I, too, give this motion a cautious welcome. I welcome the introduction of outdoor seating areas. It is one of the very few benefits that came from Covid. It was a contentious issue for many years and in many towns, with considerations around licence fees, the charges and the costs involved. I welcome that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is going to waive those charges. We need to put this into proper legislation, but it needs to be done sensitively. It has worked well in many areas, but it needs to be policed proper…

The Rural Independent Group is seeking an urgent debate on the proposed rewetting of boglands and other lands. This is a major issue. Deputy Nolan brought in members of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, who testified - many people listened to what they had to say - to the fear those in the farming community have of their lands being flooded. As we know, water will find its own level. Everybody should know that at this stage. This proposal is half-baked and half-cooked. We are going to drive farm…

For clarity, does the debate promised for next week cover what we are concerned about? We do not want to call a vote on something if it is happening.

I hope the Taoiseach had a successful visit to Tipperary last Friday. I hope the Taoiseach is aware that local authority services' SIPTU members have voted for strike action on 7 and 8 June because of an absolute failure on the part of local authorities to honour their commitment to these workers. These workers and their unions entered into discussions with management. Despite assurances from the Minister, local authorities have continued to display ambiguity and have introduced conditions in respect of allowances …

Bringing down the Catholic Church.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, for his engagement with me any time I contact him. I welcome the community fund, which some communities in my county were successful in getting. I thank the communities for their engagement. The truth is, however, that the lack of effective Government action is the root cause of Ireland's housing crisis and, indeed, this crisis for asylum seekers. The crisis has left refugees in desperate situations. It has left approximately 12,000 Irish peop…

I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State but cá bhfuil an tAire? He just does not care. The arrogance oozing from that man.

The arrogance oozing from the former director general of the HSE, Paul Reid, and from its new director general. They do not give a toss about the people, and that is being honest. The sooner they are removed, the better. The sooner Secretaries General and other people who have responsibility are taken out of office and sacked, the better. They do not care about people either. I compliment Sinn Féin on bringing this motion forward. I have figures here. Imagine the amateur psychology that goes on when an ambulance 99…

At the outset, I would like to express, on my own behalf and on the Rural Independent Group's behalf, our abhorrence of the incident that happened in Navan a couple of days ago. It is truly shocking. I have not seen the video but, from what I have heard, it is appalling. Every right-thinking person must condemn it. The Government has failed the Irish people by allowing the European Central Bank, ECB, to push continuously for interest rate hikes, despite the dire consequences for Irish borrowers. Today, I want to qu…

It is clear that the Tánaiste is trying to distance himself and the Government from the ECB and its policies because it suits him. However, it must be noted that last year, the Government rolled out the red carpet for the ECB President, Ms Christine Lagarde, during her visit to Government Buildings. This presented a prime opportunity for the Government and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on behalf of the people, to question this policy. The Government has not raised this issue publicly or in any other forum which is …

We have chaos.

Best boys in the class.

I have a letter here from Margaret Egan of Ardfinnan community council. It concerns a troubled bridge over tranquil waters in the village of Ardfinnan. The Tánaiste came to see it two years ago and gave great hope. The county council appointed Roughan and O'Donovan consultants to do an appraisal of it. They suggested a new separate freestanding walkway for the safety of pedestrians. This was the safest option. The Tánaiste told them - I was there listening to him - that they should get funding under the active trav…

Many people have been.

The Army is bringing it.

The Minister is in charge.

They are only promises.

I want to raise the issue of the refusal by Rehab to pay redundancy to approximately 50 staff. All of us who employ people are obliged to look after them with statutory redundancy when they lose their jobs. This involves up to 40 SIPTU former employees and another ten who were not part of any trade union. I understand the Labour Court has been involved. Rehab has availed of public support over the decades. We all supported it. To treat people who gave long and sterling service to people with special disabilities in…

I too thank the CSO for the very stark figures that we have before us. I also want to thank the people in Cuan Saor refuge in Clonmel and in the rape crisis centres around the country who have done so much valuable work. I also thank the members of the Garda, who help where they can and everyone else involved. As Deputy Healy-Rae has just said, we are talking about very traumatic situations. That said, I know of situations of coercive control by members of An Garda Síochána that I have brought to the attention of t…

I am not mentioning their names. I mentioned one name that the Minister is already aware of. There is an appalling list of failures by An Garda Síochána. The woman was terrorised out of her home. I also have a problem with the sexualisation of children in our schools, in mathematics, geography and history classes. There is a space for relationships and sexuality education, RSE, but what is going on is not on. People will come in here and describe us as homophobes who are anti-this, that and the other, but we are st…