Ruth Coppinger

He was asked to give authorisation and I would like to know why he gave that because he has made promises to stand for Palestine and he has not delivered on that either.

We are allowed to mention that there is an election.

A Cheann Comhairle, are we not mentioning that there is an election next week? Is that barred?

But that is why we are here having a debate.

It is not the Minister of State's decision to make.

6. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [49987/25]

The Government took a decision in the budget to give huge tax cuts to developers, the fast food industry and the hospitality sector to boost trade and competitiveness. In doing so, it has made people 2% worse off according to the ESRI and the bottom 10% of society are 4.4% worse off. I will specifically ask the Taoiseach about electricity. We have the highest electricity costs in the EU and we he…

Maybe it is not such a bad idea after all to go back to the model we had in the 1970s and 1980s when people could afford electricity.

I know. Fianna Fáil sent a lot of people emigrating. I remember it.

You are gas.

We are saying to nationalise electricity.

17. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [49988/25]

I, indeed, will be raising it too.

The Deputy just happened to be the first person. In relation to Palestine and the ceasefire, I want to ask the Taoiseach, "What now?" What should be the approach of the Government in relation to what has happened? Obviously, any respite for the people of Gaza and for the children of Gaza from the genocide that they have endured for almost two years is hugely welcome. However, of the people who a…

I did not say there was anything wrong with-----

It is about not saying anything about Palestinian hostages, Taoiseach. That is the question.

No, that is not-----

It is Taoiseach's questions.

I think you did not want to say anything about the Palestinian hostages, Taoiseach. That is very clear.

So will you say something tonight about the Palestinians?

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day. I wanted to give a nod to the fact that with genocide, racism and an increase in violence and brutality worldwide, huge damage is being done to people's mental health. We hope that the peace plan announced today for Gaza will bear fruit, but we still have huge issues of ecocide and genocide that are causing massive damage to the mental health of so many childre…

There is nothing stopping me talking about a presidential candidate. I checked the Standing Orders. I cannot talk about the President-----

You can rule all you like but there is no Standing Order preventing me from doing this.

I am talking about a candidate for the Presidency who has raised something in the public domain that the Government needs to address. That is all.

I am saying they need to address it because trans people are hearing these messages going out.