Will the Taoiseach tell us about his new man?

"Not confirming anything" is right.

There is no doubt that foreign direct investment has been good to Ireland. The pharmaceutical and medical technology sector in particular has been an enormous boon to the economy. This has been supplemented in recent years by the tech sector. High-paying jobs and exports allowed Ireland to progress beyond our small island and become a global economy. The reports overnight that the pharma industry is next in the firing line could spell disaster not only for the economy but for those in treatment here, across Europe …

The anti-water charges movement was one of the largest opposition movements this State witnessed in modern times. Citizens from different backgrounds and of different ages came together, said "No" to this unjust tax and took to the streets in their hundreds and thousands. Even the 2016 Fianna Fáil manifesto committed to abolishing Irish Water and ending water charges. The Government of the day was forced to concede defeat on that occasion and has been biding its time to get water charges in through the back door. J…

Sinn Féin supports the motion. It is welcome and timely. We were colonised and know what it is like to struggle for freedom against a foreign invader. The principle of neutrality is a fundamental republican principle and was one of the cornerstones of the foundation of the Irish State. The Irish people set great store in our neutrality. It is a point of pride that our troops have only ever gone abroad to help to quell conflicts and bring an end to war and division. Indeed, Ireland's primary objective internationall…

The European Council continues to be entirely impotent when it comes to the genocidal actions of Israel and the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. The Council's conclusions do not even mention the word "Israel". One would think Israel was not even involved and that it was not the party to have smashed the ceasefire and resumed the bombardment of the Palestinians, and indeed of another sovereign state in Lebanon. Ireland must lead the way when it comes to standing up for human rights and against the vengefu…

Spoofer.

The programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools to ensure that schools can meet elevated day-to-day running costs and reduce the financial burden on families. A school in my constituency was forced to consider closing from April and moving to online learning. It is not the only school in the area experiencing huge challenges in meeting its day-to-day running costs. Sacred Heart Junior National School has received advanced funding in order that it can stay open until the end of the s…

The ceasefire in Gaza has been abandoned by the Israelis. It has not just been breached; it has been blown to pieces. They never wanted a ceasefire and have now abandoned negotiations on an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Netanyahu says the negotiations will only take place under fire. Already, Israeli forces have moved to partition the Gaza strip. Air strikes have recommenced in Gaza and southern Lebanon. Hundreds are dead, the vast majority of them women and children. Even the UN finds itself in the line of f…

It does not make any sense but the Government seems to take every opportunity to make the housing crisis even worse. We have heard during the debate about the number of people, some 2,500 households, who were saved from homelessness. Families with children, couples and single people, including pensioners, have been prevented from enduring long stays in emergency accommodation because councils were able to buy their private homes. We know the scheme works. The question for the Minister is why he has not signed off o…

The programme for Government refers to road safety in terms of enhancing driver training and introducing re-education courses for those who commit road traffic offences. I have raised the issue of the backlog of the Tallaght test centre with three different Ministers and now two different taoisigh. Five years ago, there were 5,000 people on the waiting list in Tallaght. There are now 18,000 waiting to sit their test. I do not know where the capacity for retraining and retesting will come from. Talk of additional te…

Ireland stands resolutely with the Ukrainian people as they defend their nation's right to freedom and sovereignty. Sinn Féin supports the utilisation of all diplomatic, economic and financial sanctions against Russia in response to the breaches of international law and flagrant disregard for human rights. As a neutral country, Ireland must be consistent in its stand for the observance of international law, whether it is by Russia, Israel or any other country. The efforts of the international community must be focu…

The difficulty people right across the State have in accessing a driving test, particularly those who rely on the test centre in Tallaght, is something I have raised in this Chamber not just for years, but over several Dáileanna. I remember raising the fact the waiting list in Tallaght had passed the 5,000 mark and urging that immediate action be taken before things completely spiralled out of control. That was with the then Minister, Shane Ross, back in 2020. I remember raising the matter with the then Minister, E…

I listened to the Minister of State and wish him and the Minister well in their jobs. The Minister of State mentioned the parents in the Gallery. I am conscious that there are people here from Tallaght and the Dublin South-West constituency. Others are probably watching from home. I am conscious that there would have been many more parents here but for the fact that they cannot get out because of the lack of childcare facilities or someone to look after their children with special needs. The area I represent has se…

It is the Opposition's fault.

The bottom line is that you got elected.

Honest after the election.

We were on holidays.

This is time for questions for the Taoiseach.

The housing crisis is a major factor in the difficulties we have in providing public services. Young teachers, gardaí, nurses and workers of all persuasions cannot afford to live remotely close to their places of employment. A teacher or nurse in my area might live an hour or hours away. How can we make life in the public service appealing when we make such a basic necessity as a roof over your head unattainable for so many people? We heard only this week of college students sleeping in cars and on sofas or commuti…