The Government acknowledges the significant issue in terms of recruitment of GPs. That is why in the last 12 months decisions were taken to dramatically increase the numbers of doctors in training and people doing medicine in our third level colleges. I stand to be corrected but I think I read a figure whereby for every GP retiring, we have two in training. That is subject to correction, however. The Chief Whip tells me I am correct. That is the only way we can effectively get high-quality supply in the pipeline of…

First of all, I congratulate Deputy Timmins on his election for the first time to Dáil Éireann. The programme for Government is clear in its commitment to roads. Obviously, the updated national development plan will be an opportunity to try to identify our priorities. We understand that with the growth of population in Wicklow and so forth there are huge needs, particularly on the roads side and with the DART. Deputy O'Sullivan is correct when he says that the significant discolouration of water across the north si…

A Cheann Comhairle, is onóir mhór a bheith tosaithe agus ainmnithe ag Dáil Éireann chun freastal mar Thaoiseach ar an saorphoblacht seo. Is pribhléid den scoth í seo agus geallaim nach ndéanfaidh mé talamh slán de go deo. Is maith is eol dom agus cuimhneoidh mé i gcónaí go bhfuil Oifig an Taoiseach ina seasamh mar chuid de chóras daonlathach níos leithne - córas daonlathach ina bhfuil údarás agus mandáide an phobail ag gach duine againn agus dualgas orainn go léir freastal ar ár náisiún ina n-iomláine. I would like…

Today I am deeply conscious of the democratic tradition our country has developed over more than a century. We should never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities secured for us by the generations who sat here before us, and by the men and women who fought and campaigned for the establishment of Dáil Éireann. Our democracy has remained strong through some of the gravest challenges of a turbulent century. We have continued to have free debate and free elections. We have never wavered in our commitment to th…

As I look at Ireland today, it is clear that there can be a degree of cynicism towards politics. Too often we dismiss the motivation of others, especially those we disagree with. I reject this. I believe in the good faith of those who seek to serve their communities in elective office, and I believe that politics remains a force for good - a force for positive change. I hope that we can have a co-operative Oireachtas in the coming years where we try to emphasise positive discussion. For my part, I intend to remain …

B'áil liom cead a chur in iúl, mar eolas don Dáil, gur chuir mé m'ainmniú mar Thaoiseach in iúl don Uachtarán agus gur cheap sé mé dá réir. I beg leave to announce, for the information of the Dáil, that I have informed the President that the Dáil has nominated me to be the Taoiseach and that he has appointed me accordingly. The comprehensive programme for Government contains a significant number of matters which will require the assignment of responsibilities and the creation of new functions. In addition, there is…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders— (1) the Whips and other nominees shall appoint thirteen members to the Select Committee standing established under Standing Order 140 (which shall be called the Select Committee on Subsidiarity (European Union Legislative Scrutiny)); (2) a Minister or Minister of State shall announce the names of the members appointed under paragraph (1) for the information of the Dáil on the first sitting day of the Dáil following their appointment; (3) Standing Order 113(…

I move: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and until further notice in the 34th Dáil— ( a ) the parties and groups shall appoint 19 members to the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform standing, established under Standing Order 128 ('the Committee'), as follows: (i) 10 members appointed by the Government parties, (ii) four members appointed by Sinn Féin, and (iii) one member each appointed by the rest of the parties and the prospective technical groups; and ( b ) the Ceann Comhairle shall annou…

I dtús báire, a Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leatsa as a bheith tofa mar Cheann Comhairle. Lá stairiúil é gan dabht. Is tusa an chéad bhean a bheith ina Ceann Comhairle. Guím gach rath ort mar Cheann Comhairle agus táim sásta a rá go mbeidh mé féin agus muid i bpáirtí Fhianna Fáil lánsásta comhoibriú a dhéanamh leat. It is a great honour for you, a Cheann Comhairle, to have been elected as the first woman Ceann Comhairle. It is an historic day. I assure her of our co-operation as a party…

Of course, Sinn Féin continues to make things up as it goes along. Sinn Féin knows it lost significant support in the election. It knows it came third in the popular vote. It knows there is zero legitimacy for its demand that everyone else in this House stay quiet and give it power.

Deputy McDonald knows she made her case for radical change in government during the election.

She participated in the debates-----

-----and her party was fully heard throughout the media. I think we all well know-----

-----that breaking out the flags and celebrating an exit poll is more than a bit premature.

I wish to clarify; is it a three-minute speech?

What?

I just saw "3" up there on the wall. Is seans iontach é an chéad teacht le chéile de Dháil nua chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar láidreacht leanúnach an daonlathais in Éirinn. Is ócáid í chun buíochas a ghabháil arís leo siúd a raibh baol agus íobairt ag baint leis an éacht a rinne siad chun Dáil Éireann a chur ar bun agus a chruthú. Ar son Pháirtí Fhianna Fáil, is mian liom aitheantas a thabhairt inniu don obair a rinne na mílte daoine a d’eagraigh agus a reáchtáil an t-olltoghchán le déanaí. Níor chóir dúinn riamh tala…

What did you say in 2020?

That is democracy.

I welcome the opportunity to address the situation in Gaza, which remains an issue of profound concern and horror for the Government, this House and the people of Ireland. It is now over 12 months since this House adopted a motion in the aftermath of the attacks perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel on 7 October 2023. At that time, we unreservedly condemned these brutal attacks, which indiscriminately and systematically targeted civilians, resulting in over 1,200 deaths. We called for the i…