Increasingly, Deputy McDonald's use of language-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
-----is lacking any credibility. We have words like "botched", "made a bags of" and "astonishing". There is nothing astonishing about it. I pay tribute to the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, who has handled this very well. Approximately €29 billion was invested and €29 billion has been recovered. We have a fully functioning bank. Europe-wise, legislation and the regulatory environment have been transformed. They have been transformed in this country also. In my view, of Bank of Ireland and AIB are two healthy, functioning banks, which is good for the country, in order that we can modern banking and payments systems that can underpin our economy and society. Most commentators have a different view from that articulated by the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.13
Where is the Bill at the moment?
Sentiment score: 0.00
You are proposing to introduce it. We will certainly examine it and look at it positively. We believe that the religious orders, first and foremost, should be accountable and contribute redress, even though this will never compensate for the appalling abuse inflicted on any individual or group of persons. Compensation or redress can never do so, but they constitute an aspect of accountability. Certainly, we are interested in exploring every avenue to make sure that there is accountability.
Sentiment score: 0.14
The Government does fulfil its legal obligations. In respect of aviation, there are international conventions that the Government and all other governments have to adhere to regarding inspections or state flights as opposed to commercial flights. The Government is adhering to and observing those obligations. I have not seen the Deputy's letter to the Attorney General. If it is okay, I will ask him to forward a copy of the letter to me.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I presume the Deputy has approached the HSE on the matter. If she could forward the details to me or the Minister for Health, I will certainly follow it up with the Minister and HSE. Was it a private practice?
Sentiment score: 0.12
The public health service has some remit there-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
----- and the HSE would too.
Sentiment score: 0.00
There is a set procedure for how protected closures are dealt with. I am not familiar with the full details of this case. I do not know whether the Deputy has raised it with the-----
Sentiment score: 0.15
With the Ministers for justice. That is fine.
Sentiment score: 0.36
I cannot intervene in every case, but I will ask the Minister for justice for his perspective on this to see what the situation is and what help can be given.
Sentiment score: 0.85
I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this very serious and important issue. It is important to detail the timeline of events and steps taken by the Football Association of Ireland regarding these allegations. As the Deputy said, and as is my understanding, an internal email was sent by a former FAI CEO in May 2023 regarding rumours relating to a former coach and alleged historical inappropriate behaviour. This is the subject matter of a current Garda investigation and it would be inappropriate for me to comment in any greater detail than that other than to say that once the FAI received the formal complaint in January 2024, it acted swiftly and contacted An Garda Síochána and Tusla in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements and its own safeguarding and child welfare regulations. Following the revelations, the FAI introduced an anonymous reporting mechanism to allow players and others to flag concerns and report inappropriate behaviour and to raise a concern to-----
Sentiment score: 0.30
-----an independent complaint-handling firm. I will raise this matter with the Ministers for sport and for children, obviously.
Sentiment score: 0.02
I appreciate Deputy Aird raising this very serious question. I agree with him. Approximately 24 million hours-----
Sentiment score: 0.21
-----of home care were delivered last year. This is all the more reason for a proper regulatory framework to govern it. We intend to place this on a statutory footing in terms of home care entitlements and so on. However, training and supports are vital. Quality of healthcare must be at the centre of this and the legislation will be published shortly.
Sentiment score: 0.31
First, there will be increased investment in water. I have had discussions with Irish Water in respect of some rural towns or where there are certain developments where bespoke arrangements have to be arrived at between developers, for example, who could develop waste water treatment facilities and supply in accordance with guidelines issued by Irish Water and subsequent inspections-----
Sentiment score: 0.31
I know that but I am saying this will have to happen.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The demand is growing all the time and we must develop innovative ways of meeting that demand.
Sentiment score: 0.38
I am sure the Deputy will understand I am not in a position to outline the budget today - that will be in October. I have made it very clear since my appointment - and I have spoken to the Minister for Social Protection - that child poverty is a key priority of Government. I have asked for specific proposals in relation to it in the forthcoming budget. I said yesterday that nothing is off the table. Obviously, it must be considered in the broader public expenditure limits that will be set and envelope for the budget but I am determined to target resources at those children who are most vulnerable so we can lift children in those circumstances out of poverty.
Sentiment score: -0.08
The cost of congestion in Galway is particularly high and the failure to get the ring road system through has been a significant contributing factor to this. It is currently with An Bord Pleanála but we need that ring road developed, and parallel with that, investment in public transport. There is investment under way in public transport in Galway both rail and through the NTA but I take the Deputy's point. Much consultation takes place. The NTA, in its BusConnects approach, creates much angst out there and then hence a lot of consultation. Then it takes a long time before we can get an agreed position. The Deputy has raised these serious issues which point to the need to try to get consensus. There needs to be consensus in Galway on public transport and the ring road issue.
Sentiment score: 0.01
Last year, the Government initiated a policy of purchasing or establishing State-owned centres as opposed to relying entirely on the private sector, which has been criticised a lot by the Deputy's party and the Opposition more generally, in terms of housing asylum seekers pending adjudication of their asylum applications. In respect of City West, it is fundamentally a value-for-money consideration as to which makes greater sense, namely to continue to lease indefinitely for years or to purchase. I will ask the Minister for justice to engage with the Deputy. I will alert him to the fact that he has raised the issue.
Sentiment score: 0.41
On costs, we waived the development levies for a significant period. This resulted in unprecedented levels of commencements over the two years prior to this year. The commencements in 2023 and 2024 were significant. There was a massive increase because we waived the development levies for a restricted period. After that, we have had a lower level of commencements. The Government is doing a range of initiatives on housing. Everything is being kept under constant review. I will look at the Deputy's proposal, but the help to buy scheme and the first home grant are quite generous as matters stand. Combined, they give significant supports to first-time buyers. We will certainly examine the proposal.
Sentiment score: 0.18
Irish Water should engage with the Deputy on the issue. It should engage with Oireachtas representatives on issues of similar significance to that in his constituency. I will certainly convey my views to Irish Water in that respect.
Sentiment score: 0.52
I am familiar with the issue. The payment was extended on a number of occasions previously. I will talk to the Minister for Health in respect of this. I will have to check if it would be possible to do a separate ring-fenced occupational scheme. However, I doubt it because doing so would open up precedents for a range of other schemes. These workers put themselves on the line for the country and its people during a very trying time. I have always advocated on their behalf regarding maintaining the existing payment as long as we possibly can. I will talk the Minister for Health in that regard.
Sentiment score: 0.02
There has been a long-standing commitment to the M20, and we are making progress. The route design is due to be published today, I think.
Sentiment score: 0.33
Which is good. We will go stage by stage. This is a key piece of infrastructure. We will examine the issue of tolling and the impact on local populations in particular, because there can be a significant impact on those who travel short distances to and from work, etc.
Sentiment score: 0.16