John McGuinness
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“That concludes our business for this morning. I thank all the Members, the staff, the press and everyone involved in the House for their co-operation during the term. I want to acknowledge the fact that we had Cara Darmody in the Public Gallery this morning. I omitted to mention that. I wish her well in the campaign and in her efforts.”
“For the information of Members, the Poole family are in the Public Gallery. The Ceann Comhairle has already extended a welcome to the family, but I want to bring it to the attention of the Chamber, now that there are so many of us here, that they are here. They have achieved a lot. I acknowledge their presence.”
“Letting time pass to build up evidence for a case is having horrific impacts on women. I do not know when it began to escalate, but it is now the situation that the sexual, physical and financial abuse of women is out of control.”
“I join the Ceann Comhairle in extending the welcome to you. You have come through a harrowing journey to this day and you have exposed the State, as has been recorded by the Taoiseach, the Minister and others, in terms of the most awful failings, which have had terrible consequences on your lives and the lives of your families.”
“There are support services, but we need to fund them more extensively. The refuge centres serve a great purpose, but they need to connect more directly with local councils to ensure that whatever housing is needed is delivered.”
“I commend the Minister on bringing forward this stand-alone legislation. It is important that he continue his work reforming the various aspects of legislation that need to be examined and updated in the context of what society faces today.”
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“The reports tell us how many in each year were in that house. The reports tell us in a factual way how the house was constructed and where these people lived - in outhouses. One child was kept under the stairs and was sexually abused. Another woman described how her daughter was sexually abused. She described it like this: her daughter would take off her clothes and put herself into a sexualised position. That could not have been done by a non-verbal, emotionally and mentally challenged person. It was felt in the case of that woman that implements had been inserted in her and that was part of the sexual abuse. The same description was given by Grace's representative. She turned up at a day centre filthy, doubly incontinent, destroyed, and having to be washed and cleaned by the centre.”
“It came up at the public accounts committee under a question on procurement, when we discovered that people who worked in the HSE were now set up privately and were giving reports on various issues, paid for by the HSE, to the HSE about issues they were familiar with when they were in the HSE. You could not make it up. They are named in the context of the Farrelly commission and some of them are still employed in Tusla. If we are serious about safeguarding children, those facts have to be investigated. The Minister cannot tell me that the Government will give this to somebody else to look at. That would be a disgraceful and shoddy thing to do. It would be another effort to push the facts under the carpet. This home was not recognised as a home. It took children from the HSE and the Brothers of Charity. It had private people coming in.”
“I want the Minister to understand that the Jones family would love to meet her to discuss what is happening now - not 30 years ago, but today. I have another case where a child being cared for by Tusla is allegedly being exposed to abuse when he visits his father. This was reported to Tusla, which refused to discuss the matter with the boy's the mother. That is happening today. What is the Minister going to do about these two cases? To go back to Grace, we may have paid millions for this Farrelly commission report but there have been lots of reports before this. More importantly, there is the protected disclosure made by the whistleblower. It was not the HSE that found out about the case of Grace and this foster home.”
“I have heard it said that so many changes have taken place that this could never happen again. Ask Mrs. Jones about that. She had an experience with Tusla that would shock people. She and her husband lost their house because of an accusation of sexual abuse made against one of their children. That accusation was found to be untrue. I raised that matter in the Dáil with previous Ministers. I was given replies to the effect that the matter would be looked into and that I should send on the relevant paperwork. I did so, but did not receive a single reply. I did not even get a phone call to say that the Jones family would be looked after. I have an email before me that contains the message "Please don't forget me".”
“I do not think we should do that. We should pressure the Government to ensure that this case is fully dealt with. When the original terms of reference were presented to the House by Finian McGrath, it was stated that the commission would only investigate Grace's case. With the help of Brendan Howlin and others, it was impressed on the Minister that this was not good enough. As a result, he had to withdraw those terms of reference and take steps to include the other 47 placements. We are now back in the same position again and are being told "Here is the Grace case, and forget the 47 others". I will not forget them. I remind the House that, as Members who represent both the people and this country, and having regard to the responsibility that should be shown by those who run health services and so on, we should not forget them.”
“I have heard senior members of the Government say how bad these investigations are, how difficult it is to get what we want out of them and so on. In other words, they are not really fit for purpose. Yet, those people have been in government for a number of years. They had the opportunity to put in place an investigation - a commission of sorts - that would get to the truth and that would not cost this much money. What we are doing now is referring to the cost and the terms of reference as if we should no longer have commissions or reports like this. It is incumbent on the Government to establish best practice for the future. Right now, we have this case. The question for the Dáil is: are we going to allow this report to sit as it is? Are we going to walk out of this Chamber and say that we have heard from everyone now and that is it?”
“I contributed to the previous debate on this issue. We were addressing what exactly happened to Grace. At the end of that debate, it was suggested that this House, as it represents the people, should insist on continuing to go back to the Grace case, to highlight the issues involved and to make sure that everything was dealt with. Since then, we have had various reports, including that which we are discussing. I am shocked by the manner in which the report has been presented, by the language in it and by the fact that you can hardly understand various parts of it. I am familiar with this matter. However, in the course of reading the Farrelly commission's report, it is hard to piece it all together. It is also hard to believe that it has cost the State so much money.”
“Before the general election, the Department of Finance was in the process of drafting legislation to wind down IBRC and a discussion was held at the finance committee regarding the Butler family, who had difficulties with their particular loan and circumstances. I note that the draft legislation suggests that the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, and the complaints that that office has, will be transferred to a resolution office. Will the Taoiseach ensure that the outstanding cases before the FSPO or the Central Bank are included for consideration before the IBRC special liquidator is wound down? It is essential that those who are claiming fraud and misconduct are heard and the Central Bank is aware of that particular case.”
“I say again that shortly there will be the ongoing scandal of children with autism not being supported. I finish by reiterating my original point, which is that it was not systemic failure. It was the failure of people in management positions who could have cried "Halt" to all of this. We may get some satisfaction out of airing our views in this House but I will not be satisfied until I see someone accepting responsibility for the failure to deal with this issue and the many other issues facing the children of this country.”
“Can I ask directly that each of those families be communicated with? The 2023 protected disclosure led to the then Minister being informed in May 2024. If we are that concerned about the children of this country, why has it taken so long for this to come to light and be dealt with in the appropriate manner, and for us to have this debate? It is because this is another cover-up and another attempt to hide the truth and allow the Department and CHI to put a narrative out there and fail to deliver again in terms of the audit. I hope I am wrong and there is a new day and a new departure, but I doubt it very much because the culture within CHI and the HSE is so corrupt that they first set out not to deal with the issues but to cover up the truth. This is a fact borne out by many reports.”
“If I was to judge from my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, I would say there is a shocking number of children involved in this and they are not being communicated with or getting the services. I do not want to take from the debate about CHI but I want to say to the Minister that it is the very same for those with autism. She mentioned the communication piece. I would like to see a communication piece in relation to those who have been left out of the system without being looked after or protected. I would like to know they will be protected in the future and will get services not in the future but now. I could name a list of families that are affected, but suffice it to say there is a considerable number. Can I get them to contact someone directly in the Minister's office?”
“HIQA found the controls in place in CHI for the management of end-to-end processes did not provide adequate safeguards. That is a truly shocking statement. We in this House can become numb to what is said and how it is said. We have to keep on checking ourselves; it is people we are talking about and it is young children we are talking about. I do not doubt the Minister's credentials for achieving what she wants to achieve but in her opening remarks she addressed the issue of communication. How many of the children with autism and their families who cannot access proper services were contacted? How many of them are on waiting lists for assessment, for a place in an ASD unit or for having their issues dealt with?”
“The fact it might be a small number makes no difference. It happened. It was allowed to happen and nobody cried, "Stop". Without the whistleblower, where would we be? As in many other cases, we are now at a point whereby systemic failure and communication are being blamed. A whistleblower has come forward and I wonder how that whistleblower is going to be penalised. That is the way the HSE and the system operates. We will have another debate on Thursday and it is the same system and the same reasons, and nobody is mentioning sanctions or people or exposing the truth. When the audit is completed, I would like to see it published fully without redactions and dealing with the issues with less of the padding that goes with all of these reports.”
“I first acknowledge the great staff in the HSE across the country. This is not a criticism of them. When something like this happens, we must reflect on why it has happened. I also acknowledge the work being undertaken by the new Minister and Ministers of State. I appreciate their commitment to getting things right and to the reform that is necessary. However, that commitment is going to be tested. In many of the contributions to this debate, Members have referred to systemic failure. There was not a systemic failure; people failed. They failed the young children of this country because nobody was prepared to shout loud enough to stop what was going on. That non-medical metal springs were used is outrageous. It does not matter if they were used on one child, ten children or whatever the number may be.”
“There is so much going on in Ireland - we have heard it again here today in the debate – such as the children’s hospital and all sorts of issues with regard to the care of our people. We do not seem to be on the top of our game. We must look at home as well as abroad.”
“The Government’s first obligation is to keep our people safe. While we do all of these preparatory works in Europe and engage with Washington and everywhere else, we need to look at home to see whether we can shake off the red tape and deal with the issues to make life a bit better for the people we represent and to ensure that we have plans in place to safeguard their quality of life if all of this should change our economic circumstances. We had an opportunity in 2008 when the troika was here, but we did not introduce the reforms that were necessary beyond that date. We will now pay a price because the question will be asked as to how nimble and prepared we are as a country and how we will keep our people safe.”
“This change in the world order in the area of trade must cause us to focus again on our trade with Taiwan and on the access through that country - a democracy - to the rest of Asia. We are surely not going to continue to be blinkered about what that country has to offer. It is never mentioned here. Its president is never congratulated on election, but Taiwan is a great democracy and offers so much if we would only engage. Watch what is happening in Europe. Taiwan is building the biggest computer chip factory in Germany, and we do not want to recognise it. We have to take off the blinkers, look beyond where we are today and start to understand when all of this change came about in the context of trade and trade agreements. I also believe we need to look to the people we represent.”
“It is a dead weight that is not allowing us, for example, to move Irish Water to where it should be in terms of our progress and development as a country. Local government is the same way. The administration is not dealing with local matters as it should, and it is causing difficulties at local level. Representatives of local radio stations were in Leinster House earlier to highlight the difficulties in their sector and ask for help. The Mercosur and CETA deals have been mentioned. I would not like to see the Government doing a deal at any cost. There are issues with CETA and Mercosur which we need to be hard-nosed about if we are to save our agricultural sector and expand markets.”
“There is no doubt that after all of this, world trade as we knew it before the announcements were made will not be the same. Companies will be affected. That is before we even get to the hangover of whatever arrangement is reached throughout the world once these tariffs kick into gear completely and have the effect that I fear they will have on the SME sector and exporters in this country. How ready is the Government? I know we will conduct our negotiations through and with the European Union, but what happens at home? I have listened carefully to debates here over the past few weeks, and in every one there has been criticism of one sector or another. What is holding us back? I would say bureaucracy is a dead weight in every single Department.”
“Before I call the Minister, Deputy Chambers, I am sure Members will not mind if I welcome pupils from two schools in Windgap and Skeaghvasteen in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. Deputy Cleere has reminded me they are here. Deputy O'Donoghue has also told me that the Cappagh Women's Cave group from County Limerick are also here listening to the debate. They are all very welcome and I hope they have a nice day. I call the Minister, Deputy Chambers.”
“Where you get a good community police officer, you will get a community that is actively engaged and supportive of the rule of law and that will see the different pathways out of the poverty they exist in, perhaps, but certainly a pathway out of the use of drugs or the use of drink. I encourage the Minister to look at the structure in each of the Garda stations throughout the country to ensure that community gardaí are placed to the fore wherever they are located; throughout a city, a town, a village or indeed, an area that is in particular difficulty. The sooner we do that and invest in it, the sooner we will make an impact.”
“We have to intervene at various other levels in society to get those who are seen as leaders within their own communities or those who are obviously known to members of their own communities to stand out and give the example that is necessary. I applaud the work being done by the GAA and every single club throughout the country. I firmly believe that the GAA, as an organisation, is the last man standing in the context of community development and the development of the characters, personalities and skills of young people. The more we invest in those clubs, the greater positive result there is for a community. There is no doubt that the community gardaí, when they were active and out in the community, had a very positive effect too. They brought together the law and the enforcement and they engaged with the families and the children.”
“They engage with the community at the level where they can make a difference to individuals and families. We need to support each and every one of the centres and maybe establish more. Owing to the increase in the availability of drugs and their use, we should explore this avenue. The required professionalism and community engagement exist at family resource centre level, and it is at this level that we need to make the difference. Perhaps the law needs to be changed so we can intervene at an early stage in the case of children not in their teenage years but younger who are being used to facilitate the transaction of the sale of drugs. Using them is reprehensible but it is going on.”
“Every city, town, village and smaller centre of population is affected by the issue of drugs. They are available on the street, on river walks, in children’s playgrounds and, indeed, in a graveyard in Kilkenny. The Garda knows about this. Children are being used to provide the drugs to the client in an effort to avoid the law. The policing committees involving the councils were very relevant during the last term but now the model has changed and is not as effective as it used to be. However, we do have resources on the ground. We have family resource centres, as mentioned by Deputy Gould. There are centres in Urlingford and Callan, County Kilkenny, and at the Fr. McGrath centre and Newpark Close in Kilkenny city. They do an amazing amount of work.”
“On Monday night last in the community hall in Ballyouskill, County Kilkenny, a community came together. It was a packed hall. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan was there also with local councillors. We were there to discuss the Ballynalacken wind farm development. The community was forced to come together to fundraise and fight against the company making the application, which is well-heeled and well financed. The Taoiseach outlined his position on this in support of communities back in 2013. Will the Government introduce a moratorium on such applications until such time as the 2006 regulations are updated and made available and the playing field is levelled? At the moment, communities are at a disadvantage. They are volunteering themselves to defend their position and it is urgent that action be taken in this regard.”
“Thank you, Deputy Coppinger. Before I go to the Government side, I just want to say to Deputy Connolly, I am sure you are aware you accused Members of telling lies. Maybe you would like to consider that remark and withdraw it.”
“I will make a final point to highlight the basic necessities of trade. Listen to the Irish Road Haulage Association. We have no State-controlled quality certification for diesel. Hauliers are getting a blended mix of diesel into their trucks, which is causing huge maintenance problems. The latter give rise to further problems with cover with manufacturers should anything go wrong. We are doing nothing about it except imposing more taxes on them. We need to get the basics right and take the steps necessary to be prepared, because we are not prepared by a long shot for security or for trade.”
“It is a big market, but so are Asian markets such as those in China and Taiwan. What are we doing to develop those markets? Let us not be hypocrites about Taiwan. There are 24 million people there. There is a One China policy, and I respect it. I understand it, and so do the Taiwanese people. However, we have a kind of taboo about that. We need to lift it and ensure we have a presence there so we can access the Asian markets and do the best we can to support the companies we have out there. If something should go wrong in the south east for example, between 9,000 and 10,000 jobs are at risk. Approximately 2,500 jobs would be at risk in County Kilkenny. That is to do with exports of whiskey and all sorts of goods and services. Quite frankly, I do not think we are prepared.”
“What is Enterprise Ireland doing over and above what it already does, to support export companies by means of funding? What is it doing to grow the new enterprise companies that will be exporting to a different world very shortly? I would say it is not doing enough. We need to do more for the local enterprise offices and for Enterprise Ireland in the context of funding and supports to bring them up to speed so they can support the companies to compete. In my constituency, there are companies like Connolly's Red Mills, Glanbia and Sullivan's Brewing Company. There is State Street on the financial services side. There is Cartoon Saloon, security risk advisers and so on. A huge number of companies that are contributing to the export figures are being challenged in a new way to get into various markets. We rightly speak about America.”
“That is on the security front in terms of the Army. On the SME sector and trade, we try to encourage SMEs to get involved with local enterprise offices, upskill their workers, commercialise and internationalise products and services and go through Enterprise Ireland to present on the international stage. Against major opposition commercially, Irish companies have made their mark, and they are to be celebrated for the work they are undertaking. However, they are ill-prepared for the world of commerce today and for what is going to happen tomorrow. We can point to how they were supported during Covid and how they are supported now, but that has nothing to do with the challenges being faced daily by those commercial entities.”
“A lack of investment over the past ten years has led to these quarters being reduced to nothing but a the provision of basic beds for members of armed forces. Is that what we think of them? We must put this in the context of what we are saying about the terms and conditions of members of the armed forces. We have increased investment from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion up to 2028 but that is a paltry sum in comparison with what is actually needed. When it comes to facilities like Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny, the Tánaiste should ask what is required for the men and women who are there - all 500 of them - and deliver it without any question. If you want them to do a job, train them, support them, equip them and make sure their pay and conditions match what they are expected to do. We have failed to do that.”
“It is only now that we are putting that in place. The Government still has not made a decision on the appointment of a nurse on site at Stephens Barracks. It employs, through an agency and no doubt at a higher cost, a nurse for the past decade. In spite of the best attempts being made to rectify this, it has not happened. Every visit of a Minister for Defence to that barracks has been approached in the context of that position. On the purchase of equipment, we are way behind in terms of modernising our equipment in the context of doing anything, engaging or participating. Equipment is either dated or there is not enough of it. We do not have trained personnel capable of dealing with the newer equipment that is coming on line. The living quarters in barracks are shocking.”
“I am of the view that we are ill-prepared for anything. We are not a major force in participating in wars or as an army. We need to look at what we are really talking about here. We are mainly peacekeepers. We need to celebrate the achievement of those in the Irish Army in being recognised as peacekeepers. We need to look at the infrastructure that is either there or not there and the training involved. In Kilkenny, we are lucky to have Stephens Barracks where almost 500 men and women are in training and being prepared as future of members of the Defence Forces. Some investment has taken place over the years, but not enough by a long shot. We are planning a new medical centre in the barracks to look after those who are going overseas on peace missions or to participate in other matters relative to the workings of a defence force.”
“There is no doubt that the world is changing rapidly and that a new world order is emerging. I join in the condemnation of Israel and agree with those who have spoken eloquently about what is happening in Gaza to the Palestinian people. It is horrific. The world will certainly look back on this period with shame because not enough is being done to stop what is happening. I am not talking about our Government but I am talking about governments collectively throughout the world. It is absolutely horrendous to see Israel getting away with what is happening without, it would appear, any concerted effort on the part of America and the other big countries that take the lead. It is extremely sad and shocking to see what is going on. On the security side, I just wonder how well prepared we are.”
“We now move to Questions on Policy or Legislation. Will Deputies leaving the Chamber please do so in an orderly fashion? Yesterday we had a stampede to the exit gates. I would prefer if they were to do it quietly and orderly.”
“Resume your seat, Deputy. We can do this and have a shouting match and nobody will hear anybody. I ask the Members here to please respect the Chair and respect each other. If they continue to shout across each other, we will not get any business done. They should use their time wisely.”
“Can you give us that mother's experience of the awful death of your son and how things can change?" Did we learn from the thalidomide group who came before us in many forums here in Leinster House? They are still waiting for the State to acknowledge and compensate them. No, we did not. There is no decision in respect of their case. There is also the ongoing case involving Lois West and the Garda. We do not reach out to people who have something to say and give the opportunity not only for them to articulate what happened to them but to inform us of the changes that are needed. In Tusla, there is a huge amount of change needed in the context of instances where women feel they are treated badly. These are a few of the issues I believe could be addressed in a meaningful way to impact on the lives of women.”
“We need to consider the views and feelings of people who have a concern and are in a vulnerable position. The same can be said in respect of general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals. We have a responsibility to listen and to change the circumstances so that everyone can feel comfortable. I wonder how the State feels - I will mention it again, as I do regularly in the House - about the family of Shane O'Farrell and how the State treated Lucia O'Farrell, a woman concerned about the death of her son, a woman who has campaigned continuously since that death and has shown that within the DPP, the Department of Justice and the Garda changes can be made. Did anyone within the system - I know a lot of Members did so - reach out to her to say, "Can we learn from you?”
“I strongly believe that in this House we have to lead by example, regardless of how we feel about each other politically. Looking back on my career, in my years on Kilkenny Corporation I was influenced by the likes of Margaret Tynan, who was a trailblazer in her own way and encouraged women to stand for politics, Evelyn White, Carmel Boyd and other strong characters who formed policy at local level, were constructive and blazed a trail. I also wish to emphasise the changes that we could bring about with regard to mental health and the care of women, or the care of women generally in the whole area of health. I have listened carefully to older people who found themselves in hospital, particularly women in mixed wards. They find it extremely difficult. They would prefer an alternative or to go back to the way it was.”
“That is a reflection of some of the change that is happening, but how are we towards the Ceann Comhairle? How were we towards the Leas-Cheann Comhairle? What I witness here on the Order of Business is nothing but disrespect from a lot of Members and I think there is time to pause and consider-----”
“I refer to the speakers from Sinn Féin, Deputies Joanna Byrne and Natasha Newsome Drennan. It was nice to see them passionately refer to their past, their mothers and the influence they had on the role in life that both have now found themselves in. Like them, my mother influenced me but perhaps it was long after her death that I realised the value of her input into my life and how she instilled in me the social conscience that I have and the backbone to stand up and fight for those who are less well-off and those who are marginalised. I would love to see a lot of action follow on from the statements here in this House and I would like to point my suggestions to the Members of this House. We have now made history in that we have a female Ceann Comhairle and we had a female Leas-Cheann Comhairle in the previous Dáil.”
“It is right and proper that we acknowledge International Women's Day in this House, and statements are the appropriate way to do that. Some Members have doubts about that but I think it causes us to pause in what is normally a busy schedule in politics and to reflect on a particular issue. It allows us to give our own opinions as to how far we have come and whether we have advanced any further than last year or ten years ago or whatever, and then to look to the future and see how we can improve things at a faster pace than what has been experienced over the last few years. The Minister referred to Sr. Stan, a renowned Kerrywoman. Sr. Stan spent most of her life in Kilkenny, working hard on reform. She helped with reform of the church with Dr. Peter Birch and had a huge impact on the views I now hold.”
“Gach uair a úsáidtear cúpla focal, cuirtear le todhchaí ár dteanga. Sin an fáth go bhfuil Seachtain na Gaeilge chomh tábhachtach sin. Tugann sí deis dúinn an teanga a úsáid ar bhealach taitneamhach, bíodh sin trí cheol, trí spórt nó trí chomhrá. Tugann Seachtain na Gaeilge an misneach agus an deis dúinn ár dteanga a úsáid le bród.”
“Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo inniu chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh. Tréimhse iontach atá inti a thugann deis dúinn ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr a chur chun cinn. Is cuid dár n-oidhreacht í an Ghaeilge. Tá sí beo agus bríomhar agus is teanga ár sinsir í. Tá sí le cloisteáil inár gceol, inár litríocht agus inár logainmneacha. Tá sí linn i ngach áit, sna hamhráin a chanaimid, sna seanfhocail a úsáidimid agus ar TG4 agus Raidió na Gaeltachta. Ní gá a bheith líofa chun páirt a ghlacadh. Is minic a chloisimid duine ag rá nach bhfuil mórán Gaeilge aige nó aici nó nach bhfuil Gaeilge mhaith aige nó aici. Is cuma cén leibhéal atá ag duine, tá fáilte roimh gach duine. Bíodh sé in úsáid na bhfrásaí cosúil le "Dia duit", "Go raibh maith agat", nó fiú cúpla focal eile, is í an iarracht an rud is tábhachtaí.”
“We need to have gardaí on the streets in the towns and villages to restore the confidence that people once enjoyed when they had a garda presence at that level. In cities like Kilkenny, where the numbers boom from time to time because of tourism, additional gardaí are needed during the tourism season. That requires a Commissioner to take the initiative, support the troops on the ground, the gardaí, and ensure communities are represented. The new Garda structure, in line with that of the new local authorities, is not as good as the last one. There is not the same opportunity for input and you do not feel the same connection to the local gardaí. All of this feeds into the notion or feeling among the public that things are out of control to a degree in certain areas of our country and most parts of our cities and towns.”
“In my constituency, which is no different from anywhere else, we have a drugs issue, a crisis, that is out of control. You can buy drugs on the street as easily as you can buy a pint of beer. You can sell drugs on the street and no one seems to bother or take action. Extreme antisocial behaviour is ongoing in every single community and it is destroying communities. That behaviour, coupled with the violence and drugs, is simply causing serious problems for the young people in our country. I ask the Minister of State to examine online crime and the fact that you can defame someone or a business online and get away with it. The Garda is ill equipped to deal with that issue. Garda presence has been spoken about. In north and south Kilkenny, which are big rural areas, police stations have been closed. They need to be reopened and remanned.”
“If the Minister of State wants further proof of the continuation of the abuse and blackguarding of gardaí who make complaints, the intimidation and, in some cases, the sexual abuse that goes on, he should listen to Lois West. Deputy Alan Kelly, who had more time than I have, made a wonderful contribution in which he put before the House very many issues that the Minister of State should take note of. I ask him to examine the Shane O’Farrell case because within that case is everything that is wrong in the State, the Garda, the DPP and the courts system. This State beat up Shane O’Farrell’s family to hide the truth. That is what is happening. If the Minister of State is serious about that, he needs to start there. Then he needs to consider the contributions made by Members here.”
“Yesterday, the Minister stated that he would listen carefully to what was said by Members in this House because they are on the ground experiencing all of what is happening in respect of crime and so on. I will take him at his word. To learn to improve the morale in An Garda Síochána, we need only go to John Barrett, who did a great service in exposing many controversies and scandals within the Garda, only to find himself booted out of the force and out of his job. I ask the Minister of State to reach out to him and listen to what he has to say. He should also talk to Maurice McCabe because we have learned nothing from that tribunal. We have learned absolutely nothing and have not put in the structures necessary to improve the Garda and give gardaí the scope to do their job.”
“The last issue to mention is the decision around, for example, four houses in Piltown, County Kilkenny. Why that has stuck in the Department I do not know.”
“The battle is with the HSE. I ask the Minister to pull all those parties together, including organisations like SOS and the Department’s housing arm and insist they are brought up to speed, react to what is required of them and plan with these organisations. The tenant in situ scheme was mentioned. I do not know why the council will not work on that scheme. The first problem it might have is there is only one person in a house which has three bedrooms. However, there is room for the council to buy that house, there is room for it to downsize that person and there is room for it to perhaps put a number of other people in that accommodation. There are so many schemes there. I do not understand why there is anyone on the housing list and why people are frustrated by the purchase of their homes.”