Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

-----and creating tens of thousands of jobs as we do so. In transport, we are one of the few countries to have experienced an increase in public transport above 2019 levels coming out of Covid. That is because we reduced public transport fares for those under 24 by 50% and for everyone else by 20%. We have pathfinder projects that we are now delivering throughout the country if we can get support from other parties in local government. We are delivering an electric bus service in Athlone. In Waterford last month we delivered a new sustainable bridge across the River Suir and are moving the train station so that we can create housing in the centre of Waterford. That is real. It is happening.

In agriculture, the number of people going into organic farming since the Government was formed has increased threefold. The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, has agreed a new form of forestry, with a €1.3 billion budget. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, is delivering on bringing back nature in this country. It is real and it is happening. It is the future and it is what we need to focus on rather than getting caught in the back and forward politics here.

In health reform, the Government showed through Covid that it can work together and be flexible and quick. We came out of Covid successfully, by any international standard. It was the Irish people who did it, but they were helped by the Government managing the way through that. We need to use that experience of how to be flexible and fast in putting in place further reforms.

What does one see across Europe at this time? In the UK, there is division, with strikes on every corner. In Germany and France, it is the same. Across Europe, governments are in disarray. What we do is we work in partnership. We work with unions, employers, and environmental and other NGOs so that pay deals are reached and we are not stuck in the same chaos that is happening in neighbouring states. We should not trip ourselves up and put ourselves into that chaotic position. This Government is functioning and working because it is working with other elements in society to deliver a secure future for people.

On housing, no one has a monopoly on the desire to house people so that our children and their children after them can raise a family safely, securely and affordably.

That instinct belongs to everyone on any side. Does the Deputy think we do not want the same?

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