I strongly condemn in the most certain terms the brutality Israel is inflicting upon the innocent people of Gaza. Equally, I strongly condemn in the most certain terms the atrocious acts committed by Hamas, particularly those of 7 October 2023. The murder, maiming and unjustifiable terror being waged on innocent people on both sides of this conflict have no place in our world yet they continue, to the horror of the world looking in. The continuing Israeli military operations which have brought fresh and unwavering …

I would like to start by recognising the young Tipperary schoolgirl outside the gates of Leinster House this evening in the pouring rain. We are discussing this incredibly important issue because of her. Cara Darmody is an inspiration for the work she has done. She is not doing it for praise or recognition but rather for the love she bears for her brothers and family and the empathy and understanding she has for thousands of children and families waiting on lists for far too long for an assessment of need. I am min…

I have said before that housing is the number one issue affecting my generation. Whether we call them modular units, modular methods of construction or log cabins, we know what we are talking about. I am aware of many in rural Ireland up laneways or in yards, and planning permission is a major issue. We need to address that. In a rural area, if it is in keeping with the environment, which so many of these houses are, if the owner is from the area and has a housing need, which all of them have, planning permission s…

I acknowledge the work done by the Minister of State on that matter to date, particularly regarding backyard dwellings or the equivalent of the 40 sq. m extension planning exemption. We need to go beyond that and allow a wider scale. I am not saying it is the entire solution; it is part of the solution. There is a real place for these dwellings at the moment. I will highlight the example of a site in Nenagh, my home town. It is a serviced site owned by the county council. For many years, the council has failed to g…

I will begin by congratulating the Tipperary under-20 hurlers on their victory over Clare in Limerick yesterday evening. I congratulate Brendan Cummins and his management team, Sam O’Farrell, the captain, and Paddy McCormack, the vice captain, on lifting the J.J. Kenneally cup. I am one of a number of Fianna Fáil TDs who represent Kilkenny. I believe the Leas-Cheann Comhairle would expect nothing less of me than to wish Kilkenny the best of luck next Wednesday against Dublin. We can cross that bridge when we come t…

So is North Tipperary.

I recognise the passion my colleague has just shown. We might work on our five times tables at some stage. I start by welcoming Francie Gorman, who is the IFA president. We met previously. I recently met the chairman of Tipperary North IFA, Baden Powell, and other representatives. I will speak about the CAP in a moment, but, first, because I know the Minister met the IFA to discuss it previously, I will raise the splash plate ban. This ban is really concerning for many farmers in north Tipperary. It is a national i…

I have a deep sense of frustration with the testing system in the country, particularly in Nenagh. I feel the need to vocalise the frustrations particularly of young people who regularly contact me in my constituency office. Nenagh has one of the lowest pass rates, if not the lowest, in the country. It is well below 40% while the national average appears to be somewhere just about 50% at the moment. Waiting times are excessive and are increasing. It is deeply frustrating for young people in a rural area like the co…

I welcome these statements on the importance of higher education. A cornerstone of Ireland's economic success has been the availability of a highly skilled and educated workforce. Since we embraced foreign direct investment and enabled access to second level education for all, knowledge and talent have been the pillars of our economic strategy. Ongoing investment in further and higher education is core to our ambition of delivering sustained economic growth. The Government must ensure that investment offers opportu…

The Government must suspend the planned increase in the financial requirements for stamp 2 visa students from €3,000 to €6,700. This 120% hike was introduced without consultation, without data supporting it, and with no clear link to inflation, which was between 2% and 5%. Stamp 2 visa students can legally work in Ireland and earn up to €18,000 per year. Schools across the country are reporting that students are financially sound. The system is currently working as it is, but this sudden change is already causing d…

John Hume described the European Union as "the best example in the history of the world of conflict resolution". From its beginnings as the European Coal and Steel Community, which sought to bind historically warring countries and nations of people, Robert Schuman stated that solidarity of production from pooling coal and steel production would make war between France and Germany "not only unthinkable but materially impossible". From the humble beginnings of the initial single Common Market grew the European Econom…

Housing is the single greatest issue facing my generation. We need to fully embrace modern methods of construction. I will focus on modular-style homes and log cabin buildings or whatever name one wants to give them. I welcome the discussion on planning permission exemptions for backyard-style extensions or developments but we need to move beyond that. Will the Government consider expanding planning permission to modular and log cabin-style homes beyond what is currently being discussed? There is massive scope in t…

Page 41 of the programme for Government says the Government will “support Uisce Éireann in the delivery of key strategic projects in our cities and regions.” It also says we will: Invest additional capital in Uisce Éireann to support reaching our new housing targets. We will prioritise water and waste water infrastructure to deliver the capacity to facilitate housing development in our towns and villages. I have one more very important quote from the programme for Government, which I want to read into the record. I…

Housing is absolutely the single greatest issue facing my generation. There is no doubt about it. I appreciate the Taoiseach acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. While it is so important that we get that increased and record level of investment, the delivery is key and that is where my concern remains, that Uisce Éireann will be able to do this on time and with a sense of urgency. I also take issue with the fact that it is so difficult to get a response to parliamentary questions when we try to put them to Ui…

It is impossible to see any justification for the imposition of tariffs by the US on EU exports. It is deeply regrettable the US has decided to impose 20% tariffs on imports from throughout the European Union. This worry is only compounded by Donald Trump's recent announcement that he will target pharmaceuticals with major tariffs. Every opportunity for negotiation must be utilised. Ireland will be a strong advocate for an outcome which enhances the existing strong transatlantic trading relationship. Ireland, along…

Thurles is being strangled by traffic. There is a glaring and immediate need for the inner relief road to progress. The Taoiseach visited the area previously and I was with him at the Slievenamon Road side of the proposed inner relief road, which will link the N62 at the Slievenamon Road to the Mill Road. All the lands are now in place since the Taoiseach last visited and funding is in place for detailed design. I call for the funding for this road to be prioritised and for a sense of urgency regarding its developm…

I would like to start on a personal note. I acknowledge Johnny O'Meara, his late partner Michelle and their three kids, namely Aoife, Jack and Tommy. Johnny is an O'Meara from Toomevara, north Tipperary. I, too, am an O'Meara from Toomevara, north Tipperary. We grew up as neighbours and family friends. Johnny's dad, Jack, actually owned the farm across the road from us where I grew up and was a fantastic neighbour and friend to our family for many years. I am here today particularly to acknowledge Johnny and the ba…

We need to consider increasing the mandatory retirement age for Bus Éireann bus drivers beyond 70 years of age. This week, I have been inundated with calls from bus drivers and operators regarding this issue. They feel we will face a crisis next September to fill school bus routes in order to get our children to primary and secondary schools. I spoke to a bus operator yesterday which will have to refuse two bus routes next year because the company cannot get anyone to fill them. I spoke to another operator today wh…

UHL offers the only emergency department for a catchment of approximately 400,000 people across north Tipperary, Clare and Limerick. It is the only emergency department in Ireland with such a large population depending on it. The people I represent do not believe one emergency department is enough for the mid-west region, with north Tipperary feeling services are inadequate, particularly while we wait for the 96-bed unit to be opened this summer. The last time I asked this question, we were awaiting the interim rep…

I thank the Minister of State for being here today. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on such an important issue. The housing crisis is the single greatest issue facing my generation, including young people like me trying to get a start in life, those of us who are still locked out of the property market and living at home, young people moving abroad because they see a better quality of life, a better chance abroad, working families caught in a rental trap or not being able to afford a mortgage, social housing …