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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Exactly two weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Agency published the report, Water Quality in 2022. It provides an update on the water quality of Ireland's rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and groundwaters for that year. The report presents a crucial insight into the state of our watercourses and highlights significant and alarming environmental concerns that require immediate attention. I thank the Business Committee for accommodating my request to debate the EPA's report on…

First, I support Deputy O'Dea's call for the decision to be made on St. John's. As regards my own question, the Taoiseach might consider discussing with the Minister, Deputy Martin, and other colleagues, with respect to the review of public service broadcasting and the terms of reference, that the impact of advertising on climate action be looked at because it seems to me that advertising works. That is why these large companies spend so much money on it, and it does influence people's decisions. Often it influence…

I note the Rural Independent Group left the Chamber together a few moments ago. I note the absence of their colleague and my county colleague, Deputy Richard O'Donoghue because he has fallen ill. I send my best wishes to Deputy O'Donoghue and his family. The Rural Independent Group spoke about the Green Party being anti-rural Ireland. I have to say that is absolutely, totally and categorically untrue. Our party has a passion for rural Ireland, for sustaining life in rural Ireland and for sustaining our young people…

In politics and in history we recognise the tactic of divide and conquer. Another tactic, however, which is often more effective, is to unite a group of people in opposition to the wrong cause. This tactic is used to create a distraction and to get people fighting passionately against what might be in their own interests and the interests of the greater good. It suits some in politics and big business to create a bogeyman of the environmental movement and, indeed, of the Green Party. We hear the hysterical cries of…

It is shameful and pitiful that they have yielded to the interests of the few over the many. I say this with utter dismay because I have regard for my colleagues across this House. It is mind-boggling that politicians are railing against restoring nature here and in Europe and are fighting to defend a broken system of overproduction and excessive intensification. The agrifood industry does not represent the interests of farmers; rather, it represents a perverse reality where farmers have been driven by intensificat…

I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department has taken to fulfil the program for Government commitment to increase the veterinary presence available on our live export consignments to third countries and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Minister for his answer. From speaking to farmers and not from speaking to animal welfare activists, many of them find the trade in live exports quite objectionable. As farmers who care for their animals and who have a long tradition of caring for their animals, they would say it makes more sense and the right thing to do is to slaughter these animals at home as much as possible. There is a trade in live export to the European Union and to north Africa. I do not believe it is a critical part of the mark…

I understand there is a risk of legal challenge by exporters if we require a vet on every shipment. However, we should call the exporters’ bluff on this matter if that is what they are saying to us. As a food exporting nation, we need to be careful we maintain our reputation for high-quality produce and that our food is produced to the highest standards. I think this falls very much into that category. I know the Minister is particularly conscious of the need to maintain that reputation. We should do everything we …

Yesterday was four years since the people of Limerick city and county decided they would have a directly elected mayor for Limerick. Limerick was unique among the Irish cities and counties that it had this opportunity at the time. The Tánaiste's city, Cork, declined the opportunity, as did Waterford. The most recent comment we have heard on the legislation that is required to call an election for a directly elected mayor was that it would be introduced in April. We are moving into the month of June but have not see…

In his contribution Deputy Murphy referred to Deputy Bruton's words earlier. It might surprise Deputy Murphy that I would agree with him on the point that we are in such a serious situation with regard to nature collapse in this country that we cannot look at targets, dismiss them and say we do not know how to get there. It is such a serious situation we must set the targets and we must then figure out how to get there. I disagree with my colleague on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action…

Last month, the CSO published a groundbreaking report marking a significant milestone in addressing sexual violence in Ireland. This report, which is the first of six, sheds a light on the pressing issue of sexual violence in our communities and is the result of the first CSO survey that documents the frequency of sexual violence in Ireland. The survey findings reveal a truly alarming prevalence rate of sexual violence, at 40% for all adults, 52% for women and 28% for men. Behind those figures are personal stories …

I am often minded of the low ebb this country was in about 12 years ago, around 2011, when the tide had truly gone out. In the decade or more that has passed since then, I think it is safe to say we are in a better place. It is not often acknowledged how the efforts of the two previous Governments, Fine Gael and Labour up to 2016 and Fine Gael supported by Fianna Fáil under the confidence and supply arrangement up to 2020, helped us get to the position we are in now where we have a very successful economy and, in m…

I am absolutely shocked by Deputy Quinlivan's insistence that the northern distributor road will be delivered if Sinn Féin is in government.

It makes an absolute mockery of Sinn Féin's claim to be at all serious on climate or planning. The northern distributor road is absolutely the wrong project for Limerick. The right project for Limerick is laid out in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy. It is incredible investment in rail and bus infrastructure in Limerick and Clare, and I welcome the Minister's comments. I welcome the ambition to deliver a rail link to Shannon Airport, reopening the Foynes railway line. We need to be talking …

I ask the Minister if he will develop plans to target electric vehicle grants towards lighter and smaller vehicles to encourage the market for the types of electric vehicles that one frequently sees in other European cities. These are generally priced lower than the €14,000 threshold that is set for eligibility for grants in Ireland. This would all be with a view to ensuring that the new vehicle fleet is as efficient as possible and less of a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists than the heavier SUVs. I ask the …

Colleagues and I from the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action travelled to Amsterdam two weeks ago. We saw how these smaller, dinkier type vehicles are quite prevalent in cities similar to Amsterdam. I had previously seen them in Rome. From conversations I have had with my colleagues on the committee, I think there is a cross-party appetite to go in this direction. Everybody recognises now that we do not want our cities full of SUVs even if they are electric. I ask the Minister to explore this further…

I wish to speak on a very local issue, which is nevertheless a very important one. The Tánaiste will be aware that St. John's Hospital was instrumental in helping out with the winter health crisis we had in Limerick. That assistance should be repaid by support for its capital plan. It wants to increase the bed capacity there by 90 beds. My sense is that the University of Limerick Hospitals Group is favourable and warming towards the plan but I think it needs the support of the Government, and indeed of the Minister…

I am absolutely shocked by Deputy Quinlivan's insistence that the northern distributor road will be delivered if Sinn Féin is in government.

It makes an absolute mockery of Sinn Féin's claim to be at all serious on climate or planning. The northern distributor road is absolutely the wrong project for Limerick. The right project for Limerick is laid out in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy. It is incredible investment in rail and bus infrastructure in Limerick and Clare, and I welcome the Minister's comments. I welcome the ambition to deliver a rail link to Shannon Airport, reopening the Foynes railway line. We need to be talking …