They are going to say that the world looked on as they starved to death.

I thank the Minister of State. I warmly welcome her response. Please God, we need to prepare now for life after the ceasefire. When this brutality stops, the key words of the NGOs are to the effect that we need a permanent solution. If we do not get one, we are going to be back here again in six months' time. We must watch closely the set-up in that regard, but, first, there must be a ceasefire. I mentioned young people. As part of the recovery we must look at their mentality, or else we will have a world swarming …

That is wrong.

I am looking for the Minister's support for a Bill that is currently working through Third Stage. The Protection of Accident Victims from Non-Consensual Recording of Images Bill is aimed at addressing the worrying trend of persons videoing the scenes of accidents and sharing them online. As recently as 3 May, a young man in Cork drowned. Following this, his family had to appear on national media to ask for witnesses not to share footage of the incident. Last week, I walked down the main street of Gorey, County Wexf…

I am looking for an update on discussions relating to school secretaries and caretakers. In my time in office, I have gone out of my way to visit as many schools throughout Wicklow and Wexford, from Riverchapel as far as Carnew. A general concern from secretaries and caretakers is that they are simply not receiving fair treatment for their key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of our schools. This involves many issues, such as equitable pay and access to public service pensions and protections, which is leadi…

Hear, hear.

I raise the issue of the National Ambulance Service. I have heard from multiple constituents of prolonged waiting times, sometimes lasting hours, in cases of urgent need for medical attention. In my constituency, Arklow, County Wicklow, and Gorey, County Wexford, each have only one operating ambulance at any one time. This is to serve a population of more than 50,000 people. If these ambulances are out on calls, coverage is requested from as far away as Bray and Waterford. Last night in Gorey alone, the ambulance w…

I represent the new constituency of Wicklow-Wexford, which straddles the border between south Wicklow and north Wexford. As with the rest of the country, in all areas of my constituency there are issues with housing supply and availability of rental properties that are impacting families and communities. However, depending on which side of the border they live on, my constituents will receive significantly different support from the State to assist with the cost of housing. If we take, for example, a couple with th…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am dealing with two families, a brother and sister, one of whom lives in Arklow while the other lives just down the road in Coolgreany. There is a difference of €650 in the payment they receive. Since opening my constituency offices in Gorey and Arklow, the most prominent issue for people coming in the door has been housing. Day in, day out, I meet people just trying to find a place to live, so they can send their kids to the local school, go to work and build a life i…

I welcome the report. It is imperative that there is no delay in the roll-out of the recommendations it contains. There are three key issues. The first is how we deal with parents. Since the more than 2,000 letters were sent out, I have spoken to many parents. Without exaggerating, I can say they simply have not slept. They are totally numb at the thought that their child was put through a procedure that simply was not necessary. Many in this House understand what it is like to hand their child over to a surgeon in…

In regard to the hip dysplasia report due in the coming days, as previously stated in this House I was a parent who sat in front of the surgeon being investigated, with my wife and my child. I was a lucky parent. I did not proceed with the recommended procedure. When the report is published, among the many recommendations, I hope there is one where parents are very much involved in the process. Every child who ever underwent a medical procedure under the surgeons in question must be re-examined. Procedures must be …

I raise the issue of dereliction in our cities, towns and villages. The blight of dereliction and long-term vacancy is prevalent throughout our country. According to the CSO figures for 2022, there are 163,000 derelict properties. I welcome the progress and the millions, if not billions, of euro invested nationwide clearly showing in the vacant property refurbishment grant statistics presented this week. However, I question the disparity in investment between local authorities and this needs to be addressed. I welc…

I thank the Minister of State and welcome his action plan, which is very much needed, and the further investment. I take the Minister of State's point about the involvement of the local authority, and how important that is. If we take Arklow, the town I am from and where I have spent all my working life of 25 years, it was a vibrant town, with a port and a buzzing main street. My wife, my two kids and I walked down that main street on the Saturday before Christmas and we were the only four people there on it. It wa…

I thank the Deputy.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Regarding Irish tourism, I am concerned about the figures that have come out for March. The number of inbound travellers is down and I would like to know what plan is in place to reverse this downward trend. The programme for Government clearly states a commitment to growing the tourism industry and I ask for strong action to support this growth. It is imperative that, as a Government, we continue to develop the offering of Ireland as an international tourism destination. Last week, an individual went on worldwide …

I am listening with great interest to this debate. I am listening not only as a TD but also as a parent. I was there. I have two beautiful young children. One is seven and one is six. My young son has cystic fibrosis. My son was called to Cappagh hospital to see the consultant under investigation. I went there with my wife. We met the consultant. He told us, literally straight away, that my son needed surgery. I asked, like any parent would, about the pluses and the minuses. He explained them. I said, "Leave the de…

On childcare and early learning, new regulations are being put in place for home-based care but continued consultation with the providers is essential. There is major frustration among childcare providers who face great financial pressure and bureaucracy. I engage with experienced operators such as Brigid Fleming in Riverchapel and Frances Burke in Arklow and they are not alone as this is a national concern. There is a conveyor belt of passionate, highly qualified staff leaving the sector due to multiple issues, in…

For the record, Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 6 will be grouped. I call Deputy Doherty.

I have been informed that they can be grouped.