Patricia Stephenson
Labour Panel · Social Democrats · Ireland
“A number of us on this side of the House have concerns around what this is opening us up to. We are concerned that we do not have the correct protections and safeguards in place to ensure that the supply will be State-owned and State-led because it is not included in the definitions in the legislation.”
“The world is literally on fire in some places. We have a forest fire in Ireland for the first time in years perhaps. I know we sometimes have them in the Mourne Mountains in the North. This is cause for concern, not just for future generations but for us today.”
“I thank the Minister for coming in. This is a really positive step. I am delighted she is pushing it forward. By and large, the oral contraceptive is incredibly safe. A lot of well-studied medicines are available. Over-the-counter oral contraception has been recommended by the WHO since 2019.”
“I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “ “emergency” means a situation where the State is experiencing a significant and protracted physical disruption of gas supply, or other catastrophic deterioration of the supply situation, and where— (a) all relevant market-based measures have been fully…”
“The Department has stated this facility "will provide the resilience required to support our energy transition" and that "the reserve will only be used in genuine emergencies", yet there is no definition in this Bill of what the Government means by an emergency and when that would apply.”
“We also have to be mindful of the burden it will place on pharmacists without the correct resourcing for pharmacies to deliver the scheme to safeguard against them withdrawing from this or any future scheme simply because they feel they do not have the resources to deliver it in a timely manner.”
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“Perhaps there is support the Irish Government can give with regard to targeting media houses and sustaining journalism and journalists when they are under targeted attack by the Russian regime. As an EU member state for over 50 years, we need to offer support to Ukrainian state institutions in meeting the EU's accession criteria so that, when the time comes for Ukraine to join the EU, whether as part of a peace deal or later on, the transition can be seamless and Ukraine can stand as an equal member with fully functioning institutions, strong rule of law and a vibrant democracy. That is what we all want. I will conclude by standing in support. Ireland stands firmly with the people of Ukraine while remaining true to our principles of peace and neutrality.”
“I would love to see further steps - I know the Government has done this - supporting local Ukrainian organisations, encouraging collaborations with our own organisations here and in the North, where we can share experiences and provide support, looking at the inclusion of Ukrainian voices in the peace process. I would also like to touch on the treatment of journalists in Russian detention, including Victoria Roshchyna, who was murdered. Her corpse was brutally returned to her family, which was a calculated effort of terror by the Russian regime. Journalists are really important. They provide light in those dark spaces where regimes try to hide what they are doing. Aggressors prefer to do those things in the dark and the treatment of Ukrainian journalists in Russian detention is something worth noting.”
“In fact, regardless of the facts of bottom-up or top-down, we have seen the Ukrainian Government even excluded from international talks about peace agreements and ceasefires. It baffles me that we could ever have any negotiations on peace without the Ukrainian Government present. A study by UN Women found that peace agreements are 64% less likely to fail when civil society representatives participate and, therefore, the voices of ordinary people in peace agreements are crucial for sustained peace. We know in the North that creating the conditions for peace and assisting communities in healing from the trauma of conflict is a really important step to play.”
“Peace may seem far out of reach, as Russia ramped up its attacks last week. It is impossible to imagine that context when peace is an option. We need to look at what we can do for strengthening Ukrainian civil society and local organisations when it comes to the table. That is also about looking to provide supports to alleviate the various issues conflict can leave and the scars the conflict can have on communities. They are long-lasting scars, and we know that from our own history. I do not really want to draw huge parallels between the North and Ukraine because the scale of it is completely off the Richter charts. It is incredibly different. We know that conflict permeates all levels of society. For peace to be sustained and for it to be just, it needs to come from the bottom up as well as the high level negotiations and summits.”
“Our tradition of neutrality requires us to work through international institutions rather than through split regional blocs that may require Ireland to commit peacekeeping troops outside of the United Nations mechanism. This is our current legislative context. Whether that changes in the future, it is currently where we are. My amendment is about recognising Ireland's role as historic leaders in peace because the foundation of that leadership is our neutrality. It allows Ireland to stand as honest brokers and peacebuilders in whatever the peace process may be and the wider post-conflict future for Ukraine. We mentioned to the ambassador earlier that that feels like a very far off reality for the Ukrainian people. I welcome the collaboration with the Fianna Fáil Senators. I thank them for accepting my amendments.”
“Ireland can and should contribute to supporting Ukraine both unilaterally and as a member of the EU. I have concerns when it comes to Ireland's role in the coalition of the willing. I am sure the Minister of State will speak to that a little bit more in his statement. The coalition of the willing, a group whose name echoes another illegal invasion from two decades ago, the Iraq war, does not necessarily align with Ireland's position on neutrality. I am sure the Minister of State will explain a bit further, but as far as I understand, it is predominantly a military alliance. I am not sure if that is in Ireland's best interest, given our position of neutrality.”
“The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine estimates that over 14,000 civilians have been killed - that could be much higher now - and over 37,000 people injured since the invasion started. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering for the communities and families who have lost loved ones and, indeed, the trauma that will exist for generations. As a country deeply committed to international law and peace, it is vital that we call out instances when the principles underpinning global peace and security are blatantly violated. This motion rightly condemns Russia’s actions and acknowledges the tremendous human cost of war. It also correctly lays out some of the necessary steps towards achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine, including exerting economic pressure on Russia to bring it to the negotiating table.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I acknowledge the ambassador and deputy ambassador and thank them for coming to the foreign affairs committee today, and to the Ukrainians we have visiting the Chamber. I reaffirm my commitment, our commitment as a Chamber and our solidarity with the Ukrainian people who have suffered horrendous conditions and human rights abuses for the past three years from Russia's illegal invasion. We have already heard it this evening but it bears repeating that the Ukrainian people have demonstrated a huge amount of resilience and courage in defending their country against Russia's invasion. The civilian population has endured constant danger and uncertainty and drone and missile strikes in residential areas far away from the front lines.”
“I move amendment No. 1: After “recognises that:” to insert the following paragraph: “- Ireland has a role as a historic leader in peace, with our credibility as peace leaders grounded in Ireland’s neutrality;"”
“I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a free travel scheme for victims fleeing domestic violence; and to provide for related matters. That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to establish a free travel scheme for victims fleeing domestic violence; and to provide for related matters.”
“I also welcome the news today that the Government is committed to increasing funding for humanitarian aid to sustain this peace. That means we need to ensure humanitarian aid flows freely and safely to those who need it most. The funding the Government has announced must help scale up support for the likes of UNRWA and the WHO because these are the organisations with the infrastructure and capacity to deliver large-scale relief within Gaza today. We need to have a debate in the Chamber about what this ceasefire means for Gaza and Palestine and what opportunities lie ahead for Ireland in supporting accountability.”
“There must be accountability for Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the levelling of Gaza. We all know the popular chant "no justice, no peace". Without justice, there can be no lasting peace. Accountability measures and access to justice are critical pieces for a lasting and just peace in Palestine and in the region more broadly. I ask today that the Government bring the occupied territories Bill back to the Dáil and Seanad as soon as possible. This is actually a crucial element to establishing accountability for the Israeli state's illegal occupation on stolen land. It is time to show our true commitment to the Palestinian people. We need to have an immediate move by the Government to pass the occupied territories Bill in full, including goods and services, as recommended unanimously by the foreign affairs committee.”
“He was killed after we watched him celebrate with such joy following two years of reporting on this genocide. We have heard this morning that five Palestinian men have been killed in Gaza city. These killings represent a potentially very serious breach of the ceasefire. What we need now is a ceasefire monitor for ensuring this fragile peace is protected. The Government should actively lead within the international community on establishing this. It is vital for maintaining peace and accountability on the ground. The suffering endured by the Palestinian people has been incredibly immense and we must not, as an international community, abandon them at this stage. The atrocities committed since October 2023 have violated countless human rights laws.”
“I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that No.11 to be taken before No. 1, referring to the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025. This Bill seeks to provide a three-month free travel pass to survivors of domestic violence. Today, I want to talk about the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, which is really welcome news after the two years of horror we have had. The scenes of relief, joy and families being reunited with each other we have witnessed over the past few days have been really heartwarming. These scenes have given us all a sense of relief, but we cannot and must not allow any complacency to set in because we know that peace is incredibly fragile. Days after the ceasefire, journalist Saleh Aljafarawi was killed.”
“Long-term solutions are needed and these short-term fixes are not substantial enough. I cannot say I welcome the €11.5 million additional funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence given that almost €20 million has been allocated for greyhound racing. That figure is allocated every year and it is almost double what is allocated for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. For many women across the country, that really underscores how the Government prioritises tackling violence against women and girls. Those figures are quite shocking when they are looked at together.”
“I am delighted to hear about the progress being made on the strategy for removing offenders from the home. That is a really positive step for women, particularly in situations where there are children. I would love to get an update on that as it goes through the Department. The Minister of State's response focused mainly on emergency housing. In my contribution I was trying to underscore that this is a systemic issue. The point of a refuge is that it is short term. Women are finding themselves in hotels and refuges with their children. They are only supposed to be in those refuges for a short time. We need a commitment to long-term housing, particularly at a local authority level. I ask the Minister of State to respond to my question about having such women as a priority category on local housing lists.”
“Will the Minister consider the creation of a distinct housing allocation category for survivors of domestic violence? The current system often places survivors in the general housing queue and fails to reflect the urgency of the situation they are facing. Will the Minister ensure that alcohol is acknowledged and included as a driver of domestic violence in the next strategy or amend the current strategy to reflect that reality? Has mandatory training on gender-sensitive, trauma-informed approaches been rolled out for all gardaí, legal professionals and members of the Judiciary? The risk of re-traumatisation is severe and can affect people's long-term recovery when they are going through the judicial process.”
“As the Minister of State knows, coercive control thrives on women who have been bullied and psychologically abused and whose self-esteem is on the floor. We need wraparound supports. They matter so much because they can empower women to pull themselves out of violent situations. They empower women who have fled the most horrendous abuse, often with their children, so that with the correct support they rebuild themselves and their lives. Women need support to get jobs, have their own independent income and psychological care. What provisions are in place to ensure that every woman who flees a violent situation is able to receive this care? Wrap-around supports for women fleeing domestic violence are not a nice little extra to have; they are fundamental for their care and protection.”
“The zero tolerance policy is built on a promise to women that they will be listened to yet too often, we hear survivors speak of no space in refuges, of years on housing lists and of being told to be patient, to wait and to survive just a little bit longer. Safe Ireland has warned that without investment and urgency, the gap between reality and promises will continue to widen. Alcohol Action Ireland has pointed out that there is no mention of alcohol in the strategy even though alcohol is one of the most consistent drivers of domestic abuse. The glaring omission of alcohol in the strategy means that one of the most common drivers of domestic violence is not being taken into account from a prevention and recovery angle. How can this be the case?”
“Article 20 demands access to housing and financial assistance as part of comprehensive support. Compliance with these obligations is not aspirational; it must be real in every local authority area. How is the Minister of State ensuring that every local authority is meeting these obligations? Refuge provision is only part of the issue because refuges are designed for the short term only. Women fleeing domestic violence need long-term housing solutions. They need to be a priority group for council housing lists. While the housing crisis is affecting many people in this country, it is having a particularly cruel impact on survivors of domestic violence as they try to rebuild their lives. At the heart of any strategy must be care. I do not mean that in a sentimental or paternalist way; I mean it from a structural perspective.”
“However, more than halfway through the strategy's lifetime, implementation is lagging, particularly in the case of housing and refuge provision. While the establishment of Cuan is a very welcome step, it must be matched with action. The strategy’s promise of 400 new refuge spaces by 2026 is crucial but on current progress, we are unlikely to meet that target. We need clear timelines on this. There are about nine counties in Ireland that do not have a women’s refuge. Are plans in place for all of these remaining counties to have refuges established before the end of the strategy in 2026? Ireland's obligations under the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence are explicit. Article 23 requires that sufficient, safe and accessible refuge spaces be available to meet the needs of victims.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to provide me with an update on the implementation of the zero tolerance strategy for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I have asked that we have a particular focus in our discussion on housing provision and on the Government's plans to address the acute crisis faced by survivors of domestic violence across the country. Housing is not a peripheral issue in the context of domestic violence. It is central to safety, recovery and dignity. For too many survivors, housing insecurity is the single greatest barrier to escaping abuse. We cannot continue to expect people, mostly women and children, to choose between homelessness and a violent home. In the 2022-26 strategy, strong commitments were made to build a coherent national infrastructure of support for survivors.”
“People across the country today are going to look at this budget and, honestly, they are going to feel like they do not matter. It is clear that the Government is content to act in the interests of developers and wealthy investors and, on the other hand, ignore families who need the support of the State the most. The families who really need to hear that they will not have to choose between food and heat this winter will be feeling bitterly disappointed with this budget.”
“The Social Democrats were not alone in thinking that a second tier of child benefit was a good idea. It was first proposed back in 2012 by the official advisory group on tax and social welfare. This is a practical way to address child poverty but instead, the budget is putting money into the hands of developers and the owners of fast food chains. Today, the Government chose to move away from the blanket energy credits. I commend it on this because it was spending millions on second-homers. However, instead of keeping energy credits for those most in need, it decided to scrap them altogether. I do not understand why the Government could not have kept targeted supports for those most in need as energy costs soar. The budget is not just a document but a demonstration of priorities. It reflects what matters to those in government.”
“The budget is putting money into the pockets of people making huge profits instead of taking a targeted approach to support small, independent, community-based coffee shops, as the Social Democrats proposed in our alternative budget. The VAT reduction will not do anything for families, specifically the 300,000 families who are already living with energy arrears. This is before the winter months kick in and higher energy costs are really going to affect them. Today, the Government could have chosen to lift children out of poverty. There are almost 200,000 children living in poverty in Ireland. How appalling for a country as wealthy as we are. This budget could have introduced a second tier of child benefit but yet again, the Government made a choice - a political choice, a social choice - not to do that.”
“As we all know, the State saves billions off the back of the unpaid work of carers. They are essential workers in our society but this budget does not lift the means test for them. The budget also does not acknowledge the extra financial pressures faced by disabled people every day. What the Government has decided to do today is abandon disabled people and force them into deeper poverty and exclusion. Is there any better example than the “McBudget” giveaway to the hospitality industry sector in a blanket tax cut that is going to put money into the pockets of McDonald's and Starbucks? McDonald's recorded a €42 million profit last year. Why does it need a VAT reduction?”
“We need to roll out a public model of childcare if we are going to address the root causes of this crisis. When it comes to disability, this budget is a failed opportunity for people living with disabilities, who, I am sure, are reeling from what disability rights organisations are describing as a big step backwards for people living with disabilities. Shamefully, this budget could leave disabled people €1,400 worse off a year. I do not know how we can stand here and call that progress. The Government has not put forward any measures to address the cost of disability. I find it disingenuous when, on the one hand, we are talking about supporting the disability sector, but we are not delivering on one of the key asks of disability advocates, specifically in the form of the incredibly cruel and inhumane means test for carers.”
“This budget is a missed opportunity to deliver for families and women, and childcare in particular is an example of that. The budget does not address the Government’s election promise to cap fees at €200 per month. Some families are paying more than €1,000 per month at the moment and have been for quite a while. That is leading to women making decisions about not going back to work after having children, such is the cost of childcare. So much for women's equality when women are making decisions about remaining at home because they cannot afford to send their kids to childcare. The cost of childcare continues to soar and, at the same time, workers in the sector are struggling with precarious hours and incredibly low pay. This budget has done nothing to address those issues.”
“Ten years on, the greatest honour we could pay to those who lost their lives would be to finally take some meaningful action. I respectfully request a debate on the question of minority rights and Traveller rights in this country. I mentioned this before during Traveller Pride Week but, for the day that is in it when we are commemorating the ten-year anniversary, this is another important time to do it.”
“The Carrickmines fire was not an isolated incident but the product of systematic neglect from the State. Local authorities have consistently failed to spend the budgets allocated for Traveller accommodation, as I have mentioned before in the Chamber. Year after year, money is returned unspent while families remain in overcrowded sites with inadequate fire and safety measures. This is not just a policy failure. It is a failure of justice and of basic humanity. We owe the Connors family more than remembrance. We owe them change. If we truly believe in equality, when we talk about equal rights for Travellers, we must ensure Traveller children grow up with the same safety, dignity and security as other children in this country.”
“This week marks ten years since the Carrickmines fire that claimed the lives of ten members of the Connors family including five children and a pregnant mother. It was a very dark night in recent Irish history. It was a tragedy that exposed not just the fragility of life but the fragility of the State's commitment to the Traveller community. In the immediate aftermath, we heard lots of promises and commitments. We were told that conditions on halting sites would be reviewed, that safety would be prioritised and that lessons would be learned and yet we are here a decade later and the stark truth is that very little has changed when it comes to conditions for Travellers. Reports have piled high on shelves while families continue to live in conditions that are unsafe, unsuitable and wholly unworthy of a modern country.”
“I move amendment No. 4: After the last paragraph under “calls for:” to insert the following paragraph: “- sanctions on violent settlers responsible for violence against the Palestinian population in the West Bank.””
“I move amendment No. 3: After the last paragraph under “calls for:” to insert the following paragraph: “- sanctions on Israeli Government Ministers responsible for overseeing the genocide in Gaza and annexation in the West Bank.”.”
“I move amendment No. 2: In the fourth paragraph under “acknowledges:” after “following the July 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion; and” to insert “the ban on trade with the illegally occupied settlements is based on the International Court of Justice and is required under international law;”.”
“We had to say, “Enough is enough.” If we do not do it now, we will lose all sense of international law and order. One day, that will come back to bite us. International law and order exists only because we believe in it and implement it. If we do not implement it for Gaza, one day, whether it be in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe or the global north, international law we rely on will not be there to protect us.”
“On the incursions into Gaza city, Senator Ahearn mentioned previously that we heard from UNRWA’s deputy director, John White, who gave us horrific detail at a meeting of the foreign affairs committee on the state of affairs in Gaza city. As winter comes to Gaza, we will see cholera, infectious diseases and more deaths. People are making the decision just to wait in their homes while the tanks come, because there is nowhere else to go. We have the E1 plan in the West Bank, a plan that was once upon a time, 30 years ago, a red line for Clinton and the US. The Israelis are currently implementing it. They are saying they are doing so only as a consequence of all the states recognising Palestinian statehood, but that is not a fact because they have been doing this for months. All these actions represent the impunity of the Israeli state.”
“I have said many times in this Chamber that Ireland has a proud tradition of standing on the right side of international law and human rights. If we fail to act, we will lose that tradition. We cannot always just hark back to the past; we must implement international law now. In my last minute, I will touch on points we have heard already. There has been a complete incursion and an attack by Israeli forces, through drone strikes, on civilians in international waters off Crete. There has been breach after breach of international law, but this is another thing Israel seems to believe it can do with complete impunity.”
“It is increasing with impunity and communities are being displaced in clear violation of international law. This is inextricably linked to what is happening in Gaza, which is why I introduced my amendments. My amendments are designed to reflect these realities. They call for sanctions on those responsible for the genocide in Gaza but also the violent occupation and apartheid in the West Bank – both Israeli Government Ministers and the violent settlers. The amendments call for an end to the transport through Ireland of weapons used in these atrocities, and they also ground our support specifically for the settlement trade ban in the July 2024 ICJ ruling reinforcing the point that this is not just about political choice but a legal obligation.”
“I travelled to the West Bank earlier this month and saw at first hand the impact of the illegal settlement expansion, the daily intimidation, the daily violence faced by Palestinian communities and the systematic denial of their basic human rights. These are not isolated incidents. They are very much part of an entrenched system, a system that has been in place for decades and a system of apartheid. These practices have very much escalated exponentially since October 2023. We actually heard from the Minister of State himself on this and he gave some statistics on it. What we are seeing is Israel using the cloak of Gaza – the horrendous, horrific genocide in Gaza – to further its extreme expansionist ideology in the West Bank. This is done with settler violence.”
“I thank the Fianna Fáil Senators for tabling this motion. We all know the extermination of Palestinian people has been relentless for almost two years and we must do everything we can and do so now. I was gladdened to hear the Minister of State mention the occupied territories Bill; however, he did not actually mention the committee report recommendations, which include services. He mentioned only goods. I hope that is not a sign of things to come when the legislation is introduced in the Houses. My amendments seek only to strengthen the motion and ensure that it reflects the full reality of what is happening in Palestine today.”
“I move amendment No. 1: After the fourth paragraph under "recognises:" to insert the following paragraph: "- the ongoing annexation and apartheid practices in the West Bank and the escalation of settler violence since October 2023 and the genocide in Gaza;"”
“Both of those things are very important safeguards so that the voices of those who are most at risk and most marginalised can be heard and advocated for by someone to whom they reach out. I urge the Minister of State to consider an amendment on the idea of having a statutory advocacy service. These concerns are serious. We must bring the Bill back in line with the purpose of having a rights-based approach for people with mental health issues and a focus on recovery. Recovery-focused healthcare in the community is critical. The amendments I and other colleagues will bring on Committee Stage will strengthen the Bill. I hope we will have an opportunity to discuss them in more detail.”
“That is really problematic and concerning because we should be assuming capacity and assessing it carefully before the State exercises one of the most coercive powers it can have, which is to treat someone against their will. There is also a troubling lengthening of the maximum duration of the involuntary detention from 21 days to 42 days. At a time when we are trying to promote community-based supports, this doubles the potential period a person can be held without their consent. We really need to focus on what supports can be provided within the community. There remains no statutory independent advocacy or fully independent complaints mechanism, as the Minister of State has heard from other contributors today.”
“The Bill is intended to modernise the Mental Health Act 2001, strengthen our human rights protections and bring us closer in line with our UN obligations. In the Bill as drafted, and especially following recent Dáil Committee Stage amendments, there are risks of regression rather than progress for people. Mental Health Reform has highlighted that in the criteria for involuntary treatment, which have been significantly expanded. In practical terms, that means more people rather than fewer people are finding themselves treated against their will. This is the opposite of what we should be trying to achieve. Worse still, this Bill also allows involuntary treatment to commence before capacity assessment is completed.”
“I will be echoing a lot of the things that have already been said. I lend my support as well to Senator Nicole Ryan's powerful contribution. Her contributions are always powerful and today's is no different. I have concerns about the Bill. A Bill on mental health in Ireland is well overdue, but this Bill is flawed in its purpose. The purpose of the Bill is to protect people and to bring us in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities but I do not think we are achieving that. I want to reflect the concerns that Mental Health Reform has outlined. Members of the group are here with us today to see how the debate is going. I suspect the Minister of State knows amendments will be tabled. I hope she is open to hearing them and discussing them on Committee Stage.”
“Until that is done, there should be no public contracts delivered to companies which do not have the right to collective bargaining.”
“We need to understand what is going wrong with our tendering processes, why so many change orders are being put in and what is happening at the level of the different companies responsible for this. I also want to lend my support to what Senator Tully said about collective bargaining. We should not be issuing public contracts to any company which does not have the right to unionise or collective bargaining. We have a two-tier system in Ireland whereby for workers in the public system, such as teachers or nurses, it is fine and they can have collective bargaining but someone in the private sector might not get that same right. We need to instil that as a right. We have the minimum wage directive from the European Union. We need to instil that and legislate for that.”
“Good luck if you are a disabled person in a wheelchair trying to book yourself onto a train to go to work or travel to another part of the country because there is one slot available on four carriages on a train route. That is just the reality of many people in this country, particularly people with disabilities. It is really important to highlight that. Obviously, we have a massive issue around procurement. I hope to get into more detail on that with the Minister when he comes before the infrastructure committee later. We have an endless challenge with procurement in this country. I mentioned the National Children’s Hospital but we have other examples.”
“People deserve certainty. They do not need slogans; they need homes, transport, schools and hospitals. They need them to be delivered on time and within budget. The Government must stop announcing plans with little detail and, rather, start building an Ireland that people can live and work in. Before the Minister of State came in, Senator Flaherty said the Opposition just likes to complain about Ireland and how awful the country is. I do not feel like that at all. I am very proud of Ireland and I believe it could be a brilliant country but I honestly think that people are struggling now. If Senator Flaherty has not seen that on the ground, perhaps he is not canvassing or knocking on doors in the same communities I am, where people do not have places to live and cannot get childcare facilities close to their jobs.”
“Housing delivery has completely stalled. Of course our energy and water systems are running close to capacity and in many areas are at total capacity. That means that in places such as where I am from in Carlow or Kilkenny, people cannot build new developments in the towns they are from. We have not had any major transport projects completed. The result is felt by every family but particularly those unable to afford a home, those stuck in traffic and those who worry whether the infrastructure they rely on can cope with the increased demand. Infrastructure needs to be planned as a whole and housing, transport, health, energy, water, education and childcare need to be considered holistically so that communities can properly thrive. Otherwise we are simply building isolated projects rather than building a future for this country.”