A recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, calling for a cull of 30% of cattle and sheep in Ireland is devastating. I ask for a debate in this Chamber. I also ask for a clear statement from the Taoiseach or Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, that this report will be binned and shredded, as it should be.

We need a debate on this proposal because it would have a devastating impact on rural Ireland. A quadrupling of afforestation is also proposed. Does the Government want to close the gates on rural Ireland altogether? This report does not even deserve to be debated. The EPA, which is a publicly funded organisation-----

It cannot see the woods for the trees.

It has many issues. I ask the Taoiseach to condemn this report as scaremongering.

Morale is on the floor in An Garda Síochána. The issue is not compulsory retirement but people are flocking away from the job. I salute Garda Pat Kelly who recently finished his term in Carrick-on-Suir. The number of gardaí in Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cahir and Cashel is appallingly and frighteningly low. How far will the Government leave this go before it gives proper recognition and support? I refer to boots on the ground, not officials in offices, bodycams or anything else. We need members of the force. An Gard…

The Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023 is meant to address two distinct areas of agricultural importance, namely veterinary medicines and fertilisers. While some of this is certainly necessary, there is total over-regulation across agriculture. As the last speaker said, a large portion of farmers thankfully live to a ripe old age and are still farming into their 80s and 90s. Many are not computer savvy, but they are very proud, bright and well educated and provide won…

The genie is out of the bottle. The Government is screwing the people with tax. I will not repeat what has been said, but a person with no education could see it. Tax receipts are booming because the Government has added more tax - carbon tax, extra VAT and everything else. It plays games with money, moving it around here and there like in a game of Monopoly, trying to cod the people. I salute the community welfare officers and the social welfare officers who work so hard trying to deal with people. I do not accept…

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.

An chéad ghnó eile ná ceisteanna. Tosnóimid le ceist Uimh. 53 in ainm an Teachta Rose Conway-Walsh.

Does the Minister have any plans to allow students who are in receipt of SUSI grant funding to work at weekends? We know how important that is and he has made changes for people and families. This would enhance students’ work ethic. Moreover, families and students are stretched beyond belief by the cost-of-living crisis. Students should be allowed to work within the scope of their application without being punished.

In the first instance, I thank the staff of SUSI - and, indeed, Geraldine in my office - who do tremendous work in assisting families. We discussed this matter at a meeting with the Minister regarding the South East Technological University in the audiovisual room last October. At that time, he stated that students were allowed to earn only €2,000 during a summer. He indicated he would increase that limit, and he did so. I acknowledge that and thank him for it. The figure was increased from €4,500 to €6,552, which …

I appreciate that the Minister's officials are examining the matter. It would be wonderful for social cohesion and everything else, given jobs can instil a good work ethic in students whereby they will understand the value of work, as their employers do. In fairness, the vast majority of employers and employees have a good relationship. There may be the odd rogue employer and they should not be supported at all. It is very positive and good for students to be able to work. I was a student at third level, and I know…

The Minister may be aware the Carrick-on-Suir St. Brigid's hospital committee is meeting the Joint Committee on Public Petitions today. During the Order of Business on 18 January, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, gave a response to questions I raised in respect of the closure of St. Brigid’s hospital. I am asking that the record of the House is set straight because the Minister of State said the hospital was more than 200 years old. It is, in fact, 180 years old and that reply was clearly untrue and misleading…

Where is the HIQA report?

Where is the HIQA report?

Balderdash.

The overcharging of patients in nursing homes was a violation of their rights and an abuse of the trust that many had placed in the State. It was not the first time, and I am sure it will not be the last. Thankfully, the exposing of this issue by a whistleblower, Mr. Shane Corr, has resulted in it coming to light and shown the true extent of the charges and the impact they have had on the lives of patients. But for a whistleblower, where would we be? No matter how the Government dresses this up, the fact is that th…

The cost-of-living crisis is spiralling. Independent surveys have put the rate at 16% over the past three months. We are only 20 days from the end of February, as the Taoiseach knows, and many of the supports are to run out. Therefore, we need a debate in this House. The members of the Cabinet seem to be all over the place and there are mixed messages, with the Green Party not wanting to continue with the supports for fuel. Eighty-eight percent of fuel in this country is fossil fuel. Let us face it and be honest. T…

On behalf of my Rural Independent colleagues I too want to express our sympathy and thank all the groups supporting the earthquake victims. The deer overpopulation situation is alarming throughout rural Ireland and parts of urban Ireland. There is actually a deer consultation open at the moment which closes this Friday. The lack of awareness, getting the message out about this consultation, is very poor. I am calling for the Government to insist on it being extended for at least a month. It is a health and safety i…

Can it be extended?