Cathy Bennett

I acknowledge and commend the Irish Government on joining the case before the International Court of Justice against Israel taken under the Genocide Convention. I also commend the Government on the funding provided to UNRWA for humanitarian aid and for the recognition of the State of Palestine. However, that is where the commendation ceases. This Government has failed to implement a single solidar…

To do his job.

It is in black and white.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed utterly to tackle the housing crisis. It is the number one issue in our country. Whether it be a renter's tax credit, a ban on no-fault evictions or limiting the level with which renters can be additionally burdened, in each incident the Government has dragged its feet in taking any action on this. What it has done has been too little and too late. In virtual…

176. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his engagements and position regarding the Mercosur trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27331/25]

This Bill will better protect employees’ unpaid wages and entitlements if their employer becomes insolvent. I would commend the Government on introducing it but let us be real. It is a matter of obligation more than choice. The Government did not push to protect worker entitlements when they were denied on foot of the Vita Cortex insolvency in 2011, nor did the Government spring into action when t…

In 2009, then Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described Fianna Fáil's closure of the accident and emergency department at Monaghan Hospital as a "mortal" blow for the people of Monaghan. He warned that lives "will undoubtedly be put at risk" as they then had to travel for up to an hour to Cavan hospital. The average wait time at Cavan hospital's accident and emergency departme…

The death of any person on our roads is a tragedy. The death of a child is a tragic hardship that no parent should have to bear. Shane O'Farrell was just 23 years old when he was struck and killed while out cycling near his home in Carrickmacross. The driver fled and while the man who took Shane's life handed himself into An Garda the next day, it seems as if in the intervening 14 years there has …

The running of a school community is no easy task. We are fortunate in Ireland to have incredibly talented, committed and highly educated teaching and management staff who are passionate in their roles as educators. They do so too often in challenging circumstances not of their own making. These are challenging circumstances of the Government's making because successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil G…

I acknowledge the work of Deputy Ó Snodaigh in preparing this Bill and Deputy Byrne for proposing it today. Those in RTÉ have wantonly squandered the public moneys with which they have been entrusted. They have spent money lavishly entertaining themselves. They have spent the money of ordinary people on flip-flops for themselves. RTÉ has paid so-called stars obscene salaries based on the tall tale…

I thank all the carers of Ireland for all the great work that they do in performing essential work for our communities. They allow people to live at home in dignity, they help ensure better outcomes for those that they care for, they contribute considerably to people's health and well-being and they reduce the pressures on an already-stretched health service and care homes. In doing that, they mak…

First, I extend solidarity with the people of Palestine. What we bear witness to in Gaza is a starvation of a nation. The response of many world leaders over the past 19 months has been non-existent. It has been the actions of millions of ordinary people the world over who, at every moment, have challenged their governments’ failures. The Government has failed meaningfully to defend international …

A review is nearly 19 months too late. How long will it take for the Government to wake up? It has been investigating the legal transit of genocide-bound weapons through Ireland for nine months. Where is that report? It is time to recognise Israel for what it is, namely, a rogue state that has to be sanctioned as soon as possible.

The climate and biodiversity crises are utterly linked and cannot be underestimated. This is often overlooked and siloed in different parts of the Government. Rather than taking a whole-of-government approach it often seems that parts of the Government do not talk to each other at all. I recall one unit in the Department of housing proposing that hill farmers fence-off all watercourses, an action …

Today, the combined Opposition will put a motion forward in solidarity with Cara Darmody. Today, the Government does not cherish the children of our nation. It is in breach of the law because it has denied children their rights. This Government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the so-called Independents has denied children their rights. This has a real impact on the lives of parents and children. As…

In Monaghan we recently got a new special school but more needs to happen for every child.

They need to get more day services and the Government needs to plan for every child's future.

The Common Agricultural Policy has unfortunately been viewed as a soft touch by successive European Commissions when they wish to divert funds elsewhere. This is not to say any given projects are unworthy but they have been funded by taking money out of the pockets of farmers. In real terms, Irish farmers received less under this CAP than its predecessor. I always find it frustrating when Minister…

The people of Monaghan deserve adequate health services, the same as anybody else in the State. We are fortunate to have a hospital in Monaghan, given closures in other communities across the State under previous Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Governments. We are fortunate to have incredible, hard-working staff in our local hospital, staff who provide among the highest standards of care, all too often …

I thank the Minister of State. It is disappointing to see that the Minister is not here today. I would love to see these issues raised with her. I am leaving it with the Minister of State and the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach to ensure these issues are raised with the Minister. To be clear, the substantial investment the Minister of State talked about is not enough. The minor injuries unit and the MRI …

With the leniency of the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, I also ask that the Minister look to plan GPs in the towns of Cavan and Monaghan. People are struggling to get GP access. Will she look into that also?

I reiterate we are here to work with the Minister of State and provide solutions.

In February this year, I addressed the House during a debate on a Sinn Féin Private Members' motion in relation to the driving test backlog. We outlined our proposal to address the backlog, not for the first time. I ask the Department to redouble its efforts regarding the recognition or exchange of international driving licences. This would decrease the number waiting, whether it be the long-term…

To conclude, I ask the Minister to please hire more testers, create more test centres and allow the exchange of international driving licences.

It is right and positive that we debate the power of higher education. It is simply a shame that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael consistently see it as a soft touch, something to be cut. If there are any consistent trends to Government's approach to higher education, they are inconsistency, pretence and speaking out of both sides of their mouths. In recent weeks in this House, we have discussed all mann…