Cian O'Callaghan
Dublin Bay North · Social Democrats · Ireland
“Unification presents distinct challenges that need to be carefully planned for and managed. The analysis done by Professor Doyle shows that the cost of pensions would be unlikely to transfer to a united Ireland straight away. Following Brexit, the UK and Ireland signed a bilateral convention on social security in 2019.”
“Ireland spends less than that defending a much larger territory and has decades of underinvestment to catch up on. We need increased investment, particularly in systems and technologies, including sonar and air surveillance radar.”
“I welcome this important discussion on the topic of Irish unity and its fiscal implications. It deserves analysis and fundamentally respect for the people, who will ultimately decide the future of this island. There are real challenges in any transition to unity but there are also very significant opportunities.”
“These are highly skilled jobs with union representation and apprenticeship programmes. They are of fundamental importance to the local economy and community. They should never have been left exposed in this way.”
“The Tánaiste must surely know that these exports are feeding Putin's war machine. Does he not think it is unusual that Ireland is one of the very few European countries where our exports to Russia have increased since Russia invaded Ukraine? That has been driven by the exports of alumina that have more than doubled.”
“We know from the investigation carried out by The Irish Times and the organised crime and corruption reporting project that alumina from Ireland is ending up in Russian owned smelters in Krasnoyarsk. Krasnoyarsk is Russia's only smelter producing high purity aluminium.”
The complete record
Every one of 897 lines we hold for Cian O'Callaghan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 18.
“I cannot under why tens of millions of euro worth of dual-use products are still being exported to Israel. I cannot why Ireland's sovereign wealth fund is still investing in companies that are trading in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. I cannot understand why the Central Bank had been facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds to fund the genocide. I cannot why Ireland and the EU are still trading normally with this murderous regime. I cannot understand any of this, and the Irish people cannot understand any of this. When Irish citizens were coming under attack on the flotilla last week, why did the Government not send personnel to observe what was happening and try to help to safeguard those citizens? Why did the Government not act at that point?”
“There are strong words of condemnation and I support the Tánaiste on that, but nothing indicates that those strong words are being followed up with concrete actions. I know the Tánaiste is personally disgusted by what Israel is doing, and so are others in the Cabinet and Government backbench TDs, but I cannot understand why these feelings of disgust and horror are not spurring the Government on to more concrete actions. I cannot understand why the Government's action in response to the citizens on the humanitarian flotilla, who have been threatened and now kidnapped, has not been sufficiently strong. I cannot understand why this Government is slow walking the occupied territories Bill. I cannot understand why the Israeli settlements divestment Bill has not been enacted.”
“However, there was no action by the Government despite the fact that so many Irish citizens were being endangered and threatened by Israel for taking a stand against a brutal occupation, against an apartheid state and against 24 months of genocide. The Israeli Government has acted with brutal impunity in Gaza for nearly two years. Every day we hear reports of dozens of people in Gaza being killed or starved to death, but virtually no sanctions have been imposed on Israel. Israel is so emboldened by this lack of sanction that it feels it can get away with anything, even kidnapping citizens of this country and dozens more from a humanitarian mission on the high seas. What is the Government going to do about it? I am not hearing from what the Tánaiste has said that sufficient is being done.”
“Not only did Israeli forces illegally board the vessels in the flotilla, but they aggressively targeted them and put them in harm’s way. According to reports, one vessel was deliberately rammed. The vessel's communications were jammed, and passengers were ordered to throw their phones into the sea. This was all to ensure that peaceful humanitarian volunteers could not be contacted. This happened before they were rounded up, manhandled, detained and treated like criminals. This Government was asked to do something to support the flotilla. A simple request was made to send personnel to observe it, to bear witness to what was being done and to deter Israel from further action.”
“I condemn the attack at the synagogue in Manchester. I express our solidarity with all of those affected. On behalf of the Social Democrats, I express our horror at the actions of the Israeli military. Last night, they illegally boarded the Sumud flotilla in international waters, and effectively kidnapped humanitarian activists, including at least 14 Irish citizens. They took this action not because the flotilla posed a threat or because anyone on board was dangerous, but to stop humanitarian aid reaching a starving population in Gaza. This is a population that is enduring a genocide being perpetrated by Israel. This is a population that has been relentlessly and mercilessly abused, tortured and murdered for nearly the past two years.”
“I know there’s a concern about people abusing a system that doesn’t have means testing, but genuine people like me shouldn’t have to jump through hoops for a bit of financial security when we are saving the country so much by caring for our children at home." Louise is just one of thousands of carers who are being unfairly put through this means test system. The Minister does have a choice in next week's budget to abolish the means test, if the Government chooses to do so.”
“He is completely dependent on me as his carer and has been since he was born prematurely at 23 weeks,” [...] “My husband Sean passed away four years ago which meant my Carer’s Allowance was halved as I went on to the Lone Parents Allowance, both of which were means tested. Liam is in a wheelchair as he had one of his legs amputated when he was younger and we need an adapted car to bring him to his various appointments and school and respite. We have had to rely on a fundraising effort by family, friends and the community because I couldn’t get a loan because my income is so low.”
“It is a thing the Government could do next week if it was actually courageous about this. We have seen the waste from Government as well. We have reports today of €12 million being spent on empty offices that were being rented by the Government. I want to give the Minister a quote from a full-time carer from east Galway, Louise Mac an tSaoi, who is the sole carer for her teenage son Liam who has severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Louise feels the means test is restricting carers from living full lives, and that the Government should do a lot more to support families like hers. Louise told the Irish Farmers Journal : "Liam is 14, non-verbal, autistic and peg fed.”
“Narrowing the tax base, as the Government proposes to do, is grossly irresponsible and smacks of the kind of decisions that were made back in 2008 when Fianna Fáil crashed the economy. Let us be clear on this: if the Government had the courage to triple the bank levy, or if it disputed the figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office, and in fact a quadrupling of the bank levy would be needed to fund the €600 million the Minister cites, why not do that? The banks are making massive profits on which they are paying very little tax because they are writing off taxation on their profits against losses in previous years. If the Government is not going to change that law, why not triple or quadruple the bank levy? Then it would have the resources to abolish the means test for carers. That would be the right thing to do.”
“The simple case is that, in the budget next week, if it had the courage and ambition to actually widen the tax base and take some measures to produce more finances to do things that are needed, the Government could have a cost of disability payment for people with disabilities. It could have measures to introduce a second tier of child benefit that is needed to lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty, and it could abolish the means test for carers. These choices are in front of the Government but there is a lack of ambition and courage from it. The Government is going against all of the advice from all the experts that it needs to widen the tax base and not narrow it.”
“I thank my colleague Deputy Quaide for bringing forward this motion. I want to respond first to some of the comments from the Minister. The Government has not opposed our motion, is not tabling its own amendment and will not vote against the motion. What the Government is not doing is acting on our motion, which clearly sets out that the means test should be abolished this year. It is okay not to oppose our motion and say he agrees with it, but we and carers need the Minister to act on it now. Why is he not acting on it? He says he cannot do it in a single budget and he must be mindful of other people with demands on the State finances and other priorities.”
“If he does not defend that, why is he not acting immediately? Action plans and minor reforms are all well and good, and we have had significant reforms, but they have delivered an increase in profits that is grossly unfair. It is putting small businesses, clubs, voluntary organisations, residents' groups and community clean-ups under huge pressure, not to mention the massive pressure it is putting on individuals and households.”
“Why has the Government not done this? The insurance link database should not be operated by Insurance Ireland. The data is crucial for potential new entrants to the Irish market and should be readily available to them and operated independently. The Injuries Resolution Board should manage its data in the same way as the Residential Tenancies Board manages data on the rental sector. Those things should be done today. In fact, they should have been done yesterday. The Government needs to accept and acknowledge that the reforms to date have not resulted in the reductions in premiums that they should and at the same time profits are at unacceptable levels by international standards. The Government must acknowledge that. Does the Minister of State defend profit levels more than double the European norm? I cannot see how he does.”
“In our submission we referred to legal fees, which consume a significant proportion of costs for insurance companies and acting as an obstacle to reduce the cost of premiums. That needs to be tackled. Legal fees for personal injury claims should be capped using the same model used in the District Court. It is also clear that, despite falling payouts and increasing profits in the public liability market, premiums have continued to rise. There needs to be Government action on this. At an absolute minimum, the Government should be ensuring that the calculations justifying any changes to premiums are published. The Competition and Consumer Protection, Commission, CCPC, should examine the public liability market. Of course, the Government could ask it to investigate why premiums have not come down in line with claims and payouts.”
“He said there is no incentive for brokers to get the best quote for their customers and few of them are prepared to do that. He went on to say they are playing the same game and it seemed to him they are at the behest of insurance companies rather than looking after their clients, and that is the truth. That may not be the case for all brokers, but certainly it us the experience that he has had in terms of what he is dealing with that has not been tackled. Brian Hanley from the Alliance for Insurance Reform said it is a curious model that the worse a broker does for a client, the more money they make and as a business model from a consumer's point of view, prima facie , that seems to be unfair. This needs to be tackled. I am calling on the Minister of State to do several things.”
“We all understand we need insurance, and we have all paid insurance for all the years, but not at this level and not to fatten up these people who are taking two and a half times more than the European average. The members must be furious; we are furious. I understand where he is coming from because the alliance, together with the political system, has worked to implement reforms over the years. Yet, it is seeing the costs continue to rise while profits of insurance companies increase. That needs to be tackled. I said earlier I wanted to address the issue of brokers with the Minister of State. It is part of the equation and requires reform. I again want to quote Vincent Jennings from the Alliance for Insurance Reform who spoke at the finance committee.”
“My colleague, Councillor Daniel Ennis, has spoken very strongly about what a great facility it was in terms of providing a positive outlet for the people using it to use their energy in a positive way. It was really good for well-being and mental and physical health. However, these kind of initiatives are being closed because of insurance costs and a failure to tackle the increase in profits for insurance companies while reforms have been delivered. Vincent Jennings from the Alliance for Insurance Reform spoke to the finance committee recently about the impact insurance costs are having on small businesses. He said: [P]eople [are] paying more than they were five years ago even though those people have not had a claim in five years and have sweated hard to get to that point. It is a cost of business that is unfair.”
“Personal injury claims and public liability and car accident claims brought to the Injuries Resolution Board were down 40% between 2019 and 2023, yet in the first half of this year motor insurance premiums have increased by 9%. The Dublin City Motocross Club is a brilliant initiative, and similar ones have been set up around the country. It was established to provide facilities for young people to engage in a safe way with motocross facilities off-road recreationally. A huge amount of effort has been put in by volunteers over the years. A similar club in Mulhuddart was forced to close in February after a number of years because of skyrocketing insurance costs.”
“I ask the Minister of State to come back to earth on this in terms of how we will tackle these runaway profits. The motion is being debated in the context of a cost-of-living crisis in terms of housing, rents and grocery prices which are three times the rate of inflation. Meat prices, in particular, have increased. According to Barnardos, four out of ten parents are skipping meals or eating less so they can feed their children. I know the Minister of State is aware of this. It is one reason we need immediate action to reduce insurance costs. As everyone who has spoken has referenced, the political system has delivered significant reforms. Premiums should be going down and profits should not be going up.”
“It is no wonder he dodged talking about how to solve the issue around profits because the industry will not come forward with solutions to reduce their profits. The Minister of State knows no industry will do that. In fact, as an Teachta Doherty said, we had promises along the journey in respect of reforms that profit levels would be approximately 5% if the reforms were delivered. There have been substantial reforms and reduced costs, yet profit levels stand at 13%. With respect, after those broken promises to expect the industry to turn around and lead the charge to reduce its profits is something that will not happen. This needs Government action. I agree with the Minister of State on other areas of reform. Industry led reform can be a way of doing things, but to reduce profits in industry is cloud cuckoo land, with respect.”
“According to the National Claims Information Database, NCID, insurance companies' profits stood at 13% in 2023. That is more than double the international norms. The Minister of State knows the international norms are about 5%. It is all well and good that reforms are taking place, that there are action plans and there are plans for more things, but profits are at an absolutely unjustifiable level. People need the Government to act now on this. There is not just an issue with insurance companies in terms of profits but also brokers, which I will address shortly. One insurance broker, Chill, saw its profits increase sixfold last year. That is quite phenomenal and needs to be addressed. The Minister of State spoke about an industry led approach to solving this.”
“I thank an Teachta Doherty for tabling the motion and recognise the work he has done on this over the years. I also recognise the work the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, has done. We made a submission to him on this and are waiting for the suggestions we made in that submission to be acted on. I recognise the various reforms that have happened over the years. However, in his comments the Minister of State did not address what is going on in the industry in terms of profits. He is correct in saying that it is an important industry. It is important in terms of employment and is an important part of our economy. However, he did not properly address profits in his comments. He asked us to give him hard data. I will give him a piece of the hard data he asked for.”
“The national review panel has no statutory power, no powers to access information and no independent authority to publish reports so it has long gone past needing to have reviews on a statutory basis with proper powers when a child goes missing. We have known this since 2018. The Ombudsman for Children has said it, the Department has said it and Tusla has said it so will the Tánaiste commit to what we have all known since 2018 which is there needs to be statutory reviews when this happens and children known to Tusla go missing?”
“I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I join with him in his comments on the gardaí and front-line workers and the excellent work they have been doing. The Irish Association of Social Workers has called for a full statutory review. The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon has expressed extreme concern over the State's response. Dr. Muldoon asked: "How could a child have been born, dealt with all the relevant agencies and services, and then apparently, just disappear?" He went on to say: "The National Review Panel was never established on a statutory basis and this fundamental flaw has greatly impacted its ability to undertake its work effectively." He is not the only one to criticise the national review panel. Since 2018, both Tusla and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have said that it is not fit for purpose.”
“Sadly, this is not the only time this has happened. Kyran Durnin disappeared in 2022 and is presumed dead. Nobody noticed he was missing until late last year. It is horrifying that children can simply disappear in this country. Tusla is conducting a rapid review of its interactions with Daniel's family and has referred the case to a national review panel, but that is not good enough. An independent statutory review should be triggered in every case of a child known to Tusla who disappears. This is the bare minimum these children deserve. This is not to apportion blame. It is to find out what went wrong, to make sure it never happens again and to prevent more children disappearing and dying. Daniel was failed in life. Let us not fail him in death. Will the Government establish a statutory review into this tragedy?”
“She said: He was the sweetest little baby ever, we were all absolutely beside ourselves ... He was so cute ... He was so clever. I obviously might be a little biased, but he already had a strong personality, he loved dancing, he loved laughing, and he loved showing off that he understood you. Like we’d go ‘where’s the light?’ and he’d know from only a few months old, he’d point up at the light. He was just a very clever baby. His foster sister said the picture released does not reflect the happy child she knew who brightened every room he entered. She wants people to know that Daniel was special and loved. I will not get into the investigation into this tragedy. We do not yet know what happened, but we do know that something went very seriously wrong. A bright and bubbly child died and disappeared and no one noticed.”
“On behalf of the Social Democrats, I express our absolute revulsion at the threats made against the Tánaiste and his family. They have absolutely no place and are strongly condemned by us all. I want him to know that we will work with him to do everything we can to ensure these kind of threats against our democracy are not in any way tolerated. I extend our deepest condolences to all those who knew, loved and cared for Daniel Aruebose. Yesterday, after a long search, the remains of Daniel were found in Donabate. Daniel had been missing for four years before the State noticed he was gone. He was much more than the tragic circumstances of his death and disappearance. I thank TheJournal.ie for publishing a very moving interview with his foster sister telling us more about him.”
“It is because Government was not providing a sufficient amount of social housing in other areas and a lot of housing here was then provided, which was not initially planned, and for which there were no development levies. While the area was planned to have development levies to pay for community infrastructure, due to Government policy a lot of that housing came without any development levies. The problem with that is that it still needs infrastructure. Social housing still needs infrastructure. If you are going to get social housing, which is desperately needed, it has to come with infrastructure and community facilities. To be fair to Dublin City Council, it is trying to fix this. They are putting in €13 million but Government has got to do a bit of the lifting here as well.”
“That funding was never drawn down, but it was provided for access in the Baldoyle area, which is in Fingal County Council, and which, also, is not in Clongriffin or Belmayne. It is disappointing that the Department, in writing this response, could not get its facts right. Third, on the urban regeneration and development fund, there was an application to Dublin City Council for funding from that but it was rejected and no funding was received. That also was a disappointment for the area. Fourth, to reiterate, the reason there is a particular deficit in community infrastructure here is not because the local authority has not been following the steps set out in the reply.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the response. I acknowledge that Deputy Denise Mitchell has been very supportive, along with the other TDs for this area and all the public representatives from all parties, in supporting the local communities on this. I know the Minister of State has not written his response but there are a few things in it that are factually wrong. Neither Clongriffin nor Belmayne, or any part of them, is in the Fingal County Council area. They are entirely in Dublin City Council. I know the Minister of State does not know this but it is disappointing that the Department, in writing this answer, does not know this. Second, it is factually wrong to talk about the LIHAF funding providing access to Clongriffin train-DART station because that LIHAF funding was provided for access.”
“We are noting that the area did not get a lot of the development levies that were planned and envisaged because of changes that happened concerning some of the housing provided, which meant development levies were therefore not required. I am not talking about the recent waiver scheme but about other aspects that had substitute revenues coming from central Government. There was a lot of housing without development levies at all. There is, then, this deficit in funding for infrastructure. I ask the Minister of State to look at this matter urgently. There must be a significant contribution in this regard from the central Government in the national development plan. It is critical we invest in infrastructure and housing, but we must also invest in sustainable, cohesive communities.”
“A contribution from the Government is needed as well. DCC submitted a very good proposal to the national development plan, which was supported by the local community, local community organisations and local community public representatives, including my constituency colleagues and me. If there is going to be completion in the area and a cohesive community, it is crucial that we get the investment input in the context of the national development plan as well. This is absolutely crucial. What we are asking as a cross-party group of constituency TDs - this Topical Issue matter was submitted by a couple of my colleagues too, Deputies Naoise Ó Muirí and Barry Heneghan - is that the Government look at this very seriously and make a contribution.”
“There are 7,600 homes in the pipeline too, so the population is going to increase significantly. We are talking about the size of a significant town and yet that really important community infrastructure is missing and there is this deficit. I acknowledge that Dublin City Council, DCC, has recently set up a project office to help bring the area to completion in respect of the facilities needed. These include a new library, indoor sports facilities, community and cultural facilities, a new Garda station, a HSE primary care centre, more sports pitches and all the things to make a decent-sized town thrive. DCC has committed €13 million to ensure there is the necessary completion for the area and that the community infrastructure, which is so important, is also delivered. However, it cannot be delivered by DCC on its own.”
“I am raising this issue in relation to the situation in Clongriffin and Belmayne. It is a very large community. The start of development there happened about 20 years ago. Many people moved in there then and started out in their lives. They did not have families at that stage. Since then, they have formed families. Children have been born, grown up and become young adults. Over this time, there has been a huge deficit in the community infrastructure very necessary in any area to ensure it thrives and not just housing. Even though it was initially developed 20 years ago, there was stop-and-start development with the crash. There has been a lot more development in recent years and it is coming close now to being completed, and will be completed over the next number of years. This is an area with a population of almost 14,000 people.”
“That underlines the importance of this Bill. Once again, I commend Deputy Ardagh and the Minister of State for running with this. I acknowledge that. It is good that there are times we can all work together in this House. It is good that this is one of these times.”
“It is important to acknowledge that but to also say, as legislators, in addition to this Bill we have more to do to support people fighting cancer. Too much of that is being left on the shoulders of the Irish Cancer Society. It does a very good role, but I know, without the additional supports it gives, people would be in an even more difficult situation. When someone is battling cancer, they should not be worrying about the practicalities and finances and they should not have all the additional stress from that, but they do. Because of the work of volunteers in the Irish Cancer Society some of that gap is filled, but it should not just be left on them. Only one in four cancer survivors felt they were treated fairly when it came to buying financial products, according to research the Irish Cancer Society undertook.”
“That needs to be looked at because it is quite long, especially when you consider what people have already gone through. They have gone through the fight and often a prolonged period with a loss of income. Having come through all of that, five years is a very long time to wait. That is why the intent of the Bill is very welcome and I strongly support it. The other point I make is that the Irish Cancer Society plays an absolutely critical role in the supports it gives and the gaps it fills. We have come a long way as a country in better treatments and better outcomes for people fighting cancer, but there are significant gaps in support that the Irish Cancer Society fills, and without which individuals and families supporting them would be in an even more difficult place.”
“On behalf of the Social Democrats, I welcome and support this Bill. I commend Deputy Ardagh for all her work on this over the years. I commend the Minister of State and the Department for running with it. I particularly acknowledge all of the work done by the Irish Cancer Society and its patient advocates over the years in campaigning for this. Indeed, they have not just campaigned for this important measure but there is all the other work they are doing. It is incredible to see people who are battling cancer taking the time to fight for better conditions for themselves and for other people fighting and battling cancer. This is long overdue legislation. People who have beaten cancer should never be discriminated against. I agree with the comments made earlier about the five-year threshold.”
“There are much better places our money should be spent - in affordable housing, healthcare and disability services. Not a cent should be invested in companies operating in occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank. The Taoiseach knows that. Is he going to stop this now and will he tell the Dáil when were the Israeli bonds sold, on what date? We know it was a few weeks ago. The Minister for Finance has told us that but I ask the Taoiseach to give us the date on this. The genocide that is happening in Gaza must be stopped. There were over 700 Palestinians killed over the last 21 months just trying to collect water, when the Israeli army bombed the wells they were trying to get that water from.”
“The Irish Strategic Investment Fund is funded by the Government using public money - money that belongs to the public. The Government gives the Irish Strategic Investment Fund its strategic direction. It should be directing it not to have any of our money invested in companies operating in contravention to international law in the West Bank.”
“While the Government says it wants to ban trade with the occupied territories, public money is actually being invested in companies operating there illegally. Nearly €8 million of Irish public money is invested either directly or indirectly in those companies. This is shameful. Just yesterday, the UN warned that the largest displacement since 1967 is happening in the West Bank right now. The State sold its Israeli war bonds. Can the Taoiseach confirm exactly when those bonds were sold, why public money is being invested in companies operating illegally in the occupied territories, and does he have any plans to stop this?”
“This was not a mistake or some kind of oversight. Someone made a deliberate decision to increase the level of public money spent on Israeli war bonds. The Israeli Government has not hidden what those bonds are for. These bonds are clearly being used to help finance their genocidal campaign. This is utterly outrageous. I am sure many people who are learning about this will feel sickened. They will wonder why it was that their hard-earned taxes were used to buy bombs and bullets that killed and maimed children in Gaza, and they will also wonder why the Government let this happen. Last night, the finance Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, said all of these bonds have now been sold but this only happened in the last number of weeks, right before the annual accounts of the State investment fund had to be published.”
“For the record, the Social Democrats has published detailed proposals about how to increase financing for housing, make it more affordable and build more homes. The Taoiseach owes the people an explanation. Why was their money used to fund Israel's genocide in Gaza? There is no denying or hiding it. Not only was public money used but the Taoiseach actually increased that funding in 2024. Last year, as tens of thousands of innocent people in Gaza were slaughtered, as hundreds of medics were butchered, as hospitals were flattened, as refugee camps were set alight and schools were razed to the ground, the State increased its financing of Israel's brutal genocide. The figures are clear: at the end of 2023, the Irish Strategic Investment Fund held €2.62 million in Israeli sovereign debt. By the end of 2024, that had increased to €3.62 million.”
“It is not okay for the board to simply be aware of the issues. It is not okay for some divestments to take place while there are still investments in these companies that are operating in the occupied territories. This is with our money. Will the Minister direct ISIF to stop investing in companies that are breaking international law? That is what is happening. This is about a breach of international law plus, with a genocide taking place in Gaza, the message that sends to Israel with these companies that are still being invested in. In light of the genocide and the breach of international law, will the Minister direct ISIF to stop using our public money to invest in these companies? It is urgent.”
“The Minister is saying ISIF is still investing in companies that are operating illegally in the occupied Palestinian territories. That is what he is telling us. Today, the UN stated that the largest displacement of Palestinians in the occupied territories of the West Bank since 1967 is taking place now. That is how bad the situation is. It is not good enough to say ISIF operates independently. The Minister for Finance can set the strategic direction for ISIF. He should be telling ISIF that under no circumstances should our money, public money, be used to break international law by investing in companies operating in the occupied territories. I do not think there is any support for that in this country. People would be horrified to know their money is being used in this way. How long has the Minister been aware of these investments?”
“What the Minister has said in respect of ISIF is simply not credible. He is the Minister for Finance. This is public money and taxpayers' money. In 2024, when a genocide was taking place, it was used to buy more war bonds to fund that genocide. He is the Minister for Finance. He is responsible for how taxpayers' and public money is used. Under his responsibility, our money was used to buy war bonds to fund that genocide. He has direct responsibility for that. He needs to answer about his responsibility in that regard.”
“According to EU Regulation No. 952/2013, customs authorities have the right to inspect goods entering or leaving the customs territory of the EU to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Article 42 of the EU customs code grants customs authorities the right to carry out inspections to verify the compliance of goods with customs regulations. This includes the authority to inspect aircraft and their cargo. I am asking the Minister with responsibility for this to ensure that the obligations are being met. If he is not willing to carry out inspections of military aircraft, how can he be certain that the obligations are being met? I ask him again. Will he ensure these aircraft are inspected for compliance with our obligations under the EU customs and VAT codes?”
“The Minister said this evening that up until a few weeks ago the Irish State was investing in Israeli war bonds. Those are my words. The State has been investing through ISIF in companies associated with illegal activity in the occupied Palestinian territories which are in breach of international law. Is the Government fulfilling its VAT and customs obligations by inspecting all military aircraft? The Minister is saying that the Government is not carrying out those inspections and that he does not know what is happening. Given what is happening in Gaza, where humanitarian aid is being blocked, people queuing for aid are being killed and bombs are being dropped on tents, it is incumbent on this Government to stop any munitions and aircraft going through our airspace. It is incumbent on it to inspect military aircraft.”
“Alternatively, does the Taoiseach think that it is somehow acceptable for children to have such extreme waiting times for primary care teams? Does he stand over it or will he fix it?”
“I asked the Taoiseach about primary care teams and the Government's failure to staff them properly, which has led to a situation where waiting lists for primary care for children can be up to 13 years in the worst case scenario. That is what I asked him about. He did not address the shortages in primary care teams in his answer. He addressed other issues but he did not address primary care teams. Does he take responsibility for this or is he just pointing the finger at others? He has been Taoiseach and Tánaiste for six years, so does he take responsibility for this? Is he going to fix it? Is the Government going to start recruiting to fill these empty posts in primary care teams? Is it going to tackle this?”