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

Níl dabht ar bith go bhfuil níos mó agus níos mó teaghlaigh ar fud an Stáit ag streachailt agus iad ag iarraidh íoc as billí leictreachais agus billí gáis. Ag an am céanna, tá an Rialtas ag caitheamh leis seo mar is go síleann sé go bhfuil géarchéim na gcostas maireachtála thart cheana féin. Tá sé ag diúltú pacáiste costas maireachtála a chur ar fáil i mbuiséad mhí Dheireadh Fómhair. Tá sé ag ullmhú chun na faoisimh fuinnimh atá ansin a bhaint de dhaoine agus iad ag brath go mór orthu. Tá sé sin scannalach.

Workers and families are being hammered by rip-off electricity and gas prices. Households have been hit with some of the highest energy costs in Europe, forking out far above what people in other countries are paying. Figures published this morning by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, lay bare the hard realities that folks face. The number of households in arrears on their electricity and gas bills has jumped by 70,000 in the past year. This means that over 300,000 households are behind on their electricity bills and over 175,000 are behind on their gas bills. The Tánaiste should let that sink in for a moment. Today, as the Dáil breaks up for the summer, hundreds of thousands of working families cannot meet the bills for heating and lighting their homes. That is disgraceful. Is it any wonder, particularly when we have seen their bills shoot up by hundreds of euro in recent years? Families simply cannot absorb this type of shock to their finances. Now, the Government's plan is to cancel the energy credits that they so desperately need and have relied on.

The Government has dug in and continues to refuse to agree to have a cost-of-living package in October's budget. Those on fixed incomes are at greater risk of poverty and need greater support. This ever-worsening cost-of-living crisis has widened significantly. More families and working people are struggling to get by. Even families with two incomes coming into the house find it harder than ever to keep up with the bills. The out-of-control prices that people are being forced to pay right across the board are pushing households to the brink. They can forget about keeping their heads above water. Many families are wondering how they stop sinking even further. It is not lost on these families that as they are hammered by rip-off prices in respect of electricity and gas, energy companies are recording bumper profits. The ESB recorded operating profits of over €1 billion in 2023, with the figure for last year very close to that again. SSE Airtricity made hundreds of millions of euro in profits in the past two years. These companies are laughing all the way to the bank while working households are being taken for a ride.

These are the people the Tánaiste claims to understand. He told the Sunday Independent at the weekend that he understands what working families are going through and that he gets it. If he genuinely got it, he would understand that runaway electricity and gas bills are putting massive pressure on households. If he genuinely got it, he would do something about that. He would understand that the pressure is going to crank up even more in the autumn and winter when families are putting on their heat and lights earlier and leaving them on for longer.

The Government's plan to unplug energy credits in the budget will push more and more working families to the brink. How many more households have to go into arrears before it sees there is a need to act? There are 300,000 households unable to pay for their electricity and 175,000 unable to pay their gas bills. Does the Tánaiste really get it? The Government just cannot swan off for the summer break and leave people in the lurch with stress and uncertainty. It needs to introduce a cost-of-living package, continue with energy credits and tell workers and families that it will not cancel the help they rely on to pay these massive energy bills this autumn.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. First, let us very clearly acknowledge that there is a real problem in this country when it comes to energy prices. The facts are clear in relation to that, which is why we called this out very clearly in our programme for Government and acknowledged the pressure increased energy costs place on households and, indeed, businesses. We are seeking ways to lower those prices while also accelerating the pace of the development of renewables. That is why we have established a new national energy affordability task force to look at the structural reforms we can undertake in this country to reduce the cost of energy and electricity. It is expected to come back with an interim plan to look at issues relating to energy efficiency upgrades, the social protection supports we have a place, CRU customer protection measures and further efforts we can provide to incentivise tariff switching with the savings that households and consumers can make in that regard.

I want people at home to know that we are taking measures in the here and now to assist them with the cost of living. Indeed, we are also taking measures in the here and now to specifically assist people with energy. Let me share details of some of those. The measures are being taken right now. For example, in the past week or so, over 221,000 children received the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance. That is helping many of the households the Deputy referenced. From September every child who goes back to primary school or secondary school will receive free schoolbooks. That is helping households with the cost of living. General measures, such as every primary school child getting free hot school meals, reducing school transport fees and rolling out free GP care, all have an impact in assisting households with the cost of living in the here and now.

Specifically on energy, on coming to office, the Government took a rapid decision to extend the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity. This was a real, practical measure to help people with gas and electricity bills. We put in place a 40% reduction in the renewable electricity public service obligation levy. That will also save people money on their electricity bills. We have significantly expanded the fuel allowance in order that thousands more people, particularly older people, will qualify. They will not have to wait for the budget. That will happen from September. From then, more people will receive the fuel allowance than ever before.

Compare that to the controversy we have seen with our nearest neighbours where they are talking about cutting fuel allowance payments. We are expanding them. For people who get into real difficulty, we have a social welfare system that also gives exceptional needs payments. I want people to know that. That is available for people who experience a particularly difficult bill as well. I know Deputies will know that through their offices. These are just a number of the measures we are taking in addition to reducing childcare costs, increasing student grants from September and increasing public sector pay, which will again increase on 1 August.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Unbelievable.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Please do not paint a picture that nothing is happening to help people in the here and now.

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

Not enough is happening.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is an air of unreality about Deputy Doherty's contribution today and many of the contributions we have had during this Leader's Questions slot over the last number of weeks. Being very honest with the people of Ireland, one would have to go back a long, long time to find a summer recess-----

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Being honest with the people of Ireland?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Doherty probably does not need Deputy Hearne's help. One would have to go back a very long time to find a summer recess in which we have seen a moment of greater economic uncertainty, yet Deputy Doherty does not want to talk about trade, he does not want to talk about tariffs and he does not want to talk about the 48,000 people who work in pharma in this country. He does not want to talk about global uncertainty. He has never seen something he does not want to spend more money on but we have to be honest with the Irish people. We cannot keep saying "spend, spend, spend". The Deputy talked about working people and working families. Does he know what I am going to do? Make sure they can keep working-----

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Keep paying taxes.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----by protecting their jobs at this dangerous moment. We will support families but we will also support the economy, something the Deputy does not like talking about very often.

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

At least we can put that debate to bed; the Tánaiste does not get it. He simply does not get it. The Tánaiste stood there and the unreality-----

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I hope we do not get it if it is what the Deputy is saying.

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

The facts are staring the Tánaiste in the face. He talked about what the Government was doing in terms of energy. Did he not see what the commission released today? Does he know how many people are going into further debt or cannot pay their energy bills since January of this year? In four months, it has increased by 63,000 households. That is since this Government came into office. This means that, for the first time, we have 300,000 households that cannot pay their electricity bills and 175,000 that cannot pay to heat their homes with gas. The Tánaiste stands there as if he gets it. He does not.

There needs to be a cost-of-living package in this year's budget. The Government needs to introduce energy credits. What the Tánaiste has said here and the signal he has sent to those families who, under this and the previous Governments, cannot pay their bills is that they are on their own.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Conclude, Deputy Doherty.

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

Energy credits have to be delivered in this year's budget. Otherwise, that is the message the Tánaiste is sending people. There needs to be a cost-of-living package. Yes, we understand there is instability but there was also instability in the last number of years. We have a surplus at this point in time and the Government is happier to provide €186,000 to landlords as a tax credit than actually support people to heat their homes and keep the lights on.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Doherty, resume your seat, please.

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

The Government has all the wrong priorities. It should introduce a cost-of-living package-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Doherty, resume your seat, please.

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

-----because what is happening under its watch is nothing but scandalous.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I presume I will get the few extra seconds, too. If the Deputy genuinely believes that the economic challenge facing our country this summer is the equivalent to moments of economic challenge over the last couple of summers, I really worry for his level of economic literacy. If he genuinely thinks-----

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What about Covid?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----that this situation with tariffs, trade, pharma and global uncertainty is the same as it was last summer, come on. He is better than that.

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

I did not say that.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy did. The record-----

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

Is the Tánaiste suggesting the pandemic was not an issue?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Doherty spends a lot of his political career standing up and saying the Government does not get it, it does not understand, it is out of touch. Does the Deputy know what I know? I know who owns SuperValu.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not an American multinational. I know who owns SuperValu.

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

The Tánaiste did not know how many Covids there had been, though, did he?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It sponsors the GAA. It sponsors Tidy Towns. It is in-----

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

Its profits went up 39% in the last four years. Its profits went up.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----towns and villages across the country. It is a proud, Irish company. The Deputy thought it was owned by an American multinational and he wants Paschal Donohoe's job? He wants Paschal Donohoe's job and he does not even know who owns SuperValu or cannot even use Google? Give me a break.

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

Its profits went up 39%. He did nothing about it. He did nothing about it because he has no answer.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Give me a break, Deputy. Does he know who had the answer? ChatGPT. Paschal Donohoe or Pearse Doherty. We know who we want running the finances.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Order, please.

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

The Tánaiste has no answer. Pathetic.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Quiet, please.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

People looking in on this debate today will have their heads in their hands.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Here we go.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They are worried about putting food on their tables and turning their lights on. We have this kind of behaviour going on. I do not think either of the Deputies gets it, to be honest.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not need this sort of lecture from the Deputy.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are economic clouds on the horizon and there is a growing sense of worry about what the future holds. Coupled with that is a lot of frustration with the Government's moralising about this budget. Having splashed the cash in an attempt to buy votes last year, its message has suddenly changed. Now that an election is no longer on the cards, one-off payments are a bad idea. The Social Democrats told the Government that last year. We told it to invest in sustainable measures that would assist people and their long-term futures. We told it to target the measures and target supports for people. It ignored us. It proceeded with a giveaway budget that was a cynical piece of electioneering. Fine Gael likes to style itself as a party of fiscal probity, giving lectures to the public about the importance of counting pennies, but the reality is it has been throwing public money around like snuff at a wake. The Government's spending in a few short years has increased by nearly 50%. In 2020, it cost €70 billion to run the country. We have gone from spending €70 billion to nearly €110 billion this year, €40 billion more in the budget. What do we have to show for it? We have a housing crisis that is spiralling out of control. We have record homelessness. We have disability services that are threadbare. We have soaring levels of child poverty. We have a cost-of-living crisis that is escalating and we have energy and water infrastructure that is crumbling.

The reality is this Government is an epic waster. It has wasted time, opportunity and a generational opportunity to invest in a better future. It has wasted our money. That is why people feel so let down. They feel disillusioned. They listen to the Government pat itself on the back for its prudent financial management while they struggle with the very basics. They struggle to keep a roof over their heads, their electricity on and food on their tables. The public services they need are just not there for them.

I ask the Tánaiste to please spare us his lectures about careful budgetary planning. The reality is this Government has been reckless and feckless. It talks about the importance of infrastructure as if that has suddenly dawned on it. While Uisce Éireann warns it will run out of capacity for new homes in Dublin in three years' time, we are on course to have zero off-shore wind generation by 2030 and our electricity grid is on the verge of collapse.

Fine Gael has been in government for 14 years. I know the Tánaiste will probably stand up and try to blame the Opposition for his problems and mistakes because that seems to be the status quo. When will the Tánaiste take responsibility and what will he do in the budget that will actually make a real difference for people?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not blame the Opposition for any of the challenges the country faces. I just blame it for its hypocrisy. The Deputy gave out there about the one-off payments. Last year, I asked her interim leader to name one of them he did not want. I will ask Deputy Whitmore the same as well. Is it the parents in Greystones and Delgany who should not have got a double child benefit payment? Did the Deputy not want that? Did she not want the one-off additional payments to the pensioners in County Wicklow? None of the Deputies had the courage to tell me last year which of the one-off payments he or she did not think people wanted.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yes.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I offer Deputy Whitmore that chance again. Tell me which one-off payment in the social welfare code last year she is against and that the Social Democrats do not want. Was it the child benefit payment? Was it the carer's payment? Was it the fuel allowance? Just let us know because the Social Democrats would not last year. They were happy to vote in favour of them all and their offices were happy to assist people in getting information on all of them as well.

We have this thing about a united Opposition going on - or at least, I think we did. It cannot yet agree on a presidential candidate, so that is test No. 1. Now, it cannot agree on crucial budgetary matters either.

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

The Government cannot agree either.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy Doherty is-----

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We are doing a party solution.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is different, okay. There is talk of a united Opposition. They are all out there on the plinth-----

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sorry, the way this works is I am asked a question and I get a chance to answer, please. A united Opposition-----

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am allowed answer the question, am I not?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

And I try to keep order, just in case.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We all know our roles. That is useful. The main Opposition party has asked for universal one-off measures. The Social Democrats have asked us not to do that and to do targeted measures. I am telling the House that this Government will deliver a budget in October. We will set out the parameters of that budget in the summer economic statement, which I expect to be published next week. There will then be an opportunity to debate how best to get the composition of that right. I agree with Deputy Whitmore on this. We need to invest in key areas of infrastructure. She is right about the challenges that Uisce Éireann faces. She is right about the enabling infrastructure.

Deputies will see from Government in the revised national development plan next week a very significant increase in capital investment. It will enable a significant upward shift in investment in water, energy, housing and areas under pressure from a supply point of view like childcare and disability services. It is not about giving anybody a lecture on fiscal prudence. It is about saying thank God we are approaching this moment of economic instability with full employment, surpluses and, effectively, rainy-day funds. We have stood up in this House many times and people - not Deputy Whitmore, in fairness - have criticised my party and the Government for setting money aside for economic rainy days. That is looking like a better decision by the day. I agree we need targeted investments in infrastructure. The one-off measures served an important purpose at a time of extraordinarily high inflation but we made it very clear to the people in the election that, if returned to government, we were getting back to one budget each year and there would be space and capacity in that budget to make progress on many issues the Deputy and others would like to see progress on.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In response to the Tánaiste's question, the Social Democrats would absolutely not have spent over €100 million on energy credits for holiday homes. We repeatedly said that. I do not know how anyone could justify that payment. The Tánaiste talks about Wicklow. I will tell him what people and families in Wicklow want. They want the same as families all over the country. They want to know their children, when they grow up, will have a home they can afford. They want to know if they have elderly parents and those parents need hospital care, there will be a bed available for them. They want to know that if their children have disabilities, there will be services and supports provided to them. They want to know the Government, the State and public services are sufficient and will meet their needs. The reality is that does not happen. Ireland is a wealthy country, yet so many pieces of our infrastructure and public sector just do not work. Where has all that money gone? Where has the Government invested it? We have never had as much money come into this country as over the past 14 years and we have very little to show for it.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not agree with that analysis at all. Absolutely, we have seen a significant increase in public spending and that has provided record numbers of new school places, record numbers of special schools and record numbers of-----

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

Homelessness.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----people working in our public services. It has provided record levels of investment in the public service and the things Deputy Whitmore talked about.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are 120 children in Wicklow town who do not have a primary school place for September.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Allow the Tánaiste to answer, please.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a constant attempt to interrupt. We had it the first time I answered the question and are having it the second time. I am trying to answer the question. I have one minute available. We are investing in public services and have put that money to good use. It is seen in communities across the length and breadth of our country. I have stood beside the Deputy at many a ribbon-cutting in County Wicklow where that money has gone.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Actually, you have not.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In constituencies across the country, we have seen the benefit: new schools, Garda stations, new healthcare facilities, primary care services, expanded public transport. We have invested lots of money but we have more to do, including getting to 300,000 more homes; investing in our health, particularly infrastructure around elective hospitals; and access to therapy services. The decision my ministerial colleague, Deputy McEntee, has taken to set up a new national education therapy service will be transformational. The national development plan next week will show the people of Ireland the measures we intend to take to keep our country safe and to invest in our competitiveness and in key infrastructure.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Last Thursday Deputy Ahern raised the issue of climate with the Tánaiste. In response the Tánaiste said:

The climate emergency has not gone away; far from it. We need to look at how we can accelerate the pace of change that needs to take place.

I agree with the Tánaiste. One thing we should not be doing is appointing a climate denier to lead out on the new EU 2040 climate targets but that is exactly what Fine Gael MEPs voted to do last Wednesday. Last week the European Parliament was considering the process for the EU setting its 2040 climate targets. The Patriots for Europe group - the group of Viktor Orbán and Marine le Pen - managed to get appointed as chief negotiator for the policy. That group proudly declares on its website that it calls for abandoning the European Green Deal, so we have climate change deniers setting the 2040 targets. The Greens in the European Parliament led a vote to stop this but the European People's Party - the party of Fine Gael and the Tánaiste - supported allowing climate deniers set the 2040 targets. What is more, three of the four Fine Gael MEPs - Regina Doherty, Nina Carberry and Seán Kelly - voted to allow this happen.

Globally, we are at a crucial time in our fight to lower emissions. Critical negotiations will take place during COP30 in Belém, Brazil in November. We are all very aware of the position of the new US Administration. That is why the leadership the EU has demonstrated over so many years is so critical. Who leads out on setting the EU climate targets has never been more important. That is why the vote of the EPP and the three Fine Gael MEPs could not have come at a worse time. I have a simple question for the Tánaiste: does he think it is a good idea that a climate denier is leading out on the EU's 2040 climate targets? What will he do about it?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not, but I do not particularly think it is a good idea that Sinn Féin chairs the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security either. Sometimes that is way things work out in terms of the division of responsibility.

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

That is disgraceful. That is scandalous.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Am I allowed to have a view?

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

Scandalous.

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Get back into your playpen.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Allow the Tánaiste to answer the question.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What is scandalous about me having the view that I would rather Sinn Féin did not hold that position? What is wrong with that?

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

That is a slur on Deputy Conway-Walsh and this Chair.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Deputy O'Gorman will know, I am allowed to have a political view.

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

That is disgraceful, calling the integrity of a Member of this House into question.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sure you do it all the time.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Tánaiste please answer Deputy O'Gorman?

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

The Tánaiste should withdraw that comment.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no-----

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

That is a disgraceful comment against Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh-----

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no intention-----

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

-----who is not here to defend herself. It is an absolute slur. It is a cheap stunt because the Tánaiste does not want to answer the questions.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not believe Sinn Féin should chair a committee on national security. It is not a shocking position for the leader of Fine Gael to hold that I do not think Sinn Féin should be anywhere near national security. I will continue to hold that view and I will work day and night to make sure it never is.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Disgraceful.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tánaiste, you are currently dealing with Deputy O'Gorman.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That point I am making to Deputy O'Gorman is this. I understand the rapporteur positions on European parliamentary committees are divided up, if not quite by a d'Hondt system by a system reflecting the various strengths of parties in the Parliament. Fine Gael only has one MEP, I think, on the environment committee. It is Seán Kelly, who is a substitute member. I also understand there was a procedural vote on the issue, rather than a substantive vote.

With the greatest of respect for committee rapporteurs, we need a sense of perspective. This person will not be the decision-maker and will not be setting the targets. Those are matters for the democratically elected members of the European Parliament. If the Deputy is being fair to my party's record in the European Parliament, as previous Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe was, he will acknowledge the Fine Gael Party has worked very constructively on climate issues. All Fine Gael MEPs voted for the climate restoration law, for example, which was remarked upon positively by Ciarán Cuffe. He singled out Seán Kelly for praise. Only two Irish MEPs did not vote for that: a Sinn Féin MEP and an independent MEP. I am proud of my party's record on climate and of the work the Government and Ireland is doing on climate. We certainly have a lot more work to do in relation to this.

I outlined in the House last week some areas where we need a serious acceleration and I stated the national development plan would be an opportunity to endeavour to accelerate that work. I am happy to look into further detail of the procedural matter but Fine Gael is proudly a party that believes in the need for urgent climate action. I believe anything to do with the rapporteur of the committee was a procedural matter based on the relative strength of parties and groupings in the Parliament.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There was a vote in the European Parliament last week and three Fine Gael MEPs voted for Ondřej Knotek as rapporteur on climate policy. During his term in the European Parliament, he said:

[The] policies of climate activists, as you are, are not leading to saving the climate. You are lying to people about that if they will be ambitious, that there will be no floods and so on.... But that's not true. You have no data, you have no science base, you have no impact assessments: you are just lying.

No science, no data - that is your guy, Tánaiste. That is the guy Fine Gael voted to put in this vital role. While the rest of us have moved away from denying the existence of climate change, Fine Gael MEPs have decided to appoint to this crucial role a person who denies there is science linking changes in our climate. Did the Tánaiste know his three MEPs were voting for a far fight climate denier in this essential role?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not accept the Deputy’s framing at all. I was endeavouring to engage constructively on this but the Deputy does not wish to, with “our guy” and “my guy” and stuff.

My party's record on climate is very clear, thanks very much. We worked with Deputy O'Gorman in the last Government for five years. We worked with his predecessor, the former Minister, Eamon Ryan, around these issues as well. We have had people like Richard Bruton lead the way and play a very constructive role in terms of climate when he was Minister for climate action.

Our MEPs, I believe, voted on a procedural motion. I do not think phrases like "your guy" is a fair assertion as to what happened. We will continue to work at a European level on climate and we have shown an ability, even within our European grouping, to vote another way if and when we have a different view, even if that view is not universally popular in Ireland but we believe it is the right thing to do by our climate and the planet. That is exactly what the Fine Gael MEPs did in advance of the last European election, despite significant pressure not to do that. If we look at the record of Seán Kelly, in particular, he is someone who represented Europe at the Paris climate agreement talks and at many international fora, including COP21. I am proud of my party's record in relation to climate and I will revert to the Deputy with a little more detail on my understanding of the procedure.

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

On the last day of the Dáil, many around the country will look to mark the Government's report card, so let us have a look at it. The attendance record has been atrocious so far. It is 230 days since the general election and the Government has turned up to the Dáil for 59 of those. That is 75% of the time that has elapsed since the election in which the Government has not come to the Dáil. It has been a stay-at-home Government seeking to dodge the accountability of the national Parliament.

The Government promised it would make this country the best country in Europe to be a child, but it has presided over the implantation of unauthorised springs into children. It presided over a situation where children who did not need scoliosis and hip surgery received it, yet 245 children are still on the waiting list for scoliosis operations. The Government presided over a CHI that operated under a toxic culture and misused State funds. There are 37 children missing from Tusla. Since 2021, Tusla has made referrals to the Garda in respect of 161 children under its care who are suspected of being victims of child sexual exploitation or child trafficking. Since 2014, 235 children in State care or known to State care have died. Of them, ten were murdered and 51 died as a result or suicide or drug overdoses. When the Tánaiste first entered this Chamber, there were 457 children homeless in the State. Today, there are 5,000 children homeless in the State. The Government misled the State about 40,000 houses being built last year when 10,000 of those homes never materialised. The Government promised 41,000 homes would be built this year. It is now going to be closer to 32,000. The ESRI has stated the Government will not make next year's targets either. The Government has made record-breaking house prices, record-breaking rents and record-breaking numbers of people who are homeless at the moment. I asked the Minister for housing about how long it took to get a planning application through An Coimisiún Pleanála. He said he did not know. In many cases, it is taking more than 16 months and some applications are there for two or three years. Uisce Éireann has said it will not get around to filling all the gaps in water infrastructure that are blocking homes being built until 2050 at the moment, and there is no plan for the Apple tax to be invested so far in relation to this. The Government's solution to the housing crisis has been to make apartments smaller and darker. Its solution to rents has been to create a situation where rents will be forced up and its bright idea of a housing tsar has been shelved because of embarrassment.

There is one thing that is more affordable and more available at the moment, and that is cocaine. Criminals are doing a better job in creating a functional market for an illegal drug than the Government is in terms of housing. Rape and sexual assault are increasing in this country. The incidence of domestic violence is four times higher now than it was when the Tánaiste first entered this Chamber. The number of gardaí per capita and the force's morale are on the floor. Fifty-three 53 Garda stations do not have an assigned garda at the moment. Last year, 1,000 prisoners were released from prison after 24 hours because of the overcrowding in prisons at the moment.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Deputy Tóibín, but please conclude.

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

According to a reply I received today to a parliamentary question,-----

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

-----707 prisoners were unlawfully away from prison last year and there were still 131 missing from the prison system at the end of the year.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Resume your seat, Deputy Tóibín.

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

Is it not the case that, in the last seven months, the Government has been floundering?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before I get into the politics of some of that, when we are talking about domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which is an important topic, can we please be clear that increased reporting is a good thing?

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

No, it is not just increased reporting.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Let us have a little bit of decorum in how we speak in this House. The Deputy has spoken for three minutes. I am just looking to reply.

The Minister, Helen McEntee, has done more than any Minister in the history of our State in terms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a zero-tolerance strategy. I am very proud of the work of this Government around the issue. We have a lot more to do on what is clearly a societal epidemic.

The Deputy obviously gave us a report card there. I thank him very much for his perspective. We also have record levels of employment. We have an economy that is running budget surpluses. We have had the ability to effectively create two national wealth funds to protect our country from economic shocks. We have been able to take real measures in the here and now, some of which I outlined, to help cares, to help increase the fuel allowance, to help improve the student grants, and to help reduce the cost of books and provide free books in our schools. We have been able to increase social welfare payments, particularly for our older citizens and our pensioners, to help them live with dignity. We have taken major steps towards housing reform, including around planning by taking the planner out of the back garden in terms of exempting a number of things people might want to do from planning. We have introduced and passed a new national planning framework so we will have enough zoned land to build the homes we need. Next week, the Deputy will see a major capital plan that we have all been working tirelessly on for a number of months that will see record levels of investment in key infrastructural areas like water, energy, housing and also the social infrastructure that is needed in our communities. We have established a national education therapy service for the first time in the history of our State to put therapists in our special schools in a co-ordinated, national way. We are undertaking major reforms in terms of how our health service operates, making sure that the rostering for our health service is done in a way that ensures the right people are there at the right times of the week, right throughout the week, including the weekend. We have made HRT free for women. We have taken clear measures to improve and reform our migration system. We have seen a section 39 pay agreement to help the workers working with people with disabilities. We have established a small business unit. We have extended the basic income scheme for artists. We have set up a Cabinet committee on water quality to fight for our farmers and try to protect our nitrates derogation, and we have reformed the way the Government delivers infrastructure, which was a key commitment we made in the election, because it takes too long to deliver key pieces of infrastructure.

This Government, which is seven months in, as the Deputy said, and with five budgets to go, has already undertaken a lot of work and we will continue to do it while he will continue to critique us from over there.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

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

The increase in domestic violence statistics are not down to increased reporting.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I did not say that either.

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

They are down to increased domestic violence. To hide that fact is actually dangerous as well.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I just asked the Deputy-----

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

Let us talk about the health service, which the Tánaiste mentioned. Billions of euros have been poured into the HSE and we are getting less and less in return. The national children's hospital, which the Tánaiste signed for, is still mired in cost overruns and delays. There have been 500,000 adverse incidents in hospitals just in the last five years and 3,142 people died as a result of those adverse incidents in hospitals. Since the Government has been elected, it has spent €2.4 billion in compensation for those adverse incidents. Incredibly, 115,000 people went to accident and emergency departments last year and waited so long they left without seeing a doctor. Thirteen thousand nurses have left Ireland in the last five years, and in some years, the majority of doctors are emigrating as well. Today, we learned about 500,000 people who were in either electricity or gas arrears. The Government is putting them into debt. It collected €4.1 billion in fuel taxes last year, which is the highest ever level in the history of the State, in the jaws of a cost-of-living crisis. Carbon taxes are topping out at €1 billion-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Deputy Tóibín. Please resume your seat.

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

-----and are hardwired to increase for the next five years. The Government is hurting people at the moment.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tánaiste to reply.

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

There has never been a Government with as much access to cash, but there has never been a Government that has done so little with it.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Just for those who are counting, that was 25 seconds over the time.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

And I have lost four.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I really wish Members would look at the clock and observe the rules of the House.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle might reset my time, if that is possible. I thank him. Deputy Tóibín takes this access to cash for granted. The economy cannot be taken for granted, by the way. He just kind of glosses over that fact. The fact that we have resources is down to the good, prudent management of our country by this Government, its hard work and the hard work of the Irish people.

I have not had as long to write Deputy Tóibín's report card as he has had to write ours, but here is my go at it. Name-calling and personalised attacks: top of the class, Peadar has excelled this term. Rinse-and-repeat attempts at sarcastic humour: significant improvement during term time.

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

This is too serious.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Attendance: reasonable effort, but a lot of noise for a class of just two TDs. Chasing every divisive issue and seeking to divide this country and misrepresent the Government's position: A+.

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is childish.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Actual constructive policy suggestions: no grade, do better.

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

I cannot believe the Tánaiste spent any time on that.