Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2023

Vol. 1045 No. 1

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:

- Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 Motion for a Financial Resolution (without debate)

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

- Motion re Extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (to conclude within 57 mins)

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

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 26th-27th October, pursuant to Standing Order 124 (statements for 102 mins, followed by 20 mins Q&A, followed by Ministerial response for 5 mins)

- Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 (Report and Final Stages) (to commence no earlier than 4.30 p.m. and if not previously concluded, to adjourn after 45 mins)

- Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022 (Report and Final Stages) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn after 2 hours and 30 mins)

- Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 (Report and Final Stages) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn after 60 mins)

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Home Care Workers and the Home Support Service, selected by the Labour Party.

Thursday's business shall be Statements on the Energy Charter Treaty (not to exceed 147 mins). Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Defective Dwellings Bill 2021.

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 that private members’ business may be taken earlier than 6.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of Government business, with consequential effect on

(i) the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business, namely, oral Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and topical issues, and

(ii) the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the Motion for a Financial Resolution for the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 shall be taken without debate;

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

4. the proceedings on the Motion re Extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 57 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;

- speeches by non-aligned members – 2 minutes; and

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

(ii) members may share time.

In relation to Wednesday'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) in the event the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1) commences before 3.30 p.m., it shall continue until 4.30 p.m. and the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 shall commence no earlier than 4.30 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 adjournment of the proceedings on the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023, or where that Bill concludes within one hour, on the conclusion thereof, with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil;

2. the Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 26th-27th October, pursuant to Standing Order 124, shall be taken on the conclusion of Questions to the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 46(1) and shall not exceed 127 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply thereto:

(i) the statements shall not exceed 102 minutes, with speaking arrangements in accordance with those agreed by the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September 2023;

(ii) following the statements, questions and answers shall be taken for 20 minutes;

(iii) on the conclusion of the questions and answers, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes; and

(iv) members may share time;

3. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, stand adjourned after 45 minutes;

4. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, stand adjourned after two hours and 30 mins; and

5. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 shall, if not previously concluded, stand adjourned after 1 hour.

In relation to Thursday'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 that topical issues shall be taken on the conclusion of Government business and Second Stage of the Defective Dwellings Bill 2021 shall be taken on the conclusion of topical issues, with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and

2. the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the Statements on the Energy Charter Treaty:

(i) the statements shall not exceed 137 minutes, and the arrangements for that time shall be in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2023; and

(ii) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is that agreed? Not agreed.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

I want to join in extending condolences to Deputy Verona Murphy and to our colleague, Deputy Denise Mitchell, who also lost her father yesterday. I extend condolences to both families.

We need to have statements, questions and answers with the Ministers for Justice and Transport on the issue of road deaths. I am struck by the fact that we have seen a spike in the loss of life, especially in rural Ireland. Some years ago we had an horrendous levels of deaths on our roads and there was a multi-agency plan and approach, which was properly resourced, between the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and the local authorities. Consequentially, we saw the numbers of deaths drop but we are going backwards now and this is a cause for concern for all of us. The number of gardaí assigned to the Garda national roads policing bureau has fallen by 17% in the past decade, despite the fact that we have greater volumes of traffic and a larger population. We need to talk about this and to make time for it because too many lives have been lost and too many families have been heartbroken. We need to collectively get to grips with it.

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

The Labour Party joins in offering our condolences to Deputies Verona Murphy and Mitchell on the death of their respective fathers.

The issue of staffing levels in our schools is a crisis and we need to have a debate on it this week. A survey released yesterday showed that 800 teaching posts are unfilled in the primary school system. That could be as high as 1,200. I visited a school in west Dublin two weeks ago that is running at 45% capacity, with 14 posts completely unfilled. This disproportionately affects Dublin, children with additional needs and disadvantaged children, all of whom are not a priority for this Government. The Labour Party wants a debate on that this week. We are particularly unimpressed with the responses the Taoiseach gave to this issue earlier in the House.

Deputy Gary Gannon

On the same issue, we desperately need, not only a debate but questions and answers on the teacher vacancy catastrophe that is going on in schools the length and breadth of this country. I am concerned about where the priorities of this Government are. I read that there is a memorandum going to Cabinet discouraging parents from buying smartphones for their children in primary school. We do not have teachers to fill classes in these same primary schools so I want to know where the focus of the Government is. I cannot answer the questions when principals are contacting my office asking me how they will staff their classrooms. I would like to have questions and answers with the Minister for Education.

Deputy Gino Kenny

Gaza has been termed "a graveyard for children". More than 4,000 small children have been murdered by Israel, and across the world people are protesting against this savagery. We need a debate in this House to reflect the opinion on this not only in Ireland but across the world. That should reflect the untenability of the Israeli ambassador's position in Dublin.

Her situation is untenable. She needs to be expelled. War crimes are being committed at the moment and people are needlessly dying, yet we have an ambassador here representing the Zionist regime that stands over murder. We need to have a debate about the terrible situation that is going on in Gaza.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The people of Cashel in County Tipperary were bewildered last Thursday evening, as were all of us public representatives, when we got a note from the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman's Department - the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth - about a homeless hostel, which is a major plank of Tipperary County Council's effort to house homeless people. People were told they must be out by yesterday and that they must give way to house 74 international migrants, all male. A public meeting was convened by people in Cashel on Monday night which was attended by almost 600 people. Councillors from the Taoiseach's party, Declan Burgess and the long-standing councillor, Michael Fitzgerald, were at the meeting. Thankfully, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, put a pause on this last night. Our own homeless people had been displaced to get this centre ready for international asylum applicants. This is a crazy situation, and the Government is responsible for it. I am told that more than 800 applicants a week are coming here. There will be more towns like Cashel in counties all over the country. Greedy developers are coming in and making money out of this.

An Ceann Comhairle

I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

They are using these people as economic cash cows to get money from people. This situation must be dealt with. We must call a halt to it. I want a full debate, including questions and answers because this has to stop. We cannot keep doing it in other communities. Cashel is a wonderful community.

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes. We are out of time.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The people there are great but this is not fair to them.

The Taoiseach

I join colleagues in expressing my condolences to Deputy Mitchell on the loss of her father. I am sure it is a very difficult time for her and her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

I very much agree with Deputy McDonald on road safety. I am beyond concerned to see the number of people who have died on our roads this year, including those in County Donegal in the past 48 hours. We had statements on road safety in the Dáil only two weeks ago but I am sure time could be provided next week or the week after for further discussion if Members wish it to be prioritised, as I am sure they do.

On Deputy Ó Ríordáin's contribution, we spoke earlier about the teacher shortage, and it is up to each party to decide how to prioritise its time. The Labour Party has time this week in the Dáil for a Private Members' Bill and it has chosen to prioritise something else.

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Home care.

The Taoiseach

That is perfectly acceptable-----

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

It is very important.

The Taoiseach

-----but if the party does not use its own time for something, it is not reasonable to expect the Government to give over its time to do so.

In regard to Deputy Gannon's request for questions and answers with the Minister for Education, she answers questions regularly in the Dáil and can also do so in the form of a Topical Issue debate.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan

If she shows up.

The Taoiseach

On the matter of the Israeli ambassador, it is not the Government's intention to expel the ambassador, and that is for very good reasons. Even countries at war have ambassadors. We have not expelled the Russian ambassador-----

Deputy Gino Kenny

He should be expelled.

The Taoiseach

-----and I do not think anyone in the House is as supportive of Ukraine as I have been in meaningful ways, not just in words. We have a situation now where we have about 40 Irish citizens in Gaza and we want them to be able to leave-----

Deputy Gino Kenny

They may be dead.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Kenny should please not interrupt.

The Taoiseach

-----if they want to leave. We have an Irish citizen who may be held hostage in Gaza by Hamas and we want to get her out. At some point we also want to be able to talk about peace and reconciliation and an end to this conflict. When you expel an ambassador, you disempower yourself. You cut off links, you cannot talk any more and you have to rebuild those links. I can understand it as an emotional reaction but it is not a common-sense approach in my view, and it is not the way things get done in international affairs.

When it comes to Cashel, Councillor Burgess has been in touch with me about this matter and there is going to be community engagement on it. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth does not use accommodation where it is already being used for homeless accommodation. It is examining the situation in Cashel and will revert to all of the Tipperary Deputies and Senators soon.

An Ceann Comhairle

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

Deputy Mattie McGrath

They are not agreed.

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

The Dáil divided: Tá, 70; Níl, 58; Staon, 0.

Tá

• Berry, Cathal.
• Brophy, Colm.
• Browne, James.
• Bruton, Richard.
• Butler, Mary.
• Byrne, Thomas.
• Cahill, Jackie.
• Cannon, Ciarán.
• Chambers, Jack.
• Collins, Niall.
• Costello, Patrick.
• Coveney, Simon.
• Cowen, Barry.
• Creed, Michael.
• Devlin, Cormac.
• Dillon, Alan.
• Donnelly, Stephen.
• Donohoe, Paschal.
• Duffy, Francis Noel.
• Durkan, Bernard J.
• Farrell, Alan.
• Feighan, Frankie.
• Flanagan, Charles.
• Fleming, Sean.
• Foley, Norma.
• Griffin, Brendan.
• Harris, Simon.
• Haughey, Seán.
• Higgins, Emer.
• Humphreys, Heather.
• Kehoe, Paul.
• Lahart, John.
• Lawless, James.
• Leddin, Brian.
• Lowry, Michael.
• MacSharry, Marc.
• Madigan, Josepha.
• Martin, Catherine.
• Matthews, Steven.
• McAuliffe, Paul.
• McConalogue, Charlie.
• McEntee, Helen.
• McGrath, Michael.
• McGuinness, John.
• McHugh, Joe.
• Moynihan, Aindrias.
• Murnane O'Connor, Jennifer.
• Naughten, Denis.
• Naughton, Hildegarde.
• Noonan, Malcolm.
• O'Brien, Darragh.
• 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.
• Phelan, John Paul.
• Ring, Michael.
• Ryan, Eamon.
• Shanahan, Matt.
• Smith, Brendan.
• Smyth, Niamh.
• Smyth, Ossian.
• Stanton, David.
• Varadkar, Leo.

Níl

• Andrews, Chris.
• Bacik, Ivana.
• Barry, Mick.
• 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.
• Crowe, Seán.
• Cullinane, David.
• Daly, Pa.
• Doherty, Pearse.
• Donnelly, Paul.
• Ellis, Dessie.
• Farrell, Mairéad.
• Funchion, Kathleen.
• Gannon, Gary.
• Guirke, Johnny.
• Harkin, Marian.
• Healy-Rae, Danny.
• Healy-Rae, Michael.
• Howlin, Brendan.
• Kenny, Gino.
• Kenny, Martin.
• Kerrane, Claire.
• Mac Lochlainn, Pádraig.
• McDonald, Mary Lou.
• McGrath, Mattie.
• Munster, Imelda.
• Murphy, Catherine.
• Murphy, Paul.
• Mythen, Johnny.
• 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.
• Ryan, Patricia.
• Sherlock, Sean.
• Shortall, Róisín.
• Smith, Bríd.
• Smith, Duncan.
• Stanley, Brian.
• Tóibín, Peadar.
• Tully, Pauline.
• Whitmore, Jennifer.
• Wynne, Violet-Anne.

Staon

Tellers: Tá, Deputies Hildegarde Naughton and Cormac Devlin; Níl, Deputies Mattie McGrath and Carol Nolan.

Question declared carried.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

I want to return to the question of Gaza. A calendar month ago, horror was visited on Israeli civilians and we remain in condemnation of that action by Hamas. Since then, as has been said, Gaza has become a graveyard for children, with a child killed every ten minutes. It is very clear that Israel is not acting within international law in pursuing its self-defence. The Taoiseach has acknowledged that and I commend him for doing so. I also commend him for calling out collective punishment. I think that was important. However, I want to query the Taoiseach on his definition of ceasefire. He referred to a humanitarian ceasefire, a pause so that foreign passport holders can come out, hostages might be released, which we all support, and aid can go in. I put it to him that we need more than that. We need a full, complete cessation. That is what is required. We need to stop Gaza being that graveyard for children.

The Taoiseach

I want the violence to stop, the killing to end, the hostages to be released, foreign citizens to be allowed to leave and aid to be able to get back into Gaza. I do not want to get hung up on the terminology that is used but perhaps I can explain to the House why some countries do not like the term "ceasefire". It is because they believe that talking about a permanent ceasefire implies that Israel cannot go after Hamas at all. I do not accept that definition but that is the reason some countries prefer the terms “pause” or “humanitarian ceasefire” to the term "full ceasefire" because they believe a full ceasefire implies Israel being unable to pursue Hamas.

Deputy Bríd Smith

That is just an excuse not to call for one.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

I return to the issue of Gaza. Today marks one month since the brutal massacre of civilians in Israel by Hamas. It is a devastating anniversary. Since then, we have seen the brutal bombardment by Israel of the people of Gaza, bringing about 10,000 deaths, including 4,000 children and unprecedented numbers of journalists and aid workers killed so brutally. Our thoughts go to all those bereaved and the family of eight-year-old Emily Hand, presumed abducted by Hamas, the family of Zac Hania and all the Irish citizens trapped in Gaza with no way out. We have worked with the Taoiseach and other parties to secure strong support in the Dáil for a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid. In the spirit of that collaboration, I ask that we continue to work with him and that the Government provide Opposition leaders with briefings on the ongoing situation, particularly on the plight of the Irish citizens who have been so severely impacted there but also the attempts at European level to draw support for the crucial call for an immediate ceasefire so that the killings of children will stop.

The Taoiseach

I will speak to the Tánaiste and his team about that. I am sure it is possible and can be arranged. I will say, however, that anything related to individual cases is extremely sensitive and we all understand why that is. When it comes to broader matters beyond individual cases, however, I think that can be done.

Deputy Gary Gannon

I will also return to the issue of Gaza. My party leader has asked that, as a consequence of the horror being inflicted on the Palestinian people and people in Gaza following the October massacre inflicted on the people of Israel by Hamas, the Taoiseach would use his leverage at EU level to look at Horizon Europe funding and human rights clauses in EU trade agreements.

We ask him to use that leverage because there must be consequences for the devastation that is being inflicted upon the people of Gaza, where a child is killed every ten minutes. Some 4,273 children have been killed.

The Taoiseach mentioned that he will call for a ceasefire at the next meeting. I will support that call. However, the next meeting of the European Council is on 14 December. Is the Taoiseach really telling me that should the situation remain as it is for another month or six weeks and a child is killed every ten minutes, we will hold that position? We will still have words but no action. We need action and even at a unilateral level, I ask the Taoiseach not to be afraid to take action.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy and hear what he is saying. The situation is as it is. It may be difficult for people in this Chamber to understand it but the position around the table at European level, the position of the 27 member states, is nowhere remotely near imposing any form of sanctions on Israel. It is nowhere remotely near that. A large number of countries - certainly a blocking minority, if not a majority - strongly support Israel. The role we are playing is different to the one the Deputy thinks is possible. The role we are playing is possible. We are trying to centre the EU position in a better place.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Again and again, the Taoiseach has proclaimed the Government's commitment to international law. In front of the world's eyes, Israel is committing actions that fit the definitions of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide as defined in the Rome Statute. Is the Taoiseach going to do anything about that? The Government could take a case. I met the Spanish social protection minister during the week, along with other MPs and MEPs. They are referring a case under Article 14 to prosecute Benjamin Netanyahu, his ministers and the military officials responsible for the massacres, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed in Gaza. Will the Taoiseach do the same?

I note the Taoiseach is still giving cover to Israel by talking about its right to defend itself. May I ask a question? Prior to 7 October, more than 6,000 Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli military. Do the Palestinians have the right to pursue the killers of those Palestinians in the same way as the Taoiseach seems to think Israel has the right to pursue the protagonists of 7 October?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy. We all understand that, very often, truth is the first victim in war. In the fog of war, it is very difficult to know exactly what is happening. In this House only two weeks ago, people were with absolute confidence condemning Israel and the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, for bombing a hospital. It now appears increasingly plausible, if not probable, that it was an accidental attack carried out by Islamic Jihad. The facts are still-----

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

We do not know that at all.

The Taoiseach

We do not know what the Deputy claimed or believed to be the case. The point is that the facts remain unclear. As the Tánaiste said at the weekend, it may well be the case that war crimes have been committed. That is where the International Criminal Court, ICC, comes in but there has to be a proper investigation.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Will the Taoiseach take a case? Will he take a case?

Deputy Michael Lowry

Communities in Cashel, Roscrea and across the country are becoming overwhelmed and burdened due to the number of asylum seekers residing in their communities. Cashel is the most recent example of attempting to impose 74 international protection applicants. This is unacceptable. The current review must take account of the location and its suitability. Roscrea is an ongoing and classic example of what is happening. In recent times, the town has been transformed due to the arrival of multiple hundreds of international protection applicants. The numbers are totally disproportionate to the local population. The vital services in the town cannot cope and are stretched way beyond capacity. By degrees, the lives of local people have been changed. Reoccurring incidents have eroded the sense of security in the town. People do not feel safe on the streets. Parents are fearful of allowing their teenagers out after dark.

Deputy Gino Kenny

That is rubbish.

Deputy Michael Lowry

Families and older people have had to increase security in their homes. The Garda station remains closed at night, exacerbating a public sense of vulnerability. The Garda is appealing for additional resources. It is short of numbers and under enormous pressure. It is not able to cope with the increase in incidents. Communities like that in Roscrea need support to adapt to the changes imposed on them.

Their lives have been railroaded by circumstances outside of their control and the Government cannot expect them to accept this without delivering the support and services they need.

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

In respect of Cashel, Deputy Lowry and all of the other Tipperary Deputies have been in touch with me on this. We continue to need to source additional accommodation for international protection applicants. We had sourced some accommodation in Cashel. We have a very clear policy that we do not source accommodation where that has previously been used for homelessness accommodation. Something has been drawn to our attention by Deputies over the course of the last number of days and we are engaging with the provider, Tipperary County Council and the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government. I would ask for the Deputy's forbearance for a day or two and we will come back to him with clarity on the situation there.

With respect to Roscrea, we have engaged on that. We met with providers, particularly in terms of ensuring we can protect childcare services in one of the locations. We will continue to work with Deputy Lowry and other Deputies to ensure that key services continue to be delivered in the village. I know that the Department of Justice and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, are also aware of the concerns around policing numbers there.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The N24 Cahir to Waterford project has been further delayed. We were supposed to get news of the preferred route by quarter 2 of 2023 but that has now been put back to quarter 1 or 2 of 2024. This is unacceptable, especially in light of all of the road deaths and the information Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, has given to the Minister for Transport about the number of deaths and serious injuries that will occur on this route. Coupled with that is the fact that the whole area along the proposed routes is sterilised from north of Cahir right down to Waterford city. People living along those four routes, across a wide band, cannot get planning permission for anything, from a henhouse to a dwelling house or a farm building. Everything is held up, including development. What is the delay on this? I know there were difficulties getting funding for consultants to keep going on the project earlier this year. They were supposed to have got the money. Did they get the money or not? This stop-start business on the N24 project from Limerick Junction to Waterford, which is so badly needed, is not acceptable. We have had two or three fatalities on the road already this year. We need to get this on track and also to allow people to live their lives in the areas being studied.

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputy for raising the upgrade of the N24. I appreciate the enormous inconvenience caused to people by having a very wide reservation or a number of routes and that needs to be narrowed down. I do not have an update on it at the moment but I will get one from the Department of Transport and pass it on to him.

Deputy Catherine Connolly

Baineann mo cheist le Gaillimh arís agus leis an athbhreithniú atá ar siúl ó thaobh cúrsaí iompair. Tá siad i mbun oibre ar straitéis nua don chóras iompair i nGaillimh agus mar chuid de sin tá sé ceaptha staidéar féidearthachta a chríochnú. Baineann mo cheist leis sin agus leis an gcumarsáid nach bhfuil ag tarlú ó thaobh na ndaoine ar an talamh atá taobh thiar den staidéar féidearthachta sin.

In the few seconds I have left, there was a review of transport in Galway. Part of that review is a feasibility study for light rail for which we have campaigned for a very long time. About six years ago, we collected 24,000 signatures and while it is good news that it is going to happen, it is not clear at all what consultation has taken place on the ground, particularly with GLUAS, the organisation that has pushed for this for a very long time. There was a meeting in June but no further meetings have taken place.

The Taoiseach

I am afraid I do not know what the up-to-date position is in relation to that but I will let the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, know that it was raised here today and ask him to get back to the Deputy directly.

Deputy Willie O'Dea

On many occasions I have raised in this House the situation concerning the dire conditions in University Hospital Limerick, UHL. Unfortunately, the situation seems to be getting progressively worse. The Minister for Health has committed to setting up a surgical hub in the mid-west to alleviate the pressure on UHL. I raised this by way of parliamentary question last February and the Minister told me at that time that the project was going ahead and that meetings were taking place about it that very week. Nine months have elapsed since I got that response. What I want to ascertain today, on behalf of the hard-pressed people of Limerick and surrounding districts, is when we are going to see this hub. When is it going to actually be in operation? We are on the verge of yet another winter of discontent in relation to trolleys, waiting times, and delays in UHL. When are we going to see this hub in operation and where is it going to be located?

The Taoiseach

I will have to make inquiries with the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I know the surgical hubs around the country, including in Limerick, are going ahead and they were funded in the budget for 2024. I do not think they will alleviate emergency department overcrowding by much but they will help people who are on waiting lists for elective treatments. We are keen to have them up and running because they work where they exist. What will help with the overcrowding is the development of the 96-bed block but that cannot come quick enough.

Deputy Martin Kenny

I want to raise the issue of road safety. Again, we have seen a terrible weekend where a number of people have died on our roads. The numbers are increasing all of the time. In 2022, 155 people lost their lives on the road but so far this year, in the first ten months, we have exceeded that figure by ten and hundreds more have been seriously injured. We are talking about tragedies in communities all over the country.

The Minister is talking about increasing penalty points and looking at issues related to speeding but one thing that is consistent in all of this is the fact that we do not have an adequate number of gardaí policing our roads, monitoring and making sure people are safe. We have lost almost one third of our roads policing units in the last decade. The Government really needs to take responsibility here. We can change the laws as much as we like but if we do not have An Garda Síochána out there, implementing that law, and if we do not have adequate road safety measures in place to keep people safe on our roads, we are at nothing and more people are going to lose their lives. This is now a crisis and we need to address it.

The Taoiseach

We all appreciate that many different things need to be done in order to improve road safety and enforcement is one of those. I am told that in 2022, the last year for which we have figures, enforcement levels for life saver offences were 6% higher than they were in pre-Covid times. These offences are speeding, using mobile phones, not wearing seat belts and being intoxicated while driving. Garda authorities are saying that the number of enforcement incidences is actually higher but it is a fact that the number of people working on roads policing has gone down. This is something that I will be taking up with the Garda Commissioner when we meet, probably next week, in relation to road safety and other matters.

Deputy James O'Connor

I want to ask about recent flooding in my constituency, particularly around the Midleton area. Last night I met residents in the Woodlands area, as did Deputy Stanton, and in Willowbank. Significant sums of money are needed to help with clean-up operations, with tree-felling, with interim repair works to private bridges and roadways, as well as for preventative measures for flooding. Would the Government consider making an emergency fund available to the local municipal district in order that it can respond to the urgent needs in the area? There was millions of euro worth of damage in a very concentrated area and there is a need for funding to be provided at a local level, directly from Government to Cork County Council.

I want to compliment the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, on the work that has been done by her Department to date.

The Taoiseach

I do not think it is a fund that we need, per se. What we need from the local authorities is a submission setting out the cost of the work they have carried out and the work they need to carry out and then we will examine it. As I said when I was there, accompanied by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, and others, there will be an additional allocation for Cork County Council. It will not have to pay for these works and repairs from its existing budget but we will need a submission from it as to what works need to be carried out and how much they are going to cost. That will need to be cross-checked because it is public money after all.

Deputy Brendan Griffin

I thank the Taoiseach for coming to Cork yesterday to open the final phase of the Baile Bhuirne to Baile Mhic Íre road improvement scheme. The entire section from Baile Bhuirne to the far side of Macroom has now been upgraded. It is a fantastic piece of infrastructure and one for which we campaigned for a very long time. However, in terms of the economic corridor between Tralee and Cork city, the section from Coolcour, which is on the Cork side of Macroom, to Ovens, which is on the near side of Ballincollig, and the section from Killarney to Farranfore in County Kerry also need to be upgraded. We have seen the huge improvement that comes about from these upgrades and we need to see those final two phases completed now to complete that economic corridor. I ask the Taoiseach, as the Head of Government, to prioritise this and ensure that these projects, which are vital for economic progress in south-west region into the future, are completed.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Griffin for his question.

It was great to be in Muskerry yesterday to open the final section of the N22 Macroom to Ballyvourney road. The fact there was such a big turnout from County Kerry, including Deputy Griffin, helped to remind me this is as much an investment in Kerry as it is an investment in Cork, improving access to and from the county, which will be good for investment, jobs and tourism. The first motion the Deputy put down when he was a member of Kerry County Council related to this project. We engaged on it during my time as Minister for Transport too, as well as with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, who is seated beside me. As is always the case when you open a road, people tell you about the next project that is just down the line. When it comes to the Farranfore to Killarney scheme, I am told the selection of a preferred route is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year but, obviously, would require additional funding beyond that to move the project along. It is listed in the current national development plan and will be considered for funding as part of the annual allocation process.

Deputy Dessie Ellis

Between 2020 and 2022, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage had a €1 billion underspend in its capital budget. It missed its targets for delivering affordable housing. In his budget speech, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, described housing as the biggest domestic challenge we face today, yet the Government decided it would not make housing the number one priority in its budget. In Dublin North-West, more affordable housing is being built by voluntary housing groups, such as Ó Cualann, than by the Government. While the number of such houses being built are small, it surpasses anything the Government is doing. When will the Government start building housing that is realistically affordable and in sufficient numbers to alleviate the housing crisis in areas I represent, such as Finglas, Ballymun, Santry, Whitehall, Glasnevin and Beaumont?

The Taoiseach

The budget provided a record allocation of €5.1 billion for housing. That will allow us next year to break all records when it comes to the provision of new public housing - social, cost rental and affordable. It is already clear the 2020s will be a record decade when it comes to public housing. No decade since the foundation of the State saw more social housing being built than will be the case this decade. It is important to point out that approved housing bodies such as Ó Cualann, the Peter McVerry Trust and Clúid get their funding from the Government. As they get almost all their funding from the Government, this is public housing.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

We are out of time but there are four speakers left. I will take them one after another.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

It is with a heavy heart that I wish to acknowledge the death of John O'Donoghue of Knockaderry, Farranfore. I sympathise with his family. He gave his whole life in our organisation, helping Jackie Healy-Rae and all the Healy-Raes since 1973. We will miss him forever.

We got a letter from the office of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, a few days ago. It told us that 70 more asylum seekers are being placed on the Muckross Road in Killarney and 30 in Killorglin, and 20 already after arriving in Kenmare. The people on the Muckross Road are outraged. There are families with young children and there are older people who are scared alive. There are 70 men coming there. I am asking the Taoiseach to put a cap on this now and stop it. We have done our share-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, we are over time.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

-----and I am asking the Taoiseach to stop this now.

Deputy Bríd Smith

As a qualified general practitioner, the Taoiseach probably knows more than most the effect that the Revenue Commissioners' plans to prohibit general medical services, GMS, scheme, income being mandated to partnerships or employers will have on delivering GP care in local areas. Partnership in GP care is the way to go. It is the future model for Sláintecare but the Revenue change in respect of delivering tax income and putting the onus back on individual doctors is having a very detrimental effect on encouraging doctors to take on GMS lists. There is already huge pressure on communities in terms of access to doctors and this change is putting young doctors off taking on GMS lists. Will the Taoiseach look at this issue? I know he does not instruct Revenue but it needs to be looked at because the practice has changed. After many years of the GMS list taxation being dealt with by the employers, it is now down to individual doctors who are being put off by the complex tax arrangements they face.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

Every night and day, we see awful images of atrocities that are occurring and have occurred in the past month in Gaza. This started on 7 October and it is continuing daily. Unfortunately, children are suffering. We see images of children shaking and calling for their mothers, of limp bodies. What is happening in Gaza is awful. I welcome the strong words of the Taoiseach and the Government on the matter but we need to follow up strong words with strong actions. As my colleague said earlier, the next meeting of the European Council will take place on 14 December. Can the Taoiseach outline the tangible actions he will take between now and then? With every day and every delay, more children will be killed or injured in this conflict. I ask him to outline exactly what tangible actions he is taking outside the EU sphere.

Deputy David Stanton

When will the legislation to enable ratification of or the holding of a referendum on the Unified Patent Court be published? Has a date for the referendum been agreed?

The Taoiseach

I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy Healy-Rae raised the issue of the large number of people seeking international protection who are being housed all over the country, in small towns, big towns and cities. I know how challenging it is that so many people have come from abroad seeking international protection, with approximately 10,000 each year now, up from only 3,000 a year a few years ago. That is challenging. It is changing the demographics of some small towns and villages and even some parts of this city. It is also affecting the economy. I get that and understand it. It would be totally dishonest, however, to say to people it is possible to put a cap on the number of people who come to one's country seeking international protection. President Trump built a wall but was not able to do it. One of the reasons the UK left the European Union was so that it could control its borders but it is seeing record numbers of people arriving now on boats. Italy elected a Government that promised to crack down on immigration but in the past few weeks more people landed on Lampedusa than live on the island. It is not realistic to think it is possible to put a cap on the number of people who might arrive in one's country seeking international protection, especially when one sees what is going on in the world. All we can do is try to manage it better and that is what we are trying to do.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae

We have our share in Killarney. We have our part done.

The Taoiseach

On Deputy Smith's question on the Revenue decision relating to GPs, I am aware of it. While I am not a practising GP, I know a lot of them and am aware of the issue. It is a problem and we need to find a solution to it. The Department of Health and the Revenue Commissioners are working on exactly that.

Deputy Whitmore mentioned the next meeting of the European Council is not until 14 December, but there are other meetings happening and there is a lot of bilateral contact under way, led by me and the Tánaiste, with other governments and international groups.

As regards the patent court, responsibility for that falls to the Minister, Deputy Coveney. We do not have a definite date for the referendum on that but it is pencilled in for June next year, concurrent with the local and European elections. That is subject to a Government decision, however.