Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:1. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [11873/26]
Ceisteanna - Questions
Ukraine War
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:2. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [74069/25]
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:3. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [74071/25]
Shay Brennan
Ceist:4. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [74073/25]
Liam Quaide
Ceist:5. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [16305/26]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [18698/26]
Paul Murphy
Ceist:7. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in suport of Ukraine. [18701/26]
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:8. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [18942/26]
Louis O'Hara
Ceist:9. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [20115/26]
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:10. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent meeting of the coalition of the willing in support of Ukraine. [22089/26]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together.
On 24 February, I attended an online meeting of the coalition of the willing to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The meeting was co-chaired by British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and was joined also by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, as well as other leaders, some of whom were attending commemoration events in Kyiv.
The meeting reaffirmed the coalition’s resolve to continue to support Ukraine until a peace agreement is achieved, including protecting and repairing its energy infrastructure, and through increasing pressure on Russia to encourage it to engage in meaningful negotiation through imposing further sanctions and disrupting its shadow fleet. The meeting was an opportunity to take stock of negotiations involving the US, Russia and Ukraine, and President Zelenskyy offered us Ukraine’s perspective on progress. During the meeting, we discussed how the coalition of the willing can support these efforts to secure peace, and how the coalition can ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position in those talks. I conveyed Ireland’s strong commitment to supporting efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine, as I did directly to President Zelenskyy during his visit to Ireland last December. I also underlined Ireland’s consistent position that it is for the people and Government of Ukraine to determine their future and to agree to the terms of any peace agreement.
I reiterated Ireland’s strong support for Ukraine’s path towards EU membership and said that the accession negotiations should be accelerated, emphasising that EU membership is an important security guarantee for Ukraine and fulfils the objectives of the vast majority of the Ukrainian people. I joined other leaders in strongly condemning the continued attacks on civilians and critical energy infrastructure. These attacks have left millions without electricity during the harsh winter months and have forced Ukraine to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector. Over the past six months, Ireland has contributed €27 million to provide support for Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure and to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis inflicted by Russia’s aggression. Ireland continues to consider opportunities to bolster Ukraine’s energy security. Work will continue within the coalition to ensure that, in the event of a peace agreement, Ukraine has the security guarantees it needs. Such measures would be in accordance with respective legal and constitutional arrangements of participating countries.
Ireland' s consistent position has been that it is for the Government and people of Ukraine to determine their future and to agree to the terms of any peace agreement. It is crucial that it is a just and lasting peace, respecting the principles of the UN Charter. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld. Any agreement must also protect Ukraine and Europe’s security. That means strong, credible guarantees that ensure Ukraine can defend itself going forward to avoid a repetition of the past. Ireland will continue to support these efforts as part of the European Union and through participation in the coalition of the willing.
It seems that, as dangerous as we think the world is, it keeps getting worse and worse. We have seen the war in Iran, which is obviously an absolutely illegal action by genocidal Israel with the absolute backing of America. We hope the American President, Donald Trump, has bitten off more than he can chew but we do not know what the future holds. It has also meant a lifting of restrictions on the sale of Russian oil. What engagement has the Taoiseach had with others on this? I reiterate what was said here earlier, in that while we obviously want to see reductions in the price of diesel and petrol, we cannot avoid dealing sufficiently with the huge costs people are paying for home heating oil. We have to protect ourselves. We also need to eventually play our part in developing a roadmap to a better world where we will not have to deal with this madness.
I welcome the fact that Ireland will continue to contribute in whatever way we can to addressing Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. We need to co-operate in a number of specific areas. One such area I want to instance is cybersecurity. Like many other European countries, Ireland is regularly on the receiving end of cyberattacks emanating from Russia. At our meeting of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence today, the Courts Service highlighted the fact that Russia is the source of many of the cyberattacks on that service. I also want to know how we are going to continue to address the problem of the shadow fleet operating in Irish waters. I refer both to Russian sanction-busting with regard to oil and to Russian submarines and naval vessels operating in those waters. It is critical that we operate in partnership with other European nations and learn from their experiences.
This morning, The Irish Times reported on work done by Conor Gallagher and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, OCCRP, in relation to Aughinish Alumina in Limerick and how product from that facility is being used in the military industry in Russia. This afternoon, I spoke with the Ukrainian ambassador, Larysa Gerasko, who expressed her deep fears about this news. What is the Government doing and, to the best of its knowledge, what can it do in relation to this work at Aughinish Alumina to stop the sale of products from Ireland for use in the war in Ukraine?
The Middle East conflict is having wide-ranging repercussions. Two of these impact directly on Ukraine's ability to defend itself. The first is that Russia was selling Urals oil at approximately $40 dollar in the past few months, towards the end of last year. This price has obviously risen substantially since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. There are two reasons behind this: the rise in global oil prices and the US sanctions waiver that is now allowing India to purchase Russian oil. It is estimated that Russia takes in about $370 million per day from oil. President Zelenskyy has said that this rise in oil prices and Russia's ability to now sell to India is worth approximately $10 billion to the Russian war effort in Ukraine. What discussions is the Taoiseach having at EU level on this matter?
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin began four years and one month ago. I remember when Zelenskyy was here in the Chamber late last year. It seemed as if the whole world was upon his shoulders. It is something I will never forget. In the context of the recent geopolitical events and spreading of warfare, it is clear that tougher sanctions will be required to counter Putin's warmongering. Combined with the alarming reticence of the Trump and Orbán Administrations to join the coalition of the willing, there is a substantive question about how the coalition will impose tougher sanctions, steadfastly uphold existing sanctions on oil and gas from Russia in the midst of an energy crisis, and enforce the robust security guarantees sought by Ukraine to end the war. Will the Taoiseach make a commitment here and now that Ireland will not participate in the lifting of sanctions on Russia, including those sanctions on Russian oil and gas, that we will pursue tougher sanctions on the Russian Federation and that we will do so even in the absence of US support?
The Taoiseach has rightly and repeatedly condemned Putin for a criminal, barbaric and imperialist attack on Ukraine. Will he do the same when it comes to what Trump and the Israeli regime are now doing to Iran and Lebanon? They are bombing the hell out of civilians and infrastructure in Iran. Israel is now ethnically cleansing south Lebanon. Will the Taoiseach condemn Trump's suggestion that he might "take over" Cuba, attacking another country in exactly the same criminal, entirely unjustified and illegal way that Putin attacked Ukraine? Is the Taoiseach consistent in his principles? Will he condemn it and call it out when it is done by the United States and the regime in Israel?
On 5 March, the Fianna Fáil Minister of State, Deputy Robert Troy, told the Dáil that:
Ireland's position on the use of force where there is no UN mandate or authorisation is well established and known. For fear that anyone is in any doubt, let me be clear: it is wrong and it is illegal.
He said that the use of force without UN mandate or authorisation is wrong and illegal, which is absolutely correct. How can the Taoiseach square that with his support for the coalition of the willing in Ukraine? How can he square it with continuing to try to abolish the triple lock? The use of force is illegal unless done with a UN mandate. That is absolutely clear. It applies whether it is for peacekeeping or "strengthening international security", as it is put in the heads of the defence (amendment) Bill. Is there disagreement in Fianna Fáil over this? The Taoiseach wants to abolish the triple lock that enshrines the principle that we will only engage in the use of force with a UN mandate while a Fianna Fáil Minister of State is correctly saying that violating that principle is illegal.
I too want to raise the report by Conor Gallagher in today's edition of The Irish Times, which was carried out in conjunction with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. It is very concerning. It is reported that Russian smelters supplied by the Limerick Aughinish Alumina plant are selling vast amounts of aluminium to a trading company that supplies dozens of Russian arms manufacturers. Is the Taoiseach's Government aware of any links between companies receiving aluminium from Aughinish Alumina and the weapons industry in Russia?
Many of the Ukrainian nationals who came to Ireland following the invasion of Ukraine did not speak English. To assist them, the State provided significant additional funding for English for speakers of other languages, ESOL, classes through the ETB network. This year, the Government has decided to remove this additional funding for ETBs. As a result, Galway and Roscommon ETB has had to inform 25 teachers that they are being let go and that roughly 150 classes will be cancelled. This cut is affecting classes across the board. It is mainly English language and literacy classes but it is also Irish language classes and other areas. Many of the staff affected were only weeks away from receiving permanent contracts, having almost completed their four years. As we speak here, staff and students are protesting these cruel cuts outside the GRETB facility in Athenry. I want a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will engage with the Minister in relation to this and advise him to reverse these cuts.
I am not sure this is pertinent.
It is the wrong area to ask about. We are on the coalition of the willing here.
It is in the context of Ukrainian people coming here following the outbreak of the war.
We will leave it to the Taoiseach.
My question is also about Ukrainians living here and what we need to do. It has been brought to my attention that many Ukrainians who are living here are having major difficulties in renewing their Ukrainian passports. Those who fled the Russian invasion and sought refuge here now find themselves unable to renew their passports in Ireland. The Taoiseach will know that, when Ukrainian children reach the age of 14, they have to get a passport of their own. Otherwise, they are fined. The current online process repeatedly times out and kicks them out of the system. Other countries, such as Spain, Italy and Poland, have put in place an in-person appointment-based DP document service to allow Ukrainians to renew their passports efficiently and without unnecessary stress. However, Ukrainians in Ireland have told me they are now forced to travel to Poland, Spain or Italy at significant financial cost. Does the Taoiseach know about this? Will he ensure it is rectified?
The question relates to my attendance at the meeting of the coalition of the willing. It is striking that quite a number of Members just avoided any reference to my attendance at that meeting, which is illustrative, and not really good enough. If specific questions are tabled, we should concentrate on those during Taoiseach's Questions because we have the Order of Business for half an hour or 40 minutes on general issues like ETBs, education, health or whatever. We also have the Leaders' Questions for a range of other issues.
Deputy Ó Murchú referred to the restrictions on the sale of Russian oil. We were seeking to impose a further round of sanctions last week. Hungary is objecting. The Hungarian position is outrageous in terms of both stopping any new round of sanctions and the €90 billion package for Ukraine. The Deputy's party opposed it as well. It is in good company with Viktor Orbán in opposing-----
For God's sake. The Taoiseach should not be obtuse.
Deputy Conway-Walsh, allow the answer please.
That is not obtuse. That is a fact. Sinn Féin has opposed the €90 billion.
It is an easy shot the Taoiseach has taken. Can we move on?
I want to finish my point. There is a view abroad-----
Deputies, excuse me.
We are either neutral or we are not.
It is about neutrality and the Taoiseach knows that.
This is not allowed.
Hungary has a view. Orbán has a view. Sinn Féin has a view. It is basically saying that Ukraine should surrender because if the Ukrainians do not get that budgetary package and a package to support them defend themselves, it is surrender. There is no other option for Ukraine-----
Hear, hear.
-----but to surrender if we do not get that €90 billion package across. I am shocked at Sinn Féin's position on it-----
I am shocked at the Taoiseach.
-----but it is reflected in its questions. When I talk about the coalition of the willing, it is about Ukraine. All Sinn Féin can offer is one question on that and another on the ETB in Athlone, which has nothing at all to do with it. It just suggests that as far as Sinn Féin is concerned, Ukraine really does not matter and that has been its position----
That is just not true.
-----since 2014.
Continue on.
The Deputy will have to take it up in another forum.
We want more sanctions and there could be challenges down the line if the global crisis continues.
Deputy Byrne raised the issue of cybersecurity. It is a huge issue, and many private sector organisations are under fairly regular attack. A lot of them are occurring from within Russia. There could be third country backers that back certain hackers or people involved in cyberwarfare, or there can be criminal entities, but that are known to the authorities in Russia. The Conti group is believed to have caused the attack on our health services during Covid-19. It is inconceivable that it would be allowed operate with the freedom that it does in Russia without some tacit acknowledgement or support from the administration or the government there.
The Deputy also referenced the Courts Service. It is a very significant source of concern for us. We have to build up. We discussed this with the United Kingdom Government the week before last when we met with Keir Starmer and the ministers. It is a big concern for them. We want to co-operate more with them on knowledge around technology and how best we can resist cyber-attacks. Collaboration is the name of the game in countering cybersecurity attacks, which is about learning from the experiences of others that have had them and about trying to pool our best brains to counter such attacks into the future.
With regard to the shadow fleet, legislation is being passed that will enable Naval Service personnel to board them or our naval vessels to intercept them. They will also be able to put queries to the operators of these ships regarding their legality and a whole range of other issues. There are a lot of environmental concerns around the shadow fleet. Many of them are potential maritime disasters if there were leakages of oil and so on, which would have devastating impacts on the marine environment. They have been disrupted by a number of EU member states. They have been boarded and so on. The idea was to try to disrupt the modus operandi of the shadow fleet and to make it less efficient in terms of its service to Russia during these times.
Deputies Ó Cearúil and Whitmore raised Aughinish Alumina. It is a very significant employer in the mid-west and it supports hundreds of jobs directly and indirectly. It also has a connection to the supply chain within Europe in terms of steel and its products. That is why there has been a general principle at European level that we should not damage ourselves disproportionately, particularly given that it is an industry that is under attack anyway from broader issues around how the global economy operates today in terms of some countries giving more protections, subsidies and so on. However, I am concerned about the report because that was never on the agenda. The report states that it supplies to intermediaries who are then supplying it on to Russia to be used for armaments. That is a concern, and we will examine it to try to get the background to it. It is not just about Ireland. It has a relevance to other EU member states in terms of its production.
In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, I made it clear in my speech at the White House about Ireland's adherence to UN nations, the need for a UN mandate and its adherence to the international rules-based order. I articulated that strongly, as I did about the need for the war to end and for a peaceful resolution. We are dealing with a very repressive regime in Iran that has been conducting a surrogate war for years on an ongoing basis against many countries. In the Middle East, it is particularly-----
Is it more repressive than Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates?
Deputy Boyd Barrett, please do not engage.
Yes, I would argue that Iran is much more repressive than Saudi Arabia. We do not have a precise number, but thousands of their citizens who went on the street to protest were mowed down. I am not defending any other regime but this is a particularly-----
I do not know why the Taoiseach is saying this.
Deputy, it is not a back and forth. Respect other members.
UAE, Cuba.
The contrast with Ukraine is very different, but the Deputy will never acknowledge that.
It was always different from Iran.
Deputy, please.
Deputies Boyd Barrett, Murphy and others will never acknowledge that point. President Zelenskyy executed nobody before Ukraine was invaded. I believe in dialogue. I believe in the international rules-based order and a UN mandate, although the UN is paralysed. The reason we are doing the triple lock is the UN Security Council is paralysed. It is going to be very hard to get a peacekeeping mission going and because of the Security Council, UNIFIL will end at the end of this year. The opportunities for Irish peacekeepers, which is something we have been doing uninterrupted since 1958, is very much in the balance, but no one seems to care about that on the Opposition side in terms of our future role in peacekeeping.
Cuba should be resolved by dialogue. It is another regime that has a certain glorified narrative around it here but it has been quite a repressive regime as well and it has oppressed its people for far too long. It needs to get with it in the modern era and engage in a sensible dialogue to try to get a resolution. It does not need any external interventions. I have been to Cuba. When I was the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I was one of two or three European ministers in the 2007 to 2010 period who visited Cuba in the hope of getting a more liberal view of things, but, even then, it did not release the political prisoners that we had sought the release of. President Castro and his brother, who was his successor, ruled with an iron fist. That was wrong and the consequences for its citizens have been fairly dire. Hence many left and went to the United States or elsewhere. No one case is simple. There is a complexity and history to a lot of these issues that defies simplistic sloganeering. I dealt with the questions about the triple lock and UN mandate. I dealt with Deputy Whitmore's question. That is our take on it and we will examine it.
In response to Deputy O'Hara's question about the ETB-----
Was the Taoiseach aware of this?
No, not at all.
In response to Deputy O'Hara, that is a matter for the Minister for education. There are plenty of routes to try to source an answer to that question. I will reference that the Deputy raised it, but it is not appropriate to raise it in the context of the coalition of the willing.
Some 25 jobs have been lost. People were protesting today.
I know, but this is a different set of questions.
In response to Deputy Conway-Walsh, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of this issue. I will talk to the Minister and come back to her. There have been challenges all around. Because of the war in Ukraine, there are lots of issues and public services that have come under pressure.
Departmental Reports
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:11. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [74524/25]
Brendan Smith
Ceist:12. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [74526/25]
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:13. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [14259/26]
Albert Dolan
Ceist:14. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [16742/26]
Ryan O'Meara
Ceist:15. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [16743/26]
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:16. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [17330/26]
Liam Quaide
Ceist:17. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [18160/26]
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:18. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [18699/26]
Paul Murphy
Ceist:19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [18702/26]
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:20. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [18787/26]
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:21. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [19725/26]
Louis O'Hara
Ceist:22. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [20116/26]
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:23. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028. [22090/26]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 23, inclusive, together.
The Department of the Taoiseach's statement of strategy 2025-28 was approved by the Government on 7 October 2025 and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 10 December 2025. The statement of strategy outlines the Department’s vision, mission, values, core responsibilities, key activities and policy priorities over the period from 2025 to 2028. The Department's mission is to support the Taoiseach and the Government, including in the implementation of the programme for Government, through principled leadership and joined-up governance; by co-ordinating Government activity to ensure effective, inclusive and timely decision-making; by providing impartial, high-quality policy advice in the national interest; by upholding democratic integrity, Civil Service values and public trust at the centre of government; and by promoting a strategic, sustainable and long-term perspective that safeguards Ireland’s future prosperity, cohesion and resilience. The core responsibilities and key activities of the Department encompass executive leadership and Government co-ordination; legislative, parliamentary and constitutional duties; policy coherence and whole-of-government perspective; State protocol and commemorations; public communications and information, emergency management and civic engagement; and Civil Service and public service leadership and renewal.
Supporting implementation of the programme for Government is at the core of the Department's mission. The policy priorities outlined in the statement of strategy, which align with the commitments contained in the programme for Government, include housing; infrastructure; disability; children and education; economy, trade and competitiveness; climate action, environment and energy; health; justice, migration and social affairs; EU and international affairs; Northern Ireland; national security; and water quality. In 2025, the Department provided the secretariat for 46 Government meetings, which dealt with 1,233 memos to the Government. It supported me as Taoiseach with nine meetings of the European Council, ten meetings of the coalition of the willing on Ukraine and a significant programme of inward and outward visits, including the AI summit in February, the EU-Africa summit in Angola in November and the visit of President Zelenskyy in December 2025. The strategy sets out how the Department will progress work in all the areas I have mentioned, including through the Cabinet committee structure and its related senior officials' groups. The Department's annual reports over the period from 2025 to 2028 provide a mechanism to report progress made on the policy priorities outlined in the statement of strategy. The statement of strategy is published as Gaeilge agus as Béarla.
Last November, I brought the Taoiseach to the University of Limerick, where he visited the centre for robotic and intelligence systems, better known as CRIS. The CRIS laboratory is led by Professor Dan Toal. When we were there, he saw the huge array of cutting-edge and cost-effective technology, including submersibles, drones and all sorts of equipment. On the day we were there, from that laboratory in the University of Limerick, they were monitoring with a robotically powered undersea vehicle a wind turbine off the Portuguese coast. There is huge potential here. This potential transcends many Departments. There is the potential to monitor shadow fleets, subsea cables, gas lines and offshore wind energy; to survey ecological and habitat areas; and to tackle the trade of illicit drugs. That is only the start of it. This is a very cost-effective way to operate. I think it is strategically important for Ireland. I hope the Taoiseach might be able to accede to the request for him to convene the various Departments to lead out a group that could look at this. Unfortunately, we are currently the outliers in Europe as the only EU country without a national laboratory for robotics. This is strategically important to Ireland Inc., to the Department of the Taoiseach and to many other Departments. I ask the Taoiseach to work with Professor Toal's group and co-ordinate a cross-party interdepartmental group to lead this forward.
A constituent sent me a letter. It states:
I am writing to you to highlight the serious and immediate impact that rising fuel prices are having on community nurses and their ability to provide essential healthcare services.
Community nurses depend heavily on travel to reach patients in their homes, often covering large rural areas every day. Unfortunately, the current travel and mileage allowances no longer reflect the true cost of fuel. As prices continue to increase, the reimbursement provided does not cover the actual expenses incurred while carrying out our duties ...
Ultimately, it may also affect the continuity and quality of care that patients receive in their own homes.
I urge you to raise this issue with the Minister for Health and the Government and to support an urgent review of mileage and travel allowances for community healthcare staff so that they accurately reflect the real cost of fuel and travel.
Community nurses play a critical role in keeping people out of hospital and supporting patients in their homes. It is essential that they are not financially penalised for carrying out this vital work.
I restate what was said earlier, which was that an insufficient offering is on the table in relation to the reduction in the cost of fuel. This needs to be addressed. I get that the Government cannot do everything, but I am saying that there needs to be further action in relation to the cost of home heating oil because people are under severe pressure. That is before we talk about the cost-of-disability issues and the wider cost-of-living crisis.
The Taoiseach's reply highlighted a number of priorities. One area of key focus is disability. The Cabinet committee on disability is going to try to push forward with the national rights strategy for disabled people 2025-30. One key area the Government needs to focus on is accessibility in our towns, particularly towns like Athenry, Tuam, Gort and Loughrea. These are towns in Galway East where, in the last year, we have seen progress toward greater accessibility, but we need to see more. What is the Department going to do to focus on accessibility around our towns so that everyone has an equal opportunity to experience our lived spaces?
The Taoiseach said today that the proposed LNG plant is necessary from an energy security perspective. I have spent many hours going through the documentation for that argument, and I cannot see how this plant is required from an energy security perspective. There are alternative ways of dealing with energy security. This plant will lock us into fossil fuel infrastructure and it will be an incredibly costly exercise, with a cost of €1 billion over ten years. If an alternative and evidence for that alternative are provided to the Taoiseach, will he give it serious consideration? There is another way of dealing with this energy security issue.
The mental health strategy, A Vision for Change, is now 20 years old, but the State is still nowhere near providing the specialist multidisciplinary teams it promised for older people in that document. There are large parts of the country, including Dublin south-west, Limerick city-Tipperary north, Cork north and east, and Cork south and west, where the HSE has approved no occupational therapy posts at all for older adult mental health services. There are no approved psychology posts in Kildare-west Wicklow or Donegal. These are essential therapies to help to support older people and their families as they face mental health challenges in the context of ageing. What makes this even more serious is the lengths to which the HSE went to obscure these shortfalls. In January, I was told that the HSE did not maintain data on approved posts for these services, which is frankly farcical. The HSE's 2019 model of care for older persons, which contained clear staffing targets, disappeared offline shortly after I submitted my first parliamentary question, only to reappear immediately after the media queried its absence. What commitment can the Taoiseach give to the funding of multidisciplinary posts for older adult mental health teams?
The Taoiseach mentioned that there is a focus in the strategy on housing and on the delivery of affordable housing. In my area, the average house price is now €680,000. The limit for the first home scheme for affordable housing is €500,000. In other words, if it is a new build, it cannot be more than €500,000. The Government's affordable housing schemes simply do not apply in Dún Laoghaire. Ordinary workers in Dún Laoghaire do not earn more because they earn in Dún Laoghaire. If you are a nurse, a teacher, a bank worker or a council worker, you do not earn more because you live in Dún Laoghaire. The Government's schemes are completely non-applicable. That is true in many parts of Dublin, by the way, where house prices are way in excess. What is the Taoiseach going to do? The local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, funding, which was given out in the millions to developers, was supposed to be conditional on giving back houses of €300,000 or less when it originally came out.
That was abandoned. In places like Cherrywood, where €15 million in LIHAF funding was given out on the condition that there was supposed to be some affordable housing, we got no affordable housing and the houses are coming in at €600,000 and €700,000. How are ordinary workers supposed to pay for houses at that price? What is the Taoiseach going to do to deliver them some affordable housing because his schemes do not apply in huge swathes of Dublin?
On the policy priorities in the Government’s statement of strategy and the priority of children in education, the Taoiseach has told us repeatedly that he is doing everything he can to ensure there is an appropriate school place for every child. Why then does a school that comes forward because it wants to provide additional classes face so many road blocks? I have raised Stapolin Educate Together National School with the Taoiseach before. It is doing its absolute best to provide two badly needed new and additional autism classes but the Department of education has not sanctioned them. There are 50 children on a waiting list who need these additional classes to be provided. These children need the Taoiseach and his Government to step forward and act on this. Why has the Taoiseach not given the go-ahead? Will he ensure the go-ahead is given for these two new additional classes?
On 5 March a large public meeting was held in Dunshaughlin, County Meath on the shortage of mainstream junior infants classes for September 2026. I was there with my colleague Fionnan Blake. The Taoiseach’s party was represented by a local councillor, as was the Minister's party. An Independent TD was there. There is a commitment from the Department in written responses to me that families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one but, three weeks on, despite repeated correspondence and repeated requests, there is no indication at all when that plan will be in place or what the detail of it will be. A number of clear proposals were put forward by local principals and the local community at the Gaelscoil and the community national school. Will the Taoiseach contact the Department and the Minister for education to ensure a response issues to this local community?
I want to bring to the Taoiseach’s attention the condition of Gaelscoil Riada in Athenry, which is a fantastic school. It is the only Irish-medium primary school in Athenry but the school building is totally inappropriate. There are a number of issues, including toilets frequently blocking and overflowing due to ongoing sewage drainage problems. Raw sewage is overflowing and spilling onto the school yard. The sewage is flooding at the main entrance to the school, and the entrance was inaccessible in recent weeks as a result. These deplorable conditions pose a real and serious health and safety risk to the entire school community. They have been waiting since 2006 for a new school campus alongside Coláiste an Eachréidh. They have been included on the NDP list for 2026-27 but still have not received clarity on a likely timeline and start date for construction. In light of the circumstances, will the Taoiseach engage with the Minister to ensure clarity is provided as soon as possible in order that the project can be accelerated and support can be provided to the school in the meantime to deal with these issues?
The effectiveness of our national security framework depends not only on the capabilities of our security services but also on maintaining the trust and confidence of the public. That trust must be grounded in transparency, accountability and proper democratic oversight. At present, the mechanisms available to this House to scrutinise national security policy remain limited in scope and visibility. Strengthening the oversight role of the Oireachtas while at the same time fully respecting the need to protect sensitive and operational information would bring Ireland more closely in line with international best practices. This issue takes an added importance as we prepare to take over the EU Presidency in July. Our EU partners are looking to us for reassurances that their officials will be safe while visiting Ireland. Will the Taoiseach commit to expanding democratic oversight of our national security within the Oireachtas in order to strengthen public confidence and trust in this area? I also want to ask about the investigation into the drone incident during President Zelenskyy’s visit. When will it be completed and reported on?
I thank all the Deputies who raised questions. Deputy Cathal Crowe raised the CRIS centre in University of Limerick, which I have visited. I saw at first hand the excellent technology in respect of underwater remotely controlled drones which can observe critical undersea infrastructure, such as subsea cables, gas interconnectors and eventually offshore windmills. Such key infrastructure is vital to our economy and society. When I came away, I said that we need to build on this. I think we need a national centre that can develop this technology. We can see all over the world how advanced drone technology has become and how effective it is in many different manifestations and uses. The entire area of monitoring subsea cables with others and monitoring gas infrastructure or indeed other interconnectors – we will shortly have one with France which will be live next year – is very critical for our economy. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Lawless, about it, as well as other Ministers. I have alerted them to the potential of this centre. We will do some more work on that. Part of the role of An Taoiseach is to co-ordinate and drive certain initiatives. I commend the Deputy for visiting it and raising the issue. It is one I intend to pursue with colleagues to see how we can advance the investment in that centre. The buildings and so on are fairly rudimentary, if I may say so. As the Deputy said, there is huge potential there and a cross-government approach is required to support it.
Deputy Ó Murchú raised a specific case in highlighting the role of community nurses in the context of rising fuel prices. Community nurses have an essential role in community-based healthcare and providing services to people on the ground. We are three weeks into this war and we are continuing to keep everything under review, in particular the cost issues for people. We have announced a package of measures which is probably larger than most other packages of measures across Europe but it is very much targeted and temporary. We will keep monitoring the situation to see how this unfolds. We need to keep resources in reserve for any potential worsening of this situation. We need to keep an eye on impacts on the economy. It is now March and we have some distance to go to the end of the year, so we are being cautious and retaining flexibility. We are very conscious of the pressures many people are under. I hope the package will help to alleviate some of those pressures for people across the board.
Deputy Dolan raised accessibility and he referenced Athenry, Gort, Tuam and Loughrea. I agree 100%. I have set up a disability unit within the Department to make sure every single Department is seized of the importance of disability services and in particular the implementation of the human rights-based disabled persons strategy, which we launched last year. We had a very good meeting with many of the groups on the action plan and its implementation. We need to work with local authorities, TII, the NTA and others to ensure comprehensive accessibility for people with disabilities along with other measures we are contemplating, particularly the replacement of the existing mobility transport schemes in a way that will benefit people and make them more flexible and accessible as grant schemes for people who want to adjust their cars. Maybe it will not be at the same level as the older scheme, but there will be a tiered approach. I hope we will be in a position to launch it next year. We will bring proposals to the Government shortly on it and then get it worked up.
Deputy Whitmore did not outline, or even whisper, what the alternative is to the LNG floating reserve infrastructure we have decided to provide. The advice is very strong. There is enormous vulnerability to our energy security if anything was to happen to the interconnectors. We know that the Yantar and other parts of the Russian shadow fleet have traversed over those pipelines. Our own undersea divers had to go down with British undersea divers to check and make sure there was nothing untoward happening. These are very real threats. In other seas there has been disruption of pipelines.
I am very worried about it. It is a significant vulnerability and hence the decision to proceed with the LNG floating infrastructure reserve. It would never in itself have a sufficiency in terms of meeting the wider economic needs. It is not going to in any way stop us from driving forward with the renewable agenda. I outlined earlier in the House the degree to which we have made a lot of progress in terms onshore in this country and the degree of electricity generation that is caused by renewables now. If the Deputy has an alternative, we are always open to alternatives and ideas. Certainly, we look forward to the Deputy submitting that to us.
Deputy Quaide raised specialist multidisciplinary posts in respect of senior citizens. Again, we are in favour of providing multidisciplinary supports across the board. It is the most optimal way of providing healthcare at all levels, be it primary, community, or indeed, inpatient services. I will talk to the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health in relation to these issues. There has been a lot of progress made on some fronts, such as dementia on a range of community-based supports that were not there five years ago that are there now. That said, however, the need is there. We will certainly see how we can progress that even further.
Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the very high house prices in Dún Laoghaire in his constituency. I acknowledge that. It is a very significant issue. In an unprecedented way, we have provided a lot of State investment in housing, particularly in certain schemes not just in the first home scheme but in terms of the help-to-buy scheme, which has helped a lot of people to be able to buy homes, and cost rental. We need to do more. Shanganagh was the first major development by the Land Development Agency, LDA, which had a broad mix of housing from social to affordable. The LDA is accelerating its work. Only yesterday it was announced that 550-odd houses will be provided on the Naas Road. Again, it is a mix of housing which will be affordable to people and involves cost rental also. However, the most important way to deal with housing overall is to get supply up. That means both public sector investment at unprecedented levels, which we are doing, but it also means substantial private sector investment to get to the levels of house building that are required to deal with population growth and the needs of the young people to be able to get houses they can afford.
Deputy O'Callaghan raised school places. I do not have the answer to every specific request at every specific location in respect of special classes. The allocation to special education will be significantly up on last year. The Minister will be responding to requests for special classes. The numbers are way ahead of last year because of the early date. It seems to have opened up a level of applications that was not anticipated. There is a lot of work needed and required to drill into that to make sure we have appropriate placements for children. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, will be doing everything they possibly can to secure places for all children. They have the resources to do that.
Deputy O'Rourke raised the shortage of mainstream junior infant classes. I did not get the location.
Dunshaughlin.
Again, I will speak to the Minister in respect of that. There was a commitment there to provide school places. I am sure that will be realised and fulfilled. Particularly in areas of high population growth, there is a need to have interim measures to make sure children get access to the places that they are entitled to and that they need.
Deputy O'Hara raised Gaelscoil Riada. Admhaím go bhfuil deacrachtaí agus dúshláin an-mhór ann ó thaobh bhainistíocht na scoile. Níl an struchtúr oiriúnach agus tá an-chuid le déanamh. There is sewage and flooding and there are a lot of issues with the building. Again, I will talk to the Minister in terms of clarity around that particular project.
Deputy Conway-Walsh raised the national security framework. This was the first Dáil where we have a committee covering security and national security. I want to see democratic oversight. It has to protect sensitive information. If we are honest, there is a big question mark over the capacity of the Oireachtas to do that. Most committees can be fairly loose with documents but that is the nature of modern democracy. Some of the forces and services can let information out as well. There is a review on the way about the committee's remit.
Yes, there is. Obviously, we are constrained.
There is a review of the-----
It is not happening for another six months.
I have discussed it with the Chief Whip.
It is happening in the summer.
We will come back to the Deputy. I accept the basic principle of democratic oversight of national security measures.
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