Naoise Ó Muirí
Dublin Bay North · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I will segue a little into Deputy Tóibín's contribution in relation to an Ghaeilge. I was reared in Cois Fharraige, Connemara, in the Gaeltacht. The change in attitude towards the Irish language in Cois Fharraige and the Gaeltacht is nothing less than transformational. When I went to school, an Ghaeilge was not cool.”
“Tiocfaidh mé ar ais go SÍOL ar feadh nóiméid. I welcome SÍOL. As the Minister has said, síol is the Irish word for seed. It is very positive. It can make a huge difference, if funded properly, to those communities the Minister mentioned in terms of disadvantage. I understand it provides capital and project funding?”
“This register should provide confidence and reassurance, not create uncertainty where the relevant convictions may have disappeared from view after a relatively short period. I have some concerns regarding the extent to which publication rests on the discretion of the trial judge.”
“Without clear guidance, there is a risk of inconsistency between cases and between courts, undermining confidence in the very law we seek to implement.”
“While this legislation focuses on protecting potential future victims, we must also address some of the factors upstream that contribute to abusive behaviour in the first place. Violent pornography is definitely part of that. We cannot avoid it. We have to square up with it to deal with it for current and future generations.”
“A concerning anomaly is that an offender who has received a custodial sentence may apply for removal three years after their release, potentially becoming eligible for removal earlier than someone who has received a non-custodial sentence.”
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“Tiocfaidh mé ar ais go SÍOL ar feadh nóiméid. I welcome SÍOL. As the Minister has said, síol is the Irish word for seed. It is very positive. It can make a huge difference, if funded properly, to those communities the Minister mentioned in terms of disadvantage. I understand it provides capital and project funding? Can the Minister confirm that? Like any TD, I am interested in areas in my own constituency and there is serious deprivation in parts of Coolock and Darndale. The Minister referred to funding of €5 million for this year. Will it be up to the local authorities to advance initiatives in tandem with the use of Pobal's data? How will that work? Should we be working with our local authorities to advance particular projects or ideas in areas? How can we help to bring those forward?”
“If the Minister were to walk into Siopa an Phobail in Indreabhán, the nine speakers will convert the other way round. I have a couple of other questions to ask, but I will leave it at that for now.”
“I will segue a little into Deputy Tóibín's contribution in relation to an Ghaeilge. I was reared in Cois Fharraige, Connemara, in the Gaeltacht. The change in attitude towards the Irish language in Cois Fharraige and the Gaeltacht is nothing less than transformational. When I went to school, an Ghaeilge was not cool. That is the bottom line among the younger generations. That is where the idea of nine Irish speakers converting to speaking English with the single English speaker comes from. That is no longer the case in Connemara, as far as I am concerned. It is very hard to pinpoint what happened. I think a combination of TG4, "Ros na Rún", Telegael, Gteic and that type of stuff has made it cool again to speak the Irish language. There is an entire generation, the next generation down, which is supportive of Irish and favourable to it.”
“While this legislation focuses on protecting potential future victims, we must also address some of the factors upstream that contribute to abusive behaviour in the first place. Violent pornography is definitely part of that. We cannot avoid it. We have to square up with it to deal with it for current and future generations. Jennie's law is a welcome addition, but it cannot be the end of the conversation. We need to improve and strengthen how we tackle the cultural environment that not only enables this behaviour but makes perpetrators believe it is normal. Pornography is part of that. It is not acceptable and we must do everything we can to challenge these attitudes and behaviours.”
“Without clear guidance, there is a risk of inconsistency between cases and between courts, undermining confidence in the very law we seek to implement. This debate comes at a time when the Government is seeking to address other drivers of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including proposals to criminalise the possession, production and distribution or violent pornography, which I really welcome. I will support the Minister in that. I am a member of the all-party group on sexual violence. The way women, in particular, are depicted and characterised in extreme pornography is just shocking. The research that has been presented to us is, frankly, shocking and it is unacceptable in this country.”
“This register should provide confidence and reassurance, not create uncertainty where the relevant convictions may have disappeared from view after a relatively short period. I have some concerns regarding the extent to which publication rests on the discretion of the trial judge. There is the scenario where a victim of domestic abuse would like their judgment publicly available for potential future partners to see but the trial judge, he or she, could determine that it is not appropriate. The legislation should set out the criteria very clearly for why a judgment may not by published rather than leaving it solely to the discretion of individual judges. Exclusion from the register should be the exception rather than the rule.”
“A concerning anomaly is that an offender who has received a custodial sentence may apply for removal three years after their release, potentially becoming eligible for removal earlier than someone who has received a non-custodial sentence. Why should somebody convicted of a serious domestic abuse offence and sentenced to imprisonment become eligible for removal earlier than someone who has received a non-custodial sentence? There should be a minimum period for applying for the judgment to be removed regardless of whether a person was imprisoned. It is not acceptable that, after only three years, somebody who is convicted of abuse can essentially apply to have their record scrubbed.”
“Anyone accessing this information should be directed towards domestic violence organisations and other relevant supports where they are seeking help for themselves or concerned about the safety of someone close to them. One aspect of the Bill that needs work, in my view, is the provision allowing offenders to seek removal from the register after three years. Domestic abuse is rarely a single incident. In many cases, it is a pattern of behaviour that could continue for years and leave lasting impacts on victims long after the offending has ended. Against that backdrop, three years appears to be a very short period before an application for removal can be made.”
“The progression of Jennie's law from Second Stage today represents an important step in our efforts to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. The establishment of a public register for those convicted of domestic violence has the potential to empower people with the information that could help them make informed decisions about their own safety and well-being. Individuals are entitled to know if a prospective partner has a history of domestic violence, particularly where that history may indicate a risk of future harm. It is important that this register be accompanied by clear signposting to support services.”
“I raise the situation concerning the 25 perfusionists employed across our health service. They plan an indispensable role in cardiac surgery, operating the heart-lung machines that keep patients going during some of the most complex surgical procedures carried out in our hospitals. Their expertise is critical to these surgeries. I understand the HSE has confirmed it will restore the long-standing pay link between perfusionists and medical scientists retrospective to January 2024. This is a positive development and I am pleased that the proposed industrial action has been suspended as a result. Can the Minister indicate when affected staff can expect to see this reflected in their pay and if the restored pay link with medical scientists will be placed on a permanent footing to prevent similar disputes arising in the future?”
“The funding enhancement of post offices will be of little value if we cannot have those services and bring communities along with us into this new era.”
“While I understand and have been told any relocation is not expected to occur until 2027 and that planning is ongoing, meaningful engagement with local communities must take place before these decisions are nailed down and finalised. I want to support An Post. It has done great service for years. However, it is vital it does not compromise local services and senior citizens in particular accessing services provided in Harmonstown. Those services need to be made available to them elsewhere, nearby, so they can access them. Like others, I am pushing An Post to ensure there is not any reduction in services as a result of these charges because there is a serious lack of clarity at the moment as to what is happening with these services. An Post must answer those questions.”
“Where online retailers do not collect these charges at the point of purchase, customers may face an administrative charge of €6.95 from An Post. At a time when households across the State are feeling cost-of-living pressures, these additional costs will be keenly felt by consumers because they will be passed on to them. Like others, I want to raise a local issue around Harmonstown sorting office. The post office and postal service have been part of the fabric of Artane, Harmonstown and the wider areas on the northside for generations. Now there is a proposal to move that sorting office to Finglas. It is understandable that residents and businesses are very concerned about the impact that will have on them. Finglas is a minimum 10 km journey from Harmonstown for many people.”
“I went back through the records. It has gone up at a fair pace in the last ten years. In 2016, a national stamp was 72 cent. In 2017, it went up to €1.00 and now we are at €1.85 for a regular national stamp. There is a risk of blasting through €2.00 for a national stamp and it does not seem to get any attention. The cost of sending a letter to destinations across Europe, including Britain, went to €3.50. I know An Post is facing rising costs and has fixed overheads but these increases are big for our citizens and those that use An Post services, and are particularly felt by older people who continue to rely on traditional postal services. They will be compounded by the new customs charges being applied on low-value items entering Ireland from outside the European Union.”
“The programme for Government recognises the vital role played by post offices in communities across Ireland. It commits to supporting them on a long-term basis. This Bill is clearly part of that commitment, providing €15 million per year over the next five years to support the network. It is welcome investment. Post offices are an essential part of community life, particularly for older people, vulnerable people and those living in areas where access to other services may be limited, as Deputies mentioned. While the services provided by post offices have evolved over time, their importance to the communities they serve has not diminished. However, if we are serious about supporting the future of the postal network, we must also acknowledge the challenges facing consumers. This year the price of a national stamp increased to €1.85.”
“I wish it was different, but that is the reality. The strategic gas emergency reserve is a reflection of that reality. It is a pragmatic and necessary step to ensure that, in the event of a severe disruption, we have the capacity to protect households, businesses, and critical services. When we looked at that issue, community groups came in from the environs where the facility is to be built. It is important that they are kept up to speed about what is happening. They have all sorts of concerns, from health to impact on the local community. It is important that the Government engages with those communities and brings them along on this journey as this facility is developed.”
“There are 64 projects in various guises at the moment worldwide. Only two are in operation to demonstrate the technology. It is just not ready at the moment. Investment in our grid will alleviate some of the issues relating to power, providing a level of flexibility and interconnection with other markets which currently does not exist. Plug-in solar, as the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Heneghan, has mentioned numerous times, and as mentioned by Deputy O'Gorman, is another thing we should do to distribute the load. Without these transformations, the ambition of a renewables-led system cannot be realised. However, even with the grid upgraded, Ireland will continue to require reliable, dispatchable baseload power. For the foreseeable future, that role will continue to be met primarily by gas.”
“While we are rightly committed to a system predominantly powered by renewable energy, there will still be a need for dispatchable power. Renewable energy by its nature depends on the weather. While batteries are improving and can manage short-term changes in supply and demand, they do not and will not, in the short term, be able to sustain electricity supply over long periods. Yesterday at the committee, we discussed nuclear power. Lots of people have been getting very excited about nuclear power, but the hard reality, as we heard yesterday, is that it will be at least 2040 and most likely 2050 before we can get it. It is very expensive. We have no regulatory regime in Ireland and no legislation to support it. Much of the technology is unproven. Small modular reactors, SMRs, have been talked about for so long.”
“Importantly, the committee was also clear that this reserve must not distort the market or lead to increased gas consumption in Ireland. It is an energy security measure only and should solely be seen as a bridge to maintaining greater gas security and resilience. I urge the Minister of State that the Government recognise the importance of this and ensure that this legislation remains focused on that purpose alone, and there are clear measures for decommissioning the facility, and a sunset clause, on the basis that it will not be with us in the long term. The debate also speaks to a more fundamental question about what energy mix we can expect to see in Ireland in the future. It is a topic that the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach knows comes up at the committee frequently.”
“The reality is that we are entering a more uncertain and volatile geopolitical environment and our domestic energy policy must reflect that. The Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of this Bill. We heard from a range of witnesses and had a pretty thorough debate about the merits of the facility. The clear conclusions from that process were that while reducing gas demand and scaling up renewables would significantly strengthen our position, those measures alone are not sufficient to fully address the energy security risks that we face. Ultimately, a strategic gas emergency reserve, implemented on a transitional basis only, and used only in the event of supply disruption, represents the most immediate and cost-effective way to enhance Ireland's energy resilience.”
“As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the European Union, the question of energy security has rarely been more urgent or relevant. While we are making real progress on the development of renewables, we must also recognise the vulnerabilities that remain in our system. With the risk of disruption to gas supply, whether through geopolitical instability or hybrid attack, our critical infrastructure underlying the need for a strategic gas emergency reserve, and I support that in principle. The recent global energy shocks have exposed just how fragile energy systems can be and how dependent we are on imported fuels. While the current crisis may have eased, with petrol and diesel prices coming down at the pumps, it would be a mistake to assume that those risks have passed.”
“Let us become a European centre for sustainable aviation fuel. The expansion of Dublin Airport is a positive for the entire country. However, it must proceed in a way that respects local communities. I ask that the Minister urges the DAA to continue expanding its residential noise insulation schemes so nearby residents are protected and insulated from noise as the airport grows.”
“In this respect, the roadmap identifies the national biomethane strategy as an important policy interlinked with SAF policy development. There is a big opportunity in Dublin Airport to lead out in Europe on this area. There is also a broader benefit. That same expertise developed in low-carbon aviation fuels could help address a major domestic challenge, namely, the 750,000-odd homes that still rely on kerosene for home heating. Developing alternative low-carbon and liquid fuels could support households where electrification is not yet viable, providing a practical pathway to reduce emissions. Aviation sustainability is not just a challenge, but a real opportunity for Ireland to lead, innovate and reshape how we connect with the world. In an area defined by environmental responsibility let us lead out.”
“This expansion also presents an opportunity to lead in the area of sustainable aviation fuel, SAF. Whether through advanced biofuels or synthetic fuels, we are well positioned to develop expertise in this area. There are very limited quantities of SAF currently available on the market and development and deployment will need to quickly ramp up, as by 2050 it is mandated that at least 70% of the fuel supplied to many EU airports will be SAF blended with conventional aviation fuel. This is a gap in an area that Dublin Airport can inhabit. As the sustainable aviation fuel policy roadmap published last year highlights, there is a real commercial opportunity for advanced biofuel production in Ireland in the medium term.”
“That is 2.3% of the national economy, give or take. Each job created can be linked back to Dublin Airport and the role it plays. Tourism is another major beneficiary. In 2024, over 4 million tourists visited Dublin. On Dublin's contribution to regional development, many of those tourists came through Dublin Airport but went on from the city to visit many corners of Ireland. Dublin Airport was again at the heart of that success. As visitors numbers go up, so do pressures on local services and I reiterate my support that we look at that tourism levy again as a Government. If we are to get greater numbers in through the airport coming to Dublin and beyond, the tourism levy is a key element of making sure that Dublin has a good offering and is well maintained, open and welcoming to our visitors.”
“Those numbers have grown strongly in recent years reflecting Ireland's openness and international reach. That connectivity is a huge strength, with more than 190 destinations, over 2,600 weekly departures and connections to 130 cities across Europe. Dublin Airport anchors Ireland in the global economy. That is the economic reality the Minister and I live in. As the only EU member state with English as a primary official language, this connectivity gives us a unique advantage in attracting investment and building strong commercial ties with countries and like-minded individuals abroad. The economic contribution is substantial. A 2023 study estimated that Dublin Airport supports over 116,000 jobs across the State, makes a €4.9 billion contribution in wages and contributes €9.6 billion in gross value added.”
“I join my colleagues today in emphasising the importance of Dublin Airport as a key international hub and the crucial role it plays in driving economic growth, strengthening connectivity and supporting jobs across the country. As an island nation, our connectivity depends on aviation and seafaring. Irish residents travel more frequently and over longer distances than their European counterparts, with air travel per capita almost double the European average. For that reason, the passenger cap constrained our ability in this country to meet clear and growing demand and its removal is a welcome and necessary step. Dublin Airport is central to our economic success. In 2025, more than 36 million passengers came through the airport making it the busiest year on record.”
“I accept the Minister's comments in relation to pensions, the integrity of the pension system and how important it is to manage that, but I hope the Government and the Minsters will consider this matter in the round, seek to make progress and see if there are ways it can be developed for foster carers in the future to keep the family-based service going well.”
“I welcome the Minister's comments and the commitment to the effect that he and the Minister for children, Deputy Foley, will continue to look at and develop this area. To come at it from the children's perspective, the CSO analysis of children who come through foster care shows they have higher rates of absenteeism from school, leave school earlier and their educational achievement generally is lower. Everything we can do to support these children, who have had a really difficult start in life, is to be considered and welcomed. I come at it from the point of view of the foster carers. I know things like the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance may be an option for consideration. I would welcome all of the supports we can consider to try to make the provision of support for those children a little easier.”
“There are nearly 4,000 foster parents in Ireland who open their homes long term to children who often come from difficult and traumatic starts in life. The Minister has met them, as have I. It is a vocation for those families. At times, I wonder how they do it because of the workload involved, but they are really committed. Part of the challenge is that the number seems to be dwindling. There were over 4,000 a few years ago. Now, there are 3,800 foster parents who have 6,000 children in their care. I do not want to see a move away from a really good family-based environment for those children either back into institutional care or into private care where they will lose the family connection built up with those children. Everything we can do to encourage parents to get involved and keep them in that area is to be welcomed and explored.”
“I ask that this be taken to the Minister. We need a fix. It involves a one-year fix around one student. It will all straighten itself out in a year's time. This area, above all others, needs the level of support we are asking for. We have to give it to the school. The Minister of State should relay this to the Minister. I appreciate the Minister of State's feedback.”
“I ask the Minister of State to ask the Minister not for the decision to be reversed, but for a temporary arrangement to be put in place for one year, as has been done previously, to deal with this situation.”
“As Deputy Brabazon said, St. Francis Junior National School is a fabulous school in a challenging area. The school had the joy and elation of achieving DEIS plus status, which was very important for it, but now it faces the dismay of losing a teacher shortly after. This is happening when the pupil numbers are clearly coming back up for the school next year. There are 66 children from Traveller families in this school, and we know the challenges that this brings for the education system and for those families. It is important that the school is part of the DEIS plus initiative and that we support it. We need to advocate for the school. That is why we are here and that is what we are doing.”
“There are the mountains on the southern side of Dublin also. A regional strategy within Dublin which tries to target promotion and resources in some way would be very welcome and worth pursuing. Others have mentioned the short-term lets issue. In the interests of fairness, somebody who has been operating an Airbnb for seven years or more, they are doing that well and professionally. It is not a big issue in terms of accommodation if they are left to continue to do that. That is an economic activity from a tourism perspective. They do exist in Dublin. They do exist on the northside. We need to make sure that they are afforded the opportunity to keep doing that.”
“As others have mentioned, I am delighted to see tourism under the Minister's brief because it is an economic activity and it is important it is treated like that and is developed. An oversight board led by the Department is already in place to oversee its implementation. We just need to get on with it now, get Government support confirmed and do it. I am very supportive of that and hope the Minister and his Department will progress it. I just want to mention the regional development of tourism within Dublin city. In my area on the northside, we have Clontarf, Howth, which is an old fishing port with a fantastic tourism offering, Ireland's Eye, the Casino in Marino and Bram Stoker's house in Fairview. There is so much to see and do within Dublin, which is not just in the city centre.”
“Perhaps the fact they would not be paying it would help but they pay it when they travel to other countries and other capital cities in Europe. I think there is strong support for its introduction. Dublin City Council has estimated it would raise between €15 million and €20 million, which could be reinvested in local infrastructure. We are talking a small charge of probably €2 a head for a night in a hotel or maybe something of the order of €3. It is common and it happens everywhere. People understand the concept and think it is a fair ask. We could reinvest that money in infrastructure to improve the tourism offering across the city and beyond. I understand Fáilte Ireland is commissioning research on existing tourist levies across Europe in line with the recommendations of the Dublin City Task Force.”
“Tourism is one of Ireland's most important indigenous industries. It is a huge employer, particularly down the country. It is so important to all sorts of businesses around the country. There are 6.4 million overseas visitors into Ireland, bringing €5.5 million into Ireland. We have Dublin in the middle of that, which is a very popular destination. I want to touch on the tourism levy, which I support. It is important we use and develop the offering in Dublin from a tourism perspective. I have raised it here before. I know it has been discussed in this Chamber and elsewhere in recent times. Ireland is a bit of an outlier at the moment, particularly when it comes to capital cities. For a capital city like Dublin, 21 out of 27 EU member states have some form of a tourism levy and I think Dubliners would be very supportive of it.”
“Can the Government look at raising this cap to €600, recognising that it will help us collectively achieve decarbonisation and energy security goals?”
“I want to raise again the issue of microgeneration and the tax exemption limit for households. As I said here yesterday in the debate on the Finance Bill, targeted and practical changes over the lifetime of this Government will help us pull away from fossil fuels and towards renewable fuel permanently. One such change is the microgeneration taxation exemption. While the extension of the €400 exemption for selling electricity back into the grid to December 2028 is welcome, it is not enough. Once households exceed that threshold, the additional income must be declared and they have to enter into an administrative process to do that. It introduces a bit of complexity for them. We know where energy prices are going. They are going up at the moment. Electric Ireland and company are putting those prices up.”
“We should look to incentivise the purchase of batteries. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has acknowledged that battery storage solutions have become increasingly viable. His Department is reviewing how microgeneration and battery storage could help homes and businesses reduce energy costs and reduce their dependence on the national grid. The review is welcome but recent volatility underlines the fact that we need to move faster, particularly in advance of the upcoming budget for next year. Incremental, well-targeted changes made over the lifetime of this Government will deliver a real difference. We have a clear opportunity to reduce our dependence on global fuel markets and fossil fuels and deliver a more secure energy future for households across Ireland.”
“As solar becomes more advanced, many households can now expect to export more than €400 to the grid each year. However, upfront installation costs remain high and act as a disincentive. Raising the exemption to €800 would send a clear signal to households that investing in solar is practical, supported by us, attractive and worthwhile. Alongside panels, batteries are becoming more advanced and more affordable. When we add a battery to our solar PV system, we unlock a whole range of extra benefits, from greater energy independence to lower bills and protection in the event of a blackout. Locally, a 5 kWh battery costs between €1,700 and €3,000, with larger capacities more expensive still. Unlike PV panels, there is no grant available for batteries, meaning the upfront cost is out of the reach of many ordinary households.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate today. The Finance Bill before the House is a reminder of how exposed we are as a country to fluctuations in global fuel markets. While I fully support the measures being discussed today, they are but a temporary solution to a longer term problem. To deal with it, we need to consider longer term measures. To build energy independence, we need to look closer to home for the changes that are required. The last budget extended the €400 tax exemption on income earned by households from selling electricity back to the grid to December 2028. That was a welcome step but it is just that - a step. Households that make the leap to solar panels should be further supported through an increase in that exemption.”
“What can we do to make sure that that school can accommodate and plan the summer programme, given it is just around the corner, so that there is not that stress on families and they can make their summer plans as well?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The same school has an issue with the summer programme as well. On the school's notification of the summer programme, the quantum has arrived three months later than last year and the school still does not know how many places it can offer. It has only been told that this information will be confirmed this very week. This is an issue that came up during the general election campaign. I remember talking to teachers who were really struggling to make their plans for the summer programme because they were hearing about their resources quite late in the cycle. Will the Minister of State give us any assurance or information?”
“I do not want Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol or any other school in the area heading for the June bank holiday still not clear on its allocation, so it is really important that we try to bottom out that process so schools can have certainty as soon as possible.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I spoke earlier this year about the importance of that trust between SNAs and students, which I know he understands, and how central that is to a child’s school experience and their broader development. I welcome the commitment to engage specifically on this item and will follow up with him separately. I also welcome the target of 26,000-plus SNAs. Communication earlier in the year between the Department and the NCSE was very poor and we are heading for the same problem again. That is where Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is struggling. It wants to plan for its SNA numbers and allocations for next year. I will pick up with the Minister of State separately on that. We need to address this for the future.”
“My question is on the provision of SNAs in a school in my community and the need for better communications from the Department of education. Will the Minister of State provide an update on the SNA review for Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol in Domhnach Míde, Baile Átha Cliath, recognising the uncertainty families are facing, and will he make a statement on the matter?”
“There are 139 special schools in Ireland today. They support students with highly complex needs. They need hoists, medical devices, outdoor regulation areas and access to nurses, therapists and clinicians. Their buildings, staffing and day-to-day operations all require essential additional resources to safely and effectively support their students who are just as deserving of an education as everybody else. We know from DEIS that targeted funding can help to make a difference when allocated where it is needed most. I ask for a special school designation in the education funding budget for 2027 as a fundamental acknowledgment that special schools have greater needs.”
“I endorse Deputy Whitmore's comment. I am trying to get information from the NTA on a whole range of issues but it is difficult to get information, data, clarity and answers from it. Can we get answers and work with the NTA and Dublin Bus to make sure these services are provided?”
“We had no rail service on the northside the last bank holiday weekend, from Connolly to Howth and Drogheda. I get Iarnród Éireann's needs around the ability to do 76 hours of work across a bank holiday weekend and the benefits of that but, equally, we had 12,000 or 13,000 runners coming to the north city centre to run the Dublin city half marathon, and absolutely no rail service to carry them in or out of the north city centre. I understand Irish Rail's position but if we are going to do that, the NTA and Dublin Bus need to be working twice as hard to ensure there is a bus service to cover that hole. I went past Bus Áras on Saturday morning where there were huge queues of people waiting to leave, and in Howth in the evening time, there were lines of people waiting to leave. The bus service was clearly not at capacity.”