Ruth Coppinger

Taxi drivers have been staging protests about Uber, a billion euro company that is pushing a fixed-fare model onto drivers. They held a briefing here in the Dáil yesterday where representatives reported that this model, if it succeeded, could cut the earnings of many drivers by 30% to 50% and undercut those who do not even use Uber. There will be significant repercussions for the 22,000 licensed t…

There are two things that need to happen. The drivers need to boycott Uber, and everybody here - TDs and other public figures - should say they will not use Uber because of what it is doing to these drivers. However, that is not sufficient, because we also need to legislate. Will the Government prohibit the use of algorithms to set fares and will it legislate to prohibit apps acting as third parti…

3. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach for a report on the national security strategy. [65603/25]

24. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will next meet. [68212/25]

This is not the first time I have spoken on this in the Dáil. I have one issue with a previous contribution: it is not new technology, as this technology has been around for years. For years, this and previous Governments have been effectively allowing online companies to child groom. Some 70% of 11-to-14-year-olds have seen violent misogyny online. It is not just about what is happening to people…

For years now, the Irish State has in effect been abusing disabled children because State neglect has been continual. We all know assessments of need are essential. Imagine that children are regressing and that when they should be learning to speak properly, integrating and getting an education, they are being prevented from accessing services. We all know that practically all parents who can affo…

I am glad I made it for the end of the debate. This is a critically important issue for the many people waiting 13 years, on average, for a health service. We have the worst trans healthcare in the EU. I was listening to the debate on my way here. I welcome the motion and thank the Labour Party for putting it forward. Trans people are a minority who are being disgracefully targeted, picked on, sc…

There is a link.

Today a poll was released by Ireland Thinks on the issue of foxhunting. It reaffirms overwhelming opposition to foxhunting across all demographics, regions, ages and gender. Some 72% are opposed. If "don't knows" are removed, 81% of people are opposed to foxhunting. Only 2% of people have ever taken part in it. Given these huge figures, is it not a problem for democracy if three big parties in the…

Is the Taoiseach saying it is wrong?

Consistent polls have shown-----

3. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. [63183/25]

The right to protest against the genocide in Palestine is being severely undermined the UK and this is being carried through to the North as well. I want to raise a case with the Taoiseach that he could raise with the Prime Minister. This is the case of Saoirse Wagner, a student at Queen's University in Belfast, who is being threatened with expulsion for taking part in a peaceful, calm and non-thr…

I do not know about the protest.

I have no idea what the Taoiseach is on about.

I do not organise every protest in Ireland.

We did not organise-----

I am just correcting a mistruth there.

We are not.

Did you?

Okay, I will look that one up.

Which party was that?

20. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach for an update on his Department’s plans to co-ordinate a range of actions aimed at regulatory reform. [65601/25]

I raise regulatory reform of immigration and particularly family reunification. It is now being made much harder for many essential workers to be unified with their families, in particular migrant healthcare assistants who were brought over here on a visa programme and are working in private nursing homes. Last week on RTÉ radio, the Minister for justice was asked by the presenter whether these pe…

Please entitle them to have a normal family life. These mothers should not be separated from their kids.