Albert Dolan
Galway East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The Tánaiste will be well aware of the case of Carrabane National School in east Galway. I have no doubt that multiple representations have been made to him about it. While I do not expect him to have an answer today as to what the case is, I want to highlight the frustration that exists among the school community.”
“Those are people who were not already in a pension, who were working hard and earning money but who were not contributing to their future retirement and now they are auto-enrolled into a pension. You would have to ask if they know what they are a part of. Do they know the potential of it?”
“I would say that we need to be careful. I welcome the Grow Digital vouchers, but this would lead to businesses depending on those vouchers to get the expertise and skills to be talented with AI. The whole idea of AI is that it is going to be usable by anybody for anybody with their own critical thinking and their own ability.”
“This is something that I am very passionate about. It is something that affects us all. It is about financial literacy: understanding how a mortgage works, understanding how contributions to a pension can compound, understanding how people can better manage their own financial situations individually and, ultimately, understanding how peo…”
“Go raibh maith agat a Aire Stáit. I appreciate the update and the work that is ongoing. A key area I want to highlight, and I know the Minister of State is hearing this regularly, is energy costs.”
“I really appreciate the Minister of State's engagement on this issue. I welcome the response from the Minister, Deputy Naughton, and the financial literacy framework and directive that are in place. I know about that because I experienced it when I was in secondary school.”
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“I agree that the passing loop is welcome but it points out a huge issue with how we manage infrastructure in this country. Galway County Council was granted urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, funding in March 2021 for that passing loop. It was March 2024 before Irish Rail submitted a planning application for the passing loop. I welcome that it is to commence construction this September. If it has taken three years for Irish Rail to go for a planning application, what does that say about how urgent and how big this issue is in the minds of the country and the State? I want to see increased capacity and increased frequency in Athenry to ensure the people of Athenry who are using public transport and trying to do their bit have a good service they can depend on.”
“One of our greatest assets in the town of Athenry is now becoming one of our greatest pain points. Train services into Galway city are wholly inadequate. We need to see significant investment in additional carriages arriving at Athenry. As mentioned previously, there are only two carriages going in on the first train in the morning. To put it bluntly, people are packed in like sardines. It is a complete disaster and it is very unfair on the people who are using this service.”
“While the storm may be over, the impacts are still being felt heavily in Galway East and in the west of Ireland. In my own community of Monivea, our beautiful woods have been completely destroyed as have Coillte properties and community GAA facilities. What lessons have been learned and what actions will we take in the future? Just because the storm is over now does not mean we can forget about it. It is vital that we move forward progressively to ensure we are ready for the next storm and, as the Taoiseach said, resilient.”
“If this service was in communities where people knew about it, they would access it. I would appreciate the Minister's consideration of this. Maybe it is something he could raise with the Commissioner as well.”
“I appreciate it is the Commissioner's role to allocate the divisional split across the country. One idea the Government could consider for the future is, similar to how in Galway County Council we have our rural library scheme whereby people can access books in their community on a weekly basis, we should have a community policing service where a van would go around to every community in Galway East and other constituencies. What would happen is that people could use this at a set time, they would know it would be there and they would be able to access forms, get their passport stamped and get relevant documents sorted. This service is not currently being provided in many rural stations. In east Galway, people currently have to travel to Athenry or to another constituency like Oranmore to access it.”
“They want to be connected to them and they want to know that when they need to access forms or paper work to be signed, they can do so. I really appreciate any commitment that can be given to Galway East Garda stations.”
“I really appreciate the investment that is being made in An Garda Síochána and I appreciate the drive that is currently taking place to recruit more gardaí. I welcome the fact that those rural stations mentioned will be considered in future allocations. What is important as well is that these are fine buildings and they have an opportunity to provide accommodation for young gardaí. A big issue is that if these buildings are not used, they will fall into disrepair and will not be maintained. I see it right across Galway East where these Garda stations were lived in. They provided a vital service and allowed people to embed themselves in the community. That community policing thing is something that is really important in our constituency because people want to know their local gardaí.”
“I raise an issue currently in Galway East around Garda stations that currently have no gardaí assigned to them. These buildings are lying vacant and empty. I mention three in particular, namely, Ardrahan, Eyrecourt and Ahascragh. These Garda stations currently have no gardaí assigned to them. Are there any plans in place to ensure they are staffed and that they serve the communities they were built to serve?”
“Advances in artificial intelligence, personalised medicine and digital health records can transform care, making diagnosis faster, treatments more effective and services more efficient. The goal of healthcare should not be just to add years to life, but life to years. By prioritising prevention, access, workforce support and innovation, we can create a system that does not just treat illness but helps people to thrive. That is the future we must build together.”
“This kind of forward-thinking policy would reduce long-term healthcare costs and help people to live healthier lives. Second, access to healthcare must be improved, especially in rural areas. No one should be forced to wait months for essential care or to travel long distances for basic services. Telemedicine, community health hubs and better integration between GPs, hospitals and home care services will be key to ensuring that healthcare is accessible when and where people need it. Third, we need to support those who care for us - our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers. They work under immense pressure and if we want a system that delivers for patients, we must ensure that our healthcare professionals have the resources, staffing and working conditions they deserve. Fourth, Innovation and technology must be embraced.”
“Investment in screening, lifestyle support and mental health services can reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life. Prevention is not just about medical interventions; it is also about supporting people to make healthier choices in their daily lives. This is why the Government must take a more holistic approach to health, not just stepping in when things go wrong, but actively creating an environment where people can stay healthy in the first place. One example is my proposal to make gym memberships tax deductible. We already recognise the importance of physical activity for mental and physical wellbeing, so why not incentivise it? If we are serious about prevention, we should be treating gyms, sports clubs and exercise facilities as part of the healthcare system, not just as leisure activities.”
“Healthcare is not just about treating illness; it is also about enabling people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives. The future of healthcare must focus not just on hospitals and emergency care, but on prevention, early intervention and community-based supports. We are living longer than ever before but the challenge now is to ensure that these extra years we spend are in good health. That requires a shift in how we think about healthcare. We need to move from a system that primarily reacts to illness to one that actively promotes wellness. First, prevention must be at the heart of healthcare. Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer account for the majority of healthcare costs, yet many are preventable with early action.”
“We listen to the people living with disabilities, their families and the organisations that understand what needs to change. This is not about policy; this is about dignity and about ensuring that every person in east Galway and across Ireland can live, work and move freely in their own community.”
“Try finding a disabled parking space that is not already taken. Try getting on a train without having to ring ahead and hope a ramp will be available. The reality is that many of our streets and services were not designed with everyone in mind. When that happens, it sends a clear message to the effect that this place is not for you. Disability rights are human rights. Accessibility is not an afterthought, it is a necessity. If a town is not accessible, it is excluding people. If services are not available, we are failing people. Therefore, what do we do? First, we invest properly in disability services. That means shorter waiting lists, real supports and funding that meets demand. Second, we rethink our public spaces because if a footpath, a building or a bus is not accessible for everyone, it is not good enough. Third, we listen.”
“Every town, every street and every public service should be built for everyone. For too many people in east Galway who are living with disabilities, that simply is not the case. We have all heard the stories of parents fighting tooth and nail to get basic supports for children who have been waiting years for essential therapies. Adults struggling to access home care are left to rely on family or to go without. People in wheelchairs are forced to take long detours because a footpath is broken, a shop has a step too high or a train station is not fully accessible. These are not rare cases; this is everyday life for thousands of people, and it is not good enough. Look at our towns. I think of Athenry, Gort, Tuam, Loughrea, Headford and Portumna; are they truly accessible? Try pushing a wheelchair down some of our footpaths.”
“The nitrates derogation is vital to the viability of family farms into the future and to ensuring their productivity in my constituency of Galway East. The programme for Government clearly commits to retaining the nitrates derogation. That said, we have rising nitrates levels, legacy issues with old housing estates and boil water notices are becoming more common. If we are to put our best foot forward to the EU to ask for an extension of our derogation, how can the new committee on water quality play its part and how can it be ensured the committee effectively represents the needs of farmers in rural Ireland?”
“If we do not have the right regulations in place, we risk undermining the trust in this technology. That is why Ireland must take a proactive approach, working with our European partners to shape AI policy that fosters innovation while protecting workers, consumers and society as a whole. AI is a tool, and how we use it is up to us. We have a real opportunity to shape its development in a way that benefits Irish businesses, strengthens our economy and improves public services, but we need to act now, making sure the right supports, safeguards and policies are in place. AI should work for us, not the other way around.”
“AI-powered chatbots and automation could streamline application processes for everything from passport renewals to planning permission considerations. It could cut down waiting times and reduce backlogs. In healthcare, AI could assist with administrative tasks like appointment scheduling and patient triaging, freeing up our front-line staff to focus on patient care. Even in policing, AI could be used to analyse crime patterns, helping gardaí allocate resources more effectively where they are needed. These are not futuristic ideas; they are real solutions that other countries are already adopting. We must not fall behind but we also have to be clear-eyed about the risks. AI can lead to job displacement, misinformation and concerns about privacy and bias.”
“Small and medium-sized businesses must have access to funding, training and clear guidance to ensure they can adopt AI effectively rather than being left behind. AI also has huge potential to improve society. In healthcare, it is already helping to diagnose illnesses earlier and improve patient care. In education, it can support personalised learning, making sure every student gets the help they need. In agriculture, AI can assist farmers in making better decisions, improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact. These are real, practical benefits that can improve people's lives if we use AI in the right way. Crucially, the Government must lead by example. Our public services are under immense pressure, there can be no doubt, and AI can help drive efficiencies that will improve service delivery for people across the country.”
“Artificial intelligence is not something coming down the tracks; it is already here. We are shaping how we do business, how our economy functions and how we interact as a society. The question is not whether we adopt AI but how we harness its potential for the greater good, ensuring that the risks are properly managed. In business and the economy, AI has the power to transform industries, improve productivity and create new opportunities. For Irish businesses, whether it is a global tech company in Dublin or a small enterprise in rural Galway, AI can automate routine tasks, drive efficiency and open up new possibilities for growth. If we embrace AI in the right way, it will not replace but will enhance jobs, freeing up people to focus on innovation and higher-value work. To make this happen, however, we need the right supports in place.”
“One simple, practical step we can take is to allow ESB Networks to carry out essential tree-cutting along power lines during the summer months when conditions are safest. This is a common-sense measure that will help to prevent widespread outages in the future. Galway and the west have always been resilient but resilience is not a strategy. We need real investment in our infrastructure, stronger power networks, more secure water supplies and proper support for those impacted. Storm Éowyn must be a turning point. The next storm will come but we have the power to ensure that we are better prepared. Let us act now.”
“Their efforts ensured that services were brought back as quickly as possible and for that we owe them gratitude. One of the biggest vulnerabilities we saw in our water supply was in the mid-Galway water scheme which serves over 8,000 people who were without water for six days because there was no back-up power. This is not sustainable. We need to ensure that Irish Water has the resources to install back-up generators for key water schemes so that critical services are protected when the next storm comes. Our electricity network was also severely impacted. ESB Networks worked around the clock to restore power but the scale of outages showed how exposed our grid remains. A major issue was fallen trees bringing down power lines.”
“Storm Éowyn was one of the most brutal storms to hit Ireland in living memory. In Galway we saw wind speeds of up to 183 km/h tearing down trees, damaging homes and leaving thousands without power and water. Families were left in freezing houses, businesses were forced to close and farmers struggled to keep operations running. It was a devastating event and for many the hardship went on for days. In the face of this destruction, we also saw incredible dedication from those working on the front lines of the response. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the staff of ESB Networks, Irish Water, our local councils, farmers and community groups that responded. These workers braved treacherous conditions to restore power, reconnect water supplies and clear roads, often working long hours in difficult circumstances.”
“Tá se cróga, ciallmhar agus dírithe ar na réitigh atá de dhíth orainn mar náisiún. Tá fís láidir aige don tír seo agus níl aon dabht orm ach go mbeidh sé ina Thaoiseach a dhéanfaidh an-difríocht, a chuirfidh ár leas chun cinn agus a sheasfaidh le dúthracht do gach saoránach. We never know what challenges will arise but what I do know is that with Micheál Martin as Taoiseach, we will have a leader who is ready to face them head on. His dedication, experience and unwavering commitment to progress will be invaluable as we navigate the road ahead. I am excited and optimistic for the future under his leadership. I believe we will continue to work tirelessly to create a better Ireland for all.”
“Each of us who had the privilege of canvassing with Deputy Martin during the election saw at first hand the direct connection he had with the people - his ability to find ways of addressing their concerns and his sincere determination that we both celebrate success and never lose focus on the urgent challenges of today. Is mór an onóir dom seasamh anseo inniu mar ionadaí do mhuintir na Gaillimhe. Tá mé fíorbhuíoch dóibh as an muinín atá curtha ionam agus as an deis a bheith ag obair ar a son anseo i nDáil Éireann. Tuigim an fhreagracht mhór atá orm agus tá mé réidh le tabhairt fúithi le díograis agus le dúthracht. Ag an am céanna, tá mé muiníneach go bhfuil ceannaire den scoth againn i dTeachta Micheál Martin. Tá a chumas, taithí agus tiomantas do mhuintir na hÉireann léirithe go soiléir aige thar na blianta.”
“During the recent election, people of all political allegiances and none came up to him as he canvassed to shake his hand and say that, however they intended to vote during that great time of turbulence, they appreciated he was Taoiseach. During that election, Deputy Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil campaigned on the basis of a positive campaign and a positive message of leading our country forward, and the Irish people responded. They gave him the largest and clearest mandate of any party or leader. Since then, he has worked to build a coalition government based on respect and a detailed programme. It brings together different priorities of a shared commitment to action over the next five years.”
“As Minister for enterprise, he created new areas of activity which made Ireland an international leader in key areas and underpinned hundreds of thousands of jobs. As Minister for Foreign Affairs on two occasions, he represented Ireland with distinction, promoting the core values of peace, co-operation and humanitarian aid. Of course, as Taoiseach, we saw his great strength as he led us through a terrible pandemic and recession which threatened many lives and livelihoods. In those dark days filled with great uncertainty and fear he never faltered. He spent countless hours working to find ways of helping people and responding to once-in-a-century problems. He spoke clearly and directly with the Irish people at all times, sharing with them the information available to him and offering hope that we would come through to better days.”
“When we look at the record Deputy Micheál Martin has amassed over the years we see a lasting and positive impact. We see policies that have helped people in all communities. We see the substance of a leader who has made a real difference. He was a reforming and dynamic Minister for education who put in place policies which have reduced early school leaving, increased literacy and dramatically expanded access to further and higher education. As Minister for health, he pushed forward new national strategies which transformed treatment in critical areas and he implemented a public health revolution which has saved tens of thousands of lives and inspired 74 other countries to follow Ireland's lead.”
“-----it is an honour to finally propose to the Dáil that we nominate Deputy Micheál Martin for appointment as Taoiseach by Uachtarán na hÉireann. By every reasonable measure, Deputy Martin has shown that he is qualified to lead our Government with distinction, that he will be a Taoiseach of substance focused every day on the hard work of serving the Irish people and that no matter how tough challenges are in the coming years, he will meet and overcome those challenges. These are often cynical times. Many will relentlessly portray politics and political leaders as self-interested or incapable. There is rarely any space available on our public airways or elsewhere to acknowledge progress achieved by our political leaders. A premium is placed on being angry and eloquent in our debates.”
“Tairgim: Go n-ainmneoidh Dáil Éireann an Teachta Micheál Martin chun a cheaptha ag an Uachtarán mar Thaoiseach. I move: That Dáil Éireann nominate Deputy Micheál Martin for appointment by the President to be Taoiseach. As I was saying yesterday-----”
“Tairgim: Go n-ainmneoidh Dáil Éireann an Teachta Micheál Martin chun a cheaptha ag an Uachtarán mar Thaoiseach. I move: That Dáil Éireann nominate Deputy Micheál Martin for appointment by the President to be Taoiseach. It is an honour and a privilege-----”