Shane Moynihan
Dublin Mid-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Hopefully, we will not need to extend the planning. That is the intention of all. Similarly for Lucan Community College, we need to get the planning right now for phases two and three.”
“Similarly, for Lucan Community College, that is being delivered under phase one through a modular framework and there is now an intention to secure planning for the remaining phase, so that does not delay the delivery of phases two and three of Lucan. I also wish to draw attention to Devine Mercy junior and senior national schools.”
“Thomas's and Scoil Aíne junior and senior national schools in Lucan, they are immediately adjacent to Adamstown, which is one of the rapidly growing areas in the country right now. They are in the same building they were in when the school was opened. That needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. For St.”
“I thank the Minister for her very comprehensive answer. I see first hand the progress that is being made with school buildings across the constituency but there are also buildings that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The Minister mentioned Scoil Chrónáin.”
“The schools I intend to address are St. Thomas Junior National School and Scoil Aíne Naofa in Lucan and Divine Mercy junior and senior national schools and St. Kevin's Community College. What is the current status of the Lucan Community College project and Scoil Chrónáin? I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.”
“Whatever course of action the Government takes, and I have views on either a total ban or a registration and licensing system, it is clear to me that gardaí will need training in the enforcement and tactical interventions that they will need to undertake to enforce whatever ban or system being put in place, as in taking someone from a sco…”
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“I was especially struck by Deputy Robert O'Donoghue's contribution when he spoke of shame in not being able to speak Irish more. Generally, for people watching this debate who are not fluent in the first official language, it is important that we as Gaelgeoirí support their efforts to use the language more. I hope that message will come from today's session. Ceann de na rudaí a thaitníonn liom ó thaobh mo Dháilcheantar féin ná go bhfuil an oiread sin Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí ann, ina measc Ghaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Gaelscoil Naomh Pádraig, Scoil Chrónáin, Gaelscoil na Camóige agus Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin. Rud faoi leith is ea go bhfuil Gaelscoil nua ann, darbh ainm Gaelscoil Lir.”
“Is dóigh liom gurb í an bhunchloch gur chóir go mbeadh ag baint le haon pholasaí i leith na Gaeilge labhartha sa tír seo ná go gcuirfear deiseanna labhartha ar fáil sa chóras oideachais, ó thaobh cúrsaí eacnamaíochta nó ghnó de, nó ó thaobh cúrsaí pobail agus sóisialta. Is é sin an fáth go gcuireann sé gliondar croí orm go bhfuil sé go soiléir sa chlár Rialtas go bhfuil i gceist Gaeilge365 a leathnú amach ag na húdaráis áitiúla. Ní chóir go bhfágfar seo faoi Roinn na Gaeltachta amháin. Ba chóir go mbeadh cur chuige uile-Rannach ann i leith leathnú an tionscnaimh sin thar na húdaráis áitiúla timpeall na tíre. Ní cainteoir dhúchais mé. I attended an English-language primary school and learned my Irish at an immersion Gaelcholáiste in Clondalkin, where I learned a love for the Irish language.”
“Is mór agam an deis seo a thapú labhairt ar cheist na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta tráthnóna. I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas oifigiúil a dhéanamh le hAire nua na Gaeltachta. Seo hé an chéad deis dom é a dhéanamh ar úrláir na Dála. Is as Contae Mhaigh Eo do mo bhean agus tá sise an-tógtha go bhfuil Aire Gaeltachta ann ó Chontae Mhaigh Eo. Guím gach rath ar an Aire. Faoi mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Cearúil níos túisce, bhí mise i láthair ag an ócáid inspioráideach a bhí ar siúl i Halla na Cathrach i mBaile Átha Cliath tráthnóna inné. Tá cur chuige nuálaíoch idir lámha ag na húdaráis áitiúla timpeall Bhaile Átha Cliath faoi deiseanna labhartha Gaeilge a chothú sa ghnáthshaol.”
“Is there a role for them in staffing the Garda stations at night to make sure that all available sworn and active members are able to be out on the beat? We need to look at those roles. We must look also at community safety, in an holistic and roundabout way. It must be done with local authorities in designing out aspects of the public realm, for example, that might promote antisocial behaviour. These are the sort of things that I would encourage the Minister to take on board in his term ahead and I look forward to working with him.”
“In terms of how gardaí do their work, we need to look at solutions such as custody suites, where detained prisoners are kept in a central location, to enable even greater coverage of a geographic area. That will free up a custody sergeant rather than leaving them in one station. Looking at the evidential requirements that are on gardaí to present themselves to a court to hear evidence, that might also tie up the use of a Garda vehicle and that garda's partner in presenting that evidence. We should make sure procedures such as that are dealt with. We should look at all those members who are retiring from An Garda Síochána but still want to work. I am thinking of people who might retire from inspector grade who are sworn members and who know how dispatch works.”
“I am also thinking in terms of the equipment that is made available to members of An Garda Síochána, ensuring the speedy and timely roll-out and use of bodycams by gardaí dealing with violent and threatening behaviour, looking at the adoption of facial-recognition technology, and ensuring An Garda Síochána is properly resourced to deal with the threats of cybersecurity that emanate not only from international bad actors but also from domestic gangs here at home. A number of references have been made to the use of the legislation to deal with scramblers in our communities. Scramblers are a scourge in Dublin Mid-West. I encourage the Minister to look at innovative solutions such as drones or unmanned aerial vehicles to see the source of these scramblers and to make sure they are seized and taken away as threats to communities.”
“Obviously, we have pressures in my area of Dublin Mid-West that I wish to bring to the Minister's attention, such as the need for a 24-hour Garda station in Rathcoole, the need to unify all of Palmerstown under the one Garda district so that it is coincident with existing administrative boundaries, and the need to ensure appropriate staffing of both community Garda and specialist units in Lucan and Clondalkin Garda stations. I also want to talk in general about An Garda Síochána and, alluding to what Deputy Séamus McGrath said earlier, about the role of An Garda Síochána. How can we make it better and easier for people to join An Garda Síochána? I compliment the very successful recruitment campaign that has commenced and hope it yields the numbers we so desperately need in the force.”
“I dtosach báire, tréaslaím leis an Aire as a ról nua. Táim ag súil go mór le hoibriú leis amach anseo. I congratulate the Minister on his role. I know Deputy Jim O'Callaghan will approach this with the energy with which he approached it as our party's spokesperson in the previous Dáil. At the outset, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest members of An Garda Síochána during my time as a county councillor and as chairperson of south Dublin county joint policing committee. They exemplify in many ways the values that are inherent and intrinsic to the objectives of that force in building a relationship with their community.”
“There is a technical detail to keep in mind with this legislation, which is that it is not necessarily just the as-the-crow-flies distance that matters in terms of cash infrastructure but the distance travelled as well, especially for people who have mobility issues. That needs to be taken into account. Access to cash is especially important to older people.”
“I wish to raise issue that is very important to people in my constituency, particularly in the Palmerstown area, namely access to cash. The previous Government introduced the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill and began preparing to put it on the Statute Book. It is to be restored to the programme of this Dáil. Will the Tánaiste expedite the entry into law of that Bill? There are older people in my constituency who do not have readily available access to an ATM and who may not be entirely comfortable with digital banking and so on. It is also important for community groups and SMEs that they have a sustainable, reliable and dedicated cash infrastructure available to them at all times.”
“Airlift capacity is something that we need to make sure we are not reliant on friends and neighbours for delivery of our citizens wherever they may be in whatever trouble spots around the world.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I welcome very much the fact that the product team has been put in place, and that the Minister has asked for a more certain timeline in the delivery of that equipment. I believe it will be the first time an Irish Government will buy that sort of equipment. Perhaps the Minister will speak a little bit as to how the Minister is keeping value for money at top of his mind and what is the approach being taken to procurement to ensure that the equipment we purchase is adequate for our needs and also ensures value for the taxpayer. I thank the Minister for the information relating to the acquisition of the multirole vessel. I will be watching that with interest. I welcome the delivery later on this year of the Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft.”
“As we move towards LOA2 are there further plans, outside of what he has outlined, to purchase additional aircraft or additional medium-lift helicopters?”
“I agree with the Minister that the planned upgrade for the Baldonnel site is extremely exciting. I am looking forward to seeing progress on that. I am aware that South Dublin County Council is extremely engaged on that overall, aside from the connectivity that was made available for personnel who work in the aerodrome. On the specific questions relating to equipment, I welcome the Minister's responses and thank him. Will he provide more information on the progress that is being made in acquiring the new multirole vessel to replace the decommissioned flagship LÉ Eithne ? We need a flagship but we also need that multirole vessel. Will the Minister provide more information on the development and procurement of a primary radar system, including the recognised air picture functionality?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste as ucht a bheith i láthair inniu chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. I am extremely proud that Casement Aerodrome, the headquarters of the Air Corps is based in Baldonnel in my constituency, Dublin Mid-West. Like Deputy Cleere, I would love to invite the Tánaiste to visit the facility and see the tremendous work our personnel in the Air Corps do. My question relates to the procurement of additional assets for the Air Corps and Naval Service. One of the key recommendations made in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was to ensure the Naval Service and the Air Corps have adequate equipment. I would welcome the Tánaiste's initial thoughts on that matter.”
“With regard to the responsibility of the Minister of State's Department for the Dublin coroner's district, could he provide some information on the number of temporary coroners who have been appointed in the district to help address the workload? That would go some distance towards addressing some of the public concerns I have received from constituents over the past few weeks. It would be helpful to know that steps are being taken to deal with that backlog. I ask the Minister of State to give an indication as to whether new or updated guidelines will be in place during this interregnum while the backlog is being cleared, given that families have an expectation of when remains will be released. I again thank the Minister him for his response and for engaging with this matter.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. It is very welcome to hear the reforms that are being undertaken to address the backlog. I have a few follow-up questions. Will the Minister of State provide a timeline for the implementation of the Bill that will be brought to Government later this year? When is the expected commencement date for the Bill? I am happy to see the decision to establish the office of the chief coroner. It will be crucial in setting standards and expectations. I assume part of the remit of that office will involve responsibility for ensuring there is a guideline period within which an investigation can be held and a time within which bereaved families can expect the release of their loved ones.”
“Will the Minister of State outline the steps that are being taken to deal with delays relating to the Coroner Service. In the broader context of the consultation that took place last year, will he indicate the overall reforms that will be made introduced in respect of the service?”
“Is consideration being given to the extent of activities in which coroners engage, for example, the inquests they lead, to see if there is any need to revise the procedures and protocols around which a coroner is involved in a certain death? What I am saying comes from a place of trying to give those people who have lost someone dear to them an understanding of a very clear timeline of when they can properly say goodbye to their loved one in order that if there is an expectation that the traditional timeframe of seven days cannot be met, this would be made clear to people, thereby allowing them to plan accordingly and begin to grieve. As we all know, whenever we lose anyone dear to us, we want to commence grieving. In addition, we all value the solidarity of a funeral and our community coming out to support us.”
“What action is being taken to address that and deal with the backlog flagged last year by the Coroners Society of Ireland, not only in terms of access to histopathologists but also to the administrative staff required to process that backlog? I am aware that there was a public consultation last year. I read the report relating to that consultation yesterday. There are some very worthwhile recommendations in it in terms of looking at the overall structure of the service and providing national guidelines. Fundamentally, however, this is about understanding the resources that are available to the Coroner Service and the associated support structures that underpin it. What steps are being taken to continue to address the delays that seem to be apparent within the Coroner Service? Are steps being taken to deal with staffing issues?”
“Ireland has a very honourable and noble tradition of marking the end of life through a funeral at which people demonstrate their solidarity and love for a family that has lost someone. Over the past year or so, there have been increasing reports of delays in the release of remains to families to allow them to commence the grieving process and obtain closure. In a country like Ireland, where the general expectation is that burials should be able to take place in or around seven or eight days after death, one often finds the very tragic situation where people flying home in the expectation of a funeral cannot attend it. One such case was raised with me by a constituent only two weeks ago. Today, I would like to discuss delays relating to the Coroner Service and the release of remains to loved ones' families.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach as ucht an deis seo labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo a bhaineann leis an moill atá ar oifig na cróinéara coirp daoine marbha a scaoileadh chuig a gcuid clann. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on what is becoming an increasingly important issue raised by constituents. I wish the Minister of State the very best in his new role on our first official engagement across the floor of the Dáil and I thank him for being here today. All of us who have lost someone in our lives know that the period between that person dying and the chance to say goodbye to him or her at a funeral is among the most important times for families and communities to show their solidarity with those who have lost someone dear to them.”
“First, will the Taoiseach let the House know when he intends to have his first engagement with the new German Chancellor designate, Friedrich Merz? Second, since the United Kingdom has left the European Union, I know the Government has been actively looking to form alliances with other smaller member states as well. Will the Taoiseach update the House on the efforts and the strategic direction that the Department of foreign affairs and his Department are taking with regard to forming those alliances with other member states in the EU to advance our common interests?”
“This is the future for care in the community, which I know is a core aim of Sláintecare. I encourage the Taoiseach to take it up with the Cabinet committee on health.”
“Tá a fhios agam go gcuireann an Taoiseach dóchas sna ionaid sláinte cúraim phríomhúil faoi mar a chuirim féin. The constituency I represent, like Cork South-Central and Dublin Mid West, is one which has one of the most rapidly growing populations in the country and the need for these primary care centres is paramount. I am delighted to see progress in the acquisition and, hopefully, repurposing of Adamstown and Clondalkin primary care centres. I would encourage the Taoiseach to take up the matter with the Cabinet committee on health for the need to expedite progress on the north Clondalkin primary care centre and to look at the feasibility of the primary care centre in Lucan also. We had a welcome announcement on the Citywest and Four Districts primary care centre a few weeks ago.”
“We need to ensure there is no gender gap in the adoption and use of AI. We also need to consider older people who may not be as familiar with digital technologies. Like all technologies, AI should be our servant rather than our master. We need to support our businesses as they continue to embrace innovation. We need to set our people up for success by equipping them with the skills they need to harness the potential of AI and we need to build this approach on a robust foundation of transparency, accountability and inclusivity. I look forward to being part of that debate.”
“Ina meas siúd beidh ardáin agus uirlisí a chuirfidh seirbhísí agus comhairle ar ardchaighdeán ar fáil as Gaeilge, cúrsaí oiliúna maidir le hintleacht shaorga agus an Ghaeilge agus fiontraíocht in earnáil na hintleachta saorga sa Ghaeltacht a spreagadh. As other Deputies mentioned, all this needs to be built on a robust regulatory bedrock of transparency, accountability and inclusivity. Global standards, as proposed by the Global Partnership on AI and the OECD, and initiatives that come from industry such as those taken by Inspec.ai, a start-up company supported and funded by the NDRC in Ireland, are crucial for responsible AI development and adoption. Inclusion needs to be at the top of our minds. Studies show that women are 20% less likely to have used ChatGPT compared with men in similar occupations.”
“To address this, we must embed foundational digital skills in our population. This is an EU-wide challenge, as highlighted by Mario Draghi in his competitiveness report. Fortunately, Ireland has achieved 73% basic digital skills coverage, which can be compared with the EU average of 56%. The transformative impact of AI will also place a unique and important emphasis on the need for interpersonal and human skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork. We must not lose sight of that. B'ábhar dóchais dom a fheiceáil go raibh sé beartaithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta tograí a chur ar fáil a bhainfidh leas as AI.”
“Before entering this House, I worked as a data scientist, an occupation that did not exist when I was filling out my CAO form. As we think of the impact of AI on the labour market, there are certainly some jobs that will be disrupted. However, there are also many roles that will be augmented and others that will be largely insulated. There is value in identifying these different types of roles, as was done in research carried out by LinkedIn, and in planning for how to respond positively to these disruptive effects. Ireland's greatest asset has always been the talent of our people. As a State, we have excelled in skilling, training and educating our people. This role is even more crucial in today's labour market. Only a quarter of the businesses surveyed for the report I mentioned find it easy to hire staff with good digital skills.”
“According to that report, 54% of Irish businesses surveyed stated that AI had become more important for them. From 2022 to 2023, the number of Irish companies adopting AI increased by a quarter, reaching 34%. Notably, almost three quarters of those businesses are using what are called large language models or generative AI. That is well ahead of the European average. The share of AI talent in Ireland grew by a factor of five between 2016 and 2022 according to research led by the IDA in its labour market pulse. Our AI strategy should support and encourage this innovation. In my first speech to this Chamber, I stated that the world of work is changing rapidly. The jobs that our children will do have not yet been conceived of.”
“While no one can doubt that efficiency is important, our ultimate goal should be an effective State, that is, one that does not just do things faster or more cheaply but that does them better. As other Deputies have referenced, AI will be crucial in achieving this effectiveness. Ireland must strategically position itself to harness AI for future prosperity. We have a strong foundation in last year's refreshed AI strategy. I pay tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, and the Minister, Deputy Calleary, for their work on this important brief in the last Dáil. The European Commission has identified this decade as the digital decade and Irish businesses are rising to that challenge, as highlighted in a recent report by Strand Partners and Amazon.”
“Guím gach rath ar mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Smyth, as ucht a ceapacháin mar Aire Stáit le freagracht as intleacht shaorga. Táim ag súil go mór le hobair léi amach anseo agus muid ag dul i ngleic leis an gclaochlú a chruthóidh an intleacht shaorga inár sochaí agus inár ngeilleagar. I look forward to working with the Minister of State in her new role. I congratulate her on her appointment. I am pleased to contribute to the debate Dáil Éireann is having on the role of artificial intelligence, the advent of which has been rightly compared to the industrial revolution due to its transformative potential, as has been said by other Deputies. We live in an era when the word "efficiency" dominates political discourse at times. We often hear that the State must do more with less, streamline services and maximise output while minimising costs.”
“We now need to think about how we will take a green-first approach, and this is something I will raise with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, as well.”
“The second aspect, relating to chapter 4 of the report, was alluded to by Deputy Malcolm Byrne earlier and I am sure he will focus on the digital side of things in his contribution. There is work we need to do in our focus on sustainability-related and green skills across the workforce. We can speak about conversion and energy and about transitioning in travel, transport and so on, but fundamental to a serious approach to climate action is embedding green skills across the wider workforce, not only in construction and sustainability-focused enterprises but across the entire workforce. We have, I think successfully to a point, embedded a digital-first approach in the skills programmes we have for our workforce.”
“Mar atá ráite ag an Taoiseach, tá tábhacht faoi leith ag baint le cumas iomaíochta na tíre. I very much welcome the outline or blueprint that has been given in the Government's response to the competitiveness challenge. I will focus on two chapters of that report where focus is needed over the coming years. The first is with regard to the role of SMEs. I am proud to be a member of the board of Ace Enterprise Park, which focuses on start-ups in the broader Clondalkin, Bawnogue and Neilstown area, but an issue is coming down the track regarding how we help what I call scale-ups, that is, those companies that have gone past their start-up phase and need support from the State, space in the main, to make sure they stay up as companies. I would welcome the Taoiseach's thoughts on that.”
“I look forward to the Cabinet committee on infrastructure being established. I ask the Taoiseach to give an indicative date by which it will be in place and will start reporting.”
“Go raibh maith ag an gCeann Comhairle agus táim buíoch as freagra a thabhairt ar an gceist i leith cursaí infreastruchtúir. My constituency, Dublin Mid-West, is one of the fastest growing in the country in terms of the number of houses being delivered and population growth. I welcome the establishment of a Cabinet committee on infrastructure. I hope it will look favourably on the very real infrastructure and public transport requirements of the communities I represent. There is a need for a Luas to Lucan and proper roads infrastructure around rapidly growing areas like Rathcoole and Newcastle. Any housing delivered as part of the Adamstown and Clonburris developments needs to be accompanied by necessary transport infrastructure as well as the schools and medical services that are required.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I dtosach, guím gach rath ar an Taoiseach agus é ag tosú amach mar Thaoiseach. Baineann an cheist a chuir mé leis an gclár Rialtais agus le hoifig a bhunú i Roinn an Taoisigh le déileáil leis an gclár Rialtais a chur i gcrích. Like me, I know the Taoiseach was extremely enthused by the prospect for delivery of the measures contained in the programme for Government. My question relates to the steps being taken to establish a programme for Government office in his Department; how we will monitor the necessary needs to focus on delivery of the much-needed policies in that programme for Government; if the office will decide on the indicators that will be used to monitor delivery; and if he will consider having an annual report on the delivery of the programme for Government.”
“I thank the Tánaiste. I re-emphasise the very practical examples he has shown from the shared island unit. These initiatives will set the foundations that were originally envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement all those years ago. I am particularly encouraged by the strong approach the Government is taking with regard to victims and legacy issues and ensuring that those things are compliant with international law. As the Tánaiste has said, it is most important for these initiatives to bring victims' families with them so they actually address the hurt and division caused by the Troubles. I look forward to further updates.”
“That pursues a very practical approach to co-operation, as we saw in the co-operation that followed Storm Éowyn as well. I look forward to further updates from the Tánaiste on this and thank him for his answer.”
“I thank the Tánaiste for that reply. I am very encouraged by the commitment he has made to follow up on the funding for Foras na Gaeilge and indeed all the all-island bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. I am particularly optimistic now that we have the restoration of the institutions in Northern Ireland that we will see the full mechanisms of the Good Friday Agreement, and subsequent agreements, come into their own. This is necessary in realising the many challenges we face between Britain and Ireland but also with respect to the issues the Tánaiste rightly raised, including the legacy issues that need to be dealt with and the truth and justice that is necessary for survivors of the Troubles. I am particularly enthused by the strong focus on the shared island initiative as part of the programme for Government.”
“In particular, Foras na Gaeilge's funding should be protected and its approach to the Irish language should be an all-island one. I welcome any interventions the Tánaiste and his Government colleagues can make on this matter to ensure we get a resolution to it.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I dtosach, is mian liom gach rath a ghuí ar an Tánaiste agus é ag toiseacht amach mar Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha. I look forward to working with the Tánaiste and to many engagements in the House. My question is on the Tánaiste's recent engagement with political leaders in Northern Ireland. I note his optimism about the first meetings of the new North-South Ministerial Council. A particular issue I would love for the Tánaiste to make sure is on the agenda for the North-South Ministerial Council is the need to finalise the funding arrangements for Foras na Gaeilge. The Tánaiste will be aware that there is some dispute about them at Executive level in Northern Ireland. In the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, the all-island bodies should be enacted and protected.”
“I am here to work and I am here to fight for the people who put me here and I am here to ensure that this programme for Government delivers for them.”
“Maintaining and enhancing a culture of innovation and lifelong learning is core to this, as set out in the programme for Government, especially as we respond to the digital and green transformations brought on by the advent of Al technologies and the need for climate action. The world of work is changing rapidly. The jobs that our children will do have not been invented yet. Our greatest asset has been the talent of our people. We need to ensure that they are set up for success. Cuirim fáilte faoi leith roimh an leathnú amach de Ghaeilge 365, cur chuige nuálaíoch i leith labhairt na Gaeilge a chruthóidh dúshlán dearfach d'údaráis áitiúla ar fud na tíre, ach a léireoidh bealach dearfach do pholasaí labhartha na Gaeilge amach anseo. My message today is simple.”
“I will fight to ensure that the necessary investment in our local school buildings is delivered, but also that sufficient capacity exists for rapidly growing communities right across Dublin Mid-West. I support the improved approach to special education in this programme for Government but now we need to see follow through on delivery, especially in terms of provision of the appropriate supports for all children with special needs in the education system. Fundamental to the delivery of the investment we need is a strong, resilient, and knowledge-based economy, as committed to in the programme for Government. Support for our SMEs is crucial, as well as ensuring that lreland is a competitive and attractive place to do business for international companies.”
“We also need to ensure that rapidly growing communities, in Dublin Mid-West especially, have access to adequate road infrastructure for all modes of transport. I welcome the continued progress on childcare. Parents should not have to choose between work and affordability and childcare workers deserve fair pay for the vital role they play. This Government has committed to lowering costs, improving accessibility, reducing the administrative burden on providers, which is important, and supporting the childcare sector in developing its capacity. This will likely need a partnership approach with providers, as we are all united by the one objective of providing children with the best possible start in life. That start in life needs to continue in our education system.”
“Too many people are still struggling to find a home they can afford, and too many young families are unsure if they will ever be able to buy. The strong commitments in the programme for Government must be delivered with urgency because housing is not just a policy challenge, it is about people’s lives, security, and futures. Public transport is a core quality-of-life issue. We need public transport that is reliable and efficient, with responsiveness from the NTA and we need more public transport options in Dublin Mid-West, which provide essential connectivity for communities. For example, we badly need a Luas for Lucan, and we must end the scourge of ghost buses right across Dublin Mid-West.”
“For my constituents in Dublin Mid-West, delivery means real action in improving their everyday lives, be it in transport, housing, education or childcare. The policies in this programme for Government will shape the Ireland we leave to the next generation, and we must get them right. For my part, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that the commitments in this programme comprise an action plan, with a laser focus on delivery. Over the past few years, under the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, significant progress has been made in tackling the housing crisis. More homes have been delivered than at any point in recent decades. New supports for renters have been introduced and major investment is driving housing supply. However, we need to do much more.”
“Is mór agam labhairt i Seomra na Dála don chéad uair inniu agus is mór an onóir dom í bheith anseo thar ceann an phobail a roghnaigh mé mar Theachta Dála. It is a great honour to speak in this Chamber for the first time as a TD for Dublin Mid-West. I want to thank my family, especially my wife, Teresa, our three boys and my Dad Jimmy. I am thinking especially of my late Mam today. I am eternally grateful to my loyal supporters and, most important, my constituents for placing their trust in me. That trust is not something I take lightly and I will work every day to justify it. The programme for Government is not just a document, it is a statement of intent. It is a commitment to deliver for the people who sent me here and put my party, Fianna Fáil, in government.”