I welcome the opportunity to contribute on what is without question a significant, far-reaching piece of legislation. Independent Ireland recognises the critical importance of Dublin Airport to this country. It is our main gateway to the world. It underpins tourism, supports our exporters, connects families and plays a vital role in attracting international investment. There is no point in pretending otherwise. If connectivity suffers, the national economy suffers and we are where we are. The current passenger cap …

Our local gardaí are doing Trojan work and deserve the full backing of rural Ireland, including areas like west Cork. They are the backbone of community safety and they are out at all hours dealing with everything thrown at them, often with limited and stretched resources. They know their communities. That is their strength. That is how people keep safe, not just with legislation from Dublin. Let us be honest about this motion. We are again being asked to roll over what are meant to be temporary emergency powers. Y…

If you want to understand the true state of a nation's healthcare system, do not just look at its emergency rooms or its hospital beds. Look at its smiles. Look at the teeth of its children, the stress lines of its working class and the growing bills on the kitchen tables of ordinary families. In 2026, Ireland is celebrated globally for economic prosperity, technological innovation and a soaring population but beneath that shiny surface lies a painful systematic reality. Dental and orthodontic services in Ireland a…

In light of the ongoing and deepening crisis in the fishing sector and the severe impact it continues to have on coastal and inland communities, can the Minister provide an update on the fishing task force established by the Government earlier in 2026 to examine the future sustainability and viability of the sector? Can he confirm the task force has met in accordance with its intended schedule, the number of meetings that have taken place, and the current status of its work? When can fisherman and affected communit…

Rare disease is an issue that affects thousands of families across Ireland, yet too often it receives far too little attention in this House. In particular, many patients face struggles gaining access to the medicines and treatments that could transform or even save their lives. The word "rare" can be misleading. When people hear the term “rare disease”, they imagine something that affects only a handful of people, but when we put all of these conditions together, the reality is very different. Today, around one in…

On a point of order, will the Minister of State give us some direction on the situation regarding Skyclarys?

That is all I am asking. The Minister of State might respond briefly in the 30 seconds remaining to him.

It is a very important issue. People are dying.

There is one point in this motion that nobody in this House can dispute. Irish families and small businesses are being crippled by electricity costs and if anyone doubts the scale of that crisis, they only need to look at the figures. At the end of last year, nearly 320,000 households in this country were behind on their electricity bills. That is roughly one in seven homes struggling to keep up. The average amount owed is around €466 per household. That has gone to over €500 now and is rising. That is the reality …

Adult and community education across Ireland is facing a crisis. Classes are being cut, jobs are being lost and earnings are being slashed in multiple education and training boards. A total of €20 million has been removed from the programmes serving some of the most marginalised learners in our communities. There are over 500 further education and training campuses across Ireland, six of which are in my constituency of Cork South-West. More than 40% of those attending them are senior citizens. These classes are a l…

I raise a matter that has caused huge concern among farmers, hunters and licensed firearms owners right across rural Ireland. This is about the proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition and, more important, the complete lack of information and engagement by this Government. This issue did not appear yesterday. Concerns about these proposals have been voiced over the past number of years. Representative organisations have been looking for meetings and meaningful engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy Alan D…

We are back to square one again in relation to the short-term lets. This was discussed at the Cabinet meeting today. One Minister has said it is going to include strong enforcement laws and the Revenue Commissioners coming down hard on short-term lets. The Taoiseach said in a statement here in the Dáil that any short-term let over seven years would not need planning permission. Is that the case? Yes or no?

We need statements on it.

I have been seeking this debate for about three months at the Business Committee so I am glad the Minister is here before us. I will concentrate very much on the serious issue of short-term lets. I have very little time so I will ask a number of questions the Minister might be able to answer in his summing up. There has been major confusion, as we have seen. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are all over the place on this issue, so much so that people have been told for the last two years to sign up in May but now that can…

In June 2024-----

In June 2024, the Dáil voted to opt Ireland into the EU migration and asylum pact, which comes into effect this week. We need an urgent debate in the Dáil as there is a national outcry against this. We need to find a way to overturn this decision, like Denmark, which opted out. Other countries are trying to get out of this. We need an urgent discussion in the Chamber to do that.

The Taoiseach has answered a question on this already. Perhaps he would give us a timeline. Will he urgently intervene to ensure that the drug, Skyclarys, is included in the HSE's drugs group agenda for tomorrow, 10 June? I raised this issue in the Dáil a number of months ago. I have also written directly to the Minister for health about it, yet here we are again with no progress and families left in limbo. I am speaking on behalf of Emma O'Shea from Bantry who was first diagnosed at ten years of age, and others wh…

Independent Ireland always welcomed any fuel cuts that were made but, in fairness, they never went to the core of the problem. I know, following the protest, the Government was kicking and screaming against giving anything to the people. The people almost had a revolution in the country before it woke up and then when it woke up, it did not go about it in the right way. The right way is always at the pump. If money is taken off at the pump, it goes back into the wallet or purse of the mother or father who is out th…

Let me begin by saying something very clearly: the humanitarian situation in Gaza is heartbreaking. The loss of innocent civilian life, the suffering of families, the destruction of homes, schools and hospitals and the terrible impact of this conflict on ordinary people should concern every decent person. We in Independent Ireland condemn violence against civilians where it occurs and we support every effort to achieve a just peace and lasting resolution to this conflict. Nobody should mistake our amendment for ind…

Excuse me, I did not interrupt you when you were speaking.