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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“We need measures that send a clear signal that while Ireland welcomes those who contribute positively to our economy and our society, we simply will not tolerate those who abuse our hospitality or endanger our citizens. Will the Government commit to ensuring that foreign nationals, including EU citizens, who serve prison sentences for serious offences in Ireland are deported to their home countries immediately upon the completion of their sentences?”
“On 12 January 2022, which will forever remain one of the darkest days in the history of County Offaly and indeed Ireland, a young woman, Ashling Murphy, had her life taken in the most brutal and senseless way in the cold light of day. Since this House last sat on 22 October, the courts have delivered their verdicts and sentences. However, there remains a deep sense of unease and dismay among many that the punishment did not reflect the gravity of the crime. Ireland is and must always remain an open and welcoming country, a place of compassion, fairness and opportunity. However, that openness does not come at the expense of safety.”
“I appreciate the work the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers, have done. For anyone who debates this with me, we need to be mindful that this is the first budget of five. It is the first chapter of a five-chapter book. It is important in the years ahead that we continue that delivery around infrastructure, housing and all those important elements but also that we look after workers. It is essential that in the budgets ahead there be an element of recognition from an income tax perspective. I have had many discussions with the Minister on that. I am sure he is committed to it, but I just wanted to put that on the record.”
“It is important that we look at ways and means we can provide to tap into those savings. It would essentially be cheap capital for the State, a secure investment for households and, possibly, a guaranteed return. I ask the Minister to explore that. Just transition has been very difficult in my county. We lost Shannonbridge power station essentially overnight, with a grant to compensate for the loss of associated commercial rates to the amount of €1.7 million for the local authority annually. I ask that the Minister commit to that again for 2026 and that we can start exploratory talks about how to continue it, not necessarily for 2027, 2028 and 2029, but we need to figure out how we can phase it out rather than going from €1.7 million to zero over the years ahead. Overall, I welcome the budget.”
“I welcome the Minister's announcement in the budget about an action plan to reform Ireland's tax regime for interest, but we need to figure out whether we can tap into this by some means. As regards green investment or green bonds, it is fair to say that not everybody is convinced that renewables are the way forward. Maybe we need to look at some sort of initiative whereby we can give people buy-in to what is essentially a future. I talked at the outset about grid infrastructure. We have to expedite delivery in that area. We talk about energy bills and the cost of energy. The reality is an overreliance on gas. We have the opportunity to overcome that through onshore wind, offshore wind, solar and battery storage, but it also needs investment in our grid.”
“I do not think the fact that we have just delivered on the VAT rate of 9% is the end of it now; we have to continue to engage with these sectors. I know the likes of small pubs will have lobbied considerably for something around excise, but we need to look at this now on a case-by-case basis as to how we can tailor some sort of initiative for sectors. I fully appreciate, in relation to the likes of the increased cost of business grant, that this had to be done on a broad level rather than bringing the knife down somewhere, with people on the right side and people on the wrong side of a decision, which provides uncertainty at a time when we need predictability. There is so much on deposit. Deputy Currie has touched on this. Between overseas and household savings, we are looking at in excess of €200 billion.”
“The Minister brought in a VAT rate of 9% for hospitality and hairdressers. I come from a pub in a small rural village. I have heard some of the commentary that this will close down, it will be a wipe out and so on. I do not necessarily agree. I think it will lead to difficult decisions. People in the industry are looking forward to July 2026, when they will get a level of respite. There is concern about the cost of labour and auto-enrolment, which will come into force in January, but I do not think they will close. I do think they will make difficult decisions. They might leave one shift off the roster, work later into the evening themselves or cut their own wages. It is important that we and the Government ensure that measures around energy, insurance and labour are continually monitored.”
“They are both targeted and will support those who are most hard pressed. I would say there is not a Member of this House who did not meet a schoolteacher or a principal in the lead-up to the budget or during the election campaign who did not talk about capitation in schools. We have delivered on that and we need to build on it over the years ahead. Carers play such an important role in our society. They are priceless in many regards, and increasing eligibility to ensure that more people can apply must be continued in the budgets ahead. We must continue on that trajectory also in relation to school meals, the clothing and footwear allowance and schoolbooks, again providing support where it is needed most. When I listen to some of the commentary that this was a budget for the rich or the elite, I really wonder where some people are living.”
“The easiest thing is to spend money, but he has proven, as per his reputation, that when we have had shocks we have been ready for them. Looking at what happened in relation to the Covid pandemic, we invested €48 billion in our country, in our workers and in our businesses to ensure we could spring forward. It is very important that this does not come from current spending. We have seen this happen in other jurisdictions. We have to get the message out there that we need to be prepared for such future challenges rather than just going straight to the profit and loss of the country or to the Exchequer to support them. In terms of those who are hard pressed, I welcome the measures the Minister has taken in relation to the fuel allowance and the VAT rate of 9% on energy bills.”
“As we go forward in year one of this new Government, his focus on infrastructure and on those in society who are hard pressed is welcome. There is a regular emphasis in this Chamber on housing, energy and water, but we cannot forget about civic society in terms of the wraparound services in education, healthcare, recreational amenities and so on. It is very important in any conversation we frame that we talk about the billions of euro around housing, wastewater, the energy grid and so on, but we need to ensure that we are also having a conversation about increasing the pace of delivery around all those other services and that we continue to control the controllables, which the Minister has done. I acknowledge the difficult decision he has taken in relation to the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.”
“I thank the Minister for the work he and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, have done over recent weeks and months in relation to this budget but also the work the Minister has done since 2017 when he took office in the Department of Finance. The certainty he has brought to the country and to the economy cannot be taken for granted. I am very conscious that when it comes to budget time, there are no easy decisions and budgets are about choices. At a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, we cannot simply take our economy for granted. With some of the commentary I hear in debates in this Chamber, I feel like there is a money tree or an open chequebook. The prudence the Minister has brought to our budgets is welcome and necessary.”
“He is dedicated to serving the people of Ireland. I have full confidence in his leadership and ability to continue delivering for our citizens.”
“As a new TD, I am proud to represent the people of Offaly. Little did I think that less than 12 months into this Dáil term, we would be faced with the need for a confidence motion of this nature. It seems that some Opposition Deputies have more of a problem with democracy than with Government policy. What really transforms the lives of people in this country are not Opposition headlines or political stunts on the eve of elections but Government policies and sustained increased investment in housing, healthcare, education and the future of rural communities. I know there is a good chance I would not be in this Chamber today if it was not for the encouragement and commitment to public life that the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, has shown time and again. He has proven himself with dignity, respect and, above all, hard work.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí agus múinteoirí ó Choláiste Naomh Cormac i mo Dháilcheantar Uíbh Fhailí. There is a concerning trend of anecdotal examples of cloud infrastructure firms choosing overseas locations instead of Ireland for new investments at a time when the sector is frustratingly awaiting the publication of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, policy paper on large energy user grid connections. I fully acknowledge the Government's efforts to expedite infrastructural development but stakeholders across Offaly, the midlands, and nationally need clarity on this urgently to plan new investments. Could the Taoiseach confirm when the CRU will finalise and publish this policy? Will the Government ensure it is expedited to give certainty to employers and communities relying on these decisions at the earliest opportunity?”
“When it comes to protecting jobs, I ask the Minister to strongly consider, along with his Cabinet colleagues, introducing the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector in the upcoming budget. The Minister spoke about the kitchen tables to boardroom tables where decisions were made. Small businesses need help. A VAT rate of 9% is an important stimulus in that regard. To look at the figures, there are 20,000 companies with 200,000 employees. Of those companies, 76% have fewer than ten employees and another 20% have fewer than 50. This will target over 95% of businesses in every town and village, ensuring economic and social well-being and community benefit, whether through the coffee shop, restaurant or other small businesses. I urge the Minister and his colleagues to ensure the 9% VAT rate is part of budget 2026.”
“More often than not, small businesses go to local enterprise offices, are offered mentoring and so on but when they want a small few euro to expand their business, considering the pressures of operational costs are too much, they are ineligible for grants. I ask the Minister to consider broadening grant eligibility to ensure businesses can continue to progress, create further employment and protect jobs.”
“I thank the Minister. I welcome the cost of business advisory forum. Over the summer, I conducted a survey with over 600 respondents. A key finding was that over two thirds of SMEs that engaged in the survey were uncertain about the future and lacked the confidence we need to ensure they have. Other key findings were around easing the cost of labour pressure, cutting energy costs, tackling insurance reform and reducing the tax burden. When it comes to competitiveness in particular, local enterprise offices have a greater role to play. I ask the Minister to look at a review of the role local enterprise offices can play.”
“Apologies for my punctuality. I acknowledge the work the Minister has done in relation to small businesses, especially the establishment of the small enterprise unit within his Department and the National Enterprise Hub. I ask the Minister to provide an update on the steps he is taking to reduce the cost of business.”
“We should consider a national scheme where there is free insulation, supported by an SEAI grant, with microgeneration actually funding the installers to the stage where it is paid for. The homeowner will get immediate benefit and will get the transfer of ownership once the full payment has been made. That is a measure we need to introduce for our elderly because right now, it is simply neither feasible or viable to invest in retrofitting.”
“For anyone to make a decision on a loan, he or she will consider three key, fundamental points. These are the interest rate, affordability and the loan term. That really determines whether it is feasible or viable. There is one particular cohort, which is our elderly, where the term of the loan may not make sense for them. There is a body of work to do on energy poverty and climate action. I would like to see HVO and wood pellets recognised as an intermediate measure. I mentioned the gap between peat fuel and heat pumps and I believe the likes of HVO and wood pellets should be recognised. There is also an immediate, easy fix, with no disruption to elderly people, through solar panels.”
“Whether it is turf fuel or oil boilers the gap between those and heat pumps is significant and there is a body of work to be done to bridge that gap.”
“I thank the Minister of State and welcome the progress made. I agree with him on the sentiments around interest rates and the take-up. The demand for retrofitting is definitely rising but we need to monitor the correlation of draw-downs versus retrofit. There is a body of work to be done here where there is essentially cash investment in retrofitting. It is welcome but I am not so sure the broader consumer understands the need to invest. We have many debates in this House about the need for energy credits and so on but we would be better served if we invested in this area for the longer term. The only way to bring down energy bills is by investing in renewables and that is the way forward. In my own county there are situations where central heating by peat fuel is up to 40% compared to a national average of 4%.”
“We must reassure the public that Ireland will never drift into overseas military operations that have some level of EU backing without them being in compliance with the UN Charter.”
“I thank the Tánaiste. Irish troops have served with distinction at Camp Shamrock for several decades, none more than Deputy Callaghan who has just departed the Chamber. We have a proud and unbroken record of deployment of troops to Lebanon. We must protect that in the best interests of Óglaigh na hÉireann as our only full-scale peacekeeping mission in the world today. We must reiterate the point that this debate is about the opportunity for the deployment of peacekeeping missions around the world and removing that element of UN authorisation will not be seen as a weakening of our international neutrality at a time when investment in military defences is increasingly important. I commend the Tánaiste's work in this area. It is important that he has given reassurance to the public that military offence is categorically not on the agenda.”
“Domestically, it is important that this legislation ensures that future overseas deployments continue to have broad political legitimacy and I ask for that reassurance today.”
“Many believe the triple lock has provided a clear reassurance to the Irish people that our participation overseas is grounded in neutrality and a UN mandate. However, in an ever-increasingly precarious and uncertain world, we should not find ourselves in a position where the likes of peacekeeping missions by Irish troops could be vetoed by UN member states. There has been mention of Ukraine and in practical terms when a ceasefire and peace agreement is eventually reached there, hopefully sooner rather than later, we should not be at the mercy of countries that have built reputations on vetoes at the UN Security Council and essentially prevented deployment of Irish troops on such peacekeeping missions.”
“I thank the Tánaiste for the details and his repeated clarity provided surrounding the proposed changes. Many people seem to remain unclear as to why the Government believes it necessary to move away from the existing triple lock. The cynic in me questions whether there is a co-ordinated campaign of misinformation in relation to this matter-----”
“For clarity, I am going to go with Questions Nos. 7 and 55 together. The Government's intention is to change legislation to the triple lock mechanism that governs the deployment of Irish troops overseas. At present, as the Tánaiste knows, that requires the approval of the Government, the Dáil and a mandate from the United Nations. Could he clarify precisely what changes are now being proposed, and outline if this will materially affect both Ireland's tradition of neutrality and the democratic safeguards that have existed up to this point?”
“These fuel options would offer a realistic lower-emissions bridge for households moving away from peat where they choose to do so, with immediate benefit and without the heavy upfront costs of deep retrofits. If we truly believe in a just transition, then we must ensure rural families have practical and affordable pathways to reduce emissions. We must ensure our targets are not just ambitious but achievable.”
“As per the last census, there are some towns in my constituency of Offaly with up to 40% of households still relying on peat turf for home central heating. That is ten times the national average of 4%. These families are caught up in the crossfire between climate policy and home heating regulations. For many, moving from turf to a full retrofit is simply not financially feasible or logistically possible. As outlined in the programme for Government, and with the renewable heating obligation scheme due before Cabinet, I urge the Tánaiste to seriously consider low-carbon fuel alternatives such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, with a 20% blend for home heating, and wood pellets.”
“One question that Uisce Éireann should be able to answer, and quite frankly I do not believe it is, is what it will deliver next year in connections. I appreciate that other factors come into play but what are its current capacity and current resources to provide connections this year or next year?”
“I welcome the developer-led initiative, but a viability element has to be taken into consideration. Where developers are expected to provide an interim measure, Uisce Éireann has to engage and liaise with them to ensure that it remains economically viable for them to do so. The Uisce Éireann website is not developer friendly. The capacity register on the website provides an option of green or red. I firmly believe that lacks transparency and clarity. Where something is green, there should be identifiable measurements on the numbers for development. Where it is red, we should have a date and timeframe for development. That indicative capacity outline needs to be there to let developers know where they can build and seize an opportunity.”
“I appreciate the reply but I want to give an example of a rural town in my area. Edenderry has a population of 8,000 and is within commuting distance of Dublin. Towns within its environs have grown, yet there will be no development from Uisce Éireann there until 2029. There is a key issue whereby theory and practice are not aligned. Offaly County Council referred to the delivery of wastewater capacity, as did Irish Water, and now Uisce Éireann is referring to the delivery of wastewater capacity by 2029. First and foremost, I would like reassurance from the Minister of State that there will be delivery. How are we holding Uisce Éireann accountable where it is not delivering?”
“Is the Department undertaking a review of utility infrastructure deficits in rural towns and villages and on how such deficits are currently limiting delivery of rural housing? Will the Minister make a statement on that?”
“We must prioritise safety while protecting access to labour, income opportunities and community events like tractor runs.”
“This weekend, a tractor run at Ballybrit in my constituency will see over 200 tractors and drivers of all ages take part. For over a decade, the Road Safety Authority has referenced a tractor driving framework and testing for young drivers but there is currently a void of uncertainty. Farmers and contractors are committed to safety and open to initiatives that will enhance it, including for young people operating heavy machinery. Can the Tánaiste provide an update on the status of the tractor driving framework? Importantly, can he reassure farmers and contractors that any such initiative will not limit access to labour during peak times or cut off a vital stream of income for young drivers, especially over the summer months?”
“I ask the Minister of State to boost the uptake, address the barriers and come up with some sort of framework to deal with reliability. I encourage those behind all the schemes to engage with the communities and explain to them why they take so long. A six-month interval between the submitting of information and the response is simply unacceptable.”
“The Minister of State mentioned the EU JTF. This is a fund we need to focus on in terms of delivery. It is far too slow and creating serious frustration. In reality today, we have a greater variety of electric cars and they are more affordable, but there is still range anxiety. Until we can get the network delivered, we will not address that. More than ever before, we need to consider a network of fast chargers. There are issues over the reliability of the charging stations in rural towns. I have heard anecdotal examples of stations with three out of four chargers not working. I have never pulled up at a petrol or diesel pump that was not working, and I do not believe an EV owner should have to do likewise. We have to provide EV owners with reliability at the same level.”
“Householders on streetscapes that have no access to a connection are frustrated. In other countries, streetlight poles have been used in this regard, and that is one of the initiatives we should be considering.”
“Many of the community groups that pursued the initiative did so as part of a revenue-generating initiative, but there has been frustration. The Minister of State referred to some of the schemes but there are others that go back as far as July 2023, when expressions of interest would have been sought. These are ongoing. It takes more than two years to get an EV charging station installed at a community centre. There is frustration over how long it takes and the burden of administration. Rather than examining how we deliver the infrastructure, we need to examine the timeframe of delivery and place a serious onus on the agencies and scheme operators to deliver in a much shorter space of time than at present. In town and village centres, the local authorities have to step up to the mark.”
“Will the Minister of State give some information to the House on the take-up of EV charging schemes for sports clubs, community facilities and town and village residents, and will he make a statement on the matter?”
“I commend the progress the Government has made in public health over recent years, leading the way with many global initiatives. Alcohol labelling is a welcome initiative but I have concerns around the timing of its implementation. From a domestic perspective, there is growing uncontrollable uncertainty regarding global trade, and the Irish whiskey sector has found itself in the eye of the storm. Tullamore D.E.W. in my constituency employs almost 100 people and the whiskey sector throughout the country has seen considerable growth and employment in recent years, particularly in rural areas. In the best interests of providing certainty to the sector, will the Government commit to deferring the introduction of alcohol labelling and, if so, for how many years?”
“It is working but it needs to be maximised and invested in more to ensure there is a level of engagement with it rather than just pushing information out on particular grants. It should be showing what is the top line in terms of what the engagement has been so people are learning from it.”
“I thank the Minister of State. She might not believe this but sometimes, I get feedback that the grant systems are too good to be true. When you get an applicant that has gone through the likes of an energy efficiency grant, how seamless it is and how easy it is to apply and get the payment, that feedback needs to get out there more. We will see an increase in that regard. No one can doubt what progress has been made from a Government perspective in this space over time, whether it be sick pay or living wage, but overall prioritising the viability of business. That is the message we need to get out. There is a narrative that we may not have been as pro-enterprise as we are but this is very much an instrument and tool we need to use to our advantage.”
“On the grants, this is a constant, evolving and moving piece. We need to not just share that information but give that element of opportunity for businesses to share their sense of the market. As the Minister of State said, that can feed up in many different ways into what our policy can be.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the update. I fully agree with her. When the Minister of State shares that information, she is essentially giving an insight into what is happening in the market. However, if a business owner sits in front of a computer and is looking for information, they do not necessarily know what they are navigating for. We need to be sharing that detail on the website's home page and using it as an interactive piece. I appreciate this is very early days - it was only established last July - but it has been hugely welcome. The level of engagement is important to share but also the outcome on queries and where the obstacles were is also important. Business people learn from each other in networks, hotels and whatever else on a daily basis and there should be an element of that brought in here as well.”
“Everything we do in this space today will reassure those family members about the days in the future when they may not necessarily be around to look after them. I acknowledge the work the Minister of State has done, but the timeframe for assessment, such as psychiatric reports from doctors or otherwise, needs to be done in a timely manner. We need to continue to work on the services that we are providing.”
“I acknowledge the efforts the Minister of State has made in this area. I recently met with the Muiríosa Foundation. The work it does in this space is commendable and is very welcome in terms of the initiatives it is bringing forward, particularly to encourage individuals with a disability into the workplace, into education and into different services. There is an element of needing to ensure there is an adequate service there to meet that level of dependency. Local employers are providing a couple of hours of work a day to get people out of the house and give them a sense of routine. It is rewarding for more than just the individual who is receiving that opportunity to get into the workplace. We need to see more initiatives such as that.”
“One issue that has been raised with me frequently in recent times is the wait times for assessment and delays in applications for people who are already in a healthcare setting, particularly where someone is in a residential care setting for the elderly, but may be of a younger age and may not need a facility to that extent, and are not stimulated or motivated by it. We need to ensure that we are giving confidence to loved ones within families in that regard to ensure their more vulnerable family members are being adequately looked after.”
“I thank the Minister of State. The future and provision of care as to how a parent's or guardian's loved ones will be looked after, particularly after they have passed, is something that keeps people up at night. The appointment of decision-making capacity and assistance with it is important, but there needs to be an element of understanding that the next of kin, where there is one, is given the opportunity to assist in that regard. What we do in the present will give a sense of confidence as to what will happen in the future.”