We are almost two years into the implementation of the national social enterprise policy for 2024 to 2027 and a number of key milestones have been missed. What actions are being taken to ensure no further targets are missed? We have had engagement on this before and I have met SERI, a group representing a number of social enterprises in the State. It is about ensuring we have a framework that works.

I accept there was a busy period in 2024 but work has to continue through the public service, the Civil Service and the Department. I will take on board the Minister of State's commitment to delivering on these targets because it is absolutely necessary. I assume from what he has said that he will have, and I hope there will be, engagement with SERI. I was approached on the fact that it had a number of questions. It is looking for an ecosystem where social enterprise can flourish, from local start-ups to those that…

There have been some very interesting newspaper headlines today particularly, such as "Czechia ár lá." I think we can all say we trust in Troy, Caoimhín, their teammates and manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson, who I was lucky to meet at Oriel Park at a Dundalk game recently. Ádh mór and good luck to the Irish team. I ask the Minister to give an update on her interaction with the European Union following the United States illegal attack on Iran alongside genocidal Israel and the chaos that has created.

We all want to see de-escalation and an end to this illegal attack. We must all be incredibly worried about the wider chaos it is creating. Obviously, the chaos is impacting us in relation to fuel prices, but there are incredibly serious circumstances. Israel has used this from a point of view of continuing its attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, and it looks like it is looking to build a cordon sanitaire beyond the Litani River in Lebanon. I wrote to the Minister and I appreciate the reply, regarding the issue brou…

It highlights the situational circumstances and danger that peacekeepers have in their particular work and job. I commend them. It is absolutely necessary that we maintain a monitoring eye on what is a constantly escalating situation. We are not entirely sure whether the US President is negotiating with himself, getting presents from Iran or going to unleash hell. All we know is that any further escalation will lead to far more difficult circumstances. It shows the chaos in the American lack of strategy. No matter …

They are too expensive.

I agree with Deputy Donnelly. There was a recent incident in Dundalk where an eight-year-old was stopped on an e-scooter. Gardaí have told me about the particular issues that they have that they are not sufficiently resourced to deal with this issue, which is causing danger, not only for those who engage in dangerous behaviour on e-scooters and scramblers but also for those whom they interact with. We need to see not only guidelines and legislation; we need to make sure that An Garda is given the powers that are re…

At a recent meeting, members of Louth County Council heard of an expected rise of 25% in the cost of tar, which is obviously a key material for road surfacing. This will obviously lead to huge issues for the roadworks programme. We also hear of the possible impacts of additional costs relating to retrofitting and upgrades, which are absolutely necessary. What engagement has there been? Louth County Council has applied for extra funding to address the impact of recent flooding. It is looking for somewhere around €1.…

I agree with Deputy John McGuinness, which is not the way I expected to start this speech. I agree with him that there has been a lack of flexibility and agility on the part of Government. I do not accept that enough has been done with regard to the cuts to diesel and petrol. I do not think it is sufficient for those out there who are suffering. As little as that was, it would have been better if this had been introduced three weeks, two weeks or one week ago but we could not and we were waiting or the Government w…

It comes from the Department of housing.

I move amendment No. 9: In page 5, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 146 of Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 2. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 146: “146. (1) The Minister shall, in consultation with the Minister for Health cause a review of the functioning of this Act (other than Part 8) to be carried out before the 5th anniversary of the date of enactment of this Act. (2) A review…

As I said previously, it is vital legislation in the sense that we find ourselves in this place. I could make the argument that we should not have found ourselves in this place. Enough time should have been put aside. I have, once again, put on the record some of the issues and the worries I had. I will commend the interaction that there has been. The big thing for all of us is that idea that we review and make sure we deal with those anomalies that exist where those with a disability who are in disability services…

There is a certain consistency regarding what was stated on Second Stage and on Committee Stage. There is the idea that we want a framework. We want something that works. Everybody accepts that the legislation is necessary. There is a logjam. There are a number of people who were not going to be discharged as wards of court, and nobody wanted to see them left in limbo. It is about making sure that the review can look at all the weaknesses that exist in the assisted decision-making legislation. It is also about ensu…

It seems that, as dangerous as we think the world is, it keeps getting worse and worse. We have seen the war in Iran, which is obviously an absolutely illegal action by genocidal Israel with the absolute backing of America. We hope the American President, Donald Trump, has bitten off more than he can chew but we do not know what the future holds. It has also meant a lifting of restrictions on the sale of Russian oil. What engagement has the Taoiseach had with others on this? I reiterate what was said here earlier, …

It is an easy shot the Taoiseach has taken. Can we move on?

It is about neutrality and the Taoiseach knows that.

That is just not true.

Continue on.

A constituent sent me a letter. It states: I am writing to you to highlight the serious and immediate impact that rising fuel prices are having on community nurses and their ability to provide essential healthcare services. Community nurses depend heavily on travel to reach patients in their homes, often covering large rural areas every day. Unfortunately, the current travel and mileage allowances no longer reflect the true cost of fuel. As prices continue to increase, the reimbursement provided does not cover the …

It is not happening for another six months.