Barry Heneghan
Dublin Bay North · Independent · Ireland
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an bPáirtí an Lucht Oibre. This highlights what many families are experiencing right now. Many people have been in contact with me. Even today, I met parents who were under enormous pressure because of the cost of uniforms, books, transport and school activities.”
“I refer to the hundreds of vacant spaces over shops in Dublin, the capital city in which I grew up. I welcome the above-the-shop grant but could we re-examine it in terms of microcompanies or SMEs availing of that grant? It can be difficult for them to avail of the above-the-shop grant.”
“They deserve to know how that supplier was selected, whether public procurement guidance has been followed and why students cannot use an equivalent device that they may already own. Technology undoubtedly has an important role in education. I do not dispute that fact. I came through education while the technology was developing.”
“Anois sa choiste fuinnimh táimid ag caint faoi plug-in solar. In 2024 there was a consultation done by the Department in which Bord Gáis Energy said that plug-in solar systems should be mounted on roofs where possible and hardwired into a dedicated circuit.”
“That contradiction leaves parents and students whom I represent caught in a middle ground. On one hand, the Department is saying they are not mandatory and, on the other, schools are telling parents that they must purchase one. I understand that the Minister of State was in north Dublin.”
“My granny drank raw milk and she lived to 98. We need to look into alternative ways to have locally sourced food. In that regard, I will point to what is happening at EU level and how it ties into this.”
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“I appreciate that update. We will kill two birds with one stone with that approach. We will give children the opportunity at break time in school to get away from the books and get onto the pitch to play football, rugby or whatever they want to play. The club would then benefit later. There are two projects I would love to highlight. I welcome Dublin City Council's plan for an 11-a-side, 3G all-weather pitch. As the Minister of State knows, Dublin produces the best footballers. I will also mention the upgrade to all-weather pitches at Stardust Memorial Park and in Kilmore West Recreation Centre. Dublin Bay North is a broad constituency, which runs from Fairview to Howth and Darndale. Across the constituency, there is a lack of these all-weather pitches. I welcome the fact that the Department is looking at that issue.”
“Any club can use those facilities. That is an approach we should consider. We in Ireland need to move away from the idea of clubhouses for single clubs. We can put in more money, get better facilities for all clubs and get grassroots participation up. I also want to ask about Killester Basketball Club, one of the largest basketball clubs with the largest number of female players. I would love for the Department to bring it any attention.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus le gach duine atá ag obair sa Department faoi láthair. I thank the men and women of Dublin City Council, go háirithe na laethanta seo. They have put in more toilets than we have seen previously and are doing work in north Dublin. North Dublin has been neglected for too long. It is one of the main reasons I got involved. It is great to see that there is work being done. I thank the council for all the work at the Kilmore West Recreation Centre and the all-weather pitch at the Stardust Memorial Park, which I recently visited. I spoke to one of the executives in Dublin City Council and it is good to see that things are moving. The Minister mentioned the multi-sport complex systems that we see in parts of southern European cities where all clubs use the facilities. It is not just one single clubhouse.”
“Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit faoi chúrsaí spóirt i dtuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath. Is iontach an infheistíocht atá déanta sa chlub Shells, but what steps are being taken to support grassroots sports clubs across north Dublin, including with clubhouses and changing facilities, in light of the recent bad weather? The weather this year, certainly the rain, was the worst in a long time. Multiple sports clubs had young girls and boys who could not play because of the lack of all-weather pitches.”
“That is why it is good that we are passing this now ahead of our EU Presidency, but it would be a lot better with services. I listened to all the Deputies in my office. There is no other government that would have as much of a mandate apart from the Palestinian Government to enact this legislation. Look and listen to the people of Ireland. Look at the surveys. They want the legislation to include goods and services. At a later stage if it can be amended to include services, that should be done.”
“That is always my political view on anything as an Independent TD. I would rather get something rather nothing. This is the same view that I am taking on this. I would love if the Bill inflicted that change. I would have loved to have seen what the Attorney General said. At an EU level, if it would have not passed is what we were told, can that be published? Has it already been published? I could not find it over the past few months. From listening to the Minister, I understand that there will be an EU trade complication. I commend the work that our diplomats and the Minister have done getting like-minded EU countries together. Other Deputies have acknowledged that Ireland's power would be best united on an EU front. Ireland's power has never been our strong military. It always been our worldwide respect as a peacekeeping country.”
“I ask if we could add services at a later stage if implemented correctly like Spain has done for the advertising of services in the occupied territories. I would love for more of the occupied territories across the country to fall under the remit of the Bill. Correct me if I am wrong and they do. However, from my understanding of the legislation, they would not directly apply to other occupied territories. I commend Senator Black on her patience, hard work, determination and an obair ar fad atá déanta aici. Níor stop sí. Bhí sí ag fáil go leor rudaí ar líne ó na bots agus na daoine atá ag cur brú leis an mBille a scriosadh ach níor stop sí. I understand from the meetings that a lot of people would have preferred the inclusion of services, but I prefer something rather than nothing.”
“Tá a fhios ag madraí na sráide cén chaoi a sheasaim ar an ábhar seo. Tá a fhios ag an domhan cá bhfuil na daoine in Éirinn ar an ábhar seo. Bhí mé ag caint ar maidin agus inné faoin gcluiche agus faoi Alaa Al-Dali, an t-aon fhear a bhí ag rothaíocht ar son na Palaistíne. Bhí sé chun a bheith ina Oilimpeach ach rinne an IOF urchar a scaoileadh lena ghlúin agus bhris siad a ghlúin. I would have loved to have seen services included in this. I would have loved to have seen the Attorney General's advice. When I sat over there in the House and I voted for the amendment of this Bill, I was told that there was legal advice. The Attorney General came out later saying that it was a political decision. I would have preferred if we saw now why services cannot be included. I will support the Bill because I want something rather than nothing.”
“Any regime that is inflicting and allowing this feels they can act in impunity, can get away with it and continues to do more. I will not say that the Government has not done anything. I welcome what the Government has done in the past by recognising it at the ICJ and the millions of euro that we have given in aid. We are lagging behind other countries but it is not too late for us to catch up, to run and lead with them, especially with the EU Presidency coming. I welcome this motion and will not support the Government's amendment to it.”
“It is a fundamental difference. I hope and I am optimistic that there will be a global shift. It has been a very long time coming. This needs to change for all the children starving, who have lost parents and lost legs and for all the women and men who have been peacefully protesting in Gaza and been shot in the knee or head and blown up. The figures constantly get higher. Aid workers are being told that they cannot bring in aid, such as a prosthetic due to it possibly being used as a weapon. The flotillas that are bringing baby food and medicine, which is allowed under international law, are being illegally abducted. Nothing is happening. Irish citizens having bullets shot at them by the IDF while bringing in aid is not acceptable.”
“Let us consider how quickly we and FIFA brought in sanctions for Russia. There is a clear hypocrisy and issue here that needs to be assessed. I welcome the occupied territories Bill being brought in. I would love it to have services included. I would like something done rather than nothing. I look forward to it being introduced. That message will go around the world. Ireland will always oppose genocide, as Deputy Tóibín said based on our history and what all of our ancestors have seen. Le linn an Ghorta Mhóir nuair a bhí na seandaoine ag ithe féir ó thaobh na mbóithre timpeall na tíre toisc nach raibh aon bhia in aon áit, with grass stains on their mouths, would they not have liked somebody to have stood up to someone inflicting genocide on our forefathers? That is why I support it and really support what the motion is doing.”
“I welcome the investment that the Government has made in aid for Gaza and how it has been using its voice in the EU. I hope that when we take up the EU Presidency and we are setting the agenda, we use it to the best of our ability to be a broker for peace. Regarding our strength, níor bhain sé go stairiúil leis an líon saighdiúirí nó the big defence budget. Ireland’s power is our respect worldwide as a broker for peace. That is why there needs to be a message sent out from this motion. I thank the Social Democrats and the Opposition. I thank the Minister of State for saying at last week's committee meeting last week that he is not going to go to the game. We need to look at in that sense. We did before in 1982. Another Fianna Fáil Government did it back in 1999. We can do it again.”
“We were one of the first countries to play them. We always have been a lobbyist for peace. Ireland is recognised worldwide for our peacekeeping missions, diplomacy, neutrality and everything that we have done. However, when we eventually played Germany, it was after the regime had fallen and the Germans had changed. This is the fundamental point. We are not against Israelis; we are against the current Israeli regime. I have said this 100 times. After my speech last night, I had people sending me emails and tweets saying that I am antisemitic. I am not antisemitic. This is against genocide. We had Israelis on the flotillas. Regarding the most recent flotilla, we had the video of the Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir I welcome that the Government has brought in sanctions.”
“However, when a country is inflicting genocide, multiple reports have said it is inflicting genocide and UN independent reports are stating that it is inflicting genocide and using starvation as a weapon of war, breaking every international law, illegally abducting EU citizens in EU territorial waters, then it has broken everything. Bringing them here and allowing them to play on our pitch while standing for Amhrán na bhFiann is not nearly the same as the comparison that was just made by the Deputy. Under the Geneva Convention, we have every obligation to do everything that we can to oppose anyone that is inflicting genocide. There is a rumour that Germany's away jersey is green because we were one of the first countries to play them after the Second World War. I used to say that thinking it was true, but it is not.”
“Gabhaim buíochas le gach éinne a bhí ag caint. Aontaím le go leor rudaí atá á rá ag an Teachta O’Flynn faoi accountability but I disagree with him fundamentally on this. The Israelis have not let sport exist. When Alaa Al-Dali was trying to leave Gaza for the Olympics, he was deliberately shot in the knee. His own words described it as "a grenade which exploded". He is now an amputee. I met him when I was on the flotilla travelling to Gaza. Speaking of Nelson Mandela, his grandson was also on that flotilla. I speak to him regularly. He is a current elected official in South Africa. It is a repeat of what we said on yesterday's motion in the sense that sport is and can be a time for peace.”
“The matters raised by Deputies Shane Moynihan, Michael Murphy, Paul Donnelly, Rory Hearne and Gary Gannon, and Conor D McGuinness and David Cullinane have been selected for discussion”
“Deputies Conor McGuinness and David Cullinane - To discuss the need for extensions and improvements to school buildings in Waterford. Deputy Paul Donnelly - To discuss the report by EnergyCloud Ireland titled Ireland's Wasted Renewable Energy Report for the 16 months to 30 April 2026. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the school summer programme. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss the designation of Burtonport as an approved port for landings by fishing vessels on a Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Deputies Rory Hearne and Gary Gannon - To discuss the proposed closure and disposal of the Griffith Avenue delivery office. Deputy Matt Carthy - To discuss the EU pact on migration and asylum. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan - To discuss access to treatment for Friedreich's ataxia under the HSE reimbursement scheme.”
“Deputy Eamon Scanlon - To discuss the exceptional staffing pressures at St. Patrick's National School, County Sligo. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss the planned closure of Carlow College and transfer of the campus to SETU. Deputy Ged Nash - To discuss the recent fish kill on the River Glyde, County Louth. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss the closure of the South Tipperary Memory Clinic in Cashel. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the need for an autism unit at Causeway Comprehensive School, or Scoil Chuimsitheach an Tóchair. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae - To discuss delays in the opening of the new Killarney community hospital. Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss the reform of eye care services in line with emerging trends.”
“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 Albert Dolan - To discuss the pricing of train tickets between Athenry and Galway. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for social and affordable housing in Arklow, County Wicklow. Deputy Keira Keogh - To discuss the transparency of the CODA process for LGFA clubs and players. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the urgent need for a person (details supplied) to have treatment under the EU cross-border health directive. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the proposed new prisons in the Glen, Cork. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss the loss of a mainstream teacher at St. Francis Junior School, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17.”
“Another Deputy met them too. When the bombing started in October 2023, they stopped training and they started using bikes to deliver bread through the rubble. Their bikes were later destroyed in an airstrike, killing one of the volunteers. We cannot say that sports and politics do not apply when clearly the current Israeli regime is doing so. This is not against Israelis. We had Israelis on flotillas and we have Israelis in Israel protesting against the current regime. This is about the current regime that is in place. We need to do everything to oppose it and we need to stop the game.”
“I have had an Israeli gun pointed at my head, saying that I am an Irish terrorist. I have had meetings with Palestinians, now-paralympians, who were deliberately shot in the knee while trying to leave to enter the Jakarta Olympics. Alaa Aldali was in Sicily before I went on the flotilla. He was the first Palestinian ever to compete in the UCI World Championships. He said before the race, "I dreamt of becoming a champion with both legs. After my amputation, I became determined to be a champion for Palestine with one." Despite being an amputee, he was helping to set up the ships and he was keeping guard. He is one of the most passionate and determined young men I have met. He founded the Gaza Sunbirds who were on one of the eight ships that was in my flotilla, which was painted with the Gaza Sunbirds symbol. They have visited this House.”
“I welcome that and I understand his hands might be tied in a sense but we need to fast-forward from 1981 to November of last year when Bohemians brought forward a motion, backed by Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, which was then followed by Norway, Spain, Türkiye and then UEFA itself, to stop the killing of children and civilians, and to stop the genocide. Did the Geneva Convention fall out of the sky? We have multiple independent UN reports that have said it is a genocide. We have to do everything we can. Hosting a match on a pitch with a country that is inflicting genocide is not neutral. It is a signal that the rules do not apply to that country, specifically when there is precedent for us doing it to other countries, particularly with how quickly sanctions were put on Russia.”
“Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine ó m'oifig. Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an Teachta Byrne agus le Sinn Féin as an motion a chur isteach. Bhí go leor daoine ag caint faoin spórt agus saol na polaitíochta, saying that they do not mix. It has been said before but I want to say it again. We all know they have mixed before. In 1981, the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, who was born in Donnycarney in my constituency, summoned the Irish Rugby Football Union, IRFU, and said plainly that the tour to South Africa would cause serious damage. Maybe back then, taoisigh, Ministers and Governments could do more but I do not believe so. I think the Government can do more and we need to do more. I think Mr. Haughey understood the weight of the issue. I was at the sport committee when the Minister of State said he was not going to the game.”
“The Northside Home Care Services workers are on strike again tomorrow. I submitted a parliamentary question two months ago which was followed up by another one because I could not get an answer. It was followed up by another one which eventually revealed that the Northside Home Care employers were invited by the Department’s own agent to apply for the WRC pay agreement only to be excluded afterwards because of the HSE’s procurement model. The workers have fallen into a Government-created loophole. On my way to the Chamber, I met Emily Felix who is looking for the drug for Friedreich's ataxia. I know the HSE is meeting tomorrow. I would love for that to be examined.”
“The children of north Dublin and across Ireland deserve and are entitled to better. I appreciate the engagement that the Minister of State has given so far and I welcome that he has visited these schools, particularly St. Michael's House in Baldoyle. They were very grateful for the Minister of State's visit, and for the compassion and information he gave to them, along with the understanding of it. I really welcome the work the Minister of State will do with all of the Dublin Bay North TDs on that matter.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Tá mé an-sásta é sin a chloisteáil. Tá na ceithre scoil sin an-tábhachtach. Bím i gcónaí ag cur ceisteanna parlaiminte agus ríomhphost chuig oifig an Aire Stáit, ach ní bhíonn na freagraí sásúil. Níl siad maith go leor. The parents are exhausted from having to battle continuously for assessments, classroom space and SNAs. I welcome the addition of many SNA posts and additional classrooms but these schools need to be looked at and their DEIS status needs to be examined. Every child in north Dublin deserves these schools. They need the support as it will affect their development and their future opportunities. I am calling on the Minister of State to urgently engage with all of the schools I mentioned today. The staffing and the infrastructure required needs to be delivered without further delay.”
“It is great that the data has been shown in that area, and the parents are happy, but I would love to see that school moving forward. The response to the parliamentary question said that it would be moving and progressed. The current SNA review for Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol took place more than five months ago yet the school has received no formal communication of the outcome. In the meantime, staff are being left to manage impossible circumstances with one SNA.”
“The Minister of State will be aware that I will always mention the schools in north Dublin to him. With regard to St. Francis Junior School, it had 165 registered instead of 166. In this school 40% of the current students are from the Traveller community. They cannot lose a mainstream teacher. It will put extreme pressure on them. The Minister of State will be aware, because I am always bringing it up, that the Stapolin Educate Together school needs to have that modular building sanctioned. It has the ability to do brilliant things. I thank the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, for her response to the parliamentary question today relating to Gaelcholáiste Reachrann. The addition of those two special educational needs classes is needed.”
“Tá mé ag iarraidh ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit faoin bhrú atá ar scoileanna i dtuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath. Is the Department satisfied that the current special needs assistant allocations meet the needs of students? There are a lot of schools I could mention that have been on to me, but in the context of this main question I will mention the Stapolin Education Together National School. Also, Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is operating with one special needs assistant. What is the DEIS status of St. Joseph's in Fairview? Parents have other children, brothers and sisters, in another school that has DEIS plus status and yet that school does not have it. What is the DEIS plus status of St. Francis Junior School in Dublin 17? I know there is a lot there so we can go back and forth.”
“If footpath access is a concern, I called for an extension in respect of pubs if we had qualified for the World Cup, which sadly we did not. We cannot respond to everything by restricting. We need to be proactive and preventative. That needs to be across Departments, not just with this matter. European cities embrace outdoor life and create atmosphere. I welcome that the Department has introduced legislation to extend this provision, but it should be happening across the board. It would also provide clarity for businesses if it was brought into legislation fully, not just an extension, because businesses could then plan financially on the understanding that the income they get from these areas could be used as a collateral for expansion and for more staff to take on permanent roles. We constantly talk about reviving Dublin city.”
“As the Minister of State knows, a good chunk of rural and urban pubs are family owned for three, four or five generations with the name still outside. They are community spaces and they are also where some political careers can start. I do not mention rural Ireland much. The local pub is one of the last remaining public buildings in a lot of towns. The Minister of State knows that it is not just a pub. It is where someone goes to find out the news or where someone who has lost a family member goes to have a chat. We should encourage those places to survive. Regarding Dublin and the excuse of litter being an issue, install more bins. It cannot be used an excuse. Where stronger enforcement is concerned, I thank the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, for the increase in the number of gardaí on the beat.”
“The streets are full of life but people are sitting on the ground. Restaurants and pubs have some outdoor areas but when someone finishes work in the city, they should be able to meet up with friends and spend time in the city instead of rushing home. Like Deputy Lawless, I welcome the very good weather. Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy it and take a break. When this legislation was first introduced, I was working in a pub. We got our outdoor area and that has now become a hub for the community. There are community groups in the area, and they meet outside and sit in the sun. It should be continuously encouraged not only because of the pressure pubs are under but also the pressure people are under. For many publicans, outdoor seating is part of staying financially viable. These pubs are not just businesses.”
“We love this city and we want to encourage people to love it. I have been to Barcelona and went across European inter-railing. I saw vibrant, outdoor, liveable cities. We have seen it in small parts of Dublin but it needs to be encouraged across Ireland. We do not need more empty streets. We need energy, culture and community. The recommendations of the report show this. Outdoor dining and socialising brings people into the city and makes it safer with passerby surveillance, more welcoming and more alive. In some pubs and businesses across north Dublin, accessibility for those with disabilities is easier with outdoor dining, as there can be difficulties inside the building. That is why this extension matters. I welcome it. I was out yesterday cycling on a sunny evening through Dublin.”
“I agree with the majority of what people have said. This was brought in during Covid. It was definitely a crutch for the hospitality industry. I represent north Dublin. Outdoor seating was recently closed on Drury Street and there is a constant attack on amenities in outdoor areas. At a time when pubs and people are under enormous pressure and we constantly sit at desks, getting out, sitting in the sun with your friends and having a meal, a drink or a pint should be encouraged. I, too, am worried about the number of pubs closing across Ireland, in particular rural Ireland. In Dublin city, people complain and use the excuse of litter. Well, then install more bins, create more jobs and have people take those bins. If there is a bin, people will not throw litter on the ground. They will put it in the bin.”
“I welcome that CRU oversight has been examined but I would love there to be more engagement on my Bill as a basis for faster delivery and for there to be confirmation that private wires will officially serve SMEs, community energy and the Irish consumers more than large-scale generation. There is a role for large-scale generation. I am not living in the clouds, because I understand that 50,000 jobs are directly or indirectly linked.”
“I welcome the progress on the Government's Bill. I hope it will absorb the proposal I am putting forward. The cost to Irish households is already runs into hundreds of millions if not billions of euro because of these delays. I welcome the Government's general scheme. It contains 47 recommendations. I answered as to how my Bill would tackle those 47 recommendations, and I will submit my answers to the Minister. The technology is available. The Taoiseach mentioned battery storage, and I welcome that the Taoiseach met those involved in that regard. We need to make sure that both the eventual Bill and everything that we do in this House prioritise the Irish people.”
“It contains a line that would make any project being used by a private company give a proportionate amount to a community benefit fund. The Government's current proposal for the private wires system limits it to four specific circumstances. My proposal does not. It would help community energy and SMEs, and the CRU confirmed to me at the committee of which I am a member last week - I should be at this week's meeting now - that private wires could facilitate more renewables than might be the case at present. We are losing foreign direct investment to countries with cheaper, cleaner and more certain energy. I was at the wind energy conference yesterday.”
“We are at a point where renewable energy generation is being reduced. We are wasting clean energy while households are paying the price. The concept of a private wire is simple. It is a direct cable from a renewable source such as a solar farm, a wind turbine or a battery energy storage system. There is no grid queue and no six-year wait. My Bill would give more powers to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, to have a six-month timeline. In view of people's worries about job losses and the global situation at the moment, we need to increase Irish jobs. We can do so with my Bill. I spent 18 months developing the Bill. I now see why things take time, but it is done and has the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, stamp. It will help SMEs, community energy projects and battery storage.”
“EirGrid has had nine months to put a code index into the grid to fix an issue. Because data centres need a constant stream of energy, we need to reduce curtailment and the dispatch down. This code index can help renewable projects. The Irish public is currently paying fossil fuel prices for energy when we have tens if not hundreds of renewable projects waiting for grid connections. Yesterday, I raised the issue of CIÉ charging a solar farm that is ready and built. Over €450,000 has been allocated in respect of a job that will take one day. Why are semi-State companies allowed to charge such an extortionate amount that will eventually end up with the Irish public? The families paying energy bill every month deserve nothing less than action. I will again mention plug-in solar.”
“I was great to hear the Taoiseach mentioning No Mow May. If he would like a beehive, I will give him one. I have 17. I know the Department of justice has them on the roof; it would be great to see them on Government Buildings as well. Constantly in this House I have raised the issue of private wires and the current system of energy. I was elected to this House seven months after I finished my master's degree in DCU, which focused on data centres and waste heat utilisation. One of the main things we learned about was the current system of EirGrid and ESB, and its failures. When I found myself involved in Government formation, one of the priorities for me was private wires. My Bill is ready. I have submitted it to the Bills Office. I see the frustration across the country about our energy costs.”
“The response back from the Oireachtas NTA-line has definitely got faster but public representatives, councillors and TDs need to have more of a say on the changes to their constituency. On transport, I would appreciate an update on the toll bridge crossing between the northside and the southside. Can it be made contactless? Are there plans for that? It is one of the biggest bottlenecks in the city, particularly for my constituents in north Dublin who are trying to cross the Liffey. They still have to wait and pay a toll that has paid the bridge off multiple times. I know I am starting to sound like a man who normally sits here but it makes sense. We need to look into contactless payments. Clearly there is a bottleneck over the Liffey, from the northside to the southside.”
“Another issue I would like to highlight is the recent maritime festival in Howth in north Dublin. We knew there would be thousands of people there. Every year there are thousands of people there but it was like people were going for a meet and greet in the DART - going to see Santa outside. There were four lines of people waiting to get the only DART out of Binn Éadair. If we have a causation and clear data that people will be in the area, can we not make the DART more frequent or offer a more frequent shuttle bus out? The Bill has the potential - I am a cautious optimist - to be a step forward for the whole country but I also believe we need to hold the NTA and all of the transport authorities to account to ensure that was is promised is delivered. I welcome the recent statements.”
“I want to highlight the BusConnects issues that have been brought to my attention by residents in Marino whose bus route was recently changed, particularly by the elderly, children and young adults with disabilities who have a set routine. They have learnt that set routine and without any consultation with them, their bus route terminal changed. If a person has learned that set routine of getting into town every day and does not like changes in their routine, that specific small change could really affect that person. Also, the elderly people are now going down an unfamiliar route. Anyone is vulnerable and is not used to the end and I would like that to be examined. I understand there are huge changes on St. Stephen's Green and the NTA will have to reroute some of these routes, but I would like it to be examined.”
“What is the timeline for the full contactless integration across the network and what is the plan to ensure that every bus stop and every route will enable contactless payment because if we are to extend this NTA framework to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Meath, Westmeath and all those places outside the M50 the free travel scheme is another area that we need to examine? People are constantly asking me this on the doorstep so I would like if the Department could issue a statement on it. I understand that there has been money invested in another alternative but I would ask that we stop and re-examine alternatives that other countries have done. The Minister of State will be aware I always want to be constructive and to offer solutions so I would like that to be examined.”
“We need to look into this, especially because of where the 130 stop is. We need to look at making it accessible not only for those with disabilities but also for everyone to encourage them to use public transport. People are like water. They go the fastest route. If you are on the way home, and you see that you can get on the bus, use your phone, tap it and get on, why would you not do it? It would be a lot simpler. The Leap card system needs to be examined. When I was starting school, it was revolutionary, that is, you did not have to have 65 cent for the bus. The fare has gone up a good bit since then.”
“I asked if the National Transport Authority determined that the existing Leap card validator and ticketing infrastructure could not support direct contactless payment by bank card or mobile phone simulations, if any technical or operational assessment had been carried out in this regard, and if the Minister would make a statement on the matter. I received a response but it did not really address the question that I asked, so I have submitted another one. What is most frustrating for members of the public - it happens to me when I am going to get the bus home - is that none of us has cash anymore. If you do not have one, or if you forget your Leap card, you have to go and get cash out. I do not carry a wallet. Where are you going to go? You are nearly forced to go into the put to get cash back. It is not good for the Irish people.”
“We should provide them with a public service they can access; a public transport system for everyone. Another issue I find with the NTA, which has been mentioned by multiple Deputies, is the Leap card system. I know money has been invested in the current plan, but I urge the Minister of State to re-examine it. I am a mechanical engineer, not an electronic engineer, but I have asked my friends if a system could be used for the phone to mimic the ETF from the Leap card. Such a system would be much quicker. The officials from the Department are looking at me. They probably have a good answer in respect of that matter. I tabled a few parliamentary questions in respect of it.”
“I support the extension of the NTA but there are limitations to how much I support it in the sense of how many imperfections there are currently. We need to deliver for those people. To go back to what I said at the start, it is not acceptable that we do not have a transport system that is fully accessible. A lot of great work has been done but to give people with disabilities complete support, we have to have a public transport system they can trust. I was in Switzerland recently and I saw how accessible public transport can and should be. On the broader issue of accessibility, if the Bill is going to mean anything, it has to not only be for people who are able bodied but also for people who cannot access every single aspect of our society that is private.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Before I begin criticising the NTA, I want to compliment a member of Dublin Bus. I recently submitted a query. I had response back within 12 hours that I was able to give it to a very happy constituent. I compliment the CEO of Dublin Bus for that response and for coming out to the area behind Clontarf bus depot. It has been the site of absolute destruction for the past number of years. There was an issue as to whether Dublin City Council or Bus Éireann owned the land. It is now confirmed Dublin City Council owns it, so I look forward to getting the area dealt with. On the Bill, BusConnects has been changing a lot of parts of this city and other cities.”
“Aontaím le go leor rudaí is a bhí an Teachta Toole ag rá, go háirithe maidir le daoine faoi mhíchumas. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbíonn muid ag smaoineamh faoi na daoine sin. The Minister of State is aware of the work of Ciarán Delaney in Cork. In Dublin, bíonn go leor daoine faoi mhíchumas ag cur glaoch ar m’oifig. Is é an rud is uafásaí ná a bheith ag éisteacht leis na scéalta sin, go háirithe nuair a mhíníonn siad go raibh siad ag iarraidh dul chun na hoibre an lá sin, but the bus came and there was already someone on it with a pram. As a result, I could not get on. They are working. There are times people should move or when there is already one person on board. I welcome the announcement that there will be two or three spots for people with disabilities. As my colleague mentioned, it is very important.”