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Éirinn faoi láthair. Tá daoine ag fulaingt agus faoi bhrú mór. The cost-of-living crisis is raging and, instead of helping the students and their parents, the Government is adding fuel to the fire. The hike proposed nine days ago sent real fear throughout households that fees

Government is putting them into debt. It collected €4.1 billion in fuel taxes last year, which is the highest ever level in the history of the State, in the jaws of a cost-of-living crisis. Carbon taxes are topping out at €1 billion

living is too high but the Government is in complete denial about this reality. It seems to believe that the cost-of-living crisis is over and it is ruling out a cost-of-living package while households struggle. It is clear the Government is totally … clinics, I have people coming in to me who are struggling to make ends meet, with high energy costs, rent and childcare and fuel costs, not to mention the student fees that the Government is now determined to increase. People just cannot take it any more. They need

onshore wind, offshore wind, electric vehicles, district heating and the use of biomethane, not to mention the impact of the new LNG fossil fuel terminals the Government is promoting and the data centres that are not required to use renewable energy. We are told all the time that … pull out all the stops with the new national development plan? Will it invest in the infrastructure we need to mitigate the climate crisis, including our water pipe network, which is so bad it is not able to ensure people have water right after a month of abnormally

highest in Europe and fuel costs are also among the highest in Europe. This Government took in €4 billion last year in fuel tax, which is driving up the cost of living. Now it seeks to drive up the cost of living more on these wonderful students. What … send their students to Dublin, Galway or Cork? These families are already suffering, largely due to this Government, in respect of the housing crisis. I know families and I am sure the students in the Gallery will agree that students are moving out of their accommodation

delivering on the commitments in the zero-tolerance strategy to achieve a society in which sexual violence and the toxic attitudes that fuel it are not accepted. Since taking office, the Minister has prioritised legislation in this area, which is really important. The recently published Women … acknowledge the work being done by Women's Aid and by gardaí around the country. While the figures demonstrate the scale of the crisis of domestic and gender-based violence, they also show a growing willingness to recognise and call out abuse. Domestic abuse is a devastating crime

restoration of international law. We will soon introduce legislation under the occupied territories Bill reflecting our obligations under international law. This crisis has been further complicated by the escalating tension and war between Israel and Iran. I fully support the Government's view, and that … Iran is on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon, yet that threat has never materialised. We must be cautious of rhetoric that fuels endless war. It would be deeply regrettable if the Israeli Prime Minister's motive in prolonging hostilities in Gaza and Iran was contrived

tackled by ensuring recommender systems are turned off by the various social media websites to combat the spread of hateful material. These systems fuel and push violent and reactionary content to users. It is concerning that this proposal was notably absent from the online safety code brought forward … between local authorities and communities that are able to advocate for victims effectively. We must expand and upgrade refuge spaces, not just for crisis response but to provide real long-term stability. While refuges are essential, they are not a permanent solution. Our aim should be to allow