Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Jul 2023

Vol. 1041 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 Appointment of Jane Mulcahy to be a Member of the Policing Authority (without debate)

-Motion re Referral to Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development Regulations 2023 (without debate)

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

-Statements on matters arising in RTÉ in recent weeks (not to exceed 210 minutes)

Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re A5 Route Upgrade, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be:

-Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of meeting of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on Arranmore (without debate)

-Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023 - Motion for a Financial Resolution (without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage of the Bill on Wednesday but in any event no earlier than 4 p.m.)

-Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 (Second Stage) (to stand adjourned either at 4 p.m. or after 1 hour and 10 minutes, whichever is the later)

-Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023 (Committee and Remaining Stages) (to be taken no earlier than 4 p.m. and to conclude within 2 hours and 30 minutes)

-Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to conclude within 2 hours 30 minutes)

-Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to conclude within 90 minutes)

-Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to conclude within 30 minutes)

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Nature Restoration Law, selected by the Independent Group.

Thursday's business shall be:

-Statements on Progress of National Parks and Wildlife Service (not to exceed 145 minutes)

-Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's participation in four European Defence Agency Projects (to conclude within 55 minutes)

-Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption (to conclude within 55 minutes)

Thursday evening business shall be the Motion re Committee Report entitled “Report on Section 481 - Film Tax Credit”.

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 following 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 matters arising in RTÉ in recent weeks; 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 Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and topical issues;

2. the Motion re Appointment of Jane Mulcahy to be a Member of the Policing Authority re shall be taken without debate;

3. the Motion re Referral to Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development Regulations 2023 shall be taken without debate;

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

5. the Statements on matters arising in RTÉ in recent weeks shall not exceed 210 minutes, with arrangements in accordance with those agreed by the 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.

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 following extent:

(i) the Dáil shall sit later than 9.30 p.m.; and

(ii) the weekly division time may be taken later than 8.45 p.m., and shall, in any event, be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023;

2. the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of meeting of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on Arranmore shall be taken without debate;

3. the Motion for a Financial Resolution on the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023 shall be taken without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage of the Bill on Wednesday but in any event no earlier than 4 p.m.;

4. the proceedings on Second Stage of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 4 p.m. or after 1 hour and 10 minutes, whichever is the later;

5. the proceedings on Committee and remaining Stages of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Bill 2023 shall be taken no earlier than 4 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours and 30 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 Environment, Climate and Communications;

6. the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours and 30 minutes and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Seanad amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth;

7. the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Seanad amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and

8. the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 30 minutes and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Seanad amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

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 Government business, with consequential effect on the commencement time for the Motion re Committee Report entitled "Report on Section 481 - Film Credit Tax" and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the Statements on Progress of National Parks and Wildlife Service 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;

3. the proceedings on the Motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Ireland's participation in four European Defence Agency Projects shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 55 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) 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

(ii) members may share time; and

4. the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 55 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply:

(i) 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

(ii) members may share time.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is that agreed?

Deputy Matt Carthy

Not agreed.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Not agreed.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not agreed. I call Deputy Carthy.

Deputy Matt Carthy

The scenes from Jenin refugee camp in the occupied Palestinian territory, where an Israeli raid has resulted in the deaths of at least ten Palestinians and forced thousands to flee their homes, must be condemned in the strongest terms, as should today's car ramming in Tel Aviv that attacked innocent Israelis.

The Israeli Government is carrying out indiscriminate attacks on Palestine as the occupation and apartheid intensifies. The world must say stop and Ireland must lead the way. This House has adopted resolutions demanding that Israeli end its occupation and annexation of Palestinian lands. We should have another debate and resolution this week. More importantly, however, we need action by the Government.

Ireland should recognise the state of Palestine. We must take measures to end the EU preferential trading relationship with Israel. We should start by withdrawing Irish State investment from companies that operate in the occupied territory. Can we have a debate on this matter this week?

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

On Thursday, there is a debate on Ireland's further participation in the European Defence Agency. This is a mouthpiece for the European arms industry. The Taoiseach is planning to further involve us with this organisation, which represents those who make profits from producing weapons that are sold to, among other places, countries like Israel to murder Palestinians. Not only do European governments not sanction Israel for its murderous activities, as we have seen in Jenin on an ongoing basis - day in, day out - but also European arms companies sell weapons worth billions to Israel. We buy Israel's weapons and boost its arms industry to give it more money to kill more Palestinians. At the very least, we should have a bit more time to discuss the implications of us getting more involved with the industry of death and destruction in Europe that profits from, among other things, the murder of innocent Palestinians by Israel, which Europe supports with its arms trade.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I know the Taoiseach is going to launch his summer economic statement this evening. I hope it will not be raining. There are huge concerns about a levy the Government introduced in budget 2023. I refer to the 5% levy on all ready-mixed concrete and concrete blocks. KPMG did a study on this which said it would increase the cost of building a three-bed semi-detached house by €1,300, it would add an extra €300 million to the construction costs and it would add to already spiralling inflation in the construction sector and across the agriculture industry too. The Government has so many commitments which it is so far behind on and has failed on. It beggars belief that the Government is going to go off for the summer recess and come back after this levy is introduced on 1 September, thereby undermining again its own target for building houses and the infrastructure we so badly need. I appeal to the Government to have a debate on this issue. It is very serious. It was introduced and kind of hedged until September. It will do untold damage and slow down the rate of construction of houses and other buildings. It is another punitive charge on couples trying to build their houses and get a foot on the ladder.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

I add my voice to those who have expressed a desire to see a debate on Palestine in this House in light of the outrageous conduct of the Israel Defense Forces in recent days and indeed in recent hours in Jenin. There has been concerted cross-party support here for the rights of the Palestinian people and, in particular, for the Bill that was started in the Seanad by Senator Frances Black, which we in the Labour Party and other parties supported. I refer to the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill, which seeks to ban the import of goods from occupied territories. Passing that Bill in this House would be an important solidarity gesture.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan

When the Government took office, there were 8,699 people living homeless in emergency accommodation, which is far too high a number. There are now 12,441 people living in emergency homeless accommodation. That includes more than 600 families who have been there for more than a year. The Government seems to think people are coming and going from emergency accommodation. This is a huge increase. It does not include people who are sleeping in cars and tents, and on couches and floors. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people even to get into emergency accommodation. We need an explanation from the Government this week about what it is going to do and what emergency measures it will take to reverse this trend.

Deputy Thomas Pringle

I echo the calls from Deputy Connolly and other Members to have a discussion and debate about the ongoing Palestinian situation in the West Bank. It is vitally important for the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill to be progressed too. The Government should take that on board.

The Taoiseach

Before I respond to Deputies, I want to take this opportunity to welcome some visitors to the House. Members of the national advisory council of Down Syndrome Ireland are here today. A very special welcome to Sinéad, Ross, Conor, Orla and Claire. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I hope to see them at some point later on.

The Deputies have raised some very important issues here, including homelessness, what is happening in Israel, Palestine, Jenin and Tel Aviv, and also the European defence industry issue.

We have an agreed Order of Business for the House, which I understand was agreed at the Business Committee. We are keen to stick to the agenda we have to get our legislation done. I am sure some time could be provided next week to discuss some of these issues.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

Nothing about the price of concrete.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

On a point of order, is the Taoiseach not concerned about building and the cost of concrete? I know he has never stood on a building site, but surely he will answer my question.

(Interruptions).

Deputy Heather Humphreys

Come on.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I am sure he will answer my question.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy McGrath, please. You are out of order.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Is he not going to answer my question?

An Ceann Comhairle

You are out of order.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Is he not going to answer my question?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Taoiseach has indicated he is not giving any time for any of these matters.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

He does not have any interest in construction. This is scandalous.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please. Are the proposed arrangements for this week's business agreed to?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Not agreed.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

Not agreed.

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

The Dáil divided: Tá, 72; Níl, 57; Staon, 0.

Tá

• Brophy, Colm.
• Browne, James.
• Bruton, Richard.
• Burke, Colm.
• Burke, Peter.
• Butler, Mary.
• Byrne, Thomas.
• Cahill, Jackie.
• Calleary, Dara.
• Cannon, Ciarán.
• Carroll MacNeill, Jennifer.
• Chambers, Jack.
• Collins, Niall.
• Costello, Patrick.
• Coveney, Simon.
• Cowen, Barry.
• Crowe, Cathal.
• Devlin, Cormac.
• Dillon, Alan.
• Donnelly, Stephen.
• Donohoe, Paschal.
• Duffy, Francis Noel.
• Durkan, Bernard J.
• English, Damien.
• Farrell, Alan.
• Feighan, Frankie.
• Flaherty, Joe.
• Flanagan, Charles.
• Fleming, Sean.
• Foley, Norma.
• Harris, Simon.
• Haughey, Seán.
• Heydon, Martin.
• Higgins, Emer.
• Humphreys, Heather.
• Kehoe, Paul.
• Lahart, John.
• Lawless, James.
• Leddin, Brian.
• Madigan, Josepha.
• Matthews, Steven.
• McAuliffe, Paul.
• McEntee, Helen.
• McGrath, Michael.
• McGuinness, John.
• McHugh, Joe.
• Moynihan, Aindrias.
• Moynihan, Michael.
• Murnane O'Connor, Jennifer.
• Naughton, Hildegarde.
• Noonan, Malcolm.
• O'Brien, Joe.
• O'Callaghan, Jim.
• O'Connor, James.
• O'Dea, Willie.
• O'Donnell, Kieran.
• O'Dowd, Fergus.
• O'Gorman, Roderic.
• O'Sullivan, Christopher.
• O'Sullivan, Pádraig.
• Ó Cathasaigh, Marc.
• Ó Cuív, Éamon.
• Phelan, John Paul.
• Rabbitte, Anne.
• Richmond, Neale.
• Ryan, Eamon.
• Smith, Brendan.
• Smyth, Niamh.
• Smyth, Ossian.
• Stanton, David.
• Troy, Robert.
• Varadkar, Leo.

Níl

• Andrews, Chris.
• Bacik, Ivana.
• Barry, Mick.
• Berry, Cathal.
• Boyd Barrett, Richard.
• Brady, John.
• Browne, Martin.
• Buckley, Pat.
• Cairns, Holly.
• Canney, Seán.
• Carthy, Matt.
• Clarke, Sorca.
• Collins, Joan.
• Collins, Michael.
• Connolly, Catherine.
• Conway-Walsh, Rose.
• Cronin, Réada.
• Crowe, Seán.
• Cullinane, David.
• Daly, Pa.
• Doherty, Pearse.
• Donnelly, Paul.
• Farrell, Mairéad.
• Fitzpatrick, Peter.
• Funchion, Kathleen.
• Gannon, Gary.
• Gould, Thomas.
• Guirke, Johnny.
• Healy-Rae, Danny.
• Healy-Rae, Michael.
• Howlin, Brendan.
• Kenny, Gino.
• Kerrane, Claire.
• Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
• McGrath, Mattie.
• Mitchell, Denise.
• Murphy, Catherine.
• Murphy, Paul.
• Nolan, Carol.
• O'Callaghan, Cian.
• O'Rourke, Darren.
• Ó Broin, Eoin.
• Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh.
• Ó Murchú, Ruairí.
• Ó Ríordáin, Aodhán.
• Ó Snodaigh, Aengus.
• Pringle, Thomas.
• Quinlivan, Maurice.
• Ryan, Patricia.
• Shanahan, Matt.
• Shortall, Róisín.
• Smith, Bríd.
• Stanley, Brian.
• Tóibín, Peadar.
• Tully, Pauline.
• Ward, Mark.
• Wynne, Violet-Anne.

Staon

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

Question declared carried.

Deputy Pearse Doherty

This evening the Dáil will debate a motion calling on the Government to honour its commitment to fund 50% of the cost of the A5 upgrade. I welcome the A5 Enough is Enough campaign who are here in the Gallery today. As the Taoiseach knows, this road is one of the most dangerous on the island of Ireland. More than 50 people have lost their lives on it since the upgrade was promised back in 2006. Some of the family members of the victims of this road are also with us in the Gallery and I welcome them in particular. The A5 upgrade was agreed between the Irish and British Governments as part of the St. Andrews Agreement in 2006. Its delivery cannot be delayed any longer and we want to ensure that after the planning, obstacles are overcome. We want to know that this Government will recommit to the commitment it made in 2006 to co-finance the road on a 50% basis. Will the Taoiseach support tonight's motion? Will he honour the Irish Government's commitment for a 50% co-financing of this road which needs to be done to open the potential of the north west and, crucially, to save lives?

The Taoiseach

We will not be opposing the Deputy's motion tonight. I want to make clear the Government's support for the A5 upgrade which is a very important road in terms of road safety. I am very aware of the campaign in that regard. It is also a very significant road in that it connects Derry and Letterkenny better to Dublin and other parts of Ireland as part of the national road network. We are very much in favour of the project. The last agreement on this was actually made by Deputy Brendan Howlin, Sammy Wilson, Danny Kennedy and me back in 2011 or 2012. We agreed a figure to fund it. I think €80 million was to be our contribution. That was a reduction on our previous contribution because of the financial position we were in at the time. We are now in a much better financial position and we will be happy to have a conversation about increasing our contribution. Ideally, we would like to know that the road is through planning and how much it is going to cost before we have that discussion.

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

I want to raise the issue of St. Michael’s House. I have become aware of a letter sent to families of those referred to St. Michael's house on 27 June telling them that they have no resources available to accept the referrals. As can be imagined, we are dealing with some of the most vulnerable individuals possible. Their families are distraught and bereft as a result of receiving this communication, which was sent last week. I am meeting a number of these families tomorrow to see if we can find a way forward. Staff at St. Michael’s have pointed out quite a number of issues they face on a day-to-day basis. The families do not know what to do next. I ask the Taoiseach for a commitment that he will work with me and the families to find some solutions to this in order that we do not let these most vulnerable individuals and their families down.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for raising this important issue. I only became aware of it recently.

I am advised that 13 families were sent letters by St. Michael's House on 27 June informing them that St. Michael's House would not be able to accept a referral to their adult disability day service. Some 11 of these referrals are school leavers who are leaving St. Michael's House School. I imagine that was very distressing for the families concerned. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is aware of the situation. She will liaise with Deputy Ó Ríordáin. She is working with the HSE to try to find solutions.

Deputy Holly Cairns

I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall who, like many teenagers, were on their right-of-passage holiday after their leaving certificate when their lives were so tragically cut short. Their deaths in Greece are every parent's worst nightmare and a devastating blow to everybody who knew and loved them.

I welcome today's announcement that the Government is finally going to deliver on its promise to provide free GP care to children aged six and seven next month and that it has plans to extend GP cards to those on average incomes. There has been a lot of time to plan for these roll-outs. What has the Government done to boost capacity in the system in preparation for this?

In my constituency, Dr. Fiona Kelly had to close her surgery in Beara at short notice yesterday because she was not able to find locum cover. Dr. Kelly is taking her first family holiday since last summer, which was only made possible because a retired GP offered to cover for her. Unfortunately, that GP's medical insurance expired at midnight on Sunday and despite attempts to extend it by a day, it was not possible.

An Ceann Comhairle

I thank Deputy Cairns. Her time is up.

Deputy Holly Cairns

The only option was for it to be extended for a year. What is the Government doing to increase capacity and help hardworking and exhausted GPs such as Dr. Kelly who are providing such a valuable service?

The Taoiseach

I want to be associated with Deputy Cairns's remarks and extend the condolences of the Government to the families, friends and school community of St. Michael's, in particular the family and friends of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, who sadly lost their lives in Ios. It must be any parent's worst nightmare and a devastating event to happen to young men who were starting off on the next chapter in their lives. Our thoughts and condolences are with them. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance through the embassy in Athens and two members of An Garda Síochána have been sent to Greece to provide assistance. We will assist the families in any way that we can.

Deputy Cairns raised the issue of extending free GP care. This started in 2014 with the under-sixes when I was Minister for Health and Kathleen Lynch was Minister of State. It was extended after that to carers and people over 70. This is a huge further step forward.

An Ceann Comhairle

I thank the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach

Free GP care has been extended to all children aged six and seven and to families on median incomes or below. The reason it took so long is we needed to get agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, precisely to deal with some of the issues raised by Deputy Cairns. For example, as part of what we are doing, which is part of the agreement, there is-----

An Ceann Comhairle

We are out of time.

The Taoiseach

-----a trebling in GP training spaces. Doctors will be coming in from South Africa and other places. There are improvements in grants for practice nurses, capitation payments and maternity leave payments, all of which were agreed with GPs in recognition of the fact that more GP visit cards will result in more attendances.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Tonight at 5.30 p.m., protesters will gather at the Spire in opposition to and horror of the Israeli massacre of people in Jenin. They will be joined by protesters around the world. A general strike has been declared in the West Bank. At least ten people, including two children, have been murdered so far. Hundreds have been injured and 3,000 people have been forced to flee Jenin. There may be many more casualties in the coming days if the onslaught continues, as it appears is the intention of the Israeli state. The mindset of that state is demonstrated by a statement from an Israel Defense Forces, IDF, general that this is about breaking the safe-haven mindset. These are people who have already been displaced from their homes and are living in refugee camps, Now the Israeli state is saying "No, you can't even feel safe there." We do not just need more words; we need action.

An Ceann Comhairle

I thank the Deputy. The time is up.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Will the Government move to recognise the state of Palestine? Will it adopt the recommendations of the Amnesty report into the actions of apartheid Israel and will it stop blocking the occupied territories Bill?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy's time is up.

The Taoiseach

Several Attorneys General have found that the occupied territories Bill is unconstitutional given the trade competencies of the European Union. We are not blocking the Bill. It is simply unconstitutional, so it cannot proceed.

Deputy Paul Murphy

The Government is blocking it.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should please not interrupt.

The Taoiseach

I reiterate the Government's support for a Palestinian state.

Deputy Paul Murphy

The Taoiseach is misleading the House.

The Taoiseach

We have a programme for Government commitment to recognise a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.

We are committed to that and always have been. We demonstrate that through our work at the UN and the EU. I join Deputy Murphy in condemning the violence happening in Jenin. However, let us not forget the violence that has happened in Tel Aviv where nine innocent civilians were injured as part of a terrorist attack.

Deputy Paul Murphy

Please do not.

The Taoiseach

It is important that we recognise that the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians matter.

Deputy Matt Shanahan

In the coming weeks, the budget will be formed and presented to this House. It must be said that no other democratic parliament would accept such a black box of spending. We will see the money going in. There will be more than €12 billion in capital expenditure next year, the bits and bobs that may find our ramshackle hospitals, our unreliable public transport and our patchy and dangerous roads. We see tinpot examinations of public spending but no serious energy is expended on seriously addressing the imbalance in State spending. Most of all, we will see the haves and the have-nots, the winners and the losers, of the public trough. The politics of old Ireland are alive and well in public spending disbursement but it is no longer "Ballymagash". It is now Blanchardstown and Blackrock, to be fair. In presenting the upcoming budget, will the Government allow the people to see where the money is being spent?

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe)

I am happy to take that question as it has only been a few weeks since we published the performance reports of our public services, which laid out for every Vote what the money is being used for and what outputs it delivers to citizens. With regard to the Department of Health, a capital plan is published by the HSE. We also have a Minister for Health, a Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and a chief executive of the HSE who regularly appear before various Oireachtas committees to answer questions regarding the use of money.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

My office has received several queries from schools regarding the ICT grant. I asked a parliamentary question and the response I received was:

It is hoped to issue the next tranche of funding in the 2023-2024 school year. As with all such funding, the issuing of the grant is subject to the availability of Exchequer funding and the wider capital needs of the Department.

Many people and schools expected this grant to be continued. It is a badly needed and necessary grant. Was the grant initially meant to be yearly or is it now in limbo? When we saw members of Foróige downstairs today, I complimented them on all the things they can do with ICT. It is important for schools to have modern ICT and up-to-date facilities in current times.

The Taoiseach

I will come back to the Deputy about this when I have some more information. I visited Castleknock National School last week to mark its 300th anniversary. I was informed that while the plan for free school books will go ahead in September and will work well, the school was surprised that the ICT grant was not being renewed. I am not sure whether it is a recurring grant or was a one-off grant, but I undertook to look into it. I am working on it with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and will come back to the Deputy when I have more information.

Deputy Joan Collins

As has been said, the summer economic statement will be launched this afternoon. In May, I asked the Taoiseach about the Pension Promise campaign. The Government previously promised to benchmark the State pension. The Taoiseach said he would look into it and get back to me. He did not.

In the roadmap for social inclusion, the Government made three commitments. These were to finalise the approach to benchmarking pensions; to develop any legislation necessary to implementing benchmarking; and to apply benchmarking to budget 2021. All three were due to be implemented by the end of 2020. As part of the voluntary national review on the sustainable development goals, SDGs, Ireland will present to the UN this month that the roadmap for social inclusion is "a national strategy for poverty reduction and improved social inclusion". The Government is presenting these commitments to the UN as a national strategy. They are three years late. Will the Taoiseach confirm whether the Government plans to honour the commitment to benchmark pensions and, if not, explain why?

The Taoiseach

An increase in the weekly rate of the State pension will be announced in the budget. The amount is yet to be agreed. As the Deputy will be aware, it was increased by €12 per week last year. It will not be agreed until October. However, I hope it will bring us closer to reaching-----

Deputy Joan Collins

Benchmarking was promised.

The Taoiseach

-----the benchmark the Deputy mentioned. Three things must be said about it. First, it will take time to achieve it. Second, we will have a flexible pension age, meaning that if people retire later - for example at 67, 68, 69 or 70 - they can have a higher pension. That also needs to be taken into account. Third, when we calculate benchmarking of State pensions, it would be wrong to say that things like the living alone payment, the household benefits package, free travel or the fuel allowance count for nothing.

When some people calculate the benchmark, they say those things count for nothing but they do not count for nothing. They should be included in the calculation.

Deputy Colm Burke

It was reported this morning that a French yoghurt company, Danone, has made €3 billion profit from trading in Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. That company has strong connections to Ireland. What action is the Government taking in respect of companies that are based in Ireland and have continued to trade in Russia, in view of the commitments given that we would disconnect from Russia while this conflict continues?

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Simon Coveney)

As the Deputy knows, the EU has to date adopted 11 packages of sanctions in response to Russia's illegal and unjustified war of aggression in Ukraine. The trade measures linked to those sanctions are sophisticated and targeted but do not prohibit all trade. Individual exporters need to decide whether to continue to trade with Russia when such trade is not prohibited in the sanctions to which we have signed up. Of course, they also must factor in other considerations, including how the consumers of their products will respond to their continuing to trade and make profit from the Russian market.

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan

Over 40,000 retired HSE staff have found themselves without increases in their pensions. Those staff include retired nurses, porters, social workers and many others. Pension increases have been approved since 2017 but problems updating payroll systems within the HSE have meant people are not getting their moneys. This is at a time when the cost of living is becoming more and more difficult for people. Individuals had been pursuing the HSE on this matter on a case-by-case basis. The HSE was supposed to catch up on this earlier this year. Is there any indication as to when the HSE will catch up with all of these pensions to ensure people are getting the pensions to which they entitled, including those increases?

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this important issue. Public sector pensions have increased in recent years. Depending on the scheme, the pension either goes up with inflation or with the earnings of the people in the job the pensioner previously held. I understand that in some cases, those increases have not been paid. I give the assurance that anyone entitled to an increase will get it, and will get it retrospectively, including the back pay to which they are entitled. I am not sure what the delay is. I am going to seek a report from the Minister on this issue because I appreciate that people are entitled to the money and need it, particularly when the cost of living has risen so much.

Deputy Brian Stanley

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce class sizes, which is welcome. However, in Portlaoise town, 200 children who are in need of school places at primary level cannot get them. Children are being bussed to Mountmellick, Stradbally, Ratheniska, Mountrath, Timahoe, Barnashrone and The Heath every morning. Existing primary schools are bulging at the seams. Some new schools have been provided and I have welcomed those new schools over the past ten years. However, a few prefabs will not solve this problem. There is a consensus locally that a new school is needed. The Department acknowledges there is significant pressure in the area. We do not have any easy way of solving the issue. New and enormous estates are being built on the edge of the town. The population is growing. It is the fastest-growing town in the country outside Dublin. The education and training board, ETB, wants to be a patron. I ask the Taoiseach to raise this issue with the Minister for Education. It is a pressing issue as September is coming. Action is required.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this important issue, which I will take up with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. We now have a school building programme every year and beautiful new schools are being built and new extensions are being added around the country. Where a new school is needed, it is provided. Sometimes the new school is not provided quickly enough but it is provided. I will ensure the Minister, Deputy Foley, is aware that the issue was raised and I will ask her to come back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan

I raise the issue of loans being sold on to vulture funds and the hardship it is causing people in Ireland. People and businesses in Ireland take out loans every day. There is also a practice whereby loans are sold on to vulture funds every day. They are restructured and sold on without any communication with the customers. Citizens are left completely exposed to these piranhas of the financial world. These people need protection from us and the State, especially in instances where people are offering to pay twice the amount that the loan was sold for in the first place. People have nowhere to go for advice or protection. I am asking the State to step in and protect the citizens of Ireland from these scurrilous vulture funds.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. I know the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, has taken an interest in this issue. He is doing some work in that regard at the moment. Many people who take out a loan or mortgage with a particular bank never contemplate the possibility that it could be sold on to a financial entity they may never even have heard of. While the contractual terms and conditions do not change, that is not the full picture. Some people are left facing much higher interest rates than they would have faced had the loan not been sold on. The way organisations conduct themselves can be different. There are no easy solutions. It is hard to impose solutions retrospectively but I know the Minister, Deputy McGrath, is very aware of this issue. He has taken an interest in it and is looking at options.

Deputy David Stanton

I was recently conducted by a woman who is suffering awfully from Lyme disease. At this time of year, there are far more ticks and so on in the woods. She wants to know if the Government will work to increase awareness of ticks, bites from ticks and so on, what to do if it happens and how to prevent it. Tick Talk Ireland has done great work in that regard and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, has also done some work. This disease can be very dangerous.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this matter. As he points out, a tick bite can cause Lyme disease, which can be a very severe illness. People are probably not as aware as they might be about the risks. I will check with the HSE but I believe some work is under way involving the HSE and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to make people aware of the risks.

Deputy John Brady

We are seeing one of the biggest Israeli military build-ups in decades. Ten Palestinians have been killed in the past two days. The Government continues to provide legality to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by allowing the continuing investment by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, in businesses listed on the UN database of businesses operating illegally in the area. When Sinn Féin attempted to introduce legislation to divest from these investments, the Government objected on the grounds that the database could not be amended. On Friday, the UN stated that 15 businesses were removed from the database as they are no longer involved in, or are in the process of ceasing their involvement in, listed activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. General Mills was on the original list of businesses that ISIF invested in. ISIF remains invested in eight other businesses impacted by the legislation. Is the Government now prepared to withdraw its objections to the Sinn Féin legislation and allow the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill to progress?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. I will double-check on this and come back to the Deputy but my understanding is that we accepted that Bill with a timed amendment. I could be wrong but I thought we accepted the Bill with a timed amendment to give us a few months to work out some of the issues the Deputy raised around having an accurate register and so on.

Deputy John Brady

The register is accurate.

The Taoiseach

I will double-check with the Minister for Finance.

Deputy Willie O'Dea

As the Taoiseach will be aware, all the organisations that represent the people that the Government says it is trying to protect by the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 have grave reservations about the Bill, as drafted. Those reservations, as the Taoiseach will be aware, are widely shared throughout society, including by civil liberties groups, human rights groups, academics, lawyers etc. Will the Government delay the implementation of the Bill until we have had more consultation with those people? They are genuine and bona fide. Their reservations are genuinely held. When the very people we are trying to protect are unhappy with the way we are doing our business, it should give us some pause for thought.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. My understanding is that the various NGOs and interest groups that represent protected categories, such as women's groups, LGBT groups, Traveller groups and so on, broadly support the legislation. If that has changed, it is new information to me. The intention of the Minister is to conclude the Bill in the Seanad as soon as we can but obviously commencing it will take a bit more time.

Deputy Matt Carthy

In 2018, this House supported a motion calling for the establishment of a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Shane O'Farrell and the actions of State agencies before and after his death. Rather than delivering that public inquiry, the Taoiseach's Government at the time initiated a scoping exercise that nobody had sought in 2019 for which a report still has not been published. It appears from extracts which were provided to RTÉ's "Prime Time" that the only outworking of that exercise has been to delay further the truth in this case from emerging and to exacerbate the pain and hurt to the O'Farrell family. Will the Government now enact the decisions of both Houses of the Oireachtas and establish a full public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Shane O'Farrell?

The Taoiseach

I could be wrong on this. My understanding is that report was published in the past two days or at least was due to be published by the Minister for Justice. What we have is a thorough and comprehensive report which contains a number of important recommendations.

Judge Haughton ultimately concluded that there are no circumstances surrounding the death of Shane O'Farrell that warrant further investigation or inquiry beyond all the investigations already carried out. The judge's view is that the facts about the circumstances of Shane's sad death are clear - they are clear from the original trial and the eye-witness accounts and there has also been a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, investigation - and that a further investigation or inquiry would likely result in the same outcome, which would be very hard for the family as well.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

The Killarney bypass is one of the road projects that the Government and the Greens have halted in recent days. This bypass has been promised for over 25 years. This road is to go from Farranfore to Lissivigeen and from Lissivigeen to Castlelough and Muckross. All the access roads into Killarney and the town itself are choked on a daily basis. The financial well-being of the county is being jeopardised by this further and reckless delay. Hundreds of housing planning applicants cannot even apply for planning as large tracts of land are sterilised until the preferred route is identified and as four routes are being proposed, there is an awful area of land being sterilised for over 20 years.

An Ceann Comhairle

The time is up.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

While there are traffic jams and queues, there is more carbon being emitted when people are waiting in their cars for a half an hour to go here or there. What is the Government doing?

The Taoiseach

I will have to ask the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to come back to the Deputy with a further update. Roughly €500 million is allocated each year for national roads - half for maintenance and restoration and half for new projects. It is not the case that every project gets funded every year. We have not decided yet on the allocations for 2024. Certainly, where there are a number of route options, we are keen to spend the money to narrow the number of route options down to one precisely for the reason the Deputy articulates that where there are a number of different route options not decided on yet, people's land is sterilised and that is very unfair on them.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

We were promised this in 2000.