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1058. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to ensure the long-term ecological and hydrological stability of the River Shannon and Lough Derg in light of the Water Supply Project (Eastern and Midlands Region); if his attention has been drawn to Marine Notice No. 56 of 2026 issued by Waterways Ireland warning that water levels have a…

1059. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the legal and administrative justification for allowing Uisce Éireann to proceed to the procurement and tendering stage for the Water Supply Project (Eastern and Midlands Region) prior to securing statutory planning permission from An Bord Pleanála; the measures being taken to ensure that this parallel progress…

1060. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next round of funding is coming on stream under the Historic Structures Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42231/26]

1061. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reasons for the refusal of a Historic Structures Fund 2026 application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42234/26]

1062. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of bicycle shelters installed across the State by his Department on behalf of Government Departments, local authorities, and State agencies in each of the past five years; the total expenditure incurred in each year; the average cost per unit; and if he will provide a breakdown by Department, local …

1063. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent on IT systems and related projects by his Department and agencies under its remit in each of the past five years; to provide a detailed breakdown of all such projects, including original budget, final cost, and delivery timelines; the number and value of projects that exceeded their orig…

1066. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government intends to introduce legislative or regulatory changes requiring planning permission for the conversion of hotels, apartments or guesthouses into emergency accommodation; the mandatory community consultation, and minimum safety standards for such facilities; and if he will make a statement on …

1068. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the staff turnover rate in his Department in the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42428/26]

1069. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will consider increasing the mandatory retirement age for firefighters from 62 years of age to the State pension age of 66; if any review of the current retirement age arrangements has been undertaken or is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42480/26]

1070. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce interim measures or conditional approvals to allow micro-company owners to qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant without incurring significant tax liabilities, solely to qualify for the grant ahead of the proposed policy review in the second half of 2026; when any structural …

1071. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm whether his Department intends to employ a chief architect in his Department and to provide an update on the progress in ensuring the implementation of the State Architecture Policy. [42518/26]

1072. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the current terms and conditions of the rural water subsidy scheme, particularly the requirement under Section 7A for group water schemes (GWS) to submit a full statement of audited accounts with their annual subsidy application; if this audited accounts requirement is a new or recently streng…

1073. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated additional cost to small rural group water schemes of having their accounts professionally audited; if his Department has carried out an assessment of the administrative and financial impact of this requirement on small voluntary-run schemes; and whether his Department will consider introducing a d…

1074. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that some local authorities previously accepted certified accounts and Tax Clearance Certificates from small group water schemes without requiring a full audit; whether this practice is consistent across all local authorities; and if he will instruct local authorities to apply the terms and condit…

1075. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the advance notice given to group water schemes nationally regarding the audited accounts requirement for the current subsidy round; and whether he will allow a transitional or phased implementation period for smaller schemes to comply with this change without losing entitlement to the subs…

1080. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the average per-unit funding allowance provided under the Voids Programme has been reviewed in the context of construction cost inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42553/26]

1081. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he reconciles the stated policy of transitioning from a reactive voids approach to a planned maintenance approach with the continued operation of the Voids Programme as the principal maintenance funding stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42554/26]

1084. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review of the differential rents scheme is underway or planned; the terms of reference and timeline of any such review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42557/26]

1086. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline any grant schemes or funding streams available to support community heritage events and vintage clubs, such as a club (details supplied), which has organised charity fundraising shows for nearly 20 years without prior State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42576/26]

1087. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his plans to ensure Uisce Éireann deal with backyard/back lane wastewater issues which were formerly dealt with by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42664/26]

1088. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with Galway County Council to support them in the purchase of Dunguaire Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42735/26]

1090. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department will take to allow for modular homes under planning exemptions. [42769/26]

1091. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to increase HAP payments in line with rising rents; if so, the details of those plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42783/26]

1092. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the native Irish honeybee is formally recognised as a priority species for conservation; if not, if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42830/26]

1096. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the modified and expanded buy and renew scheme, including the timeline for further rollout; the level of funding allocated; the number of properties approved to date under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42870/26]

I welcome the clarification that it is three years after the sentence has been served. If someone has served a seven- or eight-year sentence under one of the 17 offences, they would not be able to apply for the removal until they get to year ten or 11. I welcome that clarification. The idea that someone comes off three years after the conviction is not the case; it is three years after the sentenc…

I thank colleagues for their contributions. As Deputies know, I have no difficulty accepting amendments from colleagues in this House if I believe they are correct and beneficial to the legislation. I have done it before and will do it again. I hear what Deputy Kelly says but collegiality does not come into it. We can be very collegial but when it comes to legislation, I cannot just decide that I …

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in the first instance for presiding over these Stages of the legislation. I am very pleased that this legislation has been enacted. I want to thank a few people very briefly. I thank Deputy McAuliffe for introducing me to Jason Poole. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for her work on this issue in the Seanad. I thank colleagues in this House for their support on this leg…

There are a number of amendments coming from the Seanad and I do not oppose any of them. I seek your indulgence, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, to make a number of points at this stage rather than going back and forth. As I outlined on different Stages of the Bill, we fully support the legislation to restrict guardianship rights in a situation where a person has murdered a child's other guardian. I agai…

The questions put to her on that day at the justice committee still have not been answered. We still do not know the rationale for the changes, the way they were brought about and the urgency with which they were brought about. I just do not think it is appropriate that such new matters were brought into the Bill on every Stage, including during the Stages in the committee and in the Dáil. I hope…

I will not be opposing any amendments. Most of them are very technical, and a few of them are on significant issues. As I said previously, I believe in miscellaneous Bills. I brought them in myself. I have no issue with them, but this is one of the most mental Bills I have ever seen. The Minister laughed the last time I said that, and he is laughing this time. In fairness to him, I got what he sa…

The Deputy's presentation as to archives being sealed is somewhat disingenuous and totally inaccurate. My understanding is that the action the State took - well I know, because it was dealt with by means of legislation introduced by the previous Government - was to protect those archives. If we had not introduced that legislation, they would not be extant now. They would have been destroyed by the…

I appreciate the constructive manner in which the Deputy has raised the questions, particularly in the context of her question as to how she can work with us. I appreciate that response. She has not attempted to name-call anybody or misrepresent people. I appreciate that. What I was endeavouring to say is that the commission did examine the site extensively, including in the context of cartograph…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Appointment of Ordinary Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately) - Motion re Fourteenth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection (without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately) - Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Re…

I move: That Dáil Éireann, in accordance with section 8(3)(a) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003, as amended, appoints Deputy Ged Nash to be an ordinary member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in place of Deputy Jennifer Whitmore who has resigned her office in accordance with the aforementioned section 8.

I acknowledge the survivors and their families who are with us today in both Galleries and those who may be watching from home. This day belongs to you. Your courage in coming forward, your determination to pursue the truth and your perseverance in seeking justice deserve our deepest respect and admiration. For many years you fought for what should never have been so difficult to obtain. You fough…

Today is a profoundly important and solemn day. I want to add my voice to the full and formal State apology and to acknowledge the courage, dignity and perseverance of those survivors who fought for truth and accountability for so many years. The Report of the South East Commission of Investigation, which was published last month, lays bare not only the horrific crimes committed by the paedophile…

I acknowledge the survivors here, both in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and those who have joined us as a community in other ways. The apology offered today by the Taoiseach is an important acknowledgement by the State of the wrong done to young boys and young men within this State and not acknowledged or handled correctly in any way by the institutions of this State. For the survivors gather…

I echo the remarks of the Taoiseach and every Deputy who has spoken in this debate this afternoon in acknowledging, first and foremost, the courage of the victims who have brought these failures of the State into the light. This report stands testament to the perseverance of both those who join us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery this afternoon and those who have chosen to maintain their anon…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the opportunity to present the Domestic Violence Judgments Register Bill 2026 to Dáil Eireann. The genesis of this legislation is in October 2025, when the drafting of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill was approved by Government. In May this year, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on J…

I welcome this Bill, Jennie's law, to the House and I welcome the opportunity to speak on it. The legislation is the culmination of years of hard work, advocacy and determination on part of the Poole family. Jennifer Poole was from Ballygall and had been in touch with me many times on many different issues. She was the 24-year-old mother of Nevaeh and Zack, an amazing healthcare worker, a much-lo…

The principle behind this legislation is straightforward. People should be able to make informed decisions about their own safety when entering a relationship. I support the fact that publication is not automatic. It remains a matter for the courts following a final conviction, with judicial discretion and, in most cases, the consent of the victim. That is an important safeguard. However, we must …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion on protecting the copyright of Irish artists in the era of artificial intelligence. It is important to note this is a nuanced and targeted motion to protect Irish artists across the entire spectrum of the arts. It is not an attack on AI as a whole, which we know has its uses where appropriate. The AI systems and databases are hungry beasts that ha…

This is not only an issue for South Dublin County Council. I obviously accept the point that an application for funding needs to be made if funding is to be granted. The reason Citywest has developed in the way it has, with homes but no adequate facilities, is the fast-track strategic housing development process. The local area plan, which included these kinds of requirements, was ignored. Develop…

8. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has assessed the potential impact of the draft national housing statement, particularly the proposed changes to occupancy requirements in multi-unit housing developments in Gaeltacht areas, on the implementation of the language planning process under the Gaeltacht Act 2012; and if he will make a …

I can give the Deputy the work we are doing. First, with regard to the draft national planning statement, and I will follow up and email the Deputy with a full answer, that is exactly about restoring population to these areas. Second, the investments I have just discussed with Deputy O'Rourke, and I highlighted an amazing project in the Deputy's own county in Kells, are investing in the RRDF proj…

We had a discussion earlier with na Teachtaí Ó Snodaigh and McGuinness around the draft planning statement, which has been introduced by the Minister, Deputy Browne, and on which the Ministers of State, Deputies Buttimer and Cummins, and I have worked closely with him. It is a draft statement, in which we have tried to introduce a national standard regarding Gaeltacht planning and quotas in Gaelta…

I appreciate that Dundrum, in some cases, is not eligible for funding under some of the criteria for schemes. The Minister and I have had conversations with many Deputies in the House, especially those from west Dublin, parts of Cork South-Central and parts of the Deputy’s own constituency. We are very much committed to community development and regeneration. The Deputy will have heard the Ministe…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Sinéad Gibney - to discuss the closure of Carlow College. Deputy John Connolly - to discuss the provision of appropriate public housing for families that provide foster care. Deputy Michael Cahill - to discuss delays in payments to…

I am absolutely astonished at that reply. The county council told councillors that it was leasing 12.5 acres to Riverstown FC rather than the full site. What the FAI is telling the Minister is totally different. State agencies, the Minister of State's Department, the county council and the FAI, which gets funding from the Department, are all involved and I cannot get a clear answer. I am getting o…