Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle, an Teachta Ní Mhurchú. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for choosing this Topical Issue this morning. The power up grant was introduced following budget 2025 as an apparent replacement for the Government's refusal to reduce VAT rates. However, the criteria the Department laid down to local authorities for this grant have proven unworkable and unfair and leave many businesses locked out of the scheme. It is ironic that this scheme is called power up when so…

I welcome the positive response from the Minister of State, but it needs to be dealt with. It is simply unfair that, for instance, the post office in Clonmel is getting the grant, while those in Fethard, Ballingarry or Killenaule are not. Small businesses in Ardfinnan and Clogheen might be getting it while those in Caisleán Nua, Ballyporeen and Cahir are not. I welcome the amount of money involved and the number of businesses that got the grant, but there is little solace for those who have been locked out of the s…

Anois, bogaimid ar aghaidh chuig Páirtí an Lucht Oibre. An chéad cainteoir ná an Teachta Ciarán Ahern.

Go raibh maith agat. Well done, Deputy, on your first speech. Bogfaimid ar aghaidh anois go dtí Sinn Féin agus an Teachta Ó Broin.

Deputies, please.

We all know the song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary". I know it was a British World War song. It is a long wait for the people of Tipperary town, muintir Thiobraid Árann, for the bypass and for some measures to alleviate the huge problem of mainly trucks congesting the town on a 24-7 basis. We had hopes with the then Minister, Eamon Ryan, that this section of the N24 would have been completed around Tipperary to give us a relief road but nothing happened. This has to be included in the national development plan. We …

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an dá Aire. I wish them well in their new portfolios. I listened to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, with great aplomb because he has stated quite clearly he is going to support An Garda Síochána and do a lot of work there. We all - every man, woman and child - must support An Garda Síochána. We need them so badly. Under the carer's badge I always wear here I mention Councillor Richard Molloy, who was an unsuccessful candidate for the Seanad but di…

-----but that is not acceptable and we will not be silenced.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an gCeann Comhairle for choosing my Topical Issue. I wish the Minister of State well in her new role, together with my good wishes to all of the Ministers who have been appointed, and I look forward to working constructively with them. However, there has to be a change in the practice of Ministers not coming to the Chamber to take Topical Issue debates. I met the Minister of State in the canteen and she told me that she was taking this Topical Issue.…

I never suggested that the water in Monroe treatment plant was in any way unsafe. My office in Clonmel is on the Poulavanogue supply, the soft water. I think I look healthy enough. The water is perfect. It is State vandalism to dismantle a perfect scheme. It is a backup and it is being dismantled altogether. The pump supply had an outage this week. Clonmel was without water for nearly 50 days last year, maybe more. It is continually being interrupted. We have the Glenary supply, which I know well, the Poulavanogue …

And the well will run dry.

I, too, thank and praise the emergency workers, from all over the country and from overseas and Northern Ireland, but especially from the ESB. Those in the ESB always do their best in all kinds of trying situations. We will have to seriously examine this. I have spoken to the Taoiseach about it, regarding having hubs set up. Most villages have a GAA hall, a community hall or rudaí mar sin. Many of them now have, as the House will be aware, spaces for working from local hubs and everything else. We will have to equi…

I, too, wish Deputies Howlin and Murphy the very best. I thank them for their sterling and outstanding service here over many years. The House will be a poorer place without them. The situation in Gaza is dire. The latest data suggests that as of 29 October 2024, more than 44,000 people, including 43,061 Palestinians and 1,706 Israelis, have been reported as killed in the Israel-Hamas war. This includes 134 to 146 media workers, depending on the count you look at, 120 academics and more than 224 humanitarian aid wo…

Deputy Bacik wanted a second one.

Deputy Bacik wanted a second one.

It is a fact. Deputy Bacik wrote to them.

I was never a fan of yours.

There are 36 in school classes.

Give him a clap, lads.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an gCeann Comhairle agus le gach éinne atá ag obair sa Teach seo. On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I extend my gratitude and thanks to you, a Cheann Comhairle, Peter Finnegan, Brigid McGlynn, and all the staff, from those we meet at the front gate when we come in, the ushers especially, to the cleaners, secretarial staff, printers, gardaí and everybody else, for looking after us so well in the Thirty-third Dáil. I express my heartfelt thanks…