In recent times, Ireland has seen a remarkable demographic shift, with a 22% increase in the number of individuals aged 65 and over between 2016 and 2022, significantly impacting mortality rates, considering that most deaths occur among older age groups. This demographic change likely contributed to a higher absolute number of deaths. Disturbingly, Ireland has recorded excess all-cause mortality for five consecutive weeks from late 2022 to early 2023, with substantial excess mortality due to pneumonia and influenza…

In the week of the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, which occurred on Saturday, 7 October, we found ourselves confronted with the grim reality of more than 260 innocent festivalgoers, including women, children and the elderly, who tragically lost their lives. Additionally, more than 199 Israelis, including an 85-year-old woman, were taken hostage in Gaza. The death toll surpassed 1,400, marking an unprecedented tragedy in Israel's history. This brutal assault has shaken the nature to its core, akin to the impact…

I want to start by welcoming the family of Shane O'Farrell here today. I offer my deepest sympathies to the family, who have gone through what is a tragic situation and a tragic story. The tragic story of Shane O'Farrell's untimely death in a hit-and-run in 2011 serves as a powerful example of a family's unwavering pursuit of justice. Shane's life was cut short by Zigimantas Gridziuska, a man with a troubling criminal history. The O'Farrell family, devastated by their loss, embarked on an eight-year journey to unco…

The budget came up short on many fronts but nowhere more importantly than in falling short in the funding for disabilities. Only last night, in the dying seconds, our country avoided a strike by section 39 workers who mainly work with people with disabilities. I recently met representatives of the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clonakilty, both workers and users. I also met people working in CoAction. I have spoken on the phone to workers and service users in the past week. Until yesterday, many workers were worri…

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste spoke today about the Opposition giving out about the budget before it was announced. The funny thing is this is one of the most leaked budgets in the history of the State. It is a common practice now. We all knew most of the details of the budget beforehand, so it was easy for us to criticise it if there were criticisms to be made, and there were. There are green shoots in the budget also, but I look to the Government to address the crisis the hospitality sector is going through. Cafés, …

Like many recent budgets, this budget became the most leaked budget in the history of the State. It reminds me of the old bucket you would have long ago for milking cows. It would be leaking at the bottom, so all the milk would be gone out of it, but the Government is only leaking the good news. It leaked all of that over the past few months, and particularly the last few weeks, to give itself a little pat on the back. To be honest, there was no need in having today’s showpiece. Most people knew all the positives t…

I support Sinn Féin's amendment. It is difficult to find where I could support the Labour Party amendment because it is in favour of carbon tax, crucifying the people of this country for the past number of years.

It is astonishing that they want to talk about decreasing the price of fuel now, all of a sudden. They are very sympathetic to the people now. We have an economic crisis as far as people are concerned. The Minister has not shown any respect or leeway to alleviate that concern. The price of fuel at the pumps is phenomenal and the people of rural Ireland have no choice. There are 2.2 million vehicles in this country. They have no choice. I have no choice in order to come here to the Dáil except to use a vehicle. I wo…

That will not do you any good.

I will not agree to the proposed increase in the price of cigarettes. Thankfully, I am not a smoker, although some of my family are and I wish to God they were not. Smoking is a relaxant for some people, whether we like that or not, and this increase is just a tax grab for the Government because it is not investing any money back into education to try to get to the root of the problem. It will never fully resolve the issue no matter what it does - I accept that - but in any schools I visit, I do not hear any deep d…

As we celebrate the centenary of An Garda Síochána, it is crucial to acknowledge the pressing challenges this revered institution. Morale within the force has plummeted to an all-time low and this crisis of confidence cannot be ignored. The GRA, which represents rank-and-file gardaí, recently registered an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the force's most senior officer, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, by a staggering 98.7%. Being honest, if the Minister, me or anyone else had 98.7% of our team against us, it …

We often speak in the Dáil about homelessness and the horror of young people getting eviction notices, which is an horrendous worry on anyone's mind. Let us think for one minute about being aged 70, 80 or 90-plus, being in a nursing home and getting an eviction notice. This happened in August to 48 residents of a 68-bed nursing home in Belgooly in west Cork, which is run by a group called Aperee Living. Many patients in the nursing home were notified before their families were that they must be out within six month…

I thank the Taoiseach for the reply but I am astonished to think that the Taoiseach said he knew about this - and obviously the Taoiseach and other Ministers must know about this - but they have no solution. The nursing home is closing and there are 22 residents in that nursing home. They have no home to go to. The Government has no backup plan other than someone will talk to someone. As far as I am aware a six-month notice to patients is the very least. That is not even going to work here. They are being booted ou…

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and it is a global problem that affects people from various regions, including those seeking better opportunities in Ireland. Traffickers prey on the dreams and vulnerabilities of migrants, promising them a brighter future but subjecting them to unimaginable exploitation. One alarming aspect of human trafficking in Ireland is the practice of traffickers confiscating identification documents from their victims before they even land in the country. This tactic is…

The utter lack of accessible public transport in rural areas and this outdated system have left countless students stranded without reliable transportation to their schools. It is an absolute disgrace. The Government has the audacity to preach about reducing car journeys for the sake of our environment, but the absence of adequate public and school bus transport is a glaring contradiction that smacks of hypocrisy. So much for reducing our carbon footprint. Imagine a young mother, slowly going blind, desperate to se…

The early childcare providers have delivered for this country but shamefully, the Minister has turned his back on them. He has shamefully rattled out figures time and time again but has never broken these down. These providers have asked him for a complete breakdown of them. Those who came up here and had to go on strike for three days outside the Dáil have to listen to the Minister and the Taoiseach dismissing them as if they are only pieces of dirt. They are not. They are delivering a fantastic service. Some 97 o…

I will be agreeing with this motion because I have seen what the lifting of the eviction ban has done. It has added to more difficulties for people who are seeking a home. They are being evicted from their homes and have no rights. I attend an average of ten clinics a week and once a month I might do another 15 or 20 in small rural communities. Every Saturday, I hold a clinic at 9.30 a.m. in my office in Skibbereen, one in the Brewery Bar in Clonakilty at 11 a.m., another one in my office in Bandon at 12 noon, one …

In our deliberations on the Bill’s provisions, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding Ireland’s energy security, a non-negotiable asset that cannot be jeopardised by political hesitation or short-term thinking. Ensuring the future energy needs of our nation is a collective duty that begins with unwavering support for vital initiatives like the Shannon LNG terminal and the Barryroe field. These endeavours hold the potential to strengthen our energy resilience and shield the essential interests of…

Today, thousands of early childcare providers have converged on our capital for a decent, peaceful protest outside the Dáil. For three days their services will be closed in a desperate effort to wake a sleeping Minister and a very much sound-asleep Government on this issue. Is the Taoiseach aware that 97 services have closed this year so far? Is he aware that many more are on the verge of closure in west Cork and throughout our country? Is he aware that many providers are borrowing money to fund their services, and…

Out of touch.