I welcome the recent discussion about nuclear power but, economically, would it not be more viable for us to decentralise our grid with the private wires Bill and bring in long-duration energy storage and alternative energy storage abilities, be it gravity, green hydrogen or any of the newest things that are coming to the market? We saw how much the UK project went over its budget and I would love to see the cost-benefit analysis of nuclear compared with renewables.

I echo the urgency for the occupied territories Bill to be passed. I welcome the Minister, Deputy McEntee’s confirmation in the Dáil last week that it is to be introduced soon. It is not quick enough, however. Regarding the Taoiseach’s statement on EU engagement he had in March, what other engagement has happened between Ireland and the German Government on how its plug-in solar scheme was adapted? It is a quick investment. The savings would be seen in customers' bills. I did my own calculations. Some €150 million …

Gabhaim buíochas le gach Ball a labhair inniu. I welcome the opportunity to speak on International Nurses Day. I welcome all those in the Public Gallery. I sincerely thank all the nurses, midwives and my relations, both those in north Dublin and across Ireland, for the extraordinary work they do every single day. It is not just a profession for them; it is a profession built on compassion and skill. We have all seen, either through our experience or that of our family members, the brilliant work they do. They care …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. People across Ireland are exhausted. They are exhausted by constant worry about bills. I welcome engagement with the Department, but it is not happening fast enough. I submitted a parliamentary question on the October 2024 consultation on EU Directive (EU) 2024/1711. There were five submissions from the ESB, Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis Éireann, Energia and the Electricity Association of Ireland regarding plug-in solar. Can what they said about plug-in solar be made availa…

Ever since entering this House, I have always made it clear that my politics are pragmatic and solution focused, and I will not say things that cannot be backed with real figures. I understand that money cannot grow on trees. I am a realist. I like to be inside the tent not on the outside throwing rocks and getting nothing done. I was an engineer before I came in here, so I have always been focused on solutions. One of the most frustrating things to me is that since negotiating the programme for Government, I have …

My constituents saved up, bought houses and are paying the property tax. What proportion of that directly affects them? Regarding the lifting of the passenger cap, the programme for Government clearly stated it should be as soon as possible, so that needs to be addressed. Regarding the 2024 plug-in solar, I know I have raised a lot of issues, so I hope the Minister's officials are watching and will get back to me. I believe this needs to be addressed. When I wrote this speech, I was under the impression the Tánaist…

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine agus mé i m’oifig ansin. Aontaím le go leor rudaí ráite, go háirithe faoin gcaidreamh idir an tAontas Eorpach agus Iosrael. I mentioned it earlier in the House. Níl sé maith go leor nach bhfuilimid ag déanamh ár ndícheall le haghaidh sanctions agus the OTB. I welcome that the Minister said that she has consulted with the Attorney General. I urge that this be done urgently. Europe Day is a moment to reflect not just on what the European Union is, but what it can be. I welcome Deputy…

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine.  Aontaím le go leor rudaí ach an rud nach dtuigim ná two weeks ago the Opposition was asking to collapse the Government where no financial measures could be passed and now it is asking for a mini-budget. We are in very unpredictable times and need to have a stable Government. How could any financial measures have been passed if the Government had collapsed as the Opposition wanted?

I am asking how could the Opposition, after a general election-----

I did not interrupt you, Deputy Kenny.

I did not interrupt you either, Deputy Sheehan. A general election would take four weeks.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. If there was a general election in three or four weeks, due to the count and the formation of Government, there would be a long period when nothing could be passed. Is this performative? I want to show solutions. The Government has provided €775 million but it could introduce more supports. In respect of the 2024 plug-in solar report, in a response to a parliamentary question I submitted, six key stakeholders took a negative view of plug-in solar. I have requested the consultati…

Tá mé ag lorg nuachta faoin infheistíocht do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas, go háirithe i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh ach nationally chomh maith leis sin. I would appreciate if the Minister would give me a detailed timeline for the next step for recognising the associated costs for people with disabilities.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Táim buíoch as an bhfreagra sin and the continued engagement with my office. I commend the staff in his office for their hard work as well as the Minister himself. What is absolutely clear is that the cost of disability must reflect the reality. In north Dublin in my constituency, we have the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA, the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC, and multiple disability organisations. I have been speaking to them about the urgency needed, not just in the winter, but also…

There is real urgency here. I welcome the fact that the Minister is acknowledging that this is needed. The gap is not abstract and it is felt every single week by the people I represent and people across Ireland. The payment would be very meaningful and very well accepted. I look forward to working with the Department and the disability organisations on that. This does not relate to the Minister's Department, but last night, we saw Irish citizens from my constituency and some of my friends illegally abducted by the…

I welcome the huge investment in and development of private wires and look forward to the private wires system helping electrification and contributing to the solution to the issue Deputy Murphy raised regarding electrical infrastructure. The private wires Bill can reduce timelines for the installation of renewable projects and electric infrastructure. I come to my question on the WAV grant scheme. I have been contacted by people in my constituency who are wheelchair users and are being refused by taxis despite the…

I thank the Minister of State for his engagement on the matter. I have constituents who are left waiting hours for wheelchair accessible taxis that will take them. In response to a parliamentary question I submitted last July, the NTA acknowledged what the Minister of State just said. It stated it was giving training for the safe use of lifts and clamping systems and that, since that January, the training had been provided free of charge. I welcome that but the most common excuse given to constituents who have cont…

I will send it over to the Minister of State's office. I can give cases of constituents with physical disabilities who have been refused collection by taxis. There are also taxi drivers who have built up records and submitted them to the NTA showing how many people with physical disabilities they collect but who then did not get the grant. I ask that when the next grant comes out for accessibility or renewal of the lift in the back of the taxi, taxi men and women with a proven record of doing the job the grant is g…

Aontaím le go leor rudaí a bhí ráite sa Teach seo, go háirithe an méid a bhí le rá ag an Teachta Toole ag an deireadh faoi na príomhrudaí ag tús shaol na bpáistí sa tír seo. Is é sin t-am nuair is gá dúinn cabhair, infheistíocht agus rudaí mar sin a chur isteach le go bhféadfar cabhrú le daoine. Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an Teachta Gogarty for proposing the motion and giving us the opportunity to have this debate. When parents walk into a family court, many of them are often already at a very low point in their li…

I have raised the issue of plug-in solar on many occasions. I would like an update on the terms and conditions relating to the south-west offshore wind auction, including in respect of the Li Ban development area. Has the Department examined whether the grid will be upgraded enough or whether the demand will be there? Right now, investor communities are not sure whether the grid is future-proofed enough and capable of handling the level of generation being planned. I welcome the private wires Bill development in de…