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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“Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to address ongoing water supply and infrastructure issues relating to the Allenwood reservoir and Hillsborough, Newbridge, County Kildare. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected all of them and they will be taken now. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, to the House.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the progress of the proposed HSE primary healthcare centre for Cahersiveen, County Kerry. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the funding of multiple sclerosis services in the north west, including a dedicated community worker for Sligo-Leitrim. Senator Martin Conway - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to make a statement on the opening of an IDA Ireland office in Taiwan.”
“Therefore, we are celebrating the past connections between Denmark and Ireland, but also the present relationship and we look forward to growing that relationship. The ambassador told me earlier that the Danish flag, which is in our anteroom, the room adjoining the Seanad Chamber, to mark Denmark's national day, is the oldest flag in the world and descended from the heavens in the middle of a battle, which no doubt, Denmark won, unlike the one in Clontarf. I just wanted to remind the ambassador of that one. I wish him a happy Constitution Day and thank him for being here on his national day.”
“Denmark and Ireland are also linked by a love of mythology and storytelling, with the translation of many Irish stories to Danish literature so the connection is very much alive. We also have the great love of music and folklore. A milestone we also share, as well as all those historical ones, is that Denmark, Ireland and the UK joined the European Union on 1 January 1973. We celebrate that ongoing relationship between us and the Danish people by collaborating and working on the shared values we have. There are 3,000 Danish people living in Ireland and many Irish people, some of whom I know, live in Denmark and enjoy Copenhagen. There is a GAA club in Copenhagen as there are clubs all over the world and St. Patrick's Day is rightly celebrated in Denmark.”
“Before I take Commencement matters, I welcome the ambassador of Denmark who is in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, along with the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The Kingdom of Denmark marks Constitution Day each year, which marks the signing of its first ever constitution in Denmark in 1849 and the current constitution, which was adopted in 1953 on the same date, 5 June. It is fair to say the relationship between Denmark and Ireland did not get off to the best start, many centuries ago, but thankfully, our exchanges now are defined by culture, trade and friendship. Denmark was very much involved in the founding of some of our cities, including Dublin, Waterford and Limerick, and in helping to establish those early forms of urban life in Ireland.”
“We are also joined by guests of Deputy Malcolm Byrne from the Croghan Athletics Club parkrun group. They are most welcome. I know the Deputy has done something like 50 marathons or something like that.”
“I welcome to the House, and I am reading this as it is written in the note, "and say hello to my better half, Conor Cosgrove". By the way, that is Senator Cosgrove's better half and not my better half. I also welcome his friend, Brian Kinsella, both up today from Sligo. I thank them for being here.”
“Before I call on the Acting Leader, I thank all our MEPs for their contribution and outlining the work they do. As this is broadcast on Oireachtas TV over the coming weeks I hope that the MEPs, having outlined all the committees they are working on, much of which is unknown and unacknowledged. I want to acknowledge it here today. We thank the MEPs for all the work they do on behalf of Ireland at all those committee meetings. There is not a lot of glory and medals won sitting in committee meetings for hours on end for projects that can take years to get across the line, and the small victories that nobody at home will hear about that they are achieving on our behalf. I thank them for that. I will ask the Acting Leader and the Leas-Chathaoirleach to make a few closing remarks.”
“Just to be clear, this is an address to Seanad Éireann by Members of the European Parliament about Europe. What anybody did in a previous job is not the issue before us here today. I call on Ms Maria Walsh, MEP.”
“Excuse me. I ask Mr. Mullooly to finalise his contribution because we have gone way over time on his contribution. I know there have been a number of interruptions. I want to get to Maria Walsh, MEP before I ask the Acting Leader and Leas-Chathaoirleach to come in.”
“I will give you one more minute. Mr. Mullooly, without interruption. Everyone is aware of all the questions being asked of the Members of the European Parliament. They are answering the questions as they see it.”
“Everybody, including Ministers and yourselves, are entitled to answer the questions put to them in the way they feel is appropriate. We have lost more time. I want to go onto our final contribution before the Acting Leader-----”
“Members, a question has been asked. A Member of the European Parliament is answering the question. He and any Member is entitled to answer the question any way they feel fit. That is the rule of the House. We have not changed the way the debate is structured.”
“The question was asked. The guests with us are entitled to answer the questions in any way that they feel appropriate. I am not directing how they do it. Everybody has been given the opportunity to ask their questions. MEPs are entitled to give their contribution. I am going to give more time because there has been a number of interruptions.”
“Quite a lot of meetings they had over the past number of days. Especially to my friend Wayne, thank you for being here and for your friendship. Anois, again in alphabetical order, just to be transparent and clear, I call Ms Carberry. She has five minutes to answer all those 50 questions.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Is that agreed? Agreed. Before I call our Members back in for their final contributions on a wide range of questions and then ask the Acting Leader and the Leas-Chathaoirleach to make their concluding remarks, I welcome from the great state of Utah my good friend, the president of the Utah Senate, Senator Wayne Harper; Jeff Moss, director of the governor's office in economic development; his wife Kim; Franz, the director of the centre of international business and diplomacy; Anthony from the Utah House of Representatives, "the Lower House" as we would call it here - and Kira his wife; and Ryan, a professor of engineering and quantum, to put it correctly. All are here from Utah and I look forward to welcoming them back soon. I thank them, especially Kim and Kira, for putting up with all the meetings from us.”
“I am conscious of time and know we are running over time. I will ask the Leader to propose an extension of time, but I will ask the remaining speakers to limit themselves to one minute each. I will then bring in the MEPs again. If Members want to take a sos, we can do so. We are scheduled to go until 4.30 p.m. We can keep going, depending on what Members would prefer.”
“As luck would have it, Ms Sanna Lepola and Mr. Jesús Gómez are here. Ms Lepola is the director general for parliamentary democracy partnerships for the European Parliament, and Mr. Gómez is a director. They are visiting here today in advance of our Presidency, so it is most appropriate that they would be here for our debate with our Members of the European Parliament. Thank you for being here.”
“I thank all our MEPs for their contributions and for sticking more or less to the time. For the next round, we will have group spokespersons from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Independent Group, Sinn Féin, the Cross-Party Group and the Civil Engagement Group. Senator O'Loughlin has the first five-minute slot.”
“Each of the MEPs will speak for six minutes as an initial opening statement, which I believe is a lot more than you normally get in Europe. My Seanad colleagues are somewhat not as attentive to the bell when I ring it. Then we will have group spokespersons for five minutes and then other Senators will speak for two minutes. Obviously, we will have your contributions throughout this session. Again, I thank you all for being here. I will start, as I said, in alphabetical order with Ms Nina Carberry, MEP.”
“It is not about looking at what we did 28 years ago but about what lessons we have to learn from others in implementing the Good Friday Agreement, what are the issues around radicalisation, the funding of paramilitary organisations or other areas such as gangs or criminal gangs, and how we challenge social media in relation to that radicalisation. This is a very unique idea from Ireland for what we should be discussing during the European Presidency. We look forward to the MEPs' views on that. I thank our MEPs for being here and taking the time out. I welcome Ciarán Mullooly's wife, who is in the Gallery here to see him address the Seanad. I thank you all for taking the time. Our Leas-Chathaoirleach will be taking over and doing some of the chairing of this session as well.”
“We are delighted that you are able to take time out of your busy schedules to be here. We look forward to you all outlining the proposals and ideas we should have and champion in the Presidency of the European Union. As you know, each host country gets to select two of the items that are championed or discussed as part of the Presidency. In Ireland's case we have selected agriculture, of course, as something very important to the people you represent in the Midlands-North-West, and we have also chosen the Good Friday Agreement as the other element. It is under the framework of global peace but not in an historic context.”
“The national day today is Italy, and marking its national day yesterday was Croatia. We do that in recognition of the strong historic links we have with those countries of the European Union and in looking to the future. While we glance back, we are also looking forward into the relationships we are creating and which we are creating through the MEPs' work. We also do work here on scrutiny of the EU statutory instruments which are the EU laws that are added to by Government Departments and signed into Irish law. It is a huge volume of legislation. Our MEPs are at the starting point of that process and are involved in the middle of the process, while we are on the tail end of that process. It is important to have that link all the way through. The purpose of this session is the ongoing engagement, and we will have this every year.”
“The decisions our MEPs are involved in making through their work in the European Parliament and the committees of the European Parliament affect the lives of people throughout this island and throughout the world. This is why it is important at this stage and throughout the year that we will be engaging with all our MEPs. We have already done this with our MEPs from Ireland South and we will be engaging with the MEPs from the Dublin area in the autumn to look at the priorities that Ireland has and that MEPs have, and at the issues the MEPs are promoting and championing. The engagement is a connection between our Parliament, the Oireachtas, the European Parliament and the people of Ireland In this House we pay particular interest to Europe. We mark the national days of the parliaments throughout the European Union.”
“I am delighted to welcome our colleagues from the European Parliament Midlands-North-West constituency, particularly in light of Ireland's Presidency of the EU. To be clear about the seats because I know people are very precious about seats in this House, the other House and any other elected body, the seats are allocated in alphabetical order and the speaking order will also be in alphabetical order to ensure impartiality. I welcome Ms Nina Carberry, MEP, Mr. Barry Cowen, MEP, Mr. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, MEP, Mr. Ciaran Mullooly, MEP and Ms Maria Walsh, MEP. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. As we know, the EU plays an enormous role in the lives of everybody on this island but also the lives of everyone throughout the EU and around the world.”
“Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the progress of the proposed HSE primary healthcare centre for Cahersiveen, County Kerry. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the funding of multiple sclerosis services in the north west, including a dedicated community worker for Sligo-Leitrim. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the introduction of an illness benefit scheme for those who are self-employed and pay an S stamp. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected those raised by Senators Nelson Murray, Crowe, Gallagher and Sarah O'Reilly and they will be taken now.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the status of the review of the assistive technology scheme for primary and post-primary schools. Senator Ollie Crowe - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the streamlining and modernising of the Garda vetting system. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on online safety, particularly around the use of smartphones for children. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of additional funding for roads in the Cavan and Monaghan area.”
“Amendments Nos. 6 to 13, inclusive, are related. Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 9. Amendments Nos. 6 to 13, inclusive, may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“Amendments Nos. 4, 5 and 54 are related. Amendment No. 5 forms a composite proposal with, and is consequential on, amendment No. 4, with amendment No. 54 also being consequential on amendment No. 4. The three amendments may be discussed together.”
“Before proceeding, I remind Members from the Midlands-North-West constituency that all five MEPs representing the constituency will be in the Chamber from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. I hope Members will be able to attend, especially in view of Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the European Union.”
“I welcome the Japanese ambassador to Ireland. He is most welcome to the Seanad. We are delighted he is here. We have great relations with his country and great regard for its friendship with Ireland. We are delighted to see him here with the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. I thank the Minister of State for bringing the ambassador here. Long may our friendship continue. I also thank the ambassador.”
“I thank the Senator for his work as convenor on that report on farm safety. It was quite comprehensive in terms of engagement with farming organisations and groups as well as with the victims of farm accidents, those who lost loved ones and those whose lives were transformed by injuries they received. I thank him for his work on that. The report's recommendations led to changes throughout the country on the issue of farm safety.”
“I welcome guests of Senator Andrews - students who are doing their masters in international development in Maynooth University. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. I also welcome guests of Senator Noonan and Deputy Clarke. I thank them for being here.”
“As Members are aware, political charges are part of the cut and thrust of the Seanad and obviously, issues that are of public interest and in the public arena are open for discussion here but people have to be careful about making anything other than political charges.”
“I welcome the ambassador from Georgia, H.E. Sophie Katsarava. She is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. She is a guest of Senator Diarmuid Wilson. Georgia and Ireland have a great friendship, and have had many a contest on the soccer field. We thank the ambassador for coming today and for her friendship. I thank Senator Wilson for bringing the ambassador to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and for being here today.”
“I welcome visitors from the school of law in Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. They are guests of Senator Frances Black and the chief translator, Vivian Uíbh Eachach. I thank them for coming. If they find any flaws in our processes, I ask them to point them out.”
“Obviously, we have shared history when it comes to fighting a much larger power to achieve our independence over many centuries. A history of emigration is something else that we tragically share, along with the desire to stay connected with our diaspora. I know the ambassador does that very well on behalf of his government and his people. We look forward to delegations coming over from the Croatian Parliament during our Presidency of the European Union and engaging with our convener Deputy Paul McAuliffe and others with regard to strengthening the bonds between Ireland and Croatia. In this month of May on the anniversary of Croatia's statehood, we wish Croatia a happy statehood day and thank its ambassador for being with us here today.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the Croatian ambassador to Ireland, who is here to celebrate Croatia's national day along with An Leas-Chathaoirleach and the newly appointed convener of the Ireland-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The ambassador is most welcome. I think he has been here nearly seven years at this stage. It is always a delight to meet him and to talk about the issues that join us together, such as the many Irish people who go on holidays in Croatia and the many people from Croatia - the number is nearly 17,000 - who work here in Ireland. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Croatia's declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, which was recognised by Ireland on 15 January 1992. We look forward to celebrating that anniversary next year.”
“We will be sorry to see him leave but delighted for him personally having stood before the electorate and been elected, and having succeeded previously but also not been successful on other occasions. It is always a great joy for anybody who is involved in elections to see someone elected to the Dáil, particularly somebody for whom we have great respect and regard. I wish Seán all the best-----”
“Dia dhaoibh, a chairde. Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business I wish to announce that Senator Seán Kyne has been elected to Dáil Éireann and is, by virtue of Article 15.14 of the Constitution deemed to have vacated his seat in Seanad Éireann. Consequently, a casual vacancy has occurred in the membership of Seanad Éireann. On a personal note, I thank now Deputy, former Senator, Seán Kyne, for his service as Leader to the Twenty-seventh Seanad. I wish him well. He worked well with all sides. He was always very attentive to Members when they raised questions on the Order of Business and worked very hard in that role as Leader of Seanad Éireann.”
“The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Margaret Murphy O'Mahony, PJ Murphy, Victor Boyhan 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 Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to address ongoing water supply and infrastructure issues relating to the Allenwood reservoir in County Kildare. 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, including a dedicated community worker for the Sligo-Leitrim area. Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the progress being made towards granting designated port status for Killybegs Port for non-EU vessels.”
“Senator Lynn Ruane - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the impacts on vulnerable individuals and groups following proposals to introduce a flat fee for criminal legal aid representation. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of additional funding for roads in the Cavan and Monaghan area. Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on capping the number of breeding females permitted within a dog breeding establishment. Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the progress of the proposed HSE primary healthcare centre for Cahersiveen, County Kerry.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Margaret Murphy O'Mahony - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the services and supports in place to assist people living with inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Senator P.J. Murphy - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine to make a statement on the timeline for publishing the scientific assessment into the threats posed by imported non-native honeybees. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the provision of funding for staff and services needed for people with disabilities to live in local authority homes.”
“I welcome guests of Senator Dee Ryan visiting from the United States, who are Joe Nuzzolese, Leigh Volkand and Emmet Kelly from Edwards Lifesciences in Limerick. Killian Keys is also here. I thank them for coming and I thank Senator Ryan for bringing them in. There are also guests of the Ceann Comhairle from New Ross, County Wexford. They are all welcome.”
“As it is after 4.15 p.m., the debate is adjourned by order of the House today. Senator Higgins will be in possession when the debate resumes. I remind Members that on Committee Stage, they are allowed to come back in, so please allow the Minister, whoever the Minister is, to finish so that Members can ask their follow-up questions. We want to be able to tease this out in a manner that people can see there is a process. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House.”
“I join the Senator in congratulating them for getting to the summit of the highest mountain in the world. That is quite an achievement. When Sir Edmund Hillary made it to the top, he was asked why he did it, and he said, "Because it is there." That was his explanation for climbing the mountain and putting himself and everybody else at risk by trying to get to the top. Why did he climb it? "Because it is there", he said.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome guests of Senator McCarthy - pupils from St. Patrick's National School in Greystones and their principal Rachel Harper. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. As is the rule of Seanad Éireann, and Senator McCarthy was discussing this with me earlier, there will be no homework for the rest of the week of their visit to Seanad Éireann. If there any problems with that, they can take it up with Senator McCarthy.”
“Before I call on the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome guests of Senator Eileen Lynch from Coachford College. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann, and I thank them for being here today. I do not know what class they are. If they are transition year, I am sorry to tell them we give an award of no homework for the rest of the week when they visit Seanad Éireann. If there are any issues, please let me know but that is the rule and the teachers have to comply with the rules of the Senate, just like the Senators do sometimes - not all the time. I ask the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business.”
“Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on plans for local authorities to deliver social and affordable housing for people with a disability. Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on GAA matches being placed behind paywalls. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Stephenson, Gallagher, Costello and Scahill and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. I apologise for delaying the Minister and I thank him for coming to Seanad Éireann today to take these Commencement matters.”