Then protect our people and he will not win.

Four months.

One year ago, a wealthy cuckoo fund bought an entire estate of family homes in Maynooth. I am sure the Taoiseach remembers that. Instead of taking comprehensive action then, the Government introduced a token 10% stamp duty increase. It was warned at the time that this would not stop these funds and that these funds would easily absorb that increase by charging massive rents, on which they pay no tax. That is exactly what happened. Since the Government introduced its measure, funds have bought 350 family homes. Thes…

Austin Currie, through his long political career, was an influential Irish public figure. As a leading member of the early civil rights campaign, co-founder of the SDLP, Minister in the short-lived 1974 power-sharing Executive in the North and Fine Gael Minister of State, Austin had a long and distinguished record of public service. He first served in the old Stormont Parliament for East Tyrone from 1964 to 1972, representing first the Nationalist Party and later the SDLP. Austin was among a class of young national…

I too would like to welcome the decision to grant Ukraine EU candidate status. I hope that matter is ratified as outlined by the Taoiseach. The meeting of the European Council this week occurs against the backdrop of the British Government's full frontal attack on the Irish protocol and the Good Friday Agreement. Boris Johnson's reckless decision to push ahead with legislation to override the protocol is an intentional breach of European and international law. It is an affront to an agreement that the British Gover…

I warmly welcome our Ukrainian friends. Last night, the British Government published legislation that gives British Ministers power to override unilaterally parts of the Irish protocol. This move by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, and his Government is disgraceful and utterly reckless. Mr Johnson's belligerent approach to Ireland is part of a cynical attempt to cling to power in Britain at any cost. It jeopardises so much achieved by so many over such a long period of time. It fundamentally undermine…

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. We are in agreement that this course of action is reckless, but I would equally describe it as shameful and dangerous. The rationale for these actions are well understood and the logic is entirely self-serving. Boris Johnson is quite prepared, through all manner and means, to do what it takes to hold on to power. He is quite prepared to use political unionism in the North as a prop in that wider drama. That is what is happening here. He has actively colluded with the DUP to e…

Workers and families now face the biggest squeeze on household income for a decade. People are being ripped off at every turn. The price of fuel has hit new record highs - up 11% in just two weeks. In some parts of the country, this means petrol prices have hit €2.30 a litre. I accept that there are international factors at play in this but it is clear to us that we need an emergency budget and that people simply cannot wait until October. We need actions immediately to get the cost of fuel down and, therefore, I a…

I take it that is a "No".

I also welcome the very clear position taken by the Government concerning Ukrainian accession to the EU. I wish to raise the issues of housing and the resourcing of childcare and school places, in particular in respect of what is available to Ukrainian people now living here. Others have pointed out the Trojan work being done by community and voluntary organisations, local schools and statutory agencies. The response is still being found wanting from the Government, however, in respect of resourcing. Examples inclu…

The chair of the European Parliament's Palestinian delegation issued a damning statement last month in response to Israel's eleventh-hour decision to ban him from entering Palestine and the delegation from visiting Gaza. Israel's interference in member state politicians' engagement with the Palestinian institutions and civic and human rights group is a constant that would not be accepted from any other state with which the EU has a long-term economic and trade agreement. Just a week before Israel's authorities bann…

The Taoiseach mentioned the Shared Island Shared Opportunity report in support of his Department’s shared Ireland unit about which I wish to question him. The Taoiseach correctly makes a very strong play around the need for dialogue and collaboration and the report echoes that. Will the Taoiseach explain why Fianna Fáil, the party of the Taoiseach, and his partners in Government are actively seeking to block an MLA or MP from parties in the North from participating in special Oireachtas committees? I am not talking…

Why is the Government blocking them from being on special committees?

I have asked the Taoiseach a specific question. Please answer.

Time is short.

The Government is stopping MLAs and MPs from participating on an autism committee and a gender equality committee. Why is that?

No, I want an answer to my question.

He is absolutely waffling.

Fianna Fáil does not want Northern representatives to participate in committees.

The Government's failure to plan for the recovery of Ireland's tourism sector has come home to roost in a fairly catastrophic fashion. Families are missing out on holidays because of long delays in issuing passports, hotels are charging between €350 and €400 for one night and now the State's main airport is experiencing chaos. Dublin Airport on Sunday was a nightmare for those caught up in the mayhem. People waited hours in queues that stretched outside the terminal buildings. Passengers received no communication, …