Jerry Buttimer
Cork South-Central · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Its priority is to provide scheduled public transport services on the TFI network. It works with event organisers, operators, local authorities and An Garda Síochána to provide additional transport supports where it is possible to do so.”
“I commit to relaying the points the Senator has made on the floor of the House, and has conveyed to me in private, to the Department of Transport. To be fair to the Senator, it was not only this morning that he has articulated this. The travelling supporters of Kerry and Mayo deserve additional transport.”
“I understand from the company that the Expressway team is currently examining whether additional services on route 22 will be added on the morning of Sunday, 26 July.”
“In this case, for Kerry and Mayo, as the Senator rightly said, it will see a high demand for scheduled and additional services. The Senator has outlined the volume of tickets sales. This is the busiest time for scheduled intercity services anyway, given that it is peak summer time, and that is a priority.”
“I understand from speaking to Irish Rail that it hopes to be in a position to confirm the number of additional services later this week - I am hoping this will be today or tomorrow - and it will advise customers as soon as these services are available to book.”
“The Senator mentioned Sneem and Ventry. He and I will remember our great friends, the late, great John Egan and Paudie O'Shea, as well as the Senator's brother Tim. I get emotional because they were great GAA people. Cork and Kerry have the best supporters of the GAA.”
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“The commission will notify the Minister of its findings arising from the environmental assessments and publish its reasoned conclusion and determination. Part 4 sets out the parameters around the making of an order by the Minister and that an order will be superseded by a planning decision on DAA's infrastructure application. Under section 24, the Minister is prohibited from making an order until the environmental assessments have been carried out. I understand from the Minister that this approach addresses concerns raised during pre-legislative scrutiny about the public being excluded from the process, with at least one period of public consultation in relation to the environmental impacts of making an order to take place.”
“Strict timelines have been included within the legislation and the commission will have 20 weeks to carry out the assessments and come to a reasoned conclusion in respect of the environmental impacts of making an order and a determination as to whether there will be an impact on the surrounding habitats. There is the ability to pause this timeline for a period of four weeks to allow for any requests for further information to be dealt with. The commission is encouraged, insofar as possible, to carry out these assessments jointly and to take all necessary steps to work in an expeditious manner, avoid any undue delays and ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to carry out its functions under the legislation within the timeframe provided.”
“Part 3, covering sections 8 to 23, inclusive, provides for the environmental impact assessment and appropriate assessment that will be undertaken independently of the Minister. An Coimisiún Pleanála will carry out the assessments under the habitats directive and under the environmental impact assessment directive, which will include consideration of compliance with the water framework directive. As part of these assessments, the commission will publish the material for the assessments and undertake a public consultation for a period of 30 days. There is provision for a further 30-day public consultation should the commission seek and receive further information of a substantial nature.”
“Such directions may also specify the period and form in which information should be provided and DAA has a legal obligation to comply with such a direction. Part 2 provides that DAA may make an application for the making of an order under the legislation. That application from DAA will propose the manner in which the passenger cap is to be amended or revoked, reasons for the application and a summary of any environmental impacts. The application will be considered by the Minister, who may consult any person he considers appropriate. If the Minister is satisfied that there is justification to make an order, he will notify DAA of his intention to do so and direct it to prepare an environmental impact assessment report and a Natura impact statement. The Minister has the power to accept, vary or refuse an application from DAA.”
“This definition makes it clear that the power to make an order relates solely to a planning condition that limits the number of passengers who use Dublin Airport for the purpose of travelling by air to or from another airport in any period. I understand from the Minister that this definition addresses concerns raised during pre-legislative scrutiny that the power being provided to amend any planning condition in the general scheme was too broad. Under section 6 of this Part, the Minister has a general power of direction to DAA for any purpose related to this Bill. That power may be used to procure information from DAA in relation to an application, to ensure the preparation and submission of appropriate reports relating to the environmental assessments or to initiate the application process.”
“This decision will be incorporated into the planning decision by Fingal County Council, which is expected shortly thereafter. It is likely that any planning decision by Fingal County Council may then be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála and may also be subject to judicial review. This further highlights the need to address the passenger cap by way of a legislative solution to ensure clarity for all stakeholders and to ensure that connectivity to and from our country is not undermined. I will now take Members through the main provisions of the Bill that will empower the Minister for Transport to make an order to amend or revoke the passenger cap planning condition. Under Part 1, the first thing I wish to draw attention to is the definition of "passenger capacity condition" under section 2.”
“DAA submitted its infrastructure application to the relevant planning authority, Fingal County Council, in December 2023, seeking to increase the passenger cap to 40 million passengers per annum and seeking permission for the development of a suite of infrastructure projects at the airport to facilitate growth. This planning application is currently under consideration by Fingal County Council. As part of the process in place for development at the airport since the enactment of the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019, a draft noise-related regulatory decision was published by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority, ANCA, in May and is currently subject to a public consultation. A final regulatory decision in relation to the noise aspect of this planning application is expected later this year.”
“The 32 million passenger cap is a legacy planning condition that was imposed by An Bord Pleanála, as it was known then, when granting permission for terminal 2 in 2007 and extension works at terminal 1 in 2008. The condition was put in place primarily to address surface access constraints at the time. However, there have been significant upgrades in the road access and public transport offerings to and from the airport since that time. Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport and it is its responsibility to engage with the relevant planning authorities to ensure that planning permission is in place to facilitate the development of the airport.”
“As such, there are a number of recognised risks around the passenger cap planning condition remaining in place. First, if enforced, it would result in an immediate cut of over 4 million passengers per annum, impacting existing connectivity and employment at the airport and in the wider aviation sector. Second, it would stifle continued growth, undermine our ambitious hub strategy for the airport and negatively impact the tourism, trade and business aspects of our economy. As Members know, airlines need certainty to plan future schedules and the continued existence of the cap creates only uncertainty, which can be expected to continue to affect the choices that airlines will make about serving the airport. There is a serious risk of reputational damage for Ireland if capacity is restricted at our major and main international gateway.”
“I thank the committee members, and the Chairperson, Deputy Michael Murphy, for their work. The committee held several hearings to ensure that the views of all interested parties were heard. I and the Minister have taken on board the recommendations of the committee insofar as possible in finalising the text of the Bill. In drafting this legislative intervention, the Minister has taken the views of all of these stakeholders into account. I understand he also obtained extensive legal advice throughout the drafting of the legislation and is satisfied that the Bill will allow for the continued sustainable development of Dublin Airport while balancing the rights of local residents with the objectives of Ireland's national aviation policy and the needs of business and tourism. Over 36 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in 2025.”
“As an island nation, we cannot ignore the strategic importance of Dublin Airport to our economy and the serious harm that would be caused to the economy of the State, our international connectivity or the international reputation of the State by failing to be in a position to facilitate not only future growth but the current level of passengers and cargo at our main international gateway. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, has advised me that he has met a wide variety of stakeholders over the past 18 months, including local residents, airlines, business groups and industry regulators in relation to the passenger cap planning condition. The general scheme of the Bill has been scrutinised by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, which received a considerable number of submissions from a wide range of stakeholders.”
“I am pleased to introduce the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 for the consideration of the House on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. As Senators know, the main purpose of the Bill is to address the passenger cap planning condition at Dublin Airport. The importance of addressing the passenger cap and its effects on Dublin Airport is recognised in the programme for Government, which includes a clear commitment to work with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as soon as possible.”
“It is the quickest, most convenient and most cost-effective way to apply for passports. I encourage everybody watching and listening to apply online and to make sure their passport is in order. I thank the Senator for raising the matter this morning.”
“As the Senator rightly said, passports are an important issue for not just Members of the Oireachtas but for citizens as well. As we are in the summer holiday period, it is important to reiterate the message about applying for the passport in time. As I said, as part of the passport reform programme, an opt-in passport reminder will be introduced next year. This will allow all citizens renewing or applying for a passport to opt in to receive electronic passport expiry reminders. I encourage anybody listening or watching at home if they are travelling abroad, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of the passport before booking travel and to apply online and in plenty of time. Passport online is the best option for all of our citizens.”
“I hope the point the Senator made was encompassed in that. It is important that people get a reminder and a prompt. As she rightly said, it is about making it easier for people to get access to what is a cherished document. In particular, I would be all for making it easier for first-time applicants, mainly children. I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. I also thank the Passport Office staff who do extraordinary work in very pressurised circumstances. We are all genuinely beholden to them and we send them our best wishes.”
“Along with other upgrades to the passport service's systems, next year citizens applying for a passport for the first time or renewing their passport will be able to opt in to receive electronic communications, including passport expiry reminder notices, from the passport service. This service will be opt-in for several reasons. The Department has a statutory obligation from a data protection perspective to only use personal data, which may include home addresses or email addresses where it is satisfied the data is accurate and up to date. It would, therefore, be precluded from automatically using addresses used for the dispatch of passports ten years ago. Unlike car tax or travel insurance, adult passports expire after ten years and individuals’ circumstances or contact details may have changed in the interim.”
“The passport service's programme of reform will continue throughout 2026 and next year, with the delivery of several highly complex and transformational projects that are necessary to future-proof service delivery, enhance the customer experience, ensure business continuity, and safeguard the integrity of the passport. As we have said, the Irish passport is a very cherished document. Successful delivery of these projects will ensure that Ireland remains at the forefront of passport processing worldwide. Last Friday, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, launched a redesigned and modernised new Irish passport book and card. This project has also encompassed the replacement of high-security printing machinery required for passport personalisation.”
“This year's campaign focused on driving awareness among citizens, particularly parents of newborns - as we know getting a first passport is a very lengthy process - and young children, that passport online is the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to apply for a passport. In recent years, the successful campaign in December and January has been highly effective in motivating citizens to apply in the early part of the year, well ahead of the busy summer travel season. The passport online service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is available to citizens all over the world. The advice this morning is for people to check their passport well in advance of travel.”
“The passport service continually works to enhance the service and provide efficiencies for customers under the passport reform programme. The passport service, and indeed the Ministers in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, take every opportunity, as we do this morning, to remind citizens to check their passport validity. Each year the passport service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the year ahead. Part of this involves an extensive public communications campaign to encourage citizens to apply, through passport online, in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel.”
“I thank Senator Nelson Murray for raising the matter this morning. At the beginning it is important to thank the staff in the Passport Office both in Dublin and Cork for their courtesy, professionalism and patience. I also thank the staff in the Minister, Deputy McEntee's, office. As the Senator rightly said, the most frustrating part of the summer season is the demand for passports as many of our fellow citizens prepare to travel. It can happen that people suddenly discover the passport is out of date or not in order, which leads to panic. I would strongly support the Senator's suggestion. As the Senator knows, the Government has invested considerably in modernising, improving and protecting the Irish passport, along with the environment and systems that underpin service delivery for citizens.”
“We will work at European level to ensure that investment is targeted at local priorities and in the work we are doing. I have made the following point to many people in different forums. Without what we are talking about his morning, SICAP, LEADER, CLÁR or whatever else, we, as a world, are in big trouble. It is our job to continue to fight for those programmes and we will do so. I thank the Senators for raising the matter. I cannot give them certainty regarding the budgetary process for the allocations of money because that has not started yet. I assure them that both the Minister and I will do the very best we can to ensure the funding allocations continue to be where they are today.”
“I thank both Members for raising the matter. All of us in the House share an ambition regarding SICAP and LEADER. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I are committed to ensuring that we have a well-funded CAP that does not just support farm resilience and environmental ambition but also strongly invests in rural Ireland. I am acutely aware of the challenges that remain and are faced across many parts of our country. Senator Cosgrove mentioned the north west. In the programme for Government, we have a firm commitment around the whole allocation of SICAP funding. We are now living in a different world. That is the sad part. It is the battle that we must fight within Europe to ensure that money is not spent disproportionately. We must spend it on people in a different way that has real and tangible benefits.”
“Last year, we secured an extra €1.5 million in the budget, which brought the increase in funding to SICAP since 2022 to €11.3 million. That means we have in excess of €50 million to be spent. I will come back in a moment to the other points in my reply.”
“These negotiations are expected to continue through Ireland's term of office as the President of the Council of the European Union. I assure both Senators and all Members of the House that our Department, the Minister and I will continue to engage directly with our European colleagues and the Commission to ensure that the LEADER programme continues to be well funded into the future. The Senators also mentioned SICAP, which is our primary national social inclusion programme. It is doing huge work. Without it, look at the levels of poverty we would have and the exclusion, rather than inclusion, we would have. We would have inequality rather than equality. We are supporting disadvantaged people and communities. I pay tribute to local development companies for their work. SICAP funding is part of the budgetary Estimates process.”
“I appreciate and acknowledge contributions made by the Senators, and those many members of my own party and others have made, to the effect that the changes are causing uncertainty. I get it, as I travel the country the whole time. As part of the ongoing negotiation process - I have travelled to Poznań in Poland and the Minister, Deputy Calleary, has been at the Council of Ministers meeting - our Department has consistently emphasised at every opportunity the importance of a ring-fenced allocation for the LEADER programme to ensure that the post-2027 programme can continue its vital role in supporting rural communities across our country. As the Senators will understand, there are many details that remain to be finalised as part of the negotiation process to put the regulations in place and discussions at a detailed level are continuing.”
“Under the current four-year LEADER programme, €180 million is available to rural communities across our country. To date, local action groups have approved over 1,300 projects, valued at over €64 million. I look forward, with the Minister, to seeing those projects come to fruition across the country in the coming months and years. As the Senators rightly said, LEADER is funded under the CAP and, therefore, the development of the EU regulations relating to the post-2027 CAP and the new national and regional partnership plan is a matter of significant importance to our Department and to the Minister and me. Within the draft regulations, the continuation of the LEADER programme as a CAP intervention is welcomed.”
“I share the regard of the Senators for the extraordinary, Trojan work being done. It is about strengthening, empowering and enabling communities and, in particular, new, diverse and inclusive communities across our country. The Minister and I have worked hand in glove on this matter. We have seen across the country, as the Senators know well, the real and tangible benefits that are being delivered. Elected representatives in this House know the work being done. We see it in our own areas but we also see it across the country. The LEADER programme has been at the heart of the development of rural Ireland for the past 35 years. It is the key element of our Department’s rural development investment programme. Both the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I are committed in the budgetary process to keeping that momentum going.”
“I thank the Senators for raising this important matter. I am not going to reveal the budgetary process because we have not yet got to that point. The point made by Senator Cosgrove in the context of spending on military alliances and defence has happened across Europe. It is something to which we cannot close our eyes, in particular on the eastern flank. As the Taoiseach said in the Dáil yesterday, we are a peripheral nation that is a bit removed from what is happening with Russia. Having said that, I will also say that last year in our Department, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I secured a record €11 million in the budget for SICAP and the LEADER programme, which are two of the key interventions delivered as part of the ongoing Government investment in our communities.”
“It is about an implementation plan or a roadmap to ensure the new network, in Limerick, in Deputy Quinlivan’s case, is not only being worked on but that new services that can be rolled out incrementally on new routes will be delivered. It is also about staffing and resources being available, particularly drivers. Deputy Ó Laoghaire, who is seated behind Deputy Quinlivan, will know that in Cork we have an issue with staffing in the context of mechanics and drivers. I will certainly bring Deputy Quinlivan’s remarks back to the Minister. I again thank him for raising the matter.”
“It was the issue of the 303 route that he highlighted most, and I will bring that back. Limerick has been leading the way in some of the areas including electrified buses. It has 61 zero-emission buses. The detailed NDP later this year will outline in more detail the aspects of BusConnects Limerick that will be advanced in the funding to 2030. I will take the points the Deputy has made today back to the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and to the NTA. It was the issue of the 303 that he highlighted most and I will bring that back. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle referred to bus services in Kilkenny at Question Time last week. People want to use public transport. We have provided it. The Ministers in the Department work with the NTA.”
“It is about ensuring that the have shorter waits and more direct routes and about making the network simpler, with a schedule that meets demand. It is also about the out-of-hours time, as the Deputy said, and about having additional services available, whether that is at weekends or in the evening. As Minister of State with responsibility for rural transport, I have seen the success of rural transport. People will use it if it is provided. Limerick has been leading the way in some areas, including in the context of electric buses. It has 61 zero-emission buses. The NDP to be issued later this year will outline in more detail the aspects of BusConnects Limerick that will be advanced in the period to 2030. I will take the points the Deputy has made back to the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and the NTA.”
“The Deputy is correct. Bus services need to be safe, reliable and accessible. I will take the points he made about the areas he mentioned back to the Minister. The Deputy referred to active travel. There needs to be collaboration between the NTA and the city and county council with regard to the issue to which he referred, particularly in the context of safety. If we are doing active travel, it makes no sense for it not to be safe for road users, pedestrians and, in particular, bus users. I take the Deputy’s point in that regard and commend him on the work he has done. The ambition is that there will be a 70% increase in bus services in Limerick. It is about accessibility. I genuinely believe that those who offer bus services across the country do not discriminate on the basis of eircodes or people's location.”
“Other rail interventions include increasing the frequency of services on the Ballybrophy line to up to two trains per hour, double-tracking the line from Limerick Junction to Colbert Station and upgrading Colbert Station, a project that was successfully completed in November 2024. People are now benefiting from the improved facilities at the station, including the new car park, ticketing facilities, bus concourse and set-down area. The NDP sectoral plan also contains an allocation funding for the delivery of a number of priority rail projects by 2030. I will pass that back to the Deputy, particularly as has received a copy of the Department's response. I will take the Deputy's points regarding the areas he mentioned back to the Minister. I again thank him for raising this very important matter.”
“This report will set out the latest position across the programme, including developments in relation to network redesign, infrastructure delivery and overall programme progress. In addition to bus-based improvements, the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy also recommends a number of improvements to rail infrastructure, including a new rail station at Moyross. Planning permission for this station was received from Limerick City and County Council in October 2025. The project has progressed into the detailed design phase, with procurement preparations under way. It is currently planned to commence construction later this year.”
“Limerick is the first city in Ireland with a fully electrified bus service, with two phases of charger installation works coming on stream at Roxboro bus depot during 2024 and 61 zero-emission buses in active service today. Regarding future phases of BusConnects Limerick, and the BusConnects programmes across the cities more generally, the NTA will publish its detailed national development plan implementation plan later this year, which will set out the elements of the programme to be progressed in the coming years within available funding to 2030. This follows on from the publication of the national development plan, NDP, sectoral investment plan by the Department of Transport last November, and the publication of the NDP review last July. In addition, the NTA is also preparing a BusConnects programme progress report.”
“The redesign of the bus network is one of the nine key elements of BusConnects Limerick that aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful and accessible to more people. I take the Deputy's point that not everybody has a car. People should not have to own cars, particularly in cities like Limerick or Cork. The new bus network will enable more people to avail of public transport resulting in increased access to a greater number of schools and workplaces across Limerick city. Limerick is a college city. That is part of the whole network system. Overall, 41% of residents will live within 400 metres of a high frequency bus route, running every 15 minutes or better.”
“I take on board some of the comments the Deputy made about Limerick being made liveable in the context of the redesign of the city centre. The latter includes the development of the bus system and the Limerick BusConnects programme. It is fair to say that good progress has been made in delivering the strategy, including BusConnects Limerick. In 2023, the NTA carried out an extensive review of the Limerick bus network. This review was conducted in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Bus Éireann, and was supported by the specialised expertise of the transport system designers Jarrett Walker and Associates. Following public consultation, the NTA published its final new bus network for Limerick in December 2023.”
“I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I commend the Deputy on raising the matter because it gives us the opportunity to provide an update on BusConnects in Limerick. I will take this opportunity to highlight some sustainable mobility developments in Limerick more generally. I will bring the comments the Deputy made regarding the gaps and deficits, as he sees them, in the service back to the Minister and the Department. The Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy has been developed by the NTA in the context of delivering an accessible, integrated transport network that will enable the sustainable growth of Limerick up to 2040.”
“We have seen an increase in the number of licences being granted and we are working to ensure the low numbers reached during Covid are increased. The bottom line is that it will take advocacy from people like the Senator, who has been a champion and leader in this area. It will take the Department, with the NTA, local councils and the hospitality sector, to drive this. It is an important issue but we have made changes. It is also a business decision. I hope we can get more people involved. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I will work with her to ensure more road users avail of hackneys and taxis.”
“In the context of a timeframe, the NTA is currently reviewing the dispatch licensing regulatory framework and it hopes to have new regulations prepared by quarter 4. As the Senator said, we have a lot done and we have more to do. We have given a variety of grants, through the NTA, to drivers looking to upgrade and purchase new vehicles. As I said on the local area hackney regulations, we have changed that model of delivery just this year. There is a whole new suite of proposals. We hope this will ensure more people will come into the industry and that we will have people being able to go to a concert or go out at night-time and avoid the temptation to drink and drive, which we cannot allow people to do.”
“We are working to address it and I look forward to working with her further to ensure we have more taxis and hackneys in rural areas in particular.”
“LAH drivers must be licensed but their vehicles, which are not required to be wheelchair accessible, must also be licensed and insured. In April of this year, we introduced new regulations to increase the uptake in this special licence category and to address a 2025 programme for Government commitment to collaborate with the NTA to improve local taxi service provision. There are new regulations allowing for up to five drivers to operate a licence. Second, licences will be granted where local communities can demonstrate a real need in transport that is not being adequately met. Also, the maximum licence period has been extended from three years to five years. The Senator is right that there is a lacuna.”
“This includes a special rate for the weekend peak, from Friday night into Saturday morning and Saturday night into Sunday morning. In addition, there are also grants available for SPSV operators looking to upgrade or purchase new vehicles. These are funded by the Department of Transport and administered by the NTA. From a rural perspective, as the Senator correctly said, the NTA issues local area hackney, LAH, licences, where applicants can show there is a need, and this can be done as a part-time service. A resident of an area in respect of which the LAH licence is sought is not now required to undertake the industry knowledge or area knowledge tests that are normally required when applying for these licences.”
“The Department is working with the NTA to ensure we improve accessibility, which the Senator rightly highlighted, and we have been making changes. We have been examining how to make it easier to operate a licensed vehicle. I will not give the historical figures because they are not important in this discussion. What is important are the valid points the Senator made. The NTA has taken steps to support taxi drivers nationwide and to increase the number taxis available. We have extended the period that licences can rest in inactive status, that is, expired, from 12 months to 24 months. That is now a permanent situation. In addition, we have introduced a 9% increase in the national maximum taxi fare, which took effect from 1 December 2024, and we have also introduced the 2024 fares order, which is currently under review.”
“As the Minister of State with responsibility for rural transport, I am acutely aware of the needs that the Senator highlighted and I thank her for raising the matter. As she knows, the Minister does not have day-to-day responsibility for taxis. It is the National Transport Authority, NTA. While the NTA has statutory responsibility for the regulation, licensing and enforcement of the small public service vehicle, SPSV, industry, taxi drivers are self-employed. The Senator, however, is correct. The number of licensed SPSV drivers declined during Covid-19. However, in the two-year period up to 2026, the number of taxi drivers increased by 12%, or 3,096, to 28,327. Senator Murphy O'Mahony is right that driver numbers were at their lowest in May 2022, and this presents a difficulty.”
“We will not mention football after last Saturday. We have the hurling next Sunday against Senator Murphy's team. I want to mention to Senator McCarthy to mind the front gate and keep it painted. It is very important. I welcome Fr. Aquin as well. He is a good friend of mine since 1984. It is a great day to be in the Seanad to welcome a great group from Cork. For anyone who has not been in Cork, the Ballyphehane Day Care Centre is a phenomenal place that does great work. As they also do in Mayfield. I taught in Ballyphehane and know the ladies well. I thank the Senator for her very important topic. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. As the Senator knows, there is a big issue regarding rural transport in terms of connectivity.”
“I will have to bring the Acting Chair to Cork for some placename appreciation. I join with the Acting Chair in first welcoming Fr. Aquin Casey and Sr. Carmel. What the Acting Chair does not know is that Fr. Aquin was in my class in college. I also welcome the ladies from Ballyphehane Day Care Centre. It is a phenomenal centre in Cork city. It does huge work. I also welcome the ladies from Ballyvolane and the members from the Mayfield Chit Chat group. I have a number of past pupils in the group. All of the guests are very welcome - Corcaigh abú.”
“As we have said, Pride is a day of celebration and protest. It is a day to be enjoyed and to walk with pride. To everyone, I say "Thank you". Gabhaim míle buíochas, a Cheann Comhairle, for your leadership.”
“As a former seminarian and someone with a degree in theology, I hope they do so because language and words matter. I also pay tribute to Kate Moynihan, who has retired as the chief executive of LINQ in Cork. A Kerry woman living and working in Cork, she did huge work building an inclusive and empowering society for women and all of us in the community. I thank her and wish her well in her retirement. As we head towards Pride at the weekend, the flying of the rainbow flag is about visibility. It shows that we have come from Stonewall, where oppression was the order of the day, to liberation today. To the Members of the House and staff, thank you. To our friends watching and listening at home, have a good Pride. Without our friends in the Gallery, who have worked so hard and are working every day, we would be a poorer society.”
“What we have or do not have is not the point. The issue is equality in the treatment of people. I hope the families EDIT represents will see a change in the policy around inheritance tax. Reflecting on today, the theme of love, acceptance and inclusion has come across very much. I will single out two people before I conclude. Bishop Paul Colton has retired as the Church of Ireland bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. At a time when it was not popular, he led. He brought people and his church along. Deputy Carthy made reference to the church earlier and I think he may have been reflecting on the leadership of the Catholic Church. Bishop Colton made a hugely positive contribution. I ask all of the churches to reflect upon their attitudes and doctrines.”