The second is the Deputy’s attitude to people, whether she likes them or disagrees with them, who are elected TDs, particularly newly elected TDs, such as Deputy Toole and Heneghan. The manner in which Deputy Bacik has addressed them, the names the Deputy is using-----

Yesterday afternoon Deputy Nash and I attended a briefing on tariffs and trade with senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was also attended by other Opposition Deputies. I thank the Minister and Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, for setting up that briefing at my request. I had asked him last week that it would be set up. We are all very conscious that we are facing a particular crunch point next week with the prospect of US tariffs. There is deep concern around the country about the impact they are li…

At your behest.

Once more, with today's motion, the Taoiseach is dragging us back to this absurd technical groups issue.

Bombs are raining down in a genocidal bombardment on children in Gaza. The people of Ukraine are fighting for their country. Democracy is under threat across the globe - in Belarus, Hungary and Turkey. We see grim new milestones for global warming. The housing crisis is deepening here at home. Fears are growing about the impact of Trump's tariffs. These are the pressing issues that deserve all our attention. Instead, the Government insists on continuing to push through this proposed amendment to Standing Orders, wh…

It is at precisely this time that we in this House need to stand firm and resolute in our defence of democratic values, and of our constitutional function as Members of Dáil Éireann.

Article 28.4.1° of our Constitution provides that: "The Government shall be responsible to Dáil Éireann." That is why our Standing Orders provide for Leaders' Questions. It is the set-piece exchange every week where we in opposition, as Opposition leaders, get to hold the Taoiseach and the Government to account. It matters for our communities that the lines are clear in a democracy and that we can assign responsibility when things go wrong. Since we took our seats in this Dáil, we sought accountability from the Tao…

To describe Lowry's group as wolves in sheep's clothing would give them too much credit, but they are a very poor tribute act - a poor imitation of those of us who are genuinely in opposition and taking our constitutional duties seriously. The Taoiseach knows, as does everyone, that the manufactured, nonsensical "other Members' questions" device is really being introduced to give the Lowry lads and Deputy Toole special time to tell the Government how well it is doing. The Taoiseach knows it. Everyone in the country…

Let us give up this farce.

How can the Taoiseach continue to justify this? You cannot be in government and in opposition at the same time.

As we all know, the Ceann Comhairle ruled on 3 February that the Lowry grouping is not in opposition. Let us respect that ruling.

The only manufacturing going on is the Taoiseach seeking to manufacture a sham Opposition, pretending that this is about speaking rights for Government backbenchers. He knows it is not. Everyone in the country knows it is not because all Government backbenchers, including those in the Lowry group, have privileged access to Government Ministers and they already have speaking time. I feel sorry for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers. Very few of them have been out defending the indefensible on the airwaves becaus…

You acknowledged yourself-----

-----that Michael Lowry is in government when you promised the public that he-----

-----would "not be in government to do any corruption", so what is this all about?

What is the hold that he and his group have on you?

That is what people want to know about this stroke.

Almost every day US President Trump is finding new and yet more damaging ways to express his authoritarian style of politics. His policies have already impacted negatively on global measures to tackle the climate crisis. He has torn up the international rules-based order. He is intent on turning the clock back on federal regulation on healthcare, women's rights and equality measures. It is hard to believe that we are just two months into his presidency. What I want to raise with the Tánaiste today is how we in Irel…

I welcome the Tánaiste's words on the occupied territories Bill. There is a sense, however, that the Government is rowing back on the Bill and seeking to dilute it in some way. It was published some time ago. Indeed, we supported Senator Black in the Seanad. I co-sponsored it with her when I was a Senator. It has achieved such cross-party support. I commend Senator Black and all those who have been pushing for it to be passed. However, we need to just get on with it and pass it. As Francesca Albanese told us this m…

I am proud to second the motion. I commend my colleague, Deputy Wall, on bringing forward this important motion. I commend and pay tribute to the work of Family Carers Ireland and, in particular, to the work of all the young people engaged in providing care. As Deputy Wall said, we heard today so many powerful testimonies from young people who themselves are providing care to siblings and family members. These are carers like Lucy, Conor, Benjamin and Sarah Ann who were so eloquent and yet so honest about the impac…