Ruairí Ó Murchú
Louth · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“It was hardly a shock to me and many others that he decided that the simplicity that was asked for by Sinn Féin last week, such that we would consider preparations for Irish unity, was not acceptable. Most people would see this as a possibility, even those who do not necessarily like the idea.”
“I welcome that. I have spoken previously to the Minister about the necessity of providing Mr. Delaney's report on the incident to Natasha and the wider family.”
“We will all be very interested to see what the new circular is. The Minister of State said it will be announced in September. A needs-based system is what we need. I would like to think the young boy I talked about would be able to avail of this. I will use him as an example. The correct assessments were carried out.”
“We just need to make sure that the circular is fit for purpose and that the young primary school child to whom I refer will be given the supports he requires. I will just finish reading from the communication to which I referred earlier.”
“We need to ensure that the engagement with Lebanon is ongoing. Are we happy with the interaction with the UN? There had been some issues relating to the coroner's court. Everyone needs to do everything that can be done to ensure truth and justice for the family of Private Seán Rooney.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle for all the flexibility she allows in this Chamber, and hopefully that will continue as we speak. I welcome an awful lot of what Deputy Devlin said.”
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“I would like the Minister of State to go back to the Minister for Health and that we would see this addressed. The other issue of major concern is that the HSE's assertion in response to my parliamentary question that there would be no detrimental effect on the clinical service and ultrasound that the public receives but I am advised that capacity is currently down at least 50%. There are 7,000 currently on the waiting lists. In addition, there is no leadership in the ultrasound service at the Louth County Hospital from where the clinical specialist radiographer retired last month. It is all very concerning and all the more concerning that if the HSE moves to clear the backlog, it is going to use the services of private clinics that it has done at times in the past. This is at a huge cost.”
“Those in senior HR positions within the hospitals are not aware of the application deadline. When one tries to look the job up on the HSE website, it does not seem to exist. People can see my worry at this point. How is this possible for a job that we were advised that recruitment was taking place for earlier this month? The last contact the applicants have received from the HSE was on 30 June to acknowledge receipt of their applications. They had been told informally - verbally - that the interviews were not going ahead. I do not know what this means in relation to the answers to parliamentary questions that I have received, in that I cannot say are the absolute truth. I am not saying somebody set out to lie but at best there is a serious miscommunication issue here.”
“The belief is that the fact the position has not been filled in the Louth County Hospital is there an attempt to use that position to fill this position in Our Lady of Lourdes. I am not taking away from the need for both positions but we need to get an answer. I do not know what I can say about the answers to parliamentary questions I have received other than they do not seem to deal with the reality of those who have applied for the jobs or who are waiting on the service are dealing with. I will deal with that later. Following questions in this House, the Minister was advised by the HSE that the post in Dundalk was open to applications and the new application deadline is 30 November in four days' time. However, the problem is that none of the five candidates have been advised of this.”
“Not only did she carry out management duties but she was also the one person who worked 100% on ultrasounds. We can see how capacity has been lost since she retired. There were five candidates for the position. An interview panel was being put together in the summer for interviews in July with the view of filling the position after the incumbent's retirement. However, that process was put on hold. I have been advised that the reason for this is that a clinical specialist radiographer in interventional radiography needed to be employed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The Drogheda post was lost because it had not been filled by the time the pay and numbers review took place. Interviews for that clinical specialist radiographer in interventional radiography took place two years ago. The Minister of State can see the issue.”
“This Topical Issue arises from an ongoing situation in the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk. The ultrasound waiting lists have grown to around 7,000 at the moment. This fits into the parliamentary question Deputy Cullinane got an answer to. That was that we have waiting lists across the State in relation to diagnostic scans of 299,736, of which there are 10,000 children who are on the Children Health Ireland's, CHI, waiting lists. In my own general area, which is the Dublin and North-East health region, we have 58,665 and 7,000 in relation to ultrasounds. This is an issue that I have brought up. The job for the clinical specialist sonographer in ultrasound was originally advertised in June 2025 after the previous post-holder advised that she was retiring in October 2025.”
“I cannot let the opportunity pass to refer to Michael Shine and the dreadful crimes he committed against a huge number of people over a long period. It is a cause for hope that there has been engagement, as we urged for many years, with Dignity4Patients, which is currently briefing its members. It is absolutely frightening that we are looking at numbers upwards of 390 to 400. It should not be a big shock when we consider that Michael Shine operated in a position of power for more than 30 years. Many questions will have to be answered. The scoping exercise must identify the best way to find out the detail and knowledge that are out there and to ensure this leads to a full statutory inquiry that can provide answers for the people who have been through an absolute nightmare at the hands of a paedophile.”
“We are talking about delivering a decent public health system, no longer having a two-tier system and bringing public capacity up to the absolute maximum. It will come as a shock to nobody here that I deal with a considerable number of people in my constituency office who are facing issues that should be dealt with, in a proper system, in elective hospitals. This could be anything from cataracts to knee and hip replacements. If not for the cross-border health directive, we would be in a really critical situation. The system is just not good enough. We need a system that provides not bang for buck for private hospitals, no matter where they are situated, but bang for buck for the Irish taxpayer and, beyond that, for the citizens who require healthcare.”
“I have had some answers and promises from the HSE regarding the filling of that position and the delivery of the service into the future but I am not absolutely sure there is definitive surety around it. Having spoken to some people within the hospital setting, the situation is that the only person who had been working full time on ultrasounds is no longer there. We can all imagine how that impacts on capacity. Luckily enough, and with thanks to the Ceann Comhairle's office, I have been approved to raise this as a Topical Issue tomorrow, when I will follow up on it. I hope finally to get a definitive answer rather than an answer that looks definitive but anybody who knows anything will say is far from it. Unfortunately, this is all the one particular issue.”
“We will support the legislation because we accept the reality that people are forced to take out private health insurance. It tells us all we need to know about what is wrong with the two-tier system. As Deputy Cullinane said, we welcome the removal of private healthcare from public hospitals, the need for which we have pointed to for a long time. We need to see that done and we must ensure the public system gets the maximum capacity. Deputy Cullinane spoke about the huge issue of the 300,000 people in the public system waiting for scans and procedures, with more than 40,000 waiting over 18 months. I have raised the need for a clinical specialist sonographer in Louth County Hospital.”
“I join Deputy Bennett in calling on the Minister of State to look at Deputy Cullinane's straightforward amendment. We all are aware of the issue with rising insurance costs. It is no shock that this arises not only with public liability and motor insurance but also health insurance. A lot of people feel they have no choice but to take out insurance because of deficiencies in the health system. We need to see that amendment passed. We need a report and to see the ins and outs of what can only be called gouging and profiteering off the backs of people who see that they have absolutely no choice but to take out insurance. I call on the Government to come to a moment of clarity on this issue and to take the necessary action.”
“The Deputies asked the Minister of State a question; the Minister of State has given her answer. If there are issues and grievances in relation to that, they will have to be brought up at another date and in the correct setting.”
“We really need to ensure that issues like this do not happen, that there is a sufficient amount and that we deal with the issues at Darver National School now and ensure there is sustainable funding into the future. We need to do that across the board in our educational system.”
“We need to ensure that the engagement with the FSSU comes up with something that is actually sustainable. Beyond that, a major part of this is energy costs. The increase in capitation was acceptance that in recent years capitation did not wash its own face and did not cover the costs that were necessary. This school is not only dealing with increased electrical and energy costs but also with an old heating system, which is a legacy issue. If that one thing was dealt with, it would remove a huge portion of the cost. This is a really good school that people say very good things about. I have been contacted by the school and brought it up with the Taoiseach previously. The issue was about getting sanction for two ASD classes.”
“I appreciate that we have a new Minister for education who is only just in position. I appreciate that the Minister of State is here to answer this but I will also be asking him to go back to the Department, as I will myself, to make the Minister aware of this so that we can just take it off the agenda. I agree this is not normal and it should not be normal in any way. In this case the next thing the school had to pay for were these hygiene items and money was not there. We have heard other principals say, "We are out of money. This school will close. We cannot keep the wolf from the door." The principal is in no way happy that she had to do this but she has done it and it was probably in an attempt not to go absolutely nuclear in relation to this.”
“The email states: I am contacting you and your office in relation to an email sent by one of our local schools. The parents are being advised that the school will no longer support the funding of basic hygiene products for pupils and, from tomorrow, we must send our children into school with a roll of toilet paper and a hand towel each. As a parent, I am appalled that these are the conditions that children are being asked to deal with in a school day. For the government to not be able to provide funding for basic hygiene to pupils shows an absolute lack of duty of care. Questions must be asked. What is happening to funding for smaller schools in our county and in the State?”
“It has other facilities, such as a large outside area, which costs money to maintain with grass-cutting, and the school does not get any additional funding to do that. All the printing and photocopying costs are covered by parent contributions. The school had to replace the door intercom system. Again, that was paid for by parents' association fundraising. They are dealing with and engaging with the financial services support unit and all they have to, but it is a poor reflection when parents have to receive such a letter. I have no doubt that the principal did this as an absolute last resort. It is something we need to address as soon as possible. I will also put on the record what a parent wrote to me. I have received multiple such emails. I do not think that would be any shock to anybody.”
“Kind regards, The Principal of Darver National School We are talking about a small rural school in County Louth with 71 pupils and six teachers. We are also talking about an old building. It dates back to around 1940. Obviously, that creates its own maintenance issues. The heating system is outdated - this is a big issue - and does not provide sufficient heat and needs to be replaced. There has been an application for the summer works scheme, which could probably deal with a significant amount of the costs. Government grants have consistently not covered the cost of this school for the past three years. That is my understanding. Obviously, bills have steadily increased during that period. Electricity costs increased by 200% last year. The school is with the OGP so it cannot get a cheaper deal than that.”
“However, we have now reached a point where we are unable to continue covering the cost of certain basic consumable items used daily by pupils. As a result, beginning tomorrow, we kindly ask that each child bring: - small personal hand towel - a roll of toilet tissue This is not a request we ever wished to make and it reflects the very real challenges that ongoing funding shortfalls have created for schools like ours. Please know that we would not be asking for your support unless it was absolutely necessary. We hope this will be a temporary measure as we continue to advocate for improved financial support and explore all possible avenues to ease the financial burden on the school. Thank you for your understanding, patient and continued support as we navigate these challenging circumstances.”
“I am glad of the opportunity to bring up this issue. It is a very worrying one. It was brought up earlier by Deputy Doherty. It relates to the ongoing school funding crisis in Darver National School. The easiest way to put this on the record is to read out an email a number of parents got the other day: Dear parents, I am writing to share an important update regarding the financial situation currently affecting our school. Over the past several years, government grants have not increased sufficiently in line with rising costs. Despite making every effort to manage resources and reduce spending in ways that do not impact pupils, we have now reached a point where we can no longer cover the costs of certain essential hygiene items. We have worked hard to protect classrooms, teaching and learning from the impact of these financial pressures.”
“Again, there are a number of anomalies. I remember the Tánaiste previously talked about the need for some sort of facility whereby these issues could be dealt with rather than having them just lie and continue on. We have seen the positives in relation to Queen's, DkIT and that partnership, but we need to make sure we make it easier for those who live on this island to be able to operate across it.”
“If we are talking about cross-Border issues that are impacting on hauliers, my party colleague Cathy Bennett spoke about the issue of tachographs from the technical point of view. She lives in a place, like me, where you could cross the Border over and back a number of times. It does not make sense that someone would have to technically get out to switch an apparatus around and all the rest of it. There is also an requirement for HGV drivers to pay, generally before they have crossed the Border, a €10 levy. The issue with that is that if they are caught and have not done it, travelling from South to North, they can get a €300 on-the-spot fine. This is an issue the Minister needs to bring up with his counterparts in Britain. We have given voice to it but, like an awful lot of cross-Border issues, it has just remained.”
“Anyone who can possibly avoid driving does that now. I do not see any logic in keeping adding on the pain. As has been brought up by many previously, it also creates an anomaly in Border areas and creates an issue for those who are trying to sell fuel in the part of the world I come from. That is an issue that could be dealt with. Those are not the only costs that have gone up in the last while. There is the cost of tolls. Sinn Féin has offered its solutions on that but these were thrown back in our face by the Government. The Government is not overly worried about those particular issues, but the fact is an awful lot of people out there are absolutely feeling the pain.”
“We all know the issues that exist at the minute in relation to the cost-of-living crisis. The Government's budget did not have any solutions for those who are suffering at this time, whether we are talking about the issues of insurance, rent or the cost of housing in general. There are also the insurance companies, and anybody who recently had to buy shopping will realise the cost of everything. That is the way it has been explained to me by many people. If we are talking about roads, we know the addition of carbon taxes means we will have really significant fuel costs. The idea of carbon tax was to dissuade people. We all know a number of things have changed since, including post Covid and the cruel invasion of Ukraine by Russia. That changed the nature of it. We saw fuel prices go through the roof.”
“I appreciate what the Minister of State said. As I said, I was shocked when I saw it, in particular in relation to the sport where we have had a huge level of success. I suppose the question is: how do we ensure this code of conduct is to a degree enforced or policed and that each of the national governing bodies has sufficient level of protocols, checks and balances to ensure we look after the welfare of all those involved from the staff and athletes throughout?”
“I accept what the Minister of State is talking about in relation to staff being dealt with but can we ensure that we have the protocols across the board, that we have the checks and balances, and that Sport Ireland is also playing its part to ensure that we do not have lapses or situations like this? We will never have a perfect system but we need to make sure that we look after those who are doing their utmost in the sporting field and in other fields.”
“I am not going to get into the specifics of this. We have all seen it. We know those who have been named. We were even very shocked in relation to the people who, luckily enough, brought this to the attention of the world. What the Minister of State said sounds fine. It is just about ensuring not only that Rowing Ireland has sufficient protocols to ensure we are looking after the welfare of all those involved, including staff, but particularly those who are going out there and doing their absolute for this country. We have had huge success in relation to that but in terms of anything that relates to the issues I have read about, I am not going to go into it because I accept there is nobody here to defend themselves in relation to it.”
“I ask the Minister the engagement his Department has had with organisations, in particular Rowing Ireland, or any other stakeholders, following the publication of concerns regarding the welfare of athletes in the high performance programmes. In fairness, we have all seen it - anybody who has read Paul Kimmage or heard any of the podcasts he has dealt with. It is frightening. We have seen the huge success there has been in rowing and we would like to make sure these particular issues are addressed.”
“The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform, Digitalisation and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimates for Public Services for the service of the year ending 31 December 2025: Votes 7 and 9.”
“I also remind the Minister of State about the issue of John NcNeela's pension because it is something that needs to be addressed.”
“We are obviously in support of ensuring that we have a sufficient amount of capacity in our Defence Forces. We also need to ensure that we have the capacity to deal with some of the hybrid threats that are in the world that we have to deal with at this point of time. That is everything from cyber to the issue of disinformation, whether organised or disorganised, and the huge harm they can cause. When we are dealing with artificial intelligence, it is about having a sufficient amount of protection across Europe while, at the same time, still having the capacity to use AI into the future. I have another issue I wish to ask the Minister of State about. What can be done to reassure farmers about the detrimental impact of Mercosur and ensure we maintain the nitrates derogation?”
“I accept that. We all want that embryonic process to go somewhere. We all know the issues over what has happened not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank. We have seen the movements that have been caused by the Israeli regime, including through the huge annexation splitting the West Bank from East Jerusalem. We are not quite sure where this will go. I know where some in the regime want to bring it, but it is a matter of us maintaining whatever leverage we have. What conversations have been had on a best-case scenario, putting a real dent in the EU–Israel association agreement, ideally across the EU but, if that is not possible, among a number of countries acting on aspects of it? We have had a discussion on the occupied territories Bill, and that is something we could do straightaway in relation to goods and services.”
“I do not know whether the Minister of State has dealt with my question because I was at a meeting earlier. Where are we on the EU–Israel agreement? Has there been any movement? At one stage, there was discussion to the effect that a number of countries might be able to deal with aspects of it. We all know the issues concerning what Israel has done to the Palestinian people. We hope something can come from this ceasefire. It is very hard to call it a peace plan at this point. The EU has serious leverage and has let itself down collectively, but that is not to take away from what individual states have done.”
“I ask the Minister of State to urge the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to ensure the issue in relation to the pension of John McNeela, the father of Michael McNeela, who was killed in Lebanon, will be sorted because it was promised by the Tánaiste but it has not happened yet.”
“Not only do we have to look after those who are serving, but we need to make sure we follow up on what is necessary to see right by Seán Rooney and his family.”
“As for Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, in fairness, they are brutally honest about what they are offering up, and that is about ensuring there is no room for a Palestinian state. Beyond that, they would like to see a huge number of those Palestinians displaced by whatever means. I am not sure they are particularly worried about the means. We need to stand firm. It is a disgrace that the EU-Israel association agreement is still standing at this point. Pressure needs to be maintained. It goes without saying we must move on the occupied territories Bill. We have also seen in the past while what Israel has done in firing at UNIFIL troops in Lebanon. We have also seen attacks on Palestinians in Lebanon.”
“Huge solidarity has been shown to Ukraine, and rightly so. I also condemn the attacks in Ternopil in Ukraine and the 25 deaths. Unfortunately, this is nothing shocking from the corrupt regime in operation in Russia. We need to see that that solidarity continues, but I would also say we have a part to play in world affairs and that is about being an independent voice. It is our anti-colonial history not to be part of anything that is a move away from neutrality, which would be absolutely abhorrent to the Irish people. It goes without saying it is not much of a peace plan if it does not lead to the end of the deaths of Palestinians.. More than 70,000 people have been slaughtered in Gaza and there have been attempts at greater levels of annexation in the West Bank.”
“A serious piece of work has to be done to reassure the agricultural sector and farmers of Ireland, particularly in relation to issues that can detrimentally impact the future of farming in Ireland. We want to see maintenance of the nitrates delegation. There is absolute fear in respect of what the impact of Mercosur will be. There is deep annoyance, as we heard it yesterday, at the Government's position on that. I would like to see commentary that would actually settle people's minds in respect of the Government having their back. Deputy Ó Laoghaire spoke about the European Union and its power and leverage and how it could play a decent role in this world. He also spoke about Sudan and the fact that weapons still flow. We are looking at an absolute calamity and chaos. We need the EU to act.”
“I would like to bring up the fabulous news about the partnership between DKIT and Queen's University. We are talking about a greater level of provision of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and an innovation and research hub to be based in Dundalk. We know that this can definitely develop the Dublin-Belfast corridor. There is a necessity to follow through with legislative support. Beyond that, this could be part of a vital shared island project. I would like to know what will happen in that regard.”
“I would like to use this time to remember Chloe McGee, Chloe Hipson, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Alan McCluskey. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse. We think of their families and friends. It is going to be a very difficult time over the next couple of days for communities right across counties Louth, Monaghan and Meath. I have been in O'Fiaich College and DkIT and seen huge supports for students and staff. It was the same in the Sean McDermotts club last night also. This is the level of resilience we will see. My thoughts go out to those affected by what has been an absolutely desperate tragedy. I also think of those injured. We hope for a speedy recovery. Beyond that, we think of the emergency services, whose members saw things nobody should have to see.”
“With the occupied territories Bill, we can, right here and now, do the right thing and stand by the Palestinian people and by promises that were made by this Government before the last election.”
“There is the EU-Israel Association Agreement and we have seen little moves but nothing significant in relation to allowing Israel to continue as per normal while it carries out absolute heinous crimes. We know what is being proposed in the West Bank. We have seen the legislation introduced to try to ensure there is no possibility of ensuring a Palestinian state. All of this needs to be fought. The allies of Israel need to be fought at this point - those that provide it with support, resources and weapons. We need to keep the pressure on. We need to ensure the EU does the right thing around the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which it has failed to do.”
“Benjamin Netanyahu has also always been clear that there will never be a Palestinian state. We have a ceasefire of sorts. It is very difficult to call what is being proposed a peace plan. A peace plan that does not involve absolute justice, self-determination and freedom for the Palestinian people is a waste of time. What are we going to do? Are we going to do what the Dunnes Stores workers did? They stood up and stood up properly against apartheid in South Africa. People would have asked then what the point was but those workers played a significant role in what became a huge movement and a huge facet in the anti-apartheid battle in South Africa. We need to see this happen here. We have seen the disgrace that the European Union has been.”
“We have already taken too long with the occupied territories Bill. I, like many others, do not buy the legal arguments that are made. We have often said you can get the legal advice you want on the basis of what you pay for and I do not see this as being very much different. We have heard from many experts who say there is nothing stopping us from implementing the occupied territories Bill for goods and services now. This just needs to happen. Nearly 70,000 Palestinians have been slaughtered in Gaza. We have seen starvation used as a weapon of war. At least, in fairness to Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, they have been very clear. Unlike the spokespersons who are put across the world to tell us that black is white, they have been clear in relation to what they are, which is supremacist Zionists who want to remove the Palestinian people.”
“I do not think I have ever been in the Chamber to speak about this sort of topic previously without mentioning the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence, an absolutely spectacular facility that deals with industry from the point of view of producing what is needed. When we talk about apprenticeships, we are not just talking about the traditional trades but also about the likes of AI, robotics and so on. There was much talk earlier in relation to disability and we need to see increased input around assistive technologies in the context of autism and other disabilities. A lot more work needs to be done in that area. There is also a particular issue with regard to the personal assistants who do great work in further education but who do not have the contracts they require.”
“We have all seen advances in the last while, including at the Drogheda Institute of Further Education, DIFE, in my own constituency, as well as Ó Fiaich College and the PLC route, which members of my own family have used. These routes are particularly good for those who are not necessarily enamoured of the secondary school system and can enable them to get where they need to go. I have seen huge success stories in that regard. I welcome the fact that there is a far deeper relationship between the likes of Dundalk Institute of Technology, DkIT, and the further education colleges, as well as other universities across the State. That is absolutely necessary.”
“We need to make sure that we do not have a huge cohort of people who are locked out of education, which is the issue at the minute. We have had over-and-back discussions on the high cost of fees and accommodation and their impact on those who are already, or who would like to be, in further education. This needs to be addressed in a wholehearted way, which is not what we have seen in the recent budget. We also need to provide supports at a far earlier stage for those on the margins. I have often talked about the need for early family intervention so we can ensure that we facilitate people to enter employment, life-long learning and so on.”
“Before I start, I would like to welcome Councillor Kevin Meenan to this illustrious place. Obviously, he will be absolutely delighted to be mentioned and will not be embarrassed by it in any way, shape or form. In fairness, he will probably also say that the best thing I could do would be to use ChatGPT to prepare my speech rather than delivering what I am going to come out with now. Anyway, we are where we are. I was in a committee earlier today dealing with the issue of drugs and the completely disastrous impact that they have had on society. We are talking here about science, the joy of science, and the possible future successes and solutions to some of the problems we have, from climate change right across the board.”
“That has been done in certain places - I am not saying perfectly - and it needs to be looked at. If the Tánaiste would allow me a certain element of flexibility, does he have an update in relation to the pension case of John McNeela, the father of Michael McNeela who was killed in Lebanon? In an answer to a parliamentary question, he said this may or may not require legislative change. I know he is committed to dealing with it but we would obviously like to get it dealt with as soon as possible.”
“Within the last while in Dundalk, County Louth and across the State, parents have made applications for their primary school children to get a place in secondary schools. Unfortunately, a number of those in Dundalk and its environs have had to make contact with me. I will go through these very quickly. My daughter got rejected. We are absolutely devastated. [...] My son has not been selected for any school for next year. [...] My son is now the only boy from his soccer team, Gaelic team and hurling team that does not have a school place for next year. A lot of his friends have had multiple offers. Here is the crux of the matter: Surely this could be changed to a process more like the CAO, where kids can put their choices in order of preference and each child be allocated one school place.”
“As I said, could we have a timeline for those independent reviews, when we could be looking at them being completed and their recommendations, and when we think those well-being checks would be done and completed? Beyond that, I welcome what the Minister said from a point of view of anything necessary as regards data sharing and the legislative changes if there are necessary powers and protocols that are required by Tusla and other Government agencies. Could the Minister give me not only the timelines but also some of the detail of what powers are being proposed here? What changes are going to happen to Tusla? What can be done so that we can avoid some of these circumstances to ensure we have the best means of protecting some of the most vulnerable children who are out there?”