We might as well be, though.

And US troops-----

So those words mean nothing.

I welcome the families of those who are on the flotilla. I express my solidarity and my support for what they are doing. What Israel has got away with over the past 80 years is nearly beyond words. Within the past 23 months, it has illegally bombed Iran, it has bombed Qatar, literally blowing up the negotiating table, it has bombed southern Lebanon, levelling large parts of it, and, of course, it has levelled Gaza, leaving more than 66,000 people dead. Some estimates say that up to 10,000 people could be buried und…

I welcome the proposals set out in this motion. I must say there have been many promises regarding improvements to the insurance industry but these have not happened for the customers. The costs of motor, business and home insurance are up. Insurance costs for community and sports groups are up sky high. Health insurance is out of reach and causing significant problems, especially for people over the age of 60. The cost of motor insurance is increasing at a rate double the EU average. There have been double-digit i…

I raise the issue of wind turbine regulations and guidelines. Where are they? I am raising this in the House for the past 14 years. We need to utilise wind energy. It is very important that we do that as part of the move towards green energy. However, we do not have up-to-date guidelines, never mind regulations, for large turbines. Every Minister for planning and energy has promised them over the past 14 years. Communities are highlighting this throughout the country. In Laois, large turbines are planned to be erec…

I have a Bill before the Dáil - the Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2025. Perhaps the Government might support that?

Will the Minister write and tell me?

It is a cyclical problem at this time of year. From about July onwards, TDs' offices are bombarded with problems regarding school transport. I am sure my situation is no different from the situations of the rest of the Members in this House. There are a number of problems arising with the schemes. One of the main problems is that you cannot get talking to a human being in Bus Éireann. There is an automated system and that is fine. When that works, it generally works well. The problem is that, when there is an issue…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. We are facing into the dark, cold months of winter in circumstances where families, households and workers are going to be hit with increases in the local property tax, fuel costs for transport, student fees, insurance, rent and food. The list goes on. In the past week, four energy companies announced that they are hiking their prices. Energy prices used to go up by 1%, 2% or 3%. Most of us remember that. Now it is 9%, 11%, 12%, 13% and so on. That is the …

The issue I am raising with the Ministers of State relates to the distribution of the just transition funding that came from the European Union and the €16 million that came from the State. I have concerns in this regard. It is supposed to be for the former peat harvesting areas. Under EU funding, they are designated as coal regions. The State made the case successfully for funding for the former peat harvesting areas, like the midlands, that are affected. County Laois is one of those areas. I am delighted that the…

I have a record of the projects that got funding. My concern is that the worst affected areas did not get funding. It was not targeted at them. Money was allocated by Laois County Council for tourism, which is good, for example to Emo Court. It is located in the middle of the county. I also welcome funding for The Forum in Mountmellick. It is good news that the Junction 17 business park was allocated €1 million. The Poet's Cottage Community Cafe in Camross also benefited, as well as the business park in Portarlingt…

I thank the Minister of State. My concern is that of the total available fund of €185 million, a reply to a previous parliamentary question shows that approximately €93 million has been spent. The reply to the question was received about a month ago. We are about 50% of the way through the funding. The feeling I get from people who have been showing an interest in the fund is that it is being rushed a bit. If we are halfway through spending the money, which is a lot of money, we must be careful about where the rema…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. On the attacks on the Indian community, I have many Indian neighbours in the housing estate I live in. Most of them are working in the health services and they are doing great work and are very good people. We need to counter these racist attacks on them. We need a fair, efficient and rules-based immigration system. The current system is chaotic and inadequate. Those who are genuinely fleeing war, persecution or famine must be …

I join in welcoming Deputy Holly Cairns back to the Dáil and congratulating her. I also congratulate Deputy Emer Higgins. Life will never be the same again. I wish many years of happiness and joy to them and their partners in the years to come. I raise the situation regarding renters with the Taoiseach and the out of control so-called "rental market" we have. In a lot of areas now, average rents are more than €2,000. Recent reports have shown how they are skyrocketing. The recent Residential Tenancies Board rent in…

Will the Government ramp up the supply of cost rental and affordable housing to purchase?

The concern I have is what is going to happen in towns like Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Mountrath and Portlaoise. In terms of increasing supply, the Taoiseach was in government in 2004, 2005 and 2006 when supply increased. In fact, 96,000 housing units were built in 2006. He will recall in those years that rents skyrocketed. There is not necessarily a correlation with increasing the supply of housing. The evidence is there to show that. The Taoiseach will remember that, as do I. In relation to vacant possessions and e…

Will he halt his plans and do something to save tenants from March? People leave tenancies for different reasons and-----

-----when properties become vacant, they are faced with a free-for-all. The Government's 2% rent increase cap is irrelevant. It is on paper. Landlords will completely ignore. They can because the legislation says they can ignore it.

That is what the Government's legislation says.