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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“As Chair of the climate committee, I am acutely aware of this. We hear a lot at that committee about the pressures on the energy grid, its ability to move energy around the country and to take additional houses, and how important that is. I welcome private wires, investment in the grid and anything else that will help relieve that pressure and put capacity in place in the network to allow residential units to connect as quickly and as reliably as possible. With forthcoming regulations that will allow developers to deliver that electricity infrastructure independently, the deployment of renewable generation and storage can certainly be accelerated. A good co-ordinated approach across government will be essential to make that possible. I welcome the progress the Minister has made on the action plan.”
“I thank the Minister for that update. I welcome the progress the Government is making on accelerating this infrastructure, particularly from a wastewater perspective. Standards are essential, but this is a way for these housing estates and these developments to get on the blocks, get done and get moving quickly rather than having to wait for Uisce Éireann, local authorities, the ESB, etc., to get that work done. It is very important that standards are clear and, for that reason, that Uisce Éireann takes all that stuff on when the developer is finished and the work is built out to standard. Those standards are really important. I look forward to hearing a bit more about their development, alignment, monitoring and implementation.”
“My question relates to the recently published Government infrastructure plan and the steps that will be taken by Government to work more closely with housing developers and builders, big and small, on essential infrastructure for housing. What reforms will be introduced under the accelerated infrastructure delivery plan to enable developer-led infrastructure?”
“It recognised the threat that deep-fakes pose but while it prohibits recording and distributing deep-fakes, it does not prohibit their creation, which is a problem in itself. We must look at amending Coco's law to criminalise the non-consensual creation of deep-fakes before this loophole is again abused by those who perpetrate sexual violence online. It will be a test of this Government in meeting the substantial challenges that these new technologies, innovations that they are, will bring, both positive and negative. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens from the real harms that the online world presents.”
“Accounts that are anonymous spew horrific abuse at often vulnerable individuals across the globe with no consequences for what they do, not to mention the bots and AI accounts that are constantly there, monetising the suffering of others using abuse and exploitation as their tool to rack up all that advertising revenue. Countries across the world are woefully unprepared for the challenges that lie before us and the pace at which technology is evolving. A regulatory void has been inhabited and exploited by those intent on exploiting tardiness of regulation. Coco's law in this country, for example, was a welcome measure taken by the last Government to combat the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.”
“I welcome this debate. The role that social media and online content play in inciting violence against women cannot be overstated. I had the opportunity to meet the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre last Thursday and I heard first-hand about the central role that digital spaces now play in enabling and amplifying violence against woman. The discussions, examples and direction of travel in relation to pornography, what is acceptable, how vast it is developing online, and the role that strangulation plays in pornography is shocking to hear about. Acts that are effectively criminal acts in the real world can be depicted online without any fear of censure, penalty or punishment. It is just totally unacceptable. It is no surprise for anybody who spends time on X or Facebook and sees first-hand the spaces where misogyny and sexual harassment thrive.”
“We must learn from those lessons coming through the national clinical programme and deliver evidence-based, dependable and well-co-ordinated services that support recovery from eating disorders at every stage in the life cycle. I thank the Minister of State for her work to date and urge her to prioritise clear communication, good strong solid community supports and renewed commitment to getting full implementation of a revised model of care once it is agreed.”
“If these specialist services and structures are built, it is important they be available to people at those periods of heightened vulnerability like Christmas. Looking beyond Christmas, the review of the model of care for eating disorders will be crucial in improving how we respond to those challenges and I noted in a recent response to a parliamentary question that the bed capacity review is back from the HSE and is with the Department and the Minister of State. Can she give us any insight as to what that looks like? In-patient bed capacity is absolutely vital for dealing with all elements of these cases. It is an area that is complex, long misunderstood and that has been underinvested in and under-resourced. It is great to see resources going in.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her response, and I acknowledge the development and service development work that has gone into this in the past number of years. As she set out, we started from a very low base, but it is hugely positive that the service is being developed. It is important we recognise the challenges that many people face in our communities. Reduced service hours during the Christmas period has the potential of having a really negative effect and I really welcome the commitment from the HSE and the confirmation that teams will make direct arrangements and communicate. That is very positive. I appreciate that significant progress has been made through the national clinical programme.”
“I want to ask and examine how supports can be strengthened during this vulnerable period and if the Department of Health has considered issuing any specific guidance for families and individuals living and dealing with eating disorders over Christmas. Families need reassurance and practical advice. I want to acknowledge the excellent work done by Bodywhys, in particular their Coping at Christmas guide, which is a practical piece of work that offers strategies to those struggling to manage the stress associated with Christmas and to plan ahead.”
“I have met advocacy groups working in this area and have heard very strong testimonies from those who have experienced these conditions and their families, who have worked so hard around the clock to support them. Young people are particularly vulnerable at this time of year. When schools close, key protective structures in those schools disappear. Teachers and guidance counsellors often play a stabilising role in a student's life, an influence that is absent for weeks during the holidays. Routines matter for these people and when they are disrupted, additional challenges arise, intensifying distress and anxiety.”
“Pressures around food, social gatherings and changes in routine always intensify during this period. While many look forward to celebrations that involve food and drink and the social expectation to get involved, having to do so puts those who are suffering in an uncomfortable spotlight. People with eating disorders can often feel more isolated than ever at Christmas. They can be more aware of their own feelings of inadequacy and the depression and worry associated with their disordered eating. As the Minister of State knows, eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population at some time in their lives. One of the challenges of supporting these people is that the supports they need cross the traditional divide between mental and physical supports and health services.”
“I am not sure if the Minister of State was in LH 2000 earlier for the lighting of the Christmas tree. It was a lovely event that kicks off the Christmas celebrations for many. Christmas offers a chance for families around the country to come together and reconnect. However, it can also be a time of additional emotional stress and pressure. I refer to the pressure of additional spending for those already struggling to make ends meet, the feeling of loss for families struggling with the death of loved one during the year gone by and the loneliness experienced by those who live on their own. For those with living with eating disorders and their families, the Christmas season can bring huge pressure. As we approach the holidays, we have to acknowledge that Christmas can present unique challenges for these people.”
“Bím breá sásta i gcónaí ardán a thabhairt don Teachta Heneghan. Bíonn sé liom gach uile áit a dtéim. Nach bhfuil sé sin fíor? Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Tá an-fháilte roimh an infheistíocht i dtuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath. Tá an institiúid sin thar cionn. Déanann Dáire Keogh agus an grúpa ansin an-jab. Tá na fréamhacha leagtha acu ó thaobh an obair a dhéanamh. Ar aghaidh linn leis an tionscnamh.”
“There is significant potential for these projects for the next generation of Irish-language speakers. A renewal is happening which is huge and is great to see. I ask the Minister to continue on the investment track, build these projects and invest in third level so we can build out those tools for generations to come.”
“As the Minister mentioned, the €4 million investment is a very substantial commitment from the Department and I welcome it. Gaois's building in DCU is a big northside institution right on the edge of Dublin Bay North, my constituency, and it serves that entire area well. Tá sé iontach go bhfuil an infheistíocht seo ag tarlú ach go bhfuil sé lonnaithe sa tríú leibhéal. Tá an cumas acadúil ag na hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal an taighde ar fad a tharraingt le chéile agus na huirlisí seo a chur ar fáil. Luaigh an tAire dúchas.ie , logainm.ie , corpas.ie agus canúint.ie . They are some of the big projects that are being expanded. They are great tools for students of all levels, for researchers and for the Irish-language community across the country and abroad. They are a great reference and can really bring people in.”
“We would appreciate that opportunity from the committee's perspective. I will pass that onto the committee. To come back to the matter of the United States, the US is a long-term ally of Europe and Ireland. Irrespective of what Administration is in place in the United States and the coming and goings of individual Administrations, that relationship is important for Ireland and Europe in the long term. When it comes to formulation, engagement and leadership in the coming period, I ask that Ireland try to take a leadership role in making sure that relationship with the US are maintained and strengthened, so that we continue it long term into the future and the partnership between the US and Europe flourishes once again. The current Administration has changed certain priorities. That is fair enough; it is democratically elected.”
“It is clear that there is a lot of work already under way on planning. I welcome that. There will be over 250 meetings in Ireland over a short period of time. It is going to be intense, as we saw before, in 2013. It is an opportunity for the country as we take a leadership role in steering the EU agenda for that period of time and dealing with some of the challenges that confront us collectively across the EU bloc. The Minister mentioned stakeholders. At the climate committee yesterday, the question was raised as to how members of the committee could in some way help shape the agenda of those six months from a climate, energy and environmental perspective. The current US Administration has unfortunately turned its face against renewable energy but, in the long term, the European Union could take a leadership position in an area like that.”
“Ar dtús báire, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire ar a ceapachán mar Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála. Go n-éirí léi ina post nua. My question concerns the significant opportunity Ireland will have this year to help to shape the clár, or agenda, of the European Council. Will the Minister outline the preparations currently under way in her Department?”
“A recent Department of Health report states that services are needed 24-7 to meet the needs of all those who use these substances, as well as highlighting a need to tackle nitrous oxide use at source among children and young people. We need an urgent and comprehensive cross-government response to what is a clear danger to young people, in particular, in our society today.”
“I want to raise the issue of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, with the Minister. Because it is used in medical, industrial and commercial applications, nitrous oxide is cheap and accessible, but it is also extremely harmful. I am sure the Minister has seen the discarded containers, small silver bullets and big industrial containers. You see them in parks, car parks and playgrounds across the city. It is a big disposal issue and a nightmare for Dublin City Council and other local authorities. I went to a waste-to-energy plant recently and saw first-hand the damage they can cause because they explode in the combustion chamber, causing shutdown and a potential risk to staff.”
“The one thing they all share is that they use them for enjoyment. Now they have been wrecked. I appreciate the Minister of State's comments on the number of incidents. It looks like something else is going on here. I reinforce that point and ask again that, as he suggested, the Minister take it up in the Department to try to get to the bottom of it.”
“There are no changing facilities on that edge of the park. It meant teams coming from afar to play on the pitches in St. Anne's Park would have toilets to use. Those toilets were wrecked. In the case of Kilmore, all my council colleagues, and I was on the council until last year, campaigned for that playground for a long time. They badgered the city council into delivering a playground in Kilmore Park. Within weeks of it opening, the city council had to lock it because it had been damaged. It is kind of depressing. I am a fairly reasonable and rational person but this stuff makes me angry. Communities deserve to have decent facilities. People deserve to be able to play and enjoy the outdoors in facilities like these. They are used by many different people and groups in so many different ways.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his response. I call for anybody who has any information on any of these incidents, particularly in my area of Dublin Bay North, to report them to Coolock Garda station. We must get to the bottom of this. By way of more background on Darndale Park, I received an email from a teacher in Our Lady Immaculate school in Darndale. She states: "The playground located behind the school has been closed on over 600 children between the two schools and the Jigsaw crèche. [They] have missed out on the chance to play there since May." They continue to miss out on that chance. Darndale is a long-standing area and one with deprivation. It is beyond belief that people would do that to their own communities. The eco toilets in St. Anne's Park were put in mainly for the use of underage girls' teams.”
“If there is a pattern here, if this activity is organised, we need to get to the bottom of it, take it on and deal with it. All communities should be able to have nice things. These communities have lobbied for these nice things. The Minister of State has a very good sense of the importance to communities, including in his own area, of playgrounds and green facilities. I raise this issue with him with a view to the Department of justice taking it seriously and working with the relevant authorities to get to the bottom of it.”
“A playground at Diamond Park in the north inner city, just off Gardiner Street, was vandalised in July and again on Hallowe'en night. There was a big fire in Sean Moore Park, near Poolbeg, in September. Bridgefoot Street Park in The Liberties was vandalised in October. There is too much of this going on. Communities cannot wear this as a strategy. It has been raised at local level and I am raising it here because I want to know whether there is a pattern to it. There have been an awful lot of incidents across the city. The Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, has raised this with An Garda Síochána. I raise the issue here today because I want to hear that the courts and the Department of justice are taking it seriously and dealing with it. There is a lot of this happening.”
“Darndale Park playground was vandalised in May and closed, needing repair, by Dublin City Council. Eco toilets were installed recently in St. Anne's Park and a week, later, on 26 October, they were set on fire. Kilmore playground was lobbied and campaigned for by the local community for years. The city council went through a big process to put the facility in, and rightly so. Last Sunday, there was an arson attack on the playground. I went there the day after the attack. The Minister of State can see how it looks now from the picture I have in my hand. The city council had to close it because it is not safe for use. That is a playground gone. The next picture shows Howth community garden, off Tuckett's Lane at the back of Scoil Mhuire. Three days ago, an eating area was torched and vandalised and is now unusable for the community.”
“I appreciate the Minister of State's offer to bring the issues back. I ask him to do that so the NTA can respond and actively listen to citizens, in particular older citizens who use that service every day.”
“I welcome the ambition to add to the capacity of Dublin Bus’s network and to make it more efficient. They are the fundamental principles of BusConnects. The benefits to the city and the wider Dublin area, all the way from the suburbs into the city centre and beyond, are enormous. However, there is still some way to go. To go back to the 73 service, buses are bunching, with two or three buses in a row and then no bus coming for 30 to 40 minutes. Again, senior citizens are left standing. The bus stop on Eden Quay does not actually show on the stop that it is the 73 service, although it shows 73 bunched on the digital display. Older citizens are unhappy using the new stops on Gardiner Street because, to be honest, they just do not feel safe after dark. While I welcome the overall thrust of BusConnects, the NTA has to look at these issues.”
“How is this accessible for elderly commuters? If people are heading back to the northside, there is now no stop between Ormond Quay and Eden Quay, which is a distance of nearly 1 km. How is this accessible for elderly commuters? For citizens with mobility challenges, this is a very serious barrier to accessing the north city centre.”
“I fully support BusConnects. As the Minister of State mentioned, there is major investment going into that programme, which has been under way for a number of years. Nonetheless, it is important that it is accessible. The Clongriffin corridor of BusConnects is heading for CPO in my own area, and it will plug into the great work done by Dublin City Council on the C2CC. However, we have had accessibility issues raised with us by constituents in regard to phase 7 of that roll-out. The 123 bus service in my and Deputy Heneghan’s area was well used and was an essential service for many. It has now been replaced by the NTA with a new route, the 73, which travels down Gardiner Street on the east side of the northside, leaving elderly commuters with an additional 400 m to walk to get to O'Connell Street and to get back to the bus.”
“My question is about the changes arising from the roll-out of BusConnects across Dublin and the accessibility issues that are coming into focus. We need to ensure that our public transport system is fully accessible to all who rely on it. I ask the Minister of State to outline the plans to ensure that public transport systems like BusConnects and the improvements being made to the Dublin Bus network are fully accessible to all.”
“We are now recognised globally for our research excellence, our commitment to education and our leadership in sustainability and energy innovation. There is still a lot to do, however, and science must be part of that journey. I encourage everyone, especially our young people, to take part in Science Week events, to explore, to ask questions and to imagine what science can do for their own and Ireland’s future. I want to thank Síofra Ní Earcain, a second-year student at Trinity College, who worked with us this week and who exemplifies the value of research and education for the future of our country. Let us continue to support our scientists, invest in research and ensure that science remains at the heart of public policy and our national progress.”
“That is why the work of researchers, educators and innovators across Ireland is so critical and should be valued. They are not just advancing scientific understanding. They are helping us to shape better policy, protect our environment and create sustainable opportunities for communities across the country. The climate transition will require innovation on a scale we have never seen before in Ireland and around the world. It will also require collaboration and public trust. Science Week plays a small but vital role in fostering that trust by demystifying science, breaking down barriers and showing that curiosity and creativity are open to all. As we celebrate 30 years of Science Week, we can be proud of the progress Ireland has made.”
“I pay tribute to all the teachers, muinteoirí, mentors, volunteers and parents who support and encourage these young scientists, day in, day out, and all those who make Science Week possible each year. Their continuous enthusiasm and dedication ensure that science is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability. Science Week also reminds us of the importance of evidence-based policy. As policymakers, we do not always take this to heart. We have a duty to ensure that the decisions we take, particularly in the areas of climate, environment and energy, are informed by sound research, evidence and the best available tools. The challenges we face are complex, and they require thoughtful, informed and science-led responses.”
“Science Week is a chance to celebrate this work and to engage people of all ages, young and old, in the excitement of discovery. Supported by Science Foundation Ireland and Research Ireland, hundreds of events are taking place around the country, from exhibitions and talks to hands-on experiments in schools and community centres. In my constituency of Dublin Bay North, I am delighted to have been invited by SciFest to attend its national final, which will take place at the Marino Conference Centre on Friday, 21 November. SciFest is a shining example of what Science Week is all about, giving young people the opportunity to explore ideas, challenge themselves and their friends and showcase their creativity and talent.”
“As Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, I am particularly conscious of the role that science plays in shaping our response to one of the defining challenges of our time, the climate crisis. Science gives us the knowledge, evidence and tools we need to make informed decisions regarding our environment and the sustainability of our economy in the long term. It ensures that urgency and understanding go hand in hand as we deal with these issues. Across Ireland, researchers are developing ideas and technologies that will drive our transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future. From renewable energy to biodiversity protection, Irish researchers are creating solutions that will shape a cleaner, fairer and more sustainable country that will be to the benefit of us all.”
“It is not really fair to have to follow Deputy Boyd Barrett, but I will kick the ball that is in front of me, which is Science Week. This week, we celebrate Science Week, a national event that for 30 years has brought communities, schools and researchers together to explore and celebrate the power and potential of science in shaping our society. The theme for this year, "Then. Today. Tomorrow.”, invites us to look back at how science has transformed Ireland, to recognise the role it plays in our day-to-day lives and to imagine the possibilities it holds for our future as Ireland continues to invest in knowledge, innovation and understanding.”
“There is a huge difference in the cost, and we just need to square that up. Nobody wants to retain fossil fuels, least of all me. We just need to be straight up with people that if we are going to do biomethane, there will be a cost associated with that. Let us be upfront about it. Let us try to find ways for people to be efficient, to come on the journey with us, but let us not kid ourselves that there are no economic implications. We need to do it but we need to make sure it is affordable for the punters. That is how we will bring them with us.”
“As the Tánaiste says, the enemy of the good is the best. There is a risk that we will go down that road. The barriers are not insurmountable but they require a bit of thought and some practical, sensible solutions to build on what has been done already. When it comes to climate work, what often happens is that affordability for the punter seems to play second fiddle to the work that is being done. I am not denigrating the work that is being done, but we have to keep an awareness of affordability for the punters out there if we are going to try to bring them with us on this journey. The unit price of fossil fuel gas today is €50 per megawatt hour plus a carbon tax of €20, which brings it to €70 per megawatt hour overall. Biomethane is €120 to €220 per megawatt hour.”
“Introducing biofuels is part of the mix, but what is the long-term solution for those 400,000 homes, many of which are in rural areas and which have fuel delivered by trucks to their homes?”
“District heating is capital intensive and the payback is long, so strong Government support is needed, particularly early doors, at the feasibility stage. The SEAI raised the need for some changes in a review in 2024, which I welcome. District heating is a good win for the country. We can leverage waste heat from data centres, dare I say it, and use waste to energy and anaerobic digestion. If done properly, a lot of it involves low-carbon heating. It would be very positive if we could use it. The waste energy in Poolbeg is just waiting to be used. On liquid fuels, 400,000 households have liquid fuel delivered to their homes. We need to make sure they are in the net for decarbonisation.”
“The reality is that for many homeowners, it is not practical to replace a working oil or gas boiler with a heat pump, particularly when it comes to the need for a sealed house. We can look to our counterparts in Europe to see what we can do to make heat pumps more attractive. Ultimately, however, we may have to face the reality that it is simply not economically feasible to roll out heat pumps to our older housing stock. As a result, we may need a realistic alternative. District heating is another key pillar that we need to accelerate in line with the programme for Government. In the context of the Dublin district heating system, with which I was familiar as a city councillor, to use heat from the waste energy in Poolbeg to serve the Docklands, 90% of the infrastructure has been in place for years but the scheme has never been activated.”
“In the week when the two-week COP30 summit started without, regrettably, the involvement of the USA, it is vital that we remain steadfast and committed and that we redouble our efforts to hit our climate targets. The Joint Committee on Climate, the Environment and Energy has been looking at this topic. In that context, I want to raise the issue of decarbonising home heating. Perhaps the most challenging barrier that we see is the need to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030. This is a huge challenge, especially in light of the disruption and costs involved in fitting heat pumps in older and, in particular, rural homes. The grants and the various VAT changes relating to heat pumps have been in place since 2021, but we are still way off what we need to hit by 2030.”
“Ba mhaith liom ceist Ghaelcholáiste Reachrann a ardú. This is a fabulous school community of students, parents and teachers who have been waiting a quarter of a century now for a new school building which they really badly need. That community was buoyed up by a visit from the Minister for education, Deputy McEntee. It was a very positive and productive visit earlier this year and built up a good rapport with the school. When can we get this school project out to tender, so that the school community finally gets the school building and facilities it so badly needs?”
“It is positive that we can have an influence on that while we hold the Presidency of the Council. It is good to hear about Westport. Storm Éowyn was a west of Ireland problem in the main and testing the system off the west coast in Westport was a positive development. It would be great to keep the plan moving. We will no doubt hear more about it in due course in the context of the EU Presidency underpinning further work. I thank the Minister of State.”
“As the Minister of State will probably be aware, the National Ambulance Service co-ordinates a network of community first responders who are volunteers, who can do CPR, who can do defib and provide other services. It strikes me that they could be a good group to benefit from this in an emergency or a storm situation.”
“I thank the Minister of State. It is good to hear that it has been trialled and it is getting up and running. This system will build greater resilience in our emergency communications. As the Minister of State said, it is kind of a system of systems so it gives us a last resort in terms of response. I referred to Storm Éowyn. We all know that storms are getting worse. All the weather records show that. Storm Éowyn is out on its own in terms of the impact on the west of Ireland and I suppose we are all so cognisant of the importance of communications during serious storms like that. Elderly and vulnerable members of the community were left without power but even longer without communications. We will be looking at that issue in the climate committee soon. In terms of rolling out to community first responders, are they on the list?”
“My question today is about how we can strengthen our national resilience against future storms in the wake of Storm Éowyn and how new technologies can be used to better protect our communities. I want to ask the Minister of State when she expects the mission critical communications system to be fully operation and will she make a statement on the matter.”
“Keeping the electricity grid and infrastructure up to date and fit for modern society is one way in which the Government can and will provide that certainty, and I support it in so doing. This Bill is a practical measure and an investment measure. It will afford progress for people across the length and breadth of the country and give strength to our economy. It will work with us to further our climate ambitions, in which the climate committee is very interested, and to prepare our country for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”