Results 1-20 of 1,629 for at speaker:Ruairi Ó Murchú

Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: Yes, we have a problem with most things in Dundalk. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for bringing forward the aptly-named Neighbour Disputes (Vegetation) Bill. I thank the Minister of State and the Government for not opposing it. Everyone agrees that this is the sort of thing that can become a big issue for neighbours and for many of us as elected representatives. I remember as a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I will bring up a similar issue. It is not only the lack of bus drivers. Sometimes, it is the issue of the number of buses and the state of some of them. Yesterday, there were five cancellations of the 100X expressway, which is the Dundalk to Dublin bus. It is the bus that goes to the airport so it can be imagined how much of a disaster cancellations are for people trying to avoid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bus Éireann (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: Could we look at the 100X route?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: On the numbers, there were 1,094 personnel in 2019. That is now down to 722. A determination has not been made yet on how many more are required to reach llevel of ambition 2. I assume that figure will be made available fairly soon. Irish waters make up 12% of all EU waters and 75% of subsea cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters. To monitor, surveil and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I take it from that answer that there is no intention at this point in time to deploy troops if the proposed triple lock legislation makes its way through? I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste came before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence earlier this week to report on the engagement with the Foreign Affairs Council and Ireland's new arrangements with...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (16 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: We are all aware of the geopolitical difficulties and the fact that many people are game playing on an international basis but that does not change where the Irish people are on neutrality. They see the ending of the triple lock as a step in a direction that they would not like to go. We would like those opinions to be taken into account. In a report on the Defence Forces serving with...

Delivering Universal Healthcare: Statements (15 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: A considerable number of people have said it long before me that we have not seen the movement that we need in delivering Sláintecare and universal healthcare. There is no TD who has not dealt with absolute disaster scenarios regarding people who have just gone through cancer treatment who have suddenly had their medical card rescinded. Constituents go to their TD, the TD goes to the...

Delivering Universal Healthcare: Statements (15 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: While they wait, his teeth are at increased risk of long-term decay due to the brace. It is a particular issue that keeps happening and we really need to get on top of orthodontic services.

Road Safety and Maintenance: Motion [Private Members] (15 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I agree with much of what has been said. There has been a huge number of deaths on the roads and our thoughts go out to all those people. I know the Minister of State was in Dundalk recently and we spoke about the issue of the Avenue Road roundabout, which was at least addressed. I, along with Shannon McCann and many others, have raised the issue of the intersection at Sexton’s,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Recent Developments in the EU on Security and Defence: Discussion (15 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: .... I thank Dr. McDonagh and Professor Tonra for coming in. They have dealt with the issue of Ireland's neutrality and our independent foreign policy. It would be difficult to get movement on that. Whatever future questions are asked, the slaughter in Palestine has created greater difficulties to a degree. Obviously, what the Russians have done is part of a game they have been at for a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Recent Developments in the EU on Security and Defence: Discussion (15 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: ...security clearance. I do not expect Ireland to have a CIA and I certainly do not expect it to have a whole pile of James Bonds going around the place. However, an ability to analyse information and to be able to put the correct information in front of Government and Ministers is obviously vital. The world has changed absolutely. Globalisation has been put on its head. We did have a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Energy Conservation (14 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: I appreciate that. In fairness, I welcome that the feasibility study was carried out by SEAI with regard to geothermal and heat pump technology to replace what is in the gas-fed system. We all know the issue that 50% was lost. It used to take two units of gas to provide one unit of heat and that there was a loss in the system. I met the SEAI and am very happy it is willing to facilitate...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (14 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: A lot of us learned, if we had not already understood, the dangers of cybercrime with the HSE attack. We all get scams through mobile phones, whether number generation and a call from Revolut or text messages that plague us every day. It is an issue. It impacts everybody. So many are sent that, unfortunately, even if a small percentage are executed, it will impact a huge number of people...

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: We have had much failure over many years in regard to the provision of the care of the elderly and we have not necessarily put in place those pieces that we should have. Everybody welcomes the greater level of enforcement powers for HIQA and the necessary reforms, and we will support this Bill. However, I do not think it goes quite where it needs to go. Of course, it provides for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: ...of whom will recall the previous onslaughts in the past decade or more. The majority of them were already refugees in Gaza and are now doubly refugees in Rafah. We know from Israeli operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis exactly what will unfold. Safe areas, humanitarian workers, civilians and children will be purposely targeted. This will be a massacre that will have...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (14 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: It is fair to say that people see double standards. I am not taking away from the fact that Germany, the Czech Republic and other member states started with what was not necessarily a helpful outlook with regard to Israel, and that is the nicest way I can put it. We have seen that many in the European Union and its various bodies were overly supportive of Israel and provided cover that was...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (14 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: 7. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [21523/24]

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: It is welcome that we are having this discussion. The problem is that we could probably all operate on the basis of 25 minutes each and deal with multiple issues we all have spinning in our constituencies of parents who have come to us in absolutely dreadful need of services, places in schools and all that is needed when they are dealing with their kids with disabilities. First, I need to...

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: -----they are getting at the moment that might not fall into that bracket but could end up in a bracket on the basis of not getting supports. Like everyone else, I have received a huge amount of correspondence from parents and grandparents with kids with autism-----

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: -----Down's syndrome and others who require these services. We need to get a hell of a lot better at all of this.