Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2023

Vol. 1040 No. 3

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

I move:

Tuesday's business shall be:

- Motion re referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 44F) (Appointed Day) Order 2023 (without debate)

- Motion re referral to Joint Committee of the Report of the Dublin Citizens' Assembly (without debate)

- Motion re referral to Joint Committee of the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (without debate)

- Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate)

- Motion re Twenty-Sixth Report of the Committee of Selection (without debate)

- Statements on LGBTQI+ Equality (not to exceed 145 mins)

Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Education Costs, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Motion re proposed authorisation by Dáil Éireann for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to instruct legal representatives (without debate)

- Motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland’s opt-in to a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation of judicial cooperation (“Digitalisation Directive”)*

- Motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland’s opt-in to Regulation (EU) 2022/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022 on a computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (“‘EU-LISA’ Regulation”)”*

- Motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland’s opt-in to a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the digitalisation of judicial cooperation and access to justice in cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matters, and amending certain acts in the field of judicial cooperation (“Digitalisation Regulation”)”*

*These three opt-in motions to be moved and debated together and brought to a conclusion after 55 minutes

- Statements on the Youth Justice Strategy: Progress on Implementation and Effectiveness of Youth Justice Interventions (not to exceed 210 mins)

- Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023 (Report and Final Stages) (to be taken no earlier than 6 p.m. and to conclude within 60 mins)

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Home Care and Support Services, selected by the Regional Group.

Thursday's business shall be Statements on Recent Developments regarding Apprenticeship and Further Education and Training (not to exceed 145 mins).

Thursday evening business shall be Second Stage of the Local Government and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (Carrigaline Rent Pressure Zone) Bill 2022.

Proposed Arrangements for this week's business:

In relation to Tuesday's business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent:

(i) the Dáil shall sit later than 10.30 p.m.;

(ii) the time allotted to Government business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for the Statements on LGBTQI+ Equality; and

(iii) private members' business shall be taken on the conclusion of Government business, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following private members' business in the ordinary routine of business, namely, oral Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Defence and topical issues;

2. the Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 44F) (Appointed Day) Order 2023 shall be taken without debate;

3. the Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of the Report of the Dublin Citizens' Assembly shall be taken without debate;

4. the Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of the Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss shall be taken without debate;

5. the Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions shall be taken without debate;

6. the Motion re Twenty-Sixth Report of the Committee of Selection shall be taken without debate; and

7. the Statements on LGBTQI+ Equality shall not exceed 145 minutes, with arrangements in accordance with those agreed by Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, for 135 minutes, following which a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, and members may share time.

In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as set out in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that the weekly division time may be taken earlier than 8.45 p.m., and shall, in any event, be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023, with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the Motion re proposed authorisation by Dáil Éireann for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to instruct legal representatives shall be taken without debate;

3. in relation to the Motions re Ireland’s opt-in to a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation of judicial cooperation (“Digitalisation Directive”), opt-in to Regulation (EU) 2022/850 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022 on a computerised system for the cross-border electronic exchange of data in the area of judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters (e-CODEX system), and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1726 (“‘EU-LISA’ Regulation”), and opt-in to a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the digitalisation of judicial cooperation and access to justice in cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matters, and amending certain acts in the field of judicial cooperation (“Digitalisation Regulation”), the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) the motions shall be moved and debated together and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 55 minutes, with separate questions put on all proceedings thereon;

(ii) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:

- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State - 10 minutes;

- speech by representative of Sinn Féin - 10 minutes;

- speeches by representatives of the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People-Before-Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group - 5 minutes per party or group; and

- a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; and

(iii) members may share time;

4. the Statements on the Youth Justice Strategy: Progress on Implementation and Effectiveness of Youth Justice Interventions shall not exceed 210 minutes, with arrangements in accordance with those agreed by Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, for 200 minutes, following which a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, and members may share time; and

5. the proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023 shall be taken no earlier than 6 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as set out in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on Recent Developments regarding Apprenticeship and Further Education and Training, with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Local Government and Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (Carrigaline Rent Pressure Zone) Bill 2022 and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and

2. the Statements on Recent Developments regarding Apprenticeship and Further Education and Training shall not exceed 145 minutes, with arrangements in accordance with those agreed by Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, for 135 minutes, following which a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes, and members may share time.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is that agreed?

Deputy Matt Carthy

It is not agreed.

There is growing recognition that the consultative forum on security and defence is less about public debate and more about an attempt to reshape public opinion. Along with the legitimate concerns about the balance of panellists, the Taoiseach needs to provide an answer on why there is no formal role for the Opposition in this process. The Government will have no less than five opportunities during which people will be indulged with lengthy, uninterrupted speeches from the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Green Party leader, yet, all the while, opposition voices are expected to sit on their hands while the Government speaks from its taxpayer-funded pulpit. Why is the Opposition being excluded? The request on this Order of Business is that the Tánaiste come before the House today or tomorrow and answer questions in that regard.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

I too want to raise the consultative forum on international security policy. I welcome the statement the Tánaiste issued just now, confirming that the Government does not intend to change Ireland's policy of military neutrality. It is important that the Tánaiste made that clear, and I welcome that. I want to know if the debate in recent days around the balance of participants in the forum will lead the Government to reconsider and ensure a more balanced level of participation. I refer in particular to representatives from Malta and Austria, the only two other militarily neutral states in the EU. Crucially, will the Dáil have a chance to debate and scrutinise the report when it is produced, rather than it just going to Government? My colleague, Deputy Howlin, has already raised this point. It is important that we have an opportunity to do that.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan

I raise the same issue. There is huge concern about the debate the Government is opening up on neutrality. It simply does not stack up for the Government to suddenly say, after decades in which there has been a lack of investment in security and defence and pay and conditions for our Defence Forces, that it is now interested in our security and defence. Clearly, there are issues with the composition of the panel. Will the Government address those to ensure there is balance? We need to have a discussion of this matter in the Dáil to ensure there is full input from everyone across the House.

Deputy Bríd Smith

I want to raise a separate matter. Last week, the Taoiseach agreed with me that we should have a debate on data centres. At that time, we did not have the report from Bitpower, which tells us that there are now 82 data centres operating in the Republic. Last July, the figure was 75. We know that data centre usage is taking up 18% of our national grid at the moment, and that figure will rise to 30%. According to Bitpower, a further 14 centres are under construction, with planning permission approved for 40 more, and there are a further 12 planning applications filed. Is it not just as well that we have a de facto moratorium? Would anyone believe we have a de facto moratorium? Can we have a de facto debate on this matter, which I think is urgent?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I also question this consultative forum on international security policy. If the Government wants to pay the Army, support it and give it proper conditions, it should do it. We do not need to have a select group up in Dublin Castle and around the country, at huge expense. It is literally a talking shop to get the answer the Government wants and to ready people for a change in our neutrality. The Tánaiste has stated numerous times that our neutrality is a rather outdated position. We know what is going on. These are the Houses of the Oireachtas to which people were elected, and it is here that we should debate this, not having these forums, as others have said, packed with people to get the desired answer, and some hangers-on from NGOs as well, of course. It is a great party and a great carry-on but it ignores once again the Members of this House who have been privileged to be duly elected to this House for the time being. It is shocking.

The Taoiseach

I should point out that the increase in the defence budget last year was €70 million.

This is a Government that is committed to investing in our Defence Forces and making sure that they have better equipment. We have seen a significant improvement in pay in recent years and it now compares very favourably with other jurisdictions like the UK and the US, for example.

To the best of my knowledge, Opposition parties have been invited to participate in the forum. They might not have been asked to give a keynote speech, but they have been invited to participate in the forum. We would welcome that they do so.

Deputy Paul Murphy

As guests.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

They can sit at the back.

Deputy Paul Murphy

They can sit in the audience.

Deputy Matt Carthy

That is not true.

The Taoiseach

It is a forum, so people will be able to participate. That is the whole idea of it.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Taoiseach should be allowed to speak.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

It is here that it should be discussed.

The Taoiseach

I would have no difficulty - nor would the Tánaiste - in the report being debated in the House. I think that is a good idea, and I think that would be entirely appropriate. I just want to confirm that representatives of all EU member states have been invited to attend the forum.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Again.

The Taoiseach

That includes Austria, Malta and Cyprus; and representatives from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland, which is neutral, have been invited to speak as panellists.

Deputy Paul Murphy

But they are getting to speak.

Deputy Matt Carthy

I wish to raise a point of order, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

There is no point of order.

Deputy Matt Carthy

The Taoiseach is misrepresenting the position. There is a distinction between being invited-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, resume your seat please.

Deputy Matt Carthy

-----to sit in the audience and listen to government representatives, as opposed to being invited to participate in the debate.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is not a point of order.

Deputy Matt Carthy

That is the case for both members of the European Union and for members of the Opposition.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Carthy, resume your seat.

Deputy Matt Carthy

I think the Taoiseach should be clear in outlining the position-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am now standing.

Deputy Matt Carthy

-----that many voices of those who value Irish neutrality are actually being excluded from the debates.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Carthy, you have completely ignored the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Chairperson, in this matter. I ask for your co-operation. You should let the Taoiseach finish what he is saying.

Deputy Matt Carthy

He should not misrepresent it.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Please do not take two bites of the cherry. I call the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach

To conclude, the aim of the forum is to hear from a variety of partners about their foreign and security policy choices. It will be an interactive forum.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Pages of words.

The Taoiseach

People will be invited to speak and make their contributions.

Finally, on the issue of data centres, I have no difficulty having a debate about our policy on data centres but I suggest that Opposition time be used for that. We have a lot of legislation and we need to get it through by the recess. I suggest that Opposition time be used.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

There is no legislation. What legislation is here this week?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

An bhfuil gnó na Dála aontaithe? Is the business of the Dáil agreed to?

Deputy Matt Carthy

It is not agreed.

Question put: "That the proposed arrangements for this week's business be agreed to."

The Dáil divided: Tá, 60; Níl, 55; Staon, 0.

Tá

• Brophy, Colm.
• Browne, James.
• Bruton, Richard.
• Burke, Colm.
• Burke, Peter.
• Butler, Mary.
• Byrne, Thomas.
• Calleary, Dara.
• Cannon, Ciarán.
• Carroll MacNeill, Jennifer.
• Chambers, Jack.
• Costello, Patrick.
• Coveney, Simon.
• Crowe, Cathal.
• Devlin, Cormac.
• Dillon, Alan.
• Donnelly, Stephen.
• Donohoe, Paschal.
• Duffy, Francis Noel.
• Durkan, Bernard J.
• English, Damien.
• Farrell, Alan.
• Feighan, Frankie.
• Flaherty, Joe.
• Fleming, Sean.
• Foley, Norma.
• Harris, Simon.
• Haughey, Seán.
• Heydon, Martin.
• Higgins, Emer.
• Humphreys, Heather.
• Kehoe, Paul.
• Leddin, Brian.
• Lowry, Michael.
• Madigan, Josepha.
• Martin, Catherine.
• Matthews, Steven.
• McAuliffe, Paul.
• McConalogue, Charlie.
• McEntee, Helen.
• McGrath, Michael.
• Moynihan, Aindrias.
• Murnane O'Connor, Jennifer.
• Naughton, Hildegarde.
• O'Brien, Darragh.
• O'Brien, Joe.
• O'Donnell, Kieran.
• O'Donovan, Patrick.
• O'Dowd, Fergus.
• O'Gorman, Roderic.
• O'Sullivan, Christopher.
• O'Sullivan, Pádraig.
• Ó Cathasaigh, Marc.
• Phelan, John Paul.
• Richmond, Neale.
• Smith, Brendan.
• Smyth, Niamh.
• Smyth, Ossian.
• Stanton, David.
• Varadkar, Leo.

Níl

• Andrews, Chris.
• Bacik, Ivana.
• Boyd Barrett, Richard.
• Brady, John.
• Browne, Martin.
• Canney, Seán.
• Carthy, Matt.
• Clarke, Sorca.
• Collins, Joan.
• Conway-Walsh, Rose.
• Cronin, Réada.
• Crowe, Seán.
• Cullinane, David.
• Daly, Pa.
• Doherty, Pearse.
• Donnelly, Paul.
• Ellis, Dessie.
• Farrell, Mairéad.
• Fitzpatrick, Peter.
• Funchion, Kathleen.
• Guirke, Johnny.
• Healy-Rae, Danny.
• Healy-Rae, Michael.
• Howlin, Brendan.
• Kenny, Gino.
• Kenny, Martin.
• Kerrane, Claire.
• Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
• McDonald, Mary Lou.
• McGrath, Mattie.
• Mitchell, Denise.
• Munster, Imelda.
• Murphy, Catherine.
• Murphy, Paul.
• Nash, Ged.
• Nolan, Carol.
• O'Callaghan, Cian.
• O'Reilly, Louise.
• O'Rourke, Darren.
• Ó Broin, Eoin.
• Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh.
• Ó Murchú, Ruairí.
• Ó Ríordáin, Aodhán.
• Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
• Quinlivan, Maurice.
• Ryan, Patricia.
• Sherlock, Sean.
• Shortall, Róisín.
• Smith, Bríd.
• Smith, Duncan.
• Stanley, Brian.
• Tóibín, Peadar.
• Tully, Pauline.
• Ward, Mark.
• Whitmore, Jennifer.

Staon

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hildegarde Naughton and Cormac Devlin; Níl, Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Denise Mitchell.

Question declared carried.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I ask for your co-operation. Up to one minute.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Women's Aid has recorded its highest number of contacts in the organisation's 50-year history, with just under 34,000 disclosures of domestic violence against women and children. The abuse reported is horrific, broad and brutal. Domestic violence services are creaking at the seams. I am particularly mindful of the 12 women who died violently this year, and their families.

Last week I visited the Saoirse refuge in Rathcoole which, like others, faces the intolerable situation of turning women and children away because of a lack of space. Yet there is still no dedicated capital budget line in any Department to ramp up delivery of additional safe accommodation stock. Less than €2 million was provided this year to the new domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services and supports. We are now a year into the third strategy, and there is no vehicle for implementation of its ambition and purpose. The investment needed has simply not been provided by the Government. Will this be addressed in budget 2024?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. As I said earlier at a different event, I think the figures produced by Women's Aid are very concerning. Just this year so far, five women have been killed as a consequence of domestic and gender-based violence. It is something the Government is acting on and is very concerned about. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is taking the lead in implementing the strategy in that regard. Last year, for example, 12 additional safe homes were put into place and the total number will further increase from 32 to 50 by the end of this year.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

I want to raise the issue of early years education and childcare. We know urgent reforms are needed. We still have fees that are too high, a lack of availability of places, and staff and workers who are low-paid. The Taoiseach's comments at the weekend appeared to undermine the Government's commitment to a reduction in costs and showed a complete lack of understanding of the severity of this issue and how serious it is for so many parents. Is the Government committed to a significant reduction in costs? Can we see at last a publicly funded universal and affordable childcare and early years scheme? It is something that Labour Women and myself have consistently campaigned for. The State provides universal public education to all children from junior infants to sixth year, but inexplicably parents are left struggling in preschool years. We find so many parents who simply cannot access affordable childcare and early years places for their children. This burden is felt predominantly by women. It is keeping women out of the workforce in some cases, so it is time for the Government to commit to introducing significant reforms in childcare.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. The Government is committed to making childcare more affordable and more available, and to improving the quality of childcare and early education available to children and parents. I am happy to confirm there will be a further reduction in the cost of childcare for all parents next year. That will be in addition to the 25% average reduction that occurred last year. As is the case with any budget decision, the exact figure has yet to be agreed and cannot be agreed until budget time. I am happy to clarify there will be a further reduction in fees for parents next year. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is looking at ways to extend it to childminders and other sectors as well. I am afraid it was one of those occasions where the headline and the quote did not exactly match. The Deputy's statement did not make any sense at all because it was-----

Deputy Ivana Bacik

Well?

The Taoiseach

-----disingenuous.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan

I want to ask the Taoiseach about the recruitment and retention crisis in schools due to a lack of affordable housing. There are reports today of a Dublin school asking grandparents to rent a room to a teacher in a desperate attempt to ensure it has enough staff in place for September. The lack of affordable places to live is leading to teachers leaving secure jobs in Dublin to take up temporary jobs elsewhere. The housing crisis is causing a staffing crisis in our schools and in our public services. Last year, more than €246 million in the housing capital budget was not spent and was returned to the Exchequer, money that could and should have been used to build affordable homes. Who will teach children in Dublin if teachers cannot find somewhere affordable to live?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. The Government is doing everything it can to increase the supply of housing and to make it more affordable. More than 30,000 new homes were built last year. We expect a similar number to be built this year. There is a rent credit to help with the cost of renting and loads of schemes to help people to buy. We are seeing them make a difference. There are now 300 or 400 people buying their first home every week, which is hugely encouraging.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Today is World Refugee Day. People will gather at 5.30 p.m. at the Garden of Remembrance today to celebrate the contribution of refugees to our society but also in sadness and in anger at the policies of fortress Europe which are responsible for the deaths of almost 30,000 human beings - men, women and children - over the past ten years in the Mediterranean.

The latest victims of that policy are the apparently hundreds of people who drowned less than 100 km from the Greek coast. At the very least, they are the victims of a conscious policy of non-assistance on the part of the Greek state and the Greek coast guard and may even be the victims of the illegal pushbacks carried out by the Greek authorities. The Greek health minister, who is a member of the Taoiseach's sister party in Greece, said a few years ago that border security cannot exist if there are no casualties and if there are no dead. This is a murderous policy. The European political establishment has blood on its hands. Will the Government abandon the policy of Fortress Europe?

The Taoiseach

I read about the tragedy that happened in the Mediterranean and saw the pictures. Everyone is horrified by what occurred in the Mediterranean in that people have lost their lives at sea. My condolences go to the families of those who were lost. It is not fair to simply blame European governments and the EU. The people who are most responsible for these deaths are the human traffickers - the criminals and criminal organisations that put people on unseaworthy vessels and do not care whether they arrive alive so long as they get the money. They are the people the Deputy should be turning his fire on.

Deputy Michael Lowry

The people of Roscrea have already responded in a kind and generous manner by welcoming hundreds of displaced people into their town. A direct provision centre already exists. Local factories and businesses employ large numbers of foreign nationals. Asylum seekers are accommodated in numerous houses around the town. As a result, medical services are pushed beyond their limit. The Garda station has been downgraded and has no overnight Garda presence. Schools in the town are already beyond capacity. Moves are under way to house 400 Ukrainian people in a former convent building. Roscrea is already overflowing. Services cannot cope with the increased population and it is the local people of Roscrea who are suffering as a result. The sheer scale and magnitude of this exercise will overwhelm services and infrastructure. The size of the proposed resettlement is completely out of proportion with the town's population. Councillor Lee and I have had several discussions with local groups. People understand that we have a moral obligation to assist but they are opposed to such a large influx of people with a high dependence on support services that do not exist. Will the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, confirm that a meeting will be held immediately with local groups and public representatives?

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Deputy Roderic O'Gorman)

I thank the Deputy for his ongoing engagement on this. I recognise the very significant welcome that the town of Roscrea has given Ukrainians and international protection applicants. A former convent in Roscrea has been refurbished for Ukrainians fleeing the war. It is for Ukrainians - primarily family groups. It is to be phased in regarding its use with some over the summer, some in the latter part of the year and some in early 2024. We will need the capacity over the summer but any further use of this will depend on our needs in terms of Ukrainians arriving in the country, so we will continue to monitor that and the need for the further use of this facility. I am happy to arrange a meeting. We do our best to engage with communities on issues like this and are happy to follow up with the Deputy in terms of arranging a meeting with the Roscrea community.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The situation regarding recruitment and retention in An Garda Síochána is very acute. There are four gardaí and two sergeants in the town of Carrick-on-Suir in the Clonmel Garda district. They would want four times that number to fill the rosters. They can only fill one roster. We see the slow rate of input into Templemore but we also see the resignations, retirements and people being out sick. The situation is alarming. The situation is the same in Clonmel, in Cashel in the Cahir Garda district, and throughout the country. We know that the limited number of recruits in Templemore go to Dublin and the major cities, so we are in a hopeless situation. It is unfair that people in towns like Carrick-on-Suir and the surrounding areas are left like this with barely any service. I salute the gardaí who are there and Garda Pat Kelly, who retired recently. They are great people but they cannot do the work on their own. They need supports and numbers. What is the Government going to do about it?

The Taoiseach

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for recruitment but the Minister for Justice keeps in regular contact with him about this important matter. Funding has been provided for 1,000 new Garda recruits this year. That remains our target for the year.

We are confident that the number of new recruits this year will exceed the number of retirements and resignations. In addition, we are hiring Garda staff to free up gardaí to do Garda work. I saw that in operation in Clonmel only a few weeks ago. I am very pleased that we now have the go-ahead for the new station there too.

Deputy Joan Collins

It was announced last week that Greyhound is increasing its bin charges again. Over the last 18 months, these charges have increased from €16.50 to €30 per month. One woman has said that in June of last year she was paying €22 a month to have her bins collected by Greyhound Recycling and now expects to be paying €30 from July. This is an increase of more than 30%, which is well above the increase in the cost of living. This is a failure of privatisation. People campaigned against this in the 2000s because we knew this would happen. There were strong campaigns of non-payment in Dublin and other counties. People ended up in court and jailed over this issue. The Institute of Public Administration recently released a report on the public ownership of bin services. Dublin City Council has voted in favour of it. The unions have also come out in favour of it. Many of my constituents and others throughout the country would support the remunicipalisation of our waste services. The Government's own waste plans require changes to regulations and legislation. Will the Taoiseach look at the roadmap set out by the Institute of Public Administration, support local councils, unions and ordinary voters, and legislate for councils to take bin services back into public ownership?

The Taoiseach

I would have to talk to the Ministers, Deputies Darragh O'Brien and Eamon Ryan, about the matter. I know of plenty of examples internationally of both privatisation and remunicipalisation of waste services. There have been different results in different cases. I might be wrong but I would have thought that whether councils are willing to make the investment, pay compensation and do all of those things would be a matter for themselves.

Deputy Joan Collins

We need legislation as well. Legislation needs to be changed.

Deputy Emer Higgins

I will raise the concept of transport police. It is something I have raised previously. Last night's documentary on Virgin Media One, "Dublin After Dark", showed exactly why we need a focus on safety and security in Dublin and on our public transport. That is especially true when it comes to late-night weekend services. Some women often feel more vulnerable using the bus, the Luas, the DART or the train alone at night after dark. Transport police would help to protect our public transport system, its users and its workers. Will Government consider modelling, costing and implementing a pilot programme of public transport police here in our capital city of Dublin?

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this important issue. I know that there are many people who are unfortunately afraid to use public transport at night because of the security issues the Deputy has rightly raised. We now have a new control centre at Heuston Station, which allows An Garda Síochána to monitor what is happening on public transport and in our stations. Obviously, any decision on the establishment of a dedicated transport police service would involve weighing up the pros and cons but I will certainly let the Minister, Deputy McEntee, know that the Deputy raised this matter here today.

Deputy Brendan Smith

I have raised the devastating impact illegal drugs are having on individuals, families and communities right across our country in this House on many occasions. In February, I was very glad that the Minister, Deputy Harris, in response to my parliamentary questions, outlined that new legislative measures would be introduced. He referred to specific provisions including an increase in the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from ten years to life in prison to deal with those who direct gangland and drug-related crime and legislation to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime. These measures need to be introduced without delay. The criminals who peddle drugs and deal in the destruction of life must have their ill-gotten gains seized and those evil people must be taken out of circulation in our communities. I am specifically speaking about major drug dealers who unfortunately now have a presence right throughout our country, and not just in our major urban centres. Every county and major town is now cursed by them. This epidemic needs to be dealt with. We all know that many decent and good young people have fallen prey to these illegal products, which have literally destroyed their lives.

The Taoiseach

That legislation is currently being developed. It now falls to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to progress it. I do not have a timeline for its publication but I will find out and come back to the Deputy before the end of the week.

Deputy Darren O'Rourke

In the 26 days since 26 May, people in Ratoath have been without water or on water restrictions for 13 days because of at least three separate water bursts. This has caused great disruption for households and businesses. Businesses have been forced to close or to restrict their capacity. Instead of needing 20 staff, one business needed just six. There is an investment plan on two separate levels but the frequency of outages is very frustrating for people. The lack of communication is even more frustrating. Will the Taoiseach support the call from the community for a dedicated response and a community liaison team within Uisce Éireann to manage this period of works?

The Taoiseach

I am very sorry to hear about the disruption that people in Ratoath have faced. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is very much on the case, as is the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne. I will certainly check in with Irish Water and see if that can be done. I do not want to make a commitment in the House today but I believe it is a reasonable ask. We will make some inquiries.

Deputy Bríd Smith

The Taoiseach recently told The Irish Times that he was happy to have led a Government that repealed the eighth amendment. However, he is not so happy to make changes to the legislation that are clearly needed. He said he would have to think long and hard before making any changes to the legislation. The Bill I put to the House that passed Second Stage here has now been referred to the committee by the Ceann Comhairle. I have written to ask the committee to proceed with it. Will that Bill be allowed to progress as soon as possible and without any disturbance from Government parties, particularly in light of the very strident vote against the amendment the Minister for Health tried to introduce to delay the legislation for a year? While we delay, women and girls are still having to travel, often for very tragic reasons.

The Taoiseach

This is now a matter for the committee and I cannot speak on behalf of its chair or its members. They will have to make a decision on timelines. The Deputy asked me whether there would be a free vote here in the Chamber and there was. There will also be a free vote on Committee Stage.

Deputy Martin Kenny

I ask the Taoiseach about the reliability and provision of public bus transport services in some areas. On Monday night at 1 a.m., an Expressway service bus left Sligo for Dublin Airport. It is supposed to stop in Boyle, just off the N4, at 1.35 a.m. but it did not and just drove straight past, leaving six people sitting with their bags and no bus. This is happening more often around the country than we would like. It is certainly not the first time I have brought up difficulties of this nature with the Expressway service. We need investment in that service to ensure that people who go to use it are brought where they need to go.

With regard to Sligo town, there is an area in the West Ward of the town around Magheraboy and Merville that had a bus service up until the late 1990s. That service was taken away and the people of the area have been campaigning for years to have another put in place. They have received vague promises that something will be done before the end of the year. Will the Taoiseach's office intervene to ensure the promise we were given that public transport would be prioritised will be delivered upon?

The Taoiseach

There has been a reduction in fees and an extension of services over recent years. With regard to the particular services in Sligo and Roscommon that the Deputy has mentioned, I do not know the details or the reason the bus did not stop in Boyle but I will certainly let the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, know the matter was raised here and ask him to come back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan

I will raise the issue of cancer support services, particularly those in Cork, and the need for funding from the State to support such services. I especially want to talk about Cancer Connect, a service I have mentioned here in the Dáil on several occasions. Cancer Connect brings people from areas a long way from the city in Cork and Kerry to Cork University Hospital, CUH, for their radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is an absolutely vital service but it needs funding to support it. It has 258 voluntary drivers. They do not ask for a cent. All this group is asking for is approximately €100,000 a year to keep the service going. I ask the Taoiseach to take this on personally and to ensure Cancer Connect gets funding to ensure it can keep providing this vital service for the people of Cork and Kerry.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am familiar with Cancer Connect. I know it provides a lifeline and a really important service to people, allowing them to get to CUH in Cork city for their treatment. There are a number of possible funding options. The HSE is one option.

Other options might include the dormant account funds. Certainly, if I can be of any help, I am happy to be of help.

Deputy Réada Cronin

I have a question on the consultative forum on international security, which starts this week. Up until the welcome intervention from our Uachtarán, this was very much a conference for the select few by the selected few. I have already expressed concern around that. I thank the President formally for his intervention on behalf of all the people. I would also-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, let me stop you. We will leave the President out of this. Under the Constitution, he is not answerable to the House.

Deputy Réada Cronin

Okay. I have made the point several times in the Dáil that this forum would be over by the time people knew about it, as opposed to a citizens' assembly. Now that the necessary public attention has been brought to the matter, I have been contacted by some doves, as opposed to hawks, who have told me they would like to attend but there are no spaces available. Is there any chance the Government could make more spaces available so that we can at least get more doves into the audience, if not on the panels?

The Taoiseach

Far from being select, over 900 people have already registered to attend at the three sites. We have received 300 written submissions. That is quite a lot of people. I know the Dublin meeting is full. It may well be the case that Cork and Galway are full as well. I am not sure if it is possible to create more space, but if it is, we will.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

Lyme disease is causing fierce problems for many people in County Kerry. It is not even recognised by the Department of Health as a disease, never mind providing treatment for it. Many people have to travel abroad for treatment, to Germany and the USA, at a massive cost. Councillor Maura Healy-Rae brought a motion to Kerry County Council before Christmas last year and she was supported by the members. Kerry County Council wrote to the Minister for Health, asking that he receive a deputation or that a meeting be convened of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health to discuss the problem. Since then, the council has received no reply. I also want to highlight that old fallen timber in 26 acres of the Killarney National Park is a habitat for Lyme disease. People accessing Killarney National Park and, indeed, other parks should be made aware of the danger of Lyme disease.

The Taoiseach

As the Deputy knows, acute Lyme disease is caused by ticks. I think people should be made aware of the habitat. That is a very valid point. I know there is some work being done to raise awareness around the possibility of getting Lyme disease. The diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease, though, is a controversial diagnosis. I would ask anyone to be cautious about using overseas labs or treatments that may not be recognised here.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

What about the question of the meeting?

The Taoiseach

I will ask the Minister.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We are way over time. With the Taoiseach's co-operation, we will take the last speaker. I call Deputy Alan Farrell.

Deputy Alan Farrell

I would like to raise the issue of body cameras for gardaí. This follows the revelation, via a parliamentary question that I posed in recent weeks, that 2,080 assaults have been carried out against gardaí since 2015. I understand that procurement will begin immediately and that a Bill has been approved by the Cabinet today to allow for safe and ethical use of facial recognition technology on a retrospective basis. What assurances can the Taoiseach give me that such safeguards will be in place with regard to the use of body cameras and facial recognition technology, while allowing the gardaí to carry out their duties with greater support and safety? Will the Taoiseach join me in roundly condemning those responsible for attacking members of An Garda Síochána?

The Taoiseach

I 100% want to join with Deputy Farrell in condemning those cowardly people who attack our gardaí and other front-line uniformed and non-uniformed professionals. We are proceeding with body cams for gardaí. I hope that will at least reduce the number of assaults they have to endure, make it easier to catch those who engage in such assaults and be useful in general when it comes to detecting and preventing crime. We need to make sure that gardaí have the tools and the technology they need. That is being progressed. It was agreed by the Government today. The use of facial recognition technology on a retrospective basis for serious crimes will require separate legislation. That will be done at a later point in the year.