Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Today, the name on the Taoiseach's office door changed for the third time in four years, but nothing has really changed for workers and families. How could it? This Government was formed to block the change that people voted for in the most recent general election. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party clubbed together to ensure that the hopeful votes of so many for something new and different were denied. People wanted a Government of change, a Government that puts them first and is on their side. The Government parties joined together to preserve the status quo and deliver more of the same, precisely, as the Tánaiste said, to keep things as they are.

Over the past four years, the Government has delivered more of the same in spades. Deputy Simon Harris, the man who Fine Gael now attempts to cast as new, has been there every step of the way. His fingerprints are all over the crises and problems that people face every day. We need look no further than housing in that regard. We remain in the grip of an unprecedented housing crisis, a social emergency that touches every corner of life in Ireland. Last week, the Teachers' Union of Ireland met in Killarney. It polled its members and found over half of new teachers are considering leaving Ireland. I was in Birr, County Offaly, last Thursday and met a woman who told me about her two adult children, one a nurse and the other a teacher. One is in Australia and the other is in Dubai. Young people have been forced out by the lack of affordable housing and prevented from building a good life and future here at home. That story is not unique; it is a heartbreaking story I hear told again and again.

Fine Gael's 13 years in power have seen Ireland become no country for young people. Another generation looks to the airports and chance of a better life abroad. The housing crisis sees a haemorrhage of our young people, an exodus of skill and talent and another brain drain. This crisis now threatens our ability to put teachers in classrooms and nurses in hospitals, and it is of the Government's making.

Workers and families are forced to pay rip-off rents and home ownership is a pipe dream for so many. Some 4,000 children are growing up in emergency accommodation. That it has all happened on the Government's watch. Affordable, secure housing is out of reach for a generation because this Government is out of touch. It now says it will fix housing for once and for all. It wants people to believe that it will do in 11 months what Fine Gael failed to do in 13 years. People did not come down in the last shower. They know this is just more spin and promises from a Government that is big on announcements, but falls very short on delivery.

In the century long history of this State, there have been 15 taoisigh. We have had three in the past four years alone in order just to keep this charade on the road, even though the wheels have fallen off the wagon with Fine Gale TDs resigning left, right and centre. I have to hand it to the Government. The sound bites and slogans have gone into overdrive in a brazen effort to paint this as something new. It is not. The Government has been in office for four years. Deputy Simon Harris has been a senior Minister for eight years. Fine Gael has been in power for 13 years. This Government is like the last guest at a party who has worn out their welcome but will still not go home. The Government has been in power too long. It is time to go. We need a new Government, with fresh ideas, the right priorities and a determination to get things done. We need a Government that puts fairness at the centre of its political vision and policy decisions, fairness for workers and families and our young people. I want our young people to have the chance to build their future here in Ireland. I want our young people who live away to have the chance to come home. I believe we have an absolute duty and responsibility to create that pathway home.

The success of our economy, the cohesion of our society and the progress of a nation depends on young people having the opportunity to pursue happiness and reach their ambitions here. First and foremost, that means them being able to put an affordable roof over their heads. We need our nurses and doctors here. The Government has to stop bragging, get real and resource and deliver the working conditions and health system that our people deserve. We need our teachers here. Give them full, fair contracts and value those who shape the future through education.

We need a modern childcare system. Professional early years educators and childcare workers must be recognised, respected and paid fairly. That is the bottom line. The Government must end the insult of childcare workers signing on for social welfare during the summer. We need more childcare infrastructure and places and further cuts to childcare fees.

Our communities must be safe. In this regard, the Government has failed comprehensively. The party of law and order my eye. No Dubliner needs the Taoiseach or Government to tell us to take pride in our city. As a matter of fact, he has a cheek to make that statement. I know well that the inner city communities I represent do not feel safe. They are scourged by antisocial behaviour, drug pushing and crime. They have been abandoned because Garda resources are spread too thin. They are angry because Fine Gael has undermined and underfunded investment in community, youth work and community development, all of the initiatives that make a difference.

Safe communities grow from the grassroots up. The Taoiseach does not get that, though, so it is time for a Government that will invest in community, in nurturing our amazing young people and in building opportunities for those too often left behind. Investing in community is the smartest investment a government will ever make. Those who commit serious crime must face real consequences and the full weight of the law.

Our citizens with disabilities must live their lives as equals, with the services, supports and opportunities they are entitled to. The Taoiseach now says he will ratify the protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He has taken his time, so he should stop the dithering and delay and get it done.

Our carers, likewise, deserve respect. They do incredible work. They save the State billions. They deserve proper respite care, financial support and access to the services those they care for need, and they need to see real delivery and real improvement on a day-to-day basis.

Survivors of institutional abuse, of the mother and baby homes, also deserve recognition. I again raise with the Taoiseach the Westbank Orphanage in Greystones. A grave injustice has been done there. The same is true for survivors from the Bethany Home in Rathgar. This has been raised again and again with Government after Government. I put it to the Taoiseach that he must resolve this injustice because that is what a decent government would do.

I also want to put it to the Taoiseach that he must put his money where his mouth is on the issue of Palestine. The Israeli slaughter and war crimes in Gaza continue as we speak. They are broadcast live. Words are not enough. Condemnation is not enough. Action is needed. Recognition of the state of Palestine has to happen now. Why the delay? Why the equivocation? It is long past time this was done. We also need to enact the occupied territories Bill. If the Taoiseach is really and truly repulsed, as he says, by the actions of Netanyahu, he will make all this and more happen.

The Taoiseach talked about hope, but hope is not generated by spin. Hope is generated by showing up for people, by following through and by delivering. Thirteen years of Fine Gael Government have damaged the hope of a generation. As it refuses to let go of power and limps on without direction, it should be very sure that change is coming. Ní Rialtas nua é seo. Is é an seanscéal céanna arís é ach creideann na daoine fós i dtodhchaí níos fearr. Creideann siad fós gur féidir le fíor athrú tarlú. For four years, the Government has had its own way. It has circled the wagons to keep out change but it is running out of road. The day is coming when it will have to face the verdict of the people. It will finally have to face a general election-----

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