Full Transcript; I echo Deputy Howlin’s comments regarding how interesting it is to reflect on the agenda of the EU Council meeting and how we could not have foreseen many of the items on it when we look back to the start of the Taoiseach’s tenure. It is interesting in the context of not just…
This question relates to a programme that I know is as close to the Minister’s heart as it is to mine, namely, the school meals programme. As we all know, the cost of putting food on the table has been escalating for everybody in society. In that context, is the subvention available to school meals…
I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for giving me the opportunity to get out of the Chair slightly early so that I could take a speaking slot. Although it might seem frivolous, when reflecting on the achievements and otherwise of COP 27, I think of the Sergio Leone film, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.…
Full Transcript: Marc Ó Cathasaigh This issue has already been teased out in the discussion this morning. There is a well-acknowledged issue around recruitment and, in particular, retention in our Defence Forces. I ask about the progress made on fulfilling the Government commitment to increase recruitment in the Defence Forces by 2028. Deputy Simon Coveney…
Full Transcript: Before I address my substantive points, I note that one of the benefits of sharing the duties of chairing the House with the Ceann Comhairle is that one gets to listen to debates in depth. Much of the debate on the Bill has been good. I do not know whether anybody has eulogised…
There has never been a man like my father for answering a question with a question. Maybe it was his way of dealing with four inquisitive children when he was bringing us up, but I doubt it. I feel he probably came hard-wired that way. In any case, it was, and still is at times,…
I fully intend to bring the Ceann Comhairle on a tour of Waterford shortly, but I will begin with an obtuse metaphor because I know he also enjoys them. When thinking of water infrastructure, I strangely think about the difference between losing one’s front teeth and dealing with one’s blood pressure. If you lose one…
I will pick up on a point that Deputy Paul Murphy raised and with which I agree. COP26 failed to agree a facility on loss and damage. It is the central issue of COP27, which is taking place in Africa geographically approximate to the terrible catastrophe playing out in the Horn of Africa. News has…
Gabhaim buíochas as an deis labhairt ar an mBille. De réir mar a thuigim, níl sé ar intinn ag an Aire Stáit cur ina choinne agus tacaím leis an seasamh sin. Níl an Bille gan locht agus aithním go bhfuil ceisteanna tromchúiseacha ardaithe ag an Aire Stáit ach cabhróidh an díospóireacht seo agus, má théann…
Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh I am glad I came in early as I see someone is availing of work-life balance, and we see that every silver lining apparently has a cloud for Deputy Murphy. We have the great luxury of a position of permanent opposition, where we can find fault in everything. In fact—– Deputy…