Dáil debates
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
5:40 am
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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We move now to Questions on Policy or Legislation. I ask again that all Deputies be respectful or some people will be left out. There were 67 applicants and 18 were chosen. We do not have enough time to take 18, so please be respectful. I call Deputy McDonald.
Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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As we know, the Government is all over the place on housing. As people sleep overnight in their cars hoping to get the chance to buy a home of their own, the Minister for Housing, Deputy James Browne, went on television and admitted the Government's housing plan is failing. He stated that the Government is unlikely to meet its target of 41,000 homes this year and that the ESRI's projection of 34,000 units is more likely. This is a shortfall of 7,000. Of course, missing housing targets is the form of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government. Rather than misleading the public on housing delivery - which was their tactic during the general election - the Minister, Deputy Browne, is openly admitting that the Government cannot get the job done. It is as simple as that. There are no new ideas, house prices and rents are spiralling and there is record homelessness. Does the Taoiseach now accept, as the Minister has admitted, that the Government's plan is failing and that a major change in direction is needed?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I have said repeatedly, before the previous Government came to office, approximately 19,000 to 20,000 houses were being built per annum. It is now well over 30,000 houses, which is a significant change in momentum. This is mainly because of State investment at an unprecedented scale. We have a clear focus in terms of what we need to do. It is in terms of maintaining and increasing public expenditure but also getting far more private sector investment involved.
With the greatest respect, this is a very serious issue. I felt that Sinn Féin's policies were all over the place and so did the people.
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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There was a figure of 40,000.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I want to put the focus on-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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When we bring proposals, however, to the House-----
Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Taoiseach, does it regulate-----
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Does the Deputy want the answer or not? It is not a back-and-forth interaction.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We will be bringing forward a series of proposals - the decision yesterday on planning was a good one - and further initiatives on housing. I hope we will get the support of the House as we implement those decisions.
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I wish to raise my concerns about the future of Irish rivers, in particular in the context of a plan apparently being put forward by the Fianna Fáil housing Department to redesignate a large number of rivers as heavily modified water bodies. I refer to rivers like the Boyne, the Barrow, the Corrib, the Dodder, the Liffey, the Lee and the Shannon. Concerns have been raised by Friends of the Irish Environment and the Sustainable Water Network to the effect that the redesignation of a large number of rivers - 433 water bodies in all - as heavily modified water bodies will effectively lock those water bodies into lower environmental standards and thereby have a really detrimental impact upon biodiversity.
This matter only came to people's attention last week. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for housing what is going on and how we can revisit this, particularly as it is a matter of real concern? A total of 33 water bodies are currently designated as heavily modified water bodies. The concern is that once we lock in this large number of further water bodies, environmental standards will be lowered.
5:50 am
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Non-governmental organisations are there for legitimate reasons and are entitled to advocate. However, just because they say something, we should not, herd-like, all agree with what they say. We need more intelligent and informed debate. The Deputy referred to the Fianna Fáil housing Department. The Environmental Protection Agency completed a consultation on characterising heavily modified water bodies in 2022. The Department then conducted an eight-week consultation on designating heavily modified water bodies, which closed on 23 May. This is well known; it was a public consultation. The Deputy said it just emerged. It did not just emerge; it was a public consultation. The concept has been misinterpreted. It does not condemn any water body to a decline in water quality. The modifications proposed for designation are in place to support stipulated specified uses, namely drinking water supplies, flood protection, land drainage and navigation. It is not a lower standard that is the objective; it is a more realistic target accounting for the modifications necessary to provide a societal benefit of their specified use.
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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The Government is going backwards when it comes to climate action. The EPA report today states that even if every one of the Government's plans and policies was implemented, this would only meet 23% of our emissions target reductions. We are meant to be meeting 51%. It is clear that the Government is not doing enough. The Government may think it is doing a good job on climate and it may spin to the media that it is doing a good job. However, the science and the evidence say the absolute opposite. What will is the Government going to do to ensure that we meet the 2030 targets? Will it urgently revise the climate action plan, as the Social Democrats asked it to do during the negotiations to form a Government, in order to meet our full 51% commitment?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Standing back from it all and looking at pre-1990 levels, Ireland has made significant progress.
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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You are standing back and closing your eyes.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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It is not back and forth, Deputy.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not. The Deputy needs to open up and engage with the public out there. This has been a problem.
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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It is science driven.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have to bring people with us. I was a member of the Government that brought in the toughest and most stringent climate Act. The previous Government did that.
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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The Taoiseach needs to meet them.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Let us not lecture each other on this. The bottom line is that the population has grown exponentially. Economic growth has been quite exponential over the past decade. Notwithstanding that, there was a quite significant reduction in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions over that period. That is all I am saying. Let us not deny that either. There is an enormous challenge to get to the 2030 target, and we need to get there. Last week, for example, I met farmers who are making extraordinary efforts at individual farm level.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Taoiseach. I call Deputy Paul Murphy.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy would seek to undermine their position even more.
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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It is the Government that needs to take the action.
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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The legally binding target is 51%. That is the very least of what the science demands. However, we are miles off that and there is no indication whatsoever that the Government will speed up ambition. Things are going in the opposite direction. The EPA report states that emissions will fall by only 23% - that is the best-case scenario - with additional measures that have not even been agreed yet. The outlook with existing measures, which also optimistically assumes they will be fully implemented, is for a reduction of less than 9% by 2030. It is projected that emissions in agriculture, our biggest emitting sector, will increase. The EPA's report is damning of the policy of the Government. It states, "Projected gaps ... are larger than last year due to more conservative delivery of measures", and, "there are no significant additional measures in CAP 2025". The Government is going to break our own climate laws and cost us up to €26 billion in fines.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, I know you would eliminate Irish agriculture if you had your way; you do not believe in it.
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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How would we eliminate it?
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Does the Deputy want the answer?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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You would; that is your position.
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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It is not to eliminate Irish agriculture.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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More or less, that is what you would do. The bottom line is that the most recent emissions inventory report from April of this year shows a reduction of 6.8% in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. That is compared with 2022, which saw a 1.9% reduction. This is the lowest our greenhouse gas emissions have been in three decades, so the Government is making progress. The Deputy may argue that it is not to the level we need to get there by 2030. However, the impact on society is significant. Let us not underestimate that. We have to bring people with us. The most effective thing we can do is with renewables. The various NGOs that people quote are invariably proposing a tax on wind farms. There will be objections to wind farms, environmental assessments for wind farms and requests for further information, which there have been and which will delay some of them by a further 18 months.
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Couples in the first home scheme and other schemes are being priced out of the market in south Dublin and elsewhere. People who are working hard do not qualify for social housing but cannot qualify to make commercial bids and join the overnight queues for a small number of available properties. I understand the current pricing in south Dublin is €475,000 for houses and €500,000 for apartments. However, we have seen situations such as that relating to the Keepers Lock development where initial prices were €435,000 for phase 1 and €475,000 for phase 2. These have now risen again. People who applied in good faith for houses within the thresholds are now being told they do not meet the criteria. The market is moving so swiftly that a review in June and an amended scheme in July will be too late for many couples. I ask that a review be expedited and that the thresholds for these homes be increased. An advertisement in the adjacent development at Lockhouse Way in Seven Mills is showing three- and four-bedroom homes eligible for first home scheme first-time buyers. When people then look, however, they discover that these homes are not actually available. Someone needs to go over this with a fine-tooth comb in order to see if it can be adjusted.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the specifics of the application of the first home scheme in a given area where prices are increasing. I acknowledge the point he makes. I will talk to Minister for housing in respect of the thresholds issue. The first home scheme has been very effective and impactful so far for many people, notwithstanding that many in the House would abolish it, as has the help to buy scheme. However, I acknowledge that, particularly in Dublin and the big cities, prices are continuing to increase because we do not have sufficient supply. We need to get more houses built.
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The previous Government invested a huge amount in active travel and cycle projects that are beginning to connect up. As many people did, I cycled in this morning. It is now possible to cycle a good way into the city from the south side on off-road cycle tracks. I raised this when I was in opposition. In of all places, Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, the ciclovía is a weekly event where streets are closed to cars every Sunday and on holidays, transforming them into recreational spaces. This tradition has been running there for over 50 years and is a popular way for the residents of Bogotá and visitors to enjoy the city. It is a certified carbon-neutral initiative and remains a powerful example of practical, low-tech, environmentally friendly solutions that many cities around the world could be inspired by and emulate. There are public health benefits, climate action benefits, community spirit benefits and local business benefits from it.
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Could the Taoiseach see the Government encouraging this in Dublin, Cork and Limerick-----
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy. I call the Taoiseach.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----in order that we would have car-free days?
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy. I call the Taoiseach to respond.
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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We could at least start it on a pilot basis and move it to a once-a-month basis where people could enjoy their time-----
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Deputy is over his time.
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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-----from around 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., not the entire day.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is very clear that following his cycle in this morning the Deputy is in robust health and raring to go.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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It is very clear he cannot count.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is an innovative idea-----
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Like many of the Deputy's ideas.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----in terms of Bogotá and so on. A local authority should initiate a pilot. Up to two to three years ago, cars were being driven up and down the Marina in Cork. Now it is a promenade. That was beautifully done as part of the active travel programme. Bar one or two residents who have to use cars there, it is a walking area. The transformation has been quite amazing. People still have to get to work and do all those sorts of things. A council should be asked to pilot what the Deputy proposes and come back to the central authorities to see if any supports are required. There are aspects of it that could be introduced.
Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I take the opportunity today to raise an issue with respect to wastewater treatment in the village of Shanagarry in Cork East. Housing estates such as Old Garden in Shanagarry no longer have wastewater systems that are fit for purpose. These were originally installed by the developer as a temporary measure but they remain in place.
The developer may have encountered difficulties in the interim and in cases such as Old Garden, the wastewater system has fallen into considerable disrepair. This has resulted in an unsafe environment for residents with the constant possibility of bad smells and leakage. I understand that Uisce Éireann’s currently policy precludes consideration of estates served by this type of infrastructure, which is not connected to its network. This has become commonplace in rural villages, such as Shanagarry, in the absence of a new wastewater treatment plant. As such, I ask the Taoiseach to engage with Uisce Éireann to see what can be done in the short term for the residents of Old Garden and what treatment plant development plans can be progressed for Shanagarry in the long term.
6:00 am
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy McCarthy for raising the issue of Shanagarry, which is famed for its pottery and so on. I will raise the issue with Uisce Éireann. There is a town and villages scheme, as the Deputy knows, that had limitations regarding funding. There is engagement, and a memorandum is being worked up, it is my understanding, by Irish Water in respect of local developers that are developing a particular housing site being in a position to develop its own wastewater treatment plant in accordance with the specifications laid down by Uisce Éireann and then to be inspected thereafter. However, it cannot be the case that villages are just left with no proactive engagement with them, given the plight in which they find themselves.
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Ceann Comhairle may have seen reports that two directors of Igo Café, which is one of the largest beneficiaries of State contracts for the provision of IPAS accommodation, paid themselves €4.6 million last year. It appears these revelations may be just the tip of the iceberg in terms of some of the profiteering happening in the provision of IPAS accommodation. People are literally becoming millionaires through the provision of State contracts. However, we know that HIQA inspections have found that in some cases, the accommodation that is being provided is cramped, damp and overcrowded. Does the Taoiseach think it is acceptable or does he accept that it is unacceptable that the directors of such a company would be getting a pay bonanza, essentially, of €4.6 million in a given year from taxpayer funds? Given that the projected spend on IPAS accommodation for this year is going to be €1.2 billion, will the Government ensure that there are mechanisms in place to ensure that we do not have this type of extravagant profiteering?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can recall two years ago when Sinn Féin was arguing and advocating very strongly that Government would do more to provide accommodation for those seeking asylum.
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We always argued against profiteering.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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It is not a back and forth, Deputy.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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That was Sinn Féin's position then and Government did respond to its advocacy and others', and the international law, in terms of procuring services. The Department of children had to procure services in an accelerated way. The cost of those services is expensive. There is no question about that. In fact, Government is legally vulnerable if it does not provide such services or such supports, which Sinn Féin argued very strongly for.
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We never argued that two people would be able to draw down €4.6 million in one year.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputy, please. Taoiseach, proceed.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know now Sinn Féin has changed tack a bit and is moving in a different direction. I understand that. Politics is always supreme with it, but I-----
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Why does the Taoiseach not just answer the question?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not commenting on individuals.
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Taoiseach think that is acceptable?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not allowed to comment on individuals in the House-----
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----and nor should the Deputy.
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach is allowed to say whether he thinks it is acceptable that two people are drawing down €4.6 million of taxpayers' money.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know the case.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Taoiseach. I call Deputy John McGuinness.
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Right across the insurance sector, premiums have increased significantly and there is an upward trend in every piece in every area, such as motor insurance and house insurance. SMEs across the country are faced with significant challenges in getting insurance. Flood insurance is impossible to get. Young people trying to get mortgage protection who may have had glitches with their health issues in the past cannot get cover. I want to know what the Government is doing to address the issue and bring some form of stability to that market because it is having a negative effect on the economy.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Government did a lot over the last number of years in respect of a whole series of reforms that were implemented in respect of insurance. Some premia came down; some have gone back up again. There is an onus on the insurance industry to respond to the reforms that the Government delivered with a view to reducing costs. The Government has re-established the sub-committee on insurance. The Minister of State, Deputy Troy, is involved in that with others. We will pursue further reforms. I have to say that Government can pursue reforms and we have to engage, but the industry has to respond as well. There is a broader issue in terms of more competition and, in my view, opening up the European market more to create that competition.
James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The Government has made clear that a focus on capital investment is a key and central priority of this Government. The Taoiseach will have seen the report today from KPMG identifying that a €70 billion investment in Dublin will be needed. That is in the area of housing and wastewater, but investment that always produces returns is investment in sport. The Federation of Irish Sport held a well-attended briefing this morning in the AV room where it emphasised the need for multiannual funding in sport to support the more than 450,000 volunteers participating in sport and the return on that investment for the State. The Minister of State might comment on any of the submissions the federation is making, both at a budgetary level and in general, in terms of the investment the Government is going to continue to make in sport.
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Geoghegan for raising this issue. I was delighted to attend the Federation of Irish Sport annual awards last week and see the great progress that so many of our national governing bodies were doing. The Government is committed to continuing the pathway we have been on, which is significantly increasing funding for sports to the national governing bodies but particularly to our clubs across the country to develop their facilities further. We saw a significant allocation of €270 million last year in terms of the sports facilities fund. That is something we are now delivering and looking towards building on by opening that up again next spring.
In the meantime, we will continue to work with the national sporting bodies through Sport Ireland, which does exceptional work in supporting clubs across the country as regards improving participation. We are seeing that particularly in terms of increased female participation across all sports.
We look forward to continuing to work with Deputy Geoghegan and all other Deputies on the significant progress we have been making.
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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The Greystones Media Campus was hailed as a transformative €300 million project for Wicklow, set to deliver 1,500 jobs in a major boost to Ireland's creative sector. The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund committed €24 million to the project, and while some site work did commence in 2023, the project has since ground to a complete halt. This is not just a delay; it is a serious risk to one of the most important media infrastructure projects within the State. Now, with President Trump threatening 100% tariffs on non-US film and television productions, investor confidence is under real threat. It appears the Government has gone to ground on this issue, and it has proven very difficult to get any answers. Concrete, immediate action is needed to protect this strategic investment and deliver on the promise of jobs and growth for Wicklow and for Ireland's screen industry. What is the Government doing right now to ensure that this project proceeds without any further delays?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is this a private sector project the Deputy is talking about?
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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There is State funding of €24 million.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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No, the ISIF is-----
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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I am talking in the whole about 1,500 jobs for Wicklow and the rest of the State.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am all for that. We are all for that, and the Government has done a lot in terms of promoting policies in terms of investment in film through our tax incentives and so on. The ISIF invests commercially. It is not equivalent to the Government giving grants or anything like that. It weighs up commercial criteria and decides to invest on the basis of that, and that is a good thing. It has obviously worked with this particular project. I am not familiar with the background reasons as to why the project has not proceeded at this stage or is not proceeding. Perhaps the Deputy might be able to give me some background later on in respect of that.
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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I am asking about what hands-on action the Government is taking.
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy. I call Deputy Stanley.
Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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Yesterday, we had a well-attended presentation from SMA Ireland in the AV room. Its priority is to secure access to the life-changing treatments and medicines for people with spinal muscular atrophy issues. We were told this is caused due to a loss of motor neuron nerve cells. It is an important issue. SMA can have life-limiting effects. It can cause difficulty for swallowing, breathing, walking, etc., and some of these people are confined to wheelchairs. The HSE approved three treatments a number of years ago, but it imposed an age limit. Those who were aged over 18 at the time were excluded.
However, those aged 14, 15 or 16 at the time got the treatment. Some of them may be over 18 years of age now - they could be 20, 22 or 23 - and still be getting the treatment. Other EU countries do not have that restriction. England does not. Only approximately 20 adults in the State need this.
6:10 am
Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Deputy has gone way over time.
Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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It involves a small amount of money and requires a ministerial directive from the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, who was sitting beside the Taoiseach. Maybe she will address the matter.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I was aware of the briefing and was sorry I was not able to attend yesterday on an otherwise busy day. As the Deputy is aware, the process for processing, authorising and reimbursing drugs is managed by the HSE, which considers all of the different factors involved, including the European position and the effectiveness and broader reach of a drug at a given time. I will examine the case raised by the Deputy. I know the circumstances he has mentioned and perhaps we can speak about the matter again more directly.
Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I understand that over 100 small and large estates have been taken in charge by Leitrim County Council over the past eight years, some of which were in an unfinished state. I compliment the planning department of the local authority on working with developers in some cases and, in many others, on its own, albeit with the support of the Department of housing. I understand that only five estates have had their water and wastewater infrastructure taken in charge by Uisce Éireann. Despite the best efforts of the council, there seems to be an unwillingness by Uisce Éireann to play its part. Meanwhile, many residents in these housing estates have been left in limbo. Local authorities are becoming more and more frustrated, as they no longer have their own water and wastewater sections. Will the Government review this situation and ask Uisce Éireann to step up to the plate and work with local authorities in taking housing estates in charge?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy and appreciate the compliments he articulated in respect of the local authority being co-operative and proactive in terms of taking in charge unfinished estates. Where positive comments are made in respect of the performance of a local authority, that needs to be said, rather than just criticisms.
I take the Deputy's point. We need to review the interaction between Uisce Éireann and local authorities. While I understand on one level Uisce Éireann's focus on large conurbations, the bottom line is that the entire country needs to be serviced as well. That is part of the remit that local authorities, prior to the formation of Uisce Éireann, had and initiated. We have to examine the entire area again.
Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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I met members of the Irish Wheelchair Association outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday. Listening to them describe their experiences of trying to live a normal life in our country was truly heartbreaking. Wheelchair users face daily challenges in our cities and towns, in particular when dealing with public transport. It is a disgrace in this day and age that public transport is still so inaccessible and insufficient. This is particularly the case in rural Ireland, especially in Donegal where many wheelchair users are left isolated in their own homes due to a lack of accessible transport. It makes it impossible to work, socialise or be independent in any type of way. On top of this, 92% of the IWA's members said they incurred additional costs related to their disabilities. Will the Taoiseach consider rolling out a travel assistance scheme nationally that responds to the needs of people with disabilities in their own localities? Will he commit to introducing a cost-of-disability payment in budget 2026?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday, Deputy Brendan Smith raised issues pertaining to the submission made by the Irish Wheelchair Association, and I responded to some aspects of that. Deputy Ward is focusing more on transport issues.
Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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Yes, in rural Donegal.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for disability and equality brought forward proposals yesterday to transpose the EU directive on access, which is an important directive in respect of the access people with disabilities have to public transport in particular. That is something we are going to progress very quickly. There have been improvements. The Minister, Darragh O'Brien, has been working with Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann in respect of access to public transport and he has reached agreement with them. This is something that has the attention of Government.
On the broader question, we will look to the budget to see what we can do in terms of income supports for people with disabilities or how we can improve upon the existing payments already in place.
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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Earlier in the week, I was in Gorthaganny in west Roscommon to see the impact of a recent wildfire, the worst we had ever seen in our county. Having seen the damage first hand, I felt obliged to raise it with the Taoiseach. Over a thousand acres of bogland and forestry have been destroyed. I have written to the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to seek engagement with and support for the landowners affected. I have also reached out to the European Commission because Carrowbehy bog is a special area of conservation, SAC. The area has been looked after locally, especially by Gorthaganny Community Development, and the biodiversity there has thrived. It is unacceptable that we would leave landowners and farmers high and dry following a fire or a storm, events that are totally out of their control. Will the Taoiseach seek engagement from the Minister and Minister of State? The damage done is incredible and difficult to put into words. I ask the Government to step in and do what it can to support the community.
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will speak to the relevant Minister and Minister of State about engaging with the local community. It is appalling that a thousand acres would be destroyed. I am not sure what the cause was, but destruction like this affects a variety of activities, including wildlife and biodiversity. I am aware there were also certain types of farming activity on that land. It shows the absolute necessity for safety and preventing such devastating fires from happening across the countryside. We have had one too many in the country in the past number of years.
Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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After the Government was formed, the new Department of Education and Youth brought youth over from what was a very busy Department. In the main, this was met with positive feedback from youth workers on the ground. As the Taoiseach knows, youth and youth affairs have transitioned between many Departments over the years. Let us hope that its new home becomes something of a permanent move.
The Taoiseach will agree that youth workers are doing incredibly important work in our communities for young people, be that in terms of personal and social development, building relationships or informal education. If the Taoiseach does not have an answer for me today, he might ask the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to revert to me. Does the Government intend to publish a timeline for the development of the implementation plan for opportunities for youth, which is the youth work strategy?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will ask the Minister. I have been a supporter of the move of youth back into the Department of education and was involved in that in the programme for Government talks. When I was Minister for Education and Science, youth affairs was part of the Department. The VECs, in particular, did very good work with various youth organisations. I would like to see the ETBs continue that sort of work. There is a continuum between education and youth and an area between the two. Youthreach programmes developed. We get a better kind of holistic approach to the development of young people, so I think it is a good thing. I will ask the Minister to reply to the Deputy regarding the opportunities he mentioned.
Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the leeway; I was chairing a committee. I want to ask about the HIQA report into emergency care in the mid-west region, in particular University Hospital Limerick. The report was commissioned early last autumn and is due to come to the Government by the end of this month or possibly early next month. Is there any update on that? When might we know the outcome? There will surely be a recommendation that UHL needs to be beefed up with more beds and investment. That would be a good thing, but my concern as a Clare TD is that peripheral areas in north and west Clare are a long way removed from what is dubbed the golden hour of healthcare. I would like something to be done about developing emergency care in County Clare because the golden hour does not exist for some people. Last year, one quarter of all presentations at UHL were County Clare people. I hope the report will come out soon and be positive. Is there any detail the Taoiseach can share with us today?
Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the Deputy's persistent focus on this issue and his advocacy for emergency care in the mid-west. I do not have the details yet in terms of the timeline of the HIQA report, but I will talk to the Minister and alert her to the fact that the Deputy has raised this issue. I will say in passing that it is extremely important that we continue to develop the first responder capacity all over the country, in particular in the rural areas the Deputy identified, because it is the first responder who has the critical interaction that can save a life, be it in a cardiac arrest situation, an accident or whatever. Notwithstanding that, a report has been commissioned and I will try to get a timeline for the Deputy.