Taxi drivers have been staging protests about Uber, a billion euro company that is pushing a fixed-fare model onto drivers. They held a briefing here in the Dáil yesterday where representatives reported that this model, if it succeeded, could cut the earnings of many drivers by 30% to 50% and undercut those who do not even use Uber. There will be significant repercussions for the 22,000 licensed taxi drivers, a very important cohort of the workforce in this country. It could also potentially lead to a massive incre…

There are two things that need to happen. The drivers need to boycott Uber, and everybody here - TDs and other public figures - should say they will not use Uber because of what it is doing to these drivers. However, that is not sufficient, because we also need to legislate. Will the Government prohibit the use of algorithms to set fares and will it legislate to prohibit apps acting as third parties in negotiations on the fare between passengers and drivers? I am not saying they cannot negotiate, but negotiations w…

This is not the first time I have spoken on this in the Dáil. I have one issue with a previous contribution: it is not new technology, as this technology has been around for years. For years, this and previous Governments have been effectively allowing online companies to child groom. Some 70% of 11-to-14-year-olds have seen violent misogyny online. It is not just about what is happening to people online. This is influencing the attitudes and behaviour of young men and boys. That has been proven by study after stud…

For years now, the Irish State has in effect been abusing disabled children because State neglect has been continual. We all know assessments of need are essential. Imagine that children are regressing and that when they should be learning to speak properly, integrating and getting an education, they are being prevented from accessing services. We all know that practically all parents who can afford it raise money and pay for everything privately. Some 18,000 children are overdue an assessment of need, and the back…

I am glad I made it for the end of the debate. This is a critically important issue for the many people waiting 13 years, on average, for a health service. We have the worst trans healthcare in the EU. I was listening to the debate on my way here. I welcome the motion and thank the Labour Party for putting it forward. Trans people are a minority who are being disgracefully targeted, picked on, scapegoated and used to divide people. This is being done by the far right, obviously, but mainstream politicians are leani…

There is a link.

Today a poll was released by Ireland Thinks on the issue of foxhunting. It reaffirms overwhelming opposition to foxhunting across all demographics, regions, ages and gender. Some 72% are opposed. If "don't knows" are removed, 81% of people are opposed to foxhunting. Only 2% of people have ever taken part in it. Given these huge figures, is it not a problem for democracy if three big parties in the Dáil whip their TDs to maintain foxhunting and do not allow the popular will to even be expressed in this Chamber? Is t…

Is the Taoiseach saying it is wrong?

Consistent polls have shown-----

The right to protest against the genocide in Palestine is being severely undermined the UK and this is being carried through to the North as well. I want to raise a case with the Taoiseach that he could raise with the Prime Minister. This is the case of Saoirse Wagner, a student at Queen's University in Belfast, who is being threatened with expulsion for taking part in a peaceful, calm and non-threatening protest on the issue of Palestine. The Palestine assembly in the college protested at the careers fair to highl…

I do not know about the protest.

I have no idea what the Taoiseach is on about.

I do not organise every protest in Ireland.

We did not organise-----

I am just correcting a mistruth there.

We are not.

Did you?

Okay, I will look that one up.

Which party was that?

I raise regulatory reform of immigration and particularly family reunification. It is now being made much harder for many essential workers to be unified with their families, in particular migrant healthcare assistants who were brought over here on a visa programme and are working in private nursing homes. Last week on RTÉ radio, the Minister for justice was asked by the presenter whether these people are not entitled to a normal family life. They are caring for our older people and we have to show we care for them…