The National Day of Commemoration took place at the weekend in Collins Barracks. It also marked the centenary of the Truce in the Irish War of Independence. More than 2,000 people were killed in the conflict before the Truce on 11 July 1921. Hannah Carey was one of the last people killed. She worked as a waitress in the Imperial Hotel, Killarney and was hit in the throat by a stray bullet fired by a Royal Irish Constabulary, RIC, officer arriving on the scene after two British soldiers had also been shot. Ms Carey …

The parliamentary liaison unit is a very important one. In the previous Dáil, there was significant reform arising from the dynamic that was in place with the confidence and supply agreement. The Taoiseach was a big champion of Dáil reform but we have now gone backwards. I accept that these are difficult circumstances because of Covid but Bill after Bill is now being rushed through the Dáil and Bills are being guillotined. Considered amendments to very important legislation will never see the light of day. They are…

I probably did but we did not say the person misspoke; we said it was a mistake. At least we were honest about it. We now have confirmation that GPs can issue letters. Those are three different statements on the same topic. That is not the way to work with the Opposition. Members of the Government do not know what they are doing themselves. I am asking this sincerely. The Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, has issued a statement on this matter. We cannot have a situation where GPs will up to 90 all day, every day, is…

That is not what I said.

What about GPs?

Three Ministers said three different things and the Taoiseach does not know.

My request of the Taoiseach today is a positive one. Eighteen months ago, doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, laboratory scientists and multiple other workers across our hospitals and primary care system faced a nightmare scenario with regard to Covid-19. Our healthcare workers reported to the front line of the fight against Covid-19 with little or no personal protective equipment, PPE, at the start of it and they have delivered care for the Irish people through extremely difficult circumstances. In many cases,…

I genuinely accept what the Taoiseach says, but the time for platitudes is over. I know a couple who are working in the healthcare service and have a number of children. Childcare cost them thousands of euro, even with family help and a discount. I know of a nurse who was clamped multiple times and whose neighbours volunteered to pay the fines for her. I could tell the Taoiseach stories all day about the people who have made great sacrifices working in healthcare, but it cost them money. It has cost them financiall…

If the Government gives the HSE the capacity to do this, it will do it. Will you please do that? At this stage, we have to acknowledge the work and efforts of all these workers. I am sorry, but platitudes do not work anymore. They do not show respect.

It had no power yesterday.

The HSE said yesterday that it was not even in a position to engage.

The Taoiseach has said many times that we must use every tool in our arsenal in regard to Covid-19. I want to ask what is being done regarding all the technologies for proper air ventilation. We know that Covid-19 is spread in the air more so than on surfaces, so ventilation is critical. We need to use better disinfection systems. I have written to the Taoiseach and the Minister recently on this. Ms Orla Hegarty from UCD has been making the point for nearly a year that the future-proofing of ventilation across prem…

-----regarding proper use of new ventilation techniques and technologies?

What about new technologies?

I am aware this matter has been raised with the Taoiseach. The Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is being dealt with tonight and the Government is proposing an amendment to exempt funds from stamp duty on homes they lease to local authorities and approved housing bodies. The Government is providing an incentive for funds to bulk-buy homes and apartments for social leasing that we know is poor value. It is not good enough that the legislation is being rammed through in the way it will be later. Se…

The European digital green certificate is due to come into operation on 19 July. It is a moving issue on which a significant number of people anxiously wait for news of its delivery To keep people updated, will the Taoiseach tell the House whether the timelines will be met? Will it be paper-based? When will these start to be posted out? Will it be Monday? I will not hold him to it but what percentage of people does he expect will have them next week, before 19 July? There will be issues, but does he predict that a …

The last time we discussed this issue, we had an extensive discussion on the outcome of the most recent assembly on gender equality. I also inquired of the Taoiseach about his priorities, as a number of assemblies are proposed. In his reply, he might indicate what his priorities are. The programme for Government commitment is stated as being one on the future of education, but I would also expect that to examine the role of the church in education. For a number of years, the Labour Party has called for such an asse…

We have 30 seconds. I seem to be the only person left, so it is a bit discriminatory.

I want to begin by welcoming Vicky Phelan home. I am delighted that she is on her way home to her family. I hope she gets to spend a lot of quality time with them in the coming days and weeks. Without her, I do not think we would be here today discussing all the issues, failings and positive aspects. I was in touch with her last night and she is looking forward to coming home. We will support the Bill. I do not know if anyone would oppose it because it is purely a technical Bill to extend the tribunal which was est…

Will the Taoiseach confirm to the House whether the new revised national development plan, NDP, will be published before the recess next week? Along with other Deputies and Senators from Tipperary, I had a meeting with Tipperary County Council yesterday evening where there was deep concern that the N24, a very important strategic corridor supported by all the local authorities, could be jettisoned. It is in the national planning framework, the southern regional authority and all the county development plans. This i…