This is a debate, Deputy. I ask that you sit down and let me continue.

You had your time to talk. You constantly interrupt people.

Citing the need to expand development of our oil and gas supplies is contrary to everything that has been said internationally and nationally by scientists, world leaders-----

-----and Members of the House. Do we now have people in the House denying scientists and their capabilities? That is a very dangerous road to go down, that people in this House think they know more than all the climate scientists who have come together to say this. I was not going to use the term "climate deniers" later in my speech, but I think it is incredibly appropriate at this point. Just this week, we have heard outspoken climate leaders such as UN Secretary General, António Guterres, calling the dash for new…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the statements. I acknowledge and agree with the comments from Deputy Bruton that these transition statements are probably not the best mechanism for accountability because they refer to points so far in the past and this is such a dynamic and quickly changing policy environment we are dealing with. However, it is always welcome to be able to stand here and talk about environmental issues, climate and biodiversity. One of the major charges that is often made against politicians…

I welcome the Minister's amendment on behalf of Deputy Cairns. It is very much welcome.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 10, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: “(ii) of persons whose death may have occurred in a violent or unnatural manner, or suddenly and from unknown causes, or”. While the Bill makes significant progress in providing a framework to address some of the horrific aspects of modern Irish history, it falls short of international transitional justice standards. The Bill currently only allows for interventions at sites in instances of manifestly inappropriate burials. This me…

When the Minister first responded, he stated he was not in a position to accept the amendments. I took that to mean that he might consider accepting them at some point down the road, but his latest response would indicate they are not under consideration at all. The mother and baby homes commission reported that at least 9,000 children died while in the State's care. Many causes of death are largely unknown, as are the locations of the remains. However, it is clear that the death rate was way higher than among the …

I move amendment No. 9: In page 14, line 6, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”.

I move amendment No. 11: In page 14, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “(ii) of persons whose death may have occurred in a violent or unnatural manner, or suddenly and from unknown causes, or”.

I support amendment Nos. 14 in the names of Deputies Funchion and Ward. Deputy Holly Cairns and I believe that this wording represents much more proactive language designed to oblige interventions for justice. Where the Minister's Bill states the Government “may” refuse, the amendment states that the Government “shall” make every effort. We believe the latter is more committed to seeking justice to adequately respond to the horrors of our institutional past. Crucially, the amendment recognises the complex feelings …

I move amendment No. 20: In page 16, to delete lines 20 to 32 and substitute the following: "(3) In determining whether the making of an order under section 7(1) , the Government shall consider whether the proposed intervention is proportionate having regard to the need to respect the views of the relatives of persons buried in the land.". Section 8(3) sets out a general purpose interest which the Government must consider when establishing intervention. What it essentially does is restrict interventions based on se…

I thank Sinn Féin for proposing this motion, which the Social Democrats entirely support along with any and all actions to ensure all children's educational and human rights are met. I acknowledge the work my colleague, Deputy Gannon, has put into this issue. Unfortunately, he was unable to be here today for the debate. There is undeniably a crisis regarding appropriate school places for children with disabilities across our island, although I would be hesitant to use the word "emergency". I am hesitant because thi…

I have a question for the Minister for Health. Some 35 children with cystic fibrosis, CF, between the ages of six and 11 have been excluded from accessing the life-changing CF drug therapy, Kaftrio. There was no expectation that these children would be excluded from this drug therapy and the news has come as a crushing blow for the parents and children. Will the Minister confirm if it is indeed a pricing dispute between the HSE and the pharmaceutical company, Vertex, that has resulted in this? What measures is he t…

I welcome the opportunity to talk about the NPWS and the wider issue of biodiversity, especially as this is National Biodiversity Week. I acknowledge all the work that is being done throughout our country by individuals, community groups, tidy towns and local authorities when it comes to education around biodiversity and the on-the-ground work that they are conducting in this regard. Every week should be biodiversity week. We should always put that level of appreciation into our natural world. I hope someday that b…

The sum of €450 million is the incredibly large amount of money the Minister will hand over to developers. I can think of many better ways to spend it as I am sure can everyone in the Chamber. People are living with the incredibly difficult situation of rising inflation and the rising cost of fuel. We also have the constant backdrop of the housing crisis. This is the reality people face. As I imagine everyone in the Chamber has, I have constituents frequently contacting my office about fears of becoming homeless wh…

I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to have this debate today. It was a pleasant surprise to see it on this week’s agenda. I was anticipating perhaps some announcement from the Government in regard to just transition and the plans for it. I am disappointed with the level of progress outlined today. From listening to and reading the Minister of State’s speech, it seems that one thing is missing all the time. I do not know why the Government is so hesitant to put it down in black and white what it means…

I also thank Deputy Fitzmaurice and the Independent Group for bringing forward this motion. I found it informative. I was surprised at the number of rights and leases available to people in rural communities. The fact that there are so many shows the complexity of this issue, as well as how intrinsic it is to rural life and to many thousands of communities across the country. That is also demonstrated by this system having gone on for so many years and with so many different regimes having been applied to it. This …

They are clinicians.

They are not lawyers.