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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“I ask that, rather than looking at specific projects, we identify where geographically we need this and then we provide it on that basis in the months ahead.”
“While we see an increase in the youth population in Offaly, we also see an increase in youth dependency rates. That is a call more than ever before to see this funding allocated where it is needed most. In the context of the Minister’s previous role as Minister for Justice, if we can ensure this funding is allocated and effective, we mitigate the possibility of antisocial behaviour, mental health issues, substance misuse and criminality in general. It has an important role to play. We must look at what the likes of LOETB have done in recent times. It has proven to be so effective with limited budgets. We now need to see targeted measures across both counties, particularly in Offaly, to ensure we are doing this in an effective manner.”
“I ask the Minister to acknowledge the need for youth services to work in parallel with the education process in order to support those dropping out of school completion at an earlier time.”
“I firmly believe the Minister has made great strides on the issue of school completion. Initiatives such as free school books, hot meals, transport and even the school clothing and footwear allowance announced this week are all helping to encourage more people to stay engaged in education. Youth services have an important role to play as well. Some of the initiatives Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, has rolled out in my constituency are making a difference. While Offaly has one of the lower levels of school completion rates, we only get one allocation due to us having a double-county ETB. Our allocation is one third of what some of the higher allocations are for ETBs throughout the country as a result.”
“A register should be introduced to determine the percentage of Irish produce, European produce and rest of world produce on our shelves so that we are ensuring full transparency for Irish produce on supermarket shelves.”
“While other speakers made reference to the threat of TB, there is also the threat of trade tariffs. We need to remove the barriers in our control, one example of which is alcohol labelling. We need to look at growing our existing markets as well. France and Germany have similar populations, yet we export three times the produce to Germany that we do to France. I have to question why that is the case. What are the barriers or challenges to achieving the same penetration in the French market as in Germany? As the Minister said, there is a huge opportunity in Canada, India and the Far East and we have to look at materialising that further. I mentioned supermarkets.”
“Promoting Irish produce overseas is certainly one of them. We need to see how we can further assist food producers. We also need to encourage Irish supermarkets to stock more Irish produce where possible.”
“I thank the Minister. I met with agriculture students and teachers at Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, at the Intro to Ag initiative in recent days. I have also met with producers and farmers. It is clear that they are extremely proud of the high regard for Irish produce across the world. However, there is also a level of innovation today within this sector is best in class. It is important that we ensure it remains best in class. Our success in this sector did not come about by accident. It came about through strategic planning, investment and branding, marketing and promotion. We need to reassure the sector that that will continue long into the future. I recognise the work of Bord Bia in what it has done to make that materialise over a number of years. I see three strands on which we need to focus.”
“Second, it must reject the proposed recommendations of increasing personal injury guidelines by up to 17% and extending the current review period of three years, thereby giving certainty to the market and the sector.”
“I start by welcoming Josie, Jacek, Cillian and Eabha along with their teachers, Ms Lavin and Ms Keyes, and congratulating them on their outstanding achievement as European debating champions. Reports this week from the national claims information database have highlighted further increases in motor insurance premiums. This is no doubt an added financial strain on motorists at a time when there are so many demands with the cost of living. Significant progress has been made on insurance reform, but premiums remain stubbornly high. In the best interests of reducing costs and premiums for much-pressed consumers, I have two asks of the Government. First, it needs to determine more ways in which the Injuries Resolution Board can be tasked as the fastest and fairest way to process claims.”
“By doing so, we will strengthen rural communities, drive sustainable economic growth and ensure counties like Offaly remain a leader in digital innovation. Finance should not be a barrier to student participation. Tubber National School had to fundraise to enable its students to travel to Texas last year. Both Coláiste Choilm and Sacred Heart School have carried out extensive fundraising for their trip to represent Ireland. A rolling funding scheme should be introduced to assist in funding schools that represent Ireland internationally in listed and recognised extracurricular subject competitions. We must provide all the support we can to ensure students have all the necessary resources to achieve their goals and enable us collectively to celebrate when they stand on a stage or podium and "Amhrán na bhFiann" is played.”
“In recent weeks, the debating team at St. Brendan's Community School, Birr, was crowned European debating champions. A team from Coláiste Choilm in Tullamore is in Texas right now competing in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Students from Sacred Heart school, Tullamore, will be in Texas next week, along with students from Cork and Kildare, all of whom will be competing against the best in the world from more than 50 countries. These achievements shine a global spotlight on our students and their country and underscore what is possible when we invest in them and instil a confidence that they truly are the best in the world. To sustain and expand those benefits, we must secure continued support for STEAM engagement officers, equipment, teacher training, scholarships and the crucial STEAM roles in every local authority.”
“Programmes like these provide that pipeline, ensuring that our businesses can hire locally and our young people can choose to build careers at home. Momentum continues, with six schools in Offaly now teaching computer science at leaving certificate level, up from just one in 2021. More than 3,000 students engage in robotics each year. We have success stories such as that of Alex Dunne from Clonbullogue, who has progressed to McLaren's driver development programme and who tested for the first time today in Formula One, thanks in part to the problem-solving and engineering mindset nurtured by the STEAM programme as implemented in our schools. We must continue to build, innovate and invest in children in primary schools who will, in future, work in jobs that do not yet exist.”
“When students produce a podcast in a state-of-the-art studio, they master digital tools and find their voice. These experiences boost confidence, spark innovation and drive engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects, leading more students to opt for computer science at leaving certificate level. There is a positive community impact in bringing young people together and building networks of support and belonging. These initiatives showcase Offaly's creativity to parents, local businesses and broader communities, sending a message that our county is open for innovation and investment. The midlands ICT action plan forecasts 800 new jobs in the region over the next three to five years. We need a pipeline of skilled graduates.”
“The LOETB STEAM programme is now a cornerstone of that vision at secondary level, creating spaces for curiosity, sparking innovation and enabling students to build skills that mirror the modern workplace by way of initiatives such as coding and robotics, the Lego League, Minecraft, virtual reality tours and podcasting, to name just a few. I have been delighted to interact with some of those initiatives and meet the students involved. There are many benefits to equipping our youth with 21st-century skills through critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication in a fun environment. When, for example, a team programmes a VEX robotic to navigate an obstacle course, members learn coding and how to solve problems under pressure, divide roles and meet deadlines.”
“The local authority set the pace with the introduction of the VEX IQ Robotics Competition. In 2018, only 16 schools registered for the competition; in 2024, that number increased to 82. I acknowledge the work of Ray Bell at Offaly County Council in pioneering this area, which is now a true success story. From that initial seed sown by Ray and his council colleagues, the culture has evolved with a can-do attitude. At the heart of this transformation is a strong partnership of local government and academic and enterprise partners coming together through the midlands regional enterprise plan. Supported by the EU transition fund and led by the local authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, this collaboration is driving a forward-thinking agenda.”
“This afternoon, I attended an event in Buswells Hotel hosted by Engineers Ireland, where it was stated that 65% of the children in our primary schools today will work in jobs that do not exist yet. I recently attended Banagher College to celebrate the Laois-Offaly ETB STEAM showcase event that recognises more inspiring projects in robotics, coding and virtual reality; initiatives that are truly reshaping Offaly's future, bridging the gap left behind by the end of peat production and equipping our youth for tomorrow's opportunities. The challenges associated with a transition away from peat-fired power were well flagged but the county did not sit back in its efforts to enable the next generation. Science, technology, engineering, arts and maths, STEAM, were highlighted as an area for opportunity.”
“Let us use this fund to deliver real change and lasting projects, whether it be road upgrades over peat foundation, employment hubs, business parks or modern community centres and playgrounds, and to empower our towns and villages to ensure further enhancements. These are all projects that will leave a lasting legacy and truly make a difference. Offaly did not just endure transition; it led that transition. We now need support that reflects that leadership.”
“I fully agree that in our renewable energy journey, we have hit many important milestones. As part of that journey, Offaly has been to the forefront. In addition to mapping, we also need to see a greater level of community recognition. In tandem with renewable zoning, we must overhaul the community benefit fund under the renewable energy support scheme. The current €2 per MW/h is too diluted. There are too many small pots, too many committees and too little impact. The more infrastructure, the more complex it becomes when there is an overlap of a cluster of wind farms, in particular. Yes, retain the near neighbour scheme and support local community groups but we also need to be bold with strategic investment.”
“I urge the Taoiseach that we start this mapping process by recognising reality and by mapping all existing and permitted renewable energy sites and follow that by clearly identifying areas of future potential. This is not only fair; it is essential. We need to reward progress, protect ambition and honour leadership. I ask the Taoiseach to give that commitment here today.”
“With just 2% of Ireland’s landmass and population we have delivered up to 7% of national wind energy output in recent months with over 1.5 GW of wind and solar projects are permitted or near permitted and with nearly 600 MW of battery storage already in place. That success was not luck. It was strong local leadership, ambitious planning and community buy-in. We stepped up to the mark when we needed to most. Now, under article 15b of the EU renewable energy directive, the Government must publish maps identifying future renewable zones and grid infrastructure in only a matter of weeks, by 21 May. This is both a moment of opportunity and major threat. One might ask: what is the danger? A bureaucratic reset that treats all counties equally, ignoring heavy lifting already done by early movers like Offaly, cannot be let happen.”
“There are positive signs with State-funded projects such as the EU LIFE Peatlands and People initiative, the Clonmacnoise visitor centre redevelopment, the refurbishment of Fiesta Hall renewables centre in Kilcormac, the enhancement of Lough Oulra trails and cultural initiatives like Film Offaly, to name but a few. However, let us be clear: these projects must match the scale of disruption Offaly has endured. So far, they simply do not. Even so, Offaly has pushed ahead. While the just transition has faltered, we forged ahead with renewable energy. Ireland has made impressive goals in onshore wind, double the EU average, and Offaly has punched well above its weight.”
“Offaly and the wider midlands have powered this nation for generations, first through peat and now through renewables. We have led from the front but today we face a critical turning point in our energy and economic future. Midlands just transition was meant to ensure that no community was left behind in the move to a climate-neutral economy but for many in Offaly it has felt like a promise made but certainly not kept. With almost 700 job losses, we have lost more jobs in the energy transition than any other county and the promised replacement of jobs is yet to arrive in any meaningful manner. We have seen plans, strategies and frameworks but what we have not seen are payslips, tangible employment and tangible momentum on the ground. Yet, we remain determined.”
“This creates even further uncertainty for insurers, it increases legal fees and, ultimately, it drives up premiums. I urge the Minister of State to convey the message to the respective Minister to act now to protect the integrity of insurance reform and ensure a fair, sustainable and affordable system for everyone.”
“There is a data vacuum around cases settled after the IRB rejection but before court. I propose amending legislation to require these settlements be registered with the Injuries Resolution Board or another suitable agency or agreed independent body so that we can get regular reports in a timely and objective manner as to what is happening between the IRB and court. Third, we need to rebalance the system. Claimants should either have a clear incentive to accept IRB awards or a disincentive to reject them. For example, if a claimant does not achieve a set premium over the IRB offer through litigation, they should be liable for their own costs. If awards continue to be reviewed upwards every three years and if it takes two and a half years to settle a case, claimants will wait it out and litigate.”
“I thank the Minister of State. In no uncertain terms, this will lead to an increase in premiums and costs to every one of the societal areas I mentioned in my earlier contribution. General damages awards in Ireland remain significantly higher than in Europe. Increasing them further will only put more businesses at a competitive disadvantage and place even more pressure on strained sectors of society. We have made meaningful progress on insurance reform but adopting this proposed 16.7% increase in general damages would be a step backwards. It would undoubtedly lead to higher premiums and undermine the good work to date. There are three areas we need to act on. First, we must defer this proposed increase in general damages. Now is not the time to impose further costs on policyholders and businesses. Second, we need greater transparency.”
“Adding to this uncertainty is the latest proposal from the Judicial Council to increase personal injury awards by 16.7%. While special damages or actual losses should reflect inflation, there is no justification for increasing general damages for pain and suffering. These increases will directly drive up premiums and I urge the Minister and the Government not to proceed with this proposal at this time.”
“The additional legal costs from these cases are feeding into higher premiums for policyholders. Many believe there are no down sides to the litigation route as there will be no additional award. This in an absolute fallacy. Insurance companies do, and will, pass on the additional legal costs in higher premiums for very hard-pressed policyholders. Legal fees added 63%, or €123 million, to the cost of settling liability claims in 2023 alone. There is also a major gap in data, in particular around claims settled after leaving the Injuries Resolution Board but before reaching court. We need greater transparency to fully understand the cost drivers. All of these costs are increasing uncertainty with growing challenges at a time there is growing concern and uncertainty around how the US tariffs will materialise and impact people.”
“The most recent report from the National Claims Information Database includes some alarming figures regarding legal costs and claims. A resolution through the Injuries Resolution Board costs approximately €1,000 in legal fees with an average award payout of €23,000. When the same case moves to litigation the award does not change and yet the legal fees jump to an average of €23,000. Claimants are no better off and must wait for years longer while, essentially, these additional legal costs are passed on to policyholders. One must question why so many cases are sufficiently intractable and complex to warrant moving beyond the Injuries Resolution Board when one considers that only 4% of these cases end up in court. There has been a 17% increase in the number of cases going the litigation route between 2019 and 2023.”
“We have seen some reductions in premiums from certain insurers but many believe a wider commitment from the industry is still lacking. In January, the Injuries Resolution Board reported a 40% drop in claims and a 37% decrease in annual awards since 2019, while personal injury guidelines have also yielded a reduction in awards of approximately 35%. Yet, premiums continue to rise. The Central Bank recently reported that liability premiums increased by 4% in 2023 and 17% since 2020. Despite falling claims, insurers' profits rose by 13%, amounting to €175 million. There is an evidential imbalance and one could argue that in recent years public liability and employers' liability has been impacted by ongoing uncertainties around the personal injury guidelines.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue. Over the past number of years very significant progress has been made on insurance reform. The importance of insurance and the security and protection it provides for policyholders cannot be underestimated and it must be readily available and affordable. The impetus for and the objectives of all the recent reform was very simple. Insurance premiums were too high and were posing an existential threat to charities, voluntary organisations, homeowners, motorists and many small and medium enterprises. We had the extraordinary anecdotal examples where playgrounds and community volunteer facilities were closing or restricting activities, primarily due to crippling insurance costs. Positive change has occurred and I commend the recent Government commitment to implement these reforms.”
“Will the Tánaiste outline the significance and plan of new free trade agreements, considering the tariffs imposed by the United States on the European Union? Can he provide a timeline for the ratification process of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada, CETA?”
“The promises President Trump made from the Rose Garden last night were essentially protectionism with thorny tariffs, presenting challenges and uncertainty for many sectors, including businesses, farmers and livelihoods in County Offaly. It is essential we maintain a sense of calm with a measured response, proactively working with our EU counterparts through trade, diversification and deepening relationships with other global partners. Thankfully, we come from a position of strength due the prudent management of our public finances. Every challenge presents opportunity. Our respective State agencies must renew their focus on introducing our high levels of quality, innovation and diversification to new markets.”
“There is an opportunity now, considering the current juncture with regard to tariffs, to see how we can develop that further with regional locations around the globe to tie into our diaspora and networks that are connected back to Ireland, to continue to ensure we improve cultural ties and that business network, and to encourage investment back to Ireland through the likes of the IDA. Counties like Offaly have a balance with regard to the IDA that is not just American investment. It is important that we continue that.”
“When you look at days like St. Patrick's Day and what it achieves in reaching every corner of the world, the more locations where we can have a presence and be able to promote Ireland that way, the better. It also opens an opportunity for greater connectivity around the world. When you see the number of people who are coming here to work from the likes of South America, there is a real opportunity here, through balanced regional development, to create connectivity to other parts of the world that is not there already. We have seen how the Tánaiste's initiative with the trade consultants group in the US is reaffirming our commitment to the US.”
“I had an encounter recently with our local OFFline Film Festival committee, who got the opportunity to travel to Berlin and engage on the ground, giving them an experience of seeing things at first hand. It is a very important initiative and one we should continue.”
“I thank the Tánaiste. We have made fantastic progress in this area and it is commendable what has been achieved with respect to bolstering our global footprint. That whole Ireland House system has been a wonderful initiative, and it has never been more needed given our ever-changing and ever-shifting global priorities. When you speak to members of the diaspora, you get a great sense of pride and appreciation for what is achieved through our embassies. Sometimes it goes beyond monetary value. There is a tie back to the homeland, but also people living in those countries maybe feel a connection to Ireland that would not have been there previously. That is something we have to grow on. We are also seeing at first hand what embassies are doing on the ground, whether it be Irish lessons in Auckland or the likes of a film festival in Germany.”
“Thank you very much, a Cheann Comhairle. I wish you well, and it is good to see you back in the Chair. How many embassies and consulates is Ireland operating and how does this compare with the number at the time of the launch of the Global Ireland strategy?”
“We need to move to a position where we have generalised email addresses for committees. Also, if they have a portal identified, it ensures there is no breakdown. It also reduces the administration for local authority staff.”
“I ask that feedback might be taken from local authorities on the applications that were made and the sums that were sought versus what was actually allocated to see what shortfall there was, if any. It is important where good initiatives come forward that they get the full support of the Government and the State. Second, there is a time element as regards the administration burden on local community groups. I ask that the Department give consideration to the establishment of a portal online that would allow the likes of community groups to upload all their credentials and documentation on the one occasion and that would be there as an ongoing record. I am conscious that some of these positions on local voluntary groups can be on a transient basis. A chair or a secretary could move on as well as the email address.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Rialtas as an obair le deich mbliana anuas chun tacú le tuath na hÉireann. It is important to look at the last ten years and see the progress that has been made in rural Ireland, with the establishment of this very Department in providing a strategic plan, a focus and funding for every rural community. Through the Local Government Reform Act 2014, I have seen first hand, through the establishment of the local community development committee and as a former chair, the difference it can make. However, none of this can be done without the support of volunteers, and it is important to recognise and acknowledge the work they do in every community right across Offaly and across the country. In Offaly today, the local community development committee will approve 213 grants under this scheme for 2025.”
“I wish both the Minister and the Minister of State well in their new roles. I ask if there is a central set of criteria which apply under the local enhancement programme, given that the funding is decided at a local level, and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.”
“The local improvement scheme is one of the best schemes we have seen in terms of reaching corners of all parts of rural Ireland that may not necessarily have street lights or that may be waiting for broadband to be delivered. We should be encouraging councils to clear all their backlogs rather than breaking it down into districts or otherwise. If we can see a way to a situation where applications are sought, funding is provided and those lists are cleared, we must work in that regard. If we have a situation where districts are split, we can see waiting lists of years in some locations and a matter of months in others. We need to streamline it to ensure consistency right across counties.”
“I firmly believe that the message that needs to be sent out time and again from this Chamber is that we are here to support farmers, to work with them and to ensure their long-term stability and viability.”
“Four transition year students from a local secondary school at home, Moya Guinan, Ben Younge, Joseph McLoughney and Jack O'Meara, with their teacher Laura Grant, applied for this competition, went through the full rigours of it, displayed calves at the shows and the National Ploughing Championships and went from success to success. They have provided inspiration and showed what can be done through innovation and rethinking and giving the power to young farmers, as well as the belief that there is a future in this sector. We must protect such people by means of the likes of the agrifood regulator. Reference was made to payment schemes. There is a need for an agri-focused rainy day fund.”
“The Tullamore show is the largest one-day event on the island. We will have the National Ploughing Championships in the county this year. We must continue to support shows. They provide a great opportunity to showcase our producers, from those in the very early stages right through to fully-fledged farmers, and what they do. We have talked about succession. The reality is that we must appeal to people to get involved in family farms, and they must get a return for doing so. We need to support innovation. We can look at the likes of initiatives such as the Irish Angus competition.”
“Such firms are now able to get a price they could never have achieved by selling overseas or relying on markets to which the cost of shipping goods is excessive. The many risks involved in that regard also had to be considered. We need to look at this matter. In other countries, there has been a real focus on how to do not just agrifood and other agri-products but also agri-accommodation. There is an aspect of this context that we need to look at through the lens of the EU Presidency. Initiatives are already in place around traditional buildings and grant schemes. The question is how we can we maintain family farms by giving people the option to diversify and grow alternative revenue streams. It has proved successful in other areas and it is something we should be looking at here. Turning to agricultural shows, I live in County Offaly.”
“We are particularly proud of the quality of the food we produce. We do need an equal playing field, however, whether we are talking about oversupply in the market, maintaining the highest standards, implementing strict food safety and traceability or protecting our environment and reputation in the area of sustainability. We must ensure this is achieved. In order to protect traditional farms, we must give them the opportunity to diversify and grow. For argument's sake, I have seen the local enterprise office and development company in Offaly assisting food producers. I have seen many examples of this over the years. Materials like wool were almost waste products a couple of years ago. Companies like Dooleys Wool have reimagined their businesses and are now producing a top-quality product for the local market.”
“In light of the commitment of producers and their dedication to achieving quality and innovation, long may that reputation obtain. There are sectors that enjoy nationwide supports. I refer, for example to the areas relating to food or drink. There is a need across the wider industry in this regard. I refer to the supports given. Money spent locally in agriculture stays local and benefits the economy in a particular area. This includes farmers, input suppliers, merchants, agricultural contractors and various advisory services. On a national level, we need to ensure that we protect and grow the sector. We need to promote Irish farming and what it produces rather than demoting it. Other Deputies spoke about Mercosur. I do not think Irish farmers have ever shied away from a bit of competition.”
“I wish the Minister and the Minister of State well for the term ahead. I know the Minister well. He has a personal story of growing up on a farm. His is a farm family. With his experience and knowledge, he brings a great amount to the Department. That is only going to benefit farmers over the term ahead. Agriculture is undoubtedly the backbone of our economy. The local economy in Offaly is no different in this regard. We have a long and proud tradition of food production. I acknowledge producers such as the Haslam family of Mossfield Organic Farm, known for its cheese, and the Bracken family of Fox Covert Farm. I recognise them because of what they have achieved in terms of the global awards they have won. We very much have a reputation on the global stage for high-quality produce.”