Budget 2027

152. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether, in the context of Budget 2027, he will consider measures through the taxation system to recognise the significantly higher transport costs faced by workers living in rural areas who have limited or no access to public transport and are therefore dependent on private cars to travel to work; and whether consideration will be given to a targeted rural commuter tax credit or other form of relief. [68354/26]

Office of Public Works

343. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a detailed and definitive update on the long-delayed Turoe Stone project in Bullaun, Loughrea, Co. Galway; the current status of the Office of Public Works review of the detailed design; whether that review has now been completed; if ministerial consent has been sought; and, if not, the reasons for the delay; the specific outstanding actions preventing the project from

Rail Network

195. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the immediate actions being taken to address severe overcrowding on Galway commuter rail services, particularly between Athenry, Oranmore and Galway city, where passengers are routinely forced to stand in overcrowded conditions, raising concerns regarding passenger comfort, accessibility and health and safety; and if he will outline a timeline for increasing capacity on the route. [67393/26]

Budget 2027

94. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the Government's commitment to review the means test for carer's allowance; and whether he is considering the abolition of the means test in recognition of the vital role played by family carers. [67391/26]

Energy Conservation

481. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will provide funding in Budget 2027 for a dedicated Agricultural Emissions Reduction Pilot Fund to support the testing and adoption of innovative emissions reduction technologies on commercial farms; and if he will outline the Government's plans to support evidence-based investment in practical measures that assist farmers in meeting climate targets while maintaining productivity and competitiveness. [666

Agriculture Industry

473. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he is concerned that the current TAMS rules regarding internal slurry agitation points may unintentionally exclude older but otherwise functional livestock buildings from grant support for safety, animal welfare and environmental improvements; whether his Department has assessed the impact of this provision on investment decisions by farmers; and if he will consider amendments to future TAMS schemes to allow

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-30

Deputy Albert Dolan I read in the Business Post that Europe has spent over €100 billion extra on energy this year since the start of the Iran War, and that is just in a European context. That is the amount of money that has been spent on energy, with no extra energy really delivered. That figure is just the increase in what Europeans have had to pay across the board. Somebody is definitely profiting, so there has to be consideration given to windfall taxes. Maybe that consideration has to be gi

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-29

Deputy Albert Dolan I really appreciate the clarity provided in that detailed response. It definitely raises the question about looking back at what has happened in that time since the CRU stopped regulating energy. There are a lot of energy providers and competition in the market. There is also a lot of renewable generation happening. The most concerning thing in the response was the statement to the effect that "price setting by electricity suppliers, including remuneration for microgeneratio

34th Dáil debate — 2026-09-29

Deputy Albert Dolan I want to use this debate to make a very simple point, which is that if the NTA and the Department of Transport are going to ask people to pay more for public transport, then people are entitled to ask what they are getting for it. For the people I represent, that has to mean two things: capacity and connectivity. There are three practical examples in Galway East where we need to see delivery. The first is on the train from Athenry to Galway city. A parent contacted me just