I thank the Taoiseach very much for his reply but I ask again if he will do something about the clause on significant urban-generated pressure that is denying so many people planning permission. There are people who are asking for nothing only fair play, and they are not getting it at present. They will build the house, pay for it and create employment. They will do all that themselves. We have asked the question about national roads several times. That rule was implemented in 2012 and has created havoc for many pe…

I am glad to get the opportunity to say a few words about the cost of electricity. Of course, I have often said before that the closure of Shannonbridge and Lanesborough power stations has resulted in the cost of electricity going up day after day. We have no control anymore because we have lost our main source of energy. When the wind does not blow, we need to have something. This means that despite the steady fall in European gas prices since the beginning of 2023, Irish consumers are unlikely to see this decline…

God almighty, do the Government members have any hearts at all? Will the Government give back some of this money and, in the first place, stop charging the amounts being charged, because people just cannot bear it?

I ask that urgent action be taken to ensure young people go into trades through apprenticeships given the deficit that exists. Will college placements be made available in a timely fashion and closer to home? Will additional night classes be introduced locally to facilitate young people who wish to go into the trades? There is an urgent need for blocklayers, plasterers, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, commercial and construction drivers, people with culinary skills for hotels, etc.

Problems exist with the college placements. For example, one young fellow from Glenflesk has to wait approximately 18 months for a college placement. He and others are finding this disheartening, resulting in some of them giving up on their course, moving jobs and even emigrating. Can something be done to speed up this waiting time, especially in view of the fact that the country is crying out for tradespeople? When apprentices get a college placement, they find they have to travel mid-term to places such as Waterf…

I asked that question because I thought evening provision could help. It is a fact that these young fellas are giving up. I have even had employers on to me asking what is wrong and why college placements cannot be hurried on because this is delaying their apprenticeship and making their course way longer. Employers need apprentices. This fella in Glenflesk was told a month ago he will be waiting 18 months. That is not good enough. We will lose these young people who we need. We cannot afford to see them emigrating…

When will the State appoint a pathologist to serve County Kerry? The two pathologists we had previously have been retired for well over six months. Many families have had to wait six, eight or nine days for a pathologist to arrive to carry out the necessary examination, make a conclusion on the cause of death and return the remains to the family. In recent times, the families of three very good friends of mine, Jeremiah Dunlea from Scartaglen, Ann Cronin from Maughantoorig in Gneeveguilla and Dan O'Donoghue from Li…

I thank the Minister of State for the reply but with regard to a lot of the stuff he said, we know what happens and what is supposed to happen but it has not been happening in Kerry. I am not making it up that three very good friends of mine had to wait six, eight and nine days, with the funeral taking up to 11 days in all. There have also been several more that I was not aware of but was made aware of it by the coroner's office. It was waiting for those people as well. It is not good enough. People need to have a …

We know all of that.

Sure we know that.

We know that. I am referring to those where people have to wait six, eight and nine days. That is not good enough.

I am glad to get the opportunity to talk about this very important matter. I thank all those who put the motion together. It is very important that we bring this matter to the Government's attention. Tourism and the hospitality sector are of vital importance to County Kerry. So much depends on it. In recent times, or since January in any case, many restaurants and small cafés have closed. There are different reasons for this but the VAT rate is the dominant one. The increase in the VAT rate from 9% to 13.5% for the…

Thank you very much, Acting Chair. I appeal to the Minister of State on behalf of those who are depending on us to do this.

I am glad to talk about this migration pact. I am totally opposed to this pact, as are most people in the country. In the council elections a few weeks ago, the biggest issue was immigration. The people do not the trust the Ministers with this pact. It was disingenuous of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to try to confuse the issue last night by saying we need migrant workers. Yes, we do, and none of us have anything against migrant workers coming here with the proper documentation and work visas. We have no problem w…

I have been accused of being racist previously and I will not accept that from anyone.

We need to tell the truth.

I am glad to get the opportunity to talk about this very important topic this evening. I thank Sinn Féin and Deputy Tully for giving us the opportunity. I thank carers and home helps all around the country but especially in Kerry for the great work they do and continue to do. I must compliment one man who lives up the street and who came home from Limerick. Kilgarvan is a small place and he is only three doors up from me. His mother died a couple of weeks ago at 99 years of age. In 2014 he left his job in Limerick …

We should aspire to that and look after our own people. We are spending billions on others and the Government wants to do more of it with this Bill that it is trying to-----

Thank you very much, Ceann Comhairle. It is a very serious matter.

It has to deal with it and be seen to deal with it.