Ivana Bacik

We must do more to stop the horror in Gaza. Yesterday, we learned of the horrific situation of Dr. Alaa Najjar, a doctor in Gaza who was working to save lives in a hospital when she learned that nine of her ten children had been killed in an Israeli bombardment, that her husband, another doctor, was critically ill, and that only one child was left alive. Thousands of children have been killed or l…

I thank the Taoiseach.

2. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagement with the US President. [13747/25]

I thank the Taoiseach for the report on the engagement with the US President and, indeed, on the issue of Gaza. I note that he raise that with the US President. The Palestinian ambassador and Palestinian representatives specifically asked that Ireland would use all diplomatic means at its disposal, including our connection with the US, to raise the need for peace and for a ceasefire for the people…

16. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [15144/25]

In the context of trade and the proposed CETA agreement, I understand the Cabinet was to approve an arbitration amendment Bill today due to serious concerns about the investment court system proposed in CETA. Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the legislation was approved today? If so, when will the draft heads of Bill be published? I also want to ask about concerns that the Government is rowing …

It was Deputy Byrne.

I pay tribute to you Lucia and the O'Farrell family, Jim, Gemma, Pia, Amy and Hannah, for your unwavering quest for justice for your son and brother, Shane. You have fought so insistently and so strongly for so long. Shane's life was cut short so cruelly 14 years ago on 2 August 2011 and I know from meeting with you so many times over the years just how much your grief and sorrow at his loss was c…

I join in welcoming Cara Darmody and her father Mark to the Public Gallery. I commend them and their family on their tireless and fierce advocacy for children who so desperately require additional services and supports. We will continue to work with them. Ten years ago today, we the people of Ireland used our votes to make marriage equality a reality and to make grá the law. I had intended to rai…

I thank the Tánaiste for providing a little more clarity. I appreciate it is an evolving situation. There is, however, a very specific question here about the particular flight I raised with the Tánaiste. We have seen that court order from the US. I appreciate that the Tánaiste will keep opposition parties updated as the situation evolves. We certainly require much greater clarity on the broader p…

The United Nations warned this week that 14,000 babies will die in Gaza if humanitarian aid is not allowed to enter. Last night, there were more child casualties, including a week-old baby. There are no words to describe the horror that Israel is inflicting on the people of Gaza. The wickedness of using starvation as a weapon of war against children cannot be overstated. It is a weapon of genocide…

I said that. We said that.

I have acknowledged Ireland's leadership at EU level on Gaza. That is welcome but we can and should do more. The Taoiseach used strong words, which I welcome. He acknowledged that what Israel is carrying out is a war crime. Of course, like the Taoiseach, I have condemned Hamas outright. Of course I have called for the release of all hostages. What Israel is doing now, with impunity, while we see 1…

On Monday, we learned that average rents nationally have now surged beyond €2,000 per month, a new all-time high. Renters in different counties are seeing shocking rises. Limerick, for example, has seen yearly increases of more than 20% on rents. The Taoiseach said earlier that housing is all about supply and we, of course, agree. However, he has accused the Opposition of having no new ideas and n…

Will the Government take on our renter's rights Bill in light of this astronomical rise we are seeing in rents across the country?

It is not enough.

Of course, we need a mix.

The Government is not-----

The Taoiseach was inviting it.

Today, as the Taoiseach knows and as we all know, marks the beginning of the 50-hour protest by young Cara Darmody. Like others, I welcome Cara and her father Mark to the Gallery. Cara is an incredible campaigner for the rights of children with additional needs, and she is only 14 years old. She is staging this protest, as the Taoiseach knows, to raise awareness of what is an emergency, the Govern…

That is not what we have seen. It is two years to the week this week since we in Labour brought a Dáil motion, with the great support and encouragement of Cara Darmody, setting out a constructive plan to take on and address these waiting lists and to treat the chronic delay in diagnoses like the national emergency it is. Many of us will recall that on that day in this House, the then Minister of …

I listened carefully when the Taoiseach said the issue is not one of resources but one of capacity. Then he threw out a number of hypothetical ways in which capacity could be addressed. However, the Government has not done anything to address capacity. I sat yesterday in my own constituency with two desperate mothers who are desperate to get school places for their children. The Taoiseach spoke ab…

Will you meet Cara?

Good.

The news from Gaza is getting worse and worse each day and as famine takes hold, we all fear that Israel's announcement that it will allow aid into Gaza is as illusory as it was the last time. Gaza needs 600 trucks every day and just five were let through. Meanwhile, more and more children are being killed and maimed with surgeons speaking about the horrors of having to amputate the limbs of tiny …