Micheál Martin

In the recent budget, we increased the child support payment by over €16 for those over 12 and by an extra €8 for those under 12. That is a significant permanent package to enhance the approach to addressing child poverty issues in this country. The working family payment threshold has increased by €60 a week, which will allow more families to qualify or to get support. We have extended the fuel a…

I go by the metric of consistent poverty------

-----and real deprivation, not relative. The Deputy has been using relative all along. That is her figures.

Second, the numbers going to college are increasing significantly year-on-year.

There is no evidence base to support what the Deputy is saying in respect of that. In terms of the energy question------

There is no doubt there is a fundamental issue in terms of the regulatory framework that governs our energy markets, not just in Ireland but across the European Union, particularly its linkage to gas prices.

That is the more fundamental issue that has to be dealt with and addressed. I make the point there is a balance here. What Sinn Féin wanted to do was spend an extra €4 billion on top of what the Government spent. We have increased public expenditure by 7.5% which is quite high. Sinn Féin wanted to add another €4 billion to that-----

-----which would have increased inflation by 2%. That is what you proposed. That would add to the cost of living and would add to prices. Those are not my figures, that is by the rule of thumb that is deployed by the Central Bank.

First, I thank the Deputy for raising the issue in the manner she has; it is a very important issue. In the first instance, I too want to thank An Garda Síochána for its bravery, courage and professionalism-----

----- in dealing with a very serious and grave situation last evening, where the Deputy correctly said, innocent people were threatened in terms of their own safety and security, particularly children, and also the surrounding neighbourhoods where walls were apparently damaged for people to get missiles to throw against the gardaí. The gardaí come from our community. They are there to protect us …

As a society, we need to address that. I am very clear about that but equally then, we must also be open to voices - not last night now - but in this House and elsewhere, who raise issues and who would not condone at all what happened last night. It is important we try to have a civilised debate here. I am not saying the Deputy is not doing that, but I just noticed things yesterday. We have to eng…

We must protect our fundamental values. The dignity of every human being matters. I am 100% with the Deputy on that.

I do not preach, but I do practice. In carrying out my duties as Taoiseach or as a public representative and in all of my life, I do so by means of actions and practice. These speak much louder than words or preaching. I take exception to the Deputy's suggestion-----

-----that I should practice what I preach. I will outline my position on this. In everything I do as a public representative, I will embrace all people, whether it is in connection with a school, a community or whatever. I will go out of my way to do that; it is the right thing to do. I do not expect any credit or anything like that. It is the natural thing we should do, and that is what I do. In…

Could I please just make a very important point? If we keep drawing hard lines, we are giving ground to the people who did what they did last night. There are people in this House who may not share our perspective entirely on this. It is important that we hear those voices-----

----- and then address the issues by means of a fact-based and evidence-based approach. If you keep-----

----- with a certain degree of arrogance-----

What you are saying is, "We know best. Don't be-----

-----stupid over there, and, please, come with us." That will not work. If you are trying to score points off people, it is not going to work.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. At one level, the National Ambulance Service and pre-hospital emergency care have been transformed over the past 20 years in terms of the professionalisation of emergency medical technicians, EMTs, and of the level of response in general. There has been significant investment in the service. This year, €8 million has been allocated for new service develop…

To be fair, we are talking about 430,000 urgent and emergency calls in 2024. That is the scale of this issue. It is a 32,000-calls increase, or an 8% increase, on 2023. The Deputy has done the statistics. Performance is improving with 72.5% in 2023 to 73.2% against a 75% target for life-threatening cardiac or respiratory arrest. We have to look at alternative care pathways as well. The Deputy ment…

I welcome all those who have come from Limerick and from the Greybridge vintage club. I mention vintage clubs all over the country, which do a lot of charity. We all have experienced that in summer festivals or whatever. They bring a bit of excitement, colour and novelty to events and, in the process, raise significant funding. We thank them for that and the work they do. I will not be able to joi…

That is my commitment. I am not going to dive into the ocean with a tractor. It is wonderful and reflects the very strong value of community in the country. I acknowledge that. In the context of the cost-of-living crisis, the Government has taken a lot of measures that I outlined in response to an earlier question, particularly in terms of supporting families and increasing the child support paym…

I am coming to it. The Deputy did mention the cost of living. Just as he dealt with the question, I will reply to him in like fashion. What we did in the budget in raising public expenditure was to invest in services that matter to people, so we prioritised disability, child poverty and infrastructure for more roads, rail, buses, schools and healthcare facilities across the board. That matters to …

I would just make the point-----