George Lawlor
Wexford · Labour Party · Ireland
“I commend my colleague, Deputy Eoghan Kenny, on bringing this motion to the floor of the Dáil. One line from his contribution this morning is at the nub of everything, where he said, "Poverty should never determine potential." That is the key component of this motion.”
“The ESRI and University of Limerick found that three in ten secondary schools mandate digital devices, including 17% of DEIS schools - the very schools serving families least able to absorb these costs.”
“Parents who are already struggling with rising rents, food prices and energy costs are now being told that, without a laptop, their child will fall behind. It is shameful that the State's own free book scheme savings are being wiped out by digital demands that schools have no business imposing without the proper funding.”
“We are calling for enforceable guidelines, proper ICT funding, a national loan scheme, the removal of exam fees, the reversal of transport fee hikes, the restoration of the back-to-school allowance and a ban on voluntary contributions that are voluntary in name only. Families cannot take any more.”
“At the outset, I would like to join, as everyone here has, in warmly welcoming to Leinster House Cian and Jordan Adams, the FTB brothers, and also Cian's partner, Helen, who played such a vital and key role in the whole 33 marathons in 33 days. They are most welcome.”
“The programme for Government commitment, in particular the statutory home care scheme, must be something we seriously look at bringing into being following its insertion in multiple programmes for Government.”
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“They are, of course, using the benefit of SICAP to bridge the gap between the social and commercial control aspects, with training and mentoring supports. Are the Minister and his Department officials open to sitting down with social enterprises in our local development companies to look at a proposal with regard to the business running element of it?”
“I welcome the Minister's commitment to social enterprise. He is correct to suggest the LDCN had a number of consultations throughout the county, and continues to do so. However, there is a belief among LEADER companies in particular that a more specific targeted support for social enterprise in more disadvantaged areas may be necessary. They say one of the biggest challenges facing them as social enterprises is the balance between meeting the social need - be that in the context of those employed in the enterprise or otherwise - and the business acumen required in the context of the running and operation of the business. As was put to me by a person immersed in the area of social enterprise, often the passion to fix an issue affecting one's community needs the same business passion to make it work.”
“This question was originally submitted to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and then transferred to the Department of the Minister, Deputy Calleary. I submitted the question to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the basis of the 4,300 social enterprises that are making a significant contribution to the Irish economy. In 2021, it was €2.34 billion, with 57% of this in urban areas and 43% in rural areas. Social enterprises record a significant employment contribution, accounting for some 85,000 people in the workforce. While the social aspect of this issue is being covered and looked after, we need to look at this from a business point of view as well.”
“Garda Kevin Burke in New Ross and Garda Anne Quirke and Sergeant David Ferriter in Wexford are just some of the gardaí who are making a real difference to their communities through their positive interactions with people and getting stuck into the issues. The Minister must give the Garda the necessary resources to make our towns and villages safe again.”
“The local superintendent, Jarlath Duffy, was given the required resources to ensure that he and his members could keep people safe, and keep them secure in the knowledge they were safe because of a visible garda presence. Resources are the key. What was also clearly apparent was the good morale of the gardaí at this event. They knew people had their back and were supporting them. Community policing plays a major role in combating crime. This is particularly so for youngsters, who are at a stage where they can be steered away from criminality. I have seen at first hand the positive impact community gardaí can make by interacting with communities and gaining people's trust.”
“Antisocial behaviour seems to be a badge of honour among some who, despite a myriad of CCTV cameras around the town linked directly to the Garda station, carry on their insidious behaviour in broad daylight, safe in the knowledge that the lack of a Garda presence will see their carry-on go largely unchecked. Last August, however, Wexford town played host to one of the most successful and well-attended events ever, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Some 650,000 people descended on the town for a wonderful carnival atmosphere, with hardly a single serious incident. How was that achieved? It was because of resources. That is the long and the short of it.”
“Criminals are swanning around, safe in the knowledge they are unlikely to be stopped or apprehended and, when or if they are, the punishments for their crimes make their efforts worthwhile. I listened incredulously yesterday to a Limerick supermarket owner recount how, on a Friday, a persistent and consistent thief in his shop was given a six-week sentence for assaulting a member of his staff but was back stealing in that same shop three days later on the Monday. Stories like this one can be replicated in every town and village. In my hometown of Wexford, local retailers consistently contact me with stories of antisocial behaviour, theft or attempted theft from shops.”
“The latest CSO figures on crime make for sombre reading. Burglaries increased by 10% last year, while thefts and assaults were at their highest level in five years. The illegal importation of drugs, destined to cripple communities and individuals throughout this country, increased by a remarkable 83% in the past 12 months, just short of double the previous year. In 2024, we saw 27 burglaries every single day, a 10% increase on 2023. Weapons and explosive offences went up by 11% and shootings increased by 40%. We are beginning to see a downturn in many things in this country but one thing that is thriving is crime and criminality. Why? It is simply because of a lack of gardaí in our towns, villages and communities.”
“The victims and survivors of sexual violence have spoken about their harrowing experiences of the legal system. Ludicrously, accused persons have the right to request access to the counselling records of complainants. We must put an end to this invasive and traumatic allowance for perpetrators. We must support the call from the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality in 2021 for the exclusion of counselling and medical records from evidence. That is the very least we can do to support the victims of this heinous crime.”
“Sadly, nine counties - Cavan, Carlow, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon and Sligo - are devoid of domestic violence refuge accommodation. The Wexford refuge gets multiple requests from outside the county for accommodation. It is almost constantly operating at full capacity. This is despite the almost tripling of capacity last year. Imagine the feeling of isolation the women in these counties experience when from knowing that they do not have access to the safe haven of a refuge in their communities or localities. As the motion states, only 5% of those who experience sexual violence as an adult report it to An Garda. It is estimated that just 14% of the cases of those who do report such violence make it to trial.”
“The refuge offers outreach services by meeting women in a safe place of their choosing. It offers: court accompaniment; access to counselling; works closely with Wexford Rape Crisis and agencies such as Barnardos, Youth New Ross and the HSE, to name but a few of the great services available to vulnerable women and their children. An in-house child and family support worker is just one the highly skilled staff available in the refuge. Despite all of this, staff at the refuge are put to the pin of their collar and often find it impossible to keep up with the workload and the demands on the service. Despite this, County Wexford can consider itself lucky to be in a position to have a refuge.”
“I am pleased to support this motion. I thank Deputy Coppinger for bringing it forward. I welcome our guests in the Public Gallery. I want to speak about the importance of women having access to refuge places. As a member of the voluntary board of management and a director of Wexford Women's Refuge, I have seen at first hand the benefit of having in a locality a refuge in which skilled and compassionate staff are available to guide victims through the difficulties involved and to advise them on some of the obstacles and issues that are highlighted in the motion. For five years, I chaired the building subgroup of Wexford Women's Refuge. Last year, we opened a new state-of-the-art building in the heart of Wexford town that tripled the capacity of the refuge.”
“Last year, the announcement of a new 97-bed unit at Wexford General Hospital was warmly greeted by the people of County Wexford. As we can imagine, the hospital is a vital component to the county and a 97-bed unit would be a substantial addition. It is badly needed and badly wanted, given the huge increase in population in Wexford over recent years. However, in response to a parliamentary question I asked, it has now emerged that the actual number of new beds that will be in Wexford General Hospital following this 97-bed unit build will be 44, as 53 beds are to be removed from the current hospital. Will the Government give a commitment to the people of Wexford that the 53 vital beds that are being removed will not be closed and that the full 97-bed promised unit will be just that: an extra 97 beds for Wexford General Hospital?”
“To ensure this happens, it is imperative that we embrace the transformative power of AI in business, the economy and society. Strengthening these areas will also underpin future growth in areas such as financial services and intellectual property management, which rely on a strong technological framework and secure networks. Let us decide to prioritise ethical practices, invest in education and reskilling, and use and leverage AI to solve complex challenges. If we do this, we can ensure that AI serves as a tool for progress, innovation and equity. It is up to all of us to shape artificial intelligence in a way that benefits everyone.”
“The rights of creators and copyright must be respected as provided for in the EU AI Act and controls must be placed on the creation and use of deepfakes, and the protection of the democratic process from the abuse and misuse of AI in the electoral process is absolutely imperative. Maintaining online trust in all digital processes is essential to our social, political and economic futures. Safeguarding our information in a world where AI is ever-growing is of vital concern and we believe that an independent review of the Data Protection Commission to investigate the measures needed to strengthen and reform its functions, and ensure it is adequately resourced and proactive in enforcing EU AI rules, is essential. There is little doubt that maximising AI for our greater good requires a collective effort.”
“The removal of the digital divide and the embedding of AI skills and innovation to position Ireland as a global leader are also vital. We proposed and believe there should be a stand-alone Department of digital and communications, to include AI, initially paired with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science under one Minister. We must strive to position Ireland as a leader in all aspects of the digital transformation, from skills to chips, cloud computing to AI. It is our belief that the State must proactively invest in artificial intelligence applications through the strategic investment and development bank.”
“The use of AI and algorithmic management must be regulated and its use in recruitment, remuneration and day-to-day supervision must be limited. Statutory protections against such practices must be introduced. Whether it is ordering a takeaway, getting shopping delivered or a taxi home from a night out, online platforms have transformed the way we live. Platform work must be regulated in line with the EU platform work directive, and gig and platform workers must have access to information about their pay. The Government must legislate to ensure transparency in algorithmic management and to recognise platform workers as full employees, not contractors, and afford them all the associated benefits and protections. The inclusive transformation of our public services and economy through the benefits of digitalisation and AI are vital.”
“We must be cognisant of the fact that AI is already creating technological displacement, where workers' jobs are becoming automated, and will inevitably continue to become so. Investment in continuous professional development, lifelong learning and a strong social protection system will be key to mitigating the negative effects. It is absolutely vital that the human in control principle is incorporated into law at the EU level. We must also harness the enormous benefits and opportunities provided by AI, such as in speeding up diagnosis and treatment in healthcare settings and in liberating workers from mundane or unpleasant tasks. We in the Labour Party are concerned about the growth in monitoring through AI applications and in work surveillance.”
“It is essential that regulators are well-resoured to handle compliance efficiently and to establish Ireland as a leader in AI governance. We must ensure that workers benefit from each new technological breakthrough. One of the key challenges will be to ensure that a system is in place to allow the gains of AI advancement and proliferation to be fairly distributed rather than being concentrated at the top. AI in the workplace must benefit workers as much as it benefits businesses. It cannot be treated simply as a tool to increase margins. A human-centric, rights-based approach must be adopted. A recent OECD report found that workers are more likely to report positive impacts of AI in the workplace if there has been a consultation process through their trade unions. Workers' voices must be heard as AI increasingly permeates our workplaces.”
“I am sharing time with Deputy Ahern. I am delighted to contribute to this important debate, which is one that my county colleague, Deputy Malcolm Byrne, has been seeking for some time. I am delighted to be a part of the discussion on a topic that is reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace. As we navigate this transformative era, it is crucial that we harness the power of AI not just for profit but for the greater good of our businesses, economy and society as a whole. We in the Labour Party recognise the potential benefits of AI and believe that new technology should be embraced. Crucially, though, AI must be seen to be used as a tool to improve people's working lives and not just to replace them. A robust regulatory framework is crucial.”
“It is no longer acceptable that the children of this nation, whom we are supposed to be cherishing as per our Proclamation, are suffering daily as a result of the inaction and lack of investment in this area. I urge the Minister to move on this as urgently as possible.”
“I am told that if one gets an assessment of need today, having waited for a couple of years, it will be mid-2028 by the time one is actually seen by the services. The Ombudsman for Children's Office stated in September 2024 that 126 children with a special-needs place requirement were without a place. Budget 2025 provides funding for 400 special classrooms, which is to be welcomed, but as the Ministers can detect, there is no confidence that they will be provided. We absolutely owe it to the children to do everything in our power to provide them with what they now require, because it is now that they require the places. Their families and carers also require them. The exhaustion the families are suffering is palpable.”
“The children there and their families were dealing with the early intervention teams and were transferred to the new children's disability network in 2021, with all the bells, whistles and promises that came with the establishment of the teams. However, four years later, an unbelievable number of children, 700, and their families have yet to receive any contact whatsoever from their CDNT. Then they enter a school system that does not have the places or resources. Indeed, some of the children have aged out, or got to the age of 18, and are not in a position to access any of the services they required. It is our duty in this Chamber to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.”
“I join Members in wishing the Minister and Minister of State well in their new portfolios. We have a chronic situation with regard to special education in Ireland. The lack of places means missed milestone after missed milestone. This is a fundamental human rights issue that has affected countless children and their families. The affected children are plagued by insufficient resources and investment and a huge lack of trained professionals. The children's carers and parents are trying to navigate more than one system. The are drained, exhausted and disillusioned. The families of the children in special education are dealing with more than one failed assistant. Let me give an example from CHO 5, which includes Wexford, my country, and also Waterford, Carlow-Kilkenny and south Tipperary.”
“The market will do what the market does, namely, serve and protect itself. There is of course a place for the private sector in the provision of housing, but that place is not in the driving seat. I commend this motion to the House.”
“As if their household income was not low enough, these ridiculously low thresholds are condemning hard-working families to a life of stress and penury as they battle to keep up with the rent and keep a roof over their heads. For those with incomes just under or near the threshold, there is no incentive to improve their lot for fear that a promotion in work or a bit of overtime will push them off the housing list. There simply has to be a better way to assess people's housing needs. For God's sake, will the Minister stop penalising hard-working families and forcing them into poverty? It is clear that the active State approach proposed by the Labour Party is the only mechanism that will deliver the volume of homes required to eradicate the numerous obstacles that are sustaining this crisis.”
“Those who are unlucky, those with little or no hope of security of tenure and those who are completely abandoned are the hard-working, low-income families excluded from our housing lists with absolutely no support or assistance because of the ridiculously low income thresholds which disqualify them from getting on the housing lists. For example, in my county of Wexford, if the total household income for two adults and two children exceeds €38,500, the family is either removed from the housing list or their application refused on the basis that household earnings are too high. Their only option is the private rental market, which means paying thousands in rent with no support and no hope of change as they also have no chance of securing a mortgage to remove the rental shackles.”
“In addition to 15,000 people in emergency accommodation, we have those who are languishing on our local authority housing lists. We have families, single people and elderly people on our housings lists and they invariably remain on those lists for years before being allocated a new home. They spend years and years waiting and paying high rents, which will only get higher as the Government prepares to rid these families of any protections. Yet, those on our housing lists, despite the years of waiting and paying high rents, can be deemed to be extremely lucky.”
“This motion brings together many of the key elements of what we believe can form the basis of a response to the greatest social crisis this country has faced since the foundation of the State. While we have come a long way since this State was founded, the housing crisis shrouds everything we do. It is a stain on all our political characters and on those of the many who have graced this Chamber before us. The figure that 15,000 of our citizens are in emergency accommodation is a source of shame created by this Government's refusal to break from the shackles of the private market, which is being allowed to lead the way when it comes to the provision of housing. When I say the provision of housing, I speak about the provision of what this Government and the private investors see as the provision of a commodity.”
“Let us remember that our response to these crises reflects our values as a society. We are a nation that prides itself on community, solidarity and support for one another. When a neighbour suffers, we all suffer. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind in the wake of disaster. I urge the Minister to advocate, as a matter of urgency, for the establishment of a permanent statutory response mechanism for businesses, farms and communities affected by these severe weather events. We can work together to create a system that is not only reactive but proactive; a system that embodies our commitment to resilience, sustainability and communities. Our farmers, our businesses and the communities to which I refer deserve nothing less.”
“This mechanism should encompass financial aid, technical support and resources for rebuilding and recovery. It should be designed with input from the very communities it serves, ensuring that the solutions we implement are tailored to the unique needs of those who have suffered. One size does not fit all. This statutory mechanism must prioritise sustainability and resilience. It is not enough to simply rebuild what was lost; we must invest in the future. By incorporating climate adaptation strategies and promoting sustainable practices, we can help our farmers, our businesses and our communities not only recover but also thrive in the face of the undoubted future challenges. This is not merely an act of charity; it is an investment in the backbone of our economy.”
“Imagine a small shop owner who, after a lifetime of dedication, finds their shop flooded, something which happened regularly in Enniscorthy, and their livelihoods threatened. A farmer may have borrowed money to improve their output and holding, only to see that destroyed. These scenarios are not hypothetical. They are the lived experiences of countless individuals over many years across Ireland. We cannot afford to leave these people to fend for themselves in the wake of disaster. A permanent statutory response mechanism would provide a structured and predictable framework for support. It would ensure that assistance is not a matter of chance or bureaucratic delays, but rather a fundamental right for those who have suffered loss due to severe weather.”
“We need an active mechanism to be available to people when they are at their most vulnerable in order to allow them to get back onto their feet as quickly as possible. We need such a mechanism because, first and foremost, we must recognise that climate change is not a distant threat; rather, it is an absolute present reality. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasing. Farmers, small local enterprises and communities are often on the front lines. They are the ones who face the brunt of these challenges and deserve more than temporary relief measures that come too late and often fall too short. Imagine a business owner who has invested years of hard work in building up their businesses and creating local employment, only to see their livelihood and that of their employees washed or blown away in a single storm.”
“One of the components of this motion calls for the expansion of the humanitarian assistance scheme to include businesses, sporting clubs, voluntary organisations and community groups which have been impacted by the storm, as happened after Storm Babet. We fully support this call. Given the nature of the climate change that is happening on a regular and much more frequent basis and, indeed, a much more severe basis, if our experience of Storm Éowyn is anything to go by, then the notion of an ad hoc or an incident-by-incident approach is not acceptable. Communities, businesses and our farmers simply cannot be expected to wait for a scheme approval on each occasion that they suffer the severe impacts we witnessed just a couple of weeks ago.”
“They are the lifeblood of our economy and are in desperate need of our attention and, more important at this time, our actions. It is clear that we must confront the stark reality. Our current response mechanisms to these crises are absolutely inadequate. Time and again, we have seen businesses and farms struggle to recover from the aftermath of extreme weather. They face not only the physical destruction of their properties, but also the emotional toll of uncertainty and despair. Our patchwork of ad hoc responses, while well-intentioned, is simply not enough. It is beyond time for us to establish a permanent statutory response mechanism that provides consistent and reliable support for those affected by these disasters.”
“In late 2022, a tornado ripped through the villages of Foulksmills and Clongeen in south Wexford, causing hundreds of thousands of euro worth of damage to farms, in particular. I know from dealing with people affected at that time that the response in terms of aid was far from satisfactory, with people to this day still endeavouring to recover financially. The people of Enniscorthy live in annual fear that the River Slaney will burst its banks and once again inundate Island Road and Templeshannon with floodwater, destroying homes and businesses for the want of a decades-long promised flood relief defence scheme. Wexford town has also seen serious flooding incidents over the years. These events are not merely statistics. They are the stories of our neighbours, friends and families.”
“The elderly, vulnerable and those in need of specialist services and equipment cannot be expected to live or act normally without the immediately required State services and interventions. It behoves us to do better. While my county escaped relatively unscathed in comparison to other areas, Wexford has seen devastating weather events over the years. Storm Emma, or the beast from the east, as it was called, created havoc when we were left without power and water for extended periods. Only for the heroic actions of our emergency services and local authority workers at that time, the impact and damage would have been much more sustained. Christmas Day 2021 will live long in the memory of the people of Bridgetown and Duncormick as a result of the devastating flooding of homes.”
“Their emotional toll is compounded by the disruption of their social networks and community support systems. The extended loss of power, water and communication systems has left them with a sense of abandonment. This should never be the case in the Ireland that we all aspire to serve in. We have also, sadly, seen a loss of life as a result of storm and its aftermath. We can only begin to imagine the dreadful impact that these tragic deaths have had on the families and communities affected. Our sympathies go to them all. These people and communities simply cannot be expected to deal with the trauma they are experiencing while at the same time possibly having to deal with red tape and bureaucracy as they attempt to rebuild physically and emotionally.”
“It will affect their mental health and overall well-being. In the immediate aftermath of these weather events, the last thing people who are affected need is the trauma and difficulty of dealing with applications that are complicated, with forms needing to be filled in and statutory agencies which seem to require more and more. This is especially true for those in our communities who are vulnerable, elderly or need an extra little bit of support. The sudden loss of homes, possessions, property, equipment and livelihoods can lead to a huge sense of helplessness. We have already listened to people in isolated areas call out their feelings of helplessness and deep frustration as they navigate the chaos and uncertainty that follows such an event.”
“I am glad to speak in support of the motion. As members of Dáil Éireann, we stand here this evening not just as a voice for our businesses, farmers and communities, but as advocates for the great resilience and spirit that define our nation. It is essential that we learn lessons. In recent years, we have witnessed the devastating impact of severe weather events, such as floods, storms and snowstorms that have wreaked havoc on our agricultural community, local enterprises and community in general. In recent weeks, and following other devastating weather events in Ireland, we have seen a trail of emotional devastation that often goes unnoticed amidst the physical destruction. The psychological impact on individuals and communities has been profound and would be long-lasting for those most severely affected.”
“If his threats come to pass, we could find ourselves in serious difficulties from a trade relationship point of view. Sadly, in my home town of Wexford this week, we saw the Trumpian ways at work when some 310 workers at BNY Mellon, an IDA-supported company, learned their fate in an eight-minute meeting which indicated that the majority of them were to lose their jobs. I ask the newly-reappointed Minister for enterprise to immediately engage with the workers and management in Wexford of BNY Mellon in an effort to find a total replacement with another company. It is up to the Government and the IDA to work closely on this and immediately, with urgency, find-----”
“At the outset, I thank my family, the people of Wexford, my friends and supporters and the Labour Party for affording me this opportunity to stand in this historic Chamber. I congratulate and wish well the Taoiseach and his Cabinet. If I could single out one of the Jameses, James Browne, my fellow-county man, on his elevation to Cabinet; he is the first Fianna Fáil senior Cabinet Minister in 60 years from Wexford. The re-election of President Trump in America is likely to present some challenges, to the say the least, in the context of world, European and, indeed, Irish trade. From an Irish viewpoint, if even a partial amount of what President Trump is threatening to impose in terms of trade and tariffs comes to pass, our economic relationship with the USA faces an uncertain future.”