Paula Butterly
Louth · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I thank the Minister for the updates. It is important to note that there is going to be more extensive engagement with students. I recently met a group of students from County Louth. We had a lively, truthful and open conversation, particularly with the boys who are attending all-boys schools.”
“I, too, welcome the scoping exercise in relation to the allegations of sexual abuse made against Michael Shine. Like the Tánaiste, I was struck by the words of the victims and survivors in noting that finally, they had been heard. I was also struck by their saying that finally, they had been believed.”
“I thank the Minister for that information and join her in congratulating the Lourdes hospital for getting on top of the issue of waiting lists and for the good work all the staff are doing, led by the new general manager.”
“Our Lady of Lourdes serves about 360,000 people in its catchment area at the moment and I believe that is growing rapidly. Going back to the idea that it is effectively a model 4 hospital while being classed as model 3, there is a case for looking at and expanding the services in Our Lady of Lourdes and making it a model 4 hospital.”
“The Minister is exactly right. We have food and drink of the highest quality produced at a local level by great producers in County Louth. The core element to producing this food and drink is our farmers. Our farmers are struggling at the moment, particularly those in the tillage sector.”
“It is great that 34% of tourism funding is directed towards food and drink, but that also highlights the scope we have to develop it even further. As a result, I welcome this strategy. However, a strategy is only as good as its implementation.”
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“I ask that we not forget the children who are starving and on the sides of the streets, their bellies swollen from the denial of food and basic humanities. I ask that, as a humanitarian nation, we continue to persevere through the barriers to aid set by conflict and deliver food to those children and assist those vulnerable women. A primary access point for our aid to Africa hinges on supports for maternal health. Ireland has championed and led the way on maternal health and sexual and reproductive health rights through our aid to Sudan and other countries such as Ethiopia, Liberia and Gambia. We fund Maternal and Childhealth Advocacy International and work with nurses and midwives to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths across ten countries.”
“Reports from the city are showing evidence of mass killings, sexual violence and vital infrastructure and lifelines for civilians being destroyed. Harrowing and gruesome videos have been doing the rounds but the level of documentation of this ongoing tragedy does not end there. We have now seen satellite images in which the trail of blood from the ongoing slaughter in the city is clear to see. These are war crimes so terrible that they are visible from space. It is truly one of the world's most severe ongoing humanitarian catastrophes. In the midst of these horrors, I ask that we not forget those who are most vulnerable. I ask that we not forget those women who are victims of this violence and subject to rape and sexual abuse.”
“Today, like many of my colleagues, I would like to raise one of the most important ongoing humanitarian disasters, the unfolding civil war in Sudan and the sheer amount of civilian death and tragedy unfolding in its wake. The war in Sudan is not a simple conflict. It is a catastrophe causing the slaughter of innocent women and children and the starvation of millions. It is a conflict that strikes at the very heart of human dignity and the rights we have fought for for so long and so hard are now under threat. The fear is that we will not be able to uphold them. Sudan has been marred by decades of war. In recent weeks, the city of El Fasher has been subjected to a siege that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.”
“It would disincentivise them and, quite frankly, I do not think it will happen. My second ask, therefore, is that we do not bring in this process of permits. In summary, let the M50 be free for hauliers and take the idea of permits for them off the table.”
“We have to allow our hauliers some sort of incentive to keep those wheels turning. I read recently that Department officials are considering permits when it comes to very heavy loads - anything, I believe, between 400 tonnes and 500 tonnes. The Department has also accepted that these kind of loads are increasing on our roads. I am struggling with this one because if we have hauliers that have increased costs and we have these types of loads, which potentially are adding to the bottom line of these companies, why on earth would we be considering a permit that would have to be applied for 12 months in advance? I know we all like to forward plan and think ahead, but I cannot conceivably see how having to request a permit 12 months in advance is going to be an efficient, nimble, cost-effective route for any haulier.”
“About 90% of Irish goods are transited on our roads. Without the haulage industry, we will not get the goods from A to B, never mind to C. We need a producer to produce but we need the haulier to transit and help us get the goods back home, such as food into our fridges. The rising costs, I agree, are fuel, insurance and compliance. We have staff shortages. We need training. We have tolls. My first ask is that we look at the M50 toll and give haulage companies the concession that they do not have to pay it. There are rising costs. The port tunnel charge is going to go up again. When I became a TD in December 2024, the charge was €10. It is now €12. There is always an announcement of a euro here or there at the beginning of the year but, strangely enough, it seems to increase secretly during the course of the year.”
“Indeed, for any commuter or any business, you are going to spend hours on the M50 on any day of the week. More recently, I heard that the number of accidents on the M50 has already exceeded the number of accidents in 2024. This is a problem. Anyone who has driven a truck or, indeed, anyone who has had a haulage company is well aware that time is money. They have to sit in traffic. They are wasting time. It is producing a cost, but more importantly, it is reducing the driver's time, which potentially means they are not going to make their boat, and if they do not make their boat, they are not going to make their delivery. That is a further increased cost. A significant point we all have to realise relates to how we get the food and goods on our shelves. We get them thanks to the haulage industry.”
“I have been following the statements this afternoon. Many colleagues have given a good idea of the shape and size of haulier firms throughout the country. We have 4,779 hauliers across the island of Ireland and 70% of them have no more than three trucks, yet they contribute €3.7 billion per annum to the economy. Unusually, these are not multinationals. These are small firms that operate in local communities. Indeed, they spend locally, they employ locally and they do good for the local economy. Many of my colleagues here have highlighted the different rising costs. The Government has tried to face the challenges and support our SMEs as much as we possibly can, but I have also listened to the debates, particularly from the haulage firms over the last week, about how difficult it is now to transit across the M50.”
“One of our own, John Moore, the Dundalk director known internationally for major action films such as "Behind Enemy Lines", "The Omen" and "A Good Day to Die Hard", continues to contribute to the sector at home through initiatives such as the John Moore Film Award at Dundalk Institute of Technology. At this moment, I will reiterate the great news that Queen's University Belfast and DkIT are going to merge and that Dundalk will be a university town. It has to be regional and not based on a few towns and cities.”
“While all of this is very welcome, it is essential that funding and infrastructure be distributed fairly across the State and never concentrated in a small number of locations. County Louth provides a strong example of the potential that exists regionally when investment and opportunities are made available. The film "Skintown", produced by Keeper Pictures with the support of Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, was filmed in Dundalk in 2025, further cementing the area's role as an emerging regional hub for film and television. Dundalk and the wider region have a proud film-making tradition.”
“Will the Minister outline his assessment of the current distribution of film industry infrastructure and funding across the State? Will he indicate whether he will consider targeted supports or new initiatives to promote film industry growth and production capacity at a regional level?”
“I would like to ask the Minister about community groups, essential youth services that provide vital services in the community, particularly those in County Louth. Has provision been made to combat the cost of auto-enrolment and the increase in the minimum wage? Have they been factored into their budgets and will there be additional budgets for them in 2026?”
“I will be. I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. He is very kind. I thank the Minister very much for all of the advances she is making. However, back in 1990, Mary Robinson stood up and said that the hand that rocked the cradle had rocked the system. If we do not address this issue and find childcare places for the young babies and toddlers of this generation of young women, the only thing they will be doing in the future is rocking the cradle. There will be no system for them to rock.”
“In addition, and despite the advances with men's involvement in family life, an issue that affects women more than men is parents who want to go back to work and progress in their careers while at the same time being able to place their children in care facilities where they are cared for, thereby allowing the parents to go back out to work. Do we have a timeline for addressing these issues because it is not really acceptable to be below the 30% mark?”
“I obviously am going to welcome any increases in budget and she is right when she says there are pockets across the country where the demand is far in excess of the places that are available. In County Louth we have 114 childcare services but only 31 of those offer places for children under the age of two. That equates to less than 30%. While maternity leave has been extended, for a family that needs one or both parents to go back to work unpaid maternity leave is of no benefit as they have bills to pay and they need to keep the show on the road.”
“Recently in my constituency in County Louth, we had a situation where somebody went about their business photographing people who were actually seasonal workers. They were going about their business and had their visas. A house was targeted in which they did not even live. It was a family home where there were children who were absolutely terrified. We must have a discussion about immigration. We must have a discussion about IPAS but we must have a sensible, calm discussion. We have to accept there is a process in place and there are rules and laws by which we have to abide.”
“Irrespective of whether they have a right to stay, they are going through a process that is based on rules. These rules have to be adhered to and respected. These people are ordinary human beings. For the time they remain in the State, it is absolutely necessary that we never lose sight of these people. That is what they are: people. They are human beings and they should be afforded every right and every respect as any other citizen or non-citizen would get while they reside in this State. However, this is not just an isolated incident, unfortunately. This incident in Drogheda went to the extremes and could have cost life and limb of children, babies and women. However, because of certain discussions and commentary, some people are taking the law into their own hands.”
“First and foremost, I want to address the issues we witnessed in Drogheda last week. It appears two thugs kicked in the front door, set light to the stairs and this resulted in 28 people being homeless. It resulted in eight people having to go to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to seek treatment. Thankfully, none of those injuries were serious. However, let us put ourselves in the shoes of those people for those hours and the subsequent hours afterwards. These were people who were going about their ordinary Halloween business. There were decorations across the household. As a result of thuggery, they were put out of their home. These people were IPAS applicants. They are waiting and biding their time to see if they have a right to remain in the State.”
“It is a sector that, as the Minister said, produces €1.9 billion in the economy, and that is a fraction of what its potential could be if we were to incorporate and recognise the importance of having “Irish” on a label and recognise tillage farmers’ contribution to that premium Irish produce that is sold across the world. I thank the Minister but I stress we must do more not just today but in the years to come.”
“I thank the Minister for the support. I have attended the meetings, particularly the one in Naas. I thank him and the Ministers of State for their support of the agricultural community. As he said in his opening statement, it is a very significant sector of our economy. It supplies 11,000 jobs, but let us not forget it goes wider than that, into our rural communities. It provides jobs at our local shops and teaching posts in our rural schools. It is the essence that builds on communities and the very rural communities we strive day in, day out to help survive and thrive.”
“They say they have educated their children and sent them out into the world, yet there is nothing for them to come back to. That is our responsibility. We talk about schemes, CAP reform and Mercosur but we also have to talk about the intergenerational aspect and how farming is passed on. It might seem a little separate from statements on tillage, but I have spoken to the Minister about how necessary it is to look at the concept of the young farmer and how, when we talk about our sons and daughters, perhaps we should be looking at the next generation, the grandchildren. Sometimes the father rubs up against the son and very often it is the grandchild who shows the true interest. However, the way we have devised things means that grandchild is shut out of reaping the benefits of any incentives or tax schemes we have. This must be addressed.”
“When they talk about producing for future generations, they want to have the confidence to talk to their sons and daughters and even their grandchildren and tell them farming is worth doing. Farming is not just a job. It is not a career. It is the closest thing you will get to being a priest or a nun these days. It is a vocation. It is for the love of the land that we do it. I say that as the daughter of a farmer. We go back six generations, if I am not mistaken. It was never about making money. It was about sustaining the land, keeping the land in the family and passing it on to the next generation. While we put these schemes in place, we must look further than that. Very often when a farmer has talked to me, they have wondered why they would ask their son or daughter to go into the land if there is nothing there for them.”
“While they recognise the importance of this scheme, they also recognise that in order to be sustainable, we must address the issues head-on and continuously. We must offer them solutions where they get value for money for the crops they sow and harvest, whether it is for cattle feed or the production of whiskey and food items. We must work alongside them to ensure they can achieve those goals. This has been a primary concern for them over the last number of years. They continue to sow and harvest but they rarely reap the benefits. We need to work with them not just today or in six months. They do not want a scheme that lasts for one year, meaning they have to come cap in hand once again the next year. When we talk about CAP reform, they want to see a reform that will embrace them, not shut them out.”
“I thank the Minister for the support he has offered to farmers since taking up the role. I have spent many a day and many an hour discussing the issues facing farmers and I thank him for the support, especially for the farmers of County Louth. In his opening statement, the Minister addressed the issues and challenges facing tillage farmers in particular. These include downward pricing, the cost of land and the increasing costs they have to face in order to produce as much as they do year in and year out. We have seen a lower yield from spring crops compared with winter crops. The schemes that have been introduced and the ones that have been kept are therefore very much welcomed by tillage farmers in particular. Tillage farmers are proud people. They rarely come cap in hand looking for supports.”
“Very often in those circumstances, even though the widow's or widower's pension is welcome, it does not sufficiently fill the gap that was not there when there were two household incomes. We need to fill that gap because if we are giving half of one and half of the other, we are still back to square one. I see no reason why, if somebody is back at work making their PRSI contributions, they are not entitled to the illness benefit. I am delighted to hear that the Minister, Deputy Calleary, will look into this and review it. I firmly hope he will address and resolve it.”
“I thank the Minister of State. In fact, I welcome the widening of the eligibility in regard to who does and does not qualify for a widow's pension. That, in itself, was an anomaly that was highlighted through a campaign in the press due to that widower. Let us reflect for a moment on the fact that, as the Minister of State said, if somebody is in receipt of a reduced widow's pension, they may also be entitled to a reduced illness benefit so that the combined sum reaches the maximum rate of illness benefit they would otherwise be entitled to. That, in itself, is not sufficient. It does not address the fact that due to tragic circumstances, be it illness or whatever, a household often goes from earning two incomes to earning only one.”
“This woman in particular, having done everything right and despite all the odds, goes back to work tries to provide for her family is left in circumstances where she is clearly falling below the poverty line, yet is not entitled to anything. Surely in a system that is fair and proportionate we can revise that rule and ensure that when this happens we as a Government are there for people in these circumstances.”
“After a period of having to deal with everything that is involved in those circumstances and having to tend to her children's needs, she went back to work. Unfortunately, after a number of months the same woman fell ill herself and had to take time off work to take care of herself. Because she was in receipt of a widow's pension, she was not entitled to illness benefit. I find this grossly unfair and it is a gap that we need to resolve. If it is not traumatic enough that a family has to go through the death of a partner and in the event that the surviving partner falls ill , which while it might be uncommon, is not rare, that partner is now putting their own family circumstances into fierce financial hardship.”
“I wish to discuss the rule that excludes widows and widowers from receiving illness benefit solely because they are in receipt of a widower's pension, notwithstanding the fact that they have returned to work and are paying all of their PRSI contributions. The Minister of State will be aware that illness benefit is a contribution-based process. If somebody has returned to work and has made their PRSI payments, and then through unfortunate circumstances has to leave work because of an illness, I do not see any reason they should not be entitled to an illness benefit. There is nothing like a cold, hard case to drive home a point so let me underline a case in my constituency. There was a young woman who at the age of 30 lost her husband through tragic circumstances.”
“As my colleague in the Social Democrats pointed out, they have a team behind them who are very often not paid or have to take time off. We were recently approached by a member of Kate O'Connor's team who said they had had to take a leave of absence from work, which was not paid, in order to help Kate in her pursuit of a medal. This also needs to be addressed.”
“The second blip, and I am quite sure Deputy Byrne will bring this up if she has not done so before, is that the Drogs need a home. They were the two that were left out, for whatever reason, last year and they must be addressed. We have a Drogheda issue and a Dundalk issue, one soccer and the other GAA, but both bring a huge contribution not just to the children of the town but also to the children of the rural areas. I ask the Minister of State to please address those issues. While I am on my feet, I have to say we have inspirational sports people in County Louth, such as Eve McCrystal on cycling, Amy Broadhurst in boxing and the fierce Kate O'Connor, who recently was so good to bring home a silver medal. These ladies have struggled when facilities were not there.”
“There is no denying the benefits of sport for our mental and physical health. Our boys and girls across Louth, as Deputy McGreehan has said, have benefited from a vast amount of sports capital grants. However, there are two blips in that horizon at present. One is that Louth does not have a county GAA stadium. Deputy McGreehan has rightly pointed out that we are all 100% behind the missing funding that is needed to complete the stadium. It is a place where we can bring communities, young boys and young girls, together. They are missing a small portion after a huge amount of fundraising. I too urge the Minister of State to make up that shortfall for funding so Louth can be a county with its own GAA stadium. It is the only county in Ireland that does not have a stadium.”
“If we do not, the expense and need will continue to grow. I ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, take this on board, particularly in the context of the upcoming budget.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I hope it reassures principals, teachers, SNAs and, in particular, parents, because this has been an issue, as the Minister of State said, which has worried hundreds if not thousands of people across the country. I am particularly thankful that the NCSE will be contacting schools in the coming days to clarify the position because, while I appreciate the reply, I am not sure how many people are tuned into Oireachtas TV. Despite our best efforts to reply to everybody, literally hearing it from the horse's mouth would have more value than anything else. While I am still on my feet, I would like to advocate for early intervention. The earlier we can get care and assistance to our children the less need they will have for it later. We really have to focus on a model of early intervention.”
“I accept that very often, circulars and guidelines can be misread, misconstrued or interpreted in one way or another. I am here asking for clarity about these guidelines. The query, first and foremost, we have received is whether this will result in job insecurity for SNAs. Will the care for those daughters and sons who are currently receiving it be diminished in any sense? Is there a risk that their child in the school setting will no longer receive care? There are indications in people’s interpretation of these guidelines that the criteria will be stricter and it will be harder to access an SNA. That is hugely concerning for any parent. I would welcome any clarity on the issue.”
“I wish to discuss the NCSE’s new guideline review. In the last three days, my office has been inundated with emails and the telephone lines have been choked by calls from concerned parents, principals and SNAs. The guidelines have actually sowed confusion among the school community and among parents. As a parent myself, I consider it a huge privilege to be able to give my son the best education and to meet his needs how and where possible so when I get concerns from other parents, SNAs, teachers and principals on the education they will be able to give their children and pupils and their concerns about meeting the needs of the pupils and their sons and daughters, I am sure the Minister of State will agree, it is a huge concern to us all.”
“Deputies Paula Butterly and Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the NCSE's SNA review process and the 2025-26 allocation guidelines. The matters raised by Deputies Mark Wall, Paul Murphy, Paula Butterly and Darren O'Rourke, and Malcolm Byrne have been selected for discussion”
“Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss funding challenges for LauraLynn and the lack of children's pallative care nationally. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the new guidelines for SNA reviews for 2025-26. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss capacity issues at University Hospital Limerick. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss the need for outdoor sports facilities in Dublin 1. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss adequate funding for the Irish language. Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss financial support for a neurorehabilitation unit in Cork. Deputies Louis O'Hara and Claire Kerrane - To discuss maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the establishment of the national office on artificial intelligence.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Grace Boland - To discuss the national fare structure for train fares announced by the NTA. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the distribution of the shingles vaccines for the over-66 population. Deputy Mark Wall - To discuss the lack available childcare places in Kilcullen, County Kildare. Deputy Ruth Coppinger - To discuss the 3011 school bus route. Deputy Paula Butterly - To discuss the NCSE's SNA review process and the 2025-26 allocation guidelines. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss waiting lists for speech and language therapy in CHO 9. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the closure of the local training initiative in Youghal, County Cork.”
“This is absolutely shocking because while she is there and from the time she can no longer stay there, the man who perpetrated violence against her is sleeping in a comfortable bed in his own home. She is potentially homeless. As Deputy Ahern said, there is a silent homeless and the silent homeless are these women and children. I urge that we continue to invest in Cuan. I have no doubt in the coming months and maybe years, budget restraints will mean the Minister has to consider very strongly where he puts money and into which services. There cannot be budget restraints or cuts when it comes to tackling the issue of domestic violence. We need to protect our children and we need our children to be educated in order that they can speak out and we can end this brutal cycle.”
“However, we also need to strengthen trust in the system. It is still shocking when I hear on the radio or read in the press about a victim who has come forward and said they feel let down or not heard by the system. It has brought some comfort to me to listen to the unity in the Chamber today as we call for improved services across the board for these offences. Women very often feel left alone and isolated. My constituency office is no different from any other in the country and is inundated with calls about how we can help as politicians. A young woman recently came to us who has two young children and at the moment has accommodation in one of the refuges in County Louth. That is the only place she can call home with her two children, both of whom are under two years of age.”
“Domestic violence continues to impact thousands of lives in our communities. The need for support services has never been greater. The Minister recently said that Ireland has a very big problem when it comes to domestic violence. Cases have risen dramatically. In my constituency of Louth, we have seen a 52% increase over five years and nearly 27% of an increase between 2023 and 2024. I welcome the Minister’s announcement of the €3.2 million funding call to expand domestic, gender-based and sexual violence supports and indeed his firm and genuine commitment to continue with the work initiated by his predecessor, Deputy McEntee. This funding will form part of a record €67 million provided for Cuan in budget 2025. It will allow us to target access to trauma-informed care and build long-term safety and resilience for survivors.”
“It has had a town plan - Ardee 2040 - which is hobbling along. Tourism will play a huge role in raising Ardee to its rightful status as an important town in County Louth. I ask the Minister one last time for a specific strategy to help those towns reach their potential.”
“I welcome the Minister’s announcement about the all-island food strategy because ten or 15 years ago, County Cork focused on food producers and people flocked there to try a bit of Clonakilty pudding and all the beautiful delights that county could offer. Indeed, many a weekend has been spent flying back from Italy to head to Cork because it was so deliciously delightful. The same can be said about Connemara. We have wonderful food producers there who have brought tourists to the area. Let us not forget that Louth is no less than any of these counties. We have the Boyne Valley and producers not just of food. We also have distilleries that make whiskey, beer and even gin. We will not be found wanting when it comes to offering hospitality to any visitors who arrive in the county. I refer to places that do not have a hotel such as Ardee.”
“I thank the Minister for those updates. I look forward to welcoming those extra visits to County Louth now that the cap will be lifted. When it comes to County Louth, I will never shy away from broadcasting and promoting the county. Indeed, as people arrive in Dublin Airport and head to the north east, I have a vision of seeing Drogheda as the welcoming mat for County Louth. Without a shadow of a doubt it is the biggest town in Ireland, followed closely by Dundalk. With its coastal beauty, heritage and historical value, it is a place many tourists would love to come and stay in, and not just visit for the day.”
“We have Ardee, Clogherhead, and importantly the most historic town of Drogheda, with hundreds of years of historical value. There are areas in Ireland that need specific attention and a specific strategy backed by Government in co-ordination with the local authorities and also private enterprise. I never believe that one person can do things alone. It is always a united front. Can we see specific strategies for those who are not yet up to speed?”
“It is about the person who offers a service such as kayaking, a visit or a little bit of agri-tourism. It affects thousands of other spin-off industries. There are also gaps in where this tourism is working and where it is not. In County Louth, perhaps because we have in the past attracted business more so than tourism, the local authority might not have seen tourism as a significant sector in which to invest. County Louth really is a hidden beauty in Ireland and is only 35 minutes from Dublin Airport. Too often, we see people getting into their rental cars at Dublin Airport and heading south, west or into the midlands, the Minister's area. We do not see enough of them heading towards the north east. I would like to see that addressed. We have many beautiful areas. Carlingford is starting to show itself not just to Ireland but overseas.”
“On trips abroad to New York and in Italy, I have seen the remarkable work of Fáilte Ireland in promoting Ireland and bringing tourists here. I also have to compliment the agency on the funding it gives local authorities through the regional development initiatives to harness and increase the shoulder season, which is now proving to be a lifeline for many businesses. Let me go back to where the challenges are. Now more than ever, it is important to bring together the roles of enterprise and tourism. We know there are challenges around VAT and I believe we are going to address them. There are challenges around the cost of living and hopefully we will be able to support the businesses in their endeavours. It is not just about hotel beds or hospitality.”
“It is no secret that the tourism industry is one of our most valuable indigenous sectors. Over the decades, it has reached every corner of Ireland, providing jobs and opening our communities to the world, not just other parts of Ireland. It is no secret, however, that over the last number of years the sector has been struggling and has had challenges. It has faced these challenges remarkably well considering what we have been through - Brexit, Covid and the cost of living. However, these challenges persist. The barometer indicates that things so far in 2025 have been quite flat. The sector, which is eternally optimistic, predicts that things may not be as bad as it thought and we might just finish where we were in 2024. Initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East have provided incredible marketing.”
“I welcome all of these changes but I will go back to the issue. These children are under 16 years of age and have severe disabilities. Their parents and carers are put to the pin of their collar both financially and emotionally. Allowing them a free travel pass would not only ease the financial burden, but ease the transition. As I was saying previously, this is particularly the case in urban areas. It is no good to anybody in a rural area because we do not have a sufficient transport system. This should be a priority for the next budget. I urge the Minister to consider it.”