Martin Conway
Administrative Panel · Independent · Ireland
“I too would like to welcome Leryn to Seanad Éireann. It is a very special trip back to Ireland for her and I hope she enjoys her time here. I also echo the good wishes and the thanks to Martin and all his team who make life so much easier for us here, and I hope all colleagues across the House have an enjoyable summer.”
“I have come across a number of examples lately that are quite distressing. I have to do further research but if the information that has been brought to my attention is correct, it is very distressing. I also seek a further debate on tourism. We have the Walker Cup coming to Lahinch in September and people are very excited about.”
“Finally, I commend Cara Darmody, someone the Leader knows very well, who is at the gates of Leinster House doing her two-day protest. I think it is her second in the last year. I commend her on what she has achieved through her advocacy and her campaigning and what she will achieve. I know the Leader would agree with me on that.”
“I support Senator Harmon in her call and proposition regarding Bessborough. I did not realise that planning permission had been granted. It is horrendous. With all the land throughout the entire country, surely to God, we can deal with a housing crisis in a more humane and respectful way than granting planning permission on that site.”
“If they did, I have no doubt it would raise awareness. It would develop a respect for the water and save many lives. I also believe every young person should undergo first aid training before they leave school. Again, it is not a difficult thing to provide.”
“I acknowledge the work that has been done to improve things in Limerick and the announcement by the Minister for Health in recent weeks that there is going to be a completely new hospital built, which will be co-located with UHL and will have its own emergency department. That is extremely welcome. I am a realist.”
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“We are a first world country. We aspire to having a top-class health service. In many areas, we do have a top-class health service. However, access to a vaccine should not be denied because of money. Certainly, access to something that will prevent an illness from happening should not be determined because of money. Not only should we be providing what Senator Conway is looking for - and I am glad the Government is not opposing the motion, because that is a very important first step in this process - we should also be looking at making other vaccines available. We should be a country where, if people are prepared to take a vaccine, we would move heaven and earth to give them as many vaccines as we possibly can. I have known people who have suffered greatly from shingles.”
“Against that backdrop, it makes absolute sense that we should be making this vaccine available free of charge and encouraging as many people as possible to avail of it. If HIQA is given terms of reference and comes back with a report to the effect that doing this does not represent value for money and that the money could be spent better in other areas, we can point out that this argument can be made in respect of so many aspects of life. A couple of years ago, we eliminated the €80-a-day charge for the first ten days people are in hospital. It could be argued that some people can afford to pay that charge, some people should pay it and so on. I really do not believe that is an argument for not doing something. The greater good, as Senators Clonan, Ahearn and others stated, needs to be taken into consideration.”
“There was a catch-up programme where if somebody did not avail of it, for whatever reason, in their early days at second level and parents subsequently wanted their children to avail of it, the cost was something like €800. After much lobbying by Laura Brennan's family, the Irish Cancer Society and others, the Government agreed that it be made available free of charge. I see the motion as an extension of that good health practice. We in Ireland are lucky that cynicism and people being sceptical about vaccines is very low in comparison with other countries. When we look at what is happening across the pond in America regarding vaccines, where they are absolutely not being encouraged at all, we can see that we are very fortunate that our citizens believe the science and the word of the experts and that they take vaccines.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. It is good to see her again. I commend Senator Joe Conway on moving the motion on this very important topic. I speak as someone who has campaigned over the past number of years with regard to vaccines in general. I was front and centre during the Covid pandemic in encouraging people to avail of vaccines. I have always supported and spoken out very strongly on the need for people to take the flu vaccine, especially those who are vulnerable but also people in general. Vaccines work and have been proven to work. The late Laura Brennan campaigned in respect of the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine. She spoke here many times. She encouraged and lobbied the Government and welcomed its decision to expand the availability of the HPV vaccine.”
“There is going to have to be more creative thinking. When somebody goes shopping, it should be a leisurely afternoon of enjoyment where they are not necessarily as price conscious. People who are price conscious regularly have predetermined their shopping in discount stores or online. The future of retail is important. The last thing we want is more dereliction in our towns and villages across the country. There is a EuroGiant store on The Height in Ennis. If that becomes vacant, it is not going to look good in the centre of the town, given the fact that millions have been spent on the paving in the town. We need to be creative and to think outside the box. We need targeted supports for the retail sector in this country. I would like a debate on the future of retail with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in due course.”
“I ask the Leader for a debate on the future of retail in Ireland. We saw overnight and yesterday the sad news that another retail outlet, EuroGiant, has gone into liquidation. I offer my sympathy and solidarity to the 600-plus workers in the business and the founder, who obviously did not want to be in this position. I understand he put €2.5 million into the company in recent times to try to keep it afloat, but, sadly, that did not work. The whole retail space in Ireland has changed. As somebody who worked in retail in a previous life, I think that elements of retail are under threat. We cannot change the whole online culture. That is here to stay and it would be foolhardy to think we could change it. However, we can be innovative by creating a retail experience as opposed to having people shop in retail outlets.”
“We had a meeting with the Moldovan ambassador, and I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for attending, where we discussed their hopes to become members. Recent elections saw a phenomenal mandate for the parties that supported accession to the European Union. Ireland will assume the EU Presidency on 1 July for six months. During that period perhaps there is a mechanism and an opportunity for Ireland to assist countries that hope to become full members of the European Union. Again, I call for a debate to be arranged with the Minister on the specific issue of accession countries and we could have statements on the EU Presidency to discuss our agenda, priorities and the constructive role that this House can play.”
“I welcome yesterday's Cabinet announcement about increased flexibility and funding for those people whose homes, businesses, organisations and voluntary groups have been destroyed by flooding. It is appropriate as these people have suffered in terms of not being able to get insurance, etc., because of historical experiences. The Leader is in the process of trying to organise a debate on the whole issue of flooding here and examine protocols. The national conversation on flooding is happening and I think we will have a much improved and more localised forecasting system. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister with responsibility for European affairs to come here for a debate on the countries that hope to become members of the EU. I am convenor of the Ireland-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group.”
“I spoke to my ophthalmologists, who are excellent people, at the time and was told that it would have to be done abroad. We decided not to do it and moved on with life. If it could have been done locally by our own experts and professionals, I would probably have been more inclined to have engaged in the process. When you are looking at something that would have been done in Finland, something that is personal but also academic in a sense, you say to yourself that you will leave it. It is an excellent motion. It is something that would benefit people and our citizens and I support it. I commend Senators Kyne and Byrne on tabling it and the Minister for being here today.”
“It is great to see the Minister. She is very welcome to the House. I support what my colleagues are proposing. As a country that is so advanced in so many areas, this is one area we could probably be more advanced. It is something we should do. It makes economic sense, but more than anything else, it is a support and a service to our citizens who need it. The eyesight condition I have is hereditary. About ten years, I looked at getting a study done because my father has it, but his brother and sister do not. His father, my grandfather had the condition and two of his brothers had it. I was just curious and interested to know. I do not have any children but if we were to have a child, a study may have revealed how prevalent it was, what the challenges and risks were and what could have been done to mitigate it.”
“We need to have more granular detail on what is expected. I note the comments of the Minister, Deputy Browne, on Met Éireann. I do not know who is right or wrong in this regard and do not believe anyone does; however, if we had more information on the protocols and processes involved, we would be better informed and better able to show the type of leadership expected of us by our communities. In 2014, when a mini tsunami destroyed the promenade in Lahinch in my county, did damage at Salthill in the Leader's constituency and badly affected Connemara, the response of the OPW and local authorities was very good, to be fair. At the time, we got €17 million. The product in Lahinch now compared with that before 2014 is much advanced. I wish the people of Wexford well. I hope they get the supports they need. I have no doubt they will.”
“This day last week when the Leas-Chathaoirleach was in the Chair, and prior to Christmas, I called for a debate on extreme weather and our response to it. I am disappointed and sad to say that I am making the same call again, not because the debate has not been organised, but because we have had extreme weather since this day last week, which I do not think any of us expected. We need to review the protocols that exist between the national emergency co-ordination group, local authorities, Met Éireann, the various voluntary organisations, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and so on. We also need to examine the communications methods and the timing of communications. As Members of the Oireachtas and leaders in our various communities, we need to be up to standard and up to scratch when it comes to this.”
“We also need to see greater investment in flood relief and flood protection measures. Going forward, we will see much more of this type of event. I would like to have a debate here to discuss our winter readiness and our readiness for extreme weather events. The more knowledge we have and the more we can input into it from our own experiences in our communities, the better informed we can be, and the better our readiness can be. I remember 2009 and 2010, when I was a member of Clare County Council. In one year, we were flooded and the following year, we were frozen. On Christmas Day that year, most of County Clare and many parts of the country did not have water because the taps were frozen. On 6 January 2014, our shoreline right across the country was impacted with an extreme ocean event.”
“I too would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to former Senator Gerard Lynch from Listowel, County Kerry. I did not know him but his reputation certainly preceded him as a councillor, Deputy and Senator. May he rest in peace, and sympathies to his family. We have had inclement weather in the last couple of days with a lot of rain, which reminds me of something that I raised in the Seanad before Christmas, that is, the need for a debate on weather preparation. We have seen in recent years that we have had extreme weather events and more so than we would have had in the past. While our emergency services are certainly well equipped and capable of dealing with many situations, they need more funding and we need to see greater investment in equipment to support our emergency services.”
“The Minister of State comes to Clare, to my home town, on his holidays every year and he and I have great social engagements. The school in Ennistymon took ten years to plan and another ten years to build, but it is a fantastic facility, one of the best in the country.”
“Therefore, I believe that special education is in very good hands. Hopefully, when this term is up in four years' time, we will see huge changes in terms of access to education for people with various disabilities, there will be equality and opportunities, and we will have a society that has a level playing pitch for everybody. That is all anybody wants. People do not want any special favours. They just want a level playing pitch. In conclusion, I hope that we will see a physical build in the Educate Together school in Baldoyle. I commend Margaret Fitzpatrick, principal, and all of the staff for their ongoing commitment and the work they do. I do this in memory of my old friend Michael Fitzpatrick, who passed away many years ago.”
“The school would probably be delighted if the Minister of State, in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for special education, visited the school because he would get a flavour of the work that the school has done on the ground very successfully to date and learn of its plans for the future. I am sure that the school would be open to having more than two extra classes if possible. Perhaps a visit could be considered in the Minister of State's diary. I thank the Minister of State for his constant engagement with me on this issue. I know from the many years he was Chair of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters of his forensic knowledge of this area, his determination and his absolute commitment to an equal society. As somebody with a disability, I get great encouragement and zealousness from his passion and commitment.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The ask is fairly clear. Of the 168 extra classes that were announced, I imagine a lot of them are in schools that have the physical capacity and, potentially, have classrooms that can be changed and adapted. There are some. Clearly, the Stapolin Educate Together school is one where it is neither practical nor possible to incorporate a class without a new build. There are situations and this is one of them. In order for this project to proceed, funding must be made available to build a new classroom.”
“It is by providing the foundations and classes that we get the best out of all of our students. I know that this is something that the Minister of State is passionate about and wants to see happen. I hope that he will be able to tell me today that not alone has this school been approved, which we know, but also that the Department will provide the funding to build the classrooms.”
“Such sanction would continue the ethos of quality education and continue the tradition that has been well established in this school of inclusivity, equality, equal opportunity and getting the best out of every student irrespective of his or her ability, disability or circumstances. The Minister of State and I know, because we have spoken at length about it over the last number of years, that there are lots of schools that have no interest whatsoever in special education and providing special classes. When there is a school that not only wants such classes, but embraces the opportunity and sees the benefit to the school and society in providing equality of opportunity and of access to education, then we need to work with it, support is and put funding in place to make things happen.”
“In recent days, the classes have been sanctioned but not the build, so the school simply does not have the space. With the best will in the world, you cannot turn toilets into a classroom or have a classroom in a corridor. Such scenarios are just not workable. Without the sanction to build the two classrooms, the project will not go ahead. It defeats the purpose of granting sanction for two extra classes without providing sanction and the funding to build. I have a simple and straightforward ask of the Minister of State, namely, that he and his Department sanction the funding to build the two new special needs classes for which the school has been approved.”
“They have two classes already which are very successful. The classes are well embedded into the school community and the children who are benefiting from the special autism classes are thriving, which proves that the model works. Within the school are a number of other students who are in the mainstream school body. Even more importantly, there are an estimated 30 students within the Baldoyle community and the surrounding catchment area who have applied for places in the Educate Together school. They have engaged with the Department, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Naughton, and previously her predecessor, Deputy McEntee, to get sanction for another two classes, which will be filled overnight.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and thank him for coming in to take this commencement matter, which is specifically related to his Department. It is great to actually have the lead minister here. Over 30 years ago when I was in UCD, one of my student colleagues at the time was a lady called Margaret Fitzpatrick and her brother was Mick Fitzpatrick. Mick sadly passed away a long time ago now and we remember him. I was recently reacquainted with Margaret when her school came on a trip to Leinster House and she raised an issue with me at the time of the lack of autism classes in their school. Subsequently to her visit, she followed up with me. I have quite a lot of detail on the Stapolin Educate Together school in Baldoyle now and the wonderful work they are doing in the whole area of autism.”
“The whole world, where possible, needs to unite against what is happening and the provocative language being used in the United States at the moment.”
“We have done so in the past and can now and into the future in terms of what is happening in Iran - I pay tribute in particular to the Minister for foreign affairs on her leadership on Iran - and what is happening in America. Just because we have a special relationship with the United States, it does not mean we should condone in any way what is happening and the behaviour towards Greenland and Denmark. As a country, we have influence in America. We now need to step up, do what is right and use our influence in America to push back against what is sadly becoming the soundings of dictatorship. It is totally wrong. It cannot happen and it should not happen. The language needs to be changed and there needs to be pushback.”
“I would also like to welcome the school and second the Leas-Chathaoirleach's proposal of no homework. I am sure Deputy O'Shea would agree - for the week. I join Senators Mullen and Boyhan and others in paying a heartfelt tribute to the late former Senator Mary White. I had the privilege of serving with her in my first term in the Oireachtas. Not alone was she an outstanding Senator and a great contributor on issues to do with enterprise, she was also a trailblazer in business, having set up Lir Chocolates and run it very successfully. She was affectionally known by many as "Mary chocolate". She was a wonderful woman and I would like to pay my respects to her husband, Padraic, and her daughter. I call for a debate on foreign affairs, specifically what is happening internationally. It is extremely serious. Ireland needs to show leadership.”
“Obviously, there is also substance abuse. I support the increased visibility of An Garda Síochána in that area. Perhaps in the new year the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, would come to the Chamber for statements on road safety so that we might get his thoughts on what changes he will bring to the Road Safety Authority without splitting it up.”
“I am saying this while bearing in mind that a person lost their life in Limerick last night, as did another person in Tipperary. Those deaths are appalling. The fact that the number of deaths has increased this year is very worrying. I also spare some thought for people who are injured because, sometimes, their injuries are life-changing. These statistics highlight the impact on the lives of the people who are hurt and, indeed, their families and loved ones. We have a problem with road safety. I appeal to people. Everybody has a role to play when it comes to road safety. I, unfortunately, do not drive. However, I appeal to all of those who do to be extra careful. Statistics show that most accidents happen within 4 km or 5 km of the home. People probably lose a little concentration because they are so familiar with the territory.”
“I wished everyone well for Christmas yesterday and reiterate that today. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, announced today that he was not going to split the Road Safety Authority as had been recommended by a consultant retained by the previous Minister. I agree with the decision of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. We do not need two quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations, quangos, with two CEOs, two boards, two chairs and so on to deal with road safety. We need to implement the common-sense approach and the good work that has been done over the years to escalate it. There is no point in creating a scenario whereby waiting lists for driving tests and so on will increase during the process of creating a new structure.”
“I spoke to Bernard Gloster this morning and he will be on duty all over Christmas because he expects the hospitals will be under significant pressure. That said, we need to acknowledge the positives. What is finally happening in the mid-west after many years is extremely welcome and positive.”
“I appeal to all stakeholders, including local authorities, the people who tender for the projects and so on, to commit in the same way the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has committed to delivering proper healthcare for the people in the mid-west. I sincerely hope we will see the maternity hospital relocated into the environs of UHL. That is critically important as well. We have seen the new national maternity hospital is happening but we need to see the maternity hospital in Limerick relocated because the children born in the mid-west deserve the same access to timely interventions that children in Dublin and other areas receive. In the run-up to Christmas, we will have a difficult period because flu is peaking.”
“The second very clear and unambiguous commitment, which has now been signed off on by Government, is that option B is now a reality and will happen. The HSE has been tasked with procuring a site in the vicinity of UHL to build the capacity that is needed, not just for the immediate future but for the next 20, 30 and 40 years for healthcare in the mid-west. This is great news. It is something that is now in train. I wish the HSE every success with the very important body of work that is commencing immediately. I remind it that this is time sensitive and needs to happen quickly. We cannot have any delays, and certainly no undue delays, when it comes to moving option B forward.”
“I too wish the Cathaoirleach, the new Clerk, the Clerk Assistant and the Leader and his team all the very best for Christmas. I know the Clerk, in particular, has had a baptism of fire in his new role. He is doing a great job and I wish everyone a very pleasant break. Like others here, I absolutely welcome the announcement from the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, yesterday. On becoming Minister, she committed to dealing with the HIQA report once it was published. The report was published and she dealt with it. She brought a memo to Cabinet and it is probably the most significant memo that has been brought for healthcare in the mid-west, certainly for a couple of generations. The commitment is now clear. Option A is being concluded and there is a very clear and definite timeline.”
“It should be independent and I certainly believe that would help them and enhance them doing their job. Obviously, I hope this task force makes fundamental recommendations on the future role of local government. I know the Minister of State has a very sound listening ear when it comes to this.”
“The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I welcome Councillor Anna Grainger and Tom to the Visitors Gallery. They are great councillors. I commend Senator Black and her colleagues for putting down this Bill. Any improvement in the terms and conditions of councillors is something that we unanimously support across the floor of the House. There are a couple of key points I would like to see. I would like to see resources available for councillors when they require advice for public relations, when they require expert advice when it comes to county development plans and so they can retain independent advice. Similarly, they should be able to retain independent financial advice when entering negotiations on budgets. This type of resource should be available to them.”
“I ask that the Leader’s office might write to the chief executive of Clare County Council and the chief executive officer of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to encourage them to work collaboratively to make this section of the road, which is very busy, safe.”
“I commend the Darragh road safety community group for the tremendous work it has done over many years. It has engaged with us as Oireachtas Members and with local councillors. There was a meeting yesterday between county council officials, road officials and Oireachtas Members and county councillors to progress this situation. I am calling on Clare County Council to step up to the plate. A shop and a number of other businesses in the Darragh area are near and adjacent to that double junction, which has quite a number of pedestrians and people floating around it. We need to see short-term, medium-term and long-term safety measures. In the short term, signage needs to be erected immediately. In the short to medium term, there needs to be a reduction of the speed limit. In the long term, we need to see a safer N67.”
“We are in the throes of what is a major, almost red, weather warning in County Clare and along the west and north-west coasts over the next few hours. I pay tribute to all the council workers, emergency services and gardaí who are doing their best under these trying conditions. I also raise the issue of safety on the N67, which is the main Ennis to Kilrush road. It is, to a large extent, the main link between west Clare and the rest of the country. Pockets of that road are quite dangerous. One of them is at Darragh, in the double junction between the L41701 and the L4190, where it is quite dangerous. There have been quite a number of documented incidents where there has been very heavy traffic, particularly at peak times. These are accidents waiting to happen.”
“That is a reasonable period for the Government to formulate its position on this. When it is doing so - the Minister of State will agree with me about this - it needs to think about the people who have been affected, including the businesses, farmers, homeowners, elderly people who are frightened and the people who are up at night wondering whether they will be flooded. At the end of the day, they are the citizens of this country and the ESB is a big, powerful organisation. These people, as far as I am concerned, have as much influence as the ESB and their voices have to be heard as loudly as that of the ESB. I commend Senators Rabbitte and Paul Daly on the work they have done on this.”
“This Bill is great. Senator Rabbitte's experience in government has influenced it and I hope it will progress in a timely fashion and does not just sit in the system for a year or two. We need to deal with Committee Stage after Christmas, with a view to concluding Report and Final Stages before the summer recess.”
“I might have been in some other capacity. Perhaps the Minister of State was. However, I was certainly there when then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, came, as were the Leas-Chathaoirleach and others, when the big review of the estuary was launched. We had the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and several Ministers at the time. As a side-script to something I will perhaps raise next week, perhaps we should hold statements on the review and the implementation of that report because a lot of money was spent on it and it was certainly big on renewables. The then Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was there and spoke passionately about the recommendations and the difference they would make to the country. I would like to know where we are in the implementation of that report. I know that is not why we are here today, but I am putting it on the record anyway.”
“If it feels the legislation can be improved, that is great and Members of the House who have suggestions about how it can be improved can propose amendments on Committee Stage. I agree with my colleagues who have spoken about the need for a review and discussion of Ardnacrusha, because Ardnacrusha was the biggest project undertaken by the Government at the time. It was huge. It was groundbreaking and made a huge difference in modernising the country. I attended, I think it was 20-----”
“The Minister of State is welcome to the House. I am here to support Senator Rabbitte on this interesting and important legislation. It is bizarre that this has not been addressed since 1934. It just shows how outdated it is, that it has not been a priority of any Government and that it suits the ESB that it remains this way. However, it certainly does not suit the residents whose lives, financial security, homes and businesses have been affected. I therefore pay tribute to Senator Rabbitte for introducing this Bill. I understand it will pass Second Stage, which is great because that will give the Government an opportunity to make its position known on Committee Stage.”
“It is just about the process. Beds cannot be magically delivered overnight. There has to be a process. However, we can accelerate the implementation of option B. I know the Minister is fully committed to that. Again, on behalf of the people of the mid-west, I thank the Minister for her urgency and commitment in this regard.”
“However, the critical thing at this moment in time is options A and B because they will eventually lead to option C. I know the Minister has committed to all three options. I am interested in hearing how we are going to develop both option A and option B. I believe that more can be achieved on the site at Dooradoyle. There is talk of a 96-bed block. It is my understanding that the history behind the number 96 is that the pocket of funding for the block had to be kept at €200 million. Perhaps that can now be scaled up. Perhaps the next 96-bed block could have another floor or two, adding another 15 or 20 beds. That is the type of outside-the-box thinking the Minister is very open to. There is this whole idea of capping funding at €200 million when we all know that bed capacity is needed and that funding is available for it.”
“I take this opportunity to encourage everyone who has not got the flu vaccine to do so because it is the one way we can help to deal with the numbers in our emergency departments. The 96-bed block is up and running and making a difference. I am very pleased that it is hoped that the accelerated critical infrastructure will include health infrastructure. I have no doubt the Minister has articulated that point loudly and clearly in the necessary corners of Government. With that memo on accelerated critical infrastructure protocols and so on being brought to Cabinet next week, I hope the Minister will be in a position to bring a memo to cabinet about options A and B the following week. I hope she will be able to refer to a process for examining option C as well.”
“It has been utterly frustrating to hear, week in, week out, month in, month out for year and years, the stories of people who have had negative experiences in the emergency department at UHL through no fault of the staff but because the accommodation and bed capacity was not there, leading to backlogs in the emergency department. We saw the tragic consequences of that when a citizen from my county lost her life unnecessarily. As a result of what happened, a lot of good is now happening. The new 96-bed block has made a significant difference. The facts and figures speak for themselves. As the Minister correctly said, it is still too many people. We still have not hit peak flu season.”
“The Minister is welcome to the House. The meeting the Minister had with representatives from the mid-west yesterday and her opening statement here today show that she understands the urgency and purpose of the work she is doing, that she gets how important it is and that it is receiving the detailed attention at the highest level it deserves. I pay tribute to HIQA. It produced a very good report, which is informing the Minister. Many of us in the mid-west would have been able to summarise the recommendations ourselves from our ongoing engagements and experience over the years. I have been a Member of this House since 2011. UHL is the one issue I have spoken about more than any other, both here in the House and at the Joint Committee on Health.”
“I request that the Deputy Leader put in train a debate, statements or a discussion on this at her convenience so that we can all improve our understanding of the issue.”
“Over the last number of years, incidents of inclement weather have been much more significant than they previously were. We all need to improve our knowledge in terms of the readiness programme. We all need to understand more about the warnings and the methodology behind them. The localised nature of recent warnings is very welcome. If they can be localised even further, we need to do that. The technology is there. Met Éireann is at the cutting edge when it comes to embracing and adopting new technology. That is very welcome. Even the Met Éireann graphics on television have improved dramatically and create a more localised understanding. The emergency section is based in the Department of agriculture's building but it is managed by the Department of housing.”