That is not correct, and Sinn Féin does not have a monopoly when it comes to association with the heroes of 1916. Many of us in Fianna Fáil have a strong connection with those people who fought in 1916. The Deputy needs to accurately represent what was stated yesterday. It was stated that the GPO complex will be redeveloped as an ambitious flagship project, as a mixed-use development with a combination of cultural, retail and office components, befitting the national historical and cultural importance of the site. We need to recognise that the GPO is a huge site. I suspect the last thing Pádraig Pearse or James Connolly would want is for us to have it fossilised the way it was back in 1916. It is a vibrant, valuable site in the centre of the city. It represents not only our great history but also the future.
Sentiment score: 0.26
There is very little I can do about the US immigration system. I am trying to put rules on the Irish immigration system. I cannot control the US immigration system. It is regrettable that these new measures are being introduced by the United States. I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have indicated that they think the measures are inappropriate. We will mention it to the US authorities. Hundreds of thousands - probably millions - of Irish people have a great time on J-1 visas. They are still doing it this year, they have done it in the past and I think it will continue into the future.
Sentiment score: 0.12
The Minister, Deputy Foley, brought that report to Cabinet yesterday. It is important to note the report also acknowledges the positive and open engagement with Department officials over the past year. Officials in her Department have prepared an initial response to the recommendations alongside a commitment to continue engaging positively with the special advocate in relation to the issues raised. The Minister is engaging with the Attorney General to assess what can be done regarding religious orders that are not making any offer of financial contribution in respect of matters for which they are partly responsible.
Sentiment score: 0.62
I agree with the Deputy. What is happening in Gaza is reprehensible and shocking. A concern the Government and I have is that because attention is now focused on Israel's war with Iran, it is off Gaza. We cannot allow that to happen. In fairness, no government in Europe has done more than the Irish Government in seeking to advance the protection and cause of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We must recognise that the way we put pressure on Israel is not simply through small pieces of legislation but by trying to bring about a co-ordinated European response, particularly in respect of the EU-Israel trade agreement. We gave a response previously on the proposed legislation. The Government opposed it and voted against it. It would not have been workable. That position has not changed.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Garda Tom Flavin was acquitted of all charges against him. It must have been a significant strain on him and his family. It took seven years, which is far too long for a criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, criminal prosecutions can take a lengthy period of time. It is not always the case the delay is a result of the Garda investigation. It goes to the DPP and through the courts, and processes can be delayed. For any person facing a criminal prosecution, there is an entitlement to ensure that is dealt with without delay. We should try to expedite all criminal prosecutions so they can be dealt with more quickly.
Sentiment score: -0.36
At Cabinet yesterday, the Minister for agriculture, Deputy Heydon, gave a detailed and informative account of bovine TB and his strategy to combat it, approved by Government. It is a serious issue from the point of view of Irish agriculture. If it became prevalent or widespread in Ireland, we would have a significant problem. Having listened to the Minister yesterday, he is on top of the issue. A strategy is in place to respond. I will ask him to get back to the Deputy directly.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I thank Deputy Feighan for bringing this issue forward and the presentation from the NWRA. The north-west region has been identified in the programme for Government as an area that needs further investment. I am sure when it comes to the national development plan, each Minister will seek to advance capital projects in the region.
Sentiment score: 0.23
We are aware of the issue regarding the Oireachtas broadcasters. It cannot be an easy job. As a party, Fianna Fáil supports what they seek. We have written to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. It is ultimately a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to respond to these issues. I believe the commission will engage with them. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue.
Sentiment score: 0.15
I thank the Deputy. I agree with her there are more gardaí on the streets of Dublin city centre and it has had a very positive impact. It is not the intention and I hope it is not the effect that gardaí are taken from different areas. I do not think that is the case. The Commissioner has made a decision that a significant number of new recruits coming out will be put in Dublin in the first instance, but others are being transferred to other parts of the country as well. Obviously, all this is dependent on recruiting more people into An Garda Síochána. We had a good recruitment campaign where 6,700 people expressed interest in joining the force. We need to translate that into membership of the force, as the biggest problem gardaí have is their popularity and their success. People want to see them everywhere. On the community safety partnerships, I will be signing those regulations shortly and I hope that will enable the partnerships to get up and running.
Sentiment score: 0.41
I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. I agree school secretaries and caretakers play an absolutely essential and invaluable role in schools. Many of us know schools that simply could not operate without the school secretary or indeed the caretaker. I note the assimilation of school secretaries to a payroll administered by the Department has provided significant benefits where pay and access to leave are concerned. I note what the Deputy stated about the further requests from school secretaries and caretakers and I will raise that with the Minister for education, Deputy McEntee.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I thank Deputy Gogarty. It is correct to point out that when most people access the courts it is probably through the family court system. Most people stay away from the courts and it is only because of circumstances that force them before them because of family law issues that they have to engage with the courts. I have received a report on the in camera rule. I do not think we will be able to completely remove it. It is always going to be the case we are going to have to protect the identity of certain individuals and children before the courts. I want to see a much better environment for the hearing of, and determination of, family court hearings. At present the facilities are not good enough. There is a family law implementation group that is going to seek to implement the statutory policy set out in the Family Law Act. That is doing a lot of work at present. I hear what the Deputy says about the reports as well. They are contentious and controversial, but we have got to identify some mechanism so the voice of the child can be heard in family law proceedings.
Sentiment score: 0.14
I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. I do not have exact detail in respect of the funding for Kildare County Council at present. I will raise it with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne. The Deputy correctly identifies that the population of Kildare is increasing very significantly. Obviously there are significant pressures to ensure public services are available. I will go back and have a look at the figures for gardaí in Kildare, but it is the case there are demands for gardaí everywhere and we just need to get more into the force to ensure every part of the country can have more of them.
Sentiment score: 0.27
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist seo atá tábhachtach do mhuintir Chiarraí. I will try to find out what the issue is with that. I do not have the information in respect to it. There certainly should be a playground in west Kerry. I am surprised that there is not. I would have thought there should be one around Dingle. I will raise it with the relevant officials and come back to the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.15
I thank the Deputy for identifying that the 50th anniversary of the Dundalk bombing is coming up. Regrettably, nobody has been brought to justice for those murders. Technically, it is an ongoing Garda investigation but the reality is that we are going to have to try to get some mechanism to deal with this and others as legacy issues. There are ongoing discussions between the Irish Government and the British Government as to how to best address legacy issues. It is certainly the case that the Dundalk bombing would come within the parameters of the types of events that need to be investigated. I will keep the Deputy apprised of any developments on that.
Sentiment score: 0.13
That is an upsetting account that the Deputy has had to give about a constituent who has been paying their private healthcare for years and was then told that pembro is not covered. The Health Insurance Act regulations require insurers to require a minimum level of cover to every insured person. Beyond that, in terms of what specific issues are covered or not, that is set out in the agreements entered into between the individual and the healthcare insurer or provider. It is certainly the case that people should look closely. If Laya Healthcare is precluding cover for this, and other entities are providing cover, that is something that should be publicised.
Sentiment score: 0.03
I thank the Deputy for raising that. I will speak to the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, who is responsible for special education needs. I am concerned to hear that Marino special school has not had that review yet. It needs to be given some certainty in terms of where we are now with the new year starting up. I will ask the Minister of State to come back to the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.33