Louise O'Reilly

He also said he likes to give a straight answer to a straight question. We are all sitting here riveted. We will get a straight answer to a straight question any minute now.

When I think of HIQA, I am often reminded of an article about the British royal family that stated that they believed that everything outside of Buckingham Palace smelled like fresh paint. HIQA is probably the same. Announced inspections are not working and give people far too much time. There have to be unannounced inspections. HIQA needs to be better resourced. None of us wants our loved ones to…

They get the message.

It does not take place in a studio in RTÉ.

I am on the record as having welcomed this legislation. I understand its intention and to respond to the judgment was very necessary. It is important, however, when we have the opportunity, that we make the legislation as good and decent as it can be and ensure that it reflects the judgment. We must remember the Chief Justice placed an emphasis on the rights of all children and the obligations of…

The Minister referred to universal payments, which are available to everybody. I am not sure they cover what we are looking for. He said he will review the impact of the changes. He has given that commitment in this House. Will he also commit to publishing that review? From my perspective, I will submit a case. There are cases that exist. We will submit cases that will be excluded from this and ex…

I move amendment No. 7: In page 8, to delete lines 4 to 8. To be fair, this definition is really only relevant as a test of whether the couple was living together in an intimate relationship. It is related and consequential to the other amendments, and those ones which were, unfortunately, ruled out of order. I look forward to hearing the Minister's rationale on this. Given that it is related to…

Could I get clarity on what the Minister said? He said that it will be accepted that a couple are living together, which is welcome, but then he said "unless there is evidence to the contrary". That then brings in the test. I am happy to be corrected if I misheard him. It is fine and appropriate if the Department is going to accept their word but what the Minister just said is slightly different t…

But what would happen if it was presented by a neighbour? Does the Minister see where I am going with this?

I fully respect the intention here but again, I am concerned about the words the Minister used, that is, "evidence to the contrary". I accept what the Minister said in the case of a couple but I am asking about a situation where a neighbour is involved. Does the Minister see where I am going with this?

I understand the Minister does not think that is going to happen but it is our job to make sure that it does not happen. It is a case of wanting to be sure to be sure – belt and braces - as the Minister said himself.

I move amendment No. 14: In page 11, to delete lines 39 to 42, and in page 12, to delete lines 1 and 2.

No, not a bit.

Will it be €2,000 or €3,000 or does the Minister not know?

It is fair to say that on the watch of this Government O'Connell Street and the surrounding area have definitely been neglected. I am sick and tired of Government representatives giving out about Dublin city, running the capital down and hiding their jewellery when they walk down Talbot Street. We see them. The answer to how the Government treats O'Connell Street and the surrounding area is inves…

I do not appreciate the interruption.

If he interrupts again, I want the clock turned off.

Absolutely. I am entitled to speak in this Chamber. I have a mandate just as Deputy McAuliffe does. I would appreciate if some time was added at the end for my colleagues for that rude interruption.

That is what the Government is doing on Moore Street.

No civic offices.

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this Topical Issue matter. I will use an individual case, but I will not say the woman's full name. I am raising the case on behalf of a person to highlight the issue I have, which is about the limitations of the supplementary welfare allowance and the manner in which it is applied. It often seems that a decision is made by the Department of Soc…

I appreciate that the Minister of State is here. She listed the qualities of the scheme, including flexibility and so forth. However, here is the thing: ESB Networks considers Diane to be a vulnerable customer. It has put her in the category of a person who should not have her electricity cut off because she is a vulnerable customer and person, not due to any wrongdoing on her part. It is because …

There should be no difficulty there. I thank my colleague, an Teachta Farrell, for bringing forward this legislation. I also thank her, as the Minister of State did, for all her work on this issue. I cannot quite make sense of the Minister of State's amendment to postpone the Second Reading of the Bill for 24 months. I operate according to the principle that it is never the wrong time to do the r…