The Tánaiste said, "Israel is not living up to its human rights obligations." That is a massive understatement and I think he would acknowledge that himself.

There have to be consequences for the genocidal action of the brutal Israeli regime. It must feel those consequences. The Tánaiste has the support of all the people on this island to take action against Israel to ensure that it does feel those consequences. While I am on my feet and have the floor, I implore him to do all that he can to get the kids here to play GAA. I spoke to one of the families that are expecting a child to come and stay with them. Their kids are devastated but, more importantly, the children in…

This question is fairly straightforward and simple, as I would like to think all my questions are. Has the Minister of State given consideration to establishing a community wealth building fund within his Department? He will know it is very long-standing Sinn Féin policy to support the development of community wealth building. We were in here the other night debating a Bill on ethical procurement and a representative of the Government stated that the Government is not hostile to the idea. This question is generally…

I really welcome that. As I said, this is long-standing Sinn Féin policy but it also makes a lot of sense. I appreciate that the Minister of State outlined what has been done, but the difference between what he has said and community wealth building revolves around key performance indicators, KPIs, to use that jargon. A community wealth building fund is shown to have been successful where there are deliverables and it is measurable, meaning we can look at reductions in poverty and inequality in a given local area. …

I do not wish to be argumentative but there is a small difference between what I am saying and what the Minister of State is saying. As much as the community wealth building model is driven by those deliverables, we are looking at measuring improvement in regard to the number of children living in poverty and increasing the percentage of the working-age population in employment, and not only in employment but in employment in decent work. It is about measuring as well as local development and investment and channel…

I want to take this opportunity, when we are discussing community centres, to make a request. This was a question I had in and it was moved to another Department but I am going to try and wedge it in here anyway. It concerns community childcare. When we are talking about community centres, we need to be looking at harnessing those buildings. We had a discussion on Storm Éowyn and the way in which it exposed some of the fragile infrastructure. Now that there is a lens on it and people are looking at that vital infra…

I was contacted recently by a student living in Balbriggan. He told me that he is there every morning 20 minutes before the library opens because there is a massive queue of people. That is a ringing endorsement of the work done by the people working in Balbriggan library and indeed all our libraries - I understand we in north County Dublin are not unique in that respect. Will the Minister give consideration to conducting a small survey, with reference to the previous point made, about utilising any existing capaci…

I pay tribute to Women's Aid on its 50th anniversary. I wish to read out the number for anyone that needs it: 1800 341900. We obviously wish there was no need for Women's Aid but there is, and its work is getting harder and more complex. Some of the earlier speakers mentioned the normalising of domestic abuse, and we cannot allow that to happen. We have to speak clearly and with one voice and be unequivocal in saying domestic abuse and sexual and gender-based violence is not normal and should not be treated as such…

I thank the Deputy for bringing this legislation forward. I am disappointed the Government is opposing it because there is significant merit in facilitating the passage of this legislation to the next Stage so we can have that discussion. The Minister of State cited the fact there has been no pre-legislative scrutiny done on this legislation. Can he point me to any legislation picked out in lottery that we discuss here virtually every Thursday afternoon that has been through pre-legislative scrutiny? Is it effectiv…

There was an election in between.

They do not pay in euros.

In fairness to the Taoiseach, he has nothing to say.

For many students, this €1,000 hike is not just a number on a page. It is the difference between accepting a college place and not; between staying in education and dropping out; between progress and paralysis. It is not about affordability alone. It is also about credibility and trust and the repeated failure of the Government to live up its own words. The 2020 and 2025 programmes for Government made clear promises to reduce fees, reform SUSI and invest properly in third level education. Fine Gael's own manifesto …

Nobody used those words.

Will it be €2,000 or €3,000? There is a question. Will the Minister give us a straight answer?

Will it be €2,000 or €3,000? It is a straight question.

He invited the question.

Is it €2,000 or €3,000?

What was the Minister doing on the radio?

The cost-of-living crisis is over.