Mike Kennelly
Labour Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I express my deep concern at the devastating wildfire that affected Killarney National Park yesterday evening. It is one of the most treasured national landscapes in the country.”
“However, as that excitement builds ahead of the biggest day in the GAA's calendar, there is again a growing concern among Kerry and Mayo supporters and others about how they will get to Croke Park.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. My ask is for the Minister for Transport to liaise with Irish Rail and Bus Éireann to ensure that adequate transport is provided for all football supporters from Kerry and Mayo for the upcoming All-Ireland final. I congratulate Kerry and Mayo on reaching this year's All-Ireland football final.”
“This is not just a Kerry issue or a Mayo issue; it is a national issue. We heard yesterday on the Order of Business that even Louth and Wicklow supporters had difficulties getting to Croke Park last Saturday. The All-Ireland final is one of the largest sporting events in the country, bringing tens of thousands of supporters together.”
“The use of barbecues, open flames or any activity that creates a fire risk in such conditions is simply unacceptable. What may seem like a harmless act can, in a matter of minutes, destroy habitats that have taken generations to develop and places lives in danger.”
“Yesterday was just a reminder of the of the serious consequences that can arise when risks are taken with fire. The land and trees are so dry at the moment that a spark could destroy every amenity we have.”
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“They can see that someone who walked the same streets, went to the same rural school and grew up with the same challenges can go on to achieve something extraordinary. Jessie has never forgotten where she comes from. She carries Kerry with her in everything she does and in doing so, she lifts us all up. Her achievement is not just a personal triumph; it is a moment of national pride. Given the historic nature of her Oscar win, I believe her accomplishment should be formally recognised by the State, so today I am officially proposing a State civic reception on Jessie Buckley's return to Ireland. She has brought honour to Killarney, Kerry and indeed Ireland and it is only right and fitting that we acknowledge the significance of what she has achieved.”
“It is a remarkable Irish contribution to a global work of art. Those of us from Kerry know well the strength, resilience and determination that define us. Jessie embodies all of that. From her earliest days performing in Killarney, she showed a spark that was impossible to ignore but talent alone does not carry anyone to the Oscars. What brought her there was a gift, hard work and a refusal to give up - qualities that anyone who knows her or her family will recognise instantly. Her success means so much to the people of Killarney and to communities right across Kerry and indeed Ireland. Young people growing up in rural Ireland can now look at Jessie and see that the world is open to them.”
“Today I rise with great pride to acknowledge an extraordinary achievement by a remarkable young woman from my own county of Kerry. Jessie Buckley of Killarney has made history as the first Irish actress ever to win an Academy Award in a leading role. For a Kerry woman to stand on that global stage and bring home an Oscar is simply and surely special. Jessie's portrayal of Shakespeare's wife, Agnes, in the movie is powerful, layered and deeply human. She brings a quiet strength to the role of a mother that stays with you long after the film ends. Alongside her, Paul Mescal, a Kildare man and not a bad footballer either, delivers an extraordinary performance as William Shakespeare. The chemistry between these two actors, the emotional weight they carry and the truth they bring to that story are central to the film's success.”
“I want regional balance; I do not want the cities or the towns getting any bigger. I want the rural areas to survive as well. Funding alone is not enough. As Senator Davitt mentioned, reform of the planning, legal, regulatory and procurement systems is essential if we are to see projects delivered in a timely way. If we fail to act decisively, we will continue to watch the slow erosion of rural life, with fewer houses built, fewer children in our classrooms and fewer jerseys on the pitches. I call on the Government to fully implement the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan as a matter of urgency, to bring forward the necessary legislative reforms to improve co-ordination between State bodies and local authorities, to invest in and deliver capacity and to report regularly to this House on the measurable progress made.”
“If infrastructure delays prevent housing delivery in rural villages, then population decline will continue. If population declines, schools amalgamate, clubs have to merge, and communities are weakened. I welcome the Government's acknowledgement in the action plan that infrastructure delays are now a structural constraint in relation to housing supply and balanced regional development. We welcome the commitment to streamline decision-making, reduce the duplication in consenting processes, which is crazy, strengthen co-ordination between State agencies and enhance delivery capacity. For rural Kerry, this must translate into visible progress. Infrastructure-led housing delivery must mean that villages like those I mentioned - Astee, Duagh, Ballyduff, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn and Moyvane - are actively prioritised.”
“This is the home club of our current Kerry senior manager, Jack O'Connor. Recently, I and a number of colleagues, including Senator Scahill, spoke with the president of the GAA, whose term is winding down. He said that his biggest fear is for rural clubs and rural communities. My promise to him that evening was to call on Uisce Éireann to invest in its infrastructure in order to allow for the building of homes in these rural areas. Marty Morrissey’s report did not attempt to list every club in Kerry that has been affected, because the problem is larger than any single parish. His focus was on the trend. That trend is unmistakable. Behind every struggling underage team is a simple fact: there are fewer young families living locally. This is where infrastructure and housing connect directly to community survival.”
“Let us build them all back up fairly fast. It does not stop there. Recently, on RTÉ, Marty Morrissey highlighted the growing crisis of rural depopulation and its impact on the GAA. His reports showed clearly how demographic decline in rural Ireland is reaching crisis levels when it comes to participation in some areas. In particular, he highlighted south Kerry, which is a large area in which there are only 85 kids listed in primary schools for this year. Valentia Young Islanders GAA is a small community club that has struggled to field teams at times and that has had to consider amalgamation as a result of emigration and dwindling population. Dromid Pearses GAA is based on the Iveragh Peninsula, which is another area with very low underage numbers where adaptation and collaboration have become necessary just to keep teams going.”
“The Government’s report acknowledges that delays in delivery of critical infrastructure, water, wastewater, which I am going to really hone in on, energy transport and grid capacity are acting as structural constraints in the context of housing delivery and balanced regional development. In rural Kerry, the latter is not a policy theory; it is a lived reality. Villages in my area and all over Kerry, such as Astee, Duagh, Ballyduff, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn and Moyvane, will never see meaningful housing developments until infrastructure catches up. Young couples want to build, and families want to stay, but without serviced sites, wastewater upgrades, road improvements and co-ordinated planning between agencies, they cannot do so. When houses are not built, families leave. When families leave, schools, communities, and our churches struggle.”
“I welcome the Minister. I also welcome Mr. Pat Moylan, who, like me, is a former councillor. Having spent many years as a county councillor in Kerry, I know all about infrastructure and the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. Over the past number of years, we have not seen anything developing in rural Ireland. I wholeheartedly support this motion, which has been brought forward by Fianna Fáil. I call on the Minister to clearly outline how the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan will be implemented in a way that directly addresses rural depopulation, especially in Kerry and similar counties.”
“I welcome these steps. I look forward to the roll-out of this infrastructure to secure, as promised, the €200 per month childcare cost to families who are in desperate need of some sort of benefits.”
“The aim is to create a pathway where children can remain in the same high-level quality service until they start school. To ensure that investment is targeted effectively, the Department has developed a forward-planning model that maps local demand against existing capacity. This evidence-based approach will guide the selection of up to eight buildings for investment this year alone at a cost of €14 million, which has to be seriously welcomed. This initiative represents a major forward step in delivering on the Government's commitments to a childcare system that works, supports families and communities and gives every child the best possible start. It is a practical, ambitious and long-term investment in our future and our children's future, one that reflects the values and priorities set out clearly in the programme for Government.”
“If we are to meet the ambitions set out in our programme for Government, then it has to happen. That is why I welcome this Government has now announced €135 million in capital investment for high-quality, accessible, State-led early learning and childcare facilities. This is a landmark initiative that will begin this year. This investment will allow the State to acquire or fit out buildings specifically for childcare provision ensuring that services are delivered where they are most needed, whether in growing urban centres or underserved rural communities, and to progressively reduce the cost of childcare to what we promised, namely, €200 per month. A particular focus of these new facilities will be on places for one- to three-year-olds, which is the age group where shortages are most acute.”
“This morning, it is all about improving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare, which remains one of Fine Gael's central commitments under the programme for Government. We have been clear from the outset that supporting children, families and communities requires sustained investment in long-term planning. The latest updates from the Department of children and equality show that this work is progressing at speed. Over the past three years, capacity in early learning and childcare has grown significantly. The annual early years sector profile shows a 25% increase in enrolments, which is a strong indicator that reforms are working. Yet, we also know that demand continues to outstrip supply in parts of this country, particularly for children aged one to three. Addressing that gap is essential.”
“It may be costly and I hope the microchipping works out but the increasing number of sheep being targeted by dogs and the increase in dog fouling on our streets and public beaches shows that the situation is not improving so I ask the Minister to keep this in focus. If we can deal with a dog that has killed ten sheep or an incident where someone's child steps on dog mess on a beach, playground, football field or public park, which could cause health problems, we should. I welcome the Minister's response and hope he keeps in it mind.”
“I am glad there is ongoing work to promote public awareness of dogs and lambing season. The Minister said that the Department is open to the potential role of DNA in the future development of the canine traceability system. I am glad about that. It is results-based no matter what we do or what public awareness campaigns are launched. Last week, we discussed road safety in the House and this week, we are discussing safety with regard to control of dogs. I respect the Minister's response. I hope that at the end of 2026, these results will show a reduction in dog attacks. The rollout of a dog DNA database could be a future development.”
“I urge this House to support further examination of dog DNA databases as part of a broader effort to strengthen responsible dog ownership across Ireland and to give our local authorities the tool they need to protect everyone in the community.”
“Responsible owners are protected, public spaces become cleaner and farmers gain reassurance that incidents will no longer go unanswered. Local authorities, including those in Leitrim and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, are beginning to examine this approach because they recognise that the current systems are completely outdated. We now need national leadership, clear guidance, legislative support where necessary and a willingness to explore modern solutions to modern problems. Protecting public health, supporting farmers, safeguarding wildlife and promoting responsible dog ownership are goals we all share. Examining innovative enforcement tools should not be controversial as it was last week down in Kerry County Council when this issue was raised. It should be seen as common sense and welcomed.”
“This is about addressing the small minority whose actions create consequences for everyone else. A dog DNA database is one modern tool that deserves serious national consideration. Under such a system, DNA samples could be collected when dogs are licensed or registered and could be phased in over time. I do not want this to start today. I want it to start with the next pup that comes in to be chipped by the vet, whereby they would be registered and a DNA sample taken. Evidence gathered after livestock attacks or from dog fouling incidents could then be matched, allowing enforcement officers to act fairly and effectively. Importantly, this is about deterrence as much as it is about enforcement. When accountability becomes possible, behaviours change.”
“The survey shows that 73% of sheep farmers have experienced dog attacks on their flocks, while historical farming data suggests that between 3,000 and 4,000 sheep may be injured or killed annually due to dog attacks. Behind every statistic are a farming family dealing with loss, distress and financial pressure. The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association has been in contact and has made clear that stronger measures are needed. It has been calling for improved traceability and accountability for some time, recognising that existing enforcement tools are completely out of touch and are failing farmers who are doing everything right. What is being proposed is not punitive or anti-dog, and we have to state that. Ireland is nation of dog lovers. I am one myself and the vast majority of dog owners are very responsible.”
“The financial loss is significant but the emotional toll on farming families finding animals injured or killed cannot be overstated. The scale of the problem nationally is clear. In 2024 alone, 287 livestock-worrying incidents were reported, a 4% increase on the previous year. A total of 2,077 farm animals were attacked by dogs in a single year, including 1,592 sheep along with cattle and poultry. In those attacks, 618 animals were maimed, killed or had to be put down, and dog attacks on livestock are now at a six-year high nationally. We are not talking about isolated incidents. Over 2,000 farm animals were attacked by dogs in Ireland last year alone. The impact on farmers is widespread.”
“Dog fouling remains one of the most consistent complaints raised by the public in local authorities. It affects public health, damages tourism and undermines enjoyment of our beaches, parks and shared public spaces. Beyond inconvenience, there are very real human consequences. Recently, a woman from Kerry contacted a representative to share her personal story. When she was just three years old, playing on a beach, she contracted a serious infection linked to dog fouling. That infection ultimately caused her to lose vision in one eye. This is not an abstract debate; it is a reminder that irresponsible behaviour can have lifelong consequences. In rural Ireland, the stakes are even higher. Farmers continue to face devastating livestock attacks caused by uncontrolled dogs, particularly during the lambing season, which we are in.”
“I welcome the Minister. Today, I need to highlight a serious issue that affects communities right across rural and urban Ireland, one of that is being felt particularly strongly in counties like Kerry. I refer to the growing problem of irresponsible dog ownership, including dog fouling and uncontrolled dogs that are causing savage harm to livestock, wildlife and, in some cases, people. The Minister is well aware of this. This is not a new problem. For years, local authorities have relied on enforcement systems that require wardens to witness an offence before action can be taken. Despite the dedication and professionalism of dog wardens across the country, that system is no longer fit for purpose. The reality is simple; without the ability to identify an offending dog after an incident occurs, accountability is often impossible.”
“Immediate negotiations are needed between SIPTU and the Kostal plant in Abbeyfeale. It is over the road from Listowel; it is in north Kerry-west Limerick.”
“Indeed, with all the entrances on greenways and such, the entrance to the completed multimillion euro greenway from Limerick into Listowel is on this dangerous stretch of road. You could not really make it up. It is now a national road that has fallen far below an acceptable standard. I ask the Minister for Transport to immediately review this decision. I ask that this section of the N69 be given the priority it deserves. I ask that the people who rely on this road and who have waited long enough finally see it repaired. While I appreciate the investment announced last week for County Kerry, investment must also be fair, strategic and regionally balanced. Not one Deputy in Kerry cared to highlight this road, which is really disappointing for the people of north Kerry. Senator Collins mentioned the issue in Abbeyfeale.”
“It is a main national secondary route, a key artery into Listowel and a road that thousands of people rely on every day, yet its condition is, quite frankly, disgraceful. Kerry County Council placed this section at number three on its priority list for national roads resurfacing. It has repeatedly highlighted its deteriorating state. I have been calling consistently and publicly for this stretch to be resurfaced for seven years. While I welcome the funding package, I must ask the question the people of Listowel and north Kerry have been asking of me for the last week: why was this section of the N69 not included? This stretch of road that has been flagged time and again. It is a road that carries heavy traffic. It is a road that is vital for business, tourism, commuters and families.”
“I warmly welcome the announcement of €65 million in funding for local and national roads in County Kerry last week. This is a significant investment, and it will make a real difference to communities right across the county. I acknowledge the Minister and his Department for recognising the scale of the need in Kerry and supporting the work of Kerry County Council in maintaining and improving our road network. However, while the roads funding announcement was very welcome, I must raise an issue that has been a source of deep frustration for the people of Listowel, north Kerry and, indeed, me personally for many years. I am referencing the section of the N69 leading into Listowel between Boland's Cross and the Tim Kennelly roundabout in Listowel. It is approximately 1.2 km. This is not a minor road by any measure.”
“As we approach their next conferences, progress on this Bill would send a strong signal that this House is listening and responding. For all of these reasons, I strongly support the progression of this Bill to Committee Stage. I hope colleagues across the House will join in allowing it to move forward so that we can continue the detailed work needed to deliver a fairer, modern system of injury leave for the teachers and SNAs who give so much to our children and schools.”
“The Bill requires that any future scheme be agreed in consultation with trade unions. That is essential. The people who work in our schools must have a voice in shaping the protections that affect them. The Bill ensures that teachers and SNAs are treated equally under the scheme. Too often, SNAs, who are overwhelmingly women, have found themselves treated differently in policy and practice. This Bill corrects that imbalance. This is a balanced and constructive proposal. It does not place unreasonable burdens on schools or the Department. It simply ensures that when staff are injured in the course of their work, they are treated with dignity, consistency and compassion. This issue was a major topic of discussion at both the INTO and Fórsa conferences in 2025.”
“The Bill provides for immediate financial assistance to cover the costs that arise when someone is injured or assaulted in the course of their duties. These costs can be significant and unexpected, and it is only right that the State steps in promptly. The Bill guarantees access to appropriate information and supports, including specialist and psychological services, where needed. We know that not all injuries are visible. Trauma, intimidation and delayed symptoms must be treated with the same seriousness as physical harm. The Bill provides for early retirement options in cases of long-term or permanent incapacity. This is a humane and necessary provision for those who cannot safely return to their roles. As Senator Cosgrove said, it is a worker's right and a human right.”
“The Bill is rooted in the lived experience of teachers and special needs assistants who support children in classrooms across this country every day. It is about real people who have been injured, traumatised or left without adequate support under the current system. The Bill seeks to modernise and amend the existing assault leave circular, which many staff feel is outdated and inconsistent. Senator Harmon's proposal replaces it with a more compassionate, accurate and protective approach, one that the Bill sets out in a number of clear and reasonable principles. First, it ensures that paid leave is granted for the full period for which an injury is medically certified. That is a basic standard of fairness. No teacher or SNA should be left worrying about income while recovering from an injury sustained at work.”
“As the bell for the Dáil was ringing, the Minister was saying that this is a very important Bill. I am pleased to speak in support of Senator Harmon's Education (Leave for Injuries) Bill 2025, which is before the House this evening. First, I acknowledge the work that has gone into developing this legislation, not only by Senator Harmon but also by Fórsa and the INTO, and by the campaigner, Sophie Cole, and her husband, Shane. I welcome them to the House this evening. Sophie's advocacy has been charmed. She is leading this out. She has been instrumental in bringing this issue to where it is right now on a national level. A lot of us have a personal interest in this issue, as many of us have family members who are either SNAs or teachers. Tonight, we have their back on this.”
“I offer a warm welcome to all our MEP colleagues. As a proud Kerryman, I hope the House will allow me to direct my question on LNG and Ireland's energy security to Seán Kelly, MEP. As a full member of the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, ITRE, he has been closely involved in Europe's evolving energy strategy. How does he view the role of LNG as a secondary or back-up energy source for Ireland, particularly in terms of energy security, more so now than ever, and its diversification and resilience during the transition to renewables?”
“Kerry County Council drew down money last year for the tenant in situ scheme, but it was to deliver houses it bought in 2024. I have the breakdown. I want a review of it and for someone to come back me about what to tell the people of Kerry where notices to quit are regularly coming for families. They have to leave the properties within a three-, five- or six-month period and there is nothing to rent. Will the Department look at this again because it is not working in my county? The purchase of 23 properties under the tenant in situ scheme in recent years is a poor return for people facing homelessness, and we have figures to prove it.”
“The scheme was introduced for people facing homelessness so tenants could be put in a place where properties could be purchased without leaving the properties and facing homelessness. Properties cannot be got when a notice to quit has been served on a family. They cannot be sourced. There is nothing to rent or lease. There is nothing to be got. People are falling through the cracks because they cannot get any other local property. When the crack that nothing is available is identified, why can the council not buy the properties, even if a cost analysis of it has been done? The scheme is not doing what it is supposed to and that is why I am raising it. The Minister of State said that last year, some €375 million was allocated to local authorities for acquisitions and, of that, only €290 million was drawn down. That sounds alarm bells.”
“If this gap is not addressed, the scheme will continue to underperform in Kerry and families who should be protected will continue to fall through the cracks and face homelessness.”
“Tenants who should be protected under the scheme are instead facing eviction and, in many cases, homelessness. The intention of the tenant in situ scheme was to provide a safety net, but in counties such as Kerry, which I represent, the absence of renovation funding has created a structural barrier that undermines the scheme's purpose. I call for clarity on whether the Department intends to introduce a dedicated renovation or upgrade provision in the tenant in situ scheme. Will the Minister of State confirm whether local authorities may access any existing capital or remedial works funding streams to support these purchases and ensure that counties with older housing stock, such as Kerry, are not disadvantaged by a one-size-fits-all approach?”
“Under the current framework, there is no provision for renovation or upgrade costs when a local authority purchases a property that does not meet the standards for rented housing regulations 2019. Indeed, 90% of first inspections fail. Many of the homes coming forward for potential purchase in Kerry are older properties that require works, sometimes modest and sometimes substantial, to bring them up to regularity with the standards. In Kerry, the average cost for Kerry County Council to renovate a property to comply with the regulations post-purchase is between €30,000 and €40,000. Local authorities are understandably reluctant to proceed with purchases when no funding stream exists to cover the necessary remedial works. As a result, properties that could otherwise be secured for vulnerable tenants are being passed over.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I wish to raise an issue of growing concern in County Kerry regarding the operation of the tenant in situ scheme. The purpose of the scheme is very straightforward and commendable, but straightforward it is not. It allows local authorities or approved housing bodies to purchase properties where tenants are at risk of homelessness. It ensures continuity of tenancy for households in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP, or rental assistance scheme, RAS, and it prevents the loss of existing rental homes from the private market. In principle the scheme is working okay in some parts of the country. However, in Kerry we are seeing a very low uptake. I believe the last house was purchased in 2024. The reason is both simple and avoidable.”
“Even the RSA states that for every one fatality, there are ten serious injuries. Out of 190 fatalities, there are 1,900 serious injuries. Families are getting destroyed. On what Senator Collins said, there was an incident last night in Abbeyfeale, just over the border from me, at 8 p.m., where a car turned upside down going down the street in Abbeyfeale. That was at 8 o'clock in the evening. The car was not travelling at 10 km/h or 15 km/h; it was travelling at high speed through a town. As councillors, one thing we always looked for was speed ramps - I could go on and on - entering every village and town. If a speed ramp was on the verge of that speed limit sign coming into that town, that would not have happened last night and it probably would have prevented a fatality. That person is in hospital. I could go on.”
“A modern driving test must reflect modern driving realities, especially the dangers that are out there. We need a national road safety campaign that speaks plainly about where the real dangers lie on our local, regional and national roads. This has been said and I will quickly say it. I drive from north Kerry up here. I get on a local road, a regional road, a national road, and I get on the motorway and get it back into the city. I have seen it all in the last 12 months, including the recklessness of some motorists. They just do not care. Transport Infrastructure Ireland's collision rate analysis constantly shows that local roads record the highest collision rate due to narrow widths, faded road markings and sight-lines. I welcome the funding today. I hope it goes to these specific roads I mentioned because of the sight-lines and that.”
“At the same time, we need a comprehensive review of the e-scooter regulations that have been mentioned, particularly the minimum age and maximum speeds. Events like a 13-year-old being caught with an e-scooter that can do 55 km/h without a helmet have to stop. A 14-year-old buying an e-scooter without the proper ID has to stop. A bugbear of mine is our driving test. It genuinely is not fit for purpose. A learner driver could currently pass a test after performing a three-point turn in a quiet housing estate in the middle of an afternoon during a driving test. That does not prepare anyone for real-world driving. We still prohibit learners from motorways yet expect them to use these the moment they pass. It is crazy stuff. We still do not require night-time driving experience, despite the very difficult and different challenges it presents.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. Tonight, our support has to go on the motion brought forward by my colleagues. Everyone fully supports this. The two biggest safety issues going on in the country right now are road safety and online safety for our children. In the term of this Government, we must come down hard on offenders that are causing distress to people online and using our roads. Because of the safety on our roads, our communities and every person who uses them demand urgent, practical and sustained action. We must accelerate the introduction of Grace's law to ban scramblers and similar vehicles in public spaces. Every Member of this House has seen the consequences recently in the intimidation in our public parks, injuries, and, unfortunately, the fatality of Grace. Communities are living under constant disruption.”
“I call on the Minister and the HSE to indicate what steps will be taken to recruit and appoint a paediatric dermatology consultant for University Hospital Kerry and to outline a clear timeline for delivering this essential service.”
“It means delayed appointments and prolonged discomfort for young patients who deserve timely specialist care close to home. For families in Kerry, healthcare should not depend on geography. Yet, right now, access to paediatric services clearly does. Recruiting a paediatric dermatology consultant to University Hospital Kerry and employing that person would not simply be an administrative decision. It would be a statement that the children of Kerry matter as much as those of the capital. It would reduce waiting times, ease pressure on the Dublin service and, most important, provide care in a setting that is accessible to and humane for families from Kerry.”
“I wish to highlight a very real and deeply felt loss for the people of County Kerry, namely the lack of a paediatric dermatology consultant in Kerry University Hospital to serve our children. There is no dedicated paediatric dermatology consultant who covers Kerry. This means that children suffering from chronic skin conditions, including severe eczema, psoriasis and rare complex disorders, must travel long distances to access care. Families are being referred to Dublin, where ten paediatric consultants are currently employed. What does that mean in reality? It means long journeys for sick children in Kerry. It means parents taking unpaid leave from work. It means additional travel expenses, accommodation costs and emotional strain.”
“It is about gauging the bank of the river and if there is danger then we are alerted. The council is alerted and the first responders. A 75-year old man should not have to be taken out by a tractor and loader at 2 p.m. Whatever recommendations are taken by the Minister from tonight's debate, could he ensure the early detection warning system is made a priority? It will save time and time saves lives.”
“Even at that time we were looking for protection for individual people in their own homes. That was in November 2024. We are now crying here because Enniscorthy and the east coast got destroyed. Could the Minister take on board what happened down there? If we do not detect flood events early, then a code yellow becomes a code red. It was raining continuously in the Enniscorthy area for days. The place was saturated. We know that was the case because we had a lot of wet weather. When the ground is saturated and there is a code yellow, then alarm bells should be ringing downstream or wherever. We must ensure that some measure is put in place. I have been crying out for a detection alert system. It is simple and it does not need planning. We are on about biodiversity and everything else, but it does not need planning.”
“Some 40 hours before the storm there was a snowfall. On the night of the flood event, 40 hours or whatever later, the snow started to thaw as the temperatures rose. The code yellow was issued for the same time. Two hours' notice upstream of Listowel would have saved a lot of houses from being destroyed. It would possibly have prevented human casualties further upstream in the Killocrim area. At that time, I cried out for an early flood detection system, an alarm system that would notify people, including first responders and the local authorities so they could get their emergency crews out because the banks are high and there is going to be an incident or episode further downstream. Abbeyfeale got hit and two hours later, we were like, "Oh my God". We were not ready. I have been crying out for it.”
“I welcome the Minister to the Seanad. Storm Chandra has once again highlighted how exposed our communities are in relation to serious flood events. We see the disruption and the havoc that it caused, even in areas that were coded yellow. I do not know which level of warning we need to take more seriously: yellow, orange or red. Storm Chandra caused significant damage. These flood events happened in areas other than my area, on which I have been beating the drum on the floor of the Seanad since I came here. Localised flooding incidents can happen anywhere in the country. If we can learn anything, it is from the areas that have been flooded in recent years. I will reflect on my area when Storm Bert hit Listowel in November 2024. It was a code yellow. No one gets out of their chairs for a code yellow.”
“In past times too many people saw them as the lesser option. A national campaign will help to shift that mindset, and that mindset is shifting. Elevating four-year craft apprenticeships to level 7 will send a strong signal about their value. Career guidance in schools needs to be viewed and reviewed, and apprenticeships should be presented as a real and equal option. As has been quoted, we need to mind our next generation of millionaires, to focus on them and deliver on them.”