We do not need consideration; we need money. This road is vital to redirect HGVs coming from Rosslare to the west of Ireland. We are trying to move this traffic away from residential areas, schools and hospitals. This route is also essential to future-proof Portlaoise for sustainable growth under the national planning framework. Without this orbital route, development is hindered, traffic continues to choke the town and emissions increase. It is clear that inclusion of the Portlaoise northern orbital route in the r…

These two projects must be included in the revised national development plan to address fair regional development, align with national goals, reduce emissions, promote balanced regional development and support active travel and safer roads. The Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass projects would complement existing investment in the region's rail network. I urge the Minister of State to work with these county councils and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure that the Portlaoise northe…

I thank the Minister of State for that.

Community care workers and home carers are essential to Ireland's healthcare system, supporting older people and those with disabilities to live independently at home. Increasing demand means carers are working under tight schedules with limited hours per client. It is essential they have proper training in all areas of elder care and must have good communication skills to support clients and families. Many carers work through private agencies but oversight varies. This raises concerns about the quality and account…

I am here today following the disturbing revelations uncovered by the "RTÉ Investigates" programme concerning the residential nursing home in Portlaoise. We must be absolutely clear that what was exposed was not just one failure in one private institution. Rather, it was a systemic failure of oversight, communication and, ultimately, duty. Frail and vulnerable old people were left in unacceptable conditions while warnings were ignored. Despite HIQA issuing poor reports over the past year, admissions to this facilit…

Will the Minister consider extending the help to buy scheme to include first-time buyers purchasing second-hand homes? I ask this question on behalf of many first-time buyers across the country, including young families, single professionals and couples, who dream of owning a home but find themselves restricted by the current scope of the help to buy scheme. The current initiative provides crucial support to first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes but it reflects a narrow view of the housing market.

Second-hand homes could be a more viable option for some first-time buyers but they are then excluded from financial assistance. An extension to the help to buy scheme to include buyers of second-hand homes would acknowledge the reality of our housing market. An extension would widen access, especially in rural and established urban areas where new builds are limited or priced outside of the thresholds. Second-hand homes may offer more affordability, more location choices and faster availability. Supporting buyers …

Other improvements to the help to buy scheme I urge the Minister to consider are to adjust the eligibility criteria and thresholds to reflect current house prices and inflation and to introduce a system that would offer higher support for lower income applicants or buyers in high-cost areas. That would make the scheme more equitable.

Graduate medical students are under huge pressure from fees, accommodation, travel expenses and the cost of living. They receive no SUSI grant, no Government supports and no access to loans. Their options are to drop out, to work 12-hour weekend shifts or to rely on parents for financial support. This is unfair, especially to students from rural communities where we urgently need to see more doctors. We must ease the financial pressure on graduate medical students. This can be done by extending the SUSI grant to gr…

Recent reports that the European Commission is considering dismantling the ring-fenced CAP budget are very worrying. This move would be a dangerous mistake for Irish agriculture, rural communities and food security across Europe. Agriculture cannot be sacrificed to meet other EU priorities such as defence or security. We cannot take food security for granted. I and farmers like me work tirelessly to produce safe, sustainable and affordable food. Farmers must not be left carrying the financial burden of broader poli…

There is significant concern about the Commission's intention to release its vision for the post-2027 CAP at the same time as the EU budget plan. We cannot have this railroaded through. This approach, without consultation, is entirely unacceptable. Major decisions about the future of European agriculture must not be made behind closed doors in Brussels. Farmers must be heard. I urge the Minister to take a clear stance and, first, oppose any attempt to merge or dilute the CAP budget; second, ensure the CAP remains f…

Yes.

Before we go on, I would describe it as a drastic move to curb a farmer from selling his or her stock in a mart for up to three years. Does the Minister realise what he is doing to farmers, people like myself who get up every morning and work? There is no guarantee about this. We are talking about something that got worse and worse despite the money that was invested in the scheme. There is no guarantee that taking a draconian step like this would have any effects. This would be a stigma attached to farmers like my…

First of all, I am delighted that the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Ardagh, is here today because she represents Dublin South Central. As she knows, farm produce is delivered every morning. I am delighted that she is here for this important debate. I welcome the leader of the IFA, a fellow Laoisman, Francie Gorman. I am delighted he is in the Public Gallery to listen to the debate. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the CAP and Ireland's CAP strategic plan. The CAP is a matter of vital national int…

-----are sustained and developed. I am passionate about farming. You have to hand it to me.

We have to play our part in the fight against climate change. I have one question to put to the Minister. Will he oppose the single fund proposal relating to the MFF and protect Pillar 1 and Pillar 2? That is the question every farmer asks me passionately everywhere I go, every day.

The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland estimates that claims involving uninsured drivers add approximately €35 to the cost of every motor insurance policy. In 2022, there were an estimated 187,000 uninsured vehicles on Irish roads, which is four times the EU average. I know the introduction of the Irish motor insurance database has helped reduce this number to around 100,000. The level of uninsured driving remains of serious concern in terms of road safety and insurance costs for law-abiding motorists. Given the sign…

An issue of growing concern in recent months is the sharp rise in the number and sophistication of scams targeting people across Ireland, from phishing texts to fake texts and online fraud. These scams are causing real distress and financial loss to many, particularly the vulnerable and our older citizens who are often primary targets. We have heard reports of people losing their life savings to increasingly convincing scams. Despite warnings from banks and gardaí, swindlers continue to find new ways to deceive the…

The previous Government introduced a waiver scheme for people who were building first-time homes. It included council charges plus Uisce Éireann charges. On 31 December 2024, this was stopped. When this was introduced, it set out all the principles and achieved the objective of speedier activation of planning permissions by the development sector. It also escalated planning permissions that had been granted for a number of years and were not activated, and caused a higher rate of housing commencements. The Taoiseac…

Not necessarily.