Michael Healy-Rae

Hear, hear.

When the people of Ireland voted-----

-----they sent people to this House to work. What people have seen since is chaos, disruption and behaviour of the worst type. Since Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Regional Independent Group, and the Healy-Raes came together to form a Government, we have heard all these words such as "Lowry's lackeys", "underlings" and "a grubby deal". What is grubby about forming a Government? What is grubby about p…

What is grubby about getting down to work for people? There is nothing wrong with that.

People think that if they keep repeating this, it will stick. I have news for them; they are wrong. Labour, the Social Democrats and the others, who are now firmly on the Sinn Féin leash, are being led like puppies with their new political master. If that is where they want to be, that is where they will stay. I would like to think that I have the finger on what is happening around the countryside…

You can be sure of one thing - they were not saying it was a good day for politics. I have confidence in the Ceann Comhairle. I have confidence in a young girl who left school when she was 15 years of age. I have confidence in a young woman who went to England and worked hard in multiple jobs. I have confidence in a young woman, who, at the age of 21, bought a truck and trailer and took to the ro…

All that the people watching this today want to see is the rubbish to stop and to see people continue their work.

Nobody is looking to do that.

Leave up the nonsense so we can carry on with the work of the House.

I sincerely thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this most important matter on the floor of the Dáil. Given that it is most important, the people of Limerick will rightly be grateful to him. I know about the matter at first hand because I have family members living in the city and am there a lot. What is going on is a disgrace. The Deputy is so correct to have done what he has done here today. While…

From 2015 to date, the Department has spent more than €2 million on urban horse projects. Last year, €6 million in funding went to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country under the animal welfare grant programme. Of that figure, just over €3.4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses. On a personal level, I will say that the Deputy has done a great s…

It is not only today that Deputy Cooney has brought this matter to the attention of the Dáil because he has been working diligently on the issue. The Deputy has worn a path to Agriculture House and has been on to me and my officials. I recognise that and his sterling work on behalf of his constituents. This is an important matter. It is also of grave concern to our colleague, the Minister of Stat…

I thank Deputy Cooney. I like it when the Deputy says it is time for less talk and more work. To show the Deputy what work is going on, this is a matter that I am dealing with at the forest windblow task force, which met again yesterday morning. Subsequent to the meeting I and the Ministers, Deputies Heydon and O'Brien, had with the ESB last week, officials from the Department are exploring what w…

Who do you think you are?

How dare the Deputy say that?

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the programme for Government. The programme is a great working document for the next five years. The Government is deeply committed to doing its level best in a very workperson-like way to help all sectors of society. My brother, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, and I were glad to have participated in those negotiations. I thank the spokespersons from both of the leadi…

Sorry, am I out of time? Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle.

The recent storms have caused significant damage to farms and forests, which has resulted in considerable hardship throughout the country. I appreciate this opportunity to provide an overview of the current situation and to update the House on my Department's response to Storm Éowyn. Large numbers of forests throughout the country have fallen trees. Once the storm hit, I immediately issued guidan…

I acknowledge that Deputy Feighan has worn a path to Agriculture House on behalf of the constituents of Sligo-Leitrim and that he has worked diligently in highlighting the concerns he has on the ground following on from the recent storms. We are taking all possible steps to facilitate appropriate responses to allow forest owners to clear blown trees in a safe and sustainable manner. In this contex…

I thank the Deputy and agree with his last statements. I again thank him for raising this Topical Issue. It is important that we let the people of the country know exactly what we are doing. I further confirm that this morning I visited counties Meath and Monaghan to see some of the devastation at first hand. I came back this evening and reported to the Minister, Deputy Heydon, what we had seen o…

I wish the Ceann Comhairle good luck in her role. I know she will be very successful, fair and diligent. I thank Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl for his excellent work in the Chair. Most importantly, I thank the people who walked the roads for me for many months – the canvassers, the people who put up posters and worked very diligently – and of course the many people who voted for me and my brother Danny.…