Last night Donald Trump took aim at every traditional ally of the United States with a blunt and destructive economic weapon. The tariffs his administration has imposed worldwide risk plunging us all into a global recession. In his Rose Garden address, Donald Trump exhibited zero economic rationale for pursuing such an approach but perhaps proved why he is one of very few people in the history of the planet that ended up bankrupting a casino. The President accused states, both friends and foe, essentially of fiscal…

It might be somewhat optimistic to think last night was a moment and now we can move on to negotiations. My fear is we will have more moments like this from the President of the United States. EU unity is easier on trade because it is the raison d’être of the EU. It is essentially a trade agreement between European states from which peace and prosperity will flow. Therefore, unity is strong and we should ensure that continues, without doubt. However, we can do things in Ireland, such as a short-term work wage subsi…

I was aghast to read in the Mail on Sunday that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers are absolutely livid at the breakdown of time for other speakers.

In the interests of fair parliamentary order, and it being clear that backbenchers in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, with whom I have deep sympathy, who are sent out to bat, (a), did not have a clue what they were arguing for; (b), had no idea ultimately what they were voting for; and (c), were ultimately clueless as to the impact, having been utterly misled by their own Whips, I ask that we convene that Dáil reform committee and do away with this, which is not working for the Opposition or Government, and indeed is br…

That makes no sense.

Here.

On the eve of what we are expecting tomorrow, I would like an update on our engagement with the US Administration on the proposed tariffs that are coming into play tomorrow.

The complexity of global supply chains is not lost on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I am sure it is not lost on the other side either, even though the policies that the US Administration intends to introduce will be blunt and damaging. Approximately 77,500 people are directly employed in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry in this country, although it is not going to be the only industry impacted if the tariffs go ahead. We have a concern about our drinks industry as well as many others. Key to the s…

In fairness to the Tánaiste, I recognise his productivity in engaging on Irish exports to the US economy and on putting such an effort into the St. Patrick’s Day visits over the course of a week in the US. Across all levels, from local government right up, this has been very important. There is no appetite for hysteria here regarding what is going to happen tomorrow. No one wants that. However, we will need to be very reactive to it. I am aware that the Tánaiste is to have meetings on Friday. Does he have anything …

I extend my thanks to the Social Democrats, and to Deputy Gibney in particular, for bringing this motion forward. In Ireland we have a unique position. As a small European nation with a large global footprint, it is both our neutrality and our commitment to development aid which have given us a distinctive voice on the world stage. While many states, including our European partners, are reducing their development aid and while some have renounced their neutrality, we have remained committed to our development aid, …

It is not the first time it has happened to me. I wish to focus on the massive move towards militarism within the European Union and reflect on what the Taoiseach presented to us. He referred to the loosening of the purse strings in Europe in terms of rearming countries at a time when we have so many crises, including the housing crisis. During the European elections last year, our candidate in Dublin, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, as well as our other candidates, strongly focused on the need for housing and a housing commiss…

I welcome these statements. I made a request for them at the Business Committee two weeks ago and they were very quickly put on the agenda, which highlights the regard in which we hold this issue in the House. The 1989 academic paper "The End of History?" by Francis Fukuyama, and the subsequent book, The End of History and the Last Man , 1992, make the central argument that Western liberal democracies have won out and their universalisation has brought a natural end to centuries-long evolution in how humans govern …

I commend my colleague, Deputy Wall, whose commitment to carers neither begins nor ends with this motion. He has done, and continues to do, wonderful work. I also commend the young carers who are here. Nowhere in this country does the State get better bang for its buck than the money it gives to carers. That is compounded even more by young carers who get nothing. With what they give, and what they save the State, it is absolutely abhorrent that this system continues. This is not the first time, nor will it be the …

I will continue from where my colleague, Deputy Sheehan, left off. What the Government intends to do if it implements all the recommendations from the Department of housing is turn a scheme, albeit an imperfect one, that was keeping people out of homelessness into a zombie scheme. It will be a scheme that exists in name but that is not practical and does not help people stay out of homelessness. The plans afoot for the tenant in situ scheme are disgraceful. The scheme, as it has existed for the last number of years…

On a positive note, this is my first Topical Issue of this Dáil term. In the last term, too many Topical Issues would have been taken by one Minister of State. What we have tonight is a selection of Ministers and Ministers of State who are directly related to the topic. I hope that continues as much as possible through this Dáil term. It is something we brought up at the Dáil reform committee in one of its rare outbreaks of constructive discussion so far. I would like to raise the matter of the financial constraint…

The school contacted me this afternoon to acknowledge that contact had been made with the Department. It is working through it. I discussed whether the school wanted me to continue to raise this issue tonight and it indicated I should because this is a wider issue that will continue. The Minister of State stated that schools have the flexibility to use their capitation grants. Schools are bending over backwards multiple times to be as flexible as possible to stretch the money they are getting to ensure the light an…

While an awful lot of attention has been focused on the deteriorating security situation in Europe, less focus has been placed on the appalling action of the Trump Administration in the freezing of the USAID programme, which accounts for 40% of all global development aid. Vulnerable, sick and poor people all over the world are struggling to access programmes, including HIV care, tuberculosis care, and famine prevention programmes. Medication is locked in warehouses. While Europe is discussing more bombs and bullets…

On that issue, the Labour Party and other groups in the Opposition have submitted a private notice question under Standing Order 44 to ask the Taoiseach to explain the actions of the Government Chief Whip at the Dáil reform meeting last Wednesday, actions which were incredible for those who were there. I have just found out in the past two minutes that this request has been rejected. I am upset by that, and I think others will be. I would like an explanation as to why it was rejected. There is also the matter of ou…

A Cheann Comhairle agus a Theachta Ó Snodaigh, tá brón orm mar níl go leor Gaeilge agam chun óráid iomlán a dhéanamh. I would like to talk about education planning in the provision of schooling through Irish. In my town, Swords, we are lucky enough to have a fantastic Gaelscoil, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe. In Donabate there is Gaelscoil na Mara, and in Kinsealy there is Scoil an Duinnínigh. The problem is that for students who have been lucky enough to get into these schools, the choice at second level becomes a lot…

I return to the issue of reduced capacity on Irish Rail's northern commuter line. My colleague Councillor Corina Johnston and I have been inundated with reports from people who have been left on the platform at peak time. My colleague received a response from Irish Rail today apologising for what has happened but stating it will happen again tomorrow and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week. Given that the population of Donabate is due to grow by 25% in the next two years, it does not have a direct, regular…