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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,010 lines we hold for Mark Daly, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 20 of 21.
“Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister for Transport to introduce a designated active travel fund for small rural towns. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the application for an extension to Milltown National School, Belturbet, County Cavan. Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to make a statement on the development of the proposed science museum at the National Concert Hall and its likely impact on the Iveagh Gardens. Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his plans to increase the amount of zoned lands in county and local area plans to meet housing demand.”
“Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline when the €100,000 over-the-shop housing grants will be made available to the public. Senator Laura Harmon - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the measures being put in place to address the safeguarding, staffing and governance issues outlined in the recent HIQA report in relation to Sunbeam House Services, and the steps she is taking to support and protect people with intellectual disabilities. Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to provide an update on emergency flood relief measures for Bridge Street, Killybegs, County Donegal.”
“Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the allocation of funding to complete the design work on the Ardee to Castleblayney N2 road scheme. Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the allocation of funding to upgrade the N59 in Connemara, County Galway. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to make a statement on plans for the future management of the Curragh Plains, County Kildare, including the prohibition of illegal encampments on these lands. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the status of a new building for Macroom Youthreach centre, County Cork.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Tom Clonan - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the provision of services by children's disability network teams and early intervention teams in Blanchardstown, Harmonstown, Coolock and Kilbarrack to a child with special needs who has been on waiting lists since 2020. Senator Patricia Stephenson - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the changes to be made to the accessibility and timeliness of overseas development aid in 2025 to compensate for funding shortfalls, in particular to women’s rights organisations affected by US foreign assistance cuts.”
“I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery Stephanie Berault and her husband Greg who have come all the way from Louisiana. Stephanie is a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and is a friend of Senator Beth Mizell, who is in charge of the Irish caucus in Louisiana and to whom we send our great regards. She is travelling in Ireland with recent graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, so it is most appropriate that she is here for this particular debate. When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?”
“Before I call Senator Paraic Brady, I welcome Leona Brady, who is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Leona is on TY placement with her father and we look forward to the report card that she will give to Senator Brady on this particular speech. Leona should take out the pen and paper and we will see how he gets on.”
“Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to make a statement on the development of the proposed science museum at the National Concert Hall and its likely impact on the Iveagh Gardens. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Maria Byrne, Nicole Ryan, Mary Fitzpatrick, Lynn Ruane, Joanne Collins and Gareth Scahill and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan, to the House.”
“Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to make a statement on the commencement of the minor flood relief scheme, post-Storm Bert in the Listowel area, County Kerry. Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to provide an update on the emergency flood relief measures for Bridge Street, Killybegs, County Donegal. Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister for Transport to introduce a designated active travel fund for small rural towns and villages. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the application for an extension to Milltown National School, Belturbet, County Cavan.”
“Senator Lynn Ruane - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy to make a statement on the development of the new national drugs strategy; the process for the review of the expiring strategy; and the necessity for engagement with the community drugs sector in both. Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the pension disadvantages encountered by women who stay at home to raise families or work on family farms. Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the inclusion of a multinetwork SIM card under the seniors alert scheme.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Maria Byrne - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the inclusion of boiler grants in the housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the planning challenges encountered by residents in Gaeltacht areas. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the actions she is taking to ensure adequate supplies of hormone replacement therapy and to resolve the delays in providing free HRT.”
“Government amendments Nos. 2 and 4 are related and amendment No. 2 forms a composite proposal with amendment No. 4. Amendments Nos. 2 and 4 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the status of the application for emergency accommodation by Grange post-primary school, Sligo. Senator Dee Ryan - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on strategies she will deploy to alleviate the serious overcrowding in the accident and emergency department at University Hospital Limerick. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and they will be taken now.”
“I have received notice I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the implementation of an appeals process for the XL bully dog ban. Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the non-commencement of section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the timeline for updating the planning guidelines for rural housing. Senator Aubrey McCarthy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his plans to address homelessness and the housing crisis.”
“Una Fahy is from Ardrahan National School and the principal is Mr. O'Leary. As a rule of the Seanad, Mr. O'Leary is not allowed to give Una any homework for the rest of the week and for the next week. I call Senator O'Loughlin, who is proposing the motion. Senator Clifford-Lee is seconding the motion.”
“I welcome the Minister to the House. He is a former Member and we are delighted he is back, but I am sure he is delighted he is back only in a temporary capacity. Senator P. J. Murphy has special guests in the Gallery. Would he like to welcome them?”
“Before I call on the Minister of State to respond, I want to welcome Deputy Cormac Devlin and members of the Ukrainian community in Ireland who are in Leinster House today on the occasion of the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Before our guests' arrival today, we had a minute's silence to mark that third anniversary. We hope that we will mark no more anniversaries of the invasion and that they will be restored to their country and the borders that they had three years ago.”
“By order of the House, the Minister must be called to speak at 3.20 p.m. I am conscious that people should get to speak. We are trying to get everybody in. Senators Harmon, Stephenson, McCarthy, Sarah O'Reilly and Duffy have approximately two minutes apiece. If they could stick to that, I would be very grateful. Anois, Senator Duffy.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. Before I call the next speaker, we have a very special guest all the way from Ukraine. Dia duit. Conas atá tú? Misha is a Ukrainian Irish speaker who lives down in Kerry. He is a guest here. I thank him for being here along with his máthair, Hanna, agus his deirfiúr, Varvara. He is also here with Dónal Ó Catháin from Ballyferriter. I thank Misha so much. Gabhaim buíochas leis na cuairteoirí go léir as a bheith anseo inniu. Bainigí taitneamh as an lá. B'fhéidir go mbeidh Misha ar ais mar Sheanadóir sa Sheomra seo. I thank him for being here today. All the way from Ukraine and a great Irish speaker - he could give us all lessons. Go raibh míle maith agat. Our next speaker is Senator Nicole Ryan. She is sharing time with Senator Collins. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“For the information of Members, they are entitled to bring up any topic on the Order of Business. However, there is a balance between the public interest and people's rights. It has happened before that information has been brought up but families did not want it brought up. I want Senators to be conscious of that when they are speaking.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Deputy Cleere on one of his rare visits to Seanad Éireann. He is most welcome. I also welcome Pat and Joan Murphy and thank them for being in Seanad Éireann. They are in great hands and will have one hell of an entertaining day.”
“I welcome back the former Cathaoirleach and now Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer. He is most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I thank him for being here today. I call Senator Duffy on the first of our Commencement matters today.”
“Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the status of the new building for Macroom Youthreach centre, County Cork. The matters raised by Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Mark Duffy, Victor Boyhan, Maria Byrne, Cathal Byrne, Alice-Mary Higgins and Fiona O'Loughlin and they will be taken now. Other Senators may give notice on another day on the matters they wish to raise.”
“Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the status of the application for emergency accommodation for Grange Post-Primary School, County Sligo. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his proposal to introduce planning exemptions for domestic structures in residential gardens. Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the implementation of an appeals process for the XL bully dog ban. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the funding for the N72 Mallow to Killarney road upgrades.”
“Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for disability to make a statement on the vacant speech and language therapist post in New Ross, County Wexford. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on public consultations and impact assessments to be undertaken prior to the publication of any proposed legislative changes to the European Commission to the corporate sustainability reporting directive, the corporate sustainability due diligence directive and the EU taxonomy. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the closure of Allenwood Day Care Centre, Kilmeage, County Kildare.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on planned upgrades to the N26 and N58, including the funding allocated to address traffic congestion and road safety issues in County Mayo. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the resourcing of the newly formed Tailte Éireann and the volume of dealings pending. Senator Maria Byrne - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the continuation of the tenant in situ scheme within local authorities.”
“Senator, I am making a general point. If you want your three minutes, come in for the start. If your speech is going to take over three minutes, you might want to bring it up as a Commencement matter.”
“Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome to the Gallery former Senator, Deputy Marie Sherlock. I thank her for coming back to visit us. I know she is missing us terribly, as we are missing her. I call Senator Flaherty.”
“Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome the former Captain of the Guard, John Flaherty, to the Gallery. He is most welcome. I am sure he is delighted to be on the other side of the glass and not to have to keep law and order for a change.”
“I thank Senator Crowe for the question and I thank the Minister of State for being here. As there is a vote in the Dáil Chamber and the next Minister of State has gone to vote, I ask the Whip to propose a suspension until 3.05 p.m.”
“Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the pension disadvantages encountered by women who stay at home to raise families or work on family farms.”
“Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for disabilities to make a statement on the vacant speech and language therapist posts in New Ross, County Wexford. Senator Tom Clonan - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the provision of services by children's disability network teams and early intervention teams in Blanchardstown, Harmonstown, Coolock and Kilbarrack to a child with special needs, who has been on waiting lists since 2020. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the planning challenges encountered by residents in Gaeltacht areas.”
“Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to introduce measures to increase security for councillors in line with those provided for Oireachtas Members. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the shortage of appropriate school places for children with additional needs in Cavan. Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee - The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the new school building project for Rush National School, County Dublin. Senator Laura Harmon - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on her plans to amend the assault leave for teachers and special needs assistants.”
“The Leader has accommodated us to take six Commencement Matters over the next few weeks instead of the normal four. I thank the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, for being here today. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Paul Daly - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the introduction of a funding mechanism for community centres and similar such groups to purchase and install electricity generators. Senator Ollie Crowe - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the financial supports available to radiation therapy students, particularly in relation to unpaid summer clinical placements.”
“I congratulate Senator Byrne. I ask her to come up and read the pledge at the Leader's desk. I compliment her on her long and distinguished service to the Seanad, to Limerick - she has raised issues relating to it many times in the Chamber - and across the country. We look forward to working with her, all of us here together, as our Leas-Chathaoirleach.”
“Nos. 1 and 2 on the Order Paper are motions on the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Both motions will be debated together. I call Senator Seán Kyne to move the motion proposing Senator Maria Byrne.”
“No, Senator. As a general rule, the Members who lead off are allowed to raise two or three matters but all other Members have two minutes and must either get everything into those two minutes or raise one issue.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the Iar-Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy, to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Larry served with distinction as president of the GAA, and also did us the honour of addressing us in our last term. He is welcome back. Larry was the first president of the GAA to be elected from outside of the island of Ireland, which is some achievement in itself. We could all take notes from Larry on how he managed to do that. Deputy Michael Moynihan is here as well with a delegation including another Moynihan, Anna Moynihan, possibly related to him but I am not too sure here, Aoibheann Lane, Aidan O'Sullivan, Edel Anglum, James Fitzgerald and Kevin Doody. You are all welcome to Seanad Éireann today. I call another aficionado of the GAA, Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn.”
“Amendment No. 4 has been ruled out of order as it is in conflict with the principle of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 5 and 6 have been ruled out of order. Amendment No. 7 has also been ruled out of order as not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 8 and 9 have been ruled out of order as not being in accordance with Article 46.2 of the Constitution.”
“I welcome the Minister of State back to the Chamber. For the information of Members, they can speak to or oppose a section on Committee Stage. Every Member is entitled to speak and come back in again on Committee Stage, unlike on Second Stage or Final Stage.”
“Before I call Senator Rabbitte, I welcome the transition year, TY, group to Seanad Éireann today. They are on a study week with the parliamentary education officer. You are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I hope you are learning a lot while you are here. I saw you in the room downstairs earlier and I know you were all heavily engaged in what you were being told.”
“The debate will follow the normal pattern with the Minister having ten minutes, group spokespersons ten minutes, and all other Senators five minutes. The Minister will be called on to reply to the debate. I welcome the Minister to the House. This is the first legislation of this Dáil and Seanad.”
“We have one more speaker, but first, I welcome guests of Deputy Devlin who have been working very hard in his office all week. They are welcome. They are Ali, who is all the way from the United States of America, and transition year students Max, Mark and Mary. I am sure he is appreciative of all their hard work. I thank them for coming to Seanad Éireann today.”
“I think he also described himself once upon a time as a drinker with a writing problem. More famously, after he was charged and sentenced in court in his absence, he said they might as well hang him in his absence as well. He was a man of great wit and humour.”
“Letters dated 6 February 2025 have been received from the Secretary to the Government regarding the appointment of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, members of the Government and Ministers of State. The letters will be recorded in the Journal of the House.”
“The Dáil has passed the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025 on 12 February 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.”
“I am not sure whether it was John B. Keane who said that a Kerry person with an inferiority complex is a Kerry person who thinks he is just as good as everybody else. I thank the Senator for his words. There used to be five Kerry Senators here once upon a time. We are reduced in numbers at the moment but I am sure we will be back in force.”
“I join the Senator in remembering Lisa as the former Leader of the House and her great service, not just to this House, but to Mayo, and also Paddy Burke, who was a great servant of the Seanad for nearly one third of its existence, which is an extraordinary record by any standard. He was a great adviser to me in this role.”
“By the way, her daughter is doing an excellent job and has been holding the Government to account for many years in legislation.”
“Sorry, 1981. If ever there was a case of try harder, fail better, try harder and succeed, it is Joe, for his perseverance and persistence. For that and for his grandchild, I congratulate him. Another special guest here today is Sabina Higgins. She is most welcome to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery, back to the Chamber where her husband made a great name for himself. In her own right, she is a great champion of causes. In Kenmare, we fondly remember her visit to open Cumann na mBan Park, which happened to coincide with the graduation for the entire school. It was a great day in Kenmare and we were proud that she opened the first public park in the ownership of the State in the town of Kenmare. We were delighted to have her there and we are delighted to have her here today.”
“We have a very special guest. She is the youngest guest here and is napping at the moment. Lasairfhíona is the first grandchild of Senator Joe Conway and his wife Sandra. She is 12 weeks old today. We congratulate her parents and grandparents, and Senator Conway on his election. He first ran for election to Seanad Éireann in the 1970s; is that right?”