Yes.

No.

It looks like the adult services need more space. Unfortunately, 180 children are being moved and discommoded.

This is about the carbon tax and terrible plight of the people over the past number of years. It was brought about by a rosy idea to rob the people of rural Ireland and fill the pockets of those in the cities and bigger towns in order that they can get super transport services that we do not have in rural Ireland. Carbon tax is an absolute direct attack on the people of rural Ireland, and nothing else. The Minister has succeeded in getting a nice, healthy tax take and rosy-looking figures, but this has come at a ve…

Under Standing Order 83(3)( b ) I propose that the vote be taken by other than electronic means.

It is not agreed.

Over the past number of weeks, Deputies have been inundated by business owners who are struggling to keep their doors open throughout the country. If some of them are to survive, they need to get the energy subsidies for bars, cafes and restaurants released before Christmas. I even had an accountant on to me in the past few days who has quite a lot of these businesses on his books. He had to actually pay one of their energy bills this week to keep the door open. We need a proper discussion here in the Dáil this wee…

I had a meeting with concerned interested parties yesterday where a serious concern hangs over the future of the driving test centre in Skibbereen. I have been informed that at least one of the two driving testers will move on at the end of December, which will leave the driving centre with skeleton staff. People who booked the driving test in Skibbereen two weeks ago were informed they would have a test three months from now. Those who try to book this week are told it will be at least six months. The Road Safety …

I said it could go down to opening for only week in a month.

I hope it is not.

I ask the Taoiseach to listen to the question.

I ask the Taoiseach not to play antics with the people of west Cork.

Two.

It will go down to one person in December.

Brian Hillery was widely regarded as one of the great gentlemen of Irish politics. Those who served with him in the Oireachtas have remarked on how he was always extremely courteous and a warm and intelligent man. Those who spoke of his legacy after his passing referred as fondly to his personal qualities as much as his achievements. He served as a Senator from 1977 to 1982, 1983 to 1989 and 1992 to 1994. He was also a Deputy for the constituency of Dún Laoghaire from 1989 to 1992. In signalling his strength of cha…

Taken as a whole, budget 2023 will help families across Ireland somewhat to meet the growing costs of food, heat and electricity this winter. The measures announced such as the extension of fuel allowance thresholds, electricity credit payments, double child benefit payments and the once-off €500 payment to recipients of the working family payment will go some way to reducing anxieties and alleviating the fears of those on low incomes regarding their ability to afford daily necessities. However, it is bitterly disa…

As we speak, almost all emergency homeless accommodation in the State is full or under major pressure. The demands placed on the entire housing system from accommodating Ukrainians and the record numbers seeking asylum in Ireland, on top of housing policies that are simply not working, are creating this nightmare situation for so many people. Like many other Deputies, I am inundated with people looking for somewhere to call home. Every weekend, I hold clinics all over west Cork and nearly 70% of people are there to…

I have raised the crisis regarding Dursey Island off Castletownbere on numerous occasions, mainly because the world-famous Dursey cable car has been suspended for number of months due to the repair works being carried out. The islanders and landowners are anxiously awaiting the cable car works completion, which has been put off due to inclement weather. I spoke to the islanders and landowners there in the past week. They have had no way on or off the island for almost two weeks. The temporary ferry service put in p…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I apologise for the absence of Deputy Mattie McGrath. He genuinely wanted to be here this evening but is unable to be with us. He has put a great deal of work into this Bill, along with others, as I will explain. The Deputy sends his apologies. This Rural Independent Group has the overarching objective of protecting the family farm and the linked family home from the ruthless and speculative practices of vulture funds. We believe this Bill is innovative and clear-c…

I thank Mairead McGrath and Brian Ó Domhnaill in our office for helping us to put the motion together. According to the latest consumer price index, CPI, the rate of inflation illustrates a 9.2% increase in the cost of living between October 2021 and October 2022. The rate of inflation in Ireland is being driven by the cost of energy. The cost of gas has spiked by 93.3% in the past 12 months, the cost of electricity has increased by a staggering 71.2%, the cost of home heating oil by 65% and solid fuels by 47%. The…