Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions.

Deputy Ó Murchú raised the issue of Mr. John Molloy in Dunleer. A decision was made by Government today to increase the retirement age for those in uniformed services to 62 but I am not 100% sure if that will apply in this gentleman's case or whether it will kick in in time for him. If the Deputy wants to pass me on some details, I can check that out. In principle, we decided today to raise the retirement age for uniformed services to 62, although for the Defence Forces it will be initially 60 rising to 62 because a change has to be made in legislation. Some of the others can be done by ministerial order.

Deputy Barry raised the very real and ongoing issues around the abuse of immigration law and employment law in the fishing industry. I do not know enough about the particular case to comment on it. It is the first I have heard about that case.

Deputy O'Sullivan raised the issue of water quality in the north side of Cork city. I am very much aware of the issue. It has been raised with me by Deputy Colm Burke as well, and the Tánaiste is aware of it too. I have not made direct contact with Irish Water about the situation but I will make inquiries. Perhaps that might prompt a better response than Deputy O'Sullivan has had to date. I will make sure that is done today.

I want to join with Deputy McAuliffe in welcoming the seizure of scramblers. The new laws were a long time coming but I was delighted to see them being used now that they are on the books. I agree that we need more gardaí, Garda staff and Garda reserves. I have to say that I am very encouraged by the fact that 6,000 people applied to join the Garda in the most recent recruitment campaign. That in itself will not turn into 6,000 gardaí but it is encouraging, and the increase in the retirement and entry ages means we will see fewer people leaving and more people joining. That will allow us to get to 14,500 gardaí by the end of the year, which is the target, and 15,000 by the end of next year.

On the issue that Deputy Boyd Barrett brought up regarding Sallynoggin Killiney Educate Together National School, I am glad to hear that it is willing to open a second class. There are some schools that will not. It is great to hear of a school that is willing to do so. I know many are and I will certainly make inquiries with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan about that and see if there is anything we can do. There may be reasons I am not aware of but I will certainly make inquiries.

Deputy Murphy raised the issue of the post office in The Square in Tallaght, which I do know. I am advised by An Post that there will not be any diminution of service as it moves from direct labour to the franchise model. That is ultimately a matter for An Post rather than Government but I know the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers has met the CEO of An Post to discuss it, given some particular concerns around the loss of iconic buildings in New Ross, Roscommon and some other places.

Deputy Durkan raised the issue of Celbridge, and I am not familiar with the exact plans there but I will make some inquiries about it. Certainly, anyone being asked to move out of accommodation should be treated with respect and given some time to do so and find somewhere else appropriate. I am confident that will be done but I will ask my people to make further inquiries during the day.

See this speech in context