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.

It is happening in the summer.

We supported the demand of the families of the victims of the 1998 Omagh bomb for a full cross-Border public inquiry. Obviously, the Government has declined to establish a parallel, independent inquiry in this jurisdiction. In the absence of that, we need to see that we would have the fullest level of co-operation. Families have many grievances not only about the heinous act that occurred in 1998 but also in relation to the investigation. Many questions need to be answered about what information was known previousl…

Many people will have harrowing stories to tell today that are personal and connected to them. The unfortunate fact is that cancer has a huge footprint. We have often spoken about people coming to us to say that the system is brilliant once you get into it but we are talking about slippage here. That is the reason Deputy Cullinane is highlighting the absolute necessity of a new cancer strategy. Some 15% of chemotherapy patients and 23% of radiotherapy patients do not start treatment on time. It is as simple as that…

Deputy Joanna Byrne has already stated the issue, which had previously been brought up by Lynn Boylan, regarding the fears we have about Ireland's media being owned by a very small number of players. We brought this issue up because of the huge footprint Denis O'Brien had at the time. You cannot talk about the negatives of media ownership and the impact it can have on world politics without talking about what Rupert Murdoch did in Britain. He decided who would be prime minister. Prime ministers did deals with him b…

Of course not. I can see the Minister of State is taking notes on all of the gems I am offering up. This is the world we live in. It is important that we make sure that we put in the supports and checks. What has happened to date across the world is frightening. What could happen in the future with the tools that are in the hands of big tech and media moguls scares the life out of me. Some of this is what has facilitated the likes of Donald Trump to make his way into the White House. Like other instances, it also s…

Not quite. This is usually when I ask for some element of flexibility. Given the day that is in it and the fact that I am here with Deputy Byrne, I once again offer my solidarity to her. What Trivela has done as the owner of Drogheda United is an absolute disgrace. I am glad that she is doing what she always does, which is fighting her corner.

I accept that. I will finish on this, and I will say it very quickly as well. As I am protecting a Louth TD, I also offer my solidarity to Gerry Adams as he defends the republican struggle.

That is it.

Many people have been focused on Tusla recently because, unfortunately, we have had a slew of tragic cases. I am talking about Kyran Durnin, Vadym Davydenko, Daniel Aruebose and Oisín Reddin. We also cannot forget the case of the ten-year-old who had been in Tusla's care and the heinous attack on her. The Child Law Project went through a number of other cases that are harrowing. I agree with Deputy Kerrane that it is far too easy to get up in this House and slam Tusla. However, when we had Tusla in front of the chi…

I wish to discuss the HSE's failure to offer 76 newly qualified paramedics full-time jobs upon graduation. We do not come in here too many times with a solution to a particular issue. It is fair to say that the reason this issue has been somewhat resolved is the action taken by many of those graduates who obviously made contact with many people in this House and beyond. It was good to see the number of people protesting outside this House, which they should not have to do. I had been contacted by multiple people, i…

We need to ensure that is delivered as close to home as possible and that we see transparency in the process. The fear relates to what will happen in the future. We are very glad this solution has arisen but the problem should not have arisen. There should not have been a need for these discussions between the union and the HSE because this was an absolute breach of trust. Also, we are talking about 76 of those who are graduating now, but there were 400 altogether, so we need to ensure that they will also face the …

Bogfaidh muid ar aghaidh go Saincheist Thráthúil Uimh. 5. Is í seo an cheist dheireanach. Tá sí in ainmneacha na dTeachtaí Cullinane agus McGuinness. It is to the Minister for Social Protection to discuss pension issues concerning former Waterford Crystal workers.