Ruairí Ó Murchú

We supported the demand of the families of the victims of the 1998 Omagh bomb for a full cross-Border public inquiry. Obviously, the Government has declined to establish a parallel, independent inquiry in this jurisdiction. In the absence of that, we need to see that we would have the fullest level of co-operation. Families have many grievances not only about the heinous act that occurred in 1998…

Many people will have harrowing stories to tell today that are personal and connected to them. The unfortunate fact is that cancer has a huge footprint. We have often spoken about people coming to us to say that the system is brilliant once you get into it but we are talking about slippage here. That is the reason Deputy Cullinane is highlighting the absolute necessity of a new cancer strategy. So…

Deputy Joanna Byrne has already stated the issue, which had previously been brought up by Lynn Boylan, regarding the fears we have about Ireland's media being owned by a very small number of players. We brought this issue up because of the huge footprint Denis O'Brien had at the time. You cannot talk about the negatives of media ownership and the impact it can have on world politics without talkin…

Of course not. I can see the Minister of State is taking notes on all of the gems I am offering up. This is the world we live in. It is important that we make sure that we put in the supports and checks. What has happened to date across the world is frightening. What could happen in the future with the tools that are in the hands of big tech and media moguls scares the life out of me. Some of thi…

Not quite. This is usually when I ask for some element of flexibility. Given the day that is in it and the fact that I am here with Deputy Byrne, I once again offer my solidarity to her. What Trivela has done as the owner of Drogheda United is an absolute disgrace. I am glad that she is doing what she always does, which is fighting her corner.

I accept that. I will finish on this, and I will say it very quickly as well. As I am protecting a Louth TD, I also offer my solidarity to Gerry Adams as he defends the republican struggle.

That is it.

Many people have been focused on Tusla recently because, unfortunately, we have had a slew of tragic cases. I am talking about Kyran Durnin, Vadym Davydenko, Daniel Aruebose and Oisín Reddin. We also cannot forget the case of the ten-year-old who had been in Tusla's care and the heinous attack on her. The Child Law Project went through a number of other cases that are harrowing. I agree with Depu…

I wish to discuss the HSE's failure to offer 76 newly qualified paramedics full-time jobs upon graduation. We do not come in here too many times with a solution to a particular issue. It is fair to say that the reason this issue has been somewhat resolved is the action taken by many of those graduates who obviously made contact with many people in this House and beyond. It was good to see the numb…

We need to ensure that is delivered as close to home as possible and that we see transparency in the process. The fear relates to what will happen in the future. We are very glad this solution has arisen but the problem should not have arisen. There should not have been a need for these discussions between the union and the HSE because this was an absolute breach of trust. Also, we are talking abo…

Bogfaidh muid ar aghaidh go Saincheist Thráthúil Uimh. 5. Is í seo an cheist dheireanach. Tá sí in ainmneacha na dTeachtaí Cullinane agus McGuinness. It is to the Minister for Social Protection to discuss pension issues concerning former Waterford Crystal workers.

Dhá bhomaite.

First and foremost, I commend the professionalism and dedication of our consular staff. Many of us have engaged with those working out of our embassies across the Middle East at this time and those working in Dublin. I have no doubt nearly everybody in here has been contacted by those who have found themselves stranded, in some cases in relatively precarious scenarios where they may have medical c…

Dignity4Patients represents 400 abuse survivors - that is 398 men and two women. I have an abject fear that that does not represent all the people abused by Michael Shine, a consultant who was able to operate like God. There were failures by Our Lady of Lourdes, the Medical Missionaries of Mary, the Garda and successive Departments of Health, and there was failure by this State and its governments…

Deputy Sorca Clarke brought up the issue James Reardon and Ruth McSkane had with costs of almost €10,000 for audiology supports and hearing aids. I brought that issue up previously with the Taoiseach and sent it to his office. It needs to be addressed. I will briefly deal with the issue of the National Ambulance Service. Debbie McCole and many other members were outside Leinster House protesting …

2. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first meeting of the delivery and monitoring committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. [11871/26]

Deputies Quinlivan and Quaide and I visited the Side-By-Side clubhouse in Dún Laoghaire run by Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. Deputy John Brady and I met the group previously. It has two specific asks. Some 450 children in the State suffer moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, outside of a small number of specialist rehabilitation centres there are no dedicated rehabilitation s…

Yes.

21. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on implementation of the well-being framework published by his Department. [11872/26]

The Taoiseach has already mentioned the fact that those with a disability are unfortunately in a different set of circumstances. Many of us were at the Affordable Ireland campaign march at the weekend and we heard directly from those with disability about the severe pressure they are under. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, it comes down to heat or eat. These are decisions that have to be made tha…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. We did agree with waiving pre-legislative scrutiny on the basis that the capacity is not within the system at this point in time to ensure that all those wards of court are exited. We had some unease in relation to doing this. In fairness, the Department and those representing the courts were able to give us a briefing. I will very quickly go through, let us s…

Tá cuid mhór fadhbanna ann ag an am seo. Tá cuid mhór fadhbanna ann maidir le tithíocht go ginearálta. Tá a fhios againn nach bhfuil go leor tithe inacmhainne agus níl go leor tithe sóisialta á thógáil ag an Rialtas faoin am seo. Tá fadhb ag na Gaeltachtaí. Níl mo Ghaeilge chomh maith is a ba chóir di a bheith. Am amháin, bhí sí réasúnta, nuair a bhí mé thart air 18 mbliana d’aois agus ag freasta…

I believe that Joanna Byrne recently met representatives of Athletics Ireland. There is a route map, and possibly a motion to go to the World Athletics Congress in China. There is a necessity for governmental support in relation to ensuring this happens.

I welcome the fact that the Minister of State is in support of a derogation in relation to this. It is only right and I commend the work of the Friends of Irish Athletics who have supported this over many years. I have no doubt the Minister of State has had a significant amount of correspondence from the group in relation to the matter. On behalf of Deputies O'Rourke, Joanna Byrne, a number of oth…

It is hard to know what to say at this stage because it will not be anything new from me or anyone else. I used to joke about single, transferable speeches but, unfortunately, there is an element here of, "Where are we going?" As Deputy Ellis said, that 16,734 is the officially accepted or classified number for homelessness. Obviously, this does not deal with rough sleepers, children in domestic …