I very much welcome the opportunity to make some brief comments on behalf of the Regional Group on the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Minister and I have interacted over the last four and a half years on health issues in this Chamber and, indeed, in the Convention Centre, so he knows my views. Very similar to, I would say, most Deputies in this Chamber, we are in favour of a single-tier universal healthcare model, and for good reason. I refer to a properly funded, properly functioning health service wh…

I have brought a number of cases to the Minister's attention over the past four and a half years and I thank him for following up on them. It is hugely appreciated, especially by the patients. I remember there was quite a specialised drug a particular patient in Newbridge was looking for and it has had a transformative effect of their lives. I very much appreciate that as well. I thank the Minister.

I welcome the opportunity to make some brief comments on this Finance Bill and budget 2025 in general. I will focus on primary care and the tax treatment of GPs working in it. It is fortuitous that the Ceann Comhairle is in the Chair and the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, is on the ministerial podium. I think they are familiar with the case I am about to raise. Deputy Shortall raised it earlier and I want to be associated with her comments. We all know how important primary care is. It is indispensable. It prov…

I support the Government's position and indeed, that of the Opposition, in respect of what is happening in south Lebanon at the moment where we have one man who is trying to hold the entire world to ransom. He wants to turn Beirut into Mariupol and Lebanon into Gaza and the only thing standing in his way is the thin blue line of UN peacekeepers. Mr. Netanyahu is claiming that the best way to protect the lives of UN peacekeepers is to withdraw them from the theatre. Does the Taoiseach agree that the very best way of…

I want to raise the issue of the situation in the Middle East, particularly as it pertains to our peace-keeping troops in south Lebanon. I commend the performance and the professionalism of our troops in and around outpost 652 over the last number of days. I shudder to think what would have occurred if our troops had given in to the intimidation and abandoned their position. It would have had a detrimental, domino effect across the entire blue line, with soldiers at the other two-dozen-odd posts looking over their …

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I want to be associated with the views expressed by Deputy Ivana Bacik and her utter condemnation of the Israeli attacks on the three UN posts this morning. This was completely unacceptable. When this last occurred in 2006, when there was a major escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, there was a negotiated solution after about five weeks. I encourage all parties to follow a similar pathway. The sooner that happens, the better. Perhaps the Tánaiste would like to use the la…

I wish the Minister of State a good evening. I am very happy to be in the Chamber again this evening to make some very brief comments with regard to World Mental Health Day on behalf of the Regional Group. Why? I very much identify with what this day is trying to achieve, which is to raise awareness, and to reduce stigma and, unfortunately, shame as well. We can all certainly identify with that. I welcome the theme of this year's day, which is mental health in the workplace. I have worked in many different workplac…

I welcome the opportunity to comment on the budget. Overall, I welcome its thrust. It is not perfect, but it represents progress in some areas. I will focus on three particular sectors that are rarely mentioned in the Chamber anymore: defence, agriculture and the shared island programme. I welcome the increase in defence expenditure. An extra €100 million represents an 8% increase, making for the largest defence budget in my lifetime of €1.35 billion. This is positive. It is neither adequate nor sufficient, but it …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I am delighted to be in the Chamber today to again speak on behalf of the carers of Ireland. I accept the Minister of State's bona fides in this regard. I know it is an area he is interested in. While our intentions are quite similar, where we differ is in emphasis. We are very much in favour of abolishing the means test. Like Deputy Canney, I will acknowledge the small progress that has occurred over recent years as regards the …

I welcome the increase in the mandatory retirement age to 70 for the vast majority of public servants a while back. It is a very good thing on balance. I understand that increase has not been extended to the semi-state sector, neither to the commercial nor the non-commercial parts of it. Does the Government have any plans to extend that mandatory retirement age increase to the semi-state sector? What are the Taoiseach's thoughts on the matter?

You were on a roll, Tánaiste.

It went through today.

It went through Second Stage of the Dáil today.

The Deputy will get his opportunity to respond. To clarify, he said the information was incorrect and inadvertently given by the Minister. That is his suggestion.

He clarified that he was referring to incorrect information. Is my understanding correct, Deputy Gould?

I understand. The information was incorrect and inadvertently given.

I thank Deputy Gould for the clarification.

The Deputy will get an opportunity to respond presently.

Please resume your seat, Deputy. The Minister of State should continue.

Deputy Gould, you will have two minutes to respond. I ask the Minister of State to proceed.