Ruth Coppinger

Has the Taoiseach raised with the Canadian Prime Minister the ongoing support of Canada for Israel, which is very unfortunate, and Canada's commitment to spend 5% of GDP on arms and to participate in ReArm Europe? Points have been made by a previous TD about democratic values that we share. TDs who went and dined with the US ambassador while it is funding a genocide are lecturing the rest of us a…

Can the Taoiseach just answer the questions he was asked?

21. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [33615/25]

It is absolutely pathetic that the only thing the Government can offer young people to reduce the price of a home is to reduce its size. Going from 37 sq. m to 32 sq. m means these units will be smaller than a mobile home. Eight of them, apparently, would fit on a playing pitch. The estimated cost reduction this will bring about is between €28,000 and €40,000. It still will not make apartments aff…

Why were the schemes stopped?

I declare my solidarity with all those affected and their families, who still bear the scars and carry the legacy of this abuse. So many abused children went on to develop addictions and health issues as a result of the heinous trauma inflicted upon them. The scale of abuse that was revealed in the scoping inquiry that led to this commission is simply astounding. A total of 2,395 allegations of ab…

4. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on his recent engagements with other states regarding the genocide in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38251/25]

What interaction has the Tánaiste had with other states, particularly in the EU, about Gaza? His colleagues in the EU Parliament will today apparently endorse Ursula von der Leyen despite her complete approval of the genocide that is taking place. She made comments about Israel's right to defend itself at a time when the Tánaiste has recognised that a genocide is taking place. Ireland will row in …

Given all the Tánaiste has said about recognising there is a genocide and our State's recognition of the Palestinian state, how can we refuse visas to children who are coming here to escape the bombardment in Gaza? Moataz Sarsour GAA Club has been refused visas. From talking and writing with the people involved, I know they have complied on multiple occasions with all the requests of the Departmen…

-----who were promised care. The Government has stalled the treatment of 18 children from Palestine. The Tánaiste can clarify the situation, but it seems as if it has been stalled because those children may be bringing siblings with them. There seems to be an appalling attitude to getting people over here. I have, for example, tried to get the wife of a citizen and constituent over here. That man …

It seems mealy-mouthed in the extreme to call it a genocide when, as one of the richest countries in the world, with a massive budget surplus and health service, a basic thing we could do is to treat some of these children who have suffered the most appalling treatment. They are now being checked repeatedly to ensure that only one person is coming with them. This is terrible. Why is this GAA club…

Why should doctors who are trying to escape from Gaza have to go through the normal process? Can we not give some extra help?

My office has been contacted by someone who became an Irish citizen and was not able to have their non-binary status recognised on their passport, or the new name they adopted in the country they came from. Non-binary and intersex status is recognised in Denmark, Germany, Malta, Iceland, the Netherlands and even the USA, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India and so many other …

I welcome those present in the Public Gallery for this debate. The Minister mentioned at the beginning of his remarks that he would speak to representatives of the GAA about the game changer campaign. Obviously, I welcome any move by sporting organisations because they have such access to children, to girls and boys. Nobody against whom credible accusations of domestic violence have been made shou…

The Commissioner of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen, is not just complicit in the genocide in Gaza; she is actively supportive of the Israeli state and what it is doing. She still uses the term, "Israel's right to defend itself", right up until now. Even when Gaza is being starved, children are being killed for sport and doctors are being murdered, Israel has the right to defend itself, according to …

-----you can distinguish your vote-----

-----when you make a vote, and can come out publicly to explain your stance, but the reality is it is a vote of no confidence. If the parties are not happy about that, they can put one themselves, which should have happened a long time ago. I will raise another issue. The Minister of State and the Government constantly say how much Ireland is doing. There are two examples of basic care that we co…

6. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education will next meet. [32399/25]

Ireland is becoming the most expensive country in Europe to go to college. With the threatened withdrawal of the €1,000 assistance to parents, this will further be the case. Parents and students are making CAO decisions now about whether or not they can limit or pick cheaper courses or courses nearer to where they live, but the Taoiseach will not decide until July. Some 100,000 children are living…

19. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will next meet. [33614/25]

For a year and a half, the people of Dublin West have been guinea pigs for drone infrastructure. The potential for drones to do very important work for humans is definitely there, such as emergency relief, medicine, reaching isolated places due to geography and so on. Such new infrastructure should be with community assent and approval and not inflicted with no recourse by private companies that a…

Yes, I know but----

Yes.

For fast food?

I am.