created a unit within its structure, allegedly, to deal with Oireachtas Members and public representatives. We will go back to Irish Water again following today's session but we made it very clear to it that, up to now, it has not been what is required. It is a fundamental duty of Irish Water to communicate proactively with people with regard to shortages, boil water notices and so on. It has established a unit for communications. I will go back to it in respect of what the Deputy said to me.  In regard to Deputy T\u00f3ib\u00edn's comment about the Central Bank report, I will make the point that Ireland's homebuilding is the fastest in Europe. We have 7.2 completions per 1,000 people, whereas the European average sits at just three. The United Kingdom is behind that again at 2.4 per 1,000 people. Housing completions rose by 40% between 2022 and 2026 and we are one of only five European countries where building rose, while in the rest of the Continent it declined. Ireland has the highest direct spending in Europe on housing by a wide margin when scaled for GDP or GNI. Some \u20ac9 billion in capital funding is committed to finance social and affordable homes. Twenty-one thousand mortgages were drawn down in the first half of 2026, up 5% on the same period last year. Nine thousand new-build social homes were completed, the highest number in any given year since the foundation of the State. Employment in the residential construction sector is up 14%. Notices of termination are down 49% from quarter 1 of 2026. Registered tenancies have increased. I could go on.  Notwithstanding the Central Bank report, I will say to everyone in the House that we would appreciate their support. Deputy T\u00f3ib\u00edn may have supported the rural planning guidelines that we introduced to reduce the planning burden; others did not. The apartment guidelines were amended. Lots in the House opposed that, and the exemptions to back gardens and so on to facilitate the building of modular units. That is all designed to deal with what the Central Bank has reported. Accelerated delivery of infrastructure by the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers, and the critical infrastructure legislation are all designed to prioritise the delivery of infrastructure that can lead to house completions. We want to accelerate planning. We have maybe not doubled but substantially increased resources to An Coimisi\u00fan Plean\u00e1la and other regulatory bodies to get decisions faster. We will continue to do that.  I join with Deputy 'Chap' Cleere, first of all, in extending sympathies on the death of Eamonn Langton. It is particularly sad news. He was a freeman of the Deputy's city. I know the Deputy and he were very close. Ar dheis D\u00e9 go raibh a anam d\u00edlis. On the Deputy's ambitions for the budget, I will say two things. We had a substantial increase to grants at that time, as the Deputy said, from \u20ac30,000 to \u20ac50,000 and \u20ac50,000 to \u20ac70,000, in respect of vacancy and dereliction. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Marie Sherlock)  Thank you, Taoiseach. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I take the Deputy's point about the partial drawdown of the grant and I will go back to the Minister in respect of that. I will take on board what the Deputy is saying in regard to the budget more generally.  Can I deal with the others? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Marie Sherlock)  Yes. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  There is Deputy Boyd Barrett. I dealt with that, I think, with regard to social housing. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  When? Can the Taoiseach tell us when? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  When what? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  When is the Government going to bring up the limits? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I just dealt with it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  The Taoiseach did not tell us a date. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Minister is working on it. It is not that simple. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  We got that answer the last time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  The Deputy did not acknowledge that we built 9,000 houses and we are building----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  The Minister is not working very hard at it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  In response to Deputy Paul Murphy, again, I do not have the full background to that issue. It is obviously a matter for South Dublin County Council and those conditions are not satisfactory. The council should deal with it.  In respect of Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan's point about Uisce \u00c9ireann, I will again engage with it in respect of Carrignavar and Glenville. The developer-led initiative is meant to be new schemes as well, in certain towns around the country. It is initially on nature-based solutions but we are pushing to get not just nature-based but other provision as well. That has to happen. Uisce \u00c9ireann has got a lot of resources and it has to deliver. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Marie Sherlock)  I will refrain from abusing my position to appeal to the Taoiseach to work on Carrignavar. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Cabinet Committees"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_15","debateType":"question","bill":null,"showAs":"Cabinet Committees","counts":{"speechCount":23,"speakerCount":10},"parentDebateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_13","formats":{"pdf":null,"xml":null},"debateSectionId":"dbsect_13","showAs":"Ceisteanna - Questions"},"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_15","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Albert Dolan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Tom Brabazon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter 'Chap' Cleere","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louis O'Hara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Cahill","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Cahill.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Michael-Cahill.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/mul@\/dbsect_15.xml"},"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"7. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [64288\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"8. Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [64345\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"9. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [64291\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [64266\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"11. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [64814\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"12. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [64832\/26]"},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"13. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [65610\/26]"},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Marie Sherlock)  With the agreement of the House, I propose that each Member be allocated two minutes each. Is that agreed? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  Can I get in as well? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Marie Sherlock","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Marie-Sherlock.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Cathaoirleach Gn\u00edomhach (Deputy Marie Sherlock)  Yes. We can have 1 minute, 45 seconds each. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  We are very tolerant people here. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  I am a regular. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  We are very generous.  I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 13, inclusive, together.  The Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments that are in relation to matters under those areas. It covers a range of policy areas, including domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, policing and justice reform, migration and initiatives tackling local-area disadvantage.  Getting more garda\u00ed on our streets to prevent and detect crime is the Government's first priority, and the Government has allocated over \u20ac2.74 billion to the Garda Vote this year, the largest allocation ever. The Government welcomes the progress made by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na with respect to recruitment in recent years. It is expected that the number of garda\u00ed will soon exceed the previous record high of 14,758 in March 2020 and the number of gardai will reach 15,000 in the near future. Recruitment into An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is continuing apace. Groups of around 200 new gardai are now regularly entering and attesting from the Garda College approximately every three months. Five hundred and sixty-six probationer garda\u00ed have been assigned to stations around the country already in 2026, with two more attestations due to take place before the end of the year.  The 2025 programme for Government contains a commitment to continue to implement a firmer migration system that, among other things, protects the integrity of our immigration framework. Last November, the Government approved a package of policy and legislative reforms to strengthen Ireland\u2019s migration and asylum system, ensuring it is rules-based, efficient and more closely aligned with those of other EU member states.  The Cabinet committee was established in February 2025 following the appointment of the new Government in January. Its first meeting was on 10 April 2025 and it met most recently on Monday, 14 September. The next meeting will be scheduled in due course. In addition to meetings of the Cabinet committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss issues relating to their Departments. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Albert Dolan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Albert Dolan  A huge amount of work has been done by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to recruit new members. Understandably, after each attestation, the garda\u00ed are allocated to different stations right across the country. My huge problem with that is that in the last three attestations, Galway received, in total across the over 700 garda\u00ed that were allocated, only four garda\u00ed. That is not four garda\u00ed for one town in Galway or one small village; that is for the entirety of County Galway, the city and Connemara. It is a huge area that received only four garda\u00ed.  I wrote to the Commissioner on 24 July to highlight this matter because I was really frustrated by it. What it worked out at was that in Galway, we were receiving one garda per 64,000 of population. That was our allocation. I welcome the recent reallocation of 28 additional garda\u00ed to the high-visibility policing efforts now taking place in Galway city. From speaking to the community garda\u00ed in Galway city centre, they are seeing hugely positive results from this high-visibility policing. It is working in Galway city.  Galway needs to be focused on and given a greater allocation moving forward. That means that stations in Athenry, Gort, Loughrea, Headford, Portumna and Tuam would see an increased allocation, that we would start to see that flow not just into Galway city but throughout the county, and that people would see higher visibility from the garda\u00ed in the county because there would be the resources to do so. What consideration will be given to the fact that Galway has had such an underallocation of garda\u00ed from recent attestations? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"P\u00e1draig-O'Sullivan.D.2019-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy P\u00e1draig O'Sullivan  I raise an issue in relation to migration, our deportation process and how it works. I have been in here six and a half years. I have never once objected to an international protection accommodation service, IPAS, centre. I have never once come in here and spoken about migration, if the truth be told. I feel obliged to say that before I make my suggestion or criticism.  At present, when somebody is given a deportation order to leave the country - 4,700 were given in 2025 and approximately 434 of those were enforced - the vast majority of those people in this country who are issued such a notice are expected to voluntarily return themselves.  To be fair, I would say that happens in the majority of the cases I have come across and it is what garda\u00ed and people involved with migration are telling me. However, there is a third cohort of people who are termed \"otherwise confirmed\". Essentially, those people volunteer the information to the authorities before they leave. However, from speaking with garda\u00ed, a number of people go unaccounted for and a vast amount of the State's time is spent looking for those people. We do not know if they have actually left. My observation is that the Garda's powers and resources are better utilised enforcing the deportation orders and the laws we have, rather than finding out whether somebody has left the country. Garda\u00ed find themselves seeking out people who might have left six months previously as they have no way of tracing that. Next week, at our policy meeting with the Minister for Justice, who has done a good job since taking over, I will raise with him the issue of traceability and what we are going to do to ensure the people who are served with notices are actually leaving. I would love to say they will leave of their own volition, but in cases where they are not how are we going to trace that in future? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Tom Brabazon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Tom Brabazon  Yesterday, the Garda Representative Association told the justice committee that garda\u00ed need greater clarity on the pursuit policy, proper pursuit training, stronger legal protections and adequate roads policing resources. My constituents certainly want to see our garda\u00ed supported in order that they can carry out their duty. I have previously raised the introduction of a separate driving licence for garda\u00ed and a statutory indemnity for garda\u00ed carrying out their role reasonably. What measures will the Government introduce to address these concerns and ensure garda\u00ed are properly equipped and protected when carrying out their duties? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter 'Chap' Cleere","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere  Everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their homes and communities. Across the country, communities are dealing with the scourge of crime and antisocial behaviour. The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and significant funding has been put into resourcing An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. There has been an additional \u20ac500 million over the last five years. As the Taoiseach said, by the end of this year, for the first time ever, we will have about 15,000 garda\u00ed serving the State. It will be the highest figure since the foundation of the State. I want to see a greater geographical spread of the new resources that are coming on board. Two attestations will take place towards the end of the year. While I welcome the additional garda\u00ed who have been stationed in Cork, Dublin and Limerick, I would like to see a greater geographical spread around the country, in particular, in my constituency. People who live in rural Ireland want to feel safe every bit as much as people living in the cities. I look at stations in places like Graiguenamanagh, Goresbridge, Thomastown, across to Bennetsbridge, down to Callan and Mooncoin and over to Borris and Bagenalstown. We need additional garda\u00ed in all these places because people are telling me they want to see garda\u00ed with their boots on, on the street, on the beat and engaging with the community. We have put fantastic resources into the Garda but we just need a greater geographical spread. I implore the Taoiseach to use his influence to try to get a greater rural spread with the additional garda\u00ed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louis O'Hara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louis O'Hara  I too raise Garda numbers. Only four of 566 new Garda recruits this year have been allocated to Galway and all four went to Galway city. In recent weeks, there was an announcement of 28 new garda\u00ed for Galway city and Salthill but none for stations in county towns like Athenry, Loughrea, Gort and Tuam. These are stations that have not seen any meaningful increase in Garda numbers in years. Assurances have been given that rural towns and villages will see an increased allocation but it has not happened. Across County Galway, there are ongoing issues with rural crime and antisocial and criminal behaviour in towns and villages. This is causing an awful lot of misery for people and I am being contacted regularly by residents about serious issues and by people who do not feel safe because of the lack of a Garda presence in our areas. Athenry, which is a growing town of 5,000 people, does not even have a full-time Garda station or Garda presence. It is totally unacceptable. When are stations in rural east Galway going to see increased allocations to ensure we have an adequate Garda presence in our communities? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Ward  Yesterday at the justice committee, we heard that not one garda in the State is trained in pursuit driving. We heard this from the AGSI, the GRA and Garda management. In 2026, I find this absolutely shocking. From speaking to members of the public after yesterday\u2019s meeting, they also find it absolutely shocking. During the meeting, one of the Garda representatives pulled out a policy document from 1988 which stated Garda members were to get pursuit training. Since Ray Houghton put the ball in the England net that year, we have not seen one garda trained in pursuit in this country. The Government said it was going to prioritise pursuit training after the M9 tragedy but we heard yesterday that by the end of this year, only six garda\u00ed in the State will have completed pursuit training. How did we get to a situation where, in 2026, not one garda in the State is trained to pursue a vehicle that is fleeing or refusing to stop for garda\u00ed? It is a simple question and the public want to know the answer to it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  Last year, 122 students from Palestine, many of them coming from the horror of Gaza, were accepted into universities and colleges here to study and were given the visas to do that. Only 22 of those visa applications were refused. This year, 39 were granted and 103 refused. It is clear from the testimony of the colleges, universities, student unions and so on that something has changed, which is quite incredible, in the refusal of visas to people fleeing the most horrific conditions in Gaza. These students have been accepted by the third level institutions and in most cases the fees are not an issue, meaning there is no real cost for the State at all. They come through either sanctuary programmes or sponsors. I was talking to a young Palestinian woman whose two siblings were refused. They have an American sponsor paying the fees, so there is no cost but they are still being refused. This looks like a sort of performative cruelty by the Department of justice. It is asking questions like whether the students can provide bank statements from the last couple of years from Gaza. Gaza has been bombed to bits and subjected to a genocide. The Department has asked the students whether they can prove they are going to return to Gaza. The people of Palestine and Gaza want to go home. Their problem is they are being bombed to bits by Israel and the world allows it to happen. When they are coming here to study, having been accepted by third level institutions, and given their numbers are tiny, could we show a bit of humanity and decency by allowing them to come here to study and giving them visas? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louis O'Hara","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Louis-O'Hara.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louis O'Hara  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Richard Boyd Barrett","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","memberCode":"Richard-Boyd-Barrett.D.2011-03-09","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett  Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to do that? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Cahill","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Cahill.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Michael-Cahill.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Michael Cahill  I also raise Garda numbers in towns and villages, this time in Kerry. I am referring not just to Killarney and Tralee but to Castleisland, Dingle, Kenmare, Killorglin and Cahersiveen. In one particular area, Portmagee, there was always a garda until a few years ago. I have made representations on that.  The other issue I wish to raise is drink spiking. It is becoming very common across the world, but also here, including in the Taoiseach's county. I am aware of cases there. I was approached recently by a prominent businessman in Killarney whose daughter had her drink spiked. He said only for the fact that he was working in the town, he would not have got to her in time. These incidents are leading to sexual assaults in most cases. Deputy S\u00e9amus McGrath and I will sit down shortly with the Minister for justice in regard to a Private Members' Bill. I hope the Taoiseach, the Government and our colleagues will support it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  I thank the Deputies for the range of questions that has been asked. We began with Deputy Dolan and there was another question later about Galway. Deputy Dolan made a very strong case for Galway county, particularly east Galway. As I said, Garda numbers have increased dramatically since Covid. There are 200 garda\u00ed being attested every three months now. It seems the Commissioner has concentrated on getting big cities done first, and Dublin was the first of these. It got a very significant tranche for the high-visibility policing initiative. There was also Cork and Limerick.  I will speak to the Minister and Commissioner in respect of Galway. It is an operational issue for the Garda, first and foremost. He understands the desire of the Government for wide coverage and so forth. That seems a low number. In reference to the figure of 28 mentioned by the Deputy, did that relate to Galway? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Albert Dolan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Albert Dolan  They were repatriated outside Galway. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  That is an extra 28 for Galway. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Albert Dolan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Albert-Dolan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Albert Dolan  For the city. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  It was four for the county and 28 for the city. That is good. I take the Deputy's point. The towns he mentioned are large, including Athenry, Gort and so on. Deputy Cleere gave us a strong sense of the towns in Kilkenny. I take the point. Rural Ireland has its unique crime issues and people feel vulnerable if there is a sense that there is not a sufficient Garda presence. It is a budget priority to continue the momentum in terms of Garda recruitment for 2027.  Deputy O'Sullivan made an interesting point on the migration question. He essentially said there should be better follow-up in terms of deportations. In 2025, about 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024. Up to 24 July, 2,650 deportation orders had been signed this year. The number of deportation orders signed to 4 September 2026 has increased by 12% on 2025. In 2025, 2,111 people departed from the State under various mechanisms.  I will speak to the Minister in respect of the voluntary return issue. It is a more effective and efficient way of doing it because deportations are significant in themselves. There has been an increase of about 80% in the number of deportations that have occurred compared to 2024. The Deputy's fundamental point is that we know the figures. People have nothing to live on if they hang around, and therefore there is an incentive to move on. I will speak to the Minister about tightening up the number of voluntary deportations. There has been a sea-change in the number of deportation orders that have been signed and planes have taken off with people on them.  We have to have a firm and fair migration system and people have to know that the rules are enforced. There is a faster application process. We are speeding up the appeals process. The asylum pact is working. Migration numbers generally are down about 40% this year across Europe. A lot of Deputies opposite voted against the European Union asylum and migration pact. It is working and is effective, in particular in terms of returns.  In response to Deputy Brabazon, the Minister indicated a commitment to changing legislation in respect of garda\u00ed so that they would not lose their driving licence in the course of doing their duties or have their lives undermined by being dragged before the courts in the line of duty. That is a significant issue that the Minister is pursuing. Pursuit is dangerous and that is why garda\u00ed need training. I acknowledge we need far more training than is in place. It is not today or yesterday that garda\u00ed have been aware of these issues in terms of pursuing people. It is very dangerous because it can lead to further accidents and deaths. The training will happen. Further protocols are required.  Deputy Shane Moynihan referred on Leaders' Questions to technology being deployed effectively. That is also very important. The Minister is considering a change in the law in respect of what Deputy Brabazon said in respect of protecting garda\u00ed.  I dealt with Deputy Cleere's issue in terms of better geographic spread around the country. Kilkenny is keen----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Peter 'Chap' Cleere","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Peter-'Chap'-Cleere.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere  And Carlow. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Miche\u00e1l Martin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","memberCode":"Miche\u00e1l-Martin.D.1989-06-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" The Taoiseach  Tuigim, tuigim, tuigim. I have dealt with the issues in respect of Galway city.  Deputy Mark Ward referred to pursuit training. It was a very good goal by Houghton in 1988. I take the Deputy's point. We must also be mindful of the fact that a lot has happened in the past four or five years in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, in terms of recruitment activities and so on. There needs to be more focused training and so on, and there will be. Work is already under way with senior garda\u00ed in colleges in the UK who are endeavouring to share expertise with UK police in terms of training and pursuit operations.  Deputy Cahill provided a long list of Kerry towns that could do with garda\u00ed. I will take on board what he said about Portmagee.  The spiking of drinks is a horrendous and heinous crime and the Deputy is correct that there can be horrific consequences in terms of sexual assault. We would be supportive of a Private Members' Bill in that respect. The Deputy is pursuing that with Deputy McGrath. I will engage with the Minister. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Cabinet Committees"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_16","debateType":"debate","bill":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/bill\/2026\/3","event":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/bill\/2026\/3\/dail\/2","houseCode":"dail","stage":"2","isBillStage":true,"showAs":"Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Second Stage (D\u00e1il)"}},"showAs":"Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Second Stage","counts":{"speechCount":31,"speakerCount":25},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_16","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jim O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"David Cullinane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","memberCode":"David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jen Cummins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Tom Brabazon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cormac Devlin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cormac-Devlin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Cormac-Devlin.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Shane Moynihan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paula Butterly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paula-Butterly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Paula-Butterly.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Catherine Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Catherine-Callaghan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Catherine-Callaghan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Collins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul Nicholas Gogarty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Carol Nolan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Carol-Nolan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Carol-Nolan.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Heneghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Heneghan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Barry-Heneghan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jim O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan)  I move: \"That the Bill be now read a Second Time\".  I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House, following its passage through Seanad \u00c9ireann. In fact, we had five days of debate in the Upper House during which the Bill was very carefully considered and debated. As a result of the debate, a number of amendments were agreed. I too agreed to them and I will bring them forward on Committee Stage. I will discuss those amendments presently. I look forward to hearing the contributions of colleagues as we continue our consideration of the Bill.  This is important and necessary legislation. It responds directly to developments in constitutional, European and human rights law, and reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring that Garda powers are exercised within a clear, modern and legally robust statutory framework. Much of the commentary surrounding this Bill has focused on journalistic privilege, which it addresses carefully. However, the Bill serves a much broader purpose.  Electronic devices now feature in almost every serious criminal investigation and the number seized by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na reflects their growing importance. These devices can contain vital evidence and that evidence must not be placed beyond reach because of uncertainty over lawful access for garda\u00ed under judicially approved search warrants. In organised crime investigations, garda\u00ed increasingly encounter sophisticated technology. Recent cases have involved satellite phones, GPS devices, radios and other digital equipment, all of which can be central to co-ordinating criminal enterprises. Criminals use such technology to conceal and facilitate serious offences and garda\u00ed must be able to seize and access the information it contains lawfully, subject, of course, to appropriate safeguards.  Technology is also becoming an increasingly important tool for garda\u00ed. Body-worn cameras, drones, biometric analysis and other digital technologies can support garda\u00ed in preventing and investigating crime. This Bill strengthens the statutory framework governing the digital powers of garda\u00ed, providing greater clarity around how information and evidence encountered in the course of investigations can be accessed and used.  The Bill is not simply about phone messages. It also covers laptops and other digital storage devices that may contain evidence critical to prosecutions, including in cases involving child sexual abuse material.  Ensuring lawful and timely access to such evidence is essential to effective criminal investigations.  Ultimately, this Bill promotes clarity, fairness and the proper administration of justice. It provides a modern statutory framework for Garda powers and helps ensure that evidence obtained lawfully, under appropriate judicial oversight, can be relied on in court. It reflects this Government\u2019s commitment, including mine, to equipping An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to protect the public, while fully respecting fundamental rights.  The general scheme of the Bill was published in June 2021, with the aim of codifying Garda powers, including powers of arrest and detention. Since then, a number of significant Supreme Court decisions, most notably in the cases of Corcoran and Quirke, have identified deficiencies in the existing law governing search warrants, particularly in relation to electronic devices and privileged material. These judgments highlighted gaps in statutory safeguards and judicial oversight, as well as legal uncertainty for garda\u00ed and individuals whose rights may be affected by the exercise of these powers.  On the advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to expedite those elements of the wider codification project where there was an urgent need for greater legal certainty. This Bill, therefore, focuses in particular on search, stop and search, access to electronic devices, and custody safeguards.  At its core, this Bill places Garda powers on a clear statutory footing, with appropriate judicial oversight and safeguards, reflecting the modern reality that evidence is increasingly digital. It does not expand powers without appropriate limits. Instead, it places existing powers on a more constitutionally secure basis and introduces safeguards where none previously existed.  This balance is particularly important for digital evidence. Much of the existing law was developed when evidence was physical and relatively easy to identify and separate. Today, a single device may contain vast quantities of highly sensitive information. The Bill recognises this reality by distinguishing between the seizure of a device, the preservation or capture of data, the screening of material for privilege and the forensic examination of digital content. By ensuring that each of these steps is subject to appropriate authorisation and judicial oversight, the Bill introduces clarity where the law was previously uncertain, while maintaining the necessary balance between criminal investigations and the protection of fundamental rights.  The Bill must also be understood in the context of wider legal developments. The Supreme Court decisions in Corcoran and Quirke, together with judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union, including in Landeck, underscore the need for a transparent, rights-compliant regime for access to digital data, information systems and access codes.  It is precisely at the intersection of digital evidence and privileged material that urgent legislative reform was required. The Bill has been drafted with these judgments to the fore, ensuring compliance with both constitutional and EU law while safeguarding fundamental rights. In that regard, it is instructive to note that in the Supreme Court decision in the Corcoran case, the court stated the deficiencies in section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 required urgent legislative intervention.  I want to briefly address concerns raised by journalists and representative bodies regarding Part 3, which implements the Supreme Court\u2019s findings in Corcoran. A free press and the protection of journalistic sources are fundamental pillars of our democracy, and these protections have been carefully considered in the drafting of the Bill. Part 3 responds directly to the Supreme Court's finding that the existing framework was deficient and to its call for urgent legislative action. It replaces that framework with a clear, structured process centred on independent judicial oversight. Where material may be subject to privilege, the court must be made aware of this, and any determination as to the examination of privileged material is subject to judicial approval. The Bill, therefore, strengthens the protection of journalistic privilege while ensuring that any interference with that privilege is necessary, proportionate and subject to appropriate safeguards.  Protections for journalists sit within a broader framework of safeguards that apply to all search and seizure powers under the Bill. Garda actions are subject to judicial oversight, ensuring that searches, including those involving electronic devices, are lawful, proportionate and consistent with fundamental rights.  Search warrant applications must be grounded in information presented to a District Court judge, and the seizure or examination of electronic devices requires appropriate court authorisation.  For the first time, the Bill also provides a comprehensive statutory framework for the treatment of privileged material. Legal professional privilege is absolute. Other forms of privilege, including journalistic, public interest and sacerdotal privilege, are subject to clear procedures for identification and resolution, either by agreement or judicial determination.  The Bill recognises the importance of privacy, due process and data protection in a democratic society. At the same time, these rights must be balanced with the public interest in the effective investigation and prosecution of serious crime. This Bill strikes that balance by ensuring that garda\u00ed can investigate serious offences effectively, while intrusive powers are exercised only where necessary and proportionate, and subject to independent oversight.  I will now turn to the structure of the Bill, which comprises six Parts and 41 sections. I will highlight its principal provisions, focusing on Parts introducing new or significantly reformed statutory frameworks.  Part 1 contains standard preliminary and general provisions, including the Short Title, commencement and interpretation. It introduces definitions of \"electronic device\" and \"information system\" to ensure the legislation remains adaptable to technological developments. It also defines terms such as \"seize\", \"capture\" and \"digital forensic examination\", covering processes for examining seized digital data. It also provides for the repeal of existing search warrant powers, replaced by the new standardised framework set out in the Bill.  Part 2 provides a consolidated statutory basis for Garda stop and search powers. Section 9 allows a member to stop and search a person or vehicle where there are reasonable grounds to suspect possession of a \"relevant article\", a term defined in section 7 to cover unlawfully obtained items, prohibited substances, weapons and other restricted articles.  Section 10 allows vehicle searches where serious offences, including specified terrorist offences, are suspected, and for gathering evidence of those offences.  The Part sets out clear procedural safeguards. Section 12 requires that persons be informed, in accessible language, of the reason for the search and its statutory basis, while section 13 requires a written record of searches and provides a right to a copy of that record.  Section 14 confines the use of force to what is reasonably necessary, in line with established legal standards, and section 15 creates offences relating to obstruction, failure to comply with lawful requirements, or providing false identifying details.  Part 3 is a central element of the Bill and establishes a comprehensive and consolidated framework for the application for, and execution of, search warrants by garda\u00ed. While other statutory bodies will amend their powers separately, this Part provides the core template for modern search warrant law.  Section 17 provides for applications to a District Court judge where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that evidence of an indictable offence, or a specified summary offence, as listed in Schedule 2, may be found at a place. Where privileged material is suspected, all known information concerning its nature and relevance must be disclosed to the court.  Section 18 sets out the powers under a search warrant, including entry, search, seizure and the use of reasonable force. Section 19 regulates the search and examination of electronic devices and information systems. It allows the court to determine the scope of authorisation granted for a device. This may include capturing data for preservation, screening where privileged material is suspected or a digital forensic examination for investigative purposes.  Section 20 provides for the limited and exceptional circumstances in which the court may authorise the forensic examination of material subject to privilege other than legal professional privilege, where this is strictly necessary and proportionate in critical cases. Section 21 strengthens the rights of occupiers of searched premises by requiring that they be informed of the search, shown a copy of the warrant and provided with a written notice in accessible language. It also establishes a mechanism to ensure this information is provided where the occupier is not present during the search.  Sections 22 and 23 allow garda\u00ed to seize material containing both items they may lawfully take and items they may not if on-site separation is impractical, and establish procedures for its handling, storage, recording and return. Sections 24 and 25 establish a clear process for the determination of privileged material by the High Court, requiring parties to apply within a defined 14-day timeframe, while also encouraging consultation and agreement between the parties where possible.  Section 26 allows for applications to extend the validity of a warrant where necessary, while section 27 provides for tightly circumscribed powers to conduct a search without prior judicial authorisation in urgent circumstances.  Section 28 creates offences for providing false information, obstruction, or non-compliance with lawful requirements.  Part 4 provides a statutory framework for accessing electronic devices and information systems lawfully seized under Parts 2 or 3. It ensures that any examination of digital data is subject to judicial authorisation and confined to what is necessary and proportionate, whether following a stop and search or a search warrant. This Part enables a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to apply to a District Court judge where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that evidence of an indictable or specified summary offence may be on a device or system. Court authorisations may specify the form of access, including privilege screening or digital forensic examination. The Part also contains provisions governing the scope, operation and legal effect of such authorisations, together with related offences.  Part 5 introduces a modernised and strengthened framework governing the treatment of persons in Garda custody. It gives effect to Directive 2013\/48\/EU and addresses key recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Interviewing of Suspects in Garda Custody. Sections 30 to 33 clarify and consolidate the rights of persons in custody to consult a solicitor and to have a solicitor present during interview. They provide clear statutory definitions, establish the requirement for private consultation, whether in person or by telephone, and place duties on custody officers to explain these rights and the implications of waiver. Section 34 sets out the limited and exceptional circumstances in which a Garda inspector may authorise an interview to proceed before a detained person has exercised their right to consult a solicitor or have one present, for example to prevent harm or the destruction of evidence. Any such authorisation must be documented and formally notified to the person concerned.  Section 35 sets out how a person in custody, other than a child, may waive entitlements or consent to interview without a legal representative, and how such decisions are recorded. Solicitors play a vital role in making these rights meaningful in practice and I want to see solicitors available to provide timely and independent advice and representation to their clients, both in Garda stations and in our courts. Sections 36 and 37 extend these protections, with appropriate modifications, to all persons in custody and provide for custody records to be maintained electronically.  Section 38 introduces mandatory electronic recording of interviews for serious offences listed in Schedule 3, with optional recording for other interviews. This represents a significant modernisation, reducing reliance on handwritten notes and enhancing transparency, accuracy and efficiency.  Part 6 contains miscellaneous but important provisions. Section 39 places the obligation to administer a caution on a clear statutory footing, setting out when a caution must be given, including on arrest, prior to interview, or on charging a person. It requires that the caution be administered strictly in its prescribed form while clarifying that statements made before a caution can be given remain admissible, provided the caution is administered as soon as possible thereafter. Section 40 amends section 9 of the Criminal Law Act 1976 to apply explicitly that provision to misconduct by members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, thereby supporting accountability and ensuring legislative clarity. Section 41 amends section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 by revising its wording and expanding the list of offences to which it applies.  I want to briefly flag matters I intend to bring forward on Committee Stage. To ensure coherence and avoid duplication, amendments will be required to repeal existing search warrant provisions across various enactments, fully aligning them with the new framework of this Bill. Arising from the debate in the Seanad and the contributions from Senators, I am proposing an amendment to section 8, to ensure that the power to require provision of information can only be exercised in a public place or where a member is lawfully present. Two further technical amendments are proposed to section 11(4) to remove possible duplication with section 15 covering offences and the addition of \"place\" to the details to be recorded in a record of a search, under section 13.  Additional amendments may be required to the custody provisions in Part 5, including but not limited to notification to consular authorities; and depending on the outcome of the pending Davis appeal, on the statutory interpretation of the term \"accompanied by\", when executing a search warrant.  Additional technical amendments may follow, including finalising the Schedules of offences, and clarifying the recording and management of material seized under search warrants. These measures will ensure the legislation operates effectively in practice. All amendments are subject to further drafting consideration.  This Bill represents a targeted and expedited phase of the broader Garda powers reform project, focusing on areas where urgent constitutional and legal clarity is required, particularly search, stop and search, access to electronic devices and custody safeguards. Other elements of the project, including reforms relating to arrest and detention, will be progressed separately in due course.  I also want to emphasise the practical importance of this legislation. Garda\u00ed now routinely handle investigations involving multiple electronic devices, vast quantities of digital data, and complex issues of privilege and access. Without a clear statutory framework this creates uncertainty for garda\u00ed, for the courts, and for individuals whose rights are engaged.  This Bill provides clarity, certainty and safeguards and it ensures that evidence gathered in good faith, under judicial supervision, can withstand constitutional scrutiny. I am firmly of the view that the powers provided for in this Bill are proportionate to the challenges faced by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, and that the safeguards contained within it reflect the values of our constitutional order. I commend the Bill to the House and I look forward to hearing what colleagues have to say in respect of the proposed legislation. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mark Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","memberCode":"Mark-Ward.D.2019-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mark Ward  Sinn F\u00e9in welcomes the fact the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 codifies Garda use of powers of stop and search, arrest, searches, seizures and detention. This was proposed by the Commission on the Future of Policing in 2018 and should not have taken this long to be implemented. The debate on this Bill is taking place at a time of new revelations in relation to the treatment of whistleblowers in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na due to be aired on \"Prime Time\" tonight.  The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which recommended the codification of stop and search powers being implemented in this Bill, was established in the aftermath of the controversies and crisis that emerged within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, including the handling of whistleblower allegations made by Maurice McCabe. It is deeply disappointing that here we are now, so many years later, and we still have some serious questions to answer about whistleblowing, potential wrongdoing and accountability within the Garda. We need clear answers from the Minister for justice regarding how protected disclosures are being managed within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. I have no doubt that after tonight's programme, the Minister will be under more pressure to answer these questions because public confidence depends on robust safeguards, transparency and accountability and it is essential that any shortcomings are identified and rectified without delay. These current revelations relating to the handling of whistleblowing again highlight the need to ensure there are proper oversight and accountability of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.  The new oversight structures that resulted from the Commission on the Future of Policing became operational in 2025, including the Policing and Community Safety Authority Ireland and Fiosr\u00fa. It is important these oversight bodies focus on strengthening Garda accountability, improving transparency in misconduct investigations and ensuring robust protections and competence for whistleblowers making protected disclosures.  On the issue of stop and searches, I would like to know what the Minister will do to make sure some demographics, some people in our communities, are not targeted more than others. I bring this point up from personal experience. I grew up in north Clondalkin on the Neilstown Road and over the years, even as a child and as a young adult, I was stopped. It was commonplace for my peers and me to be stopped and searched by garda\u00ed when just going about our business walking down the road and going to the shops for our parents. I put it to the Minister that I would more likely be stopped on the Neilstown Road even today than I would be in the leafy suburbs of Dublin 4. I know what this is like. It erodes communities' trust in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and it did erode my trust in garda\u00ed over the years but my work in the community since then and as a Teachta D\u00e1la has allowed for that trust to be built back up. We have some really good community garda\u00ed in my area of Clondalkin but we need to have more to keep our communities safe.  The Policing and Community Safety Authority of Ireland has already raised significant concerns about Garda staff levels. It raised concerns about the lack of effective performance management systems for garda\u00ed and Garda staff. It had concerns about inconsistencies across divisions in regard to the handling of reports of domestic violence. It will be important that the Policing and Community Safety Authority of Ireland monitors the use of stop and search powers as well as the expansion of powers of arrest as provided for in this Bill.  Sinn F\u00e9in has significant issues with the failures of this Bill to explicitly recognise the rights of journalists to protect sources. During its passage through the Seanad, I do not believe the Minister adequately addressed the extensive concerns about the implications of this Bill for the ability of journalists to do their job, including holding those in power to account. We submitted amendments in the Seanad to ensure there is a court hearing to determine whether a journalist's privilege applies before a search for can be granted. This is the case in many other jurisdictions, including in the North, but the Government voted against these amendments. The District Court should be empowered to take journalistic privilege into account when considering a Garda application for a search warrant rather than after the application has been granted. The Bill needs to explicitly recognise the rights of journalists to protect sources. This is arguably required to bring the law into line with the 2023 decision in Emmett Corcoran v. the Attorney General where the Supreme Court judge, Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, stated that the general \"protection of sources is integral to free press\". The fact that this is not explicitly included in this legislation could be described as chilling and I am sure there are journalists who are watching today who would agree with this.  The Minister needs to address the extensive concerns about the implications of this Bill for the ability of journalists to do their jobs, including holding those in power to account. The principle matters more than ever. Many of the significant revelations in public life emerge because individuals are willing to provide information to a journalist in the public interest. Arguably, tonight's \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" is testimony to that. If those sources believe their identity can be uncovered through search warrants or the seizure of devices without sufficient safeguards, they may remain silent. The result will be fewer disclosures, less accountability and weaker democratic scrutiny.  I want to speak on the issue of high-visibility policing and in particular in the area of Saggart. As the Minister is aware, the community of Saggart has seen a huge population increase over the past number of years. Any areas that have seen an increase in population like Saggart has will see pressure on existing facilities, including on garda\u00ed. People have a right to feel safe in their community and an increased Garda presence makes a community feel safe. Residents of Saggart were extremely disappointed that they were not included in the recent roll-out of high-visibility policing. I raised this with the Minister previously. Not having this rolled out in Saggart was really a lost opportunity on behalf of the Government and the Garda. What the residents of Saggart are looking for is a safe, well-managed environment for everybody to enjoy and they are calling for high-visibility policing for Saggart and surrounding areas. I ask that consideration be given to this in order to finally deliver for a community who feel their pleas have been largely ignored.  While we welcome the codification and clarification of Garda powers contained in this Bill, the issues raised in relation to protection of journalistic sources need to be addressed. I hope the Minister will accept amendments in this regard when the Bill is on Committee Stage. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire  This is an important area in terms of ensuring the legislation is properly weighted because, clearly, the power to stop and search is an important one. It is important garda\u00ed have that capacity but it is also important the context of it and the manner in which it is used are clearly codified. This was one of the issues that arose out of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. It was recommended in 2018. I was part of drafting our submissions to that particular process, the outcome of which being that some things we agreed with and some we did not. While there were certainly a lot of positive things recommended in it, not all of them have been acted on.  On the legislation previously, there were provisions in over a dozen pieces of legislation. This clarifies two clear powers to stop and search, which is important. It is important the proper balance is applied here. I will briefly make reference to the programme that will be broadcast on RT\u00c9 tonight. I think we will all be watching carefully to see the details of that. What has emerged so far is very worrying. These are people who were acting in public interest and who were marginalised. That is a huge concern. I hope it is a huge concern for the Minister. The reality is that the vast majority of garda\u00ed are working night and day to do the best they can both for An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and, more importantly, the public as a whole. Unfortunately, in instances such as this, there are concerns in relation to cultural issues as to whether dissent is properly encouraged and people raising concerns are properly encouraged. I hope the Minister will respond appropriately to that and that the T\u00e1oiseach will do so as well.  There is bit to go on the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The joint policing committees were replaced by the community safety partnerships. They have a bit to go. The model that exists in the North is more robust. There is more of a dynamic of communities ensuring accountability from police. Obviously, the context is different but there is still that dynamic. My experience of the community safety partnerships so far is that they are a positive forum but it is more of an information sharing. That information is coming from the Garda to the public and to the media. All that is helpful but I am not sure there is that same level of holding to account and that can be built on. I do not think there is any constraint to that in the legislation and more can be done. There is this issue that motions can come into it and they can be dispersed to a local area. While that is appropriate in some instances, it can mean that the meeting itself does not end up discussing the actual day-to-day operational stuff that could perhaps be beneficial.  That brings me to the issue of local policing. I appreciate the Minister is, I am sure, going to say these are operational manners and it will be for the Garda Commissioner to decide. Hopefully, with legislation such as this, these debates are listened to in Phoenix Park as well. Before Christmas I welcomed the large allocation of garda\u00ed that came to Cork. It was a break from a long trend of very small cohorts coming from Templemore. One, two or three garda\u00ed were coming to the Cork city division. In reality, between Cork city and county - we are talking about 10% of the State's population - very often we were only getting two, five or six garda\u00ed across the county as a whole. It was totally inadequate. In the Mahon-Blackrock Garda station, there are 17 garda\u00ed. In 2012, there were 22 while in 2009, there were 31. There has not been any big increase in the neighbouring stations in Anglesea Street or Douglas but we have seen a reduction from 31 garda\u00ed to 17 in that area. That is completely unacceptable.  I would also like to highlight that the large cohort coming out of Templemore since has not been very significant in terms of garda\u00ed allocation to Cork. That was part of the high-visibility policing operation. That has had a bit of success in the city centre but it needs to be expanded in the area just beyond the city centre, in the north inner city and south inner city. We are experiencing issues that need to be addressed in places like the South Parish, Greenmount, Douglas Street and Turners Cross. I know the local Garda management is very conscious of that. In any debate on these issues, I always take the opportunity to emphasise the value of local community policing. In fairness to the Cork city division, successive chief superintendents there have valued it very strongly and even in times of recession have tried to protect the community policing element. It is crucially important and that needs to be the approach right across the State. Building trust and a relationship, particularly between young people and garda\u00ed, is crucial. It is crucial to preventing crime as well as tackling it and that is why it is important that we continue to invest in community policing. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"David Cullinane","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","memberCode":"David-Cullinane.S.2011-05-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy David Cullinane  I welcome the fact this Bill codifies Garda use of powers to stop and search, arrests, searches and seizures and detention. The point was made that it should not have taken eight years to get here but we are here and I want to welcome those elements of the Bill. Accountability in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is really important so when we discuss Garda powers, it is also really important that we discuss oversight and accountability of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Some of those points have been raised already by my colleague but those points are really important.  It was also the case that the Policing and Community Safety Authority, PCSA, assessment of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na's performance published in December highlighted what it called \"significant concerns\" about the recruitment and retention of garda\u00ed and Garda staff. Those concerns are well-founded and have been rehearsed and debated in this Chamber many times.  The issue of the protection of journalistic privilege has also been raised and I echo that. This Bill fails to explicitly recognise the right of journalists to refuse to reveal confidential sources. We believe the Bill needs to explicitly recognise the right of journalists to protect sources, which is arguably required to bring the law into line with the Supreme Court judgment mentioned earlier.  I raise a number of local policing issues because obviously Garda resources are really important. We talk a lot in this Chamber about the changing nature of politics, sometimes what is happening in the streets, and the impact that can have on politicians. However, we have also seen the impact it can have on An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. For example, we saw riots in Dublin and we have seen examples elsewhere of very difficult situations for members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and we have to make sure they are properly supported. Visibility and numbers are very important. My colleague talked about additional Garda numbers for County Cork. There were five additional garda\u00ed for Waterford city and county. Bear in mind there was a demand for additional resources in places like Dungarvan, Lismore and Cappoquin but also in Waterford city. At the most recent meeting of the joint policing committee, the chief superintendent said that not one of those five additional posts will translate into community garda\u00ed or garda\u00ed on the beat. That is a concern. Visibility in areas is really important which I am sure the Minister accepts.  At all times we have to make sure we are equipping the garda\u00ed to do their job. Many issues have arisen over the past couple of months. Some of them have already been raised and I am not going to go over them again. I am conscious of making sure we protect members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na but I am also conscious that we have to protect the public. The public deserve to feel safe in their communities and they want Garda visibility. Sometimes they do not see it or sometimes it is not what it should be. That is not the fault of individual garda\u00ed but it is a product of the legacy issues of recruitment and retention which have not been dealt with in my view. We still need to deal with those issues.  I will finish by raising the local issue in Waterford where, unfortunately, of the five additional garda\u00ed we got, it was confirmed that not one will be a community garda working on the beat. I do not think that is acceptable. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Gary Gannon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Gary-Gannon.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Gary Gannon  I am very happy to speak on this Bill as it has been a long time coming. I have no doubt about the need to consolidate Garda powers, which are scattered across different pieces of legislation, and to put clear rules around the exercise of those powers. There are positive provisions here. The statutory right to know why one is being stopped and searched is, of course, important, as is entitlement to have a solicitor present during an interview.  However, this legislation also deals with some of the most intrusive powers we have given to the State. It is about stopping, searching and detaining people and accessing their phones and computers. It is potentially about accessing extremely sensitive and privileged information. Therefore, it is entirely reasonable that we spend time getting the safeguards right.  This Bill has a very long history. The general scheme was published 2021 and it went to pre-legislative scrutiny in 2022. However, it is also important to acknowledge that what is before us is not simply that general scheme finally arriving in the D\u00e1il five years later. The original theme was much broader. It contained 68 heads across seven parts and dealt with wider codification of search, arrest and detention. It also contained a dedicated part on the protection of fundamental rights. That makes proper parliamentary scrutiny all the more important.  Some of the concerns we are discussing today are not new at all. One of the recommendations to come directly from pre-legislative scrutiny was that ethnicity should be recorded during \"stop and search\" so we can build a proper data set on who is being subjected to these powers and how appropriate they are. That recommendation is not in the Bill before us. If amendments are brought forward on Committee Stage, I hope we do not get the usual response from the Minister that Opposition Members are trying to hold up legislation that has already taken too long. Some of these questions have been sitting there for years.  I followed Seanad debates on the Bill closely and there was very important scrutiny there. Senators were not trying to prevent garda\u00ed from having the powers they need but they were trying to make the legislation better. I intend to bring amendments forward on Committee Stage on a number of the issues I am raising and I hope the Minister will engage with them in the spirit intended.  One issue I am particularly concerned with is the protection of journalists and their sources. I have read some excellent briefings as a result of thorough research by civil liberties groups and they have identified a fundamental problem with how this Bill is structured. Under section 29, a garda can go to the District Court and seek an authorisation in relation to a device that has already been lawfully seized. That authorisation can allow garda\u00ed to capture data and carry out privileged screening or a digital forensic examination. The journalist is not there nor is the solicitor. Nobody is there to argue the other side of this. Section 24 allows the High Court to determine whether material is actually privileged. That sounds like a safeguard but the problem is when it happens. By the time they get to the High Court, the material may already have been screened or examined by a garda. How does one protect the identity of a source after information identifying that source has already been seen? If a journalist is speaking to a whistleblower - a topic I imagine we will all be thinking about later today and tomorrow - the person\u2019s name is in his or her phone and there are messages between them and there are emails. There may be documents stored on the device which are accessible through it. That material is assessed and subsequently goes before the High Court. The High Court might ultimately decide it is privileged and the material might have to be deleted but the information has already been seen. One cannot unsee it at that point. That matters far beyond the individual journalist involved.  People come forward to journalists because they believe their identity can be protected. Sometimes they are exposing wrongdoing in powerful organisations or institutions and sometimes they are taking a considerable personal or professional risk in doing so. We began to write this speech yesterday when scrutinising the Bill but those last sentences are far more important today given what we are about to hear on \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" this evening. If those people cannot have confidence in source protection some simply will not come forward.  There is another way of doing this and we only have to look north of the Border to see that. The procedure in Northern Ireland is such that where potentially privileged journalistic material can be dealt with through an all-parties process before police are permitted to access it, the journalist and his or her legal representatives can be heard by the court, which considers the seriousness of the offence, the evidential importance of the material, whether other ways of obtaining the evidence have been exhausted and whether granting access is in the public interest. It seems to be a much more sensible sequence to decide whether the material can be accessed and then allow access rather than allowing it and then subsequently deciding whether it should have been protected after the fact. There were amendments in the Seanad that attempted to address this but they were not accepted. I intend to return to this on Committee Stage because the answer could simply be that there is a High Court safeguard somewhere further down the process. The question is whether that safeguard comes early enough to mean anything at all.  To turn to stop and search, if we are putting these powers on a consolidated statutory footing, we should also put in place the means to know how they are actually being used. This is where the failure to implement the recommendations from pre-legislative scrutiny becomes particularly difficult to understand. Stop and search records should include relevant demographic information, subject to appropriate data protection safeguards, and it should be published. Why are we still having to argue for this a full five years later? Without that information, we simply do not know who is being stopped, whether particular ethnic groups are being stopped disproportionately, whether Travellers are being particularly affected or whether young people in particular working-class communities encounter these powers considerably more often than other young people in more affluent areas. I am not saying we should simply assume that is happening. That is my entire point; we need the data. However, testimony we get from young people in particular in communities I represent says that they are already faced with these sequences. If somebody believes there is widespread racial profiling, we should be able to have the evidence. If An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na says these powers are being exercised fairly and proportionately across different communities, the data should be capable of demonstrating that fact. I was particularly struck by what happened when this issue came up on Committee Stage in the Seanad. An amendment was brought forward dealing with recording information, including race, ethnicity and nationality, in respect of stop and search. It was initially ruled out of order on the basis that it could impose a charge on the Exchequer with potential charges to police using leading systems effectively, PULSE, forming part of the issue. That is absolutely outrageous. We are recording stop and search anyway. All we are talking about is what information goes into that record. Recording ethnicity has already been recommended through the pre-legislative scrutiny process and that is exactly why I have difficulty when legitimate amendments are portrayed as attempts to delay legislation rather than simply improve it. Of course legislation has to move but the purpose of our Parliament is not to see how quickly we can get a Bill from one end to the other.  The final and perhaps most important area I want to address is that of drugs use. I chaired the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use this year and spent a considerable amount of time engaging with people who use drugs for a variety of reasons as well as people working in addiction services, academics, garda\u00ed and communities which have lived through the consequences of drug policy for decades.  While personal possession is already criminalised under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, we cannot pretend for a second that provisions of this Bill have nothing to do with the criminalisation of people for drug use - they absolutely do. Controlled drugs are brought within the definition of a \"relevant article\" for the purpose of the stop-and-search framework. We are consolidating within this new Garda powers framework the policing mechanisms dealing with enforcement of that existing criminal offence. That distinction matters but so does the reality. The work we have been doing on drugs policy has been moving in a very different direction. We have spent years talking about moving towards a health-led response. Our committee recommended the repeal of section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The Minister's policy talks of a health-led approach. This Bill does not criminalise possession but does consolidate the architecture through which that criminalisation operates. That makes the absence of proper demographic information even more concerning.  Drug use does not belong to one social class or postcode. People use drugs in affluent communities and in disadvantaged communities alike, but that does not mean everybody has the same experience of being policed for it. If a young person in one part of Dublin is repeatedly stopped and searched for suspected possession while somebody doing exactly the same thing elsewhere almost never encounters a Garda stop and search, that obviously matters. We need to know whether that is happening; if it is not, we should have the information to demonstrate that too. If the State retains the criminal offence of personal possession and gives garda\u00ed powers to stop and search people in connection with it, we should at minimum be capable of examining which communities are experiencing those powers. Otherwise, we will know even less about who is carrying the burden of our continued policy of criminalisation.  There are many other issues in the Bill that will need detailed consideration on Committee Stage. It is striking that the 2021 general scheme was presented by the Government as having a strong focus on human rights and contained a dedicated part on fundamental rights, while those express human rights provisions are absent from the Bill before us. That deserves an explanation and I hope the Minister gives one in his response.  There are three things I particularly ask the Minister to consider: look again at journalistic privilege and the model operating in Northern Ireland; accept the principle that if the State is to be given stop-and-search powers, we should collect enough demographic information to know how those powers are being used; and look at the provisions concerning controlled drugs in the context of the direction we claim to be taking on national drugs policy - that is the Minister's direction, not mine. Garda\u00ed need clear powers and the public needs effective policing, but neither of those things is undermined by safeguards or appropriate access to facts; they are strengthened by them.  We will table amendments on Committee Stage on these issues. Some will deal with concerns raised since the Bill was substantially reshaped. Others will deal with recommendations that have effectively been sitting on the table since pre-legislative scrutiny. Either way, I hope the response from Government will not simply be that the Bill has taken long enough and needs to pass. It has clearly been altered substantially since being introduced.  I will touch on some aspects of the Minister's contribution. There is one I was not going to bring up but the Minister played the music - the issue of solicitors. The Minister said he hoped to have enough solicitors in our District Court. I would argue strongly that that is on him. The Minister and I differ completely when it comes to the reform needed. I disagree with the measures he has taken and I find the narrative that has been building really challenging. The absence of evidence supporting the measures he has taken is quite striking, but we are where we are. The Law Society has written to the Minister asking him to engage with a mediator. No harm can come from talking. I hope the Minister revisits that and that we find a solution to this. The impacts in the courts are clear for everybody to see. By no measure is our Courts Service working effectively.  The Minister said something in the summer that is also relevant to this Bill and to stop-and-search powers. After the tragedy on the M9, he gave an interview to thejournal.ie and spoke about 1,000 young people in the State being outside the recourse of the Garda youth diversion programme. I agree with him to a point but he lost me when he did not say what we would do about that. The 2018 Greentown report also talked about 1,000 young people in the State who were being groomed into criminality. I would say there is significant overlap between those two cohorts. We have also had considerable debate on parental responsibility and whether parents should be punished for the crimes of their children. Whatever the Minister's view on that, we have to accept there are in this State complex issues related to generational poverty and trauma which have been well discussed. There are also children being groomed into criminality. The effects are seen on our streets in the unsightly elements of young people selling drugs on scooters. We will not be able to slowly police our way out of that. I would love to be part of the conversation with the Minister on the new youth justice strategy. There are good examples in the Belvedere Youth Club in town of working with children between the ages of seven and nine. I would love to talk to the Minister further about that. This is something I would like us to work together on. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jen Cummins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Jen-Cummins.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Jen Cummins  Like my colleague, Deputy Gannon, I welcome aspects of this Bill. It is important that garda\u00ed are able to police our communities in the most effective way possible and that things are clear as to how communities will be policed and how their safety will be affected. To that end, I was at a safety forum meeting in my constituency on Monday and tonight I will be at another one. For years, the conversation has been that communities like mine in Dublin South-Central want more garda\u00ed, particularly garda\u00ed with powers to do what they need to do to ensure the laws are being upheld. E-scooters were mentioned on Monday and will be mentioned tonight as well. Garda\u00ed need to be able to pursue people on e-scooters who are speeding and doing all those things. People in my constituency want more community guards and juvenile liaison officers. Those garda\u00ed are fundamentally important to ensuring we live in a safe community.  It is important there be a human rights element to anything that is happening with regard to policing and it is important when the laws this Bill proposes come into place that the person being stopped and searched understands exactly what that means, and not only at the time it happens. I have not been arrested but if I were, I am sure my senses would be heightened and I probably would not hear what the garda says to me. We need public engagement on what it means. If you are being stopped and searched, you need to know what your rights are, what the garda\u00ed can do and how your human rights are protected. For years I was a youth worker. We had things we were able to explain to young people: \"If you are stopped, these are your rights.\" It is important that be protected for young people and adults; I am talking about young people because I have a background of working with them, particularly young people at risk. In addition to what is being proposed, I ask that an information campaign be undertaken to ensure people know their rights.  It has already been covered but journalists' sources are really important. Most people in the House will be watching \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" tonight with Rita O'Reilly's report. It is important journalists' sources continue to be protected and that journalists remain independent and allowed do the things they are supposed to be able to do.  There is over-policing in certain areas. I would love to see appropriate policing in working-class areas. On one hand, there are not enough guards; on the other, there is stop and search. As other Deputies have said, people have been stopped and searched because of where they live, how they look, etc. The profiling of people being stopped and searched is important. We need to listen to groups and ethnic minorities who have raised this concern. When collecting data about people - whether that is where they live, how they look or where they come from - the data should be collected for a specific reason and it should be outlined clearly why it is being collected and what is being done with it. We will be able to use the data, if that is the way we collect it, to make sure there is not racial profiling going on, but it needs to be made explicit why it is being collected and for what.  With regard to the community that I live in, I was on the radio recently discussing the provision in relation to parental responsibility that is being considered under the juvenile justice system. That already exists under the Child Care Act. Parents are already obliged to do that, but it is not necessarily enforced. It is not necessarily the first thing that happens.  I am also very concerned about the young people who are involved in the criminal justice system. As I have said before in this House, I worked in the school completion programme for almost two decades. Over that period, we lost children from education because they were groomed into criminal behaviour by adults. I recall, while working in that area, that Fagin's law was introduced. I thought it would be fantastic. There have only been a handful of convictions. A handful of convictions or charges is not good enough because the problem is so widespread. I worked with thousands of children and we lost hundreds of children in the communities I worked in because they were groomed into criminal behaviour. We need to use the laws in place to stop that sort of thing going on. The Minister mentioned the special care places for children in the summer. Thousands of young people are not being supported. There are 26 special care places and only 15 of those beds are available in the springtime.  We know what the problems are. We need to ramp up the support that is in place because for young people, it can be somewhere where they can find solace from the chaos going on in their lives, which leads to further chaos. However, if they are not being supported, they will continue in that. As has been said lately, their parents are not able to support them, so we need to ramp up supports. The rights of the child are important in this, as are the rights of all people of all ages with regard to policing. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Tom Brabazon","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Tom-Brabazon.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Tom Brabazon  As the House will know, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommended the consolidation and modernisation of Garda powers to search, arrest and detain persons. Underpinning those recommendations was the need to ensure public confidence in our policing system, which is fundamental to a healthy and functioning democratic society. The measures contained in this Bill are, therefore, most welcome as they help to ensure that policing powers are exercised clearly, legally and in relation to fundamental rights. Importantly, the Bill also provides greater legal certainty to members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in carrying out their duties. Garda\u00ed need to know clearly what powers are available to them and when and how those powers can be exercised. The Bill provides a much clearer statutory framework in that regard.  The use of electronic devices in serious crime has increased significantly over recent years. We see this in the number of devices that garda\u00ed are seizing. Criminals are using these devices to conceal their activities and to communicate instantly with other criminals. We have to make sure that garda\u00ed have the power to access this information in a clear and lawful way. The Bill brings important clarity in that regard by distinguishing between the seizure of a device, the capture of data, the screening of material for privilege and a full digital forensic examination. This will give garda\u00ed much greater clarity as to what they are legally entitled to do at each stage of an investigation, all the while ensuring that the appropriate judicial safeguards remain in place.  The Bill also brings forward measures to ensure that Garda powers to stop and search are applied consistently and are clearly understood by members of the public. It provides a clear statutory basis for the exercise of those powers where reasonable grounds exist, while also requiring that individuals are informed of the basis for the search and that a formal record is maintained.  Clear rules are of benefit to everybody, and they make sure that garda\u00ed can do their jobs effectively. Most importantly, they protect the rights of the individual and they provide greater certainty as to how policing powers should be exercised. I commend the Minister and his Department on this legislation. I look forward to further scrutiny on Committee Stage. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Cormac Devlin","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Cormac-Devlin.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Cormac-Devlin.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Cormac Devlin  I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I commend the Minister and his officials on bringing forward this Bill. I believe it is his 24th Bill so far this year, which is quite remarkable.  This legislation updates and modernises Garda powers around stop and search, entry and search, and the treatment of people in custody, bringing it all together under one single Act. It follows on from the 2018 recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing and is another programme for Government commitment being delivered by the Minister. The Bill is also a response to recent legal judgments. In Corcoran v. the Commissioner 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the protection of journalistic sources as a cornerstone of a free press and called for urgent legislative action. In Quirke, the court recognised that a phone or a computer is a separate digital space, and in Landeck, the Court of Justice of the European Union set out what is required before a device is examined. This Bill answers all three of those.  The Bill also introduces important safeguards. No device may be examined without judicial authorisation. A judge must be satisfied that access is necessary and proportionate and may refuse. Where privileged material arises, it is the High Court that decides and legal professional privilege remains absolute.  The safeguards elsewhere in the Bill are new and worth noting. For the first time, for instance, a person who is stopped and searched must be told in plain language why they are being searched and under what provision. A record must be made of every search and the person can obtain such a copy. The right to a solicitor before and during interviews will be placed on a statutory footing and a child cannot waive it. These are real protections that do not exist in statute today.  The Bill is part of a wider body of work. I welcome the Minister's focus on the issue that my constituents raise most with me, namely, the number of garda\u00ed on the ground in our community. A record budget of \u20ac2.74 billion was allocated this year to support policing. The target of 5,000 additional garda\u00ed is being pursued through continuous recruitment, with 206 garda\u00ed attesting in July alone, the highest level since 2019. The high-visibility policing plan has been extended to DMR East - my own area - which is welcome. Forty-five new garda\u00ed have been assigned to the D\u00fan Laoghaire-Rathdown area.  On the ground, people have noticed an increased Garda presence in our towns and villages, and indeed in our community. They also noticed last month that garda\u00ed in DMR East seized over \u20ac100,000 worth of drugs, along with cash and scrambler bikes in an intelligence-led operation. That is precisely the power this Bill is putting on a more secure footing. I commend our local Garda team, led by Chief Superintendent David Kennedy, Superintendents Brian Halligan, Gordon Woulfe and Denis Whelan, as well as Detective Superintendent Brian O'Keeffe, all the inspectors, sergeants and specialist units and, of course, the garda\u00ed working in our community on their efforts to keep people safe.  The Minister will be aware the population of D\u00fan Laoghaire-Rathdown has increased significantly since 2020, with new housing in Cherrywood, Carrickmines and Woodbrook. While the recent allocation is very welcome, more garda\u00ed will be required. The Minister will also be aware of my ongoing raising of the issue of a new Garda station required in the new town of Cherrywood, one of the fastest growing communities in the State, which is located along the M50 and provides excellent access to operate specialist units from.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Minister as he makes further progress on policing and tackling antisocial and criminal behaviour in our communities. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Thomas Gould  I raise an issue related to journalism, in particular local journalists in my area, in The Echo and Cork Independent , who I have worked with over the years. They deliver local, relevant and topical issues and news in Cork city. I have worked with them on confidential sources and people who come forward at the risk of their livelihoods because they believe the public has a right to know. I hope this Bill will not damage the relationship journalists have confidential sources. We have to be able to protect journalists and their right to be able to hold people in power to account. That is important.  I will raise a number of serious issues that arose in Cork over the summer. We had homes petrol bombed, we had shootings and we had vicious attacks using knives and other deadly equipment. We had a case where the house of a woman and her two young children was petrol bombed for no reason because criminals - and that is too good of a word for them - petrol bombed the wrong house. This woman was distraught. Her two young children were in bed when the petrol bomb was hopped off the house. Garda\u00ed and forensic officers were there. The garda\u00ed in Cork are doing their best but the problem is the allocation of garda\u00ed and resources.  This woman now lives in fear that her house and her children will be under attack again. I have said at meetings in Cork with the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that petrol bombing should be a crime of its own. It should not be included with arson. If you petrol bomb a person's house, that is attempted murder. There is no other way out of it. We have seen families and people die because of people petrol bombing homes. Why is it not a separate offence and why does it not carry a much heavier sentence?  These drug gangs are getting away scot-free. We know these drug gangs are in Dublin and Limerick. We have the same vicious gangs in Cork and we have communities right across Cork who are living in fear. I am asking the Minster for help for those communities. Tragically, a number of young people have died by suicide over the summer - over a half of dozen in the past couple of years - because of drug intimidation, drug debt and the fear that these vicious drug dealers are bringing to communities. What is being done about it? To me, it is attempted murder that these young people took their lives because of the intimidation. How are these dealers being tackled?  I want to send a clear message to the garda\u00ed. We know they are doing their best but the Minister is not doing his best. This Government is not doing its best because it is failing the Garda and failing communities who are living in fear while these criminals are attacking people in broad daylight in Cork city. They think they can get away with it. I will give a couple of figures before I finish up. Only six garda\u00ed were trained in pursuit this year. It should not take people to die for the Government to act. For eight years, there has been a report there. For eight years, Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael have refused to act or have delayed acting. Cork has lost six Garda staff this year. We only got five probationary staff, one for the north side that I represent. From June to July, Cork saw a reduction of one Garda on roads policing and one community Garda. To give the Minister other figures, in 11 years Ballincollig has only got one probationary garda, Blarney has got only one, and Watercourse Road has got only one. There are 701 garda\u00ed in Cork city at the moment. That is fewer than in 2020 and 19 fewer than at the end of 2025.  We need more garda\u00ed on the street. We need communities to feel safe. I have listened to the Minister's party colleagues saying how great it is for them. It might be great for them but it is not great in Cork because we need more garda\u00ed. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Alan Kelly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","memberCode":"Alan-Kelly.S.2007-07-23","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Alan Kelly  Before we get into the Bill, and trust me I am not going to go on about this for long, obviously, we all know about the programme tonight. It is absolutely impossible for the Minister not to come in here next week to answer questions on this on behalf of the Government, the previous Minister for justice, the Department of justice and An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. I am glad he is nodding. That request will be going in and I ask the Minister to do that because it will be necessary. I am glad to see the Minister seems to be agreeing. I encourage him to sit down with his Department and to go through absolutely everything. I hope he has heard what I said. He should go through everything. I have had enough experience of answers coming from his Department that have been incorrect. He has apologised to me here twice on some very sensitive information. He cannot say he has not been told because I have raised many of the issues, although not all because not all will be covered by this programme, directly with the Minister, separate from anything to do with protective disclosures, and I have tabled hundreds of parliamentary questions. Finally on this issue, I believe there was an absolute lack of knowledge in this Chamber today on the part of the Government in relation to aspects of protected disclosures legislation and it was cringeworthy.  This Bill is a very important one and it is long in the making. As the Minister will be aware, it was published in 2021 and it went through pre-legislative scrutiny in the justice committee in the same year and a report was published in 2022. I support a lot of what is in this Bill but I also have a lot of concerns which I will go into in a while. The concerns are well-meaning and they run on from some of the issues raised by other Deputies but not only those. The Bill has changed considerably since the general scheme. Some of the changes relate to the narrowing of the scope that has taken place, with the Bill now focusing more squarely on powers of search with provisions relating to arrest largely absent. Some changes, as the Minister made clear, are responding to some Supreme Court decisions in the Quirke and Corcoran cases and EU obligations arising from the Landeck judgment. Those precedents have arisen in the years since 2021 and it is right that the Government addressed the legislative issues they highlighted.  Other changes and omissions are concerning, however. The statutory codes of practice which were at the heart of the general scheme are nowhere to be found. The same is true for Part 2 of the general scheme on the protection of fundamental rights. We are talking about very serious questions here where the State may infringe on the rights of privacy and of data protection. What happens when the imperative of public safety and the investigation of crimes come up against the individual and constitutional freedoms that underpin our whole democracy? That is why the Government's approach here is concerning in some aspects. Notwithstanding the merits or otherwise of the Bill's provisions, by disregarding the protections of those fundamental rights that prefaced the general scheme, it risks giving the impression that those rights have been deprioritised or discarded in the drafting of this legislation, and that is concerning. It is giving the wrong impression.  The ten recommendations made by the justice committee in the report on pre-legislative scrutiny have largely not been implemented. Will the Minister go through the recommendations one by one as to why not? The committee recommended that the provisions be amended to provide more limited circumstances in which garda\u00ed can compel individuals to provide their phones and personal data to garda\u00ed as part of a search warrant. This has not happened. In fact, the opposite is the case. It raised serious concerns of the provisions around senior garda\u00ed, rather than District Court judges, to issue search warrants in urgent circumstances and recommended the provisions be removed. Again, this has not happened and this is concerning. Not being able to get hold of a District Court judge in a timely manner does not seem to merit giving the powers we are giving and allowing here. The actual issue is not necessarily with the garda\u00ed at that rank having to say they believed search warrants are needed but it puts other garda\u00ed at longer ranks in difficult circumstances from time to time, as the Minister will appreciate. That is what the real concern is here. It is about the garda\u00ed at lower ranks who have to deal with these issues.  The committee also recommended that consideration be given to the possibility of introducing sanctions for illegal searches to ensure garda\u00ed are aware of and compliant with their obligations, and to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens. Not only has this not happened but the entire part dealing with fundamental rights has been removed. We have long moved on but I have raised the issue \"bikegate\". That farmer's buildings were searched without a warrant. What has happened since? Has that ever been looked into? The famous \"bikegate\" caused all the controversy and cost the Exchequer a lot of money. There was no warrant. Has there been any consequence? We all know the answer to that. That farmer never had the chance to look for compensation or recompense. Not that he actually wanted any financial compensation but he never had the chance because it was outside statute. It was outside statute because he did not know about the fact that there was no warrant in the first place. That is a complete anomaly which the Minister might address at some stage.  How can statute run out for somebody whose premises were illegally searched because they did not know about it? The legislation needs to be looked at because the timeframe is from the time of the search, not from the time when the individual found out that there was no warrant. I ask the Minister to look at that. It is an anomaly that affected this gentleman whom I met. He is a very decent man.  The committee looked closely at the codes of practice to be provided for and recommended that they be transparent, publicly available, drafted with public consultation and accompanied by a data protection impact assessment. The decision not to include statutory codes of practice in the Bill is simply baffling. The Minister's press release announcing the publication of this Bill last Christmas noted that \"the Commission on the Future of Policing recommended that police powers of search, arrest and detention should be codified and supported by statutory codes of practice\". Where are those statutory codes of practice? They are nowhere to be seen. Why? I do not know.  It is worth reflecting on the words in the report from the Commission on the Future of Policing, which was published in 2018. It stated:  The purpose of policing is to protect the human rights of all members of society to live free from violence, abuse, crime and fear. The justification for police powers to arrest, search or detain, and thereby to curtail the rights of some individuals in certain circumstances, is rooted in the duty of the police to serve and protect society as a whole. Police have to exercise these powers appropriately, effectively and with fairness to everyone.  This is precisely why clear and effective codes of practice, placed on a statutory footing, are so important. It is why the report went on to recommend that legislation defining police powers of arrest, search and detention be codified with statutory codes of practice. While the Minister may tell us that codes of practice will come down the line later, why has the opportunity to put them on a firm statutory footing not been taken in this Bill? Passing this legislation without that provision risks putting the cart before the horse.  I watched, and was also very taken by, Senator McDowell's contribution in the Seanad in relation to this legislation. I note the Minister is now bringing forward some amendments based on some of the comments made there. The Minister is open to changes. I acknowledge that. It is not the first time I have said that. He has done so in the past too, so I want him to think about these matters.  I also note that while the stated aim of the legislation, as expressed in the Minister's press release, is to consolidate the existing Garda search powers, that is not exactly what the Bill technically does. As section 4 makes clear, the powers in the Bill are additional to whatever statutory powers the garda\u00ed might already have. That is not consolidation; it is extra.  This is an important distinction as it seems to show that the Government is talking out of both sides of its mouth. The lack of clarity raises real risks, and I am going to get into those. The Bill also clarifies the powers available to garda\u00ed to stop and search members of the public, including requiring that a written record be made of such a search. I welcome that.  The issues with stop and search as a police policy are well documented. Research by our near neighbours has consistently found that ethnic minorities are disproportionately targeted and the tactic widens the gap between the police and the diverse communities they serve. One study in 2014 found that people of colour were four times more likely to be the subject of stop and search than white people. It also found that the practice was one of the least effective ways of tackling knife crime compared to other methods of monitoring diversion and community-led deterrents, such as having more police on the streets.  Those concerns were why the justice committee recommended in 2022 that under this Bill, ethnicity be recorded during stop and search in order to build a comprehensive data set of the ethnicity of people searched by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. The Bill before us does not do that either. Why?  I am now getting in to a deeply concerning area in relation to journalistic privilege and privilege in general. Following the Corcoran judgment, the Government is now requiring that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na must make clear to a judge when it anticipates that privileged material will be found in the course of a search. However, the determination of whether privilege applies will only be made by the High Court after - that is a critical word - a device has been seized. What happens in the silo between the device being seized and the determination being made? Does An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na just look at it, as in literally just look at it, without going into it? How will the Minister guarantee that is what will happen? You cannot unsee something you have seen. If officers see privileged information, which they are not entitled to see, post a determination by a High Court judge, what happens? If there is to be a criminal case, will that not be jeopardised? How will the Minister deal with this?  Why are we dealing with these issues ex parte and not inter partes, where both sides can go before the judge as they do in Northern Ireland? It seems wrong that this is the case. Inter partes hearings will at least allow the journalist involved, or the person with the privilege involved, to make their case. Again, I fail to see in this legislation how devices that are taken are not going to be looked at by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na prior to a determination by a High Court judge. I do not believe that is realistic or even practical.  We then have the issue of whistleblowers. I will walk out of this House and meet a number of the whistleblowers who are on the television programme tonight. I will walk straight out of here and meet them again, having met them many times. Just say they talk to or meet a journalist or they give something to a journalist out of public concern. What is the difference between members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na - I am not saying this will happen but it could, potentially - going and searching for that documentation because they know the journalist has it and then, in the vacuum before it goes before a High Court judge for an ex parte hearing, looking at that? What is the difference between intelligence gathering for other reasons as opposed to doing it for the right reasons? What happens to that privilege? What happens to the privilege the journalist has? How can we guarantee that the actions will be done for the right reasons? Legislation has to reflect and protect privilege and it has to protect in the circumstances I have just outlined. This legislation, as drafted, has holes in it which mean it will not do that, and I have just outlined an example.  Where are we on the whole issue of data searching regarding the use of other forms of searching for phones, electronic devices, etc., which have not or will not go before a judge? We all know that we now live in a world where the Border does not exist, electronically speaking. There are now technologies out there that will intercept communications going to electronic devices without ever appearing on this island. In fact, the Minister acknowledged in the past that we have a weakness in this area. He said it and I acknowledged that publicly because I agree with him. We were very lucky that it did not fall down in relation to a high-profile case in this country a few years back. It was a criminal case, and the Minister is aware of what I am talking about.  On the searching of all electronic devices, which I obviously believe in under the right circumstances, in the last number of years, given what we now know happened in Northern Ireland in relation to journalists, has there ever been a case of intelligence gathering or other methods whereby organisations from outside the State were used to source information on electronic devices in this State? Will the Minister ask that? Somebody needs to ask it, given the way the world is now. Obviously, it would not be legal, because we have a process here for how such searches take place. I want the Minister to ask this question of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and I will come back to him on it. Has there ever been a scenario where any outside organisations, intelligence agencies or countries have, in any way, to the knowledge of anyone in the Department of justice or An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, garnered or intercepted - use whatever word you like - any electronic information belonging to anyone in this country with the knowledge of any apparatus of this State? It is a very interesting question.  Privilege is not defined here. I am taking it from the Minister that, given the legislation brought into this House previously by Brendan Howlin and enhanced by others, while we are talking about journalistic privilege and the concerns I have expressed, I presume Oireachtas privilege is protected. I presume Oireachtas papers, while people are Members of the Oireachtas, are protected. Will the Minister guarantee that in his reply? We are talking about journalistic privilege, but I note Oireachtas privilege is not covered in this. I went through it. There are actually very few definitions. Will the Minister give us a guarantee that is covered? That is a layer above again. The people here are the elected people.  Together with these new powers in the Bill to compel individuals to handover PIN codes and passwords for devices, it is understandable that groups like the National Union of Journalists have had concerns. We need a lot of clarity on the issues I have raised, particularly towards the end. It is worth remembering the words of Mr. Justice Gerald Hogan in his judgment in relation to privilege and journalistic privilege.  This long-awaited Bill is a mixed bag of welcome measures but also issues I have deep concerns about. I expect the Minister will have to make amendments to this legislation throughout this process. I also do not expect it to be a quick process because there are very technical and legalistic issues that we will have to discuss in detail at committee level and throughout this process. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Shane Moynihan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Shane-Moynihan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Shane Moynihan  Is m\u00f3r agam \u00e9 labhairt ar an mBille seo, Bille a cuirfidh le nua-aoisi\u00fa an Gharda S\u00edoch\u00e1na agus a chinnteoidh go bhfuil na cumhachta\u00ed at\u00e1 aige oiri\u00fanach don l\u00e1 at\u00e1 inniu ann.  I welcome this Bill as a programme for Government commitment and as a very important step for An Garda S\u00edochana and the way in which its members do their work, the context surrounding the way they do their work and the legislative framework underpinning it, in terms of modernising them and keeping pace with working practices and procedures in other spheres.  The first thing I want to address relates to Part 5 of the Bill, which is about the electronic recording of interviews. This is something I have been speaking about for a while during my time in this House. There are cumbersome procedures with regard to the taking of witness statements and the interviewing of suspects that require members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to write down by hand that which is uttered in an interview and then to recount that back to the individual who is being interviewed and to check that the transcription by hand has been done. We do not train garda\u00ed to be transcribers or stenographers, so I would like clarification on whether this Bill will allow provision for the use of AI transcription services, for example, to transcribe the notes of what is said to minimise that writing time and, more importantly, to maximise the amount of time garda\u00ed spend on front-line policing as opposed to a task that could be performed by a machine.  My next point relates to Part 2 of the Bill and the requirement to record searches. Again, like all the things we ask members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to do, if this requirement is introduced, I would urge that a technological solution be found to make it easy on an app, mobile device or computer to record the detail of that search very quickly as opposed to having to do it on a paper-based file, and to allow immediate connectivity with the PULSE electronic system.  I also urge that the requirements and powers being given to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na under Part 2 of the Bill be used to deal with illegally held vehicles, such as e-scooters and e-bikes. Pending the registration requirements that I hope the Minister for Transport will introduce, that will be another tool in the toolbox of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to take illegally held e-scooters and e-bikes off our streets.  Turning to Part 3 of the Bill, one thing we have heard and which the Minister will have heard of in his constituency as well is the prevalence of vape shops and the public's suspicion that in many cases some of these shops could be used for laundering money, as a front for organised crime or, more heinously, providing illegal narcotic substances in a different form to younger persons and minors in particular. The context within which vape shops are operating in our streets, towns and villages in our country is one where many people do have this suspicion around them. We must make sure that garda\u00ed will have the power under this Bill to undertake a search of such a premises where they have anecdotal suspicion that drugs or money laundering is happening as a front for a particular premises.  Finally, on Part 5 of the Bill, I welcome the updating of the custody arrangements for people who are taken into Garda custody. I think this also presents us with an opportunity to look at how we manage custody more generally. Models they apply in the PSNI and in England and Wales allow for the introduction of custody suites, where officers on the beat in a patrol area can leave the suspects who have been arrested in a large centre that does not require multiple Garda officers to be there. It requires a custody sergeant to take custody of all those people but would minimise the need to scatter to different Garda stations around the area. I am thinking about locations like Ronanstown Garda station in my area, which would be a perfect location for such a custody suite, to make sure we are providing custody at scale. Again, this is all about freeing up garda time. If a garda is doing a task not necessarily linked to front-line policing, how do we minimise the administrative nature of that task and replace it with something else? I hope the Minister takes those considerations on board. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paula Butterly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paula-Butterly.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Paula-Butterly.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paula Butterly  I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Bill, which represents an important step in ensuring that our policing laws are fit for purpose in a modern Ireland. The Bill seeks to provide a clear framework for Garda stop-and-search powers, the execution of search warrants, the handling of electronic evidence and the rights of persons in custody.  As a TD for County Louth, I hear every day from constituents who want to feel safe in their homes and in their communities. They want to know that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has the tools necessary to tackle organised crime, drug dealing, online exploitation, antisocial behaviour and the many challenges that have evolved in recent years. At the same time, however, they expect those powers to be exercised fairly, proportionately and with respect for individual rights. That balance is actually here in the heart of this legislation. One of the significant aspects of the Bill is that it brings together powers that have developed over many decades and places them within a more coherent statutory framework. That is good for the Garda, for the courts and for the public. Clear laws lead to greater transparency, greater accountability and greater public confidence.  The Minister and I know well that criminality has changed dramatically in the last few years. In truth, I admire the Garda's ability to react to such a variety of situations and challenges daily. Much of the evidence required in investigations is now stored on phones, laptops and online systems. Criminal gangs are increasingly sophisticated and often operate across multiple jurisdictions. It is therefore essential that An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has modern powers to gather evidence and investigate serious offences effectively. The provisions dealing with electronic devices and digital evidence recognise that reality. However, effective policing and civil liberties are not competing objectives. In fact, they depend on one another.  Public trust in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is one of the great strengths of our policing model. It is therefore welcome that this Bill includes safeguards relating to access to legal representation, the recording of procedures, judicial oversight and protections surrounding legally privileged material.  These measures help to ensure that individuals' rights are protected while also supporting robust criminal investigation. As someone who engages regularly with community groups, victims of crime and local residents across County Louth, I know that people want strong action against those who make life a pure misery for others. They want garda\u00ed to be visible, supported and empowered to intervene where criminal activity is taking place, but they also want those reassurances that decisions are being made fairly and consistently. Legislation such as this will help to provide those reassurances by setting out clear rules and procedures.  It is important to recognise the professionalism of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Every day, its members make difficult decision in challenging circumstances. They deserve legislation that is clear, modern and practical. Equally, communities deserve confidence that these powers are accompanied by appropriate safeguards.  While careful scrutiny of any expansion or clarification of Garda powers is entirely appropriate, and while aspects of the Bill may be refined through the legislative process, the overall objective is one that I support. This legislation reflects recommendations aimed at modernising policing powers and creating a more accessible legal framework for both garda\u00ed and the public.  I share the concerns of my colleagues about vape shops. There is a proliferation of them across County Louth. We see young people queuing outside at lunchtime during their school break. We do not know what they are buying or what those shops are selling. We need to ensure that the Garda has the power to search these premises.  Ultimately, this Bill is about protecting communities, supporting effective policing and safeguarding people's rights. Those are objectives that should unite all of us in this House. For those reasons, I welcome the Bill. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Seamus Healy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","memberCode":"Seamus-Healy.D.2000-06-22","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Seamus Healy  I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It has been long in the making, going back to recommendations originally made as far back as 2018. Of course, the implementation of Garda powers requires a modern, properly staffed, properly resourced and properly funded Garda organisation with a fit-for-purpose structure. Unfortunately, that is not the situation in Clonmel and south Tipperary. Clonmel is entitled to, and demands, its fair share of garda\u00ed. The Government has reduced Garda numbers in Clonmel by 11. Today, Clonmel has 11 fewer garda\u00ed than it had in 2024. It is a town of 20,000 people. It is a small city, with a hinterland of another up to 20,000 people, including in Kilsheelan, Lisronagh, Kilcash, Ballypatrick, Fethard, Clerihan, Marlfield and, indeed, parts of County Waterford. The acceptable and reasonable standard unit size for operations in such an area is ten. I understand that Clonmel Garda station is operating units of four. As a result, Garda high-visibility policing, foot patrols and garda\u00ed on the beat are non-existent. Garda\u00ed are being sent to respond to incidents on their own, placing them in dangerous and serious situations. Such incidents have been reported to me.  There are unacceptable levels of understaffing in Clonmel and in the Clonmel district. Eleven Garda stations in Tipperary have no dedicated garda. One of those is Kilsheelan Garda station, which is covered by Clonmel. Part-time Garda stations are also on the increase. Carrick-on-Suir is an example. It is also under the Clonmel district. The Government has been prioritising Dublin and Cork at the expense of towns such as Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir. That has to stop.  The new Garda districts, introduced a number of years ago by the former Garda Commissioner, have been an unmitigated disaster. That initiative has presided over a reduction in front-line Garda numbers. It has devastated the community Garda operation. The numbers do not lie. In 2010, there were 1,082 community garda\u00ed. In July 2026, there were 591.  I have been involved in community organisations almost all my life and certainly for the past nearly 50 years. In every area of Clonmel, there were community garda\u00ed with responsibility for particular districts. It was the same throughout the country. We knew who those garda\u00ed were and met them regularly. We met them at our community association meetings. We had their telephone numbers. They had their fingers on the button in all areas. They worked with young people and the various community and sporting organisations in the area. They were an absolute godsend to communities. The few community garda\u00ed who are available now are overworked and stressed out. It is time that we get back to community policing and replace the 591 community garda\u00ed we have lost over recent years.  Roads policing is another area that has been completely undermined. The figures are ominous. In 2009, we had 1,046 road policing garda\u00ed. In July 2026, there were 638, which is 400 fewer. The national ratio of garda\u00ed to road kilometres is 1:150 km. In south Tipperary, and Tipperary generally, it is 1:250 km.  Garda numbers in Clonmel and the Clonmel district are unacceptably low. I ask the Minister to immediately reappoint the 11 garda\u00ed we have lost over the past two years and following that to increase the numbers exponentially so that the Garda presence in the town and district can be increased to a proper level to support the garda\u00ed themselves and the community generally. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Catherine Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Catherine-Callaghan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Catherine-Callaghan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Catherine Callaghan  I welcome the opportunity to speak today in favour of this Bill. At the heart of the Bill are the people we represent. The public expects to be safe in their communities. They expect the Garda to have the powers necessary to tackle crime and expect those powers to be exercised fairly, transparently and with proper safeguards. This Bill helps to achieve that balance.  For too long, Garda powers have been spread across a range of laws developed over many decades. That has created unnecessary complexity for garda\u00ed, legal practitioners and the public alike. This Bill brings those powers together into one modern and coherent framework, making the law clearer and more accessible for everyone.  The public have a right to feel safe in their homes, towns and villages, and in their daily lives. They also have a right to know that when they come into contact with the criminal justice system, their rights will be protected. That is why the safeguards contained in this legislation are so important. While the Bill gives the Garda clearer powers to tackle crime, it also strengthens protections for ordinary citizens.  Anyone who finds themselves in Garda custody will now have a clear, statutory right to have a solicitor present during questioning. The Bill also requires interviews to be electronically recorded and provides enhanced protections for children and vulnerable persons. These measures strengthen public confidence in the justice system and help ensure fair treatment for all. The legislation also improves accountability. For the first time, garda\u00ed will be required to keep a formal record of stop-and-search actions. While we all acknowledge that the vast majority of garda\u00ed carry out their duties professionally every day, these measures provide reassurance both to the public and to Garda members themselves.  The Bill also reflects the reality of modern crime. Criminals increasingly use digital technology, encrypted communications and electronic devices. The law must keep pace if garda\u00ed are to effectively investigate serious crime and protect the public from those who seek to exploit new technologies for criminal purposes. We know that garda\u00ed are increasingly faced with dangerous situations on our roads, including incidents involving organised crime and reckless driving. While legislation provides the legal framework, it is equally important that Garda members receive the specialist training required to respond safely and effectively in these circumstances. Just as the public have a right to feel safe in their communities, garda\u00ed have a right to feel protected and supported as they carry out their duties on our behalf. Those who put themselves in harm's way to protect others deserve the training, resources and legal protections necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.  Of course, there are aspects of the Bill that have generated debate, including issues around journalistic privilege, privacy and the stop-and-search procedures. Those are important discussions and they should continue as the legislation progresses. However, the central objective of this Bill is clear. It is about creating a policing framework that works for the public. It is about supporting garda\u00ed in keeping our communities safe. It is about protecting individual rights while ensuring those who engage in criminal activity can be effectively investigated and brought before the courts. As legislators, our responsibility is to ensure that the law keeps pace with a changing society. I believe this Bill does that. It modernises Garda powers, strengthens safeguards and ultimately serves the interests of the law-abiding public. For those reasons, I am happy to support the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Ward","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","memberCode":"Barry-Ward.S.2020-03-30","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Barry Ward  Broadly speaking, I welcome the Bill. I have heard what other Members have said about it, and I have some sympathy with the idea that it is a modernisation of Garda powers. It is necessary for us in the context of how technology and possession change to have regard to what powers garda\u00ed need to do the job they need to do. For example, in the case of legislation that had previously been introduced to empower garda\u00ed to demand passwords and access to those phones and things like that, I have misgivings about them but I also recognise the need for them. The reality at the moment is that garda\u00ed have a very difficult job to do.  However, I also think that the power to stop somebody and search them on the street is a hugely significant one. Obviously, people are protected constitutionally from the abuse of that power. That is also a protection they enjoy. My concern is that there are definitely times when garda\u00ed exercise this power capriciously. There are definitely times that in my own experience in the criminal courts, particularly on the defence side, I have seen situations where I was pretty sure that garda\u00ed had exercised those powers inappropriately. You will often see people being searched around the city or elsewhere. It does not require a great deal, for example, for a garda to conduct a search under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. The reasonable suspicion point is very easily overcome by a garda who wants to do so.  What is proposed in this Bill is problematic from the point of view that it empowers the garda\u00ed to conduct a search of an individual if they have the relevant article that is described in the Act. The relevant article is really anything nefarious, something that is suspected to have been stolen or something more serious, such as a weapon or something else. That is a significant power, and it is not clear to me that the Bill defines with clarity what the basis of that reasonable suspicion is. There is a great deal of case law on this, and this is a matter that has been tested by the courts time and again as to what constitutes reasonable suspicion. When I was in the District Court doing drink-driving cases, we had what we used to call the Templemore Four, namely, unsteady on their feet, smell of alcohol on the breath, slurred speech and not fully focused sight. I felt, rightly or wrongly, when I was defending drink-driving cases that one or all of these would be trotted out as a basis on which the garda had decided to administer a roadside breath test because he or she needed to have a reasonable suspicion to administer that test. Similarly, in relation to people who are stopped on the street and suspected of being in possession of drugs contrary to the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act, the garda needs only to have a reasonable suspicion before conducting a search under section 23. It is a significant power that is not tempered by what is provided for in this Bill. Again, that reasonable suspicion has been corralled a little bit by the courts. I do not really think the extent to which a garda being able to say, \"Well, I believed he had the stolen item in his pocket and, therefore, I conducted a search\", impinges on a person's individual liberty is a sufficient basis for a garda to conduct a search, so I have misgivings about this.  Having said that, I recognise that there are provisions in the Bill that go quite a long way towards requiring garda\u00ed to essentially back up their suspicion. The recording, for example, of the circumstances around the offence is really important. I note the ICCL has said it does not think that the details the Bill suggests would be recorded are sufficient. Again, I do not necessarily agree with that criticism. What I do have a concern about is if, for example, I am a garda on patrol and I stop somebody, conduct a search and put into my notebook all the details that I am supposed to under the Act, well and good, but what happens if I do it at the end of the shift? What happens if I do it two days later? What happens if I do it two days before the court case? There is no way for anybody to control when that is done or how it is done. For example, in this modern day of technology, when garda\u00ed have more technology at their disposal, is there not a way in which we could timestamp that entry so that we could prove it is contemporaneous with the search, and therefore could be a more reliable evidentiary source if that search were ever challenged? There is the notion that a garda could do it retrospectively. There is nothing in the Act that says it must be made in the official Garda notebook, for example. It would be helpful if you could go through the book and see if the entries on either side of it were chronological with it, which would indicate that it had been made at the time. In the absence of that, I wonder whether there are sufficient controls in relation to that search.  I say this conscious of the fact that, broadly speaking, it is important to have this legislation. The search-and-seizure powers do need to be updated. I do not think they take cognisance of modern technology in terms of some of the things that people involved in criminal activity can hide and the ways in which they can hide them. We have to be very careful and I know that is not a very politically savvy thing to say, because at the end of the day most people think of an accused person and really the garda\u00ed should get what they need to get to ensure that they catch the people who are doing the thing that is wrong. I have sympathy with that view but we have to think of this as what if it is me or a person who is wrongly accused. What if that person has their rights infringed? That can be quite pervasive in the impact it has on society, people's relationship with the Garda, the faith in the system and the individual liberties of people, which are so important within our system. Garda\u00ed enjoy a position where they are trusted by communities. They have good relationships with the people they police and that is a really important thing to preserve. If we push this too far, then the danger is that we will have a situation where garda\u00ed start to trample on that relationship, start to lose the confidence of the people they are policing, and cause people to lose faith that they are exercising their powers in the way that they should and that they are doing it according to the law.  In short, I am saying there is a little bit of one and a little bit of the other. I am wondering if on Committee Stage we could consider some kind of an amendment, particularly in relation to the recording of the details of the search, that might breed greater confidence in the evidence that would ultimately be given by a garda in the event that a search is challenged. That might say to the ordinary person on the street who might be the subject of one of these searches, \"Here's your safeguard. Here's something you can rely on to ensure that the garda is doing his or her job in the way that he or she should.\" I will happily work with the Minister on whatever amendment he thinks might do that, if there is some way in which we can just strengthen that power.  I recognise the job garda\u00ed have to do is extraordinarily difficult. The gathering of evidence is no mean feat, yet they are expected time and time again to come to court with the requisite amount of evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that somebody has committed an offence. It might be plain as the nose on their face because they were there but they have to find an evidential way by which to demonstrate it in court. I fully recognise the difficulties they face in that regard. I want us in this House to help them and to give them the tools and the equipment they need but I also want to safeguard the confidence the public has in our criminal justice system. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  I had the privilege of being in Dundalk District Court this morning to hear incredibly warm and deserved tributes to the late solicitor and senior counsel, James MacGuill, who died unexpectedly on 6 September. James, as many will know, was a titan of the legal profession, not just in Louth or the State but across Europe. In many ways, he was passionate about the rule of law but he also rewrote the rules himself at times with cases he brought to the highest courts in the State and Europe, which meant that legislation had to be changed. He is a terrible loss first and foremost to his family but also to his many friends in the legal profession and further afield. I extend my deepest sympathies to them on this terrible loss.  While I was at the District Court today, I saw the impact of the current row between solicitors and the Minister for justice over the changes to criminal legal aid. I saw that the many talented solicitors who grace the District Court in Dundalk were only dealing with custody cases, all the other cases being adjourned to 18 November or even January. Yet, the Minister for justice is telling the public that the criminal courts are functioning effectively. It was clear to see they are not. Behind each of these numbers is a defendant without representation, a victim whose wait for justice keeps getting put back, garda\u00ed wanting to bring a case to a conclusion and many others who are directly impacted.  The figures that show the collapse of the criminal legal aid certs issued from July 2025 to July 2026 are stark. In Dundalk, in July 2025 there were 329 certificates issued and this July, just 19 were issued, representing a 94.2% drop, which is huge. These figures are replicated at district courts around the State. What is needed is proper engagement and for solicitors and the Minister for justice to get around a table and sort this out. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Leas-Cheann Comhairle  What part of the Bill is that? "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Ruair\u00ed-\u00d3-Murch\u00fa.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ruair\u00ed \u00d3 Murch\u00fa  The irony is not lost on solicitors and the public that this was the first piece of legislation to come before the D\u00e1il in the new term. This Bill places on statutory footing the existing right of people in custody to consult a solicitor before and during interview and provides for electronic recording of interviews by garda\u00ed where, previously, everything that was said in a Garda interview had to be handwritten. The Minister now faces, because of this strike, solicitors not attending at Garda stations any more. There needs to be urgent engagement with solicitors' representatives. I have seen for myself how the system is not working at the moment.  We all agree there was a necessity to codify for stop-and-search, arrests, searches, seizures and detention. We know there were these 12 pieces of legislation, and from time to time we could probably make arguments in regard to how they were used. Should providing garda\u00ed with the powers they need have happened in a shorter time? Yes. Do we also need to make sure we have enough powers in regard to oversight and accountability? We will all see with \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" later whether there are major failings in relation to whistleblowers and I call on the Minister to deal with this issue. We would be very worried in relation to any loss of journalistic privilege and the protection of sources.  It goes without saying that the Garda needs the powers to be able to operate, with the vast amounts of criminality we have talked about, whether that is organised crime, disorganised crime or the grooming of children. We know that we need a huge amount of work to be done in relation to youth diversion alongside community policing.  The other thing I will bring up - it is not the first time I have brought it up - is that the Garda sometimes becomes the body that has to deal with mental health issues, particularly outside of office hours. There is a need for guidelines and protocols, and to look properly at the Mental Health Act. At times, garda\u00ed are arresting people to protect these people from themselves and in many cases, GPs, as they read the Mental Health Act, do not believe these people need taking in. I have dealt with multiple issues in the past while, some of which took weeks to deal with, and I think there is an anomaly that should be dealt with by the Minister, and a number of other Ministers, particularly the Minister with powers in relation to mental health, around correcting this. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Michael Collins","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Michael-Collins.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Michael Collins  Independent Ireland knows full well that crime has changed. Criminals are using mobile phones, computers and new technology, and the law has to keep up. I said many times in this House that giving garda\u00ed powers is only part of the answer. We need garda\u00ed on the ground as well. In rural Ireland, particularly in west Cork, people have seen Garda stations close and Garda resources stretched. I raised the fear that rural crime causes, particularly for elderly people and those living alone, and I have called for greater support for community alerts and other measures to protect them.  I have also repeatedly raised the tragic case of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was murdered near Schull in 1996. In 2023, I asked that every necessary resource be given to the Garda serious crime review team and to the local Garda investigation unit based in Bantry. That case alone shows why garda\u00ed need the proper powers, technology and resources to investigate serious crime but there must be safeguards as well. A person's mobile phone can contain their whole private life. If garda\u00ed can require passwords, personal identification numbers, PINs, or biometric access there must be clear rules and proper oversight. I am also concerned about somebody being deemed to have given up their rights to a solicitor. If a person has given up such an important right it should be clear that they understand what they are doing.  While I am talking about solicitors, the previous speaker has similarly spoken about the free legal aid situation that is out there at the present time. It is an issue that cannot continue the way it is. It causes serious concern to quite a lot of people, including my constituents and constituents throughout the country. I plead with the Minister. Sometimes if we all stand off, nothing really happens until we sit around the table and try to get to the bottom of the problem. It cannot continue the way it is.  We can pass all the laws we like but without enough garda\u00ed, vehicles or resources, those laws cannot protect our communities. Independent Ireland's position is simple: back our garda\u00ed and give them the tools to tackle criminals, but protect the rights of ordinary, law-abiding people at the same time. People are worried and upset. They are worried about their safety and well-being out there. I visited a county in the past few days and I met with different families. I asked where their kids were going to schools. They said, \"Up the road there\", and they pointed out where it was. I said that it was brilliant they could walk to and from school but they said, \"No way. There is no way we would allow our children walk to and from school because of the dangers that are there\". People are concerned and that is very basic. Maybe I still had the mindset that kids walk to school. In this situation - I am not going to name the county because it does not reflect the general well-being of the people there - they were genuine parents telling me they were concerned about their children. I did not ask from who or what but it is a situation that is a worrying factor out there for quite a lot of people.  We in Independent Ireland have been very strong on our policies with regard to getting tough on crime. We are talking about people who are seriously assaulting people out there; people who are hardened criminals and thieves. There needs to be a stronger law to make sure those who are attacking people, taking their personal property or even hurting them, face the ultimate powers of the Garda and the law. That is not happening in the courts at the moment with the free legal aid crisis that is going on. We need to make sure it does. We need to make sure people out there are protected and that they know that the criminal who comes into their house, steals their property or hurts somebody will serve a serious sentence and not be back out there on the streets within weeks of a crime. It is not good enough and it is a worrying factor in this country. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Ken O'Flynn","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Ken-O'Flynn.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Ken O'Flynn  While modernising police legislation sounds reasonable on paper, this Bill fails to strike the essential balance between public safety and fundamental human rights. It dramatically expands invasive powers such as stop-and-search and seizure of electronic devices without introducing necessary binding legislation with safeguards.  Crucially, it lacks mandatory requirements to record ethnic or demographic data during those stops. Without this data we cannot properly monitor or prevent the biometric profiling or disproportionate targeting of an ethnic minority or minority communities.  Let us look beyond the text of the Bill. We in this House cannot ignore internal Garda culture, a culture that has deeply tested the public trust over the last number of years, and the question of the very integrity of the Garda institution itself. Following Rita O\u2019Reilly\u2019s \u201cMorning Ireland\u201d interview I am obliged as a Member of this House to ask the critical questions before I can support the expanding of any policing powers. When GSOC was informed on 9 September 2019 that Garda leather holsters made by Declan Clancy Saddlery were not fit for purpose, what action did it take and what action did the Minister\u2019s Department take? In November 2022, when the then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, the Taoiseach, T\u00e1naiste and the Comptroller and Auditor General were sent detailed protected disclosures concerning the holsters from the saddlery, the Garda armoury and the tragic murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, what steps were taken concerning the grave wrongdoings in those disclosures? Those documents, which were in the possession of the Minister, the Taoiseach and the T\u00e1naiste, show there were cover-ups and orchestrated delays that were outlined specifically in those documents.  Furthermore, since 5 March 2026 I have asked both oral and written parliamentary questions seeking for details of the date on which the Government agreed to exercise its collective will on the dismissal of Mr. John Barrett, executive director of human resources and people development in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. I have received no answer to date, despite the commitment of the T\u00e1naiste to come back to me within a week to reply. I have since written to the T\u00e1naiste, and to members of this Cabinet and the previous Cabinet to inform me about this. One member of the previous Cabinet wrote back and everyone else has ignored those letters, but I tell the Minister those letters are not going away and they are a matter of public record. I am sending these letters because this is not a trivial administration matter. I remind this House the dismissal of a senior civil servant is governed by the statutory framework established under section 5 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, as amended. The failure to provide transparency and accountability on when and how the Government exercised its collective authority in relation to this dismissal raises serious questions and concerns due process, constitutional rights and the protection of the public and senior civil servants. In my view and that of many practising law, this amounts to a breach of human rights and must be properly examined in the context of constitutionality, statutory regulations and government dismissals.  This is a growing list of internal disclosures and unanswered parliamentary questions and shows a lack of transparent processes within the Garda and the Department of justice. It makes it impossible to ignore that there is a systemic flaw in the culture of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. We cannot blindly grant sweeping new powers under this Bill while the existing framework for accountability, human rights, data collection and the basic institutional integrity is consistently failing this House and this State and falling short. Before we grant An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na greater powers, this Government must first demonstrate those powers are exercised within a framework of transparency and accountability and in a way that has respect for fundamental human rights. I urge Members to vote against the Bill.  Others have mentioned this but while the Minister is here, I implore him to interact with the Law Society. Nobody likes to lose face and nobody likes to lose a battle, but we have people being released from courts having been told \u201cOff you go\u201d as they have no solicitor. We have people turning up to courts and waiting for appointments. They have taken time off work and whatever else. They have no free legal aid available to them. This cannot go on. The Minister has had months of ignoring the Law Society and ignoring solicitors across the country. I would have thought somebody like him, with an understanding of the law, would have engaged. I accept he has written back, a month or two later, to the Law Society, but the Minister has to engage. Only by shaking hands and only by sitting at a table and negotiating will he achieve anything. As a new Member of this House I do not need to teach him how to suck eggs. He is very capable and is one of the more capable Ministers on the Front Bench, but by not entering negotiations, talking to people, shaking the hand of the enemy and sitting down he will not achieve anything. I think the Minister knows that deep down so I appeal to him to get around the negotiating table and talk to the Law Society and to solicitors. Let us build a bridge and get over it. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Paul Nicholas Gogarty","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Paul-Nicholas-Gogarty.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty  Some of us have just received messages that Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is in hospital following an alleged assault. I put on record my best wishes for him in his recovery and my absolute condemnation - no matter what viewpoint people have - of attacks on politicians male or female. I condemn it wholeheartedly and wish him a speedy recovery.  I broadly welcome the passage of the Bill through the Seanad. It takes the long-overdue step of streamlining stop-and-search procedures, digital device warrants and integrating the European Union's human rights directives into our domestic laws. However, during the Seanad debates Senator McDowell warned, for example, that we cannot compromise the basic human rights of people in terms of shielding journalistic privilege from digital searches. We have to look after people\u2019s basic human rights. Civil liberties watchdogs like the Irish Council for Civil Liberties demanded accountability through the mandatory recording requirements during police stops of people\u2019s background and ethnicity to ensure people were not being targeted.  There is sometimes a fair accusation that police forces throughout the world can and do engage in profiling and targeting, whether of people in disadvantaged areas or those from particular ethnic backgrounds or nationalities. By the same token \u2013 this is another reason I regret it is not being covered here and I hope it will be by other means \u2013 sometimes it is also useful to be able to determine the nationality of people arrested for offences. We had some, to an extent discredited, reportage in England, for example, suggesting one or two nationalities were up to 22 times more likely to be arrested for sexual offences. When that was brought down it ended up being 3.5 to 14 times more likely than the English average, so even allowing for racial profiling and targeting of particular nationalities, there are questions raised in terms of cultural norms in certain backgrounds that are applicable when people have concerns about large concentrations of people from those backgrounds in particular areas. This raises the issue of education, training and monitoring. There is a win-win situation there for those who think the immigrant population is more likely to assault people, which it is not, and for those who want to ensure garda\u00ed do not go around targeting people willy-nilly, which in general they do not. However, you have to have scrutiny and monitoring to look at these issues and ensure everything has been covered.  That is one angle.  Another angle to the passing of the Bill is the resourcing of measures in a situation where garda\u00ed are already under-resourced. When it comes to logging and entering information, through what system is it logged? I said 20 years ago and on previous occasions in the Chamber that the PULSE system was outdated before it even came into operation. What is the post-PULSE plan for the new data input we will need? Will any kind of new system be rolled out?  Ultimately, it boils down to the actual numbers on the ground. As I said a while back - there have been a few new recruits since - we do not have any more garda\u00ed on the ground per head of population than 2008 because of retirements. In my community recently a boy was beaten up and his bike robbed, and garda\u00ed had still not come to take a statement two days later. People were told there was only one car between two Garda stations and, unfortunately, garda\u00ed could not come to them.  The Minister gave some positive information some time back regarding some of the backlogs that impact Garda time. For example, in respect of an antisocial behaviour order a Garda of the rank of sergeant or above has to go to court. Garda\u00ed have to be witnesses in the court system. I would like some confirmation on whether video statements can be used more frequently and how that is progressing. As well as trying to increase Garda numbers, we need to make more efficient usage of Garda time. A bunch of kids under 12 were trying to rob bikes in a local school, which I mentioned in the Chamber some time ago, but when garda\u00ed were called their response was that they were sorry but the car was at the courts at that moment. That is not an acceptable type of response. We cannot blame garda\u00ed for it because they do not have the resources, vehicles or staffing. Equally, public faith in the service has gone. I will come back to this, as I have in regard to consequences for antisocial behaviour among those aged under 18 as well as those aged over 18 down the line. People are getting away with stuff day in and day out. It takes many incidents, perhaps 13 or 14, before people are brought into the system. We need resourcing for juvenile liaison services and additional garda\u00ed.  I am digressing from the specific wording in the Bill for the simple reason that I find myself with a few minutes of extra time. I wanted to elaborate on this as this is the first opportunity after the recess to point out that the attacks have begun again. People are still two abreast on scooters and are robbing bikes with masks on. They are attacking people and getting away with it, or at least they are being seen to be getting away with it because it is six or eight months before they come into the system. We need a faster response. I look forward to the additional legislation on e-scooters.  If we do not have the resources to employ more garda\u00ed or the system cannot catch up fast enough in terms of recruitment numbers, we have to free up Garda time. The use of smarter technology and AI in a safe context and the ability to work remotely in a better way could be integrated into the courts system. That is a discussion the Minister will have to have and I acknowledge the liberty the courts have. We need to free up time for garda\u00ed on the ground to respond to crises. We need more community garda\u00ed to try to anticipate things that happen.  Generally, I broadly welcome the Bill. I would have liked to have seen some more civil liberties protection and information on where people can get rid of misinformation. I also would have liked the Bill to put in place checks and balances to deal with situations where certain nationalities do not respect women in the same way as most people would like. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Carol Nolan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Carol-Nolan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Carol-Nolan.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Carol Nolan  I want to begin by wishing my colleague Deputy Michael Healy-Rae well. I understand he was subjected to an unprovoked assault earlier today. I wish to condemn that in the strongest possible terms. As I said, I wish him well.  T\u00e1 \u00e1thas orm labhairt ar an mBille cumhachta a bhaineann leis An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. I begin by acknowledging the extraordinary work carried out every day by front-line members of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. They are the men and women who respond to domestic violence calls at 3 a.m., deal with antisocial behaviour in our towns, deal with very dangerous situations every day of the week, see dangerous e-scooters and scramblers on footpaths and forest trails, and stand between communities and real harm. I have met many garda\u00ed and sat with them in my constituency offices in Tullamore and Birr. I listened to their concerns. Recently, I met Chief Superintendent Lonergan and Inspector Collins following the horrific tragedy in Edenderry when Tadgh Farrell and Mary Holt lost their lives. Their lives were taken from them in what could be called murder. Their commitment and the commitment of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to Offaly is unquestionable.  What is questionable, however, is whether senior management and the Government are giving them the resources, support and leadership they badly need. That is the context in which we debate the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026. The Bill deals with high level reforms, digital evidence, search warrants, stop-and-search powers and custody rights, all of which are, of course, important and matter. However, concerns have been raised by the ICCL around definitions, safeguards and the sequencing of judicial oversight. These concerns are worth paying attention to. We should also ensure that the powers are clear, proportionate and workable.  Let me be blunt. Communities across Offaly are not talking to me about sections 7 or 29. Rather, they speak to me every day about visibility, response times and whether An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na will answer the phone when they ring about domestic violence, farm trespassing, which is becoming a massive issue in many rural communities - Offaly is no different- or antisocial behaviour in their estates. As I said, the Garda do tremendous work, and I commend it on its work in Offaly, but garda\u00ed are stretched because they are trying to cover many rural areas. It is high time that we got proper resources.  I acknowledge that Garda numbers have slightly increased in Offaly, by about 2%, but that is since 2021, which is unacceptable especially with an increase in population. We are still dealing with stations which need guaranteed opening hours, rural areas that need patrols and towns that need boots on the ground. The Government can talk about \u20ac2.48 billion in Garda funding, but if communities do not see it and do not see garda\u00ed on their streets, that funding is not delivering what people need. I ask the Minister to prioritise County Offaly in terms of additional garda\u00ed and resources, to work with the Commissioner and ensure that we have proper resources in budget 2027.  We cannot ignore the wider issues in senior management. Almost 100 garda\u00ed have been suspended with no timely resolution. Whistleblowers have raised concerns about internal units. Rank-and-file members have expressed deep alarm. Those issues, as well as resources, have to be worked on and resolved as soon as possible. While I welcome aspects of the Bill, I will continue to insist that the legislation alone will not restore public confidence. What will restore public confidence is garda\u00ed being present, supported and properly led. We need the policing model of garda\u00ed on the ground. There have to be community garda\u00ed; they are too few and far between. As I said, they are doing their best, but they are stretched in County Offaly. I hope budget 2027 will prioritise the need for garda\u00ed in Offaly to be resourced and additional numbers. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mattie McGrath  I would also like to send good wishes to our esteemed colleague and hard-working Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I wish him well in St. Vincent's this evening after an episode that should not happen to any politician, male or female. It is a timely reminder to all of us. We wish him a speedy recovery and wish his wife and family well.  I am delighted to be able to speak on the Bill. This legislation is badly needed, but we need to have balance between what the public needs and requires.  No police force in the world can support, manage and survive without the support of the public. That has been the case since the inception of the State and the setting up of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. However, there are many issues related to the Bill that we are not happy with.  I recently met Superintendent Hallahan in Clonmel with my daughter, Councillor M\u00e1ir\u00edn McGrath, and Councillor Niall Dennehy, and also met Superintendent Eddie Golden in the other part of south Tipperary. My point relates to Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Cahir, Cashel, Rosegreen, Fethard and all such areas. I wish well Garda Phillip Ryan, who has retired after a long career of dedicated professional service in Clogheen Garda station. Clogheen is another area left without a garda. I also wish well and offer my ongoing support to Garda John Walsh and the other man beaten and attacked while out on his own dealing with dangerous criminals. Garda\u00ed face that every day of the week. I support and salute the front-line garda\u00ed who have to deal with all kinds of issues and measures.  However, I have become critical of the management of the Garda, because I believe they are not bringing the message back to the Commissioner and the assistant commissioners up the line. The amalgamation of the Tipperary and Clare divisions was a disaster. I said that at the time. I opposed it and I continue to oppose it. We got a sop of a chief superintendent appointed. Yes, we did. The chief superintendent is not based in Tipperary. He might be based there in name but he is covering the whole region. That policy is a disaster. All the policies are. Now we are told increasingly that you cannot ring your local Garda station and that you have to ring 999, which service dispatches the local car. It could be 100 miles away. It is the same as what we have with the HSE and the ambulance service. All is not well in the Garda and we need many more reforms. We need more men on the ground, more resources and proper accountability.  We then had the litany of disasters over the decades. Long before the Minister was even born, I would say, a man was murdered at a wedding in Offaly, Fr. Molloy. We have had many such cases. There is the woman from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, whose son was killed on the road by a criminal who should not have been at large. She fought a gallant case and I understand it cost her nearly \u20ac200,000 to fight it. She is such a brave woman. There are many other cases across the country of people who cannot get justice.  I was a victim of it myself in Dungarvan Garda station many years ago. That kind of rot must be rooted out and there must be fairness and respect for people. A businessman in Cork was physically abused by garda\u00ed when he was on his combine harvester. They came to arrest him with a team of men you would not have going into a riot situation. There were 11, I believe. They tore him off his combine. Surely to God, a man who was never in trouble with the law could be dealt with better than that. It is before the courts, so I cannot say any more than that.  There are incidents of bullying and intimidation. A young man, a Rossiter chap, was killed in the Garda station in Clonmel many years ago. We have had huge brutality issues in Dungarvan Garda station over the years, so all is not well in the system. I have supported the garda\u00ed all my life and we depend on them, and I still support them, but the rot must be addressed.  I met an inspector who recently retired from a different division altogether. He concurred with what I thought. There are cliques and things that go up along the line, with orders to behave or do whatever. That is not healthy. All is not well in the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.  I want to turn to the situation with solicitors at the moment. I know the situation with legal aid has been totally abused. The principle of three strikes and you are out should be applied here. The situation whereby people cannot get solicitors now is not acceptable. Regarding the strike, I support the Minister in trying to have----- "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  The Deputy's remarks should be relevant to this Bill. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mattie McGrath","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","memberCode":"Mattie-McGrath.D.2007-06-14","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mattie McGrath  Sorry, it is all relevant to this Bill, very much relevant. I thought the Ceann Comhairle was calling me on time. My remarks are very relevant because it is all in the one category. I know the Minister is doing his best. I thank him for coming to Clonmel to turn the sod and progress our new Garda station there. It is now about having people to fill it who will be able to respond to calls. Garda\u00ed go on duty and may have 12, 15 or 20 calls to reply to. It is just so frustrating for them. It is hard on them.  We have some great garda\u00ed in Clonmel and Cahir, my area, and the vast majority of them do tremendous work. On their own, it is not safe any more, unfortunately, especially for female garda\u00ed. I wish Garda Fiona well. She is out sick at the moment. She is a community garda in Clonmel who does tremendous work there with a small team and a small amount of resources. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  Now the Deputy's time is up. I thank him. I call Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Danny Healy-Rae","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Danny-Healy-Rae.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Danny Healy-Rae  I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I, too, am very disappointed with the news that my brother was assaulted going out the road in the car. It is not on. He was just doing his work, or going wherever he was going. He was stopped on the road and someone hit him through the window. It is not good enough. I hope he will be all right. I hope his family will be all right. It is something that is hurting me as much as anyone else. These things should not happen to public representatives. We get elected to help the people and not to hurt them. If we cannot do right by everyone, it is tough. We cannot please everyone. We are doing our best, and it is unfair to hit a fellow through the window without him being able to defend himself. I hope he will be all right before morning and that he will be out again tomorrow.  I appreciate this Bill but I have a few concerns. The Minister mentioned electronic devices that are being used to store information. The Garda needs to get at them. It must be allowed to get that information.  The scourge of drugs is driving people mad. It has families finished when one person gets hooked on these drugs. Sisters, brothers, fathers and mothers are driven around the bend when something happens to their son or daughter. This is happening. The work the garda\u00ed are doing and the amount of drugs they are seizing are amazing. There is certainly a lot. We appreciate every day that we hear of drugs worth millions being seized, but there are more coming in. They are coming in along our coast.  The Government took down our Garda stations. I am not saying the current Minister did so, but previous Governments dismantled the Garda service we had. There are people coming into communities now and nobody knows who they are. They have that advantage over the system. Before, a local garda knew who everyone was in every part of the parish. We are missing that now. It needs to be rectified because the information local garda\u00ed got on the ground was never wrong. They had knowledge of all the people. We have lost that.  The Minister mentioned drones for searching places. I hope a search warrant will still have to be initiated to allow a drone to search, in the same way that the superintendent had to request a search warrant in the District Court. That used to be the way before. We cannot have people saying people's rights were intruded upon. The recognised way was always to have the superintendent look for a search warrant for his team. That will be maintained. Will it be the same for drones? I am worried about drones going over people's private property.  We have to move with the times and the garda\u00ed have to be allowed to do their job. They have to get all the modern technology to deal with the advances criminals are making with their technology and devices. I appreciate the Minister's work on this. We have to apprehend the criminals, who are doing massive damage to young people and families right around Ireland, including rural towns and villages. The problem is rife everywhere and we must all work together to ensure these fellows are rooted out and their activity is minimised to the maximum extent. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Barry Heneghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Barry-Heneghan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Barry-Heneghan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Barry Heneghan  Ba mhaith liom chomh maith a thabhairt don Teachta Michael Healy-Rae agus a dearth\u00e1ir, at\u00e1 anseo anois, my support. I wish Michael a speedy recovery. The Healy-Rae brothers have been nothing but welcoming to me since I was elected to this House and I see how hard they work. It is not fair that any public representative, male or female, should face violence, and my thoughts are with Michael's family.  I welcome the Bill.  I never stop telling the Minister that my dad was a garda, my grandfather was a garda and my great grandfather was garda. I thank the Minister and the Department staff involved in preparing this legislation and bringing it before this House. For me, this debate is about giving garda\u00ed the tools they need to protect people.  I have spoken in-depth about how I believe CCTV footage could be used more intelligently, like in other countries, in conjunction with the councils to protect people and to protect high-risk areas, particularly playgrounds, playing pitches and community facilities, and that we should give garda\u00ed those powers. I am happy this Bill gives garda\u00ed other powers. I welcome the practical purpose of the Bill. I understand that other aspect is something that will be looked at in a future Bill.  Garda\u00ed need clear, modern legislation that allows them to investigate crime effectively. I welcome the in-depth work that has been done to secure evidence properly. I welcome the framework for stop and search warrants and the handling of evidence. This is particularly evident and needed in my constituency. As the Minister will know, evidence is increasingly held on phones, computers and other electronic devices. Having these rules is proactive and I believe we are finally addressing a problem rather than being reactive and it helps garda\u00ed to conduct effective investigations.  I welcome protections around legal privileged material. I listened to one of the Deputies speak about parliamentary privilege and I would like to know if that will be addressed in the Minister's closing speech. I mention the clear powers and proper safeguards around accountability.  Alongside these reforms, can we enable garda\u00ed and local authorities, as I mentioned, to respond quickly through a targeted CCTV programme in areas? It is not acceptable for my constituents to be told that the garda\u00ed and the council cannot use CCTV due to GDPR. However, when I have emailed both Garda officials and council officials regarding the use of CCTV, they both told me it is enabled. This has been mentioned in the recording devices Act 2023. Nevertheless, it is relevant to the wider question of equipping garda\u00ed to protect our communities across our country. I would like to see a streamlined process with the Garda. It would also help with the proper installation and maintenance of community facilities. We, as public representatives, fight very hard. We work with council staff and to see community facilities destroyed is not acceptable.  I would like to see better recruitment. If garda\u00ed, nurses and teachers, who are critical workers, were given incentives to address the high rents in Dublin, it would really incentivise people into the roles. I am the youngest of my dad's five kids and I do not think someone entering the Garda could do that economically now. Given the wages, it is not viable and if we are to encourage people to join An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, we need to encourage them by financial means. This is something that should be addressed.  Visible community policing has definitely stepped up since the Minister took up this role and I commend him on that. I have continuously said that I would like to see more in north Dublin. This on the beat garda presence is one of the biggest impacts this Government has had and it is something I hear repeatedly on the doorsteps. However, I still see antisocial behaviour across my constituency and I still hear people say the recent garda dispatch numbers were not proportionate in terms of the northside and southside. I am not having a jab at the Minister. I would like for that to be increased in the next roll-out.  I welcome the Bill and the work behind it but I ask that we give garda\u00ed better supports when they join An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, better supports when they in An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and better supports when they leave An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Our community deserves better and our garda\u00ed deserve better. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"John McGuinness","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","memberCode":"John-McGuinness.D.1997-06-26","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy John McGuinness  I welcome the legislation and assure the Minister that anything that strengthens the hand of the Garda force should be supported by this House and will be supported by me. As we pass this new legislation, or bring it through the House, we have to look at the impact of it on the day to day workings of an individual Garda member. We can identify the crimes and we can identify where we want to see improvements in the force but we have to continually remind ourselves that every time we ask a garda or garda\u00ed to do something that will require resources, support, training and ongoing care in terms of their employment.  My own opinion is that we are not giving enough resources to the gardai. We are not empowering them to implement every piece of legislation we pass here to the extent they should and could. We are leaving members of the force in a very vulnerable position when they are asked to do something, by way of legislation we in this House have passed, without the consideration of how they implement the piece of justice or the action that is required. That is where the problem in this legislation will commence.  Maybe it is time we looked at reforming the structure of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and at the processes within that structure. We need a modern force with all of the technology that is demanded of that force and with all of the protection necessary for each individual garda to carry out his or her duties in line with the legislation.  Earlier, comments were made about community garda\u00ed and we need more of those garda\u00ed, certainly in Kilkenny. They were a great asset to building up trust and a relationship with local communities. A lot of those community garda\u00ed have now been given other duties. That is causing a lot of difficulty in terms of the direct contact communities have with the local Garda force.  Reference was made to drugs and to a detective or a garda on the beat tracking down those who are selling drugs within our communities and causing havoc right across the country. In Kilkenny and Carlow, it is no different. They are plagued by drugs on every street corner. Every young person has direct access to any amount of drugs. While the Garda shuts down one element of that transaction, another one opens. I know that in Kilkenny city, for example, drugs are freely traded in our local graveyard because it is close to the source. The public demands and deserves much better than to see this type of transaction going on, generally in a local community. It certainly should not be taking place in a graveyard, and it is common knowledge.  The divisional areas, with respect to the drugs squad, the number of garda\u00ed, how superintendents are appointed and so on, need to be reviewed. The basic employment of garda\u00ed in terms of their pay structures and possibility for promotion within the force needs to be examined. An officer class within the Garda may be necessary in that type of structure.  I do not know whether the number of volunteers within the Garda is going up or down. I am not sure but I see fewer of them involved in the force itself. I thought they were a good development. All of this is linked to the courts too. We can have all of the devices, intelligence and technology we need but if we do not have the courts supporting the Garda in sending criminals to prison for the full period of time, then we will have criminals coming back onto our streets far earlier than they should for a crime that has caused huge concern in the community in the first place.  A lot of the trust in the Garda has been lost because of what happened in the past and because issues from the past were not dealt with appropriately. I think of Sergeant Maurice McCabe, who went through a process that took a huge time to get to the point of it being proven that he was right in the first place. Earlier in this debate, we heard mention of John Barrett who was dismissed from the force. I do not know the date that was put before Cabinet. I do not know what the process was thereafter, but it is interesting that none of us can find that information. Meanwhile, a man for whom I have great respect, who appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts, is trying to clear his name and to ensure the wrongs that were done to him while he was a member of the force, and a very good one, are dealt with. We have other whistleblowers who submitted protected disclosures that have not been dealt with.  When members of the public see the television programme tonight or read interviews in the newspaper or when various other incidents are covered in the media generally, it does not help that they are not dealt with openly and in a transparent fashion in an effort to continue to build trust. If one goes back to the case of Martin Kenirons and that whole investigation, one wonders why a member of the force who could have substantiated everything that detective said was not interviewed. It is the job of this House to point out when something goes wrong and point out what members of the public are saying and what worries them. Policing worries them and the laws of the State, including the Bill we are passing, trouble them. They will support the force, but they are not prepared to let the likes of the cases of Martin Kenirons and John Barrett slip any more.  I ask the Minister, as a step to build trust and show that we mean business through the garda\u00ed, in terms of our support for them, to ensure the outstanding issues and protected disclosures are brought to the fore and dealt with in a very public fashion. That is the least that can be expected in terms of the people I have just mentioned. I would love to hear the Minister indicate what his intentions are in relation to all of this in his closing remarks and, likewise, in relation to local authorities and the complaints they receive when garda\u00ed are called to disputes between tenants or disputes that emerge on the streets of our estates when the decent folk in those estates want to maintain law and order. They are trying to support the garda\u00ed and when the garda\u00ed arrive, they should have all of the equipment and manpower necessary to ensure the laws are upheld and people can feel safe in their own homes. I mention in particular older people because an awful lot of older people are living in cities and, indeed, in rural Ireland. They are on their own. I would love to see the structure of the Garda stations around rural Ireland and Carlow-Kilkenny being examined to see whether we can improve what we have at present. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jim O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan)  Before responding to the substance of the debate, I will refer to two distinct issues that were raised by Deputies during the course of the debate. First of all, I join Deputy \u00d3\u2019Murch\u00fa in expressing my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the solicitor, James MacGuill, who died recently. James was one of the finest solicitors in the country. He was a formidable opponent and he was fearless in representing his clients. Anyone who had the privilege to do a case with James MacGuill, as I did, or indeed against him, would know of his full commitment to his client. He really was a fine example of a hard-working, diligent, conscientious solicitor. He was also very entertaining and engaging company. I will miss the mischief I always experienced when we engaged with each other.  Second, during the course of this debate, I got an update from An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in respect of the incident concerning our colleague and friend, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I express my best wishes to him and wish him a speedy recovery. Any attack upon a Member of the Oireachtas because he or she is a Member of the Oireachtas is an attack on democracy. We should all resolutely stand together in this House in condemning any such attacks. People are entitled to have different views politically but what we will not tolerate is people being targeted or violence being used against them simply because they do not share the same political views as others.  I will now deal with the substance of the debate. This was a very well-informed debate from colleagues. I listened very closely to four hours of debate. I do not have the time to go through the individual comments made by the vast number of Deputies who spoke but I will refer to a number of matters in their generality.  I think every person who spoke welcomed the fact that we are codifying Garda powers. I welcome the fact there is broad agreement and a broad welcome for that. We all support An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in this House but it is important to acknowledge that garda\u00ed have very considerable powers. It is important that we set out in legislation what those powers are. Historically, those powers were generated or developed through the common law or, indeed, very sparse legislative instruments. As time has gone on, it is important that the Irish public are aware that if they want to find out what powers a member of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na has, they will be able to look to a piece of legislation to identify that. This legislation will go a long way towards having a codification of some of those powers.  I also welcome the fact that colleagues have recognised that there are areas in respect of Garda powers that deserve to be further debated here. As I said, we had a very good debate on this legislation in Seanad \u00c9ireann over a period of five days. As I indicated in the Seanad, I am prepared to accept amendments that were brought forward in the Seanad. They will be brought forward here on Committee Stage and I have no doubt colleagues here will put forward recommendations in amendments.  A number of colleagues referred to the issue of the \"RT\u00c9 Investigates\" programme tonight. I have not seen it. I regret to say that because Deputy Carthy and I are due to be in the D\u00e1il in about two and a half hours from now, I may not get to see it. I will, hopefully, have an opportunity to look at it in advance of tomorrow. Let us all approach it without a sense of prejudice. Let us just look at the programme and see what is in it. If there are issues that I need to explain or answer, I will be only too happy to do so.  Another issue that was mentioned consistently in the debate was that of oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. We have very vigorous oversight of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na when we look at the statutory agencies that are in place. First of all, the Commissioner frequently reports to me and, in fact, is obliged to report to me and keep me apprised of important developments. Second, there is the new authority, the Policing and Community Safety Authority, to which the Commissioner and senior garda\u00ed must report. There is Fiosr\u00fa, which investigates allegations of Garda malpractice and is responsible for investigating protected disclosures that are made within An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na. Then there is the internal Garda board. We have, therefore, put in place a very detailed architecture for Garda accountability, which is very effective and does work in respect of it.  When it comes to protected disclosures, we have detailed legislation in place. In an organisation the size of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, which has at present 14,700 sworn members and around 3,500 staff, we are going to get protected disclosures.  It happens in very many of the large State entities. We should not be fearful about the fact that protected disclosures are made. In fact, it is a sign the legislation is working.  Turning to some of the other issues that were consistently raised, I welcome Deputies saying they want more garda\u00ed in their communities. In other countries, a lot of communities do not want members of the police force in their societies and communities. Every Deputy here who spoke about the numbers of An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na said they want more representation in their communities. That is a very positive sign. The good news is recruitment to An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na is going very well. We are at, as I said, approximately 14,700 sworn members of the force. By the end of this year, we will be at, or very close to, 15,000 members and will have the largest Garda force ever. The most important thing, however, is that when we have all of these garda\u00ed, we do not want them stuck in stations. We want to see a very significant proportion out on the streets. We want to see high-visibility policing. That is my political priority when it comes to the Garda. The Commissioner fully supports that objective. I commend Deputy \u00d3 Laoghaire on recognsing the large number of garda\u00ed who went to Cork before Christmas. We now have high-visibility policing in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. I want to see that rolled out to as many of the large areas and towns as possible and in rural Ireland as well. We all have to be conscious that we cannot have a garda on every street corner but what I would like to see, and what I know everyone in this House wants to see, is the presence of garda\u00ed in the community. That gives a great sense of safety and comfort to members of those communities.  Another issue raised was that of journalistic privilege. A number of Deputies said we need to take this legislation carefully and slowly. I also have to take into account that part of the reason this legislation is being brought forward relates to the very significant decisions given by the Supreme Court in the case of Emmett Corcoran and indeed the Quirke decision as well. This legislation is providing protection to privilege. If we look at section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997, I am very concerned about the constitutionality of that provision as it is. The reason I am concerned about it is that, as anyone who reads objectively the judgments of Mr. Justice Collins and Mr. Justice Hogan in the Corcoran decision will know, there is a question mark over section 10. It needs to be amended rapidly because, in fairness to the case taken by Emmett Corcoran, who objected to the fact that the Garda had sought access to his information and did not bring to the attention of the District Court, from which they were seeking a search warrant, the fact that Mr. Corcoran was a journalist working for The Democrat newspaper. The Supreme Court has said there is a legislative urgency to changing this. We need to ensure that section is changed. The proposal I have put in will be very effective and robust and will mean that if a garda is seeking a search warrant against a solicitor or journalist, he or she will know there is a possibility that there could be privileged material there. Under section 17 of the Bill, that detail will have to be brought to the attention of the District Court judge, who will then have knowledge that the warrant has been sought in respect of a journalist, a solicitor or even a TD, as some contributors mentioned in the context of Oireachtas privilege. That is very different from where it is now. More important than that, however, is that the legislation then provides that there is a mechanism for an inter partes hearing for the court to determine whether the material is privileged and deserves to be protected. Obviously, we cannot have a situation where somebody stands up and says, \u201cThere's privileged material on that phone and you can't search it.\u201d There needs to be an independent assessment and that is what is contained within this. That is important.  There was a lot of commentary about stop-and-search powers and the recording of ethnicity. I am happy to discuss this on Committee Stage but it is important to note that the policy I have is to introduce a unique identifier, which will achieve that objective. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I have just learned of the assault on Deputy Healy-Rae. I am deeply shocked, to say the least. I hope his injuries are not too serious and I wish the Deputy, on behalf of all his friends here and the Members, a speedy recovery. I wish his family well, as I am sure they are deeply concerned. I know that the people of County Kerry, whom he represents in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann, will share a deep concern for his well-being.  Earlier today, I addressed the D\u00e1il on the record about our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity, safety and well-being of Members and staff and all of those who engage with work here in the Houses of the Oireachtas. This is a very serious and deeply disturbing development. I condemn and abhor all violence, particularly towards elected representatives. My thoughts are with Michael Healy-Rae and his family. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Second Stage"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_17","debateType":"debate","bill":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/bill\/2026\/3","event":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/bill\/2026\/3\/dail\/motion\/referral","houseCode":"dail","stage":"motion","isBillStage":false,"showAs":"Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (D\u00e1il)"}},"showAs":"Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee","counts":{"speechCount":1,"speakerCount":1},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_17","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jim O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Jim O'Callaghan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration (Deputy Jim O'Callaghan)  I move:  That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)(b) and 188(1). "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"summary","text":"Question put and agreed to."},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Powers) Bill 2026 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee"}]}},{"debateSection":{"uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/akn\/ie\/debateRecord\/dail\/2026-09-16\/debate\/dbsect_18","debateType":"motion","bill":null,"showAs":"Neutrality and Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members]","counts":{"speechCount":11,"speakerCount":9},"parentDebateSection":null,"containsDebate":true,"debateSectionId":"dbsect_18","speakers":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Se\u00e1n Crowe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Se\u00e1n-Crowe.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Se\u00e1n-Crowe.D.2002-06-06","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rose Conway-Walsh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mair\u00e9ad Farrell","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mair\u00e9ad-Farrell.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Mair\u00e9ad-Farrell.D.2020-02-08","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louise O'Reilly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donna McGettigan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","role":null}},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null}}],"formats":{"xml":null,"pdf":null},"text":[{"speaker":{"showAs":"Verona Murphy","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Verona-Murphy.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" An Ceann Comhairle  I call on Deputy \u00d3 Laoghaire to move the motion. He is sharing his time. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Donnchadh-\u00d3-Laoghaire.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Donnchadh \u00d3 Laoghaire  I move:  That D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann:  recognises that:  \u2014 Ireland's proud tradition of military neutrality, and affirms the State's neutrality and non-alignment with military blocs to be a cornerstone of an independent Irish foreign policy;  \u2014 our neutrality, the \"Triple Lock\" neutrality protection system, have served us well, allowing Ireland to play a constructive role in international affairs, contributing to nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, humanitarianism and United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions;  \u2014 the distinguished service of Irish peacekeepers deployed around the world, and the contribution of every Irish man and woman who has served on such missions throughout the decades; and  \u2014 nothing in the \"Triple Lock\" prevents us from investing properly in our Defence Forces and that it is the decisions of successive Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael Government that has led to the neglect of our Defence Forces;  notes that:  \u2014 the destabilising effect of conflicts that are contributing to global and regional instability, including, but not limited to, Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank, the US and Israeli war with Iran, the Sudanese war, and urges an end to acts of aggression in all conflicts, and for the primacy of international law to be respected by all nations;  \u2014 Ireland's neutrality is an asset in an unpredictable international environment where major powers have undermined and disregarded international law;  \u2014 no provision of Ireland's current \"Triple Lock\" system prevents the evacuation of Irish citizens from conflict-torn regions, participation in appropriate training, and nor does it prevent Ireland's participation in humanitarian missions;  \u2014 the failure by successive governments to adequately invest in Ireland's Defence Forces and in our defence capabilities, leaving the State exposed to numerous threats;  \u2014 this Government has chosen to make Ireland reliant, and dependent, on foreign militaries to shore up Irish defence vulnerabilities, as seen by recent arrangements relating to security for engagements held as part of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union, including the presence of British ships off the Irish coast;  \u2014 concerning reports that the Minister for Defence has directed officials to progress Irish participation in the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force Plus (JEF+), which will mean deeper military alignment with Britain and other NATO states; and  \u2014 concerning comments by the Minister for Defence which indicate that Ireland could participate in overseas deployments that do not support a UN resolution, and that she is potentially making arrangements for same; and  agrees that:  \u2014 our \"Triple Lock\" neutrality protection is a core component of Ireland's foreign policy and is underpinned by assurances provided to the Irish people by successive Irish Governments in advance of multiple European referendums, such as the Nice and Lisbon referendums;  \u2014 Ireland should be strong on defence and strong on neutrality and that this must be achieved by properly resourcing our Defence Forces, rebuilding our Naval Service, strengthen air and maritime surveillance, and developing radar capabilities;  \u2014 participation in the JEF+ would be a departure from the position of military non-alignment and the Government must come clean on what discussions have taken place with the British Government in relation to this;  \u2014 Ireland should be open to international co-operation to meet genuine security threats, but that co-operation is not the same thing as military alignment, and that participation in any military alliance, including any British-led military framework, would end our neutrality as we know it;  \u2014 Ireland should engage with partners as a militarily neutral state, while investing seriously in our own capacity to defend our airspace, territorial waters and critical infrastructure; and  \u2014 any move to alter the \"Triple Lock\" represents a step towards the complete abandonment of Ireland's policy of military neutrality, and participation in military alliances, as evidenced by the Government's intention to participate in the JEF+; and  calls on the Government:  \u2014 not to become a party to the British-led JEF+ military partnership;  \u2014 to call a referendum on its proposals to scrap the \"Triple Lock\"; and  \u2014 to accept that the \"Triple Lock\" is a core component of Ireland's independent foreign policy and is underpinned by assurances provided to the Irish people by successive Irish Governments in advance of multiple European referendums, such as the Nice and Lisbon referendums.  Before I begin, I want to take the opportunity to express my concern in relation to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and to condemn what has happened to him. It is appalling. I extend my best wishes to his family and hope he makes a strong recovery.  Neutrality is a strength for Ireland and represents how best Ireland can play a useful role in the world. The motion we bring forward is calling on the Government not to end the triple lock. The motion recognises the profound instability in the world: Russia\u2019s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank, the US and Israeli war with Iran, and the Sudanese war. Such conflicts will directly impact on the energy bills of workers and families this winter, but the response to this volatility should not be to cast aside the protections we have. The world we live in is not a reason to change, it is all the more reason to ensure we keep an independent foreign policy. The Taoiseach himself has said in the past that the triple lock is a cornerstone of an independent foreign policy.  The Irish people have a deep connection with neutrality and a strong understanding of Ireland\u2019s place in the world. They understand that Ireland is a small country with an outsized influence on the world. We have achieved that through the strength of our own peace process, our commitment to international law and the strength of our diplomats. It has been achieved by the huge credibility of our brave peacekeepers, who deserve our utmost respect and thanks. We have that credibility because of our history as a colony under imperialism. That is why we are moving a motion on this issue in the D\u00e1il this evening, to protect our neutrality and safeguard the triple lock. These two pillars have allowed us to be a powerful voice for peace in an uncertain and volatile world.  It is not difficult to see that in the future an Irish government could come under immense pressure to participate in deployments - of what kind, we do not know - and we will no longer have the protection of a policy that commits us to serving in UN missions. Indeed, as far as the Minister is concerned, it is a done deal. The Bill has not been voted on or debated in the D\u00e1il, yet she has already given assurances internationally about what Ireland will do once the triple lock is dismantled. She has said we can be assured that Ireland will be part of a CSDP mission in Lebanon. To me, it is a contempt for the Oireachtas that it is a fait accompli , and it does not augur well for what comes after the triple lock if, effectively, she takes it upon herself to speak on behalf of the Oireachtas rather than the Government. The Minister has gone further than any proposal we have seen by proposing to sign up to become an observer member of the Joint Expeditionary Force, JEF+. The JEF is a British-led, effectively military alliance involving nine other NATO member states, and we propose to become an observer member, according to the Minister. According to the British Parliament\u2019s own website, and the JEF is situated in the Britain:  For all JEF Participant Nations, NATO is the foundation of collective security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The JEF, from its inception, has been designed to complement both NATO and Participant Nations\u2019 own response capabilities. The JEF needs to be ready to respond in scenarios ranging from below the threshold of NATO's Article 5 through to full-spectrum interventions during times of crisis or conflict, operating seamlessly with NATO.  This is the organisation we propose to become associated with. Instead of investing properly and adequately in our defence capabilities, the Government has chosen to make Ireland more reliant and dependent, as we have seen in recent weeks, on foreign militaries to shore up defence vulnerabilities. The Irish people expect a government that is strong on defence and neutrality. That should be achieved by properly resourcing our Defence Forces, particularly rebuilding our Naval Service; strengthening maritime surveillance; and developing proper radar capabilities. Participation in a joint expeditionary force-plus, as an observer or otherwise, would be a departure from the position of military non-alignment.  This is why we are moving our motion on this issue: to safeguard our neutrality, to call on the Government to come clean on its plans to join this military framework as an associate and to safeguard our triple lock, which has allowed us to be a voice for peace in an uncertain and volatile world. I am sure we will hear many of the same arguments and that the Minister will talk about sovereignty. Under our Constitution, it is the people who are sovereign. If Government Members are so certain of their position on this, and given Governments sought and gave reassurances to the Irish people during repeated referendums on the basis of the triple lock, then they should put it to the people - but they will not, because they know well what answer they would receive. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Se\u00e1n Crowe","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Se\u00e1n-Crowe.D.2002-06-06","memberCode":"Se\u00e1n-Crowe.D.2002-06-06","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Se\u00e1n Crowe  What is the purpose of Irish foreign policy if not to serve the interests of Irish people and stand up independently in the world? For generations, this State has maintained a policy of military neutrality. That policy has not weakened our voice internationally; it has strengthened it. Neutrality has given Ireland the space to speak for peace, for disarmament, for humanitarian action and for the importance of respect for international law. Ireland\u2019s Defence Forces have served with distinction under the United Nations across the world. Neutrality certainly does not prevent this State from properly funding the Defence Forces. For years, successive Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael Governments have failed to provide the Defence Forces with the resources they need. We now hear the false argument that neutrality is somehow responsible for weaknesses in our defence capacity. If we want a State capable of protecting and serving its people, then we must invest in it, rebuild the Naval Service, strengthen air and maritime surveillance, protect our territorial waters, airspace and critical infrastructure, and be strong on defence and neutrality. There is no contradiction between those positions. Genuine independence requires both.  We are living through a period of profound international instability. Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has brought war back to the heart of Europe. We have witnessed horrific suffering in Gaza, Yemen and the wider Middle East. Sudan continues to endure devastating conflict. In such circumstances, the answer cannot be for Ireland to abandon the independent foreign policy that has served us for decades. We must ensure Ireland remains militarily neutral, independently minded and willing to speak for peace even when that voice is inconvenient to the powerful.  If the Government intends to deepen Ireland's military relationship with Britain and with NATO states, then it should come before this House and explain exactly what is being discussed. The triple lock is not some technical obstacle to be quietly removed; it is part of the framework underpinning Ireland's military neutrality. Successive Governments gave assurances on neutrality in the context of European referendums, including Nice and Lisbon. Those commitments should mean something.  Neutrality does not mean indifference. It means independence. It means Ireland making its own decisions. It means defending our country while refusing to become part of military blocs. It means standing for peace, humanitarianism and international law. We should not surrender that independence. Retain the triple lock, invest in our Defence Forces and protect our neutrality. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Rose Conway-Walsh","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","memberCode":"Rose-Conway-Walsh.S.2016-04-25","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh  I too want to condemn the attack on Michael Healy-Rae, say how appalled I am about it and send my good wishes to him for a good recovery and to his family.  Mar chathaoirleach ar an gComhchoiste um Chosaint agus Sl\u00e1nd\u00e1il N\u00e1isi\u00fanta, t\u00e1 an-\u00e1thas orm inniu labhairt faoin nglas triarach. The Government needs to be honest with the Irish people about the triple lock. Its amendment to our motion states that the triple lock is not a determination or expression of neutrality. However, it is a safeguard and it underpins promises made to the Irish people during the second Nice and Lisbon referendums that Ireland would remain militarily neutral. Removing that safeguard raises fundamental questions about the future of our neutrality. If the Minister wants to persist with efforts to dismantle the triple lock, she needs to put it to the people in a referendum.  I commend the brave men and women of our Defence Forces, particularly those who have served as peacekeepers in some of the world's most volatile regions. As Chair of the defence and national security committee, I visited the Curragh last week. I sincerely thank the personnel there who showed me around. I saw the consequences of decades of underinvestment by successive Governments. We finally and rightly are investing in military procurement but our barracks are still crumbling. Is it any wonder recruitment and retention remain such serious challenges? This is where the Government's focus should be regarding defence.  Military neutrality does not mean military weakness. A neutral country needs credible, properly resourced defence forces and the triple lock is not a barrier to any of this. It is also not a blanket ban on overseas activity. It does not prevent our personnel travelling abroad to participate in military training, undertaking humanitarian missions, responding to disasters or emergencies or taking part in official ceremonies overseas. Neutrality is part of our national identity. It has served us well as an independent State. I believe the overwhelming majority of people want it to be protected. Instead of dismantling a safeguard of our neutrality, give people their say. Have a referendum. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Thomas Gould","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Thomas-Gould.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Thomas Gould  There is some irony in the debate tonight. This week President Donald Trump visited Ireland. Uachtar\u00e1n na h\u00c9ireann, Catherine Connolly, made it clear the Irish people reject the normalisation of war and genocide. Our President is brave. She is a believer in peace and she stands up for what is right. A short while later, our Taoiseach met with President Trump and never used the word \"genocide\" for what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, but still the Government wants to send Irish men and women to fight in foreign wars by getting rid of the triple lock. Where is the bravery in that? We saw real bravery from our President. We saw real bravery last weekend from Macklemore, who stood up and said, \"Free Palestine\". For that, they tried to cancel him, but you cannot cancel an idea. You cannot cancel justice and belief. He and Aaron Rowe, Beoga and all those other people stood together and said they would not be silenced for calling out genocide. Aaron Rowe's haunting \"John's Song\" could not be more relevant to what we are talking about today. It is about a young man fighting in a war he does not want to be in. It finishes with this:  Well, John, he never came home  He died at 21  They couldn't find his body in the morgue  But there's a headstone up in Thiepval  And it's scribed as Private Geoghegan  Son of Hugh and Ellen of Inchicore  We do not want Johns. We do not want headstones, graves and letters for working-class Irish men and women fighting in foreign wars. We serve neither king nor kaiser, but Ireland. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mair\u00e9ad Farrell","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mair\u00e9ad-Farrell.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Mair\u00e9ad-Farrell.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mair\u00e9ad Farrell  What the Minister and her Government colleagues Miche\u00e1l Martin and Simon Harris are doing to Irish neutrality is eroding it bit by bit. They might not say it explicitly but we can hear it in their words. They use language to change our position regarding neutrality. We can see it in the amendment they tabled tonight. Previously, Government talked about \"neutrality\"; now it always talks about \"military neutrality\". It is a small change, but a change. Previously, Miche\u00e1l Martin said the triple lock was core to Irish neutrality; now, the Government says in this amendment that the triple lock is not a determination or an expression of our neutrality. Both cannot be true, so who is lying? I would like the Minister to address that in her closing remarks. She can couch in words her attempts to dismantle our neutrality but Irish people know what neutrality means to them locally and on an international stage.  Irish neutrality and having an independent foreign policy are strengths. They are valued and supported by the Irish people. On the international stage, neutrality has underpinned our contribution to peacekeeping and diplomacy. It has never been a weakness. Attempts to dismantle the triple lock have been talked about by this Government and those who made up the previous Government, but now there is a rush to push it through. Why is that? You would be forgiven for thinking, as most people probably do, that it is a bit of a coincidence that there is now this just as we are starting back and we are also in the middle of our EU Presidency.  It seems far more than a coincidence. We have to be frank about it. The Government has acted like it is embarrassed by our neutrality, but our neutrality is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is outrageous that this Government is doing all in its power to undermine and erode it. To be clear, I firmly believe that is what the Government is doing. I am not here giving a speech to attack the Government. I am here to say to the Government, \"Do not break a promise that you gave to the Irish people in several referendums. Do not go back and dismantle the triple lock.\" Miche\u00e1l Martin was right when he said it was core to our neutrality. If the Government is so confident that the triple lock must go, then put it to the people. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louise O'Reilly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louise O'Reilly  I thank my party colleague Deputy \u00d3 Laoghaire for bringing forward this important motion this evening. Let us be honest about what the Minister is trying to do and wants to do on what some might call the down low and in secrecy when people are not looking, but we will always shine a light on her actions. We in Sinn F\u00e9in will oppose any attempts to undermine our neutrality. The Minister underestimates the support for this position at her peril. We are proud of our peacekeepers and the role they play in international conflict resolution. Instead of trying to dismantle the triple lock - neutrality protection - it would serve the Government better to invest in our Defence Forces. The greatest asset that we have in our Defence Forces is the men and women who put on the uniform. If the Minister values them, then give them the equipment they need, bring them into the European working time directive and ensure they have the protections other workers have. If she does not believe that this issue is important, then I invite her to put it to the people. If she thinks that she is right - she is not but if she is so convinced - then put it to the people in a referendum. Let the people have their say.  If we needed any more reminding of how much peace means to us as Irish people, we only have to look at the fallout from what is happening with the Ed Sheeran tour. By dropping Macklemore because he stood up for decency and peace, that has set in train repercussions that are being felt all over the world. Irish men and women are standing up with Beoga and Aaron Rowe and saying very clearly, \"We value peace, we value decency and we as Irish people value our role in peace and conflict resolution.\" "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Mair\u00e9ad Farrell","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Mair\u00e9ad-Farrell.D.2020-02-08","memberCode":"Mair\u00e9ad-Farrell.D.2020-02-08","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Mair\u00e9ad Farrell  Hear, hear. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Louise O'Reilly","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","memberCode":"Louise-O'Reilly.D.2016-10-03","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Louise O'Reilly  The outpouring of support for these artists right across the world tells us that we want to be on the right side of history. We want a government that values that peace. Our neutrality is important. We will stand up for it at every single turn. If the Minister is so convinced of her position, put it to the people and let us have our say. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Donna McGettigan","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","memberCode":"Donna-McGettigan.D.2024-11-29","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Deputy Donna McGettigan  I thank my party colleague Deputy \u00d3 Laoghaire for bringing this forward. The blue beret is a symbol of Irish neutrality and peace. It shows that the wearer is an impartial protector of innocent civilians, not a combatant in somebody else's war. We are proud of our neutrality, and we are proud of every Irish man and woman who has served under the blue flag of the UN, keeping the peace in some of the most dangerous places. Since 1958, not a day has passed without an Irish soldier deployed under a UN flag somewhere in the world. That is our tradition and contribution. It is something that we are rightly proud of.  To be clear, any fundamental change to Ireland's foreign and defence policy must have the consent of the Irish people because the Government cannot ask this country to simply trust it. Can we trust the Minister to stand up to powerful figures like Ursula von der Leyen? The Minister cannot be trusted to defend Irish neutrality when it comes to the military use of a civilian airport in Shannon Airport, and now she wants to dismantle the triple lock. Why? Because once that safeguard gone, she is handing future governments a blank cheque, carte blanche , to deploy Irish troops into international situations without the same protections and safeguards that have existed up until now. Decades of neglect mean that we need to absolutely invest in our Defence Forces, in the equipment and conditions they need to do their job safely, but the Government cannot allow this to be used as a smoke screen to undermine neutrality.  The triple lock is not an obstacle to Ireland playing its part in the world. It is a protection, and it is part of what has allowed Ireland to maintain its proud tradition of independent, impartial peacekeeping. The evidence points to strong public support for retaining these protections. If the Minister is so certain that the Irish people support dismantling the triple lock, put it to them. Do not make this decision over their heads, because Irish neutrality belongs to the people. Any government that wants to dismantle that should have the courage to ask the people of Ireland for their consent. "},{"speaker":{"showAs":"Helen McEntee","uri":"https:\/\/data.oireachtas.ie\/ie\/oireachtas\/member\/id\/Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","memberCode":"Helen-McEntee.D.2013-03-27","role":null},"textType":"speech","text":" Minister for Defence (Deputy Helen McEntee)  I move amendment No. 1:  To delete all words after \"That D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann\" and substitute the following:  notes that:  \u2014 the Government reiterates Ireland's longstanding policy of military neutrality;  \u2014 Ireland's policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements, and this policy choice has been practised by successive Governments since the Second World War;  \u2014 the Government reaffirms its commitment to this policy and reiterates that it has no plans to either join a military alliance or enter into a mutual defence arrangement;  \u2014 in light of the above commitment, the Government does not believe a national referendum on enshrining neutrality into the Constitution is necessary; and  \u2014 amending the Triple Lock legislation in relation to the deployment of our Defence Forces to peacekeeping missions will have no impact on this policy of military neutrality, and that no other European Union (EU) Member State, including other neutral Member States, allow permanent Security Council members to bind their hands in the way that the Triple Lock effectively does for Ireland;  recognises that:  \u2014 Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality, and our strong tradition of participation in international peace support and crisis management operations over many decades;  \u2014 members of Ireland's Defence Forces continue to contribute bravely to peacekeeping and crisis management efforts, particularly in the Middle East, as well as elsewhere in the world;  \u2014 the multilateral system remains our strongest protection and the State's most important security asset;  \u2014 Ireland's contributions to conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and work for human rights and development, and our efforts to promote disarmament and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, are internationally renowned;  \u2014 nevertheless, as a highly globalised country, Ireland cannot rely on our geographic isolation for our security, nor isolate ourselves from world events and should co-operate with neighbours on matters of security including in the maritime domain;  \u2014 the importance of parliamentary safeguards and national oversight in ensuring Irish military deployments are in line with our policy of military neutrality, and that they are decided solely by the elected representatives of the people of Ireland; and  \u2014 the Government is committed to continued increased investment in defence, with a view to achieving a significantly enhanced capability by 2028, and that the Government has already significantly increased our national defence spending in the past few years, by 43 per cent since 2020, marking the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the Irish State;  acknowledges that:  \u2014 the Government is committed to supporting the global multilateral system, to vocally defending international law, particularly international humanitarian law, and human rights;  \u2014 in common with other partners in Europe, Ireland finds itself in an increasingly contested, dynamic and volatile international security environment, marked by violence and conflict in our immediate neighbourhood, including Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East and Africa;  \u2014 Ireland needs to be agile in how we respond to the new geopolitical environment that we find ourselves in;  \u2014 Ireland should be open to international co-operation to meet genuine security threats and learning from other countries to counter these threats;  \u2014 Ireland, therefore, should not find itself unable to respond to Peace Support and Crisis Management Operations that align with the United Nations (UN) Charter and International Law, due to a veto by permanent member(s) of the UN Security Council; and  \u2014 this legislation will remove the power of UN Security Council permanent members to veto our national sovereign decisions regarding our participation in peace keeping missions organised by reputable organisations such as the EU and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) which will also allow for the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas in other overseas roles such as the crisis management evacuation of Irish citizens.  At the outset, I join colleagues in offering my best wishes to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and wish him a speedy recovery. I condemn the appalling act of violence.  I want to begin by thanking our Defence Forces. I thank those who serve at home, but in particular in the context of tonight's debate, those who serve overseas. We are all extremely proud of our Defence Forces and of the sacrifices made by them and their families in the service of peace. For decades, Irish peacekeepers have made life more bearable for some of the most vulnerable people in some of the most challenging environments in the world. They have brought hope, stability and safety. Their work is a practical expression of our values. It is a tradition that everyone in Ireland is immensely proud of, and it is one we have a responsibility to protect. However, that tradition is under threat, and I will explain how because it is very clear from the Opposition that all they intend to do this evening is muddy the waters. I am also very conscious that there are people who will watch or read this debate and look at this issue as it progresses.  The triple lock is the legal mechanism governing the deployment of our Defence Forces on peacekeeping missions. It is not enshrined in our Constitution. It is a legal mechanism that was agreed in this House. To deploy our peacekeepers, our troops, under these current arrangement, three things are required, namely, a UN Security Council mandate, Government or Cabinet approval and D\u00e1il approval. For those who are unaware of the UN Security Council and its role, this is the main body within the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Within that, there are five permanent members of the Security Council, namely, Russia, China, the US, the UK and France, all of which can use a veto - a block, essentially - to prevent the Security Council from taking decisions. This includes those related to both new and ongoing peace missions. In practice, even the threat of a veto, as we are seeing happen, by a permanent member, rather than its actual use, is often enough to prevent the council from taking action.  This is exactly what has been happening for the past number of years. No new peacekeeping mission has been agreed since 2014. They have not been voted on simply because of the threat of a veto. Now, the opposite is happening. Ongoing operations, some of which we have been involved in for decades, are not being renewed. Two recent examples are Operation Irini and, of course, UNIFIL in Lebanon, which we all know about. I will explain both of those in a moment. That is the crux of why we are here. It is not because of the EU Presidency or any other reason.  What does this mean for Ireland - the structure, the triple lock that I have just outlined? I have outlined it because I have spoken to so many people who are still asking, \"What is the triple lock? How does it work? What does the council do? What does this mean?\" For Ireland, it essentially means that the Security Council and effectively five member states that are permanent - Russia, China, the US, the UK and France - hold an effective veto over where we send our troops. There is an irony in some of what I have heard here this evening. We know that Members of the Opposition were out protesting at the weekend against Trump's visit and his policies and actions, yet with this motion, they are very happy for the US to continue to have a say in where we send our troops. "},{"speaker":null,"textType":"heading","text":"Neutrality and Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members]"}]}}]},"contextDate":"2026-09-16"}]}