Mary Lou McDonald

For the record, the imperative for a full public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown is entirely separate to the need for, or any prospect of, the overturning of the wider legacy legislation. It bears no relationship to it. The Taoiseach ought to know that the Brown case is unique in many features. It is about a failed inquest process. A very simple remedy can be afforded to create the public in…

First, a warm word of welcome to the students from Inver College, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. It is the alma mater of Deputy Matt Carthy, so they have a lot to answer for. The Government is all over the place as to what will happen with the €430,000 salary of NAMA CEO Brendan McDonagh when the agency is wound up at the end of this year. One arm of the Government does not know what the other …

In the spirit of being helpful to the Minister, what needs to step up is the performance of the Minister for housing and indeed the collective performance of Government. All of that is just verbiage that the Minister has offered up on that unit. The Minister for housing drives housing delivery. That is their job description, that is why they are on a big salary. The legislation is very clear that …

I do not think it is appropriate that this guy is being paid €430,000.

So maybe or maybe not.

Under Standing Order 35(3)-----

Regarding an amendment to provide for the debate on Gaza. Israel is committing war crimes. There is a genocide under way. Palestinians starve-----

The international community sits on the sidelines and others actively arm and facilitate this horror. We need a debate here this week on this matter.

There is very grim reading for motorists today. Motor insurance is up a whopping 9% in just 12 months. It is now at its highest level in five years and more than double the EU average. There is no mystery as to what is driving this. It is profiteering, plain and simple, off the back of ordinary people trying to get to work and get their kids to school. Insurance companies here boast profits above …

Stop blocking our legislation.

He certainly has.

Stop blocking the legislation.

I would be more comfortable if we actually had this statement as it is being delivered.

I would prefer to have it in front of me, given the nature of the subject matter.

We are dealing with statements on a 2,000-page report. This is something that has gone on for a very long time. I know the Minister wishes to have the speech circulated. It makes our job of responding very difficult if we do not have the script.

With the absence of the script noted.

That means I have only five minutes. I will endeavour to air some of the issues that need to be aired on the floor of this House in the time we are sharing. I struggle to express just how astonishing and disappointing all of this is. The Minister said Grace was at the heart of this process. That is simply not true. The rights, experiences and advocacy for Grace have all been undermined by this pr…

Hear, hear.

My understanding is that the audit into unnecessary hip surgeries carried out on children at CHI hospitals is now complete. Can the Taoiseach confirm for the Dáil that this is the case? If so, can he tell us when that audit will be published? When I raised this scandal of unnecessary hip displasia surgery on children with him four weeks ago, he was unable to shed any light on the matter. He gave m…

Tá an scéal go léir scannalach gan dabht. Tá sé scannalach freisin go bhfuil tuismitheoirí agus páistí fágtha gan freagraí. This thing has dragged on and on. As I said to the Taoiseach, his Minister knew a year ago. Families then received these letters and there is an audit under way. Then there is this unbearable, almost cruel waiting and waiting. I have spoken to a parent who has told me they ha…

He should clarify, please, the reference period of the audit, how many letters have been issued and how many children are affected. When will we see the audit?

And that is done.

Have you spoken to the parents who are waiting?

Does the Taoiseach know how many letters were issued?

I return to the Government's housing tsar and the proposal to pay this individual €430,000. Paying somebody a salary of almost €500,000 to take up the responsibilities of the housing Minister is cracked, to tell the God's honest truth. Most people who jobshare take home half a wage. The Government wants this individual to take home almost €500,000. I do not know if the Taoiseach is on a solo run i…