For too many families, everyday necessities such as putting fuel in the car, putting food on the table or paying bills for monthly expenses such as gas and electricity are becoming more and more unaffordable. Costs are growing all the time. People need relief. They need to see a government that is committed to addressing these cost-of-living challenges and they do not have that in this Government. This Government has been in situ since 2020. It seems unable to ease the cost of living for the ordinary worker and fam…

The Housing Commission report, which is devastating for the Government, called for a radical strategic reset of housing policy. In Limerick, a significant amount of land is in the control of the Land Development Agency. These are lands that could and should be used for the development of social and truly affordable housing that working families can access. In 2022 and 2023, the Land Development Agency failed to deliver a single home in Limerick. It has lots of plans and projects but will not deliver anything in the…

In recent months, I have raised the challenges faced by Le Chéile National School in Limerick city and its need of additional supports. The school is in the second most disadvantaged area in the State, according to Pobal. There are 186 students in the school. School assessments have found 72% of children in the school have at least one additional need. Staff have pleaded for support for two years but support has still not been delivered. Separately, I raised in a parliamentary question the wait time for two ASD sup…

I move: That Dáil Éireann shall take note of the Report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment entitled "Report on Offshore Renewable Energy", copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 8th March, 2023. I wish to share time with Deputy O'Reilly.

As Cathaoirleach of the committee, I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to lead out on this important debate, and the Business Committee for taking a positive approach and allowing it onto the agenda, which is timely and important. I express my thanks to my fellow members of the committee who worked diligently to produce this report. The collaborative and considered approach we took to our engagement is reflected in this report. The committee, when drafting its annual work programme, identified this topi…

Motorsport Ireland put together a bid to host a round of the World Rally Championships which would include Limerick, Kerry and the south east and host a stage of the World Rally Championships over the next three years. Many of us, especially those with a passion for the sport, were delighted to hear this. Businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, were keenly aware of the opportunities this presented. We in Limerick will pull together to showcase our wonderful county, a county that is rich in history and cul…

As I have said, last week, Motorsport Ireland was informed that the major sports event unit would need another six months to process its application. This is shameful. How did this happen? As a result of the time delays, Ireland will no longer be considered, which represents a major blow to Motorsport Ireland, Limerick and the wider community. It is simply not acceptable that Motorsport Ireland was met with nearly complete silence from the Department and from the Minister of State. It is the duty of the Minister of…

I raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick with the Taoiseach. He was the health Minister for four years. One hundred and five people are on trolleys in the hospital today, 7,308 people have been on trolleys there already this year, and we will exceed the record number reached last year, namely 21,409. When we talk about the number of people on trolleys, we sometimes forget they are people we know. They are neighbours and friends and, in many cases, family members. What is the Taoiseach going to do? Is sorti…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Sinn Féin supports this Bill on Second Stage. The Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny during which the Minister and officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment were exceptionally forthcoming and helpful to the committee. As Chair of the Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I express my thanks to them. The purpose of the Bill is to provide a statutory basis for the transfer of Microfinance Ireland into State owne…

Local health services throughout the State have come under severe pressure due to workforce shortages, challenging working conditions, growing waiting lists and excessively long wait times. This impacts staff morale and undermines confidence in the health service. Local health services and GP services need to be improved as a priority. The lack of alternative care options in the community is placing further strain on our hospitals and their emergency departments. Nowhere is this more evident than at Limerick’s main…

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Le Chéile National School in Limerick. During the visit, I met with senior staff at the school who highlighted a number of major concerns regarding the absence of supports being made available to the children of the school. It is not a small school. It was built as part of the Limerick regeneration programme. It serves families from Southill and surrounding areas of Limerick and has an enrolment of 186 children aged between three and 12 years. The area that the school serves …

I thank the Minister of State for her response, but she has not given any comfort to the children, parents or school staff who are listening to this. I know a few of them will be tuning in. The Minister of State referenced that three Departments are responsible for the services I am talking about, but the problem is they do not seem to be co-ordinating and Le Chéile National School has not got the resources it not just needs, but is entitled to. This week the school were visited by members of the National Council f…

This motion is about providing for those with disabilities and their carers. They deserve so much better than they are getting at the moment. They deserve the quick delivery of the services and support they need. There are more than 500,000 family carers across the State. They are tremendous people who have made great sacrifices in their own lives to care for a family member. They are often the unsung heroes in our society. It is one of the great pleasures of being a TD for Limerick that I have the opportunity to s…

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. As the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, referenced, as Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I was pleased to facilitate an examination of the Unified Patent Court, UPC, in 2022. In selecting that topic, the committee was keenly aware that Ireland was well behind many other countries in Europe on this issue. Although Ireland signed the Unified Patent Court agreement in 2013, the required referendum to alter the Irish …

Can I speak to amendment No. 5?

I will speak to this amendment and a number of other amendments. We tabled a number of amendments ourselves.

I am sticking with amendment No. 5.

Can I speak on the Bill itself?

As part of amendment No. 5.

Yes, and that amendment talks about the functions-----