I have discussed this with the Minister for Health. We want all those living with Friedreich's ataxia to have access to Skyclarys as fast as we possibly can. The company made its commercial proposal on 28 May-----
Sentiment score: 0.03
On 28 May last-----
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I am interested in getting this drug over the line.
Sentiment score: 0.40
I am not interesting in playing games with this. The Deputy asked me a question. I ask her at least to allow me to answer because there are lots of families and people very dependent-----
Sentiment score: -0.07
-----on our getting this over the line. I have discussed this. I had an official with me yesterday when I met one individual who is living with Friedreich's ataxia and with his parent. The commercial proposal came in on 28 May.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The Deputy is referring to the original proposal in terms of 2024.
Sentiment score: 0.32
There have been engagements between the HSE and the company, Biogen Idec. It will not be tomorrow-----
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-----but what we are endeavouring to do is to get this on-----
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I will just make the point because things have been said here and there are lots of families-----
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But they need to know the information.
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Basically, we want to get it as quickly as possible from the July meeting.
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That is shocking.
Sentiment score: -0.40
The exclusion of Israel from international competition has to be, by definition, a decision taken by the people who own, control and organise those competitions, namely-----
Sentiment score: -0.30
-----FIFA and UEFA. There is an issue here - of course there is - and the Government has taken a stand on a whole range of issues in respect of Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and much more in terms of the international positions we have taken. There is an issue for the Irish football team in that it could be the main loser in all this, not anybody else - not FIFA and not UEFA. They continue on because those organisations have not, if we are honest, shown themselves to be very politically focused or conscious in what they do-----
Sentiment score: 0.17
-----and that is another side of the coin. I have to weigh that up in respect of-----
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-----the Irish football team as well.
Sentiment score: 0.27
I think the Minister is taking a strategic approach to the development of maternity services. There is a lot in what the Deputy says, although it needs to be discussed in more depth. As a former Minister, I have been through the home birth situation. It is not easy. There are a lot a complications, difficulties and challenges. Modern obstetrics has become far more complex and complicated but we need to strive for safety wherever a baby is and in whatever context a baby is delivered. Safety and a quality outcome have to be the number one priority for mother and child. The Minister is feeding into a new strategic direction. It seems to me that one of the issues this recent controversy has shown up again is that in health the institution seems to take precedence over the patient. I know I do not have the time to do so in this one-minute exchange, but we do need to reflect on that.
Sentiment score: 0.05
Patients should never be put into the situations they were put into in the last number of weeks.
Sentiment score: 0.08
I will take the Deputy's point on board. She knows what I am saying.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I will discuss the issues he has raised with the Minister for justice. He called for an independent inquiry but, again, we would have to discuss that in terms of the type of inquiry. We have had many inquiries. They take an inordinate length of time. I will talk to the Minister and see if we can get answers. That is a more important point for the family concerned here. It has been a long period of time. I will talk to the Minister and come back to the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.13
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I will very quickly go through it because I think he is looking for clarification. Basically, the HSE received an application for pricing and reimbursement on 1 August 2024 for Skyclarys, for adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older. On foot of a rapid review of the application by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, the HSE commissioned a full health technology assessment, HTA, on 25 September 2024. Necessary materials were submitted by Biogen Idec on 2 July 2025, ten months after the HTA was commissioned by the HSE. The agency met with Biogen Idec on 12 February. However, despite several requests, a commercial proposal from the applicant was not received until 28 May. This is the information that I have available. That said, we need to get this decided upon as quickly as we possibly can. My understanding is it would be on the agenda for the July meeting of the HSE's drugs group, but if we can bring it forward, we will, although I do not want to make any commitments on that. However, there are many families out there who are very worried and stressed. I acknowledge that.
Sentiment score: -0.01
I agree with what the Deputy is saying. This has been an issue that has been raised on a number of occasions. I will talk to the Minister for housing to see if additional legislation or regulation is required. Very often, it is the enforcement of existing regulations and laws that is the issue. There is a great reluctance to move in relation to people who are behaving in a significantly antisocial way and who are making life almost impossible for all the other residents. I have always been of the view that a firmer position has to be taken by the councils and approved housing bodies in respect of tenants who are not upholding the tenancy agreement in terms of proper social behaviour and cohesion within a residential estate. I will discuss the matter with the Minister for housing.
Sentiment score: 0.24
The Deputy kind of answered it himself when he said that the scheme has quadrupled. The Government is investing in this scheme and expanding it. We have to have some balance and perspective here too. We do not allocate individually to each scheme. The scheme has increased again this year and funding has increased quite significantly. I do not know whether the scheme has expanded beyond the original parameters. We should always be targeting our resources to those who need the resources the most. However, I will alert the Minister to the fact that the Deputy has raised this.
Sentiment score: 0.14
That is a very difficult situation if it is just one pupil short. The Deputy knows there are basic frameworks and rules governing the pupil-teacher ratio in terms of enrolment numbers. The previous September governs how many teachers we have in the subsequent September. Some schools gain teachers; other schools lose teachers. There is a clause there, in terms of developing school status if numbers are potentially going to increase in a given location, that can be used as a basis for upholding an appeal or suggesting that the school would retain its teacher. Again, the appeals process is independent but I will make the case to the Minister in respect of the school.
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To be fair to the Minister, there is an independent appeals process.
Sentiment score: 0.32
They are getting a lot more than one teacher now in DEIS plus.
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Is this the house itself?
Sentiment score: 0.00
It has been providing accommodation under contract to the Department of justice since 2022 for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and people applying for international protection. A new contract commenced in April 2025 at this property to provide accommodation to people and families seeking international protection in Ireland. Then, a proper template must be completed and sent to the Department of justice. That requires details of accommodation services offered and regulatory matters like planning, building regulations, valid fire certification, insurance and staffing details. Once all that documentation is received, a contract may be offered. Confirmation of the required planning exemption for the local authority was provided to the Department of justice as part of agreeing this new contract. Valid insurance details were also reviewed as part of this process. Tipperary County Council acknowledged in court proceedings during 2025 that the granting of a pending exemption to the property in January 2025 had an administrative flaw in the process.
Sentiment score: 0.19
Both towns are rapidly growing and we do, at all levels and in a co-ordinated way, have to deal with antisocial behaviour. A lot of investment has gone into sporting organisations. A lot of investment is going into community-based organisations with a view to providing alternative activities, services and opportunities for people and young people, in particular. Then, along with that, we are getting increased throughput in Templemore, so we need more gardaí on the streets and we need greater visibility of gardaí on the streets. That is occurring but maybe not yet at the levels required in Newbridge and Kildare town. Hopefully, with the increased numbers coming through and out of Templemore, we will be in a position to increase the number of gardaí in the locations the Deputy has identified.
Sentiment score: 0.31
I thank the Deputy and pay tribute to him for the role he played in advancing this issue and the work he has done with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This is an issue the Deputy has championed for quite some time, with Jason Poole and others. The Government approved the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026 today. The Minister brought it to Cabinet. It will provide for judgments in respect of those convicted of domestic violence against a former partner or partner to be included on a public register. We will seek to get the Bill through the House as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Chief Whip is very much focused on doing that. It shows that Members of the House and backbenchers generally can play a significant role in getting legislation through. This is one that matters to many families.
Sentiment score: 0.21
I will talk to the Minister for justice. Obviously, there is a capital programme for the refurbishment of courts. The Deputy is saying this is a derelict building and I presume it is still owned by the Department. Therefore, it, along with the local authority, should work to get this resolved.
Sentiment score: 0.20
The allocation of 20 new gardaí to the area is very good news and a manifestation of the progress we are making in recruiting more and more gardaí. The numbers applying to go into Templemore are in or around 200 now per term, so that is good news. I will engage with the Minister. It is primarily an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner but I will seek clarity on the background to what is happening here.
Sentiment score: 0.53
I thank the Deputy for raising a very important issue for the people of Tipperary town and the surrounding district. I will again engage with Irish Water on the question. There has to be clarity of information for the people. At least if people know what is happening, there is some solace. Even if it means it is going to take some time to install a particular well or whatever is required, at least people know something is happening and there light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. I will pursue the matter with Irish Water.
Sentiment score: 0.27
This is a very important issue to many people. People individually have to behave responsibly as well but this is the role of the CCPC. We have funded the organisation so this is something it needs to pursue to protect the consumer. We create bodies and authorities to regulate and to make sure things are done properly and the consumer is protected. The Deputy is raising this again with me. I will revert to the Minister with responsibility for the CCPC and also with the body directly.
Sentiment score: 0.26