I think it is a bit much to describe as conservative and gossipy the politics of the city of Cork. Many Cork people would be offended by that. The modern city is broadminded. It is a great maritime city. It is open and inclusive and successful culturally. Cillian Murphy's win at the Oscars is the latest manifestation of the cultural richness of the city. I know the Deputy wants to talk about Waterford, which I have a great affection for and belief in. If I were to make a criticism, I would say that the Deputy has b…

This Government has invested very significantly in Waterford. The €170 million for the North Quays' development is transformative in the heart of the city. I am delighted with that. The Deputy has to acknowledge the establishment of the South East Technological University. Lately, there has been great news about the veterinary college at Kildalton, the pharmacy school now founded in Waterford and the purchase of the former Waterford Crystal site for campus expansion. I was one of the first Ministers to purchase lan…

The Deputy has to acknowledge that in all of these matters of cardiac care and so on, the clinicians set the standards. This was agreed by most parties about 20-odd years ago, when there were political rows all over the place about where various services were to be located. The idea of national strategies in cancer and cardiovascular were developed, which have had the kind of huge impacts I outlined earlier in a response to another Deputy. Those would not have happened if we had not taken politics out of health, to…

I am doing so. I am trying to make the point that we have gone back to clinicians to say that we need to do this differently in Waterford, with the result that 90% coverage will be achieved with the provision of the second cath lab and the extra staffing that will facilitate the weekend cover, which will be key. The clinicians tell us this will give us 90% coverage. Compared to where we were when this Government took office, that is significant progress by any yardstick.

There has been recruitment and there will be further recruitment to the facility. I appreciate the Deputy's advocacy.

I do believe in debate and discussion; I always have. I have engaged in them. By the way, I think it is good that the Government has gone full term; I have been very consistent on that. It allows us to do policies on a medium- to long-term basis which is good for the country. I think having elections every two years would be bad for the country and would be disruptive. I note the Deputy's comment that the people have waited five years. People expect governments to go full term. Generally speaking, they want governm…

I have been involved in more debates than the Deputy ever has been. I have no problem with debates and I hope that debates can be organised but I do not govern all that.

I acknowledge what the Deputy has said about the US presidential election. Given the strength of the economic relationship between the United States and Ireland it is a very important relationship. More than 200,000 jobs are provided by US companies in Ireland directly, with many more indirectly. Irish companies provide approximately 100,000 jobs in America and more indirectly. This Government has weathered many significant economic shocks. We have had to navigate Brexit and the aftermath of Brexit. We have had to …

I will discuss it with the Deputy. There are no big surprises in what has been identified.

Generally speaking, when talking to people we find they do not feel as safe in urban environments, particularly at night, as they once would have. Many factors are responsible for that in cities and in towns across the country. Obviously, Covid interrupted training in Templemore and recruitment of gardaí and we would have loved to have recruited more gardaí. There are also other factors in terms of how cities will develop into the future. We need a much stronger residential footprint in cities now than was the case…

I am talking about cities in general; the Deputy mentioned cities in general. Of course, I work most, if not all, of the week here in Dublin. I have a great affection for Dublin. I like Dublin and I walk a lot around Dublin. The task force report has been produced and the city council has resources. The various local authorities around Dublin have substantial resources. We will continue to provide more. When the Deputy will look at our manifesto, we have significant funding for Dublin in that regard.

I am not aware of the specific site. However, from the beginning of this Government, we have been determined to bring about a step change in the number of social and affordable homes that would be built in the country and we have done that compared with what was done in the previous number of years. As I said earlier, 12,000 social homes were delivered last year, approximately 8,000 of which were newly built. We need to get to a situation we are building more than that-----

-----and acquiring State land.

The planners in the local authority should deal with a situation like that. If the Deputy is saying there has been a fundamental breach of the planning laws, it should be dealt with. The planning laws should be enforced and that is a matter for the local authority. It should get on and do it.

I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Brandon Roche. It is a very sad situation for his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Prevention is the key in terms of mental health more generally, but it begins earlier in life. The most important programmes are the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programmes in primary schools where children build up self-esteem, mutual respect and the values that hopefully can build resilience in life. All schools are now developing well-being …

We must continue to do that. I pay tribute to all of the search and rescue teams and organisations, some of which we fund, including the Civil Defence and others across the board.

It is a sad situation. We must keep working on it. Investment has increased but it is a societal issue as well.

I agree that Tipperary is a most noble county, and a beautiful one, but on the specific issue Deputy McGrath references, the Government has taken a position that in the future it does not want hotels to be used for the purposes of housing asylum seekers. Hotels in towns in particular are a vital piece of the tourism infrastructure. We are endeavouring to create State-owned facilities and accommodation to deal with those coming to the country seeking asylum. It is acknowledged that the use of hotels in the core part…

I have met with relatives. I attend the ceremony every year.

I will meet them. There has never been an issue with meeting Relatives for Justice.