As Cathoirleach of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee I would argue that there is a viable alternative to increasing the retirement age for the State pension. It has been very positive to see that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection report on pensions has created debate not just around the retirement age, but broader issues related to pensions …
Government has to stop families being charged for data centre electricity
Our electricity prices are among the most expensive in Europe, with Irish families paying, on average, €180 extra for electricity annually. This is partly as a result of Irish families being forced to subsidise the cost of electricity, grid connections and backup supplies for existing and already planned speculative data centres. The Government decided in 2018 to stop the …
Long Covid: The UK evidence
An UK colleague just passed on a copy of a research paper produced by the UK Parliament on long Covid. The paper indicates that Long Covid is a complex condition, presenting several symptoms and affecting multiple organs and systems. There is uncertainty about the prevalence of Long Covid symptoms in adults and children following infection. The Office for National …
Credit Union Update
I recently attended a meeting of local Credit Unions to explore ways that they could help support local economic growth. I firmly believe that the Credit Union movement has a key roll to play when it comes to providing community banking across many parts of Ireland, now that the main banks have left. The basic independent banking infrastructure already exists …
We need imaginative approach to unlock anxiety for Leaving Certificate students
In the Dáil this afternoon I asked An Taoiseach for a debate on the Government decision to insist on the examination format for the Leaving Certificate 2022. He has agreed to try to facilitate such a debate this week. While the Government has rejected the calls by students for accredited grades, I again reiterated my call last week for an …
The future of the Science Gallery
Last Tuesday, I raised the issue of the future of the Science Gallery with An Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann pointing out that its closure would undermine our strategy as a country to position itself as a world leader in science & technology. In response, An Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD pointed out that the Government has offered to fund the facility “for several …
Students need clarity on Leaving Certificate format
In the Dáil earlier tonight I spoke on the need to review the format of this years Leaving Certificate exam. We cannot have a traditional Leaving Certificate because students have gone through two very difficult years during their senior cycle. While I accept that there were problems with last year’s format it is not beyond our imagination to come up …
Leaving Certificate Update
Below is a copy of a reply that I received from Minister Foley in the Dáil yesterday and a reply on foot of the Ministers reply, from the State Examinations Commission. In the Dáil yesterday, An Taoiseach stated that discussions were ongoing and that he was as anxious as anybody to bring clarity to the issue for students. …
Despite huge opposition families set to be paid to sell electricity back to the grid
Today, after a long & winding journey, the Government approved a micro-generation scheme to pay the public for excess electricity that they produce and export onto the electricity grid. This new scheme will allow families, farmers and businesses to install solar panels and small turbines to meet their own needs and to receive a payment for any excess that …
Government Covid support contradiction for business
As the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme support to business is reduced today, Government & its advisors are asking public reduce their own support for these very businesses! We need to see proper supports put in place for struggling business so that they can trade out of these pandemic restrictions