God help us.

At the outset, I wish to express my sympathy on the passing of the businessman and child campaigner Jonathan Irwin. I extend my sympathies to his wife, former Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, his family and all the staff, nurses and children who avail of supports from the Jack and Jill Foundation. He was a wonderful man who did so much for many sick children. Yesterday morning, William Porter from County Donegal gave a harrowing account on Highland Radio of the false allegations made against him by Tusla social workers, a…

I thank the Taoiseach for that. We accept that a lot of good work is done by Tusla, as mentioned in the Taoiseach's reply, but we cannot allow public bodies like this to go off and carry on all of these improprieties. Ten years on, we are investigating what was done to Maurice McCabe. It is no wonder they do it and get away with it if they are going to get a flag of honour from this House. It is unacceptable. Deputy Durkan has spoken in this House several times about the situation in which a mother reports sexual a…

Behind closed doors.

It is behind closed doors.

It is not a public court.

Not agreed.

I want a debate about IBI, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland. They came here ten days ago from all over the country. Local radio stations like Tipp FM and Tipperary Mid West Radio in County Tipperary and all over the country-----

Radio Kerry, of course. All of the radio stations do a valuable service. We will probably see €56 million handed over to RTÉ over Christmas. These stations are operating on a shoestring. They are not able to pay proper wages to the excellent staff and presenters they have. This time of year, facing into Christmas, they connect with local people and local stories. If there is inclement weather or power outages, they are the people who give the information. They do a tremendous service to this State and to the public…

The Taoiseach's Government has forgotten about the farmers. I have been contacted by numerous farmers from Tipperary, Waterford and all over the country about the sudden, unannounced change by Revenue on the refund of VAT for unregistered farmers. This is a massive change. Farmers have put in huge investment and that is ongoing. It is dependent on getting the VAT back at 23%, which is a huge sum for many farmers. There have been refusals for such items as meal bins, milk bulk tanks, automatic calf feeders, milking …

I may be sharing time with my colleagues if they arrive. As we know, the Appropriation Bill is pivotal financial legislation. It is on the horizon and carries the weight of Ireland's fiscal decisions. As the end of the year approaches, the legislation serves a dual role, providing legal backing to the 2023 expenditure and authorising the capital carryover of funding from 2023 to 2024. That is a very important mechanism. It is very important that we deal with these issues in the House. The Minister is gone like snow…

October 29, 2018, which should have been a joyous day for Lisa and Mel Duffy, turned into an absolute nightmare when their son, Luke, died while being born at Portlaoise hospital. While Luke's death was absolutely tragic, what is even more tragic is that it should never have happened. Three days earlier, Lisa Duffy asked, begged and pleaded with physicians and doctors to induce Luke. This is a terrible situation. Unfortunately, Lisa Duffy is not the only woman with such an issue. Many other women have lost babies a…

Hear, hear.

We never said that.

The Deputy cannot accuse us of telling lies.

We in the Rural Independent Group are legitimately elected to the Parliament, thankfully, and it is our solemn privilege to table motions. I thank the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Brien, for the engagement we have had with them but it is always after the fact, when we get an email at 6.30 p.m. on a Thursday evening on something else. They do not have enough of a team. I want to correct the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. He said there had been a number of debates in the House. I do not remember any debat…

There was no debate in House. That is a fact and I am putting facts on the record. As for other parties, they come in here to insult and denigrate. In here and outside the people can judge for themselves the type of people our elected colleagues are. I especially mention the Labour Party. It was founded in my town of Cluain Meala and has had great people, such as Seán Treacy, Michael Ferris and Dan Spring. It has had many good people, including Deputy Brendan Howlin who is the longest-serving Member of the House. F…

Then there is Deputy Cairns, the latter-day saviour of the planet. She does not know the difference between a greyhound and a lurcher. She did not read our motion and nor did most of the people who spoke on it. I do not know whether the Minister did either.

We had no quorum here for the first hour of the debate this morning. That tells us everything about the debate. There was not one backbencher or other Minister to support the Minister and Minister of State. I lay the blame on the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Ryan. He has copped off someplace else. We know where he is. There is not one backbencher. What is wrong? There is silence and suppression, including by the media, especially RTÉ, the people paid by the Government who will get €56 million af…

-----compassionate, reasonable, respectful dialogue and action to deal with these people, not gaslighting. Go raibh maith agat.