Patrick O'Donovan
Limerick County · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I agree with the Deputy. If anyone who has experienced any difficulties and has contacted the Deputy, I encourage him to pass any specifics on to me. We want to try to make it work.”
“To go back to a previous question, Coimisiún na Meán is self-financed in terms of the regulation. Regulation costs money and that is why levies are imposed. People do not like that, and the previous Deputy said she did not like it. That is a separate issue, however.”
“Failure by a platform to comply can also lead to significant sanctions. However, the developing nature of digital services requires continuing vigilance. The protection of children and young people in the online world remains of the utmost importance to the Government.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an ábhair tábhachtaigh seo a chur os comhair na Dála ar maidin. Ireland's online safety framework includes the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, the EU Digital Services Act and the online safety code.”
“I do not disagree with the Deputy at all. He gave a good synopsis there as to why the investment in rural broadband is so important. I do not know whether any political party bar my own at the time actually advocated for it, but it has been transformative.”
“It is expected shortly. As I said in my reply, I will bring the report to the Government and then publish it. I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. Restitution cannot be a one-way street. We need to see if there is anything in Irish institutions that is connected to, funded by or associated with colonial plundering.”
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“I thank the Cathaoirleach and Members for their contributions. For the benefit of the House and given the geography of some Members present, I will put on the record that in County Cavan the total investment under the plan is €65 million, the intervention area is 16,780 premises, the number available to preorder at the moment is 15,087 and the number of premises being passed is 14,826. I advise Senator O'Reilly the work will be finished in September. People often think of Dublin as an urban area, but the investment in Dublin is one of the largest considering the size of the county – it has one of the smallest land-masses - at €48 million. The intervention area comprises 12,971 properties and 10,397 have been passed.”
“I am confident the report will show the continued benefits being realised by the delivery of the national broadband plan to society and the country as a whole.”
“The plan is a central pillar of rural development, and supports community and social well-being, economic vitality, connectivity, and digital transformation. In 2024, the Department published the first independent interim evaluation report of the plan. Unsurprisingly the results confirm significant incremental benefits for the plan over the 25-year appraisal period with an increase in total benefits of up to €5.9 billion compared with the original 2019 estimate of €4.4 billion. This increase is primarily generated by the structural shift to remote working and the benefits that will accrue, in particular to workers living in the intervention area with relatively long commutes to their workplace. We have begun the process of a further evaluation report, which will be published in 2027.”
“The maximum State subsidy for the project is €2.7 billion over 25 years. The total cost of the programme since 2020, when the NBP network roll-out commenced, is €1.543 billion to date. This figure largely comprises payments of €1.488 billion made to National Broadband Ireland under the contract for the construction of the national broadband plan high-speed network. This also includes fees for external advisers, who assist the Department in governing and monitoring the contract obligations of National Broadband Ireland. The budget allocation this year, adopted by the Oireachtas, is €433 million. The national broadband plan delivers more than connectivity. It drives economic growth, social inclusion and community development by enabling remote work, digital learning, telehealth, new business opportunities and a range of other things.”
“For example, Eir has already passed over 1.5 million homes across the State, an event we marked in Oranmore recently. SIRO has reached a milestone of having passed over 700,000 premises for full fibre. Virgin Media has advised the Department that it has upgraded over 700,000 premises with full fibre. The Department is continuing to monitor these upgrades to ensure the EU digital targets are realised and any unnecessary barriers to this investment are addressed to mitigate the risk of any areas where providing a gigabit service is challenging. Information gathering and detailed analysis is ongoing with operators to understand the full scale. The national broadband plan remains on schedule and within its approved financial budget, reflecting robust programme governance, disciplined cost control and effective delivery oversight.”
“The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to premises in the intervention area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s website at www.nbi.ie . This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, which can be used by Oireachtas Members for specific queries. Alongside the NBP intervention contract, commercial operators also continue to upgrade their networks throughout the State to primarily urban areas and contribute materially to achieving the digital connectivity strategy targets. Commercial fixed-line operators are currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services in the non-intervention area.”
“As of 17 April 2026, deployment progress includes the following elements: 100% of surveying and design work is complete; over 465,810 premises have been passed across all counties in the country; over 486,140 premises - 86% of the intervention area - are available to order or pre-order high-speed fibre broadband via retail service providers; over 172,790 premises are connected with uptake rates in early deployment areas exceeding initial projections; over 500,000 premises are undergoing main build works; 955 strategic connection points are installed comprising 283 public sites and 672 primary schools in the intervention area; and 72 retail service providers are contracted to NBI.”
“The national broadband plan’s operational model separates the country into commercially served areas, commonly called blue areas, and intervention areas, called amber areas, with different delivery routes and expectations for end users. The national broadband plan network will offer premises in the intervention area a high-speed fibre broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500 Mbps from the outset and already offers 1 Gbps and 5 Gbps services for those who want to avail of higher speeds. The network is future-proofed to deliver up to 10 Gbps speeds. Deployment momentum by NBI is strong and the main infrastructure build is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, on time and on budget, as per the original contractual deadlines.”
“This is good news for competitiveness at home and abroad, enabling businesses in Ireland to reach a wider market, while reducing costs and improving productivity. The majority of digital connectivity across the State will be delivered through commercial investment by the telecommunications industry, complemented by the roll-out of fibre, across mainly rural areas, under the national broadband plan contract. The national broadband plan contract, signed on 19 November 2019, provides for a future-proofed high-speed broadband network to be deployed by National Broadband Ireland, NBI, to people living and working in the intervention area. It is expected that some 600,000 premises will be passed including new builds.”
“Ensuring that all communities across Ireland, including those in rural and remote areas, can access high-speed broadband is a key priority for me and for the Government. We are delivering strong progress on this challenging target. Deployment momentum is strong and the main infrastructure build is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2026, bringing the project in ahead of schedule and running under budget. In addition, commercial deployments have also advanced strongly with the latest figures released from the regulator showing 90% of premises now have access to gigabit connectivity, which is a significant increase of 32% since 2020, just six years ago. We are leading many of our European neighbours in digital connectivity and are ahead of the EU 27 average for gigabit connectivity.”
“The national broadband plan is supplying fast, reliable broadband by laying 140,000 km of fibre cable, utilising over 1.5 million poles and over 16,500 km of underground duct networks. That gives an indication of the scale of it. As one of the largest public investments in the State’s history, it is designed to address market failure by ensuring universal high-speed broadband connectivity and supporting balanced economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion across all regions. The Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland’s Future sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms and businesses nationwide, by 2026.”
“There are currently over 52,675 farms, or 81%, with access to this service and over 23,035 are already connected. In addition, more than 21,690 non-farm businesses, or 82%, now have access to the service, with 5,065 already connected. The plan is a core element of the implementation of the digital connectivity strategy published in December 2022, which sets out the commitment that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a gigabit network no later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5 Gb by 2030. These goals will be maintained in the updated strategy which the Department will publish this year in support of the aspirations in the recently published national digital and AI strategy.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le Comhaltaí an tSeanaid as an deis cúpla focal a rá ar an ábhar seo um thráthnóna. I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Members for the invitation to say a few words on the national broadband plan, NBP. The plan is the Government's initiative to deliver high-speed broadband to every household, business and farm in Ireland, ensuring all premises in the country will be covered by a gigabit network no later than 2028. It is the largest infrastructure project in rural Ireland since rural electrification, spanning 96% of Ireland's landmass. The NBP is delivering high-speed broadband to over 1.1 million people in more than 23% of premises in the State. It includes over 65,000 farms, 26,350 non-farm businesses, 693 schools and 27 islands and is fast transforming these communities.”
“Ar an gcaoi chéanna, ba cheart do sholáthraithe seirbhísí Rialtais agus seirbhísí eile a chinntiú go bhfuil roghanna ar fáil do shaoránaigh nach ndéanann a ngnó ar líne ar chúis éigin. Tacaíonn an Rialtas leis na hoifigí poist agus na daoine a oibríonn iontu. Cabhróidh sé seo le líonra láidir d’oifigí poist a chinntiú anois agus amach anseo.”
“An Post has additionally acknowledged that there were some delivery challenges due to the exceptionally high volume and notes that these volumes occurred in conjunction with illness-related staff shortages. Mar fhocal scoir, cruthaíonn na dúshláin dhomhanda leanúnacha, na hathruithe struchtúracha san earnáil poist agus na hathruithe ar nósanna custaiméirí timpeallacht dhúshlánach do líonraí na n-oifigí poist agus An Post ina iomláine. Léirigh an Rialtas a thiomantas don líonra agus don luach a sholáthraíonn sé do shaoránaigh le leithdháileadh de €15 milliún in aghaidh na bliana ar feadh théarma an Rialtais. Mar sin, molaim do na geallsealbhóirí ar fad oibriú le chéile chun inmharthanacht an líonra a chinntiú. Ba cheart saoránaigh a spreagadh chun a n-oifigí poist áitiúla a úsáid, más mian leo.”
“An Post is also experiencing changes in the growth of ecommerce in its operations. An Post advised that in 2025 parcel volumes were 27% higher than 2024. In peak season of 2025, 3 million parcels were delivered weekly alongside approximately 3 million cards. Christmas 2025 was the busiest peak in An Post’s history and, according to the company, parcel volumes were 35% higher nationally during the peak period. An Post understands that the January to February 2026 parcel volumes were almost 50% higher than the same period last year. The company has opened a new parcel facility in Dublin 24 and expects automation to be completed ahead of the 2026 peak season. This will assist with the growing volume the company is experiencing.”
“An Post earlier this year announced increases to the price of stamps, noting that falling letter volumes and rising overheads are resulting in stamp increases globally, not just in Ireland. The price changes are carefully calculated to cover the costs of providing service to every address taking account of wage increases, increased operating costs and other costs. It should be noted that decisions relating to pricing are entirely a matter for An Post. Pricing is therefore ultimately a matter for the board and management of the company and, where relevant, the Commission for Communications Regulation in accordance with its mandate with respect to postal regulation and the universal service obligation for which An Post is a designated provider. The Minister has no role in this.”
“I and the officials in the Department are ready and available to work with other Departments in respect of delivery of services throughout the network. Postmasters will play a crucial role in the future of the network, and I recognise and thank them all, together with all postal workers, for the hard work, dedication, input and co-operation to date for their role in enabling the ongoing transformation of the network. I particularly want to thank them for their role during Covid-19. Their support is needed as An Post seeks to win new or bolster existing business, and to explore opportunities for new product lines. The global headwinds of mail volume decline and rising costs not only effect the offices of the network, but also An Post at a company level, in its operations delivering mail.”
“There can sometimes be a focus on the provision of a particular service across the network or supports being put in place, but no one measure in isolation is going to provide for the long-term sustainability of the network. All stakeholders will need to continue to work together and the public must also be encouraged to use the services available through the post office. However, I encourage my Government colleagues to consider the impact of digitalisation and substitution of services on our network. It is important that as technology develops, we explore new and innovative ways of working but it is also important that we ensure that those who, for whatever reason, do not want to access government services online, can still do so.”
“An Post has statutory responsibility for the post office network. Accordingly, it must actively explore opportunities to develop new, or enhanced, product lines and services. We want to see a sustainable service for all of our citizens, both urban and rural, in the medium and long term. The network is a core strength of An Post and the continued development of the network is vital to its sustainability. However, we must also recognise the fact that post offices are commercial entities and, as with all businesses, they need to continue to develop relevant commercial strategies to attract new customers and drive footfall.”
“Where a post office closes or relocates, this can leave a heritage building without a use in the heart of the community. The programme for Government recognises this and commits to Government partnering with An Post and local communities to identify and preserve heritage post office buildings that are no longer in use by the post office. My Department is working in the first instance with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss possible options. Equally, it is important to remember that this support aims to protect and nurture a sustainable and commercially viable post office network, and that it also aims to ensure access to important services across the post office network. Any support must therefore be utilised to allow time and space to enable new commercial initiatives and services to be developed.”
“It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the post office network. Government support does not mean that some post offices will not close. Closures can happen for a variety of reasons, such as due to retirement or for personal reasons. The intention is to avoid such decisions being necessary on foot of economic hardship. Since January 2025, 14 post offices have permanently closed following unsuccessful efforts to appoint new postmasters. In every case, An Post advised the Department that vacancies were advertised multiple times and local engagement was also undertaken multiple times. An Post has not closed any post office. A post office closure follows a decision by an individual postmaster to exit the business and in the majority of cases, closures have resulted from postmaster retirements.”
“I am delighted to have been able to not only secure continued future funding in line with this commitment but to be able to provide an increased amount to €15 million per annum, which was approved by the Government in January. This approval provided a clear mandate for this enhanced funding, and my officials are progressing the next steps required. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the network, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network. It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the post office network. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the network, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network.”
“The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. We previously provided An Post with €10 million funding per annum over a three-year period from 2023 to 2025. An Post dispersed this funding across the post office network, with all contractor post offices benefiting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the network. This funding was put in place under the previous Government. However, let me be clear that the current Government also recognises the need to support Ireland’s post office network. Under the programme for Government, we will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities.”
“In recent times, a number of offices have been converted from An Post-operated to postmaster- or contractor-operated, with modernised facilities., These include, for example, those in Tipperary town, Tallaght, Roscommon and New Ross. It should be noted that conversion to a contractor-operated office means these offices have joined the mainstream of national post offices, given that, as I set out earlier, more than 90% of the country’s post offices are operated by contractor postmasters. The conversion will often not in any way change the range or the extent of the services offered by An Post in these selected locations and the company remains committed to providing each area with the highest level of services.”
“As this network facilitates trade, I am aware that postmasters are likely to be feeling the effects of this uncertainty. I would like to specifically recognise An Post’s work to date in continuing the flow of post to the US despite the uncertainty due to changes to that country's customs rules last year. The network undoubtedly is also impacted by the continuing decline in mail volumes and the growth of digitalisation. It is not only nationally but internationally that mail and An Post services and businesses are experiencing long-term structural challenges. Additionally, issues relating to the cost of living, in particular the effects of inflation and higher energy costs, have been felt by many SMEs, including postmasters, and current global events continue to cause challenges in this regard.”
“This is a nationwide network of significant scale, providing the economic and social benefits I have mentioned, to citizens urban and rural across all of Ireland. Every year, approximately 70 to 80 post offices change ownership. This can be for a variety of reasons, including a new postmaster taking over an existing premises, relocation by an existing postmaster to a more modern, accessible premises, or a new postmaster taking over and relocating to a new, fit-for-purpose premises. Additionally, I understand that five offices are temporarily closed. Of these five, I am informed by An Post that Ballyneety, County Limerick, and Carrigaholt, County Clare, are due to reopen in the near term. The Government recognises the challenges for both the network and postal services. Uncertainty regarding global trade is one of these challenges.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an ócáid seo ina bhfuilimid in ann cúpla rud a rá maidir le cúrsaí in oifigí poist agus an líonra poist inár saol le chéile. Tá ról sóisialta tábhachtach acu ag soláthar tacaíochtaí luachmhara do chuid de na daoine is leochailí inár sochaí trí íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh, postas saor in aisce chuig tithe altranais agus go leor seirbhísí luachmhara eile a sholáthar. Tá ról eacnamaíoch ríthábhachtach acu maidir le gnó idir gnólachtaí agus custaiméirí a éascú. Tá ról acu anois sa gheilleagar le fás seirbhísí cosúil le Vinted. At present, there are 873 post offices, most of them operated by independent postmasters. In fact, only 41 of the offices are directly operated by An Post, with postmasters operating over 90% of the network.”
“That is the clearest the Deputy's party has been in a long time. Now I know where it stands. It is very helpful. He is not going to ban it. He will not support the Government. Thanks very much. He clarified something Deputy Byrne would not do last night.”
“Finally, returning to the Bill, the approach set out at the EU level through the DSA primarily is a better approach to delivering on the shared objectives of protecting our children and our young people online and as a result I propose the amendment.”
“Let me be clear that the wallet is not just about age verification; it is about safe, secure and convenient access to public services, but it should also serve as a robust and privacy-respecting age verification tool. The wallet will not be mandatory for people to have nor will it be mandatory for platforms to use it. It is intended as a Government-sponsored safe, secure and privacy-preserving age verification option. A pilot is envisaged, which will be voluntary to participate in, and departmental officials continue to engage with platforms about their support for and participation in it and I would expect that they would do so. Nothing has been confirmed yet and work in being done in this regard.”
“Nevertheless, the Government would prefer an EU-level decision and the expert panel convened by European Commission President Ursula Van Der Leyen, is to report during the summer and this will be important to consider in any decision on this matter. I am also aware that there is no universality of views on this issue in Ireland or even in this House. However, at the same time, we can clearly see the risks that harmful content can present to our young people and, therefore, if required, Ireland will take action on this matter. Separately, we are working on an age verification tool as part of Ireland’s digital wallet with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.”
“It also underlines how online safety crosses borders. That is why, as I said, I am making online safety the priority of our forthcoming Presidency of the European Council. We are planning a youth forum in the run-up to the Presidency and an online safety conference during it. I am eager to hear from children and young people themselves on issues, including about the digital age of majority. On that matter, and as set out in the recently published national digital and AI strategy, the Government is actively engaging with like-minded member states on the issue of the digital age of majority. As I have said in this House previously, there is no universality of views on whether there should be a digital age of majority and if so, what the age it should be, and if there is one, whether parental consent should be involved.”
“I agree with Deputy O'Gorman that every platform that is domiciled in Ireland should go before an Oireachtas committee and should co-operate with Oireachtas committees. I said that previously in the House and outside it as well. The Government is engaging with the European Commission with regard to including this type of feature as a prohibited practice under the AI Act and the Minister for justice is considering the need for further measures in the area. I have written to Coimisiún na Meán to request it to develop a public awareness campaign on these matters and to work with the AI Advisory Council to review and update existing taxonomies of harm to include AI-generated harms. All of this is to underline the fact that online safety is a cross-departmental issue and Departments are working together on it.”
“The nature of this framework demonstrates the cross-cutting nature of online safety. We have seen all too recently how the speed of the development of technology can bring wholly negative developments, as evidenced in the creation and dissemination of harmful and illegal content powered by Grok AI. However, An Coimisiún engaged with stakeholders like An Garda Síochána in Ireland and, under the DSA with the European Commission. An Coimisiún met with X as did the European Commission. As provided for under the DSA, and notwithstanding that X said it had taken steps to restrict the ability of Grok to create this content, the European Commission announced it was expanding its investigation of X and also that it could still take interim measures against X if the steps it took were not sufficient.”
“Since replacing the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on its establishment in March 2023, the remit of an coimisiún has expanded and is continuing to grow. In addition to regulating broadcasting and on-demand media services, and leading on Ireland's online safety framework, Coimisiún na Meán has been designated as a fundamental rights authority and a market surveillance authority in respect of certain prohibited practices under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. It has also been designated as a competent authority supervising online platforms under the EU regulation for transparency and targeting of political advertising, TTPA. Finally, it is envisaged that Coimisiún na Meán will take on functions under the European Media Freedom Act, which is being implemented in Ireland through the Media Regulation Bill.”
“While the Government acknowledges that recommender systems can amplify inappropriate, harmful or illegal content, it is not clear what would happen should a recommender system simply be switched off. In addition, recommender systems and algorithms serve to protect people, including children and young people, from harmful content. The DSA approach requires platforms to mitigate the risks and thus improve and enhance their recommender systems, which is preferable to the unknown risk of switching off those recommender systems. I, like every Deputy in the House, have a shared desire to improve online safety, in particular for children and young people; I say that as a father myself. I mentioned at the outset that Coimisiún na Meán is at the heart of our online safety framework.”
“Given the cross-border nature of large-scale data processing, legislating in Ireland for additional limitations on the processing of personal data, if not in conflict with the GDPR, would likely have limited benefit. It would appear the Bill confines its provisions to video-sharing platform services as defined in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. This means it would only apply to such platforms established in Ireland, thereby excluding platforms such as Roblox or Snapchat, which are established elsewhere in the European Union. This would be a significant inconsistency that could disimprove online safety. The designated video-sharing platforms are also subject to the DSA, which ensures consistency across the European Union and is a maximum harmonisation piece of digital services legislation across the EU.”
“In relation to data protection, it appears that section 2 of this Bill would alter the legal basis set out in the EU general data protection regulation, GDPR, for the processing of personal data by requiring consent in all cases where a person has not attained the age of 18 and permit such processing where a data subject has attained the age of 18. In addition, it sets out transparency requirements in relation to the option to select the recommender system. There is already an extensive existing body of case law under the GDPR as to what constitutes valid consent and sufficient transparency requirements. Section 2, therefore, may be in conflict with the GDPR.”
“Last month, the European Commission, which is the lead regulator for the very large online platforms and search engines under the Digital Services Act, issued preliminary findings in its investigation that TikTok was in breach of the DSA in respect of its recommender systems, among other things. TikTok must now look to address those issues. The European Commission is investigating a number of other platforms in respect of recommender systems as well. This is EU regulation in action, so it would not be appropriate to look to amend our own legislation in this respect when the regulation and legislation are being implemented.”
“Article 27 of the EU Digital Services Act requires that platforms explain, in understandable language, the main parameters their systems use to suggest content, as well as providing options for users to change or influence these parameters. Articles 34 and 35 require platforms to assess and mitigate risks that their recommender systems may present, including to the protection of minors. Very large online platforms and very large online search engines that use recommender systems must allow users, including minors, the option to use recommender systems that do not rely on profiling. The obligation to focus on protecting minors is set out in the guidance produced by the European Commission under Article 28 of the EU Digital Services Act. We can already see the progress being made in addressing the risks of recommender systems.”
“It is also my intention that online safety will be front and centre during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on behalf of my Department. I have made that position clear on a number of occasions. Coimisiún na Meán is now firmly established at the heart of Ireland's online safety framework, which comprises the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, the EU Digital Services Act, DSA, and the EU terrorist content online regulation. While I appreciate the good intentions underlying the Deputies’ Bill, we must acknowledge that under this new legislative framework, the issues around recommender systems can be and are being addressed.”
“Is é uaillmhian na straitéise ná na buntáistí is féidir le teicneolaíochtaí digiteacha agus intleacht shaorga a thairiscint dár sochaí agus geilleagair a uasmhéadú chomh maith le tiomantas an Rialtais chun sábháilteacht ar líne a fheabhsú agus a threisiú, go háirithe do leanaí agus daoine óga mar thosaíocht don chóras iomlán. Ireland is working closely with our European colleagues and partners, industry and other stakeholders to ensure a coherent regulatory framework that protects all consumers and vulnerable groups. The strategy includes a strong focus on further strengthening our strategic engagement on the EU’s digital agenda as a strong advocate at EU level for a balanced and proportionate approach to digital regulation.”
“I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after ”That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann declines to give the Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 a second reading, on the grounds that the issues the Bill seeks to address are already being addressed by Coimisiún na Meán , Ireland's independent online safety and media regulator, through its implementation of Ireland's Online Safety Framework, together with the European Commission.". Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí éagsúla as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a thabhairt os comhair na Dála ar maidin. Mar a dúirt mé cheana sa Teach seo, is tosaíocht Rialtais í sábháilteacht gach duine in Éirinn, óg agus aosta, a chinntiú. Is cuid lárnach í an tsábháilteacht ar líne. Tá sí sin mar bhonn faoin straitéis náisiúnta digiteach agus um intleacht shaorga 2030, a foilsíodh le déanaí.”
“No more than the European capital of culture, the Irish town of culture will be an exciting initiative for towns all over the country. With their local authorities, they will be able to compete for a title that will have an all-Ireland dimension to it. It will be welcomed by the local authorities and the towns that are prepared to participate.”
“I am sure the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Keira Keogh, would have something different to say for Mayo, Westport, Castlebar and Ballina, as others would for all stations between Mayo and Dublin. I know Deputy Butterly is a strong advocate for the County Louth towns. Why would she not be? However, we will have to have a competitive process. I envisage it will involve the local authorities being asked to put forward proposals, which will have to be independently assessed and verified. Obvious, the winners will be delighted and the unsuccessful will use freedom of information those, or FOI - our three favourite letters - to find out how the scheme was awarded and everything else. I intend putting a substantial amount of money behind this and I also intend to have the designation over multiple years in order that it will be legacy.”
“As recently as this week, I asked for resources in the Department to be assigned to the design of a scheme. That will ultimately be a competitive process. I am sure every local authority in the country, including Louth County Council, will have great ideas as to how they imagine this would be best represented in their area.”
“Deputy Butterly will be glad to hear that, over the last couple of weeks, I have been dealing with a town of culture initiative in the Department. We are at a preliminary stage of drawing up what it would look like and how we would award it. I envisage a competitive process through the local authorities, with local authorities putting forward nominees to be the town of culture for a fixed period of time. From that, supports would be able to be derived from the Department. I also envisage that the town of culture designation would not be for one year, but for multiple years, because of the size of the Department. The Deputy also made a very interesting point that in order to have legacy, the designation will be needed for more than one year. We are at a very early stage.”
“In budget 2026, my Department was allocated €6 million for a new programme of capital funding for the arts and cultural organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. This will see much needed supports for arts and culture organisations. In relation to the proposal for a dedicated Irish town of culture programme, I am in favour of examining options that further promote local cultural activity and celebrate the unique and creative strength of towns and communities. I have asked the Department to commence consideration of the proposed measure to ensure alignment with existing cultural schemes and national culture policy, and to assess resource requirements in the context of the budget process. While yet to be decided, I envisage that a town of culture designation would involve a competition.”
“Significant progress has been made in the past 12 months, with the permanent basic income for the arts scheme, works on major refurbishment of the Crawford Arts Gallery now commenced, and the exciting announcement regarding the philanthropic donation of a major facility in Limerick for a branch of the National Museum of Ireland. A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country, with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to the arts by local authorities and the Arts Council. I am informed that in County Louth in 2025, the Arts Council made grants under the arts centre funding scheme totalling €440,000 to the Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda and An Táin in Dundalk.”