Johnny Mythen

I thank the Taoiseach.

I will begin by highlighting the issue of infrastructure in my county of Wexford. One of the main vital issues our country faces at present, after the provision of affordable and social housing, is energy sustainability. Rosslare Europort is the number one port for roll on, roll off PAX services in Europe. However, the delay in developing the port into Ireland's offshore renewable energy hub is ex…

I thank an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, an tAire agus an Teachta Kerrane. Childcare is the most important element of shaping the future of society. It can enable individuals and families to thrive and develop cohesive communities and help to secure vibrant, safe and sociable environments where children can foster and grow. It is not an exaggeration to say that childcare is the foundation nations are b…

I raise the matter of waiting lists and times for children who require psychology treatment, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in primary care in County Wexford. At present, the number of children waiting for psychology treatment is 833, with a waiting time of four and a half years. A total of 631 children are waiting for speech and language therapy, with a waiting time of two a…

I am sure none of us would ever have envisaged or expected a motion like this being moved in the House. How do you explain to the parents, guardians and families the 147 cases of unnecessary hip surgeries carried out in the period from 2021 to 2023 in three institutions under the care of CHI? Hip operations were carried out on children as young as two and a half years old and there is a real possi…

I raise the issue of the flood relief scheme in my home town of Enniscorthy. The Government committed to deliver the scheme in 2014, almost 11 years ago. People and business owners living beside the Slaney are constantly apprehensive and on the alert, especially in winter time and high-tide season. We were told that funding was ring-fenced in 2014. However, to date no progress is forthcoming. I as…

I thank Deputies McDonald and Ó Broin for tabling this important Bill. It simply comprises the repeal of Part 2 of the Water Services Act 2017. The Bill would protect citizens by prohibiting Uisce Éireann from introducing a customer charge for the use of water in excess of a specific threshold amount. Recent reports have flagged that the Government is intent on introducing water charges. Although …

I wish both the Minister and Minister of State well in their new roles. I thank my colleagues in Sinn Féin for bringing this relevant and important Private Members' motion on the tenant in situ scheme to the floor of the House this evening. The tenant in situ scheme is a vital tool in the prevention of homelessness and has been a saviour to many families across the country. Since April 2023, the t…

There is a deep sense of frustration among section 39 workers, who are the backbone of many support services and help many individuals in need every single day. Despite their incredible dedication, they are often met with indifference by the Government. The Government claims to prioritise the protection of these vital services, but where is the action? Where is the fairness in pay and recognition?…

It is about pay parity.

The lack of access to GP services has become a serious matter of concern for many of my constituents in County Wexford. For those patients lucky enough to have a GP, the waiting times for appointments are far too long, especially in rural areas with some waiting for up to three weeks. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. What about the people who cannot get a practice to take them on…

Currently, if I apply for a driver test in my county of Wexford, I will get an invitation date for a test on 25 August 2025. I would then have to wait another three to five weeks after that for my actual test date. As of 21 January 2025, the number of applications in County Wexford was 5,643. The volume per centre is as follows: Gorey, 2,723 and Wexford, 2,920. The estimated waiting times for an i…

I thank the Labour Party for bringing this motion before the House. I have listened attentively to the Government's claims that housing is the number one priority. Nobody seems to know when exactly this revelation appeared before them. One could argue that both Government parties have been in full control of housing for 14 years, yet they have failed to deliver both affordable and social housing o…