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.”
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“McGuinness - To discuss day services for children and young adults with disabilities in Waterford city and county. Deputies Ruth Coppinger and Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss the regulation of commercial drone delivery. Deputy Conor Sheehan - To discuss the restoration of the home birth service in Limerick. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss social and affordable housing delivery in Dublin North-West Deputy Jennifer Whitmore - To discuss issues with public transport in Wicklow. The matters raised by Deputies Louis O'Hara, George Lawlor, Tom Brabazon, James Geoghegan, and Ruth Coppinger and Roderic O'Gorman have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss expansion of Irish language-medium primary and secondary schools. Deputy Eoghan Kenny - To discuss the recent fish kill on the Blackwater River in Cork. Deputy Mark Wall - To discuss the lack of available childcare places in Kilcullen, County Kildare. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú· - To discuss the failure to provide an SNA for a primary school child. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the lack of school transport for children in special schools in Cork. Deputy Matt Carthy - To discuss the impact of delays of SENO allocations on pupils and families in Cavan-Monaghan. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss the sustainability of the fishing sector. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss waiting lists for child psychologists in Kerry and in the Kerry-Cork region. Deputies David Cullinane and Conor D.”
“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 James Geoghegan - To discuss preventing judicial reviews of critical infrastructure projects. Deputy George Lawlor - To discuss the inclusion of commercial bus operators in fare reduction schemes. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the reopening of Rattoo Round Tower, closed for 15 years for maintenance works by OPW. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for comprehensive development guidelines in relation to energy developments. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss waiting lists for speech and language therapy in CHO 9. Deputy Claire Kerrane - To discuss the downgrading of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe.”
“Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss the ongoing crisis in capacity at University Hospital Limerick. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the failure to provide an SNA for a primary school child. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the lack of school transport for children in special schools in Cork. Deputy Matt Carthy - To discuss the impact of delays of SENO allocations on pupils and families in Cavan-Monaghan. The matters raised by Deputies Colm Burke, Malcolm Byrne, Pat Buckley, Gary Gannon and Brian Stanley have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Eoghan Kenny - To discuss the recent fish kill on the Blackwater River in Cork. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss inheritance tax discrimination for childless citizens. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the reopening of Rattoo round tower. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss the urgent need for expansion of neonatal facilities at the Rotunda Hospital. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for comprehensive development guidelines in relation to energy developments. Deputy Mark Wall - To discuss the lack of available childcare places in Kilcullen, County Kildare. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss the sustainability of the fishing sector. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the delays businesses and potential employees experience while applying for work permits. Deputy Ruth Coppinger - To discuss the regulation of commercial drone delivery.”
“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 Malcolm Byrne - To discuss levels of State support for amateur drama and musical theatre. Deputy Claire Kerrane - To discuss the downgrading of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe. Deputy Brian Stanley - To discuss the imminent closure of the Leprino Foods company in Portlaoise. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss expansion of Irish-language medium primary and secondary schools. Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss the establishment of the task force for Cork. Deputies David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss day services for children and young adults with disabilities in Waterford.”
“Before I call the Opposition leader, I welcome back Deputy Holly Cairns. I also congratulate Deputy Emer Higgins who married her husband Brian Lawlor over the recess. Under Standing Order 38, I call the Opposition leader, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald.”
“We must collaborate to protect the integrity of our political discourse - a commitment to discourse that is rigorous yet fair, impassioned yet principled and consistently respectful is essential. As we embark on this term, I urge all Members to reflect on the tone and tenor of deliberations. Thank you, Members.”
“The experiences of our counterparts in the UK, US and other democratic jurisdictions serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inaction. We are not insulated from this global trend. In the words of Barack Obama, "Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted." I am therefore requesting a meeting with all party and group leaders with a view to formulating an appropriate consensus response to deal with this issue. Our constitutional obligations require us to protect our people from unjust attack, and we have a collective responsibility to uphold these principles. The challenges posed by social media platforms require our immediate and cross-party attention.”
“In addition to my concern for current Members, I am concerned that this environment may deter decent people from entering public life. If we allow a culture of fear and intimidation to take root, we risk losing the very essence of democratic representation. It is incumbent upon us all to collectively defend the integrity of political debate and cultivate an environment that encourages participation without fear of reprisal. We must create a space where diverse views can be expressed safely and openly. While the report commissioned from the Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life 2024 identified pertinent issues, in my view it now needs to be supplemented by concrete legislative proposals.”
“Welcome back everyone. Before I take Leaders' Questions, I would like to make a short statement. In recent times, we have witnessed an alarming rise in the serious threats and online abuse directed at a significant number of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas of all parties and none, a phenomenon that can no longer be ignored. Not alone does it affect us as Members, but also a significant percentage of our population. This abuse often emanates from unverified profiles on various online platforms which facilitate unsavoury discourse and foster unhealthy narratives that bear little resemblance to fact or reality. In my capacity of Ceann Comhairle I have a duty to safeguard this assembly, its Members and the wider public interest. This Chamber must remain a secure environment for the conduct of parliamentary business.”
“As we come to the end of the current Dáil session and head into the summer recess, I want to personally thank the Deputies for their co-operation, which I trust and hope will continue when we return in September. On behalf of all the Members, I thank Mr. Peter Finnegan and his team for their support and hard work. I further thank the Superintendent and his team of ushers, who keep us safe, and the catering team, who keep us fed and watered. I thank my own staff, both in my office here and at local level, for their valuable support and assistance over the past six months and before. I hope everybody has a very productive summer. I look forward to seeing you all in September, refreshed and ready to go.”
“The matters raised by Deputies Barry Heneghan, Naoise Ó Muirí and Cian O'Callaghan, Maurice Quinlivan, Edward Timmins, Pádraig O'Sullivan and Paul McAuliffe have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss the crisis of capacity at University Hospital Limerick. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss water infrastructure provision in Kildare. Deputy Emer Currie - To discuss the inclusion of commercial bus operators in the planned expansion of free travel to children under the age of nine. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the dog breeding national register and compliance with standards. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry. Deputy Paul McAuliffe - To discuss wait times for audiology appointments, nationally and in Dublin North West. Deputy Gillian Toole - To discuss excess and unexpected mortality levels in nursing homes. Deputy Paul Lawless - To discuss the annual notification of the number of terminations of pregnancies report.”
“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 Barry Heneghan, Naoise Ó Muirí and Cian O'Callaghan - To discuss the lack of community infrastructure in Clongriffin and Belmayne. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss a proposal by Kerry VFI pubs to allow for a draught excise rebate. Deputy Edward Timmins - To discuss the growth and development of the Irish Stock Exchange. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss the design of the entrance to the Rush side of the Rush and Lusk train station. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for updated wind energy development guidelines. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss water and wastewater infrastructure in County Waterford.”
“The Select Committee on Health has completed its consideration of the Health Information Bill 2024 and has made amendments thereto and has amended the Title to read as follows: An Act to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2025/327 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2025 on the European Health Data Space and amending Directive 2011/24/EU and Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 and for those and other purposes to provide for a duty for health services providers to share, in certain circumstances, a patient’s personal health data with other health services providers also providing care and treatment to the patient; to provide for the creation and assignment by the Health Service Executive of an Electronic Health Record in respect of every patient; to provide for the information that shall be contained in an Electronic Health Record; to provide that a health services provider shall record the personal public service number of each of his or her patients; to provide that the Health Service Executive may, where appropriate, use a personal public service number to identify a patient; to provide for access to all, or part of, an Electronic Health Record by certain categories of person; to provide for the restriction of such access in certain circumstances; to provide a patient with information in relation to access to his or her Electronic Health Record; to provide for the Minister to make regulations for the purposes of this Act; to provide for the purposes in relation to which an Electronic Health Record may be used; to provide that the Health Service Executive may enter into reciprocal arrangements with other jurisdictions in relation to the exchange of information contained in an Electronic Health Record; to provide that the Health Service Executive may request health services providers to provide the Health Service Executive with certain classes of personal health data; to provide that the Health Service Executive may request certain persons to provide the Health Service Executive with certain categories of health information; to provide that the Health Service Executive may make an application to the Circuit Court where a person fails to comply with a request; to provide for the purposes for which the Health Service Executive may use health information provided to it in accordance with this Act; to provide that the Health Service Executive shall prepare and publish guidelines for the purposes of this Act; and to provide for related matters.”
“I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding endometriosis care in Ireland. On Tuesday, 15 July 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 Second Stage of the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation (Transfer of Functions) Bill 2024, taken on Thursday, 10 July 2025. On the question, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.”
“The Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 29.”
“I call the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Norma Foley, to make her statement. Under Standing Order 56, she is sharing time with the Minister of State, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, and Deputy Keira Keogh. They have 25 minutes in total.”
“The Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 33. The Select Committee on Fisheries and Marine Affairs has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 29.”
“I am sorry, Deputy, but your question time is over. We have two Deputies who were outside the time. Given the day that is in it, I am going to allow them in, ask them to brief and ask the Taoiseach respond. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue to begin.”
“I thank the Taoiseach. Before moving on to Other Members' Questions, I, too, on behalf of the Oireachtas, extend a warm céad míle fáilte to Mr. James Maloney, MP, from the Canadian House of Commons, who is accompanied by his wife. James was instrumental in having a private members' motion adopted unanimously by the Canadian House of Commons in 2021 declaring March as Irish Heritage Month. Mr. Maloney is affectionately known as "the minister for Ireland". Welcome, and thank you very much. There are other distinguished guests in the Gallery. We welcome members of the Knocklong Men's Shed. We also welcome Maureen and Elly, who are from Granagh and Templeglantine.”
“Excuse me, Deputy, I am speaking. Your party will have ten minutes later. Let the Minister of State speak uninterrupted for the benefit, or not, as the case may be, of the visitors. Please allow them to hear the debate.”
“It is not usual but it is at my discretion if the Minister wishes to share time with the Minister of State. There will be no extra time. I note, for the attention of the women in the Gallery, that I am allowing this because, as they appreciate, this is a very important topic. The guests are indicating they have no objection. I call the Minister.”
“I hope Members take time to reflect during recess on the format of these debates. The format is one minute each way. We are out of time because of the behaviour of some Deputies. That means there are two Deputies still on the list. I am going to allow it. It is no fault of those Deputies, but stay within the time. I call Deputy Conor Sheehan.”
“Before we move to Questions on Policy or Legislation, I welcome the special needs assistants from Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, who are here with Deputy Catherine Callaghan. I call Deputy Mary Lou McDonald.”
“I must now deal with a postponed division relating to amendment No. 1 to Government amendment No. 1. On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, on the question, "That the amendment to the amendment be made", 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 student fees. On Tuesday, 8 July 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 Second Stage of the Ministers and Secretaries (Attorney General) Bill 2023, taken on Thursday, 3 July 2025. On the question, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time", 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 proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a European Council recommendation on a co-ordinated approach to the transition out of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine. On Thursday, 3 July 2025, on the question, "That 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 proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the application of the safe third country concept. On Thursday, 3 July 2025, on the question, "That 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 proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at Union level. On Thursday, 3 July 2025, on the question, "That the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.”
“The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for public services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 1 – President's Establishment; Vote 2 – Department of the Taoiseach; Vote 3 – Office of the Attorney General; Vote 4 – Central Statistics Office; Vote 5 – Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; and Vote 6 – Office of the Chief State Solicitor.”
“Before we move to questions on policy or legislation, I welcome Tom and Catherine Lyons and their family, Vicky, Alex, Daniel and Lily, to the Dáil. They are all from Ardagh in County Limerick. We will move on to questions on policy or legislation. I remind Deputies that each question and answer is one minute in duration.”
“There are two further Deputies but we are out of time. There is a lack of co-operation from Deputies and that is why we are out of time. We should be able to fit everybody in. The more I have to ask for co-operation, the more time we waste. Strictly speaking, I should not allow the other two Deputies in but I will allow them 30 seconds each, after which the Taoiseach can respond.”
“Before we move to Questions on Policy or Legislation, I welcome some very special visitors to the Gallery. They include members of the Irish Wheelchair Association, the Gold Star Disability initiative from Cashel and the Tipperary Volunteer Centre who are special guests in the Houses of the Oireachtas today. I wish to record our appreciation to the groups for their invaluable insights with regard to improving disability, access and inclusion. I hope they enjoyed their visit to the House today and I thank them all for taking the time to visit us. Go raibh míle maith agaibh. We now move to Questions on Policy or Legislation. I call Deputy McDonald.”
“Before I deal with the motions, I welcome to the Gallery Mr. Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. He is here with Deputy Lahart and is very welcome.”
“Under Questions on Policy and Legislation, Deputies have one minute. The Deputy's time is up. We are over time so I am giving the Deputy latitude by taking the question at all. I ask him to pose his question to the Minister.”
“Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí - To discuss the reduction in teacher allocations to Belgrove Infant Girls School. Deputies Dessie Ellis and Denise Mitchell - To discuss the continuing closure of the Kilmore community centre. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the establishment of a surgical hub for the north east in the Louth county hospital in Dundalk. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore - To discuss funding for cancer support groups in County Wicklow. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the need for traffic calming measures in Carlanstown, County Meath. The matters raised by Deputies Michael Cahill, Brendan Smith, Dessie Ellis and Denise Mitchell, Gary Gannon and Naoise Ó Muirí have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Ciarán Ahern - To discuss teacher allocations and class mergers in St. Kevin's Boys National School and St. Kevin's Girls National School in Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the level of preparedness for a major cyberattack on the State. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the limitations of the supplementary welfare allowance. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the flood relief programme for Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Killeagh and Mogeely in County Cork. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the national childcare scheme for children with disabilities. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss implementation of the legislative timelines for assessing and reimbursing medicines applied for by pharmaceutical companies, Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss the challenges facing schools in Dublin Bay North.”
“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 Mairéad Farrell - To discuss the spend on new helicopters by the Coast Guard. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the need to expedite progress on the Killarney bypass. Deputy John McGuinness - To discuss the N25 road project. Deputy Brendan Smith - To discuss the need for Bus Éireann to lower the cost of travel on the Cavan-Dublin route. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss safety in Dublin city centre. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the enrolment criteria for specific speech and language disorder special classes. Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss the use of buildings, and closure of the swimming pool, at Ferryhouse, Clonmel.”
“I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding housing delivery. On Wednesday, 25 June 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 Second Stage of the Healthcare (Transparent Payments) Bill 2022, taken on Thursday, 19 June 2025. On the question, "That the amendment to the motion be made", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.”
“The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach has completed its considerations of the following Revised Estimates for Public Services for the service of the year ending 31 December 2025: Votes 11,12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 39 and 43. The Select Committee on Health has completed its considerations of the following Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending 31 December 2025: Vote 38.”
“We move now to the Independent and Parties Technical Group. I call Deputy Connolly. If a third member of her group arrives, I will let her know. If not, she and Deputy Paul Murphy may share the allocated time between the two of them.”
“Before calling on Deputy Brabazon, I welcome to the Gallery a tour group from Ballybay, County Monaghan. Its members, who are guests of Deputy Maxwell, include Stephen and Julie Patten, who were married last week. They are all very welcome.”
“Before we move to our next question, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery H.E. Mr. Artur Michalski, ambassador of Poland to Ireland, who is today accompanied by Ms Agnieszka Skolimowska, first counsellor at the embassy. They are very welcome. We move to the Labour Party. I call Deputy Bacik.”
“Before we start proceedings, I break with tradition to extend a warm welcome to a very special cohort of young people. With the help of the Little Blue Heroes Foundation, we have four honorary gardaí looking in on us today from home and seven honorary gardaí present with us in the Gallery. Those looking in from home are Shane Hearne, Lennon Shanahan, Lucy O'Shea and Holly Carroll. Hopefully, we will greet them here another day. In the Gallery with us are Joey Moss, Hayden Smith Kirwan, Connell Dunne, Skyler Sheehan, Amelia Sexton, Jack Fitzgerald and Roisin Crowe, whom we met earlier. I thank them all for joining us today. I hope they are having a great day because they truly are an inspiration to us all. I also welcome all the other children and visitors in the Gallery.”
“Deputy Toole might permit me to welcome the members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from Wexford who performed for us earlier. I am sure everybody had the pleasure of their music today. Welcome all, especially Aggie and Michael.”