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Minister should also say, as all of us in this House should say, that managing migration would be much easier if we were doing it on an all-Ireland basis within a unitary state framework and that, therefore, we should try to advance the reunification of our country … negligence that ensuring we have an arrangement in place is not at the top of the Minister's list to . As he rightly says, the British Government has a potential benefit from this as well if what it is stating is the case

ability of countries to go beyond the energy tax directive. The Deputy will remember that I brought a financial resolution into this House in which we went beyond the energy tax directive on diesel. On that occasion, we did so more to get ready to ask for forgiveness … green diesel excise duty cut and the support scheme, the cut for a litre of green diesel is 27.5 cent. The Deputy is right that the Commission said there are options that can be considered in relation to electricity. I note it said it will soon adopt

welcome the opportunity to speak on this very important issue. Flooding is affecting so many lives and property right across the country. In my county there is seaweed harvesting in the coastal areas and an application in to MARA, which is the maritime regulatory agency. Seaweed … tonnes of seaweed from the coast of Galway and Mayo, which is what is proposed. I believe very few people in this House even realise that, such is the lack of information about these applications. I also want to raise the pace of the planning process for flood

rules, there is a huge level of confusion on the part of landlords and we are going to have confusion from tenants right through to landlords. The Minister is starting as if we are dealing with a fully functional market, whereas I thought we all accepted that … thought there would have been some control on the market, but I cannot see it. The average price of a three-bedroom house in Louth in the third quarter of 2025 was €1,966, which was an 8.7% increase on the year before. Obviously the protections

should be accountable. There should be a case on this and every bit of it, from the unfortunate person who ate it and right through the chain, needs to be exposed. Let me give one very clear message to factories and distributors: the game is on. They will … offside at the moment. Unfortunately for Fianna Fáil, one of them seems to be offside. If any Members on that side of the House decide to vote against the Government during a budget or a Bill on health, however, the big finger is out, the Whip is imposed

four out of every five suicide deaths in Ireland. Men are 34% more likely to die from cancer than women. It is clearly right that there is a particular strategy and set of policies that are required. I acknowledge "The Real Face of Men's Health" report, published … issues unless we tackle the social issues underpinning them. An awful lot of men I meet in my constituency office are struggling with housing issues, which is contributing to the mental pressures and the loneliness they face. They are either not able to begin their lives or they

their elected representatives that we raise the roof on their behalf, know the reality of the record of the parties in government. House prices and rent costs through the roof, homelessness figures beyond anything anybody could have imagined. On every single metric the situation is getting worse, every … because they will not be in a position to find somewhere to live. It is time for change. It was correct and right that people travelled to Dublin to the Raise the Roof protest. I hope this is a sign of hope that people are going to stand

application has been refused, however I was his full time carer, his next of kin. He was a legal tenant in our house and I was able to collect his death certificate. We were common law husband and wife. I would have thought this would have been enough … Court and all the other judicial measures that need to be brought before we stand here today and say, "Yes, this is the right thing to do." We need to reflect on that, and those in government need to reflect on it because I am sure there

tell the Minister of State that if the protection is needed and we do not have it in place, these Houses will be judged very harshly. My next point is critical because this is a debate that probably is not happening to the same extent … question has been used to curtail people’s freedom, not only freedom of expression but also freedom of movement and other fundamental human rights. Again, I ask for support for the amendment. I am urging that we put in place a protection. This is what it is. Ultimately

House. I know him to be a very good and reasonable person and a good, evidence-based advocate. He was in this House and he is in his new role. If there was ever an issue that we should not be partisan … done on e-scooters. I just think there is. I am deeply concerned about this. The Deputy's comment on enforcement is definitely right. We also need to listen to An Garda Síochána to make sure that what we put in place is enforceable and practical. This

also know well many of these organisations in the counties we represent, Wicklow and Wexford. I join the Deputy and everybody in this House in thanking them for the work they do. I remember visiting Saint Aidan's Services, Cheshire Home, Enable Ireland and many of these projects … They are fully part of and embedded in the national disability strategy and the direction in which we are taking that. The Government, right up to the Taoiseach, takes this issue seriously. We have a Cabinet committee on disability and we now have an implementation structure to drive

Department will lead a strategic focus network, with the involvement of other relevant Departments and agencies, as a commitment under the national human rights strategy for disabled people. The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken … work. To reiterate what I said earlier, we will also be having public consultation where we look forward to views from across the House in relation to what the permanent cost-of-disability payment should look like

accept the Minister of State's bona fides on this issue. I know of her track record on leave for carers and carers' rights. I have a copy of the reply she read. I am really disappointed by it because in no part of it is there … there and that it is the interpretation, but it is not correct in terms of the scheme put in place by these Houses 25 years ago to provide for exactly this type of situation. It was to provide backup, succour and care for those people in that situation

parts of the line fully? Could he indicate, even today, when the Athenry–Claremorris part will reopen? It is not often in this House that we have cross-party agreement but there is cross-party agreement on this project. We have the money to go ahead with … Minister of State in the position he is in, and I have every faith and hope that he will do the right thing regarding the western rail corridor

Bill. He should have done that previously. TDs from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and other TDs will troop into the House tonight without having a clue what they are voting on. We had a briefing yesterday and most of them acted very shocked. They will line … lying", but the Government is absolutely fooling people because in the O'Meara judgment the Chief Justice placed an emphasis on "the rights of all children, and obligations of their parents, irrespective of the status of their parents." The Chief Justice made it very clear. He highlighted

read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 for the consideration of the House. The main purpose of this Bill is to address the passenger cap planning condition at Dublin Airport. The importance of addressing the passenger … legislation, and I am satisfied that what I am presenting will allow for the continued sustainable development of Dublin Airport, while balancing the rights of local residents with the objectives of Ireland's national aviation policy and the needs of business and tourism. I think

pillar 3 of the infrastructure plan. It looks to build capacity in the construction sector. We desperately need to increase capacity across infrastructure, housing and road projects to meet current and future demand. Pillar 4 will introduce measures to strengthen co-operation between the utilities and local authorities … approach. Judicial reviews exist because there is a genuine need to fill gaps where procedures have failed. People resort to them because constitutional rights to fair procedures, equality before law and access to justice are being undermined. We cannot limit these rights. We must

cannot beat Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for the good old loophole. Just when they were on the verge of getting it right, they announced that it would be about two years before speculators, land hoarders and those who were leaving these properties derelict came in under … this building. For the next two years, no levies will be put on its owner. These are two apartments where families could be housed and where people could make a home. Instead, the building is being left derelict. This is the property of a former Minister - a presidential

families who are dealing with the added difficulty of the cost of disability, day in, day out. As we all know in this House - it has already been mentioned tonight - The Cost of Disability in Ireland report by Indecon showed that people with a disability face additional costs … from 16 to 18 years. This because more than 800 parents said in a survey I recently carried out that it is the right thing to do. I could recount many of the reasons people stated that in response to the survey. This is becoming a massive issue

transport programmes across our country, along with €12.2 billion for the water sector to support water quality, rural water services, unlock housing and upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure. In energy, the landmark investment of up to €18.9 billion approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities … scale up delivery of homes, roads, public transport, water and wastewater plants and energy infrastructure. It includes legislative reforms to balance individual rights with the public interest, measures to simplify regulation and consenting systems, and to cut administrative burdens and red tape. Strong progress is being made

Personally, I am very positively disposed to that once it is a matter for the local authority. As the Deputy rightly said, I am a big believer in empowering local democracy. If you run in your community and get elected by your community, you should have real powers … through bureaucracy and planning processes that take too long is going to be key to delivery. However, unlike we often hear in this House, I think regional Ireland and regional cities are going well. Cities like Galway are doing well. We have got to just make sure

part of a common travel area, CTA, with a state outside the EU. Our challenges, from managing the CTA to our housing crisis and stretched public services, are specific to us. Yet, this Government has signed up to a one-size-fits-all EU system, ignoring the unanimous … elements of our independent foreign policy. It should be for the Irish Government to decide, based on our principles of neutrality and human rights, from which conflicts we offer sanctuary. We cannot allow those decisions to be indirectly shaped by the foreign policy priorities of larger EU states

ambition is clear, the pathway is set and the partnership is working. The goals laid out in the programme for Government, from housing and healthcare to rural development, environmental action and economic resilience, cannot be achieved overnight. They require steady hands and a shared commitment. The Tánaiste … about chasing headlines or popularity polls. It is about standing firm in your convictions, being honest with the people and doing what is right even when it is difficult. The Tánaiste has shown those qualities time and again both at home and abroad. For that reason

Arts Council is being led by Professor Niamh Brennan. It includes Margaret Cullen and John McCarthy. They have all in their own right plenty of experience of examining corporate governance in other areas as well. I do not disagree with the Deputy with regard to the Department … will deal with the National Gallery and any other issues there as well, and I will lay all of them before the Houses of the Oireachtas. There is no issue in that regard

Bill. It is very important that we deliver critical infrastructure as efficiently and effectively as possible. We absolutely agree with that intention. For housing, healthcare, education, the climate infrastructure we need, public transport and reducing the cost of living and of doing business, it is important that critical … part of our process. Independent judicial arbitration and who has access to it should not be decided on by the Minister withdrawing these rights because he thinks some people have ideologies. That is very arbitrary. Judicial activism has been given a bad rap by this Government