Mairéad Farrell

I wanted to speak on this Bill specifically. One of reasons is that when we make new laws, change laws or look at legislation in this Chamber, it is not just about what I think this Minister, this Government or anybody in this Chamber would do. My concern always has to be what future Governments could do. That is an issue that needs to be thought about when we look at dismantling the triple lock. …

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This Bill comes at a timely moment, as I am sure the Minister of State will agree, when her Department has launched a review of the public procurement system. I hope this review will be constructive, that it is not just a box-ticking exercise and that we look at the nuts and bolts of this issue. How the Government deals with this Bill and the rev…

First, I will mention the survey results. The Minister of State mentioned that she dealt with the Dublin local authorities. I cannot remember - I would not say it in this House anyway - exactly who responded in what way but there was a very clear lack of understanding. I am happy to meet with the Minister of State and share my results in a way that shows her how little information is out there, no…

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time this evening.

In the North, there is an incredible situation in which Irish citizens who live on the island of Ireland have a Head of State in the President of Ireland but are unable to vote for that Head of State. These citizens feel there is an othering of them, that they are somehow different and not equal as Irish citizens who live in Ireland and have an Irish Head of State for whom they cannot vote. That m…

98. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on plans to abolish the carers allowance means test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32278/25]

This was talked about quite a bit during the election. What update does the Minister have? An féidir leis an plean atá aige le fáil réidh leis seo a leagan amach go cruinn dúinn?

The most important thing is clarity. The Minister said the Department will do a job of work to analyse how this will be achieved over the lifetime of this Government. Will the Minister be able to publish that as soon as job has been done? For carers, being able to predict exactly how it will impact them over the coming years will be important. Carers do a huge job and save the State vast sums of m…

Hear, hear.

Bogaimid ar aghaidh go dtí an Teachta Connolly agus, ina dhiaidh sin, an Teachta Stanley.

Go raibh maith agat. I say "Hi" to the sixth-class pupils from Kiltale National School who are here with Deputy Aisling Dempsey.

Tá daltaí ó Ghaelscoil Éadan Doire sa Ghailearaí freisin, as well as those from Kitealy National School. Plenty of young eyes are watching us.

I thought the other Member would have used his time. I will get to my own speech. I would love to address some of the nonsense about my own party but today I do not have the energy in me to start a fight. I will stick to the speech I have. There is a bit of an irony in what we are doing in dealing with this Bill, which is to nominally but not effectively reduce the cost of property tax that house…

I heard the Taoiseach's remarks yesterday at the national economic dialogue, and I have to say never in my life have I heard such reality-defying words. He told us that fundamental reform was being delivered that was creating a sustainable housing system into the future. We have a Raise the Roof rally outside the Dáil today. If we did a survey of all the people there, and of all the people who wer…

The way it works is that each TD gets one minute.

This the end.

That is the way it works.

I understand, but that is the way it works.

Bogfaimid ar aghaidh go Ceist Uimh. 11. Tá Ceist Uimh. 11 á tógáil le ceisteanna Uimh. 20, 23, 29, 34, 42, 62, 66 agus 79.

Is é seo an chéad uair atá deis agam comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit as a phost agus a ról nua. Guím chuile rath air sa phost seo. Is í an fhírinne ná go dteastaíonn guth fíorláidir uainn. Teastaíonn sé ó na pobail atá ina gcónaí ar an gcósta agus ó na pobail ar fad a bhfuil baint acu leis an iascaireacht. Ní raibh an guth sin acu cheana agus is í sin an fhadhb a bhí ann i gcónaí. Cait…

This is not a Topical Issue that I wanted to bring to the Dáil but it relates is an ongoing situation over a number of months. I am disappointed it had to get to this point. It is very clear that six months after Storm Bert and Storm Darragh, and five months after Storm Éowyn, there is no plan from the Government on how to deal with the infrastructural deficit that has had a huge impact across Con…

Yes, the Minister of State was getting to the most interesting part there. I am happy with this response because I feel like something is being taken seriously. I understand the Minister of State is not over this particular Department but I will ask him to bring back a few things and also for a number of clarifications on this. There are a few interesting things. At the end of the day, I do not wa…

I welcome those in the Public Gallery to Dáil Éireann. I am sure Deputy Coppinger will agree that the reason we are all here is thanks to the activism and the loud voices of the people who are in the Gallery, as well as those who, unfortunately, were not able to be here today. I thank the Deputy for bringing forward this Bill. Hers has been an incredibly strong voice on this issue in the Chamber. …

I commend the Social Democrats on introducing this important motion. Representatives of the Central Bank will appear before the finance committee today to explain its position on why there has been no action on these bonds. Therefore, this motion is timely. Thus far the Central Bank has refused to reject the prospectuses submitted for these Israeli war bonds. Its reasons not to act have been somew…

I will give the Minister's time back.