Catherine Connolly
Galway West · Ireland
“We must zone in on the smaller businesses because that was the problem; the smaller companies and businesses could never avail of the research and development tax credit. This morning, I had the privilege of listening to the organisation, ALONE. It pointed out that older people living alone are €300 worse off compared to last year.”
“Those patients are human beings and they are being left on trolleys. There are some good things in this budget, which I welcome. I welcome the increase in social welfare, but when it is matched with the increase in the cost of living, it is worth absolutely nothing. I welcome that the money for artists has been extended.”
“Maybe the hint for what has happened with this budget is captured in the words of the Minister, Paschal Donohoe, who said, "Our schools, our hospitals and our public services are responsible for so much good in society." They certainly are, but that is not their function.”
“We have given a reduction in VAT down to 9% for developers with absolutely no evidence that this will help in any way and no context given. Today I attended a presentation in Buswells in relation to derelict properties all done on a voluntary basis.”
“There is 2% less funding at a time when we need balanced rural and regional development more than ever. I welcome the commitment to diversifying our economy. It should have happened years ago. Again, it is lacking in detail.”
“I preface my remarks by using a few seconds to talk about the four people who are outside here on the 18th day of their hunger strike. We have passed a budget in one of the richest economies in the world and we have four people who have been 18 days on hunger strike outside. They have survived the industrial schools.”
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“We have seen the total and complete destruction of infrastructure in Gaza all around us. We have seen patients having to be turned away after a hospital has been bombed ... " I wish I could go on. Will the Taoiseach please tell me what specific action he is going to take, including in respect of the occupied territories Bill, stopping trade with Gaza and inspecting planes at Shannon, at the very least, to make our words mean something?”
“Yesterday, again, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that: We know that people are thirsty ... We know that solid waste is piling up and ... people are trapped under the rubble ... [and living on the rubble]. We know that the land is shrinking with displacement orders ... [We know that] fishers [are being] shot at sea, and that nowhere is safe. It said all of that. I will go on to what we see. It went on to state that "We have seen the images of children's bodies being thrown from one building to another due to the force of the bombing. We have seen the videos of families being burnt alive." These are the words of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, not mine. It continued, "We have seen the bodies of our colleagues who have been killed.”
“The office for the co-ordination of humanitarian assistance told us that Israel began its blockade and since then not a single truck carrying food, fuel, medicine or any other essentials has been allowed in no matter how critical. Just in case the Taoiseach or we were in any doubt at all, the defence minister in Israel, Israel Katz, told us that Israel's policy is clear that "no humanitarian aid is about to enter Gaza." Preventing humanitarian aid to Gaza is one of the main tools of pressure. No one is going to get any aid. I have said repeatedly that I think the best thing for me to do would be to stand here in silence at what is happening in our name - genocide - while we use sweet words and do little else. We boast that we are better than any other country, and that measuring stick is really very low.”
“Táim ag díriú isteach ar mhuintir na Palaistíne agus an cinedhíothú atá ar siúl inár n-ainm fad is atáimid anseo ag caint agus briathra milse, bhreátha ag na hAirí gan beart ar bith. Inné sa chúirt, dúirt Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, "Israel has closed all crossings and it has turned Rafah itself, once a refuge for almost 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, into a post-apocalyptic wasteland." At the weekend alone, 52 people - children, women and men - were slaughtered in addition to the 51,000 Palestinians already killed, 70% of whom are women and children, and more than 120,000 Palestinians reported injured. Israel has systematically destroyed 95% of Gaza's hospitals and maternity clinics.”
“I know this from talking to its representatives on the ground. They do not have the resources in the climate action regional offices, CAROs. The Minister referred to millions of euros. I have a figure of €7.9 million and he has a figure of €9 million. When that is spread out between all of the local authorities it comes to zilch, really. Crucial to this is independent monitoring of the progress with regard to the 7% reduction, and a tolerance of locl authorities coming forward to tell the Minister they simply cannot do this wonderful thing because they do not have enough money. That atmosphere has to be created where they can come forward.”
“The ones that were opened up by the Government going back over time are oversubscribed. There are phases 1, 2 and 3 and, in the meantime, they are taking their safety in their own hands. These are children attending school. I am not exaggerating. People do not protest two weeks in a row at 8 o'clock in the morning, desperately drawing the attention of the county council to the danger, for no reason. Of course, the safe routes to school programme run by An Taisce is brilliant but there is not enough money or resources within the county council to implement the schemes when the National Transport Authority, working with An Taisce, brings the schemes up. I will go back to the issue at hand. It is a wonderful idea but the delay so far has been unacceptable. The council cannot deliver on this.”
“I very much welcome the Minister's hands-on and positive approach. He has mentioned various things. Galway County Council has consistently and continuously told us that it is underfunded. It sets out the parameters under which it gets its funding, and it is underfunded. It is one of the most underfunded local authorities. This is on record with the Minister's Department. There have been many meetings on this issue. The city council is slightly better, but not much. On active travel, it is oversubscribed all the time. People want active travel. For example, this week there was a second protest out in Bearna. That is tangential to the issue we are discussing but it is in the same area. They had to go out and protest two weeks in a row because of a failure of the safe schools route.”
“I can tell the Minister that the people of Galway were always ahead of us. Some 20 years ago they asked us to have a zero-waste policy. We produced a plan in Galway city, which was actually rejected, where we were looking at zero waste. We had a public authority-run facility for recycling, reuse and so on, but the Government privatised it all and we went backwards.”
“As it cannot even manage to do the roads it is supposed to be doing, I do not know how it can manage this extremely important project. I am familiar with the Aran Islands. It is part of my constituency and I go out there regularly. I welcome this positive news but the decarbonisation zone was identified by Galway back in 2018 or 2019. We are now in 2025 and I would like to know what progress has been made. Once again, I am not criticising the city council at all; I am asking the Department what monitoring will take place. Will it be monitored independently? What system would be in place for monitoring it? When the report is published later this year, who will give us that report? What markers will be there to show us how much has been achieved? Where are we in respect of our obligation on the 7% reduction?”
“I look forward to that report and the Minister might give me some indication as to the quarter in which it will be published. As usual, the reason I am sceptical is the delay. I want to praise the city council in Galway. It came up trumps. It was actually within the time limit and it identified the decarbonisation zone. I am from that area originally but am not in it now, although it is quite a big area so I will have to check. I know Shantalla and the area very well. It is beside the university and it is a wonderful example of climate change in action. However, it cannot be done without a properly resourced team. The county council, which we meet regularly along with the Minister's colleagues on a cross-party basis, continuously tells us that it is underfunded.”
“I will stay with decarbonisation, particularly the decarbonisation zones in Oileáin Árann and Galway city. I seek an update on what has been achieved in respect of the annual 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the status of the implementation plan and the resources involved. Neither of the local authorities can do much without resources. I will come back to the matter of the delay. For the moment, it would be positive if the Minister could give me an update.”
“Is rud bunúsach é seo. Níl mórán i gceist leis ach a chinntiú go mbeadh rochtain ag an bpobal agus ag na meáin chumarsáide ar chruinniú amháin sa mhí. Tá sé sin thar a bheith tábhachtach don chóras daonlathais i ndáiríre. Go háirithe sa domhan atá againn, tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh deis ag daoine breathnú, agus tá an Bille seo ag tabhairt an toghchán ar ais leis an daonlathas a fheabhsú. Téann an leasú seo leis an athrú sin, go mbeadh rochtain ag an bpobal. Ní dóigh liom go mbeadh aon duine i gcoinne na hathruithe seo.”
“Aontaím leis an leasú seo. Faraor, níl m’ainm air. Rinne mé dearmad mé féin air. Is leasú thar a bheith tábhachtach é agus aontaím leis. Mar a dúirt an Teachta McGuinness, is "gnáthchleachtas" atá i gceist i ndáiríre. Ó mo thaithí féin i nGaillimh sa chomhairle cathrach, bhí feachtas ollmhór ar an talamh chun a chinntiú go mbeadh rochtain ag pobal na Gaillimhe ar na cruinnithe. Thug se an t-uafás ama ach faoi dheireadh, ghéill an córas. Níor thit an domhain as an chéile. Faraor, bhí ruaille buaille oíche amháin agus chuaigh an comhairle cathrach siar agus tá coinníollacha i gceist anois, faraor. Go teoiriciúil, áfach, tá daoine in ann siúil isteach agus freastal ar an gcruinniú. Ceapaim gur athrú dearfach a bhí ann ag an am mar d’oibrigh muid mar chomhairleoirí i mbealach i bhfad níos múinte. Bhí oscailteacht agus trédhearcacht i gceist.”
“Ní raibh siad ag rá linn go raibh fadhb acu agus go mbeidh cruinnithe acu agus plean ann chun é a réiteach, just full stop nach bhfuiltear chun tithe a thógáil mar níl an córas séarachais ann. Tuigim an rud atá ráite ag an Aire, ach ní mór rud éigin a chur sa reachtaíocht chun spotsolas a dhíriú air. Níl muid ach ag caint faoi thaighde nó straitéis i dtréimhse ama dhá bhliain i leasú amháin agus tréimhse ama eile sna leasuithe eile. Ba chóir go mbeidh an t-údarás agus an córas áitiúil ag obair as lámha a chéile chun fianaise a bhailiú agus na fadhbanna a réiteach. Tá sé thar a bheith bunúsach i ndáiríre.”
“B'fhéidir go mbeadh an Roinn in ann breathnú air sin. Fillfidh mé ar na leasuithe. Seo taighde i ndáiríre. Bíonn muid i gcónaí ag caint faoi pholasaí a fhorbairt de réir na fianaise ar an talamh. Cén chaoi ar féidir polasaí a fhorbairt gan straitéis agus gan breathnú ar rudaí tar éis dhá bhliain? Is é sin atá tarlaithe go dtí seo. Ní raibh an t-údarás, agus cúiseanna aige, nó an córas áitiúil ag breathnú ar cad a bhí ag tarlú. Fillfidh mé ar an scéilín beag a d'inis mé cheana. Dúirt an chomhairle agus an duine atá i gceannas linn nach bhfuil aon phlean acu tithe a thógáil i gCeantar na nOileán - ní ar na hoileáin, ach i gCeantar na nOileán; tá droichead á chur amach go dtí an ceantar álainn seo - agus baineadh stangadh asam ag éisteacht leis an méid sin, go bhfuil siad i gceannas agus go ndúirt siad é sin.”
“Tá an tAire sásta bualadh le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. De réir mar a thuigim, tá BÁNÚ ar an talamh ag lorg cruinnithe leis an Aire. Is dócha go bhfuil an tAire sásta bualadh leis an ngrúpa. Tá neart oibre déanta aige agus ag eagraíochtaí eile. Ansin, ó thaobh na Roinne féin de, de réir mar a thuigim, tá cumhacht ag an Roinn faoi alt 9(a) d'Acht na dTithe (Gaeltacht) (Leasú), 2001, ach, cé nár cuireadh deireadh leis an gcumhacht sin, níor lean sí ar aghaidh leis. Tá an chumhacht ag an Roinn "scéimeanna a dhéanamh chun deontais nó cúnamh airgeadais eile a sholáthar do dhuine faoi chomhair an chostais a ghabhann le teach cónaithe sa Ghaeltacht a thógáil nó a fheabhsú". Bhí an scéim sin ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí 2009 nuair a thit an bonneagar as a chéile. Níor lig an Roinn d'aon duine faoiseamh nó tacaíocht a fháil faoin scéim sin.”
“Mar atá a fhios ag an Aire, is ó chathair na Gaillimhe mé féin agus táim bródúil aisti ach tá gá le cothromaíocht maidir le Conamara agus na háiteanna eile. Tá neart deiseanna ann. Ag breathnú ar An gCeathrú Rua, is é an rud is bunúsaí ná suíomh a aithint agus córas séarachais a thógáil. Ansin, is féidir eastáit tithíochta a thógáil. Críochnóidh mé leis seo ach, i dtuarascáil an Choimisiún Tithíochta, bhí caibidil thar a bheith suimiúil faoi chúrsaí tithíochta faoin tuath. Ní dúirt sé go raibh sé mícheart tithe aonair a thógáil. Luaigh sé réitigh éagsúla chomh maith le heastáit bheaga. Dar leis, is féidir tithe aonair a thógáil freisin i mbealach inmharthana. Tá gá leis na leasuithe seo agus leis na rudaí atá iontu. Táim ag rá go poiblí go mbeidh gá le tuilleadh acmhainní do na heagrais ar an talamh.”
“Ag dul ar ais go dtí na leasuithe, is é sin an fáth go bhfuil m'ainm ar an chéad leasú agus go n-aontaím leis an dá leasú eile. Gan spotsolas, straitéis nó iniúchadh leanúnach, titeann na rudaí tábhachtacha seo ar leataobh agus leanann na córais áitiúla ar aghaidh. Ní náire é sin ach easpa tuisceana arís. Ba é an rud a bhí á rá ag an gcomhairle ná nach raibh plean aici seachas go bhfuil gá le plean ach go bhfuil fadhb ann agus go bhfuil sí i dteagmháil leis an Roinn go leanúnach chun réiteach a fháil uirthi. Ní hé sin a bhí á rá ach nach bhfuil plean ar bith aici. Táim buartha faoin easpa cothromaíochta, go háirithe sa domhan atá inniu ann ina bhfuil gá le forbairt chothrom ar fud na tíre.”
“Le déanaí, bhí cruinniú dearfach ag na Teachtaí Dála leis an gcomhairle contae. Chuir mé an cheist, cad iad na pleananna atá ann chun tuilleadh tithíochta a thógáil i gCeantar na nOileán agus in áiteanna eile i gConamara. Ba é an freagra neamhbhalbh a fuaireamar ná nach bhfuil plean ar bith ag an gcomhairle. Samhlaigh é sin. Níl plean ar bith chun tithe a thógáil. Cén fáth? Is é an fáth ná an easpa córais séarachais i gCeantar na nOileán. Tá scéim tithíochta iontach ann agus tá spás agus talamh in aice leis an eastát tithíochta ach níltear in ann tuilleadh tithe a thógáil de bharr easpa infreastruchtúir bhunúsaigh. Chuaigh mé timpeall i gciorcail ag caint faoin gcreimeadh leanúnach atá ag dul ar aghaidh sna Gaeltachtaí. Is fadhb amháin é seo agus tá réitigh uirthi ach níl sé ar aon liosta.”
“Bhí mé mar chomhairleoir ar an gcomhairle cathrach ach bhí an-eolas agam mar bhí suim agam. Táimid ar ais arís agus níl suíomh ar bith roghnaithe fós. Is fadhb ollmhór é sin. Tá gá le beart suntasach agus suíomh a roghnú anois. Tá suímh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá Ros an Mhíl ann. B'fhéidir nach n-aontódh daoine liom ach ceapaim gur fiú breathnú ar an áit. Is áit thionsclaíoch é agus bheadh sé feiliúnach. Ag dul siar, ag an am, dúradh linn go raibh an iomarca airgid i gceist. Níl a fhios agam cén costas atá i gceist anois. Ag fanacht leis an téama sin, labhróidh mé faoi Cheantar na nOileán. Ar fud na tíre, tá áiteanna atá ag déanamh go maith agus áiteanna eile nach bhfuil. Dar liom, taobh amuigh den Chladach, is é Ceantar na nOileán an áit is áille in Éirinn. Tá easpa tithíochta ann agus, ag an am céanna, tithe atá folamh.”
“Tá sé éasca domsa díriú isteach ar An gCeathrú Rua, croílár na Gaeltachta, atá gan córas séarachais. Ní féidir cothromaíocht a bheith i gceist ó thaobh cúrsaí forbartha muna bhfuil an bunstruchtúr ann. I gcroílár na Gaeltachta, níl córas séarachais ann. Ag dul siar, phioc an chomhairle contae suíomh amháin. Faraor, bhí sé soiléir domsa agus do chosmhuintir na háite nach raibh an suíomh feiliúnach. Ansin, bunaíodh Uisce Éireann agus, faraor, lean sé ar aghaidh. Ní raibh an locht air ag an am. Ba é sin an fhadhb a bhfuair sé. Lean sé ar aghaidh ag breathnú ar an suíomh seo. Tá níos mó ná 25 bliain imithe, a Aire, gan aon dul chun cinn. Táimid ar ais i gciorcal ag an bpointe ónar dtosaíomar 25 bliain ó shin. Ní raibh mise i mo chomhairleoir contae ag an am.”
“Tá trí leasú i gceist anseo. Tá m'ainm ar cheann amháin, Uimh. 15, ach aontaím leo go léir. Táim ag tnúth le freagra an Aire. Gan dabht, beidh tuilleadh acmhainní ag teastáil ó Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ón gcóras áitiúil má ghlactar leis na leasuithe seo. Is é sin an rud is bunúsaí atá ag teastáil mar tá easpa foirne i gceist. Is é an rud atá i gceist anseo, atá leagtha amach sna leasuithe, ná go mbeidh iniúchadh nó straitéis i gceist ó thaobh cúrsaí tithíochta - tá gá práinneach leis sin - bonneagair chumarsáide agus bonneagair shéarachais agus uisce. Is iad sin na rudaí is lú atá ag teastáil i ndáiríre. Dá mba rud é go raibh sé sin ag tarlú le cúpla bliain anuas, ní bheadh na fadhbanna céanna againn. Bheadh spotsolas á dhíriú isteach go leanúnach, i mbealach atá dearfach, ar na fadhbanna agus na rudaí atá in easnamh anseo.”
“Tá rud amháin le lua agam chun a bheith féaráilte d’Údarás na Gaeilge. Is dócha go raibh tuairim scríofa ón Ard-Aighne ag cur in iúl nach raibh cumhacht ag an údarás ó thaobh chúrsaí tithíochta. Bheadh sé tábhachtach é sin a shoiléiriú. Léigh mé é sin agus dúradh liom go raibh tuairim dhlíthiúil ón iarArd-Aighne agus gurb é sin chuid den fhadhb.”
“Chomh maith leis sin, cosúil leis An Taisce, bíonn Údarás na Gaeltachta i gcónaí ar an eolas faoi chead pleanála agus faoi na hiarratais a bhíonn ag dul isteach. Tá eolas i bhfad níos fearr aige ó thaobh na n-aighneachtaí a bhíonn ag dul isteach timpeall na cathrach, sna Gaeltachtaí agus i gConamara ná aon Teachta Dála ar an talamh. Bhí deis aige ansin a rá go raibh sé ag dul an treo seo agus go mbeadh impleachtaí tromchúiseacha i gceist mura stopfadh muid. Geallúintí sollúnta atá de dhíth.”
“Is cinnte nach raibh locht ar bith air ag an am sin. Roimhe sin agus tar éis an tréimhse sin, áfach, níor tháinig sé os ár gcomhair le rá go réamhghníomhach nárbh féidir leis leanúint ar aghaidh agus é ag díriú isteach ar sprioc amháin, is é sin, cúrsaí fostaíochta, gan a chur os ár gcomhair go bhfuil géarchéim tithíochta ann. Ag dul ar ais go dtí an tAcht um Údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979, i leathanach amháin tá neart féidearthachtaí leagtha amach. Cé nach bhfuil mé chun iad a léamh, bhí neart féidearthachtaí agus cumhachtaí aige. Bhí solúbthacht aige. Níor tharla sé, áfach, agus lean an rud ar aghaidh le heaspa tithíochta i gceist. Mar a dúirt mé, tá trua agam dó i dtaobh tréimhse áirithe ó 2008 ar aghaidh, ach ní roimhe sin agus ní tar éis an tréimhse sin de bharr nár dúirt sé é seo go soiléir.”
“Níl a fhios agam cé chomh fada is atá muid ag fanacht leis na treoracha pleanála. Níl tásc ná tuairisc orthu. Má tá an tAire sásta geallúint shollúnta a thabhairt dúinn go bhfuil sé oscailte réiteach a fháil ar an bhfadhb, bíodh sin tuilleadh cumhachtaí a chinntiú d’Údarás na Gaeltachta - mar approved housing body nó cibé bealach nó réiteach - bheinn sásta ach amháin an t-aitheantas a thabhairt don síorchreimeadh atá ar siúl agus don ghéarchéim tithíochta. Tá daoine ag fágáil na nGaeltachtaí mar níl aon tithe ann. Níl mé ag iarraidh locht a chur ar Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá a fhios agam go ndearna sé a dhícheall. Is dócha, áfach, go raibh neart solúbthachta aige agus níor bhain sé úsáid as an tsolúbthacht sin. Níl aon amhras ann go raibh easpa acmhainní i gceist ó 2008 ar aghaidh agus fiú níl a dhóthain acmhainní ar ais aige anois.”
“Dúirt sé gur gné teoranta é. Beidh a bhfuil le rá agam dírithe den chuid is mó ar a bhfuil i gceist ag na leasuithe, ach tugann sé seo chomhthéacs thar a bheith tábhachtach dúinn. Níl mé ach ag lua dhá cheann. Ní gá don Aire a bheith buartha; níl mé chun leanúint ar aghaidh. Is iad síorchreimeadh na Gaeltachta agus cumhachtaí agus cúram an údaráis comhthéacs na díospóireachta seo. Ní mór díospóireacht ionraic a bheith againn ó thaobh na gcumhachtaí sin agus ó thaobh shíorchreimeadh na Gaeltachta. Lean an tOllamh Ó Tuathaigh ar aghaidh maidir leis an mBille agus an gné áirithe sin. Is díospóireacht i bhfad níos ionraice atá ag teastáil uainn ó thaobh síorchreimeadh na nGaeltachtaí uilig. Cé nach bhfuil mé chun é seo a athrá, is é an taithí atá againn ar an gcoiste ó bheith ag taisteal timpeall na tíre ná go bhfuil gá le réiteach a fháil.”
“Is uair na cinniúna é i ndáiríre ó thaobh na nGaeltachtaí agus ó thaobh chúrsaí tithíochta. Nil aon éalú ó sin. Ar mhaithe le comhthéacs, mar tá sé tábhachtach, níl an Ghaeltacht mar atá sí inmharthana. Dúirt an tOllamh Ó Giollagáin é sin i mí na Bealtaine 2023, beagnach dhá bhliain ó shín. Tá stair mhór ag an bhfear sin ag cur na bhfíricí os ár gcomhair. Is fear acadúil é agus neart leabhar scríofa aige. Níl mé ach ag piocadh na hóráide a thug sé os comhair an choiste nuair a chuir sé in iúl gur uair na cinniúna é. Ag an am sin chomh maith, thug an tOllamh Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh aitheantas gurb é bun agus barr an Bhille seo ná an bunphobal Gaeltachta a neartú agus a mhúnlú. Lean sé ar aghaidh agus dúirt sé gur gné amháin den mhórchuspóir é gné an rialachais agus lean sé ar aghaidh ó thaobh cé chomh tábhachtach is a bhí sé.”
“Fearaim fáilte roimh an Aire go bhfuil sé sásta nó oscailte faoin gceist seo ach tá sé deacair a oibriú amach cén chaoi a oibreoidh sé seo. Táimid ag dul ar aghaidh leis seo le cúpla bliain agus táim ag breathnú siar ar na hóráidí a thug an t-iarOllamh Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh agus tiocfaidh mé ar ais go dtí sin. Luafaidh mé freisin an tOllamh Ó Giollagáin. Tugann siad comhthéacs don rud seo uilig agus tá sé tábhachtach dá bharr. Aontaím leis an méid atá ráite ag an Teachta Ó Snodaigh ó thaobh na leasuithe atá as ord de. Tá sé deacair dúinn i gcónaí an freagra a fhaighimid go bhfuil siad as ord ach tuigim gurb é sin córas. Má tá moill eile ar an mBille seo is fiú é, i mo thuairim, má fhaighimid réiteach ar thuilleadh cumhachtaí mar tá siad ag teastáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta.”
“Maidir leis an rud seo, tá a fhios agam go bhfuil tuiscint ollmhór ag an Aire ó thaobh na bhfadhbanna ach ní féidir glacadh leis seo. Tá sé rólag. Ní féidir dul ar ais chuig na heagraíochtaí ar an talamh. Nílim ach ag lua ceann amháin, BÁNÚ, ach tá neart eagraíochtaí agus pobal eile ag impí orainn rud a dhéanamh chun tuilleadh cumhachtaí a thabhairt d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. In ainneoin nach bhfuil sé sin ag teastáil de réir mo thuisceana, táim ag dul ar aghaidh leis na rudaí atá á rá ag na saineolaithe. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais arís. Ba mhaith liom freagra an Aire a chloisteáil.”
“Níl mé ag iarraidh dul isteach in "dúirt an bhean seo agus dúirt an fear sin" ach ba é an rud tábhachtach a bhí a rá acu ná go raibh an chomhairle contae den tuairim gur féidir leis an údarás a bheith ainmnithe mar housing body agus an teideal sin a ghlacadh nó comhlacht a bhunú laistigh den údarás agus feidhmiú mar áisíneacht tithíochta. De réir mar a thuigim, dúirt an t-iarAire tithíochta - is Aire é go fóill ach bhí sé ina Aire tithíochta cheana - an rud ceannann céanna, is é sin, go raibh féidearthacht ann don údarás feidhmiú mar approved housing body nó eintiteas mar sin chun tithe a thógáil. Níl a fhios agam cad é an réiteach ach tá a fhios agam an fhadhb. Tá gá le tuilleadh tithíochta. Cibé cé na cumhachtaí breise atá ag teastáil ón údarás, tá gá le hiad a thabhairt dó chomh maith le hacmhainní.”
“Tá sé ráite go poiblí agam go bhfuil locht ar an gcomhairle contae freisin. Nuair a bhí sé féin agus na sé údarás áitiúla eile os ár gcomhair, bhí easpa tuisceana iomlán acu ó thaobh na bhfreagrachtaí atá orthu maidir le cúrsaí tithíochta agus an Ghaeilge. Tá an t-agallamh seo thar a bheith suimiúil. De réir mo thuisceana agus de réir an mhéid a chuala mé, dúradh go raibh cruinniú suimiúil ag BÁNÚ, go raibh an chomhairle contae oscailte den chéad uair agus gur chuir sé in iúl go mbeidh athbhreithniú ar phlean an chontae agus go mbeidh deiseanna ag daoine aighneachtaí a chur isteach. Ba é an rud ba shuimiúla domsa ná go dúirt an chomhairle contae le BÁNÚ go raibh sí i dteagmháil le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta dhá bhliain ó shin.”
“Ceapaim féin go bhfuil ach, ag glacadh leis an saineolas ó na saineolaithe nach bhfuil an chumhacht aige, is é seo an deis an chumhacht a thabhairt dó agus a shoiléiriú go mbeidh cumhacht aige tithe a thógáil agus talamh a thabhairt. Nílim cinnte faoin bhfocal "díol" toisc gur talamh poiblí atá i gceist agus táimid ag iarraidh an praghas a choinneáil síos. Táim ag caint faoi thalamh a thabhairt do chomhlachtaí gan bhrabús agus obair as lámh a chéile leis an gcomhairle contae. Bhí agallamh suimiúil ar Raidió na Gaeltachta. Fair play do Raidió na Gaeltachta as ucht obair na gcapall atá a dhéanamh aige. Tapóidh mé an deis chun dul isteach ar na rudaí seo. Bhí duine ó BÁNÚ i mbun agallaimh agus dúirt sé go raibh cruinniú suimiúil aige leis an gcomhairle contae faoi dheireadh.”
“Ní saineolaí mé ach is é mo léamh ar an reachtaíocht ná gur féidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta i bhfad níos mó a dhéanamh ó thaobh cúrsaí tithíochta laistigh de na srianta atá air. B'fhéidir go bhfuil easpa foirne agus easpa acmhainní i gceist. Ní féidir dul ar aghaidh leis na spriocanna atá aige an Ghaeilge a bhuanú, a láidriú agus a choimeád gan tithíocht a bheith ann. Tá an dá rud fite le chéile. Dá mba rud é go raibh cumhacht agam laistigh den údarás, bheinn ag iarraidh air tithe a thógáil. Ní féidir sprioc amháin a bhaint amach gan an sprioc eile. Ní féidir an Ghaeilge a chaomhnú gan tithe a bheith ann. Is dócha go bhfuil saineolaithe eile laistigh den Rialtas ag rá nach bhfuil an chumhacht ag an údarás.”
“In ainneoin nach raibh sé ar an gcomhchoiste, tháinig Éamon Ó Cuív chuig gach cruinniú. Ach, bhí sé soiléir ón obair a rinne an coiste i dtréimhse na Dála deireanaí agus an tréimhse roimhe sin, nuair a thaisteal muid ar fud na tíre, go raibh géarchéim i gceist sna Gaeltachtaí uilig. Tháinig na saineolaithe os ár gcomhair. Tá a ráitis anseo. Chuir an tOllamh Ó Giollagáin, an t-iar-ollamh ó Ghaillimh agus daoine eile le saineolas in iúl dúinn go soiléir nach raibh sé inmharthana agus go raibh gá le hathrú bunúsach, "transformational change", an frása atá á úsáid againn tar éis Covid, tar éis athrú aeráide a dhearbhú agus araile. Níl aitheantas á thabhairt ag an Rialtas don ghéarchéim sin. Tá iarracht déanta anseo ó thaobh na tithíochta de ach ní leor é.”
“Seo croílár na faidhbe i ndáiríre - na leasuithe seo. Níl leasú an Rialtais sásúil. De réir alt 6 den Bhille, leasófar alt 8 den Phríomh-Acht agus "Féadfaidh an tÚdarás talamh a dhíol le comhlacht tithíochta ceadaithe ... nó le húdarás tithíochta ... nó a dhiúscairt". Cuirimis na leasuithe seo le chéile. Tá ceann as ord agus tá sé ráite ag an Teachta cheana nach dtuigeann sé cén fáth a bhfuil sé as ord. Fanfaidh mé leis na pointí ginearálta. Tá géarchéim tithíochta ann. Thosaigh an feachtas seo ar son Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na toghcháin a thabhairt ar ais le hÉamon Ó Cuív, agus tá moladh tugtha agam dó. Is é sin an príomhchuspóir a bhí i gceist: na toghcháin a thabhairt ar ais agus córas daonlathach a chur i bhfeidhm. D'aontaigh muid go léir leis, agus d'oibrigh muid as lámha a chéile ar an gcomhchoiste.”
“Arís, go sciobtha, fáiltím go bhfuil an tAire oscailte chun an rud seo a phlé. Tá mé ag díriú isteach arís ar na daoine a tháinig os ár gcomhair agus na daoine ar phainéil éagsúla ar chláracha teilifíse agus raidió. Tá formhór dóibh ina gcónaí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht agus ag cur in iúl nach bhfuil siad in ann teach a fháil sa Ghaeltacht. Is iadsan na daoine atá ag déanamh obair na gcapall chun an córas a athrú. Is cinnte go mbeadh suim acu seasamh. Tuigim nach bhfuil sé chomh simplí sin ach, mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, tá bunriachtanas ó thaobh leibhéil áirid i nGaeilge a bheith ag teastáil ar a laghad. Níl sin ag a lán daoine. Ní mór dúinn breathnú ar an gcás seo arís.”
“Is é sin an rud atá leagtha amach anseo: "resides in the area concerned" nó "a bhfuil cónaí air nó uirthi sa limistéar lena mbaineann". B'fhéidir go mbeidh an tAire in ann é seo phlé i gcomhthéacs na géarchéime atá ann agus gan an dara rogha ag a lán daoine ach a bheith ina gcónaí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht.”
“Ba mhaith liom aontú leis na cainteoirí ó Shinn Féin maidir leis an rud seo. Is íorónta an rud é go bhfuilimid chun daoine le Gaeilge líofa, nach bhfuil in ann tithe a fháil sa Ghaeltacht agus atá ina gcónaí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, a choinneáil amach óna bheith in ann dul ar Údarás na Gaeltachta. Is íorónta an scéal é amach is amach mar beidh muid ag caint faoi ghéarchéim tithíochta níos déanaí. Is é an brú atá ag teacht orainn ó BÁNÚ agus na heagraíochtaí eile ar an talamh atá i dteagmháil leanúnach linn ná go bhfuil siad ag rá nach bhfuil rochtain acu ar thithe sna Gaeltachtaí uilig. In ainneoin a bheith ag déileáil leis an bhfadhb sin, táimid ag cur leis an bhfadhb is ag rá nach féidir leat páirt a ghlacadh sna toghcháin mar nach bhfuil tú sa cheantar.”
“Is tuilleadh daonlathais atá i gceist, rud atá ag teastáil go géar uainn sa lá atá inniu ann. Níl aon ionadaíocht ann do na hoileáin agus na Gaeltachtaí beaga. Is é sin an teachtaireacht ba láidre a tháinig trasna dúinn nuair a thaisteal muid ar fud na tíre. Ní leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh. Tá an teachtaireacht láidir. An bhféadfaí breathnú air seo? Cad í an fhadhb le tuilleadh ionadaíochta a bheith ag an údarás nua?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Labhair mé an uair dheireanach faoin alt seo. Go sciobtha arís, is dócha go bhfuil díomá orm nach bhfuil an tAire ag glacadh leis na moltaí a tháinig ón tuarascáil ón gcoiste. Ba é an rud ba thábhachtaí ná go mbeadh ionadaíocht i gceist ó gach Gaeltacht, rud atá thar a bheith réasúnta. Mar a dúirt mé cheana, tá 174 Teachta Dála anseo agus tá muid in ann feidhmiú. Cad é atá mícheart le hionadaithe ó gach Gaeltacht? Beidh muid ag teacht níos déanaí go cúrsaí tithíochta agus cé chomh práinneach is atá an fhadhb tithíochta sna Gaeltachtaí. Tá gá le guthanna eile, chomh maith le guthanna Teachtaí Dála, chun é sin a chur trasna do cibé rialtas atá ann. Ní thuigim an fhadhb ó thaobh tuilleadh ionadaíochta.”
“I agree with what the previous speaker said about a forum but we need an urgent task force to diversify our economy and to have balanced regional development. We cannot even attempt to do that because we do not have basic infrastructure, like a sewage treatment plant in Carraroe or one on the east side of Galway city, one of the five cities destined to grow. We are going in one direction all the time to save industries, which we need to save at this point because we are utterly reliant on them, without a parallel approach that will help us to break our dependency.”
“The clock has moved forward and we are now utterly reliant on an arms industry because the leaders of the European economy have utterly failed to behave in an intelligent manner. They have gone down roads that have not helped us - I mention Germany in particular - with the arms industry. We are doing all of this without having an action plan for business and human rights. I could be corrected on this but I think we have been more than five years without a human rights plan because we cannot get all of the Departments to co-operate on it. I welcome the setting up of the forum known as the consultative group on international trade policy. I do not think Údarás na Gaeltachta is part of this, even though it sends €150 million to North America in exports.”
“We built up a reliance that is utterly unacceptable. Now that we have this crisis all over the world, we see Germany reigniting its economy through the arms industry. We see Ireland putting out what is known as preliminary market engagement exercise for drones or platforms, for ostensibly useful functions. Then it goes on to question whether they can be modified to seamlessly deliver a strike capability. They want the responses back to testing the market to see if that is possible. Ireland's sale of dual-use products has increased by a factor of seven times, I think. The Minister of State knows this. I will work with the Government at any time if it will begin to say that we cannot go on with business as usual. It is simply not possible. Our planet is endangered.”
“He is backing the genocide in Gaza. I will mention this every single time I stand up. The US is supplying all of the arms to perpetrate the genocide, while we stand idly by. This is the same man who has now started a trade war so that we are completely deflected from what is happening. Of course the Government has to take action and look at this, but we need long-term action. We need transformative action. We should never be in this position but we should learn from it, having failed to learn from Covid and climate change. We should diversify our economy. I see for the first time that Údarás na Gaeltachta recognises the need to diversify in the markets. It is now looking to Canada and elsewhere to sell its products. This should have been happening not just with an t-údarás, but with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA as well.”
“I would like to pick up on the comment about seismic change that the previous speaker referred to. We were warned about this for a very long time. When climate change was declared as being real, we were told that the model of business as usual could not continue. We failed to take on that warning. Then we had Covid and we continued on with the same business model. Then, more than ten years ago, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council told us we were too reliant on particular sectors and a small number of companies. We have had any amount of warnings. I am not here to say that, but the point remains that we were supposed to have had transformative action. We should never be in this position. We are dealing with a dangerous - I could use many other adjectives but I will not - person who has the title of President of the United States.”
“I thank the Minister of State for taking a hands-on approach. There are 11 sentences, two of which refer to the issue we raised. It goes back three and possibly four elections but I do not wish to exaggerate. We have confirmation from the former assistant national director that tender documents were to issue in April and building was to start in July and finish by the end of the year. We have a tiny bit more information into a stage 2 report - fire certificates. When will the tender documents issue and when will building start? At the very least, this is what the group on the ground wants. It deserves a little respect after all its work over three elections for an essential service. We need confirmation of that. As has been said, we were forced to raise this Topical Issue because the targets have slipped so often.”
“I am repeating that they persisted over three elections to tell us how important presenting the figures was. To get as far as we have is success but we need confirmation regarding the dates given the extraordinary delays to date.”
“My two colleagues are standing together with me on this issue because it is so important. It is the provision of an ambulance service base in Recess, Connemara. Tonight, we have had confirmation on paper that tender documents are ready to issue in April. Are they ready? Have they issued? The construction date is July, to be finished within six months. In a nutshell, is that what the Minister of State is going to tell us tonight? This issue has spanned three elections with different colleagues. The former deputy, Éamon Ó Cuív, was very much involved in this as indeed were other colleagues. The people on the ground have worked with us. The reply I have received states this started in 2020. The campaign started way back in 2014. I have correspondence going back seven years regarding the need for an ambulance service on the ground.”
“Instead, Uisce Éireann was set up so it could be used and abused when it suited the Government, rather than leaving it with the local authorities and resourcing them. That did not happen, so we are back here again. Rather than dealing in a positive way with the issue of how to bring everybody on board with water conservation, we are holding off the tide of mistrust. Quite clearly, Part 2 of the legislation allows the Government to bring in these charges, albeit in the guise of levies, thresholds and so on. People with medical problems, then, are reduced to appealing to Uisce Éireann. I do not do business that way. Water is a basic human right.”