Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

I thank the Deputy for highlighting this matter. The opening at the end of June is a priority for him. I reiterate the older persons' service in Killarney and surrounding areas will be enhanced by the opening of the new state-of-the-art, 130-bed community nursing units. The new CNU in Killarney is part of the overall CNU programme, which will deliver seven public private partnership, PPP, projects…

I want to acknowledge that the Deputy, in bringing this Bill before the House today, is motivated by public health concerns and reducing the impact of alcohol harms on our society. The Government shares that motivation. However, the Government is opposing this Private Members' Bill, which seeks to amend our Public Health (Alcohol) Act, because there is not enough evidence at this time to determine…

I thank the Deputy for highlighting this important issue. I am taking this on behalf the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has drafted the general scheme of the short-term letting and tourism, STLT, Bill in full alignment with the EU short-term rental regulation, which is what the Deputy is talking about. We have a collaborat…

This is an important matter. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has worked closely with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and is committed to developing a fair and balanced approach to the short-term letting question, which is crucial. As the Deputy said, as a proud Kerryman, he has always highlighted the needs in this area. I absolutely agree. It is about…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and highlighting the role that pubs play in Irish life and culture by providing a central hub and meeting place in towns and villages across the country. The Government’s commitment to the sector was most recently demonstrated by the reduction in the VAT rate to 9%, recognising that the sector is highly labour-intensive. It forms a key part of th…

What the Deputy has spoken about is really concerning. He can be assured I will go back to the Minister for Finance. I am aware of the importance of local pubs to Irish culture and the Irish economy, particularly in local and rural areas, which we are both from. Recent years have been challenging to the hospitality sector as a whole, particularly through the period of Covid restrictions. We saw h…

I am taking this today.

I know.

The Minister is coming. I am taking the first slot and then the Minister will be in later.

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Government reiterates Ireland's longstanding policy of military neutrality; — Ireland's policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances, or common or mutual defence arrangements and this policy choice has been practised by successive Governmen…

I thank all the TDs who contributed today. Nursing in Ireland is a modern and highly skilled profession built on education, research and continuous professional development. This evening we heard from across the Chamber a shared understanding and deep appreciation of the vital role that nurses play across our health service. There is also a shared commitment to ensuring they are supported. My own …

I compliment my colleague and everybody involved because I know a lot of work has gone into this Bill. I know the commitment and dedication that there has been. I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, several times about dual diagnosis, which I feel is really important and this is going to be addressed in this Bill. To everybody involved, as other TDs have said, this is groundbreaking leg…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted to be here today to introduce the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill to the House. The purpose of the Bill is to reduce the appeal and accessibility of e-cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products such as pouches to young people. This Bill and the single-use vapes Bill together with …

I thank everyone who spoke today in the Chamber. We can see the passion on this and the urgency of the Bill. A lot of issues were raised. I only have ten minutes. The issue of flavours was the big thing. As for why we are banning all flavours except tobacco, this is what is most likely to reduce the appeal to our younger people. Today is about children and young people. In balancing this protecti…

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Football is one of Ireland's most popular sports and we as a Government are proud to back it at all levels, from grassroots clubs where our youngest players take their first kick to professional academies that will shape the next generation of our Irish international players. Football is a hugely popular sport in Carlow and I could take up my entire time slot her…

We are facing a global crisis in the supply and the cost of fuel. This is the reality here in the Chamber. The situation in Iran is unpredictable. Nobody knows. It is global. The Government did introduce the package aimed at easing the impact of the cost-of-living increases with cuts to excise on fuel and further supports for those to get their fuel allowance. This was only ever going to be the f…

The Government is really showing support. It wants to work with our hauliers, our farmers, our agricultural contractors and our bus operators. It is important that people have certainty, particularly those involved in businesses and who are the hardest hit. I know that some are struggling. We all know that. Some people in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny have come to me over the past few days a…

-----and I understand more supports are needed.

I spoke-----

I spoke to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, today-----

There are supports for energy bills there through the local enterprise offices-----

-----but the Deputies do not want to hear that.

Why would they not want people to get help and support?

As a Minister of State in the Department of Health, there are real concerns. We had several meetings over the past week. We were working as well.

We had several meetings. We had meetings with the Department-----