GPs in Cork have raised a concern over the removal of some 13,000 people from the waiting list on foot of a National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, validation exercise. While I appreciate that checks of the waiting list have to be made and we all want to see the waiting list come down, we want to see it come down on the basis of people not needing treatment. It is our experience and the experience of GPs that many of these people still require treatment. Many of them have moved address, in particular younger people…

I had a question disallowed in regard to planning for Gaeltacht islands within the policy. The document, which has several strengths, is weak in terms of planning for the Gaeltacht islands. The response I received when the question was ruled out of order is that this is the responsibility of the Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Deputy Catherine Martin. The Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht does have responsibility for language planning but, obviously, the challenges facing island Gaeltac…

I wish to ask about the control of dogs legislation. Dogs are a regular feature in Irish life and bring considerable happiness and enjoyment to many people. Unfortunately, there are many irresponsible dog owners and they cause great problems to livestock in particular, but also in many instances to humans. Dog attacks on livestock are quite frequent but, despite this, some local authorities failed to issue fines over the past four years. This matter requires greater attention.

I should have added that in several instances where there are issues with irresponsible owners, the dogs themselves are the victims. The maltreatment of dogs is a significant issue. Over the past two years, there were 240 dog attacks on livestock, 180 on other animals and 430 attacks on people across the State. Those are quite substantial numbers. Some local authorities failed to issue any fines in the last four years. I welcome that training is part of it. I do not believe we have enough dog wardens, with only one…

I welcome that and I have heard some pieces on this issue. As the Minister says, it is a significant issue in terms of livestock and it has a huge impact on livelihoods. No farmer wants to see their livestock attacked. Of course, we have also seen some serious attacks on people, including children, in recent years. There have been some horrifying attacks. As the Minister says, the ultimate responsibility lies with the owner but it does not seem to be the case that the legislation is always being applied. The Minist…

It is a matter we return to again and again. We had a fruitful discussion in the Oireachtas committee recently regarding dereliction. It frustrates people enormously and it has a huge impact on morale in towns and villages, and indeed in city centre areas as well, when they see dereliction, particularly at a time when there is such great housing need. I know it falls between two Departments but a more aggressive approach is needed. Some local authorities have taken that on but it needs to be rolled out across the b…

I welcome what the Minister said but there is a need for local authorities to be more ambitious again. The Minister has a role in that but there is also a role for local authorities. As I said, some local authorities have taken up the mantle. While taking ownership of buildings and returning them to community use is important, part of this is also a need to take ownership of buildings and restore them to dwellings and other uses, not just community use. The scheme the Minister spoke about is welcome. I am not criti…

That is precisely right. That is what a lot of the strategy needs to be. Retail is part of the solution but we also need families in our town centres. The two drive each other. I welcome the funding. We discussed it last week with the Heritage Council, which, along with several other stakeholders, was before the Oireachtas committee on the issue of dereliction. One area that got funding was the town of Passage West in my constituency, which is close to Cork city. It highlights another power local authorities have. …

I wish to flag two issues. One is a general issue. Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig has been trying to secure special classes for children with autism since 2013. That is over ten years ago. The principal, staff and board of management have done all they can for the Department of Education to secure funding to provide these classes but they have been blocked at every opportunity. Ballincollig is a town of about 20,000 people. The lack of ASD classes in Ballincollig means that children are being forced to travel all over …

I will speak briefly to both sectors in question. What they have in common, and the motion speaks very clearly about this, is how when public goods and what should be public services are left to the private sector to the extent that they have been, you limit your levers and influence over them. The Government has many levers and influence over them, but it would be preferable to look at these properly as public services once and for all. That is the direction of travel we need in both of these areas. That will not …

That is not true.

May I, a Cheann Comhairle?

The Taoiseach made a specific point regarding literature, but-----

-----it was factually not true.

Was that true, Taoiseach?

No. It is factually-----

It is not in order to tell untruths.

The Taoiseach stated-----

-----that Sinn Féin candidates-----

The Taoiseach stated that Sinn Féin candidates were delivering leaflets-----