11. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on water quality will next meet. [7360/25]
Sentiment score: 0.00
The programme for Government refers to the establishment of the Cabinet committee on water quality in the context of the nitrates derogation and to evidence-based solutions to assist farmers to improve water quality. The Taoiseach stated the committee is due to meet shortly for the first time. I ask that the remit might extend beyond that issue and hope that it will. There are many other issues that are just as important around the need to improve water quality on our coasts and in our inland waterways. Will the committee also consider the merits of the Dublin Bay Bill 2021 which I proposed in this House some years ago and which the former Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien did not oppose, on Second Stage. It would have created a new statutory agency for governance of Dublin Bay, which would have been a model for other coastal areas and would have ensured much greater governance of the issue of water quality, ensuring our coastal areas, including our bathing areas would become genuinely well maintained public amenities for all to use. I am conscious that many people at inland lakes and in coastal areas now engage in swimming all year round or in using the waterways of Ireland and our coasts for leisure activities. We need to ensure water quality is improved upon for all those users as well, of course, as for ensuring water quality is improved for farmers and all those who engage in agricultural sectors.
Sentiment score: 0.52
15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [5758/25]
Sentiment score: 0.00
Last week I raised the chronic shortages of staff across the healthcare sector with the Taoiseach and clearly that is contributing hugely to delays in the system and to the numbers on trolleys. Today the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, reported 669 people on trolleys, and 9,738 so far in February alone. This is clearly not just an issue around weekend cover or workplace practices. What is the plan from Government to ensure that we have increased bed and staff capacity so that people do not have to wait on trolleys? In particular, given the chronic shortage of public health nurses and the serious impact this is having on maternal and infant health, when will the HSE be publishing the report it has commissioned which will apparently provide recommendations to improve recruitment and retention of public health nurses? The INMO has come up with some proposals and we need to see fast tracking of training for community registered nurses and more places for training provided. There is a current shortfall of 600 positions for public health nurses.
Sentiment score: 0.16
38. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7361/25]
Sentiment score: 0.00
I spoke earlier on the huge risks posed to the international rules-based order by the Trump presidency. It is a very important time for us to stand in solidarity with those campaigning for democracy. I am thinking of those in Ukraine and those of course in the democratic opposition in Belarus and in other countries around the world. Here at home, the Taoiseach said yesterday that Ireland would spend more to help Ukraine. Will he commit to retaining the accommodation recognition payment that supports more than 36,000 Ukrainians in Ireland? There have been reports that it will be cut. Other Opposition parties have called for it to be cut and reduced. I want to be sure the Government will commit to retaining the payment. The temporary protection directive has been extended to March 2026 so will he commit to retaining the ARP at least for that period?
Sentiment score: 0.27