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collectively with the people of Gaza as they endure Israel's appalling genocide. In Ireland, clearly, we have very strong views. Across this House, there are such strong views and there is such strong distress at the appalling and ongoing brutality that is being inflicted upon the people … kept informed of what is going on. Finally, I express my deep concern at the growth of the far right across the European Union. We are seeing it take control in certain governments and having a strong impact on policies in different member states. I appeal

sense almost more bizarre. At the moment, contracted drivers of school buses under the Bus Éireann scheme have to be vetted, and rightly so. For a private bus where a person is driving the same group of young people, however, there is not a requirement for Garda vetting … public actually see real change to resolve a lot of the issues with which the Minister of State, I and everyone in these House is very familiar

investigated - the developer originally planned to build it for the private sector and when it was contracted by an AHB to deliver social housing, the specifications were lowered. I think that is what actually happened but I am just speculating. The Bill proposes that there should … really pointing through that to Government policy. Essentially, the ability of RTÉ to produce public service broadcasting is being dismantled. They are absolutely right. It will all be outsourced to independent private companies to do the job of public service broadcasting. Kevin Reynolds rightly made the case that

thank the Deputies from across the House for their contributions during this debate. The Government remains fully committed to delivering on the twin objectives of decarbonisation and digitalisation in a sustainable and affordable manner. The sufficiency of the powers available to CRU through the electricity regulation Acts … security of electricity supplies and risks system constraints and promotes the renewable energy target. To address the climate crisis, work is progressing right across Government to implement climate mitigation measures. We are focusing on actions that will accelerate the delivery of measures resulting in a reduction in emissions

affect population and demographic projections. In Future Forty’s central scenario, the old-age dependency ratio is expected to increase - as the Deputy rightly said - from 23% in 2022 to 55% in 2065. These headwinds are unavoidable. However, even in a high migration, high fertility situation, Future Forty … country? Future Forty is a very important piece of work that provides, in a way that I have not seen before in these Houses, a treasure trove of information, data and various scenarios that can help all of us - Government and Opposition - in planning for the future

campaign for justice. We have witnessed survivors of abuse in industrial and reformatory schools stage a 51-day hunger strike outside Leinster House just to get the Government to listen, never mind act. It was not until 2012 that Kenneally would face any form of accountability, when Jason … protect you - to protect any child - and to comfort and heal the young boy that still lives within him and to right a terrible wrong. That is the measure of your father. Every time he laughs or smiles, every time he holds you in his gaze, I hope

deserve clarity. Fees in this country are already far too high. Students are paying too much money to access what is a human right: basic education at third level. A recent report from the European Commission found that Ireland has the third highest university fees in the European … many of them have no hope of staying here because of rising fees, the rising cost of living and poor access to housing. They deserve better. Students in this country deserve a brighter future here

LauraLynn children's hospice represent unbelievable value for money. The service they provide is incredible. I liken it to Cancer Connect or ARC house, which are organisations we should really be supporting financially. Children’s palliative care is provided through a shared care approach involving GPs, paediatricians, community … incredible foundation and organisation. It provides a service that can never be replaced, certainly on behalf of the State, to families and children right across Ireland. If there is positivity to be taken from that response, it is that the Deputy has seen how the spending profile

with the challenges young people face with the cost of driving tests, lessons and all the rest of it. They are doing everything right and then they are being robbed by insurance companies. We are all being robbed by insurance companies. Again, it comes down to the regulator … without driving the cost up further with the carbon tax? We are told that the money is being put into the retrofitting of houses. The Minister of State should tell that to some old person who has been waiting for two and a half years

going to be getting much more?" Of course, the difference is that when you pay in, you get a payment by right of paying in as opposed to a means-tested payment and we always have to remember that. I would encourage the Minister, as we progress … would say they were particularly pleased with the Minister's appointment because he understands the issues. Whether it is this issue before the House or the issue I raised around those people prevented from making contributions but are subject to means tests, or the many other areas

picked the Minister up right, I understand the HSE leadership has signed off on that. We want to know when drugs will be in the hands of patients. For those boys, every day without treatment means further loss of muscle functions. Some boys who were able to walk … Europe. Without a specific system for orphan drugs, people with rare diseases will continue to have to protest outside the gates of Leinster House and tell their stories over and over again. This should not be necessary. People with rare diseases have enough to contend with without

thank the Minister of State. It is great to have this debate in this House. I look forward to supporting the Minister of State as she brings forward the urgent legislation that has to come next. The "Vaping Nation" programme on Virgin Media One shone a stark light … public health and protect children from nicotine addiction and the long-term harms that we already know there are from tobacco and nicotine. Rightly, history will judge us. Our children's health will judge us in years to come. We will be judged not on how convenient

prosperity. My party, Sinn Féin, is often accused of being sceptical of the EU. That accusation is often thrown around in this House. It may happen in this debate. However, it is simply not the case. Sinn Féin's policies towards the European Union have always been focused … could be a powerful force for preventing interstate violence and war. It could be a beacon of hope and solidarity among nations. However, right now, it is an inept bystander that is led by the nose by external actors who have no regard for Europeans or their lives

want to touch on three points maidir le torthaí Comhairle na hEorpa. They are the ongoing focus, as Deputy Dolan rightly stated, for a laser-sharp approach to competitiveness. I will also discuss energy and the role the European Union can play in securing the affordability and security … renewable energy being the primary power source for our country, but also countries around the European Union. I draw the attention of the House to the need for us to continue to ensure that the European authorities exercise their responsibilities in a speedy and efficient way with regard

tackling what has become a serious public health and environmental issue. The Minister of State will know that I have raised in the House previously concerns in regard to the rapid growth of single-use vapes, particularly their impact on younger people. These products are cheap, colourful, very … fire risks. A ban on single-use vapes is the most effective way to tackle this problem at source. The Bill strikes the right balance. It is grounded in evidence, aligned with EU regulations and focused on prevention. It reflects what parents, teachers, health professionals and communities have

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Paula Butterly - To discuss the proposed 17% increase in personal injury awards. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss … discuss the ban on pride events in Hungary. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss how the State can best support and realise the rights of single-parent families. The matters raised by Deputies John Lahart, Darren O'Rourke, Duncan Smith and Seamus Healy have been selected for discussion

thank them for their passion for the job, and for their commitment and dedication. I also recognise that we stood in this House and applauded all of the front-line workers and made comments and statements about nurses and others. Yet, we did not fulfil what is necessary … first obligation, which is to keep its people safe. Nurses and front-line workers deserve better. If the management were any way right, or any good at all, the strikers would not be out there today. That matter would have been dealt with long before it happened

thank all the Deputies for their contributions this evening, for the points they have raised and for bringing these important topics to the House. As set out in the Minister, Deputy O'Brien's, earlier remarks and the counter-motion, the Government is committed to maintaining a sustainable … aligned with available resources so they are effective, sustainable and deliver real benefits to passengers. There is a requirement to strike the right balance in public transport fares to enable further enhancements to the public transport network in the coming years, offer the most competitive fares to younger

Whether it was towns like Oranmore that was mentioned, towns in Cork or the aforementioned in south Dublin, the need for infrastructure with housing all across their areas is key. As a country, one thing we probably have failed to keep up with is the delivery … also hope this Critical Infrastructure Bill, not to mind its impossible imperfections or whether it does enough, is ultimately a step in the right direction. I hope it will have faster and better delivery and ensure the co-ordination and the streamlined nature of improved projects

third country. As a consequence, hard copies of the draft Council decision itself have been made physically available to the Members of the Houses for the purpose of debating the motion. The Attorney General’s office has confirmed that this method of circulation meets the requirements of Article … readmission agreement is expected to reaffirm that it will be applied in such a way as to ensure respect for both human rights and for the obligations and responsibilities of the EU, its member states and Kazakhstan under international law. The agreement is also expected to contain language

framed in the Bill, it looks like it will benefit the cohort of people who happen to be in houses worth up to €1.25 million and who also have very good incomes. The other area of concern is that while the Bill allows for variations … local councillor or a group of them can contact Ministers if they wish, which they regularly do. They have a right under the 2001 Act to make representations to statutory bodies, public bodies and semi-State bodies, such

service that is effectively going backwards. The reality is that when we were talking about the community pharmacy agreement in October in this House, I raised issues about phased dispensing and blister packing. There was no action from the Minister or her Department. It is only when uproar … phased dispensing money to provide a blister packing service. That is completely the wrong message. Many pharmacists have been doing this for the right reasons and have not been making money from the phased dispensing service. They have been doing it because they can see the impact

these projects, but is it going to be provided or am I going to be back again in five years' time telling this House that nothing has happened with these projects and we are still in crisis, even though we supported the Bill for critical infrastructure projects that … badly run. I had to agree with him. He is from Nigeria. It was a simple statement but he is 100% right. This is why we need to make sure the money that will be available, and there could be a lot of it, is spent right

know the shortcomings in policing in this country and we are serious about resolving them. We need to be honest. First, the motion rightly points to the root causes of antisocial behaviour. If we do not put real investment into prevention, youth diversion and giving young people better … floor. Paperwork is crushing them and they do not feel supported. They feel that changes will keep bleeding numbers. A motion in this House will not fix it. On paperwork, I do like the proposals to streamline statements and declarations. This is exactly the sort of thing

manufacturing, building, groundworks and civil engineering companies, who are large users of green diesel. This is not good enough going forward, especially for housing and commercial development within our nation. I have to call the Minister of State out on this one. The fishermen are very angry … stop the charges from the toll bridge for a while. There are ways and means around facing the crisis we are in right now. Let us be honest: public transport, where it is being delivered, is fine. For a number of routes in my own constituency