Vol. 1063 No. 4
1. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [1685/25]
2. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to coordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [4431/25]
3. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [4437/25]
4. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [4440/25]
5. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [4452/25]
6. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the Cabinet committee on water quality [6037/25]
7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality. [6086/25]
8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality. [6090/25]
9. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [6489/25]
10. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [7230/25]
11. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on water quality will next meet. [7360/25]
I propose to take Questions No. 1 to 11, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government and commits to the establishment of a reformed structure of Cabinet committees. The Government followed through on that commitment, part of which was the establishment of the Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors. The membership will comprise the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence, the Ministers for Finance, for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister for Social Protection and for Rural and Community Development.
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, data for 2023 shows that Irish water quality, while improving in some areas, is a matter of ongoing concern and requires concerted effort to achieve the improvement that we seek. The Government acknowledges that a more focused effort is required to reach our water quality objectives. Last year, the Government published the water action plan 2024, Ireland’s roadmap to protect and restore our rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwaters. The plan aims to have an additional 300 water bodies achieve a status of good by 2027, with targeted measures to improve more than 500 more. It includes a multibillion euro investment in wastewater infrastructure, strengthened action on nitrates and a focus on compliance and enforcement. The community water development fund for 2025 will also provide financial supports to local projects and initiatives.
In addition to the Water Action Plan 2024, last year the Government published Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach, a plan which sets out a range of measures that address the twin objectives of improving water quality and building a convincing case for the maintenance of Ireland's derogation from certain aspects of the European Union's nitrates directive.
Ireland's water faces a number of pressures, including from agriculture, forestry, land use change and wastewater treatment.
It is intended that the Cabinet committee will provide a focus to drive the improvement in water quality generally, while ensuring efforts are undertaken in partnership with farmers. It will be important to safeguard the economic contribution farmers are making in the areas most affected by the derogation as well to implement workable solutions to lower the agricultural impact on water quality. The Cabinet committee will meet shortly for the first time.
I welcome the establishment of this new Cabinet committee. I will focus on the nitrates derogation. As the Taoiseach will be aware, the current derogation concludes at the end of 2025 and Irish water quality improvement is vital for another derogation to be secured. Does he agree that we can retain Ireland's nitrates derogation while improving our water quality? Will he reject the idea that there is a conflict between having a strong agrifood sector and meeting these goals? Consultation is key. Will the Taoiseach engage with farmers, industry, State agencies and local authorities around the country, including in my constituency, Carlow-Kilkenny, to develop evidence-based solutions to assist farmers in improving water quality?
My question also relates to the nitrates derogation and it being essential that we maintain the level of 220 kg N/ha. When agriculture does well in rural Ireland, the rural economy does well. Our young farmers in particular need certainty about the future of the industry, particularly in respect of investment, generational renewal and them being able to see a real income from agriculture going forward. Maintaining the 220 kg N/ha derogation is essential to that. Therefore, my question is simple. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government is committed to the 200 kg N/ha derogation?
The nitrates derogation is vital to the viability of family farms into the future and to ensuring their productivity in my constituency of Galway East. The programme for Government clearly commits to retaining the nitrates derogation. That said, we have rising nitrates levels, legacy issues with old housing estates and boil water notices are becoming more common. If we are to put our best foot forward to the EU to ask for an extension of our derogation, how can the new committee on water quality play its part and how can it be ensured the committee effectively represents the needs of farmers in rural Ireland?
I thank the Taoiseach for the information. It is essential to acknowledge the tremendous efforts farmers have made and continue to make to improve water quality. Last week, when I met the Offaly branch of the Irish Farmers Association, members made a compelling case that this committee can achieve and that now is the time for industry, State agencies and local authorities to match those efforts and provide real assistance. This issue is not solely caused by farmers, yet they stand to suffer the most if they do not get it right. Will the Taoiseach fully commit to doing everything in his power to retain the nitrates derogation at EU level?
In 2015, Roscommon University Hospital was allocated €7.85 million for a vital rehabilitation unit. It was part of a deal for the reconfiguration of the hospital after 2011 and of the enhanced infrastructure that was promised at that time. This project remained a priority under the HSE capital plan for eight years up to 2023. The last update indicated progression of the unit's design. Given this long-standing commitment and the critical need for the regional rehabilitation unit, why was Roscommon University Hospital unit omitted from the 2024 HSE capital plan? Will the Cabinet committee on health be able to comment on such?
Due to the Victorian decrepit water infrastructure in much of my area - this is probably true of much of the city, but it is certainly true of Dún Laoghaire - when it rains, the run-off water mixes with foul water and the foul water all goes into the pumping station in Dún Laoghaire, which cannot cope and therefore foul water goes into the sea, destroying water quality and making the sea in Dublin bay unsafe for swimming. This happens all the time when it rains too heavily because of the failure of successive Governments to put the necessary investment into rehabilitating the decrepit Victorian water infrastructure. Such is the overwhelming effect of rain on the pumping station off the west pier in Dún Laoghaire, it is unable to pump the foul water up to the treatment plant in Ringsend and, therefore, people cannot swim because foul water is all over Dublin Bay. This happens at short notice. This needs to be addressed. It has been flagged. There is no testing of the water outside the swimming season from May to September even though people swim in the winter months. It needs to be urgently addressed to have this decrepit water infrastructure rehabilitated so we do not have Dublin Bay full of foul water.
I welcome the establishment of a Cabinet committee to deal with the nitrates derogation. It is imperative that we work with farmers and industry to secure Ireland's derogation at EU level by implementing the nitrates derogation renewal plan in support of retention. It is crucial that this project move on quickly to let farmers know exactly how they can farm into the future because, with the weather we have had and all the rain that has fallen, it is difficult to farm by calendar. This is an important issue.
The threat to, and cost of, the provision of safe drinking water affects every human being. We are reliant on the disposal of our wastewater, which is a major challenge to our local authorities. Are these to be dealt with as one as they are closely linked? By ensuring we have safe drinking water, can we also upgrade our wastewater facilities, including the provision of constructed wetlands to provide a solution for rural Ireland? The vast majority of our villages, for example in County Kerry, are unsewered. If the wastewater problem in Kerry was solved, would our safe water supply not be much easier to deliver? Constructed wetlands are a much cheaper solution and much speedier to deliver.
The programme for Government refers to the establishment of the Cabinet committee on water quality in the context of the nitrates derogation and to evidence-based solutions to assist farmers to improve water quality. The Taoiseach stated the committee is due to meet shortly for the first time. I ask that the remit might extend beyond that issue and hope that it will.
There are many other issues that are just as important around the need to improve water quality on our coasts and in our inland waterways. Will the committee also consider the merits of the Dublin Bay Bill 2021 which I proposed in this House some years ago and which the former Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien did not oppose, on Second Stage. It would have created a new statutory agency for governance of Dublin Bay, which would have been a model for other coastal areas and would have ensured much greater governance of the issue of water quality, ensuring our coastal areas, including our bathing areas would become genuinely well maintained public amenities for all to use. I am conscious that many people at inland lakes and in coastal areas now engage in swimming all year round or in using the waterways of Ireland and our coasts for leisure activities. We need to ensure water quality is improved upon for all those users as well, of course, as for ensuring water quality is improved for farmers and all those who engage in agricultural sectors.
Last week in the House I raised the quality of water in Cork city, especially on the north side. I understand that many improvements have been made in the past 12 months or so, but the unfortunate reality for many people on the north side of the city is that it will take a number of years - or decades if we listen to Irish Water - to replace the cast iron pipes littered across the city that break periodically. In the meantime, I ask that all resources and funding necessary to make sure people have access to clean drinking water will be made available in the coming months. One more improvement is due to open in May to deal with various additives that go into the water. It is especially crucial in this day and age that people can at least wash themselves, whatever about being able to drink the water that comes out of their taps.
I thank the large number of Deputies who tabled questions on this issue. Quite a substantial number focused in on the nitrates directive to begin with, for which I thank Deputies Cleere, O'Meara, Dolan, McCormack, Cahill and Scanlon. The establishment of the Cabinet committee demonstrates the Government's commitment to addressing water quality improvements across all sectors. Obviously it is more than just about the nitrates directive. Key supports have been provided to farmers through schemes such as the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes and the 60% grant scheme for nutrient storage. Under the water framework directive, each member state is required to implement a new nitrates action programme every four years. Ireland is currently on the fifth nitrates action programme, which will expire in December of this year. At the European Commission's nitrates committee meeting on 12 December last year, Ireland signalled its intentions that it is planned to seek a renewal of its nitrates derogation in Ireland. That will be Ireland's sixth lap, which is due in December 2025. The Government will work with stakeholders, including through the agricultural water quality working group, to develop Ireland sixth nitrates action programme covering the period January 2026 to December 2029. Once approved, that will then be subject to a strategic environmental assessment, an appropriate assessment and public consultation before finalising the submission for the Commission. A derogation is granted by a member state vote at the nitrates committee and the sixth nitrates action programme must be in place before a vote can occur. If Ireland is to retain its derogation for January 2026, we must present at the nitrates committee quarterly meetings in March, June and September 2025 to ensure that a vote goes ahead at the December meeting. A vote is permitted only when the Commission is satisfied that Ireland's sixth nitrates action programme demonstrating improvements in water quality has been given to the nitrates committee and the Commission is satisfied with the proposed derogation programme. We will continue to work with stakeholders in that regard.
On the other questions, including from Deputy Boyd Barrett, there is huge investment going into existing pipelines and water systems across Dublin and across the country. With additional investment we also have to make sure there is investment for new water supply as well. There are many towns around country at the moment where houses cannot be built because of lack of water supply capacity and that cannot continue. We need to balance between overhauling the existing system and making sure we can grow.
Deputy Martin Daly managed to get a question in on Roscommon University Hospital. I was waiting for the question as to when was the hospital about to get a wastewater treatment plant or something of such relevance to the question but I admire innovation and creativity at all times. I will follow up with the HSE on the question in respect of the capital plan for 2025.
I agree with Deputy Cahill on natural methods of dealing with cleaning and particularly the wetland approaches and so on. I can work with him with to follow through on the ideas he has brought forward.
With regard to the Dublin Bay Bill, I will talk to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who has responsibility. Deputy Bacik asked whether we need more agencies. Increasingly we in this House are questioning the spend by agencies and the supervision of agencies. We need to make sure that Irish Water is doing what it is legislated and resourced to do. I am open to ideas all the time. We will follow through on that.
Deputy Pádraig O' Sullivan raised with me last week the issue of water quality in Cork. I will continue to engage with Irish Water about the quality of the water on the north side of Cork, which is not good. They did indicate to us last week that they were making progress but I take the Deputy's point that the fundamental issues remain in respect of the cast iron pipes and the difficulties that many households are facing with the quality of the water.
12. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [2680/25]
13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will meet next. [5904/25]
14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [6087/25]
15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [5758/25]
16. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the Cabinet committee on health is taking place. [6171/25]
17. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [6308/25]
18. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will meet next. [6494/25]
19. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will meet next. [6718/25]
20. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [6984/25]
21. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will meet next. [7231/25]
22. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7675/25]
23. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will meet next. [7769/25]
24. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7771/25]
25. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7808/25]
26. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7939/25]
27. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7943/25]
28. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [7944/25]
29. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [8191/25]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 29, inclusive, together.
The Cabinet committee on health has been established and is due to meet soon. The Cabinet committee will oversee: implementation of programme for Government commitments on health; receive detailed reports; identify policy areas; and consider health reforms including Sláintecare, reform of the public health system and preparedness for future health threats. It will also receive reports from relating to programme for Government commitments in the areas of mental health and drugs policy.
Through the ongoing implementation of Sláintecare and sustained investment, reform and leadership, the new programme for Government commits to ensuring access to high-quality patient care, reducing waiting times, and further cutting the cost of accessing care. We will continue to build our workforce through the recruitment of key roles, retention measures and additional college places for key disciplines. Funding is secured for recruitment of 3,554 additional posts in the HSE for 2025.
We will deliver faster access to care. Our waiting list action plan 2025 was published last week with €420 million in funding allocated. We will continue to review capacity in emergency departments. We will increase the number of consultants in emergency medicine and ensure that more senior staff are rostered in emergency departments during weekends and public holidays for better decision-making. The construction of 114 new and replacement acute beds is expected to be completed in 2025. The surgical hub for south Dublin opened last week with additional hubs becoming operational later in 2025 and 2026. We will continue to invest in a healthier future with a national physical activity framework and action plan due to be published in 2025. A new obesity policy and action plan is to be published in 2026. We are launching a new era of innovation and digital transformation in health. The national patient app was launched earlier today with additional features to be added later in the year. The national shared care record will be developed throughout the year and the electronic health record will also be progressed.
Additional projects that are key to the increased digitalisation of the health service include a national system for electronic prescribing, remote health monitoring and virtual care solutions. In mental health services, we will continue to build the mental health workforce and infrastructure and support for community-based services. In older people's services, we will support people to live at home within their own communities and strengthen the nursing home sector. These commitments build on the investment and reforms undertaken over the past number of years, including delivery of approximately 1,225 acute beds, an increased workforce of almost 28,500 whole-time equivalents since 2020, more affordable health care through reductions in the drugs payment scheme to a threshold of €80, the removal of hospital inpatient charges, the extension of the eligibility for free GP cards for children under the age of eight and to all earning no more than the median income, state funded IVF, and free contraception for women aged 17 to 35.
Since the pandemic peaks, there has been a 30% reduction in the number of people waiting longer than the Sláintecare targets, equating to more than 191,000 people. Care is being delivered closer to home through a total of 179 primary care centres and 96 community specialist teams for older persons. A total of 26 community specialist teams for chronic disease are operational and 23 community intervention teams are operational with national coverage secured.
In 2025, we will continue to invest in reform, changing the way our services are delivered. The new regional structures within the HSE have been established with six new health regions and 20 integrated health areas. Health and social care services are planned and delivered around the specific needs of local populations leading to better co-ordination of care and access to services.
Because of the number of Deputies offering, 30 seconds will be allocated to each supplementary question.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. That is a very generous allocation.
Or we could just join you in prayer.
A lot of Members are not here so we could double up on the questions.
Perhaps with a follow on.
Access to general practitioners is under pressure right across the State but particularly in some areas of very grave disadvantage, one of which is Summerhill in Dublin 1. For the past eight years the Summerhill Family Practice operated by the charity GP Care For All, has provided 2,632 people with GP services in the north inner city. That service is under threat because of Revenue rules. This matter has been brought to the attention of the Ministers for Finance, public expenditure and reform, and Health. There has to be an urgent intervention here or we will lose this service in an area where it was impossible to get general practice to operate. This has been the solution and it is imperative that the service is protected. I ask the Taoiseach to act on this matter.
This Friday is Rare Disease Day 2025, the last day of the month. It is a topic I have mentioned to the Taoiseach over and over again. I am asking this question as the programme for Government makes a number of commitments, one being the investigation of new methods for earlier reimbursement of certain treatments including early access schemes for rare diseases. It also states that we will work more efficiently with our EU counterparts in progressing arrangements like the Beneluxa Initiative that has been under way for a number of years, albeit heretofore that arrangement has only approved three drugs in the space of four years. I am asking the Taoiseach that in this term he ensures the Government will prioritise the issue of rare diseases once and for all.
The Taoiseach was caught out misleading the public, to put it kindly, on the housing completion numbers to try to win an election. Will he now admit that the crisis in our health service is also another area where he has been misleading the public about what is actually going on with regard to the lack of staffing across the health services? This has prompted all of the health workers unions to ballot overwhelmingly for industrial action. This includes nurses, midwives, porters and other grades, together with medical scientists and laboratory assistants, who are all balloting for industrial action over the pay and numbers strategy, which is a backdoor embargo on recruitment in vital areas of the health service. That is the real explanation for why we cannot address the trolley crisis, why there are waiting lists of nearly 1 million people for treatment, and why, for example, we do not have enough public health nurses now to do important developmental checks on young infants. This is all because the Government is preventing health areas and hospitals from being able to recruit the staff they need to actually meet patient need. Will the Taoiseach scrap the pay and numbers strategy so that we do not end up with strikes in this country by health workers being used to break through this embargo?
Last week I raised the chronic shortages of staff across the healthcare sector with the Taoiseach and clearly that is contributing hugely to delays in the system and to the numbers on trolleys. Today the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, reported 669 people on trolleys, and 9,738 so far in February alone. This is clearly not just an issue around weekend cover or workplace practices. What is the plan from Government to ensure that we have increased bed and staff capacity so that people do not have to wait on trolleys? In particular, given the chronic shortage of public health nurses and the serious impact this is having on maternal and infant health, when will the HSE be publishing the report it has commissioned which will apparently provide recommendations to improve recruitment and retention of public health nurses? The INMO has come up with some proposals and we need to see fast tracking of training for community registered nurses and more places for training provided. There is a current shortfall of 600 positions for public health nurses.
I would like to raise with the Taoiseach one very important and particular aspect of healthcare and that is for trans people. I am sure that he, like me, is concerned about the demonisation and erasure of trans people that is going on worldwide. I am sure the Taoiseach would also agree that trans people have a human right to healthcare. The waiting list is a decade long in this State right now. It has increased by a year. We have the worst trans healthcare in the whole of Europe and it is also getting worse since the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust shutdown. Trans people are being forced to go abroad, go private, or online to access illegal hormones or, rather, the way the they are accessing them is illegal, as well as crowd funding and raising money on Facebook, Instagram and so on. The National Gender Service is the only way to access healthcare for trans people. It asks very invasive questions and does not use an informed consent model which is best practice worldwide. Will the Taoiseach please tell us what he intends to do about the situation facing trans people waiting over ten years for healthcare in this State?
As the Taoiseach knows, section 39 workers do incredibly important work in home care, disability care, elder care and support services in our communities. Despite their Trojan work, they receive poor levels of pay. There is also the very serious issue of a lack of sustainable funding for this sector with increased costs, such as for auto-enrolment, coming down the line.
SIPTU is now balloting its members for strike action. Last week I met with the Irish Wheelchair Association which described the impact that this would have on its members in the vital services they run. The SIPTU ballot closes tomorrow so there is no time to be lost on this. When will section 39 workers get the pay they deserve which the Taoiseach promised during the election campaign?
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Healthcare is one of the major issues affecting the people I represent in Meath West and I would like to ensure that this Government gives an unequivocal commitment to the retention of services in Our Lady's Hospital Navan, as did the previous Government. A commitment should be given by this Government to the extension of the services and further investment in the hospital. It is the least that the people of Meath West and the hardworking staff who work in the hospital deserve.
The mid west is serviced by one accident and emergency department in University Hospital Limerick, UHL. It is my view that a second accident and emergency department is needed in the mid-west region. HIQA is currently undertaking a review into the assessment of needs for a second accident and emergency department in the mid west. North Tipperary has the capacity and the population to be served by an accident and emergency department in Nenagh. When do we expect the interim report from HIQA on the assessment of need for a second accident and emergency department in the mid-west region? It was expected by the end of this month.
My second question is to ask if the Government will commit to fully implementing that report when it is published in May.
In University Hospital Kerry, we have great staff and a great manager whose interests are in her staff and especially in the patients who use the facilities there. However, we have a crisis in the accident and emergency department where patients are waiting 24, 36, 48 hours and longer. Many of these are elderly people. A 96 bed block is required in addition to the 39 beds which are already in train there. A new maternity unit is urgently required there due to the clinical risks to both mother and baby and due to the fact that the current location of the unit is simply too far away from the theatre and this must be addressed as soon as possible.
There is also an urgent need for a permanent oncology and haematology building as the patients requiring chemotherapy are increasing year-on-year with more than 5,000 patients treated there last year. Patients would not have to travel to Cork if we could accommodate them in Kerry. This is obviously very important.
I want to raise the shortage of GP places. We all appreciate the severe pressure the health service is under. A good robust system of primary care is critical to alleviate pressure on hospitals, particularly at emergency departments. In Cork South-Central, the area both I and the Taoiseach represent, there is a significant shortage of GP places. Many families and individuals are finding it difficult to secure a GP. That is leading to obvious difficulties. Will the Taoiseach take this matter up with the Department of Health and the Minister as I am sure he would share my concerns on this issue?
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Given the significant developments outlined in the Saint James's Hospital Strategic Programme 2021–2025, including the establishment of a world-class academic health science campus and the integration of the Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, could the Taoiseach clarify whether the Cabinet subcommittee has prioritised these initiatives? Additionally, what specific plans are in place to support the timing and effective redevelopment of St. James Hospital, given that St. James's is Ireland's largest acute public teaching hospital treating hundreds of thousands of patients annually across multiple specialties? Capacity pressures are evident in overcrowded emergency departments with bed shortages and waiting lists which require expanded infrastructure urgently.
Tá a fhios agam go gcuireann an Taoiseach dóchas sna ionaid sláinte cúraim phríomhúil faoi mar a chuirim féin. The constituency I represent, like Cork South-Central and Dublin Mid West, is one which has one of the most rapidly growing populations in the country and the need for these primary care centres is paramount. I am delighted to see progress in the acquisition and, hopefully, repurposing of Adamstown and Clondalkin primary care centres. I would encourage the Taoiseach to take up the matter with the Cabinet committee on health for the need to expedite progress on the north Clondalkin primary care centre and to look at the feasibility of the primary care centre in Lucan also.
We had a welcome announcement on the Citywest and Four Districts primary care centre a few weeks ago. This is the future for care in the community, which I know is a core aim of Sláintecare. I encourage the Taoiseach to take it up with the Cabinet committee on health.
When the Cabinet committee on health next meets, I ask that it discuss the situation regarding the national child development centre at Kildare town, which stands partially constructed but abandoned following a decision by the Department of Justice to withhold funding committed under the immigrant investor programme, IIP, system. This is run by Sensational Kids, an organisation that functions at four locations across the country, and can provide essential assessments and therapies for children.
The Taoiseach will be aware that a unit with 48 single beds has opened in Mallow General Hospital. I have two questions on this. Two floors of the four-floor unit are still not open. I ask the Taoiseach to look at the feasibility of opening them. I also ask him to ask the Minister for Health, as I have, to look into the transfer of the blood transfusion service from Mallow General Hospital to Cork University Hospital as it is putting more pressure on CUH. Taking the current service away from Mallow General Hospital is also decreasing staffing levels in the hospital. It is important we keep these services in regional hospitals, such as those we have in Mallow General Hospital.
I thank all the Deputies who have raised issues in the context of the health committee.
Deputy McDonald raised the issue of access to general practice and primary care services in Dublin 1. Deputy McGrath raised it in respect of Cork and Deputy Moynihan in respect of Dublin Mid-West. The outgoing Minister increased significantly the number of places for the training of GPs. My understanding was that for every GP retiring now, there will be two in training but there is an interregnum period where there are gaps in the supply of GPs. We have to be creative and innovative to make sure growing areas get provision because many people find it very difficult to access GPs. I will take these issues up with the HSE, both in the Cork context and the Dublin context.
Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, sorry Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - there are many O'Sullivans in Cork - stated that Rare Disease Day is on Friday. I pay tribute to Deputy O'Sullivan for his relentless focus on the issue of rare disease and innovative orphan drugs, as they are termed. Some progress, but not enough, was made on the rare diseases question. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, and make sure it is at the centre of healthcare policy. It is a growing area and there has been progress on a number of fronts but it certainly is not enough just yet.
Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the crisis in healthcare and the pay and numbers strategy. We need to stand back and look at what has actually happened in health expenditure in the last four or five years. Expenditure has been phenomenal and quite exponential in its growth. The 2024 budget allocation was €22.8 billion but by the end of 2024, expenditure was actually €24.58 billion, which was €1.75 billion over profile.
Why do we have a staffing crisis then?
If we go forward to the budget for 2025, the initial allocation has been set at €25.75 billion. That is an increase of approximately €1.2 billion on last year. These are huge sums of money. That is why I am surprised by strike action in that context.
There is no staff.
There is absolutely no moratorium on staff. There will be an increase in staff of over 3,500 whole-time equivalents in the health service. We have to also look at innovative ways of getting value for that money. People spoke earlier about scanners and so on in an art gallery and created a huge stir - rightly so - over a figure of about €100,000. We are talking about €25.5 billion here. That will go up again before the year is out and again in 2026 and 2027. There is more to be done in health - do not get me wrong - but we cannot argue that someone is cheeseparing or there is pullback in funding. There is not.
There is on staff.
There absolutely is not. There is an issue, either in terms of the management of all of this or getting value for money for all of this. There is a role for the Oireachtas as well because people will condemn, give out and criticise but, equally, people then also look for more money. There are a number of strands to this.
Deputy Bacik raised the shortage of public health nurses. Again, there are issues in terms of recruitment or proper follow-through and retention in the public health area.
Deputy Coppinger raised the human right to healthcare that trans people have. Again, there are different debates but to me the national gender service is the way to go and more resources are probably required there. There should be no demonisation in this situation. We need to be very clear about that in the House.
Deputy Cian O'Callaghan raised the section 39 issue. It is my understanding that the Minister is facilitating its referral to the Workplace Relations Commission. The Government is anxious that be resolved in a timely manner.
Deputy Dempsey, who is seated beside me, raised Meath West, the retention of services in Navan hospital and the need for investment there. Deputy O'Meara raised the mid-west. He acknowledged that HIQA was doing a study and rather helpfully suggested to HIQA that the result should be Nenagh, I think I heard him say.
That is correct.
I cannot pre-empt what HIQA will recommend. It will depend on the recommendation because I know there is a lot of demand for additionality in the mid-west more generally.
On Deputy Cahill's question, there is a great team at University Hospital Kerry. His proposals are fairly significant in terms of investment and capital. We will engage with the HSE in that respect, particularly to get what is in the pipeline delivered. That is important.
I dealt with Deputy McGrath. Deputy Catherine Ardagh raised the powerful role St. James's Hospital plays, particularly on the academic research side. It is one of our top tertiary hospitals. We will check out the needs and where we are in terms of the capital programme.
I dealt with Deputy Moynihan. On Deputy Ó Fearghaíl's point, I will have that matter examined and whether it could be sent to me in terms of the back-up there to see what else we can do and whether, if one Department is being difficult, we can find a way. If it is providing therapies and so forth, we should see what we can do to help on that one.
Deputy Kenny raised Mallow hospital. Again, there has been a lot of investment in Mallow hospital over the last number of years, to be fair. I am not sure of the background as regards the transfusion service. There could be issues there in terms of quality standards, particularly when it comes to blood, but we will certainly follow through on the opening of the two floors that are not open.
30. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet [2681/25]
31. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs is taking place. [6172/25]
32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6428/25]
33. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6431/25]
34. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6985/25]
35. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7674/25]
36. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7676/25]
37. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7809/25]
38. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7361/25]
39. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7940/25]
40. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7942/25]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 to 40, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparations for Ireland's Presidency in the second half of 2026, and international issues. Its membership comprises the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and Minister for public expenditure. The Minister of State with special responsibility for European Union affairs is invited to the Cabinet committee meetings. The Cabinet committee will meet quarterly in advance of regular European Council meetings and as required. It is currently scheduled to meet on Monday, 3 March.
I raise with the Taoiseach the remarks made by the US President - or I should say the threat made by the US President - in respect of the Gaza Strip, in which he openly countenanced the mass expulsion of the Palestinian population and the annexation and seizure of those lands and their development, he seemed to suggest, into some form of Riviera. I would like the Taoiseach to agree with me that any such threat runs directly against the protections of international law and humanitarian law for a refugee population.
I would like him to agree with me that the Palestinian people have suffered enough. Their dispossession is now decades - generations - long. Generations have grown up and have known nothing other than refugee camps. Will he also agree with me that the answer in the Middle East is dialogue, engagement, respect for international law and that we cannot countenance or tolerate any player, the United States or any other, going it alone and flying in the face of that? Will the Taoiseach also join with me in calling on the United States to cease and desist from arming the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinian people? Our European colleagues and our British friends might also follow suit. Finally, on the occupied territories Bill, I put on record our collective disappointment that the Taoiseach has stepped away from what was a very clear-cut commitment to put that law on the Statute Book. I urge him to change direction, to recommit to that and I give him the assurance that Sinn Féin and, I believe the entire Opposition, will work with him co-operatively in that regard.
I am very concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people, as I am sure we all are, but I am also specifically concerned about Irish citizens who the Taoiseach's Department helped to get out of Gaza. In particular, he may recall Ibrahim Alagha, whose family I am sure the Taoiseach and his Department officials played a role in assisting in November 2023. One of the family members got left behind. He was only 18. He is now 19 and he is marooned and alone in Egypt, in a strange country. He is the brother of Ibrahim and the brother-in-law of Ibrahim's wife. If I can pass this information to his Department, will the Taoiseach assist them in any way? I know he met with them after they returned to Ireland. They are extremely concerned and cannot sleep while worrying about this young person every night. They have applied for family reunification status but it has got clogged up in the system for a number of years, or if could be a number of years unless there is some help from officials from the relevant Departments. Will the Taoiseach look at that situation?
It seems to me that there is a crisis in terms of the EU's commitment to even its own human rights legislation and to international law. The newly elected Chancellor of Germany has invited Benjamin Netanyahu to Germany. This is somebody who has an arrest warrant out for him by the ICC for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the new German Chancellor is inviting him to Germany. Now, that is very serious because Germany is one of the most important countries in the EU and basically what it is saying is that it does not give a damn about international law, about human rights or the crimes for which the ICC has indicted Benjamin Netanyahu. It is giving two fingers to international law. That poses a pretty serious problem for the EU. There is also the fact that an Irish MEP and other MEPs on an EU delegation on a pre-organised visit by representatives of the EU to Israel have been deported. Israel is given favoured trade status by the EU and then an EU delegation goes to Israel, they are not allowed in and are deported because they criticised the Israeli Government for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Does the Taoiseach agree this is a pretty serious crisis in terms of the foreign policy, the ethical stand, the commitment to human rights and international law facing the European Union? Has he any comments?
Given the current fluid international political climate and the apparent disengagement of the US from European security, Ireland may be expected to contribute more to EU security. Historically, we have under-invested in our security forces, relying on others to protect our airspace and waters. With the need to protect our infrastructure and secure our borders, do we have a strategy for formal security co-operation to address potential threats or attacks on ourselves or the European Union?
The peace-loving international community has been transfixed in recent years by the sheer horror of what we have seen happening in Palestine and in Ukraine. However, there are many other places in the world where all is also not well. Has our Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs and, indeed, our Department of foreign affairs in consultation with our European partners, been looking at the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, for example, under the tyranny of the Taliban regime? Have we looked at what has been happening in Belarus where in January of this year in a faux election Lukashenko was elected with 88% of the vote? Some of us here would have loved to get level of support in the past and we could not manage it. It is hard to believe Europe's last remaining dictator is still in power after 31 years. Has the Taoiseach or the Minister for foreign affairs had any contact with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the real leader of the Belarusian people, who is living in exile in Lithuania?
The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is deteriorating rapidly. Rwanda-linked M23 rebels are advancing in the eastern regions around Lake Kivu, escalating violence and displacing thousands of people. The UN Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for Rwanda to withdraw its forces. Will the Taoiseach clarify Ireland's position on this conflict? Are we aligned with the UN's stance on Rwanda's involvement? Has the Government raised this issue at EU or multilateral level?
I spoke earlier on the huge risks posed to the international rules-based order by the Trump presidency. It is a very important time for us to stand in solidarity with those campaigning for democracy. I am thinking of those in Ukraine and those of course in the democratic opposition in Belarus and in other countries around the world. Here at home, the Taoiseach said yesterday that Ireland would spend more to help Ukraine. Will he commit to retaining the accommodation recognition payment that supports more than 36,000 Ukrainians in Ireland? There have been reports that it will be cut. Other Opposition parties have called for it to be cut and reduced. I want to be sure the Government will commit to retaining the payment. The temporary protection directive has been extended to March 2026 so will he commit to retaining the ARP at least for that period?
First, will the Taoiseach let the House know when he intends to have his first engagement with the new German Chancellor designate, Friedrich Merz? Second, since the United Kingdom has left the European Union, I know the Government has been actively looking to form alliances with other smaller member states as well. Will the Taoiseach update the House on the efforts and the strategic direction that the Department of foreign affairs and his Department are taking with regard to forming those alliances with other member states in the EU to advance our common interests?
Sean Brown was a father of six, a lifelong GAA member and official and a highly respected member of his community. On 12 May 1997, while locking up the gates of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Derry, he was abducted and viciously murdered. He was murdered because he was a Catholic and because he was the chairperson of his GAA club. Bridie Brown, Sean's wife, attended the recent GAA congress in Donegal to plead for help in the search for justice. The family have attended court 57 times in their search for justice and they have said they have met with silence, excuses and denials. They said the police investigations were a failure, an insult and a cover-up of British state collusion. The high court in the North has said there must be a public inquiry of Sean's murder but the Northern Secretary, Hilary Benn, is appealing that court order. Given the suffering the family has been put through in the long block for their search for justice, this latest move by the British Government is disgusting. Will the Taoiseach directly appeal to the British Prime Minister that there is a speedy inquest into the murder of Sean Brown?
I thank all the Deputies who have raised issues in respect of this committee about to be established. Ireland has taken a very consistent approach in terms of the Middle East, believing in a two-state solution.
Deputy McDonald, I think, raised the question. She is not here yet, but I will just make the point that our fundamental view is that Palestinians are entitled to their homeland. It needs to be said, by the way, whether you like it or not, that President Trump played a role in the ceasefire. I read several accounts of what transpired in terms of getting a ceasefire. Our focus must be on copper-fastening and consolidating that ceasefire because any return to a war would be absolutely horrendous in respect of Gaza or the West Bank.
Some time back, I met with an NGO. Mary Robinson spoke to me about it. It is an NGO that is developing the idea of a land-for-all initiative. It is a different approach, but we have to look at approaches that will ensure Palestinian rights within their homeland. How you configure that in the time ahead is something we need fresh thinking on. Everybody talks about the two-state solution, but we have watched for several years-----
I do not. I talk about one state and a land for all.
Please, I did not interrupt the Deputy. I am just making my point. I am talking about other European countries, and many do. President Trump's involvement in that phase was critical. From an Irish, European and global perspective, we must keep focusing on a step-by-step approach and consolidating getting the second stage of the ceasefire over the line and then ensuring there is a massive surge of humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza. We have pressed very strongly for UNRWA, in particular, to be given absolute freedom of movement and action within Gaza because it is the only agency that can provide schools, medicines and various services to the Palestinian people.
If Deputy Coppinger can pass on the information to me, I certainly will pursue the matter. There is something in the back of my head in respect of why there is an issue. The Deputy was saying the young man is in Egypt. Is that correct?
Our embassy and consular staff in Cairo have been extremely helpful to many people. If the Deputy sends on the details, I will follow this matter up and come back to her.
To respond to Deputy Boyd Barrett, there have been different perspectives across the European Union, to put it mildly, in respect of the Middle East. Germany, because of its history and the Shoah, the Holocaust, has always had a different perspective on the Middle East. Many, including people in Ireland, find that difficult to comprehend but it is the reality. It is the reality in German politics irrespective of what political party people represent, by and large. I was not aware that Prime Minister Netanyahu had been invited but it would not surprise me given the engagement between the German political system and the issue.
That is the ICC gone.
I know, but I am just saying to the Deputy that the realities, in terms of German politics, are such that there has always been that sense I already referred to. Former Chancellor Scholz said that the raison d'être of the modern Germany, post-war Germany, was to ensure the survival of Israel. That is what Chancellor Scholz said time and again, and he is not the first German politician to say it.
I understand the context.
I only say that by way of enlightenment. That is how people see it from their perspective.
Deputy Martin Daly made a key point. First of all, I would not say the US has disengaged quite yet. Different things are happening and things are getting said. I do not think we should do a running commentary given the changes occurring. President Macron's visit yesterday was interesting. Prime Minister Starmer will visit. The tectonic plates look like they are shifting in terms of the world order, or the multilateral, rules-based order, but we should not give up on it yet. There is a lot to play for in terms of the rules-based international order and the role of smaller countries.
Regarding an increased defence capability, yes, we are a member of the Partnership for Peace with NATO where we have developed an individually tailored plan for increased capability and resilience in cybersecurity and on subsea cables and maritime security. We are also a participant in PESCO, which is a European Union initiative, again on cybersecurity, predominantly, and on maritime security as well. We have a programme of investment in our Defence Forces on an ongoing basis.
Deputy Ó Fearghaíl correctly raised a whole range of other cases. What is happening in Sudan is appalling and it gets no mention from anybody. Some 12 million people have been displaced and there is one group of warlords, but nobody is saying a word about it anywhere.
Deputy Ardagh is correct. By the way, concerning Lukashenko, Europe has raised these issues. Ireland has raised the issue of women and girls in Afghanistan, alone with a number of other countries. At the high-level week in the UN in September, I hosted jointly with the Foreign Minister of Canada and others an event on women and girls in Afghanistan. Ireland has been very supportive of women and girls in Afghanistan to try to keep the issue high on the international agenda and in the UN system. We will continue to do that. I have been particularly interested in this matter over the last two years, especially in my capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. We have met and keep up our contacts with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is, as the Deputy said, the real leader of the Belarusian people. We will continue to do that. It is incomprehensible that Lukashenko can do what he is doing, but he is supported by President Putin. Let us be under no illusions about it.
Deputy Ardagh has raised what is a very alarming situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Rwanda supporting the M23 rebels. Again, this issue needs to be highlighted and given sharper focus. Ireland has raised it at international forums and in the UN system as well. What is happening there is very alarming.
No decision has been made yet on the accommodation recognition payment, but my comments were not really about that because that is a domestic situation. My comment concerned the fact that there has, essentially, been a veto of the European Peace Facility where Ireland had made significant commitments on non-lethal assistance to Ukraine. Hungary has vetoed that. We have to find alternative mechanisms around that to give additional aid. The EU is also looking at new mechanisms to provide aid, financial support, to Ukraine and Ireland will also participate in that. I was referring to that and to the humanitarian aid we have been bilaterally giving to Ukraine on an ongoing basis.
Deputy Shane Moynihan raised the issue of alliances and so forth. For quite some time, we have been part of the Nordic–Baltic Group and we are developing an alliance, although that might be too strong a word to use. We meet together and take common positions on a number of files within the European Union.
Deputy Tóibín raised the Sean Brown case. I raised the case with Hilary Benn when I was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Again, the issue here is that the Secretary of State is saying he is appealing based on broader issues, not ones specific to the case of Sean Brown who was viciously murdered. There was, without question, collusion there. The broader issue is how we deal with legacy more generally in a comprehensive way. The talks and discussions have been around the legacy Act and changes to it. Prime Minister Starmer and Secretary of State Benn have brought about significant changes since they were elected and after the change of government in the UK. The issue is whether the ICRIR can be restructured to enable us to get a solution that would deal with investigations and information retrieval and separate out the two in a way that would earn the confidence of victims groups. Ultimately, there are many other cases as well that are not getting closure.
Will the Government demand that the inquest goes ahead?
