Cormac Devlin
Dún Laoghaire · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“That brings me to the fiscal implications. Members will have noticed that the estimates vary enormously. In 2025, researchers at Dublin City University and Ulster University published the first peer-reviewed study of the cost of unity over its first ten years. They put the cost in year one at approximately €3 billion.”
“There are also gaps that we can start closing now through greater co-operation and engagement. Second, we should build prosperity in the meantime. The Government has announced €377 million in new shared island investment across 12 cross-Border projects.”
“It benefits communities North and South today, irrespective of the constitutional future people choose tomorrow. It is important that we recognise the success of that co-operation today. The third point is that we must keep asking the right questions.”
“I welcome the debate and the contributions from all Members of the House, as well as the varying views. As Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, I believe this is exactly the type of debate and discussion that we should be having in this House.”
“The studies make different assumptions about pensions and the UK national debt, and very different assumptions about how quickly the Northern economy could grow and converge with our own. That is the honest position. The true scale of the cost is yet unknown. Anyone who claims certainty on the figure is not being straight with anybody.”
“We should certainly do what we can now, and I am suggesting three things. First, we should build an evidence base. Much reference has been made today to the shared island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach, which has published extensive research on two economies, two labour markets, education, health and other areas.”
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“Lemass was a leader who believed in the power of transformative policies to improve the nation. Where clear direction is given, the public service can and will deliver. It worked with Lemass to establish the likes of Aer Lingus, Irish Shipping and, critically, the First Programme for Economic Expansion 1958-1963, which laid the foundations for the transformation of Ireland into a modern, open European economy. We debate this Bill at a turbulent moment internationally, yet Ireland enters this period from a position of real strength. More people are at work in this country than at any other point in our history, the public finances are in surplus and Irish enterprise continues to compete and win on the world stage. This did not just happen by accident.”
“It required Lemass to argue patiently within our own party for the best part of a decade. He believed an open, outward-looking Ireland would be a more prosperous Ireland, and he was right. Like Lemass, we live in turbulent times. Economic and social systems are being tested. The international order is shifting beneath our feet. Trade tensions, geopolitical uncertainty and the pace of technological change are reshaping the landscape for every open economy, and few are as open as ours. The challenges Lemass faced in the 1950s - a stagnant economy, a closed society and a country in danger of falling behind - were of a different kind to ours, but the test is the same. When states and societies are tested, those who rely on hope decline, those who adapt just survive, but those who are willing to transform lead.”
“While we debate a Bill to modernise the agencies he helped to establish and build, it might be appropriate to reflect for a moment on his contribution. Lemass was the architect of the modern Irish economy. He was the Minister who, in the 1930s, set up the Industrial Credit Corporation, supported the establishment of Aer Lingus, Bord na Móna and Irish Shipping, and built the spine of the semi-State sector. He was the Taoiseach who, in 1959, working with T. K. Whitaker, brought forward the First Programme for Economic Expansion 1958-1963, the document that opened our economy, ended the years of stagnation and laid the foundations for everything that followed. That decision was not a popular one at the time. It was against the orthodoxy of the previous generation.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I thank the Minister and his officials for bringing it forward. This is a largely technical Bill. It updates the Industrial Development Acts and modernises the powers of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. It removes an outdated restriction in the Science and Technology Act 1987 and introduces a number of sensible miscellaneous provisions on consultancy grants, property co-investment and the Health and Safety Authority, HSA. Fianna Fáil supports this Bill. I will come to the detail in a moment, but this is a week in which we must step back and look at the longer arc of Irish industrial development. This is the centenary week of my own party, Fianna Fáil. It is also the week when, 55 years ago, former Taoiseach Seán Lemass died.”
“The goal of universal healthcare, a public service that delivers the best possible care when it is needed, will not be reached without the nurses and midwives of this country. They are not a cost to be managed; they are the reason the system works at all. On International Nurses Day, I want to acknowledge them, particularly in Dún Laoghaire and right across the country, and to give a clear commitment that this Government must continue to back the nursing workforce in the work they do.”
“The framework for safe nurse staffing and skills mix is now fully implemented in emergency departments and is nearing full roll-out in wards, backed by €56.2 million since 2020 and around 2,000 additional registered nurses and healthcare assistants. The evidence is showing what nurses have long known: when staffing is right, patients do better, missed care reduces, retention improves, and reliance on agency staff comes down. We are also seeing real progress on advanced practice. Ireland is now a global leader in this area, with advanced practice accounting for 2.7% of the nursing and midwifery workforce. That has meant shorter waiting lists, faster access for patients, and clear career pathways for nurses themselves. Of the 47 recommendations in the expert review body report, 36 have been closed, with the rest on track for 2027.”
“The international evidence tells us it has to be tackled on two fronts at once, that is, through individual supports and through structural change in how services are staffed and organised. That is what this Government is doing. As of the end of March, there were 10,975 more nurses and midwives working in our health service than there were at the start of 2020, bringing the total to 45,591 whole-time equivalents. Over 93,000 nurses and midwives are now on the NMBI register – the highest number ever recorded. First-year nursing places in Irish higher education institutions have grown by 23% since 2020 and an additional €28.5 million is funding more than 1,100 extra healthcare training places every year for the next three years.”
“On top of that, there are the public health nurses, community nurses, school nurses, nursing home staff, hospice nurses and practice nurses working across Dún Laoghaire every single day. We owe all of them a huge debt and gratitude and simply say, "Thank you". We know what you do and we are grateful for it. Gratitude on its own is not enough, of course. Nurses themselves would be the first to say that. The recent INMO member survey is a serious document, and the levels of stress, burnout and pressure that it records cannot be brushed aside. I heard Phil Ní Sheaghdha on the radio recently talking about this document. Some of the statistics in it are quite startling. The World Health Organization recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon.”
“Vincent's Hospital at Elm Park is a major acute hospital serving a huge catchment area, with a nursing workforce of over 1,000. St. Michael's Hospital in the heart of Dún Laoghaire town runs a busy local emergency department and 130 inpatient beds, with several hundred nursing and clinical staff. I had personal experience of that over the last number of months. I want to put on the record, as it is appropriate today, that the nursing staff, Dr. JJ Barry and all the team there do immense work, not only for a relative of mine but indeed for so many constituents. St. Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown, with around 450 staff in total, provides the medical assessment unit and injury unit that so many people and families have turned to over the years.”
“Every family in this country has a story about a nurse: the nurse who sat with an elderly parent through a long night; the midwife who delivered a baby and steadied a worried first-time mother; the community nurse who calls to the door each week so that a neighbour can stay longer in their own home; or the public health nurse who picked up early warning signs that a child needed additional help. These are not small things; they are moments when our health service delivers and lives up to its promises and, in certain cases,k goes way above and beyond the call of duty. In my own constituency of Dún Laoghaire, that work is carried out every day in a network of hospitals and community services that constituents rely upon. St.”
“I join the Minister in welcoming the representatives of nursing who are in the Gallery. They are all very welcome to the House. I thank them for being here. It is important to hear the contributions being made today. I am sure they are not agreeing with everything that is being said, but they are all very welcome. I am very happy contribute to these statements as we mark International Nurses Day, and to join with colleagues across the House in paying tribute to our nurses and midwives.”
“Signing this convention is a further step in that solidarity. As the Minister of State will be aware, the Taoiseach has been to the forefront in speaking to European colleagues and using Ireland's soft power to ensure Ukraine is kept to the forefront of the agenda as a candidate country in the European Union. As the Minister of State for European affairs is present, it is imperative that Ukraine is also included as much as possible in our Presidency of the European Commission. I commend the motion to the House.”
“Civilians are still being killed daily, including in a missile strike just two days ago. There are short symbolic ceasefires being declared this week around Russia's victory day commemorations. They are welcome insofar as they spare lives but a 48-hour pause is not peace. Only serious negotiations will deliver a lasting settlement. I urge the Russian side to extend any pause in the fighting, to engage seriously and to come to the table in good faith. The Ukrainian people have shown again and again that they want this war to end. They have made several gestures to the President of Russia as well as other intermediaries. Russia must show the same by being willing to engage and demonstrate that peace is possible. Ireland has stood with Ukraine from the very start, bilaterally and through the European Union, and we should continue to do so.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. In August 2022, I travelled to Ukraine and I saw at first hand the damage caused by Russia’s illegal invasion. I saw the suffering of ordinary families. I met people who had lost their homes, livelihoods and, in many cases, members of their family. I will not forget what I saw, and I will not stop saying that this war was unprovoked and is unjustified and wrong. I support this motion, which authorises the establishment of an international claims commission for Ukraine. It puts the principle of accountability into a working compensation system. It says clearly that the state responsible for the damage must pay for the damage. That is a basic point of justice, and Ireland should stand behind it. The war has dragged on for more than four years. The fighting continues.”
“The football facilities investment vision identifies a requirement of €860 million over 15 years to bring our infrastructure up to standard. Only one of 20 League of Ireland stadiums meets UEFA category 4 standards. That means our clubs cannot host European competition games in their own communities. With Euro 2028 on the horizon, an event projected to generate an estimated €450 million in socio-economic benefits, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in legacy infrastructure that will serve communities long after the final whistle. I urge that the upcoming round of the community sports fund and the large-scale sports infrastructure fund be prioritised and expedited. Football is Ireland's most played sport alongside GAA, with 245,000 registered players and 80,000 volunteers, whom we thank.”
“The FAI's own data tells us that only 34% of grassroots clubs have female toilet facilities and only 10% have access to indoor facilities. At a time when female participation is growing rapidly, that is simply not good enough. The investment case is overwhelming. Grassroots football delivers an estimated social return on investment of €1.8 billion, almost €18 returned for every single euro invested. The League of Ireland contributes €165 million to the economy. The Aviva Stadium alone generates €832 million annually in the economy. The Government has made a strong start. The €3 million multi-annual funding in budget 2026 is welcome and the €10.8 million in extra current funding for Sport Ireland is significant but the FAI has been clear that €8 million or more is needed to close the gap with other nations.”
“Dalkey United Football Club, which Paul McGrath played for as well as Pearse Rovers in his earlier days, is working closely with Cuala GAA on plans for a new clubhouse at Hyde Park in Dalkey, a great example of sports working together. I want to mention TEK United and Valeview in Shankill, which has a long history and tradition in the borough as well. All of these clubs face real challenges, though. Sallynoggin Pearse Rovers have been waiting years for a clubhouse and are engaging with the local authority. St. Joseph's AFC, or Joey’s, in Sallynoggin is seeking a new all-weather pith. Like every grassroots club in the country, they are all short of pitch space, particularly in Dublin, and these are not isolated problems.”
“I know this first-hand from my own constituency in Dún Laoghaire. We are fortunate to have a network of clubs that are the backbone of community life. Cabinteely FC is a very large club in south County Dublin with over 60 teams and has been part of the community since 1967. Granada FC in Blackrock is one of the largest in the constituency. It has had generations of young people pass through its doors for more than 50 years. Shankill FC, with over 30 teams and three academies, operates in one of the fastest-growing residential areas in the country and is crying out for more resources; I know the Minister of State is aware of that.”
“I welcome the opportunity, like others, to contribute to this debate on football. I begin by acknowledging what we all felt in recent weeks - the excitement, unity and sheer emotion our national team brought to Ireland. An estimated 1.6 million people tuned in to watch the match against Czechia. That figure alone tells you everything you need to know about the reach and power of football in Irish life. The result in Prague was not what we wanted or hoped for but the journey reminded us of something important - football does not just entertain, it connects. Like others, I congratulate the women's football team on their result against Poland. I wish them continued success. Football connects communities, generations and parts of the country that sometimes feel forgotten by other sports.”
“We also need to have a serious national conversation about what happens post-Corrib gas, for example. When Corrib runs out, possibly next year, we are simply going to become completely dependent on imported gas with no domestic alternative whatsoever. That is not a credible energy policy. We need energy security and certainty and we need a robust plan. Legislation alone will not get us through this. What will, though, is willingness across the House and across the country to face hard choices honestly together. This Bill is a step in that right direction.”
“Every day it continues brings more suffering in the region and here at home. If this crisis has underlined anything, it is how exposed we remain as a country when critical infrastructure is not in place at the scale we need it. That is why this Bill matters and that is why I support it. The case for accelerating offshore wind development has never been stronger. We need to move quickly and with urgency. I am on record in this House as saying I felt that the previous Minister with responsibility for energy did not treat energy security or, indeed, expanding public transport with the urgency it required. This is an opportunity to correct that. We need to be ambitious. There is an undeniable case for enhanced supports for solar, which needs to be deployed quickly and deliver real resilience at household and community level.”
“The package is a meaningful intervention that will help shield families and businesses from the worst of what is coming. However, we have to be honest. The months ahead will be difficult and challenging. There are no easy solutions to a crisis of this scale, and people deserve straight talk rather than false reassurance. I also want to say something about the protests we have seen. The right to protest is fundamental, and I respect it absolutely. I thank the gardaí who had to operate in challenging environments trying to balance legitimate protest with the need to ensure critical supplies continued to move. I also thank our front-line workers, the retail workers, transport workers and many others who quietly kept things going over the past week. Their contribution should not go unnoticed. Clearly, we all want to see this war end.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I begin by acknowledging the events of the past week. A lot of people have been in contact with me and my office and I acknowledge their concern. People are understandably worried. The ongoing war in Iran is having real and serious consequences for households and businesses across the country and the pressures of energy costs, fuel costs and supply chains are being felt everywhere. It would be wrong to pretend otherwise. I welcome the Government's €750 million support package approved by Dáil Éireann today. For context, it is one of the most significant responses in Europe and more than ten times the level of support being provided by the Northern Ireland Executive, for example.”
“Planning for the conclusion of temporary protection is under way and I welcome the work of senior officials and the engagement with the European Commission on transition arrangements. Ireland should play an active part in shaping a co-ordinated humane EU-wide approach. I support this motion. Ukrainians living in Ireland are a valued part of our community. Our job is now to provide as much certainty and stability as possible for them and for the hosts who have done so much.”
“I note that, alongside the extension, the monthly payment is to be reduced from €600 to €400, returning it to the rate originally set when the scheme was initially launched. I understand the rationale for this. There are legitimate concerns about the ARP's interaction with the private rental market. It is right that we manage this carefully. An orderly gradual wind-down is preferable to an abrupt end to the scheme. However, I ask that the position of the hosts be kept under close review. Many of them have taken on real costs. The reduction in the payment should not result in hosts withdrawing accommodation prematurely. The risk of displacing thousands of Ukrainian beneficiaries into an already pressured private rental market is a real concern and must be avoided at all costs.”
“Since the scheme launched in July 2022, almost €438 million has been paid to approximately 28,000 hosts across the country, supporting 64,000 beneficiaries. As of this month, more than 23,500 active claims remain in payment, covering 42,000 people at a cost of around €14.5 million per month. Of course, this is a very significant cost to the taxpayer. It reflects the commitment of Irish support for the Ukrainian people who call Ireland their home. Behind every claim is a family who opened their home and a Ukrainian family finding their feet in a new community. In my own constituency of Dún Laoghaire and across every county in Ireland, hosts have shown extraordinary generosity. This motion honours that contribution.”
“I support this motion and will speak in favour of it. Four years on from Russia's brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, Ireland's solidarity with the Ukrainian people remains as strong as ever. The Government rightly played a central role in mobilising Ireland's response to the largest movement of refugees in Europe since the Second World War. While this presented challenges, it has largely been successful. People have been accommodated and integrated into communities right across Ireland. We all hope for a conclusion to this brutal conflict, which has claimed so many lives. A lasting peace settlement and Ukraine's speedy accession to the EU are essential. The motion before us extends the ARP until March 2027, in line with the EU temporary protection directive.”
“I acknowledge the extension of the fuel allowance, which will give the most vulnerable families an extra €152. As a state, we are in the fortunate position to be able to assist families. Across Europe, governments are facing much harder choices. I know that, like during Covid, the Government will not be found wanting if the crisis continues into the winter. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on improving energy security in this State, particularly in regard to progressing the LNG facility. This is an issue alongside the need for the widespread roll-out of solar and wind generation that I have raised on multiple occasions in this House. As an island, we are critically exposed. This LNG portal is badly needed to ensure a degree of security in what is an extremely volatile time.”
“I welcome the opportunity to examine this motion, which will deliver a measure of relief for hard-pressed families. The conflict in the Middle East is causing an extreme degree of volatility in the price of oil and other essential commodities. In the short time available to me this evening, I propose to focus on the domestic impact here in Ireland. I am sure we all hope the conflict will end as soon as possible, but it is clear a significant degree of disruption to supply lines has been caused and this will have an impact in the short term. The changes being proposed by Government to reduce the price of a litre of diesel by 22 cent and petrol by 17 cent are very welcome and necessary. Hauliers are an essential part of the wider economy and must be supported, and the package for them is also welcome.”
“Supporting this inquiry, and supporting the search for truth in respect of Omagh, is part of defending what the agreement made possible. It also creates confidence around co-operation between Ireland and the UK. It underpins our support for legacy issues. The State must be as transparent as possible and so too must the UK Government. I welcome this debate and the support for the Bill. I do so in solidarity with the victims, survivors and families who have campaigned for so long and with such dignity. I do so in the belief that truth and accountability matter and in the hope that the hard-won peace can be protected, the truth will be revealed, justice can be delivered and the work of reconciliation between the two traditions on this island can continue.”
“More broadly, the Bill speaks to something bigger than one inquiry alone. It speaks to the bona fides of the State in relation to legacy itself and to the credibility of our commitment to cross-Border co-operation. The Minister indicated that more than 20,000 documents have been handed over, which is welcome. The Bill speaks also to our understanding that lasting reconciliation requires openness, honesty and a willingness to confront difficult and sometimes painful truths. The Good Friday Agreement was not just a political settlement. It was a moral turning point on our island. It asked people to choose democracy over violence, hope over hatred and partnership over permanent division. The Omagh bombing was a direct assault on that hope.”
“I welcome the provisions in the Bill that strengthen transparency and ensure that the core participants, families and survivors can hear evidence directly before the High Court. That matters because this process must remain accessible and grounded in the experiences of those affected. The processes must not become remote or abstract exercises. They must remain grounded in the lived reality of those who have borne the consequences of this atrocity for nearly three decades. I also note the provision to extend the mechanism, on a voluntary basis, to former ministerial office-holders, as referred to by the Minister. This is a significant measure that reflects the breadth of the inquiry's work and the need to ensure that where relevant evidence exists, there is an appropriate lawful pathway for that evidence to be heard.”
“It provides a framework that seeks to maximise the assistance that can be given while safeguarding the essential interests of the State and the rights of witnesses. That balance matters. Assisting an inquiry established under the law of another jurisdiction is legally complex. It raises serious issues around sovereignty, security, due process, witness protection and the integrity of criminal investigations. It is, therefore, right that the legislation is careful, structured and grounded in law but we should also be clear on the principles. Complexity cannot be an excuse for delay and legal difficulty cannot become an excuse for inaction. Families have waited far too long.”
“We cannot say we support reconciliation if victims and survivors are left carrying unanswered questions decade after decade. This Bill matters because it provides a statutory mechanism for the State to assist the Omagh bombing inquiry in a more structured, transparent and legally robust way. It builds on the steps taken by the Government, including the memorandum of understanding, which the Minister and the chairman of the inquiry signed, on the disclosure of State materials. It also reflects the data protection regulations introduced to enable the lawful disclosure of sensitive personal data. The Bill does adds a further layer of practical co-operation. It creates a bespoke legal mechanism to facilitate the taking of sworn testimony before a judge of the High Court for the purposes of the inquiry.”
“It has lived on for survivors, their families and entire communities ever since. As Chair of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, we have met with victims and survivors and have heard directly of the pain they continue to carry, but also the dignity, persistence and courage with which they continue to seek answers. Their call is not unreasonable or excessive; it is a basic call for truth, accountability and respect. Peace on this island was not inevitable; it was built painstakingly through courage, compromise and public leadership. It was hard-won and if peace is to endure, our commitment to truth, justice and accountability must endure too. We cannot say we honour the Good Friday Agreement if we turn away from the unfinished business of legacy.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I thank the Minister and his officials for bringing forward this important and necessary Bill, which I support. It is an important step in delivering on our programme for Government commitment to facilitate and support the Omagh bombing inquiry. It reflects the seriousness with which this State must approach the search for truth and accountability in relation to one of the darkest atrocities of the Troubles. The Omagh bombing took place on 15 August 1998, just four months after the Good Friday Agreement had been signed. It was an act of appalling evil, and those who orchestrated and executed that bomb are pure evil as well. A total of 29 people were murdered, including a woman pregnant with twins, and hundreds more were injured. The trauma of that day did not end with the explosion.”
“Turning back to Ireland, it is very regrettable some businesses seem to have used the crisis to increase prices. We have all seen reports of jumps in home heating and fuel over the weekend. Prices seemed to increase within hours of the crisis breaking out. This is completely unacceptable, and I call on the Minister to take action and seriously engage with regulatory authorities. Price-gouging to the degree reported is unacceptable and the Government should consider introducing new, maybe emergency, legislation if existing powers are insufficient to deal with it. This further underscores the need for wind and solar energy in Ireland. I call on all sides to de-escalate the dangerous situation and move towards an end to the conflict while upholding international norms and the rule of law and protecting innocent lives.”
“The charter flights must continue until all Irish citizens who need to leave the region can do so or until commercial flights and services resume at scale. Like all Deputies, I want to see an urgent de-escalation and an end to the conflict. In the meantime, all sides should exercise maximum restraint, have regard for international norms and protect civilian lives. Expansion of the conflict to neighbouring regions in the past 24 hours has been alarming and risks a wider destabilisation. That is very concerning and risks a humanitarian and economic crisis. I welcome confirmation from the Minister that the Irish troops stationed in Lebanon are safe. This will be a worrying time for them and their families and it is important good communication continues to keep them up to date on the situation.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the situation in the Middle East. I am sure all of our thoughts are with the people, especially the more than 20,000 Irish citizens, who have been caught up in this conflict. It is a worrying time for them and their families as they deal with the uncertainty of this situation. I pay tribute to our officials in the Department of foreign affairs who are working on the ground in difficult circumstances to get Irish citizens home and to provide consular assistance to them. Plans for the Department of foreign affairs charter flight are welcome, with priority for vulnerable people and those with medical needs. Unfortunately, it seems the instability will continue in the short term.”
“We should be able to track progress month by month, possibly through a digital dashboard, of how many reviews listed, how many declarations made, how many discharges completed and the average timeframes so that this House can ensure the extension is being used as intended, and not only as proposed. I support this Bill because legal certainty and continuity of the protection of vulnerable people is not optional. However, I also say clearly that the reform promise of the 2015 Act must be delivered in full, with urgency and with the person at the centre of every decision. If we get the resources and the user experience right, this Bill will do what it should: prevent legal uncertainty now, while keeping the system moving decisively toward dignity, autonomy and rights in practice.”
“The courts, the wardship office, medical assessors, legal aid and the decision-support infrastructure must be scaled so that applications are processed quickly and predictably. Otherwise, we are simply moving the bottleneck from April 2026 to October 2027. Processes need to be accessible and understandable where possible. That means plain-language guidance, assisted pathways for people who are not digitally confident, and proactive supports for families and representatives. The goal is empowerment, not more paperwork. I would also like to see enhanced transparency in reporting.”
“For example, the Law Society has raised serious concerns about the operation of the Decision Support Service, including long processing delays for arrangements like enduring power of attorney and difficulties with the digital portal. Advocacy organisations have also been highlighting practical barriers and the lived experience of navigating the new framework. Those warnings matter because there is a real-world risk here. If the pathway out of wardship is slow, complex or intimidating, then people can end up stuck between two systems, reformed on paper but not in practice. So, alongside passing this Bill, we need a very clear operational commitment from the Minister and the relevant bodies. Clearly resources matter.”
“It also addresses a practical problem for young people in wardship who turn 18 after 26 October 2025, where practitioners have said they need more time to assemble the necessary evidence for the court. Again, the approach is discretionary, proportionate and capped at 18 months. The original reform was, and remains, profoundly important. The 2015 Act replaced a paternalistic wardship model with a more modern framework, and while an extension must never become an excuse for drift, this Bill has taken on feedback from practitioners and strikes a practical balance while also preventing a cliff edge as we approach the April deadline. We should also be cognisant of the views of stakeholders.”
“I understand that of around 1,800 wardship matters, only 286 have resulted in discharge orders, with about 1,537 still pending. In those circumstances, doing nothing would risk leaving people in an unacceptable legal limbo, with knock-on uncertainty for families and clinicians alike. What this Bill does is straightforward. It gives the High Court discretion, on a case-by-case basis, to extend the time for making a capacity declaration in circumstances where the deadline is imminent, there is good reason, and where an extension is in the interests of justice. A further extension is available only in exceptional circumstances and there is an outer limit of 18 months, bringing us to 25 October 2027 at the latest.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026. I thank the Minister of State and her officials for their efforts to update this largely technical but important legislation which impacts many of the most vulnerable in our society. This is a targeted, necessary measure to provide legal certainty for people who remain in wardship arrangements as we approach the statutory deadline of 26 April 2026. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, commenced on 26 April 2023, rightly set a three-year timeframe for the court to review and transition every adult ward of court to the new rights-based framework. However, the reality is that the system has not been able to complete that work in time.”
“We need recommendations that are practical, measurable and implemented, not left gathering dust. I look forward to Mr Farrell’s report at the conclusion of this 16-week period, and I ask that the House receive a clear update on the next steps immediately thereafter, including a timeline for finalising the terms of reference and establishing the inquiry in a way that maintains public confidence. Finally, I want to say this directly to the families. You should never have been put through this ordeal by CHI and the system. It is not good enough but I welcome the progress confirmed today. It shows you have been heard. It must signal the start of a new, transparent, patient-centred culture in these critical services.”
“Even where cancellations are clinically necessary, a child being prepared for surgery and then stood down is not an operational statistic; it is a huge setback for a family. This is where the inquiry process matters. The scoping exercise led by Mr. Farrell must do two things. First, it must centre families, not as an afterthought or as a consultation box-ticking exercise, but as partners in establishing what went wrong and what must change. The review must be patient centred, trauma informed and human rights based and the commitment must be reflected in how families are listened to and supported throughout. Second, it must deliver accountability and learning. We need answers in governance, systems, culture and capacity. We need to understand where communication broke down and why warning signs were not acted upon sooner.”
“While we can point to progress, the continued delays have a real impact on those children, many living in pain, with mobility loss, anxiety and missed childhood milestones. Any efforts to accelerate services must be welcomed, including the additional €30 million to provide extra Saturday outpatient appointments, improve referral pathways, recruit additional orthopaedic surgeons and provide international outsourcing arrangements to support children’s care abroad, which the Minister alluded to. Activity levels have improved, with 534 spinal procedures completed in 2025, up from 513 in 2024. I thank front-line staff for their efforts in this regard. While the progress is welcome, demand continues to rise and cancellations remain a serious issue for families. They are saying the system still does not feel patient centred enough.”
“Parents should never have had to campaign for the basics of timely treatment, clear communication and reassurance that governance is strong and patient safety comes first. As I have said in the Chamber before, I do not believe it is possible to regain the public’s trust in CHI. I welcome the Minister’s decision that clinical services will be integrated into the new national children’s hospital and brought under the direct governance of the HSE. Today’s priority, however, is the children and families living with the consequences of CHI’s failures. We all accept the principle that every child should receive a surgical intervention when clinicians recommend it, at the right time. It is deeply concerning that children have been waiting far longer than they should for spinal surgery.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to today’s statements on scoliosis and the inquiries announced by the Minister. I welcome the Minister’s appointment yesterday of Mr. Remy Farrell SC as the independent facilitator on the scoping exercise. I also welcome the appointment of Mr. Lorcan Staines SC in relation to the Shine report. Both appointments are long overdue and much needed. The terms of reference and structure of the statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services is an important and necessary step. Massive public trust issues remain in Children’s Health Ireland. There have been a succession of reports and controversies that have left families feeling ignored, unheard and in some cases betrayed.”