Ultimately, when we voted on repeal, we voted to take women's healthcare out of the Constitution and put it into the hands of doctors, the Members in this House and women themselves. No legislation is set in stone, and everybody who voted on this knows that. A review was also baked into that. With all the other things the Taoiseach has spoken about which people voted on, we also voted that there would be a review. It took five years for that review to happen and a lot of people suffered in that time. Then, we final…

It is nearly 23 years since the beginning of the Iraq war. That was started with a “pre-emptive” strike on Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace. More than two decades later, and it is clear no lessons have been learned from that disaster. The United States and Israel have labelled their strikes on Iran as “pre-emptive”. They have done that purely for propaganda purposes to try to give their violent attacks a veneer of legality. But let us be clear: this military action is a clear breach of international law. It sho…

That was a long-winded way of the Taoiseach saying that he will not condemn the breach of international law. We can all agree that the UN is not perfect but it is the best that we have got. The Taoiseach should be doing much more to try to defend that. The Taoiseach cannot just say that we support international law. He has to defend it when it matters. He has to call out the US when it tramples all over it. First and foremost, the people of the Middle East will suffer as a result of this illegal war but the effects…

For a time Bessborough mother and baby home was not just a place where children were born; it was where they died. In 1943, three out of every four babies there died. One of the leading causes of death was starvation. The mother and baby homes commission report stated that 923 children died in Bessborough but burial records only exist for 64. The commission concluded it was highly likely some of those children were buried on the grounds. The State either does not care or does not want to know because there has neve…

Does the Taoiseach think that is really-----

The Taoiseach can-----

If the Taoiseach could see the anguish-----

I thank my colleague, Deputy Rice, for all of his hard work and passion on this issue. Our GP services are stretched beyond their limits. In most areas of my constituency of Cork South-West GP practices are no longer taking on new patients. People ring practice after practice only to be told there is no room. Families who move to the area cannot access primary care locally. Young people ageing out of paediatric care struggle to find a GP of their own. This is not unique to west Cork and is happening all across the …

Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. Eating disorder services in this country do not reflect the seriousness of this. Young people with eating disorders face a medical cliff-edge when they reach adulthood. Their care can simply stop. They are discharged from CAMHS and placed on a waiting list for adult services that are understaffed, under-resourced and, in 14 counties, are non-existent. Families describe it as being cut loose. The care stops dead and there is little to n…

I give a very warm welcome to all the survivors in the Public Gallery. We are here today because of their tireless efforts to get justice. I welcome the State apology today for survivors of industrial and reformatory schools as well as the clarification on criminal records. I do, however, want to talk about what it took to get here. Survivors of these nightmarish institutions, Mary Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene, Maurice Patton O'Connell and Miriam Moriarty Owens, went on hunger strike for 51 days, sleeping on the st…

At the outset, a Cheann Comhairle, I want to express that our thoughts are with the families, friends and communities of the seven people who lost their lives on a road over the weekend. This Government claims that disability rights are a priority, but the Taoiseach's words on disability have not been matched by action. The Government has found €19 million to postpone the proposed cuts to SNAs, of course not before forcing exhausted parents to once again fight the State for the support their children are entitled t…

The Taoiseach asked what I mean by the change of approach and I will elaborate on that. I mean a change from this, where the Government comes in and uses language like "progress", "investment" and "increases" and all of these big, grand words whereas the reality for disabled people on the ground is a nightmare. The reality of the language in your own Government's reports is very different from your own - go from "progress" and "investment" to "wasted lives". That is the difference. The approach of successive Govern…

-----and makes decisions not with them but for them. That is the change in approach that is needed. We need an overall approach to changing the situation.

After ten years and 15 years-----

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I want to talk to the Taoiseach about this SNA fiasco. I will get straight to the point. This Government seems to think disability is almost exclusively physical. It is 2026 and that is akin to saying mental health is not a thing. I should not have to explain this but children being able to communicate, regulate and participate is just as important as their physical needs. My first question is this: does the Taoiseach recognise that? I think this is something he cares about …

The Taoiseach said it is a "bit much" to ask that question and I have to say I agree with him. I do not think we should have to ask that question but the reality is that the policy - the implementation of this - does not represent his words here today at all. Over time and incrementally, it has happened that the allocation of SNAs is based almost exclusively on physical needs and not other needs. That is the reality. Speak to the SNAs, the teachers, the principals and the families. I did not want to have to ask the…

I said that.

I am asking-----

If you could answer the question, it would be helpful.

One in six babies in this State is born in the Rotunda. It is the busiest maternity hospital in the country by some distance and it is also the oldest maternity hospital in the world, and in many ways it feels like it. I was there yesterday to speak to the team after the devastating news that the planning permission for their long-awaited and desperately needed extension had been overturned. On Friday, as the news filtered through the hospital corridors, staff were in shock. One told me they burst into tears. They …