I move: That Dáil Éireann adopts the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform entitled "Oral Questions to the Taoiseach, and Divisions and Weekly Division Time", copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 23rd March, 2026.

I move: Notwithstanding today's Order of Business, that the financial motion by the Minister for Finance, Financial Resolution No. 2, shall be taken on the conclusion of the Sinn Féin Private Member's Business. It shall be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: The question on the motion shall dispose of any amendments not disposed tabled to that motion. The order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows: - Opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State…

I understand the Deputies' concerns about the way business is being conducted, but I flagged on the Order of Business that I would potentially be coming back in this evening. Notwithstanding the importance of what the Government is doing, Financial Resolution No. 2 means hauliers, who are at the pin of the collar at the moment, will see an increase from 7.5 cent per litre to 12 cent per litre, backdated to 1 January. If the Deputies believe they cannot support this because I was a little bit late bringing this moti…

It is extremely important and the order stands.

I did not brief anyone today. I did not brief any journalists. I have not had time to bless myself.

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on International Women's Day (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Energy and Fuel Costs, selected by Sinn Féin. Thursday's business shall be: - Media Regulation Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn at the end of the first speaking round) Thursday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Structural Reform of Child Welfare Governance, selected by Independent Technic…

I thank the five parties and groupings for their comments. As they know, the Business Committee will meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow. We will certainly try to facilitate the statements on Bessborough, although it will not be this week as the Minister is away. We will certainly try to facilitate them next week. In relation to the cost of energy, Sinn Féin has a Private Members' motion this evening. The Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy O’Brien will be here for that. The Order of Business stands.

No.

No.

No.

On behalf of the Minister, I thank Deputy McCarthy for the opportunity to update the house on ambulance service provision in east Cork. I thank him for the manner in which he raised it and am sorry to hear about the person who passed away. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Ambulance Service, NAS, serves east Cork on a 24-7 basis through a highly skilled workforce of paramedics, advanced paramedics and emergency medical technicians; a fleet of modern emergency ambulances, intermediate care vehicles and rapid…

I join with the Deputy in extending my thanks and that of the Department of Health to the staff of the NAS for their commitment and dedication to patient care in east Cork and across the whole country. I was just checking as the Deputy was speaking. In 2025, the following additional resources were added to the south-west region. Twelve paramedics and 12 emergency medical technicians were deployed to the south-west region. Seventeen staff were allocated to the region in 2025 under agency conversion to the following …

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this matter in the House. Varicella is a common and highly infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus is associated with two distinct clinical syndromes, varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, and herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Primary infection with the varicella zoster virus results in varicella, after which the virus becomes latent in the body's nervous system. The virus may reactivate after a period, sometimes several decades later, resu…

I understand the points the Deputy makes. I agree with many of them but we must stop and think. He says the vaccine would cost €500 per person. We have an ageing population. We actually have more than a million people over 65. The Deputy can quickly do the maths to see what that would cost. Following detailed consideration of the findings of the HTA in 2024, it was determined that the introduction of the shingles vaccine to the immunisation schedule in Ireland could be considered if and when the cost-effectiveness …

It is not opposed.

Yesterday, two public statutory inquiries into scoliosis and spina bifida care and Michael Shine were announced. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has appointed facilitators to begin work aimed at establishing two public statutory inquiries. Remy Farrell SC has been appointed as the facilitator with regard to scoliosis and spina bifida at CHI. Lorcan Staines SC has been appointed to work as facilitator on the abuse carried out by the convicted sex offender Michael Shine. Michael Shine, a former surgeon, worked…

I have accepted amendments to the Mental Health Bill.

I have accepted amendments. They may not have been the Deputy's amendments, but I have accepted amendments in the Seanad.

In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed: 1. that notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of yesterday, in relation to Thursday's business, the Second Stage of the Media Regulation Bill 2026 shall be taken on Thursday, 19 March 2026, and Statements on the Situation in the Middle East shall be taken immediately following the sos and the order shall resume thereafter. 2. the Statements on the Situation in the Middle East shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes and the arrangements shall be as set …

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2026 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Consideration of Estimates by Committees (without debate) - Ráitis maidir leis an Ghaeilge chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a chomóradh (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, t…