I thought I was taking the slot of Deputy Matthews.

That has changed from six or seven minutes ago or however length of time I have been here. I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I appreciate the opportunity to address this. The Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, probably will not mind me making this point that this is not the national rural broadband plan; it is the national broadband plan. I say that because 13,000 homes in Dublin are to be included in the roll-out by NBI. It is important to say that, as a representative of the largest of those constituencies in Dublin, …

I welcome the opportunity to engage in this significant debate. This important Bill will bring about important changes to the delivery of higher education. It will help to modernise our higher education system by bringing it into the 21st century and, in turn, allowing it to meet the demands of our society. It is relevant in this debate to consider where we have come from with regard to higher education and access to higher education. At the time of the introduction of the HEA, Ireland had 20,000 students in higher…

I thank Deputy Costello for sharing his time. Since 1996, Women's Aid has reported the murders of 244 women, along with 18 children who have died with their mothers. Of the resolved cases involving those women, 89% of the victims knew their murderer, with the balance being strangers. Thousands of women are in supportive care, such as refuges, on a daily basis because of the nature of the violence perpetrated on them by men. As some of those statistics have shown, the vast majority of the women in question know the …

Deputy Pringle is sharing time.

I understand that a memorandum was brought to Cabinet this morning regarding major reforms in the funding of childcare. There will be significant moves towards improving the pay and conditions of staff, building on the universal core funding that has been in existence for some years now, targeted funding for disadvantaged areas and significantly expanding the State's involvement in this sector. Does the Taoiseach agree that the proposal approved by Cabinet this morning should pave the way for the ending of price hi…

On Monday I was contacted by another parent in my constituency highlighting waiting times for those who have completed the assessment of need process and are waiting for their initial appointment with the given disability team in the constituency, of which there are three. I am sure the Taoiseach is acutely aware that a child with developmental, learning or behavioural difficulties is now expected to wait up to 36 months, three years, for clinical assessment following the assessment of need. That is an eternity for…

I accept that, but that has moved the problem.

I thank the Minister.

Before I call Deputy O'Callaghan, for the benefit of the Minister and her departmental officials who may be listening to these proceedings, the provision of a ministerial script to the House is a requirement. I ask that the script be expedited and brought to the House.

I call on Deputy Boyd Barrett to speak on behalf of People Before Profit-Solidarity. The Deputy is sharing his time.

You have eight minutes.

That makes eight.

I am glad the Deputy did not cite Peppa Pig.

Yes.

I must interrupt the Deputy as his time is up.

Tomorrow is the start of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Orange the World campaign to highlight its aim of ending violence against women. The Ceann Comhairle has agreed to my request to light the obelisk on Leinster Lawn tomorrow as part of that campaign. Will the Taoiseach commit to fulfilling the programme for Government commitment to implementing a plan for future refuge space on the publication of the review of domestic violence accommodation provision currently und…

Reflecting on what is effectively two years of tough decisions and lockdowns, it is hard to believe we have societal integrity in the State, particularly when we look at countries very near us beginning to have difficulties with spikes in Covid and then the protests against subsequent decisions. It is testament to the Irish people in their entirety in how they approached this. This Government and the previous Government have approached this from an entirely scientific basis.

Shall I continue? The lights are off but the microphones are still on so I can keep going.

It is important to highlight that the Irish people have reacted to this appropriately. They have followed the science, as has the Government, and continue to do so. It is the only way. A great deal has been learned in the last year in particular. As noted many times, there is no handbook for society's response either in Ireland or globally. Those tough decisions have been taken with public support and have saved lives. There is really no other issue to be discussed. We have one of the lowest per capita death rates …