I would like the Minister of State to address that question because this is a very serious matter. If there is going to be any change, that means it is not staying the same. These organisations are totally and utterly dependent on such fundraising. Deputy McGrath mentioned those involved in horse racing and greyhound racing. They have their concerns too. I listen and speak to them quite often. I would hate to think we would support people who gamble to excess and lose their livelihoods, but we hope there would alwa…

Given the fuel taxes being considered at this time, the Government should be facing an amazing crisis because it has no understanding of the difficulties in which people find themselves in this country at the moment. The Government is quite smug about it and quite happy. The Green Party is wagging the tail and the Government is running along with it. The price of a barrel of fuel is at its lowest ever but the price of fuel in Ireland is rocketing through the roof. People cannot afford to get into their cars. They c…

I congratulate the Minister of State on her new role, and I thank the Regional Group for tabling this important motion. Every time we have spoken about the carers of this country I have called for the carer's allowance means test to be abolished. It is time the Minister set this in motion. Carers are doing the work, so pay them. That is the simple answer. Also, the reablement service, a pilot project launched in Network 13 in 2023, provides home support for people struggling with tasks due to minor accidents. The s…

For those who died in the Stardust disaster and their families, yesterday's apology was welcome but was 43 years too late. I ask the Taoiseach and his Government to think of the 50 people who died so horrifically on Whiddy Island on 18 January 1979. Forty-five years, three months and 14 days ago, these victims went to work at the offshore jetty off Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay where they were left without rescue to die for an inordinate period before the ship exploded. In 2021, RTÉ's documentary "Fire In The Sky" to…

Agriculture is a bit like fisheries in that it has been thrown to the dogs by previous Governments and by this Government in particular. I spent several hours canvassing in Macroom mart last Saturday. I met many farmers who are furious about how the Government has acted. They are absolutely livid. When Deputy Tóibín spoke about a Dublin-oriented Government, they were nodding in disbelief across the House, but the bottom line is that they are not delivering for rural people. I have great respect for Deputy Murnane O…

I express my deepest sympathy to the families of the Stardust victims. The pain and loss they have endured is unimaginable. I acknowledge the unwavering determination and dedication displayed by the families in their pursuit of truth and justice. Their resilience in the face of adversity is truly commendable. It is important to recognise that the journey to this point has been long and arduous for the victims and their families. It is my sincere hope this acknowledgement brings some measure of solace to those affec…

Our commitment to parents and compassion extends to everyone, regardless of their abilities. However, the proposed tiered payments based on perceived work capacity have significant flaws. They lack meaningful consultation with the disabled individuals who are the very people most affected by these policies. Without their input, we risk overlooking critical aspects of their needs and experiences. These tiered payments will fail to lift disabled individuals out of poverty. Imagine navigating a complex system where yo…

Small businesses are going through the most horrendous time, especially in the past few months. Cafés, restaurants, pubs and family hotels are closing at an alarming rate. Hundreds have already closed this year. Businesses the length and breadth of the island are pleading for help in an effective way but to date, the call has gone unheeded by the Government. Last week, the Government stated it intends to help small businesses by providing grants, advice and mentoring. Grants may help, but for these businesses, some…

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. The Taoiseach said he fully accepted the sector is struggling. Unfortunately, VAT is the problem here. The Government does not seem to understand that since the VAT rate went up, restaurants and cafés all over the country are shutting down. Door after door is banging shut. The Taoiseach does not grasp the crisis here. On his election as Taoiseach last week, I listened carefully to him to see if he was going to be different or more of what we have had before. Lowering the VAT rat…

They are fighting to create employment but losing jobs and income. Employees are losing their jobs and they are furious wherever I go in the country.

Plenty of them have closed.

Every person killed on the roads leaves behind a family, friend and community whose lives are forever changed. Speaking of people being killed, I have been contacted twice during the term of this Government by people looking for help to get a disability certificate for a child named Maia. She is in danger of being choked by the seatbelt in her family's car, which is the very thing that should be saving her. Her family needs to get a primary medical certificate. If they got one, they would be able to buy a specially…

This Bill is a significant step towards enhancing pension coverage in Ireland. However, like any legislation, it has its share of challenges and potential disadvantages. Employers will be required to contribute to the retirement saving system. For some smaller businesses, this additional financial burden may pose a challenge. While automatic enrolment aims to increase participation, some employees may resist being enrolled. They might prefer to manage their own retirement savings or have concerns about the impact o…

I would like to first of all welcome the Minister of State to his new position and wish him the very best in the future. The aim of the national breast screening programme is to detect cancer early and to provide treatment for women who show no symptoms of the disease. There are only five mobile breast units in the whole of Munster and while we all agree that they are doing marvellous work, there are not enough mobile units nationwide given that breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. That early de…

The future Ireland and infrastructure funds are nice, glamorous ideas but the reality is people and communities need the funding spent on infrastructure right now. I totally agree with Deputy Gould. We talk about infrastructure. Why is a future fund for infrastructure being created when we need funds now for urgent works that need to be done and have needed doing for many years, maybe decades in some cases? Urgent works need to be carried out at Glenbeg Lough in Castletownbere. I attended a meeting with the concern…

I start by wishing the former Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, and the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, the very best in their future. This will be the third Taoiseach since the Government was formed in 2020. This, in itself, shows how dysfunctional this Government has been in the past four years. This Government lacks understanding and lacks the ability or hunger to look after the ordinary people. This Government, to date, has lacked common sense. The people of this country are sick to their teeth of this Government. T…

There are many more issues, such as student accommodation, hate speech and migration. All these issues need to be discussed properly before anybody would support Deputy Harris as Taoiseach.

In my view that will lead to further closures of pubs and cafes and those who support him would be equally responsible for such closures in their constituencies.

Excuse me, I am speaking.

We did not interrupt when the Deputy was speaking.