They are not responsible for the Minister’s incompetence. That is on him.

We have some very witty Members on the Labour Party benches urging Deputy Healy-Rae to talk to his brother. The big insurance rip-off continues. VHI customers will be hit with an increase today, quickly followed by Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health in the coming days. The latest health insurance hike will see some families paying an extra €600 on their premiums. People now fork out almost €2,000 every year for health insurance, which is an extraordinary sum. Private healthcare in Ireland, as the Minister knows,…

I want to extend a welcome to the Mayo Self Advocacy Group, which is joining us in the Public Gallery. This time last year, it was revealed Government spent €335,000 of taxpayers' money on a bike shed here in Leinster House. There was widespread public shock and anger but, of course, Government waste did not end there. We had €1.4 million for a security hut at Government buildings; €500,000 to replace a wall at the headquarters of the WRC; nearly €300,000 paid to consultants to come up with an Irish name for GSOC; …

No. We are saying that a bike shed should not cost €335,000, nor should it cost €100,000. How is that? That is what we are saying. The Taoiseach may smirk if he wishes but the reality is his Government's track record in terms of wastage of public money is absolutely incredible. The Taoiseach's performance there and attempt at a smart-alecky narrative is probably the reason. He does not take it seriously. What is it to him at the end of the day? He is not struggling to meet his grocery bill.

He is not struggling to make his rent or mortgage. In the bigger scheme of things, he can lean for national development plans and billions of euro, which he also squanders. He is bad at managing the small money so he is even worse at managing the big money. That is how we end up with the most expensive hospital in the world when it comes to the children's hospital, so do not be smart with me.

Do not be smart with me. I asked a serious question and I want a substantive answer. Does the Taoiseach, the head of Government, believe €100,000 on a bike shed is value for the hard-pressed taxpayer?

Please answer that.

Not agreed.

They are not agreed.

I want to return to the issue of Government waste. The Comptroller and Auditor General's annual report was published today and it makes for pretty damning reading in terms of lack of due diligence in the awarding of IPAS contracts. It confirms a concern that we have had for quite some time in relation to profiteering and lack of accountability in the awarding of IPAS contracts, lack of due diligence, gaps in payment controls, no contracts for properties, overbilling and overpayments to companies - in one case, to t…

I want to know how the Taoiseach stands over this. It has happened on his watch.

I am sharing time with Deputy Mac Lochlainn. First I want to extend a welcome to the families and supporters of many of those who are on the flotilla. What we are witnessing is not a war. For 24 months, Israel has inflicted a barbaric genocidal attack against the impoverished, besieged people of Gaza. Netanyahu’s brutal military machine, funded, armed and supported by the United States, the European Union and Britain, has slaughtered tens of thousands of Palestinian children, women and men before the eyes of the wo…

On that note, will the Government meet with the families to set out specifically what it is doing?

I reiterate the Ceann Comhairle's words. Julie, you are an absolute legend and you know it. Thank you for everything. I know everybody sends nothing but the best of wishes to you and the family for the next chapter of what I have no doubt will be an interesting and delicious story. Thank you for looking after us. Last night the Israelis attacked a peaceful flotilla that includes a Member of the Oireachtas, our colleague Senator Chris Andrews. This is a serious development and I have submitted a request under Standi…

That was because they were too low.

The Minister should be aware that, despite the fact of inflation coming down, the prices are still very high. He is surely aware, because I have told him repeatedly and he would have known, that energy companies are announcing hikes in electricity prices. We have not seen the budget yet, but what the Government has made very clear - it has really dug in on this point - is that there will not be a cost-of-living package. The Government said that clearly and that the energy credits were off the table. I am simply put…

So, what does that mean?

Will I tell that to the young father? That is great. I am delighted.

It is a great word.

I want to return to the issue of the global flotilla. I spoke this morning with Senator Chris Andrews, our colleague. His boat, the Spectre , was hit by four Israeli drones. I understand that 11 devices hit that and other boats on the flotilla. These are clearly acts of intimidation, of menace, and of threat. They represent yet another brazen violation of international law. It is simply a symptom of the impunity gifted to Netanyahu and gifted to Israel, to their apartheid, to their occupation and now to their ongoi…