Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Kildare South · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“People with far greater knowledge than I have are deeply sceptical about the number of applications that are being shown, but anyway. I want to go back to that comparison with the health service because, for me, it raises the legitimate question of whether we should be looking overseas to secure recruits.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his response and sincere interest in this matter. It struck me when looking at this that 2,300 people migrate from Nepal every single day and 30% of the GDP of the country comes from remittances.”
“It is no wonder that Cyprus would be very sensitive to territorial integrity. As the Minister said, Ireland is committed to facilitating the opening of all remaining negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova in the next six months.”
“I think we are disappointed that the new government in Hungary is still causing some difficulties. I appreciate the need for sensitive negotiations with that new government so that it bring Hungary fully in line with European values, which would be very much supportive of this integration.”
“The Government needs to be creative in how it approaches this challenge, but it needs to be approached in a far more resolute manner than it has to date.”
“However, by having a policy of 400 recruits per year, it means it will take us ten years to get to the establishment figure. I accept that the Government has acted to significantly improve pay and conditions but much more needs to be done.”
The complete record
Every one of 109 lines we hold for Seán Ó Fearghaíl, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 3.
“We have a deep and fundamental commitment to the work of the UN and I would urge the Minister to conclude the review she is doing when possible and ensure that Ireland gets on board with the process. Most recently our EU neighbour, the Netherlands, has committed itself to this process. Many - I think over 20, in fact - of our EU colleagues have done likewise. We do not want to remain the odd one out. We want to be seen to be participating in the efforts to find a solution to a 50-year-old intractable problem that leaves everyone the winner, with a better opportunity for the future of the Sahrawi people and for progress in Algeria and Morocco.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. It has to be accepted that, I think, we are building an ever stronger relationship between Ireland and Morocco. We have opened our embassy there. Our ambassador, Helena Nolan, is doing a superb job for us in Rabat. We all know the Moroccan ambassador to Ireland because he is ever present in this House and never loses an opportunity to promote his country. We know that many Irish people travel there regularly, that business and trade are increasing and that Morocco is a developing, progressive country that represents for us in Europe the gateway to Africa. I will put it to the Minister that she recognises that a process is under way. Over 100 countries have now committed themselves to the resolution as set out by the UN.”
“A clear Irish stance, aligned with the UN, consistent with our principles and attentive to regional security realities would strengthen the prospects for a realistic and durable resolution to this long-running conflict.”
“In his written reply of 5 November on Resolution 2797, the Minister's predecessor stated, "Ireland is considering the implications of the mandate renewal." Given Ireland's long-standing support for UN-led political processes, our commitment to regional stability, and our interest in a strong partnership with a key EU neighbour and strategic partner in North Africa, clarity at this stage matters. In that context, will the Minister provide an update on Ireland's position on Western Sahara in light of the UN Security Council Resolution 2797? Will she clarify the Government's position on the Moroccan autonomy initiative, particularly in light of the growing international consensus explicitly mentioned in the last Security Council resolution?”
“It calls upon the parties, namely Morocco, Algeria, Polisario and Mauritania, to engage in negotiations without preconditions, taking as a basis Morocco's autonomy proposal. It recognises that genuine autonomy could represent a most feasible outcome and encourages the parties to submit ideas to support a final mutually acceptable solution. It expresses appreciation to the United States for its readiness to host negotiations in furtherance of the personal envoy's mission to achieve a solution for Western Sahara and the region.”
“Ireland has consistently demonstrated its commitment to multilateralism, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law, notably through its support for UN-led processes, peacekeeping operations and dialogue-based, negotiated solutions. On 31 October 2025, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 by 11 votes in favour, including three permanent members. The resolution takes note of the support expressed by many member states for Morocco's autonomy proposal, presented on 11 April 2007 to the UN Secretary General, as a basis for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. It affirms that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution.”
“Since the 1991 ceasefire and the establishment of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO - to which Ireland contributed peacekeeping personnel until 2021 - efforts to implement the original settlement plan, which consists in the organisation of a referendum, proved unworkable between 1991 and 2004 due to the inability to agree on an electorate. Recognising this impasse, the Security Council shifted course in 2004 and called instead for a political solution. In response, Morocco presented its autonomy initiative in 2007, a proposal that successive UN Secretaries General and Security Council resolutions have acknowledged as serious, credible and realistic.”
“I am grateful to the Minister for being present to deal with this matter. I want to declare an interest in that, as the convener of the Ireland-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group, this is an issue in which I am keenly interested. Will the Minister provide an update on Ireland's stance on the question of Western Sahara in the context of the recent developments at United Nations level? This 50-year-old dispute remains one of the longest standing issues on the agenda of the UN. Despite successive UN efforts to facilitate a negotiated settlement, the situation has continued to evolve, shaped by developments on the ground and by broader dynamics in the region.”
“I have a simple question. Will the Taoiseach refer this crisis situation for consideration to the disability unit established by him, in his Department, in order to find a resolution to this critical matter?”
“In Kildare, Sensational Kids is a social enterprise that provides assessment of needs and a range of therapies for children. It is also operational in counties Monaghan, Mayo and Cork. Approximately two years ago, on foot of a commitment of €9.5 million from the Department of justice's IIP programme, complemented by local fundraising, Sensational Kids commenced construction of a national child development centre on a site it had bought in Kildare town. A year ago, having drawn down half of the IIP money, the Department of justice ceased the flow of funds, and the builder departed the site while still owed over €600,000. Today, a year later, the site stands idle with no commitment forthcoming for the release of the balance of the IIP funding or for any additional capital funding from the HSE or any other State source.”
“Does the Minister agree that whatever agreement might be reached there can be no normalisation of EU relations with Russia while the monster Putin is president?”
“We all want peace, but what is certain is that Russia cannot be rewarded for its crimes. It should not be readmitted to the G8 or reintegrated into the global economy. The plan, for example, demands Ukrainian denazification, effectively validating Russia's absurd narrative that Ukraine is riddled with Nazis. I have been there, as have other Members of this House, and I do not think there is any evidence available to that end. There have been war crimes committed in Bucha, Irpin and other places, forced relocations to Russia of children, repeated strikes on apartment buildings, most recently in the western city of Ternopil, and the torture, abuse and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Despite all this, the plan, as it currently stands, grants the Kremlin full immunity from prosecution.”
“One could believe, given recent statements, that Secretary Rubio is perhaps more realistic in his approach and is trying to inject a level of realism into the debate, but the bottom line is that Europe must be involved so as to ensure that, as the Minister quite rightly says, nothing is done about Ukraine without Ukraine's full involvement and without Ukraine being able to benefit at the end of the day.”
“I am not sure that I agree with the Minister in welcoming the nature of the American involvement in this particular situation. It has been characterised as being on Putin's side, appearing to be on Ukraine's side, and now being back on the Putin side again. Some people think that the current peace plan was written in Russian and translated via Google Translate. I am deeply concerned about many of the provisions in that plan, which seems to have the enthusiastic support of President Trump.”
“I want to return to the question of Ukraine and to ask the Minister if she agrees that there can be no peace agreement imposed on Ukraine without its support and the support of the European Union generally.”
“The question of aid is of vital importance. We cannot ignore the fact, for example, that the Israelis have not yet agreed to open the Rafah crossing, and that the aid is accessing the Palestinian people via a variety of much smaller entry points. Irish people would like to know if we can be confident that the aid we are providing is getting to the people of Gaza. Irish people have been very generous in their support of the people there and they want to be confident that the aid is reaching those who so desperately need it. In terms of the pursuit of a long-term solution to this particular problem, it is obvious that the war - the murder and mayhem - has claimed the attention of all entities dealing with this, but how far are we from sitting down internationally to begin to engage on a long-term solution to the problems?”
“One could not but be quite surprised at what has happened. We welcome the ceasefire, although it is a ceasefire of sorts, that has happened in Gaza but we are aware of the fact that slaughter of the innocents still continues and we do not, in truth, have a full and total ceasefire. Gaza's health ministry reported that more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli fire and nearly 900 injured since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 10 October. The situation needs to be continuously monitored. I mentioned surprise. I refer to surprise that the Trump involvement achieved welcome progress in this particular matter, while the international architecture we have put in place to deal with conflict had failed and failed abysmally.”
“We should also acknowledge the number of individuals, schools and agencies in the country that are trying to provide educational services remotely to women and girls in Afghanistan. We should use whatever resources we can to assist them in that.”
“I thank the Minister of State for that response. It is particularly positive. I am very proud of my own local community in Kildare where people came together to welcome two Afghani families into the local community. They have settled in very well but they continue to fear what is happening in their home country. We hear from them of the disasters that are taking place for women and girls - their exclusion from society and relegation to a form of subhuman living. We are also conscious of the situation developing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, how the Pakistani Taliban is becoming ever more active and the loss of life that is happening in the conflict between those two countries.”
“I thank the Minister of State for that response. I am sure we all remember some years ago when America withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban began to march on Kabul. When Ashraf Ghani ran away and left his people to the fate that awaited them under the Taliban, many of us hoped there might be a more moderate regime than had been feared but it is quite clear from the most recent report from Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur, that the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate. One of the reasons for my question is that the two most recent statements from the Council of Ministers came in August 2023 and September 2024. While I know it is inordinately difficult, given the number of conflicts there are in the world at present, we cannot let the real tragedy that is happening in Afghanistan become a forgotten one.”
“I will avail of this opportunity to congratulate the Minister on her appointment. Foreign affairs has always been an important brief but at this time of international geopolitical flux or chaos, it is a particularly important role to play. Working with the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, I am sure the Minister will do a very fine job for us on the international stage. My question relates to the situation in Afghanistan and whether the Minister has yet had the opportunity to, or will in the future, engage with her counterparts on the situation there.”
“They did not understand that our concern was based primarily around the issue of illegal settlements. That is one of the reasons the occupied territories Bill needs to be enacted immediately, as a matter of extreme urgency. The idea that people continue to talk about a two-state solution while the possibility of establishing a second state is steadily and inexorably being eliminated for the lack of space, as Palestinian people are driven out of their homes, the homes demolished and the land taken over, is appalling. Will the international community see the light and let us, please, have peace?”
“The people who have supported him, provided his Government with arms or provided him with any sort of encouragement might as well have pushed the buttons or pulled the triggers that exploded the lives of the men, women and children in Palestine. It is a travesty. We now see the flotilla trying to do something about the situation and raise public awareness. Those participating deserve admiration. I have great admiration for Senator Andrews and Deputy Heneghan for their participation in that effort. When we look at the Gazan situation, the greatest and longest lasting problem has been the illegal settlements in the West Bank. I have had engagement with successive Israeli ambassadors to this country, most of whom could not understand why Ireland was so supportive of the Palestinian people.”
“Deputy Fitzmaurice spoke a lot of common sense in his contribution. The public is horrified by the failure of international agencies to take action against the Israelis and provide support to the Palestinian people. I am horrified to think aid was sitting on the border waiting to be delivered to starving people and it was beyond the ability of the United Nations, NATO, the EU or any of the other wonderful and phenomenal organisations we admire, support and, in some instances, subscribe to, to go in and do something to provide food to starving people. Not only am I horrified by the international agencies, but I am horrified by those governments and those supposed leaders who supply support and succour to the monster that is Netanyahu and his Government.”
“I am delighted we are having this debate on Gaza. We cannot have enough debates on this matter for as long as the travesty happening there lasts. As one of the older Members of this House, I can remember the atrocities we have seen in the world down through the years. I remember Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge and the 2 million people slaughtered in Cambodia. I remember other, more recent events in Europe: the Croat war, in which 20,000 people were lost, Srebrenica, where 8,000 people were slaughtered, and the upwards of half a million people slaughtered under Assad in Syria. Despite all those travesties, there is something about this particular conflict that has touched the hearts of Irish men, women and children in a way no other conflict has done. We are horrified by what we see happening.”
“This was raised here on 10 July by our colleague Deputy Barry Ward. That was the anniversary of the appointment of Mr. Justice Gilligan to address the concerns of thalidomide victims, 60 years after their mothers took this drug and the State failed to act expeditiously to have it withdrawn. With the numbers of people who are victims steadily reducing, when oh when will both the Tánaiste, as a compassionate Tánaiste, and the highly compassionate Minister for Health move to ensure that the problems of thalidomide victims are once and for all resolved?”
“I join with colleagues in expressing my horror and revulsion at the experiences of the Tánaiste and his family and the intimidation inflicted on them earlier this year. I think the solution to that particular problem rests in following the advice of the Ceann Comhairle yesterday and proceeding to build on the work of the committee on safe participation in public life, led by the former Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan. Governments in this wonderful little country of ours have on occasions in the past got things wrong. We have made mistakes. We have proven that we can resolve those problems but, very often, the victims of the mistakes tell us that they have had to drag the Government and the public service screaming and crying to the table to find a solution. I am talking today about thalidomide victims.”
“The programme for Government commits to a new management system. When will we see that management system put in place so that there can be an end to these expensive, unnecessary and damaging incursions?”
“The Tánaiste will not be surprised that I rise to speak today to mention the illegal encampments on the Curragh Plains. In mentioning them, I immediately thank the Tánaiste and his official for the speed with which they moved in the earlier part of this year to deal with the several illegal encampments which were established. The Tánaiste's alacrity contrasts with the way in which the problem was dealt with in previous years. What has been happening on the Curragh with these illegal encampments, with visitors coming from Britain and France as well as across Ireland, could not even be imagined in the Phoenix Park because the Phoenix Park is a national resource that is perfectly well managed. It is happening on the Curragh because the Curragh is ineffectively and ineffectually managed.”
“We look at those little children with their wonderful brown eyes. We wonder what will happen to those children who survive this atrocity. What will they be doing and what will their attitude be in ten years' time? One thing is certain. Unless urgent action is taken, they will not have to be radicalised.”
“In fact, if it wants to assist the long-term development of the State of Israel, it will do it best by embargoing Netanyahu and his regime. Likewise, the British Government would do well to wake up and see the damage it is doing as well. The EU-Israel Association Agreement has been referred to, and what the Taoiseach said this morning was valuable because to review something is purely tokenistic if it is going to take ages and if it is not accompanied by an immediate commitment to suspend. We need to identify and name those countries that provide succour to Netanyahu or fail to condemn. They, too, are complicit. They, too, have the blood of the innocents on their hands. Let us all unite in calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace. My wife and I look at TV every evening.”
“If the UN cannot do it and the EU cannot do it, why do we not try to put together an alliance of like-minded countries that would have the courage to do it? We need to highlight to the world the purveyors of arms to Netanyahu. These countries and these people might as well go and slaughter the children of Palestine themselves because when they provide the arms to the government, they know what is going to be done with them. The US, Germany and the UK seem to be the principal providers. I do not think we could embarrass the Trump regime, but we can make an appeal to the decent American people over the head of Trump. We do not need to be skilled historians to understand the complexity of the relationship between Germany and the State of Israel, but Germany needs to realise it is not assisting the State of Israel by assisting Netanyahu.”
“I am proud this Government has taken action and has been a leader among governments, not just in Europe but in the world, and while that may not be recognised sometimes in this House, it is bloody well recognised in neighbouring countries like Qatar, Türkiye, Morocco and many other countries in the region that Ireland has been firmly on the side of the people of Palestine. I want to put forward a couple of quick proposals. Convoys of aid are gathered on the border waiting to get in while children are at risk of dying. Why does the UN not have the capacity to go in and provide safe corridors of access for those aid convoys? Why is the EU not doing what Deputy Tóibín suggested in providing airdrops of aid into the country?”
“The Netanyahu regime has shown itself in the intervening period. He has shown himself to be a monstrous leader and his Government a monstrous authority that has done so much damage not just to the Palestinian people whose lives they have taken and whose children and women they have slaughtered but to the State of Israel. The State of Israel has a right to exist. I respect and love the Jewish people but I deplore, detest and reject Netanyahu and his people. We should not, however, be here today to just engage in the politics of condemnation because what the people who are emailing us are saying is enough talk, let us see some action.”
“Since this tragedy began 20 months ago, we have heard some of the most passionate and sincere contributions in this House from people whose concern is palpable about what we see transpiring before our eyes. Our inboxes over recent days have been inundated by correspondence from members of the Irish public right across the country who are concerned, troubled and heartbroken by what they see happening in Palestine. At the risk of repeating myself, when this conflict commenced with the Hamas attack and kidnapping on a kibbutz in Israel 20 months ago, I pointed out here in the Chamber that the terrorist organisation Hamas deserves to be brought to account. I also pointed out, however, that we have a right to expect that sovereign governments' behaviour will be far better than the behaviour of any terrorist organisation.”
“As someone who has heard the heartbreaking descriptions of the plight of women and emaciated children in Gaza from heroic front-line defenders and medics over the past 24 hours, like others, I cannot stand here without referring to that particular matter and adding my voice to the calls for a ceasefire and for peace. We have to acknowledge that Hamas terrorists and the monstrous Netanyahu regime have brought about an apocalyptic situation that horrifies all decent, right-thinking people. Further words of condemnation seem hollow and of no particular use any more. What we need to do, and what this Government has done, is take action. We first need to spotlight those who supply arms to Netanyahu to enable the murder of the innocent. We also need to move to revoke rather than review the EU-Israel trade association agreement.”
“One child living in poverty is one child too many nonetheless we must recognise that major achievements have been made. ECCE, increased child support payments, the free clothing scheme, free school books and the meal allowance have helped to support families in dire need. Points were made by Deputies Bacik and Connolly about child homelessness as being one of the key issues affecting children living in poverty and it must be tackled aggressively. It is an area where Bertie Ahern's slogan applies. A lot has been done generally about child poverty but there is an awful lot more to be done. In tackling the problems of dysfunctional families, drug abuse and substance abuse generally, we need to look at resourcing local communities, family support centres and so on to give them the resources to work locally to support people in dire need.”
“Despite the wonderful weather we are having, there is a certain sense of foreboding around the country as we see - thanks to Donald Trump - the dark clouds of economic uncertainty beginning to gather. I am conscious that in such circumstances, where we have had difficulties in the past, we have always moved to secure the well-being and welfare of the most disadvantaged and the less well off. It is in that context that I have been thinking about those who have been impacted by thalidomide. It is nearly 50 years ago since I first heard the story of thalidomide. Fifty years has elapsed and we now have approximately 40 people living with that condition in the country. To say that I am embarrassed and ashamed that we have not yet met their needs and resolved the difficulties is something of an understatement.”
“What the Governor of the Central Bank did not address was the issue of the regulatory regime. We are a country that has a history of extremes when it comes to regulation, including extremes of ineffectual regulation or non-implementation of regulation and then, when something goes wrong, we come up with a host of extremely excessive regulations, which we have been implementing to the detriment of the construction sector. I would not suggest for a minute that we go back to the lunacy of the past but we need to loosen the purse strings to enable people at local level to build more affordable units that people locally can buy.”
“During the course of the last week, the Governor of the Central Bank, Gabriel Makhlouf, entered the debate on housing. He did so in response to a Government initiative calling for greater liquidity for developers and builders. He told us that the banks are well capitalised and have plenty of money to lend but that they would do so subject to their own lending criteria and risk assessment. If you talk to builders, particularly small and medium-sized builders and developers, across the country, they will tell you that one of their greatest difficulties is sourcing capital. Their contribution to the housing problem could be immense if they had the funding to build houses at a small scale, which, individually, might not be great, but which cumulatively would have a huge effect.”
“I put it to the Taoiseach that our own Ursula von der Leyen and other leaders in the EU such as himself have the capacity to provide the inspiration and moral leadership that we are never going to get from President Trump.”
“We see Trump, whose politics repulse me. My revulsion at Trump's politics is not tempered in any way by the fact that he has been elected. Indeed, I am more concerned and apprehensive as a result of that. We see Trump trying to commandeer Ukrainian natural resources, proposing a discussion with Putin on the divisions of the spoils of war, the divisions of land and the remaining resources, such as who will have control of the nuclear power plants. We have also heard his appalling plan that Gaza would become the Mar-a-Lago of the East. I do not know if he wants to own it himself, but he sees American as owning it. This is a travesty and demonstrates clearly to us, and to any sane and sensible person in the world, that we need a new world order. We need new leaders to step forward.”
“I find myself in large agreement with Deputy Daly. Like the Taoiseach, I was born in 1960. Back in the sixties, for entertainment we had a very strong diet of American movies, TV programmes and sitcoms. That might have helped us come to the view of the US as the land of opportunity, a champion of democracy and human rights on the world stage and, if you like, a self-appointed world police force. If this was ever true, it certainly is manifestly not true today. The Irish people, our representatives and the Taoiseach are hugely invested in the plight of the Palestinian people and the case of the Ukrainian population. Our commitment to a fair and lasting peace is unquestionable. If we were to look to the US to be an honest broker and a defender of the rule of law and human rights, we see that everything has changed.”
“They are very positive when they are happening at farm level but when they begin to take on an industrial-scale size, they pose some practical difficulties in some areas and we do not appear to have a national strategy to deal with them. The question of battery energy storage systems is also problematic, not least because in this country we do not appear to have the technology to deal with fires that might occur in situations where large-scale battery energy storage systems have been developed. When will something be done by way of a strategy in this regard?”
“As a Member who fully appreciates the need for us all to drive, and drive enthusiastically, the development of the renewable energy sector, I am very conscious that the concentration in recent years has been on the offshore energy sector. It would be beneficial to all of us to have a clearer understanding of the timescales involved in the development of this sector. We have spoken about being able to become net exporters of energy. There are those in the sector who tell me this is a very long way away. While all of this is happening, we are seeing throughout the country an increase in the number of biogas plants being developed.”
“I congratulate the Minister on his return to the Department of Finance. I raise a matter related to that raised by Deputy Duncan Smith. We have heard a lot in recent years about the fact that the planet's poorest people have suffered as a result of the ravages of climate change but the geopolitical situation that we find ourselves in now has rejuvenated and turbocharged the arms race. As we in Europe in particular justifiably and understandably seek to spend more and more on defence, will the Minister assure us that the commitment in the programme for Government that we will defend the funds we have ring-fenced for development aid will be protected? How will the Minister use his enormous influence in the European Union to ensure other member states of the Union protect their funds reserved for development aid too?”
“Has the Taoiseach or the Minister for foreign affairs had any contact with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the real leader of the Belarusian people, who is living in exile in Lithuania?”
“The peace-loving international community has been transfixed in recent years by the sheer horror of what we have seen happening in Palestine and in Ukraine. However, there are many other places in the world where all is also not well. Has our Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs and, indeed, our Department of foreign affairs in consultation with our European partners, been looking at the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, for example, under the tyranny of the Taliban regime? Have we looked at what has been happening in Belarus where in January of this year in a faux election Lukashenko was elected with 88% of the vote? Some of us here would have loved to get level of support in the past and we could not manage it. It is hard to believe Europe's last remaining dictator is still in power after 31 years.”
“When the Cabinet committee on health next meets, I ask that it discuss the situation regarding the national child development centre at Kildare town, which stands partially constructed but abandoned following a decision by the Department of Justice to withhold funding committed under the immigrant investor programme, IIP, system. This is run by Sensational Kids, an organisation that functions at four locations across the country, and can provide essential assessments and therapies for children.”
“It was opened just before Christmas by the then Minister, Deputy Norma Foley. This school cannot guarantee places to those applying to begin first year in 2025.”