Mary Lou McDonald

15. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [49936/25]

I am sharing time with Deputy Mac Lochlainn. First I want to extend a welcome to the families and supporters of many of those who are on the flotilla. What we are witnessing is not a war. For 24 months, Israel has inflicted a barbaric genocidal attack against the impoverished, besieged people of Gaza. Netanyahu’s brutal military machine, funded, armed and supported by the United States, the Europe…

On that note, will the Government meet with the families to set out specifically what it is doing?

I reiterate the Ceann Comhairle's words. Julie, you are an absolute legend and you know it. Thank you for everything. I know everybody sends nothing but the best of wishes to you and the family for the next chapter of what I have no doubt will be an interesting and delicious story. Thank you for looking after us. Last night the Israelis attacked a peaceful flotilla that includes a Member of the O…

That was because they were too low.

The Minister should be aware that, despite the fact of inflation coming down, the prices are still very high. He is surely aware, because I have told him repeatedly and he would have known, that energy companies are announcing hikes in electricity prices. We have not seen the budget yet, but what the Government has made very clear - it has really dug in on this point - is that there will not be a …

So, what does that mean?

Will I tell that to the young father? That is great. I am delighted.

It is a great word.

I want to return to the issue of the global flotilla. I spoke this morning with Senator Chris Andrews, our colleague. His boat, the Spectre, was hit by four Israeli drones. I understand that 11 devices hit that and other boats on the flotilla. These are clearly acts of intimidation, of menace, and of threat. They represent yet another brazen violation of international law. It is simply a symptom o…

The budget the Minister's Government announces in two weeks' time must be about ending the rip-off, getting costs under control and supporting workers and families. Households struggle just to make ends meet, hammered by soaring prices at every turn. Yesterday, Kantar reported that grocery prices have shot up again in the last 12 weeks. Of course, people did not need a research report to tell them…

The Minister does not have a monopoly on being out of touch or hollow self-congratulation because his buddies in Fine Gael are right there with him.

It is right that inflation has tamed but costs and prices are still sky high. I have instanced four separate electricity companies that are telling us that prices are going up as early as next month. Prices are up and a record number of households cannot meet their bills. That is the reality of the situation. I will make no apology to the Minister or his friends across Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and t…

You are taking Leaders' Questions.

The Government is failing abysmally. This is farcical.

The money is gone.

Last week, we got the devastating news that the remains of three-year-old Daniel Aruebose had been found. He was missing for four years and nobody in authority noticed. I think this case has to be a wake-up call for the State in terms of the protection of children and vulnerable people. GoodPeople Homecare is a company that provided fake Garda vetting clearances to Tusla. Incredibly, this company…

The Minister did not give me a figure.

I extend my comhghairdeas to both Deputies on very significant and joyous life events. Harvey Morrison Sherratt died on 29 July. Last week I spoke again with his parents, Stephen and Gillian. They are heartbroken and shattered by the loss of their beautiful little boy, and we again send them our condolences and our love. Harvey had a very short life. He was only nine years old when he passed. As …

As Harvey waited for the surgery that he required, the curvature of his spine deteriorated from 75° to 130°. I do not know if the Taoiseach saw him. The poor wee child was literally doubled over. He struggled to breathe. He waited and waited, and he is not unique. He is unique now in as much as he is emblematic of the wholesale manner in which many other children have been failed. TJ Coughlan fro…

No, you are not.

You are sitting on the wrong side of the House now.

I also propose an amendment to the Order of Business under Standing Order 35(3)-----

-----that we have an urgent debate on the issue of energy costs and the absolute need for energy credits to be extended and included in the budget on 7 October. Almost 500,000 customers have-----

-----received a letter telling them that they will face a hike-----