The waiting lists are-----

Perhaps we can give them more time. I thank Deputy Sherlock for his help. We can double or quits or whatever.

Deputy Sherlock had his opportunity.

Can I continue without interruption, please, a Cheann Comhairle?

I am requesting that the time be extended. It is a very serious situation and we need to deal with it. Our hospital waiting lists are just growing and growing and it is desperation.

There is something inherently wrong with the felling licences situation at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The number of licences being issued to Coillte is 135% of the target outlined in the Department's forestry licensing plan 2022. Farmers and private landowners have received only 80% of the target number of licences in the same period. Afforestation is at only 54% of its target. The system is not functioning fairly for all applicants. Coillte seems to have no problem getting the licences, bu…

I am glad to be able to speak on these timely statements on the situation regarding brave journalists. The death of nine journalists and media workers in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion underscores for us all the level of danger to which those covering conflict are exposed. Today we remember Irish cameraman, Pierre Zakrzewski, who was killed in Ukraine when his vehicle was hit by Russian shelling on 14 March. He was working for the US network, Fox News, in Horenka. Mr. Zakrzewski was a brave veteran…

Sinn Féin has the next time slot. Deputies Ó Broin, Gould, Ó Laoghaire, Martin Browne, Martin Kenny and Munster are sharing time.

I call Deputy Richard Bruton, who is sharing time with Deputy Joe McHugh and the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth.

For more than 20 years, Pat and Nuala Geoghegan from Askeaton, County Limerick, have been calling for a public inquiry into the blood samples that went missing during one of the biggest ever investigations into industrial pollution. The Taoiseach already knows about this saga because he met the Geoghegans when he was Minister for Health. He called for a review on 1 April 2003 into the missing blood samples and then did a U-turn a month later and stopped that review. The Taoiseach had three meetings with the Geogheg…

I raised it here six months ago.

Will the Taoiseach meet the family?

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí Connolly agus Pringle for giving us their time slot. I certainly welcome this legislation and I hope its passage is not impeded in any way, shape or form. It is a ridiculous situation that gardaí are going into the line of duty and as much, if not more, is paid to legal firms as is paid in compensation to those who deserve it. I condemn out of hand the incident some time ago in the Border area where a garda was lured down a bóithrín on his own and got an awful experience from thugs…

The World Health Assembly is meeting from 22 to 28 May, which is next week. If it amends the regulations, all the powers of this Parliament and other parliaments in respect of when a pandemic is called or when there is a national crisis will be signed away. If this happens, one unelected person at the World Health Organization will be able to decide there is a pandemic in a country without that country even knowing it. Will the Taoiseach or other members of the Government be attending the meeting? Can we have a deb…

The Taoiseach himself is not shy.

The Taoiseach did not answer my question. Will he be travelling to the World Health Organization next week?

Yes.

The Government’s Housing for All plan is inappropriately named. It estimates that 7,550 affordable houses will be built before 2026 using State-owned land. Not one single house will be built in Tipperary. We have an acute housing crisis in Tipperary, from Carrick-on-Suir right up to Moneygall. My office, like everyone else's, is inundated. The Rev. Fr. Michael Toomey was on the radio this morning. He has written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I ask the Taoiseach …

There was a man outside the gates last week from Bandon in west Cork singing "Everyone Should Have a Home". I salute him, but the homes are not there.

Not one house has been built.