I welcome much of what was in the Minister of State's statement. As my colleague Deputy Ó Laoghaire has said, we recognise that efforts have been made to resolve many of the issues that have been there for so long for many families who have children with various levels of disability. The issue raised with us most often relates to special needs assistants in schools. In recent weeks, a young man from Drumshanbo contacted me about his son who is starting school soon. He said the school, St. Patrick's National School,…

I am sharing time with Deputy Martin Browne. Last Monday night, I attended a meeting organised by the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, in the mart in Ballymote, County Sligo. Climate action was one of the issues discussed. Of course, farmers are very exercised by the increase in the cost of inputs, including diesel, and all of the issues that make up the bigger problem we are facing. However, a couple of farmers made the point that the farming community has no problem playing its role in delivering the transition we…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 17, after “member” where it secondly occurs to insert “not below the rank of Sergeant”. The amendment ensures that the person who would be a court presenter would not be below the rank of sergeant. This is the standard case throughout the country anyway and has been for many years. In fact, in most courts, an inspector would carry out these duties. In that context, it is important that this happens. I also consulted with many gardaí locally who have knowledge of the situation…

We are supporting this Bill. When this situation arose a few weeks ago, many Deputies throughout the country would have been contacted by people in the legal profession and by members of An Garda Síochána who were very concerned about the outcome of the amendment and the potential risks it involved. As the Minister of State stated in his remarks, a considerable body of work is carried out through our District Court system throughout the State. We are just after coming out of a Joint Committee on Justice meeting at …

The other Deputies are not available so I will be raising this Topical Issue matter on my own. I raised this issue, and asked my colleagues to do so as well, because many farmers all over the country are concerned about the rise in the price of agricultural diesel. Last night, I attended an Irish Farmers Association, IFA, meeting in Ballymote mart. There were many farmers there who are concerned about the rising input costs for their work. This morning I heard on the radio that farm incomes are up, and we welcome t…

I accept the reply that the Minister of State has given on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. Changes were made. We can read out at length the data and the tables regarding the various taxes and tax rates, etc., but the reality for the farmer is that when they go to fill a 5-gallon drum with diesel, it is costing them twice the price. That is the reality. There needs to be a check on that. From speaking to the farmers last night, and from speaking to other farmers since then, I emphasise that farmers need t…

I have an acute knowledge of the situation where many families are sending their children to college. At the moment I have two children in third level education and next year, we will have three of them there. It is one of the few disadvantages of having your children close together. Apart from that, it makes me conscious of the very high costs for the many families who are unable to get a grant. I am not complaining at all as we are well looked after and have a good salary in here but many families find it very di…

During an earlier exchange, the Taoiseach mentioned there is a cap on rent across the country of 2%. A landlord shocked his tenants in Tubbercurry a number of weeks ago. Anna Gallagher, who came to me about this issue, has been renting a three-bedroom semi-detached property in Knockanashee, Tubbercurry, with her husband and small child at the rate of €800 per month for the past two years. Her landlord, a man called Hugh Adams of Ballymote Construction, came to her and told her it was time for a rent review. He told…

Okay. An increase to €1,400 is a 75% increase in the rent. We all know of situations where tenants can have problems and can be in arrears. That is not the situation. There are five other tenants in the same estate with the same problem. It is happening across the country where unscrupulous landlords are pushing rents through the roof and it is destroying people's lives.

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I listened to the Minister of State's speech. While the Government may claim it is doing everything it can to assist people, the reality is that assistance is not reaching many of them. That is the experience I come across every day of the week and I am sure the Minister of State and other Deputies come across the same experience. Last week a lady called to my constituency office. I will call her Anne. She has two children and is renting. The landlord said he was selling the house and she needed to go elsewhere. Sh…

I recently listened to a representative of the DUP speaking on the radio. The point he made very strongly was that the North of Ireland should be treated no differently to any other part of the United Kingdom. He kept reiterating that point. It brought me back to the days at the very beginning of the negotiations on the Good Friday Agreement. Everyone recognised at the time, and it was the reason an agreement was needed, that this part of the United Kingdom - as they call it - is on a different island; has a border…

The issues around this all stem from Covid and the difficulties we had for the two years when the country was closed down. It was a terrible situation for the licensed trade, the tourism industry and people involved in businesses, particularly in our tourist areas, but also in towns and villages across the whole country. They found they had no way of making an income because of the restrictions that were put in place. We are here now to extend this particular arrangement that has been put in place. That is welcome …

It is vital that we are here to speak about the issue of journalists in conflict zones throughout the world. The recent shooting in the face of a woman journalist in Palestine, Shireen Abu Akleh, has focused our attention on the danger that a great many journalists and others face while being a voice for the voiceless and often exposing the terrible atrocities that happen in many parts of the world. I remember watching film clips from conflicts in different places many years ago. I especially remember the image fro…

The first question relates to sentencing guidelines and particularly the matter of life sentences. On page 15 of the Justice Plan 2022, it is indicated the Minister will make proposals to bring changes to law relating to life sentences. I would like an update on that.

I was looking at this recently and the issue in particular relates to the especially heinous murders we know of, many of which have made headlines over many years. There are serious cases and in the past we have seen people getting life sentences but being released after 12 years. It is not that terribly long ago since it was after even less time. It certainly did not equate to life and in some cases it was as low as seven years before people went before the parole board. This is an issue that many people have a pr…

I appreciate that and we are on the same page in respect of this. We remember the Joe O'Reilly case and vicious murder of his wife Rachel. He received a life sentence and he has already been granted access to the parole board. He applied for temporary release in 2021 having served just over 15 years. There are many cases like this. There are particularly difficult cases, such as that of Graham Dwyer, who was convicted of the horrific murder of Elaine O'Hara. He must serve a minimum of 12 years and we can be sure he…

I would like to get an indication from the Minister of State on the engagement the Department has had with the National Rural Safety Forum and the work that stems from it. Have there been any initiatives or progress following the meeting of the forum? The last time we raised the issue of rural crime in the House, Tom Niland from County Sligo was in a coma. I am glad to report that he has regained consciousness and is making progress. He is an example of many people living in rural areas who feel very vulnerable. It…

I welcome this initiative and the work that has been done, as well as the collaboration with so many rural organisations that represent people in rural communities. At the core of this issue, as I said as the outset, is the fear many people who live in isolated areas have. When they go to a Garda station to get a form signed, they cannot find a garda. It gives them little confidence that they will be able to get a garda when they are in real trouble. There are issues in large geographical areas where there are only…

I am aware of much of that work. I know the aspect of deterrence is important. There are strong sentences in place, but the biggest deterrent of all is having gardaí in a local area where people know them and can see them, and where any stranger coming through the area will see their presence. Many communities have had to organise initiatives themselves. There have been huge successes with text-alert schemes and community alert in many areas. This is a reflection of the failings of the official structures, that the…