Niall Collins
Limerick County · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“We believe that EU membership is about being aware of the advantages of membership and making sure these are understood by the public. We want to encourage the Irish public to participate in that national conversation.”
“On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputies for raising these important issues. On 1 April, the Road Traffic Control of Certain Vehicles Regulations 2026, known as Grace's law in memory of Grace Lynch, were signed into law.”
“The Department of Transport is examining the issue of mandating the use of protective equipment for e-scooters and e-bikes along with other road safety-focused measures. Proposals in this regard are under consideration by the Ministers. The Department is also considering the matter of registration for e-scooters.”
“The strategy, A Career for EU, aims to improve Irish participation and success rates in EU recruitment processes for institutions such as the European Commission, the European Parliament and over 50 EU agencies.”
“They already benefit from significant Exchequer-funded rent supports through the housing assistance payment or rental accommodation scheme and, critically, must comply fully with the housing standards for rental houses regulations.”
“The timetable for implementation of all new and enhanced services is subject to funding, operational readiness and capacity. The public transport sector is currently experiencing a significant workforce shortage, particularly among drivers and mechanics.”
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“Budget 2026 provided €8 million for the National Office for Community Safety. That funding will support the functions of the office, which is developing a national strategy for improving community safety. Each safety partnership is supported by a dedicated community safety co-ordinator and an administrator. Both of these permanent positions are funded by the Department of justice and hosted within each local authority. The community safety co-ordinator will support the safety partnership in its work. It will also bring together the diverse group of agencies and residents engaged in the joint planning and co-ordination of the services for each of the communities, including the design and delivery of community safety projects for each of the relevant areas.”
“This structure will ensure that communities have a strong say in what actions are prioritised by the services operating in their area. They will also have a key oversight role in ensuring those actions are followed through.”
“The Deputy will appreciate this is much broader than the membership of the previous joint policing committees. One of the premises behind this partnership approach is that every community is different, as the Deputy has said. Membership in each safety partnership is configured to give the broadest representation across the relevant State actors and demographic and community interests in the local area in order to achieve the safest outcomes. Each local partnership will be responsible for developing a tailored and prioritised plan specific to that area, in conjunction with the community and the relevant public services. The intention is to build the capacity of local residents and the community to contribute meaningfully to the local community safety partnership and grow local leadership and participation.”
“The Government is committed to the principle that everyone, wherever they live in Ireland, should be able to feel safe. Building safe and secure communities by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for the Government. However, the introduction of local community safety partnerships around the country represents a new and more collaborative approach to community safety. They are an important step towards a more collaborative, responsive and locally driven model of public safety. The safety partnerships bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community issues in their area, including residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, local councillors and a range of public services, including senior representatives of the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and local authorities.”
“The legislation intends to streamline and reform the existing coronial service with a view to increasing efficiencies in the service and minimising the impact of the death investigation experience on the bereaved. A central aspect of this is the establishment of a national coronial agency under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.”
“It is important to note that policy and operational responsibilities for the provision of post-mortem examination services to support the work of the Coroner Service are supported by several Departments and agencies. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is responsible for the legislation underpinning the work of coroners while the provision of post-mortem examination services is largely provided through health service personnel. In October 2024, following a wide-ranging consultation, the Government approved the drafting of a general scheme of a Bill to reform the provision of the coronial services in Ireland. Officials of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration are currently working on drafting heads of Bill in this regard.”
“The Department engaged with a number of firms proposing to supply locums to provide the autopsy service in UHW and has finalised an interim approach on this basis. Provision of this service commenced on 2 January. This approach is a necessity to minimise any impact on bereaved family members who are engaging with the Coroner Service. However, a long-term sustainable solution is nevertheless required whereby locum pathologists are not relied upon to provide the autopsy service and instead this important service to the community is provided from within the pathology profession in Ireland generally.”
“In November 2024, University Hospital Waterford, UHW, advised the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration that it would discontinue its post-mortem examination service to coroners from 1 January 2026. Approximately 700 coroner-directed post-mortem examinations take place in University Hospital Waterford each year. Coroner-directed post-mortem examinations for counties Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow and part of County Tipperary are carried out in UHW. The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is conscious that the situation in UHW reached a critical juncture in January this year when pathologists employed at that location indicated that they were no longer available to carry out post-mortem examinations.”
“With this in mind, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in April 2022 established a standing committee on the provision of coroner-directed post-mortem examination services, membership of which consists of representatives from the Department of Health; the Health Service Executive; the Office of the State Pathologist, the Coroners Society of Ireland; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians Ireland; and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This standing committee is an important forum with appropriate membership to discuss issues in relation to the autopsy service.”
“I am aware that securing the provision of the post-mortem examination service for the coronial death investigation function is challenging and the Minister has been engaging with the Minister for Health to address the reasons behind these challenges. There are issues arising with respect to the conduct of port-mortem examinations within the pathology profession generally, including relating to training and recruitment as well as competing demands on pathologists in areas of diagnostic and research work.”
“On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. At the outset, it is important to note that coroners are independent office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. While the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, recognises the significance and sensitivity of the coronial investigation process for loved ones of the bereaved, neither the Minister nor his Department can interfere with a coroner in the exercise of his or her statutory death investigation function. It is important to clarify that pathologists, other than forensic pathologists in the Office of the State Pathologist, are not contracted to either the Department or to coroners.”
“I thank the Senator. As I stated, the Dublin family courts complex will be a six-storey-over-basement building that will provide 19 family law courtrooms, staff and judicial accommodation, consultation space, facilities for the Legal Aid Board and legal practitioners, and accommodation or a range of services that operate in the area of family law, including mediation services and providers of domestic violence support services. The building will have a variety of public waiting areas, including child- and family-friendly waiting areas, and will be fully accessible. On completion, the Dublin family law courts complex will replace the existing family law facilities in central Dublin at Dolphin House, Phoenix House and Chancery Street courthouse in the Four Courts.”
“Subject to the successful completion of the procurement process, it is envisaged that construction will commence in 2027.”
“The project is being procured by the NDFA on behalf of the Courts Service, in conjunction with the OPW, using the competitive dialogue procurement procedure pursuant to EU and national procurement law. In November 2024, three candidates were prequalified to participate in the tender competition for the project. Following preparation of the tender documents, the project was formally handed over to the National Development Finance Agency for procurement, in accordance with the project governance arrangements, in August 2025. On 28 August, the National Development Finance Agency issued the tender documentation to the three shortlisted candidates. I am advised that the competitive dialogue phase of the procurement process is complete. The closing date for the receipt of tenders is 25 March 2026.”
“Key achievements to date include the following points. Approval in principle to proceed with the project was granted by the then Department of Justice in July 2023 following the submission of a business case by the Courts Service, as the sponsoring agency. Detailed plans and layouts for the building were developed by the OPW and approved by the Courts Service. They provide for a six-storey, over-basement building, providing approximately 18,250 sq. m of purpose-built accommodation. Planning permission was granted by the Commissioners of Public Works in April 2024. Technical and legal advisers were appointed by the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, on behalf of the Courts Service, in 2024. The procurement process was initiated in July 2024.”
“I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for raising this matter. The construction of a purpose-built family law courts complex at Hammond Lane is a key priority for the Courts Service and is included in the national development plan. The new Dublin family courts complex will be a modern, purpose-built 19-courtroom facility, where family law cases can be held in a dignified, secure and non-threatening environment, with a range of support services to hand. It has been designed and will be built with the specific needs of family law court users in mind. The family courts complex at Hammond Lane will benefit families who interact with the courts at some of the most challenging junctures in their lives. The project is being delivered as a public-private partnership. Good progress is being made in delivering this much-needed facility.”
“Expediency for expediency's sake cannot be the driving motivation - I know that is not Deputy Byrne's motivation - behind any of the changes that we make. We must always keep safeguarding at the heart of the system. I will impress upon the Minister and the officials in the Department of justice the Deputy's annoyance at the delay in bringing this process to a successful end point in its journey.”
“These include, for example, where a person has lived overseas. These applications can take additional time. Vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts of 2012 to 2016. Ministers have no direct role in vetting. Further to the work being carried out by the Garda vetting review group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of the key changes in the process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers. We must be sure that any changes to the vetting system do not negatively impact on the objective of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.”
“The current system used by An Garda Síochána is delivered in a standard format to all organisations seeking vetting. This approach aligns with good international practice. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda National Vetting Bureau's target turnaround time for vetting applications submitted by organisations utilising the e-vetting system is five to ten working days for over 85% of the vetting applications received. The Garda National Vetting Bureau received over 633,500 applications for vetting disclosures last year, 2025. I am also informed that the current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is eight to nine working days. There are a number of factors outside of An Garda Síochána's control that can impact on the timeline for individual applications.”
“The Department is engaging with An Garda Síochána on the best way to deliver these changes, while maintaining the high vetting standards that are essential to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.”
“In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work he or she will be or is likely to be involved in as part of his or her employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, the person should not be required to repeat the process if he or she was to move to another role within the same risk category. These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach. This work will make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.”
“I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the high standards that are necessary. Further to the work carried out by the Garda vetting review group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the process that will ensure it remains robust and effective, while improving the service to customers.”
“I am also aware that concerns have been raised on the approach of minimising vetting disclosures of an individual. For example, where a teacher is vetted, the Teaching Council permits him or her to move from one school to another without re-vetting. All that is required is that registered teachers re-vet every three years on a scheduled basis. Consequently, if this system of portability is safe for engagement with our school children, I believe a version of portability must also be safe for broader application. In this regard, I am conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly segmented process.”
“I thank the Deputy for outlining the litany of issues he has endured. I hope this reply will be of benefit to him. The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Clearly, this requires a robust vetting process that reassures the public and, in particular, parents that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking up positions of trust. I am aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the Garda vetting process, particularly by sporting and voluntary organisations and sectors. The Government has met directly with the Federation of Irish Sport on this matter and my Department has also received correspondence from a range of voluntary organisations.”
“Media literacy education is vital in this regard and Coimisiún na Meán has a statutory obligation to promote media literacy in Ireland. Coimisiún na Meán partners with Media Literacy Ireland on initiatives like the Be Smart campaign, which encourages people to stop, think and check that the information they are consuming is reliable. The Department of Education and Youth also has an important role to play in promoting online safety in schools through curriculum supports and digital citizenship initiatives. Webwise is an initiative of the Department to promote safer, better online use through awareness raising and education initiatives targeting teachers, children, young people and parents. Once again, I thank all the Senators for the opportunity to speak today about online safety and its importance.”
“Among the proposals, the package seeks to consolidate several data rules into a single, clear and harmonised data framework, the Data Act, and targeted simplification measures to ensure timely, smooth and proportionate implementation of certain provisions of the AI Act. The package, which supports the EU's strategic positioning as the location of choice for trustworthy digital innovation while maintaining a central focus on data privacy and the fundamental rights of citizens, was welcomed by the Government. Crucially, we must continue to strive to maintain safety and civility on the Internet. We must ensure that people, young and old, are equipped with the skills required to derive the benefits of the Internet while remaining safe online.”
“The Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland fulfils its important role in enforcing digital regulation and to further establish Ireland's position as an EU centre of excellence and leading digital regulatory hub. Ireland is the EU place of main establishment for 15 of the 25 very large online platforms and online search engines, illustrating the State's critical role when it comes to the regulation of online platforms in Europe. We will continue to be a strong voice in Europe, advocating for a balanced, proportionate and coherent regulatory approach, one that fosters innovation and competitiveness while safeguarding fundamental rights. In November 2025, the European Commission published its simplification omnibus package, which includes proposals to simplify rules on AI, data and cyber security incident reporting.”
“Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the latter half of this year and it is the Government's intention to make online safety a priority issue. A youth forum will be held in the lead-up to the Presidency, the aim of which will be to give young people the opportunity to share their views on online safety. The digital age of majority will be an issue for discussion at the forum. Ireland will also hold a high-level conference on online safety in September as part of its Presidency at which this issue and the views of young people will feature. Ireland will also host the international AI and digital summit in Dublin on 14 October 2026, which is a flagship event of the EU Presidency. The Senators' motion acknowledges Ireland's position as a leading digital regulatory hub.”
“The age verification tool has been developed to support the application of Ireland's online safety code. A pilot of the digital wallet's use for age verification is envisaged, which will be led by the office of the Government's Chief Information Officer. It will run on a voluntary basis over a period of months. The legislative requirements are being examined and it is intended that the experience and results emerging from the pilot will inform the final shape of legislation. It is important to note that it is not intended that the Government's digital wallet will be the only option for platforms to meet their age verification requirements; rather, it will provide a privacy-preserving and secure option that respects users' rights and helps to safeguard children.”
“The motion refers to the recently published national digital and AI strategy 2030. This strategy sets out the Government's commitment to working closely with like-minded member states on proposals to restrict social media access for children and young people and notes the Government's preference would be for a decision on the issue of digital age of majority to be taken at a European level. In addition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an expert panel would be formed to examine these issues and the outputs of that panel would also be important to consider. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is working with the Government's Chief Information Officer and his office on an age verification tool as part of the Government's digital wallet being developed using MyGovID.”
“The sharing of non-consensual intimate images is illegal and the generation of child sexual abuse material is illegal. The Attorney General and the Minister for justice are examining the current established legal framework to ensure it is sufficiently robust to protect people from digital harms like these. Furthermore, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport has asked Coimisiún na Meán to develop an information campaign that will raise the public's awareness of online safety issues and draw people's attention to the potentially criminal nature of certain types of content. The Minister has also requested that Coimisiún na Meán collaborate with the AI advisory council to review and update the taxonomies of online harm and ensure AI-enabled harms are captured.”
“Coimisiún na Meán played an important role in the lead-up to the launch of the investigation and will continue to assist the European Commission as its investigation progresses. The Government is currently in the process of implementing domestic legislation to give full effect to the EU AI Act in Ireland. The Act is designed to ensure the development and use of safe, ethical and human-centric AI systems. Good progress has been made. The Government believes that the proportionate risk-based approach taken in the Act is the right one, and that it will provide individuals with safety and fundamental rights while promoting innovation. The use of AI to generate offensive material or to abuse or harass any individual is unacceptable.”
“With a staff of approximately 300 people, the focus of Coimisiún na Meán is on implementing, supervising and enforcing these legislative obligations and ensuring that designated service providers are compliant with their obligations under the online safety code, which has applied in full since July 2025. Coimisiún na Meán is supported by levies on the entities it regulates, which is important to ensure adequate resources for the regulator in future. We are also aware that the rate at which new technologies are evolving requires that we are agile when it comes to addressing potential issues. A recent case in point is the misuse of X's AI tool, Grok, to generate non-consensual intimate images. The European Commission recently launched a formal investigation into this under the Digital Services Act.”
“I am confident the issues raised in them are either covered, to one degree or another, by the Government's national digital and AI strategy or, their good intentions notwithstanding, are not in line with that strategy. I am convinced that the strategy represents a good platform for Ireland to move forward on a wide range of issues covered by the strategy, but particularly enhancing and improving online safety, especially for children. There have been a number of significant legislative developments that aim to reduce the availability of illegal and harmful online content. In Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán is firmly established at the heart of our online safety framework, which comprises the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, the EU Digital Services Act and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation.”
“I welcome the opportunity to come to the Seanad today. The Government is not opposing the motion. I thank Senators for highlighting the importance of online safety as a policy issue. The motion notes that online safety is a rapidly evolving area of Government policy, with Departments collaborating closely on various related initiatives. Online safety is a priority for the Government and I will outline ongoing cross-departmental efforts to ensure that the people of Ireland can derive the benefits of the Internet while remaining safe online. I am aware that Senators have tabled amendments to the motion. I know these were submitted with the shared goal of improving and enhancing online safety, particularly for children and young people, and the Government shares that objective. However, we cannot accept these amendments.”
“Regional tourism development strategies will continue to be activated through a series of destination experience development plans, and local tourism enterprises will have an enhanced role in the development of these strategies. Under the new policy statement, tourism agencies will work with the relevant bodies to increase the focus on nature-based tourism opportunities associated with our inland waterways system and landscape, including angling, cruising, watersports and outdoor activities such as walking and hiking.”
“Again, I thank Senator Lynch for raising this. Last December, the Minister, Deputy Burke, launched the new national tourism policy statement, A New Era for Irish Tourism. This strategy sets out a clear vision for growing visitor numbers and associated revenue and employment while ensuring balanced regional development. A key objective under this new policy statement is to spread the benefits of tourism to all regions. This will be a priority consideration for all public investment decisions. In particular, the need to see less mature tourism destinations grow at a faster rate than the traditional tourism regions will be a priority for Government and the tourism agencies.”
“The marketing subgroup of the destination experience development plan will work with Fáilte Ireland to produce a brouchure by the end of April 2026 highlighting the region's food experiences, markets, outdoor activities, accommodation and cultural experiences. The brochure will also feature key tourism towns and villages linking to itineraries and other assets under Discovery Ireland and Pure Cork.”
“Key priorities in 2026 for west Cork and Kenmare include undertaking a mid-term review of the west Cork and Kenmare destination experience development plan, which will provide an opportunity to reassess objectives and actions against emerging trends, updated national and regional policies and new projects that have come on stream before the plan was first adopted. It will ensure that priorities for the remainder of the plan lifecycle remain relevant, achievable and responsive to the needs of local communities and industry. This review is due to be completed by September 2026. There will also be the roll-out of a cluster development programme from 2026 to 2028 for tourism businesses in the destination, based on a workshop and learning needs analysis.”
“To activate these strategies, Fáilte Ireland has established localised five-year destination experience development plans. The west Cork and Kenmare destination experience development plan, which encompasses Múscraí and includes the Gearagh was launched in quarter 4 of 2023 to efficiently manage the delivery of actions within the destination experience development plan. Three thematic subgroups were established based on the prevalence of actions emerging from the plan. They are artisan food, outdoor activities and marketing.”
“I thank Senator Lynch for raising this matter. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. At the outset, I clarify that the Department of Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to greenways while national parks are under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Regional tourism promotion is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland in collaboration with local authorities and other tourism stakeholders. Cork is represented by three regional tourism brands, namely, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Fáilte Ireland’s regional tourism development strategies are the roadmap for the tourism industry and for all stakeholders involved in tourism.”
“Luke's hospital in Kilkenny is a testament to the Government's commitment to the hospital and to the people of Kilkenny, Carlow and the south east in general.”
“I again thank the Senators for raising the important issue and giving me an opportunity to highlight how committed the Government is to the progressive development of St. Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny. Significant additional resources have been allocated to the hospital in recent years to meet the needs of patients. Staffing at the hospital is now approximately 1,447 whole-time equivalent posts, an increase of 22% since December 2020. The hospital's budget has increased considerably in the same period. Funding allocated to the hospital has increased by 51%. There is a strong commitment to the health capital investment at St. Luke's hospital and a number of projects are being progressed in the capital plan, which was published on 24 February. The positive progress made in recent years to increase the level of services at St.”
“The plan demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improved services, increased productivity and strategic reform of our health service. It provides for capital funding of €1,327 million for building and equipment and €263 million for digital for care. Additional projects are being progressed in the HSE's capital plan 2026, published on 24 February 2026. These include refurbishment and extension of the existing mortuary, proposed new ward block development to include a critical care unit and a new 50-bed acute mental health unit. These developments show the Government’s commitment to the progressive development of St. Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny.”
“Luke's General Hospital has 260 inpatient beds and 25 day-case beds. Between 2020 and March 2025 30 beds have been delivered. The Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan 2024-2031 aims to deliver 82 beds between March 2024 and 2031 for St. Luke’s General Hospital. There has been and continues to be significant capital investment in St. Luke’s hospital. Projects delivered to date include provision of a new MRI completed in 2022, a 72-bed replacement medical ward block completed in 2022, and the electrical infrastructure upgrade works completed in 2025. The HSE's capital plan 2026, including building and equipment, and the HSE digital for care capital plan published on 24 February 2026 outlines the investment in public health infrastructure over the coming five years.”
“Notwithstanding the very difficult recruitment environment impacting the healthcare sector, staffing at the hospital has grown by 262 since the end of December 2020 - from 1,185 to 1,447 at the end of November 2025. This represents an increase in staffing of 22%. The HSE has also advised that St. Luke’s Hospital plans to progress consultant appointments to develop services, including rheumatology and neurology. These posts can be integrated with community services to provide the most appropriate care in the most convenient setting for the patients. The budget for St. Luke’s General Hospital has also increased significantly. In 2020, St. Luke’s General Hospital had a budget of €102.7 million. In 2025, the budget increased to €155.6 million, meaning its budget has grown by almost €53 million in five years, an increase of 51%. St.”
“I thank the Senators for this opportunity to address the House on this important matter. St. Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny provides a range of important services including general surgery, maternity, emergency, paediatrics, hepatology and acute psychiatry. The hospital serves a significant population, including the people of counties Carlow and Kilkenny, as well as areas of counties Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Kildare and Laois. I acknowledge that the demand for healthcare services is increasing, due both to the development of new treatments and our ageing population. Considerable extra resources have been provided to increase the level of services at St. Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny.”
“This process will take account of a range of evidence and stakeholder feedback to ensure that schools serving significant levels of need are appropriately recognised in the updated model. The refinement of the DEIS model as part of the new strategy will consider how emerging or evolving patterns of disadvantage can be better addressed and how the system can best respond to schools that face increasing levels of need.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the issue and giving us the opportunity to discuss it. The Department of Education and Youth is committed to supporting a high quality and inclusive school system that provides an equal opportunity for success for all children. DEIS remains central to that commitment and the forthcoming DEIS strategy will ensure that supports are targeted fairly and reflect the evolving needs of our school communities, informed by stakeholder engagement and a strengthened, needs-based allocation model. As part of the new ten-year strategy, the Department will review the current DEIS framework with a view to refining how disadvantage is measured and how schools are supported.”
“Any future changes to the identification model and overall allocation of resources will be considered within the context of the new ten-year DEIS strategy.”