I thank the Taoiseach for his very positive response. It is important we enhance our reputation as peacekeepers and use this opportunity in the 30 separate locations across the world mentioned by the Taoiseach. Having been at St. Patrick's Day celebrations in China and in eastern Europe, I fully understand the value of making sure we promote Ireland. However, on this particular occasion it is important we use it to support the Ukrainians in their hour of need and to ensure they are not forgotten in any part of the …

In light of the announcement last Sunday by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine asking farmers to grow grain to try to make up for some of the shortfall and risk arising out of the Ukrainian crisis, how will the Government provide the fertiliser, grain and machinery that are required? Many farmers, including in my constituency, have not done tillage in a hell of a long time, since the sugar factory closed in Tuam.

I am asking the Taoiseach how this is going to be done.

I thank Deputy Tully for bringing forward this important motion. As members of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, she and I have heard at first hand the experiences of witnesses who have come in over the past two years, including parents who gave harrowing accounts of what they have to endure when they discover their child has a disability or special needs. As a Deputy representing Galway East, I have had many parents in contact with me over the past six years, or since I was first honoured to be elected to…

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for facilitating me. Could I have an update on the progress on the ongoing all-island rail review? What issues will be prioritised? Given the political situation in the North, is progress being hampered? Is it affecting the timelines for the review? When is the review likely to conclude and when are we likely to see a report on it?

I thank the Minister. Let me develop the point he made about high-speed connectivity between cities. I am concerned about the west and the absence of a connection between Galway and Mayo, in addition to the break in the line between Claremorris and Athenry, which means we do not have connectivity between the likes of Westport, Ballina, Galway, Limerick and Cork. The Minister mentioned the potential of rail freight and alluded to the potential to open up rail freight lines along the western corridor. With the potent…

I agree we have to consider it in light of the national rail network framework. It is important that we do so with a view to providing transport modes that are different if we are to take cars off the road and create a better environment. I am not saying the west or north west is in decline but that the EU is telling us it is and that it is subject to underinvestment. It is a fact from the EU. I applaud the Minister's vision and ambition, which I support 100%, but it is important not to let this opportunity go. Sev…

I compliment the Independent Group on bringing forward the motion. The new contract is in place but the problem is that walk-in services are now not available. I live in Galway East, a rural constituency. Some of the people I represent do not have a smartphone or a credit card and may not have broadband, which is very relevant. They may not have any of the tools they need to do their business online. This is the kernel of the matter. As we fast-track ourselves into the digital age, we are doing something very wrong…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation, approved recently by the Cabinet. It came about as a result of the discovery of the mass grave in my local town, Tuam, County Galway. Last weekend, I met some members of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance and I have taken on board their concerns relating to the legislation, which, they advised, demands amendments that will be submitted by them and others. Many experts have written about the recovery and the importance of exhumation to restore the identity,…

I welcome the publication of the town centre first policy. It brings together many of the existing schemes and supports. It brings the town and village, rural regeneration development scheme and the urban regeneration development scheme together into one document. These schemes have been in place and they have been very effective. When I think of my constituency of Galway East, Athenry, Gort, Loughrea, Tuam, Kinvara and a multitude of small villages have been supported and are being transformed with the infrastruct…

I take the opportunity to thank the Rural Independent Group for bringing forward this motion. I will concentrate on farming and the supports required there. I acknowledge the Government's measures to try to help people with the cost of living. I think nearly €500 million has been put into the system. The question I always ask is where we are going to get the money to pay for it. The Minister is probably asking himself the same question. Issues abound in the farming sector. The unprecedented rise in costs is causing…

I move: That Dáil Éireann: recognises that: — Ireland is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which places an onus on signatories to "provide access to transportation on an equal basis to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life"; — people with disabilities should be able to lead full and active lives within our communities; — people with disabilities need access to public and personal transport; and — man…

I thank the Minister of State and the Minister for their contributions. The Regional Group's contribution is that we need a scheme that will work, that will offer support to those who have mobility issues and allow them some independence so they are no longer grounded, as stated by Peter Tyndall. Back in 2011, Emily O'Reilly stated that the scheme, and the requirement to hold a primary medical certificate, were wrong and did not comply with the Equal Status Act. It is not the fault of the Green Party or Fianna Fáil…

I raised the issue of school secretaries and caretakers in October 2021 with the Tánaiste. At that time, we got a very positive response. Negotiations have been ongoing, but there is an issue in respect of allowing school secretaries access to the public service superannuation scheme. This has not yet been brought to the Cabinet. My understanding is that it can be done by way of statutory instrument. It is an issue that is holding up progress with the negotiations to once and for all give school secretaries and car…

I raise a very simple but important issue for farmers. When they make an application for their grants and entitlements, they may run into a situation where they make a human error or tick the wrong box and there is no chance to rectify such errors. In some cases, including in my constituency of Galway East, a large number of farmers are being penalised for simple errors.

I thank the Minister for the comprehensive response. What is missing here is that some farmers, including some in my own constituency, are not very computer-literate or experienced. They often make a mistake, which may not be rectified or is an obvious mistake that was made in human error. We need flexibility within the Department and from the officials to try to ensure as many farmers as possible who are entitled to their grants and entitlements will get them. We should not say, "we will give it to you if you are …

I reiterate that while the Minister says all of these measures are in place for farmers, many farmers around this country are losing out because they are not competent in the process of submitting applications. They are not given the human support that is required by the Department. It is very much a case of you are right or you are not. If you are not right or you do not tick the box right, you end up being penalised heavily. This is the kernel of it. I put in a parliamentary question to request that the European …

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this legislation, which provides for a transfer of functions. I welcome the Bill and support it. However, like other speakers, I am worried about what happens when it is passed. The most important issue with regard to disabilities is funding. Responsibilities going from one Department to another is fine but the funding needs to follow the service. I also have concerns about the HSE still retaining some clout in this area, although that may be for very good reasons.…

I thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for introducing the motion. It is well timed, given the main item we have been discussing in recent weeks has been the increase in the cost of living. Many factors are contributing to the increase but I do not believe that wages in this country, and especially lower ones, are one of them. An argument can be made that an increase in wages will lead to an increase in the inflation rate and in the cost of production, but everybody who is willing and able to work needs the State …

I welcome that the Bill is being brought forward. It is important for our country to make sure that, whatever we are doing in life, we do it in a fair-minded way and ensure as best we can people get value for money. There are many facets of life and business where I feel competition may not be what it should be. In terms of insurance costs, there is a suspicion we may not have a lot of competition in the market and, therefore, premiums can be dictated very easily. Flood insurance is one such example. When I was a M…