We need a public service broadcaster. When all is said and done, whatever is going to become of it, we absolutely need that. What I want to remember today, though, is the absolute obscenity of this fact. I am not going to name anyone, a Cheann Comhairle, because that is not the right thing to do. When people are not here to defend themselves, they should not be named. I will give an example, however. When one presenter on a radio programme on RTÉ is able to earn more money than the Taoiseach and Tánaiste put togeth…

I thank Sinn Féin for tabling this very important motion. The A5 route linking North and South is a critical piece of infrastructure and a major route for people living and working in the Border counties and across the north west. The A5 road from Aughnacloy to Derry is in urgent need of upgrades to improve safety and reduce fatalities. This road development project is vital to the economy and people of Donegal and the north west. The current state of the A5 road is deeply concerning with an increasing number of fa…

All politics is local.

Absolutely.

I wish to put on record my gratitude on behalf of all our group to Deputy Mattie McGrath, Mairéad McGrath, Brian Ó Domhnaill and the people who did a lot of work in the research of this very important motion we have brought before the Dáil today. I am particularly glad to be speaking after the Minister spoke because I am very glad to have heard what he had to say. Since I was 18, I have been a paid up number of the IFA and I am glad to be so. A short number of weeks ago members of Macra na Feirme, under Elaine Houl…

We will stand up for the farmers anyway.

Especially in light of the events of the past 24 hours, I have to note the total demonisation of rural dwellers. I say “rural dwellers” because predominantly people with a septic tank are rural dwellers. We are told the majority of septic tanks, or perhaps one in three, are not functioning properly. The main polluter in any county is the local authority of that county. This is because of inaction, not just of the current Government but also of past Governments. They have failed to provide the local authorities with…

Does the Taoiseach want to take credit for that?

I wish a belated welcome back to the Minister to her role. There are a number of problems associated with the recurring extension of this law: the lack of periodic review, the potential for abuse of powers, the impact on civil liberties, the lack of transparency and accountability, the potential chilling effect on civil society, and the failure to address root causes. At the same time, we support the retention of the Special Criminal Court as it has been effective against subversive elements and organised criminal …

I thank Deputy Cullinane and his party for bringing this very important motion before the House this evening. I also welcome the people from the sector in the Public Gallery. If I am ever wrong about anything I will always admit it. I thought all along that the real difficulty was with the smaller nursing homes, that they were finding it difficult to survive. However, I realised at the weekend after a number of important meetings with people who run bigger nursing homes that they too are in dire financial difficult…

I condemn it for what it is doing. We all want standards but HIQA is an out-of-control monster.

I will keep calling it out for what it is. The Minister of State can shake her head until tomorrow but I know what I am talking about. I compliment the nursing homes I have worked with for many years, including St. Joseph's in Killorglin, Tír na nÓg in Kenmare, St. Joseph's nursing home in Kinnear, Our Lady of Lourdes nursing home in Kilcummin, Kilcara House nursing home, Killarney nursing home, the Sonas nursing home in Milltown, Willow Brooke care centre in Castleisland and all the fine nursing homes we have in K…

I thank the people of Kerry who already provide home help and keep people in their homes by their work and efforts. I want to remember the time they worked during Covid. I know many of them personally. Many of them walked the byroads and high roads with me during election campaigns. The message I want to send to them is to thank them from the bottom of my heart. I know the Minister of State also does so and will, during her address at the end of this debate, thank them. I thank the Regional Group for bringing this …

This strategy's reliance on punitive measures raises concerns about potential infringements of the rights of young individuals. Excessive emphasis on punishment may lead to the over-criminalisation of young people, disproportionately affecting marginalised and disadvantaged communities, but I want to speak about County Kerry and what we do for young people there. I commend services such as the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service, which operates out of Killarney, Tralee and other locations. It takes care of young people an…

I am glad of the opportunity to speak on this very important subject. I believe that life was actually a lot simpler before and that it is we who are making it a bit more complicated. One of the main concerns is the potential vulnerability of young individuals who might be influenced by societal pressures and ideological beliefs. Esteemed clinicians argue that children may not have the cognitive development or maturity necessary to make irreversible decisions about their gender identity or undergo medical intervent…

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this important motion on the costs of education. I looked in my book before coming down here and as recently as today I had seven dealings with parents who have had difficulties with the high cost of education. This could be the cost of the courses their children are on or the cost of living in respect of the student rental accommodation and the difficulties they have in accessing funding in this regard. I told those people about this motion. They were very grateful that it wa…

First, I am not going to listen to People Before Profit Members at all when it comes to talking about work, employment, paying people, or about money. I will tell the Minister of State who I will listen to and he will be interested in this. I will listen to Pat McDonagh, who is a great man. He is an Irish man who has created thousands of jobs and provides great service the length and breadth of this country. I am going to talk about Pat McDonagh because he gave his version of what he thought about this. He is a man…

-----and that is so important.

I would like to be allowed to continue. I would like to continue without interruption.

What I am trying to say is that the employers in Ireland are important. One of the most valuable things young people can get is a thing called experience. That is very important. Yes, they have to get fair pay and be treated properly but life experience is so important. If the people who are talking about this had half as much interest in the real world, in creating employment and work, then they might know a thing or two more about it. I am interested in getting young people going and giving them into life experie…