Thomas Byrne
Meath East · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“We are very proud of the work they do in what are often very dangerous circumstances. Let us be 100% clear: our troops will only ever do peacekeeping, peace enforcement or conflict prevention in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and, of course, as with every action of this Government, in accordance with the Constitution.”
“To be clear on what our troops will be doing, they will be doing peacekeeping, peace enforcement and conflict prevention. That is what the law says; not what the Deputy imagines it to be. We are bound by our Constitution and international law. The legislation changes nothing in that regard.”
“We are bound by international law. We are bound by international law since our Constitution came into force and we continue to be bound by international law and always will be, no matter what happens to this legislation. International law governs what we do as a Government.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 140, 157 and 185 together. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister. A commitment to reform what is known as the triple lock was set out in the programme for Government.”
“-----in accordance with UN principles and, of course, in accordance with our own Constitution, which commits us to peace and friendly relations among nations. The triple lock is a statutory mechanism.”
“Switzerland, the classical neutral country that is not even a member of the European Union and will never join the European Union, it is so neutral and independent, accepts UN, EU and OSCE mandates. I understand the situation is similar in Austria, which is another neutral country. By the way, it is also similar in Germany.”
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“I was not going to raise the presidential election but it was raised by the Opposition. Although it is not relevant to this debate, Jim Gavin was criticised by the Opposition. In the context of our talking about citizens in danger abroad, he is certainly the only presidential candidate who has direct experience of having flown planes to negotiate the release of Irish citizens abroad on a number of occasions, as well as giving extraordinary service on peacekeeping missions in Central Africa by way of directly flying planes and trying to keep the peace. I say that in his defence because he was criticised, completely unnecessarily, from the Opposition benches, and I say it particularly when we have Irish citizens abroad in what I would say is some considerable danger on the flotilla that was mentioned.”
“I acknowledge the successful cross-departmental co-operation in evacuating paediatric patients to Ireland to undergo medical treatment and care. We approved the evacuation of up to 30 sick children from Gaza. Two successful medical evacuations have already been completed and planning is now under way for the third. Ireland has also provided over €95 million in support of the people of Palestine since January 2023. This includes €58 million to UNRWA, of which €20 million was provided in February 2025. Over €83 million of Ireland’s support has been provided since October 2023. Over €29 million has been provided this year for the people of Palestine. Our support will not waver as we seek to establish a durable, sustainable peace for Israel and Palestine alike.”
“This issue was raised by some of those ambassadors at the meeting I referred to that took place yesterday in Brussels. This is welcome. Our preference, however, is for robust action at EU level. That is exactly what we have been asked to do. I have met my counterpart from the State of Palestine and she has asked me to continue applying pressure at international level. We will do that. We recently welcomed a further 15 Palestinian people from Gaza. These individuals are part of a complex evacuation led by the Department of foreign affairs’ consular and regional embassy teams. Since the beginning of the crisis, the Department has supported the travel of more than 200 people from Gaza to Ireland. We welcome those people with open arms and hope Ireland can be a place of respite.”
“The joint committee subsequently held a number of hearings and received submissions, as Members know, representing a range of views and perspectives. The committee has published its report. On behalf of the Tánaiste, we thank members of the committee, some of whom are here, for their diligence and dedication. The general scheme delivered on the commitment in the programme for Government to progress the legislation. The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. A number of other EU member states have recently announced they are also taking similar steps. Many of them, including Spain, Slovenia, Belgium and the Netherlands, are in direct contact with me, the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and our officials.”
“Such international engagement reiterates Ireland’s unwavering commitment to the vision of a two-state solution, where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions. It is that commitment to the two-state solution and to the upholding of international law that sees the Government now advancing work on the commitment in the programme for Government in relation to the banning of goods from illegal Israeli settlements. This is yet another area that Ireland has been at the forefront of. I will take the opportunity to update the Seanad on the progress of that Bill. In June, the Government approved the general scheme of the Bill.”
“We are also a member of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution. This is the follow-up vehicle to the work of the UN conference. We have been an active participant in the work of the alliance over the past year. Meetings have taken place in Riyadh, Brussels, Oslo, Cairo and Rabat. The Tánaiste attended a meeting of the global alliance in New York yesterday and announced that Ireland will host a meeting of the global alliance in Dublin in the coming months. At that meeting, we will share some of our own experience of a successful peace process in Northern Ireland with relevance to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including creating the appropriate conditions for a ceasefire and underlining the importance of civil society.”
“The two-state solution is the most pragmatic, realistic and concrete path forward. It is the only way to build a future with two states living side by side in peace and security. It can be achieved. We believe it can and that is why we have acted. We were an active participant at the UN high level conference on the implementation of the two-state solution, which the Taoiseach attended on Monday. As co-chair of the working group of the conference, alongside Türkiye, Ireland was part of a core group of countries that negotiated the outcome document of the conference. That document was endorsed by 142 countries in a vote at the General Assembly on 12 September. There is strong international support to press ahead with securing and implementing the two-state solution.”
“We are using our voice at the UN, since 1980, as Senator O'Loughlin said, when Brian Lenihan Snr. was Minister. We were the first. We will continue to use that voice to pursue a sustainable, long-lasting peace for the two states of Israel and Palestine. The cycle of violence must be broken and a political horizon must be in clear sight. A key issue is support for the Palestinian authority governing a Palestinian state. I have to say that when I was met by protestors last week, the Palestinian authority was among the people they were criticising, not just the Irish Government and everybody else. I was surprised to hear that. We need to support its reform agenda, even though it is not perfect. It needs sustainable financing, including the release of revenues by Israel.”
“Of course, Ireland, together with Spain, Norway and Slovenia, took this decision last year in recognition of the principle that Palestine should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state, including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security, as well as recognise its own obligations under international law. These recent formal decisions to announce formal recognition of the State of Palestine come against the background of the intolerable humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, the shrinking space for Palestinian life in the West Bank, and the need to inject fresh impetus into bringing about a just, lasting peace, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in two states, Israel and Palestine, in peace, security and dignity.”
“We are working at international level, and through the UN, in pursuit of a ceasefire and hostage release deal, and to address the critical situation in Gaza. Over the weekend, we welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom, Canada, Portugal and Australia to recognise the State of Palestine. During the UN high level conference on the two-state solution on Monday, further announcements followed by France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, Malta, Monaco and San Marino. This means over 150 countries now recognise the State of Palestine.”
“The European Union now has an opportunity to demonstrate to its international partners and, crucially, to our citizens that we are ready to stand up in the face of the catastrophic situation in Gaza and to stand up for core principles and respect for international law. Ireland is working to encourage fellow member states to support these proposals. The Tánaiste has called for the Council to be convened as a matter of urgency. We do not have time to wait. Ireland has been active in calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the advisory opinion of the ICJ. We have been calling for this for some time and will continue to press for action. Ireland asks that the EU’s analysis in this regard be shared with member states at the earliest opportunity.”
“I strongly recommend to people, as I did over the summer with counterparts in countries who do not hold the same view, to talk to members of parliament - Senators' counterparts - in other parliaments in countries that are not as supportive as Ireland is of these measures to listen to why they are not supportive and maybe persuade them. This is something I have been doing when talking to counterparts in certain countries across the European Union: to listen to why, to understand why and for them to understand why we are making this particular case and have been making it strongly. The dial is certainly shifting. I am picking that up in my own engagements at ministerial level. I am sure Members would too, if they engage with members of other parliaments, as I am sure they do.”
“Again, some of these matters are before us in amendments and were before the Council of Ministers at ambassador level yesterday. The Commission is also putting on hold bilateral support to Israel, with the exception of support to civil society and the Israeli holocaust memorial institution. Ireland has welcomed, looked for and led the way in seeking these steps, which are long overdue. In February 2024, together with Spain, Ireland wrote to High Representative Kallas requesting a review of Israel’s human rights obligations under the association agreement. The dial is shifting and the outrage of EU citizens across the bloc at the EU’s inaction is finally being heard. We must distinguish between the European Union and its institutions and the people there. The truth is a dynamic is at play, whether in the Parliament, Council or Commission.”
“Each outpost further entrenches occupation, skews the demography and restricts the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state. The decision to approve plans for settlement construction in the so-called E1 area of the West Bank is particularly egregious and a violation of international law. It corrodes the very core of a potential Palestinian state. We cannot be blind to these realities; we must act. Earlier this month, the European Commission presented proposals to suspend certain trade-related provisions of the EU-Israel association agreement. These are matters that Ireland has been pushing for quite some time. There are also proposals for sanctions on Hamas, extremist ministers and violent settlers.”
“Since January, Israeli military operations have displaced at least 40,000 people, destroying homes, schools and civilian infrastructure. Almost 900 physical barriers and checkpoints permanently or intermittently restrict the movement of Palestinians every day. These barriers are the physical manifestation of the many ways in which Palestinians are being prevented from living ordinary lives: blocking people from getting to work, restricting children from getting to school, hampering access to hospitals and healthcare facilities, and making it difficult for families to visit each other. Since October 2023, the Israeli Government has approved 49 new settlements compared with an annual average of seven outposts in the nearly three decades before that.”
“I am very conscious that Senator Andrews is on the flotilla. I fully acknowledge his sincerity and the danger he is in at the minute. We must be very conscious of that. It will not be possible, as was explained yesterday, for the Irish Government to send an observer boat to the flotilla because as the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, said yesterday, we are not a strong military power and, indeed, we would be prohibited legally under the triple lock legislation. At least 20,000 children have now been killed in Gaza. Many more bodies lie beneath the rubble. We cannot stand idly by and must use all the levers at our disposal to respond to this crisis. That is exactly what Ireland is doing. We cannot lose sight of the situation in the West Bank.”
“Earlier this month, the independent international commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory published a report concluding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. I share the concerns outlined by Senators for the flotilla consisting of people lawfully protesting the slaughter in Gaza, which was attacked by Israeli forces. I condemn the actions of the Israeli Government in unlawfully attacking a lawful flotilla that is seeking to engage in peaceful activities in international waters. This is a breach of international law. I have seen reports that Spain will join Italy in sending military warships to protect the international flotilla. I commend Spain and Italy on calling out the breaches of international law at play and then acting to protect those on board the flotilla.”
“Ireland’s position on this conflict has been steadfast. We have consistently called for a permanent and immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and an unimpeded surge of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza at scale. The determination that famine is occurring in Gaza is harrowing. This is the first famine experienced in the Middle East since monitoring began. This is a man-made famine. We must demand adherence to international humanitarian law and hold those responsible to account. There can be no more double standards. Against this dire background, Israeli military operations in Gaza have intensified, with massive destruction of buildings, relentless bombardment and hundreds of people killed while seeking aid.”
“Ireland has been at the forefront of the European and international debate, pushing for urgent action in the face of this appalling conflict. Yesterday there were discussions at ambassador level and at the Council table at the European Union to progress what was proposed two weeks ago by the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. Ireland continues to be at the forefront of those conversations. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of our foreign policy. For these reasons, the Government welcomes this debate and does not oppose the motion put forward by Fianna Fáil. Many of the proposed amendments are being worked on by the Government at European level at the moment. Many of them are being sought by the Government at European level.”
“Entire cities have been razed to the ground. There is massive displacement, hunger and destitution. We see the horror play out every day on our mobile phones and it is just the same on our television screens. This cycle of violence has shocked and outraged the Irish people. It has shocked both Houses of the Oireachtas and every single Member of Seanad Éireann. This outrage at the policies of the Israeli Government is shared across Europe and beyond, as ordinary people around the world ask how this suffering has continued for so long. Without a political horizon, this cycle of violence will continue. At the United Nations high level meetings week this week, addressing the situation in Gaza has been a core objective of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and all other Government representatives.”
“It has been almost two years since the heinous terror attacks carried out by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel and Israeli people on 7 October 2023. The horror of these attacks remains imprinted in our minds. Murder, rape and general savagery was video recorded. Ireland has consistently and unequivocally condemned these attacks. They were absolutely disgraceful. As we approach this tragic milestone of two years, we think especially of the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, and their families who desperately want them home. Ireland calls for their immediate release. Hamas has brought nothing but death and destruction to the people of Israel and Palestine and has nothing to offer for the future of the people of Palestine. Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023.”
“We want to make sure that we explore the most effective ways to support students in managing these costs and ensuring they receive all the necessary help to get ahead. The reason for the limit is to prevent students working so much during their higher and further education that it negatively impacts on their ability to fully participate in their course. If we were to raise the disregard to €12,000, it is basically the same thing as increasing the income thresholds. The Minister has, in fact, already done that this year. Standard rate thresholds have increased by at least 15%. It is food for thought from the Senator and from the options paper. I have no doubt that in the context of the discussions the Ministers are having, probably as we speak, and in the coming weeks, that the best possible solution will be achieved.”
“That will help this situation and it will also help on a broader basis. The funding allocation for the student grant scheme is determined in the context of the overall Estimates and the budgetary process undertaken by all Departments. The Minister is very positive about this. I do not think he is against doing this in any principled way. In fact, he has not stated his position. What I think he has said is that this is all under discussion in the context of the budget and the various competing demands. The Minister wishes to emphasise his commitment to examining all the options carefully. He has published these as options from his Department. They have not come out of thin air. The Minister is open to progressing changes that can make a meaningful difference for students and their families.”
“As the Minister has said, there are competing demands. I know the Senator and other colleagues were looking for the student contribution to be reduced again this year as well. The Minister has a certain amount of money and he is trying to balance all of the competing demands. They are all worthy. Nobody could be against any of them, but the simple fact is that it is a financial calculation. It would work for students, but it would come at significant cost. If the Senator has ideas about where the cost could come from or what else could be done if she does not want to go ahead with the €1,000 cut in the fees, I am sure the Minister will consider them. Choices have to be made by the Department. This is just like increasing the income thresholds to avail of the grant. The Minister has done that this year.”
“SUSI estimates that circa 20,500 students could benefit from this change and could also see some students qualifying for the special rate of maintenance grant. Any amendments to this must be considered in the overall budgetary context and the large number of competing demands on funding.”
“Over the past few years, the Department has published an annual options paper which outlines the costs and potential impacts of a range of policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. The Minister recently published this paper, and options around holiday earnings have been costed for consideration. The options paper is available to view the Government website. The options outlined in the paper note that any potential removal of the provision which limits the deduction of holiday earnings to earnings outside of term time and the limit remaining at €8,424 would have a potential full year cost of €26 million. Increasing this limit to €12,000 could have a potential full-year cost of up to €35 million.”
“I thank Senator Nelson Murray for raising this issue. It is a matter that has been brought to the attention of the Department on a number of occasions. The main financial support available to students is SUSI. Reckonable income includes all sources of household income, including income from a student’s employment. However, holiday earnings is income that a student can earn outside their term time that can be deducted from their total family income assessment, up to a certain limit. This is designed to support students who work during the holidays while also ensuring that work commitments do not interfere with their studies. That limit has increased in recent years, reflecting an increase in the minimum wage. The issue of holiday earnings has been raised by various stakeholders and by students' unions.”
“The Senator has outlined science as well. We have this national immunisation advisory committee. The recommendations are based on the prevalence of the disease and international best practice. It is vital that this be robust and fit for purpose and that is why this health technology assessment is so important. The outcome will inform the Government decision on this. I agree with the Senator. I implore parents to get their child vaccinated if the child is eligible. We can see the hospital admissions reducing and, more importantly, children not dying, but also massive pressure on the hospital system not being there because of this. Vaccinations, in this area like so many others, have had such a positive impact. We need parents to get their child vaccinated against RSV.”
“I thank the Senator. Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions that exist. It is quite discouraging to see so many people sceptical about vaccines. There is never scepticism about a new curative drug and instead people say, "Please, we need this drug as soon as possible." With a vaccine, people are hesitant and say they do not know what is wrong with that. When you look at the statistics, it is incredible how many lives have been saved. Cervical cancer, for example, will end because of the vaccination programme. With all the immunisation that has happened since 2010, all those young women, and then young men who started it at a later point as well, will be immunised. There are so many other examples as well. The immunisation programme in Ireland is science based. All of this is science based.”
“It will also consider the organisational, resource, ethical, patient and social implications associated with alternative strategies. The outcome will inform future decision-making on this matter in relation to whether any amendments are required to the national immunisation programmes.”
“Immunisations will be administered to newborn infants in maternity hospitals until the end of February. For infants six months and younger, the immunisation is being administered in clinics during September. Further information is available on the HSE website. I can confirm that a health technology assessment, HTA, on RSV immunisation for infants and adults is being undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Authority. This health technology assessment will include advice to the Department of Health to inform a policy decision on the most appropriate strategy for immunising adults aged 65 and older. This health technology assessment will include an assessment of the clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and budget impact of alternative strategies for adults aged 65 years and older against RSV.”
“Last winter, there was an estimated 57% reduction in emergency department presentations, a 76% reduction in hospitalisations and a 65% reduction in ICU admissions compared with the previous year. This highlights just how effective immunisation has been in protecting our youngest and most vulnerable. The immunisation will be given to all babies born between 1 September 2025 and 28 February 2026; babies who are six months old or younger on 1 September; and premature babies and other higher risk infants born during the RSV season. I encourage every parent to take up this opportunity to protect their young child's health. High uptake not only protects individual families but will also ease pressure on the health service over the busy winter period, allowing valuable resources to be directed to where they are most required.”
“RSV is a common virus that causes respiratory infections. The risk of severe infection is highest in very young infants. RSV is a seasonal virus with outbreaks typically occurring in the winter months, with the highest numbers of infections usually reported in December and January. Each winter in Ireland, one in two babies will get RSV and many will need medical care from their doctor or the emergency department of a children’s hospital. Four out of 100 babies are hospitalised due to RSV, with some babies needing special treatment in intensive care units. Following on from the successful RSV immunisation pathfinder programme, an expanded RSV immunisation programme will run throughout this coming winter. This immunisation will offer protection ahead of the seasonal upsurge in infection with RSV.”
“I will certainly say that to the Minister, Deputy Burke. It has been the clear and consistent policy of successive Governments to promote collective bargaining through both legislation and the development of an institutional framework that supports a voluntary system of industrial relations. It is therefore hugely important that we continue to protect the measures that were put in place to support collective bargaining within a voluntary industrial relations framework that has served us well to date. The Minister believes that a strong and well-functioning collective bargaining system supports productivity and fair wages, especially in the low-paid sectors. Furthermore, the capacity to engage effectively in collective bargaining is a key element of the adequate minimum wage directive.”
“This group has met regularly this year and its work is essential in developing the content of the action plan. In the view of the Minister, it is too early to comment on the content of the action plan but it is his intention that a balanced and evidence-based approach be undertaken in considering any legislative or policy changes arising from the action plan. Both legislative and non-legislative options may be considered as part of the broader development of the action plan, depending on the outcomes of the consultation and ongoing policy formulation with the social partners. The European Commission expert group's report on transposition of the directive is clear that the design of the framework of enabling conditions and the content of the action plan is entirely up to member states in consultation with the social partners.”
“Although the directive is currently before the European Court of Justice, Ireland has reaffirmed its strong commitment to workers’ rights by proceeding with the development of the action plan, regardless of the outcome of the case. As outlined in the directive, the action plan will establish a clear timeline and concrete measures to progressively increase the rate of collective bargaining coverage. The process will have full respect for the autonomy of the social partners and ensure ongoing engagement with all relevant stakeholders. As part of the Government’s consultative approach, a public consultation was held from April to May of this year to gather broader input on its content. A working party has been established with Department officials and the social partners to examine what will be considered for inclusion in the action plan.”
“I thank Senator Joe O’Reilly for submitting this Commencement matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke. Ireland’s long-standing voluntarist system has served us well over the decades, helping to contribute to industrial peace and stability. It has also enhanced Ireland’s attractiveness as a major investment location and led to a co-operative environment for resolving disputes. The programme for Government sets out a commitment to publish an action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining by the end of 2025. This will be in line with the EU directive on adequate minimum wages.”
“This is not just a Waterford thing. All public bodies and everybody in receipt of Exchequer capital funding are required to comply with this. That is why the public accounts committee is there, to hold the Government to account on items such as this. Some may say private investment is there so the State does not need to look as closely, but the State has a different role from that of private investors. We are happy to work with them but we have different functions and different objectives. The State wants its investment protected also. There are also state aid rules from the European Union. At the meeting on 2 July I mentioned, the airport authorities were advised that the Department of Transport will continue to work with them on the development of the business case, which will be prioritised within the Department once it is received.”
“If the Government broke the public spending code, or the infrastructure guidelines in this case, or decided to spend money without doing a proper analysis and proper business case, you guys would rightly be down at the public accounts committee castigating the Government. The Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to progress this project when the business case is received and reviewed. We recognise we are an island nation. We have a dispersed population and an open economy. We need good connectivity with the rest of the world within and outside the country. We are an exporting country. We know that we need all this, but the infrastructure guidelines set out the value-for-money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. This applies to all public bodies.”
“This was all discussed in detail when the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, met with his Government colleagues the Ministers of State, Deputies Mary Butler and John Cummins, and the CEO of the local authority on 2 July last. Given the Exchequer funding being sought by the airport to support this proposal, the Department of Transport's role is as an approving authority. It will be the airport's role, as the sponsoring agency, to ensure that the necessary detail and evidence are provided in its business case to demonstrate that sufficient demand and industry commitment exist to facilitate regular scheduled passenger services. The Department of Transport will work with the airport in its development of the business case and is available at all times to engage with the airport.”
“This framework provides guidance to ensure investment schemes in the transport sector can comply with the Government’s infrastructure guidelines. The Deputies will be aware that this detail outlined that the project costings have increased substantially above the original estimated cost of €12 million, to €27 million, deviating significantly from the original proposal. The Exchequer contribution sought has risen from €5 million to €12 million. It needs to be recognised that certain conditions attached to the Government decision of 2019 have not been fulfilled. However, the Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to see this proposal progress and, as such, Waterford Airport has been invited to submit a preliminary business case for consideration.”
“Government support at that time was contingent not only on €2 million in local authority funding and €5 million in private investment funding, necessary to complete the project, being committed and any risks relating to cost escalation being borne by the non-State investors, but also on full details of the project being provided to the Department of Transport for appraisal. Despite engagement with the airport over the intervening period, this detail remained outstanding from Waterford Airport until 13 December 2023. I understand the Department prioritised the necessary assessment of the detail provided in line with the requirements under the Department of Transport’s transport appraisal framework.”
“In relation to the timeline around the development proposal, it was in fact 2018 when Waterford Airport brought forward its proposal for an expanded runway and related services. I understand this proposal was in the form of a letter to the Department of Transport with a one-page overview of the projects proposed, which included high-level indicative costings. Following this, as mentioned, in June 2019 the Government gave approval in principle to an expression of support for the expansion proposal and to providing Exchequer funding of €5 million towards the project, which was then estimated to cost €12 million.”
“The Government does support Waterford Airport. I assure the Deputies that the Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to see the Waterford Airport project to lengthen and widen the runway progress. In line with this commitment and the requirements under the Government’s infrastructure guidelines, Waterford Airport was invited earlier this summer to submit a preliminary business case to the Department of Transport. As the Deputies will be aware, the infrastructure guidelines set out the value-for-money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. These arrangements apply to all public bodies and all bodies in receipt of Exchequer capital funding of this nature.”
“The Minister has mentioned the upcoming Working in Ireland survey, which the Department has funded. About 5,000 people, north and south of the Border, have been surveyed. The Minister understands the survey has been completed and we can expect the research output in the coming months. We anticipate that there will be a lot of information on a range of labour market issues in this area, and this will be a useful input into the debate on where policy needs to focus. Certainly, the Minister will come back to the Deputy on that, taking into account the matters she has raised in the context of the forthcoming budget.”
“These are exceptional numbers and remote and hybrid working has helped. The programme for Government recognises the contribution of remote and flexible working to achieving our strong and inclusive labour market and reaffirms our commitment to promoting flexible working arrangements that benefit both workers and employers.”
“The research examined the impact of remote working on several key policy areas, finding positive effects on the economy and society, including enhanced labour and employment opportunities for cohorts traditionally more distant from the labour market. The Minister, Deputy Burke, would highlight, for example, the contribution of flexible and remote working arrangements to achieving Ireland's record levels of female labour force participation, as the Deputy mentioned, and, in turn, record employment rates overall. For context and to emphasise this point, the most recent labour force survey data confirms that our policies are working, with record numbers of people in employment. There were 2.8 million people at work in the second quarter of the year, an annual gain of 63,900 jobs. Since 2020, we have added approximately 660,000 extra jobs.”
“The Government is committed to facilitating remote and flexible working in a way that maximises their economic, social and environmental benefits, and the Department has worked with colleagues across government to develop and deliver all 15 actions outlined in the strategy to which the Deputy referred. Actions delivered under the strategy include legislating for the right of all workers to request a remote working arrangement through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, publication of the code of practice on the right to disconnect, and significant investment in Ireland’s national hub network and broadband infrastructure. In 2022, research undertaken by the Department found that remote working was likely to have a positive impact on the Irish economy and society.”
“I thank Deputy Currie for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Burke. As the Deputy is aware, there has been a significant long-term shift in attitudes to remote and flexible working among both employers and workers throughout the country since the pandemic in particular. Acceptance of remote and flexible working is high and the evidence suggests that they are here to stay. The most recent data from the Central Statistics Office shows that in the second quarter of this year, over 1 million people were reported to be working from home at least some of the time. Within this, over 500,000 people were usually working from home, down from peak levels of close to 775,000 in 2021. These are extraordinary numbers.”
“The Government will continue to make the critical investments necessary to achieve a just energy and climate transition, as affirmed in the programme for Government. However, we are also acutely aware of the impact high energy costs have on Irish households and the Government is committed to providing effective and practical supports for those struggling with these costs. Supporting the most vulnerable in society must remain a priority and the Government is committed to doing so in budget 2026 and beyond.”