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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Feb 2026

Vol. 1081 No. 1

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Deputy Martin Kenny

I am sure the Tánaiste watched the "RTÉ Investigates" programme on the mental health service and the catastrophe within it. The families of Natalie McGuinness and Jimmy Loughlin, both of whom lost their lives as a consequence of failures within the mental health service, appeared on the programme. Both families live in my constituency, and I have their issues here several times. Many other families who appeared on the programme expressed their frustration at being stonewalled by the system and at not getting any accountability.

I recently tabled a parliamentary question about the number of people who presented at Sligo University Hospital with mental health issues in 2025. The reply indicated that 1,242 people presented to the emergency department but that only 198 were admitted. This is not a historical problem; it is happening now. People are being failed by the mental health service. I saw the Tánaiste on that programme. I can only say that his announcement was fraudulent. He stated that things would get better; they have got worse. People with mental health issues who approach the system get worse outcomes than they got 20 years ago because the Government closed everything down and replaced it with nothing. People are so frustrated and so annoyed.

An Ceann Comhairle

Leave the Tánaiste time to respond.

Deputy Martin Kenny

I am dealing with constituents who are in a situation where they have loved ones who are afraid they will lose their lives because the system is failing them-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Kenny is using another Member's time.

Deputy Martin Kenny

-----and the Tánaiste stands over that system.

An Ceann Comhairle

We stick to the 60 seconds. If you cannot make your point, then you have asked the question in the wrong forum.

The Tánaiste

Ideally, we stick to not making extraordinarily charged comments about people that are not backed by any evidence. The Deputy can debate me any time in relation to this matter. He should not interrupt me again. He should not do that again. I am not taking this bully-boy attitude. I am speaking; it is my go.

Deputy Martin Kenny

The programme was very clear.

An Ceann Comhairle

Allow the answer, Deputy.

The Tánaiste

The programme points out very serious issues. This Government, through the leadership of the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, is absolutely committed. None of us wants to see a scenario-----

Deputy Martin Kenny

The Tánaiste is stonewalling the families.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy.

The Tánaiste

Those families deserve answers.

Deputy Louise O'Reilly

Give them answers, then.

The Tánaiste

The mental health service will continue both the investment it needs and be the subject of the reform that Deputy Mary Butler is working tirelessly on. She has my full support for that work.

Deputy Martin Kenny

People are dying.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

Last week, on 5 February, the first annual report of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme was quietly released. It had been completed in June 2025 and relates to the year 2024. It had gathered dust on the desk of the Minister, Deputy Foley, for seven months. I had asked the Minister a number of times in parliamentary questions why the report had been delayed.

The special advocate, Patricia Carey, expressed strong criticism last week when the report was released. She said that the scheme is not achieving its goal of speedy, easy and trauma-informed access to redress for survivors and affected persons. She also pointed to the many failures of the redress scheme since its launch in March 2024. She further pointed to the fact that the redress scheme has spent less than 10% of its budget. Survivors have talked about arbitrary and narrow eligibility criteria and an unwieldy nine-step application process. Patricia Carey has called for the expansion of the scheme. Will the Tánaiste indicate whether this matter will be addressed and whether they scheme will be amended?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Bacik for raising this issue. It deserves a more considered response from me because it is a very important issue. We need to get it right. On foot of Deputy Bacik raising this matter, I will discuss it with the Minister, Deputy Foley. I will also discuss with her the Government's response to Patricia Carey's analysis in relation to the current scheme and the processes relating to it. I will revert to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Jen Cummins

Maud Coffey was killed by her partner who was suffering from a severe and enduring mental health condition three years ago. They were a loving couple and life was looking very positive for them. Maud was a lovely, kind, creative person who loved her family. The family have only her best interests at heart in the context of what they would like to see happen. I grew up with Maud Coffey and her family, and I count them among my extended family. This family are coming from a place of care, for their sister they lost and for her partner, who was deeply unwell at the time he killed Maud.

The lived experience of this family is vitally important in the context of developing better practices and policies. They are not seeking compensation or to lay blame. They are seeking constructive engagement and change in order that similar tragedies can be prevented. The family are due to meet the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, in the coming weeks. I urge the Tánaiste to please ensure that the ten learning points the family will bring forward are listened to and that action is taken.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Cummins for raising this issue. I am so sorry for Maud's family and Maud, and indeed the Deputy who described her relationship, which is obviously one of closeness, with the family. I am pleased to hear the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will meet the family in relation to the ten points. I would be happy to talk to the Deputy in relation to it as well. I will certainly talk to the Minister of State in advance of the meeting. Let us hope that meeting can bring real progress. I am sure I speak for everybody in this House in saying that to see a family who are so generously willing to give, in the hope that no other family ever experiences the most horrific pain, tragedy and loss that they have experienced, is something we are all very grateful for.

Deputy Charles Ward

Raphoe is facing an immediate escalating flood risk and a very serious danger to life. During heavy rainfall, floodwater runs from the hill down into Frank McBrearty's property, then onward towards Irish Street heading downhill and then finishes up at Andrew Hunter's property. There is a 10 ft. hole underneath and it floods into a field in Magherahaan. I understand that the flood prevention works for Raphoe have already been approved and funding is available, yet no works have been commenced and funding has not yet been drawn down. This is leaving Raphoe in a precarious position. It is unacceptable. Will the Government now intervene to ensure flood prevention works in Raphoe proceed as a matter of urgency? Will the Tánaiste indicate a clear timeline for delivery?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Ward for raising this issue. I will speak with the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Boxer Moran, today in relation to the situation. From memory, I know the Minister of State was in Donegal in recent days. I will get a brief from him, my Oireachtas colleagues and, indeed, the Deputy in relation to that visit.

We had a Cabinet committee meeting on flooding yesterday morning. The main message from that was for all of us to empower the OPW to provide as much assistance as possible to local authorities for what we are calling "interim measures", measures in the here and now that can make a real difference. I will certainly make sure Raphoe is part of that conversation. Either the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, or I will be back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Richard O'Donoghue

My concern is that I want local authorities to be a watchdog over Uisce Éireann. It has been reported under health and safety that Uisce Éireann employees have turned up to plants with no risk assessments or method statements and without confined space training. This is putting people who work for Uisce Éireann at risk. We want a watchdog, so the likes of county councillors and TDs have a watchdog over Uisce Éireann to make sure it is compliant and makes sure our water services are kept up to the highest standard. We need to keep that connection. I want the local authority to make sure we have a watchdog over Uisce Éireann. It could then directly report to the Government to make sure compliance is kept. Under health and safety, there are massive concerns there.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for raising the issue. I do not want to give a knee-jerk response, other than to say that I will certainly give consideration to what the Deputy said. I will also talk to the Minister, Deputy Browne, in relation to this.

There is a broader issue, if I can raise it, in relation to the Deputy's question around Uisce Éireann and its accountability to elected representatives. The Deputy's colleague and leader, Deputy Collins, raised this last week. I have discussed it with the Minister. I am not sure why Uisce Éireann, and this is not a criticism of the Ceann Comhairle or the Oireachtas, does not have a responsibility to answer parliamentary questions. That is not to my satisfaction. The company needs to be much better at communicating with Oireachtas Members because we are all going back to our constituencies trying to provide information. We are looking at engaging with Uisce Éireann in relation to how we improve at that level. I will be back to the Deputy on the specific issue he raised.

Deputy Tom Brabazon

I have been contacted by deeply concerned parents who are waiting for a letter of eligibility from the National Council on Special Education post the 1 October parent notify deadline. As a result, these children are without access to a special class. Families are living in limbo. The stress and anxiety this is causing them are immense. These children need stability and access to education in an environment that meets their needs and their parents urgently need clarity and reassurance. I understand NCSE staff are awaiting further direction from NCSE senior management. Can the House be updated on when this directive will be issued and parents will be given peace of mind and certainty?

The Tánaiste

I am pleased Deputy Brabazon raised this matter. It is an issue that is coming up quite a lot. The Department and the NCSE tried to do something good here, which was to get ahead of things earlier this year through better planning and the like. As is often the case, however, other things happen and, through no fault of their own, not all parents were in a position to apply. Something that was about trying to facilitate earlier sanctioning of classes has obviously posed a challenge.

The NCSE has advised the Department of an increasing number of children and young people who have come to its attention since that timeline. The Department has now worked with the NCSE on proposals to address the needs of those children. The Department confirms that the NCSE is now in a position to issue letters of eligibility to children and young people who have made contact with it after 1 October and who meet the criteria for a special class or special school placement. The NCSE is commencing this process this week.

Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí

I raise the issue of delays in Tailte Éireann's registration processes. In 2023, Tailte Éireann received 240,803, with 4,630 applications in arrears. By 2025, the volume had increased to 296,039 applications, but 57,612 of those were in arrears. We talk about the housing crisis. This is just another factor. The administration is gumming up here. Anything we can do to speed up these processes and move these registrations on would help because there is somebody out there waiting for an application to be finished so that they can occupy their home. I am just raising that with the Tánaiste.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Ó Muirí for raising this matter. He is entirely right. Every lever and every stage of the process needs to be expedited in relation to homes, housing and getting the housing market moving. Tailte Éireann tells us that it is working to address the registration backlog through both increased resources but also improved processes. It also makes the fair point that many applications are not in order when they are first submitted. That figure was about 38% last year. There is clearly either a communications issue or a process issue there in relation to making sure the lodging parties' applications are in order. That would certainly speed up times.

We also need to look at how digital services and the uptake of e-registration services can speed things up here. Where paperless application types are available to legal practitioners and financial institutions, that helps reduce processing times for all service users. I understand Tailte Éireann is currently running a tender process for an e-registration system, which would move the entire registration system to a paperless system.

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan

The Tánaiste stated earlier that he comes in here every day to do work. The Tánaiste has been in here 5,454 days, and for many of those he was Minister for Health. My local hospital, University Hospital Limerick, is in perpetual crisis. There were 131 people on trolleys in the hospital yesterday. If we had not opened the new bed unit in October last, we would probably have more than 200 people on trolleys. The figures for this year so far have been the exact same as last year's figures, so there has been no impact on the people presenting. February is probably going to be the worst February ever.

The Tánaiste will be well aware that in September 2025, HIQA released a report which set out three options, A, B and C. The Tánaiste will know what the options are. I want the Tánaiste to confirm today whether the Government is going to implement option A, B or C, meaning delivering extra capacity at UHL, delivering additional capacity adjacent to UHL and delivering a second hospital with an emergency department in the mid-west region. That is what the people of the mid-west and Limerick need and deserve.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call the Tánaiste to respond.

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan

The staff have been under huge pressure for years and it is not fair on patients and their families.

The Tánaiste

I thank the Deputy for counting how many days I have been in the Dáil. I am grateful to the people of Wicklow for returning me to this House each and every time I have asked them. I never take that for granted. I work very hard for them and for this country. I think the Deputy has been here since 2016 and I am sure he tries his best for his community too.

In relation to University Hospital Limerick, I acknowledge that the Minister for Health has been working on a cross-party basis on this issue. In fairness, I acknowledge that the Deputy has been a part of that too, as has Deputy O'Donoghue and many Deputies across the House. For the first time, we have near political consensus on what needs to happen. I do not want to speak for the Minister, and I do not have the note in front of me, but she brought proposals to Cabinet before Christmas in relation to not saying it is a choice between this, this or this, but saying we need to move forward in relation to all options. However, it is a question of doing it in a certain sequence that makes most sense for the Deputy's constituents in terms of increasing bed capacity. I will ask the Minister to continue to engage with the Deputy and all mid-west Oireachtas representatives in relation to this.

Deputy Martin Daly

Figures I received in reply to a recent parliamentary question show that HSE west-north west accounted for 1,263 delayed transfers of care from hospital into the community due to lack of access to residential care, care in the community and rehabilitation. That accounts for one third of the national average in spite of HSE west-north west looking after less than one fifth of population. Of those delays, 938 related to residential care, which is roughly half the national figure for that category. This is the region that has the highest number of medical cards and the highest number of people in receipt of disability. We are talking about Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and west Cavan. We have the longest waiting lists for primary care, the longest number of hours on trolleys and the longest delay between diagnosis of cancer and getting to cancer treatment.

It appears the region with the most need is receiving the least resources.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Daly for raising this issue. I genuinely appreciate his expert knowledge, as well as his knowledge as a TD, of health services in the west and north west.

One piece of work we have undertaken as a Government is we have created regional health organisations so that we can see the full spectrum of health, population, budget and staffing. This should allow us to be much more analytical in making sure that we are putting resources where they meet the needs and demands of an area and the demographic profile.

On foot of the Deputy raising this matter, I will ask both the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Deputy O'Donnell, to look at the figures he has put on the record of the House and come back to him directly.

Deputy Catherine Callaghan

I raise the matter of a Carlow sheep farmer who recently lost 15 sheep in the floods. That might sound like a small number to many but to this farmer, it will present a significant financial impact. One of the sheep was a pure-bred ram and the other 14 were replacements. I acknowledge the supports offered by the Government in the immediate aftermath of the flood, but none of them seem to be available to this Carlow farmer. In fact, the Irish Red Cross said we should go to the Department of Social Protection. That Department sent us to the Department of agriculture, which sent us to the Department of enterprise, and so far, everybody has said "No" Will the Tánaiste provide some guidance and direction on where this Carlow farmer can seek some redress for his lost flock?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Callaghan for her question. As is often the case, she has highlighted an issue which we need to give some consideration to. I am very conscious that in her part of the country, in my part of the country in the south east and in much of the east of the country, we saw significant rainfall over an extended period, with flooding, including of farmland, particularly in the east and south. Thankfully, with most cattle housed this time of year, the impact was somewhat limited compared to what it could have been if it had been a different time of year. We have not been experiencing a shortage of fodder either. We have seen some challenges in relation to slurry tanks at capacity and limited opportunities to spread organic manure. A number of schemes have been put in place but I need to speak with the Minister for agriculture to try to get some specific direction in relation to the sheep farmer the Deputy referenced. I undertake to engage with Government colleagues to see if there is anything we can do to assist and to come back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Pa Daly

Tá a fhios ag gach duine atá anseo ó Ghaelcholáiste Chiarraí an tacaíocht agus an chabhair a thugann SNAs do dhaltaí agus don phobal iomlán sna scoileanna.

I have been contacted by many schools, in particular, Fossa National School outside Killarney, which has lost four SNAs in that one school in the analysis provided to date. A review is coming up, but there seems to be an overly strict application of the meaning of "significant needs". I have also been contacted about this issue by schools in Glenflesk, Listowel and Portmagee, as well as schools in Donegal and Cork. I ask the Tánaiste to consider this issue and pass on that clarity is needed by SNAs and school communities. In Fossa National School, for example, there will be two SNAs left for 236 pupils after the proposal to cut four SNAs. Will the Tánaiste look at this and maybe relax the strict interpretation that is being made so that he can give some comfort to people? Pupils need to feel safe and parents need to know their children are safe in schools, and with help.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Daly for raising the matter of SNA provision in his own county and, indeed, Donegal. I will certainly speak to the Minister for education and the Minister of State with responsibility for special education on that point and the point he made about the interpretation or definition of significant need and how it is being applied in various schools. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Michael Collins

In west Cork, we are extremely lucky to have not one but two outstanding outdoor sailing and training centres, namely, the Fastnet marine and outdoor education centre in Schull and the Kinsale outdoor education centre. These centres are a lifeline for our young people, schools and local economy. In recent weeks, we have learned that the future of both centres is at risk because of a lack of funding. I ask the Tánaiste to work with the Department of education to ensure proper funding is channelled to Cork Education and Training Board so that both centres can run and be fully staffed separately, as was promised to the people. Cork ETB recognises the vital role these outdoor education services play. The impact they have had on young people's families and entire communities is enormous. We cannot afford to lose them. People travel to Schull - I know this because I live there - to bring their children specifically for sailing and kayaking. These centres are a massive draw for tourism, jobs and the social education and sporting life of our coastal communities. We need urgent action to protect them. Will the Tánaiste intervene to help ensure their long-term future is fully secure?

The Tánaiste

I will. I am conscious that the Deputy's part of the country, as well as all the benefits he has outlined, has also produced a fair few Olympians and people who have represented our country with distinction as a result of the experience and training they have had in the water and on the sea on our south and south-west coast. From my time in the Department of further and higher education, I know the benefit of outdoor education. We have to look at education in the round. It comes in many different forms. It is not just a classroom or university lecture hall. Outdoor education centres are also important and, obviously, there is a benefit economically and to the tourism product of west Cork, as the Deputy said. I will speak with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, in the first instance and ask that he engage with the ETB and come back to the Deputy.

Deputy Duncan Smith

Last week, I wrote to the Taoiseach to seek international co-operation for an inquiry into the recent release of a witness statement as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files, in which a young girl was trafficked through Ireland for "politicians and notable men" for the purposes of sex. We heard from Garda Headquarters yesterday that no investigation or inquiry is under way regarding this claim. This witness statement is not the only concerning document released in those files relating to Ireland. Within them is an email from one David Wassong to Ghislaine Maxwell which asks if she will send him "the names and numbers of people to play with in Ireland". Our State has a dark history when it comes to the abuse of children. We have seen a history of those in power, be it politicians, the clergy or police, that investigations can be shelved and victims and injustices ignored. We need to be proactive here at the very least. We need to see some form of action from the Irish State to fully explore what is in those statements and emails alone, and indeed, if there is anything further.

The Tánaiste

I note and appreciate the Deputy's work on this and his engagement with the Taoiseach. Indeed, I read his comments on the issue. We are all absolutely appalled, sickened and disgusted at the depraved - and that word does not fully capture it - conduct we are seeing in some of the Epstein files. Like the Deputy, all of us are seeing that many files are being put out with different bits of information at different times.

Of course, all law authorities, enforcement agencies and police forces are going to have to play any role that is appropriate or important in relation to answers, truth and justice. My understanding is that there has not been specific information in relation to the Garda and the like. However, on foot of Deputy Smith raising the matter in the Dáil, I will discuss it further with the Taoiseach and the Minister for justice.

I appeal to any person in this country who may have any information at all in relation to this to please go to the Garda and make that information available. It is safe enough to say this much. You clearly had here vulnerable young women in a powerful network of despicable powerful men who abused that and carried out depraved acts.

Deputy Rory Hearne

Tá an ghéarchéim thithíochta uafásach.

Today, it has been revealed by the Simon Communities Locked Out of the Market report that there are zero properties available within standard housing assistance payment, HAP, limits. This is the first time any Simon Communities report has shown there is not one property available. Where are people to go and how are they supposed to afford the extortionate market rents? It is an emergency, but the only emergency action the Government is taking is to allow landlords to hike up rents. In my constituency, I have people coming to me all the time who cannot afford the rent and are stuck in homelessness. We saw emergency action during Covid. We saw the eviction ban and short-term lets being used to house people. Will the Tánaiste take emergency action? Will he raise the standard HAP rates on an emergency basis so that people can afford a home?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Hearne for raising this. I genuinely thank Dublin Simon Community for the work it does on behalf of our country and homeless people and its advocacy. I note and take seriously the report; I do not dismiss it. I was also looking at some figures which show that 272 new HAP tenancies were created in those 16 areas in December, but I do not take from the seriousness of the issue the report highlights. The Government's commitment is to review HAP limits and levels, to have that completed in the first half of this year and then to act on it.

Deputy Erin McGreehan

I highlight and press an issue in County Louth, namely, the inadequate school accommodation across the entire county. In recent weeks, I have spoken to many principals and school communities in the county. Most recently, I met with St. Mochta's National School and Monksland National School. Their classes are being squeezed into spaces that were never intended for teaching children or learning. These include converted rooms, cupboards, shared areas and halls, as well as temporary solutions that are just not fit for purpose in Ireland in 2026.

The Department's responses reference an overall reduction to primary school enrolments. This is not helpful for County Louth. It is not what is happening in our county in areas such as Dundalk, Blackrock, Louth village, Cooley Peninsula, Ardee, Drogheda, Termonfeckin, Clogherhead and everywhere else. We are building in County Louth at unprecedented rates. Housing development is absolutely accelerating and we are not forward planning. Children are being squeezed into halls. I would really like some action taken on schools in County Louth.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy McGreehan for raising the point. In my own constituency, I see something similar. Yes, I think it is a statement of fact to say the demographic situation in relation to primary schools might be changing but it is not equal across all parts of the country because there are some parts of the country where the population is continuing to grow very quickly and a lot of that is on the east coast. The point raised by the Deputy in relation to County Louth is valid. We have to start to look at data on a much more granular basis in terms of counties but even parts of counties as well.

The Deputy will know the Minister has announced tranche one of the capital programme. What I would say to the Deputy's constituents and to those schools she has referenced is that it is not the final word, it is tranche one. We do intend to fund many more education projects and I am happy to liaise with the Deputy directly on that matter.

Deputy Joe Neville

Today I want to highlight the issue of school spaces, or the lack thereof, and the desperate need for joined-up thinking between Departments to ensure early indicators are there, so we know where we will have issues. More conversations are needed between the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Social Protection, potentially, around the number of ECCE applicants we are seeing in local areas, which I do not believe is taking place. Otherwise we need to look at the census data from year to year to see who is coming on stream. Ultimately, these children are applying for schools but the schools do not know how many kids are coming in and we are left short of spaces. Currently in Leixlip the population is continuing to rise and there are over 40 children still without primary school places. In Naas all the schools have come together - the eight primary schools - and have said they do not have spaces. They are all making applications at this stage to the Department but, ultimately, this information should be known ahead of time in the local areas. If we have that data, we need to use it. This is the key point I want to make. We are not forward planning well enough. We are putting in the houses, as we said earlier, but at the same time in the likes of Leixlip, Maynooth and Celbridge, we are not seeing planning ahead.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue. He makes this point quite often and he is right about County Kildare and the population and the need for public services, including education, to keep up with it. The Department tells me that it basically divides up the country into what it calls school planning area levels. It looks at both enrolment and child benefit data. It updates it annually and it is geocoded to the 19,000 small areas across the country. From that, it analyses at a granular level the population of school-going children and the schools they attend. It is not currently using ECCE data. I think there is something interesting about that, considering the number of kids now involved in ECCE is so high. I will certainly engage with the Minister on that. I will also ask her to come back to the Deputy directly in relation to Leixlip and Naas.

The Department tells me it has consulted with St. Corban's National School in Naas and has sanctioned the opening of an additional junior infant class for September in an available classroom to meet a specific demand there. We have also seen the completion of a new 32-classroom co-educational primary school in Naas and the establishment of a new primary school in Leixlip. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, will continue to engage with the Deputy on the issues.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

The incessant rain is destroying our roads. They are in an awful state. This weekend we have a hard frost coming, which will only add to that. Very many roads are in a state of terrible disrepair, with potholes and craters. In my county, I could list them all off in north Meath, Cortown, Kells, Gravelstown and Baile Ghib. I would pay particular attention to Downstown Road in Duleek. The council has responded to requests and it repairs them but then those repairs are washed away. There is a need for a major increase in investment in roads maintenance and repair in light of the terrible weather we are having. Does the Tánaiste recognise this and will he respond?

The Tánaiste

I do recognise this and I thank the Deputy for raising it. I know Deputy O'Rourke's part of the country is one that has been badly impacted. We had a meeting of the Cabinet committee on climate yesterday that was dedicated to the issue of the recent floods and the impact. The Department of Transport provided an update on that. It is fair to say the damage will run to tens of millions of euro. The message to the local authorities and the Department of Transport was to get on with it in terms of repairs. They have enough headroom within their capital allocations to make that work. We can obviously address other issues at a future Estimates time. The most important thing is that they get on with actually repairing these roads because quite a lot of damage has been done. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to specifically link with Deputy O'Rourke in relation to the roads in Meath.

Deputy Carol Nolan

I call on the Government to urgently enforce the existing ban on sulky racing on public roads in light of the horrific cruelty and the dangers it poses to both the animals and the public. Just this month in Ballyfermot, a pregnant horse named Anne collapsed during an illegal sulky race, suffering severe cuts, blood loss and suspected broken bones. Despite the heroic efforts of My Lovely Horse Rescue and the UCD veterinary hospital, Anne and her unborn foal were euthanised after being tormented to death. Sulky racing endangers road users with high-speed carts on busy roads and it inflicts barbaric suffering on horses kept in unfit urban conditions.

The Government has moved swiftly, and rightly so, to impose a ban on scrambler bikes in public places under Grace's Law following the tragic death of young Grace Lynch. Stricter regulations are there. I call on the Government to adopt the same zero-tolerance approach to sulky racing.

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Nolan for raising the issue of sulky races and making the point in relation to the current laws that exist regarding that. It is important they are enforced. I know the Minister for agriculture is working on animal welfare proposals too. The Deputy is quite right in relation to sulky races in terms of the animal welfare abuses, the abuses of horses, the lack of care for them, and the devastating impact this can have from an animal welfare point of view, as the Deputy has outlined. I pay tribute to organisations such as My Lovely Horse Rescue and others on the work they do. In light of the Deputy raising this I will ask the Minister with responsibility for road safety and the Minister for agriculture to come back to the Deputy. I will also ask the Minister for justice to raise with the Garda issues around enforcement.