A Cheann Comhairle, I wished to speak. We were notified that we would be able to speak.

Obviously, I got the wrong information because I was told I would be able to speak. I wish to raise the case of a constituent who has cancer and who, because of the Bill, will not qualify for a medical card-----

I wanted to make a point on the timeline and ask the Minister for clarity-----

Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle. I would not mind but you allowed the Deputy before me to speak. This is the second time I have contributed in the Dáil when you have spoken to me about procedure but allowed somebody in afterwards. I do not mind following procedures but I expect the same for every Deputy. Go raibh maith agat.

You allowed him to speak.

I was sent to speak here by the people of Cork.

Is it that the people of Cork-----

Excuse me. All I am asking for is to be treated the same as anybody else. Twice I wished to speak and twice I have been interrupted. Another Deputy spoke and the Ceann Comhairle interrupted him but then allowed him to continue.

Go raibh maith agat.

Going back to the point made by the Minister regarding the timeline, I referenced Mr. Tony McCarthy earlier. He is a cancer sufferer and his wife is seriously ill. He is her carer. When they were assessed, they did not qualify for the medical card. All cancer patients should have medical cards. This new Bill would mean Tony and his wife would get a medical card. We spoke today about the difference it would make to them. I understand that there are serious financial implications ahead for the Government. I want to s…

I welcome this section. I note that there are more than 15,000 children below the age of 12 in Cork city. We welcome this aspect of the Bill. However, in my own area the dental clinic on Harrington Square and the Cope Foundation in Montenotte were recently closed down. Those closures have had a direct impact on 16 primary schools. Parents must now bring their children further afield to get the care they need. We welcome this section, but when children's health is considered, the whole situation must be taken into a…

I thank my constituency colleague, Deputy Barry, who tabled the motion. There are 480 Debenhams workers and concession workers in Patrick Street, Cork who have lost their jobs and another 250-plus workers in Mahon Point who were told by email that there jobs were gone. The behaviour of Debenhams Ireland and its parent company in the UK is nothing short of scandalous. If we do not draw a line in the sand for these and for other workers, we will be failing them. Yesterday, the workers asked me to put their voice forw…

Page 56 of the programme for Government commits the Government to self-harm education programmes on drug misuse. Last week the new Minister was unaware of the serious issues relating to nitrous oxide abuse. When will these education campaigns be rolled out? What format will they take? Will the Taoiseach commit to requesting that the new Minister take one of these courses? He obviously needs it.

I support this motion on workers' rights. In particular, I support a living wage, the right to unionise and the right to collective bargaining, which is being denied to so many. Today, Debenhams workers held a protest outside this building to highlight the mistreatment and abuse they have received from the Debenhams UK company. These workers are only looking for fairness, their entitlements and fair redundancy. I am proud of them because what they are doing is standing up for all workers in this country who are in …

Like the previous Sinn Féin speakers, I support Deputy O'Reilly's amendment. There are times when Deputies can all work together and this is an issue where we should all support microenterprises and small businesses. Deputy O'Reilly is arguing that if we give people 12 months during which they do not need to repay money and no interest is charged, we will give them an opportunity to keep their businesses going. Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities in my constituency of Cork North-Central and nationally…

I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing forward this motion, which proposes to build 100,000 houses in five years. The motion on its own will not solve the housing crisis we are facing but it will allow us to start solving it. Cork City Council has 5,381 families and individuals on its housing waiting list and a further 2,737 families and individuals on the housing assistance payment or rent supplement schemes. This means that in Cork city alone, there are 8,000 families and individuals who are looking for social housi…

I intend to speak for three minutes to allow the Minister a minute to respond. If he does not have enough time to respond he might write to me with the answers.

The matter of accident and emergency department capacity is now crucial. I was elected by the people of Cork North-Central to fight against and reverse the neglect of the north side of Cork city. For 20 years a new hospital has been planned for Cork and there were meant to be numerous announcements about this. There was supposed to be an announcement last year, either before or after Christmas, and in this time both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been in power. Cork still has not got its new hospital. I am standing…

When I was first elected to Cork City Council in 2009, I outlined in my maiden speech the housing crisis in Cork. During the meeting, I was verbally attacked by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors who said there was no housing crisis and that I was only grandstanding, creating panic and trying to grab headlines. History tells that I knew what I was talking about because Sinn Féin was on the ground talking to people. For 11 years, I have been putting forward proposals and recommendations calling on Cork City Counc…

Hopefully, I will be able to give the Minister some time to answer my questions. I will be as brief as possible. Disabled people are one of the groups most negatively affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Will the Government provide financial support for disabled people who are self-employed? We are looking for the Government to give more support to self-employed people to get them back to work and get their businesses open again. Disabled people who are self-employed are at a distinct disadvantage because there is no a…