Conor D McGuinness
Waterford · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“Vincent de Paul, both of whom, to be fair, are stepping up but that is not the way it should be. I have also spoken to principals who are told to stretch their ICT budgets, and, in fact, that is the response I got from the Minister of State’s colleague, the Minister, Deputy Naughton, when I queried this. Those budgets have been cut.”
“Every July and August, families steel themselves for the cost of children going back to school, including uniforms, books, and shoes, and, as the Minister of State well knows, school transport. Now, for thousands of parents, there is another bill waiting on the kitchen table. It is one for hundreds of euro for a digital device.”
“It is simply passing responsibility on to families and calling it policy. A child's education should never depend on his or her parents' ability to buy a digital device, and no student should be disadvantaged because they cannot afford the device his or her school requires.”
“I dtaobh chúrsaí Gaeltachta, ní aontaím leis an Aire in aon chor go bhfuil dearcadh nó aighneachtaí na ndreamanna éagsúla atá ag obair sa spás seo iniata leis an gcáipéis seo. Is léir go ndearna an Roinn agus an bheirt Airí sa Roinn tithíochta neamhaird air sin.”
“Today is a very important day because the State has finally and formally apologised to the survivors of Bill Kenneally's abuse. Those who should have been protected were instead failed in the most profound and devastating way. No apology can undo the harm that was done.”
“It is a recognition of the persistence and bravery of you men who are here in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and those who are not here today. Those of you who refused to give up in your pursuit of truth and justice, I thank you for what you have done. I thank you for your courage and for your power.”
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“Ar ndóigh, is féidir leis na meáin nó iriseoirí ón bpreas bheith istigh ann chun tuairisciú. É sin ráite, is féidir leis na fochoistí nach bhfuil rochtain orthu a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh go príobháideach. Caithfidh an meascán sin a bheith ann. Is dócha gurb é sin an moladh atá againn. Is moladh reasúnta é go mbeadh cuid den ghnáth-ghnó míosúil ar fáil ionas gur féidir leis an bpreas, iriseoirí agus leithéidí Raidió na Gaeltachta atá an-chuid freastal á dhéanamh acu ar ghnó a bhaineann le cúrsaí Gaeltachta, freastal air agus gur féidir leis an bpobal freastal air.”
“Tuigim an méid atá á rá ag an Aire maidir leis an gCoiste Gnó san áit seo, mar aon le coistí eile, ach nuair a bheidh na coistí nua bunaithe istigh anseo, beidh daoine in ann féachaint ar an mhéid atá ar siúl acu. Tuigim nach dtarlaíonn sé sin i gcás coistí áirithe. Anseo i Seomra na Dála, nuair atáimid in seisiún, is féidir le daoine teacht isteach, féachaint ar líne nó féachaint ar an teilifís. Bíonn iriseoirí thuas anseo ag déanamh tuairisciú sna meáin ar an méid atá á rá againn. Inár gcomhairlí áitiúla bíonn na cruinnithe míosúla - na cruinnithe iomlánacha, nó plenary - ar fáil. Is féidir le daoine i mórmhór na háiteanna dul isteach iontu. Uaireanta caithfidh siad coinní a dhéanamh nó áit a chur in áirithint má tá spásanna teoranta. In an-chuid áiteanna is féidir leo na cruinnithe a leanúint ar líne nó ar an teilifís.”
“Is bord Stáit agus údarás tofa atá ann. Mar sin, caithfimid féachaint ar na rialacha timpeall air seo. Ní féidir a rá gur dhá rud atá ann agus, mar sin, cloímid leis na rialacha a bhaineann le rud amháin. Dá mba rud é go bhfuilimid chun glacadh leis mar bhord Stáit le baill ceaptha agus tofa, agus is cosúil go bhfuil, is fóram daonlathach de shaghas éigin a bheidh san údarás agus mar sin caithfimid riail hibrideach a dhéanamh. Má tá ballraíocht an bhord chun bheith curtha le chéile i slí hibrideach, caithfimid rialacha hybrideacha a bheith againn ionas gur féidir leis na daoine atá ag caitheamh vóta bheith sásta go bhfuil a ngnó á dhéanamh. Is prionsabal bunúsach é sin.”
“Is ceart, áfach, go mbeadh cead ag daoine dul isteach go dtí na cruinnithe, díreach mar a gcéanna agus is féidir le daoine teacht isteach anseo nó in aon chomhairle áitiúil sa tír i gcomhair na gcruinnithe. Is beag duine a thagann isteach chun díospóireacht a leanúint, ach tá an deis sin acu. Tá sé oscailte do dhaoine é sin a dhéanamh. Ar ndóigh, is féidir leis na meáin dul isteach agus tuairisciú. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, tarlaíonn sé sin sna húdaráis áitiúla. Tarlaíonn sé sna fhóraim shláinte réigiúnacha mar shampla. Tarlaíonn sé anseo agus sa Seanad. Is gnáthnós é sin. Má tá toghchán le bheith ann, agus daoine curtha i róil de bharr gur toghadh iad, caithfidh daoine a bheith in ann féachaint orthu ag déanamh a gcuid oibre. Is bunphrionsabal daonlathach é sin.”
“Ní bord Stáit ina iomláine é a thuilleadh mar beidh toghchán ann agus beidh daoine ag dul isteach chun vóta a chaitheamh. Is é sin an fáth go raibh muid ar an taobh seo den Teach ag iarraidh go mbeadh an bord iomlán tofa mar is rud as an nua atá á chruthú againn anseo i ndáiríre. Má tá cuid den bhallraíocht ceaptha ag Aire agus cuid eile tofa ag an bpobal, is dhá rud i slí amháin é. Caithfidh sé a bheith trédhearcach. Caithfidh daoine a bheith in ann féachaint an bhfuil na daoine, ar chaith siad vóta ar a son, ag feidhmiú, ag déanamh an jab, agus oiriúnach i gcomhair na rudaí. Tá mé cinnte go mbeidh miontuairiscí foilsithe ar an suíomh cúpla mí i ndiaidh na gcruinnithe nó rud éigin mar sin. Is gnáthnós é sin.”
“Aontaím le mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Ó Snodaigh. Tá muid ag bogadh sa treo ceart, cé nár glacadh lenár moltaí i dtaobh an toghcháin. Tá muid ag bogadh go dtí eagras a bheidh – cuid de ar a laghad – daonlathach. Leis an daonlathas, tagann an trédhearcacht. Ní féidir, is dócha, aon sampla a thaispeáint d’eagras, eagraíocht, fóram, bord nó aon rud atá tofa ag an bpobal trí toghchán nach bhfuil na cruinnithe den eagras sin oscailte don phobal. Leis an toghchán, tá muid go léir mar dhaoine tofa. Tá muid freagrach dár bpobail, dár nDáilcheantair agus dár dtoghthóirí a chuir sa ról seo muid. Caithfidh an rud céanna a bheith i gceist le bord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá mé cinnte go ndéarfaidh an tAire gur bord Stáit é seo agus go mbíonn cruinnithe boird i gceist le boird Stáit agus a leithéid. Is saghas hybrid eagras é seo i ndáiríre.”
“Is féidir linn go léir tuiscint a bheith againn gur cheart dúinn pleanáil don todhchaí agus plean a dhéanamh mar gheall ar chúrsaí tithíochta inacmhainne. Luaigh an tAire an dualgas atá ar na húdaráis áitiúla. Is slí é seo chun cuid den dualgas sin a chur orthu. Is féidir leis an iniúchadh a fháil amach cad iad na ganntanais agus cad iad na rudaí atá ag teastáil ionas gur féidir obair le Bonneagar Iompair Éireann, le hUisce Éireann agus le heagrais eile nach iad chun dul i ngleic leo.”
“Níl an t-infreastruchtúr ann a bheadh mar bhunchloch i gcomhair na dtithe gur mhaith linn go léir a thógáil sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Caithfimid dul i ngleic leis sin. Inár leasuithe, táimid ag iarraidh go mbeidh iniúchadh déanta ar an nganntanas infreastruchtúir sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ionas go mbeidh tuiscint againn ar na heasnaimh, na tosaíochtaí, cad atá indéanta, cad ba cheart dúinn a dhéanamh anois láithreach agus cén mhoill atá á cur ar fhorbairt tithíochta de dheasca an ghanntanais sin. Ansin, táimid ag iarraidh go mbeidh plean curtha le chéile ionas gur féidir dul i ngleic leis an méid sin. I ndáiríre, tá an méid atá istigh inár leasuithe de dhíth orainn. Ní rud deacair é sin d'aon duine.”
“Anuas air sin, cé nach fadhb í seo a bhaineann leis an nGaeltacht amháin, tuigimid go léir nach féidir tithe a thógáil ar scála gan an t-infreastruchtúr, is é sin, uisce, córais séarachais, soilsiú poiblí, cosáin, bóithre agus a leithéid, a bheith ar fáil dóibh. De dheasca roinnt mhaith cúiseanna, níl an fhorbairt infreastruchtúir tar éis tarlú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. In go leor cásanna, tá siad iargúlta agus imeallach. Anuas air sin, go stairiúil, ní raibh an iomarca airde tugtha dóibh ag rialtas i ndiaidh rialtais. Bhí meon ann gur leor monarchana a thógáil agus nár ghá cur leis an infreastruchtúr eile. I mo cheantar féin, tá fadhbanna le Cé Heilbhic, cé iascaireachta, agus easpa tuisceana na Roinne talmhaíochta ar cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé i gcomhair an gheilleagair áitiúla.”
“An bhfuil gá dualgas ar leith a chur ar na húdaráis áitiúla deich gcinn de thithe sóisialta a thógáil sa Seanphobal agus ar Údarás na Gaeltachta obair leis an gcomhlacht forbartha chun 20 teach a thógáil sa Rinn ionas go mbeidh an straitéis intuigthe i ngach limistéar teanga agus go mbeidh an Roinn tithíochta, an Roinn Ghaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, an t-údarás áitiúil, aon AHBs atá i gceist agus na comhlachtaí forbartha ar an leathanach céanna mar gheall ar an straitéis? Ní dóigh liom gur rud radacach é an leasú i ndáiríre. Tá sé mar gheall ar straitéis agus plean a chur le chéile ar bhonn áitiúil ionas go mbeidh a fhios ag gach éinne agus ionas gur féidir daoine obair as lámh a chéile. Impím ar an Aire tacú leis an leasú seo.”
“Caithfear féachaint ar spriocanna. Cé mhéad teach atá ag teastáil agus cén t-éileamh atá ag teacht ón bpobal? An bhfuil éileamh ar thithíocht inacmhainne atá tógtha nó ar shuímh inacmhainne le seirbhísí ionas gur féidir le daoine a dtithe féin a thógáil? An bhfuil éileamh ar chóras pleanála atá níos tuisceanaí ar an gcultúr agus slí bheatha atá ag daoine sna ceantair Ghaeltachta? An bhfuil éileamh ar níos mó tithe sóisialta? Níor chóir go mbeadh an straitéis ag féachaint ar an top-level objectives nó KPIs i dtaobh líon na dtithe. Ba chóir di féachaint ar conas is féidir leis na heagrais go léir iad a chur ar fáil.”
“Le leasú Uimh. 15, táimid ag iarraidh go mbeadh straitéis daonra agus tithíochta curtha le chéile do gach limistéar pleanála teanga. Is é seo bunchloch na pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht. Tá cuid den obair seo déanta cheana, in ainneoin an Rialtais i slite. Nuair a bhí na pleananna teanga á gcur le chéile tráth dá raibh, chuir an-chuid de na comhlachtaí forbartha míreanna isteach mar gheall ar chúrsaí tithíochta agus daonra. Is iad an tslat tomhais atá againn i dtaobh an phleanáil teanga agus sláinte sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ná an daonra, an tuairisc a thagann i ndiaidh an daonáirimh agus líon na gcainteoirí laethúla taobh amuigh den earnáil oideachais. Tá an-chuid staitisticí ar fáil ón Roinn, ó Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ón CSO agus a leithéid ach tá anailís agus plé le déanamh maidir le gach limistéar éagsúil.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an méid a dúirt an tAire agus roimh an tairiscint chun bualadh go neamhfhoirmiúil chun é seo a phlé níos doimhne. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an tAire sásta cluas éisteachta a thabhairt dúinn. Is léir go bhfuil suim ag na daoine sa Seomra seo san ábhar seo. Tá moltaí suntasacha againn. Is maith an rud é go mbeidh deis againn iad a phlé. Mar sin, táim sásta na leasuithe a tharraingt siar go foirmiúil.”
“Beidh fadhbanna ag teacht anuas agus beidh mise ag cur Topical Issues nó oral questions chuig an Aire mar gheall ar rud éigin i nGaeltacht na nDéise. Beimid ag rá nach mbeimid ag ardú na ceisteanna seo dá mba rud é go raibh deis againn é seo a dhéanamh i gceart trí bliana ó shin. Is é seo an deis é seo a dhéanamh i gceart. Impím ar an Aire féachaint ar na leasuithe seo. Níl aon rud as an ngnáth istigh anseo. Tá sé mar gheall ar ghnáthchumhachtaí a thabhairt d'eagrais Stáit, ionas gur féidir leis an eagras sin déileáil leis na rudaí a bheidh ag teacht anuas. Gabhaim buíochas.”
“Caithfimid an tsolúbthacht is mó gur féidir linn a thabhairt d'Údarás na Gaeltachta agus, mar chuid de sin, ba cheart dúinn a chinntiú ní hamháin gur féidir leis talamh a dhíol, ach gur féidir leis talamh a cheannach freisin. Ní hamháin gur talamh atá i gceist ach maoin, sé sin property, tithe san áireamh. Beidh ceist ann amach anseo. Táim cinnte go mbeidh cás ann nuair a bheidh píosa talún de dhíth ón údarás le cur le píosa talún atá aige cheana féin, ionas gur féidir leis rochtain a dhéanamh ar shuíomh. Beidh air píosa talún a cheannach ar mhaithe le access to a site. Caithfimid solúbthacht agus cumhachtaí a thabhairt don údarás ionas gur féidir leis é sin a dhéanamh, nó beimid ar ais anseo i gceann cúpla bliain tar éis don Bhille seo bheith curtha i ndlí.”
“Dá bhrí sin, beidh éagsúlacht agus solúbthacht ag teastáil ón údarás chun déileáil leis an ngéarchéim tithíochta i ngach ceantar éagsúil. I gceantair áirithe, is ceisteanna mar gheall ar chead pleanála don chuid is mó atá i gceist. I gceantair eile, is mar gheall ar líon na tithe saoire agus na Airbnbs atá na ceisteanna. I gceantair eile, is mór an fhadhb í an easpa tithe shóisialta. I gceantair eile, táimid ag caint faoi conas is féidir suíomhanna seirbhísithe inacmhainne, serviced sites, a chur ar fáil do dhaoine lena dtithe féin a thógáil. In áiteanna eile, táimid ag caint faoi conas is féidir housing co-operative a chur ar fáil chun tithíocht inacmhainne a sholáthar. Beidh réitigh éagsúla i gceist i ngach ceantar. I gceantair áirithe, beidh níos mó ná réiteach amháin ar an fhadhb.”
“Tá sé sin soiléir ón méid atá tar éis titim amach leis na treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta - táimid ag fanacht orthu ó 2021 ach níl siad feicthe ag aon duine. Níl sé sin díreach ag teacht ó na húdaráis áitiúla, ach ón Roinn tithíochta chomh maith. Ní thuigeann siad cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an cheist seo. Táim ag súil leis go dtuigeann an Roinn Gaeltachta cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an fhadhb seo, ach ní dóigh liom go bhfuil sé tar éis landáil istigh i gcloigne an Roinn tithíochta cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé. Tá cuid d'ár leasuithe an-simplí i go leor slite. I gcás leasú Uimh. 6, táimid ag caint mar gheall ar an deis a thabhairt don údarás maoin a cheannach agus ní hamháin a dhíol. Beidh rudaí ag titim amach anseo. Tá muid ag caint mar gheall ar cheantair Ghaeltachta éagsúla.”
“Caithfimid féachaint ar cad gur féidir leis an údarás a dhéanamh mar an eagras Stáit atá ainmnithe le infheistíocht agus bainistiú a dhéanamh ar na ceantair Ghaeltachta. Táimid tar éis díospóireacht an-fhada a bheith againn ar conas é seo a dhéanamh níos daonlathach ionas go mbeidh an t-údarás freagrach as na pobail sin. Tá an t-údarás i bhfeighil ar na pleananna teanga cheana féin. Tá sé freagrach as an Ghaeltacht a choimeád beo. Glacaimid leis sin. Is é sin an dualgas i ndáríre atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i dtaobh fostaíocht, fiontraíocht, an eacnamaíocht agus pleanáil teanga. Anuas air sin, caithfimid freagracht a thabhairt dó i dtaobh cúrsaí tithíochta. Tá fianaise ann le blianta anuas nach bhfuil na húdaráis áitiúla á dhéanamh sin.”
“Is dócha go bhfuil an gá sin ann. Chun a cheart a thabhairt don Aire, tá an ceart aige nach bhfuil taithí ag an údarás feidhmiú mar údarás tithíochta, ach níl taithí ag aon eagras Stáit nó eagras poiblí, aon AHB nó aon údarás áitiúil bheith ag feidhmiú mar údarás tithíochta Ghaeltachta. Níl a leithéid de rud ann go dtí seo. Níl na comhairlí áitiúla tar éis freastal ar an éileamh sna ceantair Ghaeltachta riamh. Níl siad á dhéanamh anois agus iadsan atá freagrach as tithíocht shóisialta, phoiblí agus inacmhainne a chur ar fáil sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, níl sé déanta acu. Níl sé déanta ag aon dream. Glacaim leis an méid a dúirt an Aire nach féidir gan locht a chur ar na comhairlí áitiúla. Caithfidh siad a bheith freagrach as an gceist seo chomh maith, ach ní féidir a rá go bhfuilimid chun brath orthu amháin.”
“Muna bhfuil na tithe ann do dhaoine le maireachtáil iontu agus clann a thógáil - táthar ag iarraidh an chéad ghlúin eile agus an ghlúin ina dhiaidh sin a thógáil sna ceantair Gaeltachta - beidh stop leis an nGaeltacht don chéad uair riamh i gContae na Gaillimhe, i gContae Mhaigh Eo, i gContae Phort Láirge, i gContae Chorcaí, i gContae na Mí, i gContae Chiarraí agus i dTír Chonaill. Beidh deireadh le ré na Gaeltachta agus beidh an nasc ársa sin briste don chéad uair. Tá sé chomh tubaisteach tábhachtach sin. Muna féidir glacadh lenár leasuithe - ina measc leasú Uimh. 12, atá ag iarraidh cumhachtaí a thabhairt d’Údarás na Gaeltachta le AHB a bhunú chun dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb seo - b'fhéidir gur féidir leis an Aire ó thaobh an Roinn de leasú den saghas sin a chur isteach ag an gcéad Chéim eile, nó ar a laghad féachaint air.”
“Is géarchéim eiseach - an existential crisis - í an géarchéim tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Ní bheidh ceantair Ghaeltachta againn, nó pobal labhartha Gaeilge againn, muna bhfuil réiteach ar an ngéarchéim seo. Tá sé sin ag teacht ó na saineolaithe agus na pobail. Tá sé istigh sna pleananna teanga atá faomhaithe ag Roinn an Aire le blianta anuas. I bplean teanga Ghaeltacht na nDéise, tá sé an-soiléir: is í tithíocht an cuspóir is mó inár bplean teanga. Tá an Stát agus an Rialtas ag infheistiú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta i dtaobh na pleananna teanga agus is maith an rud é. Tá an-chuid obair á dhéanamh ag na comhlachtaí forbartha agus na pleanálaithe teanga.”
“Le linn Chéim an Choiste ar an Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt an bhliain seo caite, bhí leasú ag Sinn Féin chun feidhm a thabhairt mar chomhlacht ceadaithe tithíochta, nó approved housing body, d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. Cé nach nglacfadh an Rialtas leis an leasú sin, rialadh in ord an leasú agus bhí deis againn é a chur chun tosaigh. Anois, tá leasú curtha chun tosaigh againn ag iarraidh go mbeadh feidhm ag an údarás comhlacht ceadaithe tithíochta a bhunú agus tá sé rialaithe as ord. Ní féidir glacadh leis sin i ndáiríre. Ní dhéanann sé ciall domsa. Seans nach bhfuil mórán gur féidir liom a dhéanamh ach é a ardú anseo agus mo mhíshástacht agus míshástacht Shinn Féin a chur ar an taifead.”
“Tairgim leasú Uimh. 8: Ar leathanach 13, idir líne 1 agus líne 2, an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach: "(1) Leasaítear alt 8 den Phríomh-Acht, i bhfo-alt (3A), tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach i ndiaidh "eacnamaíoch na Gaeltachta": ", lena n-áirítear saoráidí sóisialta, cultúir agus gnó agus, chuige sin, beidh an chumhacht ag an Údarás chun leas i maoin agus i réadas a cheannach nó a fháil ar cibé téarmaí, agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, is cuí leis". I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom gearán a dhéanamh nó mo mhíshástacht a léiriú i dtaobh ár leasú, leasú Uimh. 12. Tá sé rialaithe as ord, rud nach féidir liom aontú leis i ndáiríre.”
“Ansin beidh an cinneadh agus an rogha ag na vótálaithe ach ní bheidh cosc ar aon duine a tógadh le Gaelainn sa Ghaeltacht, ach nach féidir cónaí sa limistéar Gaeltachta, seasamh. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Connolly, is íoróin atá ann go mbeadh siad ag iarraidh na ceisteanna sin a ardú agus guth a thabhairt don aos óg atá thíos leis an ngéarchéim thithíochta, ach nach mbeadh sé de chead acu é a dhéanamh. Is é sin an rud. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis an plé sin a bheith againn nuair atá na coistí curtha le chéile.”
“Fáiltím an méid a dúirt an tAire sa mhéid go bhfuil sé sásta é seo a phlé agus an comhrá seo a bheith againn mar is rud casta é conas is féidir é sin a chur síos i reachtaíocht ionas go bhfuil sé féaráilte agus cothrom. Deirimse i gcónaí go bhfuil na toghthóirí géarchúiseach nó i mBéarla "the electorate is very discerning". Beidh a fhios ag pobal na Gaeltachta agus iad ag caitheamh a gcuid vótaí más interloper atá i gceist nó más duine atá ag cur amú ama agus níl suim acu ionadaíocht a dhéanamh thar ceann na Gaeltachta. Ach mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, caithfimid foirmle éigin a bheith againn chun a chinntiú gur féidir le daoine a bhfuil suim, dúil nó nasc acu leis an nGaeltacht iad féin a chur chun tosaigh mar iarrthóirí.”
“Caithfidh nasc láidir a bheith ag comhaltaí boird leis an nGaeltacht. Caithfidh siad a bheith fite fuaite agus mar chuid den phobal Gaeltachta ach níl gach duine atá mar chuid den phobal Gaeltachta ina gcónaí sa Ghaeltacht mar gheall ar an ngéarchéim tithíochta atá ann. I mo chás féin i gContae Phort Láirge, agus is dócha go bhfuil sé seo coiteann ar fud an Stáit sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, tá mórmhór na glúine óige ón Rinn agus ón Sean Phobal ag maireachtáil i nDún Garbhán agus i mbailte eile mar níl na tithe sóisialta inacmhainne, nó fiú príobháideacha, ar fáil ar phraghas réasúnta sna ceantair Ghaeltachta. Caithfimid aghaidh a thabhairt air sin.”
“Is breá liom athrá a sheachaint. Is é an rud ar mhaith liom a rá ar an téama céanna leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh. Tá sé mar gheall ar an bhforáil sin mar gheall ar iarrthóirí a bheith ina gcónaí laistigh de cheantar Gaeltachta. Is fadhb ollmhór é sin, go háirithe gur daoine óga ón nGaeltacht iad agus tá sé mar sprioc acu filleadh ar an nGaeltacht agus a gclanna a thógáil ansin. B'fhéidir go bhfuil a bpáistí ag freastal ar an scoil cheana féin sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ach de dheasca na géarchéime tithíochta, tá siad ina gcónaí i mbailte agus i sráidbhailte eile lasmuigh de na teorainneacha Gaeltachta. Maidir leis an méid a dúirt an tAire faoi PAS, agus na treoracha a bheith ann i dtaobh na gcáilíochtaí do na daoine agus na comhaltaí a bheidh ceaptha amach anseo, ba cheart an tinreamh ceannann céanna a bheith i gceist.”
“Thacódh sé sin leis an bpobal cur le héagsúlacht ar an mbord i dtaobh éagsúlacht tíreolaíochta, pholaitiúil agus inscne de, gur féidir linn guthanna éagsúla a bheith iniata leis na comhráite atá ag dul ar aghaidh ag leibhéal bhord an údaráis ionas gur féidir leo cinntí níos fearr a dhéanamh amach anseo agus iad ag déileáil leis na géarchéimeanna atá ag cur isteach ar ár bpobal Gaeltachta.”
“Aontaím leis an méid atá ráite ag mo chomhghleacaithe. Agus muid ag teacht chun deiridh ar an díospóireacht mar gheall ar alt 5, teastaíonn uaim a rá arís go bhfuil deis againn anois Údarás na Gaeltachta a dhéanamh chomh daonlathach, chomh hoscailte agus chomh trédhearcach agus is féidir trí níos mó ball tofa a bheith ar an mbord agus níos mó daoine a thoghadh ó gach ceantar Gaeltachta. I mo cheantar féin i nGaeltacht na nDéise, mhol an Rialtas go mbeidh duine amháin ar an mbord. Mholamar go mbeadh beirt, agus an rud céanna timpeall na tíre.”
“Decades of underinvestment have left us exposed and nowhere is that neglect more evident than in Waterford and the wider south east, where the Government's failure to deliver critical infrastructure and services has actively hindered our economic potential. We see this clearly in examples such as that of Waterford Airport. It is long past time that the Government invest in its essential runway extension. The Government has failed to provide funding of scale to upgrade the N25 which connects Waterford with Waterford port, Rosslare and Cork and we need to see more from IDA Ireland when it comes to visits to Waterford. Waterford is clearly at the bottom of the pecking order, way down the priority list-----”
“There was a sigh of relief last week when the pharmaceutical sector was seemingly exempted from the 20% tariffs on European exports, but I note that President Trump, in a speech late last night at an event in Washington, signalled that an announcement is imminent and that a major tariff will be announced on pharmaceutical imports. This is an act of self-sabotage by the US Administration. It will hurt its economy. The number one priority of the Government has to be to protect Irish interests and Irish jobs. This crisis exposes the failure by successive Governments from the time of austerity and before to address fundamental weaknesses in our economy.”
“Sinn Féin is unashamedly and unapologetically on the side of the Irish people and Irish interests and of vindicating the Irish economy. That is to answer any question and put anything beyond doubt. Where those interests coincide with the interests of the European Union, we will stand in solidarity with member states of the European Union, as they did with us during the Brexit negotiations. However, we will never forget either how Ireland was left out on a limb, our sovereignty was sold and our people were subjected to a decade of austerity to save the margins of European capital. I will talk about the pharmaceutical sector in the brief time I have available to me.”
“It is marvellous that we had several weeks of briefings from Government spokespeople and backbenchers about the need to fight and vindicate the right of Government backbenchers to be able to put questions and make statements. There is one in the Chamber at this moment. I hope the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach will give me a bit of extra time since the speaker from the Government backbenches who was to speak immediately prior to me did not bother to turn up. I note also that Deputy Geoghegan gave an impassioned speech not so long ago asking questions of Sinn Féin about our positions. He has also left the Chamber and is not here to hear my response. I do not know that this is question time for the Opposition, but I will humour him if he is listening somewhere on the campus.”
“We have consistently advocated for early intervention for community-based approaches to divert young people from criminal activity, support for young people to keep them out of detention and support for those being released from detention as well. We need to ensure the social services, youth services and community infrastructure are there. We do not have a family resource centre in my own town of Dungarvan. It is a town of well over 10,000 people and one of the only towns of its size in the State that does not have a family resource centre. These basic building blocks of community infrastructure are missing in so many communities up and down this State. That is where this problem begins and this is where it must end.”
“This is right across the State but is particularly pronounced in rural Ireland and in particular in my own area in west Waterford. I see it all of the time. That puts huge pressure, not just on members of An Garda Síochána but on communities as well. It is adding to the sense that communities are no longer totally safe. This can be clearly seen on the ground in west Waterford in towns such as Lismore but also many other towns and villages across County Waterford where there is just not that availability of Garda personnel. We cannot separate the issue of young people becoming involved in criminality from the abject failure of the Government to address inequality and deprivation. Our communities have yet to recover from the austerity era and a number of Teachtaí have mentioned that.”
“Any discussion about community safety, crime or youth diversion must take into account the wider context of the absolute failure - let us call it what it is - of the Government to adequately resource public services within communities all across the State. There is the failure to invest adequately in community infrastructure, social and outreach services, drugs and alcohol strategies, youth justice and diversion programmes and An Garda Síochána. Garda stations have been closed right across rural Ireland during the past decade or more and those that have survived are often left without enough personnel in them. They are left empty for most of the time if we are being honest. Garda visibility is at an all-time low.”
“There is a very strong feeling that Waterford has been left behind in the wider south east and that is borne out by the facts. What is the plan? What can the Taoiseach say to reassure families and workers? What is the strategy?”
“The world waits with bated breath to see what the announcements from Washington will be. Workers and families across the State and in my constituency of Waterford are anxious. They are wondering about their jobs and the impact of these tariffs on the wider economy, particularly the pharma sector. The pharma sector is incredibly important in Waterford city and county and across the wider south east. We have the likes of Haleon in Dungarvan, Pinewood Healthcare and JB Pharmatron. Many companies and firms are directly involved in pharma and many more work in the wider orbit. What is the Government's plan for the pharma sector? Waterford has been left behind when it comes to job creation, investment in infrastructure and efforts to diversify the economy.”
“Beart de réir briathar atá de dhíth orainn anois. We need a change of direction and we need to truly recognise this as the emergency it is for our country and society.”
“We will no doubt hear an awful lot from the Minister's side of the House about economic competitiveness over the coming days, but what is the Government's response to the housing emergency? There has been a cut of more than €100 million for new-build social and affordable this year, and delay after delay when it comes to progressing social, affordable and cost rental projects, including much-needed affordable housing in Ardmore, a mixed development in Dungarvan, and a very small but significant and important housing scheme at An Sean Phobal in Gaeltacht na nDéise, which was put through the Department's streamlined, fast-track approval process almost four years ago. There has yet to be any movement on that. Tá ár gceantracha Ghaeltacha i gcruachás de dheasca na géarchéime seo. Tá easpa tola, easpa tuisceana agus easpa ghnímh i gceist.”
“One hundred and twenty adults in County Waterford are officially recorded as homeless, according to the latest figures published by the Department. There are 109 children in emergency accommodation across the wider south-east region. The Minister and I both know that is just the tip of the iceberg. A whole generation has been locked out of home ownership and it seems is fated to a lifetime of paying exorbitant rents or leaving Ireland altogether to live, work and raise their families abroad. Not only is this housing catastrophe and emergency having huge personal impacts on people and their families and sounding the death knell of many a rural community, it is affecting the ability of public services to recruit and retain personnel and impacting our economic competitiveness.”
“I welcome the Minister's comments, in particular about the importance of housing, infrastructure and facilities. The previous plan had a very significant focus on digital connectivity. That might have been a product of the time it was put together. The focus must now shift, as my colleague said earlier, with regard to bricks and mortar, and having facilities, homes and infrastructure so that people can live their lives in rural Ireland, raise their children there, and access public services. That must be the focus - be it GP services or the post office network. The Minister understands they are critically important to so many rural communities, as are school places and homes for people to live in.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an bhfreagra sin. I am glad that the OECD report is to be published. I think that will provide food for thought for everybody living and working in rural Ireland. From my conversations with people in rural Ireland and my own experience, I imagine the biggest result and theme that will emerge from the consultations, which will no doubt be reflected in the OECD report, will be the issue of housing, particularly in rural Ireland. One of the key deliverables is the regeneration and repopulation of rural Ireland and another is the aim to actively involve young people in rural development and rejuvenating rural Ireland, but that cannot happen when people cannot live in rural Ireland. In communities all across this State, young people are leaving rural Ireland in their droves.”
“Ar dtús báire, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an mbeirt Airí. I congratulate the Ministers on their respective roles. As Deputy O'Reilly has said, both she and I, as their counterparts on this side of the House, will endeavour to co-operate with them and engage constructively with them, but it is also our role to hold them to account. Accountability is at the crux of my question. It relates to Our Rural Future and the rural development plan, which, as we know, is terminating this year. I note that public consultation has begun. What metrics will be used to inform the next development? Will there be an appraisal of the key deliverables in the last one?”
“It is important that while we talk about young carers and young adult carers, we also have regard to mature students who perform a caring role as well and make sure every step possible can be taken to ensure they can access and stay in further and higher education and avail of the full benefit of that education.”
“I thank the Minister for the elaboration. It is clear there are supports available. It is about accessing those supports and for students to know they are available and make sure they are kept under review so that they can respond to emerging challenges, unforeseen challenges and circumstances and continue engagement with advocates in particular and young carers and young adult carers. Another related factor is older carers - mature students, people returning to education who provide care or who during the course of accessing further education find themselves having to provide care.”
“From speaking to young carers, social workers, social care workers and advocates, it is clear the increase is down to a chronic lack of services, ranging from access to healthcare, disability services and supports, underfunding of the wider social care sector and mental health services and drug and alcohol strategies that have never been properly resourced. Not only financial supports are needed. Academic and social supports are needed as well as the communications piece so that young carers and young adults providing care know they can avail of supports in their chosen universities or colleges.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an bhfreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his response. The most recent census in 2022 tells us that there are almost 5,000 young carers in this State. Undoubtedly, the number of young people and young adults providing care is much greater as it often goes unreported, unsupported and unacknowledged. By unsupported I mean people who do not avail of many of those payments. The number of young people providing the highest level of care, more than 43 hours a week, doubled between 2016 and 2022.”
“This is a very serious issue. My question relates to the situation of young adult carers in higher and further education. We had a comprehensive debate on the more broad topic of young carers and young adult carers in this House last week. My question relates to the Department's efforts, schemes and steps to support young carers and young adult carers to access education, stay in it and benefit from it.”
“There is also a burgeoning pharmaceutical sector operating in Waterford city and county, including in my own town of Dungarvan, and in the wider region, including Kilkenny and Wexford. We need to know that this pharmacy course will be available in September 2025. I would be grateful for an acknowledgement or update from the Minister regarding both of those.”