John Clendennen
Offaly · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I carried out a survey last year on foot of which 600 business owners highlighted the concerns they had around the future viability of their businesses. This has been built on by ISME, which found that 78% of respondents cited business costs as a big issue facing SMEs.”
“I have a number of asks. First, we need to look at the effectiveness of the local enterprise office, LEO, reporting to the local authority and Enterprise Ireland. There is a question there of effectiveness. I would also like to see the local authority leading out on enterprise parks to give opportunities for businesses.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter on the cumulative regulatory burden and the rising cost of doing business. It is certainly not an abstract issue. As someone born and raised in a family business, I am acutely aware of the challenges that many businesses face.”
“They are no different from newsagents or hardware stores where they are providing not just employment and economic activity but they are social anchors in our community as well. This scheme proposing a tax credit of €20 on every 50-litre keg of draft beer would be a huge tangible benefit to our local communities.”
“At that pace of increase in registration, we are going to see one of the strongest years ever in relation to company registrations. There is no doubt that Ireland is a great place to invest. We are seeing exceptional growth in artificial intelligence and digital technology, as well as pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.”
“It is Government recognition of the challenges and is very much welcomed, but we need to continue to address viability. When we look at some of the reports from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, in recent weeks, in which it has stated that more businesses need to consider switching, we note that this comes down to a lack of…”
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“It started in primary schools, with initiatives led by bodies like Midlands Ireland and Offaly County Council, and by individuals like Ray Bell in his work on STEM initiatives, such as VEX Robotics. Less than ten years ago, in Offaly, there was not one primary school engaging in any element of engineering in the curriculum. Today, we can proudly say that every primary school is competing in VEX Robotics. We have a situation where multiple schools every year are competing on a global stage at the VEX Robotics world championships. We need to invest in education and ensure that we invest in engineers for the future. That needs to continue right through from primary school to postgraduate.”
“We need to plan for tomorrow now. Essentially, what that will entail is reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. As for what we have done in Offaly, we have seen the development of a significant infrastructure of wind turbines, solar farms and battery storage. In January alone, with only 2% of the country's landmass, Offaly was the top generator of renewable energy in the country. Many speakers come into this Chamber and tell us what we should be doing as a country. Maybe they should take that message back to their own counties. Everyone should step up to the mark and follow the lead that we have taken as a county. That did not just happen on bogland or vast fields.”
“What we need to see is the CCPC being given more powers and resources to equip it with the necessary tools to address this as quickly as possible. I would like the message to go from here today that, regardless of the commentary from Fuels for Ireland, we need to see the prices reduce and be passed on as soon as possible at the pumps. Where we are today is a similar position to the one my county found itself in five or six years ago, when, overnight, a decision on a planning application showed that we could no longer rely on fossil fuels and carbon fuels. The Minister has visited County Offaly in recent times and has seen the progress we have made. That did not happen by accident. We took brave, ambitious and plan-led decisions at times when other counties decided not to because that was the easiest thing to do.”
“It does not dismantle the framework that ensures Ireland's strategic oil reserves remain robust and secure. Ultimately, the Bill is about being responsive and ensuring stability. It recognises the pressures facing our citizens by taking clear steps to ease them, while preserving our capacity to plan for tomorrow. Under NORA, we are obliged under EU law and International Energy Agency rules to hold at least 90 days' worth of oil imports in reserve. Many constituents who contacted me this morning expect the prices at the pump to reduce overnight. If some of these companies were half as smart in reducing the price as they were in increasing it, they would do a service to consumers today. It is irresponsible how they are behaving. We are seeing price gouging.”
“While we hope the conflict can be resolved, and hope for market stability to return, we simply do not know what the future holds. The Bill proposes a targeted and practical intervention, a temporary adjustment that reduces the levy for a defined period but also allows the flexibility for the Minister to extend it, should that be necessary. Today, we can directly lower the cost of fuel at a time when we need relief most. However, this is definitely not a long-term solution to energy challenges, nor does it replace the need for continued investment in sustainable and secure energy systems. If anything, these recent weeks and months have highlighted how important it is that we pursue long-term climate and energy goals and strive for more energy independence. The Bill maintains balance and provides relief now.”
“We have seen a rapid and sharp increase in the cost of fuel at the pumps, increased transportation costs and increased costs of home heating, all placing a real strain on our day-to-day expenses. This Bill is necessary as part of the suite of measures announced by the Government yesterday, measures that I support. I fundamentally believe they will help people as they go to work today and try to heat their homes, and will make a material difference from a Government perspective, considering the unpredictability that we talk about. The reduction in the NORA levy in the next two months will work alongside the reduction in excise duty, the expansion of the diesel rebate scheme and the extension of the fuel allowance. I support the element of flexibility provided by the Minister in the Bill.”
“I thank the Minister for his time here today. I welcome this legislation - the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) Bill - and its important and timely measures. It is being introduced in a moment of real pressure on households, businesses and our wider community, when we need a measured response. In recent months, as other speakers have alluded to, global energy markets have been significantly disrupted by conflict in the Middle East and the Gulf, a conflict I hope can be brought to an end. That is fundamentally the element of uncertainty here. When we wake up every day, we hope we will see the end of this conflict and we can bring some sort of normality back to our economies and the likes of our fuel prices. They are far beyond our shores, but nonetheless they have real consequences here at home.”
“Second, if we see prolonged conflict in the Middle East, will there be financial intervention from the Government or will it at least consider it as soon as possible?”
“Last week I submitted a paper to the Department of Tourism, Enterprise and Employment to protect customers, an equal playing field for businesses, to address bid rigging and to dismantle cartels. We saw the conflict that is taking over the Middle East at the weekend. We have seen the price of brent crude oil increase by 26% in global markets over the last 90 days and we have seen the same increase domestically of 50% to 60%. I welcome the expansion of the fuel allowance but despite that, there is economic anxiety about what is happening. Will we see greater powers for the CCPC to ensure there is timely conclusion to such actions and more impactful consequences when people are found guilty of malpractice?”
“I appreciate the Minister’s support in this regard. The objective is to get to a stage where there will be a call for expressions of interest and follow-through of this plan in order that surgical procedures will happen in Tullamore or elsewhere in the midlands. That is what we all have to aspire to. I acknowledge the Minister’s recent visit to the midlands regarding ongoing facility works, such as the hospice in Tullamore and the primary care centres in Tullamore and Banagher. Edenderry primary care centre is also in for planning permission at the moment. I recently visited Birr primary care centre, which the Minister visited when it was only a shell. It is now nearing completion. If the Minister has any update on the completion of those works and when GPs will move onto the site, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“Patients are seldom left on trolleys, but that is coming at the cost of elective care. This measure is very much welcome.”
“I thank the Minister. It is welcome news that we are looking at new elective capacity in the midlands. It is something I have raised here in the past in this Chamber. We have a situation where patients and carers are travelling to every corner of the country rather than the midlands for that surgery and medical care. It will assist in relation to providing better care and local care but also with congestion, not just on roads but in facilities in the likes of Dublin, where patients have had to come for so long. That will take a demand pressure away from those hospitals by bringing a new facility, new capacity and a new modern facility to the midlands. From my perspective, Tullamore is best suited to provide that facility. The performance ratings of the emergency department in Tullamore in particular are outstanding.”
“This morning I would like to ask for an update for a position regarding any analysis or action plan currently being considered in terms of additional healthcare capacity in Offaly and the midlands, particularly in relation to elective care capacity.”
“Where the banks have tried to turn their backs on this, we need to give that responsibility or an element of it to An Post. Moreover, from the perspective of our circular economy, the likes of Vinted, online sales and the level of shipping happening now mean there is no reason it should not have an opportunity where there have been closures. Kiosks, depots and transaction portals could be put back in place. I would also like to see a succession training plan for how someone can take up a post office when it is about to close. When will we have a year without the closures of a post office in this country? That should be a firm commitment from An Post.”
“It creates disruption and a lack of social interaction and cohesion, which is so important in all our communities. It impacts the local GAA club, the pub, the shop - whatever it is - in terms of that activity. I want to see how An Post moves forward, considering the strength it has today. It is a billion-euro business, so it is not all doom and gloom. There are proactive opportunities. It needs to be innovative. It has survived as the fittest in the face of the challenges. When other parcel networks have had to close due to financial challenges, An Post has picked up the slack. There is an element of innovation, but takeovers have also occurred. However, it cannot turn its back on rural Ireland, and there has to be a greater sense of involvement in the cash activity in our local communities.”
“This is a very important issue for rural Ireland in particular. In October 2024, in my own local village of Kinnitty, which has a few hundred people living there and a thousand-odd people in the parish, news broke that the postmistress, Breda Byrne, was retiring. We had a public meeting to try to see if somebody could take it on. We tried to get a shop to take it on, but there was a very deep wound we could not heal. A scar is going to be there for many years to come and it is leaving a void in local communities that is replicated across the country. We have seen the closure of 50% of post offices since the nineties and a halving of post offices in Offaly. When we compare the national trend versus with what is happening in our county, it is out of sync with the pace of closures in other counties.”
“There has to be an understanding as to how these reviews are continuously pushed out, thereby creating a level of uncertainty and a lack of predictability for schools, particularly in the context of temporary SNAs. We need to take this opportunity and use it effectively to create a new platform that will operate in the interests of all our students going forward.”
“This should go beyond looking at human resources and should focus on financial support as well. In recent days, I reached out to every school in County Offaly. The feedback I received was very constructive. They want to see a meaningful pathway forward to ensure that there is effectiveness. When a school like Dromakeenan National School tells me that it was waiting for a review and that this was cancelled at the last minute by the NCSE, or St. Manchan's National School in Tubber tells me that its allocation of SNAs was reduced from four to or Mercy Primary School in Birr indicates that it has been waiting a long time for an outcome, we have as questions about effectiveness of the NCSE and where that organisation stands in all of this. There has not been enough ongoing engagement between teachers, principals and the NCSE.”
“I will start by acknowledging the commitment of the Government to SNAs. Over €3 billion has been provided this year and there is a commitment to reach 26,000 SNAs by September. I also acknowledge all the other services and supports for education such as books, transport, uniforms or meals. The role of the SNA has evolved so much in recent years and now comes with a level of complexity around behavioural, emotional and social care needs. In reality, they go above and beyond every day, are vital in the running of the classroom and are a conduit between teachers and children. Regarding deciding the best way forward, we need a root-and-branch overhaul of our education system, how we provide education and the impact not just on a special needs child but on the rest of the class and the teacher.”
“It makes zero sense that a mason repair job of €10,000 on a boreen in the back-end of Offaly has to be referred to Dublin for approval. Give the money to the engineers. Challenge them at the end of the year to see if they spent it all and if projects came in under budget. Let us get more efficiency into the system.”
“I concur with Deputy Kelly in relation to roads and the condition they are currently in. Roads have taken an absolute pounding in recent months as a result of relentless bad weather. We received funding last week, which is very much welcome, but the pace of the provision of funding and the pace of deterioration are at two very different levels. Will the Government consider a special supplementary allocation in light of the level of damage that has been done? Damage has been done to roads the like of which I have never seen before. It is not just local county roads; it is all categories of roads. I ask that more discretion and autonomy be given to local engineers. There are far too many programmes that have to be referred to Dublin for approval.”
“I thank the Minister of State for that update. Where they are being assessed and availing of a service within the CDNT, generally the feedback is positive but where they are not, they are ending up in a private system and having to pay. Alternatively, they are ending up in the primary care system. Where there is complexity of need, more often than not the facilities and services they need with regard to the specialities may not be available through primary care. That ends up putting additional burden on the primary care setting. I appreciate the additional resources. It is an area we are going to have to continue to be focused on. We need to try and meet the needs of individuals who are waiting far too long and get to a position in the whole area of service with CDNTs that is proactive in this space and not reactive.”
“I congratulate the Minister of State on her new Ministry and I wish her the best of luck with it. I agree with her on the need for early intervention. At the end of the day, we need results. Children and their families cannot wait and critical windows of intervention can be missed, which ends up with complex cases becoming more complex. My concern relates to with families, who have seen a child diagnosed and put on a list. They are waiting for a CDNT and they are not getting that support. The longer that goes on, the larger this problem is becoming. I appreciate that additional resources are being applied and delays are being addressed, but I would like to see a level of accountability and efficiency in how these services are being improved and expanded with the additional resources that are being applied.”
“My question this morning is about referrals to children’s disability network teams, CDNTs. Will the Minister of State provide updates on staffing levels and vacancy rates across teams and how they are affecting services access for children?”
“Will the Taoiseach engage with the Commission in order to ensure that in the context of the next attestation later in the year, Edenderry will be specifically prioritised, particularly in view of the concerns that exist in the town.”
“The tragic deaths of Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell in an arson attack caused profound shock and concern across the community of Edenderry and beyond before Christmas. As the investigation continues, I have met with many members of the local community who want the opening hours of the Garda station to be extended and increased visibility of gardaí on the ground in the town. Last week, 168 new gardaí were attested. However, just two of these new officers were appointed to the Laois-Offaly division. Both were assigned to Portlaoise Garda station. I have constructively engaged with the Minister for justice and with the local gardaí. If we are going to apply adequate resources to Edenderry, it cannot result in an adverse impact on other parts of the county or across the division.”
“In December 2020, the west Offaly power station in Shannonbridge closed due to the failure to secure planning for transition to biomass. This left a financial void of €1.7 million per year from a commercial rates perspective. Thankfully the Government stepped in and has supported Offaly County Council ever since. However, that support is due to conclude at the end of 2026. Measures have been taken by Offaly County Council to try to fill the void but right now we need to be able to give certainty to the people of Offaly that there will be no impact on services as a result of this. I ask the Government to engage with officials from Offaly County Council and, rather than having a cliff-edge effect at the end of 2026, to consider a tapered reduction so that we can phase this out and mitigate the impact.”
“I am an advocate for cyclists and pedestrians but we need to be able to advocate, and more so in the future, for abnormal loads in order to serve and make the contributions we need to infrastructure development sites right across the country.”
“When we do that, however, we put obstacles in the way of abnormal loads and exceptional abnormal loads at a time when local authorities are reducing the weight limits and putting more barriers in place for companies that are trying to transport larger loads. This is only going to get worse because of modern methods of construction. I have seen it first hand in my constituency with Banagher concrete. What it is going to see, in essence, is that if these load restrictions continue, the product portfolio and options it will have will reduce and the cost of what it will have will increase, making it less affordable for people to actually build houses and infrastructure at a time when we need rates to be competitive. I ask the Minister of State to take that point on board. We need to deliver, deliver, deliver, and that needs co-ordination.”
“I certainly welcome this plan. It is very timely in terms of where we are as a country. There is a commitment from a multi-annual funding perspective, and it shows delivery, whether it be housing, energy, transport or water. In order to achieve delivery, however, we need co-ordination. I can give the Minister of State just one example of where modern methods of construction today are being used to reduce and mitigate the risk from a safety perspective on construction sites and also improve quality. What it is leading to are larger loads, yet we have a situation in the country where our emphasis is on supporting and investing in cycling and pedestrian pathways.”
“We want that capacity to be brought to the midlands and to take the pressure off the other areas. I propose that the Government look strongly now at forming some kind of dedicated stakeholder task force to work on the issue as a matter of urgency to ensure patients in the midlands who want and need elective surgery can get it in the midlands, and do so as a matter of urgency.”
“In 2018, A Trauma System for Ireland: Report of the Trauma Steering Group recognised Tullamore for its 24-7 emergency department with trauma, orthopaedic and general surgery on call. That is a strategically important location. As recently as July 2024, a report commissioned by the HSE exploring the options for increasing hospital capacities in the midlands identified the need. Yet, in the response this evening, there is no recognition of that. We are seeing population growth. We need to future-proof for it. It took 30 years to deliver the concept of primary care centres. The midlands and Offaly cannot wait 30 years for elective capacity to be brought there. We need to move away from a model under which we are expected to go to Dublin or Galway.”
“I appreciate the Minister of State's response but the options that will be given to patients in the midlands are in every geographical location around the country except the midlands and that is exactly what needs to change. Sláintecare commits to reducing waiting times, bringing care closer to home and regional delivery. We want to see all three delivered in the midlands. On a basic human level, behind every waiting list number is a person living in pain, struggling to work or watching their quality of life deteriorate. If you are living in the midlands or in Offaly you are expected to commute or get a train in order to avail of those services, and that is simply not acceptable in 2026.”
“We have seen insufficient protection of elective beds, underutilised theatres due to staffing and schedule constraints, high cancellation rates because of emergency demand, and elective surgery constantly crowded out, not because the need is not there but because emergency takes priority. We have seen increases as high as 48% and 27% in inpatient and day cases, respectively, as well as in endoscopy year on year. This is something that needs to be addressed by the Government as a matter of priority.”
“Midland Regional Hospital, under the stewardship of Louisea Burke, has proven itself to perform at every level, and there are plans for further development of dialysis, an oncology day ward and an extension to the existing emergency department. It proudly boasts one of the lowest emergency department trolley numbers in the country. I visited recently and saw this at first hand. The urgent need for an emergency department is backed by the fact that, in 2025 versus 2024, there was a 3% increase in ED attendees, with 9% of those being over 75 and 11% over 90. This is a bed capacity challenge which brings a significant increase in surge requirements and that is impacting on elective surgery.”
“We heard from many in opposition in this Chamber about how we were never going to see a GP again and services were lost. This has taken the pressure off but we need more. There are problems which remain and I hear about them regularly from my constituents. Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and chronic disease supports are seriously lacking. There are a number of vacancies in these roles that need to be filled as a matter of priority in my area. There are long waiting times and waits for assessment and intervention. People are literally waiting for years, so I ask the Government to prioritise this, working with the HSE. Elective surgery is a growing problem and the statistics speak for themselves.”
“I firmly believe it is an infrastructural development area that is not recognised half enough when it comes to the delivery we have seen in the area, with many more in the development pipeline. In my county we have seen Tullamore up and running. We officially opened Banagher Primary Care Centre with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill last year. Birr is nearing completion and I recently visited it. Edenderry is at the planning application stage and I hope, once we get approval on that, the HSE will prioritise it for development. We have the bricks and mortar and now it is a matter of ensuring adequate human resources capacity. I acknowledge Dr. Velma Harkins in relation to the introduction of the international medical graduate rural GP programme, which has made a material difference in relation to providing GPs in rural areas.”
“I am thankful for the opportunity to speak this evening. Before I start, I want to reflect on how far we have come as a nation in the last 25 years in relation to health. Our budget in 2000 was €5.6 billion and this year it is €27.4 billion, which is a fivefold increase. We see improved individual outcomes, economic growth with a healthier and more productive workforce, increased life expectancy and greater equity and social well-being across the population. However, multidisciplinary primary care was first discussed here as a concept in the 1980s. The first strategic plan, Primary Care: A New Direction, was introduced in 2001. We saw our first primary care centre nine years later in Mallow, and since then we have seen over 180 new primary care centres delivered nationwide.”
“Birr Men Together is a men's shed established in recent years. It is trying to find a permanent home. We made inquiries to the Department about an old weather station. We were told it is currently under consideration by a State body and is therefore not available for community use. The problem I see here is that this property has been lying idle since 2009. It has been idle and decaying. Now, when a community group takes an interest in it, that group is told that it is under consideration. Such situations are replicated across the country. Is there any way the Taoiseach can intervene to expedite this matter and to make such facilities available where communities can benefit from them to such a degree?”
“I ask the Minister and the wider Government to ensure there are further measures to make sure the viability of our micro-businesses in the best interests of our public good, our economic good and our social good.”
“I am very proud to come from a small village called Kinnitty where we have benefited significantly from multimillion euro investment in the public realm, public services and the development of the Slieve Bloom mountain bike trails. However, in the last 12 months, we have lost our post office and our last shop, which had served the community for decades. Thankfully, a 68-year-old man, Mr. Jodie Flaherty, has stepped into the breach to open a new shop. However, it is a reflection of the challenges in the market conditions and trading environment for micro-businesses in small villages right across the country. I appreciate the measures the Minister has introduced through, for example, the local enterprise office in terms of supports, but there is a concern around viability.”
“We also need to ensure that people who want to work later in life can do that and be rewarded for it, from a financial need or social well-being perspective. Those are initiatives that we need to look at as well.”
“One point in relation to funds is that the strength of deposits in Ireland on a domestic and international basis must be noted. The registration of auto-enrolment on 1 January is a big step forward. It is certainly welcome. Given the objective that it is set to achieve, it is going in the right direction. I have one ask. There is an element of apprehension, particularly among small businesses, about affordability and viability in this space. It is something we will have to monitor very closely in order to protect small businesses. I made the point at committee yesterday that there is now a situation where small businesses on high streets and in small villages are competing with multinational corporations. We need to get the balance right with regard to the demands. Nonetheless, it is definitely a worthwhile initiative.”
“I ask the Tánaiste to commit to publishing a clear, multi-annual demographic and fiscal strategy so we can continue to monitor this on an ongoing annual basis.”
“I agree with the Tánaiste that long-term forecasting models are very welcome. When we look at some of the measures we have introduced already, like the Future Ireland Fund and saving for days of pressing future financial demands, the question is whether we are doing it at a fast enough pace. Regularly, in this Chamber, we hear negative connotations and associations concerning migration. This report is very clear regarding our dependence on growing our labour force and economy, and who is going to play a vital role in ensuring that materialises. When we see a forecasted increase of 2.5 times in the old-age dependency rate in the next 40 years, it is startling to think of what we will have to do in this space in the coming years.”
“This week, Offaly County Council unanimously supported new hospice care for Offaly, clearly demonstrating an appetite for further healthcare provision in the county and in the region. Meanwhile, we need the same ambition now in elective surgery. We see people sitting in congestion on trains and in cars, while too many are also on waiting lists. We really need ambition now to ensure we increase that capacity. Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise has a proven track record in emergency care, but it is at the expense of elective surgery. We really need to see this delivered. I ask the Tánaiste to make sure the Government prioritises additional capacity for elective surgery in the midlands. It should bring the care to the midlands rather than patients going all over the country for it.”
“Will the Government consider reinstating the permanent forum for national representative groups advocating on behalf of licensed firearms users?”
“Licensed firearms, namely shotguns and rifles, have an important place in rural Ireland from their use in controlling vermin and predators to their use in protecting crops, livestock and poultry. Many of the groups representing licensed firearms users have expressed concerns about inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of firearms legislation. In 2016 a firearms consultative panel was established which brought together a number of groups including the Irish Farmers Association and the National Association of Regional Game Councils, but this panel has not met since 2019. It is my understanding that the Department is currently holding a series of meetings with individuals and experts. This is not the permanent forum for national representative groups that the leading organisations want.”
“At this stage, he is simply ignored by our sporting organisations in this country, with absolutely zero financial support in a sport that is demanding. His is a generational talent. He needs generational support. Will the Government please commit to supporting him?”
“Sport has a unique ability to lift the nation. In recent weeks, we have seen that first hand with what the boys in green achieved, reaching the next stages of qualification. That is replicated in golf, rugby and GAA. I acknowledge the Government investment in pathways, participation and high performance. Sport is a proven formula to provide success and joy right across society. However, a young man in my constituency, Alex Dunne, is on the cusp of greatness in Formula 1. He has several podium finishes. He is on the cusp of a bright career and his viewership is in the hundreds of millions weekly when he takes to the circuit. He is a generational talent, but because he is a generational talent, he falls between the frameworks that Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland provide.”