Paul Donnelly

----but not in Dublin West. It is the same HSE. Why? Why is the Government failing our children?

I really just wanted to be here to show my support for this Bill and to thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh and everybody who participated in this Bill, as well as the people up in the Gallery. It is incredibly important in this day and age. I am really saddened that we are in a situation that there has been a kick back against such a positive move over the past number of years towards understanding and accep…

If we ever needed evidence that the Government is out of touch, then the protests, supported by a huge majority of people in two polls over the weekend, are a wake-up call for this Government. Unfortunately, the vote is over. However, the fight for fairness for workers and families goes on. We know from yesterday's vote that this Government is not for the people. Here is a message for the people:…

The Minister of State will be relieved to know I am not going to name all of the football clubs in Dublin West because there are too many. It shows the strength of football in our community. The clubs exist not because of Government funding but in spite of it. Most of the money they use in their clubs is received through fundraising. They have to go through hoops to get every cent. Some of the fig…

The garden sheds you built.

What about the time?

The Tánaiste is eating into every one else's time-----

Next weekend, many of us will be at the 1916 Easter commemorations honouring those who fought and died for Irish freedom. The Proclamation references "cherishing all the children of the nation equally". Just last week, I met the local management committee for school completion at Blakestown Community School. Like all school completion committees, it works with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged…

It is one school. One.

Absolutely.

What were the criteria?

What were the criteria?

It is not about opposing.

I ask the Tánaiste to withdraw that. This is not about opposing.

Will you publish the criteria as to how these schools were selected?

They are not.

There is not a community that believes the Minister has a handle on the policing issues that they face every single day. I commend the gardaí in Dublin 15. They work hard under huge pressure. I hear from them all of the time that they are under-resourced in terms of equipment, but also in terms of back-up. Can the Minister imagine how the general population feels? Last Sunday, I was sent a picture…

We welcome the intention of this Bill, which clearly aims to protect children from harm. There is no doubt we are in a different age to when most of us were growing up. Most people in this Chamber came to digital and social media whereas as for young people it has always been their experience; they know nothing else. It is our role as legislators to make it as safe we can for all users, especially…

Sometimes I feel like I am in a parallel world here. If we tabled a motion this evening to protect rural post offices, I have no doubt every Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Deputy and every Lowry Independents would vote against it. Yet every single person is coming in to talk about local post offices. I live in an urban area and post offices are under pressure in relation to access for our community an…

I appreciate the opportunity to speak. As the Minister of State knows, we are supporting this Bill, but as has been said on multiple occasions, it needs to be treated with caution. The timelines around this are really tight and an awful lot of people are going to be left in difficulties. We need to ensure that all wards of court are given the opportunity to engage with the assessment process. It i…

There has been no mention of Israel. It has been three minutes and the Taoiseach has not mentioned Israel. For three minutes, he has avoided using the word "Israel".

It is shocking.

They would say that, though.

I listened to the Taoiseach today. It was probably the most out of touch response I have heard. I was absolutely shocked. I got an email today that really encapsulates how all of this feels. I am writing as a parent of a child attending Pelletstown Educate Together National School and as a member of the wider community. My daughter is autistic and attends a mainstream class in our school. She thr…

In 2021, the acquisition of 112 homes in Hollystown, Dublin 15, by an investment fund rightly caused anger across the State. These houses - the ones the Minister talks about all the time as being essential to help young families to get a family home - were bought up in bulk by an investor. They are now rented out for at least €2,600 per month. Simon Harris has publicly stated that the bulk purchas…