We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, one which threatens ecosystems, food security and our way of life. The facts are stark. Ireland ranks as one of the worst countries in Europe for biodiversity loss. More than 30% of our bee species are at risk of extinction. Wetlands, which are vital for carbon storage and flood prevention, have declined by 90% in the past century. Despite these alarming facts, the Government’s response has been weak, delayed and fundamentally inadequate. The reality is that biodiversit…

To follow on from that point, in respect of my county, Meath, and the lack of capacity in the system, in CDNT 2 covering the Kells area, and CDNT 5 covering the Navan and Slane area, one in four posts is vacant. Those are the best figures. In CDNT 4, covering the Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin area, one in three posts is vacant. In CDNT 6, covering the Trim area, which Deputy Dempsey represents, almost two in three positions are vacant, or 62%. That is not unique across the State. It has a profound impact. Other Deputi…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 to give the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) the legislative remit to develop a code of practice for water service outages and to amend the Water Services Act 2014 to establish a dispute resolution mechanism for customer complaints regarding service interruptions and outages. This Bill would ensure that Uisce Éireann properly communicates with and, more importantly, supports households and …

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

The RSA has a statutory maximum target of ten weeks from the time a learner driver books their test until they are given a date to sit the test. The last time that target was reached was in July 2022, almost three years ago. Since then, as is evident across the State, things have got much worse. There are extended waiting times, a shortage of testers and a system that is failing both those it is meant to serve and in its basic function. In Meath, we have seen at first hand the impact of these delays. The Navan test…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. I commend the work of Dunboyne College of Further Education and the Youthreaches in County Meath. I am familiar with a number of them, including in Kells and Ashbourne. Along with Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and Councillor Maria White, I visited Laytown-Bettystown Youthreach last Friday and saw the really important work it does to provide alternative pathways into third level, apprenticeships, research and innovation. I commend the work of the principal of Du…

I am a TD for the Meath East constituency. As long as I have been there, which is my whole life, a permanent feature has been Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government here and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government in Meath County Council. We have seen nothing but failure in terms of forward planning for critical infrastructure. For as long as I was a county councillor, and since I have been in the Dáil, the issue of retrospectively investing in communities, critical infrastructure, water, wastewater, energy, playg…

I wish to ask the Minister the number of people issued with a home care package but unable to fulfil it due to staffing shortages or other reasons in 2024 and to date in 2025 and if she will make a statement on the matter.

It is significant. It is acknowledged that the figures are always very high. We are talking about millions of hours of home care packages and these are real services and important ones. We must always think about these things, though, in terms of unmet need. The system does not work if these services are not in place. Is there an analysis of whether there are specific geographical challenges and-or challenges with specific service areas? Is it in complex needs, for example? Does it involve people coming out of hosp…

Yes, I am.

Some things are coming through these figures consistently. There is a pattern within them. I expect this would be the case if we were to look at the geographic variation. I know much of the challenge in CHO 8 concerns the fact that it is very difficult to get staff because it is exceptionally expensive to live in Dublin or the greater Dublin area. There is then a variation across the State in the demographic and the demand on these services. It is incredibly important that these supports are in place when needed be…

What initiatives are being implemented by the Minister to promote tourism in Kelly, County Meath, to enhance the town's appeal as a destination for visitors?

I thank the Minister for the response. I acknowledge the changeover of portfolios between Departments. I say to the Minister and his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, that there is a real overlap between tourism product in Kells, for example, and arts, culture and sport. For example, the Hinterland Festival of Literature and Arts happens at the end of June and includes contributions from the Kells Type Trail. I encourage the Minister to come to the festival; he would be more than welcome. We als…

The Minister is absolutely right. We look to the monastic settlements, the round tower, the high crosses, St. Columcille's House and the Spire of Lloyd. The Minister mentioned those. There are incredible sites of historic significance. The Minister will know, and I suppose it is the point he is making, that local individuals and communities through their effort and initiative have made so much happen, including GAA, soccer and other sports clubs. We have the best handball club in Ireland, I would say. It is a sport…

No, no, no.

Will the Tánaiste outline his plans for investment at Gormanston Camp?

That investment is welcome. It was welcome news in February. It is also welcome that the work is under way. It will be this time next year when it will be ready. Does the Tánaiste have an indication of when it will be operational or the numbers of people that will pass through it? I understand that it is for all units of the Defence Forces to use as a training camp. I wish to get a sense of the level of activity that might be there.

I thank the Tánaiste. As I said, it is a welcome investment. I recognise the security considerations and other considerations, but is there an opportunity for the local community to access, in some shape or form, the likes of those facilities? We recognise that there are security considerations and other considerations, but if, for example, there were a transition period during which the facilities were not being used or some arrangement could be made, is it possible that something like that could be considered? Be…

I wish to share time with colleagues.

I thank the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion. Sinn Féin has a long-standing policy on choice and diversification within our education system. We reaffirmed that position in our 2024 general election manifesto and I do so again now. Children have a right to an education in a school that matches their and their family’s values. Sinn Féin firmly believes in the provision of high-quality inclusive education for all, which includes a range of school patronage models. Currently, over 90% of Irish primary…