Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Apr 2024

Vol. 1053 No. 2

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

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

I move:

Tuesday's business shall be:

Second Stage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 (to commence no earlier than 4.00 p.m. and if not previously concluded, to adjourn after 1 hr 41 mins).

Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Petrol and Diesel Excise Rate Increases, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be:

- Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 (Second Stage, resumed, if not previously concluded) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 5.30 p.m. or after 2 hrs 41 mins, whichever is the later)

- Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 (Report and Final Stages) (to commence no earlier than 4.30 p.m and if not previously concluded, to adjourn after 2 hrs)

- Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 (Report Stage, Amendment 33, resumed, and Final Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 9.30 p.m. or after 2 hrs, whichever is the later)

Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re European Union Migration and Asylum Pact, selected by the Rural Independent Group.

Thursday's business shall be Second Stage of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 5.24 p.m. or after 3 hrs 40 mins whichever is the later).

Thursday evening business shall be the Motion re Report entitled "Report on Offshore Renewable Energy", sponsored by the Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

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 adjournment of the proceedings on Second Stage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024, or where those proceedings conclude within the available time, on the conclusion thereof, with consequential effect on 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 on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and

2. the proceedings on Second Stage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 shall commence no earlier than 4.00 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned after 1 hour and 41 minutes, and shall not be resumed on Tuesday.

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 extent that the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m., and shall adjourn either on the conclusion of the weekly division time, or where there are no postponed divisions, on the adjournment or conclusion of the proceedings on the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, as appropriate: Provided that where there are postponed divisions, the weekly division time shall be taken on the adjournment or conclusion of the proceedings on the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022;

2. any resumed proceedings on Second Stage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 5.30 p.m. or after 2 hours and 41 minutes, whichever is the later, and the Bill shall not be resumed on Wednesday;

3. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 shall commence no earlier than 4.30 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned after 2 hours, and shall not be resumed on Wednesday; and

4. the proceedings on the resumed Report Stage and on the Final Stage of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 9.30 p.m. or after 2 hours, whichever is the later, and the Bill shall not be resumed on Wednesday.

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

1. (i) the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. and shall in any event be taken either at 5.24 p.m., or on the conclusion of Second Stage of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024, whichever is the earlier, with consequential effect on the commencement time for the Motion re Report entitled “Report on Offshore Renewable Energy”, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and

(ii) the Dáil on its rising shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 8th May, 2024; and

2. the proceedings on Second Stage of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 5.24 p.m. or after 3 hours and 40 minutes, whichever is the later, and the Bill shall not be resumed on Thursday.

An Ceann Comhairle

Is that agreed?

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Not agreed.

Deputy Michael McNamara

Last week, we heard the chilling words of Aoife Johnston's mother, "we told her she would be looked after, but she wasn't. We told her she was in the best place". That has destroyed what little confidence there was in the mid-west in the accident and emergency unit. We are good at addressing the injustices of 40 or 50 years ago in this House. That is absolutely necessary and I commend the Taoiseach on it. However, we need to deal with the injustices and failings of the State today. Can we find time to discuss the accident and emergency unit in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, and what the Government will do to restore confidence in that vital State facility?

Deputy David Cullinane

I call for a debate on children's healthcare and in doing so I want to raise a very important point with the Taoiseach. On 16 April, during the Taoiseach's first Leaders' Questions, Uachtarán Shinn Féin Teachta McDonald raised the very serious issue of children with scoliosis and spina bifida with him. His response on the day was not to give full answers but to mislead the Dáil and spread misinformation about Sinn Féin's alternative health budget.

The Taoiseach

That is a very serious charge.

Deputy David Cullinane

The Taoiseach will have seen that the Journal.ie did a fact check-----

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy, that is not in order.

Deputy Paschal Donohoe

Oh my God. That is desperate.

An Ceann Comhairle

Hold on a minute. It is not in order to accuse the Taoiseach of misleading the House other than by way of a substantive motion. It is not in order.

Deputy David Cullinane

I am simply making the point that, independent of me, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael, the Journal.ie did a fact check and found the Taoiseach's claim to be false. I say again that it found the his claim to be false. I am asking the Taoiseach, in good grace, to withdraw the false claim he made. More importantly, I am asking for a debate on this issue. Last week, I raised the issue of Liam Dennehy from County Kerry with the Taoiseach. Today, I raise another case in the media, that of Paddy Murphy, a 14-year old, who is pleading with the Government to ensure his surgery will happen. He has been waiting for it since 2020. That debate should take place as quickly as possible.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

We are deeply concerned by the reports today about the Government’s plans to review or abandon Ireland’s triple lock system. When is the debate likely to take place? I see the Tánaiste is bringing proposals to Cabinet today on the basis, he says, that the triple lock leaves decisions on deployment of Irish troops in the hands of China and Russia. That is not the case because the legislation underpinning the requirement for UN approval specifies that authorisation can be provided by the Security Council or the General Assembly, where there is no veto in that way. I hope we will have the opportunity to debate this proposal before it comes before the House by way of legislation, if indeed that is what the Government is proposing. I see the Tánaiste is saying that legislation will be before the House before June. It is important that we have the opportunity to debate it.

Deputy Gary Gannon

In advance of his ascent to our highest office, one of the Taoiseach's biggest statements was to say he would immediately convene a task force to address safety in the city of Dublin. When should we expect an update on that task force? Who will be on it and hen will it report? I note that another tragic stabbing incident happened on Tara Street last night. We cannot wait for 12 weeks for something the Taoiseach said would be immediate when he first took office. When should we expect an update on that task force?

Deputy Gino Kenny

I concur with Deputy McNamara on having a debate, particularly around the inquest into Aoife Johnston's death. It would be in the interest of not only Aoife's family but in the public interest as a whole that we have a debate in the coming days or weeks on what happened in Limerick University Hospital and on emergency departments, ED, across the State.

Deputy Cathal Berry

We have concerns about the scheduling of the Second Stage debate on the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 on Thursday afternoon. A number of the most active members of the defence committee will be abroad on business on that day. We have concerns that the Chamber will be poorly occupied, which would reflect poorly on the House. We ask that the debate be postponed for a few days. Perhaps the debate on the Defence (Amendment) Bill could be swapped for the debate Deputy McNamara suggested. That is a suggested solution.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

The abject failure of the Government's policy on migration is causing huge division. What happened in Newtownmountkennedy last week is causing huge questioning of An Garda Síochána, which I have supported all of my life.

The Taoiseach

Then condemn it.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

We need to support the Garda. Gardaí cannot police without the support of the public. The heavy actions there, which were reminiscent of Northern Ireland and the RUC and B Specials, were shocking.

(Interruptions).

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I have been contacted by a number of people from there. Can I speak, a Cheann Comhairle?

An Ceann Comhairle

Order, please.

The Taoiseach

Shame on you.

Deputy Neale Richmond

That is outrageous.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Can I speak without the Communist left interrupting me?

An Ceann Comhairle

Can we-----

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I was contacted by an independent candidate, John Larkin, and business people out there. We need to have a serious evaluation of how we are dealing with this and with putting that number of migrants into tents in a wet, soggy field with no environmental evaluation or any evaluation in the community. It is five miles up the road from the Taoiseach, or less.

The Taoiseach

I know where it is.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

I beg the Taoiseach, in the name of the Lord, to evaluate what the Government is doing and the division it is causing between the Irish people and An Garda Síochána who have protected us for decades and want to keep protecting us.

This is heavy-handed tactics from Drew Harris and his gang. It is a shocking situation.

Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne

I also call for statements on UHL emergency department as soon as possible, specifically because the region is the only one in the State that does not currently have a supporting model 3 hospital. We are experiencing grossly overcrowded numbers on a daily basis, never mind the number of inquests we know are currently taking place.

An Ceann Comhairle

Just before I call on the Taoiseach to respond, I point out that last Thursday when the Business Committee met we agreed the schedule for this week without any dissent.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

That was last week.

An Ceann Comhairle

It really raises questions about how we operate if we all come into a meeting on Thursday and agree to a programme and then come in here on a Tuesday and because of whatever has appeared in the national press, we go off on a-----

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputies for raising a number of issues. I am very open, as is the Government, to having a debate in this House on University Hospital Limerick at the appropriate time. It is something that should be arranged by the Business Committee. I would point out that, in extending our all of our sympathies to the family of Aoife Johnston - we are all united in that and are thinking of them - there is the report of the former Chief Justice Frank Clarke due in the next few weeks, commissioned by the Minister, which will be instructive and important. The timing of that debate is something we can perhaps discuss at the Business Committee. I hear the strength of feeling from Deputies McNamara, Kenny and Wynne regarding that.

Regarding Deputy Cullinane, I am happy to have a debate on children's healthcare in this House. We can arrange that through the Business Committee. I can point the Deputy to other newspaper articles, such as The Sunday Times and Business Post, that found very interesting quirks in Sinn Féin's health budget.

Deputy David Cullinane

Correct the record. Show some good grace.

The Taoiseach

It is possible there was so much change going on last week that Sinn Féin might qualify for a retrofitting grant at this stage.

Deputy David Cullinane

More misrepresentation.

The Taoiseach

We will leave that to the Deputy.

Deputy David Cullinane

There is another fact-check coming your way.

The Taoiseach

I will send the Deputy a copy of The Sunday Times or Business Post. I have read that.

Deputy David Cullinane

I will send you a copy of our plan. What about the children with scoliosis and spina bifida? You do not want to talk about them. You just want to misrepresent.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please-----

Deputy David Cullinane

It is not fair for that the Taoiseach is misrepresenting Sinn Féin's position over and over again.

An Ceann Comhairle

We are not going to have party political-----

Deputy David Cullinane

It is not party political.

An Ceann Comhairle

-----ranting on the Order of Business. Let us try to organise our business.

The Taoiseach

Deputy Bacik spoke about the triple lock. The Government has today given the go-ahead for the Tánaiste to draft legislation in relation to this. I am sure there will be an opportunity for him to engage in the House on this through a variety of means, including questions that take place to him. Legislation will come forward and the Deputy can take this up with the Business Committee.

Deputy Gannon referred to a task force on the city of Dublin. I hope to bring proposals to Cabinet on that as soon as next week, but certainly in the month of May. I am happy to engage with him once I have done that.

On Deputy Berry's comments, my understanding is that the Tánaiste is eager for that Second Stage debate to progress. I know the Deputy's bona fides regarding this. I understand there will be plenty of time on Committee Stage and the Bill will then come back to the House. It went through the Business Committee without dissent this week.

I say this respectfully, but in response to Deputy Mattie McGrath, I do not think in this House we should refer to members of An Garda Síochána as a gang.

Deputies

Hear, hear.

The Taoiseach

They are sworn members of An Garda Síochána. Shame on you. Condemn the attacks-----

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Shame on you and-----

The Taoiseach

-----on the gardaí that happened-----

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Divide and conquer.

The Taoiseach

-----in my constituency and community this week. Nobody in this country has a right to attack a man or woman of An Garda Síochána and you should condemn that outright, but of course you will not.

An Ceann Comhairle

Are the proposed arrangements agreed to? Agreed.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

They are not agreed.

An Ceann Comhairle

They are agreed. Nobody dissented.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The programme for Government committed the Government to upholding Ireland's triple lock neutrality protection. However, as was confirmed this morning, the Tánaiste sought and received the approval of the Cabinet to bring forward legislation to scrap the triple lock by removing the requirement for the UN mandate. In giving the Tánaiste this green light, the Government has started the process of trying to dismantle Ireland's neutrality block by block. The Government has moved to change a very proud tradition of Irish troops as peacekeepers. Clearly, the Government is intent on selling out Ireland's neutrality to the escalating EU militarisation pursued by Ursula von der Leyen and others. I put it to the Taoiseach that the Government has absolutely no democratic mandate to sunder Ireland's position of neutrality. None of the Government parties went to the people on that basis.

I see the Fianna Fáil Members grinning but I do not think it is a grinning matter. The Green Party certainly did not go to the Irish people saying it would sunder Irish neutrality. Fine Gael has been always ambivalent, and all of us know that. If the Taoiseach is so sure that this is a great idea and in the nation's interest, I suggest that he go to the people by way of a referendum and seek a democratic sanction first for the action he is proposing.

The Taoiseach

I would like the guidance of the House on this but I believe every Member of this House has a mandate, including a mandate to introduce legislation.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Not to wreck Ireland's neutrality.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

He has no mandate for it.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please.

The Taoiseach

This is the problem with politics in Ireland at the moment. Of course there is a mandate. I have a mandate and the Deputy has one, and I respect hers. People have a mandate to make proposals-----

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

None of us has a mandate to dismantle Irish neutrality.

The Taoiseach

-----or introduce any legislative proposal in this House. Of course, nobody is seeking to dismantle Irish neutrality.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

It is precisely what the Taoiseach is seeking to do.

The Taoiseach

Does the Deputy ask the questions and answer them? Am I needed here at all? She asked me a question and I would like to answer it because I was at the Cabinet meeting today when we considered the issue of the triple lock. Unlike the Deputy, I do not believe Russia should have a veto over where our peacekeepers go.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

That is a complete red herring.

The Taoiseach

That is the effect today. If you keep the triple lock, the UN Security Council can veto.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

That is factually inaccurate-----

The Taoiseach

I look forward to debating that with the Deputy.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

It is factually inaccurate and shocking that the Taoiseach could be so inaccurate or ill-informed.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy.

The Taoiseach

-----and I welcome her support for Óglaigh na hÉireann as well.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

It is shocking, utterly shocking.

Deputy Ivana Bacik

Last week, US President Joe Biden approved €26 billion in new funding for the Israeli regime. He said that funding for weapons for Israel is conditional on compliance with international humanitarian law, yet the evidence that Netanyahu and the Israeli Government are breaking international law is overwhelming as we see that nearly 35,000 civilians in Gaza have now been killed. Gaza's civil defence agency has reported that it uncovered nearly 340 bodies at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Preparations to send troops into Rafah continue, and doing so is likely to have appalling consequences. We have seen an Israeli response to the awful Hamas attack in October that has been disproportionate, brutal and blatantly unlawful. Has the Taoiseach engaged with the Biden Administration to make clear Ireland's opposition to this additional funding to arm Israel in its war? What progress has the Taoiseach made with other EU states on recognising Palestinian statehood and imposing more severe sanctions on Israel?

The Taoiseach

I have very clearly outlined the Irish Government's position and, I believe, that of the people of Ireland on the need for an immediate cessation of violence and for all people who believe in that to use all levers at their disposal to bring it about. That is why, at my first European Council meeting, I reiterated Ireland's call for a review of the association agreement with Israel. If you put human rights clauses into agreements, they should count for something. I will continue to do what I have been doing. I have not had discussions with the Biden Administration on the specific issue the Deputy has raised.

The Government, including the Tánaiste and me, wish to recognise the state of Palestine, and I believe the Deputy does too. We wish to do so because if you believe in a two-state solution, it is helpful to recognise the existence of both states. I would like to recognise Palestine at a time when a number of European states wish to do so but I do not wish to wait around on this for too long. I hope to be in a position to provide an update to the House in the coming weeks.

Deputy Holly Cairns

There are now 13,866 people living in emergency homeless accommodation, the highest number in the history of the State. Tragically, included in this figure are 4,147 children, representing a 56% rise in child homelessness since the Government took office – 56% in just four years. The reaction of the Minister for housing to reaching this grim milestone was a disgrace. He actually welcomed the increase in homelessness figures. He welcomed them on the basis that the monthly increase was not as big as usual. Is that what this Government is now reduced to? Is it so desperate to spin that its housing plan is working that it is trying to turn an increase in homelessness into some kind of positive?

The housing disaster is out of control and it does not seem like the Taoiseach's Government can even acknowledge that. Can he at least clarify that the Government does not actually welcome an additional 25 people entering homelessness?

The Taoiseach

Of course the Government does not welcome that. What the Minister for housing did welcome was the fact that the monthly figures did see a fall in the number of families and children in emergency accommodation month on month.

One child in emergency accommodation is one too many.

Deputy Holly Cairns

It is the highest level ever.

The Taoiseach

It is not. The number of children and families in emergency accommodation was reduced in March from February. That is what the Minister for housing was remarking on. There is a huge amount that we still need to do. The only way to rectify homelessness is by increasing housing supply. We took a number of actions last week to continue to drive forward with housing supply. We have seen almost 12,000 new homes be commenced so far this year.

Deputy Bríd Smith

The programme for Government explicitly commits this Government to fully maintaining neutrality and the triple lock. In 2013, Deputy Micheál Martin, the current Tánaiste who wants a Bill brought before the Dáil to get rid of the triple lock, argued that the triple lock is at the core of our neutrality and he refused to accept the argument that it gives a veto to Russia over our peacekeeping activities. The Taoiseach will remember the triple lock was brought in as an amendment to the Nice treaty to get people to vote for that treaty in 2001. Since then, a veto has never been used to block any peacekeeping activities. It is a distortion to say that is the reason. Instead, the Government is doing whatever it takes to try to drag Ireland into a pact of EU militarisation. Now the triple lock is to go, despite the commitment made to it in the programme for Government. I will repeat the question that was asked earlier. Will the Taoiseach stick to the programme for Government and the mandate he has? If he cannot do that, he should give the people a chance to vote in a referendum on whether Ireland wants to keep its neutrality fully intact, triple lock included.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

Hear, hear.

The Taoiseach

I think anybody who follows UN peacekeeping mandates knows that it has become so difficult to even agree or renew a UN peacekeeping mandate. Incredible Irish peacekeepers have served with the UN. We saw this first-hand when we served on the UN Security Council in 2021 and 2022. The increased use, or threat of the use, of the veto by permanent members of the UN Security Council has directly-----

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

You took our troops from the Golan Heights. This is fiction.

The Taoiseach

-----impacted on our role in international peacekeeping. In fact, a new peacekeeping mission has not been authorised by the UN Security Council since-----

Deputy Bríd Smith

There has not been one vetoed

The Taoiseach

Please do not shout me down. There has not been a new mission authorised since 2014. We will have a debate in this House. To be clear, any legislation we bring forward will absolutely protect Ireland's neutrality. Ireland's neutrality is not at risk, as much as Deputy Smith may wish for her own political gain to suggest it is.

Deputy Bríd Smith

Nonsense. Then leave the triple lock in place.

Deputy Matt Shanahan

On accepting high office, the Taoiseach said he would work every day to realise the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all our people. The people in the south east have seen €125 million of public money being put into regional airports that excluded Waterford. We have seen a €2 billion capital programme for Dublin Airport. That is before discussion of the metro boondoggle the State is about to embark on. The previous taoisigh in this 33rd Dáil have committed to Waterford Airport. The Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny councils have agreed to put in money. There is private capital on the table and the Government risk is capped at €12 million, yet we see the business case is languishing in the Department. It has had the business case for 19 weeks. The Taoiseach knows the works must be started this summer if they are to be completed this year at all. Is he really working to realise the hopes and aspirations of the people of Waterford? The airport is a litmus test of that.

The Taoiseach

I am, every single day. I will seek an update from the Minister for Transport about that business case. I appreciate the point Deputy Shanahan made.

Deputy Mattie McGrath

Cashel town in Tipperary has a proud history of medical care in Our Lady's Hospital. We lost major services to Clonmel in the early 2000s after a long battle. We also have St. Patrick's Hospital, which is a wonderful institution. The assessment unit there does tremendous work to this day for people who need rehab. We have been promised a 60-bed community nursing unit for the past decade. Recently, maybe six or eight months ago, we were told the site was not suitable. There was ample time over the years to check the site, which is suitable, in my opinion. The HSE is looking at a site in Palmer's Hill now, which is up the hill. I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is here. Maybe she will answer my question. I want to know where our community nursing home is. When will see delivery and when we will have a site? The people of Tipperary and surrounding areas need that community nursing home to convalesce in when they are unable to be in hospital or at home.

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

I thank the Deputy for his question. There is a 100% commitment to put in place a new community nursing unit in Cashel, as he said. As he knows, very close to him, there is a fabulous 50-bed en suite community nursing unit being built in Clonmel. I visited it two weeks ago and it will be fully operational by next year. On the Deputy's specific question, HSE estates is currently exploring the best possible site for the nursing home.

The commitment is there. In 2016 the previous Government undertook to rebuild 90 community nursing units, CNU, the length and breadth of the country - 48 of them are complete, and there are another 42 to go. Cashel is included in that. I had the honour last Friday of opening a fantastic CNU in Ballyshannon in Donegal, following an investment of €37 million. Deputy McGrath's is next. It is on the list and it will be delivered.

Deputy Michael McNamara

I listened carefully to what the Taoiseach said earlier. He told Deputy McDonald about the importance of this State being able to frame its own migration policy. He told Deputy Bacik about how important the open border with Northern Ireland remains. That is exactly what the Irish people voted for in the Lisbon treaty when we had an opt-out on the asylum area. Some aspects of the migration pact are beneficial to this State but others are not. There are ten different legal instruments, all of which were voted on separately in the European Parliament. I understand it is currently proposed that this Dáil, notwithstanding the importance of the mandate the Taoiseach has espoused, will be given one vote. It is a case of take them all or leave them all. That is profoundly undemocratic. Will we get to vote on these legal instruments individually?

The Taoiseach

The committee has yet to discuss that. As Deputy McNamara knows from his participation in the justice committee, it is currently giving consideration to the Pact. I believe the committee asked for more time. It is sensible that such time is provided and then the Government will consider matters if they come back to the Dáil.

In addition to the vote on the Pact, obviously any decision in relation to it will require legislation. That will provide all Deputies in this House with an opportunity to vote on it line by line and item by item.

Deputy Brendan Smith

There is a very urgent need to have in-person day services restored at the Irish Wheelchair Association's, IWA, centre in Cavan town. Recently and, unfortunately, the day services ceased due to staffing shortages. This has caused understandable annoyance and concern to service users, their families, and the IWA personnel at local level. These services are of critical importance to users. The service has been reduced to an outreach-only model with Zoom meetings, online activities and visits to homes. Lack of pay parity for section 38 and 39 organisations is an issue. On becoming aware of the imminent cancellation of day services, I made a strong request to the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities and the HSE to give additional support to the IWA to deal with the current difficulties. I know from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that in the meantime, there has been engagement between the HSE and the IWA. The bottom line is that we need in-person services restored as quickly as possible with appropriate State support.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this important issue. I value the work done by the Irish Wheelchair Association. I see the benefit of it across the country and I will certainly take an interest in the issue he highlights in the service in Cavan town. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is working very hard on this matter. I will talk to the Minister about it also.

Deputy Brian Leddin

Most people in this House know that a very historic election is taking place in Limerick on 7 June. I must declare I am a candidate in that election, but I assure you, a Ceann Comhairle, that it is not the reason I am raising this particular issue.

I refer to the election for a directly elected mayor, the first in Ireland's history, which will happen in Limerick. The Taoiseach and I both know this is not simply about electing a ceremonial mayor. It is about electing an executive mayor. Effectively, it is like electing the county manager for Limerick on 7 June. What I am getting on the doors is that people do not quite understand that. I do think there is a deficit in the campaigning by the State and the Department in helping people to understand that this is historic, not simply because the people are going to vote for the mayor, but because the mayor's role is actually going to be an executive role as well. We can do more as a Government to help people understand the importance of this new office.

The Taoiseach

I am reminded of the political adage of wishing Deputy Leddin luck, but not too much. I do wish him luck in his campaign. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I very much appreciate the importance of this election to the people of Limerick. Limerick will be the first city and county in our country to vote for its directly elected mayor. That office comes with significant powers, responsibilities and opportunities and indeed, I imagine, learnings for the rest of the country, so I take very seriously the points Deputy Leddin has made and I will raise them with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

Deputy Martin Kenny

Yesterday, we had a meeting in the north west, CHO 1, with the HSE. There were a lot of Members there from across the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. One of the points that came through it more than anything else was staffing shortages. I raised podiatry services in County Leitrim. The issue is that many elderly people, in particular those with diabetes, have to travel to Sligo for this service.

This is because there is currently no service in Leitrim because there is nobody there to provide a service. The HSE told us it was trying to recruit somebody but the issue was the embargo on recruitment. It stated it had sought a derogation from the Government to allow it to recruit. A similar plea was made for Donegal where, I understand, a similar situation has arisen with podiatry services in Letterkenny. In the absence of dispensing with the embargo, which is what I want the Taoiseach to do, can the Government at least ensure a derogation is put in place so that vital services can be provided to people? This will keep people out of hospital, off the waiting lists and away from hospital corridors. Where possible, we need to ensure that staff can be recruited. They need to be recruited. I ask the Minister of State to ensure those embargoes are dispensed with.

Deputy Mary Butler

I thank the Deputy very much for his question. This year, the HSE will hire 2,268 whole-time equivalents, WTEs, where there is no embargo in place. Some 68 of those will be across the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS.

The Deputy is seeking a disregard for specific staff. I ask him to forward the details to me. Disregards have been given for various whole-time equivalents in specific areas. In December last year, even though an embargo was in place, more than 900 staff were recruited because they had already been in train. Also, as the Deputy knows, there is no moratorium on newly trained nurses or consultants.

Deputy Martin Kenny

There is.

Deputy Mary Butler

If the Deputy sends me the details, I will look at that for him.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

On 19 December last, Liam Dennehy Quinn was deemed to be in urgent need of an operation for scoliosis. He has been living in University Hospital Kerry for the past 23 days. He is becoming more rigid and is potentially inoperable. He is at risk of needing two operations, rather than one, as well as longer stays in the hospital. His curve was 92° in February. His mother, Pamela, is worn out. His grandmother, Mary, is worn out. His life is in danger and his well-being is being jeopardised. An unconfirmed date is being spoken about. It was given by a nurse after constant questioning by Liam's dear mother. What do we have to say or do in this Chamber to take care of this lovely 13-year-old boy? He is languishing in a hospital room in University Hospital Kerry because he is not well enough to go home. The 24-hour home care he needs is not there for him. I am asking the Taoiseach about this for a second time. I am not asking; I am on bended knee, begging him to please ask the Minister for Health to directly intervene before it is too late for this young boy.

An Ceann Comhairle

I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

His family has gone through enough. I am not fighting with the Taoiseach or arguing with him. He knows I am not criticising him. I am just asking him to please act for this young little boy.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank you, Deputy. Your point is very well made.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

He is 13 years of age and he needs a chance at life.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae for raising Liam’s situation on behalf of his mother, Pamela, and his grandmother, Mary. The Deputy raised this issue with me last week. He also wrote to me about it last week. I have been in contact with the Minister for Health in relation to the case. I will do so again this afternoon.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae

Thank you.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Cherrywood is the biggest residential the biggest residential development in the country. It is a new town with more than 8,000 apartments and houses. There are probably between 25,000 and 30,000 people living there. Many apartments and houses are being built and millions of euro of public money has gone into it but Hines, the wealth asset management company and main developer, has given clear indications to the council that it will not build the town centre. It will have made huge profits from the development, but it is indicating that it is not going to build the town centre. The whole point of Cherrywood was to have the services and infrastructure to serve the houses and to have a ten-minute town, but now it will not have a town centre because, it seems, this developer has us over a barrel.

An Ceann Comhairle

Thank you, Deputy. The time is up.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

I want to know what the Government can do to intervene in this situation to ensure the developer, which has made a lot of money out of that development, delivers the town centre as it was supposed to do.

The Taoiseach

I know Cherrywood very well. I will ask the Minister for housing to reply to Deputy Boyd Barrett directly.

An Ceann Comhairle

We are out of time. There are four Deputies remaining and I will take a 30-second question from each of them.

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív

As the Taoiseach knows, housing is the big issue. While I welcome all the steps taken in relation to An Bord Pleanála, I note that only 11% of appeals were decided within the 18-week statutory objective.

Is there anything further we can do collectively, that the Government can do or that anybody can do, to hurry up the board? It is holding up projects around the country for years.

Deputy Thomas Gould

Last Friday, the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, revealed that 544 families and individuals received notices to quit in Cork city in the first three months of the year. Those are people who are facing eviction in the next few months. Can you imagine being one of those parents not knowing where you and your family are going to live in a few months' time? In a seven-week period, 15,000 families and individuals applied for 75 houses on Cork City Council's choice-based letting, CBL, site. There were 15,000 applications for 75 houses. When will the Government finally admit that its housing plan has failed and go to the people?

Deputy Josepha Madigan

I raise the Family Courts Bill, which, as the Taoiseach knows, was published without pre-legislative scrutiny. It is well-intentioned but short-sighted in a certain respect, particularly with regard to moving divorces and separations, etc., into the District Court. Not only the Family Lawyers Association of Ireland and the Bar of Ireland but also Safe Ireland and Barnardos have concerns, particularly around the erosion of the good work the Department of Justice, the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, have done in respect of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Some 6,000 or 7,000 divorces and separations will come into the District Court per year. We must hear the views of those with practical experience of the courts. I was a family lawyer for 20 years and have extensive experience in the courts. It is not correct to move the jurisdiction for divorces and separations to the District Court. They should remain in the Circuit Court. We should improve and build on the work the Government has already done in respect of extrajudicial services, digitisation and support staff.

I have asked the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for a meeting on this topic and she has agreed. It is important that this issue is considered before the amendments are completed and put to the committee.

Deputy Chris Andrews

The children in Enable Ireland Sandymount School have very complex needs. There are serious leaks in the school building and, as a result, the children have been displaced into rooms that are not suitable for their needs. The library is out of action for the entire school. This impacts everybody in the school. The repair works are needed urgently and the school and vulnerable students are being led on a merry dance by the bureaucracy. I ask the Taoiseach to intervene and to bring common sense to this matter to ensure the works are completed as a matter of urgency.

The Taoiseach

I will raise with the Minister for Education the need for the works to be completed at Sandymount School for the benefit of the children and Enable Ireland. I will come back to Deputy Andrews directly on the issue.

I note Deputy Madigan's experience in, and passion for, the area of family law. It is a priority area for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who has put in a lot of work on it. I believe the legislation is on Committee Stage in the Seanad. I welcome the fact that the Minister will meet the Deputy on the issue.

I say to Deputy Gould that we are continuing to work on increasing housing supply, which is how we will make real progress. Some 500 people per week are now purchasing their first homes in this country. We have put in place a number of schemes, including the extension of the waiver of development levies until the end of September with Uisce Éireann and to the end of the year without the Uisce Éireann element. We know that is making a real difference in terms of more supply, including in the Deputy's county and city, and we will continue to do that.

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for-----

Deputy Thomas Gould

What about the 544 families?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy's question has been dealt with.

The Taoiseach

Deputy Ó Cuív asked about An Bord Pleanála. As he rightly said, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been working hard in this area to increase the resources into the board. I know he will want to do more in that space and I will support him in that regard. I also think the planning Bill, which we need to pass before the summer recess, is a major piece of landmark legislation to update and overhaul our entire planning system.