Naoise Ó Cearúil
Kildare North · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“It was an excellent evening in the French Embassy last night, particularly with Michel Barnier, the Taoiseach and the ambassador. Notwithstanding that, further to the Taoiseach's meeting with Prime Minister Sánchez, it is exciting that there will be an Ireland-Spain joint action plan. When does the Taoiseach plan on finalising this?”
“Europe's task is not simply to embrace AI blindly; it is to shape AI in a way that serves its citizens in their best interests. That means investing in skills, digital literacy, worker protection and innovation. It means ensuring that creative workers, journalists, young people and ordinary citizens are not left behind.”
“A trusted European AI capability could support SMEs, public administration, translation across European languages, healthcare, education, research and democratic resilience. It does not need to be the biggest model in the world to be useful.”
“I will focus on the competitiveness element of the European Council and Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union because this may become one of the most important parts of our Presidency. Europe is at a crossroads.”
“Europe needs to think more seriously and strategically about sovereign AI capability. That does not mean trying to build an EU version of every major American or Chinese model. That is simply not realistic or within our means. However, Europe should not be wholly dependent on models built, controlled and governed elsewhere.”
“Ireland has always understood that the European Union is more than a market; it is a community of values. However, if those values are to endure, Europe must be strong, innovative and competitive.”
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“A second solution is to provide interim therapeutic access to those awaiting assessment. My colleague, Deputy O'Sullivan, mentioned something similar in Cork. Too many children are being denied any supports until the full process is complete but in the UK and parts of Australia, families can access early interventions, including speech and language therapy, OT or behavioural support, based on flagged preliminary needs. Let us not let bureaucracy get in the way of a child's development. Interim access would ease family pressure and reduce long-term need. When a GP sees a child with clear speech and language difficulties, we should be getting speech and language therapists for these children straight away and not wait for an assessment of need. The Minister is new to her brief.”
“Indeed, the HSE is telling families to go to court to try to find a resolution to this. It is putting too much pressure on families. I will offer two solutions that could work. I am looking at solutions rather than complaining about issues all the time. One solution is to establish a dedicated assessment hub or assessment hubs. We need specialised centres staffed by multidisciplinary teams with a singular focus on clearing the backlog and providing timely, high-quality assessments. This model has been piloted successfully in Scotland, particularly in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where dedicated hubs help to reduce assessment waiting times for children with developmental needs by more than 50%. It is targeted, measurable and replicable. We could begin by piloting this in Kildare or another county where needs are demonstrably high.”
“During the general election and since, the issue of assessments has probably been the one that comes most frequently to my office, as it did when I was campaigning. Under the Disability Act 2005, every child is entitled to an assessment of need within six months, yet throughout the country more than 14,000 children are waiting beyond that legal limit. In Kildare North, families are waiting 18 months or more on average and the children's disability network team is operating with a 41% vacancy rate, which is a statistic that tells its own story. I appreciate that efforts are being made to open up more places at university and third level and to hire more people in this space. Early intervention is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Delay leads to more complex needs, more stress on families and more pressure on our system down the line.”
“Like others, I acknowledge an incredibly brave and courageous young person at the gates of Leinster House when it is lashing rain - Cara Darmody. She is protesting outside not for herself but for her brothers and thousands of children throughout the country who are being denied timely assessments of supports. Cara's strength is extraordinary. Her message is one that we in this House must listen to. That message is that we are in an emergency. I also acknowledge my colleague, Councillor Donna Phelan, who, like so many parents, has been fighting for years just to get an assessment for her children. Donna's story is not unique. It is shared by too many families in Kildare North and throughout Ireland. We owe them more than sympathy. We owe them action.”
“County Kildare has the lowest rate of community-based childcare facilities, with three in total and only two of those in Kildare North, one of which is Maynooth University Crèche. To give a sense of how long it has been there, I attended it myself. This is in spite of 48% of childcare services having waiting lists in Kildare. I have raised multiple parliamentary questions about this. However, in the programme for Government there is a commitment for capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities where demand exceeds supply. It is very clear that Kildare has a huge demand. I ask that consideration is given to prioritise Kildare when it comes to State-led childcare facilities.”
“Is léiriú é ar thiomantas an Stáit don Ghaeltacht, don Ghaeilge agus don phobal atá ag iarraidh maireachtáil trí mheán a dteanga féin. Molaim an tAire agus a fhoireann as an obair atá déanta. Tacaím leis an mBille. Tá mé ag súil le bheith ag obair leis an Aire agus le comhghleacaithe sa Teach seo le cinntiú go n-éireoidh leis go huile is go hiomlán. Is ball den chomhchoiste Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta mé agus tá mé ag súil le bheith ag obair leis na Teachtaí Dála agus Seanadóirí eile ar an gcoiste sin, chomh maith leis an Aire.”
“Ar an gcéad dul síos, má tá muid chun na struchtúir nua seo, na coistí réigiúnacha san áireamh, a chur i bhfeidhm i gceart, ní mór na hacmhainní cuí a chur ar fáil, is iad sin maoiniú, foireann agus tacaíochtaí praiticiúla. Ní leor reachtaíocht amháin; caithfear í a chur i bhfeidhm go héifeachtach. Caithfidh soiléireacht agus cothromaíocht a bheith ag baint leis na critéir Ghaeilge do chomhaltaí. Caithfidh muid a chinntiú nach gcuireann riachtanais dhocht bac ar dhaoine atá tiomanta don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht, agus a bhfuil saineolas luachmhar acu, ach nach bhfuil líofacht iomlán acu sa teanga. Molaim go ndéanfaí feachtas eolais chuimsithigh sna Gaeltachtaí roimh na toghcháin. Má tá muid dáiríre faoin daonlathas, caithfidh an pobal tuiscint a bheith acu ar an bpróiseas agus ar na róil. Is Bille tábhachtach é seo.”
“Fáiltím freisin roimh an bhforáil a éilíonn go mbeidh cumas sa Ghaeilge ag comhaltaí an bhoird agus acu siúd a bheidh ar na coistí. Ní mór dúinn, mar Stát agus mar phobal, sampla láidir a thabhairt agus ár dteanga a chur i gcroílár gach cinneadh a dhéanann muid. Tá mé ar aon intinn leis an leasú a chuirfeadh ar chumas an údaráis tuilleadh gnímh a dhéanamh i réimse na tithíochta. Más mian linn pobal Gaeltachta beo a bheith againn, ní leor caomhnú na Gaeilge amháin; caithfidh muid áiteanna maireachtála inbhuanaithe a chruthú don chéad glúin eile. Is mian liom roinnt moltaí agus imní a roinnt leis an Aire. Impím air machnamh a dhéanamh orthu de réir mar a chuirfear an reachtaíocht i bhfeidhm.”
“Tá an-áthas orm an deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an mBille tábhachtach seo. Is céim chun tosaigh agus chun cinn í an reachtaíocht seo a neartóidh ról an údaráis i saol sóisialta, cultúrtha agus eacnamaíochta ár bpobal Gaeltachta. Mar urlabhraí Fhianna Fáil nua ar an nGaeilge agus ar ghnóthaí Gaeltachta, fáiltím roimh an sprioc atá ag an Rialtas struchtúr an údaráis a nuachóiriú agus níos mó daonlathais a thabhairt ar ais trí bhord na gcomhaltaí tofa agus ceaptha araon. Is ceart agus cóir go mbeidh pobal na Gaeltachta i lár an chinnidh ar an tslí a rachaidh muid amach anseo. Is céim eile dhearfach í bunú na dtrí coiste réigiúnach atá le teacht. Tabharfaidh siad guth níos láidre do phobail áitiúla ó na réigiúin Ghaeltachta éagsúla. Cinnteoidh siad go mbeidh cinntí níos oiriúnaí dá mná tí féin.”
“Another constituent has been waiting almost seven months, which is 30 weeks. This is impacting her independence and ability to work. Many of the people who are being impacted are young people who are doing their driving test for the first time. It is just not good enough, particularly in rural areas but also in urban areas, and it is impacting families in particular. I am asking two things. What are the Minister of State's plans to address this crisis in Kildare? Will a second test centre be opened in Kildare?”
“If we look at the population centre of the north east of the county, where I hail from, around Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock, there is no test centre. As part of this, a test centre in that area would also be able to look after people in Meath coming from Dunboyne, and some people from Dublin, which is in close proximity. I have had numerous representations made to me in relation to this. We have heard various stories about how these delays are impacting people on a human level. I will give just one example of a constituent who could not get a test in Naas, is on the list for a test in Tallaght, and has been waiting 43 weeks. This is almost ten months and far beyond what is being stated. He cannot pick up and drop off his young children from crèche and from school because he is still awaiting this test.”
“The statements today from around the country have been quite insightful. Naturally many Deputies here are extremely frustrated with the delays they are seeing in their constituencies. In Kildare North, for example, 4,024 people are waiting for a driving test. That is up from 3,303 last year, which is 691 more for the same time period. We are also told that the national average waiting time in March 2025 stood at 24.1 weeks. Many Deputies here have complained about that delay and understandably so. In Kildare North it is 30 weeks, which is an additional six weeks to try to get a test in County Kildare. The difficulty is there is only one test centre in Kildare, which is based in Naas, and there is no other test centre throughout the county.”
“However, as incidence continues to rise and the population grows, as the Minister mentioned, now is the time to match that ambition with pace, particularly in diagnostics where early intervention can change everything. I appreciate, as she said, that as things improve, we will see more diagnoses. That shows the system is working and we are picking up on things, particularly with an ageing population. We must keep the pressure on and continue to work with the Department and the HSE.”
“I acknowledge the work of the Minister and her Department. I encourage the Department to continue prioritising that capital investment. I also encourage the delivery of ring-fenced funding for cancer services, as mentioned by her, which was committed to in the programme for Government. I also encourage the expansion of acute oncology facilities, ensuring patients undergoing treatment are not forced through overburdened emergency departments. We have heard in this House this evening that emergency departments are not the ideal setting for these people. The national cancer strategy provides a strong roadmap and the commitment is clear. I acknowledge the political will is there.”
“In Leinster, outside of Dublin, two in five people report delaying care due to system pressures. We have made progress, which I acknowledge, but more is needed to ensure timely diagnosis, equitable access and improved outcomes.”
“I appreciate the work under way across the health service and I know there is a strong focus on delivering improved cancer outcomes, but the data points to real challenges and real opportunities for improvement. I welcome the commitment from Government and the Minister and acknowledge the investment to date. Ireland still has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in western Europe and one of the highest rates of new diagnosis in the EU. Waiting times for access to new cancer medicines remain a concern, with Irish patients waiting an average of 644 days post-EMA approval, which is longer than many of our European counterparts. Our screening participation rates are encouraging in County Kildare, with bowel screening rates above target. However, HPV uptake has dipped slightly since 2019 and the perception of access remains an issue.”
“Each year, more than 44,000 people in Ireland are diagnosed with cancer. It remains one of the leading causes of death, accounting for 30% of all deaths annually. In July 2024, in excess of 172,000 people were waiting more than three months for a diagnostic imaging test, delays that have significant implications for early detection and outcomes. In light of these trends and the commitments made in the programme for Government, will the Minister outline her plans to improve diagnostic pathways and invest in the infrastructure needed to meet target treatment times as set out in the national cancer strategy?”
“AI represents one of the biggest economic opportunities of our generation. I was fortunate enough to work in this space for three and a half years and in the tech sector for eight and a half years prior to being elected to this House. The Taoiseach's attendance at the AI Action Summit was extremely encouraging, as will the establishment of the Oireachtas joint committee on artificial intelligence. I wish my colleague, Deputy Malcolm Byrne, the very best of luck as he chairs that committee. Opportunity demands action, however, and I would like that particular committee to come up with some suggestions to Government with how we can utilise AI from an international perspective and a State perspective. Will the Taoiseach ensure that AI is treated not just as a tech issue but as a cornerstone of Ireland's future economic strategy?”
“I pay tribute to the late Mick O'Dwyer, whose passing was announced this morning. Micko was a legend of the GAA, particularly in Kerry, but we have a great fondness for him in Kildare for delivering two Leinster titles and bringing us to an all-Ireland final. I was quite young at the time but they are very positive memories. I acknowledge him and his contributions to Irish life and society over his many years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
“I should mention Intel and Kerry Group in my constituency of Kildare North and the impact they might face. As the Minister noted, we need a co-ordinated and multilayered response to this. First, we should push diplomatically, particularly to our partners in the EU, for a negotiation of exemptions or reductions, especially for high-value sectors like agrifood in Ireland. Second, I would love to see a financial support package to be made available, with grants, bridging finance and tax reliefs for those firms directly affected. This would come under the Minister's Department. Third, workforce supports such as upskilling, reskilling and job transition schemes must be activated. Finally, we must protect not only our businesses, but also our workers and the communities that depend on them.”
“There is a real risk in terms of job losses, investment slowdown and pressure on regional economies that rely on trade-driven growth, particularly around Cork, where people have been quite vocal in the news this morning. The situation is compounded by Northern Ireland's position under the Windsor Framework, which could see trade diverted away from the Republic. We cannot afford to be passive. I appreciate that negotiations are a key part of this and that the Minister is playing a crucial role in that.”
“I thank the Minister. I appreciate the immediate steps the Minister, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are taking but Ireland is uniquely exposed. Our export economy depends heavily on the US, which accounts for nearly one third of our total exports. Unlike Britain and Northern Ireland, which face a 10% tariff, we are hit with the 20% rate as members of the European Union, which puts us at a disadvantage. Key sectors such as agrifood and advance manufacturing are now vulnerable, not just in terms of competitiveness, but also in terms of employment, as the Minister mentioned. This morning, IBEC already announced a forecast of a 2% to 3% hit on exports in the short term.”
“Given the recently announced 20% US tariffs on EU goods, which is double the 10% rate applied to Britain and Northern Ireland, and considering the exposure of the Irish economy, particularly export-reliant sectors and jobs, what proactive and specific steps is the Minister's Department taking to support those most vulnerable, including multinationals, SMEs and workers in mitigating these deeply concerning economic risks?”
“I will be in touch with the Tánaiste's office regarding particular cases where persons were denied entry into the United States from Dublin and Shannon. I have spoken to other Oireachtas Members who have received similar reports. I thank the Tánaiste for his response and his work on this matter.”
“There is a two-way flow, as the Tánaiste mentioned, not just in terms of trade but between our peoples. It is crucial that Irish people can travel to the Unites States for both pleasure and business. There must be a certainty that if people have an ESTA and have abided by the rules, they will get into the US.”
“To add additional context, in recent weeks I have been contacted by people and received reports of them attempting to travel to the United States from Dublin and Shannon, with electronic system for travel authorization, ESTA, visas and without any criminal conviction or criminal record. There seems to be no reason for them not to have gained entry into the United States. I appreciate it is for the United States immigration service to deal with matters such as this but there are questions there, particularly when our citizens seem to be going by the rules that have been laid out by the United States. Will the Tánaiste liaise with his counterpart in the United States or with the US Embassy here in Ireland? We have an excellent relationship with that country.”
“Does the Tánaiste intend to issue updated travel advice to those planning to travel to the United States? There has been much talk this week, naturally, about tariffs, etc., and the impact of what could come down the line tomorrow. There have been some changes, however, particularly with the new Administration in the United States, and some people have come across difficulties when travelling to the United States. Does the Tánaiste's Department intend to issue any updated travel advice?”
“I commend Deputy Byrne for introducing this Bill. It is a positive step. Having worked in the artificial intelligence industry for the past four years and technology for the past ten years, I have seen the massive opportunities that artificial intelligence can lend to society. Indeed, I was at a Google event this afternoon that showed there was a potential positive impact on GDP of 8% over the next eight to ten years if the country were to grasp artificial intelligence properly and be a leader in Europe and globally. The Bill aims to counteract some of the challenges that come with any technological advances. In particular, it is about trust. It is about how you can trust someone's voice and image. We have seen a lot of scams happening, particularly over phones and with older people as well, and this will protect all people from scammers.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille seo agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht teacht anseo agus ar ndóigh as an Bille a chur os comhair na Dála. Is léir go bhfuil rudaí maithe sa Bhille seo. Tugann sé na toghcháin do na réigiúin agus na réigiúin Ghaeltachta agus is rud an-mhaith é sin agus cuirim fáilte roimhe. Tuigim go bhfuil an-obair curtha isteach ag an Roinn agus ag an Aire go dtí an pointe seo. An gcasfaidh an tAire le muintir Chonradh na Gaeilge agus le Tinteán faoin mBille agus faoi chuid de na ceisteanna atá acu go dtí seo? Cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille seo áfach. Tá an-obair curtha isteach ann ach tá ceisteanna beaga agus roinnt ceisteanna móra fós ann agus fáiltím rompu.”
“I would also appreciate it if we could look at a more formalised pathway in the future to allow members of the PSNI transfer to An Garda Síochána and to allow members of An Garda Síochána to move to the PSNI, where appropriate, as well.”
“I thank the Minister. I appreciate him looking into this matter in more detail. I will work with him outside the House in respect of the case to which I refer. The number involved is not huge. To my knowledge, it is in the teens. These are people who are working in the PSNI. They have spent a lifetime in policing and have a considerable amount of experience that could contribute a great deal to both community and specialised policing in this jurisdiction. I will work with the Minister on the particular case to which I refer. I would appreciate it if he would bring it to the attention of the Garda Commissioner.”
“While I appreciate that the Minister will be consulting with his counterparts in the UK, at a time when we have an acute shortage of gardaí and require additional officers, there are members of the PSNI who wish to become gardaí. They are living in the Republic and commuting to the North. They are ready-made police officers ready to act. There are many such members. One in particular who I am aware of has been writing to and speaking with the PSNI, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and the Policing Authority for over ten years seeking a pathway of transfer from the PSNI to An Garda Síochána. We have an invisible border on this island. This is a situation where consultation further down the line is not sufficient for existing members of the PSNI who wish to become members of An Garda Síochána.”
“We have seen an exceptional Garda recruitment campaign recently in February. I commend the Minister and An Garda Síochána on this. However, there are ready-made police officers and there is a barrier to them becoming gardaí. Can the Minister provide an update on the progress of section 50 regulations required to open up and facilitate the transfer of a PSNI officer to the ranks of An Garda Síochána and will he make a statement on the matter?”
“There is a wider conversation to be had about excess water usage in society. By and large, households are responsible when it comes to use of water. It is great that the Government is committed to not reintroducing any type of water charges or introducing water charges for excess use.”
“That is reassuring. The Opposition spokesperson on housing blew this up on social media, saying that the Government was trying to sneak this in by the back door. The Minister confirmed in the media - he has done so again now - that there is no attempt to reintroduce water charges. It is incredulous that there was an attempt to construe that there was going to be a return to water charges. It is clear that there is no attempt on the Government's part to introduce water charges. This Government has listened to the people. Water charges are not mentioned in the programme for Government.”
“Ba mhaith liom gach rath a ghuí ar an Aire, an Teachta Browne agus an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O’Sullivan. I wish the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, well in their new briefs. In the programme for Government, there is no mention of water charges. However, there was an article in the Irish Independent last week and then a furore was created by the Opposition on social media to the effect that there was in some way an attempt to facilitate the return of water charges. Will the Minister rule out any return of water charges?”
“During the commemoration, survivors expressed deep concern over the resurgence of antisemitism and the rise of radical ideologies worldwide. Leon Weintraub, a 99-year-old survivor, highlighted that such ideologies preach hostility and hatred towards others, defining racism, antisemitism and homophobia as virtues. In light of these alarming trends, how does the Government plan to strengthen and implement the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism within Ireland to effectively combat and prevent such hatred in our society?”
“Could the Taoiseach provide a report on his attendance at the EU leaders' informal retreat on 3 February? This meeting focused on European defence, addressing critical topical issues such as enhancing defence capabilities and financing EU defence priorities. We have seen the need to improve our own defence capabilities in this country, and I look forward to hearing the Taoiseach's response.”
“Given the recent devastation, which was widely reported and debated in the House, caused by Storm Éowyn, which resulted in widespread power outages and damage amounting to hundreds of millions of euros, the Climate Change Advisory Council has urged immediate action to prepare for future extreme weather events. It recommends establishing a national climate damage register to track the economic, social and environmental impacts of such storms. Will the Taoiseach consider establishing such a register? When will the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy next sit? I know the Taoiseach is eager, as is this side of the House, for the committees to get up and running but the Opposition has been holding on. We need to get on with the business of the House and the business of Parliament.”
“The Minister has hit the nail on the head. There was a site where a health centre was to be changed into a health centre, which is ludicrous. There is a wider argument around planning, particularly how one arm of the State speaks to another. That is a wider question. I welcome that there will be a primary care centre in Leixlip. I will continue to work with the Minister to try to find an alternative site in Maynooth. I appreciate all the work she has been doing in increasing primary care throughout the country.”
“I welcome the news about the primary care centre in Leixlip. As the Minister mentioned, it will be a significant investment by the State and a significant primary care centre in Leixlip but bear in mind that the whole idea of primary care is accessibility, that older people, young families and mums with children can walk down to a primary care centre and receive care in the community. I ask the Minister, as she stated, to continue the review. This goes back as far as 2015. It is now ten years on and no real progress has been made for a primary care centre for north-east Kildare. While it is positive that there will be a primary care centre in Leixlip, for a town the size of Maynooth - it is the same in south County Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Louth and Meath - there need to be primary care centres.”
“Ar dtús báire, guím gach rath ar an Aire. I wish the Minister well with her new brief. We have seen the success of primary care. I look to my home town of Maynooth, which is yet to have a primary care centre. I have been calling for this for a long time. The population of Maynooth is 17,000, on top of which there are 14,000 students, as I mentioned previously, and a projected population increase of 10,000. We are looking at a town of around 31,000 without a primary care centre. Will the Minister update us regarding the proposed primary care centre in Maynooth?”
“Tá an obair ar siúl agus an fás le feiscint. Táim tiomanta do thacaíocht a thabhairt don Ghaeilge i gCill Dara agus timpeall na tíre.”
“Tá an-obair á déanamh ag an bpríomhoide, Mícheál Ó Ceoinín, ag an leas-príomhoide, Séamus de Búrca, agus ag an bhfoireann. Táim ag tnúth le foirgneamh buan a fheiscint i Maigh Nuad. Oibreoidh mé leis an Aire Oideachais faoi sin. Tá sé tábhachtach labhairt faoi mhaoiniú. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an tAire ag déanamh a dhíchill ó thaobh maoinithe d'Fhoras na Gaeilge. Tá sé tábhachtach go dtagann deireadh leis seo agus go mbeidh cinnteacht ag an bhforas go luath agus go fadtéarmach. Chomh maith leis sin, tá cead pleanála sa Ghaeltacht luaite cheana féin. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil cead pleanála á fháil ag daoine sa Ghaeltacht agus go mbeadh tithíocht ar fáil dóibh. Tugaim aitheantas do BÁNÚ chomh maith. Tá todhchaí na Gaeilge geal ach teastaíonn tacaíocht leanúnach chun a chinntiú go bhfanfaidh sí láidir agus bríomhar sa saol laethúil.”
“Táim fíorbhuíoch as an obair atá á déanamh ag na grúpaí seo i gceantair áitiúla agus fud fad na tíre. Gan iad, ní bheadh an fás atá feicthe againn ar an nGaeilge chomh láidir is atá sé inniu. Tugaim aitheantas do na Gaelscoileanna i gCill Dara: Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich, Gaelscoil Ruairí, Scoil Uí Riada, Scoil Chearbhaill Uí Dhálaigh, mo sheanscoil féin, agus Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh. Tá Gaelscoil de dhíth i gCill Droichid leis an bhfás atá sa phobal ansin. Tugaim aitheantas freisin do na Gaelcholáistí: Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara agus Gaelcholáiste Mhaigh Nuad. Táim an-bhainteach le Gaelcholáiste Mhaigh Nuad. Guím gach rath ar lucht na hidirbhliana lena gceoldráma "Beauty and the Beast". Beidh mé ann i gceann cúpla seachtain. Tá foirgneamh buan de dhíth ag Gaelcholáiste Mhaigh Nuad.”
“Is cúis áthais é labhairt anseo inniu faoin nGaeilge, go háirithe i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Tráthnóna inné, bhí mé ag ócaid de chuid Gaeilge365 i Halla na Cathrach, áit ar pléadh an obair iontach atá ar siúl ag grúpaí agus daoine aonair ar son na Gaeilge. Tugaim aitheantas do Chomhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath agus Daithí de Buitléar as an obair atá ar siúl acu. Tá sé mar chuspóir ag an Rialtas seo sa chlár Rialtais Gaeilge365 a leathnú timpeall na tíre. Tugaim aitheantas ar leith dóibh siúd atá ag obair gan staonadh chun an teanga a threisiú i bpobail fud fad na tíre: Conradh na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael, TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió na Life agus, go háitiúil i gCill Dara, Cill Dara le Gaeilge, Gaeilge Nuada, Gaeilge an Bhrádáin, Sult na Sollán agus Glór an Churraigh.”
“Perhaps the Minister would speak to the superintendent in the district about this particular issue in Celbridge and, as I said, look favourably on a full-time Garda station for both Maynooth and Celbridge.”
“Naturally, I am looking to Kildare North specifically. What I am asking is that the Minister look at the resourcing and the allocation of new gardaí coming on board and look favourably on a full-time Garda station for Maynooth and for Celbridge and, further down the line, for Clane and for Kilcock. I also bring to the Minister's attention numerous incidents that have been happening on the main street of Celbridge. The Garda is aware of this. I had four business people and people in the community in to my constituency office yesterday who are basically scared of what is happening in the town centre. Young women are afraid to walk down the town centre. The business people are claiming they are losing business because of what is happening. There is a lack of footfall in the town centre because of what is happening.”
“Add on to that 14,000 students and you have a population of 31,000 in the town of Maynooth without a full-time Garda station. If you were to look anywhere else in the country, you would be hard pressed to find a town of that size without a full-time Garda station. The recent regional spatial and economic strategy, RSES, allocated an additional population of 10,000 people to Maynooth. Will we be at a stage where we have a town of 41,000 people without a full-time Garda station? Celbridge has a population of 21,000 people. What I am looking at with Maynooth and Celbridge, in particular, is a Garda station locally that is open only two hours per day. With populations that big and with populations that are growing, such core towns, not only in Kildare but also in Wicklow and Meath, for example, need to be resourced properly.”
“I also wish the Minister well in his new role. I also wish to comment on the positive recruitment campaign for gardaí that was launched recently and to encourage people to consider the Garda as a positive career choice. We are fortunate to have an excellent police force, obviously throughout the country but in Kildare specifically. Community gardaí, such as Garda Aidan McGuane, contribute so much to the community. Community policing has been a resounding success in this country. We are, however, massively under-resourced in Kildare. We have the second lowest garda ratio number in the country. Four towns in Kildare North - Maynooth, Celbridge, Clane and Kilcock - have part-time stations. The approach the Leixlip district has taken is a hub and spoke approach. Maynooth, my hometown, for example, has a population of 17,000 people.”