I thank the Taoiseach for that. There is no doubt but that the certainty and progress of which he speaks is desired by all of us and, most particularly, by people in the North. It is fair also to say that Europe listened to the concerns that were raised, as it made clear it always would, and agreement and a deal have been struck. Let us reflect, however, on the fact that the biggest concern for people in the North is that they have government. The biggest concern is that we have an Executive and a functioning Assem…

They are not agreed. What arrangements will be made to take statements and have a discussion on the agreement that has been struck between the British Government and the European Commission? As I said earlier, the imperative is now to restore government in the North. It is very important that we have a space and an opportunity to reflect on the agreement itself and to send out - I hope collectively - a very strong message from this Chamber that the Executive must now be restored and government resumed north of the …

I want to return to the Children's Rights Alliance report card, which was published today. It records that some progress has been made, but the Government gets a D grade for child homelessness and a very damning E grade for youth mental health. The Children's Rights Alliance described serious failings in the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, including more than 140 children prescribed antipsychotic medications and then lost to follow-up, as “the tip of the iceberg”. As the Taoiseach knows, childre…

We should have the proper facilities for them. That is the Minister of State's job.

That was a ridiculous answer.

Today, the Government wants to pass through the Dáil legislation establishing the mother and baby homes redress scheme, this despite the fact the scheme shamefully excludes children who spent less than six months in a mother and baby institution or a county home. As a consequence, 24,000 survivors will be left behind by the Government’s proposed scheme. It is scandalous that this exclusionary, discriminatory provision remains in the legislation. The scheme creates a hierarchy of victims by taking the view that some…

I am sure that the Taoiseach is aware of the Government's survivor consultation, which was extensive, reported there were numerous and many harms and human rights violations identified in respect of which reparation is needed. However, the consultation recorded the primary harm was the loss of the mother-child bond and the relationship. The primary damage was done by separation, yet, in an arbitrary way, the Government has decided those who were separated from their mother, if they happened to be in an institution …

It is arbitrary.

And none of that justifies excluding them from redress.

Wow.

And none of that justifies excluding people from redress.

It is heartless, it is cruel and it is disgraceful.

I entirely agree with the Ceann Comhairle and I believe it is very important that we have a unity of purpose on this matter. I have not seen the wording of the motion. I anticipate that we can find words that accommodate the vast majority, if not all, Deputies. However, if this is a serious matter, worthy of effort not to split the House, why this sudden rush for today? As Deputy Bacik correctly said, tomorrow is in fact closer to the awful anniversary of Putin's criminal invasion. Surely we are entitled to time to…

For clarity, how is it this matter was not raised on the Order of Business yesterday?

This is a different type of intervention and it is not the way to do business. Every Member in this House deserves notice and the respect to get the adequate work done in order that this is a serious and appropriate reflection and joint enterprise on this awful anniversary of the slaughter and mayhem the Ukrainian people face.

Fair------

The Government should table it tomorrow.

The Government should have announced that yesterday.

On two occasions here today, the Taoiseach has been given the opportunity to give the explanation for the exclusion of children who spent less than six months in a mother and baby home or a county home from the redress scheme, and on two occasions the Taoiseach has failed to set out very clearly why that decision has been made. He said it is not a matter of cost containment. We will take him on his word on that. Will he set out, in clear language, why it is that the Government is proceeding in this way and insistin…

I would like to know his understanding and his justification, as Head of Government, for this approach.