The message from everybody would be to keep at that work and to ensure that those timelines are met. We must show Ireland, the stakeholders here, and the world that Ireland is going to be a leader in the area of green hydrogen. The potential is there, particularly with the offshore potential that we have but again, that needs to be delivered. The energy security review is ongoing and we await the details of the outworking of that but one of the most important areas is gas storage. My party and I have serious concer…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue. AI is an incredibly powerful technology. I welcome the appointment of a Minister of State with responsibility for it. It requires a whole-of-government approach and response because this technology has incredible potential but needs to be managed in the right way. There are real risks. We are trying to get our heads around the potential of this technology. We know it is moving far more quickly than was envisaged. I will focus on AI and the risks associated with it a…

I move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises: — the fundamental right of every child to access the education system; — the current and projected demand for special education placements is growing; — the current shortage of special classes and appropriate school places, leaving children, particularly those with additional needs, without access to suitable education; — the trauma and absolute heartbreak endured by parents and families due to the lack of suitable school places; — the failure of successive Fianna Fáil and Fin…

I thank everyone who contributed to this debate. Earlier I met people from Waterford with Deputies David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness and people from Laois with Senator Maria McCormack. A number of people have contacted us through different forums. What we hear from parents, which is something they want the Minister to hear, is that they feel that their children are being left behind. What they say to me and my colleagues is that as parents they are exhausted, heartbroken and frustrated but they are resolute a…

I extend my condolences and deepest sympathies to all the families and loved ones who have lost somebody on the roads, in particular in the last year. The Minister spelled it out: there is a large number of contributing factors and there are measures the Government can take in response, be they engineering, roads funding, and the use of improved technologies. However, ultimately the major factor in this regard is driver behaviour – speeding, mobile phone use, and drug and alcohol use. The comments of a senior membe…

This is my first time speaking in the Thirty-fourth Dáil. I want to thank friends, family, supporters and everyone who worked on my campaign. I particularly thank the people of Meath East for their support and encouragement and for giving me the real privilege, honour and opportunity to continue to represent them. I will do my very best to repay their trust. I welcome the opportunity to comment on the programme for Government as TD for Meath East and as my party's spokesperson in the Dáil on education and youth. Th…

In 2009, Meath had a population of 180,000 and had 315 gardaí. In 2024, the county has a population greater than 220,000 and has 306 gardaí. It has had an increase in population of over 40,000 and a reduction of nine in the number of gardaí. We have had record resignations from An Garda Síochána and missed recruitment targets every year, including post Covid. Under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, we have cemented Meath's position as the county with the lowest number of gardaí per population. Does the Tánaiste accept tha…

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I accept that the senior Minister is not here. I did say that we really want to get behind what we have here in responses to written questions. We have detail but what the parents and local school community want are clear indications particularly on timelines. I had indicated that in my response to the Minister. I hope this can be a fruitful engagement. This really is a question of three issues, as I see it. It is a question of communication, and poor communications fro…

There is nothing new in that at all. I finished my last contribution with the children's letter about the temporary accommodation and the delay with that. There is concern with all of the delay in this project. The bigger problem is that the current situation is not suitable accommodation at all. That is why we need a new school building. I will point to the lack of an indoor hall, shortage of yard space and no real facilities. Certain fundamental aspects of normal school life have been denied to these children bec…

I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and colleagues for bringing forward this very important motion. It has the potential to be transformational. It is a necessary measure. People have mentioned the importance of it in recognising the work carers do. It is about valuing and respecting carers. It is a question of dignity and trust. I will make the point that it is usually women who are affected by this measure. It is certainly a gendered issue, but it is ultimately about the issue of recognition and trust. I will make the cas…

On 27 October 2023, The Meath Chronicle reported on an interview with the Minister for Justice in which she said Meath Garda numbers are increasing and will continue to increase. At that stage, we had 318 gardaí in Meath. We now have 304. We have the lowest number of gardaí per head of population. Does the Taoiseach accept that Garda numbers are not increasing in County Meath and that our position as the county with the lowest number of gardaí per head of population has only worsened under Fine Gael and this Govern…

I wish to ask the Minister what the Government's position on LNG is and whether the position has changed from the position outlined in the programme for Government that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and that "we do not believe that it make sense to develop LNG gas import terminals importing fracked gas." What are the implications the development of an LNG terminal of any sort would have on Ireland's climate targets and will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

There seems to be a contradiction in the Minister's response in terms of considering alternatives to LNG and the amendments that were rushed through at the eleventh hour for the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 last week. Is the Minister of the view that LNG that does not have fracked gas can be introduced? It strikes me as very difficult to separate the two issues at all. Does the Minister believe that, even theoretically, we could have LNG that is not from fracked gas? Regarding the potential for LN…

I am deeply concerned that if that is the Minister's assessment of the matter, it is entirely incorrect. Whoever steps in to Government Buildings after the next election - particularly if it is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael together - last week, driven through by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, we wrote into legislation what is essentially the formula to deliver LNG. That is my deep concern and my political assessment. In terms of the Minister's assessment of where things go from here and those alternatives…

Will the Minister provide an update on preparations to regulate non-domestic gas works with particular reference to a timeframe, engagement with registered gas installers, training, legislation and standards? Will he make a statement on the matter?

I have been in contact with the CRU and there has been some progress in this regard. This question was prompted by concerns among gas installers and the installer representative panel regarding the proposal that the non-domestic regime would be merged with the domestic regime without additional training, specific certification or competencies. There were concerns about safety. There were a number of specific queries on the new proposals. RGIs not trained or competent in non-domestic gas works would be registered wi…

I absolutely agree. On the Minister's earlier point, for me and for the industry as a whole, it is about managing this transition and ensuring that standards and oversight are maintained. I will raise a point related to this. Many of these facilities are unregulated, including communal heating systems. I have one in my area. The Minister would have dealt with my colleague, Ruairí Ó Murchú, regarding Carlinn Hall in Dundalk. There a number of apartment blocks in the city. In my area in Kells, there is The Glebe hous…

I am sorry Deputy, but the time for priority questions has elapsed.

I ask the Minister to outline the objectives for the awarding of community energy grants and to make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Minister for the reply. There are elements that I very much welcome, particularly the area-based approach. I know CEG was the pilot - I think it was in Cork. It may not be funded under that scheme in Fingal. I want to raise the change that was made in June relating to the guidelines from the CEG for real estate investment funds and commercial landlords to avail of the SEAI's retrofitting grant. I met representatives of the SEAI to discuss this and they confirmed that the purpose of this, as the Minister…