I want to acknowledge, first, that the tragedy in Creeslough overshadows all other issues and matters that we are going to deal with in this House today. However, I would like to raise the plight of many thousands of people across this country, who work for independent non-State agencies in the care, community and voluntary sectors. I refer to section 39, section 10 and section 56 workers and all of those in the community sector who need a pay rise. They are among the heroes of Irish society, filling the gaps left …

I thank the Taoiseach for the response and for acknowledging there is an issue here, which there clearly is. As the Taoiseach has said, a large number of people are involved, including a large number of service users, people who are relying on the vital services provided by these care workers and community workers. The service users need to know that the services which enable them to live their lives will continue in the future. We need a Government commitment to multi-annual funding. We need to know what the €100 …

A wide range of services is involved.

I am concerned that many vulnerable renters may be excluded from the renter's tax credit announced by the Government in budget 2023. I have been approached by constituents who rent their homes by way of licence agreements rather than as tenants under leaseholds. We sought clarity from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who has appeared to dispel concerns by stating licensees would be entitled to claim a tax credit but who only referenced only those in the rent-a-room scheme or in student accom…

During the debate on the IBRC commission report on Siteserv the Taoiseach indicated that the commission was due to submit a report before the end of October on the other 37 transactions. Could he update us on that? As my colleague, Deputy Nash, pointed out during Dáil statements in September, there is a broader issue here where investigations under the Commissions of Investigations Act cannot serve a useful purpose if they cannot be completed within a reasonable timeframe and arrive at the truth in an effective and…

I ask that the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change take account of three matters, first the need for more transformational transport projects, such as the Labour Party's call for a €9 per month climate ticket for unlimited public transport journeys. We certainly welcome the plan to deliver 30 Pathfinder public transport projects, such as the phasing-out of cars from College Green in Dublin, but we need to see more radical policies introduced. Second, I ask that the Government support my Dublin B…

I had asked the Taoiseach about the high level oversight board for the zero tolerance strategy but I know he is appearing before the Joint Committee on Gender Equality, that I chair, tomorrow so we can address that further then. I am grateful to the Taoiseach for his engagement with our committee and for his engagement on the implementation of the 45 recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality. I know all of us on the committee look forward to our engagement tomorrow with the Taoiseach. I wish to r…

We are in the midst of an unprecedented trilemma comprising three crises. There is the housing crisis that our President has rightly described as a housing disaster and which is hitting many families and households very hard. There is a cost-of-living, energy bills and energy security crisis that is affecting millions of people across the country, exacerbated by Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine and his escalation of the war in that country. Of course, there is also the climate crisis, the existential threat that …

I want to raise the issue of how we can ensure the continuation of vital community services across all our communities and pay and conditions for those workers who have been outsourced from the State and who provide vital care services through section 39 organisations or section 56 organisations. We all know how many community-based services in all our constituencies are utterly reliant on workers who are paid in this way - not directly by the State but indirectly by the State to provide vital public services. Labo…

I thank the Tánaiste for his constructive words. I do think it is fair to describe services as having been outsourced. Indeed, as the Tánaiste acknowledged, the State has a long history of outsourcing vital public services such as health and education to voluntary bodies, notably the Catholic Church and religious orders resulting in a shadow welfare state. Now in 2022, we need to ensure that we move to a different mode of delivery of services and that the State is stepping in to ensure those who are providing the s…

What specific action does the Government propose to take to address the key points made in yesterday's OECD and Climate Change Advisory Council report on the Irish transport system? The report showed the need for the Government to prioritise policies to reallocate road space from private cars to ensure that walking and cycling are better accommodated. I ask this knowing that although the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, outlined that he would be launching certain pathfinder projects over the coming weeks,…

I do not know what that was about.

I will send details to the Tánaiste. It has been done in France.

I note the welcome aspects of this Bill. Despite the delay, this legislation will see the enforcement provisions in the EECC being transposed into Irish law. This is very welcome, especially the provision for ComReg to have additional powers and a wider remit. We are all conscious in our constituencies of issues around consumer protection and lack of due regard for online security. This Bill is a welcome initiative to redress some of those issues. I am not going to take my full time because I welcome the Bill. I wi…

I welcome an esteemed visitor to the Gallery, Finola Cassidy, who is here representing the Irish Thalidomide Association. She is a constituent of mine and somebody the Taoiseach has also met. I pay tribute to Finola for her campaigning and advocacy work over many years. She was, as the Taoiseach knows, a central contributor to last night's powerful "Scannal" documentary which aired on RTÉ 1 about the thalidomide scandal. The airing of that documentary came at a timely moment because next month marks the 61st annive…

I thank the Taoiseach for his response but he might clarify when he will get back to the Irish Thalidomide Association. It has been waiting for a long time. It is very anxious, in particular, about the few mothers who are still left alive. They are owed an apology by the State and an acknowledgement of the wrong done to them because many mothers and women who had babies who were born with disabilities as a result of thalidomide are themselves feeling guilty. That is utterly unacceptable. It is very clear, from the …

There are reports today that IBEC has raised concerns about the introduction of statutory domestic violence leave. Will the Government commit to moving forward swiftly with the adoption of such legislation? We believe most employers want to ensure supports are available to employees and workers experiencing domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. They want to offer them those supports. The legislation going through the House deserves cross-party support on that basis to ensure a compassionate workplace. Labour i…

I thank the Taoiseach for outlining how the expansion of free GP care is to proceed. Could he confirm if there are any plans by the Government to expand the roll-out of free GP care to those children aged over seven and under 18? We in the Labour Party proposed in our alternative budget that there would be an expansion of free GP care to all those under 18, as originally envisaged. Now, it appears that this Government has abandoned that plan, so the Taoiseach might confirm that, please. Second, the Dublin Rape Cris…

I thank the Taoiseach for the update on the shared island unit. On Saturday, I was glad to represent the Labour Party at the Ireland's Future event in the 3Arena, at which an impressive cross-party array of Deputies and Senators was present. The Taoiseach was not able to be present due to other commitments, but his party was represented. It was disappointing that there was no elected unionist or Alliance representative present. It was clear from the event that there are serious issues that need to be teased out and…

The number of people in homelessness in this State continues to rise. It is now approaching 11,000 people, which is a shocking figure. Will the Government please consider introducing a winter eviction ban as an emergency measure so that, in particular, children and families at risk of losing their homes will at least have some security over the winter and through Christmas? We have seen this being done in France and we are asking the Government to do it here. Does the Taoiseach have any response regarding the repor…