In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time next week.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Steven Matthews - To discuss the need to provide an extension to Temple Carrig School to accommodate the demand for secondary school places in the wider Greystones area. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the decision to cut day services from five days to three at IWA, formerly An Castán, Commons Road, Navan, County Meath. Deputy Pat Buckley - To disc…

As Deputy Bacik is here, we will begin with her.

I thank the Deputy. Before the Minister of State responds, it was Deputy Andrews as well as Deputy Bacik who presented this matter. The time is up, though it would have been shared normally.

No, it was also my mistake. With the agreement of the House, I will give Deputy Andrews two minutes. I thank Members.

Take a breath, Deputy, and a drink of water.

We were a bit quicker than that.

Just to clarify, the Minister of State has four minutes to respond and then Deputies will have a minute each.

For the record, we are now going back to the first Topical Issue on the list in the name of Deputy Steven Matthews.

I thank the Deputy.

The Deputy can come back in.

In early December last year, RTÉ's "Prime Time Investigates" brought attention to the most heinous of crimes. Three building developers provided evidence of a criminal extortion racket. All credit is due to them and the reporter, Barry O'Kelly. The documentary featured covert recordings showing how these criminals, John and Micheál Callaghan, acted as representatives of a number of fake NGOs and made trumped-up objections to planning applications to extract money for the withdrawal of those complaints or objections…

Would you allow me the liberty, a Cheann Comhairle, of making a point? I know the Minister of State was not here when I made my contribution but two officials were present. This is very important from the point of view of what we are discussing and housing development. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that the officials of the Department he represents would come back with a written response to my contribution in regard to the "Prime Time Investigates" programme that was aired. I will leave it at that. I do not…

The Constitution currently recognises only the marital family as the family. This referendum is intended to recognise and give constitutional status and protection to families beyond the marital family, including cohabiting couples and one-parent families. The special and unique status of marriage in the Constitution will not be altered by this. In order to do this, the Government proposes to amend Article 41.1.1° to insert the words "whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships". The approach will…

I have seen in some quarters this referendum being referred to as a referendum on the woman's place in the home and the fact that having such a provision in the Constitution is a backward notion. Of course, that is not what the Constitution states. It states: In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity t…

The Select Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands has considered the Safe Deposit Boxes and Related Deposits Bill 2022. In accordance with Standing Order 178(3)( b ) it confirms (i) that scrutiny has been completed and reported on, and (ii) it recommends that the Bill may proceed to Committee Stage.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Jennifer Murnane O'Connor - to discuss the timeline for opening of the mother and baby redress scheme and making of payments. David Stanton - to discuss the need for funding to repair roads and bridges in east Cork which were severely damaged by Storm Babet. Colm Burke - to discuss initiating a health technology assessment for a respiratory syncytial virus, R…

I thank the Minister of State and the Deputy. That is the end of the Dáil session but before we rise I will take the opportunity to wish everybody a very happy holiday and happy Christmas. I thank the staff, the ushers, those on sound or security in general and all of the staff here in the Dáil.

Yesterday there was a mini tornado in Leitrim. Many of the people in Wexford watched with interest as the Taoiseach proclaimed he would bring a memo or a proposal to Cabinet that would see relief and support for the people of Leitrim. Thirteen months ago I sent the Taoiseach videos from Wexford of the mini tornado we had, which happened during the Hallowe'en recess. The scenes were that of Armageddon. There were no reliefs and, 13 months later, not one red cent has been paid to the people of Wexford. What reliefs i…

So nothing; that means nothing, Taoiseach. It means nothing because they have been given nothing 13 months later.