I continue from where the previous speaker left the argument. There is a huge case to be made for small businesses. They are under enormous pressure. That is not a whinge; it is a fact. We have failed to understand the challenges that face small cafés, restaurants, retailers, food outlets and clothing outlets. We do not seem to understand what it takes for them to make a profit in order to survive. Businesses are closing down. They are under threat. While the budget may help, we were good to businesses throughout C…

I welcome this debate. I hope it is just one step in an analysis that should be undertaken by the Oireachtas of how we arrived at the point where this country lost the case. Now we are collecting billions of euro in unpaid taxes. Equally, I ask that the Oireachtas finance committee be privy to the thoughts of the Government as to how it intends to spend this money. It is important in respect of the collection of taxes that we in this House remember how difficult it is for individuals and businesses to earn a profit…

I want to make a number of points about Europe. I will start by congratulating Michael McGrath and wishing him well in the task ahead at a time when Europe is being challenged and the direction of Europe is being questioned. That direction needs to be questioned, and we need at every turn to ensure that Ireland's interests are represented in every decision that is taken. I agree with the sentiments expressed in respect of Ursula von der Leyen. The groupings that committed themselves to voting against her should do …

I commend Sinn Féin and Deputy Carthy on tabling this motion in the House again for consideration and debate. It is unusual in that on the previous occasion, Fianna Fáil joined with all others in the House to ensure that the content of the motion was passed and the Minister was asked directly for a public inquiry. Unfortunately, on this occasion, we do not get speaking time. I am using some of the time that the Minister did not use, but there are other colleagues who would also love to say something on this matter.…

I have raised this issue a number of times by way of Topical Issue matters and parliamentary questions. The State and the Government will be judged by how they treat the most marginalised and the weakest in society. We have here a scandal that is not being addressed adequately and efficiently. I ask the Minister of State to look at SOS Kilkenny, a provider of services for people with intellectual disability and autism which has been underfunded to the tune of millions for some years. It has made a case to the Depar…

That is of no comfort to the families I am speaking about. While it might read well and give the impression that there is a fantastic service there, I can tell the Minister of State that is not the case. I ask him again to address the issue of SOS Kilkenny and funding to allow it to provide the range of services. Will the Minister of State address the issue of respite in counties Kilkenny and Carlow in relation to that also? I asked the Minister of State - and he did not answer - about the numbers waiting to see a …

I have already done that. The Minister of State has not addressed any of the questions I raised. It is disgraceful.

Across Carlow and Kilkenny, communities are deeply concerned about wind farms and the height of the turbines now being proposed. I am asking particularly in relation to Castlewarren, Ballyouskill and the joined farms across county boundaries. I am asking that someone take charge of what is being done. Will someone defend the communities and restrict the height of these turbines? Will the Minister clarify the regulations and the differences between legal opinions from the Department and, for example, Kilkenny County…

I will start by welcoming the Bill, I suppose.

Should I propose the adjournment now?

I welcome the Bill. I have a few concerns to express, particularly about the childcare sector, both the private and community care, and the interaction with Tusla. I acknowledge there is a need for regulation and a need to continue to supervise how children are being looked after, to ensure they are getting the proper care and attention and that a response mechanism is in place to address any issues that might arise. My experience with Tusla regarding a complaint I made recently was that the phone was not answered.…

Like most conversations that now take place throughout the country, they begin with the phrase "I am not a racist" because people are trying to protect their own position and integrity against accusations of racism or online abuse. I do not condone racism; I am not a racist. I wish to ensure that local communities are helped and that we play our role within Europe. I have to put on record that the Government in its efforts, since the beginning which goes back two years, has failed miserably in convincing the public…

There are a significant number of parents who cannot get places in the childcare sector in Kilkenny. It is a serious issue for all concerned. I wrote to the Minister and got a very poor response. There needs to be a strong Government response to provide such places. Likewise, with regard to ASD units, schools are expressing interest, they want to have a unit and there is a demand, yet the Government, the Minister, the Department or whoever is responsible is not responding in the way they should. We need to look aft…

I will focus on a number of issues that are of concern to me and paint a picture of a health service that is not responsive to the issues being faced by families and individuals. I have raised them a number of times and until such time as the services are delivered, I will not be able to say we have a functioning, efficient health service. That is no reflection on the staff on the front line. It is about bureaucracy, the direction of spend, which comes through the Minister to the HSE, and the nightmare of dealing w…

I first want to go back to the statement made in this debate by Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. I support entirely the statement and the comment in relation to the European Union and the need for a common-sense approach. I do so because I often follow the seafood sector, including John Shine, of Shine's Seafood, which distributes wild Irish tuna. I watch carefully the mapping Mr. Shine puts up on social media of the huge foreign vessels that come within Irish waters, or close to it, to fish to the detriment of our ow…

I move: That Dáil Éireann shall take note of the Report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, and Reform, and Taoiseach entitled "Report on Politically Exposed Persons", copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 13th December, 2023. I thank members of the committee and all those who appeared before us, including departmental officials, to provide an insight into the process used to bring about changes in the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, which has impl…

I am delighted that we have had this debate, but not by a long shot am I convinced that the Department of Justice or the Department of Finance understands exactly what we are asking for. The report makes recommendations. In my opening remarks, I stated that it would be essential that any enhanced due diligence measures undertaken by financial services against politically exposed persons, their close associates or their families were balanced, appropriate and fair. We all agree on the need to monitor the source of m…

The farmers I come across in my constituency are dealing with serious issues of finance on their farms and need all the support they can get. They are facing all sorts of challenges, some relating to climate change and others relating to the sheer administration of their enterprise. The weather has not helped and is not helping them, and while it is quite different now and it is good to see them all out in the fields again, they suffered losses. I expressed concern in the past two weeks about the mental health issu…

The number of families in Carlow and Kilkenny attempting to access child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, is increasing. They simply cannot access those services. I asked this question previously. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, answered on the day, but nothing has changed. In 2023, one family's GP referred them to CAMHS. They were seeking access to a child psychiatrist. The child was at home and unmanageable. Since then, nothing has happened. Now, the GP is again writing to CAMHS imploring it to…

There is a great deal to celebrate in the achievements of women in this country over the decades. It is also fair to say that a significant amount remains to be done. Political parties in this House are not supporting women within their organisations as they should. This is why we do not get women coming forward for election. That has to change. The current system whereby a certain allocation of women and a gender balance and so on is being sought is all well and good but if you do not change the system that select…