Mary Butler

-----cornerstone of our democracy and always will be. It is one of the many rights we enjoy in a free society. Sinn Féin and other agitators on the Opposition benches try to frame the illegal blockades of critical public infrastructure as a legitimate form of protest.

Members of Independent Ireland used wardens to determine who got healthcare in Limerick hospital.

Sandra Broderick, the regional executive officer of HSE Mid West, had to issue correspondence to politicians to allow people who did not have their appointment letter in the car to access the hospital. Last week, Sinn Féin publicly endorsed illegal blockades which infringed upon the fundamental rights of ordinary hard-working people in this country. Sinn Féin supported hard borders on this island…

Elderly people in west Clare were denied home care.

I sat with a family whose 12 hours of support at the weekend for a child who is autistic were reduced because the people did not have petrol in their car to visit. That is the reality of Independent Ireland and Sinn Féin.

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue. I compliment him on his advocacy for the families and the children over many years. As he knows, a report relating to another group of children who unfortunately were harmed by the mental health services in Kerry was published recently. I visited and met with some of the families. At that time, I said that I would be coming forward very s…

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue. Primary care psychology and the CAMHS teams are two separate services, as the Deputy knows and understands. The majority of the children on the waiting list are for the primary care psychology team. They are not for the CAMHS team. We are trying to reduce the number of children waiting for CAMHS. I visited over 21 teams in the past six mo…

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Teachta Hearne as a chéad Bhille. The Bill is not opposed.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate) - Motion re Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of the Data Protection Act 2018 under (Section 60(6)) and (Section 51)(3)) Regulations 2026 (without debate) - Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform (without debate) - International Co-operation (Omagh Bombi…

I will offer some clarity about what will transpire later today. There will a motion regarding Financial Resolution No. 1 this afternoon from the Department of Finance. Sixty minutes have been allowed and we are votable immediately afterwards so I expect there will be several votes at that time. I want to be clear on that. There has been a change to tomorrow's Order of Business. The National Oil …

The Order of Business stands.

It is not opposed.

I move: That Dáil Éireann approve the following Regulations in draft: Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Scoping Exercise in Response to Requests from Dignity4Patients) Regulations 2026, Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) (Scoping Exercise in Response to Requests from Dignity4Patients) Regulations 2026, Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Children's Health Ireland Inquiry in…

I move: That Dáil Éireann adopts the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform entitled "Oral Questions to the Taoiseach, and Divisions and Weekly Division Time", copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 23rd March, 2026.

I move: Notwithstanding today's Order of Business, that the financial motion by the Minister for Finance, Financial Resolution No. 2, shall be taken on the conclusion of the Sinn Féin Private Member's Business. It shall be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: The question on the motion shall dispose of any amendments not disposed tabled to that mot…

I understand the Deputies' concerns about the way business is being conducted, but I flagged on the Order of Business that I would potentially be coming back in this evening. Notwithstanding the importance of what the Government is doing, Financial Resolution No. 2 means hauliers, who are at the pin of the collar at the moment, will see an increase from 7.5 cent per litre to 12 cent per litre, bac…

It is extremely important and the order stands.

I did not brief anyone today. I did not brief any journalists. I have not had time to bless myself.

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on International Women's Day (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Energy and Fuel Costs, selected by Sinn Féin. Thursday's business shall be: - Media Regulation Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn at the end of the first speaking round) Thursday's p…

I thank the five parties and groupings for their comments. As they know, the Business Committee will meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow. We will certainly try to facilitate the statements on Bessborough, although it will not be this week as the Minister is away. We will certainly try to facilitate them next week. In relation to the cost of energy, Sinn Féin has a Private Members' motion this evening. The T…

No.

No.

No.

On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputy McCarthy for the opportunity to update the house on ambulance service provision in east Cork. I thank him for the manner in which he raised it and am sorry to hear about the person who passed away. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Ambulance Service, NAS, serves east Cork on a 24-7 basis through a highly skilled workforce of paramedics, advanced p…

I join with the Deputy in extending my thanks and that of the Department of Health to the staff of the NAS for their commitment and dedication to patient care in east Cork and across the whole country. I was just checking as the Deputy was speaking. In 2025, the following additional resources were added to the south-west region. Twelve paramedics and 12 emergency medical technicians were deployed …