Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to address the budget and to have a quick debate on a couple of issues within the budget. The Leader will be well aware that many primary schools are under enormous pressure with the level of capitation that are receiving. It is really putting them to the pins of their collars. I have spoken to numerous principals in recent weeks about the pressures that exist. They really do need our support and I hope we see something in the budget. Anything the Leader could do in that regard would be helpful.

There is also a situation in some communities where because of the decisions the State has taken - which were the right decisions - to house Ukrainian people and those seeking international protection in hotels and accommodation, tourists have been dislocated from those regions. There are many small businesses who are not accommodation providers but are depending on the tourists to stay in those facilities. Their businesses have been decimated as a result. It was the right decision by the State in the first instance but we now need to support those businesses to get through the period of time until the war ends and many of these people are able to return to their homeland. We hope that happens sooner rather than later. There is a need in this budget for a package of support.

I am also taken today - I will conclude on this, Cathaoirleach - by the profession of barristers, and in particular criminal barristers, who are working in criminal law. I am sure the decision they have taken was not taken lightly. Protesting is not in their DNA. In my view, they are entitled to receive a return to the remuneration they had prior to the fiscal cutbacks that were put in place a decade ago. Nearly every other profession, including our own, has seen a slow and gradual return to pay levels. I know they deserve their restoration. It is never an easy thing to do but we have done it for every other profession. We have done it for the medical profession, for politicians across the board, and for civil and public servants. It is time we did it for people who really have such an important role in society. What we are sadly seeing, as in other areas, is people drifting from the profession. That is not good for the rule of law in this State, if we see well-trained, well-qualified and appropriately-skilled people drifting off to other areas. There will be long-term damage unless we address it.