At this time in 1994, the Fianna Fáil-Labour Party coalition collapsed. Exactly 28 years ago this month, during negotiations for a new Government, I was sent on a mission by John Bruton. The objective was to find a solution to a key Labour demand for a rotating Taoiseach. The Labour Party was in a strong position with 32 seats. It had the option of going back into Government with Fianna Fáil under a new leader. Fine Gael had lost the 1987, 1989 and 1992 elections. The opportunity to return to power had to be graspe…

As we celebrate the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána, it is appropriate to reflect on its current standing. Over the past 100 years, members of the Garda have served us with distinction and pride. We owe them a sincere debt of gratitude for their outstanding commitment and dedication. Over the years, the force has developed and expanded. It has constantly embraced new methods and technology. It is in a persistent battle to keep ahead of sophisticated and dangerous criminal activity. Over the past…

I thank the Tánaiste for that response. It is also fair to say that arising from a trend towards violent disorder and aggression, the need for mental health and psychological support among members of the Garda force is growing and is a big concern. Up to the end of October of this year, €780,000 was spent on providing such support to members. That figure exceeds the entire amount spent in 2021. The figures show that 480 members were referred for psychiatric or psychological assessment, or for some form of mental he…

It has taken the heart-breaking case of a seven-year-old boy to bring the need for paediatric palliative care in the south-east region into focus. Last week, I raised the circumstances surrounding the wish of this little boy to return home, as well as his family's efforts to bring him home from hospital to receive end-of-life care. His parents wanted their little man to be in the familiar surroundings of his home, to be with his two brothers and to have precious time surrounded by those he loves and with those who …

The most important line, from our perspective in the south east and south Tipperary, in the Minister of State's response is, "a sustainable, long-term solution for the provision of paediatric palliative care services in the south east is under development". Will the Minister of State explain what that means? What is the timescale involved? When can we expect to have a wide-ranging full palliative care service available to the people of south Tipperary? We were told in 2020 it had progressed and now we find ourselve…

Paying for health insurance is an expense that increasing numbers of Irish people now equate to the importance of paying their mortgage or rent. In excess of 2.3 million people now have some form of health insurance. Between April 2020 and March 2021 at the height of the pandemic, private health insurance companies gained almost 38,000 new customers. Ironically, also due to Covid-19, claims submitted by policyholders dropped by 27% in the same period as people avoided health settings. Despite this, when a semblance…

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. I appreciate that. I appreciate that the Minister of State will do his best. The reason I raised it is because of the urgency of the situation. If it has to go through officials without encouragement from the Minister, I do not think we will get a result in time.

The tradition of horse racing and greyhound racing is ingrained in the Irish psyche. Ireland is recognised across the globe for its exceptional standards in breeding and training racehorses and greyhounds. As an industry, horse racing has generated billions for the Irish economy. My home county of Tipperary is steeped in the tradition of the industry. Horses and everything related to horses are of fundamental importance to our local economy. The core breeding and racing industry in Ireland is estimated to generate …

The forestry and timber business is of huge economic importance to those involved in the sector across County Tipperary. It is a national business and industry that has never achieved its full potential. There are many unhappy people in the forestry sector. These same people are very disgruntled with the administration of the Department. Services, practices, procedures and various schemes and programmes are in a chaotic state. We have raised this matter on numerous occasions. We have seen a little progress but it i…

Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed is the only co-educational and multidenominational school in Thurles. It has DEIS status and is the only provider of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes to boys in Thurles. It is experiencing continual pressure to accommodate increasing enrolments since 2010. It has an enrolment of 500 post-primary students, which is an increase of 90% in the past six years. This enrolment does not include post-leaving certificate students. The school has reluctantly suppressed enrolments for the past three…

I thank the Taoiseach for what is generally a positive and constructive approach. I ask that the matter be dealt with as a matter of urgency. It has been dragging on for a number of years. Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed is a very successful and progressive school and the management and staff there have been outstanding. They are delivering excellence in education under extremely difficult circumstances. The board of management is constantly refusing entry to children and parents are asking why. Under the current restriction…

I look forward to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform visiting us.

The Government must explain to the public what it is doing to address the dangerous staff shortages in our health service. The situation has gone beyond crisis point when midwives in Tipperary University Hospital have issued a warning that staff shortages are causing risks to the safety of women and their babies. INMO members working in the maternity department have formally written to the management at the hospital stating they cannot be held accountable or responsible for any adverse event that might occur. We ha…

I ask for an update on efforts to identify a site for a visitor and interpretative centre at Cashel. Discussions, consultations and appraisals have been ongoing for years and we have been going around in circles with no conclusions. We have too many agencies around the table. We need someone to get a hold of this, give direction and make it happen.

The Rock of Cashel is a jewel in the crown of Tipperary and Irish tourism. It is the number one attraction in the south east. It is known worldwide and a destination of choice for a huge number of national and international tourists. Cashel has rebounded from Covid. Recent statistics reveal that, as of August this year, up to 170,000 visitors had enjoyed the majestic Rock of Cashel, representing a 69% increase in numbers on the previous year. Prior to Covid, an average of 370,000 visitors stopped in Cashel and the …

When does the Minister of State expect that decision to be made? The continuing delays in providing a visitor centre in Cashel are depriving the town of much-needed revenue. The business centre of the town has never been able to take full economic advantage of the numbers visiting the town. Typically, when tour buses stop at a popular destination, people on the bus are given a certain amount of time to spend at the relevant attraction. This time usually allows for a visit to an interpretive centre and can be extend…

Since this motion was first mooted in the media by Deputy Naughten and taken up by the Regional Group, I have been inundated with emails and calls. Each person who contacted me told his or her own harrowing story. Many have been suffering since the first wave of the virus back in 2020 and none of them know how long their suffering will last. In Tipperary alone, 670 people are certified as unable to work due to long Covid. It is estimated that 330,000 adults have been impacted by long Covid nationally. Many of these…

Since 1965, the people of Templemore have enjoyed the use of the swimming pool at the Garda Training College on Friday evenings after the college has closed to trainees. Generations of families have learned to swim in the pool and engage in water safety and life-saving classes. The pool is a much-valued asset to the town. The pool closed owing to pandemic restrictions, but, unlike other facilities, it has not reopened for public use. Local people feel hurt and angry. The facts I have established are that the Garda …

I attended a briefing on the recently published Deloitte report commissioned by University Hospital Limerick, UHL. Deloitte fulfilled the task it was given. It set out figures and predictions on patient flow and the requirement for 300 new and replacement beds up to 2036. I wholeheartedly welcome today's event, with the turning of the sod for a new 96-bed block in Limerick. This is long overdue but will take time to install and commission. In the meantime, University Hospital Limerick is in crisis. The chaos must b…

I thank the Tánaiste. At present, 58,000 people in the mid-west region are on waiting lists. UHL does not have the capacity or capability to complete these assessments. The option to upgrade and increase the services provided at Nenagh and Ennis hospitals is an obvious way to ease this pressure. I wish to acknowledge, in this House, and compliment the management and staff at Nenagh General Hospital for its workload, throughput and efficiency. Further investment, expansion and development of services on this site is…