Ruairí Ó Murchú

I appreciate the Minister's response. We need information on timelines and tenders so that we can see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of delivering for those patients. The Minister accepts that we are talking about those with the most serious orthodontic need. The sooner that happens, the better. Otherwise we could be talking about people who need far more acute care, which will be a cost …

I again raise the issue of Private Michael McNeela from Dundalk, who as a 21-year-old member of the Defence Forces made the ultimate sacrifice while peacekeeping in Lebanon. His mother, Kathleen, received an allowance or pension. Sadly, she died last year and Michael's father, John, was not able to receive this payment. We are talking about €342 per month. I have had a number of engagements with t…

We have stood in this Chamber many times before and dealt with a huge amount of legislation, many of which was from Europe. We all want to see a framework of fit-for-purpose legislation, whether that is dealing with cyber issues, legal loopholes or issues regarding international finances. We have always supported those pieces of legislation that make sure we deal with the issues that exist, partic…

We are back here with the single transferable speech we can all take out. To a degree, at this stage I am boring myself. The problem is this issue is still impacting detrimentally on the people coming into all of our constituency offices and, I have no doubt, into the Minister of State's as well. We see from the new Daft.ie report that the average price for a new build in County Louth is €385,000,…

The Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development has completed its consideration of the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025, made amendments thereto and amended the Title to read as follows: An Act to amend and extend the Social Welfare Acts; to make consequential amendments to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, to amend the Family Courts Act 2024; and t…

9. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Labour Employer Economic Forum; and when it will next meet. [33611/25]

I back up the comments of Deputy Moynihan. I have brought up previously with the Taoiseach the tax implications of remote working for companies and the impact that has on employees. Action needs to be taken to deal with that. On tariffs and engagement with unions and employers, what are the major issues and worries about what is coming down the line? What does the Government propose? What are the …

I know. This relates to Michael McNeela, who was killed in 1989 on peacekeeping duties.

His father was not able to receive the pension after the mother of Michael McNeela died.

It is with the Tánaiste at the minute. He seems supportive-----

I would like to think the Taoiseach would also be and that this could be delivered.

18. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [33612/25]

I pay tribute to 15-year-old Kofi Owusu from Dundalk, County Louth, who lost his life after getting into difficulty swimming in Laytown, County Meath, last Friday. Our condolences go to his family, his friends and to the wider community. We have all heard the tributes from Redeemer Celtic and Tomás Sharkey in Coláiste Chú Chulainn, the school he attended. We have heard of his diligence, his leader…

We might continue, Chair. The Taoiseach has signalled a willingness to continue.

We all know that there have been very significant issues with copyright and making sure that artists have a framework within which to work. We know of the initiative during the Covid pandemic and beyond to ensure some element of payment. There is a significant lobby in that regard. It is about artists in general having a sustainable framework for their work. That needs to be offered if we are to …

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. The question concerns budgetary issues facing SOLAS and the ETBs and the detrimental impact this may have on the delivery of apprenticeships. We all know the importance of apprenticeships. I submitted this on the basis that myself, Deputy Cullinane and a number of our colleagues heard word on the grapevine about individual ETBs saying their fi…

I welcome the statement by the Minister that no apprenticeship class will be cancelled. I assume that also means none will be paused. I would like to think there will not be any major cuts across the service in the further education area. The Minister said the situation has just arisen. Could he explain how this was not foreseen at an earlier stage? I welcome the fact that he is addressing it. Co…

I would like to take this opportunity to follow up on Deputy Crowe's point. Many of us attended that briefing in the audiovisual room on those suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As Deputy Crowe said, we are talking about it impacting children and young boys at a very early stage. He made the most significant point of all, which is that there is very little time, as all these families know…

I have been contacted by Saint John of God Community Services regarding its approved housing body. It states that it has been privately renting a house in Meath since 2022. Four residents lived in the house, supported by staff. The owner of the property is selling the house and the Saint John of God Housing Association was in the process of purchasing the house and intended to use CAS funding to d…

We saw the rent pressure zones as limited and imperfect, but the idea was that it was better to have some element of defence rather than none whatsoever. We have seen that they are incapable of holding back the tide of rent increases. While we might not oppose this legislation, we are utterly opposed to what is being proposed by the Government. We have all spoken about the issues in the House. The…

I want to speak to amendment No. 206. It is straightforward. We probably spent an awful lot of time the last day going over and back. There is probably an element, at times, when dealing with the reality out there, that sometimes what is lacking is a code of practice. It would ensure communication. It is an absolute necessity to make sure that this is happening within the service. It makes absolut…

Regarding the amendments, what we have said and why we have tabled them is straightforward. I accept what the Minister of State said regarding amendment No. 206. The big thing is reiterating the point about codes of practice and guidelines and making sure that we have internal communications where they need to be. It is always frightening to hear the figures that Deputy Clarke spoke about. The Min…

We were nearly there.

We all know the enormous work that needs to be done on flood protection and flood mitigation. In my county, there have been many promises regarding the CFRAM. Even in the part of Dundalk that I live in, there is a significant flood risk. Accepting these works are going to be done, there is still an issue with insurance and insurance companies in terms of flood protection and people attaining mortg…

It has now been 239 days since the recommendations of the Dublin city task force were published and 145 days since the programme for Government, which included a commitment to these recommendations, was agreed. The recommendations are aimed at rejuvenating Dublin city centre, focusing on the public realm, safety and overall experience. Such is the lack of tangible progress in initiatives such as r…