It was quite a radical thing to do when states were taking power in. My point is that there are two frameworks. There is a constitutional framework, under a written Constitution, that will always be subject to judicial interpretation, but there is also the legal framework, which the Oireachtas passes, on succession, taxation and social protection.

I apologise; I was engaged.

I believe the two relevant Ministers, namely, Deputies Harris and Darragh O'Brien, intend to bring proposals to the Cabinet in March to make clear that when planning permission is granted for student accommodation, the mandatory lease period will be confined to the current academic year. It would take on board the entire academic year. I would be careful about relating the issue to student performance. It is much more complex than that. Normally, there are multifaceted reasons for attrition rates at third level. Se…

I met representatives of the Irish Wheelchair Association outside Leinster House during the week when they made their protest. We will be discussing this at Cabinet level. The NTA is responsible in many ways for the configuration of urban streetscapes in terms of the sharing of bus, cycle and car lanes. The representatives of the Irish Wheelchair Association say people have suffered in gaining access to buses and so on. It is disappointing because, some years ago at the ability awards, Bus Éireann was applauded reg…

-----and clear provision to facilitate people with disabilities.

Many Deputies, including Deputies Durkan, Lawless and Catherine Murphy, have raised what has happened in this case. I am not going to second-guess the county council in respect of a CPO because that would potentially involve a long legal route that may not ultimately yield the results we want. However, I assure the Deputy that the Government will work in a very supportive way with the county council to resolve this because public access is key. The house and demesne comprise a considerable amenity, not just for the…

Again, the HSE is an agency charged by the Oireachtas to run its affairs and organise health services across the country. There has been a slimming down of the centre and delegation to the regions. The position in the case in question was suppressed and there were legal issues as a result. Whether we like it or not, people are entitled to take a case. There was legal mediation that resulted in redundancy plus a settlement. The HSE took the decision that it wanted to reorganise and do things in an effective way, and…

First, the review on school transport that the Minister, Deputy Foley, published represents the most comprehensive reforms of the school transport system since the State was founded. I pay tribute to the Minister in getting this through Cabinet. Obviously, there will be an implementation phase. All of us are familiar with the anomalies, rows, disputation and challenges facing families that occur in different locations on an annual basis. The review is designed to put an end to that and it will need increased alloca…

On the qualified bus driver over 70, we are discussing that at Cabinet. The suggestion now is perhaps that an independent medical-----

-----review could enable us to unblock what has been the position that CIÉ has taken in respect of not allowing over 70s. I take the Deputy's point.

Sorry, I missed that bit.

Apologies, I missed the last bit there.

We have a date for the North-South Ministerial Council. It is certainly an issue I will raise with representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive. They have their challenges in terms of revenue raising as well, but I certainly will raise it and take it forward. I appreciate the Deputy raising the case.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The Deputy is correct in terms of the temporary special scheme having been in place since July 2022. It has been extended on a number of occasions, most recently in October 2023 up to 31 March 2024, and people would have received notification. People have been advised that they may utilise the full provisions of the public service sick leave scheme, which would provide further support. The matter of the conclusion of this temporary special scheme has been the subject of a c…

As the Deputy will be aware, the taxation commission report was published many years ago and successive policy from successive Governments has been marked by a reluctance to bring in new tax reliefs, although we introduced the rent credit for housing. Experts in the taxation field have always shunned the idea of tax reliefs. However, we will examine it. We have done some good work on bicycles in the past that dramatically changed cycling behaviour. I am a keen wellness enthusiast but we all have personal responsibi…

The Deputy has raised a fair point. That evidence-based study and research is vital to inform future action but it also has to galvanise the public, more generally, and society in making sure that we can get these schemes through. The OPW is funding two full-time staff for the Midleton flood relief scheme and will be bringing forward interim measures pending the scheme's completion. Significant progress, I am told, is being made with the design of the scheme and the next step is to commence work to achieving planni…

First, I condemn unreservedly what happened. I do not think it is fair to say that if it happened in one club or another, there would be a different----

It is not fair to say that if something happened outside one club as opposed to another-----

Will the Deputy let me finish? What happened is wrong, fundamentally on the part of those gathering. Second, there has been very significant sustained investment in Knocknaheeny and in the north side across housing, health and so on. There is a great community there.

We need to promote what is a great community. I have been there a lot, as the Deputy knows. There are great schools there and great community endeavour and spirit. At various times in the history of the city, we have had different outbreaks at different times. The best way to get at it was through on-the-ground community interventions, at which the Garda has, historically, been very good. More community gardaí, which some in the higher echelons do not agree with-----