It is not unfair.

Momentum is growing for the amalgamation of the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association, which I welcome. It is a matter for all the individual associations but the One Club model is working well and there is recognition that we must progress, move on and-----

This is a first.

I agree.

If they come together will the Government give them a few bob?

The Taoiseach could have said that.

Yesterday, I raised in the Dáil the issue of Ireland being the best small country in the world for Russian oligarchs to channel their money, with €118 billion going through the IFSC since 2007, much of it through section 110 vehicles. On the back of the very worrying and dangerous situation that is developing in our world, I want to ask what we, as legislators, are going to do collectively to deal with Russia as much as we can. Do we need emergency legislation to deal with section 110? Do we need to bring in legisl…

The prospect of a full-blown war in Ukraine is edging closer. It is a sovereign country that is dealing with neocolonial actions by Russia that we should all condemn. It is not too late for diplomacy to try to de-escalate the crisis because thousands of lives are at risk. Open war is edging closer and an emergency that we have not faced in many decades is on our doorstep. Ukraine will soon declare a state of emergency and has advised its citizens to leave Russia. It is a deeply concerning time for Europe. Collectiv…

I welcome the fact that a motion will be brought forward condemning Russia's actions. I believe we should do it as soon as possible. We will work with the Taoiseach on that. It is absolutely necessary that everybody in the House supports this and shows their colours on this. I have a deep concern in relation to the issue of Russian money coming into this country and being cleaned. My colleague, Deputy Howlin, brought forward the Proceeds of Crime (Gross Human Rights Abuses) Bill, known as the Magnitsky Bill, in 202…

Free Covid PCR tests for people are about to be axed. They will not be offered to members of the public under the age of 55, those who are boosted and do not fall into certain categories. This is coming into force next week, as I understand it. It means that people will have to pay between €70 and €90 for a private PCR test, which is extortionate. For many people, this will be a cost that they cannot afford. There were 3,294 positive PCR test results yesterday alone, without even factoring in negative results. Just…

NPHET is meeting today to consider what will happen with mandatory mask wearing. For many people this will be a welcome sign that we are leaving the pandemic behind us. However, many unions representing workers in transport and retail, particularly Mandate Trade Union and the National Bus and Rail Union, NBRU, have concerns. Ms Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, has called for the rules to be kept for a short period. As the Minister knows, there will be a lot of anxiety fo…

Will the Minister ensure that commercial transport operators are covered? When will the flexi-taxsaver ticket be introduced? When will the 20% fare reduction announced recently also be introduced?

I asked the Minister a number of questions. He outlined what his view is before taking NPHET advice regarding mask wearing. I am saying out straight that many workers have a deep concern there, particularly in transport and retail. I know there are problems with introducing new technology in the public transport system. I had to clean up a mess that lasted eight and a half years, under the last Government involving the Green Party and the previous Fianna Fáil Government, in respect of the Leap card and finally intr…

As we all say, Covid has changed everything and has been the great disrupter. Many people are moving around and changing their work patterns, through working remotely and so on. I have never seen so many people moving home to my own county. In the context of spatial planning changing, and with Covid having had such a disrupting effect, what is the Minister's personal position on the 170 km Shannon water pipeline? I listened to an interview the Minister did not so long ago. What he said in that interview was very in…

Hear, hear.

House prices have risen by 14.4% over the past year, the highest annual growth rate in seven years. The price of second-hand homes rose by 16.7% and the price of new homes rose by 5.1%. Young families are struggling big time. An income of €116,000 is required to be able to afford an average house in our capital city. No matter how much young people save, they cannot deliver because of the cost of rent and the cost of living. Deputy Howlin brought to my attention a situation in Wexford where developers are taking de…

What about the gouging that is going on?

I have a very specific and direct question. Is there any official, unofficial or secret agreement between the Irish State and the UK Government that permits the Royal Air Force, RAF, to conduct any form of armed operations in Irish airspace? Will the Taoiseach confirm to the House that this agreement does, or does not, exist? Under Article 15.6 of the Constitution, the Oireachtas is the only authority that can allow any other military force to operate within our State or on behalf of the State. Can the Taoiseach co…

Covid has caused a significant increase in the waiting lists and a build-up of problems which are not fully diagnosed - pardon the pun - in the health service. A new plan on hospital waiting lists is to be brought to the Government shortly. Will the Taoiseach update us on when that will happen? Is this unit that sits in the Department of the Taoiseach involved in this plan? Reports today indicate that the 2022 plan is funded to the tune of €350 million and that it will set out actions to address backlogs and delive…

The Labour Party believes in a fully funded, single-tier public health service. I was part of the team that spent 11 months writing Sláintecare. An extraordinary series of leaks was reported in the Business Post , revealing a dysfunctional relationship between the Department of Health and the HSE. That leads me to believe we are further away than we have ever been from the single-tier public health service we desire. To be frank, the commentary in the meeting that was the subject of the leak was quite derogatory fr…