Senator Cosgrove is right that there is a need for clarity around additional accommodation. As a former school teacher, I understand fully the school community and its needs. I am told the school has been approved to progress a traditional building project, which will deliver a significant suite of classrooms, specialist teaching spaces and provision for students with special educational needs. This project has been devolved to Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB for delivery and is at stage 2B, detailed design. Department…

I thank Senator Ryan for raising the matter of the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick. In the previous Seanad, the Leas-Chathaoirleach raised it continuously. Senator Ryan is correct, in that it is completely unacceptable. For those of us who do not live in the catchment area, it is beyond belief as to how we are continuously in a place where concern is expressed by Members and others about the hospital. In discussing this matter, we remember Aoife Johnston. I thank Senator Ryan for remembering he…

I thank Senator Ryan for raising the matter and she is right that investment alone will not solve the problem. A wholehearted, collaborative approach around management, investment and patient flow is needed. She is correct; the people of the mid-west deserve access to responsive, urgent and safe emergency care. It is about the combination of increased capacity and reforms, which the Government is aiming to deliver. More beds and more investment at UHL are important and critical. The Senator made reference to the HI…

Withdraw the remark.

Hear, hear.

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Thank you for your welcome. I thank Senator Duffy. As Minister of State, it is great to be here in Seanad Éireann, my second home, and thank you for the welcome. I am taking the Commencement matter for Senator Duffy on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I thank the Senator for raising the important matter of the upgrades of the N26 and N58 in Mayo. In total, approximately €411 million of Exchequer capital funding was provided for national roads through Transport Infrastruc…

I thank Senator Duffy. He is right. Action is needed in terms of the simple asks such as changing traffic lights, traffic flow, orbital routes and easing congestion. It is not a mammoth ask and it should be done with ease. With regard to new national road projects, there was a funding constraint in 2024 as the bulk of the €5.1 billion allocated for new roads becomes available in the second half of the decade. I hope we will see an exponential increase in spending. However, a number of new road projects listed in th…

Not according to the newspapers.

What about the Áras?

Tá mé ag éisteacht.

Tá mé ag éisteacht.

Tá mé ag éisteacht.

Labhair mise-----

Ná bí ag magadh now.

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Teachta Ó Dálaigh as an rún seo a chur os ár gcomhair agus gabhaim buíochas freisin le gach Ball a thacaigh agus a labhair ar an tairiscint seo. I commend Deputy Daly on tabling the motion. Members will be aware the Government is not opposing the motion. All of us on all sides of the House share the frustration and annoyance around the difficulties being experienced by people in our constituencies, neighbours, family members and friends. I thank Members for their contributions to the de…

I thank Deputy Ward for submitting this very important Topical Issue. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy O’Callaghan. I commend Deputy Ward on his proactivity both here this morning and in the Seanad when he served there. I commend the former Senator, Lisa Chambers, and Deputy Ward on their work on this particular matter. I acknowledge the important concerns raised by Deputy Ward regarding the dangers posed by online catfishing. He has rightly illustrated and outlined a number of prominen…

I reiterate that online catfishing is not a trivial issue. It is a very serious matter that has a real and lasting impact on the victim both emotionally and financially. The anonymity the Internet affords cannot be an excuse for deception and harm. I fully agree with the thrust of what the Deputy said. While we have strong legislative measures in place, we must continue to assess whether further steps are needed. I hope this debate will be a stepping stone and starting point. The enforcement of our existing laws is…

I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this very important matter. I concur completely that the biggest need is for bus services to be reliable and on time. We share the belief that should not just be an aspiration but a reality for the consumer, the travelling public. I thank the Deputy and appreciate the issues she has outlined in her contribution. I commit to bringing the issues she has raised back to the Department. I have not got all the answers for her this morning as I am taking this on behalf of the Minister, …

I thank Deputy Whitmore again for her contribution and for bringing the matter to the House. I assure her I fully recognise that transport connectivity is hugely important for the people who live, work and study in the areas she has mentioned and across urban and rural areas. It is vital and key to revitalising our villages, towns and urban centres. I accept the challenges we have heard this morning and I will work with the Deputy to bring the issues she has raised back to the Department. I fully agree with the Dep…

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht ar shábháilteacht ar bhóithre. Tá gach duine freagrach más tiománaithe iad ar an mbóthar. I thank the Members of the House for their contributions on the importance of road safety and for the wonderful debate, which was very honest and sincere. Looking at this issue a number of ways, the burden of care on our roads is one we are all responsible for. We all must accept speed does kill. It is incumbent on us to reflect on the fact w…