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delighted the airport is doing well but as regards climate emissions, the climate action Bill was supported by the Deputies on my right. They brought in that Bill. Where are most of the people who are landing here going? They are not staying around Dublin, are they? They … Government will take more and more carbon tax and stop families from looking after their young ones and building their own houses. It will stop infrastructure in this country because of inflation, all of which has been brought on by the carbon tax, but it has no problem

improvement. That shows the level of commitment he has in supporting them. He mentioned his own community of Glenbeigh as well. It is right on the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ring of Kerry. It is important and very much incumbent on Government, at a political level … money being invested in County Kerry, which I know he has been advocating for, not just while he has been in this House but for a long number of years, working hard with the local authority and TII. They are progressing but the issues he raised today, including

treated despicably but this video that has emerged has shocked the world. It shows clearly the disgraceful actions of Israel and its far-right ministers. There are reports of sexual harassment, broken ribs, hospitalisations and more. However, this is nothing new. It is a deliberate policy by Israel … have had vacillation, dilution and backtracking on services. I do note the Minister’s update that was put on the record of the House earlier this morning and again a few moments ago. In that time, nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and almost

duty of the Government to work within the laws of Ireland and to safeguard the essential interests of the State and the rights of citizens. The Minister has sought to go as far as possible, using the 2019 statutory mechanism as a template but adding … were many others committed over the course of the Troubles. Many were the subject of the Kenova report, which we debated in this House last month. Reaching agreement on the joint framework to address the legacy of the Troubles last autumn was a major step towards providing routes

probably the most important part of the functions carried out by us, as Ministers, to ensure that the law we make in this House is enforced. At present, there is a workforce of approximately 18,000 in An Garda Síochána. This includes 14,397 attested members … extra attestation in February of this year, which brought the number who attested up to 786. Recruitment is going in the right direction. The Deputy used the phrase "recruitment and retention crisis". There is no such crisis. In fact, even the representative associations do not now refer

only speak with authority about Donegal but I listened to families in Mayo and Clare recently when they were before the Oireachtas housing committee. It is crystal clear we do not have anything near 100% redress in the west. That means the scheme currently benefits those … took a year and a half for legislation to be brought forward for people going through the scheme. I ask the Minister right now to send a letter to the SCSI. It is a tremendous organisation. It will carry out the work, which is to the benefit

very happy Christmas. I thank everyone for their collegiality, co-operation and friendship over the year. I also thank our staff of Leinster House who keep the show rolling all year. Tomorrow marks 50 years since the Dundalk bombing that claimed the lives of Jack Rooney and Hugh … incomplete. What will the Government do under the joint legacy framework with the Irish and UK Governments to improve the situation? We rightly call on the Government to release all files and be honest about its role in the perpetuating the Troubles. I want guarantees that this State

contribution. This significant investment will ensure we continue to enhance delivery across a range of schemes, which are so important for communities right across our country. The community development budget is an accentuation of the programme for Government commitments and will show that we in government … programme, SICAP, and other social inclusion supports. SICAP is critical for supporting social inclusion and addressing disadvantage in many communities. Members of the House who know and work with SICAP will know the importance and impact of it. I am delighted the Department has received the level

thank the Deputy, who rightly raises this issue with me regularly. It is important we continue to keep the focus and pressure in terms of justice on these matters. Since the events of 14 December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed, and Trooper Shane Kearney … officials have consistently raised this matter with the Lebanese authorities on a regular basis. I assure the Deputy and the House we will continue to do so. I can also confirm there has been sustained and constructive engagement with the UN Secretariat on this matter over the past

send their students to Dublin, Galway or Cork? These families are already suffering, largely due to this Government, in respect of the housing crisis. I know families and I am sure the students in the Gallery will agree that students are moving out of their accommodation … fees when the fees were €2,000, and then increase them by 50% weeks after the election. The Minister can do the right thing today and tell the families what his plan is. It is totally wrong that the Tánaiste would come out and ask if people

introduction of a definition of “material contravention” of the development plan which should assist in the timely development of critical infrastructure and housing projects by providing clarity and certainty for the decision-making process and thereby avoiding the potential for additional legal challenges. It also includes a number … alter the requirements or predetermine the outcome of the planning process itself. All relevant parties, including landowners, will still retain their existing rights to participate in the planning process. Another example is section 53, which makes an amendment to help speed up the delivery of critical electricity infrastructure

even bother to give this humanitarian crisis its own section or detailed budget allocation. It is lumped in with a list of other housing supports and programmes. That shows an absolute lack of respect. When we discuss the defective concrete crisis, the Government focuses on the current estimate … have seen suicides. It never ends. In the past, I have fought with banks and insurers on behalf of people who did everything right. The insurance companies and the banks ran and the vulture funds are now in there. However, this work has to continue. If we keep

eviction since the Famine is because the Minister and this Government are completely out of touch with the human catastrophe going on right now. I do not believe that he does not see it in his own constituency. We know there was a case of evictions. I want … nothing it can do for them. They had an income assessment in 2025 which said they were over the threshold for social housing. He is now retired. They are in absolute terror. Their notice to quit says they have to be out of their home by 10 December

invite the Minister to come back in here and prove that we were wrong and that he was right. If the Minister has the courage of his convictions and if he had a credible analysis of the Bill, which he does not, he would agree to that without … know that? We know because we have been here before. Deputy Boyd Barrett is the longest serving TD dealing with housing on the Opposition benches. I am not far behind him. Simon Coveney made all the same promises

section 254 licence applications for telecommunications infrastructure and proximity to residential properties, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Minister with responsibility for planning … that a public road has the same meaning as the Roads Act 1993, which defines it as "a road over which a public right of way exists and the responsibility for the maintenance of which lies on a road authority". A person applying for a licence must provide

from Dublin 15. However, we definitely need investment in existing services as well due to a growing population, growing demand and growth in housing. The Minister and I spoke about the fact that investment in existing services in Dublin West had reduced to €97 in 2022 and there … opposite direction. I know from speaking to the Minister that it is a priority for him to invest in both and get it right for all the population of Dublin

this issue, in order to stop the manipulation on the far left side of the politics of identity and on the far right of the politics of hate, we need more debate. We need more debate. Yesterday, I asked whether the Government would consider a citizens' forum … myths and misinformation and allow a proper, reasoned and respectful debate. Could that be done concurrently with any other discussion in these Houses

timeline in respect of the date of the building, so any shop can convert and avail of the scheme. In terms of housing and other buildings, the year is now 1975 as opposed to 1915, so, hopefully, that will create some activity in the five cities and regional … progress and a fresh approach to Cork city itself. It is important that we get the terms of reference and the focus right. Some work has been undertaken between UCC, the city council, the Cork Business Association and others in respect of how the city should progress

those employed by the State to look after and to care. In 1989, around the age of 11, Grace was put in this house. Like my colleagues, I find it very difficult to see how you could call this a home. She was placed there and we hear … social worker warned again in 2007 that Grace was vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, but she was not moved until 2009. For any right-thinking person, there is obviously no defence of this in any way, shape or form. It is about where we go from here, however

Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Energy Costs (to adjourn after 2 hours and 15 minutes) - Statements on the Housing Plan (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) - National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Report and Final Stages) (to commence no earlier than … conclude within 3 hours and 34 minutes). Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021, sponsored by Deputy Jennifer Whitmore. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that

This is the factual position. It is not right or proper, in my view, that any other construction should be put on it. As we now know, any protected disclosure is investigated by an independent person, not by the Minister or anyone else. The allegations, as the Deputy … been wanting to know for some time why Harvey was removed from the waiting list without any notice or discussion. Indeed, in this House I have said - I think when it was alerted to me by the Deputy next to Deputy McDonald - that it is unacceptable. Every parent

going to change the triple lock. That is our proposal as a Government. We are going to bring forward proposals to this House. We have published a general scheme. It has been scrutinised by the Oireachtas committee. Some good ideas have come back from that cross-party committee … most constructive way to try to engage in the legislation that we have a duty to try to get right. What is going on in Gaza is a genocide. We agree on that point. We were one of the first countries, certainly in Europe, to call

history of standing proudly neutral and fair behind what is right. We know that what is happening in Israel and Gaza is not right, and this is what we are calling out. The Irish Government has always been clear on its support for Gaza. As Deputy Séamus McGrath … this specific regard. The Government will continue to make the case throughout Europe and at the UN. Let no one in this House be in any doubt about where the Irish Government stands. The country of Israel is in no doubt about where this country stands. Sometimes when

East, that the State of Israel has every right to exist in peace and security and that the people of Palestine have every right to a sovereign state that exists in peace and security. As we know in this country better than many, the only … genocidal, which are war crimes and which are starving children, which is in turn a breach of international law. Nobody in this House comes in and seeks to praise what Ireland is doing. What we do seek to do in this House is outline that, as a small

manner in which these motions are being brought before the House is wholly unsatisfactory. Once again Members have been given just two days' notice to consider measures arising from significant EU instruments. Once again, we are told they must be dealt with as a matter of urgency. This … asked to wave them through. Ireland occupies a unique position in this area. Unlike most other EU member states, Ireland secured the right under Protocol No. 21 during the Lisbon treaty negotiations to choose whether to participate in measures relating to justice and home affairs. That safeguard