The Taoiseach will be aware that medical scientists in many HSE hospitals are due to strike tomorrow, which will have implications for patients and hospitals alike. Medical scientists provide 24-7 services in hospitals, and most of them have a science degree or a master's qualification. The action is in frustration over long-running pay and career development issues that are affecting recruitment and retention in the sector. The medical scientists will of course provide emergency cover, but elective surgeries will …

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Government’s efforts to support people fleeing Russia's war in Ukraine. According to the UNHCR, more than 5.5 million people have been forced to flee Ukraine since the Russian invasion on 24 February. As of yesterday, 27,372 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine. A total of 18,661 people have sought accommodation through the international protection accommodation service scheme. I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration an…

I also express my condolences to the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on the passing of his mother. I would be grateful if the Minister of State could update the House on the Government's insurance reform agenda and the work being carried out to ensure the benefits are being passed on to consumers.

We have seen those reductions particularly in motor insurance. People have experienced them. There has been good feedback from younger drivers in particular. That was a perennial issue for many years. Reducing the cost of insurance for consumers and businesses is critical, particularly when we see costs increase in energy, retail and other areas. I welcome the priority given to this issue by the Government. I acknowledge the work done in this area by the Ministers of State, Deputies Fleming, Troy and James Browne, …

Given the very significant reduction in the cost of awards, as I outlined, and the introduction of other measures, consumers and businesses will expect proportionate reductions in premiums to bring them into line with EU averages. I think we are seeing that. Consumers are certainly feeling that when they renew or examine other policies. If that trend continues, we will be in a very good position and more aligned with our EU counterparts than before. The work being undertaken is being felt by consumers at a critical…

The Minister will be aware the National Transport Authority, NTA, has licensed Aircoach to operate six routes connecting Dublin Airport with Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast cities. It must be acknowledged that management and staff, particularly the drivers at Aircoach, deserve great credit for keeping the service running during Covid-19. However, I have been contacted by customers who use a free travel pass and who find themselves disadvantaged as they cannot book an Aircoach ticket online. It is the only way of g…

I welcome this opportunity to discuss the latest amendment to the Bretton Woods agreement. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for bringing this Bill before the House. My party, Fianna Fáil, will be supporting the Bill. As the Minister of State has indicated, this legislation facilitates Ireland's continued involvement in the IMF's new arrangements to borrow and implements the decision adopted by the executive board of the IMF on 16 January 2020. The Bill facilitates Ireland's participation in the 2020 …

We are very grateful in this House for the efforts of our front-line healthcare workers during the pandemic. They put themselves in danger and went above and beyond what was expected. The Government recently agreed to pay a €1,000 bonus to front-line workers in recognition of their extraordinary efforts. However, following recent media reports about the payment structure being considered, many part-time nurses have been in contact with me. They are worried that the proposed payment structure will see their bonus re…

The risk of flooding for several large swathes of County Dublin and other coastal communities is a genuine environmental threat of which I know the Minister is acutely aware. I am sure he is also aware of the joint report on the status of Ireland's climate, which was produced in 2021, that shows sea levels have risen by 2 mm to 3 mm per year since the 1990s. Will the Minister provide an update on the multiannual investment for flood relief schemes contained in the programme for Government? Will he support using suc…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for taking this question on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who I know cannot be here. This is a very important and pressing issue in my constituency of Dún Laoghaire. I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte's ongoing efforts and engagements with the families, the staff and service users of Dunmore House and Carmona Services, particularly throughout the pandemic. She has been very generous with her time, engaging on Zoom and attending on-s…

I thank the Minister of State for her reply and for a copy of her statement. I specifically did not mention Ravenswell initially because it is part of the problem but that was before the latest news about Wyattville Park. The challenges that have faced Ravenswell have been there for quite some time, and recruitment was an issue long before it became an issue generally in every sector in society. I will come back to that again directly with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who is aware of it. In her statement…

I welcome this initiative by the Government to tackle the skyrocketing rate of inflation we are witnessing, as all consumers are right across the globe. It should be recognised by all Members of this House that this is yet another constructive measure by this Government to assist those struggling individuals, households and businesses at this difficult time. Everyone is affected, not least those on low income and social welfare. For those in jeopardy of falling into a poverty trap, this year's budget, which was ann…

I have been contacted recently by a number of constituents who have reported that some insurance companies are asking landlords to provide details on the status of their tenants. Questions they ask include whether they in receipt of the housing assistance payment, whether they are employed, whether they are refugees and whether they are professionals. The response to these questions by the landlords could impact on the insurance premiums. This practice strikes me as extremely discriminatory and has the potential to…

I thank the Taoiseach for his update on work of the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, particularly with regard to climate and biodiversity, housing and the shared island initiative. Like all Deputies across this House, I have been appalled by the war of aggression being waged by Russia and now, it would appear, Belarus, against the people of Ukraine. News last week that the Irish visa requirements will be lifted is very welcome, as is the €10 million relief fund. Families in my constituency of Dún Laoghai…

He does not know the answers to them.

I thank the Taoiseach for his update on the implementation of his Department's Strategy Statement 2021-2023. This morning, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, made an impassioned plea to the European Parliament during which he called for support from his European neighbours as his country resists Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. It is disappointing to see reports of a number of Irish MEPs, including Mick Wallace, Clare Daly, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Sinn Féin's Chris MacManus, supporting an amendmen…

I concur and support much of what has been said by my colleague, Deputy Lahart. Like all Deputies across this House, the Irish people and almost everyone around the world, have been shocked and truly appalled by the illegal war of aggression being waged by Russia and now Belarus on the people of Ukraine. The war is a clear breach of the United Nations Charter. It is causing untold suffering for the people of Ukraine and it is creating a human catastrophe in Europe. Over 650,000 Ukrainians have been forced to flee t…

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an outrageous attack on an independent country. It is a proud, peace loving nation with a rich history. The attack undermines the rule of law, breaches the UN charter and has the potential to create another humanitarian crisis across Europe. Ireland and Ukraine have strong political ties as well as social ones. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and our diplomats are working in Ukraine to evacuate Irish citizens caught up in the conflict. However, there are many Ukrainians here with ti…

I thank the Minister of State for that update. The census is due to be conducted on Sunday, 3 April. Can he provide us with an update on its preparation? The census will provide a snapshot of post-Covid Ireland at the start of the 21st century. If arrangements have not been finalised, I ask the Minister of State to consider introducing indicators and questions in respect of the impact of climate change and biodiversity. Perhaps questions regarding the use of pay-as-you-go meters could be obtained as it is a strong …

The Government's cost-of-living package is very welcome, particularly the €200 household electricity credit along with the €125 lump sum to those in receipt of fuel allowance, as well as the 20% reduction in transport fares for the 19 to 23-year-olds, along with the reduction in the drug payment scheme threshold to €80. The €200 household electricity credit will be applied to more than 2.1 million homes across the State. A number of people have been in contact with me who are on prepaid meters and are seeking clari…