Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I move:

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (to be taken without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately)

- Motion re Restoration of Bills (to be taken without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately)

- Motion re Pre-legislative Scrutiny waiver for Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025 (to be taken without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately)

- Statements on Government's Response to Storm Éowyn (to adjourn after 3 hrs 22 mins)

- Statements on Government's Response to Storm Éowyn (resumed) (to conclude after 88.5 mins)

- Statements on Programme for Government (to adjourn after 3 hrs 22 mins)

1. until further notice in the 34th Dáil, where Standing Orders 21 and 22 require either a quorum of 10 or of 20, that quorum shall at all times be reduced to five;

2. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, and until further notice in the 34th Dáil, the following sequence and times shall apply in relation to the speaking arrangements on private members’ time:

(i) where Sinn Féin is the sponsor

- Sinn Féin – 20 minutes

- Government ‒ 10 minutes

- Sinn Féin – 10 minutes

- all other parties and groups in Opposition – 15 minutes each

- Government ‒ 10 minutes

- Sinn Féin – 10 minutes; and

(ii) where any other party or group in Opposition is the sponsor

- Sponsor – 20 minutes

- Government – 10 minutes

- Sponsor – 10 minutes

- Sinn Féin – 20 minutes

- all other parties and groups in Opposition – 13.33 minutes each

- Government ‒ 10 minutes

- Sponsor – 10 minutes;

(i) only three Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken, in the following temporary sequence: Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and Social Democrats;

(ii) Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken and Government business shall commence at the time when Parliamentary Questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken;

(iii) private members’ business may be taken later than 6.12 p.m.;

(iv) Parliamentary Questions to a Minister other than the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken; and

(v) the Dáil shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issues pursuant to Standing Order 39 which shall be taken on the conclusion of private members’ business;

(i) the arrangements for the statements shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); and

(ii) members may share time;

	Gov	SF	Lab	Gov	SF	SD	Gov	SF
Mins	35	25	15	15	5	15	15	5
	IPTG	Gov	SF	ITG	Gov	SF	Non-party/ group	Total
Mins	12	15	5	12	15	5	8	202

(i) the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:

(a) the Dáil shall meet at 9.30 a.m.;

(b) Parliamentary Questions to a Minister other than the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 47(1) shall not be taken and Government business shall be taken as the first item of business;

(c) topical issues pursuant to Standing Order 39 shall be taken immediately following the resumed Statements on the Government’s Response to Storm Éowyn; and

(d) only three Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken, in the following temporary sequence: Sinn Féin, Independent and Parties Technical Group (IPTG), and Independent Technical Group (ITG); and

(e) no motion for a Committee report pursuant to Standing Order 111 or private member's Bill pursuant to Standing Order 169 shall be taken; and

(ii) the Dáil shall adjourn on the adjournment of the Statements on Programme for Government;

(i) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down);

(ii) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and

(iii) members may share time; and

	Gov	SF	Lab	Gov	SF
Mins	10	7.5	8	10	7.5
	SD	Gov	SF	IPTG	ITG
Mins	8	10	7.5	5	5

(i) the arrangements for the statements shall be in accordance with the arrangements contained in the table immediately below (to be read across, not down); and

(ii) members may share time.

	Gov	SF	Lab	Gov	SF	SD	Gov	SF
Mins	35	25	15	15	5	15	15	5
	IPTG	Gov	SF	ITG	Gov	SF	Non-party/group	Total
Mins	12	15	5	12	15	5	8	202

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Are the proposed-----

Deputies:

Not agreed.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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You might just give me a minute, for the benefit of our new TDs. Are the proposed arrangements for the week's business agreed to?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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They are not agreed.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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They are not agreed.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I propose to take one Member from each group. We will start with Deputy McDonald, who has one minute speaking time.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle. Contrary to the Taoiseach's assertion, the actual priority for this new cobbled-together grubby-deal Government is actually jobs for the boys, and for the few girls who might be lucky enough to make an appearance. Its desire to divvy out the spoils of government is unparalleled in the history of this House. The Order of Business proposes more positions, more allowances and more expense for the taxpayer but the Government wants all of this without even basic pre-legislative scrutiny. The Government expects us to tolerate this going through on the nod. That is not going to happen and it is completely and utterly unacceptable.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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Given the unprecedented number of junior Ministers being assigned by this Government, and also in trying to start this Dáil on somewhat of a better foot, it is a poor precedent to have pre-legislative scrutiny waived in respect of this Bill.

On another note, with regard to the restoration of Bills, we received the list some 20 minutes before we sat but we really should have received it a lot earlier, notwithstanding what happened in the past couple of weeks.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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I concur with the previous speakers. The Taoiseach has repeatedly said Storm Éowyn was a storm without precedent, and he is absolutely correct. What is also without precedent is his Government's lack of response. There was no plan. The Government left the ESB to do the heavy lifting.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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That is not true.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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There will be statements on the issue later today.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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We will have statements on the matter today but what we need are questions and answers with the Minister to find out where the Government was. Where were the Ministers? What were the Departments doing? How were they actually connecting? The one thing that has consistently come across from all the people who were caught up in this awful storm was they were being left absolutely on their own. We will have statements on the matter but we want a questions-and-answers session. We need to have an opportunity to ask questions and for the Minister to tell us where the gaps were and what the Government is going to do to ensure people will be not left in that situation again. It has been completely unacceptable. The Taoiseach's own Ministers have said the Government was not prepared and was too slow with its response.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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We are objecting to the Order of Business. The Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and so-called Independents gravy train has arrived, in the form of the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025, to give more jobs, allowances and Ministries to spread out the spoils of an election. It is really blatant and outrageous and the Government is not even proposing that there would be a debate on it. This is not a particularly good sign of where this Government is heading. It tried strokes last week to steal Opposition time and now it is going to loot the public purse with new allowances and new Ministries which quite possibly are in breach of the Constitution.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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We, too, object to the Order of Business. While I accept that the Chief Whip has done everything she can to give us as much time as possible to discuss the storm, it is still a very serious concern out there. The relevant Ministers - the Minister for the environment, the Minister for Health, the Minister for disabilities, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Social Protection and rural affairs - must come before the Dáil to outline exactly what is going to be done. We have 18,000 homes still without power. We have damaged houses and sheds blown to the ground with cattle exposed there. There are people with no water, heat or food, and there is no adequate emergency response in place from the Government. This is one of the most significant emergencies this country has ever faced and we need proper answers to be given here in the Dáil by each relevant Minister.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the Sinn Féin strategy, I believe the party did tell journalists that it was going to bring a new aggression in its Oireachtas strategy. I think it has decided to import the total opposition approach which has now become the norm in many parliaments that are dominated by populists.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Just answer the question.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the issue raised by Deputy McDonald, we have the largest population in our history. By the way, we have the largest Dáil in our history. We have gone from 160 Teachtaí to 174. I do not see any 14 volunteers who want to resign their Dáil seats. We have a growing agenda and I would argue - I will be clear about it - that the legislation governing Cabinet and Secretary numbers and all of that is out of date. One can either have an honest debate about that-----

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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But you do not want a debate.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----or not.

We have just-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputies, please.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have just discussed climate and the storm. The storm is a consequence of climate change. These are issues that were not there when the Constitution was enacted, in terms of the number of Ministers and so on. There is a whole range of new areas: energy, offshore renewable and so on. We need a Minister of State for the marine. We need a Minister of State for migration. Of that there can be no question. Marine is so important in so many aspects now. There are big issues on security and defence which dominated in Europe this week. There is hardly a whisper in here but it is dominating all of Europe-----

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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We were not in here.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----in terms of security and defence, marine security, subsea cables and cybersecurity.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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We were on holidays.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputies, please.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The issues are growing and the agenda is growing. We either want to be realistic about it or we do not. The larger Dáil reflects a larger population and that has to manifest itself as well in terms of the structures and size of Government.

On the storm, my understanding was that agreement had been reached yesterday with regard to arrangements for the storm. I hope I am not now going to begin a new Dáil season where things get agreed in the Business Committee and 24 hours later there are objections to what was agreed. I assure Deputies Whitmore and Collins that there will be ample time for debate on Storm Éowyn, and if we have to take it into next week, we will. We have provided extended opportunities tomorrow for commentary on the storm, which is the most severe we have experienced. We are quite happy to do that. There is no issue there.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Taoiseach. Are the proposed arrangements agreed to?

Deputies:

Not agreed.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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ESB Group is enormously profitable. It receives significant funding from the taxpayer by way of the public service obligation levy. Yesterday, the CEO of the ESB stated that the cost of repairing damage to the network caused by the recent storm would be borne by customers in their bills. We have previously discussed the hardship that has been wrought by the storm, where so many of the ESB's customers went without power for weeks. Indeed, some 17,000 remain without power. Remember that over the past four years, ESB customers have been squeezed by rip-off prices, paying among the most expensive rates in the European Union.

3 o’clock

Now the ESB, which is sitting on vast profits, tells customers that they will foot the repair bill. What does the Taoiseach propose to do about this? It is very clear that there must be an intervention. People already pay too much.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The more fundamental reform that is required is to the ratio of costs or the manner in which they are dealt with under our regulatory framework, the role of the CRU and so forth. In our view, that must be reformed. There is no question but that repairs will be necessary. We will then look at how those costs can be apportioned. A more fundamental point is that we are going to need very significant investment in the grid. I gave the Deputy a figure of €5 billion for the five years to 2025. It is estimated that what will be needed from 2025 to 2030 will be of the magnitude of €13 billion. We will examine the degree to which the Exchequer can take some of the burden of that cost. That will have to happen. We need to reform the regulatory framework that is in place. We will gladly take any ideas on that. We have our own ideas. They are in the programme for Government.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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Right through the election campaign, the Taoiseach and Government Ministers claimed that 40,000 homes would be built in 2024. We now know that this was a wildly exaggerated claim. In fact, the actual number built last year was almost 10,000 short of that figure. That 40,000 was a bogus figure. Earlier today, the Taoiseach rejected the suggestion from Opposition parties that he was deliberately misleading the country by repeating this figure of 40,000. That raises a very serious question, however. Did he and Government Ministers repeat that assertion throughout last year in good faith? Did he repeat it while genuinely believing that number would be achieved? If so, it smacks of incompetence. It certainly would not lead anyone to have confidence in his Government's commitment to build the 300,000 homes it has promised to build by the end of 2030 without changing Government policy, which has patently failed. We in the Labour Party put forward constructive proposals to ramp up housing supply but the Taoiseach rejected them.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's party put forward a very poor housing programme.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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It was very constructive.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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There was no fleshing out of the national State construction agency it proposed. There is no blueprint and no paper. It would have had disastrous results given the length of time it would have taken to establish and how out of touch it is with working practices and the norms within the construction industry today. It was an ill-thought-out and very poor approach. That is why people were not persuaded by it. I answered the question the Deputy has asked in the earlier questions. I will take this opportunity to ask her to withdraw her assertions that this democracy is similar to Belarus or Russia. She has made that assertion twice in the last 48 hours. It is insulting. She did it on Sunday night and she did it again today or yesterday. There are 1,200 political prisoners in Belarus. That is the kind of cheap and superficial commentary that I think is disgraceful.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I am happy to respond to that.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I call Deputy Gannon for the Social Democrats.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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In November of last year, a mere three months ago, I sat with the Taoiseach in a committee room for a meeting of the foreign affairs committee and he assured all those present and, more importantly, the public watching at home that one of the first acts of this new Dáil would be the enactment of the occupied territories Bill. It is now very clear that this is not his intention. This morning, we woke up to the President of the United States and the war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu divulging that they intend to ethnically cleanse Gaza of its 1.8 million citizens and turn it into some form of dystopian Disneyland. Is it the intention of the Irish State to say anything at all? Does the Taoiseach intend to express his revulsion to the American ambassador to Ireland at such a suggestion? Does he intend to bring forward a co-ordinated response at EU level? When will we actually see some form of legislation in respect of the occupied territories Bill? I understand the Taoiseach's fear. We are all watching for the tariffs that are coming through but they are coming for us anyway. People like Donald Trump do not recognise weakness. They recognise people who stand up, say it like it is and respond. What will be the Taoiseach's response?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am intrigued by what you are saying.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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Are you?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am absolutely intrigued. By the way, the economic relationship between the US and Ireland is absolutely vital for hundreds of thousands of workers in this country.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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That is without question.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not take that lightly, which is what you are suggesting.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I do not take ethnic cleansing lightly.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not doing that-----

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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That is the-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----but I just want to make that point because these kind of remarks get thrown out as if they are of no consequence. Our fundamental duty as a State is to protect our people in a turbulent world. We will do that. That means protecting the enterprise economic model we have. We will do that while also maintaining our values, our foreign policy values and our interests as a nation. That is what we are doing. I made the point this morning that the most important thing now in relation to Gaza is to focus on the ceasefire and make sure that the second phase is confirmed, that all hostages are released and that a massive surge in humanitarian aid goes in.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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The increased VAT rate on the hospitality sector has left a total of 612 hospitality businesses closed in the past 12 months throughout the country. I acknowledge that in the programme for Government a reduction in the VAT rate is planned for the hospitality sector but for hundreds of cafés, restaurants and hairdressers this will be too little, too late. After much pleading, the Government has accepted that there is a crisis. Will the Government drop the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% in the upcoming budget? Will this Government, with the full agreement of the House, immediately drop that VAT rate from 13.5% to 9%?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Do you want it done immediately?

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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Can it be done immediately?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has made commitments in the programme for Government in respect of VAT and costs that small- to medium-sized businesses are incurring. We want to consult business because it not just hospitality; the retail sector is feeling the pressures as well. We want to consult and come up with a package that will involve VAT in the context of the next budget. Public expenditure increased last year by 9.5%. That is an enormous increase in any one year. We had the budget. We announced the budget for 2025. It is not our intention to deviate from it. It involves very considerable current and capital expenditure increases. We will have a budget in September. Our plans will be very clear in early summer.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Disability legislation obliges the State to provide assessments of need for children with disabilities within six months of referral. This early assessment is vital as children use it as a gateway to access therapy services such as psychology, speech and language, etc. It is universally accepted that early diagnosis, treatment and support give the best outcomes for health, welfare and quality of life for these children into adulthood. More than 11,000 children are now waiting for assessments of need over the six-month limit, many for two years or more. This Government is clearly and knowingly in breach of the law in this regard, as was the previous Government. When does the Government propose to implement the law to give these vulnerable children their legal entitlements?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The entire assessment of need process has to be reformed. That may involve and necessitate legislative change. The Government will work on this and will consult the Minister for disability and children on that issue. In addition, we have fairly set targets and objectives in respect of disability across the programme for Government, in particular with regard to developing an education-based approach to therapies in situ, beginning with special schools. I will establish a unit in the Department of An Taoiseach specifically dedicated to the disability question so that we have a whole-of-government approach to disability over the next while. I intend to prioritise it.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I will raise a local public transport issue. Buses that appear due on the app are being cancelled minutes prior to their scheduled arrival with people at bus stops waiting for them. The next scheduled bus does not then meet the schedule, arrives late and is too full to take on board any other passengers. These are very regular experiences of my constituents in Dublin South-West, especially with the new S4, S6 and S8 routes. These buses are meant to ferry people to college, work and family commitments. My question relates to the NTA. Does the Taoiseach agree that the previous Minister did not take a sufficiently hands-on approach with the NTA to listen to the criticisms of the public and to communicate with them properly? Does he agree that we need a much more responsive and direct approach with the NTA to ensure a reliable public transport system, which is the cornerstone of any successful public transport?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy. I believe the NTA has a huge agenda. There needs to be stronger engagement with both the Government and the Oireachtas, and maybe much more time could be saved, including in the development of BusConnects, for example. As I have said repeatedly, the scenario seems to involve publishing the worst possible plan, which ignites the greatest degree of opposition from neighbourhoods and residential areas, and then – hey presto – following consultation, a much-diluted plan emerges. All of that is happening in the name of the State. That must not continue, as I have said to the NTA myself. There has to be a different approach, an approach that is more cognisant of people’s needs but also their anxieties. From my experience, too many residents end up in tears when a letter comes in the door stating that half their garden is to be taken, without proper consultation. We need better, streamlined bus services and we need to create the conditions for that. We need to consider a refreshing, new type of approach.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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As this is my first time taking to my feet in the Chamber, I want to start by acknowledging, and expressing my sincere gratitude to, the people of Offaly, who have entrusted me with the great honour of representing them in Dáil Éireann, and also my wife, son, family, friends and supporters, who have stood by me every step of the way. I thank them sincerely.

The Department of Education has been working well to invest in the provision of additional accommodation and modular units to meet the growing demand in schools throughout Ireland, including Offaly, making a real impact where initiated. Today I wish to raise the urgent need for the provision of two such modular units at Charleville National School in Tullamore. I recently visited the school and noted at first hand the increased pressure because of overcrowding. I firmly believe the dedicated and committed teachers and staff, the students and their families deserve a fit-for-purpose and modern facility. I ask that it be prioritised, with two units put in place by the summer to cater for the ever-increasing number of students entering the school, a trend that will continue from September 2025.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge how important this school project is, not just for the Deputy but also for the wider community. The school capital projects overall entail a significant plan that we hope to see expanded in the years to come. The projects are well advanced but I want to ensure they can progress as quickly as possible. I look forward to working with the Deputy and, indeed, the school he has mentioned to ensure modular units can be put in place on site as quickly as possible, particularly for the year starting in September.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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As the Taoiseach knows, the tenant in situ scheme is a vital homelessness prevention tool. It allows local authorities and approved housing bodies to purchase private rental properties where an eviction notice is in place and to turn the tenants into social or affordable renters. Correspondence I received from the Department in January confirmed that no new applications are allowed to proceed because the outgoing Government failed to agree targets for 2025. As a consequence, many landlords currently applying to have their local authorities purchase their properties are being told they cannot proceed, and that is increasing the risk of homelessness among the tenants in question. When will the new targets be set? When will they be communicated to the local authorities? Will the Government remove the unwarranted restrictions on local authorities that were put in place last year to ensure every property that can be bought will be bought to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I agree that the tenant in situ scheme is very important in preventing homelessness. It also helps to prevent child poverty. There is a significant crossover. If families end up in homelessness, their risk of poverty increases dramatically. That is an area on which I am particularly focused as Taoiseach. We hope we will have the figures available within the coming weeks.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Large numbers of my constituents in Cavan–Monaghan are still without their electricity supply. Most of those people have difficulties with their telephone and broadband connectivity. Life is extremely difficult for people with health ailments and dependent on medical devices.

The major cause of the power outage in our area has been trees falling on ESB transmission lines. It is clear that the corridors for ESB lines are not being maintained to the proper standard. If they were, we would not have such problems with trees falling and with other overgrown vegetation. Over the years, through parliamentary questions, I have repeatedly asked that a vigorous inspection programme be put in place to ensure plantations owned by Coillte and private landowners are properly maintained. Very regrettably, this has not happened. These issues need to be addressed now. If a small-scale livestock farmer slightly erred in their farming practices, they would have inspections and penalties imposed. Why is it not the same for large-scale forestry plantation owners? I compliment the ESB workers and all the other front-line workers on their efforts.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Smith for his commentary. One of the most immediate tasks is to ensure we have proper corridors wherever the transmission lines are. West Roscommon and Leitrim have huge issues with forests falling, or whole lines of Sitka spruce falling like dominoes onto the line. That can no longer be tolerated. We have asked the Ministers responsible – there has to be collaboration between Departments – to ensure we nail this once and for all to have clear space in order to prevent this type of thing from recurring. Then we need to go further by ensuring road safety and addressing further danger to power lines. When power lines come down, it is a huge health and safety issue for people.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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This is my first speech in the Chamber. I thank my supporters in Cork East for showing their faith in me, and my family and supporters for believing in me.

I wish to bring to the Taoiseach’s attention the R624. Cork County Council is producing an assessment report on the proposed options for the access road to Cobh, the only road access to Great Island. A crash there lately cut off access to the island for over two hours. Belvelly Bridge is over 200 years old and not fit for the traffic volumes using it. Cross River Ferries has reduced its service and a second service is needed. I understand the operator is private but different access options need to be explored, including the possibility of creating a harbour taxi service. Does the Taoiseach agree that this serious problem for the people of Cobh must not continue?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I accept it is a very serious issue for the people of Cobh, but also more broadly for the region in terms of housing and connectivity. It is a matter that will be evaluated in the context of the updated NDP to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to try to deal with it as a significant road project in its own right. With regard to access to Cobh, it is vital.

Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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As this is also my first time speaking in the Chamber, I would like to thank the people of Carlow and Kilkenny for putting their faith in me. I will leave no stone unturned. To my family, especially my parents and husband, and to my friends and activists, I am extremely grateful. Thank you.

Across Carlow and Kilkenny, parents are struggling to find adequate childcare places. The sudden announcement of the closure of a school servicing Castlecomer has left parents without vital childcare. In Kilkenny city, another provider has announced it is ending its after-school services due to staffing issues. Parents are left in the difficult position of scrambling for limited alternatives. The programme for Government has offered mere lip service to childcare. Will the Taoiseach’s Department commit to a concrete plan that will include transitioning to a public funding model? Parents cannot endure another year of stopgap solutions. We need to see real plans for the sector put into action. When will the Government prioritise building capacity in the sector, ensuring professionals, operators and families receive the support they deserve?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate the Deputy on her election. I also congratulate Deputy Noel McCarthy on his election.

Deputy Newsome Drennan probably did not get the opportunity to name the specific service. If she gives me the details on it, I will follow up with the Minister for children.

Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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Too many to name.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The broader point is that childcare has evolved quite significantly over recent decades in Ireland whereby we have many community-based and private childcare services, and some State childcare services, albeit in the minority. The taxpayer funds many of the services to get the fees down for parents, which we have done to a significant extent in recent years, to support staff and to create better career pathways and better JLCs. It is not as simple as just creating a new public system overnight.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I rise today to raise with the Taoiseach the issue of sentencing and the need for sentencing reform on foot of the sentence handed down in recent days in the case of the tragic death of Joe Drennan in Limerick city. He was a very promising journalism student and had a bright future in front of him. He was killed because of a deliberate decision to drive dangerously, a decision made by somebody who was out on bail at the time. There must be accountability in relation to this because the person who killed Joe Drennan has received a concurrent sentence for this crime and will not spend one additional hour in prison. I ask the Taoiseach to urgently review sentencing guidelines, particularly with regard to the issue of concurrent and suspended sentences for violent offences, something for which the Labour Party has called.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising a very important question. I am familiar with the case, and I have read about it. It is extremely traumatic for the family of Joe Drennan to have such a situation unfold. I will talk to the Minister for Justice about it. Obviously, I do not want to comment on cases that might still be live in the sense of a potential appeal, but there are issues in terms of the law and in terms of sentencing. That does need a review.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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I wish to raise with the Taoiseach the issue of rural GPs and the shortage of GPs in many rural areas. In my constituency of Offaly, in 2024 there were 81 applications from people looking for access to a GP. I have been contacted by many residents in Daingean, County Offaly. This is just an example of one town. It is a common problem across this State, but in my own county it is particularly acute. I want to acknowledge the fantastic work our GPs do, but unfortunately they are at full capacity and there is a shortage that must be addressed. What actions will be taken by the Government to address the chronic shortage of GPs in rural areas?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government acknowledges the significant issue in terms of recruitment of GPs. That is why in the last 12 months decisions were taken to dramatically increase the numbers of doctors in training and people doing medicine in our third level colleges. I stand to be corrected but I think I read a figure whereby for every GP retiring, we have two in training. That is subject to correction, however. The Chief Whip tells me I am correct. That is the only way we can effectively get high-quality supply in the pipeline of GPs, particularly to rural Ireland, which is an issue. I appreciate the Deputy raising it.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Taoiseach. With the latitude of the House, we have two more Deputies. I propose to give Deputies Timmins and Pádraig O'Sullivan 30 seconds each to ask their questions and then the Taoiseach might respond to both.

Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is a great honour to be elected to represent the wonderful people of County Wicklow. I am very grateful to them for the trust they have put in me.

I wish to raise the lack of funding for national roads in recent years. This has impacted the people of Wicklow, which is a commuter county. The N81 is one of the most dangerous roads in the country, as has been proven in several studies. The N81 is the only national road coming out of Dublin that has not been upgraded. It is a death trap. A preferred route was picked but it has now been shelved. The new programme for the N11-M11 improvement scheme was shelved in October 2022. That needs to be re-enacted. Finally, the commuter train to Wicklow is crowded. It needs carriages and more trains. It is part of the programme for Government, which promises new roads and enhanced rail services. I really urge the Taoiseach to complete this.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I know the Taoiseach is aware of the ongoing issues with water on the north side of Cork city. He did a lot of canvassing there during the recent election. In many households, he was shown brown and discoloured water. Many particles are visible in people's water supply. I am not sure whether he saw the "Prime Time Investigates" programme last week, but it truly is an eye-opener. He needs to see it. It is available on the RTÉ player if he has not. It shows that above all else, Irish Water needs to be transparent and open about what is actually going on on the north side of the city. On its website it currently shows that it is 100% compliant, but the investigations done in the programme clearly show this is not the case. I ask the Taoiseach to intervene if he can and to talk to Irish Water to make sure it is transparent with the information, at the very least. If the water is not drinkable and useable, as has been the case on many occasions during the last two years, it should supply an alternative for people because it has not done so yet.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Taoiseach might respond to both Deputies.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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First of all, I congratulate Deputy Timmins on his election for the first time to Dáil Éireann. The programme for Government is clear in its commitment to roads. Obviously, the updated national development plan will be an opportunity to try to identify our priorities. We understand that with the growth of population in Wicklow and so forth there are huge needs, particularly on the roads side and with the DART.

Deputy O'Sullivan is correct when he says that the significant discolouration of water across the north side of the city of Cork has caused much distress to householders. There should be full transparency for all State agencies, including Irish Water. I will take up the matter with Irish Water on the Deputy's behalf.