Marian Harkin
Sligo-Leitrim · Independent · Ireland
“I thank Deputy Smith for raising this matter and for highlighting the significant population growth taking place in Swords. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am interested to hear the Deputy say it is the third largest town in Ireland.”
“Upon receipt of the revised stage 2a report, Department officials carried out an initial review. In early June 2025, a further meeting was held with the wider design team, school authorities and Department officials in attendance.”
“This investment will provide capacity for almost 3,000 additional homes while improving the resilience of essential services in the area. It is a clear example of how targeted infrastructure investment can unlock housing and support sustainable growth.”
“For this reason, we plan and develop public transport in line with the greater Dublin area transport strategy 2022-2042, rather than in isolation, to maximise the use and benefits of each proposal and project.”
“I thank Senator Costello for raising this matter. The Government is committed to preserving our existing roads network. This is demonstrated through the Department of Transport's provision of regular grant funding to eligible local authorities.”
“I thank the Senator. I am of course providing the answers given to me by the Department. As we know, the new Limerick bus network will provide more frequent public transport offerings to more people across Limerick. I hear what she is saying. She is talking about now.”
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“In recent weeks the ombudsman, Marie Anderson, confirmed that the investigation has led to a decision by the public prosecution service to prosecute a former member of the RUC for offences, including murder, so she is not in a position to publish as it would be potentially prejudicial to the future criminal proceedings. The Government is fully committed to assisting the families and finding the truth of what happened. In addition to the Barron and MacEntee enquiries, An Garda Síochána has been assisting the UK authorities in their investigations I just referenced. I will add to that in my final response.”
“Last year Senator Gallagher also tabled a Commencement Matter on the bombings, with a focus on the reports due to be published on these atrocities and I will give an update. The Operation Denton report, which is an independent analytical review being carried out by Kenova into the Glenanne gang, is still awaited. The Dublin and Monaghan bombings are included as part of this report. A further report is to be published by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. The ombudsman investigation, entitled Operation Newham, is examining collusion with the Glenanne gang.”
“The Government is fully committed to seeking the truth behind these events. We have worked consistently to implement the all-party motions adopted by the other House which call on the British Government to allow access to all relevant documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, and we continue to regularly raise this case with the British Government. Most recently, on 24 April, at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Hillsborough Castle, the Minister raised the bombings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, referencing the findings of the Barron and MacEntee inquiries, citing it as an ongoing issue of concern. The Government will continue to raise these bombings and the all-party motions with the British Government.”
“I thank Senator Gallagher. First, I want to express my condolences and those of the Government to all of the families whose loved ones were killed and to all those who were injured and maimed on that awful day of 17 May 1974. I am old enough to remember it well. It is utterly incomprehensible and heartbreaking that on a day almost 51 years ago so many innocent people going about their daily lives, perhaps going to work, shopping, meeting friends, walking in the city, taking the train or whatever, were callously and brutally attacked. Their lives were changed forever. The survivors and the families of the victims remain firm in their quest for justice and for information about what happened to their loved ones. I commend them on the courage and dignity with which they have pursued justice and accountability in the years since the attacks.”
“My Department will now be developing the strategy for apprenticeships over the next five years. In the action plan, we will continue to improve the effectiveness of apprenticeships for employers and learners and safeguard the ability of the apprenticeship training programme to respond to global shocks, namely, demographic change, climate change, digitalisation, and to national needs such as promoting modern methods of construction, retrofitting skills, etc. I apologise, as I have much more to say. I listened and I will respond to the Deputies. I thank them for their contributions, which have been useful and informative. I say it genuinely that I look forward to working with all of them.”
“As Minister of State with responsibility for apprenticeships, the expansion of apprenticeships is a major priority for me and the Government. Apprenticeships offer a unique pathway to a job while allowing students to earn as they gain important qualifications. These kinds of options, which allow people to earn a living while studying and acquiring skills, can have a transformative effect on affordability and accessibility for the many people who wish to pursue this particular journey. I commend previous Ministers because, in 2024, we saw major progress towards our ambitious targets of 10,000 annual apprenticeships registered by the end of 2025 and 12,500 by the end of 2030, with 9,352 registrations in 2024. That is real progress. We still have a lot of work to do, but those who have gone before us have done good work.”
“The programme for Government has committed to CAO reform. We know that the lead-up to the leaving certificate is hugely stressful for students, parents and school communities. On a personal level, the outcome of the leaving certificate, although important, is just another stop in a lifelong process. Nonetheless, some reform is important, and some has begun, with information on further education, training and apprenticeships now available on the CAO website. In addition, our objective is to reduce the pressure on students and increase the pathways to access further and higher education. We are working to ensure that we maintain a plurality of pathways for learners in order that they have more than one way of getting to their preferred courses. My time is running out.”
“ATU in my own area in Sligo is a case in point. There is a real need for this college and others to be able to either provide accommodation or facilitate the provision of student accommodation. I am half-way through my speech and I do not want to forget to thank my colleagues for their contributions. It is my first time sitting on this side of the House, but I have not forgotten what it is like to be in opposition. I know that there are so many genuine, good ideas and important points to be made by all Deputies. I have listened carefully. Some of the issues raised were at a local level and some had a national perspective. I have taken notes and am always available to work with Deputies. As a former secondary school teacher, I wish to mention one point about the operation of the CAO.”
“This is my personal view, and I know it is shared by the Minister. The learner is central to all of this. In that regard, access is vital. While we have made progress, we need to see further improvements. We have introduced flexibility in the structure of certain courses, reduced costs in some cases and made a variety of courses available in regional locations, something that is important to me. In this context, I agree with the Minister that the provision of student accommodation throughout the country and the development of the capabilities of the technological university sector in providing accommodation - my colleague, Deputy Kenny, spoke about it earlier - can help to drive balanced regional development. I know that this is not a simple ask. It will require a lot of work and planning, but the need is immediate.”
“These include but are not limited to the supply of relevant educational opportunities, both in higher and further education and training, ranging from apprenticeships, which many Deputies have spoken about, to microcredentials, from earn as you learn, which is part of the apprenticeship programme, to full-time postdoctorate qualifications, from programmes such as Springboard+ to tertiary programmes. We are investing in high-quality research and innovation, which has already been outlined by the Minister, Deputy Lawless. As a result of that, we are also attracting investment in quality jobs and, crucially, helping to maintain the jobs we have. I congratulate the Minister on his global talent initiative. It is something that we will be hearing a lot more about. I wish to make one point.”
“In that context, we are making real efforts to ensure lifelong learning is accessible to all. Taking this approach involves designing different educational pathways. Some of them are parallel, some intersect and some allow access at different points of that pathway. By doing that and, crucially, keeping the learner at the centre of what we do, we are harnessing the power of higher and further education to act as an economic enabler in what all of us recognise is an uncertain and changing world. As a Government, we are approaching this from a number of angles.”
“Deputy Hearne spoke about the power of education. The Deputy is not in the Chamber, but when he spoke of it, he was speaking to the converted. He mentioned Ballymun. I was privileged to have taught in Ballymun earlier in my career. Through my experience there and in Mercy College Sligo, I fully appreciate the power of education across so many different spheres. Deputies Hearne and Connolly spoke about the promotion of curiosity and critical thinking, which is essential. Today, we are concentrating on the facilitation of the development of skills and knowledge through a lifelong learning journey, both as a pathway to employment and throughout one's career. This Government aims to ensure that individuals can learn at varying skill levels at different times and at a pace that is suited to their needs.”
“I am really happy to be able to participate in this discussion. This is my first contribution on the floor of this House since being appointed junior Minister with special responsibility for further education, apprenticeship, construction and climate skills. In opening the debate, the Minister, Deputy Lawless, spoke of the importance not just of the higher education system but also of the further education and training system in helping to secure the economic social and cultural development of our country. Just for this evening we are specifically concentrating on the economic aspect. I heard what a number of my colleagues spoke about, including Deputies Cummins and Connolly, among others, but it is worth saying that the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and I fully appreciate the much broader scope of higher and further education.”
“SETU has submitted its business case for the proposed development of the site to the HEA for evaluation. If that business case is approved, it will feed into the overall master plan currently being prepared by Wexford County Council for the subject bands. The Senator mentioned the legal challenge that has lodged by the landowner. That is due to be heard in May. It is important to recognise that the purpose of the hearing is to consider the merits of the landowner's application for a judicial review. That means a judicial review has not yet been granted. That is where we are at present. I am happy to speak to the Senator and to the senior Minister regarding the progress on this matter.”
“I thank the Senator for providing me with the opportunity to set out the position of this project for the south east. I heard what he said about the figures regarding educational access and the need to improve that in the south east. My Department and I are supportive of the need to work collaboratively with the SETU via the HEA to advance this project. Capital investment is a key priority for my Department and I recognise the importance of developing, enhancing and supporting the new TU sector to allow it to provide high-quality campuses for teaching, learning and research. At the moment, the CPO process is currently at the notice to treat stage. It is the intention that a portion of this site will be used to facilitate a new Wexford campus for SETU, with the remainder of the site being developed by Wexford County Council.”
“The intention is that a proportion of the site will be used to facilitate a new Wexford campus for SETU, with the remainder being developed by Wexford County Council. I am aware that a legal challenge has been received in respect of the CPO and this is before the courts for consideration, with a High Court hearing scheduled to take place in May. It would not be appropriate of me to make any further comment while these proceedings remain ongoing.”
“Funding requirements for the proposal will be informed by the relevant evaluation processes and the funding availability in the context of the Department's overall capital budget. Specific funding will be set aside within the Department's budget for the cost of the site. Tremendous work has been done by Wexford County Council on progressing a site for the proposed development. Senator Byrne will be aware that over recent years, SETU has been working closely with the council to help identify an appropriate site for a permanent home for the Wexford campus. As part of this engagement, a preferred site was identified. Following a lengthy negotiation process between the council and the vendor, agreement could not be reached on a price, so the council progressed the acquisition of the site, totalling 48.5 acres, by way of CPO.”
“In line with the infrastructure guidelines, SETU has developed a business case to support this proposal, which is being progressed under the technological sector strategic project funds framework, TSSPF. SETU has submitted its business case to the HEA for consideration. If the business case is approved following evaluation, it will feed into the overall master plan being prepared by Wexford County Council for the lands in question. In line with the infrastructure guidelines, successful business cases are required to be further developed as part of the pre-tender, project design, planning and procurement strategy stage. This is a key stage of development where the proposal will be further refined, the design will be further advanced and the procurement strategy and project execution plan will be developed.”
“I thank the Senator for raising the important matter of the proposed new campus for SETU in Wexford. As he is aware, the current SETU campus in Wexford is not suitable as a transformational learning and development environment. The university has been working on a proposal to provide fit-for-purpose infrastructure that both learners and staff at Wexford can be proud of. This proposal aims to provide a campus that will feature state-of-the-art teaching spaces, facilitating the delivery of SETU's education and training programmes as well as business incubation facilities that will help to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the region.”
“The Minister of State encourages SOSAD to provide the necessary information as soon as possible in order that the HSE can consider its request for funding. I say that to the Senator as earnestly as I can, and I hope it will work out well.”
“I cannot comment on promises that were made. I am just here answering questions today. The Senator is aware that grant aid agreements with NGOs must be compliant with necessary spending and governance codes as evidenced by audited accounts and other information such as the details of the organisation's board of directors. My time to respond is short, but the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, recognises the frustration of SOSAD. However, these steps are essential and the HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements for all bodies to whom the State provides public funding. The HSE remains available to SOSAD should any further guidance be needed.”
“However, the Department of Health and the HSE will always require due diligence and appropriate oversight before funding, which is taxpayers' money, can be transferred to any organisation. With the best will in the world it remains the case that, prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE will need full and complete details on the corporate governance of the organisation such as information on the board responsible for the independent oversight of the management of an organisation and what clinical governance structures are in place. This is particularly important for any organisation that would potentially be providing talk therapies to vulnerable people on behalf of the HSE and as a recipient of public funding.”
“As per any negotiations between the HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, governance arrangements and board of management details are required so that the HSE can undertake due diligence as part of consideration of any potential funding arrangements. HSE Louth-Meath has requested information on corporate and clinical governance from SOSAD in line with HSE policies and has provided guidance on work SOSAD may need to undertake to comply with these requirements before the HSE can consider making public funding available to the organisation. We all appreciate the good work SOSAD has done and is doing. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, works hard each year to increase the amount of funding for counselling and suicide prevention services in our communities.”
“I understand that last year, SOSAD’s financial situation deteriorated as fundraising and donations were reducing. This was brought to the attention of the Minister of State in the autumn and she met SOSAD in November 2024, along with officials from the Department of Health, to discuss the situation. Funding to organisations such as SOSAD is arranged through the section 39 scheme administered by the local HSE mental health services. Following the meeting, the Minister of State requested that HSE Louth-Meath make contact with SOSAD to outline the requirements it would have to fulfil in order for any potential funding application to be considered. HSE Louth-Meath has been in direct contact with SOSAD for approximately four months and the Minister of State’s office receives regular updates on their engagements.”
“On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Butler, I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The Minister of State is very familiar with the work of Save Our Sons and Daughters, SOSAD, which makes a significant contribution to counselling service provision in north-east Leinster and the midlands. It is important that is acknowledged. SOSAD is currently funded by HSE Louth-Meath mental health services. The Minister of State is aware that in August 2023, SOSAD applied for section 39 funding. This was not progressed at the time because the HSE Louth-Meath mental health service was not procuring new services in 2023 or 2024 and all funding had been allocated in line with the HSE national service plan.”
“I hope that the situation will resolve itself; that the school, which both Senators care so much about, will not continue in the position it is in; and that the parents and students at the school will be able to look forward to a future that perhaps they were not quite so sure of three or six months ago.”
“I thank the Senators. Of course, I cannot comment on the response from the Department of Education but as a TD in this House I fully understand what both Senators are saying to me and the awful shock it was for parents and families. I thank the Senators for giving me the opportunity to outline the situation with regard to the financial situation at the Sacred Heart Junior National School in Killinarden and the ongoing support the Department of Education is providing. While the FSSU, on behalf of the Department, plays a crucial role in this process, in order for the Department to engage with the current financial situation the school needs to engage with the FSSU for this purpose. The Department wishes to expedite this engagement and the school is now constructively engaging with the FSSU.”
“The FFSU, funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support for schools in financial matters, including budgeting and cash flow management.”
“This will bring the standard rate of capitation grant to €224 per pupil in primary schools from September 2025. Enhanced rates will be paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils. Schools should also ensure that they are availing of the Office of Government Procurement, OGP, frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure. In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost-of-living supports issued in September 2024 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education system. This additional funding announced in budget 2025 is designed to assist schools with increasing day-to-day running costs, such as heating and electricity, and was paid at a rate of €36 per pupil in primary schools.”
“Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding, provided for general running costs, and ancillary funding, provided for caretaking and secretarial services, as a common grant from which the board of management can allocate according to its priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 36/22. As part of the capitation package in budget 2022, the Department is pleased to have secured over €30 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools, now and in the longer term, with increased day-to-day running costs. This represents an increase of approximately 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This increase is on top of the approximately 9.2% increase from last year's budget.”
“To address the immediate cash flow issues in the school, the capitation grant funding due to be paid to the school in June 2025 will be paid before the end of this week. The Department is keeping in contact with the school and patron so that the appropriate support can be provided. The Department commits to providing funding to recognise primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant, to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, cleaning, insurance and general upkeep, and the ancillary grant, to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff.”
“I welcome all our visitors, wherever they come from. We are delighted they are here and can listen to our discussion, even if right now they have to leave. I thank the Senators for outlining their position on the financial situation of the Sacred Heart Junior National School in Killinarden. I take this matter on behalf of the Department of Education. The Department has been made aware of the financial position of the school and is committed to offering all available and appropriate support to the school as quickly as is necessary, to avoid any uncertainty. In order to support the school, more information is needed about its financial situation and the Department has asked the school to provide this. The school is engaging with the financial support services unit, FSSU, with this purpose.”
“I have no news for the Senator other than that. We are listening and it is to be hoped we can find a decision that works. I thank the Senator again for her intervention on this.”
“I thank the Senator. The information that I have outlined shows that a decision to relocate was taken after a period of consultation and consideration by the management committee of Donegal Education Support Centre. The Department of Education, following detailed engagement, was satisfied from a governance and funding perspective that it could support the decision to relocate. I will say this much to the Senator. I have already had a meeting with all Donegal representatives, including Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, Senator Manus Boyle, Deputies Charlie McConalogue, Pearse Doherty, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and others. I hope I have not missed anybody. We had a meeting to discuss this with the Minister. Before I came into the House, I grabbed 20 seconds with her when she said she would consult and come back to us.”
“It should be noted that the centre has confirmed that the director and management committee members have been communicating with staff members about this issue since November 2023 and were in contact with Fórsa representatives who are acting on behalf of the staff as early as May 2024. The management committee has developed a hybrid working model which allows staff the option of working from home for two days per week and flexibility around start and finish times. Fórsa has now requested WRC mediation, to which Donegal Education Support Centre has agreed. The management committee hopes this will provide a forum to address staff concerns.”
“Following the engagement, the Department of Education informed the management committee in mid-December of last year that it accepted the reasons underpinning the decision to relocate to Letterkenny. As education support centres are independent bodies, the management committee is responsible for managing the business and staff of the ESC. All decisions in relation to the terms and conditions of staff employment are a matter for the management committee. The staff members of the ESC are not State employees and as such do not have entitlements to public sector benefits. They do, however, enjoy all the standard employment protections associated with an organisational decision such as this.”
“The teacher consultation took the form of a digital survey that was distributed to primary, post-primary and special schools within the county. I am informed that the management committee also analysed the spread of primary and post-primary schools in County Donegal and attempted to identify the optimal location for an education support centre. A business case supporting the move to Letterkenny, a more central location, was developed. Donegal Education Support Centre engaged with the Department of Education officials on the business case and, as part of normal, good governance, queries were raised by the Department and addressed by the centre. These included queries on the potential financial implications of the move.”
“Decisions about how to run the centre to achieve the best teacher professional learning opportunities for all teachers in the centre’s catchment area, including where to locate the centre, are a matter for the management committee. While I hear what the Senator says, I am just outlining the legal position. I understand that, in advance of its decision to relocate, the management committee of Donegal ESC consulted with stakeholders, including teachers, school leaders, the Donegal Education and Training Board, the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, Atlantic Technological University, ATU, and Oide during March and April 2024 – just over 12 months ago - and that stakeholders supported and encouraged the move.”
“I thank the Senator. I am very pleased to be able to respond to her and to do so on behalf of the Department. It is important to note the vital role the 28 education support centres throughout the country have on the delivery of national programmes of teacher professional learning. I am aware they also are an invaluable local resource for teachers in their catchment areas and are providing tailored and responsive professional learning opportunities for teachers to meet their identified needs in the region. The Department of Education funds these centres and monitors governance. Under section 37 of the Education Act, each centre is required to have a management committee, appointed by the members of the centre, whose function by law is to manage the business and staff of that centre.”
“I did not intend it, but I allowed the Senator the opportunity to say the most important thing, which is that it will not go by April before these changes are made. The Minister for Transport fully acknowledges the frustrations of commuters who have been impacted by the delays in the roll-out of phase 2 of fare determination. When it is implemented, it will involve the introduction of new Dublin city and Dublin commuter zones, a significant reduction in Leap card multimodal caps and the introduction of Leap travel credit at all Dublin commuter zone rail stations. It will be a further positive step towards a more equitable approach towards public transport fares pricing and will reduce the disparities that currently exist for some passengers. I thank the Senator for the opportunity to discuss this matter.”
“I have been advised that Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Luas are all working closely with their contractors to enable implementation of the phase 2 fare changes. I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me a little bit of extra time. It is my first day. Next time, I will be better prepared. I have one or two more comments after the Senator’s follow-up.”
“The new commuter zone will include stations outside of the Dublin city zone, which the Senator mentioned, as far as Rathdrum, Kildare, Enfield, Drogheda and, of course, Newbridge, and will provide better value for passengers from these areas. The Dublin commuter zone is designed to ensure the cheapest fare is made available to passengers and will help to alleviate boundary issues between the national and city fare structures. For example, for a journey from Newbridge to O’Connell Street, passengers will benefit from the flat fare element within the city, facilitating longer distances of travel at a cheaper fare. Unfortunately, the implementation of phase 2 has been delayed due to a number of technical challenges.”
“The first phase of the fares determination was subsequently introduced last June, and I understand the Department of Transport is engaging with the NTA on the implementation of phase 2, which will deliver more integrated and equitable fares in Dublin commuter areas up to 50 km from the city centre. This area was selected based on a review of future public transport network proposals, for example, the implementation of DART+ along with analysis of ticket sales information to determine travel demand. Later phases will include the introduction of free transfer flat fares in the regional cities and certain towns and distance-based fares for the rest of Ireland outside towns and cities.”
“To support this objective, in budget 2025 the Department of Transport secured €658.5 million of funding for PSO and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link services. That was an increase from €614 million in 2024. The package also includes funding for the continuation of the various public transport fare initiatives and funding to extend free child fares on PSO services to include those aged between five and eight years old. It also supports new and enhanced public transport services. In its capacity as fare regulator, the NTA published a new national fares strategy on 27 April 2023. On 18 January 2024, it published the first of a series of fare determinations related to the strategy. This was aimed at simplifying fares and introducing a more equitable distance-based structure, which brings us to the point raised by the Senator.”
“I thank the Senator for her question. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I would like to clarify that the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport but neither he nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under PSO contracts. That said, the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of that goal.”
“This is further reflected in the recommendation this week from the ministries of defence in Poland and three Baltic states to leave the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, otherwise known as the Ottawa treaty. Domestic discussions and democratic processes with regard to these recommendations are due to take place in these states. All I can do is assure the Chamber that Ireland's views on disarmament conventions are and will remain well known to our partners.”
“I thank Senator Higgins again. I can hear her passion and her belief, and that matters. What I can say on behalf of the Government is that Ireland's support for the Convention on Cluster Munitions remains steadfast. As I have said, Ireland is committing to further the universalisation and implementation of the convention. We will remain a strong advocate for the aims of a convention that seeks to prevent the use of such indiscriminate weapons, which have reverberating and long-lasting negative effects. We fully agree with the Senator's statements on this. Lithuania's decision to leave the convention clearly reflects the serious extent to with which the illegal actions of Russia and its unjustified war of aggression on Ukraine have undermined European security.”
“As an EU member state committed to the international rules-based order and the rule of law, Lithuania chose to leave the Convention on Cluster Munitions rather than breach its obligations. While we of course wish Lithuania had decided to remain within the convention, we acknowledge the openness with which our Lithuanian colleagues treated this difficult decision. Ireland is committed to upholding disarmament regimes, including the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and we will continue to be a vocal advocate for the convention.”
“Lithuania knows Ireland's principled stance on cluster munitions well, including in the contest of Russia's war in Ukraine. Ireland has continued to support Ukraine and its people in the face of Russian aggression. In line with Ireland’s consistent support for our obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions the Department of Foreign Affairs has communicated Ireland's concerns to our Lithuanian partners. Ireland’s views were further conveyed by then Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, during her visit to Vilnius last September. We have also conveyed our views alongside other representatives of states parties to the convention through the Irish Embassy in Vilnius. From those discussions we know this decision was not easy for Lithuania and not taken lightly.”
“The Russian Federation's ongoing illegal war of aggression on Ukraine has created serious security challenges for Europe and Ireland is not immune to these challenges. The altered security environment affects all of us regardless of geography. However, the Government is conscious of the particular security concerns felt by states neighbouring Russia, including Lithuania. Lithuania took a sovereign decision to leave the Convention on Cluster Munitions just six months ago. This followed domestic considerations and democratic debate on the increased security threats, national military advice and a supermajority vote of the national parliament in which only one member voted against leaving. The decision took effect on 6 March this year when Lithuania became the first and, we hope, the only state party to leave the convention.”