Verona Murphy
Wexford · Independent · Ireland
“As we come to the end of the Dáil term and head into the summer recess, I extend to all Deputies my gratitude for their co-operation. On behalf of all the Members, I thank Elaine Gunn and her large team for their support and hard work.”
“Deputy Malcolm Byrne - to discuss the need for the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford. Deputy Marie Sherlock - to discuss the use of periodic payment orders in the courts. Deputy Rory Hearne - to discuss the cessation of the financial contribution scheme in Dublin North-West.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputies Ciarán Ahern, Seán Crowe, Paul Murphy, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, James Geoghegan and John Lahart - to discuss the feasibility of continuing MetroLink from the city to south-west D…”
“Agus téarma reatha na Dála ag teacht chun críche, agus sinn ag díriú ar thús an tsamhraidh, táim buíoch do gach Teachta as a gcomhoibriú. Thar ceann na Comhaltaí go léir, gabhaim buíochas le Elaine Gunn agus lena foireann as a dtacaíocht agus an obair mhór a rinne siad.”
“I welcome our special visitors to the Public Gallery. We are joined by members of the family of the late Jennie Poole, in whose memory this Bill is named: her brother, Jason Poole; her parents, Jackie and Joe; her siblings, David and Clare; and her precious children, Nevaeh and Zack.”
“That was the final Taoiseach’s questions until we come back in September. I thank the Taoiseach for his co-operation with all the Members. I wish him a very successful recess, particularly as he will be very busy with EU Presidency business and his normal business.”
The complete record
Every one of 475 lines we hold for Verona Murphy, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 10.
“Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for a primary care centre and more GPs in Gorey, County Wexford. The matters raised by Deputies Aidan Farrelly, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Joanna Byrne and Malcolm Byrne have been selected for discussion”
“Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss regulation of commercial airborne drones used for delivery purposes. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss An Post's pension scheme and the need for financial transparency. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the transition to the new provider of Irish Coast Guard search and rescue aviation services. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the lack of school places for children with autism in north County Dublin. Deputy Brian Stanley - To discuss the need for extra school accommodation for St. Francis Special School, Portlaoise. Deputy Tony McCormack - To discuss competitiveness in the foreign direct investment sector and supports for workers made redundant in this sector. Deputy Dessie Ellis - To discuss the An Saol Foundation CLG's plan to relocate to a new campus in Ballymun.”
“Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss funding for the Save Our Sons and Daughters suicide prevention group. Deputy Donna McGettigan - To discuss the dramatic decline in participation in the dental treatment service scheme. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss issues of animal welfare and attacks on sheep. Deputy Liam Quaide - To discuss water supply and pressure issues in Ballyhooly, County Cork. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the long-term boil water notice on the Whitegate water scheme in east Cork. Deputy James O'Connor - To discuss the need for special schools in east Cork. Deputy Paul Donnelly - To discuss the lack of a regular postal service to Kilmatrin Grove in Hollystown, Dublin 15. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the provision of an ASD class at Scoil Eoin, Ballincollig.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss DART+ projects in Kilcock and Sallins, County Kildare. Deputy Joe Neville - To discuss the need for upgraded road and rail infrastructure in Kildare North. Deputy Conor D McGuinness - To discuss the role of Maoiniú Fhoras an Gaeilge. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore - To discuss the roll-out of BusConnects for Wicklow. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss expansion of availability of affordable family homes for purchase. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl - To discuss the provision of a new management structure for the Curragh plains. Deputy Paul McAuliffe - To discuss the planned expansion works at St. Canice's Girls School.”
“I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding housing policy. On Wednesday, 12 February 2025, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.”
“I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding the response to Storm Éowyn. On Tuesday, 11 February 2025, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.”
“I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding the situation in Palestine. On Wednesday, 5 February 2025, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.”
“As the thirty minutes have elapsed with regards to debate I now put the following question: "That in respect of each of the sections undisposed of, the section is hereby agreed to in Committee; the Title is hereby agreed to in Committee; the Bill is accordingly reported to the House without amendment; Fourth Stage is hereby completed and the Bill is hereby passed."”
“Thank you, Taoiseach. We went over time on an earlier group and, unfortunately, the time available for this group was shorter. There is a maximum of 45 minutes for this session. Perhaps the Taoiseach will respond in writing. I will leave the matter with him.”
“There is no point in apologising; you ignored me three times, Deputy. Yesterday, I addressed the matter. That rule is to protect all Members, not just the Oireachtas Member who you are making the allegation against. It is to protect you from-----”
“I thank the Deputy. If I may, before Deputy O'Hara speaks, I offer sincere sympathy to Deputy Graves on the loss of her partner. On her getting elected so soon afterwards, I say well done, it is fantastic.”
“We move to the Labour Party. Deputy O'Reilly knows full well what was received in the letter. I do not have the authority to do that and you bring it to the Business Committee as per motion. I thank the Deputy.”
“Excuse me, Deputies. Excuse me, while the Chair is speaking. I would like to outline that I am not saying the Deputy cannot say it. I am saying she cannot say it now. In the correspondence to Deputy Mac Lochlainn, I outlined the process by which you can say it, which is during Sinn Féin's Private Members' business. That goes for everybody in the House.”
“Before I call the Chief Whip, I want everybody - as there are some new Deputies - to be aware that when we move to the Order of Business, if there is dissent, the clock starts ticking and it removes time from the discussion on promised legislation. Any procrastinating by Members takes from the time for Questions on Policy or Legislation and I ask them to please be aware of that. I call the Chief Whip to move the proposal for this week's business, in accordance with Standing Order 35.”
“I thank the Taoiseach. With the latitude of the House, we have two more Deputies. I propose to give Deputies Timmins and Pádraig O'Sullivan 30 seconds each to ask their questions and then the Taoiseach might respond to both.”
“Now I will take Leaders' Questions under Standing Order 36. The Standing Order allows for a brief question on a matter of topical public importance from each leader or representative of Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats. The order of the House allows for three questions today, and the time allowed for Sinn Féin will be ten minutes.”
“The next business is the nomination of Taoiseach pursuant to Article 13.1.1° of the Constitution. I now invite Members to make nominations for Taoiseach. I remind Members that it is customary to second nominations for Taoiseach but it is not mandatory. I first call Deputy Albert Dolan to make a nomination. The Deputy has five minutes.”
“I will seek the advice of senior counsel on this matter before coming to an impartial final decision. Therefore, in accordance with my solemn declaration that I will apply the rules as laid down by this House in an impartial and fair manner and the powers conferred on me by Standing Order 75(3), I have decided that to avoid prejudging my final decision on that dispute, the following technical groups will be recognised for the purposes of any debate during today's proceedings pending a final ruling on the matter: Independent and Parties Technical Group; and Independent Technical Group. I trust my decision today provides a roadmap for all parties and all Members to work towards an outcome that is acceptable to all. Thank you. I now call on the Government Chief Whip to make a brief statement.”
“I was explicit in that correspondence that I had made no decision on the issue of the recognition of the Regional Independent Group as a technical group. I invited submissions by close of business yesterday. Those of you who did not agree with the advice had the opportunity to make submissions and provide alternate advice for me to consider. I embarked on this process in the interests of fairness and recognising that Standing Orders could be open to interpretation. As of yesterday, I received one submission on the issue of the Regional Independent Group. I thank the authors of that submission. Overnight, I considered the submission and the advice that I received. I reviewed and discussed the submission with my staff. It seems that there is significant ambiguity in the wording of Standing Order 170(1) and (4).”
“As we reconvene this morning to discharge the functions that we have been constitutionally mandated by our constituents to perform, we have a duty to the people who have elected us to conduct ourselves in a way that is befitting of the office we hold. Our primary constitutional function is to nominate a Taoiseach for appointment by Uachtaráin na hÉireann. The issue of the recognition of the Regional Independent Group as a technical group lies at the core of yesterday's dispute. On Friday, 17 January, I outlined in correspondence to each member of the Business Committee legal advice that my office had received from the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers. In that correspondence, I further sought submissions from those who did not agree with the advice I had outlined.”
“As Deputies will all be aware, we have entered a process. I have given an undertaking to Members, categorically, to deal with that process expeditiously. "Expeditiously" means before the resumption of Dáil Éireann on 5 February.”
“Members should not shout at me and jump out of their seats. I am prepared to hear them, but the reality in this regard is that I cannot give a date because I have not yet received all the submissions. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.”
“I reiterate what was said. I can give the House and its Members an absolute assurance that I will deal with the matter expeditiously. As the Deputy is aware, and as the Business Committee will have relayed to every Member of the House, there is a process in place. I invited submissions in order that it could be open, transparent and impartial. The closing date for those submissions is close of business today. Pending the vote on the Order of Business, we may or may not resume on 5 February, but I intend to deal with it expeditiously. It does not mean that I will not be dealing with it-----”
“I call on the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to propose the arrangements for the constitutional business of the day.”
“Before we commence the very important constitutional business of nominating a Taoiseach, I wish to advise the House of what was agreed yesterday in the Business Committee on the speaking arrangements for prospective technical groups for today's sitting. It was agreed that the groups, as currently constituted, would be facilitated in the speaking arrangements for today, and this is without prejudice to decisions that will be taken following the completion of the submission process which I initiated last Friday on foot of concerns expressed by Members. I assure Members that I will act with the utmost impartiality and fairness on this matter, and that I will ensure complete transparency in any of the decisions made as Chair.”