Peter Burke

I thank Deputy Ó Broin for raising this important matter. I cannot imagine the trauma many families are going through right now as a result of the conclusion of An Coimisiún Pleanála on this file. This was a dark time in our past. Many families were affected by institutions in our State at a time when the State turned a blind eye to vulnerable families - those who needed support at key junctures a…

This is a time to listen. It is a time to listen to the victims, to understand their trauma, to give them the hand of friendship and to work with them on the future of this site. I do not want to say anything or talk about independent reports or authorities that would exacerbate their trauma. We have to work with victims and survivors. The Government will compassionately engage with survivors in t…

I thank Deputy Nash for his question on this very important issue. I will say clearly and unambiguously that I share his concerns in relation to ensuring that no product produced in Ireland ends up in the Russian military complex. We are very firm in that belief. Critically, I say that in the context of a Government that has been unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine. It has provided…

First of all, I was very clear that any amount of alumina getting into the wrong hands is unacceptable. Second, this is an independent report being carried out by my officials. I am not going to go and tell them, when they tell me they are not finished and that they need more time to stress-test the evidence that is in front of them, that they have to finish that report tomorrow. That is interfere…

Absolutely, I concur with the Deputy on the serious nature of femicide and sexual and gender-based violence. That is why the Government does treat this issue with the utmost seriousness. My sympathies go out to any family who have been affected by this. The pain and trauma of victims who have to live with the scars of the actions of others is unimaginable. First, I will put on the record that the…

I would be careful about comparing such a serious issue with other sectors of the economy that are getting money. This is a really serious issue that deserves the utmost attention of Government. I have demonstrated through three strategies and through the increase in resources to €80 million under budget 2026 the acceleration of the number of refuges for women and of safe houses. I acknowledge we…

I am being very honest about that but we are we are putting more resources into it. I also pointed out the legislative reform we have seen, critically increasing maximum sentences for assault causing harm to ten years and defending the rights of children who are left behind in very horrific circumstances through femicide or where someone kills their spouse or partner. Those areas are key parts of …

I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for a very important and timely question on the National Rehabilitation Hospital. From our constituency clinics and working in our community, we all know how important a piece in the jigsaw of rehabilitation the National Rehabilitation Hospital is. Critically what really stands out is the work that can be carried out for patients with early intervention after accidents, …

I would see that as a matter of urgency. In tandem, the Department of Health is currently preparing a business case, which has to be done through the infrastructure guidelines. As the Deputy quite rightly points out, the improvements that the facility can make for people with early intervention have been demonstrated. That is critical. I have seen the work the hospital does, particularly for those…

I thank Deputy Murphy for his very important question, articulating the challenges to his constituency and standing up for his constituents. The resource base the Government has allocated to An Garda Síochána in 2026, particularly through the justice budget, is €2.74 million, which is up 22% since 2020. There has been a significant increase in capital that we have deployed to ensure all corners o…

I thank Deputy Murphy for being proactive and bringing forward a solution to try to operationalise a group of the Oireachtas and showing leadership to do that for Tipperary. I will absolutely bring that to the attention of the Minister for justice, particularly considering the cross-party aspect. This is very important and shows leadership. Essentially, the Deputy is trying to deliver for his comm…

I am very much aware of how important solicitors are to our criminal justice system and our constitutional right to representation, which is the undercurrent of any constitutional democracy. Every Government has to reform, however, and it is key that in working with the Minister for justice and having dialogue with the parties concerned, we get an agreement here. The Government has to be very clea…

-----of it equating to five appearances in the District Court plus an additional 8%. We need to have a landing zone for this as a Government. We need to ensure that gardaí and solicitors can do their jobs and that the criminal justice system can function but a Government has to reform and we cannot be held back from doing that.

I thank Deputy Cummins for her important question. As I said earlier, this is an important time to support and work with victims. Obviously a legal process was under way with the competent authority, which was An Coimisiún Pleanála, making its determination. Now we need the space to liaise with victims, and to support survivors, which is very important. It would be a huge disservice to them if I w…

I thank Deputy Wall for his very important intervention. I heard part of the interview this morning, which was exceptional and very courageous, showing leadership in an area which affects so many people in our society. I know the Minister for Health is supportive of the Deputy's initiative and remains so. I hope that we can all work together to make society a better place for people who struggle w…

I thank Deputy Tóibín for raising this important matter, which the Government takes with the utmost seriousness. I outlined the legal reform we are doing, with penalties and harder laws to ensure that those who perpetrate such heinous crimes face the maximum penalty, and, critically, that those victims and survivors who are left behind are supported. I know we supported the Private Members' Bill i…

Stamp duty was linked to construction, and construction is not as beneficial to revenue, because there is no export. We are doing three things to support and underwrite the vulnerability of the State. We have record capital expenditure, of €19 billion this year, which is up 54% in two years. We are paying down our debt, which is critical to keep our balance sheets strong. We have reduced it by 40 …

The Deputy quite rightly outlined the challenges in this regard and how important it is to get equality of access and opportunity, which is a key theme. I support the Deputy's call to ensure that we have activity, regardless of age or socio-economic status. We must also progress the commitment in the sports for all approach, which is key on behalf of the Government. I will raise the Deputy's ideas…

I thank Deputy Dempsey for advocating on behalf of her constituents and, critically, calling out the work that the staff do in Our Lady's Hospital in Navan in supporting the community, often in challenging circumstances. I assure the Deputy, working with the Minister for Health, that we will support additional services to the hospital and, critically, support our community in the record budget tha…

I thank Deputy Callaghan for raising this important issue. Critically, we all know in society that work must pay. We must ensure that we are rewarding enterprise and people who are working because their contributions keep the economy going, pay for all our public services and, ultimately, protect the most vulnerable. That is why, in budget 2027, the Government collectively needs to make a big stat…

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this very important issue. We need to support families and patients who have rare conditions. I know the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has significantly enhanced the approval process through the Health Products Regulatory Authority. More work is being carried out and a tender process is ongoing in that regard. One in every eight euro we spend in the Stat…

It is a very significant challenge for the Government to deliver a successful Presidency. My informal meeting commences today when all the European Ministers will come to Dublin Castle to discuss issues that are at the core of Europe’s policy and future, which is so important to our country. I will talk to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade about the specific circumstances around the busi…

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue for perfusionists who are at the forefront of supporting some very complex surgeries and ensuring patients can get back on their feet and partake in society again. This really demonstrates how our industrial relations system works and its value. Fórsa, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health came together and worked through the L…

The issue Deputy Smith raised is very important in protecting the most vulnerable children with additional needs and helping them progress in society. We can see the benefits of the investment by the State in special education over the last number of years, critically, the growth in special needs assistants and the growth in support for additional special classes. I will raise the Deputy’s concern…

We need a compassionate response from the Government that really puts survivors and victims to the fore in this case. I have not read the report from An Coimisiún Pleanála but I will relay the Deputy’s concerns to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste. Obviously, I cannot make a statement on the floor of the House unilaterally that requires action without the imprimatur of my government colleagues but, as I …