Deputy Ó Ríordáin has no respect for other people either.

Before I begin, I welcome Comhairle na nÓg from Offaly, who are here on a Dáil visit today. My question relates to the urgent reinstatement of funding for the N52 Kilbeggan to Tullamore link project. This was a project that was on track but, unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has withdrawn funding. It is extremely dangerous. I attended a meeting last night where numerous concerns were expressed about near-accidents. I call on Government to intervene immediately to make sure that the funding for this road is …

I also begin by wishing all those injured in the brutal stabbing a speeding recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with them all at this time. I wish to make one thing clear to the Minister. My lack of confidence in her is based on my assessment of the failures she has overseen at the policy level and is certainly not personal, because I do not agree with personal attacks. I accept that the Minister has done some good work in the area of combating domestic violence and violence against women, and this should be ackn…

In June of this year, a scoping report on the sexual exploitation of children in State care by UCD academics - Dr. Mary Canning, Dr. Marie Keenan and Ms Ruth Breslin - was published. The report outlined in horrifying detail the predatory behaviour that these young people, mainly young girls, were being subjected to. We are told they are being manipulated, coerced or deceived into sexual activity in return for something they want or need, to the advantage of the perpetrator. We read how some of the most vulnerable c…

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I regard this situation, as many others do, as an emergency. It is shocking and it needs more urgency and actions, at speed. I believe the actions need to be sped up significantly. I know one immediate action that could be taken today and committed to is to deal with how these issues are classified by the Department of Justice. I know that was emphasised in my discussions with Dr. Canning and Ms Ruth Breslin. The scoping report clearly shows that the reclassification of data b…

The horrific and brutal stabbings that took place in Dublin last week merit our absolute and total condemnation. To brutally attack children and a crèche worker in such a manner offends every instinct we have as civilised people. It was a grotesque act of savage violence. I want to commend the heroic actions of Wicklow man, Warren Donohoe, who was visiting Dublin with his family for his daughter Abigail’s birthday when he tackled the alleged assailant and removed the knife from him. I also want to acknowledge the b…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important matter this evening. First, I would like to express my surprise over how the issues involving the changes to the triple lock were announced last week. The Tánaiste, in a lengthy speech to a virtually empty Dáil, confirmed one of the most significant and far-reaching changes to Irish foreign policy in almost 30 years. That could have been organised more substantively. To give the Tánaiste the benefit of the doubt, I believe he genuinely thinks his proposal is in I…

Has the Minister of State engaged with Waterways Ireland or the ESB with respect to mitigation measures to address flooding issues on the River Shannon? What input has his Department had into advancing the River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020?

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He will be aware that there are ongoing issues in the Shannon Callows. He mentioned that no work can take place because of the habitats directive. What is the response? Are the MEPs from Government parties trying to raise this issue in Brussels to try to get it resolved? We cannot have a situation where farmers and landowners see the same thing happen year in, year out, not only in winter, but also in summer. I would like to know what progress has been made. What is h…

With respect, shortly is not good enough. When will the proposal be brought to the Government? People need certainty. The Save Our Shannon Organisation has consistently highlighted this matter on behalf of farmers and landowners. There is a lot of frustration. Shortly does not cut it. We need a timeframe. It is not good enough. I need to give certainty to my constituents. The situation needs urgent action. What are Government party MEPs doing about raising the matter in Brussels to try to get past the habitats dire…

I understand that, but I am asking about his input. There are MEPs from the Government parties and we need a co-ordinated effort.

Sorry.

I specifically asked about the Minister of State's party.

That is not good enough

I asked a specific question.

I know all about the project.

Earlier this year, the Department received a report from a Teachers Union of Ireland, TUI, working group containing a proposal about the creation of a national relocation scheme in which teachers could identify locations where they would like to teach and swap with colleagues in those locations. In response to a parliamentary question I submitted to her some time ago, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, outlined that there was a meeting between Department officials and TUI representatives and that the proposa…

It is Government policy to promote and protect Irish exports and imports. The haulage sector needs a properly functioning, and more importantly, very reliable Revenue customs system. Unfortunately, in the past number of months, Revenue's online automated export system and automated import system, AES and AIS as they are known, have routinely dropped creating very long delays and additional and unacceptable costs for hauliers at ports, meaning they cannot have their goods cleared and approved. Hauliers have highligh…

The housing crisis and escalating rates of homelessness have been a constant feature of this Government's term of office from the beginning. We have had endless debates here and heard the pleas of families for affordable and social housing along with the alarm bells sounded by the Simon Community and many other homelessness organisations for years. We have also seen scheme after scheme being announced, only in some cases for those schemes to be found to be little more than a charade. In July 2022, the Minister laun…

I ask the Minister if dribble bar slurry tanks will be included in grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter