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implementing all elements of it. The Minister also has to accept the failure of the State in resourcing disability services. Going back to the 2005 Act that provided a legal right to an assessment of need, the logic of that made sense. Each child would have an assessment

matter is currently the subject of a legal claim which is being managed by the State Claims Agency on behalf of my Department. Since the most recent allegation referred to above, the victims' unit of the Probation Service has put out several communications to encourage any relevant victims

into the handling by schools, religious orders, State bodies and law enforcement of allegations, is both welcome and essential. So, too, is the appointment of Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath as chair of the commission. His legal experience, including his service in the High Court and the Court … authorities and the State? The inquiry will not only look into what happened, but how it was handled or, indeed, mishandled. That includes failures to report abuse, the shielding of abusers, the moving of individuals between schools and dioceses and the use of legal processes to silence

goods and services. They were clear that the legal advice received by the departmental officials was to the effect that the ICJ was referring to trade in goods and services. As such, if Ireland passes a Bill that excludes services, we will not meet the requirements … give me a convincing argument on that point. I believe that by proposing a Bill that omits services, the Government is setting it up to fail a legal challenge. This weakness can be solved by including services in the Government's Bill

Bill. Consistently, we were told that cannot be done because of legal reasons because of the Attorney General's advice. Then, it was seemingly leaked and published by The Ditch, which stated that issues of including services in the Bill was a political decision and it had nothing

clear on its impact. The Government remains open to including services, subject to legal advice, but, as the Taoiseach said last week, we should be concerned about how the Bill could be misunderstood in the United States. The Taoiseach has highlighted US legislation that is present in many

telling us to review another Act, the Disability Act 2005. It is an incredible situation. The Government talks about the need for a legal, rights-based, inclusive education system but we all know that when it comes to children with additional needs, this Government disregards those rights … What is the Minister of State's advice for my constituent when her foster child is being refused an assessment and his legal right to education? For this child, there is a tragic and direct link between the lack of essential services available to him and his ability

staff and wish everyone well for the summer break. It is very clear that IBEC is trying to manipulate the Government to exclude services from the occupied territories Bill. We have had more than 21 months of genocide. The EU is now saying that it will keep … close watch on genocide. The EU is worse than useless. At the same time, the EU said that member states should consider the legal opinion of the International Court of Justice in the context of trade with the occupied territories. It is very clear that we need sanctions

taking decisions in defending claims made against the State. There are two other aspects of the reforms proposed in this Bill, again focused on the Office of the Attorney General. The Bill would further ensure that claims of legal professional privilege are not made in relation to advice … been advised on. There is no legal reason, however, for refusal to publish this advice and it can be problematic to treat this advice as secret. The privilege is for the client to weigh and not the legal adviser. The Government - any Government but this Government as much

without prejudice to any grounds other than a claim of legal professional privilege that could be relied on for non-disclosure of legal advice. We are again careful not to be overly prescriptive and, as I have said, there is no requirement that the advice must be published … passed in full, covering goods and services. It is not helpful that it appears we cannot see the Attorney General's advice. All too often this has been used as a cover, in my view. The Minister of State said it is a long-standing practice

legal prosecution in Israel. I urge the United States to adopt a more assertive role, not just in brokering a ceasefire, but in guaranteeing it. The world cannot continue to look away. The suffering of Gaza's civilians, the ongoing displacement and the deliberate targeting of essential services

European Union that has published any draft legislation on that. Now, weeks on from when we published our legislation, with goods or services, they have not produced any legislation. That is interesting in and of itself. However, the Government has an obligation to our citizens to tease through … legislation will be viewed and the legality of it. That is an important part of the work of my Department in engaging with interlocutors abroad. It does not change our position. We have a vastly different view from the United States of America and particularly the current Administration

additional needs. To be honest, the situation got worse and worse between 2001 and my election in 2020. Access to therapeutic supports and services has deteriorated to such an extent that children in Dublin 15 are waiting over 72 months for an assessment of need. That … need a review to report to ensure it is sorted out. In fact, the Government, as the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, knows, has a legal requirement to carry out these assessments but this Government and previous Governments have consistently broken the law. I welcome the work

stop someone receiving State funds years after killing someone, particularly the mother of their child? A number of attempts have been made to find out if James Kilroy, who murdered Valerie French, is still being paid by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. My information is that … journalist asked the NPWS and was told it was the subject of legal correspondence. Three freedom of information requests by somebody else have failed to elicit a clear answer. The first response said they could not answer a personal question. The second said that they could not clarify

organisation that is currently providing aid, the chaos that ensues and the targeting of civilians on the back of that. Historically, by any legal or international standard aid should be beyond and above the fray, but that does not seem to be the case this moment in time … needs to be hinged on the two-state solution, something that is under severe pressure. I have spoken for longer than intended, but I will take this opportunity to thank our peacekeepers in Lebanon for their service. They are there under very difficult circumstances. To comment briefly

years to two. It allows courts to appoint receivers so criminal assets cannot be used while a case drags on. It closes off legal loopholes that allow delay and stalling. It is practical and smart legislation and we support it. Seizing the assets should only be one step … done and where criminality has taken hold because the State failed to show up often enough or strongly enough. We should have a clear and visible pipeline. All money taken from crime goes back into youth services, family supports, addiction services, education and community policing. That

safe third country. This motion would dramatically lower that threshold. In fact, simply passing through an airport in a designated state without ever claiming asylum there or even being offered protection could be grounds for refusal. That is not how a fair asylum system should operate. People often … schools, elderly people with care needs, people with disabilities and those still living in emergency accommodation. We need guarantees that legal status, services and supports will not be disrupted simply because a category expires. Any transition must be led with compassion and tailored to the realities people

only be designated as a safe country of origin at Union level in accordance with the APR where, on the basis of the legal situation, the application of the law within a democratic system and general political circumstances, it can be shown that there is no persecution … must be based on a range of relevant sources of information, including information from fellow member states, the EU Agency for Asylum, the European External Action Service or even the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. These decisions will not be made on a whim. They will obviously

survivors deserve the right to move forward free from unfair discrimination. The Bill will ensure they cannot be penalised or excluded from financial services solely due to past illness. Their privacy is protected and there is no need to disclose what should no longer be relevant. There … should serve people, especially those who have already suffered. This is the State standing by them. We know too well how faceless corporations can wield disproportionate powers. The Bill restores balance with a clear legal definition of what constitutes discrimination in this context. These are concrete protections after

educational assessment for all children with additional educational needs, the consequent development of a statutory individual educational plan, the delivery of detailed education services on foot of this plan, and an independent appeals process. The Minister wants us to believe these sections were not commenced because there were … only ever about the Minister, the Department and the State itself protecting themselves, just as they are trying to row back on assessments of need. I note the recommendation to review the Disability Act 2005 and legal framework governing assessments of need and I have a serious problem

services for them is all very well but that is the very minimum we can do. These are people who were injured through the inaction of this State and that has never been acknowledged despite the letter that was written by my party leader, the Minister of State … State. It is not an apology. It is an apology for what they are going through, which states that the Government regrets the position they are in. I understand the restrictions that are there. I have been critical before of the manner in which the State

their land, homes and children and their very future. Israel has been emboldened by decades of impunity. It is armed by the United States, Germany and Britain. This is not confined to Gaza. In the West Bank, the expulsions, land theft and apartheid continue. In Gaza, Israel … services, not just goods. The Government drags its feet, asking whether it is legal to include services. The right question to ask is whether we are in contravention of international law by not including services. Let us talk about the shameful decision by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

trade advantage to Israel. My point is that, when we talk about sanctions against Israel for committing genocide, which the Minister of State's Government has recognised is happening, people associate that with the EU-Israel association agreement but all that would involve is the revocation … passed with services included, would do that. All that would do is put in place the measures required by the ICJ ruling. We can dance on the head of a pin as to exactly what sanctions mean and whether removing privileges or meeting our legal obligations comprise sanctions

things are completely unacceptable, outrageous responses to a failure to manage a budget. In circumstances where bills for external consultants or legal advices outside of the State structure are still being paid or where, for example, there has not been evidence of non-pay savings over a three … okay for the State to be required, or have pressure placed on it, to put additional CT machines somewhere that one is not being used to the optimum capacity. Those are the savings and productivity necessary to deal with the sort of service we want to deliver

been done and what more can be done. The Deputy is right to talk about the moral imperative. There is also a legal imperative based on the International Court of Justice, ICJ. Ireland has acted on that and become a party to the case. The Deputy understandably mentioned … pass legislation that sought to do what they wanted us to do in terms of the occupied territories Bill for goods and, indeed, services and if that was feasible, they would replicate that legislation. That is how we build the coalition the Deputy spoke of in his opening

State within our legal framework, if he accepts, and if he will ensure, that protection of citizens' health and safety is, therefore, assuredly paramount across his entire Department's priorities, policies and programmes, thus reflecting application of the principle of 'citizens first' across all Government services and activities