The EU nature restoration law, part of the European Green Deal, requires Ireland to rewet large areas of land, posing a threat to small farmers and food security. The law lacks measures to protect farmers and their livelihoods. It will drastically alter land use and agriculture in Ireland, impacting on productive agricultural lands, especially areas with extensive wetlands. The law targets 20% of each EU member state's land area, potentially affecting 1.38 million ha in Ireland. The recent EU elections have highlig…

The Taoiseach has publicly stated that he supports the hardworking, local businesses that employ many people in rural towns and villages. Airbnb hosts also fall into the category of hardworking local businesses. They form the bedrock of visitor accommodation in rural and coastal areas across the island. For example, their contribution to the success of the Wild Atlantic Way, now in its tenth year, is beyond question. The extra footfall and spin-off spend generated by their guests is essential to the survival of loc…

The Taoiseach said that he understands the challenges faced by businesses. I could question that because he is part of the Government that raised VAT from 9% to 13.5%. That was not evidence of understanding the challenges businesses are experiencing. I am talking about a completely different matter. The Taoiseach referred to regulation. Those in the Airbnb sector are not afraid of regulation. They understand that regulation has to be put in place. However, if this requires planning, for many of these homes that hav…

Shocking.

The Taoiseach has not answered the question.

That is a scandalous answer to the people providing Airbnb in west Cork.

The people who provide Airbnb support tourism services in west Cork. You should be ashamed of yourself.

You are clueless. You do not have a clue, Taoiseach, you never answered the question I asked.

Do not bother coming down to west Cork.

Sorry.

I would like to speak to the section of the Bill relating to the Minister's control over county development plans and having the final say. I have serious concerns about that. Councillors are elected, and I wish every councillor who was elected in the past week the very best going forward. The councillors who are elected should have the final say as to how a county development plan is put together. When I was on the council in 2014, that is the way it was. Councillors had a very big role in how county development p…

When it comes to roads and road funding, I could say quite a lot. I would need four or five hours rather than four minutes. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, but the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, should be here. It is a pity they are not because the Minister has a lot of questions to answer regarding lack of funding for roads. A report published in the past six months stated that the lack of funding for road improvements could cost peopl…

We do have a very serious health crisis. It is a poison chalice to take on any Ministry relating to health. No one could stand up on the other side of the House and say that things are going well, because they are not. It is a disaster in every aspect of healthcare. I call on the Minister of State to intervene in the case of some 13 service users in Carrigbeg, Bandon, County Cork, which is run by the Cope Foundation. These adults with special needs are accommodated in Carrigbeg house four nights a week. They now ha…

Horticulture is a vital industry and one with great potential. We import 90%-plus of the fruit and vegetables we consume in Ireland. In west Cork, we have a thriving organic sustainable food industry from dairy to vegetable and soft fruit growers. The industry depends on an educated workforce from further education, levels 4 to 6, and higher education, levels 7, 8 and above. It has come to my attention the horticulture course in Skibbereen at the west Cork education and training board campus level 5 is going to be …

We welcome and support this motion, which acknowledges the work done by the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings and the three related Barron reports. This recognition of past efforts sets a precedent for continued investigation and resolution. We support the call in the motion urging the British Government to allow access to all original documents relating to the atrocities fo…

I thank the Minister of State for being here. It is very disappointing, however, that a senior Minister is not present to discuss this issue. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State, but surely an issue as important as this deserves having a senior Minister before us. When it comes to this issue of an asylum pact, it is a deal done by a dirty Government and it will not be forgotten by the people. Ireland is at a critical point, with a huge number - 28,875 - of international protection applicants living in 282…

People all over Cork county and city are incensed at the paltry amount in roads funding given to Cork each year. While canvassing in Baltimore, Kealkill, Kinsale, Drimoleague and Macroom last week, the thing on the top of everyone's lips is the condition of our roads. The independent AIRO report drawn up by Cork County Council proves the Government’s underspend has gone unnoticed despite the Minister for Finance meeting and committing to examine the report, all to no avail. Last week we had another exercise in can-…

With the Chair's indulgence, I welcome my sister Kay Lynch from Bantry and Geraldine O'Donovan from Ovens to the Gallery today. We are here to shed light on a distressing reality that many survivors of institutional abuse are currently grappling with. These individuals who have already endured so much are now facing long waits, often exceeding a year, to access crucial counselling services. This situation has been exacerbated by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic leading to a significant regression in their mental …

We spoke about gambling regulation under the previous Government. I thought the regulation that was brought in was strong. There was a lot of talk about advertising, non-advertising and so on. People enjoy a little bit of the flutter. I am one of those who does not gamble at all. It is very rare if I ever do. I buy local lotto tickets to support local communities. I do many clinics in pubs throughout west Cork, in Durrus, Bantry, and Clonakilty and as you go along, you meet local organisations which are doing their…

Then why do we need to change? They are not doing anything wrong. There is an old saying in Ireland, "If it ain’t broke, don't fix it". The Minister of State is saying he is going to allow these organisations to function in the very same way. Will there be absolutely no difference for any lotto that is being done by a local community, voluntary or sporting organisation? Can the Minister of State say that to me today? Will it be the same as it ever was? Is it "Yes" or "No"?