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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Hauliers and child welfare legislation

Summary

Mattie McGrath seeks engagement with protesting hauliers over road tax and raises serious concerns about care for a teenager in a Kildare facility under the proposed children and family relationships legislation. The Taoiseach says the transport minister has met hauliers and that the children’s Bill is due this session, while procedural exchanges continue.

I wish to ask about two items of legislation. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine met the farmers today. Will the Taoiseach or somebody else meet the road hauliers tonight, in the context of the road transport Bill? They are in Dublin because of the road tax. It is a simple issue to address. They need fair play so that small businesses in rural Ireland can survive.

A matter of profound concern arises due to the failure of certain State funded organisations to care for children.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

To what Bill is the Deputy referring?

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We saw something in Castlebar, and we were shocked. I am speaking about the children and family relationships Bill. A care home in Kildare is not acting properly in regard to the care of a young teenager. This case will hit the headlines, and people will be profoundly shocked about it. It is time to deal with the issue now.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

On the Bill.

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It has been raised in the Seanad by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien. More than €860 million in funding goes to this organisation but in my opinion it is not caring for people properly.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

That is not for the Order of Business. When is the Bill due?

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Deputy opposed the children's referendum, if I recall correctly.

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I did, of course.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

He was quite vociferous on the matter.

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I make no apologies. What am I supposed to do? Should I troop through the House like Government backbenchers?

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

When is the Bill due?

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Vote "Tá" for everything.

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Everybody else supported it.

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It was my right.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Deputy Mattie McGrath is always good at attracting notice.

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The Taoiseach is not so bad himself at it, and where he was last night - I saw a picture of you. You have gone-----

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

That Bill is due for publication this session.

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-----very low now. You are scraping the bottom of the barrel now, Taoiseach.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Everything is a simple issue for the Deputy. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has already met the hauliers' association in respect of a range of issues.

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They are on their knees.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

He met them personally and, obviously, lobbying continues.

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