Dáil Éireann
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 1010 Tuesday, No. 4 13 July 2021 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Freagra ar an Eascaire Corrthoghcháin do Dháilcheantair Chuan Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas � � � � � � � � � � � � 491 13/07/2021A00100Return to Writ: Dublin Bay South � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 491 13/07/2021A00200Introduction of New Member � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 491 13/07/2021A00450Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 492 13/07/2021J00400An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 500 13/07/2021R00100European Union Regulation: Referral to Joint Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 512 13/07/2021R00400Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income and Capital Gains) Orders: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � 512 13/07/2021R00700Appointment of Member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 513 13/07/2021R01000Orders of Reference of the Committee on Key Issues affecting theTraveller Community: Motion � � � � � � � � 513 13/07/2021R01300Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 513 13/07/2021R01400Departmental Programmes � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 513 13/07/2021S00200Departmental Offices � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 517 13/07/2021U00600Cabinet Committees � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 521 13/07/2021V01050Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 525 13/07/2021V01600Hospital Overcrowding � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 526 13/07/2021W00550Covid-19 Tests� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 528 13/07/2021X00400Departmental Reports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 530 13/07/2021X01200Covid-19 Pandemic � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 531 13/07/2021Y00800Vaccination Programme� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 534 13/07/2021Z00400Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 536 13/07/2021Z00500Departmental Funding � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 536 13/07/2021AA00200Hospital Facilities� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 538 13/07/2021AA01100Hospital Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 539 13/07/2021BB00350Cannabis for Medicinal Use � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 541 13/07/2021CC00200Hospital Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 543 13/07/2021CC01000Mental Health Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 545 13/07/2021DD00250Health Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 546 13/07/2021DD00950Mental Health Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 548 13/07/2021EE00550Hospital Procedures � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 549 13/07/2021EE01900Long-Term Residential Care: Motion [Private Members]� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 551 13/07/2021RR00500Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 579 13/07/2021SS00100Teachtaireachtaí ón Seanad - Messages from Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 580 13/07/2021SS00300Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 580 13/07/2021LLL00300Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 618 13/07/2021LLL00400Departmental Functions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 618 13/07/2021NNN00300Covid-19 Pandemic � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 621 13/07/2021OOO00250Driver Test � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 624 13/07/2021PPP00600Olympic Games � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 627 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 13 Iúil 2021 Tuesday, 13 July 2021 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2 p�m� Paidir. Prayer. Freagra ar an Eascaire Corrthoghcháin do Dháilcheantair Chuan Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas 13/07/2021A00100Return to Writ: Dublin Bay South 13/07/2021A00200Introduction of New Member The Clerk of the Dáil made the following announcement: I gcomhlíonadh Bhuan-Ordú 231 de na Buan-Orduithe i dtaobh Gnó Phoiblí, tá orm a chraoladh go nedearnadh, sa Chorrthoghchán a bhí ann an 8ú Iúil 2021, de chionn an Teachta Eoghan Ó Murchú d’éirí as, an comhalta seo a leanas a thoghadh don Dáil: In compliance with Standing Order 231 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business I have to announce that at the By-Election held on 8 July 2021 consequent on the regisnation of Deputy Eoghan Murphy, the following Member has been elected to the Dáil: Dáilcheantar Chuan Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas: Ivana Bacik Constituency of Dublin Bay South: Ivana Bacik� Tá Rolla na gComhaltaí sínithe ag an Theachta de réir Bhuan-Ordaithe 1� The Deputy has signed the Roll of Members in accordance with Standing Order 1� 13/07/2021A00400An Ceann Comhairle: We welcome our new Member, Deputy Ivana Bacik� No doubt she will make a significant contribution to this Lower House as she did over many years in the Up- per House and we wish her the very best of success� 491 Dáil Éireann 13/07/2021A00450Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions 13/07/2021A00500Deputy Mary Lou McDonald: I extend a very warm welcome to Deputy Bacik� Fáilte mhór agus comhghairdeas� Well done on a very convincing and wonderful victory� She is now the 37th woman in the House and that is good news for all of us� Congratulations to Ivana� We all look forward very much to working with her� Last week, the Taoiseach and his Government forced through an amendment to legislation dealing with Covid-19 business supports that provided yet another tax break to investment funds and cuckoo funds� This was an incredibly bad move, representing very bad value for taxpayers’ money, lowering the number of homes available to buy by ordinary workers and families, and pushing up the cost of housing for everyone� Indeed, it is a prime example of all that is wrong with the Government’s housing policy and another example of how the Taoiseach, his party and his partners in government do not understand the scale of the crisis in housing� On Sunday, the Business Post reported that the Government’s plan to lease 2,400 homes this year alone will cost in the region of €1 billion over the lifetime of those leasing arrangements� What is worst of all is that, at the end of the 25-year period, the State will not own these prop- erties, despite paying in excess of €375,000 each for them within the 25-year timeframe� We know these leasing arrangements are even more expensive, by the way, in the city of Dublin, running at almost €500,000 for each unit� Little wonder that the funds industry is delighted by the Government’s latest move, which continues apace despite the Taoiseach telling the Dáil in May that this practice should cease� On the flip side of the coin, the latest figures available from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show that the cost of building social and affordable houses is much less than these expensive leasing arrangements, coming in, on average, at approximately €240,000� It is now apparent that the Government is content to fork out well over the odds to these funds for leasing arrangements for properties that will not be in the ownership of the State at the end of the leasing arrangement�