Ivana Bacik

We are a serious party that was serious about seeking to achieve change in Ireland.

That is what we have always been about. I am proud to lead our party. We parrot nobody. Yesterday’s events in the Dáil were unprecedented. We witnessed what happened. We are deeply regretful that the Ceann Comhairle’s office was dragged into this. It is with great regret that I expressed the view that the Ceann Comhairle’s position is untenable but let us be clear that this is a mess of the Gover…

That is one event.

The second is the Deputy’s attitude to people, whether she likes them or disagrees with them, who are elected TDs, particularly newly elected TDs, such as Deputy Toole and Heneghan. The manner in which Deputy Bacik has addressed them, the names the Deputy is using-----

Yesterday afternoon Deputy Nash and I attended a briefing on tariffs and trade with senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was also attended by other Opposition Deputies. I thank the Minister and Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, for setting up that briefing at my request. I had asked him last week that it would be set up. We are all very conscious that we are facing a particular crunc…

At your behest.

Once more, with today's motion, the Taoiseach is dragging us back to this absurd technical groups issue.

Bombs are raining down in a genocidal bombardment on children in Gaza. The people of Ukraine are fighting for their country. Democracy is under threat across the globe - in Belarus, Hungary and Turkey. We see grim new milestones for global warming. The housing crisis is deepening here at home. Fears are growing about the impact of Trump's tariffs. These are the pressing issues that deserve all our…

It is at precisely this time that we in this House need to stand firm and resolute in our defence of democratic values, and of our constitutional function as Members of Dáil Éireann.

Article 28.4.1° of our Constitution provides that: "The Government shall be responsible to Dáil Éireann." That is why our Standing Orders provide for Leaders' Questions. It is the set-piece exchange every week where we in opposition, as Opposition leaders, get to hold the Taoiseach and the Government to account. It matters for our communities that the lines are clear in a democracy and that we can…

To describe Lowry's group as wolves in sheep's clothing would give them too much credit, but they are a very poor tribute act - a poor imitation of those of us who are genuinely in opposition and taking our constitutional duties seriously. The Taoiseach knows, as does everyone, that the manufactured, nonsensical "other Members' questions" device is really being introduced to give the Lowry lads an…

Let us give up this farce.

How can the Taoiseach continue to justify this? You cannot be in government and in opposition at the same time.

As we all know, the Ceann Comhairle ruled on 3 February that the Lowry grouping is not in opposition. Let us respect that ruling.

The only manufacturing going on is the Taoiseach seeking to manufacture a sham Opposition, pretending that this is about speaking rights for Government backbenchers. He knows it is not. Everyone in the country knows it is not because all Government backbenchers, including those in the Lowry group, have privileged access to Government Ministers and they already have speaking time. I feel sorry for …

You acknowledged yourself-----

-----that Michael Lowry is in government when you promised the public that he-----

-----would "not be in government to do any corruption", so what is this all about?

What is the hold that he and his group have on you?

That is what people want to know about this stroke.

10. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the engagements he had with the National Emergency Coordination Group in the days before, during and after Storm Éowyn. [13742/25]

Almost every day US President Trump is finding new and yet more damaging ways to express his authoritarian style of politics. His policies have already impacted negatively on global measures to tackle the climate crisis. He has torn up the international rules-based order. He is intent on turning the clock back on federal regulation on healthcare, women's rights and equality measures. It is hard to…

I welcome the Tánaiste's words on the occupied territories Bill. There is a sense, however, that the Government is rowing back on the Bill and seeking to dilute it in some way. It was published some time ago. Indeed, we supported Senator Black in the Seanad. I co-sponsored it with her when I was a Senator. It has achieved such cross-party support. I commend Senator Black and all those who have bee…

I am proud to second the motion. I commend my colleague, Deputy Wall, on bringing forward this important motion. I commend and pay tribute to the work of Family Carers Ireland and, in particular, to the work of all the young people engaged in providing care. As Deputy Wall said, we heard today so many powerful testimonies from young people who themselves are providing care to siblings and family …

They say every day is a school day. While the Dáil rose last week, we all learned something new. We all thought we knew why we had a housing crisis in this country - the number one issue facing this country, as the Taoiseach just said. We thought we had a housing crisis because of the Government’s policies and flat refusal to restrict evictions and stop families falling into homelessness. We thoug…