The tragic deaths of Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell in an arson attack caused profound shock and concern across the community of Edenderry and beyond before Christmas. As the investigation continues, I have met with many members of the local community who want the opening hours of the Garda station to be extended and increased visibility of gardaí on the ground in the town. Last week, 168 new gardaí were attested. However, just two of these new officers were appointed to the Laois-Offaly division. Both were assigned t…

In December 2020, the west Offaly power station in Shannonbridge closed due to the failure to secure planning for transition to biomass. This left a financial void of €1.7 million per year from a commercial rates perspective. Thankfully the Government stepped in and has supported Offaly County Council ever since. However, that support is due to conclude at the end of 2026. Measures have been taken by Offaly County Council to try to fill the void but right now we need to be able to give certainty to the people of Of…

I certainly welcome this plan. It is very timely in terms of where we are as a country. There is a commitment from a multi-annual funding perspective, and it shows delivery, whether it be housing, energy, transport or water. In order to achieve delivery, however, we need co-ordination. I can give the Minister of State just one example of where modern methods of construction today are being used to reduce and mitigate the risk from a safety perspective on construction sites and also improve quality. What it is leadi…

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak this evening. Before I start, I want to reflect on how far we have come as a nation in the last 25 years in relation to health. Our budget in 2000 was €5.6 billion and this year it is €27.4 billion, which is a fivefold increase. We see improved individual outcomes, economic growth with a healthier and more productive workforce, increased life expectancy and greater equity and social well-being across the population. However, multidisciplinary primary care was first discuss…

I appreciate the Minister of State's response but the options that will be given to patients in the midlands are already in every geographical location around the country except the midlands and that is exactly what needs to change. Sláintecare commits to reducing waiting times, bringing care closer to home and regional delivery. We want to see all three delivered in the midlands. On a basic human level, behind every waiting list number is a person living in pain, struggling to work or watching their quality of lif…

Birr Men Together is a men's shed established in recent years. It is trying to find a permanent home. We made inquiries to the Department about an old weather station. We were told it is currently under consideration by a State body and is therefore not available for community use. The problem I see here is that this property has been lying idle since 2009. It has been idle and decaying. Now, when a community group takes an interest in it, that group is told that it is under consideration. Such situations are repli…

I am very proud to come from a small village called Kinnitty where we have benefited significantly from multimillion euro investment in the public realm, public services and the development of the Slieve Bloom mountain bike trails. However, in the last 12 months, we have lost our post office and our last shop, which had served the community for decades. Thankfully, a 68-year-old man, Mr. Jodie Flaherty, has stepped into the breach to open a new shop. However, it is a reflection of the challenges in the market condi…

This week, Offaly County Council unanimously supported new hospice care for Offaly, clearly demonstrating an appetite for further healthcare provision in the county and in the region. Meanwhile, we need the same ambition now in elective surgery. We see people sitting in congestion on trains and in cars, while too many are also on waiting lists. We really need ambition now to ensure we increase that capacity. Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise has a proven track record in emergency care, but it is at the expense …

I agree with the Tánaiste that long-term forecasting models are very welcome. When we look at some of the measures we have introduced already, like the Future Ireland Fund and saving for days of pressing future financial demands, the question is whether we are doing it at a fast enough pace. Regularly, in this Chamber, we hear negative connotations and associations concerning migration. This report is very clear regarding our dependence on growing our labour force and economy, and who is going to play a vital role …

One point in relation to funds is that the strength of deposits in Ireland on a domestic and international basis must be noted. The registration of auto-enrolment on 1 January is a big step forward. It is certainly welcome. Given the objective that it is set to achieve, it is going in the right direction. I have one ask. There is an element of apprehension, particularly among small businesses, about affordability and viability in this space. It is something we will have to monitor very closely in order to protect s…

Licensed firearms, namely shotguns and rifles, have an important place in rural Ireland from their use in controlling vermin and predators to their use in protecting crops, livestock and poultry. Many of the groups representing licensed firearms users have expressed concerns about inconsistencies in the interpretation and implementation of firearms legislation. In 2016 a firearms consultative panel was established which brought together a number of groups including the Irish Farmers Association and the National Ass…

Sport has a unique ability to lift the nation. In recent weeks, we have seen that first hand with what the boys in green achieved, reaching the next stages of qualification. That is replicated in golf, rugby and GAA. I acknowledge the Government investment in pathways, participation and high performance. Sport is a proven formula to provide success and joy right across society. However, a young man in my constituency, Alex Dunne, is on the cusp of greatness in Formula 1. He has several podium finishes. He is on the…

On 12 January 2022, which will forever remain one of the darkest days in the history of County Offaly and indeed Ireland, a young woman, Ashling Murphy, had her life taken in the most brutal and senseless way in the cold light of day. Since this House last sat on 22 October, the courts have delivered their verdicts and sentences. However, there remains a deep sense of unease and dismay among many that the punishment did not reflect the gravity of the crime. Ireland is and must always remain an open and welcoming co…

I thank the Minister for the work he and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, have done over recent weeks and months in relation to this budget but also the work the Minister has done since 2017 when he took office in the Department of Finance. The certainty he has brought to the country and to the economy cannot be taken for granted. I am very conscious that when it comes to budget time, there are no easy decisions and budgets are about choices. At a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, we cannot simply take our econo…

Cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí agus múinteoirí ó Choláiste Naomh Cormac i mo Dháilcheantar Uíbh Fhailí. There is a concerning trend of anecdotal examples of cloud infrastructure firms choosing overseas locations instead of Ireland for new investments at a time when the sector is frustratingly awaiting the publication of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, policy paper on large energy user grid connections. I fully acknowledge the Government's efforts to expedite infrastructural development but stakehold…

As a new TD, I am proud to represent the people of Offaly. Little did I think that less than 12 months into this Dáil term, we would be faced with the need for a confidence motion of this nature. It seems that some Opposition Deputies have more of a problem with democracy than with Government policy. What really transforms the lives of people in this country are not Opposition headlines or political stunts on the eve of elections but Government policies and sustained increased investment in housing, healthcare, edu…

Apologies for my punctuality. I acknowledge the work the Minister has done in relation to small businesses, especially the establishment of the small enterprise unit within his Department and the National Enterprise Hub. I ask the Minister to provide an update on the steps he is taking to reduce the cost of business.

I thank the Minister. I welcome the cost of business advisory forum. Over the summer, I conducted a survey with over 600 respondents. A key finding was that over two thirds of SMEs that engaged in the survey were uncertain about the future and lacked the confidence we need to ensure they have. Other key findings were around easing the cost of labour pressure, cutting energy costs, tackling insurance reform and reducing the tax burden. When it comes to competitiveness in particular, local enterprise offices have a g…

When it comes to protecting jobs, I ask the Minister to strongly consider, along with his Cabinet colleagues, introducing the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector in the upcoming budget. The Minister spoke about the kitchen tables to boardroom tables where decisions were made. Small businesses need help. A VAT rate of 9% is an important stimulus in that regard. To look at the figures, there are 20,000 companies with 200,000 employees. Of those companies, 76% have fewer than ten employees and another 20% have fewe…

For clarity, I am going to go with Questions Nos. 7 and 55 together. The Government's intention is to change legislation to the triple lock mechanism that governs the deployment of Irish troops overseas. At present, as the Tánaiste knows, that requires the approval of the Government, the Dáil and a mandate from the United Nations. Could he clarify precisely what changes are now being proposed, and outline if this will materially affect both Ireland's tradition of neutrality and the democratic safeguards that have e…