Micheál Martin
Cork South-Central · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“At the beginning of April, the Government approved the establishment of the Cork city futures group to guide development of Cork city for the future.”
“We have to have a budget that reflects the need to sustain that level of work in our economy so that people will have access to jobs. The AI issue is causing a lot of concern. I take heart from the investment announced by Intel this week, which will be AI-propelled, actually.”
“Dublin City Council is progressing the establishment of this new legal entity, in line with the timelines laid out in the roadmap; a ten-year integrated area strategy for Dublin city centre to optimise funding and investment and tackle vacancy and dereliction; and accelerated delivery of landmark capital projects in the city centre throug…”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 30, inclusive, together. This will be a long answer because there is one task group and one futures group.”
“I think Deputy Hayes was being a bit petty, if that is the word I am looking for, in what he said about Spain. Well, using the word "petty" might be a bit uncharitable today. It is more a Spain is more vociferous than us kind of thing. We have worked very well together on the Middle East. It is a very serious issue.”
“A dedicated body, to be known as The Cork City Futures Group, will work to unlock the city’s full economic, cultural and academic potential, alongside further investment, innovation and infrastructure. I think people are familiar with the terms of reference.”
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“Ireland believes that, ultimately, the greatest security guarantee that we can offer to Ukraine is membership of the European Union, the most successful peace project in the history of this Continent. I have been a strong early supporter of Ukraine's pathway to membership of the European Union. As a Government, we strongly support Ukraine's application for EU membership and are determined to advance it under our Presidency of the European Union next year. The world has been humbled by the strength and resilience of the people of Ukraine. While the current challenges may seem insurmountable, we must not falter in our resolve. We recognise that our continued support for Ukraine is a necessity, not a choice. That is why Ireland stands with Ukraine now and in the future. Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus slava Ukraini .”
“As Russia continues to refuse to come to the table, the world must increase economic and political pressure on it until it does. Those of us who have joined the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine will stand with Ukraine, shoulder-to-shoulder, for as long as it takes. With our European and international partners, we will strengthen and tighten our sanctions and work to cut off Russia's energy revenues, the lifeblood of its war machine. We will also work to increase our support to Ukraine to strengthen its defences and protect Ukraine's critical infrastructure. We will put in place the security guarantees that Ukraine needs to underpin any future peace agreement.”
“This war and the threat posed by Russia are not only an existential threat to Ukraine, but a major challenge to the security we value so greatly. It is more important than ever that Europe and the United States continue to work together to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. A just and lasting peace must bring stability and security. It must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and that international borders must not be changed by force. Ireland has always insisted that an end to the war must be obtained through diplomatic means, with the full participation of Ukraine in any peace talks. We welcome the efforts of all partners, including US President Donald Trump, towards that goal.”
“In September, I participated in a meeting of the coalition at the UN General Assembly, where I expressed Ireland’s support for the efforts to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children. Any peaceful resolution to Russia’s war must involve the return of all forcibly transferred people, including children. This is an appalling act and such actions amount to war crimes. We must work to hold those responsible to account. Ireland supports the continued investigations of the International Criminal Court in Ukraine and welcomes the historic progress made towards establishing the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We are actively engaging with our partners in the Council of Europe to ensure that the special tribunal can be operational as quickly as possible.”
“As a champion of global efforts to reduce hunger and starvation, rooted in our own historical experience of famine, Ireland will continue to work with Ukraine and our EU and international partners to meet the needs of people and communities affected by food insecurity. I am pleased to announce that Ireland will provide €2 million to the food from Ukraine programme, which will be launched at a food security summit in Kyiv tomorrow, and which will contribute to tackling global hunger and improving child nutrition. We have read and heard horrific reports of gross and systematic violations of human rights by Russia. One of Russia’s most brutal and egregious crimes has been the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children from their homes. Ireland is a member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.”
“Despite these significant challenges, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining Ukraine as one of the world's top agricultural producers. Ukraine’s efforts to remain a top grain exporter help to defend us from global hunger. When I visited Kyiv in July 2022, I had the honour of laying flowers at the memorial to the Holodomor, Ukraine’s catastrophic famine, which took place in the 1930s. Ireland recognises that the resulting trauma of that famine remains and is deeply felt by the Ukrainian people, shaping a profound empathy for those who suffer from hunger today.”
“To the Ukrainians who are here, this is your home for as long you need it. I have no doubt that, in time, you will play a crucial role in rebuilding your country when it is once again safe to do so. Russia’s war of aggression continues to have far-reaching consequences beyond the borders of Ukraine. It has compounded an already fragile global food security situation, with major implications for food and agricultural commodity prices. Russia continues to weaponise hunger by targeting Ukraine’s grain and critical infrastructure. This not only inflicts suffering on Ukrainian people, but also has a disproportionate impact on those most vulnerable to food insecurity around the world.”
“Russia’s full-scale invasion triggered the largest displacement crisis in Europe in decades, with millions displaced and in need of continued, life-saving support. Since February 2022, Ireland has granted temporary protection to over 120,000 Ukrainians forced to leave their homeland and seek sanctuary here, one of the highest per capita rates in Europe. We have invested significantly in providing a safe haven for Ukrainian refugees. Some sought refuge for a while before returning home. Some moved on to other countries. Some remain and are making an invaluable contribution, enriching our society and culture. Many have been taken into homes and communities across the State, and I want to take a moment to thank the people of Ireland for their generosity in offering safe haven to so many Ukrainians.”
“This includes €173 million in humanitarian and stabilisation assistance and an additional €100 million in non-lethal military support for Ukraine, which was announced last March. Among the projects that Ireland is currently supporting are the construction of underground clinics to safely provide services at two Kharkiv maternity hospitals, the building of civic protection shelters and the provision of school meals to children in front-line districts. We are also providing financial support to carry out critical repair work to Ukraine’s war-damaged energy infrastructure. Our support for Ukraine will continue when this war ends and Ukraine can begin its recovery and reconstruction.”
“As winter comes upon us, Russia is relentlessly targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities with drone and missile attacks, directly killing people in the process and imperilling the safety and security of all Ukrainians. Access to the most basic needs, including water, shelter and protection services, continues to be extremely challenging for many. If we, Ukraine’s allies and friends, do not step up and support its efforts to safeguard its critical infrastructure, more people will be displaced. Millions could be forced to leave their homes simply to stay alive. The humanitarian and regional consequences will be immense. In this context, it is more important than ever that we bolster support for Ukraine in every way we can. Since 2022, Ireland has provided more than €273 million in bilateral assistance to Ukraine.”
“The obvious reality is that President Putin continues each day to choose violence and destruction over peace, disregarding alternatives to its chosen path of needless invasion, war and further bloodshed. Time and again, the international community has offered Putin the chance to stop the killing, agree to a ceasefire and pursue peace and time and time again, he has refused. Actions speak louder than words. It is for Russia now to show through its actions a willingness to achieve peace by halting its brutal attacks and agreeing to a full and unconditional ceasefire. It can do so at any time. Now is the time to increase the pressure on Russia and to redouble efforts to secure a ceasefire.”
“We therefore support the European Union’s initiative for a reparations loan to Ukraine using immobilised Russian assets. We all want this war to end but it must end on the basis of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter and international law. It is also vital that Ukraine’s security is protected in the long term. That means strong, credible guarantees that ensure Ukraine can defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to avoid a repetition of the past. Despite sustained US and European diplomatic efforts towards peace and Ukraine’s readiness to pursue it, Russia is intent on escalating the war.”
“The EU is providing, in co-ordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people. The EU is also working to show Russia that there is no positive outcome to the war. Through unprecedented EU sanctions, we are having an impact. Russia is finding it harder to access battlefield equipment and to generate revenue to pay for its illegal war. Russia must be held accountable for its actions and should have to pay for the destruction it has caused. There must be an economic cost to such flagrant violations of international law. This cost must also act as a deterrent against Russia or any other country contemplating any future violation of the UN Charter and international law.”
“The European Union has been steadfast in its solidarity with Ukraine since the first day of this terrible war. We are working with our partners in the EU to provide real and tangible assistance to Ukraine and to respond substantially to Russia’s illegal invasion. This commitment was a major focus of October’s European Council meeting, where European leaders were briefed by President Zelenskyy on recent developments in Ukraine, including Russia’s escalation of strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure. In response, my fellow leaders and I reconfirmed the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.”
“I invited President Zelenskyy to visit Ireland to witness first-hand this solidarity and I look forward to welcoming him in the near future. Almost four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion, tragically, it seems that we are no closer to peace. Russia is counting on us to grow tired and become distracted by competing priorities but it will be disappointed. Alongside our European Union partners, Ireland’s support for the people and government of Ukraine is steadfast. Providing this continued support for Ukraine is not only the right thing to do but it is in our fundamental national interest. What happens in Ukraine today will shape the world we live in tomorrow. That is why Ireland’s support for Ukraine remains as strong today as it was on day one of Russia’s invasion. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
“Their sole objective is to impose terror, inflict suffering and break the spirit of the Ukrainian people. Yet Ukraine and its people fight on, exercising their right under the UN Charter to defend themselves. Each day they continue their heroic efforts to defend their country and the fundamental freedoms that we in Ireland and across Europe hold dear, particularly the right of all people to live peacefully within their own borders without fear of being invaded. I witnessed the outstanding courage, resolve and determination of Ukrainians first-hand when I visited Kyiv in 2022 and 2023. I pay tribute again to the people of Ukraine for their bravery. I have paid this tribute directly to President Zelenskyy and in my latest phone call with him in September, I expressed my, and the Irish people’s, solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
“Russia has continued its full-scale aggression without pause since 24 February 2022. Since then, indescribable suffering has been inflicted upon the people of Ukraine. Millions have been forced to flee their homeland and millions more are internally displaced. Hundreds of thousands have been killed with thousands more, including children, forcibly removed, tortured or arbitrarily imprisoned by Russian forces. Villages, towns and even entire cities have been completely destroyed in the fighting that continues unabated. Ukraine and the Ukrainian people are valiantly withstanding a massive recurring Russian onslaught. Nightly drone and missile strikes have intensified. These aerial bombardments are indiscriminate and do not distinguish between military targets and civilian infrastructure.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this important debate as we approach the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale illegal war of aggression against its peaceful neighbour, Ukraine. It is essential that we never lose sight of the fact that Russia, in a fundamental violation of the UN Charter and international law, launched an unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, a European country and fellow United Nations member state. Each day Russia continues its brutal war against Ukraine and its occupation of Ukrainian territory is another day that Russia violates international law and makes the world, in particular Europe, a less secure, more dangerous place. How Europe and the international community respond will have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, European security and the future of the rules-based international order.”
“Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an Teachta Donohoe as a sheirbhís ar son mhuintir na hÉireann agus guím gach ádh agus rath air ina ról tábhachtach. Molaim don Dáil ainmniúchán an Teachta Hildegarde Naughton le ceapadh mar Aire Rialtais.”
“Given her past work in this area, I know that Deputy Naughton will make an important contribution to a new era in special education. The Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, will continue the fiscal and economic underpinning that will enable us to implement all these important plans. It is a proud day when any person is nominated to serve as a member of the Government of a democratic republic. I wish Deputy Naughton well in her new role. I congratulate her and acknowledge her family and supporters in Galway who have worked hard for her over the years. I also congratulate the highly regarded Deputy Frank Feighan on his elevation to the office of Minister of State. I know this House will receive his appointment well.”
“Deputy Hildegarde Naughton will bring extensive experience to the role of Minister for Education and Youth and is in a position to have immediate impact. The agenda of the Department of Education and Youth is an exciting one. It involves completing important curricular reform, which will ensure we update what we teach and ensure high quality. Our programme of dramatic investment in the quality of educational facilities will continue to accelerate, as will our implementation of major reforms to the level and nature of critical supports for children with special needs. A new model of provision of key therapies in special schools is proceeding and will be an important part of the new Minister's work in conjunction with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan.”
“It requires a large amount of attention, but the benefit to the country of a positive Presidency is always significant. We will also push forward our plans to improve our ability to defend ourselves against very real threats. Investment in our Defence Forces and defence capabilities will remain a priority. I look forward to working closely with Deputy McEntee during what is already an intense period of activity in European and international affairs. I have no doubt that her extensive experience of the Council of Ministers and operations at the highest level of the European Union will have a positive impact. She was formerly a Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Investment, reform and inclusion in education are central to our programme for Government.”
“While we will formally hold the Presidency of the Council of Ministers from mid-year, work on our commitments as part of the Presidency is already well under way, as is our active work in promoting a just peace for the Palestinian people and the people of Ukraine and Sudan. The invitation for me to attend the G20 meeting in South Africa is a reflection of the high standing of our contributions to international debates and of the fact that the country is already a key part of various critical discussions. I am determined that Ireland will continue to have its voice heard on vital international issues and on promoting a positive agenda for the future of Europe. Holding the European Union Presidency is always a significant challenge for smaller countries.”
“We have completed our first budget, giving priority to developing essential services, developing infrastructure, supporting those most in need and protecting our economy in the event of a downturn, and the Finance Bill has almost completed its journey through the House. We have also responded to rapidly changing international conditions, working to ensure Ireland has the foundations in place to secure our economy and social supports. These are defining parts of our work this year and will continue. As Minister for Finance, the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, will, with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, move forward the Government's plans and our commitment to securing social and economic progress. Deputy Helen McEntee will move to the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence at a critical moment.”
“However, these changes are being made in the context of a very clear set of priorities which define the work of our term. Following the mandate we secured in last year's general election, the parties and Deputies that support the Government resoundingly endorsed a comprehensive programme for Government to be implemented across five years. While we unfortunately have many in the House who cannot bring themselves to respect the mandate of others, we will continue to fulfil ours. We have already prepared and put in place the largest programme of investment and development in our country's history through the national development plan. Comprehensive action on speeding up the delivery of housing has been prepared and is being implemented.”
“He was always motivated by a belief in the values of our democratic Republic and those we share with other democracies. He was also very useful for giving you the odd tip on a book to read from to time. Over recent decades the role of the World Bank has changed radically. It has become a dynamic force for helping find new ways to overcome poverty and tackle disease. It is by far the largest funder of innovation in the field of development and its positive impact is felt in countless communities throughout the world. I wish Paschal, Justine and their children all the very best for their future. I know he will represent Ireland with distinction in this important new role. The changes which I am proposing to the membership of the Government and ministerial responsibilities concern important roles.”
“Paschal’s work on our behalf and on behalf of all the people of Europe deserves our thanks, respect and appreciation. He was also a tireless advocate on behalf of the communities of Dublin Central, dedicating himself to the work of promoting investment and structural change, as well as improvement to the quality of life on the ground. On a personal level, over the past five years I have enjoyed working closely with Paschal during some of the most challenging times faced by our country and by the European Union. He was a central part of policies which helped us to emerge strongly from the fastest recession and the largest public health emergency recorded in modern times. Although he was proud to represent his party, he always treated his colleagues from Fianna Fail and Independents with respect and understanding.”
“This appointment is a tribute to the impact he has made in three important ministerial roles over the past decade as well as his work as president of the Eurogroup. He is only the fourth person to hold that role and his election to it for three terms showed the deep esteem in which he is held throughout Europe. This appointment is also a testament to the high regard in which Ireland is held due to the active and positive work of members of Government in international institutions. There are those who seem to assume that Ireland’s standing rests on how loudly we speak. The truth is that it is actually based on the much harder work of countless hours spent building relationships and showing our values through constructive work with others.”
“I intend to assign the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Department of Education and Youth to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. I intend to nominate the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, to be a Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality with responsibility for disability. She will attend Government meetings. I intend to nominate Deputy Feighan as Minister of State as the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with special responsibility for public procurement, digitalisation and egovernment. I would like to congratulate Deputy Donohoe on his appointment to such an important role in the World Bank.”
“Ar mholadh an Tánaiste, an Teachta Simon Harris, tá sé i gceist agam an Teachta Harris a ainmniú mar Aire Airgeadais, an Teachta Helen McEntee a ainmniú mar Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála agus mar Aire Cosanta, agus an Teachta Hildegarde Naughton a ainmniú le freastal mar Aire Oideachais agus Óige. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh mé ag moladh don Rialtas an Teachta Emer Higgins a cheapadh mar Aire Stáit ag freastal ar an gComh-Aireacht agus táim sásta an Teachta Frank Feighan a ainmniú mar Aire Stáit ag an Roinn caiteachais. I wish to inform the House that the President, acting on my advice, has accepted the resignation of Deputy Paschal Donohoe as a member of the Government. I intend to assign the Department of Finance to the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the nomination by the Taoiseach of the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton for appointment by the President to be a member of the Government. Ba mhian liom a fhógairt do Dháil Éireann go bhfuair mé fógra ón Aire Airgeadais, an Teachta Paschal Donohoe, go bhfuil sé ag éirí as a phost mar Aire Airgeadais agus mar bhall Rialtais. Chuir mé é sin in iúl don Uachtarán. Dá réir, molaim do Dháil Éireann ainmniúchán an Teachta Hildegarde Naughton le ceapadh ag an Uachtarán le freastal mar bhall Rialtais.”
“Sorry. Again, I will talk to the Minister in respect of it. To be fair, this should be done at hospital level. It should be done properly through the clinicians properly engaging with the family and with the parents. There are liaison officers in CHI as well who should be-----”
“The access and inclusion model, AIM, is a critical intervention for early years in terms of disability, in response to Deputy McGuinness's question. I would make that point and that has been enhanced and improved and will be improved as a result of the recent budget. Deputies Quaide, Dempsey and Ardagh raised the issue of insecurity and worry for ageing parents of children with disabilities. I am very conscious of that and we will work to see if we can improve on that. I have dealt with the issue raised by Deputy Conway-Walsh. In response to Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, I will check in respect of the school in Baldoyle. I do not have awareness of that. In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, again, I do not know the specific issue but I think it is an income threshold issue in terms of people marrying.”
“Some of those school places are under construction and being put in place. A number of specifics have been asked. I will check those out with the Minister. I am not in a position to have knowledge of every single application from individual schools in respect of autism classes and so forth but I will follow those up with the Minister. I presume the Deputies are also engaging with the Departments in respect of that. On the assessment of need, the Cabinet subcommittee on disability did approve outline proposals for a change in legislation which will have to happen to prioritise the provision of services. Therapy services to children has been the number one priority in terms of the legislative objective of that.”
“What we were determined to do in this budget was to increase the permanent payments within the social protection system, which we did, for example, and to enhance them as well and also, in terms of the carer's allowance threshold and income disregard, to increase that and we will eliminate that over the lifetime of this Government. We increased the domiciliary care allowance significantly. In terms of education, there are now about 46,500 teachers and SNAs working in our education system, committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs. Huge numbers of special needs assistants have been appointed over the past number of years. There are about 400 new special classes in the budget of 2025, and about 2,700 new places for the 2025-2026 school year.”
“Deputy Coppinger had a similar question in relation to this. It is a fundamental question as to why Harvey was taken off a waiting list. There are clinical decisions clearly involved here that have to be examined and will be examined. Likewise, there are other, broader investigations and examinations of issues pertaining to CHI, as the Deputy knows. Some of them have come in and some have not. Overall, again, terms of reference have to be specific here. We can have statutory inquiries that can go on too long and do not give closure to families. I think there is a bit of work to be done yet and the Minister is meeting with the family in that regard. Deputy Murphy raised the issue of the cost of disability programme. I dealt with that earlier insofar as the next budget will be dealing with that. Once-off payments were two years.”
“I would say to the Deputy the Minister is this afternoon meeting with the parents. The Minister did look for a chronology from the HSE. The Minister has that. The CEO of the HSE shared that with the family. It is a draft because the HSE wanted the family's input into that. I dealt with the protected disclosure earlier on Leaders' Questions. The Minister did not see that. All protected disclosures do not go to the Ministers per se . The Minister has an obligation to establish a system by which it goes to the protected disclosure commissioner. That commissioner has the specific protected disclosure and is now going to deal with that. Without question, there is a meeting on between the Minister, the Tánaiste and the parents of Harvey, with a view to an inquiry. The precise format is to be determined.”
“On the relationship between work and disability payments, there are some supports there for transitioning from disability, from the social protection system, into work in terms of the medical card and others. I think that can be strengthened and that those moving into work can be given greater certainty, more long-term certainty, that they will retain their benefits or whatever entitlements they have as they go into work. There have been improvements on the employer grant and so on but there is further work to be done in terms of giving greater security around that transition and encouraging people to go into work without fear of losing their health entitlements or the various other entitlements they have. Earlier during Leaders' Questions, we dealt with questions in respect of Harvey Morrison Sherratt.”
“There is a link into housing as well in that respect, different solutions at different times in the journey of life that people can move to better accommodation, more suitable accommodation. We should have greater flexibility around that provision. There can be too many silos between different Government Departments in respect of that but we are working on it. That is what the Cabinet subcommittee is for, to do a cross-government, whole-of-government approach. Deputy Daly and others raised the income disregard and the cost of disability. The cost of disability will be looked at in the next budget and there is a working group established in relation to that.”
“There is that issue of creating a secure transition and that older parents in particular, senior citizens now, have a certain sense of security and knowledge well in advance that their children will be looked after in case anything happens to themselves. That is a very understandable human concern, which is not being met at the moment but that needs to be met. I am very determined that we would put services in place to enable that to happen. There is a fear there, as Deputy Ardagh said. She called for a national plan for this and that is something I am going to work on so that people will have that security. Other Deputies have raised that issue. We should be looking at a seamless transition, ideally.”
“It is very sad that so many parents – I have met them – have no certainty. Deputy Daly said it was a cliff edge, and it is for many. If one talks to some of the providers in the sections 38 and 39 organisations, they are all dealing with emergency cases. That is not satisfactory, so we have got to get a more planned approach to this transition. I think there are also issues in terms of the interaction between the sections 38 and 39 organisations and the Government and Government services and how that works. Many of those are under pressure as well, I have to acknowledge, but equally we have to work out the models and so forth. There should be proper databases outlining how many people are in a given service at a given time and what will the requirements be at a later date.”
“No, I am conscious of others. Deputy Dempsey raised the issue of transition from child services to adult services and that there was an absence of early planning for that. She also made the comment that parents were told that therapies would not be available in transition. That is not acceptable and respite should not be withdrawn. In the disability unit that I have established, a key workstream will be planning and designing for the future. There should be proper data and proper early analysis of expected need for services from primary to post-primary, from post-primary to adult or, indeed, continuing education or other aspects. That is where I want to get to and that is where we want to get to as a Government because there is no doubt - Deputy Ardagh has raised this as well, as have others - that the insecurity is shocking.”
“An initial programme planned for the unit has been published, outlining how the unit will work to achieve this. The unit is already up and running, supporting the work of the Cabinet committee on disability and ensuring a truly all-of-government approach to disability.”
“The Government's new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, published in September, is the framework for our whole-of-government approach to addressing disability and advancing the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It represents our commitment and ambition that all disabled people in Ireland can live the life of their choosing and participate in their communities and our society to the fullest extent possible. In budget 2026, we took initial steps to deliver on this commitment through record allocations for disabilities services and special education. Reflecting the importance of disability issues, I have established a dedicated disability unit in my Department.”
“To date, the committee has considered issues including the new national disability strategy, the provision of therapists in special schools, improving the delivery of services and reform of the assessment of need process. Despite the committed efforts of so many working to provide services and significant increases in funding and resources in recent years, I acknowledge that we can and must do more and do better. I am determined that this will be a Government that moves forward with purpose in improving the level, scale and quality of support for disabled people and their families.”
“I propose to take questions Nos. 18 to 36, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on disability has been established to oversee the implementation of the programme for Government commitments in the area of disability, with specific focus on children's disability services as well as disability more generally under the Government's new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. Under the programme for Government, we are committed to delivering a step change in disability services and to advancing the rights and improving the lives of people with disabilities. To deliver on this, I established the stand-alone Cabinet committee on disability. This committee has met five times to date, most recently on 16 October, and it is due to meet again on 27 November.”
“Yes, please, and send a copy to the Minister for justice. I will liaise with the Minister and talk to him in respect of it. Deputy Conor McGuinness spoke about an over-reliance in routine policing and how a garda had not been seen in Portlaw. Visibility is improving. More and more gardaí are being recruited. The numbers applying are up significantly. The issue is now about how to get as many gardaí trained as quickly as we possibly can to get out there on the ground and to improve their visibility.”
“I suggest that the Deputy write to the Minister for justice on that as well in terms of the British context and what is happening there. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan raised the redress scheme. The Minister has indicated that work is under way in respect of that. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy in respect of the survivors of the Stardust fire. A lot of progress was made on a redress scheme for the families and so on. We are now progressing further commitments in that regard. Regarding Deputy Boyd Barrett, I do not know the individual case. Fifteen years seems a long time to be here and then to be subject to deportation. Again, I would like to get the background and the details. Maybe we can-----”
“In my view, the rights of the child have to be prioritised but sometimes those rights involve having some contact with parents as well. As Deputies, we all come across very complex family law cases where issues of access and so on constantly arise. However, I have sympathy with the position the Deputy has put forward and I will come back to her. I will also ask the Minister for justice to revert to her on the matter.”
“If you say that, you are accused, but that is the reality if you examine the figures that come from the Department of justice on what is happening. However, we do have to accelerate the process, particularly on the appeals side after the first phase is done. Regarding Deputy Conway-Walsh, I will follow that issue up with the Minister for justice. Again, these can be very complex issues in terms of the rights of children. Historically, the Deputy is correct. Notwithstanding all of the legislation we have passed, the recent constitutional amendment went to the heart of this in terms of the prioritisation of the rights of the child in the kinds of scenario the Deputy has outlined in terms of coercive control, violence, including domestic violence, and so forth.”