Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There is nothing any of us in this House can say that can undo the pain, harm and loss experienced by those young boys, their families and the communities in which they lived, played basketball and worked. They have had to endure a lifetime of harm, many of them carrying their suffering in silence.”
“We are listening to you, we are learning and we are acting. All of us in this House have a responsibility to ensure that our child safeguarding systems are robust. We must ensure that if concerns are raised today, they are acted on without delay.”
“Today is a profoundly important and solemn day. I want to add my voice to the full and formal State apology and to acknowledge the courage, dignity and perseverance of those survivors who fought for truth and accountability for so many years.”
“I thank the Deputy for highlighting this very important issue and the 161 recommendations. First, I thank the Joint Committee on Drug Use for its work. I welcomed the report and I am in agreement with many of its recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year I published a draft of the national drugs strategy.”
“The Bill and the secondary legislation, training and clinical protocols that will follow it will support the terms and conditions for this service, as laid out in the community pharmacy agreement. All secondary legislation will be in place before commencement and launch of this measure.”
“No. I thank the Deputy again for her work on the drugs committee. The vast majority of the 161 recommendations will be in the new drugs strategy but one of the recommendations was on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. It falls under section 3. That legalises drugs. It is important we tell the people of the concern.”
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“The Bill will prohibit the sale of nicotine-consumption products, such as pouches, to those under 18; prohibit the advertisement of nicotine-inhaling and nicotine-consumption products in all retail outlets and prohibit their point-of-sale display in mixed retail outlets; restrict colours and imagery on nicotine-inhaling products, devices and packaging, as well as prohibit the sale of devices resembling or functioning as other products such as toys or games; prohibit all flavour descriptors and language other than basic flavour names for nicotine-inhaling products; limit flavours in nicotine-inhaling products to tobacco; and grant the power to make changes by regulation. These two Bills together form a comprehensive suite of measures to reduce the availability, affordability and attractiveness of these products.”
“I thank everyone. The Bill will now go to the Seanad. Some questions came up from Deputies. All the Deputies' points were very relevant. I thank them for their valuable contributions to the debate on this important Bill. Yesterday, the Government approved publication of our other Bill on nicotine products. I will provide an update on that.”
“Providing for 12 months for the taking of prosecutions is a standard provision. For example, this is already the case under the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023. A great deal of investigation and analysis goes into bringing cases of this type. I see no benefit in making it easier for businesses that have broken the law to avoid prosecution, so, unfortunately, that is why we will not be changing the provision. I cannot accept the amendment.”
“Working through the health-led approach, which is very important for our younger people, we are working with the enforcement authority and it is saying that it is fully on board with this. We have to work with the Garda. This is a health-led approach. I thank the Deputy for the amendment. It is important, but we do not propose to accept it.”
“The Deputy's amendment proposes to expand the range of circumstances related to the sale which would constitute an offence. There is already a comprehensive definition of the word "sell" in section 2. This includes "offer or expose for sale", "invite the making by a person of an offer to purchase", "distribute free of charge" and "supply for any of these purposes (whether or not for profit)". The Deputy's amendment is nearly a duplication. It is not substantial enough to change the scope of the offence. The consultation with the enforcement authority has taken place. We are health led. We work with the Garda, which is fine, but this is a health-led approach. We are working with our enforcement authority on the scope of these provisions. It is satisfied that they meet the requirements necessary to enforce the law in an effective manner.”
“We are not modelling it on the UK law. The UK has taken steps to do this. I assure the Deputy that we are learning as well, and this is a very good step forward for us. The Attorney General has also been working on this. As I said, we will not be accepting this amendment.”
“This legislation ensures the products on the market are intended to be reused and have functional capabilities to be reused. It will not be enforced through the authority to ensure there are no complications with this. That is the main issue and it is important we have that. We will not accept the amendment.”
“In that context, it will be interpreted narrowly in favour of the person accused. In this regard, it is not clear if this alternative definition would include devices which fall under only one of these categories. This would, therefore, potentially allow a swath of devices to escape the proposed ban. A great deal of work was undertaken with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure these definitions capture the intended products. They also align with the definition in the UK law, which currently prohibits the production that it is intended to prohibit here. For this reason, I do not propose to accept the amendment. Deputy Cullinane referred to the industry. There is nothing new about the tobacco and related industries seeking to circumvent regulations and find new ways to market their products.”
“I thank all the Deputies who have spoken on this important Bill. The amendment seeks to change the existing definition of single-use vapes by alternating its construction. The intention of the existing definition in the Bill is to prohibit any vape which is not refillable or rechargeable. This means a vape must be both refillable and rechargeable to avoid prohibition. We are banning any vape which can be refilled but cannot be recharged, any vape which can be recharged but cannot be refilled or any vape which cannot be refilled and cannot be recharged. While I appreciate the intentions of the Deputies, the proposed amendment identifies only vapes which cannot be refilled and cannot be recharged. The definition of the relevant products in the Bill is for the purpose of a criminal offence.”
“It is currently in possession of the largest e-vehicle fleet in the country, and it is introducing more sustainable forms of fuelling with its other vehicles, so it is very much on top of its brief. It is important that we give it this credit. These green choices by An Post show its determination to continue adapting to our new ways of doing business and serving communities in a sustainable way. Our post offices have been a steadfast pillar of our communities for many years and with the boom we are experiencing in e-commerce business, our postmen and women up and down the country will continue to support our communities, and the Government will continue to support them in their important tasks.”
“That is important because everybody is so busy now. As was said, it is important the public uses the facility of our post offices because it is an excellent service. We spoke about the big boom in the e-commerce business across the country. I have always been a big supporter of shopping locally. I firmly believe that no matter where people live in the country, they should shop locally and keep the jobs, which is so important. However, with this new digital age we are living in, many businesses in my area have developed websites for online orders. This is a great way for a business to expand, yet there is another way and opportunity for our post office to support and assist the communities. I support An Post in its efforts to provide its important services, while remaining true to its net-zero targets.”
“When paying a home heating bill or electricity bill, there is the friendly face at a local post office. The workers there can help, whether with a phone call or just giving advice. It is all about helping. They really do an excellent job. The Government understands the essential service our post offices are providing day in, day out. The Minister spoke about the €15 million. This is about sustainable national post office services, the post office network, the support it provides, and the infrastructure around Ireland. That money is vital. On 13 January the Government approved funding for the post office network up to 2030 to support citizens' access to key services. This funding will maintain access to the network across urban and rural areas. As the Ministers said, it is both urban and rural. It will ensure no community is left behind.”
“People can go in, talk, and get a few groceries or whatever. It keeps our villages going, particularly in the rural areas. I see other areas with a post office in a SuperValu where people can go in and shop but there are also family-run post offices that go beyond the call of duty. The post office provides services beyond selling stamps and taking in parcels. In the post office, members of the community are able to collect their social welfare payments, pay their TV licence and buy a Leap card. Post offices and their workers look out for their neighbours, giving the older members of our community a social outlet and assisting in tasks that may have moved online. Both Ministers spoke about how things are changing. Many things are going online, so we have to be mindful of that.”
“Each day, An Post collects, processes and delivers 2.5 million items of mail to 2 million addresses daily. Some 95% of post offices are run by contract postmasters. It is really important to thank them and their team for the valuable work they do in our local communities. They are absolutely brilliant and the service they give to communities is exceptional because they handle each transaction and delivery with care. They keep our local communities moving. I highlight one in particular in my constituency which stands out - Fenagh in County Carlow. It is a small post office called the Black Cat. Locals are able to avail of services they would otherwise have to drive into the town centre for. I would always say when going into Fenagh that the post office there is like a social outlet for our elderly community.”
“I agree with the previous speakers. I welcome the statements on post office closures. It is important to highlight the work of the post offices across the country and what the Government is doing to help this sector and provide the key public service. It is a huge public service and a service we depend on. It is important, particularly for our rural post offices, which have always played an important role in connecting people. Whether a letter or package needs to get from Buncrana to Bantry, Bagenalstown to Carlow, or even to Bondi Beach, An Post will find a way to get it there. That is a fact. It will find a way. There are currently hundreds of post offices across the country serving almost 100,000 customers a week, whether selling stamps or providing social welfare payments.”
“Work is ongoing to deliver on commitments given and further details will be provided to survivors as soon as possible. It is nothing less than what you deserve. I commend you all on your determination and resolve. What happened to you was wrong. The suffering you endured as children was wrong and the impact that this has had on your entire lives is wrong.”
“Arising from this mediation process, the Government also approved proposals to strengthen education and health supports for survivors which are to be delivered under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, which was signed into law last July. A very important aspect of today's apology is that it relates to those who were boarded out from relevant institutions. This apology underlines the fact that those who were victims of this industrial abuse, and who were criminalised for so long, do not have a criminal record and will not now be viewed as criminals by the State. A number of other issues, including housing and funeral costs, are also being addressed by the relevant Departments so that survivors can be provided for.”
“When I met with the group of survivors while they were on hunger strike in September, I was deeply impacted by their accounts of their childhoods and struck by how they had been strong enough to carry on, yet also recount those horrific times in order to tell their stories again and again. While I am glad the Government has issued this long-awaited apology today, I hope it can bring them some level of comfort. I am under no illusion that it can never undo the horrific experience of their pasts and the harm each of them sustained in the hands of the State. Following engagement with the Taoiseach and the then Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, the group ceased its protest on 10 November. The mediation process concluded in December.”
“I very much welcome the Government's apology today to the survivors of abuse in residential institutions. This apology builds on the State's apology to all victims of childhood abuse made in May 1999 and also takes into consideration the 2021 apology to survivors and former residents of the mother and baby institutions. This apology comes as we reflect on one of the darkest chapters of our history - a chapter we must look back on and learn from. On 22 September last year, a number of brave, determined and committed survivors began their hunger strike outside Leinster House, including a courageous lady from my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, Ms Mary Dunlevy Greene.”
“We are, of course, committed to the equitable provision of health services across the State. That commitment extends to all health services. For the reasons set out by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, the Government will oppose Deputy Sherlock's amendment. The Government has undertaken measures that already address many of the issues referred to in the motion. Accordingly, the motion is not opposed. I thank all my colleagues again for raising for discussion the important issue of access to GP care. Around the country we see the valuable work of our GPs and their teams. Within our own clinics we see the challenges, but with the review and all of us working together I am sure we will get as much done as possible, and as soon as possible, to address this.”
“The outputs of this work will feed into a broader multi-annual strategic review programme which will contribute to the development of evidence-based policy options for a future eligibility framework to support the move towards universal health coverage. The common conditions service, CCS, developed to enable community pharmacists in Ireland to provide advice and treat eight common conditions, is a private service delivered in person in registered pharmacies. The CCS is accessible to all patients regardless of GMS eligibility. As the CCS is a private service rather than a State-funded service, a consultation fee determined by the individual pharmacy does apply. In relation to the amendment tabled by Deputy Sherlock, I recall the remarks made by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, earlier in this debate.”
“While 160 postgraduate education places are available in the student public health nursing programme, these places are filled based on the number of public health nurse vacancies and predicted vacancies that exist each year, and to date there has been no need to increase the number of places available on this basis. However, the higher education institutes concerned have agreed to increase the number of training places in 2026 if there is an increase in demand. To speak to some of the other matters referred to in the motion, with regard to universal primary and GP care, the Department of Health is reviewing the current eligibility framework to see how existing eligibility arrangements for health services align with patients' needs.”
“Work is also under way to develop a comprehensive women’s health programme in general practice in line with what is in the programme for Government. That is our commitment. With regard to general practice nurses, while practice nurses are employed directly by GPs and are not employed by the HSE, the HSE, as mentioned, does provide significant financial support towards their employment. The HSE also supports general practice nurses with continuing professional development by providing access to its online training platform, HSeLanD; centres for nursing and midwifery education; and library services. There is therefore a lot of other work being done as well.”
“There are 180 centres open nationally, with 51 new centres having opened since 2020. The Government has committed to speeding up the delivery of more primary care centres. Many TDs spoke about primary care centres and the excellent work they do. Seven centres are currently under construction and 23 more are at planning stage. Therefore, there are many more to come. Funding has been provided to expand the GP chronic disease management programme to include additional conditions, including chronic kidney disease. Work is currently ongoing to provide for this expansion. However, further expansions of the programme would require careful clinical consideration and consultation with GPs and stakeholders to ensure any expansion can be rolled out effectively. This involves all of us working together.”
“I totally understand what the Deputies have spoken about today and can see where their concerns are. We are examining the potential provision of HSE-employed GPs, as raised in the motion. When completed, the review will report on its findings and set out recommendations to provide for a more sustainable general practice. The findings of the review will help to determine what is needed from our next GP contract, to the benefit of both GPs and patients. Progress has also been made in other areas referred to in the motion, including in respect of primary care centres, which are essential to expanding healthcare provision in our communities. They are really important. We are looking at them all around the country. They are purpose-designed buildings that provide a single location for primary care services, including GP services.”
“Practice staff subsidies have increased and new supports for additional staff were provided under the 2023 GP agreement. Supports for eligible rural practices were increased and new supports were introduced for practices in urban areas of social deprivation. Supports are also provided for maternity leave and locum sourcing. A strategic review of general practice is due to be completed soon. The review is examining a wide range of issues affecting general practice, focusing on five important themes. We hope to have it quite soon. The five important themes are GP training, GP capacity, ehealth, out-of-hours reform, and the support model for general practice. The issues being examined reflect many of those raised in this motion. We can see the challenges.”
“The number of new entrants to GP training places is to increase to 400 from this year. This is almost double the number of new places available in 2019. The total number in training to become GPs has increased by more than 60% over the same period and will continue to increase over the coming years. Despite the increase, however, there are challenges. Trained GPs are also being recruited from abroad under a joint HSE and Irish College of General Practitioners international recruitment programme. The recruited GPs are placed in practices in rural areas and work in general practice while completing the programme, providing an immediate increase in service provision for those in that area. Under the GMS scheme, supports for practice staff have been significantly improved.”
“In line with this and as set out in Sláintecare, we need to expand our GP capacity to facilitate the additional demand on GPs and their teams. It is important to compliment them. We all know how hard they work. We need to consider this area and the demand the expansion of eligibility is creating. The Government has made significant efforts to increase capacity in general practice to improve patient access and has undertaken measures that address most of the points raised in the motion today. Investment in general practice has been significantly increased since 2019. This investment has provided for increased payments to GPs, new supports for practices and new services for GMS patients. Other GP services, such as the free contraception scheme, have also been established for patients regardless of GMS eligibility.”
“In recent years, we have expanded free GP care and introduced new services, such as the chronic disease management programme. All this increases demand on general practice and we need to increase our GP workforce to ensure we can meet the need for GP care in the future. It is important to note that the Government’s expansion of eligibility for free GP care means 190,000 more people have access to the service today than before the expansion to six- and seven-year-olds and those earning no more than a medium income. We believe many more are eligible and can apply. We have run a publicity campaign to encourage them and we are looking at other ways to improve uptake. However, the number availing of free GP care is increasing.”
“I thank our colleagues in the Social Democrats for raising the matter of expanding access to general practitioners. The Government acknowledges that there are issues regarding access to GP services in some areas, including certain rural and underserved areas. GP availability is limited and GMS GP vacancies have been difficult to fill. Others have spoken about this today. To improve access to GP services, we need to increase the number of GPs practising across the country, improve the support provided to GP practices and incentivise more GPs to practise in areas where service provision is most challenging. There are challenges and we acknowledge that today. We are aware that there is huge pressure on general practices. Our population is ageing and growing.”
“It is important for our country to hold the EU Presidency, and health, as the Senator knows, is so important. I will come back to the Senator when I get more information.”
“This will support delivery of our programme for Government commitment to develop a national cardiovascular strategy that seeks to address and identify gaps in research, prevention, treatment and access to cardiovascular care. The safe hearts plan also includes a Council recommendation on the EU-wide standard approach to cardiovascular health checks. This initiative will support national approaches to the development of cardiovascular screening programmes in primary care such as our GP chronic disease management plan. As Minister of State, I will go back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I will get the Senator more information on this. It is important that the Senator get dates, times and what the plan is going forward for our EU Presidency.”
“Absolutely. The Government welcomes the development of the EU safe hearts plan, which was published in December 2025. The plan offers an opportunity for the EU to strengthen strategies for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The Senator is correct, in that it is about early detection and prevention, and other diseases have shared common risk factors. We have to be mindful of the latter, too. A flagship initiative, the safe hearts plan, will see the European Commission supporting countries to update or develop national cardiovascular plans in line with EU best practice by 2027, but I will definitely keep the Senator updated.”
“The NSAC has previously received proposals through its call-for-submission process, calling for the introduction of a screening programme for structural heart disease. After reviewing the submissions received, the NSAC decided not to refer the applications for further consideration by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, at this time. In addition to population-based screening programmes, our GP chronic disease management programme is entering its sixth year of operation. This programme includes opportunistic screening for a range of cardiovascular and other risk factors when patients attend their GP with another condition. The programme has expanded its services based on its success to date. For example, familial hypercholesterolemia will be added to the list of risk factors screened this year.”
“The stroke strategy aims to modernise our stroke services in line with Sláintecare and ensure the future readiness of services, given the ageing demographic and the predicted rise in stroke incidence in coming decades. The Government is committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people and improving the overall health of our population. The national screening advisory committee, NSAC, is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland's screening programmes. The NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.”
“Budget 2025 allocated €4 million for full-year costs, and 45 whole-time equivalents, WTEs, to progress cardiac services. To date, 28 of these 45 WTEs have been prioritised. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy as committed to in the programme for Government. In the short term, we will deliver enhanced cardiac services and develop the necessary structures to ensure success in the longer term. With regard to services for stroke, the national stroke strategy was published in 2022 and over €13 million has been allocated to its implementation to date.”
“Ireland’s active role in shaping these policies reflects our ambition to strengthen cardiovascular health outcomes for our population and contribute to a healthier Europe. On 8 April 2025, the national review of adult specialist cardiac services in Ireland was published. The comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations on cardiac health policy. Department officials are now working closely with the HSE to progress the implementation of these recommendations. This is a complex, multi-year reform programme that will ensure a comprehensive and deliverable approach in achieving outcomes. Cardiovascular health was prioritised in budget 2025, which allocated over €9 million in full-year funding to support vital cardiovascular initiatives.”
“Irish officials, working closely with EU colleagues, contributed to the development of a new Council conclusion on the improvement of cardiovascular health, adopted on 3 December 2024, marking a strong political commitment to tackling cardiovascular disease across Europe. On 16 December 2025, the European Commission published safe hearts, the EU cardiovascular plan, whish the Senator spoke about. It is a landmark initiative aimed at reducing premature deaths by improving prevention, early detection and treatment, while also driving innovation. Ireland contributed to the OECD report, the State of Cardiovascular Health in the European Union, which provided an evidence base for the safe hearts plan as well as sharing a call for evidence with relevant stakeholders.”
“Today, cardiovascular disease mortality is about half the level recorded in 1995, but this still accounts for 27.8% of all deaths in Ireland, which is something we are monitoring. The absolute number of cardiovascular disease cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. Work is ongoing to finalise priorities for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It is envisaged that prevention, including for cardiovascular health, will be one of the themes of our Presidency programme. The Minister is saying this will be one of the priorities.”
“I thank the Senator. As she said, awareness of cardiovascular disease and strokes is important, as is the face, arms, speech and time, FAST, messaging. The main thing is to get to people quickly. I thank Senator Byrne for facilitating the opportunity to discuss this important matter of cardiovascular disease policy. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, who cannot be here today. Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions, including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and a significant contributor to hospital bed days in our hospitals. Ireland has made progress in tackling cardiovascular disease.”
“Chapter 29.2 of the Medical Council's Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners relates to disclosure to protect other individuals and in the public interest. It states: There can be a public interest in disclosing information where the benefits to another individual or society outweigh the duty of confidentiality. This may occur in exceptional circumstances to protect individuals or society from risks of serious harm, such as from serious communicable diseases or serious crime. Rather than read the rest of this statement, I will go back to the Minister of State and highlight that the Senator is seeking certain reforms to the system. He can be assured I will do so as soon as possible.”
“I thank the Senator again, and Mr. McGinley in the Public Gallery. I assure the House that the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health is aware of the importance of family members being involved to the greatest extent possible in a person's care and treatment. People should also be encouraged, though, to involve their family members throughout their treatment. This is something the Minister of State is also working on. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of medical ethics and is central to building a relationship between a clinician and a person under their care. Confidentiality applies equally across all the different health sectors and there are limited circumstances in which it may be breached.”
“Sharing the Vision clearly states there is a role for family, carers and supporters in a person's care and treatment and addresses the need for access to advocacy and care in the community. As the Senator is aware, the new Mental Health Bill will also support the involvement of family members and loved ones, with the consent of the individual concerned, by explicitly stating that people accessing inpatient services may nominate a family member or other person with whom they can consult throughout their treatment and whom they can nominate to receive certain information about their care and treatment. However, as stated earlier, a pathway is already available to clinicians to breach a person's confidentiality where they believe the person could be a risk of harm to themselves or others.”
“Any review of Medical Council guidelines must be led by the Medical Council and informed by clinical practice. Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical ethics, particularly when it comes to consent. Where consent is concerned, mental health treatment is treated no differently to any other health area. It is at the discretion of the individual as to what and how much information they allow a doctor or service to disclose to their family members. Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy, underpins the support for family involvement and, indeed, the support of family and loved ones is explicitly mentioned in two of the four service delivery principles, and referenced throughout the policy.”
“Health outcomes tend to be better when a person has a support network of family members around them. People should be encouraged to involve their family members throughout their treatment journeys. Where there is a need to do so, procedures are in place to allow clinicians to breach patient confidentiality in limited circumstances. This is true of clinicians operating in all areas of healthcare, including mental health. Medical Council guidelines also allow for clinicians to breach patient confidentiality where the clinician believes the person or another person to be at risk of harm. While the prediction of risk is never easy, this pathway remains available to clinicians. The decision to breach confidentiality or not, and whom to inform, is a decision of the treating clinician.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. Hello to Mr. McGinley. I am thinking of him at this time. It is not easy, but it is important that we raise this issue. As the Senator knows, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, who cannot be here today. She sends her apologies. I understand that clarification on the question was sought from the Senator and it has been confirmed that it is relates to medical confidentiality and clinical regulation in relation to a person’s mental healthcare. With regard to family involvement in a person’s healthcare, including mental healthcare, the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Mary Butler, is fully supportive of the involvement of family members in the care and treatment of an individual, where consent is granted.”
“Solutions are needed to address this, and timing is important. All the different Ministers are working with the Minister of State on this. Solutions are needed to address the nature of the protection gap that exists in Ireland, especially as the flood protection gap tends to be concentrated in different areas. As the Minister of State knows, we have to concentrate on these areas when we are working with the different Departments. I thank the Minister of State and my colleagues across Government for their work and their response to the storm. There are areas that have been really affected but I know this will be addressed. The work the Minister of State's Department has done, and the commitment shown by him, the Taoiseach and all the different Departments has been crucial and has played a huge role.”
“We are seeing more frequent storms and extreme weather events. In response, the OPW has published the sectoral climate change adaptation plan for flood risk management for the years 2025 to 2030. All flood relief schemes now require scheme adaptation plans to ensure they account for climate change impacts that can be adapted to future flood risks. I want to acknowledge the Department of Finance because it is engaging with stakeholders, such as the Central Bank, the OPW, the insurance industry, which is critical, and other Departments on the development of a long-term strategic approach to the issues relating to flood insurance. There are so many issues and this falls to so many different Departments. This is about the different Departments working together and collaborating to make sure we find a solution.”
“It is expected that the Government will receive these plans in the coming weeks. We are keen to progress any work that will reduce the risk of flooding for communities that have been badly affected. Flood forecasting and warnings are critical for preparation. I welcome that stage I of the national flood forecasting and warning service was completed in December 2023 and stage II is now under way, which is really important. It is critical that we are prepared and work on forecasting is done as soon as possible. This will focus on providing the flood warnings directly to communities and improving the detail and accuracy of forecasts. This work is being overseen by the Government's task force on emergency planning, which is really important. Unfortunately, the reality is that our climate is changing.”
“The OPW will be given the authority to procure equipment for local authorities to manage this, which is really welcome and a good move. I thank the Minister of State for that. Local authorities will also be given authority to start road repairs, and this is critical for those areas that have suffered damage. I have spoken to representatives and I have seen roads that were really affected. I also spoke to a lot of residents from affected areas. Again, we are looking at funding for this because we need to top up the normal road grant funding. The Minister of State has met with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, as I have, and all of these things are important. For communities awaiting major flood relief schemes, the Government has asked local authorities to identify all possible interim measures to reduce the risk of flooding.”