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

It was revealed this morning that the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne, will jet off to an event on the French riviera paid for by developers, large corporate landlords and vulture funds. We must bear in mind that this is the same Minister who is rolling out the red carpet for these funds, the same types of funds that will make a fortune from the Government's rent hike Bill. Documents show that officials expect private market sponsors to pick up the tab for what is called the "Ireland Pavilion", from where the Minister will conduct business. It seems very cosy to me. Does the Tánaiste accept that it is a mistake to allow developers and big landlords to fund an event for the Government such as this and for a Government Minister to be attending such an event paid for by those same big corporate landlords and developers?

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

I think the Deputy would have a much bigger concern if we came in here and said that the Government and the taxpayer were going to pay for the advocacy of an industry body. It makes entirely appropriate sense that industry would meet the costs of its portion of any conference or the likes. In terms of any public servants attending, those costs will be met from within the Government Department. Contrary to the Sinn Féin view of the world, we need private investment to build private homes and apartments in this country. It cannot just be about State housing. We are spending more money than most European countries in relation to putting direct Exchequer funding into housing. I am proud that we are doing that and prioritising housing, but we also need private investment. The Housing Commission is clear in relation to this point. I certainly view the point made by the Deputy the other way around, in that I definitely do not think the taxpayer should be picking up the tab for industry bodies that are well able to fund these things themselves.

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

So it is cosy.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This Sunday is International Women's Day. Five years ago, the Labour Party introduced legislation to afford workplace leave to women experiencing early miscarriage or those going through fertility treatment. It passed on all Stages in the Seanad and on Second Stage here in the Dáil, and I was struck by the enormous and heartfelt cross-party support. The then Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, commissioned research and very clear recommendations were made that early miscarriage is a workplace issue. Does the Tánaiste believe that women should be afforded workplace leave if they experience an early miscarriage? Will this Government legislate to give effect to providing women with that leave when it matters most?

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

Yes, I do, is the truthful answer. I thank the Deputy and acknowledge her and her party's work on this issue. As she rightly acknowledged, I think there is a political consensus that this is an area that we should see progress on. I know that the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, is doing work in relation to this matter too. I hope the Government will be in a position to have proposals on this shortly. I will certainly ask the Minister to update the Deputy directly.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last week, I appealed to the Tánaiste to intervene on behalf of the 400 children and teachers in St. Patrick's national school in Celbridge. What we know today is that the school is closed. The Department of education knew about the problems in the school as far back as last summer. The Tánaiste has been at pains to tell us this morning that he has capital. The community of Celbridge needs capital. It needs investment and a plan in the short, medium and long terms for those children and parents who are at home. What is the plan for those children and their education going forward?

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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue again. I acknowledge that he raised it last week and on many other occasions. His colleagues in Kildare have done so as well. My understanding is that the Department of education made contact with the patron and school authority. I understand arrangements are being considered, possibly while we are here. I understand a meeting is under way now to ensure the school reopens as quickly as is possible. The Department has received a number of emergency works applications from the school. There has been a back-and-forth discussion. Frankly, I do not think it is helpful to read it out. This needs to be sorted. The Department needs to sort it as well. We do not need to be penpals international here. We need people in a room working out these issues so this school can reopen as a matter of priority. I know the Minister, Deputy Naughton, is very engaged on this issue. As the Deputy will know, she visited the school on 14 January this year. I will ask that the Deputy be given an update after that meeting today.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The staff of the ambulance services are currently balloting for industrial action. The ballot will take place over the next four weeks. Should this develop into strike action, the impact will be catastrophic. The reason for this ballot is that changes have been implemented unilaterally by the HSE and the management of the National Ambulance Service. One of the changes will mean that trainee paramedics who have completed their degrees and have been working with ambulance crews over the last three years will no longer enter into full-time positions in the National Ambulance Service. Additionally, the situation currently is that staff are deployed to another base only if it is no more than 45 km from the one where they are currently stationed. Management now wants to change that to have three regions in the country, which could mean going over 200 km and more. What will people with mortgages do? Imagine what it would mean in terms of people having to travel at the end of a 13- or 14-hour shift.

We badly need additional staff in the ambulance services, as the National Ambulance Service has only about 60% of the numbers we need. We have spent €16 million on training 400 of these staff currently, and then we are going to make it as hard as possible for them to come into the service. The iron-fist approach of management has to be halted. I am asking the Tánaiste and the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to intervene, restore some level of common sense and ensure that these young, highly skilled workers are brought into the service and strike action is averted. We cannot have strike action in the ambulance service. There is a complete breakdown between the unions and the management here. It has been an iron-fist approach, and someone needs to have a chat with the management in the HSE and the National Ambulance Service.

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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and bringing it to my attention. I will certainly speak with the Minister for Health on foot of him raising this issue here today.

I would make the point broadly that any dispute gets resolved by people engaging. I certainly hope we do not get into a position of seeing an industrial dispute that causes a disruption to service. I know nobody will want that, including people who do an excellent job in the service. I hope we can find through the mechanisms available an opportunity for substantive engagement. I will certainly pass on the Deputy's views to the Minister for Health.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is four weeks.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A deeply disturbing case emerged before the courts of a vulnerable woman with an intellectual disability who was sexually assaulted in a swimming pool steam room. The man responsible has been convicted and yet the sentence imposed was reduced after the court considered difficulties for a foreign national serving a sentence in this jurisdiction. Let us be clear what this means; a woman who lives with the consequences of oral rape-----

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

Is this a legal case?

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is finished. It has gone through the courts.

Let us be clear what this means; a woman who lives with consequences of rape for the rest of her life saw the punishment of her attacker reduced because he is not from this country. Justice must be blind to nationality. The only people who deserve special consideration are the victims of these attacks. Does the Government believe it is acceptable that the nationality of an offender is taken into account and should result in a reduced sentence considering that particular type of offence and the seriousness of sexual crime? Will the Government now examine the sentencing framework to ensure that such consideration can still give justice to the victims of Ireland? Victims must come first.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You never care when it is an Irish man of course. Never once have you raised a case like that. Ever.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I did not know you were made Tánaiste.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You only care if the perpetrator is a foreigner, you do not care otherwise. You do not care about women, stop pretending.

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

I call Deputy O’Meara.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Using gender-based violence to be racist should be called out.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the lady speaking for the Tánaiste?

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

No. Sit down. The Deputy is out of order and Deputy Coppinger is out of order.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am making a point.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You are making a point on somebody else’s time. That is what you are doing.

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

I call Deputy O’Meara.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will not stop calling you out.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Would the Tánaiste like to reply?

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

The Tánaiste cannot reply to matters that were being dealt with legally, or those matters. We should all know that.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is about the policy.

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

No, it is not about policy.

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

The rules do not allow me to apply. The Deputy knows that.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am only asking for justice for a victim. It is very disappointing.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I raise access to fibre broadband in Rathcabbin village which is in lower Ormond in the very north of my constituency. Rathcabbin is just off the main Birr to Portumna road, very north Tipperary. We have a strange situation where the village itself is in the blue zone so therefore should be provided for by commercial operators. The rural areas around the village are in the amber zone, and provided for in the national development plan through National Broadband Ireland. The rural areas for the most part have fibre broadband connection, but the commercial operators have not gone into the village yet, which is a very difficult position for the people of Rathcabbin who already suffer with bad phone reception in parts as well. For families, people trying to working from home and businesses operating, can the Tánaiste engage with the commercial providers to try and put pressure on them to get into Rathcabbin and give the people there the connectivity they deserve?

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

I thank Deputy O’Meara for raising this issue in relation to Rathcabbin and the affect this is having on his constituents in a very practical and real way. Broadband has become such an important part of how we live and work. It is an essential part of the infrastructure and utilities we all need. I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, to engage directly. This is an interesting example of State intervention at one level and commercial intervention on another. We need to make sure nobody falls between the stools. I will ask the Minister to engage with the Deputy directly on this.

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

The living city initiative in Cork is confined to a very small number of areas, Shandon, St. Luke's, South Parish, and there is now a need for the regeneration of the city centre area. I am looking to know if serious consideration will be given to extending the boundaries of the living city initiative in order to progress and encourage the development of properties which are currently vacant. There is a huge change over the past number of years in the sense of the development of new offices outside of the city centre area. As a result, many of these buildings are unoccupied on the first, second and third floors. I am wondering if the living city initiative could be extended and included in the review of the overall plan in relation to the future of Cork and the taskforce that is to be set up.

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

I thank Deputy Burke for his time in Cork last Friday and for facilitating the meetings we had with the CEO of Cork City Council, the Cork Business Association and indeed, the Port of Cork and many others. I found it to be a very useful series of engagements. What is very clear is that the people of Cork through the local authority and others are about to embark with Government support on this whole look at – they do not like the word taskforce in Cork, we use it in Dublin – the future of Cork report and regeneration and rejuvenation will be a part of that. What came up at our meetings last week was the idea of the current maps not addressing all of the potential there could be. The Deputy will understand I do not make budget or tax commitments outside of the budget cycle, but if the whole of this issue was looked at in the round as the Deputy suggested as part of the future of Cork report, I would be willing to engage enthusiastically on any findings that might emerge from that.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of St. Patrick’s School in Celbridge. It is closed today because of safety concerns. I raised this a couple of weeks ago and over the past few years. I mentioned it is held together with duct tape. We managed to speak to the Minister, Deputy Naughton, last night, and she said members of the Department are going out to inspect the school today. I asked would she issue us with the safety report and hopefully the school could open again. The parents need to know that for transparency. She told us there is a programme of works to be done. We need information on a timeline today so we can give that to parents this evening. The parents, staff and students deserve transparency and reassurance on this. I ask the Minister to outline what steps her Department is taking to ensure proper, safe facilities to secure an immediate return of these students to the school. Parents were left without childcare for their children today. They have waited almost 19 years for a permanent school building, and they were left with 24-hours notice about getting their children minded today.

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

I thank Deputy Cronin for raising what is a very serious matter that has caused significant worry and concern and as she rightly says, huge inconvenience for parents before we even get into the educational impact, which is also real. I acknowledge she has raised this in this House before. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to come back to Kildare Oireachtas Members including the Deputy, today. I have been told there is a meeting taking place between the school and the Department today. I am also told - the Deputy knows more locally than I do - that significant works have been carried out in the school, remediating flooring, electrical issues, drainage and guttering. The Department believes this should address many of the safety issues. The point I made to Deputy Farrelly is the point I make today. We need one set of facts. We need the Department and the school to agree a way forward. The Department needs to take a hands-on approach in resolving this. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, is doing just that. I will ask her to come back to Deputy Cronin today.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Last week I submitted a paper to the Department of Tourism, Enterprise and Employment to protect customers, an equal playing field for businesses, to address bid rigging and to dismantle cartels. We saw the conflict that is taking over the Middle East at the weekend. We have seen the price of brent crude oil increase by 26% in global markets over the last 90 days and we have seen the same increase domestically of 50% to 60%. I welcome the expansion of the fuel allowance but despite that, there is economic anxiety about what is happening. Will we see greater powers for the CCPC to ensure there is timely conclusion to such actions and more impactful consequences when people are found guilty of malpractice?

Second, if we see prolonged conflict in the Middle East, will there be financial intervention from the Government or will it at least consider it as soon as possible?

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

I thank Deputy Clendennen for raising this issue. He is entirely right; there is a real sense of anxiety in general, including economic anxiety. What is going on in the world is frightening and deeply concerning. As I said yesterday in the finance committee and today in the Dáil and as the Taoiseach has also said, the Government keeps all of these matters in terms of interventions under review in terms of the impact of prices, and we will continue to keep this under review. We have to get a sense of the economic impact. It is a very different economic reality if this is something short versus if it is something that goes on for weeks and months. We continue to monitor it. We also need to work on it at European level and that is why I will engage with Eurogroup colleagues on Monday, specifically on the issue of energy affordability which is an agenda item.

I thank the CCPC for the work it does. I happened to have an opportunity to meet with it at the Cabinet committee on the economy. It is our intention to give the CCPC further powers and there will be legislation forthcoming in relation to that. In the here and now, within its existing powers, it has opened an urgent investigation into reports of price gouging.

I would make the point broadly that any dispute gets resolved by people engaging. I certainly hope we do not get into a position of seeing an industrial dispute that causes a disruption to service. I know nobody will want that, including people who do an excellent job in the service. I hope we can find through the mechanisms available an opportunity for substantive engagement. I will certainly pass on the Deputy's views to the Minister for Health.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is four weeks.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A deeply disturbing case emerged before the courts of a vulnerable woman with an intellectual disability who was sexually assaulted in a swimming pool steam room. The man responsible has been convicted and yet the sentence imposed was reduced after the court considered difficulties for a foreign national serving a sentence in this jurisdiction. Let us be clear what this means; a woman who lives with the consequences of oral rape-----

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

Is this a legal case?

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is finished. It has gone through the courts.

Let us be clear what this means; a woman who lives with consequences of rape for the rest of her life saw the punishment of her attacker reduced because he is not from this country. Justice must be blind to nationality. The only people who deserve special consideration are the victims of these attacks. Does the Government believe it is acceptable that the nationality of an offender is taken into account and should result in a reduced sentence considering that particular type of offence and the seriousness of sexual crime? Will the Government now examine the sentencing framework to ensure that such consideration can still give justice to the victims of Ireland? Victims must come first.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You never care when it is an Irish man of course. Never once have you raised a case like that. Ever.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I did not know you were made Tánaiste.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You only care if the perpetrator is a foreigner, you do not care otherwise. You do not care about women, stop pretending.

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

I call Deputy O’Meara.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Using gender-based violence to be racist should be called out.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the lady speaking for the Tánaiste?

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

No. Sit down. The Deputy is out of order and Deputy Coppinger is out of order.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am making a point.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You are making a point on somebody else’s time. That is what you are doing.

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

I call Deputy O’Meara.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will not stop calling you out.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Would the Tánaiste like to reply?

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

The Tánaiste cannot reply to matters that were being dealt with legally, or those matters. We should all know that.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is about the policy.

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

No, it is not about policy.

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

The rules do not allow me to reply. The Deputy knows that.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am only asking for justice for a victim. It is very disappointing.

Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I raise access to fibre broadband in Rathcabbin village which is in lower Ormond in the very north of my constituency. Rathcabbin is just off the main Birr to Portumna road, very north Tipperary. We have a strange situation where the village itself is in the blue zone so therefore should be provided for by commercial operators. The rural areas around the village are in the amber zone, and provided for in the national development plan through National Broadband Ireland. The rural areas for the most part have fibre broadband connection, but the commercial operators have not gone into the village yet, which is a very difficult position for the people of Rathcabbin who already suffer with bad phone reception in parts as well. For families, people trying to working from home and businesses operating, can the Tánaiste engage with the commercial providers to try and put pressure on them to get into Rathcabbin and give the people there the connectivity they deserve?

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

I thank Deputy O’Meara for raising this issue in relation to Rathcabbin and the affect this is having on his constituents in a very practical and real way. Broadband has become such an important part of how we live and work. It is an essential part of the infrastructure and utilities we all need. I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, to engage directly. This is an interesting example of State intervention at one level and commercial intervention on another. We need to make sure nobody falls between the stools. I will ask the Minister to engage with the Deputy directly on this.

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

The living city initiative in Cork is confined to a very small number of areas, Shandon, St. Luke's, South Parish, and there is now a need for the regeneration of the city centre area. I am looking to know if serious consideration will be given to extending the boundaries of the living city initiative in order to progress and encourage the development of properties which are currently vacant. There is a huge change over the past number of years in the sense of the development of new offices outside of the city centre area. As a result, many of these buildings are unoccupied on the first, second and third floors. I am wondering if the living city initiative could be extended and included in the review of the overall plan in relation to the future of Cork and the taskforce that is to be set up.

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

I thank Deputy Burke for his time in Cork last Friday and for facilitating the meetings we had with the CEO of Cork City Council, the Cork Business Association and indeed, the Port of Cork and many others. I found it to be a very useful series of engagements. What is very clear is that the people of Cork through the local authority and others are about to embark with Government support on this whole look at – they do not like the word taskforce in Cork, we use it in Dublin – the future of Cork report and regeneration and rejuvenation will be a part of that. What came up at our meetings last week was the idea of the current maps not addressing all of the potential there could be. The Deputy will understand I do not make budget or tax commitments outside of the budget cycle, but if the whole of this issue was looked at in the round as the Deputy suggested as part of the future of Cork report, I would be willing to engage enthusiastically on any findings that might emerge from that.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of St. Patrick’s School in Celbridge. It is closed today because of safety concerns. I raised this a couple of weeks ago and over the past few years. I mentioned it is held together with duct tape. We managed to speak to the Minister, Deputy Naughton, last night, and she said members of the Department are going out to inspect the school today. I asked would she issue us with the safety report and hopefully the school could open again. The parents need to know that for transparency. She told us there is a programme of works to be done. We need information on a timeline today so we can give that to parents this evening. The parents, staff and students deserve transparency and reassurance on this. I ask the Minister to outline what steps her Department is taking to ensure proper, safe facilities to secure an immediate return of these students to the school. Parents were left without childcare for their children today. They have waited almost 19 years for a permanent school building, and they were left with 24-hours notice about getting their children minded today.

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

I thank Deputy Cronin for raising what is a very serious matter that has caused significant worry and concern and as she rightly says, huge inconvenience for parents before we even get into the educational impact, which is also real. I acknowledge she has raised this in this House before. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to come back to Kildare Oireachtas Members including the Deputy, today. I have been told there is a meeting taking place between the school and the Department today. I am also told - the Deputy knows more locally than I do - that significant works have been carried out in the school, remediating flooring, electrical issues, drainage and guttering. The Department believes this should address many of the safety issues. The point I made to Deputy Farrelly is the point I make today. We need one set of facts. We need the Department and the school to agree a way forward. The Department needs to take a hands-on approach in resolving this. The Minister, Deputy Naughton, is doing just that. I will ask her to come back to Deputy Cronin today.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would encourage all Members of the Oireachtas to provide any information or evidence they have in relation to price gouging for that investigation.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, the National Transport Authority, NTA, provided an opportunity for Members to raise issues with it regarding public transport in our constituencies. When I asked about expanding and developing further bus services in Galway, particularly the 424, the NTA advised me that the budget for 2026 has not yet been defined so it could not provide me with an answer. Of greater concern was the fact that, when I asked it about the development of the new Dublin Road bus corridor in Galway city, which has been in the Galway transport strategy since 2006 and includes 4 km of priority bus measures, it advised me it could not give a commitment yet because its capital budget is unknown.

We know about Galway's transport problems. The Dublin Road bus corridor is a crucial infrastructural project to ease Galway's traffic and transport problems. It is ready to go, it has full planning and there is no judicial review. I ask for a commitment from the Government to make sure this project proceeds.

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

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this matter, which I will immediately raise with the Minister for Transport because we have provided significant capital uplift to the Department of Transport, quite rightly, for both road and public transport projects. I am aware there are specific issues around congestion, traffic and transport links in Galway. We are eager, as a Government, to see progress on them as well, specifically on the 424 bus route and the Dublin Road bus corridor as well. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to get clarity for the Deputy on that. He will come back to the Deputy directly.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At a time when petrol and diesel costs are rising again and when the Tánaiste's Government has indicated that it intends to raise carbon tax even further, does he understand the anger of people who cannot drive on their local roads because of the conditions? People in rural areas, as well as paying for huge fuel costs, are forking out for motor tax, local property tax, which the Government has increased, and soaring insurance prices, yet many local roads are in the worst condition in decades. In that context, it is unacceptable that funding provided to local roads has actually been reduced in counties like Cavan and Monaghan. In fact, in Monaghan, for example, the allocation for local roads improvements has been reduced by nearly €800,000 this year compared with last year. That is happening at a time when the cost of repairing roads is also increasing, so the funding cuts are even more unacceptable. Will the Tánaiste ensure that the local road funding allocations are reviewed as a matter of urgency so that people who are paying all these charges actually have roads that are in a fit condition to drive on?

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

I thank Deputy Carthy. I will certainly engage with the Minister for Transport on the specific issues he has raised in relation to Cavan-Monaghan. We are increasing the amount we are providing to the Department of Transport, increasing the amount of capital funding and announcing additional road funding allocations. I need to get a better understanding of the situation in relation to Cavan and Monaghan so I will ask the Minister-----

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Have the Tánaiste's representatives not been telling him?

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

My representatives keep me very informed. In fact, Deputy Carthy will be glad to know-----

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government cut the funding for local roads by €800,000.

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

Deputy Carthy.

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

This is the problem with the Deputy. When you try to answer a question-----

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

But the Tánaiste is not answering it.

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

-----in good faith, he immediately resorts to partisan politics. That is his choice. Senator Joe O'Reilly and Deputy David Maxwell raised this matter at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party last night, Deputy Carthy will be glad to know. I also told them the Minister will be looking into the issue. I will give them the news as well.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is not good enough. We need a review.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Pathfinder in Galway is made of six members who are therapists and advanced paramedics. This group is at the front line of emergency calls for our elderly. When a 999 call comes in for an elderly person who has fallen, Pathfinder is dispatched first to access and treat, if possible, the elderly person in their own home. Councillor Noel Thomas tells me that for over 80% of its callouts, it can treat the person where they are. This eliminates the stressful ordeal for the elderly person of having to be brought by ambulance to a crowded accident and emergency department. The HSE and the Minister are ordering this group to cease its operations for the month of March and to instead work in the accident and emergency department of Galway hospital in case there is a surge in patients. They did the same thing last year and there was no surge, so why are they doing it again and disrupting the great service that Pathfinder delivers? Will the Tánaiste ask the Minister to explain how this makes any sense and to please leave Pathfinder doing this vital service uninterrupted for the month of March?

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

I want to answer the very serious question but I want to make the point that the Deputy must win the award for the party leader most effective at naming his councillors in this Chamber, particularly in the context of a by-election. I say that from a point of admiration. I must learn further from the Deputy. Senator Seán Kyne is ours.

There is a serious matter, though, that the Deputy raised and I genuinely do not want to take from that. In regard to Pathfinder, University Hospital Galway tells me it is using the period of the next two weeks to focus on de-escalating the hospital after what has been an exceptionally busy period in the past two months. The regional executive officer, at the request of Bernard Gloster, the CEO of the HSE, has put a plan in place to take the pressure off the Galway sites and all services are assisting with that. The National Ambulance Service, though, is an essential service and while all staff, including Pathfinder, will play their part in supporting what is a temporary plan, there is absolutely no question of the service ending. I assure the Deputy and the House of that today. I have spoken to the CEO of the HSE on this and he has assured me of it as well. I will also ask him to come back to the Deputy on it directly.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am going to be the third Member to raise issues with the National Ambulance Service this morning-----

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

Sure.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----which should give the Tánaiste a sense of the scale of the crisis there. For the first time, newly qualified paramedics are not being offered permanent contracts. Instead, this cohort of graduates are only being offered short contract extensions and the opportunity to reapply and compete for their own jobs. Up until now, paramedics who successfully completed the training programme transitioned directly into permanent contracts. In December, this cohort of graduates was given the same assurance that permanent contracts would be offered to them once they got their results from University College Cork, UCC, but this promise has been broken. Last week, just after receiving their exam results, they found out they would have to compete for their current positions and that this would affect not just the current paramedics but also those who are currently in training. All graduates and trainees had a legitimate expectation that they would be offered permanent contracts. Why has the rug been pulled from under them?

At a time when the National Ambulance Service is understaffed and staff morale is so low, this is an act of self-sabotage. Many of these graduates have made major financial commitments including mortgages, rents and childcare, all based on the expectation they would be given permanent jobs in their current location, not in another region across the country. Will the Tánaiste do more than talk to the Minister? Will the Government step in here and ensure this decision is reversed?

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

I thank Deputy Rice. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has responsibility for the delivery of health policy and the oversight of the HSE, so I will speak to her directly on this. I take the point that newly qualified paramedics are a scarce commodity with regard to their skill set at a time when we are trying to increase the numbers we have working in our ambulance service. The Deputy is right; ambulance service issues come up in this House regularly. We will want to do all we can to retain them within the health service but I will ask the Minister to come directly back to the Deputy on the issue. I will also ask Bernard Gloster, the chief executive of the HSE, to update me on the matter and we will come back on it.

George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A few days ago, the Minister, Deputy Browne, referring to the eviction of 36 families, said there had been misinformation which, he said, is insinuating that this move by the landlord is a reaction to the new rental rules. He was backed by the Taoiseach, who fobbed off Deputy Ivana Bacik on Leaders' Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation. He said that claims by the Opposition were insinuations that this move is a reaction to the new rental rules.

A couple of hours ago, presenter Alan Corcoran on his "Morning Mix" programme on South East Radio played the audio from a doorbell camera video, which I can give to the Tánaiste, of one of these evictions being served last Friday. The agent for the landlord, armed with a batch of envelopes, declared to the tenant, "Bad news. Have you heard about the new rental rules? So, we're serving eviction notices". The tenant asks, "So, we're getting kicked out then?" The agent said:

Maybe not. It's just that the new rules are coming in on 1 March.

[...]

We think it is probably better just to sell up and get out. We're giving ourselves the option. Today we're only giving ourselves the option that we can do that. We don't know how it's going to pan out over the next fortnight. Next week, there'll be loads of radio shows and political debate [...]. We'll make the final decision probably in about ten days.

Is this how landlords in this modern, wealthy country can treat its people? Evictions are absolutely linked to the new tenancy laws introduced by this Government. Please, this has to be investigated and these tenants must be looked after in the way they deserve.

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

I thank Deputy Lawlor. I know Alan Corcoran and I will listen back to his programme and the information the Deputy has just put on the record of the House. I am sure the Minister for housing will do so as well. My starting point in this conversation is that the new rules are not meant to affect existing tenants.

George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We warned.

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

Laws do need to be complied with by landlords and existing tenancies need to be respected. We do have oversight mechanisms in relation to anybody who breaches those rules, including the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, and other mechanisms too. It deserves a substantive reply because, clearly, this has affected quite a large number of people. I will ask that the Minister, Deputy Browne, hears the information the Deputy has.

George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

He has it.

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

In that case, I will ask him to come back to the Deputy directly.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome students from my alma mater, CBS High School Clonmel, their teacher Claire Bell and SNA Michael Power.

The expansion of Scoil Aonghusa special school in Cashel has been a key priority of mine since I was first elected. I thank the Tánaiste and the previous Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, for their support. This centre of educational excellence caters for the complex needs of 150 students. The tender process is complete and the contract has been approved. There is an outstanding issue around a letter of acceptance. Will the Tánaiste engage with the current Minister for education so that this letter of acceptance can be issued to allow us to begin the detailed design planning phase and, in parallel, the construction phase, as this is a modular unit expansion?

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

I thank Deputy Murphy and join him in welcoming CBS High School Clonmel. I met a very busy Deputy Murphy - he is very busy; he works hard - last night coming back into the Dáil with Capri-Suns and Hula Hoops and the likes in anticipation of the students' visit today. I hope they will get an opportunity to enjoy that hospitality. He was genuinely looking forward to having them here today. They are welcome to the Dáil and the Oireachtas.

I thank Deputy Murphy for raising this important issue. I know he is in ongoing contact with parents and teachers at Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel and that he worked with the then Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, on it previously. This will deliver 14 special education classrooms of ancillary accommodation. The selected modular provider has recently submitted the required documentation to the Department to enter into that contract. The documentation is being reviewed by the Department and was shared with the school this week with a view to the project proceeding as quickly as possible. It is expected that designs will be ready for local authority review in the quarter 2 of the year. However, I will certainly speak directly to the Minister, Deputy Naughton. We want this to be delivered as quickly as possible. I know how important it is to special education in the Deputy's area.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste will be aware that pensioners who worked in Bus Éireann and CIÉ have been waiting for over 18 years for an increase at a time of cost-of-living increases. Many of them are under severe pressure. They have been told numerous things, that a pension increase has been agreed between the unions and the company and is awaiting sign-off of a statutory instrument, and that it is with the Department of public expenditure or the Minister for Transport. Ultimately, this has been agreed. It is meant to have been signed off. They are anxious to see it agreed in the next month or two because the pensioners, the former CIÉ staff, are under pressure. This included an increase to the lump sum people received and, therefore, people who are retiring in the next month or two could lose out on that if this is not signed off. Will the Tánaiste tell us where this is at? The increase has been agreed. When will the statutory instrument be put in place?

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

I am going to check that for the Deputy today with the Minister for Transport and the Minister for public expenditure and reform because everyone is eager to bring this to a conclusion. The Deputy's point about being able to provide clarity to people is reasonable, so I will ask the Ministers to come back to the Deputy urgently on that matter and try to provide clarity for those workers.

Considering St. Patrick's school has been brought up a couple of times in the House today, I will add that I have just received an update that the meeting with the Department was constructive and the board of management is now due to meet later this evening to discuss next steps, so I hope that can provide progress for St. Patrick's school in Kildare.

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

That concludes Questions on Policy or Legislation.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Did the Leas-Cheann Comhairle not put my name on the list?

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

I was only testing to see whether you were there.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I hope I will get a bit of extra time for the shock of that.

It is International Women's Day on Sunday and I hope thousands will march all around the country. We will meet at 1 p.m. at City Hall in Dublin, in case anyone would like to join here or in other cities. Yesterday, thousands of students and staff at UCD gathered to show their solidarity with a medical student who was raped, and with all survivors. The Tánaiste is a former Minister for higher education. I ask him to do all in his power to intervene with UCD to see that this student progresses with her medical degree as near as possible to her original graduation date. Is it not wrong that the only person to suffer in this whole debacle is the victim, who was drugged and raped at a medical students' organised event? An image of her was shared, which I saw and it is disgusting. She became pregnant and had to have a termination and then lost out on doing her exams.

This is a pattern with victims in UCD and other colleges. They have to drop out. They have to do their exams online. They have to finish their degrees online and it is a serious issue. I urge the Tánaiste to please ask UCD and its school of medicine to spend more time resolving this than they are spending spinning against this student-----

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

Thank you, Deputy.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----which they did up to recently, when doctors signed an open letter. The school have impugned her character and her mental health, which is a disgusting thing to do-----

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

Thank you, Deputy Coppinger.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----and they also warned medical students yesterday not to attend the protest, asking if they felt safe at a protest against violence. There is something rotten in that school of medicine.

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

I thank Deputy Coppinger for raising this issue. I extend my full solidarity and that of everyone in this House and every right-thinking person to the victim. Far from discouraging the students who gathered in protest, I commend them on what they did. Sharing abusive images of a person is obviously abhorrent but it is also a crime. I am informed there is a Garda investigation into this and I hope the full rigours of the law will be applied. I will also ask the Minister for higher education, Deputy Lawless, to come back on the points the Deputy made about that specific student being supported.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

He might meet her.

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

I will certainly ask the Minister if he would consider meeting her. That could be useful and important. In the past, Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin highlighted some serious issues to me and did some very good work. I found my meeting with her to be very helpful and insightful so I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy Lawless, to consider meeting the victim too.