The bankers.

The Rural Independent Group asked for the opening of oil and gas exploration, against which the Minister of State voted here in this House, until we have an alternative. Central Statistics Office figures show that the data centres used 14% of our metered electricity last year, now rising to 30%. The European Commission in 2020 put data centres as using 2.7%. We are at 14% and we are heading to 30%. Where is our energy security? We must produce our own energy, otherwise we will continue to import all our energy need…

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing this motion. History repeats itself once again. The Rural Independent Group was the first to call for a mini-budget. Since then, we have heard many commentators speak about, and many rumblings about, mini-budgets. Why does it take so long for the Government to realise people have already started to cut back considerably and cannot afford to live? We are being driven into recession. The Government did not listen last October when I drove a truck in to Leinster House to highlight fuel i…

I want to continue to speak on the points I raised on 22 June with regard to the management of University Hospital Limerick. What is the true number of potential patient safety incidents and deaths that have occurred in the hospitals under the management of the University of Limerick Hospital Group? Serious safety incidents reported by conscientious professionals in University Hospital Limerick have not received attention. Patients have raised concerns and staff members have brought concerns to hospital management …

I understand that. The death of an 18-year-old girl is also very serious.

I understand that.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle but I feel passionate about what has happened in the hospital. The first statement I made in the Dáil when I arrived here two and a half years ago was on the mismanagement of University Hospital Limerick. People have come to me in the meantime because of alleged incidents that have happened there. As a public representative, I want to protect the people of the country. I want to protect those who go into University Hospital Limerick. I also want to protect the staff there.

I will withdraw the allegation of corruption, but I will not withdraw the one relating to risk. I will tell the Leas-Cheann Comhairle why.

I will withdraw the allegation relating to corruption at the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's request. The question here is of how many risk assessments were reported to the national incident management system. If this risk assessment had been reported nationally, University Hospital Limerick would have been under investigation sooner. Many Deputies asked for University Hospital Limerick to be investigated. The Minister went down at the time and found nothing wrong. I spent nights in that hospital after having a serious acc…

I thank the Independent Group for bringing this motion forward. Respite care centres are a gift in any community and can give those in need of care a break and give the family carer a respite from caring. In our community we are fortunate to have the Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre, which is a wonderful strength and resource. It is open to all areas in our rural community. Respite care centres such the one in Dromcollogher are guided and regulated by HIQA to ensure the quality of care and safety of residents. How…

Since the action plan for insurance reform was published in December 2020, I would like to think it has brought transparency to the insurance industry. I understand that price walking or loyalty penalties will be illegal by July of this year. The Central Bank has banned this practice from 1 July. Did the Minister of State know that if one half of a married couple gets penalty points, and if they are insured on a second vehicle in the family home, the insurance company will shove up the premium on the second car, ev…

The Rural Independent Group's call for a mini-budget was voted down by Government. The Taoiseach said a few minutes ago that the Ukraine war is the issue when it comes to energy costs in this country. He also said that the Government had provided €2.6 billion to counteract that. He never said that the Government took €6 billion in tax on fuel alone in one year. In 2020, it took in €2 billion and now it is taking in €6 billion and is returning €2.6 billion to the people of Ireland. The Government is here to protect …

It is robbing the people of this country. The Government's figures are now coming out and showing that is the case. By delaying the budget until October, the Government will take another €2 billion in tax on fuel alone. That is only with regard to fuel. What about coal and all the other energies we must pay for? What about everything? What about the clothes on our backs? The Government is taking taxes like they have never been taken before. The Government was given a toolbox by the EU in November but it has done no…

The Taoiseach has 20 seconds on the clock. He could not even fill out what he had to say back but he managed to use extra time talking back to everyone else. That means he does not have a clue what he is talking about. I will tell him what he can waste his minute on. The Taoiseach talked about protecting the building industry. At the moment, we have a building crisis. What is causing the building crisis? It is all to do with fossil fuels, transport costs and all energy into insulation and oil-based products. People…

We were going to go bust with Brexit and then-----

What about feeding the people of Ireland and stopping children from starving-----

No, the Government has not even looked at that.

I commend the European Union on its overall social and financial support for Ukraine. The protection it offered to millions of refugees fleeing the war has made headlines all over the world. Ireland has been very supportive of the refugees. We have opened our doors to them and, if anything can be done in this country, we always wear our heart on our sleeve and we help everyone we can help. However, how will Europe look on the Government for not protecting the people or their economy? Will it ask questions about why…

I welcome this motion on Navan hospital, but I am devastated and heartbroken for the people of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and north Kerry. The manner in which they and staff have been treated by the management of UHL is shocking. Last Friday's HIQA report on UHL confirmed everything that we in the Rural Independent Group had highlighted in the Dáil about overcrowding on trolleys in corridors, but the management structure is where the failure lies. Why did HIQA take so long to come on board? The Minister carried out…

The Minister of State might have heard of the film "Saving Private Ryan". The new film will be about saving Ireland from the Minister, Deputy Ryan. In his opening statement, the Minister of State said the programme for Government states that climate change is the single greatest threat facing humanity. The single greatest threat in this country at the moment to people and their families is surviving because of what the Government is implementing. We are going to go through the fuel prices as of 13 June. A gallon of…