It might need to be small before we see greater because we have seen failure from Britain, America, Germany and many others.

The Select Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has completed its consideration of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 and has made amendments thereto.

The Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 42. The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2025: Vote 13.

Tá leasú Uimh. 4 in ainmneacha na dTeachtaí Gannon agus Carthy. Amendments Nos. 4 to 9, inclusive, are related. Amendments Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, are physical alternatives to amendment No. 4. Amendments Nos. 4 to 9, inclusive, will be discussed together.

It is vital that we have information about the people we have here and the level of need. We all understand the issues, be they housing or disability. It makes sense that the means of acquiring this information be streamlined so I hope this happens perfectly. Sometimes we must deal with legacy issues involving funding. This is an issue in Louth, where I am from, particularly with regard to the HSE, and the Minister of State's bailiwick of mental health. We have lower bed provision in Louth and Meath than is the cas…

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the next weekly division time tomorrow evening.

The Seanad has passed the Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025, without amendment.

We have clarity now. We can move on.

I want to ask the Minister the mechanism by which parents whose children are deemed to need hip dysplasia surgery at CHI hospitals such as Temple Street and Cappagh will be able to get independent second opinions by experts of their choosing, paid for by the HSE? I have spoken to the Minister on this previously and I believe she was working with Bernard Gloster on finding a solution to this issue, which is absolutely necessary.

I do not think anyone will disagree with the assertion that we have had an absolute disaster and failure around children's care. Many have gone through operations they did not need. We need to deal with those children and make sure they are reviewed correctly and properly from a medical point of view and that they get the correct pathways afterwards. I bring it up and brought it up before because I am thinking of a case in my constituency. A mam has three kids, two of whom had the operation. She has the question ma…

I appreciate the timelines. The clinical review is six months and the Minister is saying it is September for the expert review process. The terms of reference are not set. We would like to think this will deal with the issue of the considerable timeline that would need to be taken into account, the huge number of cases and the disparity. In the case of my constituent, can we find a process to ensure she can get the follow-up care for her daughters and can get an independent review she can trust in relation to her o…

This is a particular issue and there is huge cohort, in particular in the Louth hospital in Dundalk. Those with grade 4 issues were dealt with but those with grade 5 issues, which were more serious, were not. Obviously, the longer we leave this the greater an issue it is. It needs to be dealt with.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Could the Minister come back to me regarding the waiting list initiative? We have submitted multiple parliamentary questions on this. This was one of the solutions. There had been a huge number of vacancies. It is positive that attempts are being made to fill these positions but we need to make sure it happens as soon as possible. I saw movement on those who were seen as grade 4 patients and who needed that orthodontic dental work done, but my fear is that those who fall into the grad…

I appreciate the Minister's response. We need information on timelines and tenders so that we can see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of delivering for those patients. The Minister accepts that we are talking about those with the most serious orthodontic need. The sooner that happens, the better. Otherwise we could be talking about people who need far more acute care, which will be a cost to them and their families and to the State. We need to ensure these initiatives, which have been promised, are up and r…

I again raise the issue of Private Michael McNeela from Dundalk, who as a 21-year-old member of the Defence Forces made the ultimate sacrifice while peacekeeping in Lebanon. His mother, Kathleen, received an allowance or pension. Sadly, she died last year and Michael's father, John, was not able to receive this payment. We are talking about €342 per month. I have had a number of engagements with the Tánaiste and officials on this. I know the Department of Social Protection was dealing with the Department of Defence…

We have stood in this Chamber many times before and dealt with a huge amount of legislation, much of which was from Europe. We all want to see a framework of fit-for-purpose legislation, whether that is dealing with cyber issues, legal loopholes or issues regarding international finances. We have always supported those pieces of legislation that make sure we deal with the issues that exist, particularly when it comes to organised crime or issues that fall solidly into the bracket of terrorism or international terro…

We are back here with the single transferable speech we can all take out. To a degree, at this stage I am boring myself. The problem is this issue is still impacting detrimentally on the people coming into all of our constituency offices and, I have no doubt, into the Minister of State's as well. We see from the new Daft.ie report that the average price for a new build in County Louth is €385,000, and the average across the board is €321,911, an increase of 14.6%. I am told, if we go back pre-Covid, that it is an i…

The Select Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development has completed its consideration of the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025, made amendments thereto and amended the Title to read as follows: An Act to amend and extend the Social Welfare Acts; to make consequential amendments to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, to amend the Family Courts Act 2024; and to provide for related matters.

I back up the comments of Deputy Moynihan. I have brought up previously with the Taoiseach the tax implications of remote working for companies and the impact that has on employees. Action needs to be taken to deal with that. On tariffs and engagement with unions and employers, what are the major issues and worries about what is coming down the line? What does the Government propose? What are the asks? I would like to think the Taoiseach is working alongside the Minister to deal with the apprenticeship issue. There…

I know. This relates to Michael McNeela, who was killed in 1989 on peacekeeping duties.