Louis O'Hara
Galway East · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“There are significant concerns about the reform that is being proposed to have CAP sit alongside a range of other policy areas. In particular under the Commission's proposal, CAP funding for Ireland would be cut by over 20%.”
“Absolutely, and that is why it is critical we get a fair allocation. In particular, the future of CAP will have a significant influence on how EU member states can support young farmers. Last year, the Department of agriculture published a report from the commission on generational renewal in farming.”
“No parent should have to worry about what will happen to their child when they can no longer provide care for them, yet years of underfunding and a failure to plan has left our residential support system in crisis and families are left carrying the responsibility even as parents themselves age into their 70s, 80s and beyond.”
“Adults with intellectual disabilities have the same right as every other citizen to live with dignity, safety and independence and the Government has a legal and moral obligation to provide these services. There are so many basic things we are not getting right.”
“I raise the case of a constituent in County Galway who has experienced lifelong difficulties and trauma as a result of historical abuse at the hands of a member of the Christian Brothers who was his primary school teacher. The individual who carried out the abuse has since been convicted.”
“They cannot just be uprooted into an emergency placement down the line. The parents need to be there for the transition to ensure that it works properly and does not cause challenges for that person or, indeed, those who will be caring for them.”
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“We are being left waiting for these services. We are being told that the money is not there for the new bus services or to maintain this vital, early morning train service. There is no justification for us being left to wait any longer. I presented the Minister with a petition signed by 1,700 people within Athenry calling for these services to be maintained. Will the Minister ensure that that happens?”
“This reset the Minister is talking about means fewer new services. That is what the NTA is saying, and the impact of that is massive. I know the impact of it in Athenry, and the Minister knows the story there, where we have been promised a PSO bus service for the past two years since the previous service ended. We still do not have that bus service. We have been told that the 6.50 a.m. train, the only early morning train service at around that time between Athenry and Galway, is ending in six weeks' time at the end of July due to a lack of funding. Athenry is a large and growing town with a population of over 5,000 people. We have Dexcom now and up and running in the town, and many people commute in and out of Galway city. There are serious problems on rail services, with dangerous overcrowding at peak times.”
“This question is in the context of the National Transport Authority, NTA, stating that it does not have money for further public transport expansion this year. Why has it been left in this position? I have a relevant local example in Athenry in my area. I know that the Minster is aware of the situation there. Will he touch on it?”
“The only commitment that the Government has been able to give is that it will be increasing the carbon tax on home heating oil in October's budget. Households are struggling now. The Government has the tools available to support them. The Government must use them to ensure households can afford the essentials needed to live, hold energy companies accountable and deliver supports to those who need them most.”
“This is not the first time that the Government has sat on its hands and refused to protect households. In last year's budget, it decided to withdraw the energy credits that many households depended on. It knew the effect this would have, especially on the most vulnerable, but it went ahead with it anyway. We saw this cold approach once again when it came to the recent fuel crisis where the Government had the opportunity to support households, but it decided to dither and delay. When it decided to act, it only delivered half-measures. Now, the Government is telling everybody to wait for next year's budget for support. This is at a time when the Government has unprecedented resources. It is no comfort to the 500,000 households in arrears right now.”
“It comes then as no surprise that there are over 500,000 households in arrears on their energy bills. In recent weeks, energy companies have once again announced that they are going to be hiking up energy prices further. Earlier this year, Sinn Féin introduced two Bills that would have empowered the energy regulator to hold energy companies to account. We have consistently brought forward proposals to increase the powers of the energy regulator to ensure oversight of hedging practices, protect against price gouging and profiteering, regulate standing charges, and make the PSO levy and network charges fair. These are the tools needed to protect consumers, yet the Government refuses to support this legislation and these proposals when so many households are being hammered by the cost of energy.”
“The continued growth of data centres and their growing energy demand is having a significant impact on our electricity grid and the cost of electricity. Data centres are responsible for approximately 20% of Ireland's electricity demand, and the Government's hands-off approach to their expansion is going to increase this share of demand in the coming years. A recent report found that rising electricity demand from data centres is putting upward pressure on electricity costs for households, coming at a time when households are facing rising costs right across the board. According to Eurostat, Ireland has the highest household electricity prices in the European Union and the average household in Ireland is paying around €480 more a year for its electricity when compared to the EU average.”
“At this stage, people in Kinvara are sick and tired of the excuses coming from Government, passing the buck between Ministers and between Departments. We need to get this castle reopened. I call on the Minister to put a real proposal on the table and come down to Kinvara, meet community representatives, visit the castle and see for himself the situation there. It cannot be allowed to persist any longer.”
“I again want to raise Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara. The Minister is well aware of the situation there. I am getting hundreds of emails from locals and from tourists who cannot understand why this situation is being allowed to continue. They are rightly frustrated because this is an iconic landmark on the edge of Kinvara village and on the Wild Atlantic Way that has been closed indefinitely it seems. It is a huge loss to the local community and to the wider region. This issue comes down to funding for Galway County Council. What is the hesitation from Government in providing the funding that is necessary for the council to acquire the castle, bring it up to a safe standard and reopen it to the public?”
“I ask the Minister of State to consider coming down to the area to visit Kinvara and the castle to see the huge missed opportunity for himself. He could engage with representatives and stakeholders in the local community. This situation cannot persist any longer.”
“While Galway County Council is willing to acquire the castle from the Shannon Group and reopen it, it cannot do so without Government funding to bring the castle up to a safe standard. Why is the Government hesitating about providing the funding required? All we hear are excuses from different Ministers passing the buck between Departments. It seems no one is willing to take responsibility for this situation. The frustrating part is the Government did it before when it provided significant funding to Clare and Limerick county councils to acquire sites like Bunratty Castle and St. John's Castle from the Shannon Group. There is precedent here. We are asking for fair play and for the same funding to be provided to Galway County Council and Kinvara to get Dunguaire Castle reopened.”
“There is a lot of positive work going on. I raise Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara. The castle has been closed for the past three years. It is an enormous loss to the community and wider region, especially now as we come into the summer months and the height of the tourist season. It is a huge, missed opportunity for Kinvara and surrounding areas. This is an iconic landmark right on the Wild Atlantic Way that has been left essentially abandoned. One of our greatest tourist and heritage assets in County Galway has been left closed to the public indefinitely. We have tourists standing outside every single day who want to enter but cannot do so. I am getting hundreds of emails from locals and tourists alike who cannot understand why this is being allowed to continue. It is causing enormous frustration. The core of this issue is funding.”
“I acknowledge the many great efforts being made by community organisations to rectify that, and indeed by Galway County Council through the Athenry town team in terms of particular heritage spaces in the town. I hope those efforts are fully supported by the Government and the tourism authorities. Last week, I attended the launch of the Yeats-Gregory explorer bus at Coole Park. This bus service that will run regularly through the summer months, linking all the key heritage, cultural and historical attractions across south Galway, including Coole, the Kiltartan Gregory Museum, Thoor Ballylee, Kilmacduagh and Gort town centre. It is a fantastic initiative that should be replicated elsewhere. Huge credit to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Galway County Council and Fáilte Ireland for supporting it.”
“I will start by speaking about a lot of the good work being done in County Galway to enhance our tourist offerings and support the many businesses and community organisations which contribute an awful lot to our history and heritage. I attended the 25th anniversary of the Athenry Heritage Centre last week and it was a fantastic occasion. The centre has been very successful in promoting Athenry as a heritage town and attracting visitors to the area. Huge credit should go to all involved in the local community. Athenry is a town with significant tourism potential given our rich and unique history and heritage. It is fair to say that potential has not been fully realised.”
“The decision to strip that Bill of services is a cynical act by the Government. It knows it is diluting the legislation and by doing so, the Government is completely blunting the measures that are needed to hold the State of Israel to account for its genocidal acts. Start listening to the people, Stop the Game and pass the occupied territories Bill in full.”
“Where is the Government's moral backbone? It is utter cowardice for the Government to expect Irish players, who are in a really difficult position, to go out and fulfil this fixture but Ministers then publicly announce they will not be attending the game. The Government will send the players out to play the game but it will not even show up on the day to back them up. The reason for that is the Government knows going ahead with this game is the wrong thing to do. The FAI's own members, stakeholders and supporters oppose this game taking place. Sport can send a really strong message and with the support of the Government, the FAI should be empowered to take a moral stance here. The Government should use its conscience and stop this game. The occupied territories Bill will be debated today.”
“By participating in this game wherever it is held, we are normalising Israeli genocide and occupation. Ireland has a proud tradition of standing up for human rights on the international stage. We must use every opportunity available to us to stand up for international law. It is time for the Government to finally show some leadership and get behind this campaign to Stop the Game on legal and moral grounds. Stand with the people of Ireland who do not want this game to go ahead. Stand with the people of Palestine who are experiencing genocide. There is a moral obligation on us to do so. On the one hand, the Government says the Israeli State is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people but on the other hand, the Government is content to welcome its sports teams here. Where is the leadership?”
“The Palestinian people have been subjected to starvation, occupation, dispossession and genocide at the hands of Israel, which has shown no restraint in its onslaught of the Palestine people. The international community has failed to stand up for Palestine for decades and speak up against the heinous crimes of the Israeli State. Israel is not a normal state and must not be treated as such. When Russia invaded Ukraine, both economic and sporting sanctions were imposed, and rightly so. There are many other examples but across the world, governments, FIFA and UEFA in this instance are completely silent when it comes to the genocide in Palestine. They are content to allow Israel to continue to participate as normal. It is a shocking double standard.”
“That is the reason for such a drastic change on the triple lock and it is shameful. Even Government TDs are opposed to this. One of the Minister's predecessors at the Department of Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea, in response to the Taoiseach's call for a referendum on increasing the number of Ministers, said, "How about a referendum people actually want, like on the triple lock?" Once again, the Minister is out of touch with the Irish people. She is failing to listen to people and has not been able to give any good reason this evening as to why she will not put this to the people in a referendum. That is what needs to happen in this case for such a significant decision. The Government is hiding from the people because it knows the answer it will get.”
“If the triple lock protection is removed, it will be possible to deploy Irish troops to any situation at all that the Government sees fit. That is not what the Irish people want because that gives carte blanche to any future Irish Government and indeed will expose Irish Governments to significant outside pressure as well in future situations. It is a serious diminution of our neutrality. There is no doubt about that. The Minister should be working to strengthen our neutrality, ending the US use of Shannon Airport and actively opposing increased EU militarisation. Only a few years ago, Micheál Martin said the triple lock was at the core of our neutrality. What has changed since then? It is clear that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael just want to follow the EU's drum beat for increased militarisation. That is the reason for this.”
“It is because it knows the answer it will get from the people on this because the Irish people cherish our military neutrality and the triple lock as a core aspect of this. Removing it without putting it to the people through a referendum is an attack on our sovereignty and democracy and I just cannot understand how the Minister can justify that. How can she justify not letting the people have their say on such an important issue and a core aspect of our military neutrality?”
“There is no doubt that this is an erosion of our military neutrality. The triple lock is something that is deeply valued by the Irish people. Opinion poll after opinion poll has shown clearly that the Irish people want to retain this protection, yet Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael are absolutely determined to get rid of it. These plans are going to endanger our neutrality, endanger our reputation on the world stage as peace builders and expose us to the rising moves towards militarisation across the EU. If the Government is so confident in its position, why will it not put it to a referendum? The Minister said that we do not have to put it to a referendum but that is not a justification in and of itself. Let the people have their say on this issue. We know why the Government is refusing to do that.”
“If we are serious about addressing this, the redevelopment of UHG has to be fast-tracked, it has to be made a priority and the necessary investment has to be forthcoming. There are real concerns that the Government has not budgeted sufficiently for the infrastructure either . This cannot be another project that is held up indefinitely. I understand that it is at an early stage, but I still ask the Minister to give a commitment that this is going to be fast-tracked as a critical infrastructure project. It is so important for the west of Ireland.”
“This is very important. There are regional inequalities in the area of healthcare, and these are particularly stark when it comes to cancer care. We do not have any PET scanners in public hospitals in the west. In many cases, patients can wait weeks before starting treatment for cancer. It is right across the board. We have seen elective procedures postponed at UHG due to overcrowding, with patients on trolleys and long waits in the accident and emergency department. We need the best possible facilities for people in Galway and right across the west of Ireland. It is what they deserve. A person's post code should not determine the quality of care that he or she receives, but that is the reality at present.”
“One just has to look at the ring road saga, which has dragged on for two decades, to understand why. They want assurances that the redevelopment of UHG will be progressed quickly and will not face delays. The Critical Infrastructure Bill has gone through this House. The Minister has indicated that certain projects will be fast tracked under that legislation. Will he give a commitment today that the UHG plans will be designated as critical infrastructure?”
“I want to focus on healthcare in the west because the masterplan for University Hospital Galway, UHG, and the redevelopment of the hospital is a critical project for our region to ensure that we have a modern, resilient, future proofed, model 4 hospital and to ensure that staff and patients get the facilities they deserve. It includes 300 new inpatient beds, a new emergency department, critical care, surgical theatres, a cancer centre, maternity and children services and much more. In recent weeks a design team was appointed for the 300 bed ward block at UHG. It is crucial that all of this is delivered in a timely manner but, unfortunately, people in Galway have little faith in the Government's ability to deliver on critical infrastructure.”
“As far as I know, it is just Ireland and Greece that do not recognise Covid. There has to be some arrangement put in place here, perhaps comprising the alternatives that were outlined earlier. I ask Government to reflect on its position in relation to this. It is not a very large group of people. It will not cost an absolute fortune but it is the right thing to do, as I say, for healthcare workers who went above and beyond to protect us all.”
“That is a cruel approach because, as I said, these people put themselves into a really dangerous situation where their chances of contracting the disease were very high, and much higher than any other member of the public. That is a poor excuse and a little bit insulting to those workers. There has to be acknowledgement of the unique circumstances here and some arrangement put in place because the workers in this position are finding it difficult to access supports. They are finding it difficult. The woman I outlined earlier is finding it difficult in terms of having to battle to get the supports that she is entitled to. Recognising long Covid as an occupational illness would allow for them to receive ongoing financial supports without a specified expiry period. We are an outlier in Europe in this regard.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The people who are affected by this have had an absolutely horrendous experience with long Covid. The Minister of State heard about the impact it is having on my constituent. Her life has totally changed. Many people have had to give up the job they love. They stepped up during the pandemic at a time that was very dangerous. When there was huge uncertainty, they put themselves in harm's way to protect others. They are heroes and they deserve recognition and acknowledgement. According to the Minister of State's response - it has been said previously - the Department's view is that Covid-19 does not fulfil the definition of an occupational illness because the main area of transmission was in the community.”
“In his response, I ask the Minister of State to speak to the experience of that woman and the well over 100 of her colleagues who are suffering from really severe effects of this illness but are not getting the protection and supports they need and deserve.”
“If the Government is not prepared to recognise long Covid as an occupational illness, then I ask that you consider an alternative - allowing affected healthcare workers to access early retirement on the grounds of ill health without being subjected to prolonged and adversarial processes. Many of us are being forced to fight for recommendations from occupational health while already severely unwell. We are not physically or mentally able for this battle. After decades of service, we should not have to struggle to prove the impact of an illness acquired while caring for others. We should be allowed to retire on ill health grounds with dignity without having to fight tooth and nail for recognition or support. At present, the process itself can feel as burdensome as the illness. That letter speaks for itself.”
“On 24 March of this year, I underwent an occupational health assessment for early retirement on ill health grounds. My application was declined on the basis that there was insufficient medical evidence to confirm that I am likely to remain permanently unfit for work until my normal retirement age. This was despite submitting detailed medical reports. The loss of my career has had profound financial consequences but it has also deeply affected my sense of identity, purpose and independence. I am asking you to urgently consider the formal recognition of long Covid as an occupational illness for healthcare workers particularly nurses who contracted Covid-19 in the workplace. Such recognition would acknowledge the risks taken by front-line staff and provide a fair and structured pathway to appropriate supports and protections.”
“Before my illness, I was a highly experienced nurse working at a senior level and fully committed to patient care. I remained in work throughout challenging periods in healthcare including the pandemic where many of us continued our duties despite personal risk. Like many healthcare workers, I contracted Covid-19 in the workplace while caring for others. I did so willingly as part of my professional responsibility. However, the long-term consequences of that exposure have been life changing. Since attending occupational health in early 2022, I have been deemed unfit for all duties. I have had to come to terms with the reality that this is now my life - one I would not have chosen, but one I continue to face with as much resilience as I can.”
“My predominant symptoms include severe and persistent pain and stiffness affecting my shoulders, mid and lower back, buttocks, hips, thighs and extending into my legs, feet, hands and fingers. I experience constant pins and needles and burning sensations in my feet along with clearly altered sensation in both lower legs below the knee. These symptoms significantly impair my mobility and independence. I struggle to walk even short distances, have great difficulty dressing and showering and can only manage minimal household tasks due to severe pain when standing or bending. In addition, I suffer from shortness of breath, hypertension, tinnitus, brain fog, weakness in my hands and arms, dizziness, debilitating fatigue and severely disrupted sleep.”
“This is an issue which has been debated a number of times. Healthcare workers went above and beyond during the pandemic and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Well over 100 healthcare workers who have not returned to work due to long Covid have lost the special scheme since the beginning of the year and are due to lose further entitlements. I will read out part of a letter from a constituent who is a former front-line nurse with over 30 years’ experience. She said: Since my initial Covid-19 infection in January 2022, I have not recovered. If anything, my condition has worsened over time. I am living with debilitating symptoms that have profoundly impacted my ability to carry out even basic activities of daily living.”
“We move onto the next Topical Issue in the name of Deputy Aidan Farrelly. It is to ask the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O'Donovan, to discuss the development of a public, multi-sport recreational facility in Sallins, County Kildare.”
“There must be an emergency payment in advance of a permanent cost-of-disability payment being introduced in the next budget to help meet the real additional costs faced every day by people with disabilities.”
“The Government’s amendment to our motion demonstrates just how out of touch it is with the lived realities that people with disabilities face. It is telling people with disabilities to try to hold on until the next budget and next year when a cost-of-disability payment might be introduced. How is that going to give any person with a disability any comfort when their bills keep coming in? People need support now. Supporting people with disabilities is one of the most fundamental things that we must do as a society. I urge the Government to finally recognise the cost of disability and provide adequate financial support. No more reports and delays.”
“These costs include higher electricity and heating bills as well as the cost of equipment, transport, personal assistance, assistive technology and everyday adaptions that they need to simply live, work, study and participate in our communities. They have not been supported and they have suffered as a result of rising costs in energy, housing and transport in addition to the increased costs associated with their disabilities. In the words of one person who contacted me: These extra costs are not lifestyle choices. They are not luxuries. They are the price of survival and participation in a society that is still not fully accessible for me. This reality is why we have brought this motion forward tonight.”
“Last year’s budget was an opportunity to ease cost pressures on people with disabilities, but instead of providing them with support, the Government chose to abandon them and withdraw payments, which meant that they were worse off by €1,400. The Government has ignored the pleas from people with disabilities who told it they were having to make the most difficult of decisions, such as having to choose between heating and eating. Once again, people with disabilities have been told to wait. Altogether, there have been four major reviews and reports on the cost of disability, and another consultation was launched in February. Disabled people face significant additional and unavoidable costs every single day. It is estimated that they face weekly additional costs of between €488 and €555 on average.”
“While this Bill is welcome, the NTA must be adequately resourced and funded in order to allow it to meet its expanded role. There is a significant amount of work that must be done to address the decades of underinvestment in Ireland’s transport infrastructure. I call on the Minister to step up to the plate and address the deficits that exist.”
“They want to be able to rely on public transport but they cannot do so at the moment because of this lack of action. I will be sending that petition to the Minister today. The Bill before us has the aim of expanding the NTA’s remit in providing public transport infrastructure beyond the greater Dublin area. I refer to the Gluas project in this regard. We have been waiting years for an emerging route for this much-needed project. This is critical to address the traffic issues for people commuting in and out of Galway city. At the same time, we see a lack of basic infrastructure, such as shelters at bus stops. If the Government wants to encourage people to use public transport, it must ensure that it gets these basic things right.”
“train and to fund a bus service for Athenry. People in Athenry are sick and tired of their transport needs being neglected. We have trains that are literally overflowing. It has been two years since we had the cancellation of the bus service. Despite repeated promises, we still do not have a bus service and, to make matters worse, we are now being told we are going to lose the 6.50 a.m. at the end of July due to a lack of funding. It is not good enough. It is not going to be accepted by people in Athenry. The NTA has requested the funding for these services from the Department, and the Minister must provide it. He needs to get the bus service up and running, save the 6.50 a.m. train and listen to the people of Athenry who signed this petition.”
“Decades of underinvestment in our transport infrastructure have resulted in this State being a laggard when it comes to public transport. Too many people face delays and a lack of services, especially when it comes to bus and rail. Many areas across the State, particularly in the west of Ireland, simply do not have the infrastructure in place to deal with the level of demand that exists. This Bill will expand the remit of the NTA to allow it to construct public transport infrastructure across the entire State. In order to do this, the NTA must be properly resourced. On the issue of funding for the NTA, I have raised with the Minister on a number of times the current public transport issues that people in Athenry are facing. Today, I am presenting the Minister with a petition signed by 1,665 people in Athenry to save the 6.50 a.m.”
“I raise Carrabane National School in County Galway. Two weeks ago, I visited the school. The conditions are shocking. There are prefab buildings quite literally falling apart. People have been waiting 20 years for their new school building but it has been delayed again and again by the Department. It is on the priority list but people still do not have clarity as to when it will go to construction. Local families and children should not have to put up with this. They deserve an awful lot better. Will the Taoiseach ensure that this project gets the go-ahead and is prioritised?”
“I welcome that last suggestion. It would be very welcome because it can be a challenge for MLAs and MPs in dealing with this. Sometimes they seek assistance through us and sometimes they try to come at it through general inquiries. It makes sense. These are elected representatives who are working on behalf of Irish citizens who have an entitlement to a passport, so it makes sense for them to be able to access that direct line, particularly for challenging cases. Just as in the Twenty-six Counties in the South, most people in the North will be able to apply online and so on and get it without any difficulties, but there will always be emergency and complicated cases. I welcome the statement the Minister made and perhaps we can explore it further by correspondence because it would be very beneficial.”
“I cannot understand how the Government can justify a situation where predominantly elderly people are being left without fuel to heat their homes, especially during an international fuel crisis, not just last winter but also, as seems likely, next winter. That is the consequence of this. I am simply asking the Minister of State to meet with the affected landowners in order to find a solution to this matter. Will he give a commitment that he will facilitate that request and meet with the families affected?”
“No help has been provided to the families in this case. I understand that the bogs been designated as SACs. There are significant concerns around how these bogs were designated that I have outlined here before and have written to the Minister of State about, but I still have not received any real explanation. It is important to say that the people who are affected have not accepted payment through the scheme to allow rewetting and so on because they want to continue cutting turf on their bogs. The Government has said that these schemes are voluntary, but the families involved are being forcibly prevented from cutting turf by the Government.”
“On behalf of the affected families, I ask him to do that or, at the very least, to meet with them, discuss the issue and try to find a resolution to it. I cannot emphasise enough the distress that this is causing and the anger that is felt by these families, who have not signed up to the scheme the Minister of State mentioned earlier.”
“In early 2025, a local turf cutting contractor was served with a High Court injunction to cease the harvesting of turf. As a result of this action, many local people who rely on turf to heat their homes were left without a supply for last winter. As we are currently in the turf cutting season, these families are facing the same issue due to the fact that there is no contractor to cut their turf because the injunction remains in place. Approximately 40 families are affected. What is happening is causing significant distress. Many of them are elderly. They have cut turf in these bogs for years, rely on this fuel to heat their homes, are watching their supplies dwindle and have no affordable alternative. Under the existing legislation, the families could be allowed to harvest the turf if the Minister of State signed an order.”