Affordability is.

We oppose vulture funds. That is what we do.

You cannot tax-break your way either.

The Government is building for vulture funds.

I would like to join with other Members, as this may be my last opportunity to do so, to say a very sincere thank you to the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas at all levels right throughout this complex. During my long time here, I have always found them to be extremely helpful, supportive and courteous to me. They are an essential part of our democracy and we simply could not function without their conscientious contribution to the successful operation of these Houses. I want to concentrate on the Bill before …

I will take a minute at the start because the likelihood is that this is the last time I will speak in this Chamber after a very long period. I express my sincere thanks to the voters of Dublin North-West who placed their trust in me and voted for me over a period of 32 years. I will say that I am exceptionally grateful to them for doing that, and I have been honoured to represent the people of Dublin North-West throughout those many years. I also put on record my appreciation and thanks to my staff, Jake Ryan, Pau…

This is-----

You are a disgrace.

You are a disgrace. Stay quiet.

A lot of nonsense has been spoken about housing here today, particularly by some of the Government representatives. When canvassing in the Dublin area, it is an entirely different story. House after house, I meet people who tell me about their two sons in their late 20s or 30s who are still living with them and who have no hope of getting a place to live. They tell me about their daughter and her family, her partner and children, who are staying with them while trying to save because they cannot possibly save money…

The Minister could facilitate it.

You could facilitate a change-----

You facilitated corporate bodies for general practice.

A taxation change is required.

Thank you very much, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

I thank the Labour Party for tabling this motion on staffing levels in the HSE. The Social Democrats are happy to support it. There is no doubt that in recent weeks there have been several claims and counterclaims. This has made it difficult to get to the truth of the matter and the facts. The Minister's plan seems to be to muddy the waters instead of engaging in any kind of meaningful way with the unions. We have been repeatedly told that an additional 28,000 healthcare professionals have been employed since the G…

This is the annual practice of committing to the provisions of this legislation relating to the private health insurance market to provide for community rating and risk equalisation. It is a technical measure. In the context of a private health insurance market, it makes sense not to have cherry-picking by some of the newer entrants into the market or any kind of marketing to attract younger entrants where the demand for services would be lesser than for older existing policyholders. For that reason, it makes absol…

I very much welcome this motion to allow for amendments outside the scope of the original health insurance Bill. The amendments brought forward by the Minister will, if passed, provide the statutory basis for free HRT, as we have been told. It is true to say that for too long women's healthcare has been sidelined but, thankfully, that is changing. There are still numerous examples of paternalism in our health service, especially in reproductive health, but the shroud of shame that reinforced that culture is certain…

What is the timeline involved? Is it years away?

On a point of order, everybody is pressed for time and the Minister is going way off the script.