Ruairí Ó Murchú

We have had the disgraceful action by the genocidal entity, Israel, with its escalation of attacks on Iran. This draws into question the EU-Israel association agreement and we need to see movement on that, post-haste. We already knew that. The occupied territories Bill obviously has to be delivered and apply to services. Beyond that, what is the plan? The Taoiseach might not agree with the Sinn Fé…

Sinn Féin has always opposed the local property tax. We saw it for what it was. It was imposed at a time of austerity. It was not about services or fulfilling the needs of local authorities. It was literally about ensuring money was brought in because of the dreadful circumstances the State found itself in. It was about us following through on the edicts of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, an…

72. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the current unfilled positions in CDNTs across the State; to outline her plans to deliver on assessments and therapies for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32285/25]

Will the Minister of State provide an update on the current unfilled positions within CDNTs across the State and outline the plans to deliver on assessments and therapies for children with autism? We are all shocked with the assessment of need situation. Some 15,000 children at this point are being failed when it comes to the delivery of those assessments. Basically, the Government is in breach of…

There are 414.5 whole-time equivalents. I thank the Minister of State. As she said, while this is a welcome increase a huge number of posts still need to be filled. I fear we are still talking about another four or five years, based on that growth, to deal with the number of unfilled positions. I have asked this before but does the Minister of State believe that if we fill all these positions, giv…

Recruitment and workforce planning are absolutely necessary. We all know the plan needs to be about delivering therapies to those who require them. There are still issues regarding schools and others where, no matter what answer I get from the Government benches, parents are still being told they require an assessment of need. What is the plan in relation to the assessment of need? I get where th…

It is a huge issue for families who want to plan for their child with a disability. As we know, many of them are dealing with children who have huge challenges. I agree with the Deputy that we have all dealt with issues where it relates to the bureaucracy. There is an issue in ensuring that assessments are made within a decent time. We know that a number of people, agencies and whoever else have h…

Many of us have met the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, as the Minister of State has. When its representatives met me, it was with a constituent who I had met many times previously about the fact there has not been any community neuro-rehabilitation team in what we term the north east. We have not had it in CHO 8 and in what will be the regional health authority of Dublin north-east. We need to …

This was the likes of St. John of God operating alongside county councils such as in Meath and Louth and people could be severely impacted.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the ongoing closure of Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, County Galway. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the planned extension of Coláiste Bhríde secondary school, Carnew, County Wicklow. Deputy Jen Cummins - To…

It is fair to say that we will be seeing continuity in Israel's pattern of behaviour. It is not surprising for an entity that engages in genocidal action. The shooting at Irish peacekeepers and diplomats was an absolute disgrace. We know the actions we need to take, whether it is the occupied territories Bill and the inclusion of services. I agree with the Tánaiste that the Commission needs to tak…

80. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline any progress made recently in the case of a Defence Forces member who was killed on UN duty in Lebanon (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31241/25]

I raised earlier the issue of Seán Rooney. We know there is a legal case at this point. We have had many interactions on this and I think there is agreement across the House that we need to seek justice for Seán Rooney and his family. We also need to make sure that, through all the processes, what is learned is carried forward such that the absolute best protocols are carried out in the context of…

I welcome what the Tánaiste has said. I agree that heaven and earth needs to be moved to get justice for the family. I accept that we are now out of time and that I will get a written answer. I will follow up on this issue. I also ask the Tánaiste that we resolve the issue regarding John McNeela and the payment on the basis of Michael McNeela's sacrifice. That is the only right thing to do.

94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the work being done to ensure appropriate primary and secondary school placements for all children for the 2025-26 academic year; if this work includes updating of admissions policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31242/25]

What work has been done to ensure appropriate primary and secondary school placements for all children? We know about the issue that has existed in regard to those with special needs. Can we ensure that everything is in place for the academic year 2025-26? We know the constant problems there have been, with parents having been put through the mincer, for want of a better term. We need to ensure we…

Some of the complaints have been that in many cases, particularly when we are talking about secondary schools, we are aware of the children who are in primary school and coming into that age bracket. It is about making sure everybody is talking to everybody else to ensure the NCSE, the schools and the Department have the information. I agree that action did need to happen on school admissions poli…

I welcome the answer but I agree with the Minister of State that more work needs to be done. We are still being contacted by those who do not have places for next year. We need those cases sorted as soon as possible. It is not right. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could come back to me in writing with some more detail on the timeline for school-based therapies. I will be pushing this.…

I would like to do what my colleagues have done and wish the Minister of State well. He will hear a lot today about the issues that exist. Having dealt with stakeholders previously, I imagine he is aware of some of the critical issues impacting on those involved in the fishing and seafood industry, whether we are talking about those in Carlingford, Clogherhead or elsewhere in this State and beyond…

Before I turn to my main issue, but on the basis that this is health-related, I commend the staff in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital where I had to undergo a testing procedure. All is very well but I must say the staff there were incredibly professional and made something that should not be enjoyable in any way as enjoyable as it could be and definitely as painless as it could be. I just want to stat…

I welcome what the Minister of State said at the end. I will provide the information explicitly because it is absolutely necessary. While all this is commendable with regard to cancer care, it does not deal with the issue at hand, which is this child who was diagnosed with hyperinsulinism, and the fact that we have the machine here to carry out this PET-CT scan. There is an issue with regard to th…

There is also the issue with regard to the payment. Our own health service, the HSE, should have played a better role in ensuring those bits could be dealt with.

I appreciate the flexibility the Chair has offered me, but I will need an answer. We need a solution with regard to this. I do not think this is good enough for this family or any other family that finds themselves in these circumstances. The only good news is that the child was seen and dealt with and is thriving at the moment.

And deliver the service.

It is hard to believe that we are having this debate. There is absolute acceptance that Israel is an apartheid state that is engaged in genocidal action in Gaza. Another 25 people were killed at a so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid station. I do not know what defence there can be for what Israel is doing on a day-by-day basis. At least 55,000 people have been slaughtered and there is no en…