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framework that sets out a long-term vision for how Ireland approaches migration while also ensuring that policy development in areas such as housing, employment, education, integration and public services is informed by a clear understanding of future migration trends and needs. The strategy will establish a framework … them to come to Ireland. Applications should be considered efficiently and fairly, and decisions should be made in accordance with the law. Rights, procedures and safeguards must be protected. Equally, once decisions are made, they must be implemented in a consistent and effective manner. A rules-based system

polarisation of the language in some of the contributions, which I thought was unnecessary. This is something people from both sides of the House have strong views on. We should all respect one another's views without getting to the level of name-calling, which was very regrettable … capital grants and other measures. This is an industry and that economic activity is why the Government supports this sector. It is the right thing to do from an economic perspective as well as it being a key part of social and rural pursuits. Deputies Kenny and Newsome

campaigners, parents and families who fought for years to put it on the agenda. Cara Darmody has been outside Leinster House again and again. The campaigners have demanded action on assessment of need and provision of the therapies that must flow from that. The Government is feeling … course, once the assessment of need is done, children just move onto other waiting lists for necessary therapies. Unfortunately, there is no legal right in terms of timeframes for access to therapy. The Government has a problem with the law that requires an assessment of need to happen

cost the taxpayer billions but do not last and do not fix anything. The deferral of these excise duties will be adopted, and rightly so, but this Government has no answer for the day after this deferral ends. A Minister was on the airwaves last week stating that … Alice in Wonderland stuff. The cost-of-living crisis goes far beyond the price at the pump. The ever-increasing cost of housing, groceries, childcare and electricity has made paying for the basics a nightmare in this country. A constituent recently contacted me to share her struggles

duties, also. UHL is a concern to all of us and the one thing it does not need is politics. The Deputy is right as regards the flu. We are worried about the amount of people who still have to get the flu vaccine. The vaccine … hospital in Limerick, it did a campaign in Limerick to try to encourage people to get the vaccine. I encourage people in the House to get it. I have got it, as I am from a cohort of people who are immunosuppressed and need

Irish people have done to stand up for Palestine and what they continue to do. I want to acknowledge that in the House today and thank them for it. I extend deepest solidarity to the Palestinian people who are living under unimaginable and horrific suffering and starvation … population. Famine was confirmed in Gaza for the first time by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said Israel is committing war crime upon war crime. There have been 248 journalists killed and 540 aid workers slaughtered. Humanitarian

union recognition to advance trade union recognition for all workers. I am speaking to the Minister of State on an issue in the Houses of Parliament, so he might at least do me the courtesy of listening to what I have to say, if he does not mind … reason: they have a lousy deal. They have been negotiating in good faith but some of their employers do not recognise their right to collective bargaining and their trade unions. That needs to change. Their right to trade union recognition is ignored, their right to collective bargaining

begin by acknowledging the presence in the House of H.E. Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian ambassador, and all the representatives of the Ukrainian community in Ireland. I thank the ambassador for continuing to keep Members and the Irish public aware of the reality of life in Ukraine . On behalf … years. I reiterate that Russia's attack on and bombardment of the Ukrainian people is an attack on sovereignty, peace and the right of a nation to be sovereign, independent and free. It is a vicious and violent expression of the dead-end belief that might is right

involvement of a person's carer or personal assistant in ensuring a person receives the right medicine in the right dosage at the right time, particularly where a person has cognitive or mobility issues or a physical or intellectual disability, which is otherwise not permitted; and — many people … month is a huge amount for some people. We cannot ever live in a bubble here in Leinster House. We have to understand that this type of charge is a loss for a person who is on a very low income, a disability payment or a low-paid

years ago, including the treatment of infrastructure and environmental standards. It is really doing its best. However, since being elected to this House, I am not happy with the fact that, as Deputy O'Flynn noted earlier, no one is accountable. In a question on 5 February … endorsed by the family of Seán Dublin Bay Loftus, who did great things in the past to protect Dublin Bay for us right now. Otherwise, it would have been filled in, which was the plan at the time. In another question, I asked if the Taoiseach could provide

tragic and unacceptable for the people of Gaza and the West Bank and it has deteriorated considerably since we recognised Palestine. The House is united in our collective outrage at the scenes we continue to witness every single day of innocent civilians being bombed out of their homes … shortly before we, along with Spain and Norway, recognised the State of Palestine, Ireland strongly supported a resolution to upgrade Palestine’s rights at the UN as an observer state. Ireland urged the Security Council to give favourable consideration to Palestine’s request for full membership. This Government

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Michael Collins - To discuss the proposed autism centre in west Cork. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss … discuss the relocation of the An Post sorting office in Harmonstown, Dublin 5. Deputies Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy - To discuss the rights and treatment of Oireachtas TV workers and their evolving situation. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss allowing for the inclusion of parental details on children

April and the plan is to roll this out across the country. The Government knows that too but it does not care. After housing costs, 57% of HAP tenants and 43% of local authority tenants are already living below the poverty line, as are a third of private … food on the table and keep the heating and lights on. They will be protesting outside the Dáil next Tuesday to demand their rights

system without clear rules is not fair to those seeking refuge, to those already living here and to the communities coping with stretched housing and services. We have heard arguments in this regard time and again throughout the country. Since the start of the year, over … Germany link accommodation contributions to income, ensuring fairness for taxpayers. Ireland is now taking similar steps, and I believe this is the right approach. Ireland cannot do everything for everyone but we can do what is right and we can do it well. We can uphold our international

Deputy reads the Housing Agency report - and I invite her to do so in its entirety - and looks at the ESRI analysis of the rental market, in reviewing both the domestic and international literature and so on, she will see there has been a negative impact, particularly … going to do that. We need a bit of practical reality here. That is the point. The balance has to be right and we have got that balance right while protecting tenants to an even greater degree

support the motion of confidence in the Ceann Comhairle. She retains my full confidence. As the democratically elected Chair of this House, she deserves the respect of all its Members. She was democratically elected. As a former colleague of hers on the Committee of Public Accounts, I know … with the business of tackling these issues. We must not see a repeat of what happened last week. The matter of speaking rights has been subject to 20 hours of debate at the Dáil reform committee. It is now time to move on and deal with the setting

Agency Act, which established the EPA. Protecting the natural environment, air quality and wildlife was an issue that Charles Haughey championed in this House as far back as 1972 and we continue to take that legacy seriously. In budget 2026, the Minister of State secured a 20% increase … stand. A total of 90% of Ireland's protected habitats are in unfavourable status while 51% are deteriorating. The Minister of State was right to say we cannot lose hope because where we act, we see results such as peatlands recovering, the otter and pinemartin thriving

Before I speak to this subject, I congratulate the Ceann Comhairle and the staff of Leinster House for the event yesterday. We have all seen the analysis of our distinguished guests, as has been well covered in the media, but it is important to pay tribute … raising prices again. It is the worst time for that support to be pulled. I mentioned our distinguished guest, President Zelenskyy. It is right that Ireland shows solidarity and support, but I am being asked in emails how we can be giving €125 million to Ukraine

Cork. I have brought the water into this House and showed it to the Taoiseach. I am sure he has been in houses on the southside of the city – around the Turners Cross area, where he is from originally – where the water is brown and murky even … morning whether we can actually go to the tap and have a glass of water, something you would think is a basic right. Very often, we turn on our televisions and see appeals for villages in Africa or footage of water coming out of taps in African villages

Hamas flotilla and to call the participants terrorists. I spent two weeks in Tunis helping to prepare the flotilla. I assure the House that these are decent people from around the world who are looking to do whatever they can to try to stop the slaughter. The rhetoric … calling "on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the Flotilla" and saying, "any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the Flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability". A violent

serious point the Deputy makes is entirely right. It is perfectly right that Deputy Feighan has a right to ask a question, Deputy Coppinger. That is how we work in this democracy. Our lads are elected too and they can ask questions in the Dáil. I thank Deputy … India that was heading towards our nearest neighbours in the UK, at Gatwick. I know the thoughts and prayers of everyone in this House are with all of those affected

This is my first opportunity to engage with the Minister in the House, so I congratulate him on his appointment. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the proposal to opt in to the negotiating mandate of the EU-UK youth experience scheme, one proposed by the European … shaping the Commission's negotiating mandate. While this is largely going to be a matter between the EU and Britain, it is right that Ireland would opt into any negotiation that could have an impact on this State, even if it has been stated explicitly at this point

seeking in any way to restrict the rights of a data subject. In fact, they are seeking to add protection to the rights of a data subject by ensuring that the three agencies that are the subject matter of the regulations act only where necessary … doing here today. The legislation states that I, as Minister, can make regulations but they will only be approved if the Houses of the Oireachtas approve them. That is a very good provision. I cannot just introduce the regulations, sign them in and have them become

carry out biometric analysis, subject to a code of practice to be drawn up by the Garda Commissioner and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This would involve the automated retrospective searching of documents, footage and images that the Garda has obtained in the course … live facial recognition technology, FRT? Does the Minister intend to develop a national database of faces? Live FRT has serious implications for the right to privacy and the right to protest, and there is also the fact that it is discriminatory in who it targets and isolates. Furthermore

wish the Minister very well in her role. Having listened to everyone who contributed, I believe there is not one Member across these Houses who is not inundated with queries and concerns over children’s therapies, waiting lists and assessment of need. So many of us are supporting … legislation or otherwise. I am not sure whether it is a question of legislation but it cannot be a matter of diminishing the right of children to get an assessment. We must ensure we enhance their rights and that practitioners can look after children, determine what they need