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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“The Monaghan development is part of IDA Ireland's wider regional property programme, the objective of which is to develop property solutions in regional locations across the country in places like Monaghan. As part of the regional property programme, advanced buildings have been constructed, completed and occupied in many other parts of the country, which is very welcome. This initiative is vital in supporting the Border region in particular because in the past, the region has been left behind when it comes to foreign direct investment. This new facility must now help to attract more investment to a county and region that has previously fended for itself. I am aware that advertisements to potential investors began when the building in Knockaconny was completed towards the end of 2021.”
“I thank the Minister of State for taking time to be here. A very impressive, brand-spanking-new IDA advanced technology building, ATB, was completed in Monaghan in 2021 but has been lying idle waiting for an occupier since then. The new 1,400 sq. m building is in the industrial park in Knockaconny, just outside Monaghan town, and has ancillary office space over two floors. ATBs are designed to facilitate a change of function to advanced office buildings if required, and also have 100% capacity expansion, which is very much welcome. IDA Ireland's ATBs offer ready-for-occupation, high-spec, flexible and sustainable property solutions suitable for high-value manufacturing and global businesses services to support the winning of investment from IDA clients.”
“This is a six-monthly procedure for us but, as the Minister of State outlined in his contribution, the Minister has now indicated his intention to bring legislation forward that will do away with us having to come back here every six months. That makes perfect sense. It also brings clarity to gardaí on how they do their job, which is vitally important as well. There is no need for me to rabbit on too long on this. I welcome it and it is very positive. I look forward to the legislation being introduced later this year that it is hoped will put this on a permanent footing.”
“The Minister of State is welcome back to the House this afternoon. This is a straightforward motion, one which my party is very happy to support. It is one of the positive developments that have flowed in recent years. It is great, particularly during good weather, to see so many licensed premises have this outdoor space available to them. It creates a nice vibe and buzz in a town, especially when the weather permits. The past number of weeks have been positive in that regard, and it is great to fly through towns and see people sitting outside enjoying themselves and having a good time. It is a great sight to behold.”
“I move: That Seanad Eireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a further period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June, 2025 and ending on the 30th day of November, 2025.”
“I am happy to support the motion as outlined by the Minister. I look forward to the rest of the contributions from my colleagues in the Seanad this afternoon.”
“Some of these properties were out of bounds, and while not all by any means, there was an element of people who perhaps availed of this scheme because the €800 was tax free, which is itself in some areas very attractive, whereas normally people are taxed at 50% of what they receive. It is a fairly hefty tax bill at the end of the day. Rents have moved on that much now that, whereas initially it might have been very attractive, it is perhaps less so today. The Government did and does recognise that there was a bit of an issue in that regard and have moved now to reduce this. That is very much welcome. It has served a good purpose but it is maybe less so now than before. Thankfully, many Ukrainians are working and are in position to contribute. Many of them do want to do that, which is very welcome.”
“I know people who had holiday homes and did not rent them out in the open rental market, but when this came along, they decided to use their properties to accommodate Ukrainian people. It has proved quite successful at a time when it is was an emergency situation and we needed an emergency response. Many property owners put their foot forward in that regard. The payment initially crept up. It is currently €800 and we are proposing to reduce that to €600 as and from 1 July 2025. I welcome that because there are instances in different locations where it did have an impact on the private rental market. Many people were competing for properties.”
“As the Minister said in his contribution, up to 117,000 people from Ukraine fled here back at the beginning of the war. As of February 2025, that figure has reduced to approximately 78,000. The figures have gone down. Interestingly, I have come across a few statistics. Of that figure, something like 24,000 are in employment, 17,000 are either at primary or secondary school, and up to 13,000 have gone on to third level institutions. Many have integrated here. It is true that many have gone home as well but many remain and it is good to see them contributing to society, at work or going to school. It is good to see. The accommodation recognition payment has served a purpose.”
“The Minister is very welcome back to the House for the second time today. We are delighted he has rejoined us in the House. At the outset, the people can feel rightly proud of this country's response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The way people opened up their hearts and their houses to help the Ukrainians in their time of need is something we all can feel rightly proud of. It is even more noteworthy when many people opened up their own private dwellings to let people into rooms that might have been vacant, and that is before payments came in. That has to be recognised and appreciated. Unfortunately, we are now into year three of this invasion. A resolution to this still seems a bit away, although it would appear that progress is being made but it is very slow. It is disappointing.”
“I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 14th May, 2025.”
“I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. One thing I am very heartened by is the number of ideas he has to address this very serious issue. As he said, it is the most pressing issue on his desk currently. I am heartened by the manner in which he is tackling this and by the vigour, enthusiasm and sense of determination he is bringing to his portfolio. It is hugely impressive. I look forward to progress being made, not just with tagging. It is great to hear the supply of tagging equipment is going out to tender, which is very much welcome. However, the option to examine alternatives to people going to prison in the first place by community service and so on is something that needs to be explored. I am heartened by the Minister's response. I look forward to the much-needed progress in this area in the not-too-distant future.”
“We need to come up with creative ideas and greater solutions that can address the problem. For example, electronic tagging can play a significant role in that. Also, as the Minister said, we need to make more use of community service for lesser offences to keep people from going to prison at the outset. We need to be creative with our solutions because, with the best will in the world, it is going to take years to build additional prison spaces. I look forward to the Minister's contribution.”
“The tagging system currently used in the UK came under scrutiny recently following a BBC exposé on the breakdown of the system and the widescale abuse of prisoners participating in the early release system. I would be grateful if the Minister would outline his Department's plans to ensure that any such breaches of a new plan in Ireland will be dealt with by immediately returning the prisoner in question to prison and imposing other penalties. I note that many, including the Minister's predecessor, the former Deputy Dermot Ahern, have said it is inevitable - I have heard the current Minister say it many times as well - that, with the increase in the population, we will need more prison places. Even with the best will in the world, though, it will take time to build prison places.”
“Ultimately, there is an increased risk of reoffending and an increased threat to public safety in general. Since the report by the prison overcrowding response group was submitted, the prison population has continued to grow, hitting record numbers with certain prisons consistently experiencing overcrowding significantly beyond that. The programme for Government commits to implementing electronic tagging for appropriate categories of offenders. I understand that work is under way on scoping out the practical operational considerations of such a move for relevant categories of offenders to inform the next steps. I would be grateful if the Minister could provide an update on where this work stands. Many other jurisdictions have introduced electronic tagging but I understand that there are concerns.”
“There is also the serious question of people being given sentences and travelling to prison only to be turned around in what is known as the revolving door system. This practice, as I am sure the Minister will agree, is concerning for the effect that it has on the justice system and the perception of justice in this country among the gardaí, the courts and the general public. The increase in the prison population has resulted in a large number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on floors and on the necessary redeployment of staff to landings for safety reasons, thus diverting staff from facilitating educational and rehabilitative services. Not only does overcrowding lead to an increased risk of violence for prisoners, but it also threatens the health and safety of prison officers.”
“I, too, welcome the children from the school and I hope they have an enjoyable day. I welcome the Minister back to the House. Like Senator McCormack, I compliment him on his commitment to attending this House. He is setting an example that I hope many of his colleagues will follow. Without doubt, the Minister has inherited a very busy portfolio and there are many issues on his desk that need immediate attention. I will discuss one that he mentioned in his previous contribution, namely, prison overcrowding. The latest figures show that there are currently 5,348 inmates in Irish prisons, which only have a capacity for 4,666 prisoners. There are also 398 mattresses on floors, while 566 inmates are on temporary release, 113 of whom are serving custodial sentences of six months or more.”
“Indeed, I mention Barry Lenihan from RTÉ who has done intensive work in interviewing the victims' families and the survivors of that fateful day and the work he did to allow them a platform to express how they were feeling. That was a useful piece of work and I compliment Barry Lenihan on it. I look forward to the Minister of State having any additional information she might be able to pass on to us.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response to date. I know she has great feeling for the victims of the Monaghan and Dublin bombings and their ongoing journey in trying to find the truth of what happened on that fateful day. I know some of these people personally and all they strive for is the truth. Unfortunately, the British Government has been a constant roadblock in people's quest to do so. The Irish State has handed over documents to facilitate the work of this inquiry. I am disappointed we have not got to a point where a report has been published yet and I do not know whether the Minister of State is in a position to give any indication of the timeframe involved with that. Briefly, I thank everybody who has worked so hard to try to bring a conclusion to this.”
“I would be grateful if the Minister of State could update me about the reports and when the victims of the Monaghan and Dublin bombings can expect the reports to be published.”
“Last year, there was a promise of progress with an investigation by Iain Livingstone into the Troubles, including Operation Denton, an investigation into the Glenanne gang which has been blamed for approximately 120 sectarian murders in the 1970s and 1980s and is suspected of carrying out the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as potentially others, such as the bombing in Belturbet in December 1972 where two young teenagers lost their lives and the bombing in Castleblayney in 1976 where one man lost his life. As the decades pass, the death of loved ones related to the victims of 1974 is becoming more and more prominent, making the quest for truth and justice even more pressing as they suffer the insult of truth delayed and truth denied as their own life journeys reach their natural end.”
“I pay tribute to all those who have worked so hard down through the years to try to lift the lid on this mystery. I acknowledge the enormous work done by Justice for the Forgotten, and Margaret Urwin in particular, as well as everyone else and, indeed, all the Members of both Houses who tabled many motions on this issue to try to move it forward. Each year we gather here to discuss this year.”
“Last year, President Michael D. Higgins visited Monaghan town to lay a wreath to commemorate the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings 50 years previously. It was a poignant moment for the relatives and friends of the 33 people who lost their lives in Monaghan and Dublin on that fatal day - the greatest loss of life on a single day during the entire Troubles. A year on, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families again this week. It is said that to be forgotten is to die twice. That is a very relevant comment for the families of the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The families have continued for yet another year to await the truth of what actually happened on that fateful day on 17 May 1974.”
“It is to be hoped we will have advanced this legislation whereby we get to a point where we can pass Second Stage and everybody is moving forward in the one direction to conclude it as soon as possible.”
“I am no expert in this field but when I think of parole, my first thought is for the victims of crime and how decisions made by the Parole Board will affect them. I am heartened in that I have heard little of discontentment in regard to decisions already taken by the board. That is a good thing. I certainly am not criticising the proposals before us but it poses the question about the need for them. However, I fully accept that, in Senator Ruane's experience, there clearly is a need for this legislation. We will have an opportunity at some point to tease out the different scenarios we have discussed this evening. I look forward to being part of that deliberation. I also look forward to us being back here safe and well in six months.”
“His attitude to this House and the Members of the House who bring forward legislation is refreshing and very much welcome. I commend him on it. The simple thing would be to close down such proposals and move on. In fairness to him, he has not done that and his door is always open. I very much welcome his approach. The approach he is adopting in regard to this legislation is a very sensible one. There is a six-month window for Senator Ruane and her team to liaise with the Minister and his team to iron out the issues, particularly in regard to special advocates, the role they might have and the difficulties Senator McDowell outlined as possibly arising. There will be an opportunity to tease out all of that. My two Sinn Féin colleagues mentioned victims.”
“We owe them a great debt of gratitude for the work they do. Theirs is a unique profession. Not many professionals are faced with the possibility of not coming home safely. The men and women of An Garda Síochána do that every day of the week and I speak for us all in giving my sincere thanks to them. I commend my colleague Senator Ruane on taking on this very niche legislation. As the Minister outlined, it deals with an issue people do not talk about on the doorsteps. For that reason, the Senator deserves even more recognition. Knowing her for as long as I do, I appreciate her sincerity in this regard and compliment her on bringing the Bill forward. The Minister has been in the Chamber three or four times since his appointment.”
“I again thank the Minister for his attendance. I echo the comments by my colleague Senator Kelleher regarding the untimely death of Garda Kevin Flatley. I am sure I speak for everyone in the Chamber in extending our deepest condolences to his dear wife, Úna, and his children, Aoife and Erin. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in these dark days. They will face many such days on the long, hard road ahead of them. I say to them and to Garda Flatley's extended family that we are truly appreciative of the work he did. He really was a man of the community. His death highlights yet again the dangers the men and women of An Garda Síochána face when they put on their uniform and go out to do their duty. They go out the door and sometimes, like in this instance, they never return. We must never forget that.”
“I welcome the Minister back to the House this afternoon. On behalf of the Government, I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: - “Seanad Éireann resolves that Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024 be read a second time on this day six months, to allow for further consideration of issues arising in the Bill.”. I believe the Minister would like to make his contribution at this point. I will be better informed to make my contribution thereafter.”
“Speaking on behalf of the Fianna Fáil grouping, we very much support it. I look forward to ever increasing co-operation with our EU colleagues. From a business perspective, the world is now a small place. Companies are very mobile and agile, and it is important that investors have certainty.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for outlining in great detail and simple language what we are discussing this afternoon. The recast insolvency regulation has been with us for over 20 years. There have been various amendments made to it in the intervening years. It is important that companies that want to invest in the EU and globally know that, from an EU perspective, we are all singing from the same hymn sheet, if I can use that expression, as regards legal requirements and so on. This gives security to companies that wish to invest in any member state. It is important that the criteria we adopt in Ireland are similar to those in place in as many EU countries as possible. The proposal makes perfect sense.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response, although it might not be what I wanted to hear. While I appreciate the Minister of State may not want to say too much about the court case, the court did make a finding in that regard and I wonder what the knock-on effects will be for other charitable organisations. Without going into the legalities of it, fairness should come in here. Charity shops are paying commercial rates to the local authorities in question. The losers here are those who would benefit from those funds and, generally speaking, they are the people who are in most need of them. When will the Department get the chance to digest the conclusions of that court case? It may have implications going forward. I sincerely hope that will be the case.”
“Teach na nDaoine's upcycling hub estimated it had diverted 40 tonnes of textile, furniture and household goods from landfill last year alone. Charity shops offer low-cost clothing, furniture and household essentials to individuals and families who might otherwise struggle to afford them. These charity shops happen to pay rates to the local authorities when those funds could be going to those in most need of them. I hope the Government is aware of this court decision and that it will eventually move on down to all charity shops, which should be exempt or, at the very least, pay minimal rates compared with what they pay currently.”
“Many charity shops rely heavily on volunteers reducing operational costs and providing meaningful opportunities for community engagement. Revenue generated from sales directly supports local and national charitable activities such as homelessness relief, mental health supports, healthcare initiatives and social inclusion programmes. Every euro spent is invested in essential services for vulnerable communities. Another relevant factor is that charity shops are key players in the circular economy, which focuses on reducing waste, extending the life cycle of products and minimising environmental harm. By providing a second life to these items, these shops significantly reduce carbon footprints associated with new production and disposal.”
“The funds should instead be supporting the charitable purposes of the organisations operating charity shops for people with cancer, in wheelchairs and in hospices; the homeless; overseas aid; and animal welfare. In County Monaghan, our local family resource centre, Teach na nDaoine, operates two social enterprises on a strict not-for-profit basis, meaning all proceeds go directly towards charitable causes, rather than private gain. I commend Packie Kelly and his team on the fantastic work they do in Teach na nDaoine. They support vital community services while promoting sustainability through the circular economy. Given their charitable status and contribution to social and environmental well-being, they feel it is reasonable and beneficial to exempt them from commercial rates.”
“It was argued successfully that retail activities conducted to fund the charitable purposes of the organisation should be exempt from commercial rates under the Valuation Act. Surely it is time the Government provided clarity for local authorities on this matter. There are approximately 550 charity shops in Ireland, of which Vision Ireland operates 121. In 2024, Vision Ireland paid approximately €450,000 in commercial rates. It is estimated that the total amount of commercial rates collected from all charity shops annually is approximately €2.1 million, which is a tiny fraction of the approximate €1.5 billion in commercial rates received by local authorities annually. This cost takes funds directly away from charity shops providing services for blind and low-vision children and adults.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach. A High Court decision last October ruled that a Valuation Tribunal subjecting Vision Ireland charity shop in Virginia, County Cavan, to commercial rates was incorrect in law. The judgment represented the conclusion of a legal challenge that began back in 2019 by Vision Ireland, then NCBI, which now has more than 120 charity shops nationwide. While the judgment currently applies to a single Vision Ireland charity retail store location, the charity's lawyers argue it set a significant precedent that many charity shops may follow, operating for charitable purposes across the country to obtain an exemption from commercial rates.”
“These partnerships will complement the work of the youth diversion project, providing accessible services that young people want to engage in. The Act also provides for a national office for community safety, which will address the specific needs of young people, ensuring that no one is left behind. Too many children with complex backgrounds and needs still come to Garda attention. We must continue to strive to improve their quality of life with everyone else in their communities and in line with the youth justice strategy. In summary, I thank the Minister of State for his presentation. It is one of the most positive we have had the pleasure to listen to in this House. Every euro spent in this area is money well spent.”
“In 2020, we were investing approximately €18 million in this area. In budget 2025, it is projected that figure will rise to €36 million. That is money very well spent. As the Minister of State said, we will get that investment back in spadefuls as a community. I welcome that more support will be given to young people who are the hardest to reach from an early age. These are the eight- to 11-year-olds who may be at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity. I know before the end of this particular cycle, the plan is to expand that to 18- to 24-year-olds, which is a very positive development and one I look forward to. The landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act will provide for the establishment of local community safety partnerships throughout the country.”
“None of us want to see any young person go down that dark road to which I referred. None of us want to see the stress it brings to the wider family and the hardship it brings to communities. Youth diversion is very much a good news story and a positive story. I know young people in my community who went down that dark road but with the intervention of the youth diversion programme, they turned back. That was hugely positive and they have all grown and become the best people they can be. It was a hugely positive experience for me to witness that. If it is positive for me, I can only imagine how positive it is for the young people concerned and for their families because this can be a very stressful experience of all. The Minister of State cited the figures for Government investment.”
“By 2016, that figure had reduced to approximately 10,000 and, as the Minister of State outlined, the most recent figures show it had reduced to approximately 7,800 in 2023. That is a hugely positive story when we consider the striking increase in the country's population over the past 24 years. We all know early intervention is key and that is where success or otherwise is achieved. Thankfully, the community gets funds invested in this particular area back in spadefuls. I know a key initiative in the current strategy is the development and enhancement of youth diversion projects. As the Minister of State outlined, these projects seek to direct young people who become involved in crime and antisocial behaviour and support wider prevention work within communities and, in particular, within families.”
“I wish to share my time with Senator Comyn. We will take four minutes each. I welcome the Minister of State to the House this afternoon. I listened to his contribution with interest. It was very positive and very much to be welcomed. Community safety is in all of our interests and should be a top priority for us all. Anything that supports young people, particularly those who are in need of support, is something for which we all strive. The youth justice strategy is designed to address the challenge faced by many young people and their families. It is a very positive story, as the Minister of State outlined. At the time of the introduction of the Children Act in 2001, some 30,000 children committed crimes each year and embarked on a dark road that no one wanted to see them travel.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I am heartened by it. I know he raised this himself in the previous term as a Dáil Member. I look forward to progress being made on the issue. As the Minister of State knows well, the heat will come on come September when we are all inundated with inquiries about school transport. Does the Minister of State have any idea as to when we might see progress on this important issue? It is a win-win for the families, the school kids and those people over 70 years of age who are perfectly physically and mentally fit. They are well capable of driving, are fully licensed and want to contribute. As I said, it is not overly taxing. The hours are minimal. Does the Minister of State have any idea when we can, hopefully, expect some good news on this issue?”
“I see no reason why we cannot adopt that same model here in this jurisdiction because clearly, as I said, there is a chronic need for bus drivers. Many who are retired from their life-long occupation now use this particular job as a part-time job as it is only an hour and a half in the morning and an hour and a half in the evening. It is not very taxing or stressful. Many of them enjoy it and they provide a valuable public service. I look forward to the Minister of State’s response. I sincerely hope the thinking has changed and that we can use whatever influence we have in both Houses to ask Bus Éireann to seriously assess the situation. Someone told me the last time it was raised in this House there were issues of safety once a person is past 70 years of age. We are not talking about someone working 40 or 50 hours a week.”
“If the Bus Éireann assessment systems are good enough to determine whether someone can drive a bus at 69 years, surely those same criteria could be used to assess someone who is 70 years or older at a time when we need loads of drivers. No doubt come September this House and the Dáil will be back talking about the shortage of drivers for school buses. It is something that needs to be addressed immediately. I understand that Bus Éireann has no current plans to address this particular situation but I note it recently reduced the minimum age for bus drivers, which was 23 to 24, to 21 yet it did not see fit to look at the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. In the UK, our nearest neighbour, there is no such age restriction. If you pass the medical and other tests, you are fit to drive, as far as they are concerned.”
“These people are perfectly fit and healthy, are medically assessed and are licensed to drive a bus, yet they cannot do so due to Bus Éireann's one-size-fits-all policy, which basically means that people aged 70 years and older are considered unfit to drive a bus. Another issue is that bus drivers aged over 70 years frequently drive commercial and private buses for much longer in life and there is no issue. Typically, a school bus driver will drive for roughly one and a half hours in the morning and the same again in the evening for five days a week during the academic year. It is ludicrous that someone aged 70 is not allowed to drive children to school but can drive a private bus and take the same children 200 miles down the road and back home again with no issue whatsoever.”
“Ar dtús báire ba mhaith liom fáilte mhór a chur roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach an tráthnóna seo. I thank the Minister of State for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here. This is the first opportunity I have had to have a debate with him in the Seanad. I wish him every success in his role. I have no doubt he will bring his usual vigour and determination to that post and will be a great success in it. I raise the retirement age of 70 years for Bus Éireann drivers. This needs to be re-examined because it discriminates against people who are capable of providing a valued service. Many people feel it is unfair that drivers are not able to continue to drive a bus after their 70th birthday.”
“It is not overly taxing, and surely to God the same medical assessment carried out by Bus Éireann on a 69-year-old who is deemed capable of driving a school bus could be carried out on a 70-year-old or a 71-year-old. Bus Éireann needs to examine this. I ask that the Ceannaire write to the Minister about this issue and ask him to re-examine this criterion adopted by Bus Éireann.”
“We have a cohort of people who are fit and well, who are medically assessed, who have their driving licences and who are keen to work but, unfortunately, the system being adopted by Bus Éireann, the one-size-fits-all attitude, does not allow them to do so. There is no problem with a 70-plus-year-old driving a school bus in the UK so I do not see why there should be a problem here. We now have a large cohort of people who are post retirement, quite a lot of whom are driving school buses and very happy to do so. It is not a 40-hour-a-week job; it is an hour or an hour and a half in the morning and perhaps the same in the afternoon.”
“The Bus Éireann school transport portal is open for applications and expires on Friday, the 25th of this month, so I encourage all families who intend to send their children to school via Bus Éireann school transport to make those applications before that date. Today, however, I wish to talk about the mandatory retirement age of 70 years that Bus Éireann insists on for drivers driving schoolchildren to school in the morning. This is discriminatory and an ageist policy that needs to be addressed and re-examined. We will be here come September discussing school transport and no doubt there will be a shortage of buses, but we will have a bigger problem in that there will be buses but nobody to drive them.”