Brian Brennan
Wicklow-Wexford · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I am looking for an update on the straw incorporation measure. It is my understanding that there will be a significant oversubscription to the scheme, with expected payments exceeding the €10 million budget allocated for 2026. It is essential that we find a way to extend the budget of this scheme to meet all expected payments.”
“I am looking for an update in relation to the Taoiseach's plans on dealing with inheritance tax in the upcoming budget. It is believed that approximately 1 million people in Ireland do not have children. That is for many reasons - maybe life choice, medical or simply their personal choice.”
“I wish to speak today about the proposed reforms to the criminal legal aid system, which include the introduction of a flat fee payment model for legally aided District Court cases.”
“When you drive from Hook Head to Bray or from Brittas Bray into Coolkenno, you will see first hand what is going on. We are dealing with dangerous roads. Some of these roads are blocked and some have massive potholes. The general consensus is that it is a serious health and safety risk at this stage.”
“Again, I stress that this is a huge health and safety issue. It does not matter where you go. I drove from Gorey to Tullow on Sunday. I came back at dusk. There are unmarked roads with potholes on them. Somebody has to stand up in this House and be accountable for the lack of action on this matter.”
“I welcome the Minister of State's reply. I note and respect it. As he stated clearly, they are getting substantial funding, but even prior to the storm, we felt that the funding was not enough, given that they are two quite rural counties. They are two beautiful counties but we have serious issues with roads.”
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“I want to address flood insurance or should I say the lack of flood insurance. It is estimated at over one in 20 homes and businesses is unable to access insurance. Over the past few weeks, I have met residents from Aughrim, Enniscorthy, Arklow and Bunclody and have seen at first hand the devastation caused by flooding. Moving forward, their biggest concern is simply that they are unable to access insurance. This problem has been replicated right across Ireland. Properties that are protected by multimillion euro flood defences still cannot get insurance. The Government must stand up here as these homes and businesses were approved by the authorities, so we simply cannot walk away.”
“I urge that the implementation of these new regulations be seen as a Government priority. I would really like some confirmation of a timeline.”
“I thank the Minister. I cannot over-emphasise the importance of this new proposed change to the regulations to allow the private sector to develop its own wastewater treatment systems. Recently I visited villages such as Camolin, which the Minister knows well, and Aughrim in my constituency. These are two typical examples of towns that have simply been stopped in their tracks due to lack of wastewater capacity. This is having a detrimental effect on the social fabric of these towns and villages and this has been replicated right throughout Ireland. Already we can see school numbers dwindling. The GAA is struggling to get under-age teams and businesses in these towns are finding it very difficult to survive. The Minister’s plans will bring a new lease of life to many towns and villages.”
“I warmly welcome the Minister's announcement on 4 November that there will now be a key role for the private sector in developing wastewater treatment plants. This obviously means there will be a huge increase in the number of houses and, more importantly, there will be more affordable houses brought through to fruition. I fully understand there will be strict regulations and compliance required and I also welcome that Uisce Éireann will take charge afterwards but can the Minister clarify who will pay for this infrastructure? There are also over 400 sites in Ireland where Uisce Éireann specifications were previously not met and now the owners of these houses are being left to fend for themselves. Can the Minister reassure us that this situation will not be repeated, as the only ones who lose out here are the residents?”
“I am looking for an update on the initiatives to allow builders and private developers to construct wastewater treatment facilities for smaller housing developments, and on when the new regulations will come into effect.”
“I question moving on to the next phase when we have five key issues that were meant to be addressed in phase 1. The halt of attacks is simply not happening. The bombs continue. We had 449 deaths this morning since the ceasefire started, and more than 1,200 injuries. The return of Israeli captives has happened, bar one. Israeli armed withdrawal is simply not happening from defined areas of Gaza. As regards full humanitarian aid, Israel continues to ban many international agencies from providing food and medical aid. A key issue is the Rafah crossing. This is a key lifeline and it remains closed for aid, food and medical evacuations. I am of the strong opinion that we have no ceasefire in Gaza. I ask the Government to make a strong statement on this.”
“I know the Minister of State is in agreement with me that the powerful Irish diaspora must play a part in this. That includes many prominent Irish business leaders. We must use these key persons in an effort to address our concerns. If we do not meet this head on and demonstrate strength at this stage, there is no telling who, or where, the next target will be for the American Administration. While Gaza may be gone from the headlines, we are supposedly moving into the second phase of a very fragile ceasefire. We cannot forget that we have witnessed the genocide of more than 70,000 people, many of them young children. While I warmly welcome the national committee of Gaza management that was set up to manage the day-to-day affairs of Gaza, we must question what powers it actually has.”
“In relation to the very fluid situation that is playing out between the United States and Greenland, can the Minister of State give me an update on what plans are in place in the event of the impending threat of an increase in tariffs for all countries that do not support America's desire to take over Greenland? When it comes to tariffs, there are absolutely no winners. We understand the EU is a very powerful bloc and the US needs access to our 400 million residents. However, these tariffs could, in the words of our own Tánaiste, have a spiralling effect and will have significant financial consequences for many of our industries. I totally agree with the previous speaker about the need for cool heads, but we also need to show a strong backbone in our negotiations.”
“The all-island strategy published in July last year recommended improvements on this line but it is simply not happening based on the most recent report that came out in December. More than 300,000 people live on this line. This issue is not going away and it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
“I need to discuss the rail service between Wexford and Dublin that serves huge population growth areas such as Gorey, Arklow and Rathdrum. On a daily basis, my offices in Gorey and Arklow are contacted by commuters who are deeply frustrated and inconvenienced by the current service. The Wexford to Dublin train now only offers 185 seated tickets. By the time the train picks up commuters in Arklow or Rathdrum, it is filled to capacity with people standing for the entire journey and reports of overcrowding. To put it simply, two trains leave Gorey that will arrive in Dublin before 9 a.m. That is compared with five trains from Dundalk and seven from Portlaoise. It is not a fair reflection at all on the people of Wicklow and Wexford.”
“I am just coming in on sustainability. I really feel the key to this is the warmer homes scheme. It is an excellent scheme that is being operated at the moment by the SEAI. Will the Minister of State update me on efforts being made to reduce waiting times for people who have applied for the warmer homes scheme because this will be a key part of reducing the amount of energy consumed and meeting our targets?”
“They are people who have applied for mortgages, who are in their elder years and may not get employment again. I ask that everything be done to help these workers in their fight for fairness.”
“I raise the pending closure of the Merck facility in Arklow, whose foreign investment we formally welcome. Merck is a huge multinational global company with a turnover of over £2.2 billion in the last quarter of this year. It has also been supported warmly by IDA Ireland, but the initial redundancy package put to the workers is simply an insult to over 100 employees. We now have to go down the WRC route, which is hugely stressful for the workforce. This workforce is highly skilled and some have given decades of service. All they simply want is fairness with a fair redundancy package and fair pensions. Sometimes large companies take over and close down units like this, and treat site workers simply as stats, but these are genuine people.”
“I hope when we look at rural infrastructure that we also look at areas that have not been supported before. To take a template of Arklow, the town is blessed to have one of the finest wastewater treatment plants in Europe. The population of the town is about to explode, however. There is a new data centre, offshore wind farms and thousands of houses planned but we have only one bridge. The town will choke if the infrastructure development does not match other development. I am speaking about infrastructure in terms of roads and bridges, but also social infrastructure. I appeal to the Minister to ensure areas that have not been supported before are looked after in this new programme.”
“However, if we get a tsunami of meat that is not up to the standard that is required, it will have a detrimental effect on the agriculture sector and on the health of our nation. I ask the Tánaiste to reassure us that he is stronger, if anything, on our programme for Government.”
“The Tánaiste will be aware that in my constituency of Wicklow and Wexford there is a very proud and vibrant agriculture sector. There is huge concern on the ground in relation to Mercosur. We read recently that the Irish Farmers' Journal sent a delegation out and they found they could access antibiotics without any checks or documentation. We also heard over the past couple of days that a batch of meat was taken off the shelves in Europe because it was full of hormones. These hormones have been banned in the EU for the past 30 years. I am all for free trade. We continue to be told that these checks are being done at the EU level but if this does not set off alarm bells, then nothing will. We have a proud history in Ireland of top-quality meats, and by word "meats" I mean white meat and red meat.”
“I welcome the Government providing over €100 million in non-lethal military support to Ukraine. I welcome 116,000 Ukrainians here under the temporary protection directive, with it being estimated that some 80,000 will stay. I have a huge concern, though, over the peace process itself and the role Europe has played in it. The 28-point plan was made up without the involvement of Ukraine, and that is so wrong. Additionally, could the Minister give us an update on President Zelenskyy's outstanding invitation to Ireland?”
“I spoke previously about the fact that I flew to Egypt and met people on the ground. I have kept in touch with these people, including in recent weeks. I am very concerned about the word "ceasefire" because that is not the feeling on the ground. I have two huge concerns. The first is the level of aid getting through. The second is the rebuilding process. What is the plan to rebuild? We must also look at the rebuilding of the people - the young people - who have gone through this horrific war. We must look at the build-up to this before October. These kids have grown up with the sound of bombs in their ears. If we do not do something about the rebuilding of the young people, we are going to have a major issue around the world. They will be angry young men and women. They will be unleashed on the world unless they get help.”
“It is the complete opposite of energy efficiency. I compliment the scheme, but I question why so many schools in genuine need of works are being totally excluded.”
“I wish to raise the recent summer works scheme allocations. In my constituency, only five schools were successful in their applications. I am delighted for these schools and their allocations are well deserved, but the scheme has not gone far enough to meet the needs of many schools. The scheme is themed around climate action summer works, including roof works, electrical and mechanical works, and essential maintenance. However, Our Lady's Girls National School in Rathdrum, County Wicklow, would have met these criteria as its heating system is not fit for purpose. In Coolgreany National School, the principal has to go round with a bucket every rainy day because there are so many leaks. I was in the school in Ballycanew in the past couple of weeks. It is absolutely freezing. It is not fair on the kids or the teachers.”
“I ask the Minister to give a further commitment of funding for non-emergency patient services. In my constituency, Arklow Cancer Support is an example of a charity doing incredible work providing a wonderful transport service for vulnerable cancer patients to and from appointments. It operates on a shoestring and spends a huge amount of time and effort on fund-raising. All the measures we have discussed will put less pressure on Wexford hospital, which provides an excellent service in the south east but is stretched. Although this issue is under the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, I must point out that the lack of acute mental health services is a real issue in the south east. The measures I outlined will put less pressure on Wexford hospital.”
“I welcome the strong investment. The Gorey and Arklow area is one of the fastest-growing areas in Ireland. When we add in the coastal area between Castletown and Cahore, there are an extra 40,000 people every summer. The capacity really is stretched. I ask for continued investment in specialised advanced paramedics and community paramedics, who provide a vital service in communities. Second, what is the status of the promised national ambulance training college in the area? The model in Limerick was rolled out very successfully. I understand we are looking at the nursing residential triage tool that allows patients in nursing homes to be treated in situ .”
“It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to mention that people from north Wexford have experienced a number of serious medical emergencies abroad. I thank the Minister and her staff for their prompt response and service in these sensitive matters for the families concerned. The responses by the Departments of Health and Foreign Affairs and Trade and the HSE have been really appreciated by the families. One case is still ongoing and I am working closely with the family on it. I must mention one of the Minister's staff, Bríd, who has been more than helpful. My question asks for an update on developments with the ambulance service in the south east.”
“I am here again to speak about sports capital and arts capital. It is hugely welcome but I have asked - and I have the Minister's ear red on this - that areas that have not been supported before be given priority. The town of Arklow has 16,000 people but no venue to put on a show and no town park. These areas must be helped. I welcome the work the Minister has done to date but ask him to please prioritise Arklow and other towns like it throughout Ireland.”
“We are at great risk of losing great talent across our country due to the lack of funding. We must support all art forms. The funding is there. There is €140 million in funding but it is not being spread evenly across the board. I would like to bring up a bigger issue in terms of the Arts Council. There are small towns and villages in Ireland that are getting zero from the Arts Council. I am based in Arklow and there are 14,000 people there but they have no entertainment venue. They have to drive 11 miles down the road to put on a show. I am asking that we totally review the whole funding of arts and ensure there is a level playing field. If there was ever a better example, it is the fact we are not funding our comedians.”
“The Fleadh Cheoil is one of the biggest events in the country, as the Ceann Comhairle well knows. It gets funding from the Government but not from the Arts Council. How in God's name is that excluded? Why should a talented ceoltóir or artist differ from an opera singer? To an end, I do understand why the Minister has proposed an 18-month amendment to allow time to ensure a comprehensive reform of all sectors. We need to support the talented and hardworking people and groups putting in the effort to provide this joy and entertainment. We need to remove some of the burdens of costs and help those individuals scratching to make a living and providing a laugh for us. They deserve it just as much as those lucky enough to fall under the Arts Council funding umbrella. I note there is an urgency. We need to take this and make it happen quickly.”
“The Arts Council receives over €140 million in State funding with the objective of stimulating public interest in the arts, promoting knowledge and appreciation and improving standards within the sector and yet it is excluding an enormous number of people and groups faithfully pursuing their art across the country. Comedy is not the only victim. I agree with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, that we need to look at the entire sector in the interest of ensuring fairness and inclusive funding right across the board. Country music, which has experienced a massive rural revival, is currently excluded. There are hordes of people travelling to venues right across the country every Saturday night to see their favourite acts. Amateur dramatics is a huge part of the social fabric in our small towns and villages.”
“However, for some reason I cannot fathom, it seems there is a wide cohort of disciplines that do not fit this definition and therefore are not eligible for funding. How anybody can say comedy falls outside this definition is beyond me. For a comedian to get up on stage in front of a live audience, it is as difficult a profession as it is a wonderful art form. They should have the same opportunity to access funding. Instead, the sector is woefully underfunded. I have met comedians living on couches, performing in venues that are decrepit and not fit for purpose, having to leave the country to further their art - I note the word "art" - or even worse, having to give it up altogether to get another job.”
“I commend Ailish McCarthy. I have met her on a number of occasions. She has left no stone unturned over years and years chasing this worthy cause. I acknowledge Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his work on it. We have discussed this privately. I am fully behind what the Deputy is trying to do, but I do not feel that the Bill goes far enough. I am putting my cards on the table. I simply cannot understand why comedy is not included. I cannot understand why amateur drama, which hits the heart and soul of every town and village in Ireland, and country music, which is now in venues the length and breadth of Ireland, are not included. It raises the question: who defines what art is? Who decides what art is? It is simply wrong. In the arts Act, the guiding definition of the Arts Council states arts are creative, interpretive expressions in whatever form.”
“He joined the force because there was a man, Jim Ford, around the corner who was there and he was his idol. It is very important the Tánaiste continue the investment into the Defence Forces and personnel.”
“I really welcome investment in Defence Forces. I will never forget when I was canvassing in Arklow and I went to the house of a young soldier who had come back from Lebanon after six months. I went there out of respect because I was called by community leads, who had a little function for him. He had come back from the Lebanon after six months, as I said, and I think he was in the 124th regiment. I could not get over how young he looked but it was the reaction of his parents to seeing him. We can never underestimate that. As somebody said to me, when somebody joins the forces, their family joins the forces. We can never underestimate what these young men - these young Adams - and women are doing for our country in keeping the peace abroad but also what they mean to their communities.”
“The Storm Éowyn review makes it clear the most prolonged impacts were felt in counties on the western seaboard, including Mayo, where access was cut off, in some cases, for days. Power outages were widespread and vulnerable people were isolated once communications and electricity failed. The review also acknowledges real progress with expanded generator capacity from Uisce Éireann, strengthened community support centres and, crucially, the roll-out of additional satellite communications to protect the emergency response when the networks collapse. Has the Department carried out a technical assessment of the Defence Forces' storm and post-storm readiness, particularly their availability of trained personnel, engineering assets, off-road mobility and the speed with which they can be deployed in rural and isolated counties, such as Mayo?”
“I want to discuss the pending closure of the Merck site in Arklow, County Wicklow. This has come as a devastating blow to the 100 employees, their families and the people of south Wicklow. I am looking for assurances that the Government and IDA Ireland will leave no stone unturned in their search for a new operator for the site. When we consider that we have a highly skilled workforce and one of the largest and newest wastewater treatment plants in Europe, the location must be really attractive to any potential buyer. The workers must be fully supported by all Government agencies in the weeks and months ahead. Arklow has been devastated by closures over the decades, including IFI, Arklow Pottery and Inamed. Now more than ever, the staff in Merck, and the town of Arklow, need our help.”
“It should be what is on the label. We have to fight stronger to make sure that our farmers are producing the goods for our products. We have good, strong products. We have a worldwide reputation and it is crucial. I am asking for further help and a long-term strategy, otherwise we will be in trouble with the tillage industry.”
“If your costs are too high and you are not getting your price, you are simply at nothing. The tillage industry is being saturated by cheap imports. We have to tackle that. There are European regulations. We have to accept that but in some way we have to increase the support for the people on the ground. In going around and meeting the tillage farmers, in counties Wicklow and Wexford, I have a huge concern. When I am speaking to the farmer, I am also speaking to their children. I can see a conveyor belt of young farmers leaving our country from the tillage sector if we do not address this issue urgently. Huge work has been done, in fairness to the Minister. He has his figure on the pulse, but it is the long-term strategy I highlight. I have a huge issue with the sale of Irish whiskey when it is not fully Irish.”
“The Minister is here and the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, is also here. That is a huge statement. Since being elected, I have attended many debates where Ministers have not turned up. It shows the importance of the issue. We were both in Naas. We saw what went on. They were expecting 250 people but over 1,000 turned up. The people I was speaking to there felt it was the biggest meeting they ever had in Naas. It was a clear statement that the tillage industry is on its knees. The tillage sector needs help. It has got help in the budget but it needs more help. It needs a long-term plan. That is what we really need. I come from a hospitality background but one thing I know is that in business, whether you are in tillage or you are a publican or a hotelier, if you do not make a margin, you are at nothing and you are wasting your time.”
“I need an update on behalf of the people of Gorey on the new ambulance station and the primary healthcare centre. For too long, Gorey has waited on this issue. Gorey is one of the fastest-growing towns in Ireland. Come summertime, an extra 40,000 people move in between Courtown, Castletown, Ballymoney and these areas. We just do not have the medical infrastructure to cater for these people. We really need an update. At the moment, we feel the primary healthcare centre has been pushed down the line. The module at the moment is not fit for purpose. We feel that the money being offered per square foot is not enough for a developer to build. In terms of the ambulance service, the people who are running it are incredible workers, but at the moment, they are working out of a prefab. This is simply not acceptable in 2025.”
“I stand over those words today. I ask him the same thing today, as I ask him every day. We took the lead. Let us not take our foot off the pedal.”
“It was great to be there last week to see 81% of UN members now recognising Palestine. Number three is they want us to look at the EU-Israel trade agreement. This is a huge stumbling block and where we have completely let down the people of Palestine. The EU has to look at itself and we have to look at our position. If we are not strong enough to make a decision on what has happened in Gaza over the past two years, we have a problem. The last thing was the reconstruction. We can talk about reconstructing properties and medical services, but what about the reconstruction of the young people? Based on my visit there, they will need help. That must not be ruled out. The very first time I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, was at committee level. I said that how we handle this crisis will define us.”
“I said it here yesterday that what I took out of those meetings was how those young people will be in the years to come. They will be angry young men and women. Let us not forget that there is little or no education available to them. The medical system is hanging on by a thread. To grow up in that environment is simply horrific. At the committee, we asked what the Palestinian people need. Number one was a ceasefire. We do not know what will happen with the proposal currently on the table. All we can do is hope and pray. To make any agreement, as everybody knows, all parties have to be around the table. The second thing they want is recognition. To be fair, the Government, on behalf of the people of Ireland, was one of the first to stand up for the Palestinian people.”
“A few months ago, therefore, I paid my own way to get on an aeroplane to Egypt, where I set up meetings with representatives of NGOs. I went to a fabulous big shopping centre because they felt it would be the safest place to meet me. I sat down with them and discussed what was going on. Number one, they told me that they recognised the work Ireland is doing and, number two, they told me stories of what was happening to Palestinian people on a day-to-day basis. They spoke of a lady living in a tent with her family in what is a concentration camp whose job was to go and get the wood. The job of the father and son was to go and get the food. Many of those fathers and sons never returned. They were living in sweltering heat, listening to bombs morning, noon and night.”
“Let us be very clear: the attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023 were simply barbaric. However, Israel's response has been called out for what it is, which is simply genocide. There has been the killing of journalists, medics, humanitarians and people of all ages, but the indiscriminate killing of children can only be described as the most horrific crime of our era. I am lucky enough to be on the foreign affairs committee. We have met stakeholders from all sides, including the ambassador from Palestine, Senator Frances Black and people from the Jewish community, and we dissected everything they had to say. There was one box that was not ticked for me, however, in that I had not met anybody on the ground in Gaza.”
“We are a small nation. We have stood up, but we have to continue to stand up. Let us just pray for a ceasefire. A lot has happened in the past 24 hours, but it is very hard to see a long-term resolution unless everyone is around the table.”
“I played football with orphans out there who lost their parents because of what happened in Gaza. I held the hand of a two-year-old child who had bullet wounds because of what happened in Gaza. This is so wrong on so many levels. I took two things back from there when I got on the plane home. The first was the knowledge people had of the support and the lead given by the Irish people - and Deputies are right about that - but also the Irish Government. The second was the memory of those teenagers who had half the body weight of normal teenagers and their anger and annoyance at having seen their parents, brothers and sisters having been killed. What will they be like when they are 21 and 22 and they hold on to that anger? That is my fear, not for Israel but for the world when we unleash these angry young men and women on it.”
“There are only 36 hospitals in Gaza. Then, there is the killing of children. Some 18,000 children that we know of have died. Of those, 1,800 were under the age of one. Those 1,800 children were killed before they could walk. What in God's name can a five-year-old do? Why kill children? I spoke to somebody last week and they put it very clearly. This is actually not about Palestine; it is about the way we want to live. Do we want to see wars and mass starvations, controlled by multimillionaires and their lobbyists sitting in their ivory towers? Is that the way the world is going to go? This is not a war. This is a test and, my God, have many nations in this world failed it. I visited Egypt in the past few weeks. I sat on a bed with somebody who is dying because of what is happening in Gaza.”
“We have never witnessed anything like this in our lifetime. We have never witnessed such a devastating genocide, which has been livestreamed to our very homes. This is where we have seen starvation being used as a weapon of war. Everyone has the right to eat and access food. What we are witnessing is hell on earth, while only miles away, trucks are sitting there bursting with food and supplies. This war would not happen without the billions of dollars in foreign support and arms. Governments, including our own, must take a moral responsibility. Why did so many countries in the international community just sit on their hands and witness so many killings of the innocents? Why does Israel need to kill journalists? The media is only targeted when the enemy is the truth. It is killing medics. There were 36 hospitals targeted in Gaza.”
“I welcome the cross-party motion. I welcome the families and I can only imagine the stress they are going through. I have a constituent, Caitríona Graham, whose mother has been down to me in Arklow and has been in touch regularly. I have been on to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade directly and I really feel it is totally on top of the situation, but I ask it to continue to be that way because it must be absolutely heart-wrenching. I must also mention Senator Andrews and Deputy Heneghan. We might not agree on everything, but they are our colleagues and that is so important too. We meet them on the corridors and we have chats. I can only imagine what they are going through this evening as well. Let us be very clear: 7 October should not have happened and the hostages should be released.”
“If we have to challenge some of the facts, we will challenge them. In our lifetime, we have never witnessed anything on this scale. As a result, we cannot be found wanting in the context of our response to these atrocities. I honestly feel the momentum is on our side. There is 100% cross-party support in this House. Everybody cares about this situation, but mere words are no good now. The people over there are fed up of words. We can see the kids in college in America. They are starting the uprising. That is where it starts. We can see a change in momentum in Europe. It is not fast enough, but it is happening. I appeal for us to be at the forefront and continue to fight for peace and justice, and a permanent solution in Palestine.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I warmly welcome her response. Please God, we need to prepare now for life after the ceasefire. When this brutality stops, the key words of the NGOs are to the effect that we need a permanent solution. If we do not get one, we are going to be back here again in six months' time. We must watch closely the set-up in that regard, but, first, there must be a ceasefire. I mentioned young people. As part of the recovery we must look at their mentality, or else we will have a world swarming with angry young men and women that have suffered in this conflict. They have lost everything. They will be angry because they are watching the world doing nothing. That is why it is so important that we continue to take the lead. We must do everything that is legally possible.”
“The people who have genuine illnesses such as cancer – day-to-day illnesses that we take for granted over here – are not being treated. If we add them to the numbers, we can see that the situation is just horrendous. We know for a fact that 17,000 kids have died, of whom 1,700 were under the age of one. Those kids were shot before they could walk. When getting on the aeroplane to come home, my most abiding memory was of the youth. I really fear for the future of the youth. These kids have lost their parents. They have no education.”