Yes.

Apologies.

I got a bit ahead of myself the last time. I have been a new TD for six months now and this is the first time we are debating any legislation.

I am still concerned about this proposed amendment. It appears to be an attempt to water down the services available to survivors so that even less home help is on offer compared to the Magdalen and mother and baby institution schemes. As I said, section 4(1)(d) reads identically to the legislation underpinning both the Magdalen and mother and baby institution schemes. In those schemes and currently in this Bill, public home help services will be provided upon an assessment of need made by a registered medical prac…

I echo Deputy Connolly's comments in respect of the previous redress schemes and this one. I think our party is going to find it difficult to support it as well. I wish to make one final point about exclusion, to which Deputy Connolly referred. I believe it is unfair to limit this legislation’s healthcare provision to people who have already received a payment under the residential institutions redress scheme in the past. This discriminates against an already doubly marginalised group, those who could not or did no…

Like everyone, I was absolutely shocked to hear of the tragic circumstances of Shane O'Farrell's death on 2 August 2011. I am always saddened to hear of deaths on our roads, of which there are still too many, but as a cyclist, a law student, a UCD graduate and someone who was around Shane's age at the time, his death in particular hit home with me. I recently had the privilege of meeting with Shane's mother, Lucia, and his sister Hannah. The meeting stuck with me for a number of reasons, including the extraordinary…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of biodiversity and to mark biodiversity week. We have an awful lot to do in this area. The Minister of State will know that better than anyone else. He has a reputation for passion in this area. I look forward to working with him as best we can over this term. In Ireland, we very often trade on the incredible beauty and richness of our landscapes. It is probably our most marketable asset, if it can be put that way. Millions of people come here every year to experienc…

I begin by paying tribute, as others have done, to Cara Darmody. A 14-year-old obviously should not need to be such an ardent campaigner for autism supports and services but she is an incredible one and it was a pleasure to meet her and give her my support outside the gates of Leinster House this morning. Nearly every day, like everyone here, I am contacted by parents in my constituency who either cannot get an assessment of needs for their child or, if they have got one, cannot get the necessary therapeutic suppor…

I commend Deputies Pa Daly and Quinlivan on bringing forward this really excellent Bill. The Labour Party is glad to give it our support. We have a long history of advocating for better waste management and advocating for measures to reduce waste. Indeed, it is more than 20 years since we published our Waste Matters policy document in 2005, an alternative strategy on waste management to that of the Government of the day. It proposed radical and meaningful actions to improve the ways we deal with waste and build the…

Before I begin, I take the opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Garda Kevin Flatley, as well as to his colleagues in An Garda Síochána. It is an unimaginable tragedy that his life would be taken as he was carrying out his duties in the interests of making our roads safer. Reading the tributes from those who knew him and worked with him, we really get a sense of what a thoroughly decent man he was. My thoughts are with all of those who loved him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam díli…

I thank Deputy Cummins for her work on this motion and I also thank the Minister for being present and engaging with the debate. This is a very important motion. Some 60% of Irish parents have expressed a preference for multidenominational schools and it is broadly acknowledged as the way forward in education. When we consider the level of oversubscription for Educate Together schools, the demand for this education is undeniable. These parents have a right to choose an education for their children that aligns with …

I thank Deputies McDonald and Ó Broin for bringing this Bill, which the Labour Party will be supporting, to the House. We opposed the Water Services Act 2017 when it was introduced. To quote my former party colleague, Jan O’Sullivan, it was "a complete fudge between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael". It is incredible to me that we are still talking about water charges in 2025. They were put on the table in 2010 by Fianna Fáil in its agreement with the troika after it bulldozed the economy. The issue was then taken up by F…

Despite what the Minister says, it appears that there are whisperings that it is not a settled position for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. It is understandable that recent reports that Uisce Éireann would be introducing excess-use charges would raise alarm bells. It is an emotive issue for many people, as we in the Labour Party know all too well. As environment spokesperson for the Labour Party, I am of course sympathetic to the argument that we need to curb excess water usage or the amount of water that goes to waste.…

As the Taoiseach knows, today is World Autism Awareness Day. I ask about the supports and therapies that are available for children with additional needs in my constituency of Dublin South-West. As the Taoiseach knows, we are all being contacted constantly by parents at their wits' end who are seeking crucial and urgent interventions for their children, be it speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or psychology. Waiting lists for assessments of need are in their thousands and even waiting for a follow-up…

It is a disheartening thing to see a stroke happen in real time in front of our eyes in this Chamber. It is a disheartening thing to have to speak on a motion of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle at all but particularly so early in this Dáil term and in my own Dáil career. This motion, this issue of confidence before us today, goes back to my very first day as a TD in Dáil Éireann last December and the deal arranged between this Government and Michael Lowry.

In return for support in good times and bad the Ceann Comhairle was appointed from among the ranks of Independent TDs led by Deputy Lowry and other goodies were bestowed on his followers, including junior Ministries, deputy Whip responsibilities, goodies for particular constituencies and an open door with Ministers. It is entirely regrettable that the office of the Ceann Comhairle has been used as a bargaining chip in these Government formation negotiations. Indeed, the quid pro quo regarding the Ceann Comhairle wa…

-----was conducted last Tuesday fatally undermined our confidence in her and it is with deep regret I say that. I hope the Ceann Comhairle will reflect on this vote in a manner in which her political patron is seemingly incapable of-----

-----but I do not hold out much hope of that, given that she has not even turned up tonight. We will oppose the motion.

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion, which I am happy to support. Storm Éowyn swept through parts of Ireland leaving devastation in its wake, with homes severely damaged and businesses disrupted and, in some instances, destroyed. Farmers, who already have enough going on, have seen their livelihoods threatened. In the face of this crisis, we must confront the sobering truth that the response from the Government has been inadequate. It must do better. Where I am from and represent, Dublin South-West, …

I commend my colleague, Deputy Wall, and his staff on all of their work in producing this important motion. I especially commend the young carers who are with us in the Visitors Gallery this evening, and who shared their powerful testimonies with us in the audiovisual room this afternoon. They should not have to be here, but the reality of our broken system of care is what makes this motion so necessary. Our system of care is broken. I have been struck by the lack of supports or even acknowledgements available to y…