Mark Ward

Good timing. Give me a second.

I was trying to give Deputy Cummins a nod there. This is the third vaping Bill we have discussed. Another is on the way. This piecemeal approach is not working. A comprehensive Bill that encapsulates everything the Minister of State is looking to do in one Bill would have gone through the Houses much more quickly. While we are waiting for these Bills to be passed, our communities are suffering. …

I move amendment No. 1: In page 13, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: “(c) the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (5): “(5A) In carrying out the powers conferred by subsection (5), the Minister shall— (a) ensure that a review of the financial supports to disadvantaged communities, identified in the Pobal HP Deprivation Index, that are affected by crime, is c…

-----Cape Verde, in the World Cup. This is where I have a problem. The other problem I have with the likes of the FAI getting that funding is that it has a lot more capacity and manpower to be able to fill out the form to enable it to get the funding. I am on the boards of a number of front-line community organisations and we just do not have the capacity to fill out cumbersome forms. I expect t…

The Minister did not reference what I asked. If he cannot accept the amendment, will he have a look at the forms-----

-----in order to allow front-line community organisation to compete with the likes of the FAI? They cannot compete with the manpower and expertise of organisations like the FAI when it comes to applying for funding. I am on a couple of boards in my area, including the Clondalkin addiction support programme and the Clondalkin Equine Club. The Clondalkin Equine Club is one example of a group that ke…

You would want to get into it yourself, then-----

You fucking muppet.

I thank Deputy Whitmore for bringing this legislation forward. I heard her on the radio this morning. You could hear that she is coming from a really good place on this and the passion she has for it. It really comes across and the Deputy is pushing an open door with this legislation when it comes to me. We need regulation. In any industry, when there is no regulation, it can lead to a wild west s…

I have brought forward at least two pieces of legislation here this year and there have been timebound amendments to them, so we need to have a bit of urgency on this as well.

Earlier today, I received information that the State has spent over €7.2 million of taxpayers' money to defend the State against the families of children with disabilities who have not received an assessment of need under the statutory timeframe. In 2022, the High Court ruled that the Government broke the law by providing 90-minute assessments instead of comprehensive assessments of need. Since th…

You could have let us know.

Tá an Government as láthair.

TikTok.

26. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the programme plan for his Department’s new disability unit for 2025 to 2027. [65416/25]

Sinn Féin has discussed previous motions in relation to the sharing of passenger name record data. This data is important for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of serious crimes and terrorist offences such as drug-related offences and human trafficking. This information forms a part of the broader management of our borders. International co-operation in the fight against cri…

The Minister of State has spoken about the asylum, migration and integration fund supporting the implementation of the EU migration and asylum pact. The Government's decision to sign up to this pact is highly contentious. In Sinn Féin's view, the vast majority of measures contained in the EU's asylum and migration pact are not in Ireland's best interests because we must retain sovereignty over the…

I thank Deputy Carthy and Senator Maria McCormack for the work they have put into this legislation. Most of all, I thank the women who have shared their horrific experiences of sexual violence. I welcome many of them into the viewing Gallery today. The women I met today have unselfishly acknowledged that, in some cases, this legislation comes too late for them, but they are thinking of women who …

13. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated to local authorities to bring vacant properties back into public use for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65437/25]

The Minister for housing issued a directive to local authorities to rezone land. However, there is an opportunity for developers to abuse this. They could buy land that is not currently zoned for housing and sit on it to wait for a change in zoning. The Coldcut site, which is owned by Dublin Bus members, is up for sale. This site is over 10 ha. It straddles north Clondalkin and Palmerstown. Many l…

I was going through the minutes of the European Council meeting. They state, "The European Council welcomes the agreement reached on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict put forward by President Trump". The minutes went on to call on "all parties to fully commit to implementing all phases and to refrain from any actions that jeopardise the agreement". The ceasefire in…

I wish the Minister well as she tackles this issue. There is no one on any side of the House who does not want to see children get timely access to the care they need. I commend the advocates who have long been calling for a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services. I cautiously welcome the fact the Government has agreed to this. The reason I say I cautiously welco…

Sinn Féin will not oppose the Bill but I believe the Government has missed an opportunity with the Bill to include the introduction of compensation for expenses in court by those who undertake jury duty. Deputy Carthy has raised this with the Minister on numerous occasions. The absence of such a payment impacts on people already struggling with the cost of living, as well as those with caring resp…

12. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs will next meet. [56981/25]

I want to raise concerns over the violent and persistent intimidation being experienced by residents in Balgaddy in my area. This has been going on for months. Residents in Balgaddy fear for their safety and that of their children. In recent weeks, a gang has engaged in repeated violent acts of intimidation and criminal damage. I have received countless emails and phone calls, and many people have…