Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I move:

Tuesday's business shall be:

- Motion reProposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Comprehensive Agreement in the field of Air Transport between the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union (without debate)

- Motion reReport of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Rota for Leaders’ Questions (without debate)

- Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 (Second Stage) (to be interrupted either at 7 p.m., or 3 hours and 55 minutes after the conclusion of the Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform, whichever is the later: Provided that if the Bill concludes within the allotted time, private members' business will be taken forthwith)

Private Members' Business shall be the Motion reBuilding Defects, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday’s business shall be:

- Motions for Supplementary Estimates for Public Services [Votes 5, 12, 13, 14, 17, 26, 32, 33, 38 and 45] (to be moved together and decided without debate by one question)

- Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 – Motion for a Financial Resolution (without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage of the Bill on Wednesday)

- Statements pre-European Council meeting of 15^th – 16^thDecember 2022, pursuant to Standing Order 124 (not to exceed 110 mins)

- Motion to Instruct the Committee on the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 (to conclude within 60 mins and any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Report Stage of the Bill on Wednesday)

- Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Committee and remaining Stages) (to be taken no earlier than 5 p.m. and to conclude within 60 minutes)

- Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 (Report and Final Stages) (to conclude within 2 hours)

- Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 (Report and Final Stages)(to conclude within 60 minutes)

Private Members' Business shall be the Motion reTeacher Shortages, selected by the Social Democrats.

Thursday’s business shall be:

- Motion reProposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the opt-in under Article 3 of Protocol 21 to the TFEU (to conclude within 55 minutes)

- Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022 [Seanad] (Second Stage)(to conclude at the end of the first round and any division claimed to be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage)

Thursday evening business shall be Second Stage of the Dublin Bay Bill 2021 (sponsored by Deputy Ivana Bacik).

Proposed Arrangements for this week's business:

In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders is modified to the following extent:

(i) the Dáil shall sit later than 10.30 p.m.;

(ii) Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 46(1) shall not be taken and Government business shall commence at the time when Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken; and

(iii) If not previously concluded, the proceedings on Government business may be interrupted later than 6.12 p.m., and shall in any event be interrupted either at 7 p.m., or 3 hours and 55 minutes after the conclusion of the Motion reReport of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform, whichever is later, with consequential effect on the time for commencement of private members' business, Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Justice and topical issues: Provided that where Government business concludes within that time, private members’ business shall be taken forthwith;

2. the Motion reProposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Comprehensive Agreement in the field of Air Transport between the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union and its Member States shall be taken without debate; and

3. the Motion reReport of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Rota for Leaders’ Questions shall be taken without debate.

In relation to Wednesday’s business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:

(i) Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 46(1) shall not be taken, and the SOS shall be taken on the conclusion of Statements pre-European Council of 15^th- 16^thDecember 2022, pursuant to Standing Order 124, which shall be taken at the time when Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken;

(ii) Government business may continue after 8.45 p.m. in order to allow the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 to conclude; and

(iii) the weekly division time may be taken after 8.45 p.m. and shall, in any event, be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022;

2. the Motions for Supplementary Estimates for Public Services [Votes 5, 12, 13, 14, 17, 26, 32, 33, 38 and 45] shall be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair;

3. the Motion for a Financial Resolution on the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 shall be taken without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage of the Bill on Wednesday;

4. the Statements pre-European Council meeting of 15^th-16^thDecember, 2022, pursuant to Standing Order 124, shall not exceed 110 minutes, with arrangements in accordance with those agreed by the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, for 100 minutes, following which a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, and members may share time;

5. the Motion to Instruct the Committee on the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State – 7.5 minutes;

- speeches by representatives of Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People-Before-Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group – 7.5 minutes per party or group;

(ii) members may share time; and

(iii) any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Report Stage of the Bill on Wednesday.

6. the proceedings on Committee and remaining Stages of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 shall be taken no earlier than 5 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health;

7. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Health; and

8. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

In relation to Thursday’s business and in relation to the questions nominated for priority pursuant to Standing Order 49 to be taken on 15^thDecember, 2022, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders is modified to the extent that topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of Government business, with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Dublin Bay Bill 2021 and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the Motion reProposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the opt-in under Article 3 of Protocol 21 to the TFEU shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 55 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State - 10 minutes;

- speech by representative of Sinn Féin - 10 minutes;

- speeches by representatives of the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People-Before-Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group - 5 minutes per party or group; and

- a speech in response by a Minister or Minister of State - 5 minutes; and

(ii) members may share time;

3. on conclusion of the first speaking round on Second Stage of the Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill 2022 [Seanad], a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply, which shall not exceed 10 minutes, whereupon proceedings on Second Stage shall be brought to a conclusion; Provided that any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage of the Bill; and

4. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the number of Questions nominated for priority pursuant to Standing Order 49 that may be taken on Thursday 15^thDecember, 2022, to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications shall be increased to six, and the sixth question shall be allocated to the Labour Party, with the time for Questions to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications accordingly extended for 6 minutes.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the Order of Business agreed?

Deputies:

Not agreed.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the patient safety Bill. Members will acknowledge and remember that recently, at the time of the death of Vicky Phelan, the Taoiseach reiterated a Government promise to achieve full open disclosure. The legislation is to come before the House and the debate is to be guillotined. The Minister for Health has tabled 50 separate amendments but the one amendment we need to see to prescribe in law the absolute obligation for full open disclosure is not there. The legislation means that a discordant, erroneous or incorrect cancer screening will become a notifiable incident but the duty of candour is not there.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The time is up.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In fact, it will still fall to the woman to require a review.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is not true. It is false.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is absolutely outrageous and totally unacceptable.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What the Deputy is saying is not correct.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The time is up, Deputy McDonald, please.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The fact the Government would seek to move flawed legislation in this way and, furthermore, to guillotine the debate is all the more insulting to the women who have suffered as a result of the CervicalCheck scandal.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I totally agree with Deputy McDonald on that point. I want to raise another issue on the Order of Business, and that is a motion we are being asked to pass without debate on the comprehensive agreement in the field of air transport. This deal is aimed at growing a market in transnational flights and climate is mentioned once in the briefing document. At a time when emissions are rising and we are facing the biggest climate catastrophe ever, we are being asked to pass without debate a deal which would without doubt increase emissions both nationally and globally. I think it is not just insane but utterly bizarre that this is being put in front of us in the name of the Green Party and we are being asked to pass it without debate. I am not going to do that. I am a Member of the Oireachtas and we have to be accountable to the people who elect us. It is a disgrace that we are being asked to do this.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have written to the Business Committee about an issue I raised last week on behalf of the Rural Independent Group. We need a calm and reasoned debate on the influx of immigration into our country. I am not talking about refugees fleeing war. I am talking about the staggering figures that are there from places like Algeria. Fewer than 100 people from that country applied in 2021 and a staggering 1,318 have applied in the first ten months of this year. We need to look at this. We are not living in an echo chamber in here. The whole country is talking about this and is worried about it. We need to have a proper, reasonable, fair and respectful debate about it. We need it. Christmas is coming, as we know, and we need this debate, not to let it fester and drag on.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No room at the inn, is there not, Deputy McGrath?

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It needs to be held very soon and to be respectful, as I said, not with people shouting anybody else down. Everybody is entitled to have their say in this Chamber, thanks to the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is a life-and-death catastrophe unfolding in the hospitals, especially in my own region at the moment. Eleven ambulances were stuck outside of Drogheda hospital last Saturday because there was not a bed, a chair or a trolley available for them. Seventeen consultants in Drogheda hospital wrote a letter to the Minister stating that it is a threat to the life and health of patients in the region if the Government proceeds with the closure of the accident and emergency unit in Navan. It is an incredible situation that we have an accident and emergency unit about to be closed in part from this Monday and, at the same time, we cannot get access to the other accident and emergency units in the region. There was no availability of ambulances in Cavan and Monaghan last Saturday night because those ambulances were tied up. We need a proper debate about the crisis in accident and emergency units across the State before these decisions are made.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I too want to raise the patient safety Bill. We have waited over six months for Government amendments. They were circulated and we received them on Friday morning. There are 42 pages of amendments from the Minister. There has been no briefing and no pre-legislative scrutiny, and the deadline was on Monday morning for amendments to those amendments.

That is an entirely unreasonable way of dealing with very important business. The Minister and the Government need to rethink this. It is not possible to deal with that level of serious amendments without any kind of briefing from the Minister or his Department.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is important to clarify the position with regard to the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill 2019 and the key issue of open disclosure, which has been raised here. We should not confuse clinical audits with patient-requested reviews. They are different. They are explained clearly in the report that was published by the expert review group. A new patient-requested review process has been developed for screening, following the guidelines from the expert group, and designed in conjunction with patients, including the 221+ group. I wish to put on record that it will be mandatory to disclose the results of these reviews to women.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If they ask.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Very few countries currently have mandatory disclosure-----

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is it open disclosure if the women have to go and ask?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister without interruption, please.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The women have to ask.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will have the debate with the Minister but that is-----

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Two hours have been allocated for that debate.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----the kernel of the issue that has been raised with me and that I have heard raised publicly. The Oireachtas will perform its function in respect of the legislative process and that will take place, as I understand it, tomorrow evening.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

And it will be guillotined.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Bríd Smith raised the issue of the EU aviation agreements. I again underline the importance of international connectivity for us, as an island nation, from tourism and trade points of view. I hope the House will agree with the motion that has been placed before it.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What about the importance of dealing with the climate catastrophe that we are facing?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy, please.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Mattie McGrath that the Government is working very hard on all strands relating to inward migration, people fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection. There will be a further Cabinet committee on that issue on Monday of next week. We have an obligation to fulfil our international responsibilities and we will continue to do that.

On the issue raised by Deputy Tóibín, it is important again to put on the record, while recognising the real clinical concerns raised by the HSE, that the Minister for Health has made it clear that several important issues, including additional capacity in other hospitals impacted and the continued ability of people in the Navan area to access emergency and urgent care, need to be fully addressed before any proposed transition by the HSE. We must look at and learn from our experience in reconfiguring other hospitals. The Minister is also opposed to a full ambulance bypass protocol.

Deputy Shortall also raised the issue of the Patient Safety (Notifiable Patient Safety Incidents) Bill.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Are the arrangements proposed agreed to?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They are not agreed.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They are not agreed.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On promised legislation, I call Deputy Kerrane.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have just listened to a weather expert on radio advising households as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing for what he called "a prolonged period." He suggested those unable to access the fuel allowance, which is the majority of workers and families, can access an additional needs payment. If only it was that simple. This is, of course, an important support in cases of emergency or an urgent situation. I am aware of applications that are still taking between ten and 12 weeks to be processed. Households cannot wait this length of time. Given the crisis that households are in and now as the temperatures are set to go below freezing, will the Government reinstate the community welfare officers, CWOs, who are best placed, back in the community? The quickest way for people to get financial support is through local community welfare officers back on the ground where they can have walk-in appointments, which are no longer available.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I appreciate that the cold weather, which has arrived and will get worse, is a real concern for many households. We want people to be comfortable in their homes. I will take up the specific issue she has raised about the timeframe that some applications for additional needs payments are taking and her suggestion regarding CWOs. I ask people who are in need to engage with the Department and, indeed, with their utility companies, but, above all else, to stay warm and comfortable in the days ahead.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The impact of the changes the Minister for Health will make to Navan emergency department, ED, or Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda from next Monday will mean that "patients may die". These are not my words. These are only some of the words of 17 hospital consultants of my own local hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes, in Drogheda, expressed in what was an alarming letter to the Minister last week. The Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, has heard this all before. The Minister for Health has heard this all before. This Government has simply failed to act.

I want to give one example of what happened at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital last Saturday. Eleven ambulances were parked up at the hospital last Saturday night treating sick patients in the back because no trolleys were available in the ED and no beds in the hospital. This is completely unacceptable. Staff were at their wits' end. There are no new beds and a deficit of 16 unfilled non-consultant hospital doctor posts.

No extra resources are to be provided to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to accommodate this change but the hospital is expected to receive many more sick and unwell patients from the Meath area over the next period from next Monday as a result of the Government's plan. The Government needs to change course. The Government needs to consider that proposal and the impact it will have on staff and patients who need to be accommodated in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has spoken to some colleagues on this issue and has made it clear that, contrary some reports, the ED in Navan is not closing this month. Of course, a concern the Deputy has is the knock-on consequences for Drogheda and the ambulance bypass protocol. The only change, as I understand it, is in a very exceptional and specific circumstance where in the opinion of the paramedic in the ambulance, some discretion is being provided on certain narrow grounds the Minister and the HSE will clarify. Those wider changes are not happening.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Our public services across the board are under massive strain because those we ask to work in them cannot afford to live in our cities and urban areas. One consequence of that where it is most pronounced is in our schools. We have a staffing crisis in our schools for a variety of reasons but predominantly because our teachers, in particular, younger teachers, cannot afford to live in our cities. That is having a massive knock-on effect on students, particular those, for example, with special education needs where teachers trained in special education are being reallocated into other classes. What will the Minister do to ensure that students in our schools who have additional education needs will get a fair education? That is not happening at present because of an absence of teachers to fill those posts.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Gannon. The Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, are very much aware of this issue. They have already taken a number of steps, including on a temporary basis for the current school year that job-sharing teachers may be employed to work in a substitute capacity during the period they are rostered off. The limits on substitute work applying to teachers on career break has also been temporarily suspended. The Teaching Council made regulations allowing for the registration of third year and fourth year undergraduate student teachers under a new registration route, route 5 for student teachers. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has agreed to a waiver of pension abatement for retired teachers returning to teach for up to 50 days in each of the three calendar years up to 2023. The Department has put in place a scheme to allow post-primary teachers to teach in their subject area over the usual limit of 22 hours per week up to a maximum of 20 additional hours per term. There are a number of other measures and more will be taken if necessary.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Commission has called for a different approach to breast cancer detection. A key recommendation is to extend breast cancer screening to include women between the ages of 45 and 74. In Ireland the screening process for women is between the ages of 50 and 69. A total of 23% of all women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are between the ages of 20 and 50. Will the Minister confirm that the Government will consider the recommendation of the European Commission to lower the screening age for breast cancer?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this issue. I do not have a specific answer to hand. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to revert to the Deputy on any consideration being given to changing the age eligibility for the breast cancer screening programme.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last week we had the visit of President von der Leyen. She gave an inspirational speech in which she highlighted the importance of Ireland's voice in Europe. She said that when Ireland speaks Europe listens. Last week the CEO of Ryanair came before the transport committee and outlined that if implemented the open skies European policy would deliver an emissions dividend of 20% to the European aviation sector and would achieve a 90% reduction in flight delays. To do this what is required is a cohesive and integrated air traffic control system throughout Europe. This is not being delivered because of vested interests primarily in France and Germany. Will the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Transport take a lead and let Ireland's voice be heard in Europe on delivering the open skies policy? We have heard a lot about reducing the herd number in Ireland. It would be viable for the Department to chase a 20% reduction in aviation emissions.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Shanahan. My understanding is the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are supportive of the single European sky initiative. They have been engaging with counterparts from throughout Europe. They have been setting out the Irish position at the relevant Council meeting and they will continue to do so.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Christmas can be hell for parents whose children are in State care. In the Gallery the Minister will see mothers and grandparents who have not seen their children in years. Tusla has blocked reunification every step of the way. Last week Jacinta Swan from Clarecare told the committee on children that parents describe the experience of having a child taken into care as something similar to a death in the family. The Chair of the committee, Deputy Funchion, told the meeting she has not seen a reunification of family and child in her time in Leinster House since 2009. In September 2019 the Taoiseach, who is the Minister's constituency colleague, questioned the Minister with responsibility for children on an extensive report of the Alliance of Birth Mothers Campaigning for Justice on what Tusla is doing to them. All requests from the alliance to meet the Taoiseach have been rebutted. He has refused to meet it. Will the Minister ask the Taoiseach to meet them before he leaves office. Do we have to wait for another generation for the State to acknowledge the damage being done by the State, by Tusla, the Garda Síochána and other agencies? Will the Taoiseach meet the alliance?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McGrath. To be fair it might be more appropriate for the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to have that meeting. I will ask him to do so. I think the interests of the child are paramount. What we should be working towards is that there is reunification, particularly at Christmas when people deserve to spend time with their families, but on the proviso that what is paramount first and foremost is what is in the interests of the child. We have to respect the work that Tusla does. It is operationally independent. What we should work towards is that there is reunification and that parents get to spend time with their children at Christmas. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to engage with the group the Deputy has referred to.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Due to the delay in processing applications for the defective concrete blocks grant scheme homeowners have been told by Revenue they are not eligible for the exemption from local property tax because their applications have not yet been processed. Homeowners were assured they would be exempt from local property tax if their home was affected by mica. It is through no fault of their own that the processing of applications has come to a standstill. Homeowners have been left in limbo and are expected to pay tax on homes that are crumbling around them. This is unacceptable and unfair. Affected homeowners are paying enough for the mistakes of others and they should not be expected to pay any more. Will the Minister refund the local property tax to mica homeowners once their applications are processed? Will he also consider including and extending the local property tax exemption when bringing forward legislation on a redress scheme for building defects?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this issue. I am reluctant to give a commitment on the floor of the House that cannot be stood over and implemented but I understand the point he is making. The spirit of what has been decided is clear and we have to find a way of giving effect to it. I will discuss the issue with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and we will revert to the Deputy.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister is aware that many doctors signed up to category A consultant contracts during the early stage of the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside their colleagues in the health sector they were on the front line throughout the pandemic. We in the House are extremely grateful for all of their efforts. Will the Minister provide an update on the progress to date of the incremental credit applications for these doctors? I know this issue is somewhat complex and has been going on for quite some time but they would be very grateful for any indication of when it is expected to be finalised.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Devlin for raising this issue. A cornerstone of the Sláintecare policy is that we move towards public activity in our public hospitals. As Deputy Devlin knows discussions have been under way for quite some time between the HSE and the Department of Health with the relevant bodies, namely, the IMO and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association. I have been briefed as to the current state of play. The Cabinet committee has also discussed the matter. Discussions are now at a very advanced stage. We hope there will be a successful outcome because we want to move ahead with the new contract that gives primacy to the treatment of public patients in our public hospitals.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Wholesale electricity prices fell sharply last month by 52%. The temporary business energy support scheme is great. It gives businesses up to €10,000 in supports where their electricity costs increase by 50% and they get 40% back. These wholesale electricity price reductions are not being passed on to the end consumer. We are facing into a very cold spell and a severe winter when people will be using more electricity. Has the Government had an opportunity to engage with the regulator to examine the constructs of the contracts with the energy providers to see whether we can pass on the reduction? There was a 52% reduction in wholesale electricity prices last month and 27% the previous month. We must see a reduction for the end consumer particularly as we face this winter period.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Donnell who has raised a question in which many consumers throughout the country will be interested on feeding through reduced wholesale gas prices to the domestic electricity and gas prices charged to households and businesses in Ireland. As the Deputy knows, pricing is a matter for the companies themselves. He can be assured the Minister, Deputy Ryan, the Department and the CRU are in ongoing engagement on this issue and with the companies themselves, while recognising the fact that setting the prices is a commercial matter for the companies themselves. In many cases we are dealing with futures contracts that have been entered into.

In some cases, the high wholesale prices were locked in for a period. It might, therefore, take a while for the reduced prices to come through at consumer level but we all want to see that happen as quickly as possible.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I recently met with residents who are living near Dublin Airport. They tell me that Dublin Airport is in breach of its planning permission and that residents who have never before been under the flight path are now experiencing noisy, low-flying planes daily. In the run-up to the building of the new runway, clear sites were identified that would be in the flight path and there was engagement with those residents. There is now a new cohort of families who are experiencing this noisy nightmare every day. We warned Fianna Fáil at the time that there would be issues if they pushed ahead in supporting the Fine Gael plan to have the noise regulated by a division of Fingal County Council and this has come to pass.

The Minister for Transport, Deputy Éamon Ryan, has received a lot of correspondence on this. The issues have been outlined to him and he knows what is happening. Will the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, ask the Minister for Transport to urgently engage with the Dublin Airport Authority to ensure that the airport sticks to the terms of its planning permission?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be well aware that the airport noise competence authority in this case is Fingal County Council. It is very much aware of these issues and, indeed, so is the Irish Aviation Authority. Work is ongoing to address the matter. Ultimately, this is a matter of enforcement, and the appropriate statutory bodies have the power to deal with these issues.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want the Minister to picture this chaos. Last Saturday night, which was a normal Saturday night, 11 ambulances were forced to queue outside Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. There was not a single bed or trolley available in the emergency department. Some ambulance crews had to keep patients in the ambulance for up to five hours. They could not respond to any other 999 calls. There was not a single ambulance crew available for the entire region. This was no fault of the ambulance crew. It was normal Saturday night when these chaotic and frightening scenes took place.

Next Monday, the Government will bulldoze ahead with the plan to divert ambulances from Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The consultant body in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda has said that it will be unsafe, that patient safety will be compromised and that patients may die. That is from the medical professionals. Will the Minister listen to the medical professionals or will he listen to the HSE, which is prepared to bulldoze with this-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are over time.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----and if he does not listen to the medical professionals, is he actually fit to be the Minister for Health?

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that the change that will come into effect on 12 December is that the patients who are acutely ill will no longer be brought to Navan by ambulance. Instead, they will be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital, depending on their condition. That is different from the full ambulance bypass protocol that had been proposed. The Minister has engaged on this, and it is only in certain narrow circumstances. I suggest that the Deputy engages with the Minister and the HSE on that important operational issue. However, it is the wholesale bypass that was proposed.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations produced a report which suggests that in Denmark from the date that a drug is approved by the European Medicines Agency, it will be available to people in the country within 176 days. The average time for this to happen in Ireland is 541 days. Orphan drug approval in Denmark takes 249 days whereas in Ireland it takes 870 days. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE, is doing a good job in assessing the medication, but it appears that we are not able to assess them or send them on to the next step for approval under the drugs refund scheme in a timely manner. Will serious consideration be given to reviewing the process that is currently in place? The health committee produced a report back in 2018 but it has not been acted on. I ask that this would be reviewed.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister to respond.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is a huge delay in the availability of drugs.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have now provided a dedicated stream of funding for new medicines to be progressed through the system and, ultimately, to be made available to the patients who are impacted. That has been broadly welcomed by the industry. That is ring-fenced funding that has been secured. As the Deputy said, the NCPE does its job competently. I am aware of the committee report to which he referred, and a Private Members’ Bill that was tabled by Deputy Pádraig Ó Sullivan. I will ask the Minister for Health and come back directly to Deputy Burke on the up-to-date position.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to ask about the proposed section 21(3) of the sale of the alcohol Bill 2022, which deals with the issues that are facing publicans in this country around the value of their licences. I am hearing repeatedly from publicans in my own area, particularly those I met recently in Mitchelstown in north Cork, about the huge concerns within the Vintners Federation of Ireland and within this trade about the future value of their licences. Unfortunately, the proposed changes will have huge impacts on family publicans and the Government needs to look at this issue to see if there is a fairer way of protecting the value of licences. As it currently stands, if one wants to buy a licence, one has to be extinguished as a consequence. The deregulation will impact this and could cost family-run pubs this country hundreds of thousands of euros. There has been a significant decline in valuations over the past 15 years and it is something we must protect for rural Ireland.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The general scheme of the Bill has been published by the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. There will be a process of engagement, including, of course, with the relevant Oireachtas committee during the pre-legislative scrutiny phase. I anticipate that all the stakeholders that the Deputy referenced will be given an opportunity by the committee to make their views known, to come before the committee and to make submissions. It will then be a matter for the members of the committee to form a view on balance as to the appropriate way forward. That report will then come to the Minister for a decision.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Kerry County Council is committed to ensuring that any property in its ownership that becomes vacant is re-tenanted as soon as possible, but this requires finance. Currently, the council has 74 houses that are not in the programme for repair because they require an estimated €2.7 million to do the repairs and to bring them back into use. It was reported in November that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has an underspend of €500 million. I am respectfully asking that this money be supplied from this so that we can bring much-needed housing back into use in County Kerry. In other words, if the Government cannot spend it, we will.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We want to see those 74 voids brought back into play. I will take that issue up with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O’Brien. He has made a lot of progress through the local authorities by providing the extra funding over the past couple of years. The number of voids has, therefore, reduced. There will always be some element of voids, but funding should not be the constraint, not at this time. I will, therefore, raise that issue with the Minister and I will come back to the Deputy.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have just one point of order.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We do not call an empty house a "void"; we call them "empty houses".

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is a fair point.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I have three names, left, two of whom are present. I will allow in the two speakers. Unless I am unaware of something, the speakers will be Teachtaí Tóibín and Verona Murphy.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am substituting for Deputy McNamara.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am afraid that is not possible without notification, as much as I would like to oblige. I have a list in front of me here. I call an Teachta Tóibín, who will be followed by Deputy Verona Murphy.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that the Minister for Health has said that the bypass will not proceed in its entirety, although I am still significantly concerned that a bypass will happen. This is an amazing situation. On two occasions this year, the HSE has issued press statements saying that it will do things and saying that it has had the authority of the Minister when it did not. The Minister has had to wrap the HSE on the knuckles and stop what it is doing. It is out of control. My worry, as the chair the Save Navan Hospital campaign, is that the space for some bypass of the emergency department will be extended and abused by the HSE. Is it not time that the executive was brought to book? Is it not time that the management of the HSE, who are disrespecting the authority of the Minister are sacked?

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Page 45 the programme for Government details the importance of primary and community care as being at the heart of Sláintecare.

Little baby Jacob from Wellingtonbridge was born in February of this year with complex medical needs and requires 24-hour nursing care. Jacob has undergone three heart surgeries this year and his family are now at breaking point. His parents are struggling to care for him. After five months, Jacob was approved for HSE night nursing but he is now nine months old and none has materialised. The HSE has offered various excuses but no care has been put in place. Will the Minister and his Government stand by their commitments in the programme for Government and will someone, please, take responsibility and deliver on the care? This family has five other children.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will start with Deputy Murphy's question. It would break one's heart to hear about baby Jacob. If I understand the Deputy correctly, the support package has been sanctioned but is not being implemented. It could well be the case that the HSE is finding it difficult to get the staff through an agency or directly-employed HSE staff. However, we will follow up on that case. A note has been taken on it. If the Deputy provides Jacob's date of birth, address and contact details, I assure her we will follow up on the case and do the best we can to try to resolve it.

I thank Deputy Tóibín for raising the issue of the bypass protocol. As he will be aware, an ambulance bypass protocol is already in place for patients who suffered a stroke, heart attack or major trauma and those in need of paediatric and obstetric care. From 12 December, the existing ambulance bypass protocols in place for Navan will be updated to address urgent patient safety matters for patients who are critically or seriously unwell, or likely to deteriorate. Contrary to some reports, the emergency department in Navan will not close this month. From 12 December, patients who are acutely ill will no longer be brought to Navan by ambulance. Instead, they will be taken to the nearest appropriate hospital, depending on their condition. This is an important patient safety measure and will help minimise delays in providing life-saving treatment to acutely ill patients. However, it is not the wider ambulance bypass protocol that had been suggested.