Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Before I turn to energy costs, I welcome the release this morning of Irish citizens who were illegally detained on the Gaza aid flotilla. Their illegal detention and treatment by Israeli forces was disgraceful, as were the actions and rhetoric of Israeli Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. They were utterly unacceptable and completely sickening.

If the Minister's comments this morning, that the time for words has passed and now it is time for action, are to mean anything, what we need is more than progress on the occupied territories Bill. I hope she will join our call for the decks to be cleared next week and that we pass the legislation and sanction Israel.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Ag buaic na ghéarchéime costais fuinnimh, tá €178 milliún á choinneáil ag an Rialtas ar leataobh. Bailíodh an t-airgead seo ó chomhlachtaí fuinnimh agus bhí sé i gceist é seo a thabhairt do ghnáthdhaoine le linn na géarchéime costais maireachtála. Ba é sin an cuspóir iomlán leis an scéim seo agus bhí sé i gceist cuidiú éigeandála tapa a chur ar fáil do theaghlaigh a bhí faoi bhrú ollmhór de bharr praghsanna leictreachais a bhí ag dul i méid go géar agus do dhaoine a bhí ag titim i riaráistí agus i bhfiacha. Ach ní mar sin a tharla.

At the very height of a cost-of-energy crisis, the Government is hoarding €178 million of taxpayers' money that was specifically intended to help struggling households pay their electricity bills. This money was collected under an EU emergency intervention designed to claw back excess profits from energy companies and return that money to ordinary people during the cost-of-living crisis. That was the entire purpose of the scheme. It was supposed to provide rapid emergency relief for families who were being hammered over and over again by soaring electricity costs and were falling into arrears and debt. Yet, almost three years on, €178 million remains untouched in that fund. While the Government sits on the money, families are being absolutely crushed. Workers who never previously struggled are now under unrelenting pressure and they are being stretched too far. Workers and pensioners need direct relief. Families trapped in arrears need immediate support. Households facing disconnection need help to keep the lights on.

Almost 320,000 families right across the State cannot pay their electricity bill, right here, right now, at this moment. It is the second highest level ever recorded in the history of the State, and it has gone up by 58,000 families in one year alone. In the first two months of this year, electricity disconnections went up by a shocking 64% when compared to the same period last year. That is what is happening under the Government's watch, yet the €178 million goes untouched.

Ireland has some of the most expensive electricity prices in Europe. Families are rationing heat and electricity because they simply cannot afford the bills. While all this is happening, the Government continues to refuse point-blank to introduce energy credits for struggling households. Families across the State will conclude that the Government moved faster to protect the money than to protect the people the money was intended for. This is not an administrative delay. That is not what we are talking about here. This is a cold, hard political choice by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

I am going to ask the Minister directly, on behalf of all of the people out there who are finding it really tough to pay these sky-high bills, why, under God, does the Government not use the fund for what it was intended, namely, to help these families pay the bills? How can it possibly justify hoarding this money when workers, families and pensioners are sinking deeper and deeper into energy poverty? Will the Government finally commit to using this fund for the purpose for which it was intended, that is, direct emergency energy credits and a cost-of-living support for struggling households?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Doherty. If I can, I will take the opportunity to inform the House exactly what the current situation is with the 14 Irish citizens who have been detained. The Government has been very clear in condemning the actions of the Israeli Government and the illegal detention and detainment of our citizens and many others in international waters. The behaviour this week by an Israeli Minister has been completely appalling. My priority and that of the Government has been to make sure that our citizens are safe, that they are accounted for and that they can get home as quickly as possible.

I can now confirm that the 14 Irish citizens who were being detained in Israel have arrived at the airport in Ramon. They are all being transported by air to Istanbul. We will have an ambassador there on the ground to meet with them directly. We have consistently called for access and the ability to engage directly with them by our teams, and that has been denied to us. I utterly condemn these actions. Whether it is the Irish Government or any other government, it is not acceptable that we have been prevented from engaging and speaking directly to citizens.

I am also aware that there are reports that two citizens have been hospitalised. They are not Irish citizens. Again, this information has been brought to my attention. We are aware of reports that others have been injured. As soon as I can, I will provide an update to the House as to whether that includes any Irish citizens.

Again, let me be very clear about these actions. The illegal detention, the way in which our citizens have been detained - we all saw the footage and are horrified by it - and also the fact that we have not had direct contact with our citizens are completely unacceptable. Not only have I condemned this and engaged and written directly to the Israeli authorities, but I am working to build a consensus within the EU to make sure that this is not just words and condemnation, but that we respond appropriately. The most appropriate way in which we can respond to this is by making sure the proposal that has been on the table since last year, by the Commission, to suspend the trade element of the EU-Israel association agreement is voted on and that Europe sends a very strong message that we do not accept this kind of behaviour, but also that there is movement when it comes to the banning of trade with the illegal settlements.

From my perspective, I can confirm that I will bring forward the occupied territories Bill in the coming weeks, irrespective of whether we reach a consensus at a European level, and we will enact that legislation, as I have committed to do as Minister for foreign affairs and as the Government has committed to do in our programme for Government.

In relation to the overall crisis and the scenario that many people find themselves in, we all want to do everything we can to ensure we reduce the cost price and reduce energy prices for people, but also that we make energy more affordable in the long term. We all know that a number of different factors have impacted on the cost of energy, fuel and electricity, not least the conflict in the Middle East and the escalating conflict in Iran in recent weeks.

This is on top of the conflict that has been happening in Ukraine.

In my role as Minister for foreign affairs, my priority at a European level is to engage with our partners in the Middle East, the US and beyond to bring this conflict to an end because that is the first point in making sure that we can de-escalate the situation and see costs reducing overall for people in the immediate term. In the immediate term, we have introduced measures to support homeowners. The €750 million that we are providing directly to homeowners is on top of measures that have been introduced since last year. Excise is already zero rated on home heating oil. It is not possible to reduce it further-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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That is not true.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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-----but we made a decision last year that we needed to respond directly and that is what we have done.

The fuel allowance, which supports over 400,000 people who are directly and most impacted by the increases in the cost of fuel, has been extended so a further 50,000 households have benefitted from that payment, and it has been extended by four weeks to take into consideration the situation that people are in. That is not to say that we will not do more. We have another budget coming up and acknowledge the stress the people are under, and we will continue to provide direct supports as well as trying to adjust the overall long-term costs that people are facing.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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We will be writing to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. Next week the decks should be cleared and we should pass the occupied territories Bill. We should not be talking about progress. There should be no more delays. We need action. This has been going on for years.

In terms of the cost of energy, the Minister is missing the point and is trying to dress it up in a way that supports the Government's narrative but the fundamental facts remained unchanged. While families are struggling to keep the lights on, the Government is sitting on a fund of €178 million that was specifically designed to help these very same families to pay their electricity bills. Almost 325,000 households cannot pay their electricity right here, right now. Electricity disconnections are rising sharply, up 64% compared to this time last year, and many working families are now falling into debt by simply trying to pay basic electricity bills.

The resources are there. The fund is there but the Government has chosen not to use it in the way that it is supposed to be used. Instead of putting money back into the pockets of workers who are struggling, the Government has allowed this fund to go largely untouched while energy poverty is increasing.

Why under God is the Government not using the €178 million that has been sitting there for the past three years and was specifically designed to be put back into pockets of ordinary people to help them pay their electricity bills? Does the Government not understand what is happening out there in the real world?

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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Hear, hear.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Does the Deputy not understand that in the past month and a half alone, the Government has provided €750 million directly to homeowners, to people who get into their cars every day and go to work and to businesses that transport food and all of the commodities around the country and bring our children to school? That €750 million has not come nowhere. That is from our taxpayers, our Exchequer and this Government. That decision was taken, and it is not on its own. It is on top of the direct supports that we have provided.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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What about this fund?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is talking about €178 million. Some €750 million has been provided in the past month and a half alone. That is on top of the additional fuel allowance that we have provided, and on top of the retrofitting-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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What about the fund?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should allow the Minister to answer.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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-----that is taking place because the best thing we can do for people is to make sure that their overall energy bills come down-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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When is the Government going to use the fund?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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-----and we have a target of 74,000 homes that we want to retrofit this year. That is on top of the hundreds of thousands of people who have had their homes retrofitted and who are now seeing an overall and long-term reduction in the costs of their energy bills.

If we look at the ESRI report published in April, it said that the most effective supports-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister know that there is money in the fund?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. Will he allow the Minister to conclude?

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister's Government know?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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-----are those targeting the least well off and that is exactly what we are doing. We are targeting those who need our help the most with-----

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Government know that the money is sitting in the fund? Does it actually know that millions of euro is sitting there that should be in the pockets of workers?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Ged Nash.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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-----with €750 million in the past month and a half.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister please conclude? Order, Deputy Doherty.

I call Deputy Nash.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Fifteen brave Irish people took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, putting their own safety at risk to once again bring the eyes of the world back to Gaza. I commend the courage of the activists, and in particular Caitriona Graham. Her inspiring peaceful resistance, chanting "Free, Free Palestine" resulted in her being violently forced to the ground. We always knew those detained were treated despicably but this video that has emerged has shocked the world. It shows clearly the disgraceful actions of Israel and its far-right ministers. There are reports of sexual harassment, broken ribs, hospitalisations and more. However, this is nothing new. It is a deliberate policy by Israel to degrade and dehumanise those opposed to its crimes against Palestinians. The difference this time is that the victims are Europeans.

It is eight years since the occupied territories Bill was first introduced in the Seanad, and 18 months since the general election when both the Minister’s party and Fianna Fáil promised to pass the occupied territories Bill. Since then, we have had vacillation, dilution and backtracking on services. I do note the Minister’s update that was put on the record of the House earlier this morning and again a few moments ago.

In that time, nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and almost 70,000 injured. Seven months into a so-called ceasefire, aid is still restricted into Gaza resulting in an ongoing humanitarian disaster, and Israel has introduced the death penalty for Palestinians. When it comes to this regime of apartheid, when is enough, enough?

Let us be clear that the actions of Ben-Gvir are the actions of a fascist; no more, no less. The actions of a man who did and said the quiet thing, out loud. This should come as no surprise to any of us. This behaviour is enabled by a sick regime that knows it can commit genocide with no consequences, and Netanyahu’s empty condemnation means nothing. This is political expediency. There is no sign of Ben-Gvir being sacked or tried.

It seems the Taoiseach has finally found his voice. It is high time he turned his anger into action but letters and words are no longer enough. The EU’s approach to the systematic crimes of Israel has been contemptible; an abrogation of both our legal and moral responsibilities. If European values are to mean anything again and if we are to recover some moral authority on the world stage, the EU-Israeli Association Agreement must be suspended now, not in a month's time. This is a real test for Ireland, especially over the next few months. Will the Minister officially commit to this objective and set this as a test for the success of our EU Presidency? Ireland has given some hope to the Palestinian people by our actions but we need to do more.

My colleague, Deputy Smith, accused the Government of mothballing the occupied territories Bill and I note the Minister’s comments earlier on. We have been told that we can expect the Bill soon. Why not pass the occupied territories Bill next week? Let us clear the decks and pass the Bill next week. Will the Minister also prioritise the suspension of EU-Israel trade agreement during Ireland’s EU Presidency?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I fully agree with him and everybody in this House, in that I am equally appalled by the actions of the Israeli Government in the detention of our citizens and many others in international waters but in particular the footage we saw yesterday that clearly shows that people were not treated with basic human dignity or respect. As I said to the Deputy's colleague earlier, if this is the way that European citizens are being treated, we can only imagine the way in which many other citizens have been treated. I also agree with the Deputy that this is not just the first action by any one minister. The comments by Prime Minister Netanyahu really are hollow because this is just another action to add to a series of actions.

We see ongoing conflict in Gaza. Even though there is supposed to be a ceasefire, hundreds of innocent civilians have been killed. We are seeing a continued lack of aid and a blockading of aid getting to innocent civilians who are starving and who need this humanitarian aid. We are seeing a significant expansion in settler violence. Hundreds of thousands of people - not small villages or towns - are being displaced. We are seeing the death penalty being reintroduced and very public celebration of public trials and executions, all of which are completely against international law and completely intolerable for each and every one of us in this Chamber.

Over the past few months, I have been building on the work that was done last year to try to build a consensus on how we can respond effectively at an EU level because I agree with the Deputy. Our words are not enough. I condemn the actions but that is not enough. We now need to show what we mean by our actions. I have been building a consensus and working to put more actions on the table that we can vote on and show that we are serious at an EU level. That came to pass last week when a proposal from the Commission that had been on the table last year was reintroduced at the request of myself and my Spanish and Slovenian colleagues. It proposed to impose sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank and those in the Israeli Government who support them as well as the leaders of Hamas who have carried out atrocities in recent years. That proposal was agreed, passed and will come into effect.

I am now asking and pushing for a vote at the next Foreign Affairs Council, specifically on the suspension of the trade elements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This is an agreement that gives preferential treatment to Israel. If this element was suspended, it would impact the Israeli economy by billions of euro. It would send a very strong signal that we are serious, not just in our words but in pushing back on the atrocious actions that have been taken by the Israeli Government, many of which are in breach of international law.

On the occupied territories Bill, I have given a very clear commitment today that I will bring forward the legislation. I will not just bring it forward but will enact it. I look forward to working with colleagues across the House to make sure we can enact it as soon as possible. That is in tandem with the work I will continue to do at an EU level to try to build that consensus and make sure the EU is stronger in its response because, to date, it has not been and I think we all accept that.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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If the vote at EU level does not go the way of Ireland, Slovenia and others - I am assuming our colleagues in Spain will support that initiative as well - what will the Minister do? Will she take action to work unilaterally towards the aim she has expressed, namely, the suspension of the trade element of the EU-Israel agreement? We are at the point now that the mere suspension of the trade element simply does not go far enough. This is an apartheid state that does not share the same liberal, democratic values as the European Union. We use trade to promote the values of the European Union but make exceptions in this case.

I also note the Minister's commitment to finally bringing in draft legislation in respect of the occupied territories Bill. Can she commit on the floor of the House today to ensure that services are included in that Bill as she has committed to previously in the context of her party's manifesto and the commitments that were made in the programme for Government?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Nash. The commitments I have made here do not depend on each other. If we do not reach a consensus on a European level, that will not prevent me and the Government from brining forward the occupied territories Bill legislation and enacting it. Any legislation needs to be brought to Government beforehand, so I am not going to get into the details of it but I have been very clear. I have had engagement with the Attorney General to look at the overall legalities of what is being proposed and what is being asked by Deputies and what is within our legal remit, based on the fact that, as Deputy Nash knows, trade is an EU competency. However, we are talking about the occupied territories and it has been made very clear through international law, and the EU has agreed with this, that the occupied territories are illegal and so trade with them is illegal. That is why we are bringing forward this legislation and that is why we have not supported other legislation because trade, as a whole, is an EU competency. However, I am determined, working with other countries, to try to build that consensus, so we will reach an agreement and we will be strong in our response to what we have seen, not just today, but the myriad of decisions we have seen taken by the Israeli Government that, essentially, have led to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I want to raise the treatment of the 14 Irish citizens and hundreds of other civilians illegally held by the State of Israel. After the genocidal campaign of violence mounted by the IDF in Gaza, much of it documented by Palestinian victims on the ground, we felt we could not be shocked any further. Yet, the images and videos of Israel's national security minister, Ben-Gvir, haranguing prisoners who were bound and kneeling before him reveals a new element of performative cruelty. It brings to mind the pictures of detainees in Guantanamo Bay or in Iraq that leaked online following the invasion of that country. Even the then American Administration had the sense of shame to try to conceal the images of abuse undertaken in their name but here, we see no shame. Instead we see an Israeli Government minister in a state that claims to be democratic and claims to uphold the rule of law brazenly parading his power over captives.

If we look at the current political situation in Israel, the reason becomes more clear. There is a debate going on in the Knesset about a Bill that could dissolve the Israeli Parliament early and force a snap election. This is while the current Israeli Government is behind in the opinion polls, so Irish citizens are being used as props by the minister, Ben-Gvir, in his pre-election campaign. This is a new low from the far-right parties that prop up Netanyahu's regime. While our immediate focus is on the treatment of these civilians, we must not forget why they are imprisoned in an Israeli port. While sailing in international waters, these civilians had their boats boarded and were captured and taken away at gunpoint. In any other circumstance, we would describe it like it is - an act of piracy by the Government of Israel which is again showing why that country has become a pariah in the international community.

Earlier this morning, the Minister clarified that the 14 Irish citizens are among those being deported to Turkey. Does she and her officials know if any of the Irish citizens have been physically harmed in any way while they were imprisoned? What meaningful steps will Ireland take against the Israeli Government for its brazen breeches of international humanitarian law?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. The footage we saw yesterday speaks to the Deputy's point. One thinks one cannot be shocked further when it comes to the actions of the Israeli Government but then we see further footage that shocks again and again. While we do not have a direct report as to whether or not any of our Irish citizens have been physically harmed, because the Israeli Government has not let us to have direct contact with them, the very fact we saw an Irish woman in that video being forcibly shoved to the ground and all of the citizens being detained with their hands bound behind their back and faces on the ground in itself is treatment which is absolutely appalling. Of course, my priority is to understand as soon as possible whether or not there has been any further serious harm done to our citizens and, indeed, any other citizens. When they arrive in the airport, they will be met by our ambassador in Istanbul. I hope before then we will have direct contact but, if not, we will have direct contact with our citizens then. I hope to get more information to the Houses beyond that.

The only way in which we can respond to this effectively is by making sure Europe uses its voice and takes action in response to what we have seen today, what we have seen in recent weeks and what we have seen in recent months. I stress again that the approach from Ireland has always been to try to build a consensus. I am not just saying it now because of what has happened this week. We have, for many months, been very clear in ensuring this remains on the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council and advocating for a consensus, a joined up approach and response to what has been happening in Gaza, in the West Bank and more recently the actions we have seen around the death penalty, the public executions and prosecutions as well as the interception this week.

The best way we can show we are serious is by voting to suspend the trade elements of the EU-Israeli Association Agreement. It is by putting a new proposal on the table that would ban trade with the illegal occupied territories. We know it is illegal. Europe has accepted the international ruling in this regard. We need to be strong and we need to collectively respond to this ruling and then move on our own legislation as well.

I have always said that I believe moving on our legislation would be better if done in tandem, and I have not changed that position. That is why I am working with colleagues from the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia and other countries who are also progressing their own legislation, so we do this collectively and send a very strong message. The way in which we show not just dissatisfaction with the way in which the Israeli Government has been acting, but that it is something Europe will not tolerate is by imposing greater sanctions that will impact their economy overall. If we suspend the trade elements of the EU-Israeli Association Agreement it will, essentially, impact Israel's overall economy by billions of euro. I believe that is the strongest response we can take at this time.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I want to broaden this discussion to the future of the State of Palestine. In less than five weeks' time Ireland takes on the Presidency of the European Union. The Minister will personally chair meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council. It is a unique privilege and it is a unique responsibility. Does the Minister intend to put the question of EU support for Palestinian statehood on the agenda of those meetings? Our recognition of Palestinian statehood in 2024 was an important moment but the Minister's Government cannot keep referring back to that as if our responsibilities are fulfilled.

To be clear, I am not talking about humanitarian funding or agreements on tax revenue withholding, I am asking if the Minister intends to put that existential question of Palestinian statehood at the centre of the EU meetings she will chair, where she will set the agenda over the next six months.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I will work closely with Kaja Kallas, who is the High Representative and who chairs the meeting but who I will be working closely with throughout the Presidency, to ensure that the situation in the Middle East, in Gaza and in the West Bank, is firmly on the agenda and that a number of actions will be taken. Ireland will have to be a neutral arbiter as we are for any of the files or Councils that we chair and that happen throughout our Presidency. I assure Deputy O'Gorman, as has been the case in my discussions with Kaja Kallas, that we will have this particular issue firmly on the agenda. There are a number of things I believe we need to do more on.

We need to press not just the votes that I have spoken about on the EU-Israel association agreement, the banning of trade, the sanctions we approved last week, but also the need for greater levels of humanitarian access. At every single Council meeting I attend we get an update from the Commission saying that not enough aid is getting in. We are seeing figures being put out that do not reflect the fact that half of the trucks going in do not have food but only products that can be sold that people cannot afford. There is so much we need to do at a European level to keep this on the agenda. I am absolutely determined to do so and I assure the Deputy that this matter will be kept on the agenda during Ireland's Presidency.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I concur with my colleagues about the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza and their mistreatment of 14 Irish citizens. I would like to see the Minister do as much as she can on this.

The issue I want to raise is that in Ireland right now, a worker can give 20 or 30 years of service, pay full PRSI, pay the higher rate of tax, contribute to the economy every single day and then the moment they face a serious illness, they are hit hard. After a handful of statutory sick pay days, they are pushed onto a flat-rate payment. That bears no connection to their original income or contributions or the financial responsibilities they have based on those ongoing contributions. It is a social protection system that is not fit for purpose. It is a bit of a patchwork that sees people who are contributing to the tax take hit hard at the very moment they are most vulnerable. I welcome statutory sick leave. It was a great first step but we need a new model, a bit like the pensions plan that was introduced. It has its critics but it is a model that could be replicated in this regard with a hybrid system where employers, employees and the State all contribute to a fair and sustainable sick pay structure that is to an extent based on income and replaces a realistic percentage of that income and protect affected low-, middle- and higher-income workers and recognise the decades of contributions they have made.

I recently got a message from a constituent who is battling hard against breast cancer, which, as the Minister knows, affects one in seven women. She is someone with a well-paid job. She studied and worked hard to get to the level she is at and she raises the valid point about helping those who have contributed over many years. She states:

I'm currently off work, My employer paid me a percentage of my salary for eight months. I got back to work for six months and then I had to go out again. I have had five surgical procedures in four months, including one major surgery. I am getting €250 a week. My medicine costs €170 month, as one of my meds is high tech and not covered. I have a mortgage, car, etc. I paid the higher rate of tax, I would say, for over 20 years, if not more. I worked very hard throughout my career. I made significant contributions along the way. Unfortunately, my recovery hasn't been straightforward. Work is an important part of my DNA and I miss all the social interaction. I was brought up to be independent. I've been fortunate enough that I did get some sick pay from my employer and I did have some insurance cover in place, savings for college fees. etc. However, I've been sick for over two years, I have been impacted financially and there are many, many people in the same boat I've met through my illness, some without any supports and it's not right. People who, like me, paid taxes at the higher rate throughout. I think the State should provide, when needed, appropriate illness support, based on taxes paid and cancer should absolutely be seen as a long-term illness with appropriate supports, especially in this case, breast cancer.

I would like the Minister's thoughts on this and whether such a hybrid model could be looked at.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. While I know he is specifically talking about somebody with cancer or a long-term illness and the implications for them and their families long term, this could apply to a number of different scenarios for people. As a country, how we treat those who are at their most vulnerable is a testament to who we are. It is a sign of who we are as a Government, as a society and as a community. The Government that I have been a part of - not just now but in previous years - has always strived and focused on looking at how we can support those who need our help most, how we can support those who are not in a position to work first and foremost perhaps because of illness, a disability or other factors in their lives and how we can ensure that those who work for most of their lives and contribute at the higher or lower rate of tax but through no fault of their own find themselves in a situation where they cannot work and provide for themselves or their family are provided with the support they are entitled to. As the Deputy said, we have, I believe, made good progress in recent years. We have made good progress when it comes to supporting people who are self-employed, where before there was no ability to support them if they were suddenly not able to work. That is through a new contributory process introduced in recent years. We now have extended statutory sick leave in a number of formats. It is an area in which we always need to strive to do more. From the situation the Deputy has outlined, I am thinking in particular of somebody I knew myself, who sadly, has passed away. For this person, even things like getting home insurance because of a long-term illness became such a challenge, even with a partner working. The Government is moving to try to address this. We want to make sure that if people are in remission or on the mend, they are able to get on with their lives, because that is what people want to do. They do not want to be seen with a heading or a bracket over them for the rest of their lives.

The Deputy has made a proposal with potential changes that we could put in place to support people who cannot work, who are in long-term unemployment and where it does not look like returning to work is a possible avenue for them, where we seek to align the supports they get more in line with where they were in their previous career. Again, I think of an example in my own constituency, albeit not the same in terms of an illness. Workers in Tara Mines were on a particular salary and were laid off for an indefinite period. The Government came together to support them to try to put in place a mechanism that filled much of the gap between their previous salary and what they were getting from the State. The point the Deputy has made is one we all support and I have not doubt the Minister for Social Protection will do so in the upcoming budget. More generally, when it comes to our overall taxation measures, we should look at how we can support people who are at their most vulnerable and not in a position to go back to work because of health or other reasons but who want to be able to get on with the rest of their lives.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I am flagging the issue. I am not expecting overnight action but in the context of the budget, it could be a process moving on. I am a firm believer in developing an entrepreneurial and creative society and giving people the opportunity to move forward. However, we have to protect the most vulnerable, as I and others have said all the time. The old Marx quote is probably the only bit of Marxism that is still relevant today: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." There are people who have contributed over many years who then get into a position of need. The reason I mentioned people with long-term illnesses and particularly the lady recovering from breast cancer, is as well as being out of work, they have additional costs and they do not have that support base at a time they have contributed and they need that little bit of extra help. It is a valid point to make and I take on board what the Minister has said. I hope that there may be some sort of a process that could help people in the short to medium term.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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What we need to do is build on what we have and always try to improve the system. When we live in a country where our economy is growing strong because of the people the Deputy mentioned who have contributed to it for many years, we need to ensure that we are reinvesting in those people, our communities and our economy and, in particular, targeting those who need our help the most. I have no doubt that the proposal the Deputy has put forward could be the first step of a process. Everything starts with a process and it is about engaging with the right people and making sure that anything we provide is targeted. It is also about making sure that where there are opportunities for people to work perhaps in different fields or in a different area that might be less pressurised and might still provide them with some form of income, we do that. This has been a priority over the past number of years, particularly post the economic crash from 2011 or so. We need to continue to look at ways in which we can support people back into the workplace, into different types of work while recognising and acknowledging that there are some people who simply cannot and how do we support them at a time when they need it.