The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is on Fourth Stage in the Seanad and, I hope, will be completed soon. It contains important amendments relating to the illegal use of scrambler bikes that will give crucial new powers to the Garda to limit such activity in our communities. Will the Taoiseach ensure the Government does everything it can to make sure that Bill is passed and signed into law before the summer and that An Garda Síochána is ready to implement it? Will he join with me in thanking the Minister, Deputy E…

I have a subsequent question on the north-east inner city project but I welcome the initiative which the Taoiseach has brought to his office on the proposed unit on child poverty. At the root of many of the issues in many disadvantaged communities is the issue of child poverty and how child poverty over the lifetime of a person impacts the different social needs both a person and a community can have. I am interested to hear the Taoiseach's views about whether he believes there is an overlap between the great work …

The NESC report deals with the issue of homeownership. It is why I am pleased this Government has brought forward so many proposals which will seek to increase the level of homeownership and provide an increase in social and cost-rental housing. These are all measures that essentially provide more housing for more people. That is what is at the heart of Housing for All. You only have to look at the measures that have been taken forward. There are 20 public housing sites in my constituency, all of which comprise pub…

I thank the Taoiseach. In 2016, I wrote to him eager to ensure that we might expand the north-east inner city model to the Ballymun area, which was experiencing a significant rise in the use of crack cocaine at the time. He indicated that the solution was at local authority level. When I was Lord Mayor of Dublin City Council, I commissioned Mr. Andrew Montague to write what is a fantastic report, Ballymun: A Brighter Future. The previous Taoiseach engaged strongly with our joint policing committee and committed to …

This morning, I received a briefing from the students of St. Michael's school in Finglas, who were unsure I would be able to put their points across, so they join me in the Gallery to ensure I do. They wish me to speak about the Luas in Finglas. They have done great research in the community about how needed it is. They made a number of points. They often feel young people's views are not heard in planning decisions. They want to make sure this project happens for the opportunities it will give them in future gener…

The Tánaiste is more than welcome to St. Michael's.

It is on the record now.

I am sure the Minister will disagree with some of the points made by Deputy Tóibín, particularly with regard to the numbers. Facts are sometimes inconvenient, however. I will let the Minister correct some of those points.

The key point is that the Deputy referred to figures for a certain period. One can be selective in picking particular periods. I agree with Deputies Tóibín and Shanahan that drugs seem to be the engine of the organised crime industry. That is because there is huge money to be made on the sale of drugs. We have seen infiltration by the drugs industry of many different organisations and areas of public life in Ireland as well as in other countries. We would be naive to think that level of infiltration by organised cr…

It is amazing how much recent statements on European Council meetings have been dominated by the war in Ukraine. It shows how there has been such a significant shift and the impact that war has had. The key issues with respect to the inflation crisis and the war are increased interest rates from the ECB and a very significant increase in fuel costs. Both those issues are having a real impact on households and the cost of living across the Continent. The Government has taken significant steps. Another €200 payment w…

It is amazing how much recent statements on European Council meetings have been dominated by the war in Ukraine. It shows how there has been such a significant shift and the impact that war has had. The key issues with respect to the inflation crisis and the war are increased interest rates from the ECB and a very significant increase in fuel costs. Both those issues are having a real impact on households and the cost of living across the Continent. The Government has taken significant steps. Another €200 payment w…

The CDNTs have been a controversial reorganisation of services for parents of children with disabilities. Unfortunately we have a significant level of vacancy and this is having a service impact for these children. Will the Minister outline to the House the steps we are taking to try to improve this service provision and tackle the vacancy rates?

I thank the Minister. Much of the information he has given me he has also provided in reply to other parliamentary questions and I thank him for it. I do not think there is anybody in the House who believes that the current level of service provision is acceptable. We have a fantastic group of parents in Ballymun and Finglas who have established a peer support group. People often come to my constituency office with a diagnosis for the first time and their experience of the assessment process, the diagnosis and the …

I thank the Minister. In the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister we have two people who fully understand the problem and who want to make a change. Recruitment is a challenge throughout this and other sectors. We see advertisements on the sides of buses looking for bus drivers. I was at a community employment recruitment fair yesterday. We know that recruitment is an issue. I welcome the steps taken to go abroad. There does seem to be some capacity in the private sector. I am loath to lean on the p…

I heard the Tánaiste's comments earlier regarding the independent review group's report into the Defence Forces, which makes for very strong reading. The Tánaiste has indicated there will be a strong response from the Government. I would urge the Tánaiste to consider, in the context of the terms of reference of the independent review group, the issue of families of children with disabilities. I say this because while the toxic, macho culture within the Defence Forces has had an adverse impact on many people, I have…

The Deputy should read Housing for All.

The Deputy was not here.

I thank Deputy Durkan. Having just taken the Chair, I have three more speakers listed before me and several different slots for political groupings. I will take the three speakers who are in the Chamber, and if any other speakers not listed are present, I ask the Members to alert me to it. I call Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

I will facilitate Deputy McGuinness to speak after Deputy Connolly. I call Deputy Pringle for deich noiméad.

I am informed that it is due to conclude at 5.15 p.m.