Cathal Byrne
Cultural and Educational Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I join other Senators in urging the Government, including the Minister for local government, to produce the action plan on local democracy and make it a key priority to work on it over the summer so that the hard-working councillors up and down Ireland can have clarity about what exactly the changes will be as they face into another round…”
“I join colleagues in thanking so many of the staff here who make it possible for us to do our day-to-day work. That includes not only Martin Hughes and the team here in the Seanad, but also the ushers and all those who make the day-to-day life of Leinster House possible, including those who work in the restaurant, the canteen and behind t…”
“The Senator also raised the situation of the artist Emily Conway from County Mayo, who received an Arts Council bursary in recognition of her important contribution as an artist but which has created a scenario whereby her application for a blind pension has run into difficulty. I encourage him to put that down as a Commencement matter.”
“I feel there is also a responsibility on Dublin City Council to allow for that and to support local residents in the area. In fairness to Senator Andrews, he has spoken about this before in the House. I am happy to take it up with the Leader.”
“However, because the consultation with the consultant took place initially in Monaghan, the HSE refused that application. I encourage Senator Tully to perhaps raise this as a Commencement matter. There is an appeal mechanism through the HSE and the ombudsman. Perhaps that is an avenue for her constituent to pursue.”
“The Order of Business is No. 1, Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (resumed) and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m., with the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 3.45 p.m.”
The complete record
Every one of 555 lines we hold for Cathal Byrne, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 12.
“It is so important at local democracy level that the voice of the people, through their councillors, is heard loud and clear. I urge him to make that a cornerstone of those recommendations when they come available.”
“I join other Senators in urging the Government, including the Minister for local government, to produce the action plan on local democracy and make it a key priority to work on it over the summer so that the hard-working councillors up and down Ireland can have clarity about what exactly the changes will be as they face into another round of local elections, in particular the boundary report and the terms and conditions of that report. Local councillors find it very difficult that they do not know if the area they represent is going to be part of the ground they will be contesting in 2029. For all involved, it is important that we have clarity and certainty about that. I urge the Minister to take into account the need to rebalance the power of the executive and the power of local members.”
“I join colleagues in thanking so many of the staff here who make it possible for us to do our day-to-day work. That includes not only Martin Hughes and the team here in the Seanad, but also the ushers and all those who make the day-to-day life of Leinster House possible, including those who work in the restaurant, the canteen and behind the scenes. The work they do is very much appreciated. It would be remiss of me, as we come to the conclusion of another term, not to join in what many other colleagues and Senators have said about that. I want to speak about the local democracy task force and the work done over recent months to prepare that report.”
“Is there an opportunity there for a new tier that would capture some of those projects? A lot of the groups that I have engaged with are a little daunted by applying for the main fund because they do not feel that it applies to them. Maybe it is the case that they should be putting in for that, but perhaps there is an opportunity to have a second tier there. I commend the work the Minister and his officials, who I see are here this evening, are doing.”
“The CLÁR scheme that is there for these first responders covers the cost of a high-profile high-level defibrillator machine but these are the handheld portable ones that they bring out on the scene as the first responders. I ask that the Minister and the officials might take a look at that. The second matter I want to speak about is the enormous success that the community centres investment fund has been. I wonder whether there is an opportunity for perhaps an amount of money that is currently too big for the community enhancement scheme and too small for the overall community centres investment fund. I am talking about projects, such as if you need to put in a full new floor in a community centre, that are too big for the €5,000 grant and are not necessarily major capital projects that will cost €100,000 plus.”
“They have said to me that when you put the pads on, you cannot take them off and put them on to somebody else, and that they are one-use only. They are not reusable. The pads can cost several hundred euro. They are running quite a lot of fundraisers just to get access to the pads. I ask that in the next round of CLÁR perhaps the Minister and the Department could look at some sort of grant scheme for those individual defibrillator pads. They are not asking to be funded for the day-to-day work that they do. They are not asking to be funded for any other ongoing costs they have but it is a capital cost in the sense that this is much-needed equipment.”
“They explained to me that their role is to be contacted through the emergency services when somebody has a cardiac event, in particular, in that small rural peninsula on the Wexford coastline. They said that in many instances they arrive on the scene before the emergency paramedics and the ambulance service arrive. As a result, in many instances they are the people who are applying the defibrillator pads to the patient. We are very fortunate that the CLÁR scheme has been extended to Wexford. The scheme, as currently constituted, provides such groups with the ability to access a vehicle, which would be essential if they were the Coast Guard, mountain rescue or a different group like that, but unfortunately it does not provide support for the day-to-day cost of these pads.”
“I welcome the Minister to the House. I will also be supporting the countermotion. I will make a couple of brief points in relation to the Department. I very much appreciate the high level of activity that the Minister has brought to the role since he took it up and the many visits he has made to my own home county of Wexford. These successful visits have been an opportunity for the Minister and his officials to meet and engage with so many of the people who make up the real fabric of the rural community right across south Wexford. I wanted to speak on that theme about CLÁR funding and the opportunities that currently exist in CLÁR funding for emergency first-responder groups. I recently met with a group of first responders in the Kilmore community first responders.”
“Senator Paraic Brady spoke about Councillor Michael Boyle in County Donegal, who spoke about the impact the hosepipe ban is having on rural farms and dwellers. The Senator particularly highlighted the fact that if we have 20 days of fine weather, there always seems to be, as sure as night follows day, a request by Irish Water to reduce the consumption of water. I am happy to raise that with the Leader.”
“The Senator also raised the situation of the artist Emily Conway from County Mayo, who received an Arts Council bursary in recognition of her important contribution as an artist but which has created a scenario whereby her application for a blind pension has run into difficulty. I encourage him to put that down as a Commencement matter. Senator Shane Curley spoke about the need for special education modules to be made mandatory for teachers, perhaps in a similar way that CPD exists for other professionals. He highlighted in particular the impact their comments and contributions can have on a pupil, particularly pupils who have special needs, although it might not be the fault of the teacher as they may be unaware. He called for a debate to take place with the Minister for education, and I am certainly happy to raise this with the Leader.”
“We are having a debate tonight on a Private Members' motion on the challenges in rural Ireland, so that might be an opportunity to raise it directly with the Minister. I know how passionate Senator Scahill is about this issue. I will bring it up directly with the Leader as well. Senator Joe Conway raised the awful abuse that was inflicted by the convicted paedophile, Bill Kenneally, in Waterford. The Senator spoke about the State apology that took place yesterday to the victims of that awful evil. Senator Conway spoke in particular about how it was not only put forward by the Government but also supported on a cross-party basis.”
“However, an individual decision for patients in Ireland has not yet been made. I am happy to raise that with the Leader. I hope the request for further information by the medicines board here will bring certainty and clarity to that situation in the next month. Senator Scahill referred to Councillor Micheál Frain’s contribution in raising the need for a 24-7 staffed Garda station in Ballaghaderreen. He spoke in particular about the different challenges that exist for gardaí based in rural Ireland, and the increased distance that has to be travelled to respond to situations by members of An Garda Síochána in rural areas when compared to urban areas. As a result, there is a need for a new model of rural policing.”
“However, because the consultation with the consultant took place initially in Monaghan, the HSE refused that application. I encourage Senator Tully to perhaps raise this as a Commencement matter. There is an appeal mechanism through the HSE and the ombudsman. Perhaps that is an avenue for her constituent to pursue. In general, there should be greater clarity on the provisions of the healthcare directive. I have seen first-hand some of the difficulties that individuals have had in accessing the cross-border healthcare directive, particularly when many of the conditions do not seem readily apparent when people first apply. Senator Gallagher also raised the issue of Friedreich's ataxia and the Skyclarys medicine. He highlighted that this medicine was approved in the US in 2023 and by the European Medicines Agency in 2024.”
“She has been approved for home care but has not been able to secure somebody to do that important work. In the last budget, we saw a record level of investment in home care, but the reality is that the challenges that Senator Boyle spoke about are going to continue because we have an ageing population. The Government will have to invest significantly and ramp up the provision of home care hours by ensuring there is a steady supply of trained professionals who are available throughout the country. The Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, is doing important work in this area. I am confident there will be progress in this area coming up to the budget. Senator Tully raised the cross-border healthcare directive. She spoke about a constituent who had an operation in Belfast under the provisions of the directive.”
“I was a local councillor for two terms, totalling five and a half years. I know how difficult and challenging the important first-responder role of a councillor on the ground is. I know how important it is that they have certainty facing into the 2029 local elections as to what changes are going to be made, not only to their role, but to boundaries and to the balance of power between the executive at the local authority level and the elected members. I am certainly happy to raise her request for a two-hour debate on local government with the Leader. This is very important. It should take place at the earliest opportunity when the House comes back. Senator Boyle spoke about home care for the elderly. He gave an example of an 81-year-old mother who has currently lost mobility and is suffering repeated falls.”
“I know, from my own engagements with schools, the very high level of demand currently in the system to secure extra classrooms and more space for schools. This is a welcome opportunity to make direct representations to the staff who work in the planning and building unit. The Senator also spoke about the IFA's pre-budget submission, which I understand is taking place this afternoon. As somebody who comes from a rural county, I know first-hand the important work that the IFA does in representing not just farmers, but all of those who live in rural Ireland, and the important representational role it has as part of the budget process. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the local democracy task force. She called on the Government to respond to its recommendations, building on the Cathaoirleach's work in the previous Seanad.”
“I know that we will shortly have an announcement by the Minister on the sports capital grants scheme. I recognise that in the last round of funding, there was a requirement for equal access for both men and women in any sports group that would receive funding. I believe that was an important step in the right direction. Senator Boyhan spoke about the exempted development legislation that is currently before the Lower House. He called on the Minister to make available and release the 900 public consultation submissions that have been made on exempted development. I am happy to raise that with the Leader. Senator Boyhan also raised the meeting that is taking place this afternoon with the Minister for education and the planning and building unit.”
“My understanding is that there are four more weeks until a final decision, so hopefully, that will come through. I am happy to raise it with the Leader. Senator Costello also raised the issue of Friedreich's ataxia and the medicine Skyclarys. She highlighted that after two years of waiting, patients need to know the timeline in order to have certainty. She called for a debate on orphan drugs and the early access schemes. It is certainly something that I am happy to raise with the Leader. Senator Ní Chuilinn spoke about the important work that is being done on providing designated funding for women in sport. She spoke about the important distinction that exists between celebrating women in sport and being outraged by what is wrong, as well as the importance of being solutions-focused and proactive.”
“I feel there is also a responsibility on Dublin City Council to allow for that and to support local residents in the area. In fairness to Senator Andrews, he has spoken about this before in the House. I am happy to take it up with the Leader. Senator Andrews also spoke about his meeting with Jodie, who has Friedreich's ataxia, and the challenges she has faced. He referred to the difficulties that are currently being experienced by patients who have this awful, cruel condition, in particular, the difficulty they are having in accessing the Skyclarys medicine. Having met some of the patients yesterday when they were in Leinster House, I recognise the enormous challenges in getting access to that medicine. I accept that a final decision was not made yesterday by the HSE as to whether it is going to make it available for public procurement.”
“I recognise the important contribution that the scheme can make in taking people from long-term unemployment, giving them opportunities and allowing them to get the training, support and wraparound services they need to get back into the workforce. Senator Andrews wished Argentina the very best of luck in tonight's World Cup match. I am sure there will be more than a few people cheering for Argentina tonight. He also spoke about South Bank in Ringsend, and the impact the enormous crowds of people attending concerts in the Aviva Stadium are having on local residents. He called on Dublin City Council to live up to the agreements that were previously in place to provide portaloos and support the local area. There is a real impact on people living beside the stadium due to the enormous crowds coming in.”
“He spoke about the real-life consequences of difficulties experienced by people up and down the country in accessing housing. At my clinics in Wexford, I hear the harrowing stories and see the enormous difficulties in the private rental market. The Government is bringing forward initiatives in relation to planning and speeding up delivery of infrastructure and supports around housing. That will certainly help. There will be more positive stories like Adam's story. The Senator also spoke about Mr Price, having met key workers and staff there. Mr Price now has 75 stores. It uses a different type of hiring model, employing workers directly from community involvement schemes. I am very familiar with the community involvement scheme process, having been the chairperson of a scheme for many years in my home area.”
“I join him in thanking the first responders and recognising that, while we have had quite a lot of publicity about the heatwave and sunny weather, it is also having an impact on the ground and is making conditions more susceptible to wildfires. In Mount Leinster in my county of Wexford, I see the impact they have on the native landscape, flora, fauna and biodiversity, as Senator Kenneally said. He also spoke about the great success of the Horizon Festival in Ballybunion and the huge crowds in attendance. There is no doubt that they are very good at putting on festivals and entertainment in Kerry. Senator McCarthy welcomed two guests to the Gallery, Emma and Adam, who he is hosting in Leinster House. He also welcomed the Belgian ambassador.”
“Today, 15 Senators contributed on the Order of Business and I thank each one of them for that. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about artists, creativity, the protections they need from AI and the damage AI can do when there is not copyright protection for artists' important work. She congratulated Des Egan, a Newbridge poet, on a milestone birthday. She also spoke of Áine Lawlor's retirement from RTÉ and wished her well. She called for a debate on antisocial behaviour on blueways and spoke of the impact an alleged assault has had on people in Ballyteague, County Kildare. I am happy to raise that with our Leader. Senator Kenneally spoke of the impact on Killarney National Park of a wildfire in recent days and expressed his gratitude to the firefighters, the helicopter crews, the NPWS and all the first responders to the fire.”
“77(4), Private Members' business, motion regarding protecting rural Ireland, to be taken at 8 p.m., with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours.”
“The Order of Business is No. 1, Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (resumed) and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m., with the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 3.45 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 2, Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 4 p.m., and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 7.45 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; and No.”
“While those six individuals were taken to Wexford General Hospital they are ultimately in a stable condition, which is a massive relief to everybody. It does show the importance of Rescue 117 and in particular the important work of the Coast Guard and the work it does in a costal county like my own of Wexford, which has such busy ports like Rosslare Europort, but also such a long stretch of coastline up and down its side. Particularly with the hot summer weather we have at the moment, it shows the importance of recognising that the sea can be a dangerous place and that it has cost many people - fishermen and many others - their lives. In this spell of fine weather when so many people want to visit the golden beaches of Wexford, it is important to always be cognisant of the difficulties and the dangers the sea can bring.”
“I wish to begin by acknowledging Councillor Marie-Thérèse Duffy from Ballina, who has joined us in the Public Gallery. She is the sister of our colleague, Senator Mark Duffy, and does a fantastic job in representing the people of the Ballina area. Today, I wish to speak about an act of heroism that took place off the coast of Wexford down in Rosslare on Sunday evening. When a child got into difficulty swimming, a man jumped into the waters to try to rescue the child. That man then got into difficulty himself and four more people got involved in the rescue. Thankfully, due to a combination of the efforts of the Coast Guard, the RNLI, and Rescue 117, joined by members of the National Ambulance Service, some off-duty nurses and members of An Garda Síochána, there was no fatality.”
“The latest information that I have is that the planning application cannot be lodged until 2027 and then it will take approximately two years to go through the planning process. We need to have a debate in this House with the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers, as the Minister responsible for infrastructure, to examine why large infrastructure projects like this road are taking so long to get through the planning process. What changes can be made in order to speed that up, whether through legislation or by other means as a result of the accelerating infrastructure task force? The result should be the speeding up of this much-needed motorway.”
“I very much welcome the move by the Government to recognise Rosslare Europort as a tier 1 category port. This is a significant development, not just for Wexford, but also for the entire south-east region. The issue that I want to highlight is the long-awaited and much discussed road that will run to Rosslare Europort and will ultimately connect it all the way up to Belfast. The stretch of the M11 motorway from Oilgate to Rosslare has been under discussion since 2009. Finally, the route has been selected and detailed design is getting done so that the application for planning permission can be made. There are 170 individual landowners whose properties have effectively been sterilised because they have been included in a route since 2009.”
“In the context of 1798, a tradition that united all sides of the divide, I call on us in this Chamber to have discussion on a united Ireland, particularly as it relates to the Presidency of the EU and reflecting on the fact that the former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, secured a commitment that were the North of Ireland to rejoin the South of Ireland and we have a united Ireland, it would automatically be part of the EU. There is a wider discussion to be had, as our Presidency approaches.”
“The 228th anniversary was commemorated in my home town, on Vinegar Hill, in Enniscorthy, only last weekend. I very much welcome the Tánaiste's comments that Fine Gael will shortly be undertaking a discussion document, a blueprint for what a united Ireland would look like. I am a very proud republican. I believe passionately in a united Ireland. I believe that the institutions of our Republic must and are compelled to fundamentally participate in making sure that in my lifetime, as somebody who is 35, we will have a united Ireland.”
“I would also like to join in the comments to the new Leader of the House, Senator Ahearn, and to congratulate him and say that I very much look forward to working with him. It is a very nice moment to be joined in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery by a distinguished set of visitors. I congratulate the entire Ahearn family, a family with deep roots in public service and with a proud tradition of serving both in this building and also in council chambers in the past. It very much is appreciated, in particular, by those of us on the Fine Gael side of the House, that we have the opportunity to have them join us here for our new Leader's first Order of Business. Today, on the Order of Business, I want to commemorate and reflect on the legacy of the Battle of Vinegar Hill which took place on 21 June 1798.”
“In this case, we still have not got a response for this constituent who applied in May 2025. Clear timelines should be issued to the Teaching Council so there is certainty, notwithstanding the fact every application is different.”
“I appreciate the Minister of State’s coming here to speak on behalf of the Department and the Teaching Council. I recognise that each application is assessed on an individual basis. I will supply him and the Department with the individual details of this constituent. The key point is there does not seem to be a clear timeline for a decision. I appreciate there were 680 applications from individuals who had qualified as teachers outside the State and who are looking to teach in Ireland. Will the Minister of State address the point about a clear timeline for telling an individual they have or have not been approved? The real issue is around uncertainty. Given the time of year, schools are taking on new teachers for the school year starting in late August or early September.”
“It should also make a designated point of contact available for applicants in similar situations. There needs to be a clear line of communication with somebody. The individual in question has not received a response either accepting or rejecting is application, or even asking for more information. He has just not got any response back, which in this day and age is unacceptable.”
“In this particular case, which highlights a wider issue with the Teaching Council on delays, he was told when he did his qualification - the final qualification he requires - in May of last year that his application would be processed by the end of the year. He contacted the council again in February and was told that the matter was being treated as urgent. At the end of April, having not received anything, he contacted the council again and was told he would receive the final decision on 16 June. He still does not have anything. It is unacceptable that he would have to wait for 13 months. What is the current situation with the Teaching Council regarding this area? Are there any clear timelines? Will the Department of education instruct the Teaching Council to set out clear guidelines?”
“Having completed modules in philosophy, psychology and the sociology of physical education, he sought his application from the Teaching Council to move from route 3, which is for further education and training, to route 2, which is post-primary education, where he is looking to take up employment. He had worked on a part-time basis, both in my own county of Wexford and in Dublin. The situation is that there is no set timeline for the Teaching Council to transpose applications from route 3 to route 2. In an area where we know there is a big demand across the school sector for physical education teachers, it seems unacceptable that there is no clear guidance on how long an application can take with the Teaching Council.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber to take this important Commencement matter. I was recently contacted by a teacher who had returned home from Canada looking to take a job as a PE teacher. He described his situation to me. In May 2025, he completed his qualified teacher status. He applied to the Teaching Council and was told that that was a requirement. He had previously completed a PE course - a postgraduate certificate in education and a masters in physical education with the Liverpool John Moores University, which is renowned for training PE teachers.”
“It will open up access to the land. We need to know whether the money is available to progress to the next phase of planning permission for the Wexford campus. I would like the Minister for higher education to come to the Chamber to give an update on that and many other issues in the technological university space.”
“I request that we bring the Minister for higher education before Seanad Éireann to speak about our technological universities and get an update on where things are at. I am speaking specifically about the Wexford campus for the South East Technological University, SETU. Earlier this week, we had a significant announcement of funding which will open up a 1.3 km link road from Ballynagee in Wexford town out to where the new campus will be located. The funding will allow Wexford County Council to construct that road, which will open up land it owns for housing and for the new stadium for Wexford Football Club. While this is a welcome announcement, we need the Higher Education Authority and the Department of higher education to come forward with an update on where exactly the Wexford campus is. The link road will be built.”
“I welcome my office staff, Maeve, Marion, Angelina and our intern, Charlie, to Seanad Éireann. I know from experience that I would be lost without the work they do, day in and day out, in my offices in Enniscorthy and Wexford. I am very grateful to have them working for me and it is a great honour to be able to host them and bring them to Seanad Éireann. I know I speak for all Senators, if I might be so bold, in saying that we would all be lost without the staff we have in our offices. We are lucky and fortunate to have them.”
“Motorway infrastructure, like the motorway running from Belfast right the whole way down the east coast of Ireland, around the M50 and all the way down to Rosslare Europort, could have been through planning at this stage, gone to tender and potentially even have started by now had that section not applied and had that judicial review case not been taken. That case ultimately changed the entire environment. It was a weaponisation of environmental legislation to stymie infrastructure projects like this motorway. I appreciate that is not the opinion or view of everybody in this Chamber but it is my view and I welcome the fact that we are in the position of being able to disallow section 7.”
“It is my long-held view that it is not possible to offset the carbon impact of a motorway by putting in extra cycle lanes and walkways alongside that road. There are already existing roads for people to walk and cycle on, separate to the motorway. This is a critical element of this legislation. I am disappointed to hear that the Labour Party does not agree with it and will not be supporting the Bill as a result. I have a very different policy perspective. It is important to have these debates.”
“The motorway in Wexford was ready to go An Coimisiún Pleanála for planning permission right up until the moment the High Court made its decision in that judicial review case on the Galway ring road to quash the planning permission because it did not consider mitigation measures that were required. That has had a direct impact on the ability of Wexford County Council and TII to deliver that infrastructure project. I accept that an assessment should be done of any project in regard to what it is going to mean and what it is going to do to the environment. However, as against that, we must also consider the fact that some projects, like motorway infrastructure, are critical to the social and economic development of our country and should be designated as such.”
“Anyone who lives in Wexford has long sought the finishing of the road that runs from Belfast to Rosslare Europort. The motorway from Oylegate to Rosslare has had well over a year added to its design as a direct result of section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act. In Galway planning permission was granted for a ring road but was subsequently overturned on judicial review as a direct result of the same section. As a direct result of that court decision, all motorway projects now have to have a separate assessment as to the extra carbon that is going to be generated in an area. When we are building a motorway, that in and of itself is a critical piece of infrastructure and it is not possible to offset motorway journeys by adding cycle lanes or segregated pedestrian walkways.”
“When it comes to the decision to designate and both Houses of the Oireachtas being required to engage with resolutions in order to pass a designation as critical infrastructure, there has to be a recognition that at the end of the day, there will be a vote. First there will be a decision of the Government but there will also be a vote in the Dáil around this. That vote will not just arrive. There will be a debate and discussion and then it will conclude with a vote. It is important to recognise that part too in the context of these amendments.”
“We also had already met virtually all of the State bodies and agencies and many other stakeholders that would be part of a standard pre-legislative scrutiny, and we felt that it was not necessary to repeat that process to look again at the same issue, which is how do we accelerate our infrastructure programme. It was not a decision just to waive pre-legislative scrutiny because we felt that it was not important or was not necessary. Instead, it was that so much of the work that would be done at pre-legislative scrutiny had already been dealt with by the committee through a sustained programme of engagements with various bodies, public bodies, stakeholders and sector representatives.”
“As a member of the infrastructure committee, it is important to note that when it comes to pre-legislative scrutiny we have a very narrow and focused remit on the infrastructure committee. That is to see what exactly can be done, as a parliamentary committee, to reduce the delays and the barriers that we have in infrastructure. We had spent many months focusing solely on that and there was a vote on the committee to waive the pre-legislative scrutiny, which was based on the idea that as a committee we had examined many of the issues that are discussed in this legislation.”
“What happens if a project has been designated as critical infrastructure, a designation order has been made to a public body to speed it up and that public body does not fully comply or delays exceed what would be reasonable given the State's designation of the project as critical? What safeguards are in place? If there is a difficulty with a public body in respect of a project, such as a health facility or housing, what happens? What protections are in place for the public and the taxpayer to make sure there is follow-through and sanctions and penalties? I know that, in theory, any public body can be brought before the Committee of Public Accounts but what exactly are the consequences if a body does not live up to what it is meant to be doing in respect of a critical project?”
“I would hate to see the goal, that is, trying to speed things up, being frustrated and the Minister's hands being tied because we prescribed too specific a list. The definitions have to be as broad as possible. The Minister and future Ministers have to have as much flexibility as possible. We must also always be conscious that, in order to designate something as critical infrastructure under the legislation, a vote in Dáil Éireann is required. There is therefore a safeguard. For a project to be designated as critical infrastructure, it will have to be voted through in the Dáil. I have a question for the Minister.”