I know the Minister of State recently had a meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association on the new pay scales that were introduced last year for the work permits and the general work permit. As an island nation, we must understand that there are certain sectors that require a different train of thought to keep us competitive, if nothing else. We have a HGV sector that primarily deals with taking goods from Ireland to continental Europe. For that, there is a subsistence arrangement in place for drivers. We are n…

I probably should have said at the outset that I wish the Minister of State well in her position. I understand those answers were prepared for her but what I really need an answer on is the competitive nature by which the work permit is structured. It is not competitive. It is anything but that. It is anti-competitive. We need to address this in the context of the particular sector we are discussing. We are probably the only island nation that is affected in this way. We are not connected to mainland Europe other t…

In recent years there has been a significant rise in cocaine consumption, with current reports from gardaí and drugs councillors stating that drugs are available in every rural village and town in Ireland. The cliché of cocaine as the drug of choice for the wealthy, young elite is long out of date. It has evolved in recent years and is now being used regularly by all classes across society. The epidemic has soared to new heights and is now being felt in every community, sports club, school and parish in rural Irela…

The reality is that prevention is always better than cure. In August 2023 it was announced that we would remove the drug squads and community policing. That was very serious. It is a pity the Minister did not make the statement he made a minute ago back then. We do not have a reinstated community policing unit in Wexford. However, I can read out millions of euro worth of drug seizures in Rosslare and off our coast. Last October, drugs worth €157 million were seized on the MV Matthew . There needs to be prevention o…

This is really important. There are 80% fewer drug searches done because An Garda Síochána has to fill in 24 points of information.

The policing is not working. The Policing Authority needs restructuring.

Have a look at the-----

We are haemorrhaging staff from the Defence Forces.

Last night, I attended the public consultation on the designated marine area plans, DMAP, for the proposed four sites for the offshore renewable energy wind farms off the south coast. This matter relates to the south-east region encompassing Wexford, Waterford and Cork. The fishermen there were the only real stakeholders who attended. The reality is that this was a public consultation where no compensatory measures, if required, are being proposed at this stage. It is proposed to go to auction with this in November…

-----and employ 130 people in Kilmore-----

I know that.

This is about the fifth time I have brought this issue up. I am back to the passport and ID issue of members of the Garda identifying that they sign the passport application. I am back to the parent of a first-time applicant. The Passport Office is unable to get in touch with the garda who signed the application. The office has contacted the same Garda station four times. Surely at this stage even the Tánaiste can recognise that this is a vast waste of everybody's resources. The Passport Office is involved. It is a…

What is the security dimension? Why would they contact a garda?

The Tánaiste does not understand the question.

Not for first-time applicants.

On Monday evening, I attended a meeting in Kilmore. Forty-six children have concessionary tickets but no bus to take them to school in Wexford town. They all have working parents. It was brought to my attention that, apparently three weeks ago, there was a bus put on for the very same situation in Gowran, County Kilkenny, where Deputy McGuinness was informed that he would not be getting a vote from anybody. Basically, a meeting was set up with the Minister and the bus was put on. There are now three buses taking ch…

When this Bill was raised initially, I supported it to get it across the line so we could find out exactly what it entailed. I come from a huge sporting county, of all sports and none, especially horses, dogs and sporting clubs. At the moment, the Government is making announcements about all and sundry that it can get out before the election with regard to grants that are going to be provided to many of our sporting clubs and community centres. Many of those grants are also going to have to be subsidised by clubs r…

For that reason, I do not think I need to say any more but I will not be supporting this Bill further.

Yes. I thank the Leas Cheann-Comhairle.

I thank the Minister of State for sitting in for the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I acknowledge that some good work has been carried out by the Minister but I remind everyone that we have had no discussion of this issue in the House since the failed referendum. I remind the House of the commitment of the former Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, that the Government will continue to increase payments to carers and people with disabilities. He also said that the Government would relax the means test and improve the home care…