We will keep pressing on the occupied territories Bill, but there is more here in Ireland that the Taoiseach's Government could be doing to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and, in particular, the children of Palestine. First, I have been working for some months now seeking urgent action from the Government to bring desperately sick children out of Gaza on a medical evacuation with their families. We need to do more on that, and again I appeal to the Taoiseach and the justice and health Ministers on tha…

Yes.

And the GAA?

We have seen yet another Trump tariff turn with his 30% announcement - or threat at least - at the weekend. I know, as the Taoiseach has said, this would be ruinous both for the EU economy and the US. We have also seen the new deadline of 1 August. Speaking with small business owners, they say it is not a relief to see that extended. Rather, it prolongs the uncertainty for business in Ireland, as the Taoiseach will be aware. I am asking what the impact will be and what is the contingency. The Government has already…

A great deal has happened since 16 June when the Cabinet committee last met. I will come back to the question of tariffs, which I raised with the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions. The tariff of 30% now threatened by President Trump would, of course, be ruinous, as the Taoiseach rightly said, for EU-US trade. I asked the Taoiseach what the contingency plan is, given that the adjusted deadline is now 1 August. What is the contingency plan? If it appears, coming close to 1 August, that the EU negotiation side has n…

I thank the Taoiseach for the update. I note the Taoiseach said there was ongoing engagement with Canada on seeking to work together to stop the brutal war in Gaza. Can the Taoiseach brief more on that and the steps that are ongoing with Canada on that? How closely are the EU and Canada engaging on the tariff threat? We have seen Trump threatening Canada with a further 35% tariff despite the blanket 25% already there. We have seen Canada scrapping a proposed digital services tax apparently in order to appease Trump…

I begin by welcoming an important young visitor Minnie McDermott to the Visitors Gallery. I again welcome yesterday's announcement about the establishment of a commission of investigation into sexual abuse in schools. I pay tribute, as I know we all do, to the Ryan brothers, David and the late Mark, for their bravery in stepping forward and speaking out about their experiences of abuse. We owe an immense debt to them and to all those survivors who have spoken out and shone a light into the dark and shameful past of…

We all want to see those accountable to be made to contribute. I welcome that the Government is exploring and examining legal options. However, this is not a new phenomenon; we have known about this issue for years. The Labour Party produced a Bill to ensure that we can pursue religious orders and unincorporated associations. I have sent the Taoiseach a copy. I will send him another copy. We need this urgently. As we know, for years religious orders have been carrying out a perfectly legal practice of transferring …

We know St. John Ambulance has paid money in settlements to a survivor who alleges sexual abuse in childhood by a former senior figure in St. John Ambulance. We are aware of further civil cases, and that some have been referred to An Garda. In 2023, the Shannon review confirmed systemic failures in St. John Ambulance from the sixties to the nineties. I note a recent statement from the Minister, Deputy Foley, confirming her Department provided funding for a 12-month period to ensure that all of Dr. Shannon's recomme…

Which we welcomed.

I thank the Taoiseach for the update on his attendance at the European Council. I attended the Party of European Socialists leaders' summit on the morning of the European Council in Brussels on 26 June. As the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, knows, there is a group leaders' summit in advance of Council meetings. We in the Labour Party are proud affiliates of the Party of European Socialists and, of course, our MEP in the Socialists and Democrats group is Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. I think I can say that it is good for Ire…

-----here in Ireland.

One in five families have cut back on or gone without heating in the past six months. Two in five are going without essential items, including food and medical appointments. Some 40% of parents are skipping meals so their children would have enough. According to today’s Barnardos report into the cost-of-living crisis, parents across the country are facing impossible decisions. This is starkly highlighted in the quotes from the survey. One parent said: "We are just barely getting by … I never have money in my purse …

I listened carefully to the Taoiseach's laundry list of measures. Certainly, we welcome progress where it occurs. However, the reality for families is that the cost-of-living crisis is not a once-off. It is an ongoing crisis where people are struggling to make ends meet. We have put forward constructive proposals. My colleague, Deputy Ged Nash, put forward a Bill to tackle price gouging in supermarkets. We are asking the Government to adopt that constructive proposal. However, the reality is we are seeing child pov…

What about student fees? Is there any certainty on student fees? There is no clarity.

That is not true.

I welcome our visitors from Tipp. As I have strong Cork connections, I will just say, "May the best team win". That is safer. I will ask about an issue I have been raising with the Taoiseach for quite some time, which he has a long awareness of. It is justice for survivors of thalidomide. Activists from the Irish Thalidomide Association are wondering what the status of the thalidomide resolution process is. As the Taoiseach knows, for 63 years, families have been forced to do battle with the State. They were promis…

That is not true.

In terms of access to education for children with additional needs, I know Cara Darmody is speaking again today with Oireachtas Members about waiting lists for assessments for those with additional needs, and delays in accessing services and therapies. Will the Taoiseach confirm what extra capacity has been added to the system in recent months? Second, I welcome the announcement that the Minister for education has today confirmed the establishment of a commission of investigation into historical sexual abuse in sch…

I welcome it.