That was Inis Meáin.

That is another question that I have down

A monitoring committee has been set up. Is the Minister getting feedback on that? Is she aware of what was discussed on 20 February? Are they keeping the Minister up to speed about any difficulties that might be arising? The Minister is saying it will take four months to assess. I appreciate that. There is a clear deadline now – it is approximately four months. A contractor will be employed this year for Inis Oírr. Inis Meáin is further down the list in relation to the Caladh Mór. They are absolutely frustrated tha…

Faraor géar, tá orm an t-ospidéal sa Chlochán a ardú arís. Tá a fhios ag an Aire Stáit go bhfuil sé faoi bhagairt agus i mbaol le beagnach dhá bhliain anois. An rud a chuireann isteach orm ná go bhfuil sé dúnta faoi láthair agus ní bhfuaireamar aon teachtaireacht beag ná mór faoi. Chualamar ar na meáin chumarsáide go raibh an t-ospidéal dúnta arís. Is ospidéal é atá thar a bheith tábhachtach don cheantar mar is eol don Aire Stáit. Tá an scéal seo ag dul ar aghaidh le beagnach dhá bhliain anuas. Bhí neart cruinnithe…

I thank the Minister of State. I mentioned the regional hospital - I still call it that - because it is bursting at the seams. According to HIQA, it is affected by so many issues, despite the good work of the staff. We then have a facility, Clifden District Hospital, which has, without a doubt, been run down for more than two years, with conflicting reasons given to us. Let us look at the staff and what they told the press. I am not sure if they told the Minister of State. They said there are currently no patients …

The Select Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has completed its consideration of the Research and Innovation Bill 2024 and has made amendments thereto.

There is one priority question left, Question No. 4. With the permission of the House, we will take Question No. 5 from Deputy Burke first and then take Question No. 4.

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Pringle. It is a specific question on the three hospital sites that are to be picked; when the study on those three model 3 hospitals will begin; how long it will last; and how it will be analysed. I ask that specifically in the context of the study the Minister is aware of and which has highlighted the impending crisis in model 3 hospitals, notwithstanding the fact that they provide, together with the community, more than 50% of the care in Ireland.

Finally, in the last seven seconds, the Minister told me that he is going to start it in the second quarter. When in the second quarter? When is it going to be finished? What are the three sites? I understand Letterkenny is one of them. I ask that with frustration, having read the reports. The Minister was there at the launch of the reports. There were three forewords and I have read the whole report. The data from this research, building on the research of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, clearly lays out…

The difficulty with politics and answers is all of these general figures. These are two very specific reports with the most recent one building on the other. There are 100 vacant posts in the model 3 hospitals. There are 17 model 3 hospitals in the country. This has 27 recommendations across four themes. The first is about strengthening the consultant workforce, the second is on education and training, the third is on the sites and infrastructure - the standard of some of which is unacceptable - and the fourth is o…

There will be an opportunity for only one minute each. We are going to run out of time. I call the Minister.

I am really sorry but I have to cut across the Minister to call Deputy Smith.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Bernard Durkan - To discuss the protection of Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare. Deputy John McGuinness - To discuss the upgrade of the Clogh and Moneenroe water scheme in County Kilkenny. Deputy Gino Kenny - To discuss the report by the Health Research Board on medical cannabis efficacy in the adult population. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne - To …

I do not wish to interrupt the Minister of State, but I must ask him to move the amendment.

Are there copies of the Minister of State's speech?

Yes.

It would be good if we could get copies. That is normal practice.

Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl don Teachta Collins, a foireann agus foireann na hoifige, as an sárobair atá déanta aici chun an Bille seo a chur os ár gcomhair. Is é bun agus barr an scéil ná an próiseas a éascú ionas go mbeidh oibrithe in ann ballraíocht i gceardchumainn a ghlacadh, ma tá se sin ag teastáil. Is é an rud atá i gceist ná dualgas a chur ar na fostóirí, más é sin an rud atá ag teastáil. Níl i gceist ach Bille thar a bheith gearr agus simplí, agus deich mír atá i gceist. Ar a …

I hope the Minister might throw some light specifically on policy. We had a Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality and a special or joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. Following that, the Government, in its wisdom, decided to set up an interdepartmental committee to look at the recommendations. That was last April. It closed for submissions in May. The interdepartmental committee issued a call for submissions, which then closed. We have heard nothing since. I have desperately tried to find out where the r…

The Select Committee on Transport and Communications has completed its consideration of the Road Traffic Bill 2024 and has made amendments thereto.