Ryan O'Meara
Tipperary North · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The postponement of a decision this week while expert opinion was requested by the committee was incredibly disappointing. I do not know, after hundreds and hundreds of days of people waiting for a medication that they desperately need, how a committee that is paid to do a job still has not made a decision.”
“The Minister mentioned labs, which is fantastic because that is my next point. St. Mary's Secondary School in Nenagh has been approved for its science labs. The tender has been done and the proposed contractor is to be appointed. The school sent its information to the Department on 10 June and followed up on 29 June.”
“I thank the Minister for that. On her final point, I will raise one school to begin with. Presentation Primary School in Thurles originally applied in 2016 for works to its car park and school yard in terms of tarring, relining, safer access and drop-off zones.”
“The ask from this budget from the INTO is very important - 1,000 additional teachers - to help us reduce class sizes for every child to give him or her more attention, to support inclusive education, to meet growing pupil needs, to ease the workload pressure and potential burnout for teachers facing those very high numbers within the clas…”
“I want to read an excerpt from an email I got today in relation to Skyclarys for people with Friedreich's ataxia: At 19 years old, I should be excited about my future. I should be looking forward to building a career, travelling, making memories with friends and planning the life I want to live.”
“I acknowledge the work that was done by the previous Government in reducing the pupil-teacher ratio. Good work was done and, to be fair, in the last budget, good work was done in respect of the capitation grants to schools and that needs to be recognised.”
The complete record
Every one of 302 lines we hold for Ryan O'Meara, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 7.
“The Guardian in the UK has reported that relatively tame requests by X users to alter photographs to show women in bikinis rapidly evolved during the first week of the year, hour by hour, into increasingly explicit demands for women to be dressed in transparent bikinis, then in bikinis made of dental floss, placed in sexualised positions, and made to bend over so that their genitals were visible. By 8 January, as many as 6,000 bikini demands were being made of the chatbot every hour. Also reported by The Guardian in the UK, a woman called Evie had an image of her altered by Grok to depict her in a bikini covered in baby oil. Evie said: People saw it was upsetting me and I didn’t like it and they kept doing more and more.”
“I would like to talk about Grok. Requests to Grok have included: "remove her clothes", "take her clothes off", "Grok, bikini now", "put her in a bikini", "replace her clothes with dental floss", "Grok, make her clothes transparent", and "Grok, make her look like she is kneeling for Donald Trump in a bikini". These are some of the requests made by warped individuals on X to take photos of women without their consent and produce sexually explicit, harmful and illegal imagery. Elon Musk's AI invention on X, Grok, duly complied with all requests, normally within minutes.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I might change my speech around a bit from what I was going to start with for a few minutes to talk about the positives of AI to begin with, just to give the group in the Gallery a moment. What I was about to say here was quite negative and scathing of what we had seen through Grok and X in recent weeks, but I had planned on concluding by saying the positives were there for AI and an entire conversation was to be had around that point. I am not coming in here to be entirely negative. It is obviously the future and it has the potential to be transformative for our society, economy and the way we do so much in terms of productivity across our country. The positives are there, with an awful lot of work needed. Am I okay to go ahead now with the other part of my speech?”
“As the Taoiseach knows, school secretaries and caretakers went on indefinite strike action last September. That strike lasted a week until Fórsa and Department officials agreed to go to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, where talks collapsed before Christmas. The issue is before the Labour Court this week. When are we going to get a resolution for school secretaries and caretakers on the issues of pension parity, bereavement leave and sick leave, among other issues? Caretakers have been waiting for years for the same payment system as secretaries. It is completely unacceptable and unfair that caretakers are still waiting for this. When will we see the Government resolve these issues for caretakers and secretaries?”
“In addition, the development contributions for one-off rural houses should be scrapped again. They are simply a privilege for building on your own land. First, will we see these planning regulations that will exempt log cabins? Second, will this go beyond backyard developments and allow them in rural areas? Third, when will we see the regulations?”
“Last February the Government announced its intention to remove the requirement for planning permission for log cabins and modular homes in backyard developments. By the end of the Christmas recess, it will be nearly a year since we heard that announcement. One-off houses in rural Ireland can benefit if we allow log cabins and modular homes to be built not just in backyard developments. They are also one of the few affordable houses out there for young people in rural Ireland whom I speak to. I could give numerous examples of log cabins and modular homes across north Tipperary and north-west Kilkenny that are at threat of enforcement proceedings because they do not have planning permission. Enforcement should not be ongoing until we know what these regulations say.”
“I am highly sceptical, as I have said previously. We need to include young people and their voices and listen to them, understanding that they can find VPNs and workarounds. What apps would be in and what apps would be out? Would an under-16s ban produce a constant whack-a-mole process? We can do a lot of work. We can and must regulate more and ensure there is an onus on social media companies. We must listen and protect young people.”
“I will read out some of the points young people brought to us. "I used to use Roblox and I do have an account but I stopped using it and buying Roblox because of their predator issues and the way they handle those types of situations". Another young person said, "Discord is full of predators and shady people. It also has links to Roblox and they are trying to move you off-platform. You can send photos and videos through private chat and its servers which can solicit images and illegal substances, etc." Another said, "I previously played Fortnite but I no longer do because there are lots of threats of violence". I welcome the Minister's work on and the discussion around the digital wallet. It is very promising. I understand this issue is very topical with the under-16s ban in Australia. Time will tell how successful that is.”
“We held an online survey earlier this year of parents, parenting in the digital age. We had a lot of findings out of that. One I want to bring the attention of the Minister was that less than 10% of parents who participated in our survey said they were very confident in understanding the online world their children are a part of, while 40% or so were somewhat confident, but the reality is we have to support parents too. Technology is moving at a rapid pace and parents cannot be expected to keep up with it without supports. Fianna Fáil also held a workshop with young people here in Leinster House. Some of the reports coming out of that were quite staggering. I was very passionate that we should bring in young people to discuss this because I do not believe we can leave their voices out of the conversation.”
“I thank the Minister for being here today to discuss this important topic on the floor of the Dáil. Right now, young people in this country and across Europe and the world who have access to technology are being failed. Lives and mental health are being damaged as a result of online bullying and harassment. Some of us are aware of horrendous cases where lives have been lost. We have a responsibility in this House to protect young people online and offline and also to listen to them. The damage algorithms do is lethal for young men with radical ideology poured down on top of them and young women in relation to physical appearance. Fianna Fáil has been doing a lot of work in this area. I, as spokesperson on education and youth, have taken a lead in this area and it is something I am deeply passionate about.”
“Next year we will hold the Presidency of Europe. During that time, as the Taoiseach is more than aware, our national security will be of paramount importance. Given what has happened with drone activity and interference in Denmark, there is a fear the same will happen in Ireland. With President Zelenskyy's visit last week, we saw drones off the coast of Dublin. It is one thing for us to be a militarily neutral country, and that is right, but it is another thing for us to be able to say whether we can patrol our own skies and protect our own airspace. In light of the Presidency coming up in the middle part of next year, what will our national security strategy do? When will we see it? What will be in it regarding the protection of our skies and airports from rogue actors operating drones?”
“If we want to improve the accessibility, reliability and affordability of public transport, particularly public transport for young children under nine in rural Ireland, we need to give them the same access to those routes as children in urban areas or areas with PSO obligations. Just because we are unlucky enough not to have them does not mean that the children and families I represent in rural Ireland should be unlucky enough not to be able to access the system.”
“We do not have the PSO routes but we have children under nine who cannot qualify for free transport or the free travel scheme in the way that their peers in areas that have PSO routes or urban areas can qualify. It is, quite simply, an inequity in the system. In her response, the Minister of State stated: “I would like to assure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the programme for Government.” I ask the Minister of State to carry that exact sentence back to the Cabinet and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien.”
“I appreciate the response the Minister of State has given me on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I appreciate that a lot of the work that has been done has been really positive, but I really do not appreciate where the policy stands. I hope the Minister of State will carry that back, while she is at Cabinet, to the Minister. I represent a constituency that does not have PSO routes and does not have public routes either. A number of years ago we lost the X12 and X8 routes, which were direct routes that travelled through County Tipperary. Deputy Ward spoke earlier about the 46A, which I had quite a fondness for during my years in UCD. We all mourn its loss. Interestingly enough, during that time I travelled on the X12 regularly. It ran from Limerick to Dublin. That is gone. We do not have it anymore. We have private operators.”
“I mentioned that this would cost less than €1 million from a budget of €4 billion. I mentioned that this inequity within our system means that the people I represent in rural Ireland - in north Tipperary and north-west Kilkenny - are not getting the same access to transport as those in large urban areas. At a cost of less than €1 million, from a budget of €4 billion, it is low-hanging fruit we can deliver for the young people and families I represent in rural Ireland.”
“As the Department of Transport has an annual budget of €4 billion, it would be money well spent in rural Ireland. The Leap card technology is already in place and can deliver the scheme without an administrative burden on the State. More importantly, the benefit goes to families, including those I represent in north Tipperary and north-west Kilkenny. It eases the cost-of-living burden on parents of young children at a time when everyday expenses continue to climb. My questions are quite straightforward. Will the Department move to include commercial bus operators in the under-nines free travel scheme as a matter of priority? When can we expect this to take place? Families across the country deserve a consistent and equitable transport system. This is a small change but it would have a large and immediate impact.”
“In cities with extensive PSO networks, children travel free. In rural Ireland, where families have few alternatives, children continue to pay full fares. This creates an obvious urban-rural disparity and it is difficult to justify. The exclusion of these children from this initiative also runs counter to our climate ambitions. A single coach can remove as many as 40 cars from the road. Even a modest shift of 10% away from car travel at peak times would reduce annual emissions by more than 14,000 tonnes. We cannot credibly ask families to leave the car at home if public transport for their children is more expensive simply because they live outside big cities or large rural areas. Importantly, there is an easy fix to this problem. Including commercial operators in the scheme would cost less than €1 million per year.”
“Children under the age of nine travel free on public service obligation, PSO, services but not on commercial bus routes, even though these routes are often the only public transport options in rural towns and villages such as those in north Tipperary and north-west Kilkenny. Commercial operators play a central role in our transport system. The private bus sector is responsible for carrying over 75 million passengers a year. It supports 11,000 jobs and contributes more than €600 million to the economy. It is already participating in the free travel scheme and the young adult card. Despite this track record, it was left out of the under-nines initiative without a clear rationale even though this should be low-hanging fruit. It is a very inequitable system for rural and regional areas. A two-tier system has been created.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I congratulate her on her recent elevation. The matter I am raising affects families, especially in rural and regional Ireland, in a way that is unfair and out of step with the Government's transport and climate objectives. I am referring to the exclusion of commercial bus operators from the under-nines free travel scheme. Successive budgets have introduced measures designed to reduce public transport costs and these have been broadly welcomed as they are very good, but there is a significant and unexplained gap in policy and it affects the children and families I represent in rural Ireland.”
“-----and we cannot regulate it out of existence, either for solar, wind or anaerobic digesters. Last year the Tánaiste said that the Government was listening and would revise the 2006 guidelines. Last night the Taoiseach gave a commitment to the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party that we would see draft guidelines for wind turbines next year. Setback distances, noise control and flicker must be part of this. Will the Tánaiste commit on the floor of the Dáil today that we will see draft guidelines for wind farms? Furthermore, can we get a commitment-----”
“The guidelines for wind farms date from 2006. They have not kept up with advancements in technology. I am receiving representations from every corner of my constituency in relation to the inadequacy of guidelines for wind farms. Renewable energy is absolutely essential-----”
“We need to repopulate rural Ireland and allow those of us who can get a site in rural Ireland to not have to jump through ridiculous hoops to be able to build in our own parish and our own home. Now is the time for urgency, now is the time for action.”
“We can build houses there if Uisce Éireann will provide the infrastructure. Time and again, every chance I have had to raise housing in this Chamber, I have done so and at every opportunity, I will again. We want houses in Cloghjordan and Ballycommon and they can be built if we provide the infrastructure, but it is urgent. It is needed now, not in five or ten years. My generation needs it now. We need affordable housing schemes in Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Urlingford and I am proud to represent all those towns. We need affordable housing for my generation, for those young people who have gone abroad who want to come home and build a life, and for the people I went to school with who want to raise a family. Rural planning needs to be loosened. We need to give GAA clubs and rural schools a chance.”
“It is more important to that Member to object to 211 homes in her own constituency than contribute positively to policy in this country. It is more important to that TD to sit in Opposition and oppose and object time and again when 211 homes could have been built in Clonsilla but she delayed them.”
“I will not apologise to a Member who asked where the Fianna Fáil TDs were and when she had the chance to sit here and listen, she got up and left because it is more important for her to post her video on social media than actually listen to what is going on.”
“Housing is the greatest issue affecting my generation and I will not apologise to any Member of the permanent Opposition that will stand in this Chamber and ask where young Fianna Fáil TDs are. I am proud to be a young Fianna Fáil TD. I am proud to come from a working-class republican background. I am proud to stand in this Chamber and represent young people across rural Ireland because I am impacted by the housing crisis. My generation is impacted by the housing crisis and I know what it means to face unaffordable rents, unaffordable housing and unaffordable purchase prices, and I will stand up in this Chamber and say it.”
“I have contacted the Minister and An Garda Síochána about this and Garda numbers in Roscrea. It is a town that desperately needs resources and representation. I ask for the Taoiseach's intervention to get more gardaí for Roscrea.”
“Roscrea needs more gardaí. Last August, I was delighted to welcome five new gardaí to north Tipperary. They were going to Nenagh and Thurles, which is very positive and welcome. Unfortunately, however, Roscrea was left out. Roscrea Garda station essentially does not open any more, whether it is for policing or for someone to get a form signed for a passport. This is difficult for the town. A number of years ago, Roscrea had three sergeants, 18 to 20 front-line gardaí, two civilian staff and a detective. Today, the town has three sergeants, seven front-line gardaí and one garda on loan from Nenagh to fill basic staffing requirements. I am told that overtime and the loan of a garda from Nenagh are essentially just keeping gardaí out on the streets in cars in Roscrea.”
“How does the NPWS have the authority to sign something, commit to it and say to representative bodies that it is going to do something, and then turn around and say it is too busy with other things, has too many other commitments and cannot make it happen? A commitment has been made to the NARGC, a very good body that wants to work with the Government and the NPWS and other State agencies for the betterment of rural Ireland in the context of conservation activities. There are other groups that want to be involved too, in the one room, informing policy on a very important area for the people whom I represent. I ask the Minister of State to bring my concern back to the NPWS and the Minister of State and make it very clear to them how disappointed I am, on behalf of these groups, that they are possibly being let down again.”
“Rural communities have been waiting for years for a forum where stakeholders, including farmers, rural sports groups, and conservation organisations, can come together to discuss policy on nature, wildlife and habitats in a balanced and constructive way. While progress has been promised on multiple occasions, deadlines have slipped and I am worried that we are about to see more deadlines slipping. The NPWS has signed a memorandum of understanding and I cannot comprehend how it can do that, commit to a date for a meeting to take place and then turn around, mere months after missing that date, and say that it is too busy to do it.”
“I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, for taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan. I appreciate that this is not directly his departmental area but I must express my concern at the initial response. In 2021, the nature advisory committee was committed to but not established. In 2022, the stakeholder forum was committed to but not established and I am worrying now, based on the reply, that we are seeing a third forum being promised but not being established and another group of organisations in rural Ireland being let down. We still do not have a clear commitment or a date for the establishment of the countryside forum for nature.”
“The Government has approved the establishment of this forum, possibly for a third time now. The NPWS has signed a memorandum of understanding with the NARGC committing to its creation. Rural Ireland, including the people I represent in rural Ireland, and these groups are waiting for the forum to become operational. There is no excuse for any further delay at this stage and there is certainly no excuse for missing a third forum to which the Government has committed. I ask for update on when the first meeting will happen and request that progress be made immediately. In particular, I ask for a date for the first forum meeting.”
“It is those communities, those representative bodies and organisations, those local people I have met time and again that I wish to speak up for here today to make sure that their voices are heard and this commitment is met. I accept there are specific sectoral forums on issues such as nature restoration and sustainable bird hunting. However, there is no single overarching forum whereby rural stakeholders - not just game hunters but also farming groups, rural sports groups, conservation groups and environmental NGOs - can sit around the same table with the NPWS to discuss a national policy approach to conserving nature, wildlife and the habitats that make up rural Ireland's countryside, while keeping balance with the rights, traditions and interests of the people who call that countryside their home, workplace and haven.”
“The subsequent strategic action plan for the NPWS which was approved by Cabinet agreed to establish a stakeholder forum with an implementation deadline of September 2022. That deadline was not met. The stakeholder forum was never established. Earlier this year the NPWS agreed a memorandum of understanding with the National Association of Regional Game Councils, NARGC, with an establishment deadline of 30 June this year. That deadline was not met. That countryside forum for nature has not yet been established. There appears to be a recurring pattern here. Commitments are made but they are not delivered on and deadlines continue to slip. Unfortunately, rural communities and stakeholders bear the consequences.”
“I would like to discuss the need to establish the promised countryside forum for nature. As a Deputy representing a rural constituency, I have a deep understanding of the importance of striking a balance between protecting our countryside and preserving and supporting the economic social and cultural interests and traditions of those who live in, work in and enjoy the countryside. Engaging with, giving voice to and actively listening to rural stakeholders is critical to achieving this balance. In 2021, a review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, recommended the creation of a nature advisory committee with a wide stakeholder base. That council was not established.”
“That is having a massive impact at the moment, particularly for those men and women in tillage who are coming to me and saying that land prices are crippling them at present while the price for their product is so low. Budget 2026 provides funding of at least €50 million to the tillage sector, which I welcome. This will be channelled through the protein aid scheme, the straw incorporation measure and the tillage support scheme. I welcome the Minister's comment that there will be consultation with stakeholders on this. I look forward to consulting my constituents and feeding that back to him as well.”
“According to the IFA, the recent decline in area can be principally attributed to a reduction in cereal production of 50,000 ha since 2012. Ireland has one of the lowest percentages of land devoted to arable cropping in the EU 27, at 6.5% of utilisable agricultural area, despite the fact that 36% of Irish soils or approximately 2.5 million ha are being classified as highly or moderately suitable for tillage production. Essentially, in one sentence, what tillage farmers are telling me is that they are facing high input prices; competition for land; land prices obviously going through the roof, particularly for leases; and low global prices. I fully appreciate that we are fully susceptible as an open economy to global trends.”
“We are acutely aware of the challenges facing the sector and are fully committed to delivering on the huge potential of the tillage sector. Protecting farm family incomes is an absolute priority for Fianna Fáil. It was a priority for me during the general election campaign. When it comes to generational renewal, which is something coming to me massively from younger farmers in particular, financial viability around the family farm is crucial. That is the major challenge that we are seeing for those in tillage at present. We want Irish agriculture to be a world leader in terms of innovation, sustainability and value and we want Irish farmers and their families to thrive. The area under tillage has fallen by 40% in the last 40 years.”
“On taking over the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine between 2020 and 2024, Fianna Fáil worked hard to deliver investment both on the farm and in industry and to provide tangible financial supports for farmers and I recognise that the current Government, and particularly the Minister and Minister of State, have continued that hard work over the past year. The supports include specific supports for the tillage sector, such as the protein aid scheme worth €10.9 million, the straw incorporation measure payments of €15.5 million and the tillage incentive scheme worth €8.5 million in expenditure and €14.3 million paid to tillage farmers by way of the once-off unharvested crop support scheme. Fianna Fáil wants the tillage sector to continue to grow and develop, and we need it to.”
“Tá mé beagnach tinn inniu agus dá bhrí sin, ní bheidh mé ag caint ach ar feadh cúpla nóiméad. I thank both the Minister and the Minister of State for being here this evening for this debate. I welcome these statements on this important topic. It is an issue that has been repeatedly raised with me by constituents, particularly in the lead-up to the budget. The tillage sector is a critical part of the agrifood sector producing high-quality animal feed, bedding and ingredients for the food and drink industry. It contributes over €1.3 billion annually to the national economy despite comprising only 5% of total agricultural area. We have heard from others here this evening but I would also like to point out that the area under tillage has experienced a 40% reduction over the past 40 years.”
“Those in the House who represent Tipperary - I see one or two Members from the Rebel County here - we know the positive impact the outcome of the all-Ireland final had in county this year in encouraging young people to take up hurling and Gaelic football, but we need these facilities. We badly need to get Semple Stadium redeveloped and funding put in place, but we also need to see the multisport complex to which I refer. I want to do as much as I can to emphasise Tipperary GAA's need for funding for the multisport complex on the grounds of TUS and for Kinane Stand in Semple Stadium.”
“Tipperary GAA had applied for a multisport complex on the Technological University of the Shannon campus in Thurles in my constituency. This was done in conjunction with Tennis Ireland and Tipperary County Council. The application was unsuccessful - the Minister of State and I have discussed it - as was Tipperary GAA's application for the development of the Kinane Stand in Semple Stadium. We need to see more funding going into the large-scale infrastructure fund, particularly in the context of the success we need to see in Tipperary in terms of delivering infrastructure. These statements are on the positive impact on the sporting landscape of this funding.”
“The last two rounds of sports capital grants, delivered by Fianna Fáil Ministers in the Department, resulted in record levels of funding for north Tipperary. I was particularly delighted in the last round to have worked with Nenagh Hockey Club and BT Harps in Templemore, both of which got regional status for grants. BT Harps now have a full-size AstroTurf pitch in Templemore that is fully operational. Nenagh Hockey Club is progressing with the work on its new facilities on the grounds of Nenagh College. Those facilities are absolutely fantastic. What I wish to touch on today - it is something I have discussed with the Minister of State and raised on the floor of this House before - is the large-scale infrastructure fund, which was announced last November, prior to my election to this House.”
“A two-state solution is the only solution to this. This country must enact the Occupied Territories Bill. Those who are responsible for war crimes must answer for them. Innocent people in both Palestine and Israel deserve to live in peace, both from the threat of Hamas and the murderous Israeli military. The international community must step up and act now to provide a lasting and real peace. They must prevent further war crimes, murders, killings, displacement and the terrorisation of an innocent people.”
“I have no doubt that we will look back, and history will look back, with shock and rightful disgust at the delayed response from so many in the West and in Europe, and the actions of the current US Administration and others, and ask how this was allowed to go on for so long. Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of children, women and men have been displaced time and time again. Thousands have been murdered, starved, displaced and chased from their homes and terrorised time and time again. Aid workers and journalists have been killed, hospitals have been levelled, and war crimes and genocide have been committed. Vital aid has been prevented from reaching the people who need it most, those who are being starved. History will judge what has happened in Gaza and in the West Bank and history will not be kind.”
“In terms of what Ireland has done to date, the State has intervened in South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. We have recognised the State of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and we welcome the fact other states in Europe are now following the lead of Ireland and Spain, in particular. We have provided €95 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023, of which more than €79 million has been provided since October 2023. We were the first country to call for UNRWA to remain in Gaza and provided €20 million for that.”
“It is simply wrong in principle and in law to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population, whatever the circumstances. The behaviour clearly constitutes a war crime. It is also wholly unacceptable to contemplate the mass displacement of people in Gaza or to talk of permanent occupation. Not only is it an affront to decency and international law, but history tells us that it offers no solution. Ireland remains convinced that the implementation of a two-state solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security for Israel, Palestine and the wider region. Ireland must continue its work with international partners and to step up our efforts to achieve that goal.”
“I wish to start by strongly condemning in the most certain terms the brutality that Israel is inflicting upon the innocent people of Gaza. Equally, I would like to strongly condemn in the most certain terms the atrocious acts committed by Hamas, particularly on 7 October 2023. The murder, maiming and unjustifiable terror being waged on innocent people on both sides of this conflict has no place in our world, yet it continues, to the horror of the world looking in. The continuing barbaric, murderous, genocidal Israeli military operations, which have brought unwavering suffering to the people of Gaza, are blatantly in breach of international law and basic humanity. There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and access to unhindered humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza at an unprecedented scale.”
“They now do not know where they stand. I wrote to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, on this matter and her private secretary responded. I appreciate it is not the job of the Government to directly employ these people; it is the job of the HSE to do so. However, we need clarity on this urgently. Three things are needed. First, we need to know whether Bartra Healthcare and the HSE have an agreement on this. Second, we need to know whether the TUPE regulations stand in this case. Third, while this is happening and while we are finding these things out, we need confirmation, as a matter of urgency, that this will not delay the transfer of the community nursing unit back to the people of Nenagh.”
“The new Nenagh community nursing unit was taken over by the HSE last year to be used as a step-down facility for UHL. A private company, Bartra Healthcare, was contracted to run this facility for one year. That is now due to end at the end of this month. Bartra wrote to its 74 employees on 3 July of this year informing them that their contracts of employment and status as employees would transfer over to the HSE under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), TUPE, Regulations 2003. However, 41 of those employees wrote to me last Friday informing me that the HSE has still not confirmed whether this is the case. There are 74 employees in this facility who have done excellent work as healthcare workers. Most of them are international workers who came to this country on visas to do this exact work.”