Today I see in correspondence that the Government is to purchase four new helicopters. For ten years or more I have been calling for enhanced services for the National Ambulance Service in Donegal. Before I came here, I was also lobbying Ministers for an air ambulance to enhance the National Ambulance Service in Donegal. I am asking for one of the helicopters to be based in Finner Camp in County Donegal. Geographically, Donegal is such a big county. If a helicopter comes from Athlone to Gleann Cholm Cille or Inisho…

I also want to extend my deepest sympathies to the Crowley family and to the Cathaoirleach. Today I want to ask the Leader if he could get an answer from the Minister of State with responsibility for the marine as to when the new committee will be set up under the chairmanship of Michael Berkery. There have been massive cuts in the fishing industry which are unprecedented and the coastal communities in Ireland are really under pressure. We were told in December that this committee would be set up under Michael Berk…

I raise a concern in relation to Killybegs Community Hospital. There are 13 beds lying vacant. Surely with the pressures on acute hospitals like Sligo and Letterkenny, these community hospital beds should be fully operational and workable. Families in the area are frustrated about the lack of use of these beds and the fact that their loved ones are being moved away to other towns in the county. They feel disconnected from them. The closer they are to their loved ones, the happier they are. In June of last year, I w…

I attended a corporate policy group meeting in the County House in Lifford with other Oireachtas members and councillors on Monday last. One of the major issues raised was the lack of access to the N56. I have raised this issue in the Chamber before. It was raised by a number of TDs raised in the Dáil last week. It is the planning regulations that have resulted in people's lack of access to the N56. This remains a serious issue. Since I became a Senator, 41 people have indicated their willingness to build on their …

I wish to send my condolences to the McCahill family in Ardara on the sad loss of Stephen. Many of us had known Stephen for years. He was Mr. Donegal in 2000 and Donegal Person of the Year 2016. He will be a sad loss to the whole community in the county. I want to talk about Keelogs National school in Inver, County Donegal, which is located beside the N56 - the main road to both Donegal town and Killybegs. A great deal of heavy traffic uses that road, which is also part of the Wild Atlantic Way. The speed of some o…

I want to highlight an ongoing issue that is affecting the communities of Bruckless, The Five Points and Curraghfeehan in County Donegal. On nine separate occasions in the last while, the power has gone out and it is not all caused by storms. I want to thank the ESB crews that come out. On all occasions they turn out and get the electricity up and going again. They are great and it only takes a phone call. However, this is serious issue for vulnerable people and residents, particularly elderly people. I am calling …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the remediation of the dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks. I want to acknowledge the thousands of families, particularly those in my home county, Donegal, and those in Mayo, Clare, Limerick and Sligo, who continue to live with stress, uncertainty and financial hardship through no fault of their own. This Bill is an important step, but we also have to be honest about the fact that it does not address the root cause that created this crisis. Until the issue…

I thank the Minister of State for coming. Since I have been in the House, I have been calling for more dentists and dental hygienists. For decades, we had a school dental service, which played a vital role in ensuring early detection and through which children from first class, to fourth and sixth class typically received oral health treatment. The Killybegs dental service played a vital role in the areas of Glencolumbkille, Carrick, Kilcar, Bruckless and Dunkineely for decades. This surgery had a patient list of m…

I thank the Minister of State for all she is doing for Donegal. It does not go unnoticed. I really appreciate what she and other Ministers are doing for Donegal. I do not want to be coming in here to give out all the time. I see what is being done in Donegal and am grateful. The Minister of State referred to the fact that we have a large county. It makes no sense for a parent to have to take a half day from work to take a child to Donegal town. We had something that was working well. Can the Department upgrade the …

I rise to talk about the discussions on our coastal communities and the fishing sector that are starting in Brussels this evening. The next few days are crucial for our coastal communities. It really is decision time and the decisions made will affect them for years to come. Over the past few years, other countries have not adhered to policy, yet Ireland is holding the can. During the Brexit negotiations, 26% of our mackerel quota was transferred to the UK. Our coastal communities cannot lose anymore. I know our PO…

Today, I want to draw the attention of the Leader and Members to a vital cross-Border road safety initiative that was launched in Donegal yesterday by An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. This campaign will run until 5 January and comes at a crucial time as we approach the festive season. The focus from the PSNI is on "the fatal five" behaviours, which the Garda refers to as "key lifesaver offences". They are driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, using mobile phones while driving, speeding and failure to wea…

I would like to be associated with the words of sympathy on Donal Carey to his family on this sad occasion. I wish to raise an issue I previously raised in early October, that being, the Donegal courthouse on Tyrconnell Street in Donegal. The building dates back to the early 19th century. People in Donegal are very concerned about what is happening with the courthouse and how long it is taking. What assessments have been carried out and what are the plans to refurbish and reopen it? Is there any funding available t…

I thank everyone who was involved today. It has been an historic day, and a great day to be here. I want to raise the issue of Meentinadea National School. It is a lovely, hard-working school, just off the main Ardaghey to Ardara road. The Cathaoirleach probably knows it. He has probably passed it once or twice. Meentinadea has been the cornerstone of Irish education in the parish of Ardara for over 90 years. It was built in 1932 to replace the old school. In fact, my father and his siblings attended the school. It…

I ask that the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, give an update on Bridge Street in Killybegs in County Donegal. The street was flooded in November 2024 and the devastating scenes were seen worldwide. People on Bridge Street lost everything that day. Businesses closed and never reopened. We are coming up to the one-year anniversary. Over the weekend, with the heavy rain warning and heavy rain in Donegal, residents rang me about what has happened. They say very little has bee…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: - acknowledges the appointment of a Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, and for the Marine, as part of Programme for Government commitments; - acknowledges the challenges faced by Irish fishermen and women due to anticipated quota reductions driven by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) scientific advice, rising operational costs, and the impact of international agreements on the sustainability of the sector; - notes the vital economic, cult…

Yes.

I thank the Acting Chairperson, the Minister of State and my esteemed colleagues for coming in. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion tonight. It goes to the heart of the matter. It is not only strategic, but economic and deeply cultural and profoundly human, for the future of the Irish fishing industry and coastal communities depend on it. I acknowledge the appointment of a dedicated Minister of State with responsibility for the marine, Deputy Dooley, as part of the programme for Government c…

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I thank all my fellow Senators, cross-party. When the Minister of State is going to Europe, he knows there is one united voice behind the fishing industry in Ireland. It is important that we get a deal for our fishermen. For far too long, as a fellow Senator said, we have been the poor relation at the table. It is time that we got a good deal for Ireland and stood up for our people. A fellow Senator said it is a bit too late. Maybe it is. I do not know. I started on his …

I thank the Minister of State for coming to answer this Commencement matter. When I was canvassing in 2024, I came across houseowners in the village of Inver in County Donegal, which is badly affected by coastal erosion. Since then, I have been working hard on it with the homeowners. A few days after Bridge Street in Killybegs flooded - the Minister of State might have seen it on the television as it went national - the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, visited Killybegs and, at my request, he also went to Inver…

I thank the Minister of State for his answer. There is an onus on the OPW and Donegal County Council to get things moving. It is a massive issue in Donegal. This is only the tip of the iceberg. These people's houses in Inver are within five metres of their gardens going into the sea. It is important we get moving on it. A stitch in time saves a lot of money. We should put in the rock armour now and get it done before there are any more storms. That will give the people in the houses reassurance. The children in the…