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 do not think I could continue on mentioning the NOW Group, that the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy O'Reilly, a number of others and I were lucky enough to meet earlier. It is a social enterprise group that is based in Dublin, Belfast and throughout. I think it has a place in the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach's constituency. It was really worthwhile. No more than a lot of the interactions that the disability matters committee has had, we listened to people talking about their lived experience. We also dealt with the cost-of-living issue at the disability matters committee this week. I do not think I need to go into the absolute need for a cost-of-living payment and ensuring that it is for everybody, and not just those who are getting social protection payments based on their disability at present.”
“On universal design, whether we are talking about course content, capital projects and settings like this, it is about ensuring as much as possible that we facilitate as many as possible. We are talking about those with mobility issues, those who Deputy Quinlivan spoke about who have issues with hearing, those who have vision-related issues and those who are neurodivergent. We already know that this particular Chamber would suit almost none of them but that is what we need to be about. It is about universal design, mainstreaming and reasonable accommodation. In fairness, that means it has to be reasonable. While we will not always be able to facilitate everyone, the plan should be to facilitate as many as possible and then, if we need bespoke solutions for those with more challenging needs, we should be able to provide them.”
“We were doing this in the United Nations in New York when the regime in America is obviously putting extreme pressure on the United Nations and the whole idea of multilateralism and international law. On some level it nearly makes it more important at this point in time. The ethos across the board was about inclusivity and ensuring that those with disabilities could participate fully in every aspect of society. It was about mainstreaming, which is about supports and ensuring, as much possible when talking about education, that people with disabilities can play a full part in mainstream education if that suits. I understand that will be different for every person.”
“When we are talking about inclusive education we need to make sure that this is part of wider inclusivity. Deputy Quinlivan, two other members of the committee and I were lucky enough to be at the 19th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the 20th year of the UNCRPD. We dealt with a huge range of issues. It was everything from autism services for adults, to participation in sport right through to the role and impact of conflict on those with disabilities. I commend ambassador and permanent representative, Mr. Fergal Mythen, and the mission to the UN, whose guests we were, on what was a very worthwhile enterprise.”
“I also commend Deputy Quinlivan, as committee Chair, the clerk to the committee and the committee secretariat who have done a huge amount of work. I would like to tackle one of the issues Deputy Toole brought up. It is absolutely spurious to believe that anyone would have gone over time at the Joint Committee on Disability Matters and I would just like that recorded. I cannot imagine who she meant-----”
“I believe she will be here later to protest because she is at the end of her tether and does not know where to go. I welcome the fact that we will continue this conversation offline. I did not expect to hear the solutions in here today. However, we need to get them. On a point of information, when we talk about situations breaking down, a mother wrote to me about her son Matthew, who is going to secondary school in September. She could not get him a place in an ASD class, so he has to go into a mainstream class. The problem is that the SNA co-ordinator has told her that they cannot promise him SNA access as there are only six SNAs available between first year and sixth year. She has detailed Matthew's issues to me. We are going to have cases like that across the board. We need to find a way to deliver.”
“We all welcome the attempts to streamline the system. The problem is that too many children are still falling between stools. I am not taking away from the particular issues but I spoke about Hollybelle. One of the schools she applied to was a special school that she did not qualify for. Her intellectual disability was seen as too severe. As much as we have an insufficient number of places for those who have autism - I accept that there have been increases, which is necessary - there are also a number of children who fall into the bracket of intellectual disability who have no place to go. We really need to look at this across the board and come up with a comprehensive solution. The Minister of State can imagine the absolute disaster this is for families and the pressure they are under. I spoke to Tristan's mother.”
“I could talk about the multiple representations this mother has made to special schools and to schools with units and, in fairness, others and I have been in contact with all the services and there have been parliamentary questions placed. In some cases, it is schools that have not necessarily had their requisite ASD places or classes commissioned. Nonetheless, the Minister of State can imagine the pressure that these parents are under. I am dealing with a young boy of 12 years old from Dundalk who is on the autism spectrum and there is no place whatsoever. His father has been in and out of my office and is under severe pressure. There is another man with an 11-year-old boy. The school place he had previously then fell apart and at this point in time the child has been languishing at home.”
“One is an eight-year-old named Hollybelle from Dundalk who has Down syndrome and an autism diagnosis. At this point in time, she has mobility issues and is non-verbal, so I am not taking away from the complexity of the case. She was given a special class within a school. That fell apart and now, months on, she does not have a place. Unfortunately, there has been a huge number of representations made by her mother over and back, particularly with the National Council For Special Education, NCSE, which I have contacted also. However, we are not in a place that we have a solution. Another example is Tristan, who is a 12-year-old from Dundalk. The recommendation is for a special school or special class catering to autism spectrum disorder, ASD.”
“Again, we are not only talking about children going from primary into secondary school where the roadmap should be a lot clearer and straightforward on the basis that they are not coming from Mars. They are already in the system. We also suffer from the circumstance where a child is probably put in an inappropriate place and that may fall apart, and then they are left with no school place whatsoever. We are talking about cases where the educational welfare officer, EWO, is checking why the child is not at school and realises there is an issue. There is then no pressure on the parent from the point of view that the child is not at school, yet there is no solution. That is not taking away from the work done by SENOs and EWOs, but we need a far better system to actually deliver. I am going to use a couple of examples.”
“I thank the Minister for taking this. When we talk about finding an appropriate place for children, particularly those with special needs and challenging needs, it is a constant battle for those parents. It is a constant battle even at times for elected representatives who are contacted in relation to this, whether it is contacting the special educational needs organiser, SENO, contacting schools individually or even in instances when we have to bring it to the floor of Leinster House. Obviously, I have made the Minister of State aware of some of these cases and if we are lucky enough to meet afterwards and deal with this, unfortunately, there will be more names I have to add to that list. I will use these as examples.”
“Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the urgent need for a speech and language class in Connemara. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the need for adult day service placement, respite and outreach for adults tranistioning from schools to adult services in Kerry. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss progress of the Cork southern distributor link multimodal route. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss appropriate school places for children with challenging needs in County Louth. The matters raised by Deputies Connolly, Dolan, Daly, Devine and Ó Snodaigh, and Byrne have been selected for discussion”
“Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the introduction of financial literacy to the school curriculum. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss the ongoing failure to recruit a consultant ophthalmologist in south Tipperary. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss the need for the Drogheda north train station. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss the proposed reforms to the criminal legal aid system. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss the decision of South Dublin County Council to increase council, HAP and homeless HAP rents from July. Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss delays in reimbursement under the cross-border healthcare directive. Deputies Máire Devine, Aengus Ó Snodaigh - To discuss matters relating to Kilmainham Gaol. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss funding for the roll-out of BusConnects in Limerick city.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss Kilmurry National School's SNA allocation and the summer programme. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss an application for an interim ancillary grant by Ballygiblin National School, Mitchelstown. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin - To discuss wheelchair access on Irish Rail and Bus Éireann services. Deputy Daniel Ennis - To discuss a full independent public inquiry into the death of Terence Wheelock. Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss the proposed relocation of Harmonstown An Post sorting office. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford.”
“I think I said before it is like having your winter league team going up against Barcelona at their best. We need to resource the office. There is a particular issue in relation to this office. We are talking about social media bans but we are not next or near having a conversation and ensuring we have the tools-----”
“What anyone realises who has lived in the real world, used any of these platforms or talked to the young people in front of the children's committee, the EU affairs committee or the media committee is that these companies have made little effort in relation to facilitating those who have had information put up that is detrimental to them. I have a particular issue with it. We know what sort of material we are talking about. We are talking about sometimes intimate material, including intimate material produced through artificial intelligence. I have no doubt this office will be dealing with a huge number of these issues. When we talk about Coimisiún na Meán, the Data Protection Commission and even the European Commission, I am not quite sure they are sufficiently resourced to take on Google, Meta or TikTok.”
“We need to have the systems, know-how and technology to deal with this. There is a huge issue when dealing with social media giants from the point of view of delivering evidence. Nearly every committee in the Oireachtas has dealt with the big tech companies, such is their impact on and footprint in the world in which we live. It has generally been from the point of view that we have insufficient regulation and leverage to deal with what they offer, which is social media platforms that are addictive by design, have recommender algorithms and are based on keeping people online no matter what the material is. They will say they offer a service that goes above and beyond the law and that the minute nefarious material is there, they get rid of it.”
“Sometimes, the first time you see issues of antisocial behaviour or whatever is when they are up on TikTok or somebody has taken a screen grab on Snapchat. You are sent that and you send it to the guards. The guards talk about the difficulties they have in getting that information and getting it in the correct format, even when dealing with companies that are based here. We want to see this office set up to deal with these issues for those across the European Union looking for evidence, particularly given that a significant number of the big players in the tech world have their headquarters here. Therefore, there will be multiple contacts. Deputy Kenny spoke about 300,000 requests. It is hard to see how this office, no matter how it is resourced, would not be overwhelmed by that.”
“Taking up on what Deputy Kenny said, there are two things. This is not the first time we have dealt with legislation like this. We are talking about transposing the EU e-evidence package, the regulation and the directive. It has been on the books for a considerable amount of time. It has taken too long for us to get to this point and now that we are, as per normal, it is utterly last minute. We want a sufficient amount of time to do some element of due diligence. My colleagues, Deputies Ward and Kenny, have spoken about some of the issues. Where technology meets domestic and international law, we all know the difficulties that are involved. For those involved in investigating and prosecuting crimes, there is a requirement that they can get the evidence.”
“We know they are running addictive-by-design recommender algorithms that are about keeping people online, no matter how bad the information being put in front of them is or whether they are under or over 16. We really need these companies to be brought to account.”
“We are already seeing displacement due to artificial intelligence. We know that there are huge possibilities in relation to innovation. As my constituency colleague just said, it is necessary that we allocate funding and resources, whether through Skillnet or however else we do it, to make sure that businesses, including local businesses in County Louth and everywhere else, have the facilities and resources to implement artificial intelligence. How exactly does the Government intend to deliver the social media ban for under-16s? There is much evidence concerning the difficulty of actually doing this. I think there will be engagement with not only young people but a huge number of stakeholders. The pressure, though, really needs to be on the tech companies.”
“We know the issue in relation to the Israeli genocide and continuing violence. We have seen no movement on the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Where is it now? What can be done to move that on? If we cannot move it on, we have to accept that we have to do what we can. We are all disappointed as regards the occupied territories Bill and the fact that services will not be included. Given the Tánaiste's foray into the issue of a united Ireland, would the Taoiseach consider that now is the time for the Government to do something and move properly?”
“Hopefully, as I said, we can work alongside him on getting a Bill that will be able to deal with some of the issues in relation to other products and the misadvertising we have seen.”
“I agree with Deputy Cummins when she speaks about the fact that in an awful lot of cases, the gateway drug for many is alcohol. We know the damage it does. We need to work on legislation that we can get across the line such that we make sure that we have a delineation and that those who see this advertising can notice the difference and the acceptance that we have a huge issue with alcohol. Not only do I have worries about the national drugs strategy and where it is going and the fact that we have seen a hollowing out of the community element of that, but we also need to see a fully fledged strategy on dealing with alcohol. I commend Deputy Rice on bringing this forward.”
“Generally, it will be very healthy-looking people, in some cases very famous people, having a great time, but we all know what the idea is. We would like to work alongside Deputy Rice on putting together legislation that can actually have an impact, and that is from a point of view that we do not allow these companies to curtail the existing laws on the advertising of alcohol. Then, as I said, we have to have a wider conversation about actually tackling the endemic levels of alcoholism and the misuse and abuse of alcohol. Many of us in younger years and at different times probably did abuse alcohol. On some level it can almost be, "Ah, sure, he is only young", or "It is only this, that and the other". There is an element of forgiveness sometimes, a forgiveness that does not exist when we see somebody abusing drugs.”
“From time to time, I think an awful lot of people get worried about the impact drugs have - whether we are talking about benzos, tablets of all forms, cocaine, crack cocaine or heroin - and the detrimental impact they have on whole communities. In most cases, when we talk about polydrug users, the big issue can be that one of those drugs is alcohol. We need to make sure we have the full wherewithal, as regards those who are young and impressionable and open to what is some of the best advertising money can buy, to ensure that there are limits and that it is absolutely clear when something is advertised that it is non-alcoholic. Then we have to have an ever greater level of protections in relation to advertising that would be open to younger minds. We have all seen the ads.”
“They do not have to go through the conversation I sometimes have of "Are you not having a drink?" or "Why are you not having a drink?" and then you go through this long piece. That is useful but, as I said, as regards the delineation, it has to be absolutely clearly stated. We have seen instances where companies have sponsored events and got around the advertising limits on alcohol by advertising a 0.0 offering that they did not even make. That is just absolutely wrong and absolutely ridiculous, and we need to make sure we have the facility to absolutely hammer them in those cases. There is a need for a wider conversation about alcohol.”
“Like Deputy Donnelly, I would like to see a scenario where we ensure we do not have bad faith actors who will advertise 0.0 from a point of view of ensuring they can up their sales of alcoholic drinks. It is making sure we have an absolute delineation of 0.0 offerings versus alcoholic offerings. I have seen a considerable amount of people drink 0.0. If we were all to state things clearly, there is an acceptance that frequently the reason 0.0 was created was so companies could get around advertising legislation. There is an absolute need for us to have whatever protections necessary in making sure it is very obvious that what is being advertised is something very different with the 0.0 offering. I have a considerable number of friends, like Deputy Donnelly who spoke about this, who like the idea of being able to drink a 0.0 product.”
“I also thank Deputy Rice for bringing this forward. It is an opportunity to deal with the issue of advertising. Over the years, if we go back long enough, within my lifetime, I can remember sports events being sponsored by alcohol, cigarettes and many things which have now become very much unacceptable. In Ireland, we have the particular issue of starting from a point where we have a very bad relationship with alcohol. We know the impact it has on families and individuals. We all talk now of the issues we have with cocaine but, unfortunately, we already had the foundations laid over a long period with the very bad relationship we have with alcohol.”
“It was in remembrance of their mother, Geraldine, who had frontotemporal dementia. She was diagnosed in her 40s and died at 52 years of age. Unfortunately for the two boys, they have that particular gene. Today was obviously a great day for them and for the whole community. There was great support shown across Ireland. In fairness, they spoke about the good news that their sister does not have it. I commend them.”
“That is why there is a huge amount of unease around the fact that Screen Producers Ireland, SPI, as producers and the representative body for producers gets State money. The Tánaiste and others have given promises in the Chamber to me, to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, in particular, and to Deputies Joanna Byrne and Boyd Barrett but we need to see the outworking and the results because that is what those who work in the industry require. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the flexibility she showed me by allowing me to come in at this stage. Given the day that is in it, I want to commend the FTD brothers, Jordan and Cian Adams, who finished off their marathon in Merrion Square Park. It is absolutely fabulous that they have completed 33 marathons in 33 days. I barely clung along with them in Dundalk.”
“Now we are talking about a greater number who will not even have an opportunity for that if they are going to be recorded as self-employed. We have seen the issue around producers who pull down State money and who create designated activity companies, DACs, for running projects such as film production. Then when somebody wants to use the industrial relations framework to ensure they have their rights, it is not available to them because they are not really an employee. How could they be an employee of a DAC that disappears after every project? The fact is that it is the producers that pull down the money. There is a need to deal with this issue and, unfortunately, it is another one of these cases where we end up being like a broken record because the issue is not dealt with.”
“The only thing there will be consensus on is the idea of RTÉ coming under the Comptroller and Auditor General. We will all be happy when we are not dealing with further revelations around pay and whether someone is a presenter or a producer or not, and the ins and outs of sideways payments. That is all before we talk about those others who suffered under bogus self-employment. We know that is an issue that has been rife in many industries. What did not come as a shock to me was the issue Deputy Boyd Barrett brought up not only in relation to RTÉ but those in the independent sector, and the fact we do not have a decent framework for those working in it. There are many crew and whatever else who work across the audiovisual sector in general who will speak about how they have never had their rights as workers.”
“It will not comes as a shock to Members that I have a particular problem with the legislation in that it does not deal with the issue of geoblocking, in respect of which Sinn Féin had proposed a measure, and how wrong it is that RTÉ programmes and particular events, including sporting events, are not available to those in the North. We hear the Taoiseach talk about the shared island unit and we do not actually see the proper outworking. This is a very simple thing that could have been provided and it would show an interest in the North from the Government here. It is just another let down in a long number of let downs. I would like to think that the Minister of State would understand that, and have conversations with the Government about the fact that it is something that really needs to be looked at.”
“The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach, has completed its consideration of the National Treasury Management Agency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, and has made no amendments thereto.”
“However, we do need to deal with the issue of personal assistants in the further education colleges and the need for proper contracts.”
“Hopefully, it can be a win for both and ensure more of the work that has already been done by the likes of the Regional Development Centre in DkIT, and also a greater level of research work and output. The Louth and Meath Education and Training Board has done considerable work with the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence, which is operating directly with employers. I cannot but talk about the Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education, the Drogheda Institute of Further Education, DIFE, and the various pathways that are available, but I still feel we need much earlier intervention to ensure we can get people into work. We are aware of the ongoing fear of displacement through AI, with whatever benefits there will be. We have seen it in Meta contractor Covalen and possibly PayPal.”
“This must be taken into account. We know the issues that exist regarding the whole sphere of disability, particularly children’s disability, even if we are talking specifically about autism. No matter what issues I may have with how children’s disability network teams, CDNTs, and primary care are put together, I know that whether we are talking about in-school therapies, CDNTs, primary care or something else, there will be a need for a greater number of therapists. It is about ensuring the best modes of training. We have all seen apprenticeship types change. We must have an increased number of pathways that suit people from the point of view of garnering the skills necessary to deliver. It goes without saying that Queen’s University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology, DkIT, have a partnership that many of us welcome.”
“In a rapidly changing world, it is very difficult to follow from one headline to another, whether it relates to domestic matters or geopolitics, which are in constant flux. Somebody said that we seemed, unfortunately, to be almost returning to the 1700s, just with better weaponry. It is a necessity that we deal with the realities of the world we live in and ensure we have the appropriate skill sets. I welcome certain things when we are talking about ensuring a greater level of access for those who may need another path, whether that is in medicine or teaching. I am talking about two very particular skill sets that we need in society. A considerable number of people, particularly young people, may want to enter medicine or teaching. It is necessary to ensure we allow the free flow because, at times, we may open pathways but not to all.”
“That is before we talk about bike sheds, security huts and the national children's hospital. People are absolutely fed up with this. I have spoken with the Minister of State previously. It is absolutely necessary to provide a cost-of-living package and a cost-of-disability payment. We need a payment now and we need a properly constructed payment that works into the future and that recognises that the most vulnerable need these supports.”
“Many were waiting on Government to provide some sort of relief but that relief did not come. That is what we need to see. We need to see those sorts of actions. It goes without saying that action should have been taken previously on energy company profiteering. We have not given the CRU the necessary powers to hold these companies to account. Sinn Féin and many others recently discussed such proposals but we have not seen action from Government. That is why there is a call for energy credits. These calls are made on the basis that it is something the Government can do now, despite its failure to take other actions. We continue to see waste throughout the system. That is the difficult piece for people. I refer to the €50 million written off by Irish Rail in relation to its train management system, which is absolutely dead in the water.”
“Every TD, elected representative and other person out there who engages with people will know that. I have no doubt the Minister of State has dealt with people who have been in even more difficult circumstances and who never believed they would be. We can talk about the moves that are being made in relation to public transport but for a considerable number of people, the car is the only option. We have not delivered for workers and families. We need to see a further decrease in costs, particularly the 15 cent the Government can act on. While I am talking during one of the warmest periods of the year, this being Ireland, it is not going to last. Those who need home heating oil and kerosene and those who are most vulnerable will need fuel very soon, if they do not already.”
“It is really unfortunate that we have to have another one of these discussions. As we are all aware, the reality out there in the world is that people are under severe pressure. That severe pressure started long before Donald Trump, led by genocidal Israel, brought us into the madness we now find ourselves in. That madness also increases the absolute necessity for us to see delivery on the occupied territories Bill with regard to both goods and services while also pushing for movement on the trade element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We know that will be a difficult battle so we should do what we can ourselves. They created this madness but long before that, we had 317,000 people in arrears with their electricity and energy bills. One quarter of that number were in arrears with their gas bills. That is the reality.”
“People with disabilities should not have to fight for everything. If a person gets a job, they would lose their PA hours. The system makes no sense. They cannot afford medication the doctor says they need. They drag out blood tests as long as they can. It is a disgrace.”
“I can see why the consultation did not allow for those with disabilities to ask questions. Many physically impaired people exist in State-sanctioned poverty. Those unable to work live in physical impairment poverty in Ireland. It is now the case of deciding whether to eat or turn on the heating during the day and this is not acceptable. We have all heard the stories of those who cannot afford to charge wheelchairs. Heating may be less of a worry this week than it is most weeks but this is Ireland and the weather we are having is a particular outlier. I also commend the Disability Federation of Ireland, Access for All and the Irish Wheelchair Association, which have been to the fore in relation to this. We have all read - or many of us should have read - the lived reality piece.”
“The only thing that lets all of this down is that this year, we, like many others in this Chamber, have been inundated by people talking about the cost of disability that is impacting on them now. There are plenty of disability reports. We can go back to the Cost of Disability in Ireland, the Indecon report in 2021 and the Minister's own failed Green Paper on the cost of disability in 2023. The big one is from the ESRI and IHREC called Adjusting Estimates of Poverty for the Cost of Disability. What do they average the cost out at? They say it is €488 to €555. If you are talking about more challenging needs, it is €786 per week to €875 per week. That is the reality. I thank Physical Impairment Ireland. It provided me with a document called the list of shame.”
“The Government amendment is nothing short of a disgrace. What is being proposed by Sinn Féin? We call for the immediate introduction of an emergency budget with supports for workers and families, including a €500 lump sum for people with disabilities. I know the Minister accepts there is a huge cost of disability. There would not be much point in having the consultation he had - with all of the deficiencies that were in it - if not for the fact the Government accepts there is a cost of disability. On the basis of the payments that have been made in previous budgets, I also know there was an acceptance there is a cost of disability that must be looked after.”
“The telemetry monitor failed and the water ran out as a result. The problem was only discovered when the people of Sheelagh rang me. I rang others. They went out to check the pumps at Hackballscross. This is not the first time this has happened this week. It is a huge issue. I have brought it up with the Taoiseach but I need to draw attention to the infrastructural deficits.”
“Joanna Byrne would not be too happy if I did not mention the need for a north Drogheda train station but it is about organising this in a proper way. We all know that we have huge issues in relation to infrastructure. I have asked many questions recently with regard to the N53, not very far from my house, and the particular issues in seeing delivery. However, before when some minor works were happening, they caused a number of leaks in that particular area and so I am afraid when the considerable works start about us being able to deliver it. I am seeing this on a day when people in the likes of Sheelagh and Kilkerley do not have water because of an issue with Dunbin reservoir. I do not think this is acceptable. I accept that it relates to an Uisce Éireann deficit, but I need to put it on record.”
“I concur with Deputy Ó Laoghaire in the sense that all of us want to see NTA deliver transport systems that actually work for our people, but an absolutely necessary piece is public consultation, which is absolutely lacking at times. We all welcomed the signing of the new Enterprise fleet. The Dublin to Belfast line is a brilliant service that facilitates the likes of Dundalk. There is a need for a new fleet, but I do not think we will have it until 2028. At the moment, we get complaints about the number of people who want to use the service but who cannot get seats. There is a huge issue regarding Dundalk Clarke Railway Station, where we need to see parking spaces provided. Some spaces were removed previously. I have been over and back with Iarnród Éireann on this matter, but we need to see that.”