What is the Deputy apologising for?

If I did indicate that I was going to speak, I would indicate to the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I ask an Teachta to please continue.

Workers and families are under intense pressure as a result of the spiralling cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil, as are businesses, the economy and society as a whole. We all know the causes of these price spikes, which are fuelled by the brutal invasion of Ukraine. The Government can and must act to reduce prices for fuel and energy. We are experiencing a very fragile recovery that is already threatened by consistently higher prices than forecast and now the turmoil caused by the Russian attack on Ukrain…

Today is our day for women to celebrate and mark time in our struggle for equality and remind ourselves of the importance of international solidarity. On International Women's Day, I express my solidarity with the women of Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan, and with all women who are struggling at the moment. We know and are in contact with them and we know what they are suffering. We need to acknowledge that, globally, there are women struggling and their fight and struggle should not be forgotten t…

I refer to the case that Julia Marciniak, Lenka Lermanova and their trade union, Unite, took to the Labour Court. I know the Tánaiste is aware of it. The Labour Court decision and related documentation show how determined the workers were and that they were effectively sacked for joining a trade union and being active therein. Every employer would not mind employees joining a trade union if they never did a thing about it. The tips Bill in its current format allows for a service charge to be applied. This has been …

I welcome Pádraig Peyton and his SIPTU colleagues who are in the Gallery this evening. In 2020, politicians from all parties got a very clear message from the voters. Workers rejected the Government policy of the incremental increases in the pension age. The voters forced a fairly substantial U-turn by the Government parties and the Labour Party. Workers also want the option to continue to work on the same terms and conditions of employment. In short, workers want choice and I agree with them. Not alone was this cl…

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to speak to this Private Members' motion and thank the Deputies involved for tabling it. The outsourcing of the issuing and renewal of driver licences has been a farce from the start. Hardly a week goes by without some form of complaint made to my office about the standard of the quality of the service provided by the NDLS. This has nothing to do with the staff members; it is a matter of understaffing, under-resourcing and pointless procedures. The Minister of State w…

I send my solidarity to the Ukrainian people and their families in Ireland and commend those who are doing so much on the ground in our communities to organise relief, collect money and show support. Two people in my town, Tanya, who runs Tanya's Kitchen, and her mam, both of them Ukrainian, will run a fundraiser tomorrow, while Ollie, who runs The Snug, is collecting money as well. So much work is being done and we have much to be proud of. I hope yesterday's Dáil statements demonstrated our collective support for…

Section 110.

I want to ask the Taoiseach about the abolition of mandatory retirement. As he will be aware, Sinn Féin tabled legislation that was supported by his party in opposition in the previous Dáil and which we will be reintroducing in the coming weeks. This legislation, when passed, will give workers a choice to retire at 65 or to work on. Forcing workers to retire at 65, as his Government partners are finding out, when they are fit and able and may want to work on, especially where they cannot access the State pension ra…

I want to raise with the Taoiseach the delay in advancing the urgently needed legislation to identify and guard marine protected areas as required under the marine strategy framework directive. As the Taoiseach will be aware, Ireland has no legal tool with which to define, identify, designate or manage marine protected areas. As a result, many species, habitats and processes occurring in our extensive marine area have fallen outside the scope of area-based conservation, with consequent risks to marine biodiversity …

There may possibly be speakers. I am conscious that business has moved quickly. I have no objections to the legislation going through. My amendments in respect of the previous Bill were, regrettably, ruled out of order. There might be speakers and I am conscious that business is moving quickly. I do not whether there are speakers on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 or if there are amendments. I am only making the point that we seem to moving fast.

In recent days I have been contacted by large numbers of Malahide residents. They are very concerned about a sudden spike in antisocial behaviour in the village and surrounding areas. This happened before, and a very increased and visible Garda presence really helped in the resolution of it. I draw the Tánaiste's attention to two tweets from the Minister with responsibility for housing on 10 and 26 May last year. On 10 May he said there would be an announcement in the coming weeks regarding community CCTV for Malah…

Or indeed to announce we have it when we do not.

Perhaps the Minister with responsibility for housing could volunteer to be the data controller.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for accommodating me. I welcome the publication of the town centre first policy. Like most of the Members who have spoken this afternoon, I look forward to its implementation. The policy is a good idea. It looks good on paper. I would like to see it in action in our towns and villages. I was somewhat disturbed by the recent remark by the Tánaiste that retail has changed and people are shopping online. He appeared to give up on retail. We need to get behind saving retail jobs. For that re…

The Galway tent.

You are-----

What does he say about Bartra?

Business as usual with Bartra. On you go.