John McGuinness

Thanks, Minister.

The Minister of State without interruption.

It is right and proper that we acknowledge International Women's Day in this House, and statements are the appropriate way to do that. Some Members have doubts about that but I think it causes us to pause in what is normally a busy schedule in politics and to reflect on a particular issue. It allows us to give our own opinions as to how far we have come and whether we have advanced any further tha…

-----how we interact with someone who holds office and is interested in change-----

Perhaps the Deputies would have respect for me. I listened very carefully to them.

I strongly believe that in this House we have to lead by example, regardless of how we feel about each other politically. Looking back on my career, in my years on Kilkenny Corporation I was influenced by the likes of Margaret Tynan, who was a trailblazer in her own way and encouraged women to stand for politics, Evelyn White, Carmel Boyd and other strong characters who formed policy at local leve…

I thank the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy. The debate has now-----

-----and I put the question on Aontú's-----

Okay. As the debate is concluded, I must deal with Aontú's amendment to the Minister's amendment.

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 5 March 2025.

Yesterday, the Minister stated that he would listen carefully to what was said by Members in this House because they are on the ground experiencing all of what is happening in respect of crime and so on. I will take him at his word. To learn to improve the morale in An Garda Síochána, we need only go to John Barrett, who did a great service in exposing many controversies and scandals within the Ga…

Tá áthas orm a bheith anseo inniu chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh. Tréimhse iontach atá inti a thugann deis dúinn ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr a chur chun cinn. Is cuid dár n-oidhreacht í an Ghaeilge. Tá sí beo agus bríomhar agus is teanga ár sinsir í. Tá sí le cloisteáil inár gceol, inár litríocht agus inár logainmneacha. Tá sí linn i ngach áit, sna hamhráin a chanaimid, sna seanfhocail a ú…

Go raibh maith agat.

We have five.

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 5 March.

Go raibh maith agat.

Thank-you.

I wish the Minister and the Minister of State well in their work. It is a hugely important area and they are going to need all of the breaks and support that they can get in this House and in councils. When I think of local authority housing, I think of the question I am often asked, which is: why, in the 1950s, were we able to build so many well-structured houses for people who were able to avai…

Gabhaim buíochas le Deputy Kelly.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Anois, ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí Sinn Féin, glaoim ar an Teachta Mary Lou McDonald.

Because of the number of Deputies offering, 30 seconds will be allocated to each supplementary question.

Perhaps with a follow on.

We are now moving to statements on disability. I call the Minister, Deputy Foley, to make her opening statement under Standing Order 55.