I heard the Taoiseach's remarks yesterday at the national economic dialogue, and I have to say never in my life have I heard such reality-defying words. He told us that fundamental reform was being delivered that was creating a sustainable housing system into the future. We have a Raise the Roof rally outside the Dáil today. If we did a survey of all the people there, and of all the people who were renting, they would disagree terribly with these words, which are so completely out of touch. The Minister has heard a…

The way it works is that each TD gets one minute.

This is the end.

That is the way it works.

I understand, but that is the way it works.

Bogfaimid ar aghaidh go Ceist Uimh. 11. Tá Ceist Uimh. 11 á tógáil le ceisteanna Uimh. 20, 23, 29, 34, 42, 62, 66 agus 79.

Is é seo an chéad uair atá deis agam comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit as a phost agus a ról nua. Guím chuile rath air sa phost seo. Is í an fhírinne ná go dteastaíonn guth fíorláidir uainn. Teastaíonn sé ó na pobail atá ina gcónaí ar an gcósta agus ó na pobail ar fad a bhfuil baint acu leis an iascaireacht. Ní raibh an guth sin acu cheana agus is í sin an fhadhb a bhí ann i gcónaí. Caithfidh muid é sin a athrú. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an tAire Stáit in ann é sin a athrú. Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh sé i Ros…

This is not a Topical Issue that I wanted to bring to the Dáil but it relates is an ongoing situation over a number of months. I am disappointed it had to get to this point. It is very clear that six months after Storm Bert and Storm Darragh, and five months after Storm Éowyn, there is no plan from the Government on how to deal with the infrastructural deficit that has had a huge impact across Connemara. I totally understand that we could not have anticipated the impact Storm Éowyn was going to have. The problem fo…

Yes, the Minister of State was getting to the most interesting part there. I am happy with this response because I feel like something is being taken seriously. I understand the Minister of State is not over this particular Department but I will ask him to bring back a few things and also for a number of clarifications on this. There are a few interesting things. At the end of the day, I do not want this to continue happening in Connemara so I welcome anything that can be done and any kind of plan that can be put i…

I welcome those in the Public Gallery to Dáil Éireann. I am sure Deputy Coppinger will agree that the reason we are all here is thanks to the activism and the loud voices of the people who are in the Gallery, as well as those who, unfortunately, were not able to be here today. I thank the Deputy for bringing forward this Bill. Hers has been an incredibly strong voice on this issue in the Chamber. This is the type of issue she has championed and continues to champion. It is really horrific when we consider what we a…

I commend the Social Democrats on introducing this important motion. Representatives of the Central Bank will appear before the finance committee today to explain its position on why there has been no action on these bonds. Therefore, this motion is timely. Thus far the Central Bank has refused to reject the prospectuses submitted for these Israeli war bonds. Its reasons not to act have been somewhat of a movable feast. Previously, the Governor of the Central Bank told us that these were not war bonds and were inst…

I will give the Minister's time back.

I ask that Deputies stay within the time limit.

I remind Deputies that only one person is to stand in the Chamber at a time.

These are questions, not a debate. Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta.

Go raibh maith agat, a Aire. Tá d'am caite.

Can we just have one person talking at a time, one person standing at a time and keep to our time? That would be fantastic. Tá dhá cheist le tógail le chéile in ainm an Teachta Emer Currie.

After those remarks, I must state that it is important the record has been corrected. I would hope that all Members carry our history with them when they make contributions and understand that there are families who can be impacted. It is important for us all to realise the importance of our words. My question relates to the accelerating infrastructure task force. What can we expect by way of the reports it will produce and how can we be assured that the recommendations it makes will be acted upon?

The reason I asked this question is because in recent years various different task forces and expert groups have been set up. We have the construction sector group, for example. I was quite puzzled as to why this new group had to be set up as opposed to its members just being added to the construction sector group. As we know, that expert group was set up to help tackle the housing crisis. I read some of its reports - they were excellent - but I never really saw how its recommendations were translated into Governme…

I hope this works, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. I am worried that the task force will become a place where things are said and reports are written, but that nothing will come from this. Of course, it is important to listen to expert recommendations and bring them together. Some incredibly good reports have been published. In that context, we could fill the House with excellent reports. However, these reports are never actioned. That is the issue. I want to ensure that the task force does not …