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take this opportunity to wish the Ceann Comhairle and all of the staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas, and even the Minister and his staff, a very happy Christmas and all the best for the new year. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis labhairt faoin Bhille. Tá buntáistí … must be satisfied in terms of the limitations and safeguards that are put in place regarding how this technology is used. It is right that it is only used where it is necessary and proportionate. It is important that this is done in a manner that does

change in our country. That work is not yet complete and we need to continue to listen to women and to respect their right to choose on all aspects relating to their healthcare. I reaffirm the term "healthcare" because the three-day waiting period was not introduced … addressed in tonight’s Bill and I will look to bring forward or support amendments if this Bill moves through the House, which I hope it does. I will look to support amendments that would address the issue of fatal foetal abnormalities. The referendum campaign

make it permanent and be done with it? This is a common-sense policy that works for businesses, visitors and local economies right across Ireland. We need to go further. We need to look at night-time buses in communities. There are pilot projects in Kerry … what the hell they are at? They do not understand the benefit. Do not attack the tourism sector to try to fix the housing sector. Are we to ruin the tourism sector to fix the housing sector? That is where the Social Democrats and Labour have been

from Dublin 15 to Baggot Street. This is a situation where we are trying to get 11 kids, all from different houses, onto the one route and it is just not sustainable. Could we please look at halving that into two smaller buses and not have kids … College. The reason they have to travel is that Ériu Community College is to be moved to their area. It is being moved right across my constituency from its current temporary location to a new permanent location. It is a mad idea. I think

happened. I also acknowledge the work being undertaken by the new Minister and Ministers of State. I appreciate their commitment to getting things right and to the reform that is necessary. However, that commitment is going to be tested. In many of the contributions to this debate, Members … management of end-to-end processes did not provide adequate safeguards. That is a truly shocking statement. We in this House can become numb to what is said and how it is said. We have to keep on checking ourselves; it is people we are talking about

home city of Limerick still has seven of the top ten unemployment blackspots, which is an incredible statistic. We have communities that rightly feel abandoned and isolated from the rest of society. It is in these circumstances that social enterprises have a critical role to play. One such … important community initiatives will end due to lack of funding. This should be a wake-up call for the Government. The Department of housing and local government has stated that the funding should be transitioned to a sustainable model under the auspices of the council. With many community

Deputy is right to highlight the strengths and assets of Kenmare. He has been very clear about the need for funding for Kenmare pier. Local authorities have primary responsibility for the maintenance and development of the piers, harbours and slipways they own. As the Deputy knows, as part … pier-lifting crane to help load and unload equipment and catches at Kilmakilloge. If a pier is a protected structure, the Department of housing's built heritage investment scheme and historic structures fund can provide support for the repair and conservation of historic elements. These schemes are closed

rate. The other issue is that there are, or should be ,other competitive advantages in this country, such as transport, housing, communications and education, but the Government has been incompetent in its delivery in all those areas over the past two decades. That has weakened our suite … basis of those of Irish farmers. When there are competitive interests within the EU, we often do not get the right shakedown with regard to needs. That is why it is really important that we do the necessary negotiations with the US. The reality is Ireland could actually

thank them for their significant contribution to peacekeeping missions for many decades. I have set out in recent weeks, both in this House and in the Seanad just last week, why the changes contained in this Bill are necessary, but it is important to do so again today … Without the independence to make these decisions, we are more limited than ever before. We can do less to defend human rights around the world, and we are reliant on the political decisions of others when making these important decisions. No other country in the world has this

considerably lower than where the wholesale prices were in April of this year, at $120 a barrel. I acknowledge that the Deputy is right when he says recent developments mean the situation remains fluid. There will be further ebbs and flows before a new equilibrium is reached. However … levels. In particular, residential emissions reduced by 5% in 2025 and are at their lowest level since 1990, despite an increase in housing stock during this time. Residential usage of coal, oil and gas declined by 13.5%, 4.6% and 5.2%, respectively, on 2024 levels, while energy used

raised the issues of Iran and Venezuela but in particular Greenland. I appreciate he is probably one of the few Members of the House who took the trouble of going to visit Greenland. Ireland’s position is very clear. I have spoken to Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister … ensues between sovereign nations and also in accordance with international rules and the rules-based order. Deputy Rice raised the issue of LGBTI rights being under attack, which they are. He instanced Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Budapest. We have raised this with Hungary not just on the specific issue

East. I too commend the diplomatic teams working there to ensure their safety. This has to be our priority, and the Government is right in adopting that approach. Before I turn to the geopolitical situation, I will comment on a number of specific impacts here. There has obviously … Ukraine now are guilty of complicity in the genocide being committed by Russia against the Ukrainian people. I requested a debate in this House two weeks ago on Ukraine to mark the anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion. It did not happen. I again ask in this geopolitical

families affected but to the wider community that recognises if a child gets the right educational support in the right school at the right time, it can have a profound and life-long benefit. We know special education will take different forms. For many children … that point. The crucial term used on delivery of that school was "interim." The building in which the special school is housed was previously a secondary school, which the school moved out of. It is limited in capacity for future development and expansion, and we know from experience

member countries, all of which see Ireland as a driving force in supporting the UN and the protection of basic human rights, human dignity, the international rules-based system and multilateralism. We will continue to drive forward in our pursuit to protect those who are the furthest behind … where we send our troops. We are an independent sovereign country. That decision should be left to every single Member in this House, those of us who are democratically elected

going to open consultation with, and have a briefing for, the Opposition. I think there will be a lot of support across the House for that. I again ask the Tánaiste to look at the UK’s individual savings account, ISA, in respect of which a commitment … meet the Minister to give him a couple of ideas. This is not about challenging him; this is about getting the system right and getting people back saving again

There is a lot of talk at the minute and a shared desire across all sides of this House to ensure we invest in our Defence Forces. The Defence Forces have been profoundly neglected and that needs to be addressed. As far as I am concerned, Ireland should … Forces, that is, the men and women of the Defence Forces. Against the backdrop of these big announcements, the European Committee on Social Rights has found that the Irish Government is in breach of the European Social Charter because of failing to implement the working time directive

United Kingdom. These hybrid-type attacks are reckless. We need a debate in the Dáil to increase the level of awareness in the House of what actually is happening and what Russia is up to. I repeat that critical subsea infrastructure is at risk from these types … there now. Deputies Malcolm Byrne and Shay Brennan have outlined them in no uncertain terms. This is what I have to say right now. We are taking all of it very seriously. We had a discussion on energy security earlier and there is no question that ships have

thank the Deputy. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the services provided at Monaghan Hospital. I absolutely see the Deputy's concerns. The Government is committed to the ongoing development of our regional hospitals, including Cavan and Monaghan Hospital. Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital … discharge team have been put in place. These teams will help identify at-risk patients and will help ensure that patients get the right care in the community or at home where possible. At Monaghan Hospital, there is also ongoing development of pain services, haemochromatosis and an expansion

Dublin City Council, he championed the 15-minute city concept. I fully subscribe to what he said about capital investment in infrastructure, housing and transport, as does the Government. On the current developments, the National Transport Authority has instructed Transport Infrastructure Ireland to undertake a pre-feasibility analysis … projects are assigned. I understand fully the merits of the proposed Luas red line to Poolbeg, as does the Government. The Deputy is right on the issue of stop-start. Next Monday, we will see the unfurling of the Luas in Cork proposals by the Taoiseach, the Minister

late 2024 and across all of last year. In December of last year, I was able to hold a Topical debate in the House, in particular on the Department's delay in holding that stage 2A meeting with the schools’ design team. At the time, the Minister … Government's priority list. It is 6 p.m. on a Thursday. Anything else is not really of huge relevance right now. Will the Minister of State give me a date for this meeting? Will she tell me how the redevelopment of these three schools

heard. They should never have had to carry that burden of proof. Their campaign has been an act of love and courage. This House and this State owes them infinitely more than words. Their son, Shane O'Farrell, was 23 years old. He was a son, a brother … accountability and for the dignity of their son's life to be recognised by the very institutions that failed him. While we rightly offer an apology today, let us all be clear that an apology is not justice, accountability or reform. An apology without a commitment to atone

granted that right only to people of the Jewish faith. It presides over an apartheid regime, according to every serious human rights organisation, and since 2016, it has been collectively punishing the two million people of Gaza with a criminal siege. Then we had the genocidal massacre … Bill calls for across-the board-economic sanctions. Will the Government support the Bill next week when it comes before the House? I very much doubt

need longer term thinking and measures from the Government that will ensure energy security and tackle climate change. Labour has championed a real right to remote and flexible working and the International Energy Agency, IEA, is telling us we need to pivot to this and to real investment … called little excursion and to stand up to this erratic and dangerous leader, not hand him a bowl of shamrock in the White House. While the war continues, however, the Government must ensure that struggling households are protected, and we must strive harder to shift away from fossil

further projected growth this year in Cork, Shannon, Ireland West and Kerry and small growth in Donegal. For the information of the House, I am working on the preparatory work on the PSO for the Dublin-Derry route, which was a commitment in the programme for Government … further growth in Shannon. I will support it in what it needs to do. As Deputy Quinlivan knows and as has been rightly said here, the Government cannot direct airlines where to fly, but I have met with our airlines. I have met with Aer Lingus and Ryanair

against women were in the headlines. One woman was set alight after being doused in petrol in a morning attack at a Dublin house. A woman in Leixlip was seriously injured after being assaulted by her ex-partner, who then set fire to her home before taking … working in the courts, in the timelines, in the accommodations or in the culture that we have created in our country. Right now, even where a court finds that an offence of sexual violence has been committed, the person who has lived through that abuse can still