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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Jul 2026

Vol. 1090 No. 2

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

The Children’s Health Ireland, CHI, report on e-scooter related injuries for children is shocking. It reported that between January 2021 and August 2025, there were 1,130 attendances at CHI emergency departments due to e-scooter related injuries, and that over the past 12 months, there has been a 50% increase in the number of children and young people being admitted for traumatic brain injuries. We know that many have been injured and some killed, due to scramblers. Earlier this week, we had Grace Lynch's parents in the Oireachtas. We recalled her horrific death. I also raised the horrific injuries suffered by a young boy, Jayden Deans, as a result of scramblers.

We know that both scramblers and e-scooters are being used by gangs to distribute drugs, to openly and actively intimidate, and to evade the gardaí and, yet, we heard the Garda Commissioner say that there would be no chance of pursuit training until next year because of the EU Presidency.

I found that really shocking. We have laws that are not enforced. We have communities left to their own devices. We have a situation that is literally out of control. The question in relation to e-scooters and scramblers is what is going to happen. We have laws that are not being enforced. We have gardaí who will not actively pursue. Then, in the case of e-scooters, we literally have the wild west. It is putting people, particularly young people, in danger. Communities are actively intimidated, terrorised, injured and far worse.

The Tánaiste

I thank the Deputy. I have a big, long note here, which I have no intention of reading out because I think this issue is at a really critical stage. I met Grace Lynch's parents, two incredible people who are really trying to make society safer after the loss of their daughter, Grace.

On the e-scooter issue, from memory, I heard somebody say it was the number one reason that children were now ending up in ICU. It is quite an incredible thing to say: the number one reason children end up in ICU in Ireland is because of e-scooter accidents. I have heard a lot of comments in recent days. Do we ban them? Do we very quickly move to put in place a more robust regulatory system because there is not one in place today? I have an open mind. This is now at a tipping point where we need to move, and move quickly. Certain members of the Government, including the Taoiseach and I, are meeting on this early next week. I would like to see a swift set of proposals come from the Government on this. I am happy to keep the Deputy updated on that.

Deputy Aidan Farrelly

In the past year, the number of children admitted to Temple Street with brain injuries from accidents on e-scooters has increased by 50%. I think we have agreement across the House that this is an ever-worsening public health crisis at this point. It is clear that the ban on under-16s using e-scooters has been a monumental failure. We need a new approach. As the Tánaiste has just said, instead of a ban, we need regulation that is workable and enforceable. We have some proposals today that the Tánaiste might consider ahead of his meeting next week. It is crucial that we have a mandatory vehicle registration system where we register not only every e-scooter, but every rider. We also need to ban the sale or supply of e-scooters to children or young people under the age of 16. Crucially, gardaí must be given the resources and the appropriate training to be able to pursue and enforce what is current legislation.

The fourth piece, the bike-to-work scheme, has been an incredible success. What we know is that a significant portion of the parents who have bought these e-scooters for children and young people did not know they were doing anything wrong. Instead of a ban, what I am asking is that the Government consider a scheme that will allow parents and children to hand back these e-scooters and be given a bike in return. It is a healthy alternative. It is not punitive, and it gives the Government something of an opportunity to show that we are taking this seriously, alongside the regulation.

The Tánaiste

What a constructive contribution. This is the sort of thinking we need. I thank the Deputy for that. I do not 100% know what the right thing to do here is, but what I 100% know is that the current situation is extraordinarily dangerous and needs to change. I do not say this to blame parents, but there is an issue here. It may be awareness, as the Deputy says, but there is a real issue here. Kids are not saving up their small sums of pocket money, going into toy stores and buying these scooters. Parents are buying these scooters for their children, perhaps out of ignorance, perhaps out of whatever else, but we need to look at that issue. I am not saying that to blame anybody, but it is a fact. What happens at the point of purchase definitely has a role.

I am somewhat sympathetic to rank and file gardaí, who are asked by this House to enforce laws that are often very challenging for them to enforce in terms of their own safety. We have all seen tragic situations where gardaí in the line of duty put themselves at risk in roads policing, and there have been fatalities as well. With scramblers and e-scooters, is there a way of helping with technology or registration systems?

The Deputy has made very good, constructive suggestions, and I thank him for those. If he is happy to send them to me, I would be happy to put them into the mix. This is something where, if we are unified as a House in saying the current system is wrong and not sustainable, and that we are going to take swift action, I really hope we can move on together very quickly.

Deputy Marie Sherlock

I too must raise the report from Children's Health Ireland, CHI, today. There are one to two e-scooter-related incidents presenting to emergency departments every single day, with a 50% increase in traumatic brain injuries over the past 12 months. As we rise today, I have to ask how in all conscience we can walk away from here, knowing that every day for the next eight weeks, a child is going to be injured due to an e-scooter. I listened to the Garda Commissioner yesterday calling for a full ban, and the Taoiseach said something similar during the week. I believe that is a cop-out. The reality is that e-scooters are a legitimate form of transport for many people out there, but they are also used as a form of intimidation, particularly in the communities that I represent in Dublin Central.

We know that enforcement is the issue, but I am fed up because I do not think there is a sense of urgency. I hear what the Tánaiste is saying today, and I welcome that meeting next week. However, I stood here for a Topical Issue last week when the Minister for justice effectively said that there were powers and they just needed to be enforced. That is not good enough. The reality from a public health perspective - I do not say this lightly - is that we need to impose a temporary ban on e-scooter use over the next six weeks to give the Minister for justice, the Minister for Transport and An Garda Síochána the time to get their act together so we have the special pursuit, so we have the registration, so we have the ban and so we have the right policy in place.

Will the Government rule out a permanent ban on e-scooters? Will it introduce a temporary ban to give time to make sure we can get our act together and take seriously what is a public health crisis in this country?

The Tánaiste

There is certainly an urgency across this House. I do not say this to be provocative on an issue where I hope we can all work together, but nobody on any side of the House has brought forward legislation to try to make progress. We have had multiple Private Members’ measures, but let us all work on this together. It is not a question of nobody being urgent, and I am going to push back very firmly on that. We are all alarmed at this. We have all heard the doctors in Temple Street. We all want to take action on this. While this House might be in recess next week, I will be at a meeting about what we can try to do in relation to this issue. I do not think anybody meant a ban as a cop-out - I genuinely do not. I think people are so horrified by what is happening that everyone is trying to grapple with what the right thing to do is.

There is also a legitimacy to the point the Deputy made about how it is a legitimate form of transport for some people. We see this working in other European countries. We see it in our nearest neighbours. I do not want to get the regime wrong, but I think they have registration at the point of purchase that allows people to track this. There are things that can be done that can perhaps achieve the same aim. The aim is to stop children ending up in ICU and to improve our road safety. I am very happy to work on a cross-party basis and with relevant Ministers.

I am not sure. I say this only to be helpful because I do not know the truth, but I know that we live in the European Union. I am not even sure of the legality of a ban. The honest answer is that I am not sure, but I am absolutely certain that the current situation cannot continue.

I am happy to keep in touch, even over the summer months. If the Deputy wishes to correspond with me, I am happy to come back to her.

Deputy Brian Stanley

We are going through an epidemic of domestic abuse and violence. In 2025, the Garda had over 67,000 calls in relation to domestic abuse. Seven women were murdered last year, and in many of those cases, it was by a family member, a partner or somebody known closely to the victim. This year, in the first six months, matters have got even worse. Eight women have been murdered to date. Two were killed within a few short days of each other just over a week ago: Jamey Carney in Kerry and Adina Constantin in Portlaoise, who was killed literally on the same street as my office.

The absence of a domestic abuse refuge in nine counties, including Laois, is a problem. The Tánaiste will recall me raising this a number of times in the House over the years. The Laois domestic abuse services have been raising the importance of this issue. Having a safe place for victims to go, including when children have to flee the family home, is essential. Victims in Laois often have to leave the county to seek refuge, and they are away from all services and family supports.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy should conclude.

Deputy Brian Stanley

I will finish on this point. The council bought a site nearly three years ago for an eight-unit refuge. There was a lack of progress, but an approved housing body, AHB, Tuath Housing, has been secured to put that in place.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy should conclude.

Deputy Brian Stanley

I ask the Minister for justice, the wider Government and Cuan to treat this with a sense of urgency, allocate the capital assistance scheme, CAS, money for it and get the scheme up and running as quickly as possible. I think the Tánaiste will agree it is an important issue.

The Tánaiste

I very much do. I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this issue. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is an epidemic in Irish society. In fact, there are certain people in certain positions of power and influence in certain parts of the world who are trying to make sure we talk about these issues less. There has been an effort at times to shut down debate on these issues, and to use phrases like “woke” and the like. Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is something that needs the full attention and focus of all of us who hold positions of influence.

We have major issues in relation to young men and how they are getting sex education and being introduced to people who put themselves forward as role models who are despicable, vile, disgusting individuals, some prominently known and some less prominently known, all having a corrosive effect on our society. We have a huge amount of work to do and men cannot recuse themselves from this conversation. Men need to show leadership in this conversation, too.

On the issue of the roll-out of refuges, the Deputy is entirely right. Cuan, a statutory agency, has been set up and the Minister for justice is working closely with it. I will specifically ask him to determine what can be done on the project in Laois that the Deputy has mentioned to see if we can take that forward.

Deputy Paul Lawless

I want to raise the case of a children's online safety company whose management is accused of defrauding at least 15 victims, across seven different countries, of more than €500,000. This is an Irish company and is based in Limerick. My constituent Aisling Waldron, a dedicated advocate of child safety, was hired to oversee child safety. She is owed over €72,000 in unpaid wages. She was recruited on the back of fabricated user numbers and, indeed, fabricated and falsified contracts from the Vatican Bank and the Portuguese Government. Most seriously, the company was allowed to use the emblem of An Garda Síochána. That endorsement gave the company credibility and that credibility helped to defraud the victims. A number of complaints have been made to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, the Corporate Enforcement Authority, Fiosrú and the Department of justice. Will the Government investigate this? I appreciate that the Tánaiste may not know all the details, but it is a major issue that my constituent Aisling Waldron has been fighting, often alone. I ask the Government to investigate why the Garda logo was allowed to be used. The company is widely reported on in mainstream media as Cybersmarties Limited.

The Tánaiste

The House rules may somewhat preclude me from over-commenting in relation to matters that may be before An Garda Síochána and a number of other issues as well. I appreciate the Deputy's bona fides and the reasons he raised this matter, but the organisation that carries out investigations in relation to alleged crime in this country is An Garda Síochána. From what the Deputy has told me, it sounds like there is a Garda investigation under way, and I do not think I can comment further in the interests of that investigation.

Deputy Ryan O'Meara

I want to read an excerpt from an email I got today in relation to Skyclarys for people with Friedreich's ataxia:

At 19 years old, I should be excited about my future. I should be looking forward to building a career, travelling, making memories with friends and planning the life I want to live. Instead, I wake up every day wondering what ability I will lose next. My future is overshadowed by fear, knowing that my condition will continue to deteriorate while a treatment exists that could slow the decline.

The Friedreich's ataxia community in Ireland has been fighting for reimbursement of Skyclarys for a long time. We have shared our stories, met with politicians, engaged with decision makers and done everything asked of us.

The postponement of a decision this week while expert opinion was requested by the committee was incredibly disappointing. I do not know, after hundreds and hundreds of days of people waiting for a medication that they desperately need, how a committee that is paid to do a job still has not made a decision. If expert advice was needed before now, why was it not sought before now?

In a country where we are so educated and have so much money, and in the EU, where other countries are already reimbursing for this drug, why does it take so long, and why do we have such an inhumane system for the reimbursement of these drugs in this country? That is what it is when you stand face to face with people and families experiencing this. What is the Government going to do to speed up the process and help the people who need help the most?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy O'Meara very much for that contribution and also for reading out that correspondence from his constituent. There are two points to be made. First, there needs to be a broader review of how the drugs process works. I say that without any comment on the specific drug. My colleague the Minister for Health is fully committed to that and has work under way in that regard.

Second, on the specific drug, I actually think the actions being taken are being taken to ensure that the full opportunity is given to examine the effectiveness of the medicine by hearing directly from the clinicians in Ireland who treat the patients, and also hearing from the lived experience and the patient voice. I am pleased that they have put a timeline of four weeks, or a month, on that. I really hope that process can be used robustly and thoroughly to scrutinise the effectiveness of the drug.

Deputy William Aird

Middle-income working families continue to shoulder the greatest burden of rising living costs. Many are earning too much to qualify for targeted supports and they are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the costs of childcare and housing, and also to meet everyday expenses. At the same time, wage increases intended to keep pace with inflation are pushing more workers into the higher rate of income tax.

As the Government prepares for budget 2027, I am asking the Tánaiste to prioritise middle-income families through adjustments to the standard rate tax band and tax credits, together with targeted supports to help with childcare and housing costs. Will he set out the principles that will guide decisions to ensure work continues to pay and that middle-income families receive meaningful support?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Aird very much. I agree with him that there are many good means-tested supports in place in this country. That is important. There are people who find that they do everything right and play by the rules but do not qualify for any of them. They ask us to hang on a second and ask whether they can have a little bit of assistance and keep some of their own money, and whether work can actually pay in this country. There are far too many people who get up very early - earlier by the day - and find themselves at the end of the month just about getting by, let alone getting ahead. Therefore, a priority for the budget will be to see how we can help those people, namely, the squeezed middle or middle Ireland – call them what you will – or people who are working hard and want to get by in life.

We will make decisions as a Government on the overall package, but there will be a personal income tax package. The summer economic statement next week will set out the parameters in terms of how much the tax package and spending package will be. That will give us an opportunity to scrutinise how best to use them.

I am of the view, and the Government has shown this on a number of occasions, that the tax band is a helpful mechanism. As people's incomes rise, as they are doing, thankfully, or as people do a bit of overtime, get a promotion or work a few more hours, the tax man should not be taking a greater percentage of their money at such an entry point. We are below where other countries are, so I am sympathetic to that argument. On the issue of childcare, we have to fulfil the programme for Government commitment of getting to €200 per month per child over the next four years.

Deputy Sorca Clarke

Online platforms that promote and facilitate suicide need to be stopped. I commend the team of The Journal Investigates for its work in exposing these sinister forums, which are banned in other jurisdictions but accessible here. They prey on vulnerable people and they encourage them into irreversible decisions. The problem is not a lack of legal or regulatory powers. We have the Digital Services Act, the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, and the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act. What is missing here is co-ordinated enforcement and urgency.

Will the Tánaiste outline what immediate action the Government will take alongside Coimisiún na Meán, An Garda Síochána and the Internet service providers to block access to these sites? It is the Government's responsibility to ensure that every State body with a role is acting with urgency. Passing responsibility from one organisation to another is simply not acceptable in this regard. These delays are having real consequences. People have lost their lives after engaging with these forums. I implore the Tánaiste to intervene in this regard. The forums should not be accessible in this State, as they are not accessible in others.

The Tánaiste

The Deputy is right. They should not. I thank the Deputy for raising this. I truthfully do not know enough about the issue, other than that what the Deputy said is quite concerning. On foot of her raising this, I will talk to the Minister for media and Coimisiún na Meán and determine what co-ordinated action can be taken. We will come back to the Deputy on this issue.

Deputy Sorca Clarke

And the Departments of justice and health.

The Tánaiste

I will work out who needs to be spoken to and come back to the Deputy. It is an important issue.

Deputy Keira Keogh

I am a grown woman and I would be really embarrassed if I had to ask the Tánaiste, as my superior, for a tampon. Luckily, here in Leinster House they are freely available in some of the bathrooms, although not all. Although I do not have to ask, many teenage girls must go to their teacher and ask for a tampon or period product, if they are lucky enough that their school supplies period products. In some cases, they are resorting to using newspaper or toilet roll. It is hard enough to concentrate in school without bleeding, bloating or cramping, never mind worrying about leaking. Unfortunately, this is still the case for some teenage girls across the country.

On average, a woman uses 15 to 30 tampons or period products per week, at a cost of €3 to €5 per box. It is an average of €100 per year, which is around the cost of junior GAA membership.

I welcome improvements in some public places. We now have period products in libraries and hospitals.

I know there are two programme for Government commitments under education and health. There is a plan for all DEIS plus schools to have it by 2026 and for all schools to have it by 2027. Can we please put in that they would not have to ask a superior for a period product? They must just be freely available in bathrooms.

The Tánaiste

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. She is right about the availability and accessibility, and not having to ask somebody else, particularly somebody who is perhaps in a position of authority, to allow someone to access such an important health product. On foot of her raising the issue, I will engage further with the Minister for education and the Minister for Health.

There are also commitments in the women's health action plan in this area. As the Deputy rightly said, we, as a country, have made good progress on period poverty. We have seen the expansion and roll-out of period products. However, there is more to do in this area.

The DEIS plus plan announced last May included a commitment to fund and provide period products to all DEIS plus schools in the next school year to ensure dignity and that no student is held back due to period poverty. It is intended to expand that provision to all upper primary, post-primary and special schools during the lifetime of this Government. I know from my time as the Minister for higher education that some good work on the issue has been done in our universities and education and training boards, ETBs. On foot of the Deputy raising this, I will stock take on exactly where we are with the roll-out. I am fully in agreement that this is something we need to deliver and try to make progress on in the time ahead.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

The Minister for justice recently brought in reforms for the criminal justice legal aid system. While we all recognise that there is a need for reform within the system, the reforms that the Minister has brought in are ill-considered, not backed up by data or evidence and have led to absolute chaos in the courts system. Solicitors have removed themselves from free legal aid work.

The Wicklow courts system has essentially ground to a halt. No Wicklow solicitors are participating or providing free legal aid advice. It means that in recent weeks, cases involving assault, domestic violence, theft, drugs and possession of child pornography have not gone ahead in Wicklow. There are victims in Wicklow who are not able to access justice at the moment because these new changes have brought chaos. Hundreds of jurors were recently told that their services were no longer required. Many vulnerable people in the legal system are falling through gaps.

I know this decision went through the Cabinet and was signed off but in light of the impact that this is happening on our courts system, will the Tánaiste push for the process to be stalled? We need it stopped. We need there to be proper consultation. We need a clear, coherent and properly working policy to be developed.

The Tánaiste

We also need to recognise that the Minister for justice has increased criminal legal aid fees by 8% in the Circuit Court and higher courts from 1 July 2026. Not too many of our constituents are receiving an increase of 8%. This represents a total restoration of-----

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

None of them are getting legal justice.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy, please allow the Tánaiste to reply.

The Tánaiste

Reforms are sometimes difficult. The Minister has also introduced a fee of €520 for District Court criminal cases under the criminal legal aid scheme. This figure represents the current fee paid for five appearances in the District Court, plus a further 8% on top of that. I note that the Social Democrats have used colourful language about the Minister, including comparisons with Margaret Thatcher and all of that. It makes for great headlines. This is an important-----

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

I have never used that language.

The Tánaiste

The Deputy's colleague who is sitting beside her has done. The party spokesperson has.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Whitmore-----

The Tánaiste

The Deputy did say that. I read his comments.

Deputy Gary Gannon

I said I did.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Tánaiste to conclude.

The Tánaiste

The Deputies comprise a party. The party has chosen to call the Minister for justice names.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Thank you. We will move to the next question in the name of Deputy Conway-Walsh.

The Tánaiste

I am disappointed that Deputy Whitmore-----

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

Is the Minister okay that-----

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Deputy Whitmore, please address your remarks through the Chair.

The Tánaiste

Deputy Whitmore is trying to play all sides here. We are increasing the amount being paid in criminal legal aid. We are trying to speed up the delivery of justice in the District Court system. We are also trying to bring about reforms. Many of our constituents believe there is significant room for reform to the free legal aid system.

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

We agree about the need for reform. Do it properly.

The Tánaiste

The Minister for justice has been engaging and will continue to engage.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh

This morning, workers at Aer Lingus woke up to the devastating news that up to 500 jobs will be cut at the airline, impacting both staff at head office and flight crews. By all measures, Aer Lingus is a profitable company, reporting operating profits of €282 million in 2025. Its parent company, IAG, has operating profits of €5 billion. Yet, 500 families in north Dublin, Cork, Shannon and across the country now face the possibility of losing their livelihoods. We urgently need firm guarantees that workers' rights will be protected. What engagement has the Minister for enterprise had with Aer Lingus to minimise the number of jobs that are going to be lost? Will the Government meet representatives of the unions, the Irish Air Line Pilots Association, IALPA, Fórsa and other unions, to ensure that impacted workers receive full and fair redundancy packages and that we have full transparency, while also committing to wider statutory redundancy reforms? We need the number of jobs lost to be minimised. We need urgent engagement by the Government.

The Tánaiste

I thank the Deputy. The Government is aware of the recent announcement by Aer Lingus that it is to undertake some network and organisational changes as a result of what it describes as a sustained and challenging operational environment. It has stated that it will begin consultation with employees and their representatives, which is important and urgent. It has said that it expects the impact could potentially see approximately 500 employees leave the company.

I also note that the network changes include the cessation of a number of long-haul routes and some short-haul routes, commencing towards the end of the summer. The company has said that any customers impacted will be contacted directly.

This is a commercial matter for the company but some of the issues that the Deputy has raised are relevant matters for the Government. On foot of her raising them, I will ask the Minister to come back to her.

Deputy Gary Gannon

Does the Tánaiste recognise the scale of the chaos in our criminal justice system at the moment? Thousands of cases have been adjourned. Victims will await justice. Backlogs are building. We now have habeas corpus cases taking place in the High Court. The Minister referenced my flowery language. I am surprised that Fine Gael is giving the Minister for justice such free rein in relation to the chaos he has caused. Prior to taking up the position, the Minister was critical of Fine Gael's handling of the justice system for the preceding 14 years. We now have criminal courts coming to a standstill and all the Government offers is soundbites. I am not talking about the Tánaiste's soundbites.

The Tánaiste

You did the Margaret Thatcher line.

Deputy Gary Gannon

The Government offered no analysis by which the decision was made. In recognition of the chaos in our courts, can the Tánaiste, as Minister for Finance and leader of Fine Gael, simply say he is willing to engage in a manner that the Minister is not?

The Tánaiste

It was unhelpful to refer to the Minister for justice as Margaret Thatcher. That was the flowery and colourful language-----

Deputy Gary Gannon

He said he was not for turning.

The Tánaiste

-----that was unhelpful. Reforms are difficult and tough. The Social Democrats show a great appetite for reform in some areas. They were squarely behind the Minister for Health in her reforms for consultants. When it comes to the lawyers, the party is adopting a different approach. That is an interesting insight.

The Minister for justice is increasing the flat rate fee that is being paid. It is going to result in the current fee being paid for five appearances in the District Court, plus an 8% increase. How many times does someone need to go in front of the District Court? It is paying for five appearances, plus an 8% increase. Reforms are hard but if this is an insight into how the Social Democrats would govern the country, through cherry-picking and giving in to every campaign-----

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore

It would be based on evidence.

The Tánaiste

-----well, quelle surprise.

Deputy Ruth Coppinger

Next Wednesday, the trial continues of the Ulm five, including the Irish citizen, Daniel Tatlow-Devally. A delegation of TDs and Senators, including me, will attend the trial in Stuttgart next week. The Government was asked to monitor the trial and on 21 May 2026, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, said, "We will ensure that there is fair oversight of this trial." A senior counsel who attended the trial wrote to the Minister and other Ministers on 22 June to state that there is no official record being taken at the trial. There is no stenographer at the trial. There is no audio recording of the trial. Defendants cannot bring their own stenographers or note-takers. The accused rely on court-appointed translators but the lawyers cannot hear what these translators are saying. They cannot confer with their clients. No record is available afterwards to check what was said. This is not a trial that would take place in Ireland. Any of these issues would possibly be enough to set aside a conviction.

A representative of the Irish Government should be there. Will the Tánaiste request a stenographer at this trial in Stuttgart next Wednesday, in defence of an Irish citizen and others, and due process, as was promised?

The Tánaiste

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I am not aware of all those details that the Deputy has put on the record of the House but on foot of her doing so, I will make inquiries today and ask that the relevant Minister reverts to her.

Deputy Paula Butterly

I, too, welcome the scoping exercise in relation to the allegations of sexual abuse made against Michael Shine. Like the Tánaiste, I was struck by the words of the victims and survivors in noting that finally, they had been heard. I was also struck by their saying that finally, they had been believed.

Imagine, after 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years, coming out with words like "I now finally have been believed". That is quite incredible. I thank Dignity4Patients and praise the courage of the victims and survivors. They have never given in and have refused to lie down and allow their history and allow their abuses to be washed away. This is really important but the next steps are equally important if not more important,. Will there be any barriers to cost or funding? Will there be any barriers to the terms and conditions and the participation of the victims and survivors?

Minister for Health (Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill)

I thank Deputy Butterly. I thank Dignity4Patients and thank the men - overwhelmingly it is men - who collaborated with us and worked with us on this process. I thank Lorcan Staines who, I think the Deputy will see from the report, has adopted a most empathetic approach that is different from any language that has been used about this and about these men in the past. I thank him for his kindness and the way in which he has embraced that. Dignity4Patients was with us as a partner and the men were with us as partners at every stage. That will be the case the next time. Of course it is for Government to sign off on the terms of reference and that is always the case but we will take the same collaborative approach to the next phase as we have this phase.

Deputy Carol Nolan

The Tánaiste will share my profound horror at the recent brutal murder of Jamey Carney, the absconding of her so-called partner to Jordan and the wider pattern of escalating violence against women that was raised earlier. Will the Tánaiste also agree that no aspect or provision of the International Protection Act should ever inadvertently give cover to someone or hamper An Garda Síochána in the effective discharge of its duties in terms of releasing information on those suspected of such crimes, regardless of whether they are international protection applicants? Will the Tánaiste accept that absolute clarity is required so that operational decisions by An Garda Síochána are never influenced by any perceived legal constraint? Will he therefore commit to a review of the relevant legislative and operational frameworks to ensure that, regardless of current statutory provisions, no chilling effect is being caused or created that might discourage or inhibit the reporting or public identification of suspects who are also international protection applicants, where such reporting is necessary for public safety or investigation purposes?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Nolan for raising the issue and I join her and all Members of the House in extending our absolute sympathy to the family of Jamey Carney and our repulsion, horror and deep sadness at what has occurred. This Government, through our law enforcement authorities, through An Garda Síochána, will go to the ends of the earth to ensure justice is served. There is already a very significant active Garda investigation under way, as the Deputy is aware, with pan-jurisdiction elements too, as you would expect. On the broader point I would follow the advice and views of An Garda Síochána on that. The immediate priority is obviously the ongoing criminal investigation but if there is a moment of reflection or review the Garda thinks would assist it from a public safety point of view, of course the Government would take that most seriously.

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan

Imagine being the father of two boys who have Friedreich's ataxia and one of them passing away. I know the Tánaiste is familiar with the case of Craig Coady. I normally do not personalise stories in here but he spoke about this quite openly on Red FM in Cork on Tuesday. He went home that evening and his son asked him if they had got the drug. Imagine telling your son that unfortunately the answer was "Not yet", only for him to turn around and say "Dad, it's okay if we don't get the drug because at least if I die I'll meet Rory". It is extremely upsetting for many people and, as I said, I do not normally personalise things, but this has been referred to a rare diseases technology review committee which is due to meet in the next few weeks. I am pleading for that to be done as expeditiously as possible. I am not asking anybody to comment on the process itself as I know we have to respect it, but is it possible that the review committee can be brought forward and convened as quickly as possible to see this through one way or another because of the mental trauma, anguish and emotion? Many people travelled up on Tuesday. One girl made a ten-hour round trip from Bantry in hope and expectation. Unfortunately, we have created these campaigns because the system is broken. The Tánaiste said that himself back in 2017. It is going to be Groundhog Day. I have hope that with the review the Minister has commenced this will become a relic of the past. I sincerely hope so. In the here and now I am begging for that review committee to be brought forward as urgently as possible.

Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

I thank the Deputy for his continued advocacy for all people with rare diseases. We are trying to change the system specifically to get better access for rare diseases and we are partnering with other countries to try to do that as quickly as possible.

It is wrong that we are negotiating against each other as member states, in some cases, with pharmaceutical companies. We have not reached the best solution on a European basis. There is work there to be done and as president of the Council of the European Union on health I will be taking this forward on that basis. Also, within Ireland we are trying to improve the system. Nevertheless, the process is, as the Deputy knows, science-led and because it was not approved by the drugs group it has to go to this rare diseases technical review group. The difference between those groups is the first group is a standing group. It exists every month, whether it is oncology drugs or rare disease drugs, and this other one is an extra opportunity where, if the first group does not approve it based on scientific grounds, there is an extra opportunity for those clinicians who are actively working with patients with Friedreich’s ataxia or the relevant rare disease to have their say, to make their case and give the best explanation of how they think it might work. It is about the HSE giving every opportunity to make the case for a particular drug, particularly where the science is more mixed than is the case for other drugs. I commit to the Deputy – I have already asked that it be brought forward as quickly as possible - but I recognise that we are dependent on individual clinicians who may be here or may be there who are not routinely on this and I would rather have the right people in the room to give this the best opportunity than to do it a week earlier and have missed the opportunity to have the correct people. We really are trying to make it happen as quickly as possible.

Deputy Rory Hearne

I thank you, a Leas Cheann-Comhairle, for your work and support during the year and thank all the staff here. I wish my colleagues in government the best of luck over the summer and respite from our robust engagement. We look forward to going at it again in the autumn.

I want to raise an issue related to Dublin Fire Brigade and the emergency response framework that exists. I have been very concerned by the ongoing threat to that service. I have met fire brigade staff. I ask the Tánaiste to engage with the Minister for housing and for the Government to engage on this issue. Dublin Fire Brigade staff and SIPTU have expressed their deep concern that this excellent service is now in the process of being downgraded and split across two services. The Dublin public will be very upset when they realise their fire fighters and emergency response service are at risk of being split and downgraded. Two systems are going to be introduced which will fragment the system and undermine the existing incident command structures and place elements of the Dublin Fire Brigade emergency response outside the current single operating system, which is a gold standard emergency response system. Will the Minister for housing meet the Dublin Fire Brigade in his local government capacity and also get Dublin City Council management to engage and ensure the current excellent Dublin emergency response service continues to exist?

The Tánaiste

I thank Deputy Hearne and wish him and his party the very best for the recess as well. I will miss him over the next few weeks but I look forward to these robust exchanges again in September. I will be in training for them between now and then.

On the issue he raised, I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy Browne, to engage with the bodies the Deputy suggested and also with Dublin City Council on this matter. I will ask that he comes back to the Deputy directly as well.

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, can I acknowledge our colleague here who often sits here in front of us, Ms Noreen Banim? I am conscious of the passing of her mother, Maura, whose funeral is taking place today. On behalf of all Members, the Banim family are in our thoughts and prayers.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Thanks, Tánaiste. Deputy O’Gorman is next.

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman

Fingal County Council is currently doing a consultation on a plan to build a new suburb for Dublin at Dunsink. The proposal is for up to 18,000 new homes, most of which will be built on State-owned land, which will I hope will mean more affordable prices.

Fingal County Council plans to build the first 2,500 by 2029. Central to the success of this project is new public transport, with an extension of the Luas green line from Broombridge out as far as Tyrrelstown, which would see three new stops across the Dunsink lands. Right now, under the Dublin transport plan, the Luas green line extension is not due until after 2042, which is far too late. The new community will not work without high-quality public transport being delivered. I ask the Tánaiste to ask the Minister for Transport to bring forward the plan for the Luas green line extension to Tyrrelstown to complement the delivery of these new homes. I am sure Deputy Currie will support my proposal.

The Tánaiste

I hear whispers of "I concur" behind me as well from Deputy Currie. I thank Deputy O'Gorman for raising the issue of the extension of the Luas green line. I have heard this case be made pretty compellingly over the last while. In fairness to the Minister for Transport, I am conscious that he has a capital envelope to live within. I am also conscious there is a medium-term fiscal framework that allows for the allocation of additional capital over the lifetime of the Government. Perhaps that may be an avenue. I will certainly talk to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and ask him to keep in touch with the Deputy on the matter.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I join with the Tánaiste in his expression of condolences to the Banim family and to Noreen, whom we all know here, on the death of her mother, Maura.

Deputy Mark Wall

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for saying that. I extend our condolences on behalf of the Labour Party.