Timmy Dooley
Clare · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I thank both Senators for the amendments they are putting forward and the sentiment behind them. I will deal with the points about the emergency. The Government made it very clear that a decision was taken, based on a decision taken by the previous Government in November 2024.”
“The State has taken a view, however, that is consistent with our desire and our commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and onwards to 2040 and 2050, that this facility is strategic, as it says, that it is only for storage and that it is not meant to be a market play and cannot be a market play.”
“It is, but it is not an either-or situation. If €1 billion could sort it out with more batteries, wind or solar then that is the route we would be taking. We are investing very significant amounts of money in our electricity grid.”
“As the Senators know, the piece of kit – effectively the ship – will be leased in. There are a number of these around the world and they move on. First, we are not investing in the kind of infrastructure that had been a feature of discussions in the past.”
“All fossil fuels are harmful to the environment. The Senator is right that methane has a much higher concentration and is more impactful by what is referred to as the carbon dioxide equivalence. It is much greater than carbon dioxide but it also has shorter life in the atmosphere. It dissipates over time whereas carbon dioxide does not.”
“If we were to do it, however, to get the private sector to pay for the security - I think it is accepted on all sides that there is a necessity for some security in terms of the gas supply - and if the Government were to say it would provide that through a market-led private consortium and initiate an auction to allow entities around the…”
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“This will build on the progress made over recent years with the continued roll-out of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027 was published and this included 12 schools in Cork. The progression of other projects through the pipeline will form part of overall programme management and prioritisation.”
“As the Deputy will be aware, the Department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP sectoral investment plan for the education and youth sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. The NDP sectoral investment plan involves a strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard, there will be a strong special education dimension to project roll-out. That is one of the important facets of the project, so that when it gets through the stage it is at, it will have significant prioritisation in the mix of other schools. Of the total €7.55 billion investment, it is envisaged that circa €5 billion will be used for project roll-out to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings.”
“That is an important function and part of the overall project, because the Government has a considerable focus on providing appropriate locations for children with special educational needs. The project is currently at stage 2b of the architectural design process, as the Deputy said. This allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. Planning permission was granted in November 2025. The Department awaits submission of a stage 2b report. Once received, it will undergo a detailed technical and cost review in line with the Government's infrastructure guidelines. It is clear that the joint managerial body needs to get that stage 2b report to the Department to allow for the next stages along the way.”
“I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for his continued interest in this matter. It is an issue in which I know he has a personal interest and one on which he has advocated considerably in this House and elsewhere. I thank him for that continued work. As the Deputy knows, the current position in relation to this major development project in Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, County Cork, is the responsibility of the Minister for Education and Youth. She has asked me to outline the current position. The project referred to has been devolved to the joint managerial body for delivery. The project brief for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh provides for a long-term projected enrolment of 750 pupils, including four classrooms for students with special educational needs.”
“It will give the Senator and the community there these facilities. From my experience in my own area I know that the fact that part of the focus is on special needs adds considerably to the prioritisation because the Government has been very clear in terms of what our focus is on education generally but more specifically on children with special needs and ensuring that they get every resource possible to assist them on their journey. Together with everything else the Senator identified, that gives a significant boost to what will be a protracted journey. It is moving in the right direction.”
“I can see the Senator is passionate about this project, as he is about many issues. It is clear that because of the historical context, all concerned are anxious that it is done correctly. That is why the contract is under way for the enabling works and all of that. Like many projects it is on a journey now that will be irrevocable in terms of the staging. It has reached significant milestones and from my experience both in here and in the other House over 23 or 24 years, when projects get on that pathway, sometimes it takes a bit longer because of funding that has to be assigned based on various prioritisations, but once it gets through that first significant gate it is a significant step. It is now on a journey that we all hope will progress as judiciously and as expeditiously as possible.”
“Over this period, a total of 33 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. Two school projects were included in the NDP implementation plan to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027. There are currently six school projects in Waterford under construction. This summer, seven schools are approved to undergo works as part of the climate action summer works scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total of 68 special classes have been sanctioned in Waterford, of which 17 were sanctioned for September 2026.”
“In relation to project roll-out for large-scale projects and additional school accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of the 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. Prioritisation will continue to identify further tranches of projects to proceed to tender and construction over the NDP period with stakeholder consultation to commence in June 2026. Since 2020, the Department of education has provided €149.65 million in capital funding for Waterford schools.”
“The design team prepared and submitted to the Department for review the tender documents to appoint a contractor to carry out these works. These tender documents were recently approved by the Department and the design team was instructed to proceed in issuing the letter of intent to the successful contractor. This letter of intent issued in April this year. Once works commence on the site it is envisaged it will take four to five months to complete. A total capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth has been confirmed for the period from 2026 to 2030 under the national development plan. As part of this NDP allocation the Department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs.”
“The major building project for the school referred to by the Senator is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, namely, stage 2B detailed design, where the design team has secured all statutory approvals and is preparing the suite of tender documents. It is an important phase of the process. This building is of significant conservation importance as highlighted by the planning authority. The design team outlined the proposal of works that need to be completed to improve the condition of the deteriorating buildings, thereby allowing the council to grant an extension to the planning of five years. A planning extension was secured and enabling works were approved for the link building roof in September 2025.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth to outline to the Seanad the current position in relation to the major funding project for Newtown School. The project involves the redevelopment of Newtown School to provide accommodation for a long term enrolment of 600 students. The existing shared campus will be reorganised and extended to complement the historic architecture that the Senator identified. The project involves a significant expansion to the existing school building to include a new PE hall facility and the special education needs suite. An enabling work contract to provide additional accommodation was completed in February 2025.”
“It is challenging enough for people. The Senator's colleague, Senator Conway, has done a lot. He is part of the NCBI. I know it advocates regularly. There may be an opportunity there because Members work well in this House on a cross-party basis. There may be an opportunity for a number of Members to work together and take this on as a project that could hopefully have a positive outcome on the other end. I thank the Senator for her advocacy in this area. It is noted and welcomed.”
“I thank the Senator. I get it. I can tell by her that she is passionate about this because she has seen what she perceives to be a failure by all concerned to provide safe passage insofar as we can for somebody who is visually challenged. It is about having a joined-up system. I am happy to work with the Senator to get her introductions in the Department of housing, which has a responsibility to the local authority, the Department of Transport, etc., to try to get some coherence to this. The standards are a good idea. Sometimes people deviate from that because there is a broad range. At a minimum, what we would like to see is that if somebody in Tallaght goes for a purposed walk somewhere and take a bus somewhere else, when they get off the bus or even on their walk from one end of Tallaght to the other, that there is a uniformity there.”
“It is the understanding of the Department that guidance in the use of tactile paving surface indicators is provided in the design manual for urban roads and streets, DMURS. This DMURS document dates from 2013 and was prepared collaboratively by the Department of Transport and the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.”
“This Irish standard recommendation - SR CEN/TS 15209:2021 - is the national adoption of the European technical specification developed and published by CEN, the European Committee for Standardisation. All European standards are adopted as national standards. CEN is a European standardisation organisation designated under EU regulation 1025/2012 that brings together the national standards bodies of 34 European countries, of which the NSAI is the Irish national standards body. It should be noted that the paving slabs are required to be CE marked in accordance with the construction products regulation citations of 2003, 2012 and 2013, depending on the base material of paving element.”
“There are other standards from 2012 and 2013, which I will provide to the Senator, which can be square or rectangular as specified by the designer. It does not specify dimensions of a single tactile paving layout or profile but proposes ranges within which these dimensions should fall, which I think, if I heard the Senator correctly, would indicate that, notwithstanding the fact that a standard is in place, there is a variance in it and that is what is causing the most difficulty for the constituent. It proposes methods of measurement of profiles, light reflectance and colour but does not specify requirements for these characteristics. These properties will be decided by the designer, taking into account the regulations, codes of practice and guidance in the place of use of the units. It does not specify material characteristics.”
“The National Standards Authority of Ireland has confirmed to the Department that there is an Irish standard recommendation, reference No. SR CEN/TS 15209:2021, which relates to tactile paving surface indicators produced from concrete, clay and stone. This standard specifies the method of measurement and the acceptance criteria for the dimensions for surface profile features and patterns for the surface of pedestrian paving units, used to convey information for visually impaired people. It applies to paving units made of concrete, clay and stone where the tactile profiles are monolithic with the unit. The surface profiles are intended to be applied to units manufactured to IS EN 1338:2003 and IS EN 1339:2003.”
“I welcome our dear friend, former Deputy Humphreys. I think he was a Member of this House as well. He is coming back to check up on us today. It is good to see him here with his colleagues. It is good to have him in the House. I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. The National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, is Ireland’s national standards body operating under the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act 1996. The NSAI is under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. The NSAI develops standards for products and services upon request of industry, regulators or policymakers. Indigenous standards may be promulgated, produced or developed where no existing international or European standards have been adopted or proposed.”
“The motion put forward today risks isolating not only Irish football but the entire Irish sporting ecosystem, making our sports and sportspeople merely an appendage of Irish foreign policy and entirely dependent on financing from the Government. I do not think, notwithstanding everything that has been said, that would be in the best interests of our sporting organisations. For these reasons, the Government proposes to amend the wording of this motion as per the amendment submitted to the House.”
“It is very clear that there have been issues with other organisations and NGBs over time, and it is all about corporate governance and good governance, the management of their strategic goals and ensuring that the State's money is spent appropriately. This is where the level of Government involvement has to end. Otherwise, it would be seen as an overreach. The Government has no role in how NGBs organise their sport or in their day-to-day operational functions. Furthermore, it would simply not be appropriate to intervene in matters such as this. The FAI is completely within its rights to fulfil its international fixtures and the Government acknowledges its right to do so.”
“Sport Ireland, which is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, is a statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. The Sport Ireland recognises national governing bodies, NGBs, play a key role in helping to deliver the strategic priorities identified in national sports policy. Funding delivered via Sport Ireland to the NGBs is not tied to the operational or administrative models used by the NGBs, either nationally or locally. All NGBs are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for their own governance and decision-making, including regarding the organisation of and participation in international sporting competitions.”
“Reference was made, if not here, then elsewhere, to RTÉ deciding in December 2025 to neither participate in nor broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s ongoing participation. This has been referred to in current debates. That was an independent decision taken by the State broadcaster, which is legally and editorially independent of the Government. Again, if there was a debate in this House demanding that the Government involve itself in a decision like that, it would be seen as overreach, and rightly so, if we were to get involved in what is an independent authority. I think it would reflect badly. The issue of funding was also raised.”
“I am sorry that is not the case, notwithstanding the efforts that the Government has made and continues to make at European level to build that consensus. It is the case that colleagues of mine in other parliaments across the European Union will reflect very positively on the statements and actions of the Government in being leaders in this regard. With respect, it was indicated that we had not shown leadership. In almost every other parliament in Europe, we are seen as being leaders in relation to what we are trying to do to bring Israel to heel for its atrocities. That is not the case in other member states and the consensus does not exist within parliaments there.”
“In accordance with UEFA rules, home legs and fixtures cannot be played in another jurisdiction unless concerns are raised about the capacity for the fixture to be held securely and safely. This is in the broadest sense, from health and safety to fan behaviour to policing. In this instance, An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it is prepared to police the home game. While there has been a wholesale exclusion of Russia from most international sporting events, a point which was raised, the exclusion is built upon international consensus driven by international sporting bodies and within the EU is linked to sanctions against Russia following its illegal invasion of Ukraine. No such international consensus exists in relation to Israel.”
“At an operational level, I understand that the FAI is continuing to engage with An Garda Síochána to ensure appropriate preparations for and policing of the home leg of the fixture. The FAI has also engaged with the Norwegian Football Association, which hosted a match against Israel in November last year, to see if any lessons from its experience can be applied to the preparations for the upcoming game in Ireland. Norway played the away leg of its World Cup qualifiers against Israel in Debrecen in Hungary. Furthermore, the FAI is engaging with the Palestinian Football Association to get its views on how to prepare for the match. Additionally, the FAI has engaged with the Israel Football Association, which has confirmed that it does not expect a significant number of Israeli fans to travel to Ireland for the fixture.”
“The FAI has decided to play the fixtures against Israel in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA. While there is speculation that the FAI may request that UEFA allow the game to be moved to a neutral venue abroad in the coming days, this is ultimately a decision for the FAI to make. While the decision to fulfil the fixtures or not is a matter for the FAI, it is important to note that not fulfilling the games could have serious sporting consequences for the Irish team, including losing points, relegation in the national league standings, weaker seeding for Euro 2028 qualification and harm to Ireland’s FIFA ranking. These consequences may not matter to some, for sure, but they matter to Irish football.”
“However, ultimately international sporting federations are responsible for deciding how to carry out their competitions and who may participate. International federations, in this case UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games and it is at that level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by the national governing bodies of individual countries. The Deputies opposite are well aware that the Government has advocated at European level for the ending of the neighbourhood agreement that exists between the EU and Israel. I think this is the appropriate action, that relates to governmental activity rather than sporting activity, that shows our commitment to trying to build an alliance at European level and hurt Israel where it matters most in relation to trade. Of course, that is something we have to continue.”
“The Government acknowledges the FAI's independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision and any decisions it may make in the coming days. The performance and integrity of our top athletes on the international stage have a positive representational impact for Ireland as Irish sport provides the world with a window into Ireland and the Irish people at home and abroad. International successes for our top sportspeople enriches our country in a variety of ways. Many of our fondest memories are centred on Ireland's achievements on the global sporting stage. These achievements have been a cause of celebration and inspiration for the public, and will continue to be into the future. That is why the Government is fully supportive of our athletes competing at the highest level of international competition.”
“At the end of the day, neither the Government nor any of us here in this Chamber decides who plays whom in sport, whether at domestic or international level, notwithstanding the point that politics is involved in everything. Public opinion and our opinion is involved in everything but we have no role in making those decisions. If we were to suggest that we had a role, it would be considered by others as overreach. We must be careful what we are advocating for. Not responding to that request in no way limits the empathy of those on this side of the House or reduces the disgust and distress that we too feel about the atrocities that have been perpetrated on innocent civilians in that zone. The FAI has stated that it intends to fulfil both fixtures against Israel in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA.”
“There have been many calls for Irish sporting organisations to boycott or exclude Israel from international sporting competitions in the context of the conflict in Gaza. These include calls to the FAI not to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel this autumn. It is important to note, however, that the national governing bodies of sport, such as the FAI, are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures in domestic or intentional competitions. That is a fact we cannot ignore. The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures.”
“Israeli actions in Palestine consistently contravene international law and the Government continues to press for appropriate action at EU and international level in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles. Last year, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory called it out for what it is. Having examined carefully Israel's conduct of the war since 2023, as well as the actions and statements of senior Israeli military and political figures, it concluded that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza. That is the gravest of crimes in international law. The Government calls on Israel to immediately remove restrictions on aid access to facilitate essential supplies and services reaching people across Gaza.”
“I thank the Deputies for raising an issue of considerable importance to all of us. Nobody on this side of the House in any way disagrees with the sentiment they express about the atrocities that have been committed against a humble, innocent group of people. We differ on the specific issue but not on the meat or about the seriousness of what is happening. That is the case for the Irish people, who are deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and the Gulf region, particularly the situation in Palestine. The Government is committed to working with key partners to end the conflict and to advance a sustainable peace plan.”
“I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes: — that the Irish people are deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region, particularly the situation in Palestine, and that the Government is committed to working with key partners to end the conflict; — that Israeli actions in Palestine consistently contravene international law, and the Government continues to press for appropriate action, both at European Union (EU) and international level, in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles; — Ireland's commitment to working with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza, and to advancing a sustainable peace plan and addressing the huge challenges facing Palestinians in Gaza; — the Government's grave concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, with intolerable conditions; — that Israel must immediately remove restrictions on aid access and facilitate essential supplies and services to reach people across the Gaza Strip; — the Government's condemnation of the law passed by the Israeli parliament to expand the scope of the death penalty and revive its implementation in Israel and occupied Palestine; — the particular concerns about the discriminatory nature of the law as it relates to Palestinians, and that the implementation of this law would give rise to serious breaches of international human rights law and international humanitarian law; — the approval and publication of the text of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026, noting that the Bill fulfils the commitment set out in the Programme for Government, to progress legislation to prohibit the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, and further noting the proposed introduction of the Bill in Dáil Éireann this week; — that, in line with the Taoiseach's statement, Ireland will act to prevent those members of the Government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has instructed immigration officers to refuse entry to Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security of Israel, and Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance of Israel, should they seek to enter Ireland; — Ireland's support of an EU-wide prohibition on trade with Israeli settlements, and that at both the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and the FAC Trade in May, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, requested that the European Commission bring forward proposals for a prohibition on EU trade with settlements, on the basis of the EU's Common Commercial Policy, and furthermore, that the Minister also reiterated Ireland's longstanding position that the EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended or, at a minimum, that the trade elements should be suspended; — that a number of other member states supported Ireland's call for stronger collective EU action, and agreed that targeted sanctions alone cannot substitute for meaningful measures relating to trade with illegal settlements; and — that the Taoiseach also wrote to European Council President, António Costa, on 20th May, reiterating Ireland's position on EU trade with Israel, and requesting an urgent discussion of these issues among EU leaders at the next meeting of the European Council on 18-19 June; in relation to sport, further notes that: — the performance and integrity of our top athletes on the international stage have a very positive representational impact for Ireland, as Irish sport provides the world with a window into Ireland and the Irish people, both at home and abroad; — international success for our top sports people enriches our country in a variety of ways, and Ireland's achievements on the global sporting stage have been a cause of both celebration and inspiration for the Irish public, and will continue to be so into the future; and — the Government is committed to supporting Irish athletes competing at the highest level of international competition; and recognises that: — national governing bodies of sport, such as the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions; — it is the role of the FAI to decide to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel in September (home) and October (away); — the FAI has stated that it intends to fulfil both fixtures against Israel; — the FAI has made this decision in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA, the governing body and confederation for football in Europe; and — the Government acknowledges the FAI's independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision and any decisions it may make in the coming days.".”
“The Deputy should be assured of my effort to try to resolve this in so far as is possible and as quickly as possible. I thank him again.”
“I assure the Deputy that I will make every effort to ensure that he does not have come in and be as passionate as he is about this issue. It is something that I am aware of. I am working to try to find a resolution. I take the Deputy's point about the language that is sometimes used to set out the reasoning, with terms such as "business case", "headcount" and "personnel". Having travelled the road in the Deputy's presence, it is clear to me that there is an issue here that has to be resolved. I commit to doing my best to try to get it resolved as quickly as possible. It is a fair ask. I do not believe it is unreasonable, and I certainly do not believe that the costs should be prohibitive taking everything into consideration.”
“There will be a public competition to replace that third member of the authority, but in answer to the Deputy’s question regarding who is now in charge, I intend to appoint in an acting capacity one of the two remaining members of the commission in the coming days. I will keep him updated on that.”
“Any additional headcount that may be sought by the SFPA will require sanction from both our Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. I also assure the Deputy that the designation of ports for landings does not preclude vessels from coming into ports for force majeure reasons, such as safe harbour. I take on board the issue he raised, and I will try to have that investigated. I have set out for him the facts as they are and will answer some of his specific questions. Paschal Hayes, as the Deputy knows, submitted his decision to retire some time ago.”
“The current ports designated and the opening days and times for those ports were decided to allow for Northern Ireland registered vessels to continue to land into Irish ports, while ensuring that the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, has the capacity to continue to perform its vital control functions effectively. The authority has advised that additional resources would be required in order to extend the operational hours for Burtonport. On that basis, the SFPA has been asked to submit a business case to the Department on this matter, and any additional resources that may be required at Greencastle. All business cases are assessed on their own merits once submitted.”
“In 2023, three new ports in County Donegal — Bunagee, Glengad and Malin Head — as well as Dunmore East, were designated for landing of UK-registered Northern Ireland vessels. In addition, the opening hours in Greencastle were extended. The four newly designated ports were additional to the seven ports already designated. There are significant practical and cost implications for the State in the designation of EU ports for third country landings. Under EU regulations, such designations represent an entry point to the European Union, following which food is free to circulate within the full EU Common Market. On this basis, for any ports designated, Ireland is obliged to ensure that it has in place a meaningful control presence.”
“When it comes to the designation of the port, I understand that is the competency of the Department and Minister concerned. As I have delegated powers in that regard, it is my responsibility. UK fishing vessels, including Northern Irish vessels, had a pattern of landings into many Irish ports prior to the UK's withdrawal from the EU. In the post-Brexit period, UK vessels are now considered as third country vessels. County Donegal has the most landings by smaller Northern Ireland fishing vessels into smaller ports to which they traditionally landed. Killybegs and Castletownbere have been designated for third country landings for some time. In 2021, Burtonport, Rathmullen, Greencastle, Howth and Ros an Mhíl were designated as ports for third country landings also.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is an issue I am very familiar with as a result of his continued lobbying. I had an opportunity to meet with the Deputy and some representatives of the fishing community who use Burtonport Harbour. All work in relation to Ireland's exclusive fisheries zone comprises law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. It is effectively in charge of the entire operation there. The Naval Service is involved as well. Under the Act, I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters.”
“I move amendment No. 7: In page 3, line 5, after "1999" to insert the following: "to provide for the funding of functions of an Electrical Safety Supervisory Body or Gas Safety Supervisory Body appointed under that Act by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities;".”
“I move amendment No. 5: In page 40, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "(2) The Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998 and section 23 may be cited together as the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 2026.".”
“I move amendment No. 3: In page 40, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 22 of Turf Development Act 1998 23. Section 22(1)(b) of the Turf Development Act 1998 is amended by the substitution of "€1,500,000,000" for "€650,000,000".". Amendment No. 3 inserts into the principal Act a provision amending section 22(1)(b) of the Turf Development Act 1998. I have already outlined the reasons for this change when introducing the motion to instruct the committee. I thank Members for allowing this important amendment to be dealt with as part of the Bill currently before the House. Amendments Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, and No. 8 are technical amendments consequent to the amendment of the Turf Development Act 1998 to reflect the Bill's expanded purpose.”
“I move amendment No. 2: In page 9, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 9F of Principal Act 5. Section 9F of the Principal Act is amended— (a) in subsection (2)(c), by the insertion of “, notwithstanding subsection (10)(c),” after “and”, and (b) in subsection (10)(c), by the substitution of “Subject to subsection (2)(b), all” for “All”.”.”
“7 is a technical amendment reflecting this purpose in the Bill's Long Title. I assure the House these changes will not result in any additional charges on the Exchequer. The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 enables the statutory functions of the CRU to be funded through a levy to be paid each year by the industry.”
“In 2022, the CRU appointed an operator for both schemes following a competitive tender process. Schemes are funded through annual membership fees and certain charges paid by members. In recent years, the CRU has attempted to limit fee increases to reflect a difficult trading environment and cost-of-living pressures. However, the current contract requires scheme operators to recover a certain amount of revenue to support its operations. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 remove the restrictions in the principal Act which prevent the CRU from providing funds directly. This will ensure that the schemes, which serve vital safety functions in the public interest, can continue to operate in the case of unexpected cost increases or decreased revenues due to declining membership. Amendment No.”
“I move amendment No. 1: In page 9, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 9D of Principal Act 4. Section 9D of the Principal Act is amended— (a) in subsection (2)(c), by the insertion of “, notwithstanding subsection (10)(b),” after “and”, and (b) in subsection (10)(b), by the substitution of “Subject to subsection (2)(b), all” for “All”.”. These amendments enable the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to provide funding to enable the continued operation of the safe electric scheme and the registered gas installer scheme in the interest of safety for electricity and gas operators and the public. These statutory schemes were established by the CRU in 2009 to regulate the activities respectively of gas installers and electrical contractors with respect to safety under the energy Act 2006.”
“It was saying that if we do not get our act together here and do not figure out a way to allow growth in data centres, other countries will attract that. I was in Alberta, Canada, as part of the St. Patrick's Day discussions and we saw they are trying to attract data centres. By their nature, data centres are not big employers but they attract other enterprises around them. If we do not succeed in anchoring the data here, others will and they will benefit in terms of the tech jobs of the future. There is a job of work to be done.”
“We have been behind the curve but between now and 2030, over €18 billion will be invested by EirGrid into the grid. We are doing with EirGrid something like what we are doing with Bord na Móna as part of this. We are putting in core capital of €3 billion to allow EirGrid to borrow more. We are raising the borrowing limit for Bord na Móna to allow it to become an enabler. I take the Deputy's point about being careful about our relationship with oligarchs in the tech sector. What is on offer is a positive in terms of future economic growth and support for the tech sector, more generally. This morning, I spoke at a Digital Infrastructure Ireland conference. It is a body that speaks for the data centres and there was a report prepared by Jim Power.”