Robbie Gallagher
Labour Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I want to raise an issue that I feel is having a very detrimental and suffocating effect on rural Ireland. This is the declining number of taxis available. It is so bad now that it is causing an economic bottleneck and, in my opinion, is also acting as a social barrier.”
“This is killing the night-time economy especially. People would like to go out and socialise, which we would like to see, and go out for a bite to eat or a few drinks or whatever. It is important that we encourage this type of behaviour.”
“I join others in thanking all of the staff in the campus of Leinster House for their hospitality and the manner in which they look after us all year in, year out. I say to all of my colleagues in the Chamber that I enjoy their company, perhaps not all of the time but most of the time I am glad to say.”
“I too would like to raise the urgent case of the approximately 200 people in this country who are living with Friedreich's ataxia. It is a rare and progressive condition that gradually takes away a person's mobility and independence. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition but there is hope.”
“Unfortunately, they had to turn around and head home without getting that news. Ten other EU countries have already made this treatment available but Ireland continues to wait while this progressive condition for those who have it continues.”
“I will raise an issue that affects thousands of people in this country but, in my opinion, does not get the attention it deserves. That is the shockingly poor return Irish people are getting on their savings in Irish banks.”
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“What information has the Minister of State received from the Minister that would indicate we are actively seeking to progress additional adult respite services and day services within counties Monaghan and Cavan?”
“The one in Monaghan is located on the grounds of St. Davnet's Hospital. The HSE, through HSE estates, has been very active in trying to locate another site and I understand it has identified a site that may be suitable. I am wondering what progress, if any, has been made in pushing that site on. There are some excellent providers. I know the Minister of State will be aware of them because he passes by a number of them on his travels to Donegal. One of them is Errigal Truagh Special Needs Centre, which has its own ambitious plans. They do an excellent job there. They have plans to extend the facility and we are working with them to advance that project as well. A number of others are also providing an excellent service in the county but they are stretched and additional capacity is required.”
“The other issue I raise is the concern in the county of Monaghan regarding adult disability respite services. Currently, the numbers are such that people are concerned that the service will be very limited indeed. Some people have put forward the notion that when the facility out in Urbalkirk is no longer be required as a children's respite centre, it could be used as an adult respite centre. I do not know whether that would be suitable or whether it would fit the criteria laid down by the HSE but again I am looking for confirmation as to whether it could be used, and if not, what plans the HSE has for locating much-needed additional adult respite facilities in County Monaghan. The other issue is adult day services. We have some excellent providers within the county but their services are stretched and there is a need for more.”
“They are doing an excellent job and the feedback I am getting from parents and everyone who visits the place is hugely positive. I commend everybody on that. It was meant to be a temporary facility and we were delighted that the HSE proceeded to purchase a building in Monaghan town with a view to having a permanent children's respite centre. I am glad to report that this is currently under planning with Monaghan County Council and we await that decision. Some concern has been raised, however, and people are looking for assurances that the Rainbow Lodge facility will remain operational until such time as a new purpose-built facility is up and running. If the Minister of State could give me a commitment on that this morning, it would alleviate some fears parents have voiced to me.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach ar maidin. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and I thank him for taking this Commencement even though it is not under his area of responsibility. Today, I wish to talk about the disability service for both adults and children in County Monaghan. We were delighted in November 2024 when the then Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte - now Senator - officially opened the Rainbow Lodge children's respite service in Urbalkirk, in County Monaghan. It was a development for which many parents had been fighting for many a day and we were delighted it opened up. The feedback from that facility is hugely positive under the management of Michelle Smyth and her team.”
“Be it families going about their daily business, the farming community or the business community, the only show in town for them are the local and regional roads. They are in chronic need of substantial funding. I have raised this particular issue with the new Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on a number of occasions to stress to him how important it is that when he is making his annual allocation in the next number of weeks, substantial funding will be given to both counties Monaghan and Cavan to address the chronic condition of our local and regional roads. I understand that announcement is imminent. I sincerely hope the Minister will come good on his word and that substantial funding will be given to counties Monaghan and Cavan - and elsewhere - to address the substantial condition these roads have deteriorated into.”
“I too give a big céad míle fáilte to the good ladies from Lisdoonan, County Monaghan. They are all very welcome to the Chamber. I will take today's opportunity, like I have done on a number of occasions, to raise the chronic condition of local and regional roads in both counties Monaghan and Cavan. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of substantial development and funding in the road section, the net result of which is many local roads in both Monaghan and Cavan have reached a state where they are impassable. I am sure the ladies in the audience will know exactly what I am talking about when I mention that. We in County Monaghan and County Cavan are totally dependent on the local road network. We do not have trains and we do not have a great bus service so we are totally dependent on the local roads.”
“By offering this lung check to people at higher risk, the chances of survival are much improved, naturally, and it happens in a more effective and cost-effective manner, allowing patients to receive curative treatment, rather than facing more complex and life-limiting options at a later stage. In my opinion, this initiative should be rolled out countrywide. I would welcome it if the Minister for Health would come to the House to discuss how we can roll out this initiative throughout the country. As everyone knows, early detection saves lives. It means less invasive treatment, faster recovery and a better chance of a long-term cure. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House to discuss rolling out this very worthwhile initiative at a national level.”
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this country and worldwide, killing more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer combined. I welcome a new initiative, a pilot scheme being undertaken by a number of GPs in north County Dublin and the Beaumont RCSI cancer treatment centre, which received over €4.9 million in funding from the Irish Cancer Society. The purpose of this screening programme is to identify at an early stage the signs of lung cancer so that treatment can be given at an early stage and more effective outcomes can happen as a result.”
“They include a clear statutory basis for stopping and searching persons or vehicles in public places where there is reasonable suspicion of possession of a relevant article, as defined in the legislation, along with a requirement for gardaí to make a formal record of all searches. At its core, the Bill is grounded in the principle that human rights are the foundation and the purpose of policing. It recognises that the exercise of Garda powers must be justified by the broader responsibility to protect the rights of others, balancing the rights of those suspected or accused of crime with the right of all members of society to live free from violence, abuse, crime and fear. On behalf of our political grouping, I look forward to this legislation progressing through both Houses.”
“In the Bill, legal professional privilege is recognised as absolute, while other forms of privilege, including journalistic privilege, are addressed through a structured, judicially supervised process, with provision for High Court determination where necessary. These measures reflect the fundamental importance of privilege to the administration of justice, the legal profession and the protection of press freedom. The Bill also introduces comprehensive provisions governing Garda stop-and-search powers. These provisions are designed to ensure consistency in how such powers are applied by gardaí and how they are understood by the general public.”
“In addition, the Bill places on a statutory footing the importance of existing rights and practices, including the right of persons in custody to consult a solicitor before and during Garda interviews, the electronic recording of interviews and the modernisation of the custody framework. These measures enhance procedural fairness and reflect contemporary policing standards. More broadly, the Bill gives effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which called for the consolidation and codification of powers of search, arrest and detention, supported by statutory codes of practice. By bringing together much of the existing law on police powers into a single accessible framework, the Bill improves clarity, transparency and legal certainty for gardaí and the general public alike.”
“It introduces a tailored search warrant that explicitly authorises the seizure and examination of electronic devices, ensures that judges are empowered to grant the necessary authorisations for accessing physical and digital material, and provides a statutory mechanism for the examination of devices seized without prior judicial approval. Crucially, no electronic device may be examined without appropriate judicial oversight. In line with the Landeck judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Bill also enhances the rights of individuals to be informed when authorised access is made to data on seized devices. A central feature of the Bill is the robust protection of privileged material. This is essential to maintaining public confidence and accountability in policing.”
“I welcome the Minister back to the House. We in Fianna Fáil welcome the opportunity to debate this Bill and fully support the objectives behind it. This legislation represents a significant and necessary step in modernising and consolidating Garda powers, ensuring that they are exercised within a clear, coherent and constitutionally sound statutory framework. It responds directly to recent judgments handed down by the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union that highlighted shortcomings in the existing search warrant regime and underscored the need for greater clarity, judicial oversight and procedural safeguards. The Bill strengthens and future-proofs the law governing search warrants, particularly in relation to electronic devices and digital data.”
“I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime, a copy of which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 11th December, 2025.”
“I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime, a copy of which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 11th December, 2025.”
“In conclusion, as the Minister of State knows well, there is great worry and stress in our coastal communities at the moment of the outcome of all of this and what their future holds. It is vitally important. I know the Minister of State will stand firm on behalf of the Irish Government and on behalf of the coastal communities, which, at this point in time, are deeply worried and deeply concerned for what their future holds.”
“The European Commission has confirmed that it is pursuing all technical, diplomatic and political avenues to resolve these issues and I sincerely wish it well. While fishing opportunities have been reduced, it is important to note that the Irish fleet will still have access to over 120,000 tonnes of quota in 2026. The Minister has committed to establishing a food vision 2030 working group, chaired by Mr. Michael Berkery, to develop a framework of supports for the sector, and engagement with stakeholders is ongoing. Is there a timeframe for that work to be completed? Budget 2026 provides €157.7 million to support the fisheries sector for 2026. The Government remains fully committed to defending Ireland's fishing interests, supporting coastal communities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our fishing sector.”
“Despite extensive and sustained engagement by the Minister of State with a range of other member states both in advance of and during a November and December AGRIFISH Council, a blocking minority led by France prevented their application. As a result, the Danish Presidency excluded the Hague preferences from the final compromise on fishing opportunities. Ireland made clear its strong objection to this outcome, particularly given the inconsistency in allowing this core element of relative sustainability to be blocked, while refusing to reopen discussion on another relatively sustainable issue. Ireland has consistently called for urgent EU action and this position has been repeatedly raised at the AGRIFISH Council, including in January.”
“This is an approach for which the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, has advocated for some time and will continue to pursue in defence of Ireland's fishing sector and the long-term sustainability of our seas. The Hague preferences are a long-established element of EU fisheries policy. They have been applied annually since the late 1980s to reflect Ireland's historically underdeveloped fishing fleet and the disproportionate access granted to other member states to Irish waters. When invoked, they allow additional quota to be allocated to Ireland from within the existing EU shares. For 2026, Ireland fully invoked the Hague preferences.”
“The total allowable catch for mackerel has been reduced by 70% alongside a 41% reduction in blue whiting and a 22% reduction in boarfish. Given that Ireland holds the largest share of EU quota for mackerel in the western waters area, the effects of this collapse will be felt acutely by Irish fishers and coastal communities. Ireland had consistently called for decisive action against countries that continue to overfish shared stocks. The Government has urged the European Union to send a clear and unambiguous message that practices that undermine the sustainability of shared marine resources are totally unacceptable. The AGRIFISH Council discussed the need for a co-ordinated EU response, including the potential triggering of the unsustainable fishing regulations.”
“Importantly, this €102 million reduction does not capture the wider economic impact across the seafood value chain. Fish processors, ancillary services and coastal employment are all directly affected. Members of this value chain, particularly processors dependant on pelagic species, have expressed serious concerns about the viability of their business without adequate supply of raw material from Irish vessels. The outcomes of the December AGRIFISH Council will result in severely reduced fishing opportunities in 2026. The scientific advice underpinning these decisions reflects in large part the impact of sustained overfishing of the mackerel stock in certain third countries. The consequences in Ireland are profound and the Minister of State has outlined that in his contribution.”
“I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, on his role to date. However, the challenges facing the industry are stark. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has published deeply concerning scientific advice for 2026 in respect of several stocks of significant importance to Ireland, including mackerel, blue whiting, boarfish and prawns. The impact of this advice became clear at the December AGRIFISH Council where fisheries opportunities for 2026 were set. These losses were further compounded by the failure to secure the Hague preferences. Bord Iascaigh Mhara's most recent analysis indicates a reduction in the value of Ireland's quotas across all stock of approximately €102 million compared with 2025. That has serious brutal impacts on our coastal community.”
“The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon. Speaking on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on inland and marine fisheries. As the Minister of State knows, Ireland's waters are among the most valuable natural resources. With a coastline of approximately 7,500 km, one of the longest in the European Union, our maritime area is central to our economy, our environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities across the country. Fianna Fáil deeply values the role of fisheries in supporting jobs, sustaining rural and coastal communities and contributing to national economic activity. This is why the Government has re-established the dedicated role of Minister of State for fisheries and the marine, ensuring focused political leadership in this vital sector.”
“I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive response to my Commencement matter. I thank his Department for the speedy way it is progressing this project, which the people of Kingscourt are hugely excited about. I commend everyone involved in this project, including Cavan County Council, the local development committees and everybody involved, along with all the political voices who have been trying to push this project forward, none more so than the local councillor, Clifford Kelly, who has been a champion for all things related to Kingscourt for many a day. I thank the Minister for his response. I hope we will be inviting him down le cúnamh Dé in 2028 for the official opening of this project.”
“We are progressing those quickly to get to a point where there is some activity on site. I am delighted the Minister is here to give me and the good people of Kingscourt an update as to when this long-awaited project will commence. Without meaning to put pressure on him, they are all looking forward to his answer.”
“In 2024, the people of Kingscourt were delighted when a funding allocation of €10.4 million was received for a regeneration project in the town centre. This was to increase the civic space within the town core, making provision for new off-street car parking, a new library and a brand new working hub with meeting spaces. This will transform the physical, economic and social landscape of Kingscourt and, as I said, residents are hugely excited about it. I commend Cavan County Council and, indeed, the local community. People have worked together, along with the officials in the Minister's Department, to progress the project. I welcome that the project has now received full planning permission to proceed. I recognise that there are a number of procedures and stages to go through.”
“I thank him and his staff for their engagement on those matters. Today, the particular project I raise is in Kingscourt, County Cavan. As the Minister knows, Kingscourt has a population of approximately 3,000 people. It is a thriving business town and a very friendly place. It has a great mix of local businesses, many of them very well known, including Gyproc, Kingspan Group, O'Reilly Precast and Paramount Doors, to name but a few. There is also a strong retail mix in the town. It has a brand new school, Coláiste Dún an Rí, with more than 700 students. It is home to Cabra Castle Hotel, which is one of the leading wedding venues in the country, as well as Dún a Rí Forest Park and the greenway stretching along the disused railway line to Nobber and Navan.”
“Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Gabhaim buíochas leis mar tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé an-ghnóthach agus faoi bhrú. The Minister is very welcome. I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here. He has a lot going on and I appreciate his time in the Chamber. The rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, is a capital investment fund that has been hugely successful. It has transformed many towns and villages the length and breadth of the country, including in counties Cavan and Monaghan, which I represent. Fortunately, we have experience of the fund and the success and new life it has breathed into many towns and villages. Indeed, there are many projects ongoing there, the progress of which I am regularly in contact with the Minister and his good staff to discuss.”
“If I took the Minister up correctly, work to find a site is ongoing at the moment. I think that is what she said. Perhaps she could clarify that for me.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and concur with her 100%. There was a very warm feeling from her visit last week. Every time I go into or come out of that school, I feel good because, as the Minister herself said, speaking to parents and hearing how the opening of that school has transformed their lives completely is a hugely positive thing. I commend everyone involved in getting this open. We look forward to the expansion to the rear, which will potentially consist of six modular units. In tandem with that, it is vitally important that we do not lose sight of the fact that this is an interim facility and that we must now seek a site somewhere in the county. I am sure there are lands available that could become the site of a purpose-built facility, which is much needed.”
“I hope the Minister will give me an update as to where we are in relation to trying to locate a site for a purpose-built special school for County Monaghan. Again, I thank her for her time. I know she spent the guts of two days in Monaghan. Her time was very much appreciated there. She discovered for herself the great work going on from an educational perspective, from teachers and parents alike and from staff of the ETB, who are working very hard to provide the best possible platform for our children to be the best they possibly can be as they grow up and become adults. I thank the Minister sincerely for her time last week.”
“With that in mind, from speaking to staff as the Minister herself did last week, everyone is anxious that in tandem with the design work for the six additional spaces, work would now continue within the county and in the ETB to try to find a site that could be used for a purpose-built facility somewhere in the county that would suit the needs not just in the short to medium term but in the long term of children with special needs in County Monaghan. This is the reason I put down this Commencement matter today, that is, to try to get an update from the Minister on what level of work has been done up to now to locate another site. The initial announcement was made with the proviso that as soon as the school was opened, the focus would then be on trying to find that site.”
“Unfortunately, the demand is ever increasing and with that in mind, I understand that the ETB is now exploring the possibility of trying to have an additional six spaces to the rear of that particular building. Design work, etc., is ongoing at the moment. As the Minister knows from her visit, the topography of the site is particularly difficult, which brings its own challenges when it comes to designing additional spaces. However, these additional spaces are needed and we very much welcome that work. When it comes to the special school in Monaghan the word being mentioned all along and when the Minister, Deputy Foley, made her decision last year was "interim". We must not lose sight of that.”
“Parents in Monaghan have been campaigning for a number of years for a special school to cater for the children of the county. Thankfully, the Minister's Cabinet colleague, Deputy Foley, selected Monaghan last year as a location for an interim special school. I very much welcome this decision. From there, in a short time, the ETB was able to pull it all together to ensure that the school opened in October 2025. As the Minister knows from last week's visit, the school is going from strength to strength with 18 children being accommodated there. Reports coming back from parents and staff are hugely positive. Everyone is pulling together and they are doing an excellent job.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach seo inniu. I thank her for taking time out of her schedule to be here. The topic I want to discuss is one I know is close to the Minister's own heart, namely, the interim special school in County Monaghan. I know that the Minister of State kindly gave up her time last week to visit that school and a number of others. The visit went down a treat so I thank her for her time there. As the Minister is aware, the parents of County Monaghan have been campaigning for a number of years for a special school for the county. Heretofore, children with special needs in both Monaghan and Cavan went to the Holy Family Special School, Cootehill, County Cavan, under the guidance there of Rachel Moynagh and her excellent staff. It is a fantastic school that is going from strength to strength.”
“As we have done in this country for many years, we need to depend on our good neighbours in the UK, who have been and are providing security for this State, the detail of which I do not have. It has been a long-running arrangement. We will need to reach out to them and colleagues in the EU to help us to get through this EU Presidency because it is a high-risk situation that we do not want to be left feeling embarrassed about. I thank the Minister for her attendance, acknowledge the work that has been done and recognise that much more needs to be done for us to have a defence system that the people of this country deserve.”
“The members of the Defence Forces have been speaking with their feet because many of them did not find it to be a recognisable, long-term occupation and those who did join found that the terms and conditions were such that, as my colleague Senator Wilson said, they could not see themselves supporting their families for a long number of years on the income they had. There has been some progress. Much more needs to be done, but I know the Minister will grasp that because what brings this all into focus is that we will take up the EU Presidency in July this year. It is a high-risk situation and one we need to be cognisant of. We will not beef up our defences within the next six months. That is not credible. It is not going to happen.”
“Retention is an important issue. There are problems that affect the members whom we need to listen to. One of those problems is the disparity in the pension entitlements for personnel who enlisted after 1994 and before 2024. That needs to be addressed. It is an issue that not only affects members of the Defence Forces but strays onto members of An Garda Síochána and the fire service as well. That is just one of many issues that need to be addressed. It is important to recognise it is a unique occupation and we need to be cognisant of that. When the representative bodies advocate on behalf of their membership, they are making legitimate claims that deserve to be listened to. They have been banging the drum for many years.”
“The recent interest in the recruitment advertising is encouraging and it is important that we, as the Government, recognises the unique role members of the Defence Forces play in their daily duty. Unlike in many other occupations, they put their lives at risk when they go about their duties and that has to be recognised as a special occupation. Therefore, it is important the Government listen to the representative bodies, PDFORRA and RACO, when they advocate on behalf of their members. I acknowledge the record budget allocation this year of almost €1.5 billion. It is welcome and needed and we look forward to that budget increasing year on year to make up for the periods of underinvestment down through the years. It is all very well recruiting people to the Defence Forces, but when we do, it is important we are able to hold on to them.”
“There have been recent changes to the terms and conditions of Defence Forces members, which are to be welcomed. Our ambition is to reach 11,500 by 2028. We have a long way to go in that regard. We are currently at a figure of approximately 7,700 so we have a lot of work to do to catch up. Again, I take this opportunity to thank both representative bodies, Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, and Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, for the excellent work they do on behalf of their members. They advocate for them and have made a good job of that. There have been welcome changes in recent times in relation to pay, the working time directive and a number of other issues that have helped the situation.”
“Unfortunately, as we all know too well, that situation has now changed dramatically and what we got away with heretofore will not cut the mustard going forward. Clearly we have a lot of time to make up on what needs to be done not to be classified as the weak link of Europe for our defence situation. If we compare ourselves with such countries as Denmark and Finland, we are a long way behind. Either Denmark or Finland's budget allocation this year was something like €7 billion. That shows that we have a long way to go in that regard. The recent goings on with Russian submarines shadowing our waters and the recent drone attack during the President of Ukraine's visit to this country highlight that we need to be on our game when it comes to the security of our island and we also have an obligation to our EU colleagues to play our part.”
“I second the motion. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach seo inniu. Like Senator Wilson, this is the first opportunity I have had to converse with her in the Chamber and I wish her well in her new role. I take this opportunity to thank the men and women of the Defence Forces for their excellent service to the country at home and abroad. They do us proud every time they put on their uniforms and we are deeply indebted to them and their families for their service to the State. It is fair to say the Minister has inherited a brief in which there has been chronic underfunding for many years and that has to be taken on board. The recent budget announcement of almost €1.5 billion is a step in the right direction. Until now, the waters, to use a phrase, were calmer in the geopolitical situation.”
“That presentation has been organised by our colleague, Senator Paul Daly. I would encourage as many as possible to attend.”
“It was somewhat disappointing that the Department of agriculture figures show that of the dogs that entered local authority pounds last year, only 56% were tagged. That is quite a depressing statistic, given that legislation was introduced in 2016 to ensure all dogs would be microchipped. Unfortunately, it appears that much needs to be done in this regard. Many people have been involved in campaigns, including the farmers’ organisations. I pay particular credit to a County Monaghan family, Niamh Monahan and her father, Eamonn, from Inniskeen. They suffered an attack on their pedigree herd in 2025, which was a very traumatic experience for them. They are involved in the campaign and, for the information of Members, they are in the audiovisual room today, where Niamh is giving a presentation on what she feels has to be done.”
“I lend my voice and support to those involved in the campaign in relation to dog attacks on sheep. As we know, the lambing season is just beginning and is a very busy time for farmers. Unfortunately, the incidence of attacks on livestock is on the increase. Last year, 2025, there was a 4% increase on the 2024 figure. There were some 287 attacks by dogs that involved almost 2,100 animals, and two thirds of those, some 1,600, were sheep. It is a very traumatic experience for the farmers involved, not just from a financial perspective, but more so from an emotional perspective. To come upon an attack on sheep, in particular lambs, is a very traumatic experience. Some work has been done in this regard but, unfortunately, it appears that much more needs to be done.”
“If it is Robbie Gallagher, I will have to prove it is Robbie Gallagher making the post. I do not know what the Minister's comments will be about that. That only happened this morning and to say this man was in a distressed state would be a complete understatement.”
“He said that before he puts a bet on at the bookie's, he has to verify his identity and go through a process. Surely, he says, the same should apply to these Internet platforms. They should be looking for some form of identification to ensure those who are posting are who they say they are. In many ways, what we are doing here today is reacting to something that has already happened. That is a difficulty, as the Minister outlined on a previous occasion. We are chasing it in real time. That man said that perhaps the only way we can try to get to grips with this and get ahead of it is to put as much pressure as we can on, or make it mandatory for, the platforms to ensure that anyone who posts on their platform gives their identity and that the identity is substantiated.”
“It is causing trauma to him and his family. He is under serious stress because he did not know anything about it until he was contacted by one of the people affected by and referred to in the posts. The gentleman in question knew nothing about it because he had never been on social media. It has caused him undue stress. He is not familiar with social media and it was only when he was notified by one of the affected parties that he was informed of it. He is at a loss as to where to go and what he can do. It is a big problem. He made the point that surely there is responsibility on the Internet platforms to make sure the accounts of those who are posting material are proper accounts, that they have been authorised and that relevant data has been given.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach agus cuirim fáilte ar ais arís eile go dtí an Teach seo tráthnóna roimh an Aire. I thank the Minister sincerely for his efforts in relation to his attendance in the Chamber. It is appreciated by all the Members. He is giving his time freely and it is appreciated. To conclude my contribution and following on from the contributions of my two learned colleagues to my left, the whole area of social media seems to be in many ways a bit of a runaway train at the moment. We are trying to catch up and give protection to those affected. No later than this morning, someone contacted me who was never on social media in his life and suddenly he discovered in the past few days that someone has made a fake profile of him and is posting material that would be slanderous of those he speaks about.”