The debate we are having here is a very important one. It is probably the most important one that is in the Dáil this week for the simple fact that energy, how it is charged for, how it is priced, who has access to it and who generates it will be a key issue as we move forward. By any standard, we are in an extraordinary situation because of the extraordinary number of data centres we have compared with other EU countries - ten times more, on average. We must take into account that a lot of American states are now …

The Deputy is okay. I refer to the fact that we are here having to put down motions like this to try to counter the moves being taken by the Government. It is a sad day that this has to happen. As a member of the defence and national security committee, we have been around this and it is clear what is being mooted here by the Government. Neutrality was never more important, given the instability in the world, the level of conflict and the warmongering by imperial powers and former imperial powers. Despite being a r…

The TDs on the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael benches will be whipped to vote by the decision of the 15 members of the Cabinet and that is democracy out the window. If the Government is going to do away with neutrality, it needs to bring it before the people.

The issue that I am raising relates to back yard dwellings and the new regulations that were announced over the summer. Regarding the regulations, back yard dwellings may work in a certain number of limited cases. I am not going to come in here and knock them, but it is only a certain limited number. There are already issues arising regarding the size of a dwelling, with the main one being that they are counted as class 3A buildings. One is allowed to build 45 sq. m, but if there is an existing small garden shed, g…

It can work for a limited number of dwellings but there are problems there. I raise these sincerely and I am appealing to the Minister of State and to the senior Minister to resolve this.

To summarise it, the key issue is fairly straightforward. If you take any county outside the Pale, very few houses would not have some structure there already, such as a garage, greenhouse, store or whatever. That is the problem. It is going to be a shed or it will be the cabin or modular development. I know they do not have to be modular and can be a different type of self-contained structure. They will work in certain cases and I welcome that, but they are not moving at the moment. There is no one moving on them …

With regard to housing estates, there is the proximity to existing dwellings on tight housing estates with small backyards. Those are the three things I ask the Minister of State to bring back for me.

We are going through an epidemic of domestic abuse and violence. In 2025, the Garda had over 67,000 calls in relation to domestic abuse. Seven women were murdered last year, and in many of those cases, it was by a family member, a partner or somebody known closely to the victim. This year, in the first six months, matters have got even worse. Eight women have been murdered to date. Two were killed within a few short days of each other just over a week ago: Jamey Carney in Kerry and Adina Constantin in Portlaoise, w…

I will finish on this point. The council bought a site nearly three years ago for an eight-unit refuge. There was a lack of progress, but an approved housing body, AHB, Tuath Housing, has been secured to put that in place.

I ask the Minister for justice, the wider Government and Cuan to treat this with a sense of urgency, allocate the capital assistance scheme, CAS, money for it and get the scheme up and running as quickly as possible. I think the Tánaiste will agree it is an important issue.

The debate today is hugely important. It is 29 years since the Good Friday Agreement and this is my 16th year in this House. I have been waiting each year patiently, hoping this debate would happen. I particularly welcome the constructive approach. I listened to every word the Tánaiste said. While I would disagree with him on many things here at different times, I believe he approached the matter very constructively. His statements were very constructive and will contribute greatly. I hope this is the beginning of …

The issue I am raising with the Minister of State is the increase in the number of injuries, including those involving young children, relating to e-scooters and e-bikes. Ten have been killed. Temple Street hospital consultants have been highlighting the number of serious injuries, including the fact that six children are currently in the intensive care unit. The Children's Health Ireland report released today shows the scale of the problem. Eighteen children have been admitted with serious brain injury in the past…

Unfortunately, I do not get any sense of urgency from the Minister of State that we are going to have laws introduced in September or October, and that is the crucial issue. Yes, we have rules now, and she listed them out in relation to the signs. However, they are being ignored. The only place e-scooters are not being used is on the motorways, but they are being used extensively on footpaths and pedestrianised areas. The type of scooters that do not comply remain illegal if they travel at more than 20 km/h. E-bike…

I welcome this comprehensive set of proposals from Deputy Kenny. We are at the time of year again when parents, particularly those in the low- and middle-income brackets, face the annual challenge of covering back-to-school costs. Families are facing a stack of fees and expenses in respect of uniforms, increased school transport costs, school stationery, so-called voluntary contributions, and laptops and IT equipment. In addition, State exam fees are back. Surveys show that the total cost per school year can accumu…

-----that we have stood that on its head. It is important that we increase the capitation grant for schools as well.

I want to raise the situation regarding the absence of health cover for a large section of the population. Many middle- and low-income households have either very limited health cover or none at all. Forty-five per cent of the population have some kind of private health insurance. Most people who have such insurance have very limited, partial and restricted cover. A total of 42% have medical cards that provide either full medical cover or just GP care. This breaks down to roughly 30% having full cover and 12% havin…

That is all fair and good, and I acknowledge there has been progress. Of course, there has been progress in 105 years. There has been progress in my lifetime, which is a bit less than 105 years.

I am hoping to get a bit longer than 83 years out of it. The fundamental question here concerns people who do not have health cover. Progress is being made towards implementing Sláintecare, and I acknowledge, in particular, the stand taken by the Minister in relation to the contracts for consultants. If they are paid to work for the full week by the State, then they cannot do private work during that time. A plumber working for the Office of Public Work, OPW, cannot be off doing nixers during the day for somebody e…

The Taoiseach himself-----

Over the past two weeks we have had a number of serious accidents with e-scooters and e-bikes, with people being seriously injured, including six children who are currently in intensive care in Temple Street. One of them is from County Laois. It is one accident after another. Ten people have been killed on e-scooters, two this year so far. It is time to act. Fifty years ago, to drive a Honda 50 with a top speed of 35 m/h, you had to pass a test, wear a helmet and have tax and insurance. We need to stop kidding ours…