As we are all in here in our suits, sitting on these leather chairs, the weather outside is gradually getting better, and people in my constituency will be going to the beach. Four young people from my constituency, 17-year-old Aoibheann Conlon, Laura Daly, and brothers Oisín and Gavin Weadick, Clontarf Sea Scouts, saved the life of a swimmer recently who was struggling to swim. I asked the Taoiseach to meet them and I am asking the Tánaiste if he will meet them because these young people represent an issue, the uncomfortable truth that they were better prepared than we were to save someone's life. We know we are going into the best weather. We have the data to show that it is coming. The current swimming period is set monthly by the councils. When we know the weather is going to be good, we need to have lifeguards on the beach. Tragically, last month, there was the loss of the life of a teenager on Burrow Beach in Howth. There was not a lifeguard on duty as they are not funded. We need to have more reactive lifeguards across Ireland and to be better prepared. There were 80 drownings in 2025 and there have already been 33 this year. The UK, a country with 12 times our population, recorded 193. That is not comparable. It is not acceptable but it is fixable. A thousand swimmers and families across my constituency signed a petition last year calling for better services. We have seen a lot of investment but we need more. With water safety comes water quality. Yesterday we had statements on it. The issue is that the EPA's report is showing that urban wastewater incidences are frequent and are causing bathing water closures. We are relying on water testing that is days old. However, real-time monitoring is standard across Europe in countries like Denmark. We need to be proactive rather than reactive. That cannot be a political soundbite. It needs to be put into action. Thousands of people will go to Howth this weekend. The Tánaiste saw the recent videos of people queuing outside the DART station. It was like they were queuing to see Santa. There was a giant line. I went in it myself. It took 40 minutes to get out of Howth. While we are talking about beaches and preventative measures, I raise the issue of litter and dumping in Dublin Bay. An enforcement officer needs to be present on hot days. If someone can bring cans of Coke down to a beach, they need to be punished if they are littering on a UNESCO heritage site. An enforcement officer needs to be on site who can give a fine. It is not acceptable when someone brings down rubbish to a protected area with endangered species and leaves it there without any consequences. I hope that the Tánaiste will meet these heroes from my constituency but I also hope, ahead of the weather across Ireland, he will bring in proactive measures to fund councils and give preparation for these swimmers.

Sentiment score: 0.13

I am delighted to outline my three key asks. I am delighted that the Tánaiste has asked. It is good to see he was in Raheny with Deputy Ó Muirí. Will the Government provide direct funding to DCC and Fingal County Council to extend lifeguarding cover? I was a swimming teacher for five years. I know I do not look like it now. This is something that we need to do. The summer is here and the warm weather is coming. Will he commit to real-time water quality testing? It is done in Denmark. As Deputy Ó Muirí will know, I am very fond of Denmark's energy system, but I am also fond of how they cleaned up the port and made it safe for swimmers. Will the Tánaiste properly fund the Coast Guard and emergency services? These repair crews also worked hard this week when there was an issue on the northern DART line and they worked overnight. That is something that needs to be funded but ahead of this weekend, the Coast Guard team will be responding in Dublin Bay. These people are working with everything they have and they deserve proper resources. A total of 3,000 parts per million of E. coli in water is six times the safe amount. It is not acceptable for my constituents or anyone's constituents to be forced to swim in that water. Níl sé maith go leor. Le linn an ordú dianghlásála, bhí daoine ag athrú na rudaí a bhí á ndéanamh acu, cosúil le snámh agus na rudaí mar sin. Caithfimid an infhestíocht a chur isteach.

Sentiment score: 0.08

I was at a business event. I did meet one of the Tánaiste's colleagues though.

Sentiment score: 0.00