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human right? Why has it done a U-turn on Fianna Fáil's commitment to deliver a referendum to guarantee a right to housing? In 2021, Fianna Fáil brought forward a motion in the Seanad to amend the Constitution to ensure that every citizen had the right … Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said it was important to hold this referendum, as it would underpin people's housing rights. In May 2024, he announced that an interdepartmental group would be set up to consider plans to hold referendum on the right to housing

genocide. Why did the gardaí also ask: "What do you think would happen to you if you were outside the White House right now?" Is this an international policing memo that is being sent, emanating from the likes of Germany and the White House

relevant legislation because it leaves it wide open. More generally, we cannot deal with water other than as a basic human right. Housing is the same, by the way. I pay tribute to former Deputy Joan Collins. She did tremendous work in respect of water as a human

move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — a housing emergency exists in the State; and — housing is a human right as enshrined in Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; further notes that: — 15,286 homeless people, including 4,603 children, were in emergency accommodation … another and they can do little or nothing about it. There are huge frustrations among TDs about this. Housing is human right and thousands of families are being denied that right by this Government. They are being denied a roof over their heads. The evidence for that

That is happening. However, it is unacceptable that communities in Clonmany, Carndonagh and north Inishowen do not have the proper water infrastructure. Right now, housing developments are being turned down in places like Carndonagh and Moville because of the water and wastewater deficits. Particularly when we have

local area plans, but they also provide a long-term strategic framework for investment and delivery of much-needed infrastructure and for housing. Getting it right is crucial and getting it wrong is more than damaging. In order to get the plan right, the process … operation of the HNDA is a matter for the Minister and the Department, if it is not got right, everything that follows, including the targets for social and affordable housing, whenever they are announced, as well as targets for age-friendly accommodation and accommodation for people with disabilities

certainly talk to the Minister for housing and Limerick City and County Council on that issue. The balance has to be right. We want approved housing bodies and councils to be building houses in the first instance. The more social houses we build, the more pressure will

worth, it was the right decision. The new Standing Orders recognise the constitutional rights of all elected Members of this House. Government backbenchers have as much right as Members of the Opposition to represent the concerns of the constituents who have elected them. Since 29 November, we have … decisions of President Trump may be outside of our control. In the context of global challenges, this Government wants to get Ireland's house in order. It was another American president, Abraham Lincoln, who said: "A house divided against itself, cannot stand.". Sinn Féin want this House

will make a brief point in response to one of the assertions of the Minister where he quite rightly says this House should not be bound to the views of any given set of experts, whether it be the Bar Council, the Law Library, former members

allegations that were made in this House in respect of members of An Garda Síochána, who have no right to defend themselves in this House or do not have that facility

given commitments to people building houses before the handover. There was a lack of communication. On people building one-off houses, everyone should have the right to live where they grew up. If there is adequate land, road frontage, visibility and percolation, people should be allowed to build

term. The Deputy said it is an alternative to investment funds. We do not have too many investment funds investing in housing in the Irish economy right now, and that is a problem. We had an SSIA scheme in the past. It was roundly criticised at the time … Government is open to consideration of a range of issues. The more fundamental point is how we get 50,000 houses built. I have genuinely yet to see anything from the Opposition that answers that question. The Government has built in or around 30,000 units. There

comes before us, given that it has utterly failed in a domestic adverse weather event? The Government needs to set this right now. TDs across this House should support Sinn Féin's motion to ensure that all those entitled to supports have access to them and to expand

investment is on housing and water but we must not forget about public transport. It is so essential for developing integrated cities. I say this not just about my own city but also about the Minister of State's city. We must do this right across the country … there is one thing that is in our control in responding to what is taking place in the world right now, it is investing in infrastructure, housing, water infrastructure and, crucially, public transport to enable people to move around the city and get to work and to reflect

those at immediate risk of homelessness and not as a way out for some landlords to sell their houses expeditiously to local authorities. We have to get the balance right on new builds and acquisitions as well because other Deputies earlier in the day referenced, for example … fact that in one city in County Limerick, apparently, approved housing bodies were purchasing 60% of their stock as opposed to new builds. The balance has to be gotten right in that respect

remember my personal story. It was not easy either. It just goes to show that we are all normal in this House and we all have feelings. This motion is about not having confidence in CHI. It is as simple as that. I suspect that the majority … that car and they are holding the steering wheel. Now you have no control. I plead with everybody in this House to work together to get this right

Dáil confirmed proceedings were conducted properly and false accusations of bias and collusion are completely unfounded. The Government is rightly committed to tackling real issues – housing, health and economic security – while the Opposition fixates on political theatrics. Sinn Féin has yet to introduce legislation in this new Dáil

other areas. A significant body of work needs to be done there. We are engaging with the Department of housing in that regard. The Deputy is right. Wherever there is an opportunity to use a building in an area to provide an integrated service, I can see value

much better at what is within its control by supporting domestic business, investing in infrastructure and sorting out housing and childcare provision. Getting these things right has never ever been more important. I am conscious that in the past governments have used crises as alibis not to tackle

Government is about respecting the rights of Deputies democratically elected to this Hous - all of them. We take our direction from the people, the people who voted for us last November urging us to form a Government and run the country. It is from the people that

been crystal clear that Donald Trump was on fast track to the White House and with him the threat of escalating trade tensions, protectionism and tariffs which could hit Ireland right between the eyes. What was this Government response? It was nothing - no planning, no urgency … crushing our competitiveness at home whether the Government likes it or not. Infrastructure, such as housing and transport, is light years behind where it needs to be. What we need right now is to wake up diplomatically. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste must stop hiding behind the grandiose

motion today, including those who spoke against me, demonstrating their entitlement to free and orderly debate. It is regrettable the matter of speaking rights was unable to be resolved by consensus, despite 20 hours of full and frank discussion on the matter and my earnest efforts to mediate … that my door is always open. I will continue to uphold my solemn declaration to vindicate the rights of all Members and administer the rules chosen by Members of this House, impartially and fairly, alongside the independent, loyal and hardworking staff of my office and this House without

could only conclude that it is a case of clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, and here we are stuck in the middle of a housing and homelessness crisis, war in Ukraine, atrocities in Gaza, our economy at risk from US tariffs

under way in the context of the planning process. I will work with the Deputy and others in this House to make sure that we get them right and that we take on board the concerns of the public in the public participation that will be part

effect that there are a lot of surveys to be done. The Oscar Traynor Woods complex is right beside the school. Some 895 apartments and houses are being built there. In nearby Whitehall, Santry and Coolock, vast numbers of apartments are also being built. It is an absolute

Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position of the technical review of the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme announced on 6 November 2024; if the scheme will not provide a mechanism to bypass the statutory right to appeal