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private agreement entered into by the workers themselves with their former employers. Separately, in 2010, a legal action was taken by a group of former Waterford Crystal workers against the State following the insolvency of the Waterford Crystal factory and staff pension schemes. The case, which is known … time they were made redundant. The question regarding the provision of leaving service options is one for the employer and the trustees, rather than the State. I understand that some members of WCPAG took a legal action against these parties, which was ultimately settled. My Department

came in mentioned the lack of plurality in the media in Ireland and said the fact that RTÉ was a public service meant that there was not enough plurality. He was not talking about the lack of working-class voices in the media, the lack of women … ability to challenge power, to challenge corruption, to challenge institutions, to challenge states and to challenge the Government. These are real life impacts if there is no budget and no legal power in a public service broadcaster to withstand libel threats. Without the resources of RTÉ, creators will

involved in the implementation of the Act, such as the Decision Support Service, Legal Aid Board and National Advocacy Service in order to achieve that goal. I am calling on the Minister of State to commit to providing further resources to the public bodies involved in implementing

Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with the programme for Government commitment. Legally, the regulation of external trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods at EU level

here. The deadline in the 2015 Act did not just suddenly appear. As a State, successive Governments have had years to prepare for the transition away from wardship. The Decision Support Service was trying to do its best in these circumstances but, in my view, was not given … things. I welcome the Bill. It is better than leaving people in legal uncertainty, but unless it is met with resources, it will be just a stopgap. I wish the Minister of State well in bringing this legislation forward. It is not a field in which I consider

some of my worries in relation to this. As I stated, we did not want to create a set of circumstances where people found themselves in legal limbo. However, representatives from St. John of God intellectual disability services approached me, and the committee also had other correspondence … limbo. One thing I am happy about is that the representatives of the Department and the Courts Service are engaging with St. John of God intellectual disability services. It is vital that they get to a point of reconciliation, for want of a better term. They had also

Newry. Obviously, I am dealing with a disability service that operates in Dundalk. When a person wanted to go to Newry, the service would have had to go through their DMR. This seemed to create a huge level of difficulty. There was a fear that there may have … reason the Minister of State looked for pre-legislative scrutiny to be waived, is that a number of people will not be discharged in time for the change that was due to come into effect on 26 April and would therefore fall into legal limbo. None

fleet, legislation is being passed that will enable Naval Service personnel to board them or our naval vessels to intercept them. They will also be able to put queries to the operators of these ships regarding their legality and a whole range of other issues. There … disrupted by a number of EU member states. They have been boarded and so on. The idea was to try to disrupt the modus operandi of the shadow fleet and to make it less efficient in terms of its service to Russia during these times. Deputies Ó Cearúil

that day. In 2013 a legal case started to try to understand if it was possible for the security forces to have prevented the Omagh bomb. Five years ago, in 2021, Mr. Justice Mark Horner at the Belfast High Court stated that there was a "real prospect" that … taken before the Irish courts for the purpose of the Omagh bombing inquiry. It allows a specific legal mechanism to facilitate the taking of sworn testimony from State bodies and former ministerial officeholders before a judge in the High Court. It is modelled on the Criminal Justice (International

Courts Service to support wards of court and the committees for the wards and to ensure that they are provided with accurate, reliable information on exiting the wardship regime. This year, all wards of court have been granted legal aid certificates and have legal representation, which is really … avoid legal uncertainty for the large number of wards who will not receive a capacity declaration before the deadline. Without such amendments, the legal uncertainty that would arise for these wards could create complications with important matters, such as their care and treatment, provision of services and placement

regarding the Act for people impacted as well as for their families and for services. The Act itself has also brought a lot of conflict between the parents of adults with disabilities and service providers and others such as financial institutions. In relation to wardship … people to understand the discharge process, the lack of legal professionals available to navigate the process and, most notably, the lack of resources made available to the key bodies in addressing these issues in the Decision Support Service, Legal Aid Board and National Advocacy Service. An information campaign

time to look at what can be done. We need to properly resource the Legal Aid Board. I was at a justice committee meeting last week and we heard how under pressure the Legal Aid Board is at the moment and how much pressure it is going … place for the National Advocacy Service and the Decision Support Service. A part of this Bill that I have a personal opinion on, because it affects me on a personal basis, is the ability to make advance healthcare directives. The Minister of State will be aware that

also a concern for me. The public bodies tasked with the implementation of the Act, such as the Legal Aid Board, the National Advocacy Service and the Decision Support Service remain both understaffed and under-resourced. It was not just Oireachtas Members who were denied the opportunity … session with the Minister of State on 28 January, which its representatives attended without being provided advance information on the heads of the Bill. This was circulated to them days afterwards, when their opportunity to query the Bill with the Minister of State had passed. Disabled Women Ireland

State to really look at that. I know it is complex, and there are legal considerations, but the other side of it is that these people are very vulnerable as well in many cases. That should really be looked at to see how we can maintain that legal … ground and make sure we are doing everything right legally. We have to give everyone the opportunity to make sure because some people will fall through the cracks here. I understand the DSS has been getting between 80 and 100 phone calls per day in terms of queries

state advertising into the mix. We have to ensure that these new roles have adequate staff and expertise. It is not just about passing legislation but it is about making sure that when this is enacted, Coimisiún na Meán is fully resourced. Regarding the area of state advertising … welcome things. Article 25 of the European Media Freedom Act, which this Bill facilitates, requires that public funds for state advertising and service contracts are awarded based on transparent, objective, proportionate and non-discriminatory criteria. This puts pressure on public and local authorities to consider certain factors when

unable to obtain his or her new one by the expiry date, he or she is still legally permitted to remain in the State. His or her existing IRP card has another maximum of 12 weeks. I fully acknowledge it is frustrating and worrying for people going through … volume and demand and that we believe we will be in a much better position in terms of catching up and providing the service in the timeline we would like to see for everybody going forward

avoid legal uncertainty for vulnerable individuals and therefore, the committee was satisfied that a waiver was appropriate. The starting point for this legislation is the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, which represented one of the most important reforms of disability law in the State in many decades … make decisions rather than having their legal capacity removed entirely. The legislation places emphasis on the will and preferences of the person, ensuring that individuals are supported to exercise their autonomy wherever possible. Under the Act, the Decision Support Service, DSS, was created and tiered decision support arrangements

recombinant shingles vaccine called Shingrix is available in Ireland and is administered as a two-dose vaccine. The national immunisation advisory committee guidelines state that the Shingrix vaccine may be considered in those aged 65 years and older, due to the greater burden and severity of disease … cost-effectiveness of health technologies, providing advice to the Minister for Health on budget impact, organisational and social aspects and ethical and legal issues. These evaluations take the form of health technology assessments or HTAs. A HTA is a multidisciplinary research process that collects and summarises information about

move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — child protection and welfare represent one of the most fundamental constitutional obligations of the State; — Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, operates as a statutory agency at arm's length from direct departmental control, funded by the Exchequer, but structurally separate from … pressure; — any reform must protect service continuity and safeguard vulnerable children; and — structural reform must be carefully phased, and evidence based; and calls on the Government to: — commission an independent governance review, examining the feasibility of dissolving Tusla as a separate legal entity, and transferring its statutory powers

Minister of State said there are 1,050 cases outstanding. It would be very helpful if she could tell us how many of those are minors. As we approach 23 April, and it is approaching quickly, it is worth noting this is not something that came … look at what can be done. The centre raised the failure to resource the public bodies, the Legal Aid Board, the National Advocacy Service and the Decision Support Service. That needs to be looked at. The fifth concern related to some of the wider issues and the lack

leaving service options is one for the employer and the trustees, rather than the State." The first part of the sentence is true. At the time these workers were made redundant, it was incumbent on the employer and the trustees to provide full information. The State, however … there is fair play. Fairness and justice were not applied here. That happened on the State’s watch and that of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Minister and the Government have legal advice that says they can just sit on their hands and let this injustice continue

itself. The new system is not just legal reform; it is a rights-based shift. Supported decision-making is supposed to be supporting with, not doing for. However, we all know the transition has been very slow. The Minister of State's figures show 391 people have been … that the Minister of State engage on this. Investments and financial management are an important issue and must be addressed. There is a clear call to ensure that the transfer of wards of court decision to the Decision Support Service does not result in continued substitute decision-making

State body, be that An Garda Síochána or another designated State body, and the steps to be taken by the head of the State body on receipt of such a request. The head of the State body could be the Garda Commissioner, the Chief of Staff … sovereignty and security of the State and other essential interests of the State, would be likely to prejudice a criminal investigation of criminal proceedings in the State or would otherwise being inconsistent with the functions, whether statutory or otherwise, of the designated State body. I emphasise that

service and how they are being addressed. I thank Members of the House who continue to engage with me on this. I have placed a significant and systemic focus on productivity generally in our hospitals but particularly in this most acute area of need of paediatric spinal services … than has been the case before. There has been a significant focus on investment for these services. In 2024, 52 new full-time equivalent posts were approved to strengthen paediatric spinal services, including surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nursing staff and allied health professionals. Forty-one of those staff

outlined, to provide a specific legal mechanism for the taking of oral testimony before a High Court judge in this jurisdiction for the purpose of the Omagh bombing inquiry. That Omagh bombing inquiry was established by the northern Secretary of State in February 2024 to investigate whether … High Court and Court of Appeal rulings. We are also reminded of how little co-operation this State has got from the British Government on incidents of collusion in this State. I am minded, as we approach the 52nd anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings

asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to confirm that Section 10 of the template employment contract for Chief Executives of commercial semi State bodies is applicable only in circumstances involving complaints or legal actions initiated by external parties; to confirm that this

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the rationale for extending Specific Purpose Contracts where the stated purpose of those contracts has now been fulfilled; if legal advice was sought regarding the appropriateness of using the same contractual mechanism after the original purpose has been achieved … upon successful completion of Year 3 and registration with PHECC, transitioned directly from Specific Purpose Contracts to permanent posts within the National Ambulance Service; if she will confirm that no paramedic within this cohort will experience a break in service or interruption to pay or employment status arising