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policy change basis and this is reflected in that. We will take further decisions in terms of delivery of infrastructure and housing right across our economy. That will be the new housing plan and the infrastructure reforms it will underpin. There are issues that we need

ignores the market continuously. We need to have a viable housing market that allows small builders and developers to deliver housing right across our economy

green society, a just transition, while they are very much left behind. I want to talk about the idea that housing is a human right, which is accepted internationally. Indeed, the Irish State accepts it although it does not apply it. The housing plan did not reference housing … being a human right once, which is deeply disappointing. Central to housing being a human right is the quality of accommodation and that it be of a standard that ensures people live a healthy life. Much of our social housing and private rental housing, and indeed homeownership

State supports some of them but does not support others. I made the point to the previous finance Minister that, rightly, the Houses of the Oireachtas identified that those who are participating in home dialysis needed support from the State and the support was offered through the taxation … those are able to avail of the tax benefits, but others are not. That is not right. The system is not fair for those individuals. Within the collective wisdom of this House, we are surely able to recognise that it is appropriate to give people support

know about the horrors of the impact of the war in Ukraine. Yet, as I said, they are not sufficiently debated in this House. It is horrific that there are now an estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred to areas under Russian control … whole time. We can be absolutely certain that if an American vessel was in Irish waters without permission, people in this House would rightly be criticising it and screaming and shouting. If an Israeli vessel was unlawfully in Irish waters, we would be having debates nearly every week

better integration with Irish families and communities. It was also far more cost-effective for the State versus hotel or guest house accommodation. Right now about 24,000 Ukrainians continue to be supported through the recognition payment. This payment was reduced earlier this year. I would be concerned

raising these matters. As we said previously, they are matters that are of enormous concern to all of us in this House and, indeed, right across government and I would say right across society. I want to say sincerely that I am deeply saddened by the very tragic … independent steering group, which is to be chaired by Ms Tanya Ward, the CEO of the Children's Rights Alliance. As I said earlier to the House, I can confirm that phase 1 of the project is under way and a number of steps have been taken

Callaghan, said, if we are trying to get decisions made within six months, including appeals, that is a good thing because, right now, 80% of applications for asylum are turned down and only a third are granted on leave to appeal. A lot of economic migrants … from within the EU and another 30,000 are coming into Ireland legally every year. We do not have the capacity right now to provide housing, so we have to look at where our industrial policy goes, where people should be working and what kinds

issue of cancer, I missed the opportunity yesterday but I also welcome Deputy Boyd Barrett back to this House. Many people right across the country were inspired by his interview this week. I know it has been an extraordinarily difficult time for him. He might not believe

will not get the media attention other conflicts rightly get. Given the scale of depravity, though, it is something that we, right across this House, need to ensure we talk about in our own political parties and communities. The values I believe are dear to all our hearts

specific entities here in the House without the right to reply

submissions came from Ireland and the Government is not listening. I have had people from that side of the House stand up here and say we are right. I will watch how every one of them votes this evening. I am asking the Government to have an open … them. I am asking the Government to withdraw its amendment. I am asking every Deputy in this House on the side of Government to withdraw it and do the right thing. I am not asking to put good civil servants at risk. I am asking the Government

making a constant effort to misrepresent and mislead the Irish people on the measures we took in relation to housing supply, but they are the right measures. We took a decision to reduce the cost of building an apartment to help to make sure more apartments are built

weeks before the election? Members of the Government parties came out and said they were building 40,000 houses, which they knew in their heart and soul was not right. They knew that in their heart and soul when they were doing their press conference … house. People are coming to me just when they have their mortgage approval, have saved hard and done everything right, but when they go to buy a house they cannot because house prices are going up faster than they can save. Does the Tánaiste think about whether

society as well as the economy. That is right. Of course he should. However, what has the Taoiseach got to show for the running of society? There are more than 5,000 children homeless, unaffordable rents and house prices, a creaking health service and massive under resourcing … roles vacant across the country. Meanwhile, the Government will spend €750 million on agency staff this year. Is that prudent? The housing disaster is the civil rights issue for the generation of TY students with us today, yet the Government refuses to unleash the power of the State

recognise that it is a whole-of-house determination to do right here and, where we can improve things and make things better, that we would absolutely do that. The first step for us, of course, is the well-being check in terms of specifically having eyes

hear these sentiments by the Government now. We have been abused, heckled and shouted down by all sides of this House, called racist and far right and accused of creating division or undermining social cohesion. Yet, here we are now. The Government has caught up with our understanding … céad míle fáilte in Tipperary is well known, from the top of Tipperary right down to Rathcabbin. What happened in Roscrea was appalling. It is appalling what is still going on in Dundrum House Hotel . Hearns Hotel in Clonmel and many other buildings were taken over. These were

this is not just business as usual but a humanitarian situation. The bottom line for me in Mayo, right from the beginning when I first saw people's houses collapsing, was that nobody would be left behind or locked out of this scheme because they could not afford … their fault there was no regulation or there was light regulation. Indeed, I query the regulation in place right now. That is why the Minister for housing needs to look at having proper oversight of the quarries currently supplying aggregate and materials being used to build houses

statements and blusters. We in the Labour Party will not throw Ukrainian people under the bus for a headline. Indeed, our housing spokesperson, Deputy Conor Sheehan, rightly called out the Government this month for the huge lack of clarity it gave the Ukrainian people living in Ireland over … commitment to change entitlements. Without a real plan, the Government risks causing mass homelessness for people who we have rightly supported to this point and still claim to support. The Government should show us it supports them, rather than simply telling us it does. The attack yesterday

good reason. I fully accept that budgets are about choices and we will have rigorous debates in this House about whether our choices are right. I contend – the Deputy will have a different view – that the choices we made this year were about trying to boost economic resilience

they can tell you how to drive and operate it safely. It is pure nonsense. I have spoken in the House about the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, many times. That should be changed to a supporting organisation, especially after the last recession … Even if we had that here, and this is a criticism of my colleagues, there are not enough self-employed people in this House. They do not have the time nor the energy to go for it because they are too busy working. We have plenty solicitors, barristers

This pejorative language, this attempt to label people, is a problem in the House. The left will condemn the far right and so on but it is not even prepared to allow people to have a discussion in the House on these issues. I think what they

issue to be addressed by women alone. It involves leadership from all of us in all political parties right across this Dáil, across these Houses and across society. I do not mean to be argumentative but the Deputy said there are no debates in this House

Those who are working and in centres should make a contribution. That is fair and proportionate, and that is the right policy approach. Anyone in this House would agree that if you have income and the means to make a contribution, you should make a contribution. Most people

Deputies McLoughlin, Byrne, McGreehan and former Deputy Thomas Pringle, who all introduced similar Bills on extending voting rights to those aged 16 in recent years. The Bill before the House is a little different, however. The advice from the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, tells … seize this opportunity to ensure voting rights are extended to 16-year-olds. Adolescence is often a time of transition, a time of changes and a period of progression from childhood to adulthood. Some of the recent discourse in this House about young people focused on challenges associated

asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual targets to 2030 for the delivery of housing designed for older people, including age-friendly, supported, and right-sizing units; and the expected delivery for Cork city and Cork county. [63940/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to support older people who wish to right-size; the number of households who availed of these supports in 2023 and 2024; and whether additional incentives are planned under

Department has assessed the cumulative impact of judicial reviews on the delivery of major housing or infrastructure projects; and if reforms are being considered to reduce systemic delay while preserving the right to appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63582/25

aware of a protest being conducted by four survivors of Industrial schools outside Leinster House; if her Department is engaging in any work to respond to their demand for State Contributary Pension rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60593/25

Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has sought or obtained legal advice on whether the exemption from normal planning procedures for accommodation centres for international protection applicants is compatible with Ireland’s obligations under the UNECE Aarhus Convention, particularly regarding the public’s right to information

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details of the proposed legislative amendments to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, including whether these amendments will recognise that all homeowners affected by defective concrete are in a vulnerable position, thus include provisions … allow for side-by-side remediation or rebuilding where possible, in order to ensure equitable treatment and protection of homeowners' rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57763/25