Before I start, I would like to put on the record again my concerns about the amount of Dáil time that is given over to statements. Since the Government was formed, we have dealt with only two pieces of health legislation on the floor of the Dáil, and only one of those was new legislation. The other Bill, the Mental Health Bill, was restored from the previous Dáil. This is not good enough. We need law reform in a host of areas and I would like to see some of those progressed. In fact, only last week I published a P…

Absolutely. We talk a lot about productivity in healthcare. We also need productivity in Parliament. Returning to the topic at hand, the community pharmacy agreement, first I want to say that I welcome the investment in community pharmacies. In recent years, we have seen a real and tangible expansion of the services on offer in community pharmacies and that should be acknowledged. The Minister and her predecessor are to be commended on their work to date in progressing the recommendations of the expert task force, …

I, too, welcome the visitors in the Gallery. I congratulate my colleague Deputy Hearne on introducing his first of legislation in the House. It is a significant achievement and great to see. As we all know, housing is the biggest challenge facing the country. We need to consider all measures possible to address this challenge. Part of that involves increased transparency and accountability, better data and more information. That is what we are try to achieve here. I am disappointed but not surprised that the Govern…

My question relates to tuberculosis, otherwise known as TB. Last year, TB rates increased by 30%, which is really concerning. In 2024, TB cases in children under 12 months equalled the number recorded in the previous decade combined. This year, TB cases are expected to hit 300, yet this growing health crisis has been largely ignored by the Government. The sharp end of this crisis is experienced by some of the most marginalised people in our country. Professor Anne Marie McLaughlin has highlighted that a significant…

The genocide in Gaza is, without a doubt, the issue I am contacted most about by people from Cork. I am frustrated by the lack of action we have seen and that I have nothing of substance to say to the people who contact me. I cannot answer their questions as to why the Government has not passed the occupied territories Bill or why it is allegedly allowing the use of Shannon and Irish airspace to facilitate the transport of weapons. The Government has the power to act on these issues and I urge it to use that power.…

I am seeking leave to introduce a Bill.

I move That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 by restricting the advertising of alcohol-free and low-alcohol products bearing any statement of any trade description or designation, or a display or other publication of a trademark, emblem, marketing image or logo, of an alcohol product with the aim or direct or indirect effect of promoting an alcohol product. The Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 was landmark legislation designed to reduce alcohol use i…

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

The Minister of State and her predecessors have shown a shocking lack of urgency when it comes to vapes. Under the watch of successive Ministers, youth vaping rates have skyrocketed. Is this any wonder with flavours like cotton candy, cherry cola and bubblegum readily available in any corner shop or indeed with stores showcasing vapes like pick and mix rather than the display of highly addictive products? The numbers speak for themselves. In June, a study by The Lancet into Irish nicotine use found that, between 20…

The problems with school transport are not new. If anything, this has become an annual fiasco. My colleagues Deputies Whitmore and Cummins have been raising this matter and calling for a restructuring of the scheme for a long period. In the time afforded to me, I want to refer to the consequences for some of the families in my constituency of Cork South-Central. Several families in Cork have contacted me and described their real frustration about the fact that they are continuously being advised to contact the loca…

I welcome Second Stage of the Health (Amendment) Bill 2025, which regrettably is the first health legislation to be taken on Second Stage since the general election last November. This is one of only two health Bills listed for priority publication yet it was only published last Friday, just shy of the summer recess. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile and modest legislation. To pick up on some comments by the previous speaker, we hear two different narratives constantly. There is a narrative from the Government that th…

I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on her speech, for her allyship and for speaking out. I know it is not easy. She has our full support. We hope to work together to progress trans healthcare and the Minister of State has the support of many of us across the House. I look forward to working with her to progress that. I thank her for her allyship and her words. They matter to many people. I am delighted to be contributing to statements on Pride. I am proud to be a member of the LGBT community. Being a p…

I, too, thank Sinn Féin for this motion and for putting a spotlight on this important issue. I also commend the campaigners in the Gallery. They should not have to be here, they should not have to share their stories and they should not have to email their TDs and lay out their pain, but I commend them on their work and their advocacy in respect of this matter. I urge the Minister to take action and ensure we are not back here again. It is estimated, as we know, that one in ten women and girls may suffer from endom…

Today, the HSE made an unequivocal statement that alcohol consumption causes cancer. That is why it is ramping up efforts to inform people of the link between alcohol and cancer. However, at the same time, this Government is rowing back on its commitment to alcohol health labelling, or at least Fine Gael is. I will read a quote to the Taoiseach: "Alcohol causes cancer, and we would be negligent not to tell people that." Who said that? It was deputy leader of the Taoiseach's party, Deputy Jack Chambers, during a deb…

Will the Government introduce labelling?

Will the Taoiseach answer the question? Will the Government introduce labelling?

There is no answer.

The Minister has gotten this badly wrong. He has created huge levels of uncertainty and huge levels of stress for students, parents and families right across the country. The students of Ireland deserve better. They deserve clarity. Fees in this country are already far too high. Students are paying too much money to access what is a human right: basic education at third level. A recent report from the European Commission found that Ireland has the third highest university fees in the European Union when the maximum…

My question today is about the new Cork city library. Four years ago, the Taoiseach, Deputy Martin, announced €50 million would be spent transforming Grand Parade and providing a new public library, a new central plaza and a boardwalk. The vision was big. We were promised a new 7,700 sq. m library with capacity for 1 million visitors per year, but like so many other key capital projects for Cork, the Government has failed to deliver. The promised new library is nowhere to be seen. In the four years since, inflation…

My question relates to the insourcing and outsourcing of public healthcare. Yesterday, the Minister for Health published the HSE review of insourcing and outsourcing, which I welcome. The report confirms that the health service is over-reliant on these arrangements to reduce waiting lists. Despite the huge sums of public money involved, proper oversight has been severely lacking, leading to alarming and shocking abuses of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, and clear conflicts of interest. While it is welco…