I call Deputy Barry, who has two questions in this grouping.

That is very positive.

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2023. I am sure nearly all of us welcome this Bill. At the outset, I would like to note that it is disappointing that more proactive efforts have not been made to pressure utilities into passing on savings to consumers. Unfortunately, the Exchequer will now have to step in to support households at a cost of €1 billion. Notwithstanding that, the terms of this measure and the associated supports introduced by the Mi…

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Government’s investment in healthcare today. This debate needs to be framed in the context of the unprecedented increase in funding for the health service, going from €19 billion in 2019 to over €24 billion today. Inflation has caused massive challenges across society and this is no different for the health sector. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and Naughton, are all well aware of these challenges and they have made tremendous effo…

Maybe I will continue the trend of listing out clubs. It is important we discuss the continued Government investment in sports facilities throughout Ireland. Before I do, however, I want to put on record my appreciation for the Irish rugby team and their efforts in the Rugby World Cup. Obviously, we all wish they had succeeded further and they do too but I thank, in particular, the captain, Johnny Sexton, for his sterling career and his contribution over the years. We wish him well. Over the past few 20 years, Irel…

Of Hamas.

I welcome the opportunity to examine the main provisions of budget 2024. I commend my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath, on the introduction of his first budget as Minister for Finance. As noted, budget 2024 includes a spending package of €14 billion with a core spending and tax package of €6.4 billion, once-off cost-of-living measures of €2.7 billion and non-core expenditure of €4.75 billion for public services. The budget aims to support working families and people on fixed incomes while also promoting pro-enterp…

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds, and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023. Since Russia’s illegal invasion and brutal war on Ukraine escalated in February 2022, having begun in 2014, the international community has come together in solidarity to support the people of Ukraine. This legislation will formalise Ireland’s full participation in important multinational supports to Ukraine. I visited Ukraine in August 2022 as part of a delegation …

I appreciate being given time to contribute on this very important yet disturbing situation at Temple Street. At the outset, I offer my condolences to the family and parents of Dollceanna Carter and all those affected. This issue is causing great anxiety for many patients and families who have used the services of Temple Street. It has caused significant public disquiet and has the potential to undermine the great work done by the entire community at Children's Health Ireland. I welcome the comprehensive patient sa…

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023. The objective of this Bill is to protect children from tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. The Bill will introduce a regulatory framework for the retail sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products by introducing a licensing system and further restrictions on the sale of these products. Smoking remains the single leading cause of preventable ill health, disability and premature mortality in Ireland. It i…

Like colleagues, I welcome the opportunity to examine the Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023. As has been noted by colleagues in the House, this is a largely technical Bill brought forward in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in McFarlane v . Ireland, where the applicant took a case on the basis of a delay to legal proceedings in a reasonable time. Having an efficient courts system that provides timely access to justice is of central importance to society. The courts exist to protect …

This question concerns affordable cost rental. The matter of affordable housing was raised, as was cost rental in its own right. As the Minister will be aware, in my constituency of Dún Laoghaire, ground has finally been broken and progress made at Shanganagh Castle, which comprises nearly 600 units, and 42 units are under construction in Loughlinstown, to name but a few. However, many middle-income earners are obviously hard-pressed. Will the Minister outline the financing arrangements for affordable cost rental?

I thank the Minister for that reply. He mentioned the rents for cost rental and it is a very attractive prospect for many people. For instance, I have been contacted by a number of individuals who are at the higher end of the social housing threshold. They are eligible for social housing support but they are really keen on the cost-rental model. Can flexibility be given to the local authorities to try to ensure those individuals can avail of cost-rental housing? As the Minister said, 18 months ago the scheme did no…

I thank the Minister for all that information. In particular, he mentioned the first home scheme. I am aware of constituents coming to my office regarding the various new schemes, including, first home and help-to-buy. All those initiatives that have been reformed over the past while are helping. Returning to the original point on the cost rental, it is very welcome and necessary that those schemes are proceeding across Dublin, and the country as well, so that people can avail of cost rental.

I have raised this issue on a number of occasions. I ask the Minister for a report on the work of the external oversight body for the Defence Forces and whether membership is being expanded. As he will be aware, following his meeting with the Women of Honour group, among others, there have been calls for that.

I thank the Minister. I want to acknowledge his swift action and engagement since the publication of the 13 recommendations, as well as his recent engagement with various groups. He will be aware of the opposition of the Women of Honour group and others to the IRG report recommendation that membership of the external oversight body of the Defence Forces should include the Secretary General of the Department. The Women of Honour group, in particular, stated that it believed the Secretary General of the Department sh…

I was one of the people welcoming the publication of the report, because it was eagerly awaited by all Members of the House. The Association of Retired Commissioned Officers, ARCO, while welcoming the establishment of the external oversight body, has expressed concern about the imbalance of the defence representation in its membership. ARCO says the inclusion of a civilian defence official should be balanced by the inclusion of a military professional and this body will have to have the trust and confidence of both…

I welcome the opportunity to examine the progress in tackling organised crime in this State. I am acutely conscious of the devastating impact that illegal drugs, the drug trade, drug dealing and related criminal activity have on communities across the country, particularly in the capital, Dublin. It should be noted that, by international comparison, Ireland has a relatively small organised crime landscape. Nevertheless, it has a detrimental impact on communities. Thankfully, gun crime and fatal shootings are showin…

The Select Committee on Health has completed its consideration of the following further Revised Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending 31 December 2023: Vote 38 - Health.

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Courts Bill 2023. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and his officials for their ongoing work on this important and technical legislation. I also acknowledge the Minister of State's presence throughout this Stage of the Bill. At the heart of this Bill is the objective of improving access to justice for all citizens by ensuring the courts are properly resourced to deliver justice efficiently, especially around the new family courts. Having an efficient courts syste…