Catherine Ardagh

I know that time is sometimes very precious in this House. Section 20 of the legislation requires the publication of an annual report. That is set out very clearly in the legislation.

The annual report shall provide information as the director considers appropriate or as the director may direct. The section deliberately did not prescribe in detail exactly what statistical data should be included, as we are setting up a new entity. Until we have some experience of how it operates, it would be premature to determine what statistical information is most relevant and available. My …

In relation to the annual report, Deputy Carthy was curious as to whether it would be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Section 20(4) provides that it would be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas. As to what the contents of the report would be and what would form part of the report, that would be at the discretion of the Minister. Under section 20(3), the annual report "shall be in s…

Orders must be processed in ten days or 96 hours.

In relation to the Deputy’s question on the number of service providers that will be affected, 420 have been identified but the Department believes it may affect up to 600 service providers. I hope that provides clarification. I propose to address amendments Nos. 7 and 12 together. Regretfully, I cannot accept either of these amendments. The purpose of establishing an independent office is to ens…

Regretfully, I must oppose both amendments. Section 32 is intended to deal with a situation where an investigation is under way by an authorised officer into a possible contravention by a service provider of a relevant obligation under the directive - notification of designated establishment or legal representative or failure to provide same with the necessary powers and resources. It could also a…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: P…

I thank the House for facilitating this motion today. I thank colleagues from across the House for their contributions. I would like to address some specific questions raised. Deputies Nolan, Michael Collins, Danny Healy-Rae and Carthy raised the issue of the legal acquisition and use of firearms particularly in rural areas. Their points were well made in relation to the use of hunting rifles and …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, on this important initiative proposed by Deputy Malcolm Byrne. The Deputy is to be commended on his work on this issue over many years and I am pleased to advise that the Government does not propose to oppose the progression of this Bill. As artificial intelligence …

I thank everyone for their contributions and Deputy Byrne for bringing this Private Members' Bill before the House. As Deputy Ó Cearúil says, Deputy Byrne was way ahead of the curve in relation to this. When they mention art imitating life, the Deputy's Bill came before the issues, especially when it came to Grok and the controversy we saw in late 2025. I noted something Deputy Ó Snodaigh mention…

11. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if overall public expenditure is within profile to date in 2026. [40338/26]

7. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on the discussion on efforts to tackle hybrid threats and disinformation at the EU General Affairs Council on 11 May 2026. [37994/26]

I thank the Minister for introducing this legislation. I welcome the opportunity to speak on what will be called the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which many people across Ireland know simply as the "right to be forgotten" legislation. Tonight is a very important night for cancer survivors and their families. This legislation is about fair…

I previously introduced right-to-be-forgotten legislation as a Private Members' Bill. The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill was adopted by the Government and obviously was part of the programme for Government. However, we are still waiting on the Government amendments so that legislation can be progressed to Committee Stage. So many cancer survivors are waiting for this legislation to give them certai…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the establishment and regulation of Life Annuity agreements for homeowners, to provide for consumer protections, and to provide for related matters. This Private Members' Bill comes from a very practical place. It comes from my work as a public representative and a solicitor dealing with people who are trying to nav…

I move: "That Second Stage be taken in Private Members' time."

1. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress his Department is making in tackling child poverty. [7895/26]

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. CSO data show that one-parent families make up around one in four families nationally but this rises to over one in three in Dublin city. These households, predominantly led by women, are far more exposed to deprivation and lower incomes. In areas like Dublin South-Central, where disadvantage is more concentrated, what targeted measures will be introduced…

127. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase support for the Planet Youth model in light of the insights it provides into adolescent behaviour, physical activity and mental health. [28355/26]

95. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on current interconnection projects. [27252/26]

16. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs will next meet. [14275/26]

I raise St. Seton's Secondary School in Ballyfermot, which the Minister of State is very familiar with because his late uncle, Brother Paul Moynihan, was a former principal of the school. The school was awarded DEIS plus status and that in itself tells a clear story about the level of need in the area and the level of support needed by the young people who attend this school. Despite that recognit…

I really appreciate the Minister of State’s genuine response. He has a family connection to the school. As I said, I do not know how the school fell so behind on the list when it was promised a new building. Let us hope we can change that and do something to ensure that St. Seton's is a priority school when it comes to the Department's school building programme. We would love to have the Minister …

Does the Deputy wish to withdraw the amendment?

Amendment No. 3 has been ruled out of order.