Mary Butler

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, or in the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders, and unless the Dáil shall otherwise order, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Dáil on 7th, 8th and 9th October, 2025: (1) (a) in relation to the times of sittings, the suspension of the sitting and the adjournment …

I thank the Deputy for his question. He has raised a really important issue with what he calls the radiotherapy bus. He is right; local charities and local people who volunteer do phenomenal work. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. As the Deputy said, the bus was originally procured using one-off funding from the HSE in 2011, following on from the essential reloc…

I do not disagree with any word Deputy Feighan has said in relation to this. The fact is that we are almost there, but that is not good enough for anybody who is travelling today with regard to wheelchair accessibility and having a toilet on board for those travelling from Sligo to Galway. It is a long enough spin as it is, especially when they are going for a specific treatment to support their c…

I thank the Deputy very much for his question on the long-term illness scheme, where many illnesses are listed. The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, keeps this under review at all times. I will bring the Deputy's concerns back to the Department.

No.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates 2025 [Votes 29, 33 and 34] and Third Further Revised Estimate 2025 [Vote 24] (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Approval of Appointment of Members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (without debate) - Statements on School Transport (not t…

We had a good and robust meeting last Thursday, which the Ceann Comhairle will be aware of, given that she chaired it, in relation to the Order of Business for this week. Regarding the items raised, the Minister gave a comprehensive answer on the issue of mica.

With regard to the other issues raised, we can discuss them at the Business Committee this Thursday.

I thank the Deputy for the question. I am familiar with the issue as our constituencies border each other. It has been raised with me by people living in south Tipperary. I have been in contact with the new integrated health area manager in the HSE in relation to this. The Deputy is right. The waiting lists are increasing because of it. I met one of the employees when I happened to be out and abou…

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (‘BBNJ Agreement’) (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Statements on National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Wednesday's private membe…

I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's efficiency. The Business Committee met last Thursday at 11 a.m. There was no request for a debate on energy last Thursday. We will have another Business Committee meeting tomorrow at 11 a.m. and I can take on board all the requests that have been made. Yes, we will certainly have a debate or statements on Gaza in the next week or two. That was discussed last Thur…

I thank Deputy Stanley and his colleagues for tabling this motion and giving us the opportunity to discuss oral healthcare services. The motion is timely, given that the Minister for Health has only last week officially opened the RCSI's new dental education centre in Sandyford. The motion, which the Government is not opposing, provides a chance to update the Dáil on developments in the sector and…

Local Link does it.

No. Well done to the Deputy for ploughing on.

As we recognise Pride week here in Dáil Éireann, I am deeply honoured to stand before Members, not just as Minister of State for mental health and the Government Chief Whip, but as a proud mother, ally and advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Irish life. I am especially proud of who I am and who my family is. My son is a transgender young man, and seeing him grow into his own identi…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) and Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) Regulations 2025 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the draft Commission of Investigation (Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and B…

I notice all the requests from the various Whips. At the Business Committee meeting last Thursday, there was no dissent in relation to the Order of Business for this week, just the rolling dissent.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. We have a busy schedule this week, with several pieces of important legislation. I propose we proceed with the Order of Business as set out.

What?

No.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Farrelly, for being in the Chair again. He is a regular on a Wednesday morning and it is much appreciated. I am surprised Deputy Daly is here because I thought he would be on his way to the High Court.

It is not a question-and-answer session. While I was walking across to the Chamber, I was struck by how ironic it is that I am the first ever Minister of State with special responsibility for mental health at Cabinet, and the Deputy is trying to remove me, while here he is today asking me to come forward and find a solution for him. I was just struck by how ironic it is.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he will be aware, operational responsibility for the delivery of mental health services at local level is devolved directly to the relevant HSE regional health area, RHA, which in this case is the HSE South West RHA, and across all areas. I am aware, of course, that the HSE always aims to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders in the commu…

I am glad there are services in Killorglin because I would be disappointed if there were not. My understanding is that the HSE manager is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to facilitate accommodation that meets the needs of both services, the National Ambulance Service and, of course, the mental health supports, including the outpatient psychiatric facilities that support very vulne…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I thank the Deputy for his question about primary care provision for Rathdowney and Mountrath. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. He raised a couple of matters: plans for succession in GP practices, challenges in rural Laois and the primary care centres in Mountrath and Rathdowney. I will do my best to address …