-----that broke the economy, and it is over there on the other side of the Chamber.

From the party that crashed the economy and brought the IMF here? Jesus Christ, we do not all have amnesia here. Come on.

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". Families and workers across the State are being ripped off by the cost of home heating oil. Prices are going up and up and for months, the Government has refused to act. This is not happening in isolation. At the same time, petrol and diesel prices are rising. Energy companies are hiking their bills and groceries are getting dearer day by day, stretching household budgets. A fill of home heating oil is now approximately €700 more expensive than it was at the start …

I listened to the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, and I listened to the other Minister of State who came in here. Nobody else from the Government benches had the brass neck to come in and face us down on this issue. Listening to the Minister of State, I wondered what planet she is living on. She said the facts do not lie. Here are some facts for her. The price of a fill of home heating oil has increased by €700 since the start of this year. Here is another fact. The Government has not reduced the tax by 1 cent to…

There is a saying in Irish which I will finish on – is maith an rud é an eagla. Fear is a great thing. I know the Government fears the risen people. By God if it does not get this right the people will rise again.

Aréir, chonaic muid ar an teilifís náisiúnta ceathrar sceithirí de chuid An Garda Síochána. Is daoine iad seo a rinne iarracht imní tromchúiseach a ardú taobh istigh den Garda Síochána. Deir siad gur cuireadh ar leataobh iad, gur cuireadh bac orthu agus gur gearradh pionóis orthu. Tá sé de cheart ag an phobal anois a bheith ar an eolas faoi cé a bhí ar an eolas sa Rialtas faoin dóigh ar caitheadh leis na sceithirí seo agus an gníomh a rinneadh de bharr na himní tromchúisí a chuir siad chun tosaigh. Last night, four…

On a point of order, the Minister is aware that these protected disclosures are closed so that does not prevent her from answering any questions, just to be helpful. They waived their anonymity.

With respect, these are really serious matters. The Minister has not answered any of our questions - not one - and this is not the first time. She has dodged questions from other people in the Opposition previously in the Dáil. The first question I asked had nothing to do with the protected disclosure. Why will the Minister not tell the public? Let me read it again. When was the Minister first made aware there was an issue with the holsters? It has been alleged the issue with the holsters resulted in the death of a…

-----at the time he was interfering with an independent and autonomous office? It is earth-shattering that An Garda Síochána admitted blatantly on the radio-----

-----that it interfered with the process. I will ask the question again and ask that the Minister stop hiding. When was she first made aware of the issue with the holsters? Will she give the date? When was she briefed-----

-----about the safety concerns? What did she do about it? What does she have to say-----

-----about gardaí at a senior level saying they interfered with the independent process?

You are hiding. Just answer the question.

Is the Minister saying she cannot answer the question as to when she and the Department were first made aware? That is just nonsense.

There is no answer.

How can the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, tell us that you were told in August 2020? How can the Minister for justice tell us that when the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will not tell us herself?

Okay, I apologise, but this is very frustrating, with respect.

When were you informed?

When were you informed?

Why will the Minister not tell us when she was informed?