Is she against the changes that we made to support those in receipt of the disability allowance, the invalidity pension and the blind pension? Is she against the payments for those who are in receipt of the fuel allowance or those in receipt of the living alone allowance?

She made the claim about splashing the cash. I am asking her to tell me what measure she is against. During our exchange this afternoon, she might do that.

On the question that Deputy Cairns raised, which again it is a really important issue regarding how we support our disability services, she made reference to the existing level of service but, of course, any change there can still lead to further spaces and further supports being made available to more people who need them. In terms of the new measures that were brought forward, the Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman and Donnelly have led on increases in the funding for disability services in recent years. In conclusion,…

I am sure that regardless of the size of any future Dáil, the Deputy still anticipates and wants to play a very lively role within it and the question he poses this morning reminds me why it is very likely that he will do so. As he may be aware, this is something that An Coimisiún Toghcháin has indicated a willingness to consider. In a report published in August 2023, the commission outlined that in advance of the next commission, it wants to commence what it has described as a "national conversation" - I am sure m…

In the various referenda that the Deputy referred to, the people have shown care in making big changes to our Constitution. They have, at other times, shown a commitment to and support for how the Oireachtas currently represents them. In the Deputy's constituency, and in all of our constituencies, we frequently have to explain the work that we do, make the case for the work that we do and for the time we spend here in the Dáil and in the committees of the Oireachtas. I would take care with any changes that weaken t…

I want to say directly to the people in those towns and communities that are affected by the issues the Deputy has referred to that I am not in a position to come into the Dáil today and give a very specific answer on the status of wastewater treatment plants for different towns and villages within our country. If he had given me an indication that he was going to raise these specific towns beforehand, I could have done that. However, he knows it is very difficult for anybody to come in here today and be able to di…

We need action but I think we also deserve some honesty about the work of Uisce Éireann. In the Deputy's second contribution, I think he suggested that it in some way is the culprit for this.

Uisce Éireann is the organisation that offers the best hope that we have of resolving this issue.

It is a great dishonesty to say on the one hand we want progress to be made in the area and then the men and women who work in the organisation capable of making a difference-----

-----are the ones he condemns.

That is not a recipe for progress or a recipe for a solution. I want to offer my full support to the work that Uisce Éireann does. While we all remember the difficulty involved in setting up that organisation, it is only through a unitary water authority like that body that we will be able to put in place the investment at scale that is needed to ensure that Ireland has safe water in the quantity that we will need in the years ahead. I reiterate what I said a moment ago. I think the Deputy does the issue a great di…

Given the terrible circumstances the Deputy referred to and the obvious sensitivity of the case, again I wish the Deputy had given me some indication of her question because a specific question deserves a specific answer. Given the lack of indication on it, all I can do is give a general commitment. I know the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Tánaiste and our diplomats have spared no effort in trying to assist those who need and deserve consular support. Given that the Deputy has raised the issue, I will make sur…

I very much support the board and the work it is doing and I have confidence it is managing a very difficult situation on our behalf well. It is making the kinds of demands and putting in place the kinds of arrangements that taxpayers and the children of Ireland deserve. Yes, I expect we will see the hospital handover at that point but I know also, given all the difficulty we have had, that it is important we support the board in ensuring the timeline and deadline are observed. The work of the board is central to t…

I am aware of the issues the Deputy referred to with regard to the Nos. 11 and 19 bus routes. As to whether these changes been disability proofed, my understanding is that Dublin Bus does that. It does so with particular regard to the buses and bus stops to allow the kind of access the Deputy and I want to see for our constituents with disabilities. I know this is an issue for many of the people the Deputy and I represent in Drumcondra and I will raise it, as I know the Deputy is raising it, with Dublin Bus. I beli…

The Deputy uses language like "robbing". She is condemning what is happening in Gorey - I was there recently - but, on the other hand, she is not making the situation any easier by using the word "robbing". What is happening here is people who have been elected, like the Deputy and me but at a council level, have made the decision that they want to make a change in the local property tax and invest that back into the communities they represent. One thing in general that I am certain of is that those councillors who…

I thank the Deputy. The money made available for new roads, bypasses and the kinds of changes the Deputy referred to has increased. I am not sure what specifically is delaying the project the Deputy referred to but I will raise it with the Minister and my colleagues in the Department of Transport.

Let me emphasise again that any targeting or threatening of troops, particularly Irish troops who are fulfilling their UNIFIL duties, is to be condemned and should cease. Regarding the issue the Deputy raised about the status of the occupied territories Bill, the Tánaiste, Taoiseach and Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, received a briefing on this matter at the start of this week from the Attorney General. My understanding is that the Cabinet will be briefed on this issue as soon as next week. We will receive an update on…

As the Deputy acknowledged in her question, access to medical cards is means tested. It is the case that some people who go back to work retain the card. I am afraid I am not in a position to fully answer the Deputy's question because I do not know the details. I am sure the Deputy knows them, but it would not be appropriate to raise them here. I do not know to what degree the means of the constituent have changed in any way resulting in the loss of the medical card. We have changed thresholds for medical cards in …

I know this is a very important issue affecting the Deputy's constituents. As Deputy Stanton has said, a €22 million upgrade is now underway at Whitegate water treatment plant. I understand it is due to be completed in 2026. I know 2026 is a long way away for up to 10,000 people who are affected by a boil water notice. I will raise the issue with Uisce Éireann to see if any mitigation measures can be put in place while the boil water notice is in effect. Any steps that can be taken to ensure the funded upgrade happ…

They are questions that have more than one owner. Let me try to deal with them. Regarding the Department of Transport, I recollect that funding was made available for the airport project a number of years ago. I remember the circumstances in which it happened because of the role the airport can play in supporting large employers in Waterford, the Deputy's county, and beyond. The issue has not been raised with me recently by the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I am sure engagement at official level is underway with regard to…