Ruth Coppinger

Even I, as a socialist and somebody who critiques and challenges the market and the capitalist system, never thought I would be here, 11 years after first getting elected, and that the housing crisis would have been left to fester and become as rancid as it is. I want to ask about Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs. Where have they been? It has been like "The Silence of the Lambs" over the past 11 yea…

It is the greatest cod that judicial reviews are what is delaying the development of housing and planning in this country. It is also the height of hypocrisy because we all know, when we go to community meetings where residents are up in arms over some development, the Minister's own party members will also be there giving it loads. I attended meetings before the election. If the Minister recalls…

It depends on what it is.

No, it was not.

No.

Should people not have the right to object to any development?

It is usually a Fianna Fáil member who objects.

It is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that object to houses.

There was something said that was not true. I am not a serial objector to housing.

Vótáil

I start by sending my solidarity to the Sudanese community here in Ireland, many of whom are doing amazing work in so many spheres of life, particularly our health services. They are doctors, engineers and so on and many have lived and contributed here. I send them solidarity because of what they are dealing with, hearing about the absolute horror that has happened at home. I spoke on Sudan in 20…

Nobody agrees with that Bill.

We do not want it reduced; we want it outlawed.

Maybe you should protect-----

Ireland is an outlier in allowing cruel fox hunting. It is 20 years since it was banned in the UK, which first introduced this colonial pursuit here. I want to ask the Taoiseach a question but I do not want him to answer it now. Unusually, I would prefer if he gave it consideration. There has not been a Bill to outlaw fox hunting in the State. I will move one on behalf of Solidarity on 17 December…

Give it a rest

That is what it was.

17. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the programme plan for his Department's new disability unit for 2025-2027. [63181/25]

It is very important that the Minister does not beat the rural-urban drum that he has been trying to beat on every animal welfare issue. We have greyhounds in Dublin, we have foxes in Dublin and we have horses in Dublin, and most of us living in an urban area are a generation away from a rural one anyway. The fact that €100 million is being given to the racehorse and greyhound industry is absolute…

I will devote most of my remarks to the greyhound industry but I will mention that horse racing is endemically linked with gambling, which is a real scourge and an addiction. There have been programmes broadcast throughout the week on that. Some €20 million is to be given to the greyhound industry. Animal welfare charities were given €6 million. Last year the ISPCA was given €1.2 million, which w…

We will divide it between us. This is a very important debate because all around the world we are seeing an increase in violence, genocide, brutality and gross inequality. That is the reason people are fleeing the countries they are from and that we are discussing tonight the measures the Government is taking, which very much fall in line with the British Labour Government and other governments ar…

In the time between this debate beginning and ending, six women will have been murdered by family members. That is a shocking statistic from the UN. I support this Bill. I support anything that will help survivors of sexual assault to have peace in their lives. It is the very minimum that is needed, though. In a previous Dáil, I introduced a Bill to provide for no-contact orders. Anybody should b…

I want to raise a very important issue for people in the greater Blanchardstown area, and Dublin West in general, which is the application and granting of planning permission for parking charges and barriers in Blanchardstown town centre. This is a proposal to fleece the community in a cost-of-living crisis and to fleece people who work in the centre. It will drive online shopping, job losses and …

I am just wondering why I stayed until 12.15 a.m. to hear that explanation of what a planning application is. I do understand that the Minister of State has to be careful. I do get that. I thought we might be able to have a general discussion about whether people should pay car parking charges to access community and shopping facilities. What does the Minister of State think? Does he think this is…

Yes, but on a general discussion.