Matt Carthy

-----that the Dáil has seen. Do not accept that the Opposition will just-----

-----the Opposition and-----

Hear, hear.

The Tánaiste knows it is not.

Why then is the Government getting rid of Taoiseach's questions?

It is about the grubby deal that was done.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Coppinger as díospóireacht a thabhairt chun cinn ar an gceist thábhachtach seo mar caithfimid deireadh a chur le foréigean in aghaidh mná agus cailíní. I thank the movers of this motion, particularly Deputy Coppinger, who has an unimpeachable record on this issue. I also welcome the guests to the Public Gallery. Tackling violence against women and girls must be a …

Three years ago this week, Vladimir Putin unleashed a brutal and criminal invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people deserve great praise for their defence of their country and its sovereignty but the price they paid has been costly. Some 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the invasion of February 2022. The number of children abducted runs certainly to the tens of thousands at a mini…

Gabhaim mo chomhghairdeas leat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, agus le do chlann as do phost nua, agus do na hAirí freisin. One of the reasons for your successful election, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, was the recognition of all Members of this House that you can be very flexible when it comes to accommodating Members, in contrast to the time restrictions that others might be rigorous with. I will see if I …

I welcome the opportunity to talk about the importance of agrifood to the Irish economy. Sometimes agrifood is presented as an established industry, as of course it is, but it is much more than that. Many of us will have been struck that, on the day of Storm Éowyn, when the winds first subsided in communities like mine, the first people we saw engaging in the clear up were not those from the local…

Yesterday, the Taoiseach told Deputy McDonald there was a robust legal framework to deal with knife crime, suggesting there were no gaps in the powers that gardaí have to address this serious crime. Nor did the Minister for Justice, Deputy O’Callaghan, suggest there were any gaps in the legislation until last night, when he indicated new laws would need to be introduced to give gardaí greater powe…

What about the question I asked?

9. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the current total number and value of State investments in companies which derive profit from their activities in illegal Israeli settlements; the total number of such investments; his views on whether such investments help entrench and sustain Israel’s illegal occupation; his further views on whether such investments run contrary to rulings of …

I was taken aback for a moment when the Minister for Transport indicated that the new speed limits were broadly welcomed. It reinforced for me the fact that he is a Minister from Dublin and is not really in touch with many people from rural communities. In my constituency the overwhelming response has been one of bewilderment. It is not that people are opposed to the reduction in the speed limits…

I am sharing with Deputy Ó Murchú.

This is my first opportunity to engage with the Minister in the House, so I congratulate him on his appointment. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the proposal to opt in to the negotiating mandate of the EU-UK youth experience scheme, one proposed by the European Commission in April of last year to facilitate youth mobility and make it easier for young people from the EU and Britain, respecti…

Earlier today, Sinn Féin met the family of Joe Drennan. Joe was killed in a hit-and-run in October 2023. The man who killed Joe had 46 previous convictions. He was on bail at the time and was banned from driving. That night, he drove a BMW at top speed, broke a red light, smashed a car so fast that even after the back wheel had come off, the car continued to proceed to smash into Joe, robbing him …

He can give it to Sinn Féin.

It is Sinn Féin time.

Well I was only planning on speaking for an hour and a half, Ceann Comhairle.

Go raibh maith agat, Ceann Comhairle. I find it laudable, despite the fact they did not use up all their allotted time, that Government representatives could find so much to say about a programme for Government that actually says so little. However, I want to specifically address issues of community safety, policing and justice. As Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice, home affairs and migration, it …

Hear, hear.

The Taoiseach is not interested in people who cannot get houses.

I commend those who helped individuals, families and communities following the devastation of Storm Éowyn. These include workers from the ESB, Uisce Éireann, local authorities and phone companies, those local businesses that stood up to the mark to support their communities, the farmers who cleared roads, and those communities that stood together, opened their halls and ensured that assistance was…

Hear, hear.