Aindrias Moynihan
Cork North-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss reform of the Taxsaver commuter ticket scheme to include shared mobility services. Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss the use of periodic payment orders in the courts. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the provision of appropriate public housing for families that provide foster care.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the bus service in Cork city. Deputy Ryan O'Meara - To discuss the establishment of an SATU in the HSE Mid West region.”
“Deputies Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Séamus McGrath and Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the State acquiring the Bessborough site in Cork city to provide a memorial. Deputies Gary Gannon, Ruairí Ó Murchú· - To discuss issues being created in the courts system by the new legal aid model.”
“I need to raise with the Taoiseach the straw incorporation measures and the delays from the Department of agriculture in approvals. There is fine weather. Tillage farmers are focusing in on the harvest. There have been no approvals issued by the Department of agriculture for the straw incorporation measure at this point.”
“Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford. Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss the enforcement of e-scooter legislation. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the usage of scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters in Cork city.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the development of an injury unit clinic in Galway. Deputy Joe Neville - To discuss the national semiconductor plan.”
The complete record
Every one of 292 lines we hold for Aindrias Moynihan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 6.
“Every day, under the school transport scheme, thousands of students are taken to and from school. It is an invaluable service for many thousands of families. The service relies on rigid rules that, unfortunately, do not recognise, for example, that students may not be attending the immediately adjacent school or are perhaps going to schools their families had associations with over many years. Regarding the pilot review, will the Minister give an overview of where those pilots are now? Is the Minister ready to advance a new scheme?”
“Is a contractor being lined up to carry out the works? Can Irish Water identify who that will be and how quickly they will be expected to be on the ground? We know this project has been on the capital programme for some time. If there is information that they are willing to share, we would be keen to get that. The sooner this new plant and the upgrade are in place for the benefit of the people of Carrigadrohid, Canovee and Macroom the better so that they do not have to face another winter of possible boil water notices.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the update. I acknowledge the progress that has been made on the wastewater treatment plant and the works under way there. I will focus on the drinking water and the supply there and the hassle and associated cost for locals who have endured boil water notice after boil water notice each winter. It is essential that those works and the new plant be advanced as quickly as possible. It is positive to hear that the works will be quickly under way. It is unfortunate that it has to be raised here to get such an update. As I said earlier, it required freedom of information requests late last year to extract information from Irish Water. It was not forthcoming. It does not willingly share information. That is a big aspect of confidence and trust in its supply. That needs to move as quickly as possible.”
“There needs to be greater urgency by Irish Water in advancing this new drinking water plant, a plant that would provide reliable, clean drinking water to more than 4,100 people in the Macroom, Carrigadrohid and Canovee area. Macroom is a growing town especially after the bypass construction. New homes are under construction in Rás An Mhuilinn and in Meadowlands, for example. There is an upgrade under way in the wastewater treatment plant. There will be increased demand on the water network in the town as it grows. The drinking water plant needs to have capacity for future growth as well as the delivery of quality water. It needs to advance with urgency. The current situation is not fair on locals where there is are prolonged boil water notices and the hassle and costs associated with it.”
“For example, a freedom of information request from late last year indicated its own technical staff recommended changing the filters as early as last autumn yet it was February before that was done and the boil water notice lifted. Locals carried the cost and the hassle in the meantime. Irish Water has known for some time that an upgrade on this plant is needed and it is down as part of its capital plan but it appears to be progressing very slowly and there is even a reluctance to share information. It had agreed to a meeting, for example, to discuss the situation last December which has been put off until later this month.”
“These notices are extending from four to five months at a time through the winter. Last winter, we saw the longest boil water notice so far at six months. That notice began as early as August, there was a brief reprieve for a week in September and then it was back to boiling the water again until February. These boil water notices involve a cost and create hassle for residents. I cannot over emphasise that. As I said earlier, it is also heavily influenced by the older design of the treatment plant and the way it filters the water in particular. In recent winters, we found changing the filters typically leads to lifting the boil water notice. By the way, there are no consequences for Irish Water while a boil notice continues. It does not appear to act with any great urgency either.”
“There is great need to upgrade the drinking water plant in Macroom. The plant in the Castle Grounds supplies water from the Sullane river to over 4,100 people in Macroom and east around Carrigadrohid and Canovee. Boil water notices have been put in place in the area during each of the past three winters. This due to turbidity in the water. This is not just a water quality issue. It is also heavily influenced by the older design of the plant. These boil water notices have been a constant source of difficulty for residents. They either have to buy bottled water or boil water before they use it. There is hassle associated with that, for example, not being able to brush one's teeth or wash a head of lettuce. These prolonged and repeated boil water notices also undermine confidence in Irish water supply.”
“I thank the Minister. With 10% tariffs on the UK and the higher 20% tariff on the EU, there is a particular concern about the all-island economy and how people in the Republic will be impacted by the tariffs versus those in the Six Counties. Is there space within the Windsor Framework to deal with this? Will the Minister put the all-island economy as a priority to his EU counterparts when he is meeting them?”
“While Trump's tariffs are only a few hours old, the Minister's officials have been examining various scenarios and preparing reports, some of which have been published. We recognise that the technology, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage sectors are a serious concern. In my own area in Cork, pharmaceuticals and food and beverages are a major concern. Will the Minister be making the case to his counterparts on different sectors when he meets with them? What particular priorities does he plan to set out to his counterparts at those meetings?”
“The imposition of Trump's tariffs of 20% last night is a deeply serious concern for Irish jobs and costs for so many people. The EU response is being co-ordinated and could add further pressure for people. What engagements has the Minister planned with his EU counterparts and with the Commission as regards this response?”
“On the question of vigilance within the farming community, if a farmer identifies the disease that means it is already here. My focus is on preventing it travelling to us here, whether on vehicles going back and forth on ferries or across the Border. Are efforts being made to ensure that those vehicles do not bring the virus with them? The Minister briefly referred to the possibility of vaccines. Is he going to make vaccines available to people who want to vaccinate livestock?”
“I thank the Minister for the details of the various efforts that have been made over the last number of years on this. I ask him to outline whether tests have been carried out on livestock this year. In addition to livestock, trucks and various other vehicles would be travelling back and forth between the UK and the Continent as well as across the Border with the North. Are tests being carried out on them or are they being monitored to ensure they are not carrying midges or infected livestock? What efforts are being made to ensure vehicles are disease free when they are crossing the Border?”
“Will the Minister outline the efforts being made to prevent the spread of bluetongue to Ireland in view of the fact that it is in the UK and on the Continent? We are moving towards warmer weather, longer days and possibly an increase in the mobility of the midge population, which is potentially carrying bluetongue disease.”
“Has the Minister considered using the mart and the farm walks as a platform for reaching out to farmers and delivering services or access there? He almost referred to it earlier when he spoke about people working very much on their own for days, maybe even for several weeks, when the silage campaign is on or during lambing. People can be very much isolated when they are farming, yet we see people will gather together at the mart. After the pandemic, it was very evident because even though the online option was available, people still gathered in to the mart. The Alzheimer Society or maybe the Garda often use the mart as a platform for meeting with farmers. Similarly, people are gathering together on the farm walks and they are obvious platforms that would be available. Has the Minister considered using those platforms to deliver support?”
“Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeidh sí in éineacht leis an scéim feabhsaithe áitiúil agus nach mbeidh sí ag glacadh a háite. Caithfidh go mbeidh sí ar fáil gan puinn sriana agus go mbeidh deis ag an-chuid de phobal na Gaeltachta í a chur i bhfeidhm.”
“Tá an tAire tagtha chuig an chéad ábhar eile ansin nuair a deir sé go n-aontófar í go luath. Is dócha gurb í an cheist is mó atá ag a lán daoine ná cathain a bheidh an scéim ann. An bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire an bhfuil sé in aigne go mbeidh sí ar fáil i gcomhair an chéad cáinaisnéis eile agus go mbeidh daoine ábalta iarratais a dhéanamh in 2025 i gcomhair oibreacha, b’fhéidir, in 2026? Cé go nglacaim leis go bhfuil sé luath go leor fós agus nach bhfuil ach roinnt den obair tosaithe ar na scéimeanna nua agus ar spriocanna an chlár Rialtais a bhaint amach, is ceann an-tábhachtach í seo i gcomhair phobail na Gaeltachta go bhféadfaí a chur i bhfeidhm chomh luath agus is féidir. Is dócha go bhfuil an deis ann chun riachtanais na scéime a leagan síos.”
“Cuirfidh scéim na mbóithre áise go mór le hinfreastruchtúr agus le caighdeán maireachtála phobail na Gaelainne. Is é an chéad cúpla méadar den bóthar ar a mbíonn daoine ag taisteal gach maidin agus an píosa deireanach den bhóthar ar a mbíonn siad ag taisteal sa tráthnóna atá i gceist. Is deis é seo chun na píosaí sin a fheabhsú. Glacaim leis go bhfuil sé luath go leor go fóill. An bhfuil an tAire in ann a rá cé acu Roinn na Gaeltachta nó na comhairlí contae a bheidh ag láimhseáil na n-iarratas agus an srutha airgid seo? An bhfuil aon leagan amach nó aon tuairimíocht mar gheall air sin? Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeidh scéim na mbóithre áise ag feidhmiú in éineacht leis an scéim feabhsaithe áitiúil ionas go mbeidh buntáiste ag pobail na Gaeltachta, seachas scéim amháin nó scéim eile a bheith ar fáil dóibh.”
“Is cúis mhór áthais é dúinn go bhfuil scéim na mbóithre áise geallta mar chuid den chlár Rialtais amach romhainn. Bhí mo chomhghleacaithe agus mé féin ag brú go mbeadh sí san áireamh. Beidh sí an-tairbheach do mhuintir na Gaeltachta nuair a chuirfear i bhfeidhm í. An bhféadfadh an tAire tuairisc a thabhairt ar an gcur chuige chun an scéim sin a chur i bhfeidhm, ar na treoirlínte agus ar aon tuairimíocht atá aige mar gheall ar rith na scéime sin?”
“Sa chlár Rialtais romhainn amach, tá spriocanna an-mhaithe leagtha síos ag an Rialtas. Cuirfidh scéim na mbóithre áise, a bhí á lorg ag mo chomhghleacaithe agus mé féin, le hinfreastruchtúr agus le caighdeán maireachtála sa Ghaeltacht. Molaim é sin a thabhairt ar aghaidh chomh luath agus is féidir. Mar fhocal scoir, ar mhaithe leis an daonlathas sa Ghaeltacht, molaim an reachtaíocht maidir le toghcháin Údarás na Gaeltachta a thabhairt chun cinn chomh luath agus is féidir.”
“Bhunaigh Fianna Fáil Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta chun tacú le múinteoirí scoile agus le daltaí, agus Foras na Gaeilge. Inné, d'ardaigh mé ceist mar gheall ar mhaoiniú Fhoras na Gaeilge agus an brú atá air. Tá gá go mbeifí ábalta é sin a láimhseáil gan teacht salach ar Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta. I mo thaobh na tíre, tá brú ar thithíocht, díreach mar atá in a lán áiteanna eile. Tá deacracht faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht, mar gan tithíocht, gan daoine agus gan pobal, ní bheidh teanga againn. Mar sin, tá brú faoi leith ann. Tá an t-ádh linn go bhfuil oifigeach pleanála teanga fuinniúil gníomhach inár ndúthaigh, Eibhlín Ní Lionáird, ag cur cúrsaí chun cinn. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeadh na háiseanna cuí ar fáil do na hoifigigh pleanála teanga ar fud na tíre.”
“Fáiltím roimh an díospóireacht anseo inniu agus an deis chun cúrsaí Gaelainne a chur chun cinn. Ar ndóigh, ní hamháin i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge a bhíonn gá cúrsaí teanga a thabhairt chun cinn, ach go minic i rith na bliana chomh maith. Fáiltím roimh an deis inniu. Tá Fianna Fáil gníomhach le fada an lá ó thaobh cúrsaí teanga. Mar shampla, in 2003, thugamar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla chun cinn. Rinneadh leasú ar an Acht sin le blianta beaga anuas, agus spriocanna móra cosúil leis an sprioc go mbeidh 20% d'earcaigh nua chuig an Státseirbhís inniúil ar an nGaeilge leagtha síos san Acht nua sin. Beidh sé sin dúshlánach, ach tá gá leis, mar tá éileamh ar an nGaelainn ón Státchóras agus tá muintir na Gaelainne ag lorg go mbeadh freastal cuí ann dóibh.”
“The well-being framework sets out the things that are important to us as a society as distinct from economic indicators such as GDP or inflation. It focuses, for example, on the quality of our housing, educational attainment, biodiversity and so much more. The aim is that it would steer funding priorities in the budget. On the climate front, for example, we are seeing stark warnings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council of up to €26 billion in fines coming down the tracks. It is recommending that we should spend the same money on action now instead of spending it on fines in the future. In the budget ahead, do we expect the well-being framework to steer funding into the quality of our housing, insulation and SEAI supports? As they are already a bottleneck for so many people, this area should be prioritised.”
“Tá Foras na Gaeilge ag freastal ar phobal na Gaelainne ar fud na tíre agus tá sé ag feidhmiú le maoiniú ón Rialtas anseo ó Dheas agus ón bhFeidhmeannas ó Thuaidh; 75% den mhaoiniú ag teacht ón Rialtas anseo agus 25% ón bhFeidhmeannas ó Thuaidh. Is é sin an leagan amach atá ann de réir Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta. Tuigim go bhfuil an Rialtas anseo lánsásta a sciar a chur ar fáil ach go bhfuil buairt ó Thuaidh. Tá an-bhuairt ar phobal na Gaelainne roimh chiorruithe agus sa chás nach mbeadh an foras ábalta feidhmiú gan mhaoiniú. Mar sin, an féidir tacú leis an bhforas agus le pobal na Gaelainne gan teacht salach ar Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta nó an féidir plé leis an bhFeidhmeannas ó Thuaidh chun a chinntiú go gcuirfeadh sé a sciar den mhaoiniú ar fáil?”
“In the interests of those communities, can we communicate crystal clear to the NBI that we need it to start its surveys and get on with serving those communities west of Macroom and any other remaining areas?”
“I recognise that you have to start somewhere and finish somewhere and that some communities will be served faster than others. However, as I mentioned earlier, we feel we have been very patient in our communities. There is also one on the Minister of State's own doorstep which appears to be toward the latter part of the roll-out. We are sick of waiting. We are sick of it at this stage. Is there some way of digging the boot in on NBI and making it clear that it needs to get on with that roll-out and make it happen for communities such as Baile Bhuirne, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, Inchigeelagh, Kilmichael, Coppeen and that whole area west of Macroom? It must have seen and learned ways from the earlier roll-out in being able to expedite various different switches.”
“Have any lessons been learned on how to move it along more quickly that could be applied to those switches, which are some of the last remaining switches in the country?”
“I thank the Minister of State. People in the area west of Macroom and the communities there feel they have been very patient in waiting on the NBI roll-out - maybe too patient. We were provided last year with data suggesting that the surveys were to be completed last summer and last September in those particular areas. The online monitor suggests that it has not started yet in the Carraig an Ime switch area, which will cover the Baile Bhuirne, Clondrohid and Carraig an Ime area. I am pleased to note that the Minister of State said the survey is under way there. That is headway but it is still behind what was committed to at this time last year. Surely since the roll-out has been going on lessons have been learned or ways have been found to move more quickly through the later deployments.”
“First, I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. I wish him every success in his new role. I want to ask the Minister about the roll-out of broadband by NBI in the area west of Macroom, in particular the switches in Carraig an Ime, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh and Dunmanway. They serve a large rural community from Clondrohid through Cill na Martra and Inchigeelagh on towards Kilmichael and Coppeen. It is a large community that has been very patient and is keen to see that implementation on it soon.”
“The debate last night was very useful and a huge range of topics were discussed. One area I would like to focus on is the AI advisory council established last month with a view to providing independent expert advice to the Government. Can the Minister of State give an outline concerning the advisory council, how often its members have met and who they are meeting with? I ask this to get a flavour of their direction of travel. Are they, for example, meeting with education bodies to ensure that any advice and emphasis is also there from that perspective to empower a new generation?”
“I thank the Minister of State. Very often a whole swathe of concerns is expressed by people in the context of the debate around AI. These include from an ethical point of view, climate change concerns and a whole broad range. Equally, though, there is excitement regarding the opportunities existing here. One area I would like to focus on is ensuring another generation is empowered and in a position to know how to use artificial intelligence and make the best use of it. What level of engagement is there with the education system to empower people regarding the use of AI? Similarly, regarding businesses, very often there were previously trading online vouchers to encourage them to have an online presence. Will there be a similar situation to aid businesses to educate, train and empower their employees in the use of AI?”
“Ar an gcéad dul síos, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit. Many congratulations to the Minister of State on her appointment. I am delighted for her and wish her every success with the new role. AI is very much part of the present and future and the programme for Government commits to upgrading the national digital strategy to take into account the situation around AI and its possible future uses. Can the Minister of State give an outline of the up-to-date situation concerning the development of the strategy for dealing with artificial intelligence?”
“Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go ndíreofaí isteach ar riachtanaisí phobal na Gaeltachta agus comhlachtaí Údarás na Gaeltachta chomh maith. Tá an cheist cheannann chéanna le réiteach. Tá an t-údarás dírithe ar Gteic units i mBaile Bhuirne, i gColáiste Iosagáin agus mar shampla, i mBéal Átha an Ghaorthaidh. A similar situation arises in the Gaeltacht area with Údarás na Gaeltachta and the smaller enterprises it has supported in its gteic units. It does that in Gaeltacht areas across the country. Has a similar conversation been taking place with Údarás na Gaeltachta to ensure adequate lands are available for companies who outgrow the gteic units and similar situations?”
“It sounds like there is a great deal of background work going on. I will focus on one sector of enterprise. Cork County Council has had successful sites in which it supported smaller enterprises: Macroom E, for example, and a number of others across the county. As these smaller enterprises grow, they need additional space to expand. Enterprise Ireland and IDA's focus is international and large scale, so this group of businesses falls between two stools. They are not big enough for IDA or Enterprise Ireland and they have outgrown their facility in Cork County Council. A focus should be on these often indigenous organisations, whether they trade locally, nationally or internationally, to ensure there is a space for them. IDA should recognise that.”
“I congratulate the Minister and Ministers of State on their appointments and wish them every success in the new roles. I will focus on the availability of land in Cork and the opportunity to develop enterprise there. Will the Minister outline the discussions between the council, the Department and the IDA to ensure there are adequate opportunities, land and sites available for growing enterprises in Cork?”
“The condition of the roads is a massive contributing factor to road safety. Councils need to make sure that potholes are repaired and road surfaces are appropriate. Hedge cutting is also important so that pedestrians can stand in safely and there is good visibility for all road users. There are many other aspects to the issue that I want to put forward but I will catch up with the Minister of State another time.”
“I understand the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department are doing a lot of work to advance funding to make that junction safer. I do not think anybody could dispute that lower speeds would lead to safer roads but one size does not fit all. There are so many sections of road where the speed limits are inappropriate. Regarding the new roll-out, I understand that there will be a follow-up with the local authorities changing speed limits but that really needs to come on much more quickly so that people can travel at a safe speed and speed limits would not come into disrepute. Long sections of the road I mentioned - the R585 - could well take traffic at more than the 60 km/h limit that would be recommended for it. That needs to be addressed. That there would be a one-size-fits-all approach is a cause of concern for many people.”
“Over 30,000 vehicles use that eastern section each day and it is becoming more and more difficult for drivers. There are multiple right-turning junctions, many of which do not even have the protection of traffic islands, and they are making it very difficult for locals. While it is a national road delivering traffic from Tralee to Cork, for so many communities, it is also a local road. People in Canovee, Kilmurry, Crookstown, Cloughduv, Aherla, Farran, Dripsey, Coachford and Ovens are crisscrossing this road multiple times a day and for many of them, it is very dangerous. Those right-turning junctions need to be addressed. There is a significant flow of traffic coming up on to it from west Cork on the R585. For them to be able to safely access the N22, there is a need for safer access at Castlemore.”
“I wish to give a quick shout-out to the Clann Droichead girls as we had agreed on polling day in Macroom. Comhgháirdeas leis an Aire as a ról nua agus a bheith ainmnithe. I congratulate the Minister of State. I will focus on a number of road safety issues of particular concern to my constituents in Cork North-West. The Cork to Limerick road is one issue. The N20 is dangerous and there is a need to advance a safer route between those two population centres. The loss of life and injury on the existing road need to be tackled and a new, safer option made available. The N22 is a significant issue for us from a safety point of view. Great progress has been made on the western side of it, with a bypass built for Ballyvourney and Macroom. It has made the road much safer. To the east of that is the section between Macroom and Ballincollig.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Ar an gcéad dul síos ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le gach éinne a chabhraigh liom le linn an feachtas toghacháin ag deireadh na bliana as ucht na slite a bhíodar páirteach ann, idir mo chairde agus mo theaghlach ach go háirithe. Míle buíochas leo. Is mór an onóir a bheith anseo mar Theachta thar ceann mhuintir Chorcaigh thiar thuaidh. I thank the voters of Cork North-West for supporting me in the recent election. I have the huge honour and privilege of being sent here on their behalf and I want to raise their issues regarding road safety. I also thank the members of my campaign team, whether they were putting up posters or were drivers or back office staff. In particular, I thank my family for their significant work and for putting up with me during that time.”
“Is mór an cabhair é an faoiseamh cánach dóibh siúd atá ag tógáil áit chónaithe ar cíos. Tá sé mar chuid den chlár Rialtais amach romhainn go gcuirfí leis seo agus go gcuirfí breis cabhrach ar fáil do dhaoine. An bhféadfadh an tAire insint dúinn cén plean nó comhrá a bhí aige go dtí seo ar conas é sin a leathnú amach agus forbairt a dhéanamh air? The programme for Government also commits to helping renters who are seeking to become home buyers with a series of targeted measures, both in the tax system and in the first home scheme, for example. While I appreciate it is early, has the Minister had any discussions up to now with regard to the tax changes in that area? Can he give us a sense as to how he sees that being rolled out in the years and budgets ahead?”
“I appreciate that the Cork figures may not be as readily to hand. I look forward to reviewing them later. The credit has been a real support for many people who are renting and it is easing some of the burden. We have included in the programme for Government that there would be further improvement on the credit. I am trying to get an understanding on any engagement or discussions the Minister has had up to now on making improvements and enhancing it, be that through doing it over five budgets or in one or two of the earlier budgets. Can the Minister provide any indication or discussion he has had in this regard? It has been a valuable relief for many renters both last year and the year before that. I wish to ensure that this commitment is grown upon.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Since its inception two years ago, the rent tax credit has provided significant assistance to people who are renting. Can the Minister give an indication on the take-up of that credit, particularly with regard to County Kildare, and also County Cork if he has those data available? As the rent tax credit was recently increased at the last budget, can he give an indication whether the increased value of that credit has increased its take-up?”