Conor D McGuinness: Defends Flexible and Remote Work
Conor D McGuinness spoke in defence of flexible and remote work, arguing it saves time, reduces stress and should be protected by policy. He accused the Government of siding with corporate pressure over workers and families, and called for measures to reduce commutes and emissions.
Main argument
Conor D McGuinness said flexible hours and remote work are effective at saving time, reducing stress and allowing people to balance work with family, caring and community responsibilities. He argued many workers are forced back into long commutes they do not need to make and described this as a political choice rather than a necessity.
Evidence cited
He cited CSO data showing average commute times are rising, with many people now travelling an hour or more each way. He also referenced the National Transport Authority, saying it has confirmed remote working reduces peak demand, lowers costs for commuters and reduces carbon emissions.
Local transport concerns in Waterford
Conor D McGuinness highlighted problems in Waterford, noting people are being forced back into long commutes despite their work being doable remotely. He identified local issues including altered Local Link routes without local input, removed intercity bus types like Grange and West Waterford, and recurring school transport chaos.
Road safety and investment demands
He criticised a refusal by the Government to fund needed safety upgrades on roads including the N25, the N24 and the N72. He said chronic underinvestment and top-down decisions are harming rural communities and that flexible work is an immediate, practical step but not a complete solution to congestion.
Policy call and closing remark
Conor D McGuinness called for a serious programme to protect worker flexibility, reduce commute times, invest in transport and deliver a modern low-emission Ireland. The speech concluded with an incomplete remark, indicating an abrupt end to his final sentence in the transcript.
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There's massive demand for flexible hours and remote work because people know it works. It saves time, reduces stress and allows people to manage work alongside family, caring and community responsibilities. Yet every morning workers are still forced into traffic and onto overcrowded buses and trains, travelling at the same hour to the same place even when the job does not require it. That lost time is taken directly from people's lives. In counties like Waterford thousands of people are being forced back into long commutes even though their work can be done remotely. This is a political choice in many cases. Government is responding to corporate pressure instead of listening to workers and families. Supporting flexible and remote work would immediately reduce congestion, cut emissions and give people back hours of their lives every week. The question is who policy is being designed for. Ordinary workers trying to balance their lives or powerful interests pushing a return to the old system. The CSO shows average commute times rising with many people now travelling an hour or more each way. The National Transport Authority has confirmed that remote working reduces peak demand, lowers costs for commuters and reduces carbon emissions. Despite this evidence workers face refusals, withdrawn arrangements and constant pressure to return to offices. Across rural Ireland people are paying the price for top-down decisions and chronic underinvestment. In Waterford we have seen local link routes altered without local input and I know you are aware of that particular issue Minister. A dogged refusal by Government to fund much needed safety upgrades on the N25, the N24 and the N72, intercity bus types like Grange and West Waterford that have been removed and every year the school transport system is in chaos. At the same time people are told to get back to offices they do not need to be in. Flexible work will not solve congestion on its own but it is an immediate and practical step. Now is the time for a serious programme that protects worker flexibility, reduces commute times, invest properly in transport and delivers a modern low emission Ireland. So we need to cover up a slight need to Ocean's
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