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farmers, farm contractors, agricultural contractors, hauliers, bus contractors, fishers and many important supply sectors of the Irish economy. The Deputy is also right that there is a real issue when it comes to the cost of home heating oil. On that much, we agree. However, we disagree … universal measures. On the second thing we have done, it is important to listen and we listened when people in this House said that we should suspend the increase in carbon tax on kerosene and green diesel. We support the carbon tax, as do most of the Opposition

struggling students in the eye and says, "You're on your own"? That would be those sitting on the opposite side of the House. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael came into power on a narrative of fairness and support for young people, and access to education, but instead … instead of €3,000. We would also permanently abolish student fees within two years. Education is not a luxury but a right. If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will not deliver on that right, they can be guaranteed these railroading students will do when the next Government comes

Garda needs tools to investigate serious crime, find missing people of people and protect the public. Nobody on this side of the House will ever dispute that. However, our job is to make sure that when we hand these tools over we do so in a way that … Síochána. Those obligations include: ensuring human oversight by personnel with the necessary skills, training and authority; monitoring the system for risks to fundamental rights; suspending use of the system if such a risk arises; maintaining logs for a minimum of six months and carrying out a data protection

Just over a year ago, I had the privilege of hosting Dignity4Patients in Leinster House where five courageous survivors of convicted sexual abuser, Michael Shine, shared their testimonies with TDs, Senators and political staff. Survivors Larry, Cianan, Gerard, Peter and Ian spoke with one voice on behalf … local engagement with survivors and their families, I know how important this support provided by Dignity4Patients is. The people of Drogheda and beyond rightly view this as a lifeline. While the scoping exercise was an important and welcome step, it also exposed the lack of capacity to support

thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien. The Deputy will appreciate, and already knows, the supply of public water and provision of wastewater services in general are matters for Uisce Éireann … saying but certainly, if that is the case, that needs to be brought to the attention of Uisce Éireann because he is right, it is not good enough. However, further measures are planned for early in the new year to build on this progress, and I hope there

more importantly, raised questions over Ireland's energy security. This is an issue that I have highlighted on several occasions in the House in this term and the previous one. We are an island at the end of the European supply line. We have no meaningful buffer … process here retains the essentials, namely, the environmental impact assessment, the appropriate assessment and public consultation, but within defined timelines. That is the right balance. That is the right balance. It reflects a Government that has learned the hard lesson that infrastructure delayed is, too often, infrastructure denied

other regional organisation proposes such a mission, the House can decide to be part of that. I think that is a role the House should take on. I emphasise that even though the reforms to the triple lock legislation are often portrayed as altering our neutrality, they will … they cannot support because of the veto. Ireland's reputation as a peace-builder and as a contributor to conflict resolution, peacekeeping, human rights and disarmament is well established and will continue to guide our approach. We have all touched on the security environment. We can see that

constituents continually contact me about. There is a question I would love to see answered. Is your top priority for energy residential housing or is it data centres? Which of these is at the top of the Minister's priorities? We all know it cannot be both. When … their energy bills drop. The public cannot be expected to foot the bill for the data centres. It is simply not right and it is deeply unfair

Deputies for their contributions today, the points they have raised and Deputy Smith for bringing this important topic to the House. As set out in my earlier remarks, the Government fully recognises the importance of having an open and transparent noise regulation system. The development of Dublin Airport … noise at Dublin Airport is not about blocking progress. It is about managing the sustainable growth of the airport while also protecting the rights of people who live within the vicinity of the airport and under flight paths. This Government firmly believes these concepts can co-exist successfully

Somebody mentioned that 60% or 50% fail the test. I would prefer to see a vehicle failing a test if it is not right than it being let out on the road. We will have to have a common-sense approach on this. Somebody else mentioned driver licence … speed. People have to drive with total control of their vehicle at all times. Legitimate questions have been raised by Deputies in the House while we have been discussing this legislation. It is all in the interest of having safer roads, reducing the number of deaths

hope the Department will examine this. However, there also needs to be a review of its operation to ensure the legislation is right to meet the needs of victims and that victims are constantly informed about its provisions. I recently spoke to someone who had secured a coercive … prevalent in society, with often devastating consequences, as we saw in news bulletins today. It is imperative that when this House becomes aware of anomalies or issues in the legal system that we address them head-on and with urgency. It is not good enough

against it. While this is happening, it is not good for Dublin. Dublin is becoming more congested, with people having less access to housing and education. Transport facilities are becoming harder to access while, at the same time, schools are being closed in rural and regional Ireland, which … that natural resource is located. The same is happening in regard to airports. Today, tens of thousands of people will have left areas right next door to another airport to travel three or four hours to Dublin Airport. Some 40% of the people who land in Dublin daily

particularly with regard to fuel and the increasing cost of fertiliser, we need to find a package somewhat similar to that which we rightly found for those in the haulage sector and, indeed, in coach travel. The other area related to heating that is an issue of concern … which colleagues have mentioned. We have to have a step change in our investment in renewables. At Cabinet level, there is the clearing house for offshore energy. However, we have to talk about what we are doing with regard to onshore wind and solar

fall into that bracket. It is an abject failing. I just want to mention what I would say is good news in our house. I have mentioned my son Turlough a number of times before. Turlough is at Ó Fiaich College, which provides great supports. The staff have … context of assessments and therapies on the basis of what is in here and what is in the national human rights strategy for disabled people, and what the follow-up with the action plan will be. I cannot at this point say that it is clear. The major

that countries should not have the right to veto a new member, but I do not think any member state should have the right to veto the process through which another country goes to apply for membership and to start the process of joining. These are issues … Ukraine and is in a very vulnerable position. The ambassador here, Ms Jana Costachi, will have spoken to many Deputies in this House, I am sure. She is constantly talking to people here about that membership process. Moldova is not alone in that regard. There are countries like

fact that protests have started to bubble up from the ground in many cities against Trump's attacks on democracy and economic rights. Tariffs of 46% have been imposed on Vietnam. It is pure folly to think that workers in the US are going to accept … economy, in particular in the pharmaceutical and food and drink sectors. The main threat is expected to be internal challenges such as the housing crisis. The cost-of-living crisis is very likely to get much worse. Already, we have seen the Government put forward ideas like water

Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows, the Oireachtas must always uphold the laws within which we all operate. The legislation passed by this House in 2014 was very clear. It was to remove politicians from the investigation of complaints surrounding wrongdoing in the workplace of State agencies. This resulted … light of the comments made in that programme, and some of the comments the Deputy has reiterated here today, as is his right, the current Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, has sought legal advice in relation to the restrictions imposed under section 16 of the Protected Disclosures Act. This

giving priority to the cybersecurity Bill, but he might provide an outline as to when he envisages it coming before the House. While I welcome the fact that the NCSC regularly carries out assessments of cyber risk, I wonder if an assessment has been carried … misinformation and disinformation, which represent threats not just to this State, but to others that share our values. In the same way we rightly hold countries to account for actions in wars on the ground, we need to hold them to account where they act in a malign

aside money to cover targeted energy credits across 2027. I have no doubt that when we look at the volatility in energy prices right now, with the ongoing violence in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, the Government will be forced to do a U-turn … allocation. It means that, in 2027, fewer people will be able to get their homes wrapped and enjoy a warmer house the following winter. It means that, in 2027, fewer people will be able to get solar panels installed and benefit from free electricity over the summer. This

with the UN and codifying their links with it in relation to the promotion and securing of peace? We are actually doing something right, not wrong, and we should be promoting that with our European partners and beyond because the UN Security Council is broken. When the Cold … reform rather than throwing the entire triple lock out. One important question needs to be asked honestly of all of us in this House. Do we support the deployment of Irish troops as part of UN missions such as UNIFIL? Perhaps not all in this House

European Commission in its work under the DSA. I know, however, that none of this is much comfort to colleagues in this House, other elected politicians and candidates who have been subject to abuse and bullying online. I reiterate the importance of reporting any such incidents … digital wallet. In addressing age verification, we must seek to ensure there are trustworthy systems in place that are interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. The aim is to commence an extensive pilot next year and we expect that those who are committed to online

fixed. I will focus on the HSE. This is a very important issue. As I understand it, all parties in the House signed up to Sláintecare, which is the creation of a national health system for the first time in the more than 100 years of the State … cannot go backwards. We have to move forward. The other thing is that private companies are milking money out of the system left, right and centre. There was an agency secretary employed for almost seven years by the HSE. As we know, agency staff cost more. Eventually

doing next, the first thing I have to do is to counter what the Deputy just said on the floor of this House. It is complete false. I have been clear on this issue. At a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 27 January … event that we failed to have a blocking minority. We crystalised our decisions on the last day and that was absolutely the right strategic approach because we got the 10% down to 5%; we got the changes on the safeguards should we fail to meet the blocking minority

lots of different types of building and construction under way. I hope the Deputy would accept the points I have made in this House that the comments this morning on national radio regarding the 25% clarify there was never a position that was going … increase per year. That is a significant package of changes. Yes, there are comments from all sides of the debate - the left, the right and everywhere - about how we could have done this or done that. Lots of different people have a different perspective. The Government has tried

record, the Social Democrats has published detailed proposals about how to increase financing for housing, make it more affordable and build more homes. The Taoiseach owes the people an explanation. Why was their money used to fund Israel's genocide in Gaza? There is no denying or hiding … Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, said all of these bonds have now been sold but this only happened in the last number of weeks, right before the annual accounts of the State investment fund had to be published. While the Government says it wants to ban trade with