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there are very few tangible plans, just a few vague lines. We need to be explicit and time-based. Rural Ireland, in particular, has massive potential for microgeneration, self-sufficient storage and sharing inter-regional grid hubs, but we need to plan the system in a different … about the water services network but, again, we have no tangible plan for action. We have to wake up and smell the coffee. We are past the point of no return. We cannot have further statements like this in another two or three years and say the same

with approximately a quarter of these taking place outside Dublin - in every corner of this country - ensuring that the EU Presidency is truly national in its reach. We will set out our full EU Presidency priorities and policy programme in early June, as is traditional. What … roadmap to address these issues. This has given us firm targets, and a clear timetable. There are approximately 28 proposals, which the joint statement called to be agreed, by the end of the Irish EU Presidency. We intend to deliver on that agenda. We will spare no effort

welcome their continued growth year on year. However, Pride month is more than just a festival or parade; it is a powerful statement about love, acceptance and resilience. This year marks a milestone anniversary for the LGBTIQ+ community and for wider society. It is ten years since … national LGBTIQ+ inclusion strategy 2024-2028 is a manifestation of the Government’s commitment to meet the challenges the LGBTIQ+ community continue to face. I am pleased to inform the House that I launched the strategy and its accompanying first two-year action plan last month

Minister, Deputy Calleary. The Government is well aware of the additional costs faced by disabled people. I re-echo the Minister’s statement when he said he was committed within the lifetime of this Government to addressing the cost of disability in both a comprehensive and a permanent … facing disabled people cut across government. That is why the national human rights strategy for disabled people is a key focus. It adopts a whole-of-government approach with individual Departments and State agencies responsible for planning and delivering the commitments that come under their remit across five

from talking to the leaders and foreign ministers of Arab nations in recent weeks the amount of work they have put into getting a plan and engaging with President Trump to try to bring forward a plan on which the world can speak with one voice … West Bank is being restricted from all sides. Since October 2023, the Israeli Government has approved 49 new settlements. The decision to approve plans for settlement construction in the E1 area is unacceptable and a violation of international law. Since January of this year, at least

runs out of money or soldiers. They are ended by interventions by states through the United Nations, different mechanisms, diplomatic measures and peace negotiations. I am deeply disturbed by that statement. What is the future for ending the Ukraine war? Is it constantly pumping in more money … marching as part of a European drumbeat to a war. Ms Kallas said: Next week ... [she] will present ... with the [European] Commission, a plan to improve military mobility [in Europe] ... this will include proposals to make our roads, bridges, tunnels, train lines, airports and other infrastructure projects able

want to clearly point out that the underpayments and overpayments in question have come about through a series of administrative errors in the National Shared Services Office, NSSO. Critically, the cohort of people who are affected include, first, retired civil servants who previously work-shared and whose pensions … brought to the attention of the Minister for public expenditure and reform last year. Unlike what the Deputy said, there was a public statement on the matter and the Minister answered questions at that time. This was not the fault of any politician or former civil servant

into our country, roughly 3,000 more homes are needed. I believe it is a statement of fact that we need to look at migration in the round, we need to plan for it and we need to have a mature discussion about what is an appropriate level … issues that need to be addressed, including the fact that the majority of applications are refused. The Government also intends to produce a national migration strategy in 2026 to have an evidence-based, data-driven, informed discussion. I would invite people across the House to engage with that

House who wishes to deliver well-meaning statements. There is a whole array of people, including hundreds upon hundreds of people in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the European Union, embassies across the world and the United Nations, mandated by this Government and House to speak … Palestinian Authority. We condemn in the strongest possible way the continuing Israeli military operations in Gaza and abhor Israel's clear plans to not only persist but to go further, to starve, to displace, to kill, and to reoccupy. We call on Israel to fully lift the blockade

theory, is great. I know the date was, of course, brought forward this year to allow both Departments to be able to plan for the future. I very much welcome it. However, the actual process is failing a number of families really badly across the country. Families have … issue that I ask the Minister of State to look into concerns the service statements. We know there can be a delay of six months or more for parents to receive their service statement because of quality control issues with regard to outsourced assessments of need

statements today from around the country have been quite insightful. Naturally many Deputies here are extremely frustrated with the delays they are seeing in their constituencies. In Kildare North, for example, 4,024 people are waiting for a driving test. That is up from 3,303 last year … which is 691 more for the same time period. We are also told that the national average waiting time in March 2025 stood at 24.1 weeks. Many Deputies here have complained about that delay and understandably so. In Kildare North it is 30 weeks, which is an additional

educators to support children with additional unmet needs; recognises that: — parents and educators continue to have significant concerns about the current system of planning for SEN provision where schools are put under pressure at short notice to open classes without adequate resourcing, appropriate accommodation or training for staff … EPSEN Act and commit to bringing forward amending proposals as necessary and to commencing the long delayed measures; — provide a timeline for the national rollout of in-school therapists through the ETSS to provide certainty for schools and parents, and introduce play, art, music and other relevant therapies

against Ukraine. The evidence in the public domain is damning. The report in The Irish Times clearly showed that, based on official national statistics, over 80% of alumina from Ireland was being shipped to Russia and turned into weapons. The Minister's Department has disputed this. It says … said last week that he had not been part of any discussions about a possible nationalisation of the refinery. That is an astonishing statement to make. We are constantly being told that this operation is important to Ireland as an employer and an energy supplier and that

jumping around between regime change and nuclear disarmament as it suits it. It does not have a plan. It never had a plan. Trump likes invading countries. That is clear a year and a bit into his term. It is also clear that he has found what … European Union and the United Nations through practising the condemnation of the breaking of international law and supporting those countries that are victims of it. Neutrality is also a proactive position. I raise this now as many will do during these statements because the current incursion by this

really glad to have the opportunity to speak on these statements this evening and that the Minister is in the House to listen. My home town is Ballaghaderreen, west Roscommon. This is an issue I have raised repeatedly since my being elected in 2020 because our town … desperately needed. The circumstances of the primary school in Ballaghaderreen are similar. There are almost 30 different nationalities in it. It waited and waited and eventually got planning permission in July for 12 new classrooms. The works need to be progressed very quickly. I hope the lesson will

fluid situation that is playing out between the United States and Greenland, can the Minister of State give me an update on what plans are in place in the event of the impending threat of an increase in tariffs for all countries that do not support America … forget that we have witnessed the genocide of more than 70,000 people, many of them young children. While I warmly welcome the national committee of Gaza management that was set up to manage the day-to-day affairs of Gaza, we must question what powers it actually

took a significant step in submitting its planning application for a development at Belview. Ministers and officials in the Department of Transport welcome the submission of the Port of Waterford’s planning application. If the port is successful in its planning application, it will enhance the port … Port of Waterford. The port is also ideally positioned to support phase 1 of offshore renewable energy development currently in the planning system. The national ORE DMAP, due by 2027, will further enhance the case for investment. The objective of the national DMAP is to designate sufficient maritime

Government to develop an implementation plan for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. My officials are at a very advanced stage in the development of the strategy and publication is expected in the coming months. The next national disability strategy will operate … introduced along with an extension to the current parents' leave and benefit entitlements. As the Minister, Deputy Foley, mentioned in her opening statement, this year is the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on gender equality. Since the last review, notable progress has been

raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I note Manna Air Delivery's recent statement that it will for now cease deliveries by drone in Ireland. The Minister recently met with representatives of Manna Air Delivery and we welcome … holds such an authorisation from the IAA. In addition to complying with the drone regulation, drone operators are also subject to national laws, including environmental, planning and data protection laws. While there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place from an aviation perspective, there are areas where

plan for a new and agreed Ireland that delivers a better quality of life for us all. I have in mind the famous statement by John Hume about the will of the Northern majority and the need for a new Ireland built on the principle of consent … fundamental human right. We need strong statutory protections for workers' rights, collective bargaining and fair wages across both jurisdictions. We need a real plan for regional development. We cannot have a situation where investment gets sucked into Dublin and Belfast. Places like Limerick, Derry, Cork and Galway must

Tánaiste, Simon Harris TD, has stated that the Irish Government considers that the ICJ's Advisory Opinion "represents an authoritative statement of applicable international law which is binding on all states and international organisations, including the European Union (EU) and its Member States"; — on 25th June … trade is trade in goods and services"; — on 18th September, 2024, Ireland co-sponsored a Resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, which, in line with the ICJ Advisory Opinion, called upon all States to comply with their obligations under international law, as reflected

need to consider establishing more explicit consumer-protection mechanisms that may include, for example, mandating the CRU to publish an annual affordability impact statement outlining the cost effects of this investment and requiring measures to offset any regressive impacts. More broadly on the issue of consumer costs … capital projects planned under the investment programme. Which will be prioritised? On what basis? Who decides? How will we in the Dáil be informed if projects go over budget or fall behind schedule? We have seen in other instances, like the new national children’s hospital, that

funded by capital investment, by or on behalf of the State or by or on behalf of a public body". Some of the statements about private data centres are just inaccurate in relation to this Bill. It does nothing to enable them in the context of critical infrastructure … multiple levels and is reflected in strategies, policies and investment plans. It includes assessment of the climate and environmental impacts of any proposal that may be developed. However, the climate Act is clear that the national climate targets will be achieved through the accumulation of mitigation measures that

thank Deputy Cummins. The Deputy's first Topical Issue was extremely well delivered. The Deputy may have answered the question in her own statement but we will get to that later. I appreciate the comments and I will feed back a lot of that. On the provision … national curriculum and are subject to the same Department rules and regulations. Given the importance of increasing choice for parents, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, intends to launch a survey of primary school communities shortly. This survey will ensure we have a greater picture as to what our plans

since the national oral health policy was published. There is also a need to increase the number of dental hygienists and other oral healthcare professionals. The Department of Health has commenced work on a draft strategic workforce plan for dentistry and oral health. This plan recognises and highlights … workforce census is expected to be a key action in the new dental action plan. The census data will provide information to support the development of the sector and to support workforce planning. The Government is committed to ensuring our healthcare services are supported by a steady

fully including the University Hospital Galway (UHG) Development Control Plan (DCP) within the forthcoming sectoral National Development Plan allocations for the health capital budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70037/25

Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of projects in Kildare North delayed or deferred under the National Development Plan from 2022 to 2025, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58706/25

Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport the capital funding allocated to public transport projects in the National Development Plan for the period 2026 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51113/25

Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the capital funding allocated to OPW capital works projects in the National Development Plan for the period 2026 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51114/25

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current funding allocated to biosecurity measures in the National Development Plan for the period 2026 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51116/25

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to improve AI literacy on a national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37376/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the plans for a national registry of lung fibrosis patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32922/25

Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the data that is collected by the National Council for Special Education for service planning purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22497/25

Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if any draft or finalised documents for the National Ambulance Service Strategic Plan will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20520/25

evaluation of the drug treatment court, as identified as a strategic priority under the National Drugs Strategy Strategic Action Plan for 2023-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/25

provide an update on the Student Accommodation Implementation Plan which is referenced in the National Student Accommodation Strategy; the details of the implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69050/26

Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on her plans to increase the numbers of early intervention classes nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51212/26

provide an update on the former Government Ministers who have yet to begin a payment plan for money owed to the National Shared Service Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/26

being taken to prepare for the implementation of the Digital Omnibus on AI, including how national planning is being aligned with the EU level timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35414/26

planning to have, discussions with the Minister for Health regarding the planned industrial action by workers in the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/26

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any emergency or accelerated programmes funded through the National Training Fund are planned to address current labour shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23945/26

prohibitively high cost of hearing aids; if this will be dealt with in the new national hearing care plan; the timeline for publication of this plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19308/26

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Government’s position in relation to national and regional partnership plans for delivering the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15185/26

including through additional resources, specialist enforcement support, or legislative reform, to ensure effective enforcement of planning law and compliance with national and EU environmental obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10943/26

Environment to outline how marine protection measures are monitored and enforced under the National Climate Plan, the actions which were taken in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73359/25

Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the progress of the national plan for the Irish language in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67895/25

Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department will publish the National Development Plan (NDP) implementation plan, which is due this Autumn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59139/25

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her plans to fund a national intestinal failure centre for adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57767/25

Minister for Health when she received the report from the Working Group on the National Hearing Care Plan, which was due earlier in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58036/25

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is a detailed plan on how the National Training Fund will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53521/25