Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Paul Murphy and Deputy Bacik sought a debate on animal welfare and Deputy Mattie McGrath sought one on excess deaths. The number of excess deaths varies from year to year. In the past couple of years, there has not been an increase. It may be of interest to the Deputy to know that hospital overcrowding is 20% lower this year than last year.

That is a fact.

Deputy Whitmore again sought a debate on child poverty, which is a very important issue and one close to my heart.

There are four important issues on which Deputies are seeking debate. The Opposition has three slots this week. It did not choose any of those issues as a priority. We can have debates on three of the four issues. The Opposition just has to make them a priority.

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