Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin South-Central, Deputy Patrick Costello, has written to both the Data Protection Commission (DPC) and the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action asking them to investigate concerns that there is no legal basis for the ESB’s collection and storage of electricity smart meter data. He was speaking following…

This week I was disappointed to see that Ballyfermot is being by-passed by the new DART plans. A station there (or in Kylemore) would provide a great service to an area which is already without a rail connection to the city centre. Further to reading these reports I wrote to the Minister on this matter….

At Topical Questions Deputy Costello raised the need for financial support for Ballyfermot Sports Complex. The wonderful facility has been serving the local community since 1985 but is ineligible for any of the existing funding streams. Full transcript: I echo the strong words of my constituency colleagues. Ballyfermot Sports Centre is at the heart of…

Today I wrote to Minister Simon Coveney on the matter of Western Sahara. Full letter: Dear Minister Coveney, I am writing to you now to express my concerns about the ongoing situation in Western Sahara and to ask for specific actions at the United Nations Security Council meetings coming up. I am aware that in…

Deputy Patrick Costello speaks during Pre-EU Council statements on the effects of vaccine nationalism and the need for the EU to highlight the consequences of trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Full transcript: This is a great opportunity. Many people have spoken about vaccine nationalism. My Green Party colleagues and I had a positive meeting with…

Yesterday Deputy Patrick Costello and Cllr Michael Pidgeon wrote to Minister for House Darragh O’Brien TD regarding the urgent need for the regeneration of the Oliver Bond Flats. Full Text: Dear Minister O’Brien, We are writing to you today in our capacity as TD for Dublin South-Central and Cllr for South West Inner City regarding…

Deputy Patrick Costello advocates for supports for children coming from state care to third level. Full Transcript: Deputy Costello – In his opening statement, the Minister commented on not wanting people locked out and ensuring access to education for all. I want to raise a particularly vulnerable group, namely, children who are leaving the experience…

Today I wrote to Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney on the matter of Irish government commitments in relation to the Stormont House Agreement. Full Letter: Dear Minister Coveney, I am writing to you today regarding the Stormont House Agreement, the provisions contained therein, and the lack of progress made in many areas – primarily…

Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and TD for Dublin South-Central, Deputy Patrick Costello, has called for the urgent appointment of more judges and registrars to tackle the backlog in cases in the Irish Courts Service, as well as calling for the Minister for Justice to increase funding to the legal aid system. He was speaking…

Full transcript: I am struck by An Taoiseach saying that it is important for Northern Ireland to have effective government. I think that is a requirement for everyone, but when we realise that much of the New Decade, New Approach agreement is uncosted and that the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in Westminster recently heard that…