A number of weeks ago I was very lucky to meet the proprietors of Wholesome Kitchen in Mullingar when I visited the local enterprise office. Deputy Troy was on paternity leave at that time so we were not able to meet together. I know it is a wonderful business providing good employment. I can tell the Deputy it is good food as well because I was in a position to sample a bit. This is why I want to use it as an example of looking at the various options open to us. With regard to debt warehousing, I very much hope th…

I thank Deputy Lowry. I confirm that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, has just left the House to attend a meeting with representatives of the hospitality sector to discuss what we accept are increasing costs. Many of these are down to market issues, be they energy or interest rates. We accept that correct Government decisions to increase the minimum wage and access to sick pay come with a cost to employers. We are looking at all options and will continue to engage with the sector a…

I thank the Deputy for a very timely remark. The increased cost of business scheme will be paid out to all businesses that paid commercial rates last year of up to €30,000, with a maximum pay-out of €5,000. It will all be completed by the end of the first quarter in 2024. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is working with the Department of housing and local government to make sure there is a system. We are hoping this will not require application. It will just be a payment directly into the accounts…

Tairgim: GO ndéanfar an ráiteas atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Rún seo a fhorordú mar eolas do vótálaithe, de bhun alt 23 d'Acht an Reifrinn, 1994 (Uimh. 12 de 1994), i ndáil leis an togra chun an Bunreacht a leasú, atá ar áireamh sa Bhille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023, agus is ábhar do reifreann bunreachta. An Sceideal An Bille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023 – Páipéar Ballóide Uaine Ráiteas mar Eolas do Vótálaithe Fiafraítear díot sa reifreann seo an …

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all the words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "welcomes: — the introduction of measures in 2021 to disincentivise the bulk purchasing of new homes by investment funds, including a higher 10 per cent stamp rate for certain bulk purchases of residential properties and planning guidelines to restrict the bulk purchase of houses for planning applications lodged following their introduction in May 2021; — that since the introduction of these measures, the increased le…

I genuinely and sincerely thank Deputy Stanley for raising this issue and laying out very considerably what is an extremely delicate matter - I think we both accept that - not just for the students in question but particularly their families, teachers and the wider school community. At the outset, with the Deputy's indulgence, I would like to lay out a little bit of the detail with regard to the work of the Department of Education and National Council For Special Education, NCSE, on how they are continuing to suppo…

As the Deputy can understand, I cannot give specifics on the hoof on those schools in question but I will speak to the Minister in question and make sure that is communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible by the Department's team. The following alludes in some ways to the situation in Laois in particular. Laois is a county the Deputy will know better than me. Indeed, it is the Ceann Comhairle's neighbouring county, so he knows well the rapid growth that has been consistent throughout the county, but particularl…

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív sincerely for raising this important topic which, he will understand, I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I clarify, as the Deputy will be well aware, that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in public transport, but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests wi…

Beyond the Minister, Deputy Ryan, Deputy Matthews is the expert. As a rail engineer he spent 20 years working on the railways. I am sure there is a good reason there is a gap between arrival and deployment. There is a time delay and I will make sure the Minister, Deputy Ryan, tracks-----

I am sure there is a version of spinning it around the showroom but I will make sure the Minister, Deputy Ryan, provides clarity there. Deputy Matthews spent ages on this tonight and he would have known for sure. I will not repeat and reiterate things that Deputy Ó Cuív knows better than I because he has been there and has seen what the Department of Transport has been doing in enhancing the capacity of the Galway area network when it comes to rail, nor will I insult him by stating exactly when these carriages will…

Like others, my first thoughts in speaking here this evening are, of course, with the victims of that tragic attack on Thursday a week ago but I wish to express my absolute confidence in Deputy McEntee, as Minister for Justice, in her record as Minister and her response to those tragic events of the past week or so. Over the past couple of days, we have had the provisional propaganda machine telling us all that we need to listen. Speaking about listening, I have to ask the leader of the Opposition whether she has d…

I would very much like to say something.

I do not want to keep people too long before concluding but it would be remiss of me to come to the Chamber on a topic this sensitive and important without recognising the considerable work completed by Senator Sherlock and her group colleagues. I commend the Senator for her constructive actions this evening and throughout the period of the Bill's consideration. This was certainly the sentiment of my predecessor, Damien English, when he held this office. Any couple that has been through a pregnancy and experienced …

I love being from Dublin. I love this city and feel lucky and fortunate to be able to call it home, as does everyone in this Chamber who calls it home for their whole lives or the many people who have only been calling it home for the past couple of years. We have seen this capital city at its best so many times in recent years, but I know we all agree that last Thursday we saw it at its absolute worst. We saw a vicious attack on children that has scarred a community and we saw anarchy from thugs, whipped up by the…

She should not have to ask.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As she may be aware, a LEEF subgroup has been established, which I chair, to discuss in detail the recommendations contained in the final report of the LEEF's high-level working group on collective bargaining. ICTU and IBEC are represented on the group, which last met on 16 November 2023. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to a last-minute commitment but the meeting went ahead in my absence as the group is very keen to get this concluded. Prior to the last meeting, m…

I thank an Teachta O'Reilly. I am not concerned about the pace because we are getting into really important detail that needs to be resolved. There have been very frank discussions between departmental officials, me and social partners. We need to get absolutely precise information from the Attorney General's office. As the Deputy knows as well as everyone else, this has to stand the test of time. I would rather get it right than done quickly. We have seen in so many different areas that legal challenges can undo m…

The Deputy knows I agree with her on that part. I have said so in this Chamber previously while taking parliamentary questions. Like the Deputy, I am a proud trade unionist, but I want to make sure this is correct. The Office of the Attorney General has been asked to produce an opinion as quickly as possible. We keep ourselves updated on that and we will get it ready. The meetings between the social partners and the departmental officials are occurring in a very frank and open manner. We want to make sure we get th…

I am very grateful for Deputy Connolly raising the issue again at this session. I will give her an update as requested. For the benefit of the House and as the Deputy knows, the occupations lists for employment permits are currently being revised as part of an evidence-based review, which incorporates a public consultation to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to submit data on the extent of skills or labour shortages. Well over 100 submissions were received over the summer. This is ten times the number of su…

I confirm that once it has been reviewed and signed off by me and my ministerial colleagues, it will, of course, be published and reviewed. The ambition is to do it within the next fortnight. I will be sure to stay in close contact with the Deputy directly should that timeline deviate by a day or two, as she will appreciate sometimes happens in these matters.