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coming out to demand action on funding for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht as well as action on education, the housing crisis and language rights. The turnout speaks to, on the one hand, a moment for the Irish language of a renewal or resurgence from below, with … funding has grown significantly over the same period. Does the Government agree that Foras na Gaeilge needs to be properly funded? The housing crisis is right across the country, but it is particularly acute in Gaeltacht areas. The figures are striking. There are approximately 1,000 Airbnbs available

issue, given his brief. I ask him to take that back to the Chief Whip. It is disrespectful at best to colleagues right across the House that we are not being given the opportunity to raise these issues directly with line Ministers. At half ten on a Tuesday

housing crisis to not be dealt with for so long. Growing inequality just allows fertile ground for the far right. I will mention some TDs in this House who were using the exact same language as the far right. I noticed "The myth of multiculturalism ... [and the] spiral

delivered, but I am worried about our smaller towns and rural villages being left behind. In Ballycommon in north Tipperary, 34 houses could be built right now were it not for a lack of capacity in the system. Two developers there would build a plant if they … businesses often cannot connect. The housing estate that has developer-provided infrastructure cannot be taken in charge by the council because there is no capacity in the system. These are two examples of villages like many others right across rural Ireland. Will the Government commit to ensuring Uisce

were closed during the Covid pandemic is due to be appointed very shortly. We will certainly keep everybody across the House updated on that. The Deputy is right that this case raises very significant issues. In the first case we need to try to establish as many facts … possibly can. We then need to work collaboratively across this House to make sure that our legislative basis is right. There will be a couple of opportunities to do this: the commitment in relation to the Child Care Act to increase the powers of Tusla and provide

However, hundreds of human rights activists, including 22 Irish citizens, one of whom, Senator Chris Andrews, is a Member of the Houses, are heading to Gaza right now. There is every possibility of intervention from the Israeli State. This has concerned many Governments, which have sent their naval

area in terms of union recognition. As a party, Sinn Féin has long stood in support of trade union recognition and the fundamental right of workers to be represented by their unions. I acknowledge the work of my colleague, Deputy Louise O'Reilly, in this area, as well … Gavan, with regard to the support and progression of trade unions and trade union representatives. We on this side of the House are committed to the rights of workers right across this island. Again, this speaks to the all-island economy. We need congruence of workers' rights across

hard on this. As the Deputy can imagine, it is very complex to get people evacuated from Gaza. The Deputy is right that we in this House, or indeed Ireland, did not need anybody else to tell us a genocide was happening in Gaza. Ireland

than 100 years after the foundation of this State Irish speakers and members of the Gaeltacht will be protesting outside these Houses this Saturday for basic rights for our native language. During the formation of Government, the regional Independents showed our priority for more funding for the Irish

Sumud Flotilla is a symbol of justice, peace and humanity but it is also an action. I speak for the House when I say that the rights of all citizens in the flotilla, including Irish citizens, to engage in peaceful international protest must be protected. Those taking part … flotilla, including some of our public representatives, are exercising their right to stand for justice and peace in a non-violent manner. These activists are not a threat to the existence of Israel, as some in the Israeli Government are saying. They are not actors on behalf

fairness. The strategy is a step in the right direction and we should say that clearly. People in rural parishes and urban estates will not measure this plan by the glossy brochure launched in the Mansion House. Rather, they will measure it by whether their son finally gets … marry those measures with universal design standards, we would see disabled people living independently in every parish in Ireland. Housing not a favour; it is a right to dignity and independence. Transport and mobility are the keys to inclusion. Without them, equality is a false promise. Accessibility

think everyone in this House can agree that family carers right across the State do an outstanding job 24-7. I would, as I am sure the family carers would, love to hear the Minister's plans to introduce respite for those family carers

transition that leaves behind our most vulnerable is not a just transition. We need a people-first approach where nobody is left behind. Right now too many households are being asked to shoulder costs when large corporations continue to consume vast amounts of electricity at a fraction … shocking. It is not a Dublin-only issue. The same story is playing out in towns and cities right across the country. If we are not retrofitting our public housing stock, we are condemning thousands of families to remain in energy poverty indefinitely. Yes we agree with much

rightly pointed out that consistent child poverty has doubled in the past two years to 8.5% when the Government's target is 3%. Earlier this month, the ESRI published a report that one in every five children - more than 225,000 - are now in poverty when housing costs … Children's Rights Alliance last week, the deputy Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection rightly said: "If a family does not have access to secure and affordable housing, it is almost impossible to provide the services required to lift them out of poverty." Will the Taoiseach

their schools without years of waiting. Success will be when young people can move into jobs with the right supports in place. Success will be when transport, housing and public spaces are designed so that accessibility is the norm and not an afterthought. Last week, I witnessed

Ireland will transpose this through the International Protection Bill 2025, which, among other changes, will reduce oral hearings at appeal while preserving the rights to be heard and to an effective remedy. The pact comes into effect in 2026, and our job is to be ready … support the Minister’s programme and look forward to working with him and his colleagues across the House to deliver the reforms, capacity and clarity the public rightly expects

mark a major milestone - the recent launch of Ireland's National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. It was fitting that we launched it in the Round Room in the Mansion House, the venue of the First Dáil, and it is here in the Chamber … centre of policy. Disabled people must have the right and the means to live where and how they choose, to participate fully in their communities and to lead lives of their own making. That means better access to housing, support services and opportunities for engagement in culture, sport

this. Every individual elected to the House has a responsibility to not perpetuate the spread of hate. Particularly in a position as privileged as the one we are in, we should not be stoking anti-migrant rhetoric. Repeatedly questioning the rights of people who have come to Ireland … know a hell of a lot better. All across the world, the right is on the rise. Anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise. We need to ensure that whatever we do in this House and this country, we do not make the situation worse

embassy have conveyed that to the German authorities. I say that on the record of this House. I am not fully convinced. Deputy Coppinger may end up being right but I hope she is wrong. I know she will hope she is wrong that we cannot have

part of a litany of failure where children are routinely denied services, treatments, adequate care and their rights by the State in everything from healthcare to social care, education and housing, and where parents must fight the Government rather than being supported to secure what should be automatic

agenda. The work involves careful and informed consideration of the most appropriate model for the force. I am bottoming that out right now. We have looked at the options and we have key stakeholders engaged, including the NTA, operators, trade unions, passenger groups, An Garda Síochána … tight enough timeframe. We will need legislation to come into the House. We will have to consolidate many of the by-laws that already exist. That is a piece of work that is being done right now. Timeframe-wise, and I think I have said it before

Minister? Kildare County Council has come to a dead end. This parcel of land right beside Scoil Mochua is the perfect location. Nobody owns it. It is beside a housing estate that was finished decades ago and it has it in writing that the developer does

them. That is another absolutely essential piece of infrastructure to ensure we see the delivery of housing. It is essential we take every step possible not to restrict people's legal rights but to ensure the common good prevails. The public wants us to build this infrastructure

North and South, to highlight a range of issues, including funding for the language, language rights in the North, the implementation of the language legislation and access to public services and housing in the Gaeltacht. Levels of funding for Foras na Gaeilge are a source of frustration

dealt with funding and housing to some degree in the introduction, so I might now deal with education and language rights, which are the other two features of the protest and the demands of the movement. The striking thing in education is the mismatch between parents' aspirations

Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the legislative observations made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if he is aware of the Commission’s recommendations (details supplied); the steps or actions … Department has taken to comply with its obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 regarding the proposals contained in the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if the steps or actions have included the preparation of any human

Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the legislative observations made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024; if he is aware of the Commission’s recommendation (details supplied); the steps or actions

Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered introducing thresholds or conditions, such as financial capacity, housing availability, or integration requirements, before family reunification rights can be exercised. [45560/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that people registering for a postal vote due to disability or illness are required to have their application form certified by a doctor, and that many doctors charge … this; if he accepts that this fee acts as a barrier to people with disabilities or long-term illnesses exercising their right to vote; and if he will consider measures to remove this barrier, such as providing the certification service free of charge or exploring alternative verification methods