Michael Healy-Rae
Kerry · Independent · Ireland
“This motion is timely because, with the massive increases for people running their homes and businesses, people who are working have never been at more of a disadvantage because of the high cost of going to work, childcare and fuel. What we need is a more targeted approach by the Government.”
“In County Kerry alone, the number of businesses that are closing weekly is frightening. These businesses are owned by people who have been in business for many years, who are very much valued in our communities and who create local employment, but they are closing their doors. It can be small shops, public houses or gift stores.”
“We should be doing more about providing our own energy, and doing more in a forward-thinking way to try to ensure that these types of measures will help us to reduce the cost of energy.”
“However, at the end of the day, the people that we always have to consider are people on low incomes, people who are working and people who are struggling. We have to try to help them in every way we can through targeted approaches. We have to look at the bigger picture, like the high cost of fuel and the tax take on fuel.”
“I sincerely thank Deputy Charles Ward for bringing forward this important motion. It is a reasonable motion. I acknowledge the work that has been done by people from the Government and the Opposition in securing the situation with IS 465:2026. Large sums of money have been put forward to help the affected families.”
“I urge the Government to outline its position on the EU lead ammunition proposal. This is the proposal to take lead out of ammunition, which could have a negative effect on 150,000 licensed shotgun owners in Ireland.”
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“What can happen then is the hardworking person who is has gone into great detail and visited the site might be recommending that, yes, this planning should be granted, but all of a sudden the two geniuses who were maybe never in the county will say they do not agree with that person, and he or she gets outnumbered by two to one. That means that person's hope is gone. It could be a young person in Glencar or somewhere who is looking to build a house for themselves. It could be a developer, and there is nothing wrong with being a developer. There is nothing wrong with being a hardworking builder who maybe has the wherewithal to build ten, 50 or 100 houses.”
“A situation may arise whereby a person is referred to An Bord Pleanála, and an inspector would go to look at the proposed development. That inspector would look at what is proposed on the ground, do up a report and go before the board in Dublin to say that he or she recommends a grant of permission in that case. Many people in Ireland might think the board is a very well-organised thing with a big crowd of people, like a Cabinet meeting. It is not. When An Bord Pleanála meets, it might be the inspector who has come back with his or her report and two other people. This could be happening at 5 o'clock , 7 o'clock or 9 o'clock at night or whenever it suits those individuals to have their meeting.”
“People say, "give me a piece of paper granting me permission." They have land, and they have their own way between their bit of savings and the mortgage they hopefully will get. The banks could loosen up a small bit too, look after our young people and be more user-friendly when it comes to giving loans. If they get that golden piece of paper giving them permission to build their houses, that is all they want from this State. That is all they want, and we should encourage that to happen every way we can and allow these young people to be able to build their own homes. That is what this Government is about and that is what we want to do. There is one thing about An Bord Pleanála, and this has to be put on record in this House. Our late father always said that you can say anything once you are telling the truth.”
“It could be for an older person or young couples who need to get going on the property ladder. I really think that is very good. There are an awful lot of other things as well, however, such as the subdivision of large houses and the idea of attics being able to be developed without having to go to the planning authority. That is what I would call sound, sensible work by the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and I very much appreciate that. There is the whole idea then of young people. In County Kerry, we have an awful lot of people who do not want anything from anybody. They do not want anything. The do not want money; they do not want anything. What they want is a piece of paper telling them they have permission. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has them.”
“Thankfully, this Government is listening to common sense because these exemptions were something that I and my brother, Danny Healy-Rae, were very anxious to have in the time of this Government. I will give the Leas Cheann-Comhairle an example of the exemptions. I refer to the idea and provision of modular homes. Modular homes are what I would call very high-class now, and they are good accommodation. They are not some airy-fairy thing at the bottom of the garden. These are sound, sensible housing solutions. They can be short term, or they could be longer term. They are warm, comfortable, well insulated and properly ventilated. The idea is that a person will be able to apply to put in one of these units in the curtilage of his or her home and have that as a housing solution.”
“I do appreciate that "The planning authority must be satisfied that the development will be completed within a reasonable time, and if the duration is extended under this provision the works must commence within 18 months of the provision commencing or the extension will cease to have effect." Those are very sensible measures that will have a direct input for people on the ground. Other works that have been carried out have gone for consultation now, such as the exemptions for development. This is going to be a very welcome development for our local authorities because the planning departments of our local authorities are engaged an awful lot with what I would call gobbledegook, things that are a waste of time for them, but at the same time, the people have to apply for it.”
“I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First of all, I will say to the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, that an awful lot of good, sound work has gone into the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025. The extending of the pause of duration of permission due to judicial review is to give back the time. That is very important. The containment in the Bill of the "Extension of duration for uncommenced housing developments (including single house development) which have less than 2 years of duration of their permission remaining" is also very important, as is the provision that "An extension of up to 3 years may be sought provided it is applied for within 6 months of the provision commencing".”
“We must put our shoulder to the wheel on this most serious issue at a most serious time in everybody's life. We must think of the innocent people and what we should do, and can do to support them. Divisiveness in this House on the issue is wrong. We should all be singing off the same hymn sheet and say that we want to help in every way we can.”
“When I look at what happened in Ireland, I see the way everybody came together - from parties, religious people and non-religious people. Everybody played their role, no matter who they were, be it Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or religious people. Everybody worked together because we wanted to bring peace to the island of Ireland. That was the result. Thankfully, every day in the North of Ireland people are going about their work. Families are no longer losing their loved ones. On this very small island we had a situation where we would wake up in the morning and hear that a bomb had gone off on whatever side and innocent people were killed. Now, we must use the bit of influence we have and the bit of say that we have. We must stand up and be counted.”
“There should be political outrage from everybody in today's world, no matter what side they are on, no matter who they represent or what their party is - the basic inhumanity of this is so outrageous that we should all be going out through the eye of a needle and going in the same direction at the same time. We should all be saying the same thing: this is wrong. We must go down every avenue and do everything that can be done to stop it, and to provide humanitarian assistance in every way that we can. The EU, America and other places all have to work together. We should all support what the Irish Government, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have been doing. While we cannot agree on everything, at the same time we want to travel on the same road, that is, the road of peace.”
“We just have to wake up and think, my goodness, in the modern world today we are living through and witnessing the same thing happening again. We cannot say it is worse or anything like that, but it is the same thing affecting innocent lives - people and families, who have done nothing wrong. How could any child be guilty of doing anything wrong, yet their lives are being taken? The most basic necessities are being denied to them: clean water, shelter - a place to call home with heat, comfort and the basic needs for life. All of those bare necessities are being taken away. Ireland is doing its part every day but we must question what other larger, stronger superpowers are doing, or should I say maybe what they are not doing.”
“I recognise and appreciate the concerns of each individual and each party in this House. Historically, we have been a very strong advocate and we have placed a strong emphasis on standing with Palestine, by being the first EU member to call for Palestinian statehood. Ireland and Spain have both called for a review of the trade relations with Israel. When we are talking about the politics of this, we cannot ever forget that every minute, every hour and every day, torture and other awful things are happening there. We think back on what happened during the two world wars. We speak historically about those and how horrible they were and we saw what happened to the Jews in the concentration camps and we watch films and read books about it.”
“At the end of the day, we all want what is best for the people who are oppressed and who are being so hard done by and whose lives are being torturously affected by the horrible events of the last months and years. I have listened to the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach speak very strongly on this issue. We are all trying to achieve the same thing, at the end of the day. We were among the first in recognising the Palestinian state. Enacting the occupied territories Bill has been a major concern for the Government. It has been treated with urgency and importance, but with something as important as this, it has to be got right. Imposing sanctions on trade and goods from Israel are issues we are all of the one word on. It is not than any of us are disagreeing with each other fundamentally on what we want to do.”
“Of all the subjects and all the issues that we talk about here, when we see the horrific videos and images of people, and children in particular, starving and the inhumanity and the senselessness of it all, it really would make one think that man's inhumanity to man is beyond belief. We are all rightly outraged by what is going on. That being said, Ireland is a leader in the world on Palestine. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Government have been very strong on this issue. I do not like to see divisiveness in this House when it comes to an issue as serious as this. Everybody has very good intentions, but sometimes the divisiveness by the Opposition is unhelpful to what we are all trying to achieve.”
“The Government is determined to provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Force capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with similar-sized European countries. It is also important to note that Ireland has a vibrant and innovative SME sector. The SAFE regulation has the potential to deliver opportunities for the wider industry, collaboration in defence applications for SMEs in Ireland, and provide an additional route to achieving our enhanced level of ambition and capabilities in concert with our partners in the EU and beyond.”
“I thank the Senator once again for his contribution. As the Minister for Defence, the Tánaiste’s priority is to ensure the operational capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained and developed. This will enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Capital investment for the Defence Forces has increased as a result of the commitment by the Government to move to the LOA 2 by 2028 and LOA 3 as quickly thereafter as underpinned by the commitment to €1.5 billion in defence funding in 2028, in 2022 terms. The benefit of participating in SAFE may support Ireland achieving LOA 2 across the defence spectrum and within the anticipated timeframe in many areas, including critical infrastructure, protection and in addressing cyber and hybrid threats.”
“The programme for Government has committed to increasing investment in the nation’s defence and security. The provision of funding and the political support necessary to achieve level of ambition 2, LOA 2, enhanced capability, and move as quickly as possible to level of ambition 3, with commensurate investment as appropriate, have been clearly outlined. The SAFE instrument has the potential to support and assist Ireland in achieving this commitment.”
“The financial assistance from SAFE, which amounts to some €150 billion in demand-driven loans, will support member states that wish to invest in defence industrial production through common procurement, focusing on priority capabilities, ultimately strengthening the EU's overall defence readiness. However, there will be no requirement for member states to engage with the initiative should they not wish to do so. The SAFE initiative offers a derogation from procurement rules that will allow existing framework agreements or contracts held by member states to be modified to add new contracting authorities, provided that the eligibility conditions for common procurement are met. Ireland may draw value regarding efficient procurement of needs within the Defence Forces’ existing detailed equipment development plan.”
“The SAFE mechanism may provide us with the ability to fill those gaps through joint procurement where there is alignment with other member states. Procuring equipment and materiel with other member states will minimise potential barriers for accessing supply chains while also achieving economies of scale. It is important to note that Ireland will continue to make its own decisions regarding what capabilities we require, and we will acquire these based on our national defence policy. Participation in the SAFE mechanism has no impact on Ireland’s neutrality.”
“Ireland is signing up to this new EU defence initiative and it is anticipated that such participation will speed up the delivery of defence capabilities. By leveraging common procurement opportunities, the SAFE regulation will enable EU member states to focus on priority defence areas and address capability gaps. Significant progress has been made in implementing the required transformation for the Defence Forces, as set out by the Commission on the Defence Forces. Furthermore, the programme for Government committed to significant investment in defence capabilities. The new SAFE instrument has the potential to assist us in achieving further progress in this area. As with other European member states, Ireland has significant capability gaps that need to be filled.”
“I am responding on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, who unfortunately cannot be present. On his behalf, I welcome the opportunity to respond on this matter and thank Senator Conway for his question. The SAFE instrument, which entered into force on 29 May 2025, is an EU instrument designed to provide financial assistance to member states and support their urgent public investments in defence industrial production, aiming to increase production capacity, improve the availability of defence products and address capability gaps, particularly by engaging in joint acquisitions where appropriate. SAFE is a component part of the broader ReArm Europe plan, which outlines concrete legal and financial means to support the defence investments of member states.”
“People would be thinking the person was negligent towards themselves and their family if they were more worried about the pet. Only people who do not have a fondness for animals might not understand it, but other people would. I again thank the Senator for raising this very important issue.”
“As there already exists strong legislation to protect tenants and property owners, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to direct individual property owners as to what a tenancy policy should be. I suggest open and productive dialogue between the property owners, the tenants and their representative associations, regardless of the tenure type, on this issue. I believe that a reasonable and fair compromise can be found that will support pet ownership and meet the needs of other stakeholders, neighbours and landlords. We have to work with individual cases in individual situations. The majority of people love animals - they love their pets. Of course, we have to weigh that against the whole issue that it is hard for a person to say, in the current climate, that they cannot take an available house because they cannot take their pet.”
“I again thank the Senator. Sometimes you would not realise who you will be talking to personally about a thing like this. I am a big follower of dogs, in particular. I really like dogs and I like meeting dogs. I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy James Browne, as I mentioned. It is important for the views of all stakeholders to be considered. While the distress that pet owners find themselves in when searching for appropriate accommodation for themselves and their pets in both private and social housing settings is understood, the needs and concerns of landlords and other tenants must also be considered.”
“It would not be appropriate for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out tenancy policies of individual AHBs and their property rules.”
“As such, there is nothing in legislation that prevents AHB tenants from keeping pets. That is a very important point for the Senator. Although the value to individual tenants of keeping pets is recognised, it is also important to acknowledge the challenges that may exist for both other tenants and individual landlords or property owners. Not all residents, particularly in multi-unit developments, would be comfortable with the presence of pets, and their needs should also be considered. However, as independent property owners, it is a matter for the sector and the individual AHBs themselves to formulate their own house rules on this policy. Tenants of AHBs are encouraged to engage with the relevant AHBs and the AHB representative association, the Irish Council for Social Housing, regarding pet policies.”
“We are not aware of any sector-wide policy that precludes AHB tenants from keeping pets and a number of AHBs have published pet policy documents, which provide guidance for tenants seeking to keep pets. The residential tenancies Acts from 2004 to 2022 regulate the landlord-tenant relationship in the residential rental sector and set out the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The Acts apply to every dwelling that is the subject of a tenancy, with a limited number of exceptions. Dwellings covered by the Acts include the private rental sector, the cost-rental sector, the approved housing body sector and student accommodation, including tenancies and licences in student-specific accommodation. The Acts make no reference to animals and it would be inappropriate for them to prescribe matters relating to the keeping of pets.”
“I thank the Senator for bringing before the Seanad this important matter regarding pet policy in approved housing body accommodation, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Approved housing bodies are independent, not-for-profit organisations providing affordable rented housing for people who cannot provide housing from their own means, and for particular groups such as older people or homeless people. AHBs also include housing co-operatives, which are housing organisations controlled by their members or tenants who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.”
“I am sure every one of us will be thinking along the lines of what he has said and trying to take that into consideration.”
“The Department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. The need for special education provision is identified with consideration to the statistical data and in regard to any area’s existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the process looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor that has been incorporated into the decision-making process. I also assure the Senator that the Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools to ensure that all children are successful in accessing an education. On the wider aspect, everybody can see how genuine the Senator’s concerns are and how heartfelt his views and opinions are.”
“When the NCSE identifies a need for SEN accommodation, the school management applies to the Department for approval. The schools are licensed by way of agreement to a PPP company for the operation of the school. The proposed extension would be tendered and delivered, subject to departmental approval of costs, through the PPP company, in consultation with the school.”
“As part of the NDP review process, all Departments, including the Department of Education and Youth, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow the Department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Schools built under the public-private partnership, PPP model, which includes some Invesis -formerly BAM - schools, apply for special education accommodation through the same process as traditional schools.”
“This includes the automatic payment of €30,000 for each new class sanctioned requiring minor building works, the up to €70,000 that is available for small-scale repurposing, and the wider capital programme that can be accessed for larger projects. Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested in excess of €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the national development plan, NDP, involving the completion of more than 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. A recent Government decision has approved €210 million in supplementary capital funding for the Department which brings the total capital allocation for the Department in 2025 to €1.6 billion.”
“This Government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their potential and the programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. The NCSE gives consideration to information it holds at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region. Where classes have been sanctioned based on local demand, a number of new measures were introduced this year to support schools to access capital funding for reconfiguration.”
“I am sure the Deputy’s constant support for this project will be a great help to its progression. His determination in this regard on behalf of his constituents will be acknowledged by the Government and the Minister. I thank him again for the opportunity to outline the Department of Education and Youth’s position relating to this very important project. As I have outlined, the NDFA has been engaging and will continue to engage with the school to progress this important project. I wish the Deputy every good luck in his endeavours. His determination is duly noted by the Government.”
“Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important. The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the 2026 to 2030 period that cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area will be considered on a rolling basis from autumn onwards after the NDP allocations are finalised.”
“A recent Government decision approved €210 million in supplementary capital funding for the Department of Education and Youth, which brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for the Department to €1.6 billion. As part of the NDP review process, all Departments, including the Department of Education and Youth, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the summer period and this will allow the Department of Education and Youth to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities.”
“I assure the Deputy that the Department of Education and Youth is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in Coláiste Bhríde and will in the wider context outlined ensure that this project, as for all projects on the school building programme, is subject to the due diligence required under the public infrastructure guidelines. Since 2020, the Department of education has invested more than €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.”
“The project is currently in the final stages of stage 2b, the post planning process, of the architectural process, which allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. When this stage is finalised, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction in due course. The time a project takes to deliver depends on several factors, as the Deputy well knows, including scale and complexity, and is subject to the time it takes to progress through the various design stages and the statutory approval process. While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, the NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of all progress.”
“The Deputy has a wonderful way with the English language. I commend him on his determination and having the patience of being here until this time tonight. I am glad to be here representing the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee. I thank the Deputy on her behalf for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the current position regarding the major school building project for Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, County Wicklow. Delivery of the project has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, as part of the programme for school building projects. The brief for the project is to provide a new-build replacement school for a long-term projected enrolment of 1,000 pupils, including a four-classroom special educational needs base.”
“Reform of the processing system and the migration pact will help to curtail the need for growth in the accommodation system, but there is still a need to ensure cost-effective solutions that deliver long-term sustainability for international protection accommodation. Community engagement will focus on providing direct public information, proactively engaging with people and local media and creating a space for safe and sound dialogue.”
“Once again, Deputy Gogarty's sincerity and concern are very obvious. I thank him for that. He was also very balanced. The planned facility at the site will enable the fastest and most efficient processing of asylum applications in the history of the State. Applicants who will be part of the migration pact border procedures will be fully processed in less than three months from application to the final decision, which is very important. In terms of application numbers, this Government has seen a reduction in those applying for international protection this year from an average of 1,500 per month in 2024 to an average of 1,000 per month so far in 2025. We are, however, still trending to have the third or fourth highest annual application level in the history of the State.”
“A significant strength that applies to the engagement programme needed at this site is that the Citywest campus already enjoys good relationships and operational partnerships in the community with State services and community representatives, including elected representatives.”
“There are no immediate plans to increase the capacity at this site. New spaces for international protection applicants will be achieved by using the existing capacity currently being used by Ukrainians and restructures to the current layout. This means the purchase will not lead to increased pressure on local services or the community. The leisure centre on the campus is in commercial use and it is proposed it will continue to function as it currently does to ensure the community can maintain its very important access. The Department wants to support amenities, local services and integration in this area and our community engagement team is already working closely with local community leaders, community groups and stakeholders.”
“Since 2020, the State has been leasing parts of the Citywest campus, first to support the delivery of vaccinations during Covid-19, and since May 2022, as a transit hub and accommodation centre for both beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants. The State’s current licence for the site expires at the beginning of September. The campus has become a very important multifunctional facility for the State. There is currently no alternative accommodation centre of similar scale and facilities to process and accommodate both international protection, and beneficiary of temporary protection, arrivals. The cross-government response has been working extremely well at the Citywest campus and this has been acknowledged by all the State parties and NGOs.”
“The site, which is already being used for both international protection and Ukrainian accommodation, currently has capacity to accommodate approximately 2,300 people between the hotel and the convention centre. When purchased, the campus will continue to be used to accommodate international protection applicants, meeting the State’s intention to increase State-owned accommodation in this sector, which is a major step forward in delivering on the programme for Government. The Citywest campus will be the foundation stone for the new screening facility and border facility and will enable a one-stop shop for processing, accommodation and supports in one location, delivering the most pivotal parts of the new migration pact.”
“I thank the Deputy most sincerely for raising this matter. I wish to convey the apologies of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O’Callaghan, who regrets he cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, I thank Deputy Gogarty for raising this issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. An opportunity has arisen for the State to purchase the Citywest campus, a former hotel complex in the outer Dublin region. The purchase is part of a long-term strategy to develop a sustainable accommodation system. It will deliver significant long-term savings to the State as it moves from licensing to ownership, and will enable Ireland to meet our requirements under the new EU pact on migration and asylum.”
“Like the Deputy, the Tánaiste is very sincere in his concerns about what is happening out there. There is right and wrong in the world and what is happening at present is obviously fundamentally wrong. It is good of the Deputy to raise it here this evening. I apologise on behalf of the Tánaiste in his absence.”
“At the recent General Affairs Council on 27 May, Ireland, along with a large majority of EU member states, joined a declaration outlining our deep concern and calling on Hungary to reverse these measures. Through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's enlargement and fundamental values fund, we support Hungarian civil society organisations that work to protect the rule of law, civil society space and minorities, including LGBTQ+ rights, in Hungary. We will continue to work closely to monitor developments and raise our concerns as well as continuing to support civil society organisations working to defend our fundamental EU values in Hungary. Again I relay the apologies of the Tánaiste, who wanted to be here this evening to answer the Deputy directly.”
“I thank the Deputy. His genuine sincerity, concern and emotion are very heartfelt and that is evident in his statements this evening. Ireland has consistently and strongly advocated for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBT+ persons, including in our relations with Hungary. We have regularly raised our concerns about the serious rule-of-law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. Through our embassy in Budapest, Ireland had 21 diplomatic missions on 27 March this year in calling on Hungarian authorities to repeal the recent legislation passed that allows for a ban on Pride celebrations, including Budapest Pride.”