Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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I want to return to the issue of the global flotilla. I spoke this morning with Senator Chris Andrews, our colleague. His boat, the Spectre, was hit by four Israeli drones. I understand that 11 devices hit that and other boats on the flotilla. These are clearly acts of intimidation, of menace, and of threat. They represent yet another brazen violation of international law. It is simply a symptom of the impunity gifted to Netanyahu and gifted to Israel, to their apartheid, to their occupation and now to their ongoing acts of genocide. As the Minister has acknowledged, the flotilla is a mission of mercy and humanity to break the blockade of Gaza and to deliver aid, and more broadly to put pressure on Israel to stop the genocide and to put pressure on the international community to punish Israel. I appreciate the Minister's earlier words but will he amplify what the Government will concretely do to protect Irish citizens and others on the flotilla?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to hear the Deputy spoke to Senator Andrews. It is obviously a very traumatic event for him and all other persons who are on the flotilla. As I said in my earlier comments, this is a reflection of the contempt Israel has for people who are non-combatants, whether they are in Gaza or on international waters. Having engaged with the Tánaiste's Department this morning I am aware that the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach are very concerned about the overnight attacks on the flotilla and reiterate that no unlawful or violent acts should be taken against the flotilla. I would urge Israel to respect international law and international humanitarian law.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are closely monitoring the situation and will provide whatever assistance that Senator Andrews, Deputy Heneghan or anyone else on the boat requires. That is the current situation but obviously it is a concern that the Government will keep a close eye on.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I will add that all our thoughts are with those on the flotilla. It is hugely important that Ireland does all it can on the world stage to ensure the safety of those on board.

This week, we saw the US President and health secretary coming out with bizarre and unfounded assertions about links between paracetamol and autism. I want to share the horror of AsIAm CEO Adam Harris, who said that the risk of harmful tropes could set us back decades with regard to understanding autism. He said it is dangerous to make these sorts of claims because it stigmatises autistic people and poses a danger to public health. I am concerned about the impact those remarks in the US may have on autistic people here, not least because of the disgraceful remarks made about autism here just last week by a Member of this Chamber, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. I ask the Minister if he and his Government will stand firm against these bizarre theories that have no basis in science. Will the Government call out anti-science rhetoric, particularly where it pertains to autistic people, and will it commit to seeing services installed, particularly in this budget, to allow autistic people in Ireland to live with dignity and have access to the services that are so desperately needed?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Government policy on any health issue has to be guided by science. It cannot be guided by politics. I recall 20 years ago there was a theory put out that there was a link between autism and the MMR vaccine. It got a lot of traction in very respectable organs. Ultimately, it was completely disproven. The Irish Government will certainly not be taking any stances in respect of causes of diseases without any proof in place to indicate what the source of them is. Science has to dictate this, not political convenience.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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In the Irish Examiner this morning, Cormac O'Keeffe gave voice to what many of us working in the area already know. Throughout Dublin city, even youth workers are starting to feel scared as they go about their work, such are the levels of increased violence and intimidation. I find that extraordinary. What is more extraordinary is that the Minister's Government has, over the last two terms, initiated two separate task forces for Dublin city centre in different ways. One amounted to basically a couple of press releases and nothing more. The other completely misunderstood the community it was asked to serve. Has the Minister run out of ideas when it comes to tackling antisocial behaviour and crime in our communities?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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No. I thank the Deputy for the question. Like him, I am a Deputy for Dublin city centre. It is a great city. I am concerned about a narrative that keeps stating that it is a dangerous place to go into.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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Are they wrong?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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There are tens of thousands of people walking around the streets of Dublin today as the Deputy and I will do later. They feel safe, and they are right to feel safe.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputy, please.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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There are always going to be circumstances where there are criminal acts. It is a city and county that has 1.2 million people in it. As Minister for justice, I cannot come to the Deputy and say there will be no criminal activity in Dublin. It is a large international capital city. What we have to do as Deputies representing the city centre is be more positive about it. There are obviously aspects-----

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I will tell the people-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Deputy.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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There are parts of Dublin city that can be unsafe, particularly for somebody who has been attacked, but predominantly it is a safe city. Look at the crime statistics; they are down. Look at the knife statistics; they are down. The Garda is doing a good job and the Deputy should get behind his city rather than denigrating it.

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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I have written to the Minister, Deputy Heydon, regarding the closure of the ISPCA's animal centre in Donegal, a devastating decision that has detrimental animal welfare effects in the north-west region. Just over a week ago in Donegal, we saw 14 dogs rescued from horrific conditions but these dogs have nowhere to go. They will travel a considerable distance to reach the nearest facility, which means longer transport times for distressed, injured and abandoned animals, raising serious questions about their welfare and the capacity of other centres to absorb the additional demand. I also raised questions about the cost it will involve, given that the Donegal centre was closed because of serious financial challenges. Surely it does not make financial sense to close a centre. With the arrangements that have been made to ensure the animals in Donegal continue to receive the appropriate care needed and transport to distances that do not compromise their welfare, I have written to the Minister, Deputy Heydon, asking if he can intervene and stop this centre being closed immediately.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Ward. I was not aware there was a closure of the ISPCA centre in Donegal. It is obviously a concern for people and for the animals of Donegal. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Heydon. I do not have an answer for the Deputy. I do not where it is proposed that the closest centre will be for people in Donegal. I hope there will be one in Donegal or the surrounding counties. I will come back to the Deputy in respect of that having spoken to the Minister, Deputy Heydon.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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Across the country, parents are alarmed at the attempt to slip gender ideology into the new primary school curriculum under the label of "well-being". They have spoken in their thousands in forums and yet the Government presses on. At a time when children face many challenges in growing up, it is reckless to add confusion and division into the classroom. Schools are meant to give stability, not be a laboratory for ideology. With regard to the reality of biology, it is a fact, to my mind, that a male is a male and a female is a female. Parents want clarity on this, not ideology. Let me put the question very plainly and simply to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and her Government: what is a woman?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I was really pleased to launch the new primary school curriculum this week, something that has been developed for many years in consultation with schools, teachers, parents and also with young people. There is no miscommunication or confusion. We are very clear as to what is in the curriculum. There is a greater emphasis on physical health but there is an emphasis on making sure we support young people's well-being. We want to make sure that we support young people to be resilient but that we also have classrooms that are warm, welcoming and safe.

I am very clear on what is in the curriculum. I wish to be clear on this because there is no confusion other than what the Deputy has just said, which is completely inaccurate. We will talk to young children about puberty. What they have told us is that we are talking to them too late - that it has already happened and there is no point in talking to them in sixth class. That will happen at an earlier stage. We have talked to young people about issues like sexual orientation. We voted for marriage equality ten years ago. We are very clear that we recognise, as we should, same-sex couples and relationships and that is what we will be speaking to young people about.

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Permanent anaphylaxis is not currently listed as a qualifying condition under the long-term illness scheme, even though it is a long-term condition and requires lifelong management and access to emergency medication. The long-term illness scheme has not been updated since the 1970s. I ask the Minister of State if permanent anaphylaxis would be considered but also if the Government plans on reviewing the scheme, considering it has not been reviewed in such a long period.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy very much for his question on the long-term illness scheme, where many illnesses are listed. The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, keeps this under review at all times. I will bring the Deputy's concerns back to the Department.

Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I sat in my office in Carlow town last night until almost 9.30 p.m. with two primary school principals who tell me they lie awake at night wondering how they are going to pay the constantly increasing costs of running their schools. They, along with the multiple emails and calls I have received from across Carlow and Kilkenny from teachers and parents alike, have four simple asks: to increase the capitation fee for primary school principals; to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio; to roll out the small-school projects that we all agree have been a huge success in small schools nationally, such as Glynn National School in County Carlow; and to make the SEN co-ordinator a role in its own right. They are all asks that are included in the programme for Government. Can the Minister please ensure that sufficient funding is provided in budget 2026 to the Minister for education to ensure she can implement these measures in line with the programme for Government?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I acknowledge the unbelievable work our principals do in our schools, the teaching they provide and the way in which they manage their schools. Of course I want to see more funding invested in education. Every cent we spend on a young person is not only an investment in their future but also an investment in our future. We have increased the capitation over the last number of budgets but of course I am currently, as we all are, engaging with the Ministers, Deputies Chambers and Donohoe, to ensure I can secure as much money as possible. What I am also doing, and what I think is really important, is taking a look at exactly what the costs are for schools. Whether it is electricity, heating, insurance costs or hidden costs we are not aware of, I want to understand exactly what the costs are on a day-to-day, weekly and monthly basis in our schools and then see how we can support them but also how we can bring those costs down.

That will feed into a wider piece of work I am doing. When it comes to the budget I will advocate, as we all are, for as much money as possible.

Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)
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I have been contacted by parents and SNAs in schools throughout Fingal East. They have real concerns about the recently published SNA review process of the 2025-2026 guidelines by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. The guidelines could risk serious harm to children with special education needs and I share their concerns. Any effort to tighten timelines or restrict criteria has the potential to deny children access to the supports that they need to grow, develop and thrive. The proposal for unification and redeployment risks the protection autism classes resources have. It will also set it up for internal conflict between autism classes within the mainstream schools. Sinn Féin will continue to support the SNAs and the children they serve. I will continue to raise their concerns with the Minister and the NCSE. Will the Minister review or suspend the guidelines until there can be proper consultation with the schools, the SNAs, the parents and the unions?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome an opportunity to provide clarity for people in this regard. Three things are happening at the moment. First, myself and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, have made very clear that we will change the timelines by which SNAs are allocated. It is not good enough that on the day before they start school, children do not know whether they have an SNA or not. We are making it very clear that timelines will align with teacher allocations. Schools will still have time at the beginning of the year to identify whether there is an additional need and to make that further appeal. However, at any time throughout the year, if a dynamic in a school changes and if a child comes to the school with an additional need, there will always be an opportunity for a school to make that appeal.

Second, we want to ensure a redeployment scheme is put in place. It has always been the case that SNAs are redeployed. If the need is not in a school for a particular SNA, they move to other schools. Unfortunately, at the moment they have to resign and are made unemployed. They then have to reapply to school. It is not efficient and it is not fair on SNAs. We are changing that to have a more efficient redeployment scheme.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I thank the Minister. She will have to write to Deputy.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The third thing is around actual SNA allocation. No changes are being made to the criteria. The way in which they are applied now is the way in which they will be applied in the year ahead. I want to be really clear on that.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government is supportive of the provision of family resource centres which provide community development and family support services in towns throughout the country. Longford town has a population of 10,000. It has the highest truancy levels in the State by population. It has the highest number of referrals to Tusla and it has the most diverse population in the country. Yet, in the recent application, we were unsuccessful in securing funding despite putting together a needs assessment with all the organisations working on the ground in Longford to highlight the need. The need we have for a family resource centre was shown. We have a building and we have a board but we do not have the money. We were not successful despite the highest need across all those levels in the country.

I am looking for a commitment that in budget 2026 we will provide money for additional family resource centres and that Longford, which has the highest need in the country, and that need is factual, will be successful in what it needs, namely a family resource centre based in the town.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. I agree with him that family resource centres do outstanding work. I have them in my own constituency. I would say every Member of this House is aware of the excellent work they do. I am informed that the Minister, Deputy Foley, has announced the opening of five new family resource centres this year. There are many applications for funding in respect of the resource centres throughout the country. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Foley, in respect of the issue the Deputy raised in his constituency. I do not have a detailed response at present but I will try to come back to the Deputy on that. I can understand his desire to ensure the family resource centre, which has a board and a building, continues and that it needs money.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I plead with the Minister to use his power urgently to end the industrial and reformatory school survivors' hunger strike by immediately awarding a health amendment Act, HAA, card to all survivors as they deserve access to comprehensive healthcare to deal with the lasting effects of these institutions and by awarding a full contributory State pension for the unpaid work done by them many years ago. These survivors worked long hours, unpaid, saving the State and religious orders a significant amount of money. The survivors are owed fair financial recognition for their forced, unpaid labour. They did in fact receive State apologies from the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and former President, Mary McAleese, but that will not pay their bills. I know some of these survivors personally and I am aware they are not for turning. They will not change their minds unless they get what both they and I believe they are entitled to. I wish to put on the record of the House that I fully support the survivors. I implore the Minister to act decisively on this most urgent matter to avoid any further unnecessary suffering. Survivors of the Magdalen laundries are receiving an extra pension for the work they did while these survivors, who spent years in these institutions, are getting nothing.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have been given a note in respect to that matter. I am very concerned that people have taken the extreme step of going on hunger strike. Like the Deputy, I urge them to reflect upon the potential damage they are doing to themselves by engaging in this. I will certainly speak to the relevant Ministers for the purpose of seeing whether a resolution can be obtained. From what Deputy Cahill says, the demands are relatively limited. However, there is an opportunity for people to discuss this and to seek to get agreement and resolution without the extreme action that is being taken at present.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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I want to return to the attacks on the global summit flotilla that occurred last night. This was actually the second attack on this flotilla. It includes more than 20 Irish 20 citizens, including my colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, who told me this morning that his boat was attacked four times last night. Those attacks are a wilful intimidation and an act of aggression against a humanitarian mission. This was a direct assault on boats carrying baby food and rice, aid that can and should reach those who are in absolutely desperate need in Gaza. Palestinians do not need another statement. Statements will not end this genocide, just as concerns and observations will not ensure the safety of those on the flotilla. We need to see meaningful action to protect those Irish citizens.

My question to the Minister is: what action does the Government intend to take today to protect the Irish citizens on that flotilla?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have to be aware of the limits of Irish influence and Irish powers. We are not a strong military power. I cannot direct marines or members of the Irish Rangers to rescue people on that ship. We are not in that type of business. When it comes to what action are we going to take, the Deputy knows as well as I do that the only action we can take is through the power of our influence, by condemning this behaviour and by trying to bring to the attention of the international community the totally unacceptable behaviour of the Israeli Government. We have been quite effective in doing that. However, that is all we can do. We are not a military power. We do not get involved in military engagements with other countries.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I have a specific question on the external review into spinal care in Temple Street hospital which began in September 2023, nearly two years. I understand it is still at phase 1. That report was on top of all the reports we know about, such as the Boston review on spinal surgery for patients with spina bifida; the HIQA review on the use of surgical implants in September 2023; and the Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip published in 2025. This is the fourth report, not to mention all the internal reports. Where is this report at? The Minister knows the disquiet on the ground and that people are asking for an independent inquiry. We know what inquiries lead to. Can we have a date for the report? Has part of it gone to the Minister and has part of it gone relevant Minister? Where are we with the status of that report?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In fairness, the Deputy asked a straightforward question. I do not have that information. I will ask the Minister for Health to give me the specific information in respect of it. However, there was an announcement today that it is the Minister's intention to fully integrate CHI into the HSE, which is a positive development. There has been a number of reviews recently focused on the paediatric services in CHI. The Nayagam review is also under way-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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That is the one I am interested in.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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-----phase two of which is reviewing the service, including the governance being provided by the paediatric surgery service at Temple Street. I cannot tell the Deputy when it will be finished.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Minster and the Deputy can correspond further.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Is it part of the report already?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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No.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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It is not a back-and-forth.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My instruction is that it is not yet with the Minister. I will ask the Minister when it will be available.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Go raibh míle maith agat.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I call the Minister, Deputy Wall. I mean Deputy Wall.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I appreciate the promotion. I raise the importance of the housing aid and housing adaption grants that are administered by the local authorities. In particular, I refer to a letter recently received by all public representatives in County Kildare stating that the grants have been paused. My office is aware of more than 20 applicants who have been told to apply again next year. Those application forms have been returned to the constituents in question. I am sure the Minister will be aware of the importance of these grants and the great work that is done through them. As a result of their being paused, many people are going through trauma and concern about the quality of their lives. Will the Minister raise this issue with the Minister for housing? Kildare County Council needs additional funding. I understand it is not the only local authority involved, but at a time when people need them most, we should go back and ensure these grants are readily available. There should be no pause in any local authority area.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I agree that housing aid and housing adaption grants are vital. They are hugely important and the Government is supporting them. I do not have the details required to reply to the Deputy's question, and I apologise for that. However, I will engage with the Minister, Deputy Browne, try to get the information and come back to the Deputy.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Last week's "RTÉ Investigates" programme on data sharing and the sharing of personal geolocation data by individuals through the downloading of apps was shocking and disquieting. People the length and breadth of this country are downloading apps and making consents, which are not real or informed, to allow third parties not only to gather hugely personal and invasive information about them but then to sell it to third parties without the knowledge of the person who has downloaded the app. Does the Minister agree that it cannot possibly be in compliance with the general data protection regulation or with our own data protection laws? If there is not informed consent and people do not understand they are giving that consent, it cannot be in accordance with data protection. What is the Government going to do to ensure that the providers of these apps are required to get informed and real consent from the people using them?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I know he featured in the programme. I had a walk-on part as well. The Data Protection Commission is treating this matter seriously and is investigating it. The officials in my Department are engaging with the commission, which is required by law to ensure that it investigates matters such as this if it believes what is involved infringes upon the data rights of individuals. Part of the problem, as the Deputy identified, is that there is not sufficient awareness on the part of individuals that when they link to certain apps, they are providing ongoing information in respect of their movements. I want the Data Protection Commission to investigate the issue and I want a report from it in respect of what it identifies. I share the Deputy's concern.

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I am speaking today on behalf of the Wade family in my constituency. They had great success in the European kickboxing championships in Italy last year. The three Wade siblings, three unique young people, are Abbie, who is 13 years old and won two bronze medals; Ryan, who is 16 years old and won one bronze medal; and Amy, who won two gold medals and was named as the fighter of the tournament. They represented their country with pride and distinction against other national teams from across Europe and around the world. However, unlike those other national teams, the Wades and others like them representing Ireland in martial arts championships did not receive any support from the State even as they donned the green jersey on behalf of the country and represented it in a sport they love. Teams from other countries receive that support. In that context, it is important for the Government to consider how we incentivise and encourage elite performance at juvenile level in the lesser recognised sports. I encourage the Minister to take up the matter with the Minister for sport.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for informing and educating me about the success of the Wade family in kickboxing. As the Deputy knows, Sport Ireland is the entity that allocates funding directly to the relevant national governing bodies. I am concerned to hear that they received no funding whatsoever. This is an issue that I will raise with my colleague the Minister for sport. The way we decide how funding should be allocated is on the basis that Sport Ireland has the significant say in the distribution of funding. I thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention. I will raise the matter with the Minister for sport.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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I, too, raise the Global Sumud Flotilla because to be quite honest, the Minister's answers so far have been weak and inadequate. The flotilla was attacked in European waters last night. It is a humanitarian fleet of over 500 civillians, among them our colleague and my friend Deputy Chris Andrews, my friend and comrade Tadgh Hickey, and 20 more brave Irish citizens, who are doing the work that the world's governments should be doing by trying to deliver humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters in Palestine. This is psychological warfare and distraction because the terror state of Israel knows it will get away with it. This is just the beginning. What usually happens when our flotillas are attacked is that the destruction and slaughter in Gaza and the West Bank increases. I do not want more words of condemnation or concern. We need action. Our Government needs to act now. What is it going to do?

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Thank you, Deputy, time is up.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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We need to ensure the safe passage of this flotilla-----

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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The Minister to answer, Deputy.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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-----and keep our citizens safe.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has provided significant humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza. The amount is in the region of €90 million. I ask the Deputy to tell me what she wants the Irish Government to do.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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Ensure that our citizens are safe. Place sanctions on Israel.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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I am telling you both-----

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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Make sure that Israel does not get away with this any more.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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-----that is not how this debate works.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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Keep your eyes on the flotilla.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Thank you, Deputy.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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Keep your eyes on Gaza and the West Bank. Right now, the slaughter is increasing and we have not put in place any sanctions.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Minister, do you have an answer?

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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He has no answer and there are no sanctions.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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We are keeping our eyes on what is happening in Gaza. We are condemning the actions of the Israeli Government.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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Condemnation.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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We are leading by example in the European Union, and other countries are following our example by recognising the State of Palestine. We are leading by example in ensuring that the issue of the EU-Israel trade agreement is coming under consideration. People are coming around to the Irish point of view. We are doing a lot.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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Sanction the terror state.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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Today marked the close of nominations of candidates for the Presidency. Only three people will go forward for the Presidency of this country, which has a population of 5 million. Some very genuine people, one of them being Maria Steen, put their name forward only to be blocked by what can only be called a big party rigged system. This age-old-age process must be scrapped. Independent Ireland will bring forward a Bill in the weeks ahead to not only allow Oireachtas Members to vote for a candidate but that will also include our MEPs and give stronger opportunities to councils to nominate with the backing of 75 councillors. It will also include a preliminary round of voting similar to the French presidential model. That would allow a wider and fairer field of candidates. It is obvious to the tens of thousands of people out there that the process we have is wrong. Will the Minister commit to working with Independent Ireland to bring forward a Bill to put in a change to the effect that genuine candidates will face some regulation but will not be blocked by the bigger parties if they put their names forward for the Presidency?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy says there are only three candidates for the Presidency of Ireland when there are 5.5 million people here. In the United States of America, which has a population of approximately 400 million, there are only two candidates.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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That is not right.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Deputy to bring forward legislation.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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Sorry, Deputies, we are out of time. Perhaps they would listen to the answer and show some respect.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Deputy to bring forward legislation and it can be considered. I must point out that it will require a constitutional amendment. My view is that when you look at the provisions contained within the Constitution, they are probably correct. Twenty Members of the Oireachtas and-or four local authorities are required. Much consideration went into drafting that. If the Deputy wants to change that, he must bring forward a Bill proposing how the Constitution should be amended. I would be cautious as to whether or not the Irish public would support it.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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I look forward to supporting the campaign of Deputy Catherine Connolly, who did get the required signatures.

I have spoken to many parents in Kildare about a lack of childcare facilities. I have a question. In many new housing developments in Kildare, we are seeing empty-shell units of childcare facilities. It is no problem if the Minister does not have an answer now because I can follow up later. However, what are the Government's intentions in this regard? If and when a private unit is left empty for a significant period, whether that is 12 or 18 months, and it is not going to be a financially feasible private enterprise, how is the Government going to intervene to roll out its programme for Government commitments regarding a public model of childcare?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of childcare facilities in Kildare. If a premises is left vacant for a lengthy period, it is, in the first instance, an issue for the local authority in Kildare to assess what can be done. The Government has invested a considerable amount of money to fund childcare.

I am conscious that one of the issues is trying to identify appropriate properties for the provision of childcare facilities. I will certainly speak to the relevant Minister, Deputy Foley, in respect of it and on whether anything is available for Kildare. However, the local authority also has a big role to play in respect of it.