This is a very important Bill to speak on. We are five years on from repeal, which was a step forward for women’s healthcare and those seeking a termination of pregnancy. Unfortunately, we must avoid the situation we see in America where those seeking healthcare are subject to intimidation, lies and harassment. The people of this State recognise that abortion is a healthcare issue. Healthcare should be delivered without prejudice, without judgment and, especially and absolutely, without harassment. Further protecti…

That is not correct. Deputy John Brady was also here.

He had a question.

There were two priority questions and we took them.

I am sorry.

The average rent in Cork is over €1,700. How could any ordinary family pay that type of money? A lady who came to my clinic yesterday is paying the council rent but is also paying €220 per month on top of her housing assistance payment. She cannot survive. She has been on to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Does the Minister know what I had to do for her yesterday? As she has a child, I had to contact Caitríona Twomey of Penny Dinners to get her nappies and a hamper. The lady and her child, who is two and a half…

Will the Minister outline the additional measures he intends to put in place to stem the deeply worrying rise in the numbers of adults and children in emergency accommodation?

The Minister outlined the tenant in situ scheme, which he said is just starting to roll out now.

I am sorry. It is the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme which has started to roll out now. The Minister also spoke about the tenant in situ scheme, which he said he hopes will achieve more than the target of 1,500 units. These schemes, however, are only preventing additional homelessness. We have seen a 20% rise in 12 months in the figures for homelessness to 12,441, of whom 3,699 are children. I understand that the Minister is trying to reduce the number of additional people being added to this figure, but we have…

We in Sinn Féin would reinstate the eviction ban. We would also help to slow down people becoming homeless. If the Minister had done this, those additional 182 people would probably not have been homeless in May. It would also have given the chance to perhaps reduce the figures. Additionally, legislation has been proposed by Simon and Focus Ireland concerning homelessness that the Government has not adopted. Why? These are people who are on the front line and who understand the challenges facing local authorities a…

-----cannot move into the hotel into which they are moving next Monday. This is what the Minister is standing over. An autistic child is being ripped out of her home and going into a hotel room.

That is not true. We would-----

Academic studies have shown that when people are included and empowered to impact climate change interventions, they become much more successful. Far too much of this Government's approach to climate change is to put one group against another. This motion is here today because members of the farming community are scared for their livelihoods and because they have not been consulted, engaged with or included. I commend my party colleagues, Deputies Kerrane and O'Rourke, on the amendment they tabled that would see pr…

We would have homes for people. That’s what we would have.

The scandal that has unfolded in RTÉ in recent weeks has left the people who fund the organisation extremely disappointed and angry. The sense of betrayal felt by the workers in RTÉ arising from this scandal must be recognised. At the ICTU conference today, an emergency motion was passed unanimously. This highlighted the serious concerns about the impact of this secret deal. The RTÉ trade unions went into negotiations with management in good faith. They were presented with verified financial statements and they now…

This sentiment is echoed by many adults now. What those bosses were doing in 2017-----

-----was completely wrong.

I support my colleagues in the Chamber. It is an issue in east Cork but it is also an issue right across Cork city and county. I am dealing with families from Glanmire to Blarney to Ballincollig who do not have school places for their children. There are people on waiting lists. The problem now is that secondary schools are closed for the summer. Where is the contingency in order that there can be communication with parents? I am dealing with parents who do not know where their children are going to go. The schools…

What about renters?

I welcome this report. It is a pity it is not more positive, but it outlines the facts, which is very important if we are going to do our work, and especially if the Minister of State and the Government are going to do their work. It outlines the work that needs to be done. I also have serious concerns, however, that this report does not reflect some of the lived experience of the people I have dealt with in Cork city over the past 12 months. We have had serious issues with water discoloration that has been ongoing…