Ruairí Ó Murchú

Unfortunately we are in a very scary world where might is right. It can seem like reading the history of imperial power plays from the 1700s. There is slaughter in Sudan and Gaza and Russian attempts to make major military inroads to deliver a one-sided peace. There has been engagement by the US Administration which can at very best be described as unhelpful, although I have many other words for i…

8. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [12369/25]

21. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the EU leaders' informal retreat on 3 February 2025. [12370/25]

30. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the commemoration for the liberation of Auschwitz. [12371/25]

Iarraim ar pháirtí an Lucht Oibre labhairt anois agus beidh 15 bomaite aige ag tosú leis an Teachta Sheehan.

Cuirfear an vótáil siar go dtí an am vótála an tseachtain seo chugainn.

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 Paula Butterly - To discuss the proposed 17% increase in personal injury awards. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the national roads programme for County Kerry. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the need to reintroduce the security …

I concur with what Deputy Duncan Smith said about all the Ministers showing up. We did not see this before and I think it is very beneficial.

Comhghairdeas leis an hAirí agus ádh mór leo. The Minister of State spoke about LSSIF funding for those preparing for 2024. Is he speaking about those applications that are already in, such as from Drogheda United and Louth GAA regarding stadium builds which are on the reserve list? When will funding open again? I think this was meant to be an ongoing process because Dundalk F.C. was in a differen…

There will be general agreement on the fact that, when we have seen a community response, as happened in my town of Dundalk, we have seen community gardaí doing absolutely brilliant work in their interactions with the communities. Sometimes they can deal with issues before they ever happen. We need a lot more of that. We need to have community safety partnerships up and running. I spoke to the Min…

I am not a medic but it is frustration that brings this to the floor of the House.

Tá mé an-bhuíoch as an seans labhairt inniu, go háirithe agus ráitis Ghaeilge agus Seachtain na Gaeilge i gceist. Dearaim achan bhliain go bhfuil orm níos mó cleachtaidh a dhéanamh agus deirim achan bhliain go ndéanfaidh mé sin. Tá mé á rá anois é. Tchfídh muid cad é a tharlóidh. Tá cuid mhór ráite cheana féin maidir leis na fadhbanna atá i gceist. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil fadhb ollmhór maidir …

6. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach to report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [9300/25]

I would like to deal with mental health well-being. I spoke previously to the Minister of State, Mary Butler, about the fact that we have to look at the Mental Health Bill. We have all come across issues with getting the required supports for people in absolute distress, including those who have been arrested under the Mental Health Act. When the Garda calls a doctor, the doctor will assess the si…

Whatever can be done.

22. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach the way the new disability unit within his Department will function. [9301/25]

There are huge issues in disability. This has already been spoken about in relation to the parents having to involve themselves in that kind of outdoor protest and the section 39 workers are balloting for strike action. I want to talk about the interim October 2024 CDNT workforce report and the 529.77 whole-time equivalent positions which are unfilled. When that report is finished, obviously ther…

My main question was about the workforce report for the CDNTs and about the school inclusion model being the solution the Taoiseach has often spoken about.

I return to the issue of school-based therapies. I welcome that this will be rolled out in special schools in September. I would like to think these will be holistic therapies. Some families are worried they will just be school-based and it is vital that teachers, SNAs and parents are all made aware of what best practice is. At times, even technological back-up is absolutely vital and should not b…

The CDNT workforce report that was carried out in October. I imagine that, within it, there is an audit of what the need is and whether filling all of those positions will be enough. If we cannot do it, even with the best will and planning in the world, through the CDNTs and primary care, school will be the only place for this issue to be sorted out. We need to deal with this as soon as possible.

It was meant to happen in January.

Deputy Byrne has brought up the issue of the Dublin to Belfast rail line and we want to see the four-track solution. I brought up previously, including last week, the issue of capacity on the Enterprise service from Dublin to Belfast. Anybody getting on, particularly at peak times, talks about it being incredibly uncomfortable and there not being enough space. We need greater capacity in the sense…

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 Erin McGreehan - To discuss the need for more robust dog control legislation. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss the need for increased core funding for family resource centres. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss delivery of a new b…

I agree with the Minister that there are increased costs for those with disabilities and their families. There has been a failure to address this. That is a matter we need to look at. Has the Minister had an update on the reasonable accommodation fund and the disability awareness support scheme? The idea is to look at this from the point of view of facilitating employers as much as possible - I de…

It goes without saying that the means test must be removed for carers. We all know the financial impact on a home of dealing with a child with additional needs. The issue must be addressed. I also agree that the discrepancy in the figures must be addressed. There must be some element of flexibility for carers who work as carers, who sometimes go over the 18.5 hours, in particular in cases where t…