I welcome the fact that the Government established the interdepartmental working group. However, it does not go far enough. The Minister referred to the mediation process and there are many instances where an independent early mediation between the patient and medical professional can resolve a situation in a cost-effective manner. There is merit in having a cap on compensation amounts for certain specified cases, which would lead to prompt settlement at such mediation. Such systems work effectively in other jurisd…

Waiting for biopsy results can be a difficult and traumatic time. People want and need to know the outcome as soon as possible. Their diagnosis and future treatment is dependent on these results. In south Tipperary, microbiology and histopathology services are located at University Hospital Waterford, where all pathology consultants are based. University Hospital Limerick, UHL, has revealed to me that demand on its services is over capacity. The average waiting time for non-urgent patient results in Tipperary Unive…

I ask the outcome of recent discussions the Tánaiste has had with United States authorities and President Biden during his recent visit to Ireland. Did the Tánaiste have the opportunity to raise the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish in the United States and the need for the appropriate visa and citizenship programmes to be put in place to protect them? Will the Tánaiste consider appointing an Irish Government representative who would have sole responsibility for dealing with this issue?

As we all know the saga of the undocumented Irish in the United States has been ongoing since what seems like the beginning of time. We have heard endless tales of Irish people who, for many reasons, have chosen to live their lives in the US despite knowing they will never share the same freedoms and benefits as US citizen. Most of them will spend their lives looking over their shoulders. For many people, the lure of the land of opportunity and the centuries-held promise of the American dream are impossible to resi…

Few countries around the globe can boast the strong ties of friendship that exist between Ireland and the US. During his recent visit, we witnessed the genuine love that President Biden has for our country and how proud he is of his Irish roots. We know that Ireland holds a cherished place in his heart. We must also be conscious of what the Tánaiste has referred to, which is that America is considered home to undocumented people from many nations around the globe. Realistically, the President's love of Ireland is n…

Hear, hear.

Increasing numbers of people in Tipperary and across the country are facing energy debt. To compound the frustration being felt by Irish energy users, they have seen consumer prices fall across the rest of the eurozone. Ireland now holds the unenviable title of the most expensive country in Europe for electricity costs. The public are puzzled and angry because they realise the Exchequer raised 40% more in VAT this year compared with other years. As I said, electricity last year provided a huge take for the Excheque…

I have raised the issue of ash dieback on numerous occasions. This perilous disease hit Ireland in 2012 and now almost 80% of our 123 million ash trees are dead or dying. Valuable land, including 2,000 ha in Tipperary, has been rendered useless. Plant and animal life have been wiped out and livelihoods have been seriously eroded. Common sense would dictate that the lands should be cleared. It is a logical and sensible move that 6,000 landowners across the country should be compensated for this calamity and permitte…

Last December I stood in this House to plead on behalf of a family whose seven-year-old son, Danny, was terminally ill. They wanted to bring Danny home from hospital to spend his final days with them and his young brothers. This was also Danny’s wish, following prolonged hospital stays. Imagine the anguish and helplessness they felt when they learned that bringing their precious boy home was not possible, that their child’s last wish was being denied because paediatric palliative care services are not available in …

I thank the Taoiseach for his commitment and personal interest in the matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has been very active on the issue. I do not know where the blockage is, but it appears to be between the consultants and the nursing profession. There is no joined-up thinking on this and it needs to happen. Families living in the south east have been without this service since 2017. I cannot be precise as to how many children and families have suffered as many have done so in silence. Despite her per…

A Chathaoirligh Gníomhaí, a Aire Stáit, agus a chomhghleacaithe, today's world sees more and more people tapping a card on a machine in order to purchase something as simple as a cup of coffee. The vast majority of retailers no longer even tell customers the cost of what they are purchasing. They simply direct them towards a machine and by pressing the four buttons, the customers' money becomes the retailers' money in return for what is bought. Ultimately, the retailer transfers that day's takings to the bank with …

In medical emergencies every second counts. When the misjudged decision to close accident and emergency hospitals such as Nenagh Hospital was being fought, we all became familiar with the term "golden hour." The golden hour determines the appropriate treatment, and is critical within the first 60 minutes from the time of injury or the appearance of serious medical symptoms. It is based on the informed belief that once this time has lapsed, the risk of death or long-term complications significantly increases. This w…

Ireland's national animal health strategy document of 2022 highlighted the role played by farm animal vets in safeguarding biosecurity, animal health and welfare. Veterinary practices across Tipperary and Ireland are experiencing enormous difficulties in recruiting and retaining vets for clinical practise. We have a crisis in the delivery of veterinary education and the retention of vets. The career dissatisfaction among practising vets shows that career expectations do not match the reality of veterinary practise.…

UCD is talking about expanding its course by eight to ten places, which is not sufficient. There is a very strong argument for developing a regional balance. UL is a creative and innovative university and is exceptionally progressive. It has made an application and people in the mid-west support it, as do I as a representative of the people of Tipperary. How many institutes of higher education have expressed an interest under the current process? What is the decision-making process and what is the timescale for mak…

We live in world of regulations. Almost everything we do on a day-to-day basis is regulated in some way or another. Compared to decades ago in Ireland, the farming industry has seen regulations imposed on almost every aspect of its business. Farmers across Tipperary tell me that the most stressful element of farming is coping with the excessive quantities of red tape and bureaucracy. The vast majority of regulations have been willingly accepted and introduced. The ultimate benefits have been recognised and while co…

The recent headlines across the media in relation to historic nursing home charges have been damaging. Although the issue is years old, it is the current Government that is now tasked with allaying public anger. How that plays out now rests primarily with the two relevant Ministers that have been asked to conduct a review. Their report and proposals will be crucial to how the Government is judged on this issue. The Attorney General’s report sets out the legal facts, concluding that successive governments acted prud…

Two days after Christmas, a farmer in Lorrha in County Tipperary was alerted that his sheep had been attacked by dogs. Some 80 of his 133-strong flock had been savaged. Councillor Michael O'Meara, who is a neighbour of this farmer, told me of the devastation and heartbreak suffered by the farmer and his family. The attack was caused by dogs whose owners had failed in their responsibility to keep them under control. These dogs were free to roam and maraud. Dog owners need to understand the damage and hurt caused by …

When the news of the plan by Coillte to sell off huge expanses of land in rural Ireland first emerged people thought it was a rumour. When stories circulated that land was to be bought by a British investment company and fund they were convinced it was a practical joke. Unfortunately, it was neither a rumour nor a joke. In fact it would appear that a deal was done before the majority of those impacted had an opportunity to ask questions or raise objections. The low-key manner in which all of this took place gives s…

Like all the damning reports on the failings in our health service, this interim report on child and adolescent mental health services struck an alarming cord. In the mid-west, we have 116 children on a waiting list for assessment for over a year. Many of these children are from north Tipperary. This failure affects our children and young people, our vulnerable and voiceless citizens. It is a disgrace, an abomination and a scandal. It is heartbreaking to learn that so many young people have been utterly failed. Peo…

As the Minister is aware, good dental health is paramount to good overall health. The connection between periodontal disease and a myriad of serious health conditions has long been medically proven. Without proper preventative dental care, people can become more susceptible to cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, cancer, respiratory infections and even dementia due to the circulation of various bacteria in the body. Yet, despite this knowledge and the constant emphasis on preventative healthcare, we continue to …