I commend my Sinn Féin colleagues on the motion. We have seen from previous financial crashes, including those associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the current cost-of-living crisis, that we live in a very volatile economic system. It is shifting and changing, not always for the better. Since July, the European Central Bank has increased its key lending rate six times. Many struggle to get their head around the impact of these announcements and how they may impact on their repayments. These…

The devastation imposed by organised crime on the communities my colleagues and I represent has been painfully clear for years. Too many communities feel anxious, unsafe and abandoned as they face the terror, devastation and heartbreak that crime brings to their neighbourhoods. Criminals do not represent these hard-working, decent communities, such as those in Pearse Street, City Quay, Cuffe Street and so many more which contribute so much to Dublin life and are rightly appalled and horrified by these thugs. These …

Sorry, the state of Palestine. At least someone was listening to me. We must recognise the state of Palestine. The previous Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, said that he might have recognised the Palestinian state if progress towards a two-state solution had stalled. It cannot get any more stalled than it is now. We have an extreme, fascist Israeli Government. Members of the Israeli Government were not fit to do military service. Have I used up my time? How can it not be policy when, in a crisis where …

When is enough enough? When will the Government say, "Enough is enough", to apartheid Israel? When will the Government say to our European partners that we can no longer stand over allowing apartheid Israel to practice apartheid? When are we going to tell the Israelis that enough is enough and that they cannot keep stealing Palestinian land? When are we going to tell them that they cannot keep setting up illegal settlements? When are we going to tell them that they have to stop destroying the hopes and prospects fo…

Sorry, the state of Palestine. At least someone was listening to me. We must recognise the state of Palestine. The previous Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, said that he might have recognised the Palestinian state if progress towards a two-state solution had stalled. It cannot get any more stalled than it is now. We have an extreme, fascist Israeli Government. Members of the Israeli Government were not fit to do military service. Have I used up my time?

We have an underspend of €1 billion and the list of work that could be done with this €1 billion is extensive, including regeneration of flat complexes and maintenance of the flat complexes. The Minister mentioned voids and said he was focused on voids. I could bring him to any number of flats around here and show him that the number of voids is extensive. There are two voids in Leo Fitzgerald House and they have been empty for more than a year. There needs to be more focus on voids. Why would the Government not us…

The Irish language needs more than just goodwill. In Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, there are more than 20 English-speaking secondary schools. At the same time, there are zero Irish-speaking secondary schools. In those same areas in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, there are six primary schools that operate through Irish. Where does the Government expect these children and students to go when they finish primary school in Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8? It is being suggested that they travel to Rathfarnham. The Government talks about a 15-minut…

I acknowledge the Labour Party for tabling this motion. It is important as 58 schools have been impacted by the freezing of the process to develop and build schools. Four of the schools are in my constituency. Harold's Cross Educate Together National School, ETNS, Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School, ETSS, and Shellybanks ETNS and Sandymount Park ETSS, which are both in Sandymount. I met the staff of the Harold's Cross schools last week. The principals Ruth and in the secondary school, Pádraig Conaty, …

I commend my Sinn Féin colleagues on their work in introducing this Bill. The Government's legacy will be one of failure in housing, with Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Fine Gael repeatedly failing to stand on the side of those most in need. The Government failed to provide for the most basic of needs – a safe home for them and their families – for ordinary people, including more vulnerable members of society. The figures released recently by the RTB show that many of those issued with notices to quit are familie…

Yesterday, in the audiovisual room, we were joined by players from Shelbourne, Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers football teams as well as Claire Hunt from Positive Period Ireland. They spoke with passion about their journey and the obstacles they overcame to play in the League of Ireland. One player, Jemma Quinn, spoke of how girls in her primary school were not allowed to play football until herself and her friend fought for the right to play. With the World Cup coming up this summer, it is vital that we put in place…

What about facilities?

I welcome this Bill and all the work Deputy Ó Broin put into it. It is very important legislation because it is clearly very important to have minimum standards in private rented accommodation. In my constituency, there is a huge amount of private rented accommodation in Rathmines, Harold's Cross and Sandymount. I believe the vast majority of landlords will welcome this Bill. It will help them and their tenants. The idea of an NCT for private rental accommodation is a very important proposal. While the Government i…

I am sharing time with Deputy Ward. On 17 March, the International Criminal Court, ICC, took the brave step of finally issuing an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, and I commend the speed at which the ICC operated on this case. It took less than four weeks for these arrest warrants to be issued by the court. At its heart, the Rome Statute of the ICC clearly states the international crimes the court has jurisdiction to investigate, including crimes such as deportation or the forcible transfer of population, torture…

Last Thursday, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon's report into sexual abuse within St. John Ambulance was published. It makes for bleak reading. St. John Ambulance put the reputation of its organisation ahead of vulnerable young children. The report would probably not have been carried out and published if it were not for survivors such as Mick Finnegan and the many other survivors. The board should sit down with an independent administrator taking charge. There are serious questions also for Tusla and the Minister to answer. I…

I acknowledge the work Deputies Tully and Guirke have put into this important Bill. All children who need an individual educational plan should get an individual educational plan. The EPSEN Act was enacted in 2004 to provide education in an inclusive mainstream setting. That is unfortunately not happening. There is a situation where neurodiverse children are bussed out of their community at a huge expense to the Exchequer. Taxis and buses cost a phenomenal amount. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure it costs abou…

I thank the Rural Independent Group for bringing this really important motion forward. For many people, particularly those at risk of poverty who budget with cash, moving to a cashless society is a huge concern. It shows a disconnect between Government and many big businesses, such as Ryanair, and ordinary people, particularly older people and people at risk of poverty. The GAA is the biggest grassroots organisation in Ireland and is a central pillar in community life. For many, the love of sport starts at an early…

The national sports policy clearly includes a commitment to carry out a nationwide audit of sports facilities, whether publicly or privately owned. Despite the commitment, little or no progress has been made at Government level. Last November, a temporary stand at a League of Ireland match was evacuated due to wear and tear. League of Ireland club infrastructure is way below where it should be. That highlights the need for a sports facility strategy. Is this Government committed to carrying out this audit? If so, w…

I thank the Regional Group for bringing this motion. I heard the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, say last night that Sinn Féin believed front-line staff were failing. We do not believe front-line staff are failing; we believe the Government has failed. The Government has failed paramedics and front-line health workers and it has failed in housing and in protecting inner city communities. The list is endless. The Government has failed to support front-line paramedics to keep up with the demand for emer…

The need for reform has been acknowledged for years. This was further highlighted in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland published in 2021. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 is a move in that direction. This Bill was dealt with extensively in the pre-legislative scrutiny stage with many proposed reforms criticised by many stakeholders in the committee. That being said, there are many positive steps in this Bill that will bring about long-overdue reform and create ef…

I acknowledge the presence of the INOU and the ATD campaign. It is important to acknowledge the tireless campaign they have put into this Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to amend Irish equality legislation and the two equality Acts: the Employment Equality Act and the Equal Status Act. As has been said, they cover the nine grounds of marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion and membership of the Traveller community. In addition, the Acts prohibit discrimination in the prov…