My sympathies go to the family of Chloe Maher, who died recently. She was formerly, as the Deputy said, a patient at CHI's spinal services. I offer my deepest condolences to Chloe's family and friends at what is a very sad time for them. As the Deputy knows, the Minister has announced that Mr. Remy Farrell has been appointed as the facilitator for the scoping exercise in terms of an inquiry into the spinal services at CHI and paediatric services more generally. Mr. Farrell will engage with patients, families and advocates to assess and consider what steps and what actions may be appropriate in terms of the inquiry and the format of an inquiry.
Sentiment score: -0.06
Ireland has been very strongly adherent to the EU sanctions framework and principles. The Aughinish plant is not subject to EU sanctions, and there is no proposal at EU level to sanction it. Alumina is not a sanctioned commodity and so under the current framework that is the position. There were reasons for that in terms of the complex supply chains in the modern era where different industries in different countries are interdependent. Some member states depend on the output of the production in Aughinish for their industries. Of course, as I said yesterday, I view with great concern the report in The Irish Times and the assertion that the Aughinish product went, via intermediaries, to Russia, to help in many ways to facilitate Russia's war machine. That is a matter of great concern and I will ask the Minister for enterprise to examine the matter and get back to the Deputy on it.
Sentiment score: 0.16
It is an outrageous assertion that we have waited and watched for years and done nothing. That is just wrong. The fact of the matter is that Ireland has strongly articulated on the West Bank issue for many years. We have taken a range of measures with the other EU member states in terms of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. We have deplored and condemned the behaviour of Israeli settlers in the West Bank. We have taken legal action in international courts. I do not know why the Deputy says things like that just to attack the Government. She seems to be more interested in attacking the Government than Israel. I can never get my head around that sort of orientation and that view. What is happening in the West Bank is horrific. The Deputy does not have a monopoly on horror and condemnation of what is happening in the West Bank. She just keeps doing it.
Sentiment score: -0.27
We are constantly investing in public transport and public buses as well. I do not have the specifics of the breakdown between replacement and additional buses arising from the very significant investment in 60 double-decker buses. I will revert to the Minister of State with responsibility for transport who is here and who is from Galway as well. I will get the full details and background on the breakdown of those 60 buses. We need to continue to invest more in public transport. This will be additional and also important in terms of emissions reductions and so on it will be impactful.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I do have confidence in Cork ETB in respect of special education. A number of years ago, it stepped into the breach to establish the school to provide desperately needed places in an area where children could not get places at the time. We had to take action. For the long term ETBs have a very significant role in special education across the country. That is my view. If we look at how it is evolving, some of the section 39 bodies have pulled back from education so the State has to get more involved in this particular area. The structures of ETBs are such that they have flexibility in providing resources. On the specific case in Carrigaline, I have been in touch with the ETB and I am fully aware of the difficulties and challenges that have occurred there. We are working with the ETB to provide additional resources to enable that school to operate as optimally and effectively as it can for the benefit of the young people who attend it.
Sentiment score: 0.23
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. He is saying it is an illustrative example of the challenges when numbers are reducing and then the impact on capitation. We did increase capitation by a record amount of €20 in the latest budget, which is unprecedented in terms of the scale of the increase. The Deputy has raised a very interesting point that I will bring to the attention of the Minister in terms of the next budget. He is essentially proposing a tiered structure that would take into account the impact of declining numbers in rural schools. That is certainly food for thought and I will talk to the Minister in respect of it.
Sentiment score: 0.36
The implications of this war are widespread. The danger is that there will potentially be secondary effects on the wider economy. Governments cannot chase inflation. We cannot compensate for every price increase everywhere. That will not work. We have to try to target our resources as best we can at those most in need. There are concerns about the inflationary impacts of this crisis, which may feed into the wider economy. It could affect all areas and sectors of the economy. The ECB has already downgraded its economic growth forecasts for the European Union. It was predicting growth of 1.4% for 2026 but it has now reduced that to 0.9%. We will also have to look at our growth figures. I would say there will be some decline in what is expected and anticipated as a result of this crisis.
Sentiment score: -0.06
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Bohernabreena Road opened yesterday, which was some help. We welcome that. The flooding as a result of Storm Chandra was quite shocking. As the Deputy will know, it has had a significant impact. The Minister sought submissions from all county councils in respect of the damage done to the roads. We announced various investments in February. Some €718 million for regional and local roads was announced. The Department is liaising with the affected counties, including Wicklow, which was significantly impacted. Approximately 300 local roads were damaged with over 50 left impassable across eight counties. Working with the local authorities, we will see what we can do to respond. Local authorities are advised to set aside a minimum of 10% of the grant given to them as a contingency to deal with severe weather events and damage to the network. We will follow up on that.
Sentiment score: -0.01
My sympathies go out to Joachim's family. It is quite a shocking event and very distressing and traumatic for the family. There has been extensive investment in piers over the last number of years. A significant amount of Brexit adjustment reserve funding was allocated to piers. I am of the view that we should continue to invest in piers the length and breadth of the country. We are an island nation and safety is paramount. Local authorities have obligations in this regard as well, as do some port authorities. The consistent annual provision of funding is key in getting to grips with the numerous inlets and piers, including smaller piers, around the country.
Sentiment score: 0.01
It is a tribute to the Deputy's longevity in the House-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
-----that he has been getting a consistent reply from the Department for a decade and half. I understand the issue but let us be honest: when these guidelines emerge, they will probably lead to a reduction in the number of wind farms. We cannot dress it up and say that the guidelines will help to expand the supply of onshore wind energy because all of the impetus from Deputies and others has been aimed at restricting the growth of onshore wind farms. Let us be honest: we have had incredible expansion. That is why I think offshore is where we need to go now for the next decade. That said, onshore wind farms have made an enormous contribution to electricity generation. We kind of shield ourselves from the hard choices as a society. I said yesterday that I was in this House when people were against onshore wind, gas generation and solar. We have a huge challenge in terms of energy independence, and we probably need a greater discussion on that.
Sentiment score: 0.29
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is a very difficult and challenging issue, primarily for those who got long Covid, and they did incredible work in the healthcare service during Covid-19. I met them last June and that resulted in the extension to last December. As the Deputy knows, there was then the Labour Court recommendation. It recommended a final extension and that got expanded. They are now in the public service sick leave scheme and the Deputy has indicated that the full payment will come to an end. I will talk to my colleagues again to see what can be done in endeavouring to support them given the circumstances around their particular case. I will come back to the Deputy on it.
Sentiment score: 0.02
Deputy Stanley spoke about waiting for a decade and a half. I have waited about three and a half decades for a Member from the Opposition to compliment the Government on its investment in Mallow hospital, so I will take it.
Sentiment score: 0.24
It is a very significant moment. People have used that for their campaigns for about 50 years. To get praise for the investment in the hospital is a major watershed moment politically. I jest, but Deputy Kenny makes a very serious point. Mallow General Hospital, Bantry General Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital all have to be used now as part of integrated care model. Cork University Hospital covers the entire region. If there are huge pressures on its emergency services, it makes sense to use Mallow hospital every now and again if there are spare beds to alleviate the pressure at Cork University Hospital. I take the Deputy's point, however. Optimally, we want the day procedures operating all of the time, 24-7, if possible, for throughput, and also getting that further project completed.
Sentiment score: 0.12
I will come back to the Deputy with a date.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I thank the Deputy for his constructive, low-hanging fruit-type ideas. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, in respect of those issues and how we can incentivise or trigger a greater uptake and utilisation of them. On the EV question, something has to be done there.
Sentiment score: 0.35