That is not what the Taoiseach said, in fairness.

It is not.

The Taoiseach is wrong.

We are in a very precarious situation with regard to what is going on with Russia at the Ukrainian border. There is also an issue here in our own territorial waters regarding the activities of Russian submarines and the manoeuvres of the Russian military. I listened quite intently to Mr. Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producer's Organisation. I spoke to him before I came into the Dáil today. This could have serious consequences for the environment, for fish stocks, including stocks of tuna and…

The shared island initiative is the Taoiseach's flagship proposal. Can he tell the House that his successor, the current Tánaiste, is going to continue it? Is that agreed? As regards the North-South Ministerial Council, with the DUP not participating even though it has been declared illegal by the court in Belfast, what work is under way in trying to ensure that the DUP participates? This cannot go on forever. What projects does the Taoiseach expect the shared island initiative to fund? There is €500 million in fun…

On behalf of the Labour Party, I extend sympathies to the family of Ashling Murphy, her boyfriend, Ryan, her family, community, colleagues, friends and pupils. I think of them a lot. It is a terrible tragedy that has deeply touched us all, across the country, and it demands a serious and collective response from all of us in this House. I welcome the question-and-answer session just beforehand and I agree totally. The word "watershed" is often used in this House for many different things. Sometimes the word is misp…

I am not saying this is easy but it has to happen. I rarely come in here and say something like that. The mental health of the students is paramount. I know there are issues with regard to third level. Those who have gone into third level this year and last year have performed quite well after what they have had to go through, which is great. This year's students, however, lost three months in fifth year. They have suffered an awful lot again this year. That is not fair and fairness should be the medium by which we…

I am not asking that.

It is welcome that a decision has finally been made on a pandemic bonus for healthcare workers. This is something we called for in May 2020. I want to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to outline exactly what it will involve and who will qualify for it. There seems to be quite a bit of confusion out there. For instance, will community home help workers, family carers and those who work in pharmacies qualify? Broadly speaking, we all agree that they should. I ask the Taoiseach to clarify that. The Tánaiste previousl…

Family carers, pharmacists.

Home help.

Home help.

The Taoiseach did not answer the question. He was waffling.

I acknowledge the passing of two former Labour Party Deputies, Toddy O'Sullivan and Liam Kavanagh, who died in the past week. It has been a very sad week for our party. They were two fantastic representatives who will be very sadly missed. I am glad the Minister is here this afternoon and that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler is beside him. I agree with the previous speaker. In my time in politics I have never seen the issues in home care that I am seeing at the moment. It is actually impossible. People are bei…

It must be the spirit of Christmas but that was a very good response. Could the Minister confirm that HIQA has now agreed not to do what was proposed on 1 January? I presume it will communicate the decision to the Dean Maxwell through the HSE and to other homes similarly affected across the country. The Minister might confirm whether it is just the Dean Maxwell. I very much welcome the Minister’s statement that funding will not be an issue. That is very good news given the journey we have all been on in this regard…

There will be new ones.

The Tánaiste could not be here today, but he was on the "Pat Kenny Show" on radio, basically telling us that new restrictions will be coming in in respect of social mixing, contact tracing and international travel. Days are important. I ask the Government to meet tomorrow night rather than on Friday to make decisions. With international travel, for instance, the EU Commission is proposing that from 15 January, the maximum validity of a Covid certificate will be nine months. Therefore, anyone who has a certificate v…

I want to ask the Tánaiste a very serious question. Does he trust the women of Ireland? Yesterday, the Minister for Health announced the terms of a review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. When this historic legislation was debated and passed three years ago, it was the understanding of Members of this House that there would be a review of the operation of the Act, inclusive of policy. The Minister is instead only planning a review to see if it is operating as intended and is not look…

I can sense the Tánaiste is uncomfortable with this question. The Minister was agnostic yesterday, and the Tánaiste seems now to be struggling. As the Tánaiste in this Government, the fact he cannot remember whether such an important matter was signed-off by the Government is quite amazing. It shows the priorities of the Government. Yesterday, my colleague, Senator Annie Hoey, asked the Minister about policy recommendations. If they emerged, although they probably cannot because the terms of reference are so narrow…

This seems to be a political decision. The Tánaiste does not seem to be in control of the decision-making process. Will the Government ensure the legislation is reviewed and that if policy changes are required regarding the issues I raised, will it ensure they are brought forward in this Dáil so that we, as legislators, can debate and vote on them? Yes or no?