Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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We have some very witty Members on the Labour Party benches urging Deputy Healy-Rae to talk to his brother.

The big insurance rip-off continues. VHI customers will be hit with an increase today, quickly followed by Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health in the coming days. The latest health insurance hike will see some families paying an extra €600 on their premiums. People now fork out almost €2,000 every year for health insurance, which is an extraordinary sum. Private healthcare in Ireland, as the Minister knows, is totally reliant on the public system. Health insurance is supported with tax subsidies to the tune of €400 million every year. The Minister's Government has leverage and I believe it is now time to get off the bench. The Government needs to do its job. I believe it needs to haul in the top brass of the insurance companies and tell them to stop ripping people off. The Government has leverage and it should use it because families are struggling, as the Minister well knows.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I am concerned about the impending increase in private health insurance. It is obviously a big issue for people who are hit with these increases. In terms of what can be done with insurance companies, I will obviously speak to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, in respect of the Department of Health and what can be done in respect of that in terms of her position as Minister for Health. I am also conscious that the Government has previously engaged with insurance companies and has informed them that we do not want to them to increase their premiums in circumstances where that is having a very negative impact on the consumer. I will engage with my colleagues in respect of the issue. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and other statutory authorities under the provisions of the Department of Health also have a say in respect of that matter.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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We know that workers and organisations in the community and voluntary sector provide essential supports to victims and survivors of sexual, domestic and gender-based violence. Yet organisations under sections 39, 56 and 10 are continuing to suffer from severe uncertainty in terms of their finances because of the Government's failure to clarify matters. As of last week, Cuan, which is the Minister's Department’s statutory agency tasked with reducing the incidence of gender-based violence, had made no contact with more than 70 organisations it funds. We understand the Department of justice, the Minister's Department, was supposed to release funding to Cuan to pay the organisations so they could pay their workers and staff. Moneys were meant to be paid by 1 October to go to payroll this month. We understand that has not come through. Can the Minister, as the line Minister, explain to those who work for such organisations providing such vital services why they are not being paid on time during a cost-of-living crisis? Why has there, apparently, been no sanction for this money from the Departments of justice or public expenditure? I think it is a very serious matter.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising that matter. It is opportune that she has done so, because on Monday morning, I met with the chair and chief executive of Cuan. There was an event in the Department in respect of a launch by Cuan and I had an opportunity to meet with the chair and chief executive in advance. They informed me of issues in respect of the funding of Cuan itself and other issues in the sector too. Obviously, Cuan has been extremely well funded since it was set up by my predecessor last year. A lot of funding has gone into it. I obviously want to prioritise the continuance of the protection of women from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and I recognise that to do that these services and agencies in the community have to be funded. I will seek to continue to engage with Cuan in respect of this issue. I am not fully aware if funds have not been released by Cuan. If it has the funds, I have no doubt it will release them. I will, obviously, engage with Cuan in respect of this matter.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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I raise the deeply concerning issue of student contribution fees. Freshers week across the country is wrapping up and students have started lectures, and yet families across Ireland are none the wiser as to what they will be paying in fees. The rumour mill around the Government's budget is that the decrease will only be €500. The confusion and concern about student contribution fees is unacceptable and was completely avoidable. There is a cost-of-living crisis and families and students are staring at a very long and cold winter. In the Social Democrats' alternative budget, which we are launching today, we have outlined the need to decrease the student contribution by the full €1,000, but also to increase the threshold for SUSI and to ensure more affordable options for student accommodation. The Minister's Government seems determined to make it more difficult for students to access and stay in third level education. Can the Minister confirm that his Government will at least reinstate a €1,000 reduction in student contributions permanently and finally give students and their families the opportunity to plan ahead financially?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. I cannot give her information in respect of the student contribution fees at present. However, an awful lot has been done in respect of facilitating students to gain access to third level and to get financial support. I know the threshold for SUSI grants has now increased to €115,000 per family. I note what the Deputy said about what is in the Social Democrats pre-budget submission. Obviously, issues in respect of the contribution fees will be considered in the context of the budget. I am not going to say, and nor do I know, whether there will be any announcement in the budget next week in respect of it. Certainly, though, significant measures have been put in place by the Government to try to facilitate persons at third level.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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The last thing we need are people on hunger strike outside the gates of Leinster House, especially people who were incarcerated by this State, some of them as children, for 16 years. I cancelled what I had planned to raise today because I met those people - the three women and one man - yesterday. The things they are looking for are so basic it is embarrassing. These include access to the HAA card for medical care - as the Minister will know because it was raised with him earlier and last week too - and a contribution in terms of pension. Some of these people were taken from their homes while their father was outside and literally kidnapped and put inside an institution because of the church. The State was also paying money to these schools. The Minister said earlier that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, had met them in July. This is October and these people are outside the gates on a hunger strike, and the only thing that will end it is the Minister going out and organising a meeting with them. The Minister knows that. It is not good enough that a few officials went out to meet them. We need to engage with these people and to try to deal with their issues. These people have been failed by the State. An Act was passed here in the summer - I was not in the Dáil at the time - that leaves-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I ask Deputy Coppinger to conclude.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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-----these people out of the usual redress and this is why they are outside the gates. We need action.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As I said to Deputy Catherine Connolly, I am extremely concerned about people going on hunger strike. It has a really detrimental impact on their health. I urge them to come off their hunger strike. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in respect of this matter. She met people before and I have no doubt that she will again. Her officials have engaged with them again. It is not, though, an appropriate way to try to get a meeting to put huge emotional pressure on a Minister by saying, "We are going on hunger strike". I urge the people to use more reasonable approaches to get the meeting they are seeking.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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Do you think they have not? Get a grip.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Britain's digital ID card - the so-called "Brit-card" - may be a domestic policy, but the consequences will not respect borders. By making the ID digital card mandatory for work, housing and basic services, Britain risks displacing thousands of people from the grey economy. If we consider for a moment where these people will go, are they likely to return home or to come to Ireland via the North? We already know that 88% of all asylum applicants come via the North of Ireland. We must work proactively and not reactively in relation to this issue. We must address this matter before the spillover arrives in Ireland. I call on the Government to establish an Irish Sea border to check Irish ports and airports. We must get ahead of this problem before the situation presents itself. Ireland cannot become Britain's overflow. Indeed, Ireland cannot become the big brother's playground either. The other big issue here is around control in relation to digital IDs.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Deputy to conclude.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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What analysis has been done in terms of immigration and the number of asylum seekers in relation to the Brit-card and will the Government establish an Irish Sea border for people?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. The British Government announced just last week that it is considering the introduction of a UK digital ID card. In fairness to the British Government, it notified my Department in advance. We were aware just a day or so in advance of the announcement that was to be made. There is still a long way to go in respect of this scheme. Obviously, there has to be the production of White Papers, the preparation of legislation and a debate in the House of Commons. In my assessment, the introduction of a UK digital ID card is a long way off. The Deputy may be right in terms of it having an impact on Ireland. However, I cannot go out there and just establish an Irish Sea border. That ignores the reality of the fact that there are two jurisdictions on this island. I assure the Deputy, though, that there will be engagement with the UK Government.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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One of the things that has worked so well to make our schools more accessible and more inclusive is the deployment of additional SNAs to our schools over the past two decades. I raise this issue in light of the recent publication of the guidelines for the review of SNA allocations in schools provided by the NCSE and the concern raised around it. I have to say I feel some of the concern is very justified. Specifically, it is disappointing in light of the investment the Government made prior to the summer in non-mainstream classes in mainstream schools. The point of concern is that the guidelines now refer to schools now being resourced "on a whole school allocation basis. Schools are expected to deploy SNA posts to their mainstream or special class based on the greatest level of need across the student population". This infers a departure from the standard provision of two additional SNAs per non-mainstream class. It infers the departure in the existing review and is also something schools could be concerned about in future. In the clarification provided by the NCSE, it is said that no change will be made to the baseline of two SNAs in each special autism class. It leaves other categories of special classes unaware of their provision.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Connolly. I ask him to conclude.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Classes for children include those for language, reading classes, etc. I think further clarification should be provided.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. The guidelines that were issued last week in relation to the SNAs were reaffirming the 2014 circular that forms the basis of SNAs being employed within schools. There was some misinformation last week in relation to it. I can assure the Deputy that the allocation of two SNAs for the special classes, of whatever form they are, is sacrosanct. It is hugely important that we get that out there. Clarification has been issued by the NCSE and there has been engagement with the union bodies over the past number of days to bring clarity on it. We are committed to ensuring that the SNAs are right across the board and that they are meeting the needs within schools.

Concerns were raised by schools and school management over the past week, but we have sought to bring clarity on it and to assure people that the role of the SNA is sacrosanct, that everybody knows it is based on the 2014 guidelines and that the allocations will be accordingly.

I take the point that there were concerns about it. I am concerned about that as well. Further clarification will be issued to ensure what we are saying.

Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The issue that I am raising here today relates to the Irish Stock Exchange and its importance to the success of Irish incorporated companies and, indeed, Irish investors. The decline of companies listed on the Irish Stock Exchange has been well reported, with a decline from up to 100 in 1999 to a current level of 24. This decline is in stark contrast to the growth in the wealth of the Irish economy since then.

Irish people are saving also at a higher rate than they have done before. While this is positive, some of this wealth could be used as investment in Irish SMEs as they transition to publicly listed companies. This could lead to a greater democratisation of wealth and ensure that the value created by Irish companies does not just remain in the hands of the few and, indeed, private equity.

A mechanism must, therefore, be found for savings and investment schemes which would be sensible and tax efficient to ensure ordinary people can benefit along with Irish incorporated businesses. Also, Ireland currently applies a stamp duty of 1% on the trading of shares, which is much higher than other EU states, many of which apply a 0% rate.

With all of this, can the Minister outline what steps this Government will take to ensure growth and renewal in this key area of our economy?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Neville for raising that interesting point. It is clearly the case that there has been a decline in the number of companies listed in the number of companies listed on the Irish Stock Exchange since the end of the last century. The Deputy gave the statistics there. We cannot stop companies from making a decision that they no longer wish to be listed in Dublin if they have a preference to be listed on the larger stock exchanges, such as in London or New York.

The Deputy raised a number of issues that could improvement the attractiveness of the Irish Stock Exchange. I will bring them to the attention of our colleague the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, who would have responsibility in this area, and I will see whether he would give any consideration to them.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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County Roscommon is one of a number of counties with no domestic violence refuge. I met with Roscommon Safe Link over the summer. I must commend them on the great work that they do.

For a number of years, they have been struggling to find a location for a refuge, which they are anxious to establish for the county. They are struggling to find one that meets the standards that are being applied by the Housing Agency. They are finding them too restrictive. What they have asked is that there would be a more realistic and flexible approach to site assessment, without which we are not going to have a refuge in County Roscommon. Will the Minister please look at the standards that are being applied and see can there be some level of flexibility in cases where a site has not been found despite the best efforts of those involved?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Kerrane. Part of my function, in ensuring that we have adequate protection for women who are subject to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, is to ensure that there are adequate safe homes and refuges through the country. The Deputy will be aware of the progress of that by the Government. I will have a look in respect of Roscommon.

I have to be careful. I do not want it to appear that there is an absolute necessity for a refuge in every county. It may be the case that there will be a refuge in every county, but it is important that we look to see where the services are needed and ensure that they are provided adequately close to the people. I am conscious that the women of Roscommon will want to see one close enough to their county, if not in it.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There are unacceptable delays in children and young adults accessing orthodontic care in Cavan and Monaghan. This morning, again, I spoke to a young mother whose 14-year-old son, with a category 5A classification in relation to provision of dental braces, was told he would be lucky to be seen in another year.

Oftentimes, in relation to healthcare provision, we are told that a lack of capacity, both public and private, is the problem. This is not the case for orthodontic treatment. A welcome initiative by the HSE was the introduction of an orthodontic framework agreement to enable patients referred by the HSE to have orthodontic care provided by capable and competent private orthodontic service providers. I understand that contracts have been awarded and relevant personnel have gone through Garda vetting but the scheme is not operational.

Our public dental system is not in a position to provide an adequate level of service to meet demand in a timely manner. In some cases, parents have to access treatment for their children outside our jurisdiction. At the same time, the capacity is here in the State to ensure that children and young adults get orthodontic care in a timely manner.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Conclude, Deputy.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Whatever obstacle there is, funding or administrative, must be removed without further delay and appropriate and timely orthodontic care must be provided for patients needing this essential treatment.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Smith. I agree it is essential that children get orthodontic care in a timely manner. There can be very upsetting consequences if they do not.

I am aware the Minister for Health knows there currently are delays in accessing this service nationally, and the HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times. There has been significant investment, as the Deputy will be aware, but I am conscious his concern is specifically focused on the orthodontic services in Cavan-Monaghan.

I am informed that patients in Cavan-Monaghan are seen in the orthodontic clinic in Dundalk, which is currently experiencing staffing challenges. There is no orthodontist in post at present, as the Deputy well knows. The HSE has sanction to fill the post and is actively pursuing both temporary and permanent recruitment options, but I will raise with the Minister for Health the issues the Deputy highlighted here about Cavan-Monaghan orthodontic care.

Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The issue that I want to shine a light on here today is in relation to wind and solar energy in east Galway. I know that it is outside of the Minister's area of responsibility.

In east Galway, particularly in the Tuam-Athenry area, we are being bombarded with proposed developments for wind turbines towering 185 m high, a solar farm that is planning to take up 800 acres and a gas plant in Athenry causing untold annoyance and distress. I am trying to understand why east Galway is being unfairly targeted for a vast number of these energy developments and when we can anticipate that the planning guidelines pertaining to the 185 m wind turbines will be revisited. Right now, they are the most visually intrusive developments anywhere in the country.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I am sorry I do not have a specific answer for him. I do not have the detail on the incidence of turbines in east Galway as opposed to other parts of the country. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, in respect of it and will highlight the issue the Deputy has identified.

We also need to recognise that we are trying to ensure that we have renewable energy in the country. If we are serious about renewable energy, we will have to see wind turbines not only on land but certainly offshore as well. I am conscious of the fact that very significant amounts of our energy is now fuelled by renewable energy, such as wind.

I will speak to the Minister about the issues the Deputy has raised and hope he will come back to the Deputy.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I want to talk to the Minister about the defective concrete block legislation once again. We have been back for three weeks. Each week I look at the programme for the week and each week my colleague Deputy Mac Lochlainn, the Sinn Féin Whip, asks for the legislation to come before us here, to the House, to be able to be dealt with.

We are in a situation where homeowners are still waiting for the updated grant rates and the increased timeframe for completion to be applicable retrospectively to all applicants. It is not acceptable. We showed them in June. We said exactly what needed to be done to bring this legislation to the floor of the Dáil. Homeowners are stuck in this limbo where they cannot get the increased rates.

I hope the Whip behind the Minister has some answers on this, maybe that it will come, but we absolutely need this to be brought to the floor. We in the Opposition, and this goes across all Opposition parties, will move heaven and earth, once it comes onto the floor of the Dáil to make sure that it goes through quickly.

We have waited far too long for this legislation.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In fact, Deputy Ward raised this issue with me last week. I answered him by stating that it is on the priority list for publication. It is important legislation from the Government’s point of view. It is being worked upon. I am informed by the Chief Whip that it is not as simple as may be presented. I will certainly speak to the Minister, Deputy Browne, in respect of it. He appreciates the urgency of it. Since it is on the priority list for publication, I think it should be forthcoming promptly.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I want to ask a specific question regarding Daly’s roundabout in Killarney, on the N22, which the Minister knows well. There is a proposal by TII and Kerry County Council to remove the roundabout and replace it with a traffic light. Five sets of traffic lights are supposed to be put up instead of the roundabout. I ask that temporary lights be provided first to see how this will work. Killarney is already choked from every side with respect to getting in and out of the town. In any case, what I am saying to these people is that this roundabout should not be removed, and the work should not be done, until the outer bypass is finished and clearly done. It will create mayhem to replace the roundabout with traffic lights. I ask the Minister to deliver that message to the Minister for Transport.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of that roundabout. I was unaware, however, that it was being replaced with traffic lights. I do not have strong views on the preference for roundabouts or traffic lights, or which are preferable, but I suspect there are engineers in the local authority who have views on it. There must be some reason that they are seeking to replace the roundabout with traffic lights. I will raise the issue the Deputy has mentioned with the Minister for Transport but I cannot guarantee that he is going to start sticking his nose into a row about whether we need a roundabout or traffic lights.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Today, there are 105 people on trolleys at UHL. On Monday, there were 147. The people of the mid-west have been let down by successive Governments. Yesterday, the HIQA review into emergency care capacity was published. It has taken 16 months for a review that states the complete obvious. The question for the Government is what it is going to do about it. I believe the outcome of this review was predetermined and that is why its publication was delayed. As public representatives, we were essentially told by the HSE earlier this year that it did not favour the establishment of a model 3 hospital in the region. Can the Minister confirm what I believe to be true, namely, that a site has been identified in close proximity under a shared governance model, as in option B, and that will go ahead? When is the Minister for Health going to outline exactly when the Government will make a decision on this and move towards giving the people of the mid-west the health service we deserve? We need a pathway towards a model 3 hospital in the region, not more delay.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In fairness to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, my understanding is that she got the report last Thursday and it was published yesterday. It is a 1,200-page report. As the Deputy said, it sets out three options. I would have thought consideration needs to be given to the report before any decision is made in respect of the options. I am conscious that the Deputy has a particular view as to which option should be pursued. I will pass that on to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Ultimately, it is a big decision that needs careful consideration. I have no doubt she will give it that consideration.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The trading online voucher was previously available to businesses of up to ten employees to help them move online, boost sales and access new markets. The Grow Digital voucher was then launched in September 2024 to be available to more businesses for more services, with more funding. In the 12 months since, there were only 150 applications across Ireland, with 139 approvals, so something is not working. The upper grant limit of €5,000 does not seem enough to incentivise cash-strapped SMEs to invest more of their own reserves in digital transition. It is not about the size of the budget allocation for the grant scheme; it seems to be the design. This is at a time when the EU Digital Decade reports are pointing to a worrying slowness in the pace of digital transition among Irish SMEs. I ask the Government to look at reform and a tiered system of grants, and to give an update on any plans to reform the scheme to deliver more effectively for Irish SMEs. They need access to digital supports more than ever.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Burke, about it because I do not have the level of detail that is required to give Deputy Currie a full answer. I note the issue is about the trading online voucher and the Grow Digital voucher. I will ask him to come back to the Deputy with an update in respect of that. I am conscious that online trading capacity is essential for SMEs in Ireland.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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During the week, the HIQA report on the inadequate accident and emergency services at University Hospital Limerick was published after HIQA had considered the matter for 16 months - it took 16 months to produce the report. The report told us what we had already been telling the Government for several years. It refers to a significant inpatient bed deficit in University Hospital Limerick and a growing demand for services, which continues to grow strongly. This is all presenting a risk to patient safety, and I can quote many cases where it actually compromised patient safety. The report concludes by saying that urgent action and investment are needed. I understand what the Minister said in his previous reply to my colleague. Nevertheless, I ask the Minister to assure us that there will be no avoidable delay. This report was undertaken as a result of a meeting that Deputy Cathal Crowe and I had with the previous Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. We told him there was no need for a report but, nevertheless, it has taken 16 months and the situation continues to worsen.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy O’Dea deserves to be commended on the meeting that he and Deputy Cathal Crowe had with the then Minister, Mr. Donnelly, which resulted in there being a report. Obviously, Deputy O'Dea has read the report in detail. As I said previously, it is the case that the Minister only got the report last week and she published it yesterday. It is a detailed report. Notwithstanding the detail, Deputy O'Dea seems to believe there is a very succinct option that should be pursued. I have no doubt he will communicate that to the Minister. I will also send on to the Minister his views and, hopefully, a decision will be made promptly.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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My question relates to tuberculosis, otherwise known as TB. Last year, TB rates increased by 30%, which is really concerning. In 2024, TB cases in children under 12 months equalled the number recorded in the previous decade combined. This year, TB cases are expected to hit 300, yet this growing health crisis has been largely ignored by the Government. The sharp end of this crisis is experienced by some of the most marginalised people in our country. Professor Anne Marie McLaughlin has highlighted that a significant number of the cases are those living in overcrowded settings like direct provision and prisons, both of which the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, is responsible for. Increasing levels of homelessness have also contributed to the sharp rise in TB.

If action is taken, we can turn this around. After all, TB is 100% curable. The Government just needs to make resources available. Somebody I met said that if this were in cattle, the Government would not be found wanting. A TB strategy was published last year but there has been no real progress. Will the Government provide the necessary funding for the TB strategy and the national TB centre so this worrying trend can be reversed?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy that it is a worrying trend to see a growth in the incidence of TB. We thought in Ireland that we had eradicated TB, which, of course, had such an extraordinary social and health impact on people in Ireland prior to the 1950s or 1960s. I hear what the Deputy says in respect of the increase in numbers and I will speak to the Minister for Health about it. Obviously, we need to ensure adequate funding is provided to respond to TB because if we allow it to spread, it will not only have catastrophic consequences for individuals but will also cost the State more money in the long run.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I take this opportunity to pass on my condolences on the death of Mark, Louise and Evan O'Connor, a family who suffered absolute devastation. I do not have words for the shock that that family and the wider community have suffered. Superintendent Andrew Waters said that he would maintain engagement with the family and would also ensure that those supports that are needed would be provided, which is absolutely necessary. Mark and Louise were instrumental in setting up Drogheda ABACAS special school. I know Mark was involved with Inclusion Ireland and Autism Support Louth & Meath. They provided great advocacy.

Both of them were involved in volunteerism across the board.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you, Deputy.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There will be a need, at times, to deal with the issues relating to social media. I would ask that people desist from any speculation and leave the investigations to the Garda. We need to make sure the supports are provided. I am aware there is a candlelit vigil tonight at Stonetown community walking track at 9 p.m. and I have no doubt the community will come together on this.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I also extend my condolences to the wider O'Connor family on the appalling tragedy that occurred. Obviously, an ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution has commenced. I can assure the Deputy that in an incident like this, a family liaison officer will be engaging with the close relatives of the O'Connors. It is a very difficult issue for An Garda Síochána and a traumatic event for the people of Louth. It is important that in the House we extend our condolences to all concerned.

Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent Ireland Party)
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On 1 May, I asked a parliamentary question about the cause of the high volume of refunds in employment permit applications, which was resulting in delays. People are able to get permits, on the one hand, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment but, on the other side, at the Department of justice, there are delays for visas. The left hand is doing one thing and the right hand is doing another and we have massive delays for critical workers. Can we not ensure one side talks to the other and streamline the processing of these critical workers? I am dealing with businesses that are going out of business because they need mechanics and many other critical workers. Why can we not streamline this so that one side talks to the other? We can get people the permits but we cannot get them the visas.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. It is opportune that he mentions this because this morning I had a meeting with American Chamber of Commerce Ireland where we discussed issues with the granting of work permits and subsequently visas. I agree it would be preferable if there was a single entry point where people could apply. When it comes to visas being issued by the Department of justice, it is a more complex process. Work and enquiries that need to be made in many instances take longer than the granting of the work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I hear what the Deputy is saying. Digitalisation will happen and the process will become more efficient.