I acknowledge the absolute devastation that was caused by this explosion. I met with the families because I wanted to hear from them. I wanted to meet them because I want to make sure they get the answers they are entitled to and they deserve. The number one objective here is that families get answers to the questions they have asked, as they are entitled to. We also want to make sure something like this does not happen again. I was very clear in my previous role, as was the Government, that an inquiry was never being ruled out. However, it is really important that the work of An Garda Síochána continues. The Garda Commissioner who I spoke to, and indeed the gardaí I spoke to in Donegal, have done a huge amount of work to make sure a file can be prepared and it will be sent to the DPP. However, if, at the end of that process - the DPP is independent - there are still questions that need to be answered, the Government has never ruled out a public inquiry, nor should it ever do so.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I thank the Deputy for the question. He will be aware that the timelines are there to protect wildlife and certain nature.
Sentiment score: 0.47
It is certainly a question I can ask and relay to the Minister. The objective is that we do everything possible to put in place measures to prevent the type of destruction we saw in the last several weeks. I will certainly relay the specific timeline and the Deputy's request to the Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.04
I am aware that the route is closed and that this is a private contract. I am also aware that the Tánaiste has committed to writing to the NTA to see what possible measures or options could be put in place to service the towns and communities mentioned by the Deputy. Of course, I will again relay this information to ensure this happens.
Sentiment score: 0.22
I assure the Deputy it is a number one priority to ensure every child has access to the place they are entitled to, particularly those with special educational needs. I believe a great deal of progress has been made in recent years. I want to get to a point where every single child is offered a place at the same time as their sibling and every other child in their community. There is work to do in that regard, but it is my intention, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, that for this school year every child will have access to a place and have that in a timely manner. Additionally, the Deputy will know the programme for Government commitment is to ensure we will have a single application system to remove so much of the stress and anxiety placed on parents in having to apply to so many different schools and not necessarily getting an outcome at the end of it. That work is under way. I will work closely with the NCSE. The intention in this regard, obviously, is for this year. We need a system in place, though, to ensure that every year parents and children will know where they will be going and at the earliest stage possible.
Sentiment score: 0.25
I congratulate Deputy Neville and wish him well in the years ahead. I look forward to working with him and I know he will be a strong advocate for people in north Meath, like his predecessor.
Sentiment score: 0.75
Apologies, in north Kildare. I think we share similar challenges within our counties as well, especially with our growing population, young population and proximity to Dublin. I assure the Deputy this Government is absolutely committed to ensuring we invest in north Kildare in communities where there is that growth and increase in population. We are committed through the expansion of the national development plan and the national planning framework, which we will be sending to the local authorities soon and to which we expect them to respond, to be able to increase our response to this demand. I refer to not just looking at housing supply but to investments in schools, in infrastructure and in our roads. North Kildare will be supported to do just that.
Sentiment score: 0.38
It is vital that we provide many forms of transport for people through public and private operators, through buses, the Luas, BusConnects and as many different ways as possible, including the expansion of our rail lines. I am not familiar with the specific route mentioned by the Deputy, but similar to the question from Deputy Devlin, I will endeavour to ask our Minister to see if there is something that can be done to fill the gap and to respond to and support the communities concerned, as well as the drivers and all those who were working with this company, as mentioned by the Deputy. It is the absolute intention of this Government that many forms of public transport will be available to people right across the country and not just in our towns and cities.
Sentiment score: 0.34
I wish the Deputy well and congratulate him on his appointment. I am aware of this issue. It was raised with me when I was in the constituency during the election campaign. My understanding is that this is very much on the agenda for Uisce Éireann and that work is under way and engagement is happening with stakeholders. The commitment I mentioned is that we will increase and expand the funding that is going into Uisce Éireann to make sure these kinds of developments can happen as quickly as possible. The Government is committed to supporting these types of programmes and making sure they can progress as quickly as possible.
Sentiment score: 0.49
This Government is committed to making sure we invest in our roads. That does not just mean maintenance and expansion but also making sure the roads that are committed to on our list are continued, progressed and finalised. In addition, with the review of the NDP, there is potential for new projects to be part of that expansion and list. I am not familiar with the stages and timelines for the road the Deputy mentioned but I will certainly raise the matter with the relevant Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.43
As a Deputy in a constituency that has three motorways, I am well aware of the burden that tolls place on people who are commuting to work on a daily basis. There is an overriding objective for all of us to try to ensure that we reduce the costs for people who are travelling to work. At the same time, we need to make sure that we are continuing to invest in our roads and infrastructure. I will relay the question on an actual reduction to the Minister. We would all like to see the tolls and costs reduced for all road users irrespective of where they are throughout the country.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I also acknowledge the fantastic work of Local Link and the vital role it plays in our rural communities in particular. Unfortunately, I do not know the route the Deputy referenced but I will certainly raise this with the Minister for Transport and ask him to come back directly to him.
Sentiment score: 0.56
While I am not aware of the exact investment that was allocated in recent weeks, investment in road maintenance and expansion has increased across the board. It is important that this continues to increase and that every local authority gets its fair share. Speed is the number one killer. It is very important that we maintain our roads, which play a key role in keeping people safe. We must do everything we possibly can to reduce speeds on our roads and highlight where changes are taking place. Different changes are taking place throughout the country in reducing speeds. We need to make sure there is investment on both sides, in our roads and in making sure we reduce the speed levels, which contribute to so many of the deaths and serious accidents we have seen.
Sentiment score: 0.26
I thank the Deputy for his question. In the past four years, almost €6 billion has been spent on capital investment in education. This includes opening new schools, expanding existing schools and using modular buildings where required. This is in response to the demand that exists and the increasing numbers of students going into primary and post-primary schools. We are committed to making sure this expansion continues and that every child gets access to the place they deserve in primary or post-primary school. I will work with all Deputies and every county to make sure the projects being developed go ahead, the need is met as soon as possible, and every child is accommodated.
Sentiment score: 0.18
I thank the Deputy and congratulate her on her election to the Dáil. Dunboyne College has expanded in recent years and provides an outstanding education to many in County Meath and the surrounding counties. Work has been under way to acquire a new site and that is progressing. Work is under way in the Department to make sure that the new build can be delivered as quickly as possible. I and all of the Deputies involved will make sure that everything is done to ensure that can be delivered as soon as possible and that more of the fantastic education that is being provided can be provided for the types of courses the Deputy mentioned, working in collaboration with the surrounding universities, such as Maynooth and DCU.
Sentiment score: 0.49
I will ensure that this scheme is raised directly with the Minister. I repeat that it is a priority for the Government to make sure that we invest significantly in Uisce Éireann and its capacity to be able to do more work. We want to address as quickly as possible the challenges mentioned by the Deputy. We want to ensure that funding can be invested into communities that are experiencing these challenges. We also want to invest to be able to expand and build more and to support the expansion of newer communities.
Sentiment score: 0.40