Twelve months ago today, the good people of Dundrum - two of whom the Tánaiste met and I mentioned them to him before, Ms Nora O'Dwyer and Ms Andrea Crowe - started a peaceful, decent protest at the gates. I had a video sent to me half an hour ago of the bus leaving with the last of the Ukrainians. We do not know where they are going but they are being moved out to be replaced by international protection applicants. This is a shocking vista. It is a grave abuse of the community and people of Dundrum. The Ukrainians…

I, too, congratulate the Minister of State on being reappointed to the post he held previously. He is suited to this role. He has first-hand experience in Athlone. We all saw him on television manning the pumps. I thank the Minister of State for coming to Clonmel and other places. Now that Clonmel is 97% or 98% secure from flooding, I appeal to him to deal with the insurance companies because, as far as Kilsheelan and Cahir, which are located ten miles away, houses are being built on flood plains. People are being …

Ar an gcéad dul síos, I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for giving me this opportunity this evening. I thank the Minister of State for being here. Every August, my office is inundated with school transport queries from parents who have not been able to secure a bus place for their child. I am sure the same applies in the Minister of State’s office. It is the same for all representatives. This causes unnecessary stress late in the day before schools return. Children cannot get a bus ticket. Some might live too clo…

The Minister of State was lucky to get it in both schools. I did not get it in national school, but I cycled to Mount Melleray that year to do the entrance exam. They did not take in any students that year. They had the place closed. I went on the bus to St. Joseph's in Cahir. I too thank the bus drivers, many of whom have gone to their heavenly reward. I also thank the contractors who give an excellent service to this day. The tweaking is there to do with the over-70s. I have seen people here and I have been up on…

I speak with a heavy heart as we witness the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the slaughter of innocent civilians caught up in the crossfire of a brutal and unrelenting conflict. This suffering demands not only our sympathy, but our swift action. Ireland has a proud tradition of neutrality, of standing actively for peace and international law and for the protection of human dignity. That tradition must guide us now. We must call unequivocally for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. The violence must…

I also welcome this legislation. I hope it would be of interest to Deputy Gould in the context of the lecture he was giving people here. I wish to declare that I am a part of a company that employs up to 25 people. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle is well aware of this aspect, particularly as she was self-employed for years. Many small businesspeople are ag déanamh a ndícheall i gcónaí. They are doing their very best to keep the doors open. This legislation is welcome, but, from an employer's perspective, I have to hi…

Independent independent.

We are not in government.

The problem with these lads and ladies is that they are not fit for government, full stop. They have proven that in the North. They have not yet shaken off the legacy of bullying, intimidation, kneecapping and everything else.

We saw what happened last night in the Chamber when they had a Gallery full of people here to organise a ruckus with flags and banners. I said to the Head Usher today that the Sinn Féin TD who signed those people who misbehaved in last night should be restricted from having visitors here again.

I am, but I am addressing Deputy Gould.

I might as well address the so-called freedom fighters of Independent Ireland. A Deputy brought an outside person into this House with a tripod and camera. That person made appalling videos and denigrated the excellent staff of this House in the restaurant and the excellent cuisine on offer there.

No, it is important to put this on the record.

I call on Deputy O'Flynn to apologise. He does not know anything about business. The restaurant here is a business and many people are employed there as well as in the bar. There are also the staff of the House, including the ushers. To denigrate this House, its staff, its workers and its cuisine-----

That is the problem with this House.

Yes, I am doing my best to stick to it.

I understand the legislation, and I am an employer. For a political party to be the answer to everything, cause ruckuses and disturbances like that, it should have to pay the price, otherwise we would have bedlam in this House. If I bring in visitors, I am responsible for them, but Sinn Féin Members seem to have their own law. They decided after they lost the election to sulk, obstruct this House and not do any business here for months. Nothing was done, as you know, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, in the interests of so-…

Today's apology by the Government is long overdue. While welcome, it cannot undo the deep pain and injustice endured by the O'Farrell family for more than a decade. Shane O'Farrell was a bright, compassionate young man whose life was stolen in the most avoidable of circumstances and the system utterly failed him. I salute the O'Farrell family who are here today for all the work they have done. From the outset I stood with Lucia and the family. Why would I not? It was my duty. I salute the courage of, and pursuit of…

The findings on the use of pelvic osteotomy in children with developmental hip dysplasia raises deeply troubling concerns, not only for the families directly affected but for public confidence in paediatric care in this country. We are speaking about children, vulnerable young patients whose parents trusted the health system to do right by them. Serious questions now hang over whether some of these children underwent invasive surgery unnecessarily or without proper clinical justification. This is a frightening pros…

I ask the Minister about community employment, CE, schemes and the fact that it is now almost impossible to retain participants on them. I am chair of a scheme. I know it is not totally the Minister's remit, but it has a huge impact on rural organisations, rural communities and their viability and sustainability. Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?