Mary Butler

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Statements on Bluetongue (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Ban on Investment Funds Purchasing Family Homes, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - International Protection Bill 2026 - Financial Resolution (without debate and to be taken no earlier than 2.12 p.m. and any divi…

I thank the various Whips for their comments. We have a request for four additional sets of statements this week but, as Members know, we are dealing with requests that came in two weeks ago, including for statements on bluetongue and on flooding. Notwithstanding they are all extremely important, I will consult with the various Ministers to see if they can be facilitated as soon as possible. The O…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Notwithstanding the fact that we have seen a reduction in suicide numbers between 2001 and 2025 by 28%, we have not seen the same reduction in suicide numbers in the Travelling community. Where once we ranked one of the worst in Europe, we now sit at about 12th. We will have a new strategy in place very soon - the connecting for life strategy. T…

I thank Deputy Cahill and I acknowledge the work he has done regarding the situation with CAMHS services in Kerry when he was a councillor and when he met me as well as the advocacy work he did with the families and the parents. I am happy to be here this morning to take his question and I will answer as best I can. As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister of State with responsibility for mental …

Following a national audit of prescribing CAMHS, which we spoke about, where we did a random sample audit of 50 files in the case of every CAMHS team in the country, all 76 of them at the time, concerns were identified in 16 of 50 files reviewed in CAMHS in north Kerry. This prompted a lookback review of all cases open to CAMHS as of 21 November 2022. My main priority, and this will always remain…

The Deputy kept talking.

It is not opposed. I compliment the Deputy on the timeliness of the Bill, after International Epilepsy Day on 9 February. Well done.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - International Protection Bill 2026 (Second Stage, resumed) (to adjourn on conclusion of the second speaking round, not to exceed 3 hours and 24 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Second Stage of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be:- …

I thank the Deputies for their suggestions. We will have the debate on the International Protection Bill 2026 this afternoon for several hours. Tomorrow, we will have statements on Operation Kenova. We will have the residential tenancies Bill before the House tomorrow for five hours. On Thursday, we will again have the International Protection Bill. We can discuss different statements at the Busin…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for his constant advocacy on in respect of those who have mental health challenges, disorders and illnesses. As he knows, budget 2026 focused on the provision of a crisis resolution response, especially for those who attend acute hospitals out of hours. I was able to secure the funding, and I want to thank the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNei…

It is not opposed.

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Ninth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 (Second Stage) (to adjourn after 3 hours an…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I have noted the requests for a debate on flooding and on housing. There will be five hours of housing debate on Second Stage of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 this week: 204 minutes today and a further 102 minutes tomorrow. It is a two-day sitting. This legislation is really important. We will facilitate discussion on Thursday around fu…

It is not opposed.

It is not opposed.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 5th February, 2025, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those set down to the Minister for Defence, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Minister for Children, Disa…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Eighth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024 (without debate) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the exercise by the State of Article 20 of the Treaty on European Union authorising enhanced coo…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I will not be accepting that amendment. In relation to all the issues that were raised by the various spokespersons, we can consider all of them on Thursday. We have a really busy schedule in the next few days. We have the Child Care (Amendment) Bill this afternoon, there are two items of Private Members' business from the Opposition with one on mental health and the o…

No.

I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Standing Order 33, and with effect from 28th January, 2026, approves the Eighth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 23rd January, 2026.

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí as an rún tábhachtach seo a thabhairt chun cinn anocht, rud nach gcuirfidh an Rialtas ina choinne. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis chun díospóireacht a dhéanamh ar thacaíochtaí éigeandála sláinte meabhrach; réimse ar thug mé aird mhór air i mo thréimhse mar Aire Sláinte Meabhrach. I thank Deputy Clarke for bringing forward this important motion. I welcome any opportu…

Next year.

I thank the Deputy for asking this really important question. As Ireland’s population ages mental health services for older people need to continue evolving to meet the growing demand. Improving and expanding access to specialist mental health services for older people is something I am deeply committed to as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, and as a former Minister of Stat…

I want to touch on the trial that has been running over the past three years. We all know ICPOPs are a one-stop shop for elderly people where everything is looked at in relation to their physical health. I am of the opinion that mental health should also be included here. We have trialled in five different areas where the psychiatrist of older age is also involved. I also want to give a shout-out …

I also look forward to getting that information because I am also a person who is data-driven. I want to talk briefly about the work that I have been doing along with the Minister who recently met psychologists in relation to CORU. I will also have a meeting this week about assistant psychology and CORU, which is really important. The Minister is very keen that not only those with a PhD, but also …