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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“We owe it to the families who are fighting for the kids. Let us amend the circular. Let us reflect on the real scope of SNAs. Let us make sure every child gets the support they deserve.”
“The Government committed to the update of the circular alongside the work force development plan. This work must be done properly and in consultation with SNAs and the voice of the child because they understand the reality on the ground. Right now, families are stretched in north Dublin, particularly in Dublin Bay North. Schools are under pressure. Inclusion is something we talk about in this House and it must be visible in our classrooms. I thank Minister of State again for his visit to St. Michael's House Special National School in Baldoyle yesterday. I have been to a few special schools across north Dublin with him. His hands on approach to children is commendable. He knows first hand this is needed. I wish him and the Department the best of luck getting this sorted as soon as possible. We owe it to the children to get this right.”
“Aontaím go hiomlán leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Toole ar deireadh ansin. Bheadh sé i bhfad níos fearr dá mbeadh "all needs assistants" an t-ainm ar SNAs. Bhí mé i go leor scoileanna i mBaile Átha Cliath thuaidh. Má tá tú i scoil ar bith sa tír, feictear duit go ndéanann na daoine seo gach rud. Tá sé sin soiléir dom ó mo chuid ama féin sa scoil nuair a bhí mé óg, agus leis an méid atá tar éis teacht amach sa dá sheachtain tar éis an ruda seo. I welcome last night's confirmation by the Government but this should never have happened. The protest outside sends a clear message. A lot of SNAs in north Dublin are watching me now as I told them I would be speaking. They asked me to say the circular that still defines the role needs to change. That has been said across the House today.”
“I urge the Government to, as I said, have a Covid-level response and bring this in now because the people of north Dublin and Ireland as a whole need this now.”
“In other countries, they have adopted a system where, while that team is admitting a patient, the ambulance can be used to go to another emergency. I would love that to be looked at. Early access to GPs prevents hospital admissions, as I mentioned, and reduces the pressure on accident and emergency departments, such as at Beaumont, but the continuity of care and personal touch of a GP improves the outcome for those with chronic illnesses. We are not opposing, and I welcome, the increase in GP training places and retention measures, but these incentives for practices are underserving a fast-growing industry. The expansion of access to general practitioners is one of the most effective reforms we can deliver as a Government.”
“He was looking for a GP and was going into the system but, sadly, he has now passed away. The deterrent for him was the fact the wait in Beaumont's accident and emergency was too long. The announcement yesterday is welcome but we need to make it a reality, deliver it, get in there and do, with a Covid-level response, what the Government has done in the past. People in this House mentioned the ambulance service. I brought some of the members of the Marino branch of the Order of Malta into the Gallery on the previous occasion. They are hard-working men and women volunteering their time, and there is also the National Ambulance Service, who bring an emergency patient to accident and emergency. Until that patient is brought through the systems of the hospital, the ambulance team is waiting there and the ambulance is lying idle.”
“I am constantly raising the issue of access to GP care in north Dublin for my constituents, who are not getting in the door as quickly as they would like. Patients are waiting way too long for appointments. I welcome the Department of Health's announcement yesterday of €26 million for north Dublin. We see accident and emergency at Beaumont Hospital finally progressing. I raised that with the Minister recently. It went to design phase in 2025-26 but it needs to go to tender and to market as soon as possible. People who cannot get their GPs are then forced to wait 14 hours in accident and emergency. It is really holding people back. I raised the recent case of Patricia Anderson, who I visited. Her husband went to accident and emergency, was there for 14 hours and, after that, was deterred from going back there.”
“From listening to speakers across this House, there is clearly huge pressure on our national GP system. I acknowledge the extent of the work by Deputy Toole during the formation of the Government. The knowledge she has from her first-hand experience in healthcare is something we need to listen to. Whether it is our SNAs, teachers or any sector, the workers and the people who are on the ground know what is best. Too often, we see they are not being listened to. The clear solutions Deputy Toole has constantly raised in this House are admirable. I can definitely learn more and more. I am an engineer and do not know much about healthcare but she does. On the system, time and time again, we need to listen to those who are on the ground.”
“While I was campaigning before the election - it is the reason I am involved in politics - a woman named Eleanor Lanigan was on the door speaking about SNAs. She is fighting illness at the moment and I wish her a speedy recovery. I know she is watching these proceedings.”
“It may seem to be just an administrative issue but it speaks volumes about how we value this role. We need to extend beyond policy documents into employment practices. Going to the schools, as the Minister of State is already doing, is going to change that, and I welcome that. The most vulnerable pupils depend on SNAs, and giving a child the right to thrive is the bare minimum. One of the fundamentals of a Government is that we give every single chance to any citizen of this country. Our schools depend on SNAs. The State depends on SNAs to make inclusive education a reality. There are huge commitments in the programme for Government. I welcome the announcement made last night but it should not have come to that.”
“They facilitate everything. The Minister of State goes to schools; he has seen them. They do everything. They are the extra everything. They are integral members of the school community. I have spoken to some of the SNAs I grew up with, such as Audrey Byrne for example. When I was in the school I asked her what she wanted me to speak about. She was the heart of the school; she was in everything. She is still in the school. She mentioned the fact that it is very difficult for SNAs at the moment. Some of them must arrange voluntary contributions themselves rather than it being directly taken out of their pay. Two professions of teaching working side by side under the same roof and in the same classroom should not face different levels of payroll support when planning for their financial future.”
“Regarding the SNA allocation, I welcome the announcement last night but, as we all know, it is far too often we are reactive rather than proactive. We are putting out fires. This should never have happened. The fear, terror and uncertainty that spread among teachers, parents and students in my constituency and across Ireland should never have occurred. That is important. Someone in the Department has acknowledged that already and I welcome that, but it should never have reached that point. The gap still remains, and I heard other Deputies speak about the 2014 circular which still defines the role of an SNA primarily in terms of care support. That circular is more than a decade old, however, and it is clearly not the case. SNAs support everything and everyone. They support speech and language and occupational therapies.”
“I welcome all the SNAs in the Gallery. I apologise that I could not stop to chat to them; I was running to a committee. I recognised some of them. I was not being rude; I swear. I thank the Minister of State for his visit to St. Michael’s House today. I have often seen him in special schools in north Dublin. It is great to see him there, taking that hands-on approach. What we saw today was the SNAs at work, and the pride they showed could not be more topical for this debate. We saw that investment is needed in Baldoyle and St. Michael’s House. It is needed in St. Michael’s House and across north Dublin, especially, as I am always saying to the Minister of State, in Stapolin Educate Together National School, speaking of SNAs.”
“Regarding communities like Howth, the investment is welcome but we need clarity on what that money will be used for so we know how to support fishermen, protect our coastlines and ensure Ireland makes the most of the opportunity. One of the most frustrating things for members of the public is when they see potential not utilised whether that is ORE, fisheries or renewable energy, it all comes together in the sense that we need proper supports to additionally resource them.”
“I also recently submitted a parliamentary question in regard to the Defence Forces being properly resourced to defend key ports and monitor vessels travelling through Irish territorial waters. I would like the Minister of State to follow that up with the Minister for Defence. We need clarity on what is happening off our coasts to ensure we have the capacity to monitor them. We need cross-departmental support to ensure we have the capacity to monitor them. We have enormous economic and environmental potential with ORE and everything else being built off our coasts. We need to have the resources to properly monitor it.”
“On fisheries, I have a similarity to Deputy Healy-Rae. My grandfather was in Ballinskelligs as a fisherman over 80 years ago. He spoke to my family about the amazing work that was done there. That industry is really on its knees. Deputy Healy-Rae would not think he would have me here shouting for Kerry but I am here now. During the election, I was endorsed by Seán "Dublin Bay" Loftus's family. I had them in to the Dáil last week and it was brilliant to talk to them. They spoke about Rockall and how their father hung out of an airplane screaming that it is Irish. Is there any update on the current status of Rockall, in Ireland's maritime interests? I have heard multiple Deputies talk about enforcement in our seas.”
“First, I thank the Minister of State for the investment in Howth Harbour as part of the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme. It is great to see him out on the northside again and it is great to see that investment in safety works. He knows how much dredging and accessibility will help the fishermen and coastal community that I represent. The fishermen, marine workers and the wider community were very grateful to see the Minister of State there. However, I am seeking clarity on what he announced. Will the Syncrolift in Howth, which is more than 40 years old, be included? It is critical that the fishermen know if it will be. On dredging and silt removal broadly, will this also be included in other areas of Dublin Bay where sand is building up and creating a much greater risk?”
“Will the Taoiseach commit to following up directly with the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure clear timelines are in place for these projects?”
“The announcement of almost €26 million for healthcare disability projects in north Dublin today is very welcome. I have had ongoing engagement with the Government about these priorities at Beaumont Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Francis Hospice, St. Michael's House and Chanel College in Coolock. I have consistently highlighted how urgent this investment is for the northside. I really appreciate the constructive approach taken by the Government. Nonetheless, the reality is that older people and people with disabilities in north Dublin are under serious strain. While this investment is welcome, what people really want to know is when the delivery will be. They want to know when the shovels will be in the ground.”
“He is looking into it and I would love some pressure from the Minister, Deputy Foley, as well. Táim fíorbhuíoch as an airgead sin. Táim ag iarraidh St. Michael's House, St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Francis Hospice and Beaumont Hospital i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh a lua arís. These institutions and their hard-working men and women need more financial support. I welcome the money the Minister has, but I would love that money to go towards these northside institutions. The staff are hard-working and they can deliver the supports that are needed on the ground. I thank the Minister for saying that she will investigate Seán Horan's case as his mother feels that she was penalised for trying mainstream education. The only way the application was set up was for failure because the State did not provide additional space for the school.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Táim fíorbhuíoch as an airgead sin. My predecessor Finian McGrath, a former Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues, would also be very proud and I spoke to him again this morning. One of my staff in the Oireachtas has a disability. I have raised this issue in this House previously. We, as policymakers, should have people with disabilities as close to us as possible, but we cannot avail of the wage subsidy scheme. My parliamentary assistant is working as hard as he can but he needs additional support. If we can encourage the Government to bring the wage subsidy scheme into the Oireachtas, we would have people with disabilities closer to people making the policies about their lives. I have raised it with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, as well.”
“If schools such as St. Michael's House were not classed as junior cycle, it would enable Seán to continue to stay in the school and get support he needs. I would welcome any attention towards the case of Seán Horan.”
“Aontaím leis an Aire agus táim an-bhuíoch den airgead atá ar fáil do dhaoine le míchumas. An pointe atá á dhéanamh agam ar son na ndaoine i mBaile Átha Cliath thuaidh is that the families are struggling and I again call for more adequate funding for the facilities in the institutions I mentioned. I also want to bring the Minister's attention to the case of Seán Horan, a resident in St. Michael's House in Ballymun. I would really welcome the engagement with the Department about it but the system needs to be changed. According to Seán's mother, he entered mainstream school and is in fifth year but is now being removed from St. Michael's House. His is mother abided by all the rules but we are not providing adequate funding for the north side. Seán's mother is worried and he does not know where he is going to go next year.”
“It comes as no surprise that I will be raising the north side of Dublin again. Regarding the care and work done for people with disabilities and the elderly in north Dublin, the teams are amazing but St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Francis Hospice, Beaumont and St. Michael's House need supports, particularly for the elderly and people with disabilities. Will the Minister give an update on what the Department is doing to support these great teams and to add to care in the north side? The north side has been neglected for too long.”
“I have spoken to the Give Us the Night campaign, which said it is very disappointed with the commitment of the Government and that the night-time economy initiative, in particular relating to the policy on noise, planning and licensing, has effectively stalled. What is the current plan to protect and grow Dublin and Cork's nightlife? When will we see real licensing that will address uncertainty? We might qualify for the World Cup. The pubs need to be open if the matches are at 2 a.m.”
“An bhliain seo chaite, labhair mé leis an Taoiseach faoi shaol na hoíche i mBaile Átha Cliath thuaidh, agus i mBaile Átha Cliath go ginearálta. I asked the Taoiseach about saol na hoíche, the night-time economy in Dublin agus dúirt sé go raibh mé lán le fuinneamh. Tá mé fós lán le fuinneamh. Yesterday, the Taoiseach saw that the Hoxton Hotel is now seeking a High Court injunction against the long established Izakaya. I still attend nightclubs. I might look 35 but I am actually 27. It is not just a symbol of the wider problem facing the night-time economy. We are losing venue after venue, including The Complex, and it is not acceptable. Businesses are operating under outdated licensing laws and unfavourable legislation.”
“I will never join a party. The review the Minister said the Department is bringing are not only opposing works, they are also managing them and I welcome that. It is very important we listen to people with disabilities and address the issue I raised.”
“People are commuting to work from Baldoyle or Bayside. If someone is turning right up to St. Anne's Park, the entire bottleneck happens again. We need infrastructure throughout the country that works hand in hand. We cannot be pitting cyclists and commuters in cars against each other. We must look at other cities that do it successfully. The installation of cycle paths should not impede and create bottlenecks in East Wall and on the main road. I have raised it again in this House and the real sense of urgency among local residents. Diversions are proposed again. I commend Labour and Deputy Lawlor on the Bill. There are constructive proposals and I encourage the Government to take them on board. With the review the Minister said the Department is bringing-----”
“There is an impact on their mental health when they get out, go into Dublin and then have their travel pass removed when they go to work. That needs to be changed. I have raised it consistently in this House and I would love it to be looked at again. With the cost of disability and everything they are facing at the moment, that is something that needs to be highlighted. When people are commuting from north Dublin, there are pinch points for people in their cars and people with disabilities who cannot get public transport. There are some I have constantly raised in East Wall. It is one of the big arteries into the city centre. With the change to the traffic flow, if someone is turning right, it creates an entire bottleneck. I would love that to be changed. The other is on the main road. I said this yesterday to the Taoiseach.”
“Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine a bhí ag caint faoin mBille seo. Nuair a bhí mé sa Chathaoir, bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine. Bhí go leor daoine ag caint faoin trácht agus rudaí atá sa saol faoi láthair, go háirithe i mBaile Átha Cliath thuaidh. Bím i gcónaí ag caint le daoine. I commend Deputy Lawlor on the work he has put into this Bill. It is good to know he is not just a good opera singer; he is also a real legislator. I welcome what the Minister said and for that reason, I will vote with the Government and opposing the Bill. My constituency is in north Dublin and I was speaking to one of my own staff members in the Oireachtas last night. When someone with a disability who commutes to work starts to work, the review of their travel pass needs to be changed because we should not be penalising people with disabilities for working.”
“It is still to come back to me on what houses were dropped. These works affect the entirety of north Dublin and they need to be properly brought out to the residents so we know what is happening.”
“In that meeting, I asked for meaningful consultation with residents with additional needs, a clear timeline for each phase of the works, traffic management that reflects the commuting patterns in north Dublin and access protection for residents, schools and businesses. This would not happen on the other side of the River Liffey. The lack of consultation with people with disabilities is a fundamental failure. A constituent of mine, Mark, has additional needs and is effectively trapped because of the cancellation of the H3 service. I was just texting his mother there. This cannot happen. People in north Dublin understand these works are needed but there were no leaflet drops in areas where people will be affected. I asked Uisce Éireann for a key number of leaflets that were dropped for north Dublin residents.”
“We are losing millions every single week due to dispatch down and curtailment. At the energy committee, we are constantly pushing to future-proof our grid, long duration energy storage, LDES, and private wire legislation as something to stop this. Recently, I visited at a solar farm, which has to turn off at 12 noon due to curtailment. This needs to be brought in and fast-tracked. Speaking of climate and energy, we have seen flooding across the country. Last week, I raised the north city arterial main, NCAM, project. After I raised the project with the Taoiseach, somehow I got a meeting with Uisce Éireann.”
“At a time when people's energy costs remain a real pressure, this measure can support struggling households. Will the Taoiseach outline whether we will see movement on plug-in solar in Ireland and whether it will be included in the next phase of the climate action plan?”
“Ar dtús, táim chun labhairt faoi rud éigin seachas Baile Átha Cliath Thuaidh. Tá mé ag iarraidh labhairt faoi plug-in solar in apartment builds. During the formation of Government, private wire legislation was a huge aspect of my priorities. While I was studying engineering and renewables in Dublin City University, DCU, plug-in solar was being implemented across Germany. As part of our climate action plan, plug-in solar is an easily installed quick fix to the energy crisis, especially for those in apartment dwellings. Will this simple affordable technology that allows people, essentially, renters in lower income households who cannot afford full rooftop systems, to generate their own electricity and reduce bills immediately be progressed?”
“I appreciate that. The Minister of State has agreed to meet Councillor Kevin Breen and other local representatives. I have attended meetings with him and the OPW. It is amazing to see what happens. If every Minister of State was like him, we would get a lot more done. I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to meet all of the other Dublin Bay North Deputies in the coming weeks to discuss Northern Cross. That is something that needs to be progressed. The work in Clontarf needs to be done immediately. We objected to the flood wall and the berm. It needs to be said that those would have removed everything. People always say we lowered the wall. The wall was lowered down at St. Anne's Park. It is a completely different wall. That needs to be said because it is constantly stated that people in north Dublin did not want flood defences.”
“The promenade is used by many people in north Dublin. A flood defence is very much needed there. The work proposed was going to be the same, and there would have been a secondary wall. In the context of the demonstrations the Minister of State has shown me, we know that if the second wall had been in put in place, it would not have acted as a catchment area. I look forward to engagement on increasing the height of the secondary wall adjacent to the cycle lane or for an additional mountable wall to be built. There is a wall there which is 100 years old and which has mountables in it. It is important that the work is done.”
“I again thank the Minister of State. To have him in the constituency I represent three times in the first nine months of the Government's term was like Christmas coming early. I thank him for that. They call me Mr. Sandman now for getting rid of the sandbags. I want to sincerely thank the Minister of State for his engagement. The two recent flooding incidents have exposed the scale and urgency of the work that is needed. The Minister of State indicated that planning was granted for flood defences. I have clarified in the House before, and will do so again now, that there was a proposal for a berm for the north city arterial main, NCAM, project running down the promenade that would have been covered in muck. It would have been joined. Anyone who is elderly, vulnerable or with additional needs would not have been seen on the promenade.”
“I have a question for the Minister of State on the engagement his Department and the Office of Public Works have had with Dublin City Council in relation to flood risk in north Dublin, coastal overtopping and storm surge impacts. We all saw the devastation that occurred last week. I thank the Minister of State for the work he did in Portrane to protect houses. Houses on the Hole in the Wall beach are at risk. I would love the same scheme to be rolled out there. How will flood defence works in north Dublin be funded and prioritised in the national flood relief programme?”
“I thank the Minister of State for his engagement at a meeting yesterday at which he showed me other plans. I look forward to meeting with him and local residents. The other thing I hear constantly is that residents in Clontarf and north Dublin asked for a wall to be lowered. That is a completely different wall, which is down at St. Anne's Park. These things get confused and stories are spread by the media to build up hate and mistrust in the system. It is important to get that on the record. I thank the Minister of State again for his engagement. People are very happy. I look forward to working with him and his Department to get this finalised.”
“After that, the community came together and asked for Dublin City Council to make a plan for kerbside demountables. The community never received any such proposal, so how could people accept a proposal they were not given? I thank the Minister of State for how he has been dealing with the OPW and Dublin City Council engineers and for getting rid of the sandbags in Clontarf, alongside me, after the meeting. It shows what political pressure was needed. The people of Clontarf and surrounding areas were being punished for objecting to a giant berm along the seafront. The Minister of State has seen recently how things have gone on and the dangers of flooding. On the original promenade, there was already a plan for a mountable wall that was built over 150 years ago.”
“I thank the Minister of State for all his work and his engagement with Clontarf since I was elected to this House. This is a story that needs to be put on the record. I am speaking to people from across Ireland who think that Clontarf and north Dublin residents objected to a wall. We are seeing flooding across my constituency, including in Howth on one of the beaches. I welcome what has been done in Portrane and I would love it to be implemented for the houses that are now at risk at the Hole in the Wall beach. Back in 2008, Irish Water wanted to put an artery across Clontarf seafront and cover it with a berm. This was rejected, rightly so, because anyone who was elderly or vulnerable would not be able to have surveillance by passing traffic.”
“We held a general election in north Dublin to represent the people and when a TD asks for photos of traffic management, they should be allowed get those drawings.”
“I do not know as much about the Mercosur deal as my colleagues in the regional group but the facts are that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the regional independents gave a commitment in the programme for Government to reject the deal in its current form and to work with like-minded governments. To get back to Dublin, I want to speak about the Clontarf area and the north city arterial main, a major semi-State project. We all saw in The Irish Times last week that there is huge confusion because the Baldoyle Road is to be closed for nearly a year. In regard to major projects, what level of information should be guaranteed to public representatives? I went to the open night. I asked if I could take photos of the traffic plans and I was told "No".”
“Recently, one of the lollipop men in one of the areas was saying that traffic on the road when it is built up, leaves a spot for children that drivers cannot see and the child comes out. Traffic needs to be managed in that sense, especially around schools. I do welcome the engagement the Minister of State has had with me on this and I appreciate what he has been doing in helping me raise that, especially in north Dublin. We need to act on this quickly. These are not just statistics; they are lives. I join with all the Deputies who back the Garda and back the people who are making this country better.”
“What is the point of holding a local election and a general election if there are State bodies that are going to do what they want on our roads without consulting someone who knows where there should be more security or more traffic management? This needs to be looked into. I spoke recently about this to the Minister for Transport and how the Clontarf Road, Oscar Traynor Road and north Dublin as a whole, one of the busiest routes in Dublin, the artery of Dublin, was locked up for 18 months or longer and now people are fearful that they are going to do it again. Of course they are fearful. It is the conjunction of the entire north Dublin. The communication needs to be there. To go back to road safety, there is built-up traffic.”
“I was speaking to residents on the way down here, currently the Clontarf Road is flooded, but there has not been a direct response. Sadly, there was still traffic going straight through it, and flooding damaging houses. Thankfully we got through to Dublin Bus and the buses have stopped. However, joined-up thinking is needed when it comes to these public services and road safety. We all read the recent article about the Clontarf Road and the traffic management plan that is going to be put in place. This is going to bring more cars together and put children at risk. Public representatives were not consulted.”
“Giving gardaí the authority to act decisively will also recognise that these men and women are not just public servants, they are guardians and heroes. I look up to my dad to this day. For the first responders who are at these scenes, the things they go through stick with them and it is something for which they need to be recognised. They should not be punished for doing their jobs correctly. If we are serious about road safety, we also must look into issues such as potholes. In my constituency I could provide a list of about 200 of them. We need look at the speed with which other countries deal with potholes and everything that results in safer roads. Seapark Drive needs a speed test. There are over 80 children on the road, but the speed test has still not been done. At the heart of the issue is roads.”
“I welcome the clampdown on scramblers and congratulate Deputies on the work that has been done across this House on the issue. It is sad that it took this tragic death to happen. We needed to get it done and it is being done. We have to go through it and make sure it is implemented correctly. On implementation, I have heard other Members speaking about how the Garda must have tools, the legal backing and the confidence to act. Gardaí should not be second-guessing whether doing their job will result in criticism or penalty. I know the Department of Transport is examining that. They are not the problem; they are the solution. They work tirelessly for us to make the roads safer. We need safer streets. We speak about open drug dealing on e-scooters. It needs to be targeted.”
“He was one of the hardest men to ever learn how to drive with but he made sure I was doing everything correctly. I would love the current driving test to be reviewed and made more accurate to current driving conditions with the three-point turn. I do not know if the Minister of State ever reversed around a corner but I had to do it for the test and I have not done it since. We still have delays in our driving test and people failing it. I will go back to the issue of safety. The issue is personal to everyone. As other Deputies have said, gardaí are often the first on the scene as are our emergency supporters. They see the worst of road incidents and accidents, the reality of how road danger looks and why enforcement matters.”