Bhí mé ar an nguthán le Sonia Borwick díreach ansin. I was just on the phone with Sonia Borwick. Northside Home Care is on day five of strike in relation to caring. Sixty men and woman are on strike because what is happening them is unfair. In relation to the Bill, the carers have been on strike since 16 January. They are not doing this lightly. They are doing it because they have been pushed to the edge. These people who looked after my grandparents are all proud northsiders. Yet, speaking on the phone to her, she…

Before we move along, I would like to say a big "hello" and "fáilte" to Dundalk Grammar School, here on the invitation of Deputy Butterly, and to the Deputy's former business teacher, Mr. Brady. You are very welcome to Leinster House. I hope you enjoy yourselves.

Bogfaimid ar aghaidh go dtí an Teachta Rory Ahern.

Rory Hearne. Tá brón orm.

Tá brón orm.

An Teachta Hearne, go raibh maith agat.

The division is postponed until the weekly division time next week.

Labhair mé faoin ábhar seo sa Teach seo. I understand Uisce Éireann has a huge body of work but it is failing on infrastructure. We have reviewed the judicial review system which will make it much easier for people to have critical infrastructure. Currently, in Dublin, especially in my area of Dublin Bay North, there is a huge issue where we see drone footage of E. coli and human waste going into the bay. I have seen other people using methods to clean it. I would love that to be done in north Dublin. Another thing…

Going through the Bill, we cannot argue. Improving safety is something that we really do need, especially in the operation and maintenance of our gas networks. I have heard other Deputies mention it. The improvements are important. Protecting our citizens is one of the main things that we in this Chamber do. As Deputy Gogarty has said, however, the measures are not grappling with the elephant in the room, namely, soaring energy prices and the burden on Irish households. If any other country had the potential that I…

I still have time, do I not?

Will I keep going?

Green hydrogen is a direct form and we need frameworks that unlock investment to electrolysis facilities, as I have already mentioned. There are great academics across the country's universities but we need to be listening to them. Irish people should be proud of the country we have, proud of the grid and proud of the energy we are producing cleanly. Safety is critical and this Bill improves safety. It is a moment to rethink. Obviously I have only been in this House for the last 13 months and a lot of this stuff wa…

I could have kept going.

Toisc gurb é an chéad uair dom a bheith ag caint sa Teach seo i mbliana, ba mhaith liom athbhliain faoi mhaise a ghabháil le gach duine. I am seeking a clear update on the progression of the occupied territories Bill. The programme for Government I signed up for promised the advancement of legislation prohibiting the importation of goods. Given the ongoing genocide and Ireland's stated obligations under international law, it is now essential that we bring the Bill in as soon as possible. I stress that at the commit…

I heard a few Members of the House speaking tonight about the fisheries and what we have lost. I have been engaging with the Minister of State, and I hope he will address that issue and how the EU is taking advantage of our seas. With regard to the Mercosur deal, I welcome Deputy Gogarty's acknowledgment that there are some benefits. There are farmers here tonight. I come from a constituency in north Dublin. The only fields in my constituency are GAA pitches but I have been contacted by a lot of people. I am also w…

Anocht, ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire regarding a heritage centre for north Dublin bay. This would be a single focal point for cultural heritage and would increase the number of year-round visitors to the area. Huge numbers of people already visit north Dublin. We have two castles there. People do not know that with the Guinness family, Bram Stoker and Daniel O’Connell all connected to the area, there is a huge amount of history there. We have loads of sites. Having a heritage centre would be brilliant for…

I welcome the fact that the Minister thinks this is a good idea. It would be brilliant for the economy, local tourism and jobs. I will mention a few things that north Dublin has going for it, namely the Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru, the two Norman castles, Lord Charlemont and Casino Marino and Daniel O’Connell and the monster meeting that took place in Clontarf in 1843 from which the Irish revolution and the foundation of the State began. I did not know about the latter until I went and met the men and women behi…

It is great that the Minister thinks this is a good idea. Think of what would be in place in another country if Bram Stoker had lived there. He lived in the Fairview area. You can still see his house. I know the person who lives in it. They voted for me. Actually, I do not know if they did.

Yes. It is great to see Deputy Ó Muirí’s enthusiasm, but, sadly, you cannot ask a supplementary on a priority question. A heritage centre would act as a home for Bram Stoker's story . It would be a base for tourism and a shared space for the community. It would drive footfall in the area. When I work as a barman, I spoke to Americans who came to the area. When I told them about Bram Stoker and the Battle of Clontarf, they did not know about either because not enough is done to publicise them. If any other country w…

I too join in the condolences on the attack that happened on the Jewish community in Australia. I also support the plea for funding for The Complex. Regarding the Cabinet committee on housing, across the country AHBs have signed turnkey deals that then collapse. In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, there was a recent scheme that had the contract signed, everything was above board, they were all ready and, at the last minute, when they were looking for funding, the Department denied the funding for 40 turnkey units. If we are…