Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“We can tell a great deal about the strength of a rural community by the services that remain at its heart. If the school is open, the local shop is trading, the GAA club is thriving and the post office is still there, that community has a bright future. That is why this Bill matters.”
“Fianna Fáil has always believed that people should not have to leave rural Ireland to enjoy the same quality of public services as those living elsewhere. Balanced regional development means investing in the infrastructure that allows people to live, work, raise families and grow older in the communities that they love.”
“It recognises the pressures created by declining mail volumes, rising costs and changing consumer habits, while giving An Post the opportunity to continue modernising and developing the network for the future. However, this should not simply be about maintaining what we have.”
“For many older people, those living alone and those who are less comfortable with digital services, the post office remains their most trusted connection with the State and that role should never be underestimated. Rural Ireland has faced enormous changes over recent decades.”
“For people living with Friedreich's ataxia time is something they simply do not have. Every delay means more mobility lost, more speech lost and more independence taken away.”
“Like previous speakers, I raise the issue of teacher losses. I am asking for the intervention of the Tánaiste regarding Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Slieverue, County Kilkenny, where the incoming junior infants class for September 2026 is expected to consist of 34 children taught by a single teacher following the loss of a teach…”
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“We need to update them and we need to do it now. This Bill demonstrates that renewable energy can be developed in a way that protects rural Ireland, strengthens public trust and delivers real benefits to those living closest to the turbines. It balances Ireland's climate goals with the rights of communities to fair treatment, meaningful involvement and proper consultation. This Bill is not about stopping wind energy but it is about doing it right. Communities deserve protection, transparency and a fair share of the benefits. Supporting this Bill means supporting rural Ireland, local democracy and responsible renewable development.”
“There was no such thing as Instagram, WhatsApp or TikTok. Technological advancements have rocketed in this time but the wind energy guidelines have stayed static and have not evolved. We cannot lose sight, or ever forget, that communities are at the heart of this. In towns and villages like Kilmanagh, Tullaroan, Ballycallan, Castlewarren, Dungarvan, Castlebanny, Ballynalacken, Ballyfasy, Oldleighlin and Seskin, all in my own constituency, the people of those communities are all seriously worried and concerned. My view is simple: the guidelines must protect families and communities, first, through strictly increased setback distances; second, through noise regulation; and third, through the flicker regulation. Only then can we provide the renewables. We cannot continue to regulate modern monsters with obsolete laws.”
“To start, I commend Deputy Stanley for bringing forward this Bill and the huge work that has gone into it so far. The current wind energy guidelines date back to 2006 and in my view, they are, put simply, not fit for purpose. In 2006, wind turbines were 80 m high. Today, in Carlow and Kilkenny, communities are fighting applications against 180 m industrial structures using rules from almost 20 years ago. To put this size in context, it is the equivalent of four Croke Park stadiums stacked on top of each other. Four Croke Parks stacked on top of each other. These are absolutely massive, monstrous structures. It does not make sense to me that the Department is applying rules from 20 years ago to 2025 technology. To put it another way, 20 years ago, there was no such thing as Facebook. It was just after being launched.”
“This morning, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Commissioner McGrath. I welcome the positive news that the European Commission has recommended the extension of the nitrates derogation. I acknowledge the Minister's role in fighting for Ireland. I said numerous times that we as a country were going to have to go into the trenches on the nitrates derogation, and we did. The devil will be in the detail. That will be made available over the next couple of weeks. However, this gives a bit of clarity and certainty to farmers. We do not know the specifics yet. It has been well received out in the community and by farmers whom I spoke to this morning. It is important to acknowledge the Minister's role, the Commissioner's role, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach. It has been a united effort. Everybody has been on the same page.”
“That said, consumers may now be reluctant to buy poultry products, given what has been said in the media. Has the Minister considered that there may be a decline in the number of consumers buying poultry or a fall in the numbers of Christmas turkeys ordered this year? Will the Minister consider a compensation scheme for those farmers who are impacted by this?”
“The Minister will be aware that the financial loss will not just be limited to those farmers who have unfortunately had their flocks culled. As these outbreaks are confirmed to be highly pathogenic avian influenza, there are restrictions on poultry, poultry products and eggs from within the 3 km restriction zone and 10 km surveillance zone in respect of both the EU and UK markets. A total of 94% of our poultry exports by value - around €280 million - are to the EU and UK markets. Will the Minister make provision for compensation to be payable to farmers who lose access to their export markets in this current outbreak? The currently held advice is that consuming poultry or eggs from an infected animal once cooked does not pose a risk to public health.”
“We have to invest in the greyhound industry and we have to invest in the horse racing industry. We have superstars like Rachael Blackmore and Willie Mullins. Are people really proposing not investing in these sectors which support 30,000 jobs? I will not sit in here and listen to lectures from people who do not have a clue about rural Ireland.”
“As we approach the 80th anniversary, I encourage all people in Carlow, Kilkenny and surrounding counties to come and visit Kilkenny greyhound track and see everything it has to offer. I also take the opportunity here to acknowledge the significant contribution Gowran Park racecourse, led by its general manager Eddie Scally, makes to the local economy and community. It is one of Ireland's leading racecourses and it boasts Thyestes Day and Red Mills Day as two of its marquee events. I invite both Ministers - the Minister of State, Deputy Healy Rae, and the Minister, Deputy Heydon - to come down to Gowran Park and Kilkenny greyhound track. They will have an unbelievable experience. They will be met by the hospitality of the people there, the people from rural Ireland, whom I represent and who will welcome them with open arms.”
“I acknowledge and thank the previous Minister for agriculture, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, who allocated over €1 million for the Kilkenny dog track last year to upgrade facilities. The facilities for patrons were desperately in need of upgrade and a €1 million investment by Government has upgraded the stadium with absolute top-class facilities. The track itself is renowned for its racing surface but the facilities for the large numbers attending races there were in need of major upgrade and that has been done. I had the pleasure of attending Kilkenny greyhound track. I do not know if any of the other speakers have been at the track before but I had the pleasure of attending it last Friday night. It was absolutely top class.”
“All of us in Fianna Fáil absolutely welcome this debate and fully support the motion. The only difficulty I have with it is that I wish an awful lot more money was being put into the greyhound and horse racing industries. I have never heard as much horse manure in my life than what I heard from some of the previous speakers who obviously do not have a clue about rural Ireland. They do not have a bull's notion about the impact and the vital role in the rural and regional economy provided by the greyhound industry and the horse racing industry. The horse and greyhound industries should be recognised for the considerable contribution they make to rural economic activity and employment in all corners of the country.”
“The difference that this particular campus will make to Kilkenny City Vocational School and to Coláiste Pobail Osraí, a campus for over 1,000 students in Kilkenny city, which has a growing population, will be absolutely massive. I implore the Minister of State to highlight the issue and fast-track this project, get the announcement out to the principals of the schools and allow the shovels into the ground so that these projects can start and these schools and the school community can benefit as soon as possible.”
“I thank the Minister of State. For seven years, I was chairman of the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board. Approximately six years ago, we got word that there was to be a new Kilkenny City Vocational School and that a new Gaelcholáiste in Kilkenny for those who want to be taught through the medium of Irish was going to begin its journey. These were to be two new schools in a campus project on a brand-new greenfield site. This particular project has been stuck at stage 2b for the last number of months. In other words, we are ready to go. Everything has been done. We just need the nod from the Department so we can get shovels in the ground and get this project started.”
“If the Minister of State does not mind me saying it, they are probably even older than himself. It is in a shocking condition. We need investment in these schools, but for some reason, things have seemed to be getting stuck at the stage 2b. This is a huge concern and huge worry for schools. Coláiste Abhainn Rí in Callan, Borris College, St. Mary's CBS in Carlow, Duiske College in Graiguenamanagh and Scoil Mhuire National School in Mooncoin are all ready to go. The students and parents deserve it. I implore the Minister of State to do his best to try to get these programmes fast-tracked and to give a timeline for delivery.”
“The emphasis on education that this Government and the Irish people have is absolutely unbelievable and fantastic, but we need a timeline for delivery. In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, there are about 15 different projects that are stalled at the moment. It is not good enough. Education is the heartbeat of this country and it has meant this country has been able to thrive and prosper on national and international stages. We need to make sure we have top-class infrastructure and facilities for our students to go to. I visited a school last week with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan. It was Duiske College in Graiguenamanagh. It is a fantastic school and the heartbeat of that rural area. There are, however, prefabs in that school that are older than myself.”
“I just want to join my Oireachtas colleagues from the south east on the significance and the importance of both the N24 and N25 and in bringing it to the next stage. It is a massive issue. It is a corridor from Rosslare Harbour from Belview right cross to Cork and over to Limerick. I want to thank the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, for his engagement with myself and other Oireachtas colleagues in trying to get this project over the line. I look forward to seeing announcements today and in the coming weeks. Specifically, I want to speak about the delays in the schools building programme. Before I say anything, I will start by paying tribute to all of the school community - the teachers, the principals, the parents and the ancillary staff.”
“In order for this village to grow and in order to help the schools, the GAA clubs, the pubs and the shops, we need this wastewater treatment upgraded. I implore the Minister to do everything he can to get this treatment plant upgraded as soon as possible and as a massive priority for this Government.”
“I want to raise the village of Inistioge in County Kilkenny. I am not sure if the Minister is familiar with it. It is the most picturesque village in Kilkenny, if not in the country. It is home to the great Eddie Keher, one of the greatest hurlers of all time, it is home to the fantastic Woodstock gardens and arboretum, a national treasure and a gem in the south east, and it has hosted numerous films down through the years, such as "Circle of Friends", to name just one. However, that village is being strangled at the moment because there is a lack of infrastructure there, and there is a huge issue regarding the wastewater treatment plant, which absolutely needs to be upgraded. It has been on the Irish Water and Kilkenny County Council list for the past number of years. It has been ranked second but demoted to fourth and to fifth.”
“I understand that fish life is important, but what about the lives of Johnny and Mary, living in a house that has been flooded? The people in Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Inistioge are going to bed at night from November to March wondering if their houses will be flooded come the morning.”
“We are now in November 2025, and we have not even gone for planning permission yet. It is anticipated that the planning process will take two years. Construction will then start at the end of 2028, with a two-year timeframe for completion. That just gives an example of the length of time these projects are taking.”
“Last week, we saw serious disruption for towns and villages like Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh, Inistioge and Freshford, which are currently faced with significant backlogs for the implementation of effective flood relief schemes. I acknowledge there has been extensive consultations with local communities to achieve a solution that satisfies those communities and the needs of the local environment. However, the delivery has been delayed far too long. The conversation needs to move to action. It is all about implementation and delivering effective solutions for these communities at risk. Let me give the Taoiseach a brief example. In Graiguenamanagh, my own town, there was a major flood issue in 2016. In 2018, funding was announced. In 2020, a design team was assigned.”
“As we navigate the complexities of international trade, let us ensure that any agreements made serve to strengthen, not weaken, our agricultural sector.”
“The prospect of increased imports of cheaper agricultural products from South America could drive down prices and threaten the sustainability of our farms. We have to advocate, in particular at LEADER level at this stage, for strong safeguards, higher standards, compensation and support, and transparency and consultation. It is a very specific measure in the programme for Government that Ireland will stand by like-minded EU countries to defend our farmers and to oppose any Mercosur agreement that does not deliver binding commitments on climate, biodiversity, deforestation and fair production standards. In conclusion, I call on the Government to stand up for Irish farmers, to stand up for our farmers right around the country, to stand up for our farmers in Carlow and Kilkenny, because they deserve our protection and support.”
“I welcome every farming organisation here this evening. I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on an issue that lies at the heart of our rural communities, the Mercosur trade agreement, and how we are going to ensure the protection of Irish farmers. As everybody in this room knows, farming is not just a job; it is a way of life for many in Ireland. Our farmers work tirelessly to produce high-quality food while adhering to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards. However, the proposed Mercosur deal raises significant concerns about how it could impact their livelihoods. While we recognise the potential economic opportunities that could arise from opening new markets, we have to be clear that our farmers cannot bear the weight of this agreement if it puts their livelihoods at risk. This is a non-negotiable.”
“In 2025, we had the highest number of deportation orders in Ireland in over 20 years. I welcome the work of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, on deportation orders, including an operation to Georgia this week, thereby ensuring that abuses of the system will not be tolerated. We need a fair and efficient system for everyone.”
“We welcome the drive from the Government and the wider EU to implement an efficient and faster processing time of 12 weeks under the EU migration and asylum pact, which will be introduced in June 2026. The current process is lengthy, including 14 months for first-instance decisions and 13 months for appeal. As I said, increased efficiency will ensure that Irish citizens can maintain trust in the State to implement a just immigration process and guarantee a robust, rules-based enforcement of legal systems. What Irish citizens want to see is efficiency, transparency, ready access to information and value for taxpayer money. This Government wants to combat the sense of powerlessness for applications stuck in the system and for our Irish citizens who are confronted with disinformation.”
“The waiting times are not acceptable for vulnerable international protection applicants or for Irish citizens who believe in a just legal system. The median processing time for cases in early 2023 was almost two years. What is most important is that we deliver a fair and efficient immigration system. Notwithstanding that, we must acknowledge the geopolitical challenges and our unique position in the EU to help. We must ensure that those who are entitled to protection are processed more qucikly and with efficiency, transparency and respect. As a country, we cannot tolerate abuses of the system, such as misleading authorities or destroying documents. We cannot have any tolerance for asylum shopping.”
“The Government has dealt with unprecedented numbers of international protection applicants in recent years, following a decade of geopolitical instability. Ireland strives to maintain a robust, rules-based system for all and to ensure that our citizens are protected through the appropriate enforcement of our borders. It is this Government's utmost priority to ensure that all those who arrive at our doorstep are treated with dignity and respect. We acknowledge the difficult journey that many asylum applicants make to arrive at our borders, fleeing war and enduring treacherous voyages. Therefore, each applicant should be treated fairly and in an appropriate length of time. However, we can also acknowledge the pressure that the high numbers of applications have put on the IPO, particularly since 2022.”
“However, this is a new chapter for both these schools We are looking forward to their development and to welcoming students into new buildings in the not-too-distant future.”
“I will speak about the construction of two brand-new multi-storey school buildings for the new post-primary schools, Kilkenny City Vocational School and Coláiste Pobail Osraí. These two schools have to be priority projects. Due to increasing numbers, the situation in these schools is unsustainable. They are currently under pressure to provide for existing and future student needs. The next phase of this project will be to release the funding and appoint the contractor. I hope - please God - that in a short time we will be turning the sod, which will make it real for people on the ground. I acknowledge that €6 billion has been invested in schools nationally in the past five years and I welcome the July announcement of a further €7.5 billion for the Department of Education and Youth under the national development plan.”
“For a €500 reduction this time to bring the fees down to €2,500 is a positive and permanent step. These are the types of measures the Government needs to take; not the one-off measures that were put in over recent years. We need these permanent measures that will give families reassurance and confidence that they will know where things are at on a year-on-year basis.”
“I appeal to him and the Garda Commissioner to ensure that as many of the new gardaí as possible are spread outside of Dublin city centre, Cork and Limerick. We want them in rural areas, such as Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh, Borris, Goresbridge and other areas in Kilkenny and Carlow. That is important. We need additional gardaí in rural areas as much as our city counterparts need them. On higher education, I acknowledge there was a series of one-off measures over the past two years, including the €1,000 college fees. That was welcome respite at the time. However, those were temporary measures. I reiterate this is the first budget in a five-step process. We are moving into a fiscal space where we can reduce the fees on an annual basis, going forward.”
“I will be calling for the infrastructure of towns and villages, including the likes of Inistioge, Graiguenamanagh, Bennettsbridge and Piltown, to be prioritised to enable them to grow and prosper into the future. Everybody deserves to feel safe in their communities and homes. I acknowledge the impact that the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, has had since he took up the mantle. I absolutely welcome the appointment of 1,000 additional members to be allocated to the Garda force in 2026. That will be huge in terms of building up the numbers. Everybody wants to see gardaí on the beat because that is what makes them feel safe. This is a step in the right direction. I acknowledge the work of the Minister.”
“They have made a difference and will continue to make a difference. I will continue to lobby as hard as possible to get that funding increased in the coming years. I will stick to discussing funding on the infrastructure side. Some €12.2 billion has been set aside for water and wastewater infrastructure. That is vital to improving the housing situation. There are blockages right around the country. In my constituency, towns and villages cannot grow because the infrastructure is not there. They are completely strangled. While there are other towns and villages where the infrastructure is in place and which have the ability to prosper, thrive and grow, others cannot. More funding has been made available.”
“The work they do is fantastic and I am delighted that additional SNAs will come into the system in 2026, along with an additional 1,000 teachers and 860 new special education teachers. This Government has made a priority of ensuring that those who most need help will get it and that is to be welcomed. Huge investment of €7 billion was announced in the budget for housing. There are two particular grants that are enormously popular and that have been increased by €130 million. Those are the housing adaptation grant and the housing aid for older people grant. These grants make a difference to vulnerable people, older people and those who need help. Anything that the Government can do to increase that number must continue to be done in the coming years. This is step one of a five-step process. Those grants make a difference.”
“This is a really positive step in the right direction and it has been welcomed by people right around the country, particularly in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. One massive positive in the budget on the services side was the investment in education. I am not just talking about the infrastructural investment in our roads, education and facilities but real-life investment. For example, the additional 1,717 new SNAs will bring the total number of SNAs in the scheme to approximately 25,000 nationally. That is a record. When I was chairman of Kilkenny-Carlow ETB, I saw at first hand the impact and positive contributions made by SNAs at every school across the country.”
“I welcome the statements on the budget. Like others, I recognise that this is the first of five budgets in this cycle. The key premise and most important thing about this budget is that it is about safeguarding the economy and protecting jobs. That is central to us having the most high-functioning economy in the whole of Europe. That had to underpin any decisions that were made. Previous speakers mentioned the carer's allowance disregard, which was increased to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple. That will make a huge difference and will bring a huge number of people into the band of carers. That must be welcomed. I make no apologies for lobbying as hard as I possibly could to get the income disregard increased as much as possible, with a view to getting to a stage where we do not have any means-testing on carers.”
“I would be very supportive of requiring Irish whiskey to be made with grain grown in Ireland. I acknowledge there are challenges in terms of the amount of grain we produce but it should be looked at. This would seem an obvious way to support the struggling tillage sector, along with homes, families and farmers in Thomastown, Myshall, Ballinkillen, Castlecomer, Kells, Stonyford, Kilmacow, Gowran and Lisdowney, to mention a couple of places where the tillage sector is strong in my constituency.”
“There were mutterings earlier in the year about the intention to reopen the technical files on Irish whiskey. Currently, Irish whiskey is defined as "A spirit distilled on the Island of Ireland ... from a mash of malted cereals with or without whole grains of other cereals". By this definition, there is no requirement to use Irish grain in the production of Irish whiskey. In my constituency, we have a fantastic distillery, Ballykeefe Distillery, which is all home-grown in Kilkenny. It is a fantastic enterprise. What Morgan and the family do there is unbelievable. By contrast, Irish cream liqueur must contain Irish milk and English whiskey must be made with UK-grown grain. Something has to be done in that regard. I would welcome if these technical files were reopened.”
“The programme for Government specifically has a measure which states we will "Invest significantly in the tillage sector over five years to maintain and grow the sector". I acknowledge the recent budget was budget one of five. I understand the constraints within the fiscal situation we find ourselves in, but we need to find more money for the agricultural sector and the tillage sector. While I do not wish to take away from other sectors one bit, I stress that the tillage sector needs to be protected and looked after. There is a specific measure in the programme for Government which states we will "Examine facilities for processing of Irish crops and explore openings for oilseed and milling wheat processing." That is definitely an area we can explore and where there can be big wins. I will speak specifically about Irish whiskey.”
“The sector faces huge input prices, competition for land against other sectors and low global markets. Budget 2026 provided funding of at least €50 million to the tillage sector. This will be channelled through various schemes. These measures will help to support tillage farm incomes and provide a strong base to protect the future of tillage farming, in particular young tillage farmers. Last night in questions to the Minister for agriculture, I welcomed his intention to consult the various stakeholders on the design and operation of a new tillage scheme in due course. I look forward to engagement with the Minister in relation to that. I ask that our younger farmers be to the forefront of any negotiations and conversations.”
“I welcome these statements on the tillage sector. I know first hand that the tillage sector is a vital part of the agrifood sector. I see it where I am from in places like Paulstown, Danesfort, Callan, Tullaroan, Ballyragget, Mooncoin and Graiguenamanagh, where the tillage sector is as vibrant as ever. It contributes over €1.3 billion annually to the Irish economy yet the sector is in decline. The area under tillage has decreased by 40% in 40 years. According to the IFA, the recent decline in area can be principally attributed to a reduction in cereal production, which has dropped by 50,000 ha since 2012. Ireland now has one of the lowest percentages of land devoted to arable cropping in the EU, at a little over 6% of the utilisable agricultural area.”
“I ask that the Minister and his Department take into consideration the financial side but also the emotional side to make sure the correct supports are in place for farmers who have a positive indicator and TB in their herds.”
“Irish farmers and agrifood companies produce world class products to the highest international standards of food safety and quality. Our food safety and traceability systems continue to be recognised as among the very best in the world and are critical to supporting the export of our produce across the globe. In my part of the country in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny, I have spoken to many concerned farmers and representatives of farming organisations. Like in other parts of the country, we have seen significant increases in TB detection. Herds have been impacted right throughout the island. These are very dramatic figures but it is also a very emotive issue. The Minister says that a confirmed case of TB brings emotional turmoil, but also financial turmoil to farmers who have contracted TB in their herds.”
“It is, however, imperative that while some of the extra funding is allocated to bovine TB management to tackle the disease, some of it should go to additional compensation schemes for farmers as the current scheme, with the values included in it, has outgrown its time. It is not financially acceptable or fit for purpose in the current economic environment.”
“The escalation in expenditure for the TB programme over the last number of years has been nothing short of phenomenal. There was €37 million in 2019, €43 million in 2020, €52 million in 2021, €57 million in 2022, €74 million in 2023 and €100 million in 2024. I attended a meeting of the agricultural committee last June where it was predicted that we were on track for €130 million for 2025. If the trends continue, we are on course for €160 million or €170 million in 2026. The expenditure by the State on the TB programme is massive but the herd incidence rate is also massive. I acknowledge the additional €85 million that will go towards the initiative in 2026. It will enable the roll-out of the TB action plan.”
“It was recently reported that the Department of agriculture intends to reopen the technical files on Irish whiskey. Currently, Irish whiskey is defined as a "spirit distilled on the island of Ireland ... from a mash of malted cereals, with or without whole grains of other cereals". By this definition, there is absolutely no requirement at the moment to use Irish grain in the production of Irish whiskey. Is the Minister able to confirm if the technical files will be reopened? If they are, would he be supportive of requiring Irish whiskey to be made with grain grown in Ireland? To me, this would seem an obvious way to support the struggling tillage sector.”
“This is a huge challenge and a huge problem. I acknowledge and welcome the additional supports that are going to be put in place, but more needs to be done to future-proof this sector in the short, medium and longer term.”
“I welcome the €50 million additional funding and the commitment given today that a consultation process with key stakeholders will take place. When 1,000 farmers attend a meeting, it shows that there is a problem and a big challenge in the sector. We know the tillage sector contributes €1.3 billion annually to the Irish economy, but the sector is in decline, as the Minister outlined. The area under tillage farming in Ireland has reduced by 40% in 40 years. We are not tilling as much land as we were previously. The decline, as the Minister said, is a result of numerous pressures on the sector, including high input prices, competition for land and low global grain prices. Ireland now has one of the lowest percentages of land devoted to arable cropping among EU countries, at about 6.5% of the utilisable agricultural area.”
“The tillage sector is a vital part of the agrifood sector. A series of three consecutive poor harvests has severely impacted the viability of the tillage sector in Ireland. What supports are available in budget 2026 for the sector?”
“While the Graiguenamanagh centre will serve one part of the constituency, facilities in the likes of Ballyhale and Freshford also serve huge pockets of the constituency. I seek assurances from the Minister that they will be dealt with favourably.”