Results 1-20 of 787 for speaker:Duncan Smith in 'Dáil debates'

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: We will need to debate the Housing Commission report. It is a big document but we will need to do that very soon. There is stuff that can be done quickly, which needs to be done and which would, I am sure, have agreement on all sides of the House. I am referring to recommendation 52.5.b on the raising of income limits for access to social housing supports and the cost rental scheme. The...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: We need a debate and legislation on ethics in public office. This is long overdue. We are nearly a decade on from the Mahon tribunal. Ethics are not optional extras. We have now had another example of "go away" money from a developer given to, in this case, a candidate in the local elections from the Taoiseach's party. I know the candidate in question has said she is suspending her...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: In 1987, when Beaumont Hospital was founded, the population of Fingal was approximately 140,000. It is now 330,000 and is expected to grow to 400,000 by 2030, yet we are still fully reliant on Beaumont Hospital. Last week, in the town of Swords where I live, we found out that the long-overdue HSE primary care centre is now in doubt because the developer says it cannot be delivered at the...

Dentistry Services: Motion (22 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: It is understandably disappointing that the Minister is not here. I understand he has a family bereavement and funeral this morning but I hope he gets an opportunity to look back at this debate. I sincerely thank Deputy Shortall and her party for tabling this motion. Not only does it relate to a contemporary, urgent health crisis – one of many – but it is also one to which I...

Housing Situation: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (21 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I was watching the Minister's contribution in my office just before I came down. I heard him say that Housing for All is working. It is not. Complex as the housing situation is, in many ways it is quite simple to see why it is not working. There are a couple of key metrics. Rents are going up; house prices are going up; and, key to all, homelessness is going up. Unless those trends are...

Delivering Universal Healthcare: Statements (15 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I am sharing my time with my colleague, Deputy Alan Kelly. I want to acknowledge and support the Minister's words spoke regarding our international workers in our healthcare service. Without them, our health service would cease to function in any way, shape or form. We have all said it before but it is always worth repeating. However, we have massive issues in our health service,...

Road Safety and Maintenance: Motion [Private Members] (15 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: - as of 10th May there have been 73 traffic fatalities this year, an increase of 30 per cent on 2023, the worst total in nearly a decade, and each death a tragedy for their families and loved ones; - for too long the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has not been sharing data on road traffic collisions with local authorities due to General...

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024: Second Stage (14 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: We too in the Labour Party welcome this Bill. Transparency in healthcare is vital so that we as legislators know the areas that need improvement and can take action more swiftly, when needed. Amending the Health Act 2007 to give the Chief Inspector of Social Services new powers and to make amendments to existing provisions relating to enforcement, and the collection, sharing and publication...

Progressing Special Education Provision: Statements (9 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I will be sharing with my colleague Deputy Ó Ríordáin. Despite some progress in recent years, there are still significant gaps and disparities that persist in our special education system. Too many students and children are being hindered from full inclusion and participation in our schools. Too many children are being left behind and deprived of the support and resources...

Ceisteanna Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 May 2024)

Duncan Smith: I hope the Tánaiste had the opportunity last weekend to read Erica Tierney's article in The Irish Times. Ms Tierney wrote about her experience of being pregnant while diagnosed with breast cancer. She finished her treatment on 30 April 2020, and one week later was informed by the Department of Social Protection that her maternity leave had run out. Ms Tierney is the inspiration behind...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I come to the Tánaiste with a serious request that he work with Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works, in tandem with Fingal County Council, to provide further emergency coastal protection measures on Brook Beach in Portrane. There is a long-term solution for sea groynes to protect the houses and community there but...

Disability Justice: Motion [Private Members] (17 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Solidarity-People Before Profit for tabling this really welcome motion. The Government's decision to scrap the Green Paper on Disability Reform last week was the right thing to do but it should never have been presented in the first place. It took much too long to scrap it. Activists in this area deserve much praise for the pressure they exerted on the Government. The truth of the...

National Cancer Strategy: Motion [Private Members] (16 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion. It is important that we are honest about the failings of this Government on cancer care. I had hoped that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, perhaps on Daffodil Day on 22 March or as part of, or instead of, a countermotion, would have announced a commitment to funding a national cancer strategy in the upcoming budget. It would not have...

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Second Stage (16 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: Auto-enrolment is an issue that has long been talked about. We are glad that we now have a Bill before us. We have reservations about some aspects of the more detailed elements but broadly speaking are supportive of its provisions. The impetus behind auto-enrolment is to address the pension coverage gap and to take steps towards improving the financial security of people in retirement....

Anniversary of the Introduction of the Smoking Ban: Statements (11 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the statements marking the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the smoking ban. It is appropriate for me as a Labour Party TD to speak about the key role the labour movement played in the introduction of smoke-free workplaces, as well as acknowledging the Tánaiste's leadership on this issue when he was Minister for Health. The trade union...

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government (9 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: Go back to your caves

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (9 Apr 2024)

Duncan Smith: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: We face significant challenges throughout the country as regards access to special education. The special education teacher, SET, allocation for schools for 2024-25 needs to be revisited. One school in Swords in my constituency will face a decrease of 12.5 hours, which means it will lose a number of programmes, including one-to-one teaching, it has in place for children with additional...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (7 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: I would like to open by expressing our sincere condolences with the family of Saoírse Ruane. Young Saoírse touched the heart of the nation when she appeared on the "Late Late Toy Show" in 2020 and spoke about her experience with cancer. Cancer is a disease that has impacted every family in some manner. We need to do everything possible to work towards a world in which this is not...

Rare Diseases: Statements (6 Mar 2024)

Duncan Smith: Last week, I met with the Alliance of Rare Diseases Companies Ireland, which made one thing very clear: the current reimbursement system is not fit for purpose. We need a system that is clear, predictable and time-bound, with fixed assessment criteria and, most important, one that facilitates immediate or early access to rare disease therapies. As the Minister mentioned in his own...