As the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is aware, industrial action is taking place as we speak across local authorities, including Wexford. There is an indefinite ban on all engagements with non-statutory political representatives. In fact, a 24-hour email ban will begin tomorrow, Friday, 22 September, and a 48-hour telephone ban begins on Tuesday, 26 September, including all media platforms. I ask that the Minister mandates local government management, particularly the CEOs, to re-engage with Fórsa before this dispute e…

The mental health services are in a state of flux. The full report on CAMHS published last week laid bare the facts about threadbare services, bad governance and neglect. Many factors came to the fore, including the deterioration of services, the appalling, long waiting lists and the failure to look after our young people who are in danger and need on-the-spot protection, intervention and care. We all have personal stories to tell, like the mother who came to me about her teenage daughter. She was self-harming and …

Without stating the obvious, we have a major problem in dental services nationwide. Along with others, I have raised this issue many times through parliamentary questions, the Minister's Department and local media since 2021. On the ground, dentists are not taking on any new clients, particularly those in the medical card scheme. In 2017, there were 1,700 dentists registered with the dental treatment service scheme. In 2022, there were only 650 left. In Wexford in 2020, 70 dentists were operating under the scheme. …

Our healthcare service is broken and not fit for purpose. It has been broken for a long time. The provision of a fully functioning healthcare service that can look after people and its staff should be a duty of care and priority for any Government worth its salt. The Government has utterly failed in this measure. The Minister referred to the years 2021 and 2022. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, only reported five days on which there were fewer than 350 patients on trolleys in 2022 and no days when …

Transparency, separation of powers and proper legislative scrutiny are pillars of any proper planning procedure. However, the structure of this Bill and the way the Minister introduced the Bill in the Seanad through Standing Orders will do nothing for public confidence and leaves it open to possible challenge through litigation. Even more alarming is the fact that the Minister is seeking to autonomise the power of appointments in a way that will further erode the independence of An Bord Pleanála. We know only too w…

Healthcare workers are the backbone of our health system. When we talk about the severe and persistent issue due to Government failure within our health system we primarily think about the impact on patients. However, we should also consider the intense pressure and stress levels involved in working in such a broken system. This is what our healthcare staff contend with on a daily basis to keep our health system going. This emergency is experienced across all regions of the country. This week alone, there were 22 p…

I have been engaging with some of the retained firefighters in County Wexford. A national survey indicated that 60% of them intend to leave soon. A new fire station recently opened in New Ross, which is welcome. However, it cost €1.6 million and due to staffing it is only operating as a one-pump station and must rely on other stations such as Enniscorthy, which is at least half an hour away. That is a long time to wait if a person has a serious house fire. What is the Government's position on improving the conditio…

Gambling addiction is devastating many families, usually behind closed doors. What is a fun activity for some is a devastating, soul-destroying addiction for others. All the while, companies make colossal profits off this unbreakable cycle, particularly when there is a downturn in the economy. The Irish Times reported that Irish gamblers lost €1.36 billion in 2020, amounting to approximately €300 per adult on average, making the Irish the fourth highest gamblers in the EU. While the Bill is welcome, it is long over…

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion. This is an area that has been neglected and left unchanged and unchallenged. It is tied up with restrictive, punitive policies and narrow legislation. The consequences of criminalisation, particularly of many young people, leads to life-changing disadvantages including being denied travel to certain countries, employment in some jobs and sometimes, the loss of supports from communities and friends. The Government is far behind the curve on this issue, parti…

I move amendment No. 10: In page 19, line 9, after “efficiently” to insert the following: “, including the power to compel online services to provide any data requested that pertains to public interest research, or any data that the Commissioner deems to be relevant in protection of the common good in a time specified and determined by the Commission”. In a democratic society, the common good must be sacrosanct before the private interests of big business. Currently, independent academic researchers, digital analys…

I move amendment No. 14: In page 21, line 31, after “matter” to insert the following: , including at least a bi-annual meeting with the Gambling Regulatory Authority, and will produce an annual report on online gambling to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on a yearly basis”. Gambling addiction is destroying so many families across the country, so we need to use the full force of every arm of the State to tackle it. It is vital that the relationship between the two regulators is put on a statutory footing…

I move amendment No. 17: In page 27, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: "(3) In the case of no fewer than 30 per cent of Commissioners and at least 20 per cent of members of the staff of the Commission, a person shall not be appointed to these roles unless he or she is able to communicate proficiently in the Irish language. This provision shall be in force in relation to all new appointments following the enactment of this Act.".

I move amendment No. 28: In page 29, line 30, after "determine" to insert the following: ", including a specific committee to monitor, report on compliance with obligations, and propose recommendations on the use of the Irish language across media".

I move amendment No. 29: In page 29, line 33, after "persons" to insert the following: ", and only persons fluent in the Irish language shall be included in a specific committee on the use of the Irish language across media".

Local independent radio is very important to communities, especially in rural areas, including in large towns and villages. Local stations' news updates and delivery of up-to-the-minute happenings during the pandemic and during storms contributed enormously to public safety and in no small way to the saving of lives. Their economic challenges following the pandemic have multiplied threefold. Advertising has dropped significantly, putting tremendous strain on stations such as my local station, South East Radio. The …

I would like to concur with my colleagues on the €2.5 million, which is very welcome news. It shows that the Minister is taking this seriously. On the issue of the grants, there were many complaints about them not being on time and the length of time it took for them to be handed out was not conducive. I would appreciate it if that could be looked at as well.

Forestry is one of the key components that can deliver lower emissions and contribute substantially to our domestic construction industry. It also has a major role to play in reducing global warming and achieving our emission targets. However, we must all learn the lessons from our over-reliance on imported energy and fuel and the consequences of Russia's invasion of a sovereign nation, including the domestic consequences where we are being held to ransom by suppliers and middle brokers who are making significant p…

A robust and adequate social welfare system is the cornerstone of any republic, the sworn duty and aim of which should be to look after the most vulnerable and the less well-off in society. The nation's population will be healthier and freer to enjoy their life, if they know there is a safety net for them and their families if they fall on hard times. In the current cost-of-living crisis, with soaring energy and food costs increasing daily, our social welfare system is needed now more than ever. This is why I welco…

I am inundated with inquiries from people with medical cards who cannot access dental services in County Wexford. The scheme is collapsing and is clearly in a state of decline. In 2020, there were 33 dentists participating in the dental treatment service scheme in the county. Now there are only 14. The people of Bunclody and Rosslare have no dentists at all operating under the scheme. New Ross has only two. In other areas such as Enniscorthy people are left in desperate pain as the dentists on the scheme in their a…

As the housing crisis worsens, severe pressure on emergency accommodation is becoming insurmountable. Homeless families are being sent further and further away to bed and breakfasts outside of their hometowns and catchment areas. A huge chunk of their already very low income is being swallowed up by expensive transport costs in order to make sure their children keep attending their local school with their local friends. What is the Government’s policy to provide financial assistance towards the cost of transport fo…