An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Victor Boyhan (IND), Agricultural Panel

I wish to raise two matters. There have been some contributions in respect of SNAs. I was also in the Dáil this afternoon to listen to Taoiseach’s Questions. This is not over yet. I will not quote what the Taoiseach said, but I ask people to have a look at his responses, including to some of his backbenchers. This is huge campaign. I welcome that is has paused for the moment. What we need is absolute clarity on the issues involved. I do not doubt that everyone, all parties and none, support the need for additional SNAs. SNAs are critical to our schools and support our pupils in their learning and their personal and educational development. This is a space we need to watch. When people mobilise in communities, things happen. This is a classic example. I commend the Minister for education on agreeing to the pause. We do not want a pause for too long, however. We want absolute clarity on what the issues involved and the changes needed are in order that there will be no ambiguity.
I know that things do not happen over night, but I raised a particular matter last week. A report on Mountjoy Prison was compiled by those responsible for inspections, the detention of people there and the atrocious conditions, especially for those with psychiatric issues who find themselves in the prison, and was laid before these Houses. One of the functions of laying reports before the Oireachtas is that Members can seek to have debates or request that the relevant Minister come before the relevant House to discuss it. I again with to make such a request. I would particularly like it if the Minister for justice, Jim O’Callaghan, would come to the House to discuss the report that was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 4 February.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17