I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The programme for Government includes a commitment to facilitate faster data releases from the national claims information database, NCID, to further enhance transparency and accountability. This report helps to deliver that commitment. In 2018, the average earned premium was €702. It is now 18% lower, at €575. That speaks to some of the reforms that were introduced. Insurance reform, including increasing affordability and accessibility of insurance, remains a key priority for the Government. After considerable progress in this area to bring down premiums over that trend of years, we need to redouble our efforts.
Sentiment score: 0.21
In fairness, Deputy Doherty has been proactive in this area over recent years.
Sentiment score: 0.42
We will work across the House to strengthen insurance reform and bring forward a new programme of reform over the term of this Government.
Sentiment score: 0.32
We will work across the Oireachtas on the measures that can be taken.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Like the Deputy, I strongly condemn the continuing Israeli military operation, which has brought fresh suffering to the people of Gaza. The images we are seeing are truly horrific. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic; it is hell on earth. It has been over 50 days since food, medicines and other essential supplies have been allowed to enter Gaza. Israel’s continuing humanitarian blockade is pushing Gaza closer to a hunger crisis. As the Taoiseach said yesterday, it is wrong in principle and law to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population, whatever the circumstances, and this behaviour clearly constitutes a war crime. It is also wholly unacceptable to contemplate the mass displacement of people in Gaza or to talk about a permanent occupation. It is not only an affront to decency and to international law; history tells us it offers no solution. Today, Ireland, along with five other countries, issued a joint statement expressing our grave concern about the report that Israel plans to expand its operations. We call on the Israeli authorities to show restraint.
Sentiment score: -0.33
I acknowledge the ongoing issue of high energy prices across our economy, and that is why the outgoing Government, including through budget 2025, sought to support families through the electricity credit scheme. In the context of budget 2025, we will be specifically targeting any type of support that could be made available to individuals or families through the social protection system. We have been clear that we are going to move away from universal measures in the context of any support for families. Specifically relating to what the Deputy referred to, I will ask the relevant Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, to respond on the specific allocation made in the time of the previous Government and on what was introduced then. I will ask him to provide the Deputy with the factual information.
Sentiment score: 0.37
I thank Deputy Gogarty. My understanding is that work on that is continuing, but I will ask the Minister for Justice to respond to the Deputy directly on the timeframe of the group. There are existing systems and processes in place that are very much upholding best practice around child protection, and those concerned are considering whether repeat vetting is required or whether vetting is not required again where someone has been vetted on one occasion. However, it is important that this be managed with care, obviously with child protection at the core. I will ask the Minister for Justice to try to provide a timeframe for the Deputy on any changes that arise.
Sentiment score: 0.57
I acknowledge the road safety considerations the Deputy raised. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, should examine the balance here and the appropriateness in the context of some of the speeds reached. It is an important part of the e-mobility strategy that there is an acceleration of e-bikes – not in terms of their speed but in the provision of e-bikes across cities and urban areas as we have seen in parts of Europe and elsewhere. I acknowledge the road safety issue the Deputy raised as well as some of the anti-social behaviour issues we have seen in parts of Dublin in particular. There is a serious issue which has been reflected by An Garda Síochána and others where in many instances these e-bikes or other vehicles have replaced scramblers. Achieving the balance is important. I will ask the Minister to get back to the Deputy on the road safety considerations.
Sentiment score: 0.25
I acknowledge the waiting time for driver testing is too long. The RSA has a service level agreement of a ten-week target which is not being met. It is increasing testing capacity and trying to improve the overall delivery by increasing the permanent sanction of testers to 200. That should help support a reduction in the wait time. I will ask the Minister for Transport to respond directly on the driver test site in Tallaght or where that may or may not be. I do not have that particular information. We acknowledge that many people are waiting too long. That is why the recruitment process is under way to try to accelerate a reduction in the wait times for many people across the country which are just too long.
Sentiment score: 0.20
I spoke on this earlier in response to Deputy Lowry. I offer my condolences to the family of Luke Hyde. What happened in the aftermath of this was shocking. That there were people who were more interested in recording the incident than helping is absolutely shocking. I mentioned earlier that the view of the Department of Justice is that this may be captured by an existing provision. I will ask the Minister for Justice to respond to the Deputy’s points. I know how upset the family is and indeed anyone else recorded in a similar incident. I would raise the role of Coimisiún na Meán in the context of the oversight of particular social media companies too. I will ask both Ministers to respond to the Deputy’s concerns.
Sentiment score: 0.06
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I will ask the Minister for Justice to respond to him directly on the particular policy plans in respect of the issue he has raised.
Sentiment score: 0.56
There is very strong reference in the programme for Government to making progress across the disability area. In each budget, we want to make incremental progress over a five-year period. That will involve the consideration of social protection payments and indeed means-tested payments like the disability allowance, as well as other areas on which we were very clear in the election regarding the means test, and other issues which will have to be considered by the Minister for Social Protection in the context of what is available for budget 2026. We welcome the engagement on that particular issue and will try to make progress for people with disabilities in each budget. That is a central focus of Government.
Sentiment score: 0.56
I thank the Deputy. I know from being in Youghal with him on many occasions the importance of different State infrastructure and the services and activities it provides in the context of the local community and the other resources that are attached to the courthouse he has referenced. I will ask the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, to respond directly to the Deputy on his concerns and his request for the provision of continued court services and the courthouse in Youghal, and to reflect on the concerns the Deputy has raised regarding its retention.
Sentiment score: 0.42