John Connolly
Galway West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The decision of the Government to purchase the Hammerson site on O'Connell Street - the site of the old Carlton Cinema - clearly shows the intent and determination of the Government to progress and complete the MetroLink project.”
“I mention one such community organisation in my constituency, Connemara Care, which provides home care and support for the elderly, people with disabilities, and people with dementia.”
“I had been aware that the deceased man had been diagnosed with dementia some years earlier. When I expressed my condolences to my friend, his response really struck me. He said that this was the second time they had lost their father.”
“If we can look at training more people in this area and promoting this as a profession, it might help. A concern has been brought to my attention but I do not want to imply wrongdoing on anyone's behalf. A family asked me to get clarity. They were provided with home care hours to be provided by a private company.”
“Families want to support that wish for their own loved ones and I know that across the House, Government and Opposition want to support this. Our health service should be structured to support that. However, in the correspondence that we have received, concerns have emerged regarding the availability of HSE home support services.”
“Cuirfidh mé tús le m'óráid leis an méid ar chríochnaigh an Teachta Aird leis. Molaim an tAire Stáit go bhfuil sé anseo le linn na díospóireachta ar fad. Tá sé anseo ag fanacht. Ní dheachaigh sé amach as an Seomra.”
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Every one of 425 lines we hold for John Connolly, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 9.
“Like other Members of the House who spoke previously, I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, well in her role and congratulate her on her reappointment. It is a difficult portfolio but the Minister of State will have the support of the House in all earnest efforts to try to improve services for patients in this area. I compliment the Business Committee on enabling this debate. I am familiar with the case outlined by Deputy Tóibín, which was also outlined earlier by Deputy O'Hara, of the young man who presented at the accident and emergency department of University Hospital Galway last week. Unfortunately, he was in a position to leave the facility without receiving care and attention, and subsequently died by suicide. I offer my sympathies to the family of that young man.”
“I would like to think that we will enhance the scheme, give it a broader perspective and include maybe pedestrian crossings as well, rather than only front-of-school treatment.”
“The school I myself worked in, which was included in the first phase of the scheme in 2021, as of yet has not had any work done under the scheme despite the fact that the funding has been approved and we need to review that. I get a sense that some local authorities are better and quicker than others in implementing the scheme. If we have the information, we should look at how they are able to do it and other local authorities are not. It may be down to staffing. It is a scheme that could increase the well-being and safety of children as they attend school. We should prioritise its implementation. It is clearly meeting challenges and reluctance as in some locations where works were proposed, they met resistance, which is disappointing.”
“There are a number of schools by the R336, which is the main route from Galway city to south Connemara. It is a very busy route. Those schools deserve to be able to make sure that the children attending those schools can do so while walking or cycling safely. I tabled a parliamentary question recently to get some sense of how many schools that had entered the programme had seen infrastructural enhancements to meet the objective of the scheme. Unfortunately, the NTA has not been in a position to provide me with that detail yet, which is disappointing. I am concerned that the programme is not having the impact that was desired at its initiation. I speak with some insight.”
“I recognise that is nearly 50% of all those that applied but I feel for those schools that applied but have not been included in the programme as of yet. It would be important to look in particular at those schools that are on national and regional routes and to try to prioritise them for implementation in the scheme. We are advised that schools that applied will eventually participate but we all are familiar with schools on national and regional routes that are not yet involved in the scheme. In particular, like many other Members, I think of schools in my own community including schools by the N59 between Galway and Clifden where it is a very busy road, including one that I myself taught in for a number of years. There also is a particular campaign ongoing in Barna where the school is by the R336.”
“The safe routes to school programme aims to ensure that children can safely get to and from school while also making a difference to congestion on our streets, the health of our children as well as helping achieve our emissions reductions targets. The programme aims to create suitable infrastructure to make walking, cycling and scooting a practical and safe choice for families. I expect the scheme continues to serve that aim and I welcome that the programme for Government commits to expanding the safe routes to school initiative. When the programme was launched some 932 schools applied to participate. That is nearly a quarter of all schools nationally but over the three strands of the programme, we have seen that some 414 schools have been earmarked for participation.”
“I note the concern of some of the Members just before me but I feel communities welcome the reduction in the speed limit. These are measures that will go on to save lives and lead to safer travelling environments for all road users. I also welcome many of the measures and investments outlined at the outset of the debate by the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney as we enter phase 2 of the Government’s road safety strategy. I would like to focus my commentary on one particular initiative introduced by the last Government which the road safety strategy said would be to the forefront of our efforts in road safety.”
“There is a theme, which I heard many Deputies remark on at the outset of their contributions, that this is a topic that will be difficult for many, having lost loved ones through road traffic accidents or incidents. I am particularly conscious as the Minister, Deputy O’Brien outlined at the start of the debate that the number of fatalities in recent years has increased despite much good work which has been ongoing prior to now that has seen a significant reduction since the late 1980s through the introduction of the road-safety strategies. I commend the Minister’s comments earlier in the debate where he highlighted in particular the danger and increased threat of those driving under the influence of drugs and driving with excessive speed.”
“I thank the Minister for the response. We are all aware when proposing any change that it must be balanced against other areas within the Exchequer. The concern is that some people are entering a phase of their lives where they must give consideration to this issue. Our worry is that what they are passing on to their relatives is as much a tax burden as an asset. There should be some consideration of that point. Consideration should be afforded by bringing forward some type of equity in respect of the inheritance of somebody's principal private residence. If a family is going to leave their home to a descendant, we should bring greater equity to the thresholds for that purpose.”
“Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus tugaim leithscéal an Teachta Crowe don Teach. I am sure that, like us all, the Minister has received substantial correspondence on this issue. There is a perceived discrimination in the application of inheritance tax that impacts families who have no children of their own. As the Minister will be well aware, strong bonds exist between aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Often in such situations, the nieces and nephews become the primary carers for their aunts or uncles. The income threshold is ten times greater for a child than it is for a niece or nephew. Is any consideration being given to amending those rules?”
“That is no problem. I could not be mistaken for a better person. I welcome the Minister's response and the sentiment contained in it, particularly the information that a new scheme is being proposed in this area. This would be welcomed by all Members of the House and many sectoral interests working on behalf of people with disabilities. In respect of the report submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach, is there any update about when that might be published and will there be a debate on the issue among Members?”
“Tá mé an-sásta an cheist seo a chuir ar an Aire ar son an Teachta O'Sullivan. Mar is eol dó, bhí díospóireacht againn aréir inár bpáirtí parlaiminte ar an ábhar seo. Last night at our parliamentary party meeting, this issue was raised and concern was expressed by a number of Members about the application of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. The Minister will be aware that the scheme offers those eligible to avail of a repayment of VRT and VAT on the purchase of vehicles and to exempt those eligible from paying motor tax. Concern is being brought to our attention, however, by a high number of refusal rates on such applications and by people finding the application process quite complex and difficult to navigate. Does the Minister have any intention of adapting the scheme?”
“While CAMHS currently categorises these concerns as routine, I know in some CAMHS centres there are specific ADHD referral pathways, from which children are not included in the same referral process as other children who would be referred to the CAMHS services. This is something we should look at rolling out throughout the country. As I said, 30% to 50% of children referred to CAMHS services are referred over concerns over ADHD. If we had a specific, targeted referral process and interventions for those children, it would reduce the burden on CAMHS and assist the children and their families.”
“The University of Galway has expressed an interest in commencing a postgraduate qualification in primary school teaching. This should be examined carefully. I very much welcome the proposal to introduce therapists to the school setting by creating a dedicated national therapy service in education. This will be complemented by a proposal and objective to double the number of college places for those who want to be speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists. We are all aware of the challenges encountered by CAMHS services throughout the country. I welcome that the programme for Government has many commitments in this area, including one to regulate CAMHS and to simplify the referrals process. Between 30% and 50% of CAMHS referrals are referred over concerns regarding ADHD.”
“As we move towards the introduction of a new primary school curriculum, which infers a broadened curriculum and a greater curriculum load on teachers, smaller class sizes will be important to ensure its successful implementation. One significant challenge I see in the proposal to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio is to ensure a sufficient supply of teachers. The INTO estimates that nearly 1,000 advertised teaching positions in schools failed to be filled over the course of the past year. I see a continued and, indeed, increasing demand for the establishment of special classes in mainstream primary school settings, thus creating a further demand for additional teachers within the system. We need to start looking at creating additional teacher training spaces.”
“I note and recognise that, in recent weeks and months, there has been some concern about the nutritional value of the meals being provided to children under the scheme. From my own professional experience working with the companies providing the meals, they are acutely aware of their responsibilities. I found them to be very approachable and engaging in terms of ensuring they are providing nutritious and good quality meals to children in schools. I especially welcome the aim to reduce the general pupil-teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of the Government and to introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes. I believe this measure can have a significant impact on classroom activities and pupil learning outcomes.”
“In particular, I welcome the objective to increase capitation for schools to help to meet the elevated day-to-day running costs within schools and to reduce the financial burden on families. In recent years, we have seen several initiatives introduced to schools to reduce the costs associated with education. These include the introduction of the free books scheme and the hot school meals programme. This programme for Government also includes a proposal to extend the free hot school meals programme and it is a great measure to reduce inequality among children. With the programme, all children are ensured a nutritious hot meal while at school. Expanding the programme will be very welcome.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis seo píosa a rá faoi chúpla rud áirithe atá sa chlár Rialtais. Tosóimid ar an bpointe ar chríochnaigh mo chomhghleacaí air maidir leis na Gaelcholáistí agus an gá atá orainn níos mó Gaelcholáistí a chur ar fáil do chuile cheantar, go mór mór in aon cheantar a bhfuil Gaelscoil ar fáil ann. Ba chóir go mbeidh rogha Gaelcholáiste a bheith ann sa cheantar céanna. Is mór an trua é nach bhfuil sé sin ar fáil gach áit, ach ba chóir. Glacaim go bhfuil an sprioc sa chlár Rialtais go mbeidh muid ag tabhairt deis do dhaoine dul go bunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus meánscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge chomh maith. I welcome many of the measures included in the programme for Government pertaining to primary education.”
“I heard the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, discuss this earlier and look forward to greater measures to make sure they address this.”
“Applying appropriate mitigation and resilience measures to the electrical grid at this location should be prioritised. Over the course of the past fortnight, the ESB will have gathered significant data on the faults which occurred. As outlined earlier by many speakers, many of the faults were caused by the failure to adequately manage trees. In one conversation I was party to, one ESB operative indicated by his estimate that between 65% and 70% of faults were caused by the impact of trees that fell on transmission lines. From existing legislation, there appears to be no impediment to the ESB managing this better. Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act, empowers the ESB to "cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with any electrical wires".”
“Of all the lessons we need to learn, we need to learn how to make sure we maintain such services in the event of power going at the masts. If the lack of communication infrastructure caused concern, the impact of the storm that has caused greatest frustration, and indeed growing frustration, is the continued absence of power. The ESB reported that there were some 10,000 faults on its transmission network. Not surprisingly, as we heard already, most of the faults were suffered in the part of the country where the storm had its greatest impact. The absence of power has caused real hardship for people across the community. Earlier, I remarked on the meteorological data that the State possesses on the region of the country that is most exposed to weather events.”
“Of all the infrastructure that failed as a result of the storm, possibly the one that caused the greatest concern was the failure on behalf of some mobile phone customers to be able to contact emergency services. I contacted the Department of communications, which advised that the emergency call answering service operated by BT on behalf of the Minister remained fully functional during the storm and that the issue in regard to contacting the emergency services is to do with network coverage. If one's own subscriber is unavailable, then all other available networks can be fallen back on in order to facilitate emergency calls. This fallback facility is controlled by the subscriber's phone. We know that it failed.”
“Of the five storms this country has suffered this winter, Mace Head has recorded the highest gust speed and highest sustained wind speed in three of them. Similarly, in 2024, Mace Head recorded 50% of the highest wind speeds recorded, and the other weather stations along the west coast recorded similarly. All the evidence points to one region of the country being at greater exposure and at greater risk to the impact of climate change. I look forward to the EPA concluding its national climate change risk assessment, expected to be finalised by the end of quarter 1 of 2025. This assessment aims to assist in climate change adaptation and mitigation. I am hopeful it will reflect on the areas of the country that are most susceptible to the most detrimental impacts of storms.”
“Everyone appears to accept that there are lessons to be learned. During the term of the last Dáil, there was a Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action. I would expect a committee with a similar responsibility to be established in this Dáil term. I believe that committee should undertake a full review and appraisal of the State's preparation and response to Storm Éowyn to include extending invitations to all those State bodies and agencies that were involved in the preparation, response and remediation work. Tá a fhios ag chuile dhuine sa tír gurbh ag Ceann Mhása i gConamara a bhí an taifead gála gaoithe is láidre sa stoirm seo. Ní rud annamh é sin. Everyone is aware that Mace Head in Carna recorded the highest gusts of wind and the highest sustained wind speed during the storm. However, this is not a unique occurrence.”
“Is trua í ar bealach gur faoin ábhar seo a bhfuil an chéad deis agam cúpla focal a rá sa Teach, ach sin mar atá sé. Is ábhar tábhachtach é do mhuintir mo Dháilcheantair. Fiú amháin é sin, níl a fhios agam an leor í an díospóireacht seo ach ceapaim go bhfuil gá le próiseas eile chun muid ar fad a shásamh go ndearnamar chuile rud a bhí deis againn a dhéanamh chun tionchar na stoirme a laghdú agus daoine a chabhrú. While I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate, I am not wholly certain that it is a sufficient mechanism in terms of the requirement we have to review the preparation and response of the State to the impact and the effect of Storm Éowyn. I believe that a more forensic review is required of both the preparation and the response of the State and of all State agencies that hold some responsibility for such events.”