Mattie McGrath

We saw what happened last night in the Chamber when they had a Gallery full of people here to organise a ruckus with flags and banners. I said to the Head Usher today that the Sinn Féin TD who signed those people who misbehaved in last night should be restricted from having visitors here again.

I am, but I am addressing Deputy Gould.

I might as well address the so-called freedom fighters of Independent Ireland. A Deputy brought an outside person into this House with a tripod and camera. That person made appalling videos and denigrated the excellent staff of this House in the restaurant and the excellent cuisine on offer there.

No, it is important to put this on the record.

I call on Deputy O'Flynn to apologise. He does not know anything about business. The restaurant here is a business and many people are employed there as well as in the bar. There are also the staff of the House, including the ushers. To denigrate this House, its staff, its workers and its cuisine-----

That is the problem with this House.

Yes, I am doing my best to stick to it.

I understand the legislation, and I am an employer. For a political party to be the answer to everything, cause ruckuses and disturbances like that, it should have to pay the price, otherwise we would have bedlam in this House. If I bring in visitors, I am responsible for them, but Sinn Féin Members seem to have their own law. They decided after they lost the election to sulk, obstruct this House …

Today's apology by the Government is long overdue. While welcome, it cannot undo the deep pain and injustice endured by the O'Farrell family for more than a decade. Shane O'Farrell was a bright, compassionate young man whose life was stolen in the most avoidable of circumstances and the system utterly failed him. I salute the O'Farrell family who are here today for all the work they have done. Fr…

The findings on the use of pelvic osteotomy in children with developmental hip dysplasia raises deeply troubling concerns, not only for the families directly affected but for public confidence in paediatric care in this country. We are speaking about children, vulnerable young patients whose parents trusted the health system to do right by them. Serious questions now hang over whether some of thes…

68. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he is aware of the growing difficulties faced by community and voluntary organisations across County Tipperary in maintaining essential services due to the chronic inability to fill vacancies in publicly supported non-profit, voluntary and community organisations; the urgent measures being taken to ensure the susta…

I ask the Minister about community employment, CE, schemes and the fact that it is now almost impossible to retain participants on them. I am chair of a scheme. I know it is not totally the Minister's remit, but it has a huge impact on rural organisations, rural communities and their viability and sustainability. Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister. I know he is hands on. He understands it because he is from a rural community. There is just an impossible strain on the voluntary boards that are trying to fill these positions, trying to get the work done and keeping the whole plethora of areas going. Schemes such as rural transport services, meals on wheels, day care, community centres and Tidy Towns groups are under enorm…

I acknowledge the work they do. A man on the volunteer boards went to places in Tipperary like Knockanrawley FRC, Millennium FRC in Glengoole and of course Spafield FRC in Cashel. Recent data have shown there are 106 vacancies now across the schemes in Tipperary. It is difficult at this time of year to cover everything, including Tidy Towns, the GAA, community groups and all the other issues, such…

The shocking treatment of the community and people of Dundrum in County Tipperary is ongoing by the Government, as it was by the previous Government. The Tánaiste met Mrs. O'Dwyer and Andrea Crowe in Clonmel during the election and he listened to them. He also assured me here after the election, when he was appointed as Tánaiste, that a pause was being put on the use of hotels. Now we find a contr…

Everybody has been talking about it. The people of Dundrum have a peaceful protest there. They are good decent people who looked after the Ukrainian refugees very well. This continuing blackguarding of a community is shameful.

I support the motion. In my constituency of Tipperary and across the nation, family carers are the unsung heroes who provide unwavering support to their loved ones, which often requires great personal and financial sacrifice. These carers, numbering more than 500,000, save the State an estimated €20 billion annually - imagine that figure - through their unpaid labour yet many are subjected to a me…

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is deferred until the voting block later tonight.

The crisis surrounding the assessment of needs process for children with disabilities sees it not just under severe strain. It is a system in breach of its legal obligations, leaving thousands of children without access to vital supports which they are entitled to by law. This should be a national emergency. What we are doing to young children and families is criminal. The HSE has been allowed to …

I agree with most of what people have said tonight. It is a shocking situation. I welcome Cara and her dad. I think of her mam at home as well as her two brothers. It is such an indictment. I know Cara lives in a lovely house in Ardfinnan. Looking out her back window, she can see the Liam Lynch monument, a man who gave his life for our freedom and democracy in this country. What has it come to now…

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue, albeit to be taken after midnight. There is a concerning issue affecting the lives and health of many vulnerable people across County Tipperary, namely, the unacceptable and short-sighted cuts to hospital patient transport services. For many in rural areas of Tipperary, especially the elderly, the si…

I do not know. I remember six months ago, when the Minister of State was not in government and, like me, she was crying out about this. It is not a massive increase from €88,000 in 2019 to €127,000 in 2024; it is nothing in the scheme of things. The Minister of State mentioned all the extra staff. How many of them are penpushers and executives in made-up jobs - that is what they are - and not nurs…

111. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has costed the re-establishment of borough councils; if he will lead a reform programme to ensure the return of town and borough councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15142/25]

Tá nóiméad go leith ag an Teachta.

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is deferred until the weekly division time next week.