I welcome the opportunity to speak on this positive legislation. Well done to the Minister of State for leading it in her Department. She has hit the ground running. I will make a few points. First, regulating nicotine products is essential. This is reminiscent of the time of the smoking ban, led at the time by the then Minister for Health and current Taoiseach. There were protests at that time. It could have been around the time of the 2009 local elections in which I was a candidate. The Minister of State may have…

I am glad of the opportunity to speak on these statements tonight. Soccer gives this country great joy, similar to all sports. In fact, I attended the opening of a new stand at Cratloe GAA Club in County Clare the other day. I had to deliver a speech and I asked the crowd, if we did not have sport, what would we have. It is such a way of life for people, whether they are playing it, being actively involved or volunteering at the local clubs. Then there are those whose playing days are over. They may be bringing the…

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I start by commending the Minister, who has really grasped the nettle here with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. We are down to core policing issues because that is what really matters to people. People do not want fluff; they want to know that there will be gardaí on the street, that people feel safer and that there is high visibility so all of that is important. I really welcome the fact that in the past year, 794 new recruits have gone thro…

Last November, I brought the Taoiseach to the University of Limerick, where he visited the centre for robotic and intelligence systems, better known as CRIS. The CRIS laboratory is led by Professor Dan Toal. When we were there, he saw the huge array of cutting-edge and cost-effective technology, including submersibles, drones and all sorts of equipment. On the day we were there, from that laboratory in the University of Limerick, they were monitoring with a robotically powered undersea vehicle a wind turbine off th…

I am glad to be able to participate in this debate. We have all been in community halls across the country and in our constituencies talking about road traffic issues when someone at the back of the hall pipes up and asks, "Does it take someone to die?" Unfortunately, when it comes to cancer care, there have been far too many deaths. In particular, several very high-profile women were on the national airwaves and leading campaigns here at the front of Leinster House right up to their final hours. It has taken many …

-----but I will bring this up in a future debate.

I want to raise the issue of the suspended gardaí in the Limerick Garda division, which straddles some of County Clare, who were recently acquitted of wrongdoing. That was the right decision, but I am conscious that quite a number of more junior ranking gardaí are still under a veil of suspicion. Over the years, they have had laptops, mobile phones and other devices confiscated. It is important. The process has to conclude, but there are far too many people caught up in the net. During the term of the previous Dáil…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate today. Like other speakers, I commend our local post office network in County Clare and the huge number of postmen and postwomen around this country, one of whom is my brother-in-law, Gearóid. They do an incredible job. You would want to see Gearóid's phone at times and the text messages that come in with appreciation or asking how he is doing. He has formed a great relationship and rapport with the people whose doors he drives up to and walks up to each day to d…

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this. Stopping the cut to SNAs in schools was the right thing to do and I think it has given some people reprieve. I have been out to visit several schools this week, sat in staff rooms and helped schools with their appeals. I met parents and some students who benefit from SNA support. SNA support is a key enabler in Irish education. It allows people to fulfil their schooldays in a happy, supported way. To take that away can be devastating for the child and the parent, …

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I raise the issue of SNA cutbacks. While I am delighted to see the Minister hit the pause button on that, many schools such as Feakle National School, Flagmount Central National School in my own county and many more lie on tenterhooks, not knowing what is going to happen. I have had some very heartfelt letters from children who have benefited from SNA support in their school. It is an enabler for them to access education. We need to know what lies ahead, apart from the pause button being hit. Circular 30/2014 redef…

We are not discussing that amendment. Can the Deputy speak to the amendment before the House?

I want to speak about Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg in Ennis, County Clare. It is a fabulous school with 451 pupils.

Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg. Michael Cusack primary school. It is a scoil lánGhaelach. There were 452 pupils enrolled last September and 480 are projected for next year. This school was designed for eight teachers. It has prefabs. It is a fabulous school with lovely education going on. I was there yesterday and got a tour of the school. Curtains have to be pulled so that one class can be taught alongside learning support. School meals are being prepared in an area where an autism class being taught. It is quite chaoti…

----for the next few years.

I ask that this be put back on the agenda because the current status quo cannot continue.

You speak about 30 times a week; would you go away out of that.

Respect the Ceann Comhairle.

You have five times more speaking time than we do.

Show respect for the Ceann Comhairle.