Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for that response. I absolutely welcome all the measures he outlined that were contained in budget 2026 and that had a good impact on the State pension and those in receipt of it. However, what I really need to stress is that we are not living in ordinary times. There is a war raging in the Middle East. It is affecting everyone across Europe and in Ireland. There is no end in sight. What I am hearing from State pensioners in Carlow and Kilkenny is their worry and anxiety about what the…

I welcome the Minister's focus on the fuel allowance. It is a very good scheme but is not agile enough to cope with the increases that are going to happen. The Minister said, "if this ... [war] continues". It will no doubt continue into the winter and it might still be with us this time next year. That is what I understand and feel, and our State pensioners are feeling that too. They would like more communication and a chance to know what measures might be possible to alleviate the worry and anxiety they are feelin…

Is the Minister considering providing funding for increased car parking spaces in Carlow and Muine Bheag train stations in County Carlow, particularly in light of the ongoing fuel crisis in Ireland as a result of the war that shows no sign of abating, to try to give 7,000 commuters an alternative to taking their cars to work?

The Minister of State is correct. Carlow is a thriving university town. I have also been calling for increased train services from Carlow - actually from Waterford all the way through Kilkenny to Dublin and vice versa . We need to have a change of focus. I welcome the report that has been done by Iarnród Éireann and the desire to have park-and-ride facilities throughout the country. However, in the current geopolitical environment, the Government as a whole needs to have a greater sense of urgency. While I apprecia…

I really welcome that very positive response and the proactive and ambitious plans for the future for rail networks through Carlow and into Kilkenny. I attended a meeting in Mullinavat this week. This is kind of separate from my question, but while I have the opportunity, I will mention that there is an disused train station in Mullinavat. It would be very interesting to explore whether we could recreate a stop there to help alleviate the pressure that has been experienced due to the reduction in the service of Exp…

I would like to speak on behalf of those in Carlow and Kilkenny who are in receipt of the State pension. As we all know, State pensioners worked hard their entire lives. They paid into the pot to ensure that they have in income to help them sustain not an extravagant lifestyle in retirement but to have enough in order that they do not have to worry unnecessarily about household bills and everyday essentials in their later years. Bearing in mind that their income is fixed and in light of the ongoing war in Iran that…

I acknowledge on the record what people are feeling across the country right now. I understand that families are anxious. Older people are worried about heating their homes. Farmers and small businesses are watching costs rise, week by week. Their concerns are genuine and they deserve to be treated with seriousness, respect and empathy. The war in Iran has destabilised global energy markets. This is a reality that none of us in this House can change but what we can control is how we respond at home. The Government …

I would like to use my time to suggest a way to improve cancer care outcomes in counties Carlow and Kilkenny. In figures given to me by the Irish cancer Society, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, in 2024, 47% of Carlow people diagnosed with cancer died from the disease. In the same year, 47% of Kilkenny people diagnosed with cancer died from the disease. We have made significant progress in improving survival rates and expanding access to cancer care. I pay tribute to the men and women who support oncology patien…

I want to be associated with the expression of sympathy to Deputy Roche and his family. My proposal to introduce a publicly available blood test for detecting multiple cancers at once is scientifically sound, economically sensible and morally necessary. Every delay in adopting this technology represents a missed opportunity to detect cancers early, to treat them more effectively and to save lives. As the Tánaiste has outlined, we have the strategy, the structures and the investment almost ready. I am looking forwar…

I wish to raise the state of our local roads in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. While the recent spell of persistent heavy rain has thankfully ceased for the moment, the damage done to our roads in the flash floodings of January this year, particularly in rural parts of Carlow and Kilkenny, is still very evident and is causing grave disruption and inconvenience, disproportionately affecting rural dwellers. I commend Carlow and Kilkenny county councils, which have worked hard at making our local roads passable, …

I would like to talk about housing supply in Carlow. We all agree that a quicker way to increase supply is to utilise existing buildings. I have to give kudos to Carlow County Council, which has made huge inroads tackling vacancy and dereliction, with a particular focus on providing town centre older persons' housing to facilitate the 339 older persons living alone in two- and three-bedroom council houses in Carlow so that these family homes are accessible to families. Carlow County Council has already purchased su…

People are feeling the sting in their pockets. As I passed filling stations in Ballon and Tinryland on my way to work this morning, I saw diesel well in excess of €2 per litre, which I had never seen before. It is clear to me that this matter affects all households and it requires an appropriate, well-thought-out and fair response, not a knee-jerk reaction. This war is not of our making and it is happening many thousands of kilometres away from us, but we are all feeling its effects, which indicates to all of us ho…

-----we live in an increasingly volatile and interdependent world, so can we please keep all measures open to review for as long as the conflict in the Gulf continues?

I thank the Minister of State. He has almost answered my next question. It is very heartening to hear we are all thinking along the same lines. It is very important we recognise that over recent years there has been a growth in appreciation for the role of traditional craft works in Irish society. Skills such as thatching and stonemasonry have often been looked at in a nostalgic way as cherished emblems of an older Ireland. I believe, however, and I recognise from the comments of the Minister of State, that traditi…

I was at the announcement when the Minister, Deputy Lawless, came to KCETB. It was a brilliant announcement and a very positive day. Deputy John McGuinness was also there. I emphasise that we would like to see it delivered to ensure progress continues. There is a unique cultural value to Irish traditional craft. Irish craft is renowned worldwide for its intricate design, high level of cultural significance and unbeatable quality. In Carlow, Borris Lacemakers provides an excellent example of a unique local product t…

I welcome the announcement that a facilitator, Mr. Remy Farrell SC, has been appointed to the scoping exercise and terms of reference for the public inquiry into the spina bifida and scoliosis services. Over the next 16 weeks, I look forward to families engaging with Mr. Farrell to inform the structure of the inquiry. I am a firm believer that when it comes to public inquiries, we must take into account the views of those who have lived through these things first-hand. Across Carlow, Kilkenny and the country at lar…

This time two years ago, I was working as an SNA in a primary school. At the time, I was under no illusion as to what my job description was because my contract was in line Circular 0030/2014. I was employed, like all SNAs are currently employed, to assist in the care needs of pupils with disability in an educational context. The excellent class teachers who are qualified to teach are responsible, under that circular, for the education of all students in the classroom. That is the current SNA brief. On the ground, …

I join other Members of this House in expressing empathy for the farmers in the south east who in recent weeks have been unfortunate enough to have had animals in their herds test positive for a form of bluetongue. In Carlow and Kilkenny, and indeed throughout Ireland, farming is not just a job. It is a vocation and a way of life. When disaster strikes, whether through disease or adverse weather conditions, it hits not only the farmer but also his or her family, and is felt deeply throughout the community. Coming f…

I raise the matter of a Carlow sheep farmer who recently lost 15 sheep in the floods. That might sound like a small number to many but to this farmer, it will present a significant financial impact. One of the sheep was a pure-bred ram and the other 14 were replacements. I acknowledge the supports offered by the Government in the immediate aftermath of the flood, but none of them seem to be available to this Carlow farmer. In fact, the Irish Red Cross said we should go to the Department of Social Protection. That D…

I welcome the opportunity to discuss the findings of the report relating to Operation Kenova. I would like to add my voice to those of previous speakers in expressing gratitude to all of the Operation Kenova team for their work over the past ten years. They have proven, beyond doubt, that legacy investigations and reviews do work. Their stellar commitment has shone a light on a very dark part of this island's history and exposed the institutional failings that helped that darkness to prosper. This investigation del…