The draft national risk assessment expects inflation to remain elevated and anticipates a very gradual easing of inflation rates over the course of 2023. It then uses the energy-linked inflation to warn against a wage-price spiral emerging as the economy approaches full employment. This is a limited argument that ignores the fact early warnings of a wage-price spiral have not materialised, with average earnings growth falling below the rate of inflation. This is even more pronounced when multinational sector wages …

I want to discuss the issue of community policing and keeping our community safe while at the same time keeping the members of the Garda Síochána safe. What we are seeing at the moment, not just in Dublin but across the country - the last speaker described the problems in his constituency - is that there is now a crisis in policing, especially community policing. I believe that if we were to properly resource and support community policing, it could be transformative. The gap between communities and the Garda Síoch…

What about the eviction ban?

I move amendment No. 1: A. To delete the following words "best practice in promoting and supporting rehabilitation and recovery from drug addiction;" and substitute the following: "— best practice in promoting and supporting people on rehabilitation and recovery journeys from drug addiction;" B. To insert the following after "the efficacy of current strategic, policy and operational responses to drugs use;": "— the past, current and future role of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces and how this facilitates localised, com…

One hundred per cent.

I agree with my colleagues that this eviction ban has to be extended. This is a humanitarian crisis and a national emergency. The senior Minister came into the House a while ago, attacked the Opposition, attacked Deputy Ó Broin, and attacked us all. He answered no questions, ran out the door and left the Minister of State here, as happens every time we have a discussion on housing. It is a medal the Government should be giving to the Minister of State because Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Ministers will not come into t…

The Government copied us.

Last week it was announced that rents in Cork had risen by over 15% in 2022 and the average monthly rent is now over €1,700. The Tánaiste is a Cork man, like me. There is no way any ordinary family can afford €1,700 a month for rent. It has gone beyond the ordinary person. On top of that, dozens of families are in with me at the moment that I am trying to help. They are facing eviction in April, May and June when the eviction ban ends. I fear a tsunami of homelessness coming for the summer and I implore the Tánaist…

People need clarity.

People will be evicted in April.

They are waiting for the Government to tell them.

But the supply will not be here by April.

For the past 200 years Irish people have travelled all over the world. They have moved to Australia, the United States of America, England and Canada. Personally I have friends and family members who have built lives in these countries. In some cases they were welcomed with open arms but in others they fought racism and prejudice. "No Irish, no Blacks, no dogs". Unfortunately, we all know the saying well. It is wrong and we know how Irish people felt when they met that hatred and prejudice. Irish people have enrich…

I will begin by thanking my colleague, Deputy Ward, for the hard work he has done on this legislation. I am familiar with the work he has done. Without him and other groups who work on the ground, we would not be here today discussing this Bill. Mental Health Reform has been especially supportive but conversations with groups such as CityWide, Soilse and others have helped us to get here today. The knowledge and experience they have shared with me and Deputy Ward has been invaluable and I take this opportunity to t…

Figures released to me following a parliamentary question show that the number in Cork seeking support from their local social welfare office rose in 2021 from 100 to 461 families. This is a shocking indictment of the Government's complete failure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis for ordinary families and individuals who should be at the core of policy. Last year, Eirtricity, which is supposedly a 100% renewable electricity provider, increased its profits by 221% in the first six months of the year alone. The Mi…

I support Deputies Doherty and Farrell's motion. This is a targeted motion to help people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is overwhelming for ordinary families. We know the Government cannot solve everyone's crisis, including the cost-of-living crisis, but it can make a difference to ordinary families who need support. That is what this motion would do. What we are proposing to the Government is a solution. The pressure ordinary families are under and their struggle to pay their bills is recognised across …

Right across Cork city, new communities are being welcomed with new neighbours. These expanded areas see their communities being built up without services being put in place. Why is it that when housing estates are being built the services are not put in either beforehand or at the same time as the development? Since the boundary extension of 2019, which saw large parts of the county transferred into the city boundaries, the city has not received the development levies. As a result, these communities were at a loss…

I have just received the figures for the active travel funding that was announced today and they are absolutely shocking. I raised this issue last year. I will give some detail. Last year in Cork 31 active travel projects worth €16 million were funded on the south side of the city, and on the north side of the city 12 projects worth €6 million were funded. That is €10 million less and 19 fewer projects. It was announced today that 42 projects worth €14 million will be funded on the south side of the city and 22 pro…

The Taoiseach should come to Cork with me. He will see the difference between the two sides.

Sinn Féin remains the only political party on this island that has produced a comprehensive policy on the rights of people in recovery. The Government has no strategic vision for those in recovery from addiction. There are countries right across Europe that have credible policies that recognise the human rights to which those who are in recovery are entitled. There is an opportunity to learn from our European neighbours, but instead we truck on and watch the community addiction sector be decimated by funding cuts, …