There is no doubt that reconciliation is critical, but I think there is a misunderstanding in this State about what reconciliation means. Reconciliation is built on pluralism and by definition pluralism accepts there are differences and respects those differences. Reconciliation is about reaching out the hand of friendship. It does not mean that we have to dress up in each other's political clothes. Pluralism does not mean that unionists have to attend a 1916 commemoration. It certainly does not mean that nationali…

Ten thousand people will march on the streets of Navan on 30 October in support of our accident and emergency department. The HSE is determined to close it. While there has been a stay of execution for a few months, this is not good enough for the 210,000 people who live in County Meath. Accident and emergency and ICU departments are the front line in the battle against Covid, yet the Government is closing accident and emergency and ICU departments in Navan. Waits of ten or 11 hours are not unusual in Drogheda's ac…

The Minister should not listen to the people who tell him that. The policy is dangerous.

There is no alternative pathway.

Those decisions have been disasters.

It is shocking that during the time of this debate so far about ten people in the State will have been diagnosed with cancer. It shows the prevalence of the illness and the damage it does annually in this country. I was one of those statistics about a year ago. Thank God, I am back to full health at present. I was both lucky and unlucky. My diagnosis was delayed because of Covid, but I have a brother who works in the sector. He is a professor in cell biology and when restrictions lifted he noticed the lesion and ur…

The Government made some seriously important decisions this week regarding Covid and restrictions and, true to form, it did not provide any space for a debate. There has been a democracy deficit in this country since Covid emerged. The elected representatives of the people have been sidestepped in respect of most of the important decisions that have been made. It is only because I called for a debate during the Order of Business on Tuesday that we are having one and it is being held at a time when most Deputies hav…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Seán Canney as an obair atá déanta aige ar an mBille seo. This Bill was initiated on 10 May 2017. It is now four years since its introduction and the Bill is only on Second Stage. The issue of services and basic rights for Irish people with autism is one of the subjects that gets plenty of lip service in Leinster House, but there is little action in support of people with autism. Anyone who has spoken to parents, families or friends will tell us the most heartbreaking stories. As el…

They are not agreed. Ireland is the most vaccinated country in Europe. It has a 92% vaccination rate. It has also had the longest and most severe restrictions in the whole of Europe at a cost that is higher than most of the rest of Europe. Despite this, we have the seventh highest level of Covid-19 in the whole of the European Union at the moment. By any measure, this is a disaster and a failure of government. Rapid antigen testing outside of close contacts is still only an aspiration in the plans we have seen toda…

There needs to be a debate in this House today to discuss what the Government has decided upon.

The facts are clear.

But not antigen testing.

The restrictions were announced today.

Yes.

I am happy to do that. The Taoiseach mentioned earlier on-----

-----that I was anti-mask. That is not true.

I have just done so. I have just said to the Taoiseach what the Acting Chairman asked.

I have fulfilled the criteria.

That box is ticked.

Can you show me where in Standing Orders it says it is not sufficient?