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that I believe the Minister of State and her officials should be considering, and that we will consider, on Committee Stage with this House. The first concerns the office itself. Under section 9, it is provided that Oifig Intleachta Shaorga na hÉireann co-ordinates, advises and promotes … sectoral authorities that will carry out the enforcement on the ground. Again, I will bring an amendment for regular reports to this House on the resourcing of those designated authorities, which goes beyond the Minister of State's remit and, obviously, to the competent authorities. I will

impediments to those who live in the area or under the flight paths. It is worth putting on the record of this House that these issues have not gone away. If you couple the significant population increases in many of these areas with the significant increases … impact of noise from the north runway." These are tangible actions that could be progressed alongside this legislation as it moves through the House. We all know that Dublin Airport is not the only international airport on this island. Cork Airport has a capacity of 5 million passengers

guidelines for local authorities and childcare facilities were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 by the Minister for housing. The guidelines are intended to ensure a consistent approach to the treatment of planning applications in respect of the land use planning aspects … strong basis from which to pursue this work. Separately, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been liaising with Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the planning process as set out in the planning and development regulations of 2001. The Department of Housing

true. We have also taken a number of other measures, including this week, with more than €800 million through the housing, activation and infrastructure office to help counties right across this country to put in place key enabling pieces of infrastructure that are required to deliver more homes … Housing is an emergency in this country. Housing is a real challenge. The cross-party committee has done good work. Do not misrepresent what it has said, though. It has not said to bring in a no-fault eviction ban. It has said to keep all things under

Certainty, clarity and stability for the rental sector" were the words of the Minister for housing when he introduced his disastrous rental reform Bill in February. He did mention the word "eviction" once. As predicted, this new law has caused carnage in the private rental sector - not stability … know we need more supply but the Government has been saying that for a decade and the problem keeps getting worse. The housing committee today published an important report on homelessness. It includes 14 recommendations, all suggestions those of us in opposition have previously called for in some

past week or so the Tánaiste has been very critical of county councils which he said think they have "done enough" on housing. He said, “There’s too much sluggishness in parts of the system, in terms of zoning land." Laois cannot be counted as one of them … looks at what it has done on zoning this week. It has exceeded the Department of housing's targets. We need more affordable and social housing and cost rental but it has gone well past the targets. On zoning, this week Laois zoned lands on top of what

Rare disease is an issue that affects thousands of families across Ireland, yet too often it receives far too little attention in this House. In particular, many patients face struggles gaining access to the medicines and treatments that could transform or even save their lives. The word "rare … years fighting for treatment and they certainly should not have to spend years fighting bureaucracy while their conditions deteriorate. Our job in this House is to ensure that hope is matched by action. That is what fairness demands. That is what compassion requires. That is what Independent Ireland

home. I know the Minister of State will be familiar with Courtbrack. People are spending €400,000 and €500,000 on new houses. They do not really have broadband. It is improving but it is still behind where it should be. You cannot get a phone signal except … seven to ten years, at best, before it gets an upgrade. There are big HGV lorries and tankers going through a new housing estate in Whitechurch just to service the existing requirement. Guess what? We will zone more land in the next development plan for more houses without

resourced and funded to ensure retrofitting is completed in at least 12 months. In regard to the retrofitting of local authority council houses, the National Oversight and Audit Commission has confirmed the target to retrofit 36,500 social housing units to B2 standard by 2030 will … excess cash nor access to cash to avail of these schemes. After Government grants, a retrofit can cost up to €43,000 per house. This is leading to a green divide, where homes in affluent areas have access to the schemes as they have moneys and funds available

about how the Department of justice, led by the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, is continuously undermining democratic and parliamentary norms in this House. We will support the measure because we believe it is an important one but we do so while highlighting the failure of the Department … environment, it is entirely reasonable that the EU would seek to strengthen co-operation against firearms trafficking. It it equally reasonable for this House to ask questions. The central question I have for the Minister of State and the Government she represents is a simple one. What specific

past when implementing EU directives or regulations with fixed application dates. However, the seriously reduced opportunity to engage with this Bill in the House is both unfortunate and somewhat disrespectful to Members. Given the package was first endorsed in the EU in 2023, it really beggars belief that … progresses through the Oireachtas. The first issue I raise concerns privileged material. It is an issue that been raised repeatedly in the House in recent times. Repeatedly, the Government has been slow to recognise the importance of protecting legal or journalistic privilege when bringing forward legislation. That

that decision for herself in her own time about her own pregnancy without a mandatory delay. I am open to working across the House on an amendment to clarify this further in the Bill, and I hope to do so. I understand there may be a number … make. It is overdue. It respects women's decisions. It removes an unnecessary barrier to care. There are many other issues that these Houses should and must work through, arising from the review of the Act. I commend this Bill to the House

affecting the birth rate. It is not the only reason the birth rate is falling; the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis and the cost of childcare are all pushing down the birth rate, but you cannot have 10,852 abortions annually without impacting on the birth … were born in 2024. That is a startling collapse in the birth rate. The really shocking thing is that the lack of housing, the cost of living and the cost of childcare are not more to the fore in Sinn Féin's approach to this Dáil. Dozens

thank the Deputy. Of course, I know of his significant interest in homes and housing. He has been and continues to be a strong advocate. There is a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation from the Department's perspective. It is looking at the overall delivery … Minister and the Deputy, working with the councillors and the county manager, the chief executive. Perhaps a meeting could be arranged in Leinster House, and I am happy to facilitate that. The Deputy is well able to manage it but if he needs any assistance from

thank everyone for their contributions and Deputy Byrne for bringing this Private Members' Bill before the House. As Deputy Ó Cearúil says, Deputy Byrne was way ahead of the curve in relation to this. When they mention art imitating life, the Deputy's Bill came before the issues … used as a tool to control or manipulate us. That really is the crux of the matter. Deputy Byrne's Bill prompts the House to consider its core purpose and key responsibilities. The GDPR protects our personal information, the EU AI Act will regulate

gone from 10,000 to 30,000 in the last number of years. It is the fastest growing town Ireland. We are providing houses, as the Government wants us to do. Our local authority is ahead of every other country when it comes to the number of houses … getting those houses and we appreciate them. Of course, there are issues but we do not have jobs in Laois for most people

comments. This is a very important issue for people generally, but young people and young couples in particular, in rural Ireland. Given the housing crisis we are in, we simply have to look at every avenue to increase housing capacity. The Minister and the Minister of State with … responsibility for housing have been working substantively on this with significant proposals. I envisage that in the next number of weeks, they will bring it to Cabinet. We have had a discussion at the Cabinet subcommittee on this and hopefully it can be brought to a conclusion

offer from Uisce Éireann to connect to water and sewerage services. Whiterock Hill is not an isolated area. There are about 1,500 houses on the hill and this will be a community facility. The club has received an offer of connection for €52,000 from Uisce Éireann … sewerage services. As I said, it is not in the middle of nowhere. It is alongside a main road and there are houses all around it. Can the Taoiseach personally intervene on this? I have written to the Minister for housing and I have received an acknowledgment

entitled an Act to prohibit sulky-racing where no lawful permission has been granted. I am pleased to bring this legislation before the House once again. Its purpose is straightforward and urgently needed. The Bill prohibits sulky racing on public roads unless explicit permission has been granted … continue to do so unless we act. I do not claim the Bill is perfect but I hope that all sides of the House will support it. The issue straddle the Departments of justice, agriculture and local government. The Minister, Deputy Heydon, has been making noises that

decay is built by the glass cages growing up around us. Hats off, in a way, to the guys who occupied the Ardee House pub recently in protest at vacancies, voids, dereliction and the lack of community centres. We do not have a community centre in Dublin … into the vision of what our old town could be. The Liberties has reached a tipping point. Even the judge in the Ardee House pub occupation case is sympathetic to the occupiers and their demands and has given them extra time. The Vicar Street Hotel and the Molyneux

still persisted with our ICJ support and in finally getting to this Bill. I welcome that this Bill has finally come to the House. If it comes to a vote on whether to support the Bill, I will certainly vote for it. However, as my colleagues have said … opinion removes ambiguity regarding member state competence to restrict trade linked to illegal settlements. The former UN special rapporteur told a Chatham House briefing that states are required to take unilateral measures to avoid contributing to internationally wrongful acts. I also want to reference the former Attorney General

importation of goods. National legislation being taken forward by other EU member states is similarly focused on goods. Again, I remind the House that Ireland was the first EU country to announce its intention to prohibit the importation of settlement goods and other EU member states have followed … carefully consider all of the options as well as the proposals that have been made as part of the debate in this House and during the pre-legislative scrutiny process. For those who dismiss the potential economic implications or who feel we should gamble or take a risk

Member of the Oireachtas or not. I do not believe that in a republic you provide particular privileges to Members of the Houses. The Constitution has provision which protects unimpeded access to this House in order to fulfil our constitutional duties and I think it would send … wrong signal if the Oireachtas was to pass legislation protecting Members of the Houses and not others. Returning to my point about time, this debate started 40 minutes ago. We have only 90 minutes to deal with a wide range of areas. I do not know

first thing I want to say is that I have listened to people in the House. I acknowledge the presence of survivors in the Gallery and I commend them because the law is being changed because of the advocacy of campaigners. We all agree on one thing, which … notes. I simply cannot do that because of the legal advice that I have received. The Labour Party recognises that. People in this House recognise that. In terms of the proposal from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, I gave consideration to it and have prepared a response

system will involve pumping it upwards and then letting it flow down with gravity. This is the perfect place for infrastructure for future housing but this will limit the amount of housing that can be put into Foynes. The town is to be connected by motorway … lands across the road. That is also on the side of the port. It would make sense and this infrastructure would allow for housing in the future

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide data on the total funding allocated to the Land Development Agency (LDA) in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and the number of housing units delivered through LDA projects, per year

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide links to official reports, documents, and published datasets detailing the total funding allocated to the Land Development Agency (LDA) in each of the past three years; and to provide reports outlining the number … housing units delivered through LDA projects, per year. [15242/25

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the refusal of transfers between county housing lists is a policy or law by the councils. [15297/25

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline details of new affordable housing schemes being supported by his Department; to provide details of submissions received from Clare County Council for the development of such schemes; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline details of the location, by town name, of all social housing schemes completed for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 in County Clare, as well as those currently in planning and under

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide a date for when a decision will be made regarding Fingal County Council's request for inclusion in the defective block scheme, given that the Housing Agency has completed its investigations

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 474 of 25 March 2025, the funding allocated to local authorities by his Department in order to meet the tenant-in-situ scheme acquisition targets in each of the years … number of housing units purchased via the local authority scheme specifically in 2023 and 2024, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15755/25

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the fact that at present there is no dedicated pathway for migrants with disabilities within Ireland’s housing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15855/25

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the status of Cheeverstown House, Templeogue, Dublin 6W; if it is ultimately planned to wind down and close this facility, or whether it will it continue to be a much-needed … there are any plans to re-open the swimming pool and hall; whether the HSE have a long-term plan for the Cheeverstown House site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15772/25

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that the current wait time for an appointment with a Dublin City Council housing advisor is seven weeks; whether he believes this wait time is acceptable; and if he will outline steps

Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the staffing levels in the Housing and Community Department of Dublin City Council, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; whether he believes the current staffing level is sufficient; and if he will

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will take to increase the availability of affordable housing in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14815/25

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of hectares of land owned by Kilkenny County Council, and Carlow County Council, zoned for housing; the nationwide figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14817/25

Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action being taken to ensure that additional land is zoned for housing in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14818/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to unlock HSE lands in Killarney, County Kerry for the provision of greatly needed affordable and social housing, including low-cost sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14855/25

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the regeneration of Pearse House; the reason residents have not yet been facilitated to move out for works; the status of the stage 2 funding application received from Dublin City Council

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify whether the allocation of €1 billion in additional capital investment to Uisce Éireann announced as part of budget 2025 on 1 October 2024 is additional funding or part of its existing funding requirements … this funding is being allocated to non-domestic capital investment as outlined in the budget announcement for remedial action lists, connections for new housing and addressing urban wastewater pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13565/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of second hand acquisitions by local authorities and approved housing bodies funded by his Department in 2022, 2023 and 2024; the breakdown of these acquisitions, by scheme (details supplied); and the total

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an outline of how much of the additional €1 billion equity investment announced in budget 2025 on 1 October 2024 is being spent on delivering Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan to support water … infrastructure and housing; which capital projects are being allocated this additional investment in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13564/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing tenant in situ purchases concluded in 2024, with a breakdown by local authority area, providing an average purchase cost for the total number of such acquisitions and an average

Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the housing target completions for County Wicklow, by year, from 2025 to 2030; and the targets and actual completions, by year, from 2020 to 2024. [14216/25

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the supports in place for people housed in social housing who are in need of a nursing home place and do not qualify for the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13931/25

Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions his Department officials have had with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or the Land Development Agency regarding the funding of community facilities and spaces in proposed housing or community regeneration schemes

Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans he has to increase the funding per unit for refurbishing vacant and derelict local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12669/25

Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he will take to increase the availability of affordable housing in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12855/25