Mark Daly
Administrative Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Before I go to the next question, as this is the last sitting day before we break up for the summer, I thank Martin and all the Seanad staff, all the ushers, all the people who work in catering and all the people in the Oireachtas community, including the staff who work around the Upper House, for all their work.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Senator Frances Black and her guests: Shay Black, brother of the Senator, and Erica Pagels, from San Francisco – or, more accurately, Berkeley, which is just outside San Francisco – which is a nice part of the world. I thank Ms Pagels for coming over.”
“I welcome again to the Gallery the Black family. Shay Black was here already with Erica Pagels, but Martin Black, another brother of Senator Black, is now here and is also most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Martin told me there were no hard feelings after the Dublin-Kerry game, but that Dublin was robbed. That is according to Martin.”
“I welcome to the Gallery two special guests of Senator O'Loughlin, Joeleen Dyland and her son James, who has a huge interest in politics. We look forward to James coming back to Leinster House in the future, perhaps to work in the office with Senator O'Loughlin and maybe later as an elected Member of Seanad Éireann or Dáil Éireann.”
“The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its considerations of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000) (No.”
“There are 10,000 to 15,000 Irish people working in Belgium, many of them EU staff. This year is the 20th anniversary of Belgium GAA, which includes the EC Gaelic Club in Brussels. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Conradh na Gaeilge, the Irish language organisation, also have branches there.”
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“The issue that the Senator raised at the time was in relation to the conclusion of the negotiations. It was coming up the following day for a decision by Ireland and other member states. The answer led us to believe that negotiations were still ongoing. The process might have been ongoing, but it appeared that the negotiations had all but concluded. The concern about the people of Western Sahara and their-----”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, to the House. This is an unusual commencement matter in that the Senator has submitted it previously. I have reviewed the transcript of the engagement between the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and Senator Higgins and it seemed that all of the information that was available to the Department was not conveyed in the response, which is why I have asked that it be resubmitted by Senator Higgins.”
“Senator Victor Boyhan - the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the closure of mink farms in Ireland and the status of the compensation scheme agreed with the affected operators. Senator Garret Ahearn - the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the recent €50 million funding announcement for the tillage sector. Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the timeline for the completion of the replacement facility at Clogher House, Rathcorrick, County Cavan. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Alice-Mary Higgins, Sarah O'Reilly, Noel O'Donovan and Alison Comyn and they will be taken now.”
“Senator Noel O'Donovan - the need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the allocation of funding to upgrade the N71 in west Cork. Senator Alison Comyn - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the lack of suitable dental chairs and beds to treat people with disabilities. Senator Cathal Byrne - the need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on plans to establish a second Garda training college. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme. Senator Joe Conway - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the application for an extension for Scoil Gharbháin, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, County Waterford.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Alice-Mary Higgins - the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on Ireland’s position on the amendment of protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EU and its member states and Morocco, arising from the Court of Justice of the European Union rulings on Western Sahara. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the additional supports requested by the survivors of industrial and reformatory schools who are currently on hunger strike outside Leinster House.”
“I welcome to the Gallery pupils from Castlegregory Secondary School. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. I understand this is the transition year class. Normally when a school comes in, there is no homework for the rest of the week, but I do not know what to give a transition year class - whatever they want. No homework for the first week of the first term in the new year after they go back into fifth year. They will be grand. Amendments Nos. 5, 8 and 9 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“I thank the Senators who put forward the motion, all Members who contributed to the debate and the guests in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery for their attendance. I thank Senator Craughwell for sharing his family's lived experience and the Minister of State and her staff for coming to the House.”
“Before I call Senator Craughwell, as the proposer, to wrap up the debate, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Jane, Michelle and Dave Taylor, along with Bernice Rocca and Brian Killalea. They are welcome to Seanad Éireann, as are all our guests in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I thank them for being here for this important debate.”
“I welcome the Minister of State to the House. You are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. The Minister of State will speak for ten minutes, group spokespersons for eight minutes and all other Senators for five minutes and the Minister of State will reply not later than 2.50 p.m. The statements will conclude by 3 p.m.”
“There is too much traffic on the road outside and there is always the danger that someone is going to step off the footpath into the way of a cyclist or an oncoming bus. We have asked for that to be addressed. We have also had input into the strategic plan being adopted this week on foot of suggestions from the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight that a Members' feedback committee would be established to look at security, facilities and all other issues Members come across. The feedback committee would be a vehicle through which Members could raise those issues for them to be passed on to the commission to be addressed. I thank Members for their input in relation to the strategic plan. Their concerns are on track to be addressed, particularly those around safety and the use of taxpayers' money on days like yesterday.”
“The issue of security was raised at the Seanad Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight. While people are entitled to protest outside the Parliament, it was asked that the permanent problem we have in relation to protests be addressed in a permanent manner because we have rolling security measures whereby security barriers are brought in and then taken away because there is no crowd and no protest and this represents an enormous cost to taxpayer. We have asked the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to report back to the House and to make sure that this issue, which has been ongoing for a long time, is addressed in order that Members of the Oireachtas and members of the public who are visiting can come and go safely and that people who are protesting outside can also do so safely.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the staffing and service provision at Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal. Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the introduction of legislation to enhance the resilience of the electricity grid and the measures in place to ensure the electrical network's integrity in the interim. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the timeline for the completion of the new adult disability day services building at Horizons, Montenotte, County Cork.”
“The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Troy, is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank him for being here. He has ten minutes, all group spokespersons have eight minutes, and all other Senators have five minutes.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on plans to increase prison capacity in line with the country’s rising population. Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the recommendations of the civil legal aid review, in particular how the recommendations might improve how the free legal aid system impacts on domestic violence cases. Senators Sarah O'Reilly and Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the need for additional school accommodation for St. Aidan’s Comprehensive School, Cootehill, County Cavan.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to Seanad Éireann on short notice for an important debate comprised of statements on the flotilla. He will speak for ten minutes, all group spokespersons have seven minutes and all other Senators have four minutes each, and the Minister of State will then reply after the debating concludes. Anois an tAire Stáit.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, to the House. The Minister of State will make a contribution for ten minutes, group spokespersons for seven minutes and the Minister of State to reply at the of the debate. I call the Minister of State.”
“I welcome from St. Mac Dara’s Community College in Templeogue transition year students Kate Fairbrother and Saoirse O'Callaghan, who are working hard for Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn. I am sure they will give her a very high rating among Members of the Seanad.”
“For the benefit of Members, if Members put in Commencement matters, they should receive up-to-date information. Whatever the reply is, if something is happening today and the Senator got a reply yesterday in which that information was not included, I think-----”
“We will remind Europe of its ideas, values and principles to ensure it upholds peace, democracy and solidarity in an increasingly challenging world. Since 1964, thousands of members of An Garda Síochána and our Defence Forces have been part of the United Nations peacekeeping force on the island of Cyprus. We work with the United Nations on a just and viable solution to the partition. We earlier discussed the UN Security Council and its resolution in respect of guiding Cyprus back to becoming one nation again. Our friendship is also through the people. More than 140 Cypriot students are studying in Ireland. We welcome them. We hope they enjoy their time in Ireland and bring back the message of friendship from Ireland to Cyprus.”
“Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I will acknowledge that this year is the 65th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cyprus. The nation is proudly celebrating its ties and friendship with Ireland through the presence here of its ambassador. He is most welcome. Cyprus and the island of Ireland share a unique historical precedent in that we are the only two island nations in the world to be divided. We share a long struggle and history of fighting for our independence, which led to the division of our islands. As members of the European Union, we share many common ideas and views. Cyprus is to take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU in January next year. We will receive the baton from Cyprus in July. We look forward to working with Cyprus.”
“Senator Manus Boyle - the need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the status of future funding allocations for road safety initiatives, in particular at Dunkineely National School, County Donegal. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the timeline for the completion of the approved expansion of Bailieborough Community School, County Cavan. Senator Maria Byrne - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the prohibition of indoor vaping. Senator Teresa Costello - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the referral of women attending BreastCheck clinics for separate diagnostic scan appointments instead of carrying out scans at their initial visit. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to the House. He is most welcome. I welcome students from St. Paul's College in Raheny who are in the Gallery. They are joined by their teachers. One of the unwritten rules of Seanad Éireann is that there is no homework for any visiting school for the remainder of the week once it visits. It is Wednesday, so the students are doing well. Normally, if they can, try to come on a Tuesday. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Gareth Scahill - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of a strategy for the N60 national road through Castlerea, County Roscommon, following the completion of the N5 road project from Scramoge to Tibohine.”
“I welcome the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Dara Calleary, to the House for statements on auto-enrolment. I congratulate our colleague Senator Noel O'Donovan on his new ring. This may be the first time he has been with us with the ring on. I congratulate him and his new life partner. We hope they have a long and happy marriage.”
“I join my colleagues in expressing sympathies to our colleague, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, as well as her father Mossie, her two brothers and her sister, on the sad passing of her mother, who died all too soon.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the representatives from the International Police Association, which is celebrating 70 years of existence. I thank them for being here. I hope they enjoy the celebrations.”
“Your security is something about which we are very concerned. We believe that we should all work together to ensure a peaceful Europe, especially against those who would wish us harm. Thank you for being here with us today.”
“I know colleagues will join with me in welcoming the Latvian delegation led by the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament. Thank you for being here with us today, along with your ambassador, the chair of your defence and internal affairs committee, other Members of your Parliament and members of your staff. I thank you for coming to Ireland, to our Seanad. We had a very interesting discussion earlier in relation to the ongoing challenges Latvia has and that we all share in Europe regarding Russia's ongoing use of multiple elements of attack, including drones and cyberattacks, on Latvia and other countries throughout Europe. This is something that the European Union needs to work together on to ensure the safety of our neighbours at the furthest point away from us here, over on the border with Russia.”
“On behalf of this House, I wish to extend my sympathies to his wife, Elizabeth, his children, grandchildren, extended family and his many friends and colleagues. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I ask Members to be upstanding for a minute's silence in memory of Martin Mansergh.”
“In 2002, Martin Mansergh entered politics when he was elected on the agricultural panel to the Twenty-second Seanad, serving from 2002 to 2007. He was elected to the Thirtieth Dáil in 2007, representing the people of Tipperary South. He was appointed a Minister of State and was known as a reforming one. He was honoured many times during his life but in 2023, on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin. Professor Patrick Geoghegan, from the Department of History in Trinity College, wrote at the weekend: Most historians are content to write about the past. Martin Mansergh showed how a profound understanding of the past can help create a new future.”
“He went to Christ Church college in Oxford, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics before completing his PhD. He decided not to follow his father’s footsteps into academia, but joined the Department of Foreign Affairs. He left the Department in 1981 to join Fianna Fáil and became a political adviser to three taoisigh. He demonstrated persistence, commitment and dedication in realising the Downing Street Declaration and the IRA ceasefires and through his tireless work to bring the Good Friday Agreement to fruition. He was known for his honesty and intellect and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern credited him with bringing the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process a strong sense of historical relationships and responsibilities, along with a deep familiarity with the long-standing issues that have and required resolution.”
“We were all saddened to hear of the death of a former Member of this House, a former TD and Minister of State, a man who will always be remembered as one of the architects of our peace process, Dr. Martin Mansergh. It is hard to overstate the contribution that Martin made to the creation of peace and prosperity on this island. He was dedicated and compassionate and his ability to work with those he disagreed with and pursue a greater good is an inspiration to us all. After a life dedicated to the achievement of peace, he leaves Ireland a better place than he found it by bringing the scars of the past to heal and leaving us all able to look forward to a brighter future. He was born in Surrey in England but, of course, had close ties to Tipperary.”
“Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of a strategy for the N60 national road through Castlerea, County Roscommon following the completion of N5 motorway from Scramoge to Tibohan. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Eileen Lynch, Manus Boyle, Alice-Mary Higgins, Cathal Byrne, Fiona O'Loughlin and Seán Kyne and they will be taken now. Senator Gareth Scahill may give notice on another day of the matter that he wishes to raise.”
“Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion to make a statement on the provision of a school bus for students from Wexford town attending Good Counsel School, New Ross, County Wexford. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Defence to provide an update on the implementation of the action plan relating to the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the recategorisation of Galway City Council from a tier 5 to a tier 4 local authority under the national Government funding model.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the introduction of incentivising savings and investment accounts for Irish savers. Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the status of the courthouse in Donegal town. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins - The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on Ireland’s position on the amendment of protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EU, its member states and Morocco arising from the Court of Justice of the European Union rulings on Western Sahara.”
“The proposer and seconder have 16 minutes apiece. The group spokespersons have six and they may share time. All other contributors have six minutes. The Minister of State may be called upon to contribute from the Government side whenever he so wishes and he has 15 minutes for his contribution.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome a mammy to the Gallery. Carmel O'Connor, mother of our esteemed Senator McCormack, is here. Your daughter is doing a great job. You can be very proud of her. She will be speaking in a few minutes, so we look forward to an excellent contribution, as usual, from her. Thank you, Carmel, for coming in today.”
“The debate will follow the normal pattern. The Minister of State has 15 minutes, group spokespersons have eight minutes and all other Senators have four minutes. The Minister of State will be called on to reply not later than 5.50 p.m.”
“We will bring the issue the Senator raised to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight. It is an issue in the Dáil is as well where Members are having questions answered but not always by the line Minister. I call Senator Daly.”
“Far be it from me to give anyone life advice but in Kenmare when three brothers who had been running the bakery for 49 years retired, they put a lovely handwritten note on the window thanking all their customers, friends and neighbours and everyone in the town for their service to the bakery and support down through the years. They wrote on the note, “Now we must learn the art of how to spend time without spending money”. When Julie learns that art, will she come back and tell us all? I thank her very much for all her service to Leinster House down through the years. We really appreciate it. Anois, Senator Maria Byrne.”
“There are lots of jokes and she is not one to point out how people are doing but she has a great sense of humour. We will miss her when she is gone from us here as she heads off for happy retirement. She must make sure to visit us loads - she does not have to do any more of the cooking. We really enjoyed all our time with her when she wandered around the self-service restaurant or the Members’ dining room and made great conversation and great friends. I thank her for all her service down through the years. That deserves a big round of applause.”
“Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome a very special guest, or rather guests, to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Julie Lyons is here with all her family. If anyone has ever been to Leinster House and eaten food here, it has been made with the loving tender care of Julie and all her team. She looks after everyone in Leinster House as if they are one of her own. She is here with all of her own. There are two children, Miranda and Dan, son-in-law Ed, daughter-in-law Lorraine, grandchildren Ruby, Lily, Teddy and George, sister Deirdre and brother Eamon. Partner Brendan is away. Since I came here in 2007, she has looked after me and everybody we have brought in here with special care. She makes every occasion an occasion. She has served under nine taoisigh and treated each one of them the same as she treats all Members.”
“Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome Ballyhaunis Community School to the Gallery as guests of Deputy Paul Lawless. I met some people earlier and they mentioned to me that there is no homework for the rest of the week for any visiting school. That is an order of the Seanad.”
“I understand that when they were based in Malta, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers gave their jerseys to a local football team, Floriana FC, and the team wears the same colours today, while the local residents have the nickname tal-Irish. We have that historical connection and our long-standing connection within the European Union. We are very grateful for that and we wish you a very happy independence day. I now invite the Leas-Chathaoirleach to welcome the ambassador.”
“Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador from Malta, H.E. Fiona-Jayne Formosa. Ambassador, you are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today as we mark your national day and celebrate Malta's independence in 1964. As we are both island nations on the periphery of Europe, we share a common ancestry in terms of struggles for independence, as well as a great love of history, language and culture, and a great friendship within the European Union. We thank you for your support for us during the Brexit negotiations, the outworkings of which are still going on. We appreciate the support in the past and currently and, of course, we would be very grateful for your ongoing support in that challenge. The links between Ireland and Malta go a long way back.”
“The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Teresa Costello, Joanne Collins and Mike Kennelly, who are sharing their time, Nessa Cosgrove and Lynn Ruane, and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.”
“Senator Lynn Ruane - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the actions being taken to ensure the urgent reunification of the family members of child medical evacuees from Gaza receiving treatment in Ireland. Senator Martin Conway - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the timeline for the publishing of the HIQA review into urgent and emergency care in the mid-west region. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to address water issues in Macroom, County Cork.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Teresa Costello - The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline to access givinostat for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and whether a bespoke pathway enabling quicker access is being considered. Senators Joanne Collins and Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to make a statement on the future of the Kostal Ireland plant in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the funding of multiple sclerosis services in the north west.”
“I join with the Senator in extending the sympathy of the Members of Seanad Éireann to the family and friends of Patrick Gerard Murphy, who was a great councillor. He overcame many challenges, and they never stopped him representing all the people of his constituency in Cork South-West on the Beara Peninsula, of which he was immensely proud, and they were proud of him. I thank the Senator for remembering him today.”
“With that level of knowledge and experience, we expect and know Martin will be an exemplary Clerk to Seanad Éireann. We wish you all the best. We know you and the team around you will continue the great work that was done by Martin and Bridget. On behalf of Seanad Éireann, comhghairdeas to Martin and welcome to Seanad Éireann.”
“Of course, Bridget being from Kerry, there is the famous phrase from one of the editors of the newspapers in Kerry that a day out of Kerry is a day wasted. Bridget now gets to spend all of her time in Kerry. We look forward to meeting her down in the Kingdom. I also want to congratulate another Martin - Martin Hughes - on his impending appointment by the commission. He will be formally appointed as soon as is practical. Martin has served in the Oireachtas since 2017. He has been a committee clerk since 2019, clerk to the Committee of Public Accounts from 2020 to 2022, clerk of the Working Group of Committee Cathaoirligh and a temporary clerk to the Dáil. He has been in nine committees, including finance, public accounts and housing, local government and heritage.”