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welcome the opportunity to respond and reflect on the contributions made by Members on the other side of the House. In these discussions, much has been said about military neutrality, the triple lock and Ireland's engagement with international partners. The central question before us is whether reforming … that and it will take from the hands of members of the Security Council who have a fundamentally different view of world order right now. One cannot have it both ways, quite frankly. The triple lock is a legislative mechanism governing the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas

thank the Deputies who have contributed to this important topic. It is important again to state that there is agreement across the House that we should introduce a disregard scheme to ensure that the unfairness of these convictions that were imposed upon Irish men in the 20th century … case of Norris v. Ireland is a decision of the Supreme Court that remains standing. The narrow interpretation of the constitutional right to privacy that was set out in the Norris judgment is an issue of concern to individuals. Obviously, that is not a matter

bhíonn ag dul isteach chuig a n-áiteanna oibre. I am not supporting the motion because, as Deputy Currie mentioned, the legal right to request remote work, and the framework around it, recognises the important reality that not every job can be done remotely and not every workplace … scale it properly and to support employers and employees. I welcome many of the points made by speakers on all sides of the House today. If we can do this correctly, it will be very beneficial to the Irish people

impact. On the matter raised by Deputy Paul Murphy, I have no issue at all with making sure we have long-term social housing provision for those fleeing domestic violence. We need more permanent structures as well and more secure units. They are all at varying degrees … egress. That is not just Ireland; it is every country in the world. It is not virtue signalling to racism or the far right when we say that

individual consultant. I do not want to say anything, and nor does anyone else, that cuts across this. However, I can inform the House that the Minister absolutely wants to be in a position to share this information. There is no reason in the wide earthly world … urgency of it. I also understand from my engagement with parents that it is both urgent and a matter of getting it right. I really hope that in the coming very brief period we can see this move forward

greater Dublin area. In fact, we depend on Blessington and other places for huge amounts of water. The point he makes is absolutely right, however, in that there is going to be an increasing demand on that water supply. We need to be putting in place measures … amount of water we waste and reuse water in a way that makes the most out of the water that comes into the house. The idea is that certain systems within houses, such as kitchen sinks and showers produce water after the fact which cannot be drunk

effective systems. That is the important part. If we pass the Bill, we will put in place something that most people in this House want, namely a system that will reduce the waiting time to 12 weeks. As a result, there will be a system that will … talking about, namely a firm, fair and effective rules-based system that enables people to come in and that grants them the right to remain in this country and contribute to it if they can make their case in that regard. If that does not happen, they will

course, the Deputy is right that any legislation can be challenged. We have made it quite clear that we will not produce legislation that we feel will actually fail the test of EU or international law. That is a very real commitment because we are talking about … different with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, briefings will be provided to the Opposition and there will be full engagement not only in this House but also in the Seanad, noting that the genesis of this was Senator Black's Bill back

country, ordinary households are feeling the pressure of rising energy costs in an immediate and seemingly relentless way. All of us in this House will have heard from our constituents over the last number of weeks about the effect this is having on them, about how anxiety-inducing … possible. The same logic and support must be provided to workers at this critical time. Remote work is no longer only a workers' rights or quality-of-life issue; it is a real and effective way to protect many people from this present energy crisis. The Government must

Department to make sure every single Department is seized of the importance of disability services and in particular the implementation of the human rights-based disabled persons strategy, which we launched last year. We had a very good meeting with many of the groups on the action plan … needs. It is not going to in any way stop us from driving forward with the renewable agenda. I outlined earlier in the House the degree to which we have made a lot of progress in terms onshore in this country and the degree of electricity generation that

should bring our focus to the women and girls who have been denied access to justice and full vindication of their human rights in Ireland today. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to advocate for meaningful change, so in the brief time I have, there are three … abusive situations to remain safely in the family home. A recent paper from the National Women’s Council of Ireland found that the housing crisis is placing women in an impossible situation where they have to choose between staying in the home with their abuser or entering homelessness

cancer treatment and be trapped in traffic for hours on end? The problems for commuters are because of the pressure and availability of housing, the lack of timely and fit-for-purpose public transport, a Government flexible working policy that is simply not fit for purpose … workplace is a problem highlighted by many commuters who have contacted me over recent days. The Government needs to legislate for a real right to flexible and hybrid working. Will it launch a new Operation Freeflow and instruct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to provide an emergency response to accidents

Titanic. It is a panicked pronouncement. It may be he is doing this because he is responding to the latest findings that house-building contracted during May and we are seeing a fall in activity by Irish construction firms. None of this is the fault of renters. Rather … taking urgent steps to address this, we are seeing this extremely vague and opaque policy that the Taoiseach says will strengthen renters' rights but which, as we are hearing from renters and those who work day to day on the front line assisting and supporting renters, will have

prioritises climate in its EU Presidency plans. The Irish Government needs to get its house in order and it needs to get our housing stock in order at the same time. We need to ramp up renovations, particularly for those living in food poverty. Energy costs for householders … humanitarian aid for Palestine but also calling on the European Union itself to finally recognise the State of Palestine and all the rights that come from that. The Green Party was proud to be part of the Government when Ireland first recognised the State of Palestine

commend my colleagues, Deputies Sherlock and Wall, for tabling the motion. All of us in the House were outraged by the "RTÉ Investigates" programme, which showed the appalling levels of abuse and malpractice in older people's care settings. These are some of the most vulnerable people … disabled people who should, and wish to instead, be enabled to live at home and be included in their community. This is their right under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. As a State, we have institutionalised people as a default social care response

ball rolling because if the planning regulator makes a recommendation that the lands should still be rezoned, the Minister reserves the absolute right to agree or disagree with that decision. Whether a decision is made in that regard or the lands are designated to stay … message finally gets to those in Government, and possibly the landowners as well, that these are particularly special lands. They supersede any other housing requirements as part of a wider context. I hope that measure will be shared loud and clear

welcome any additions to the scheme but the scheme is not right. The scheme we are talking about includes counties Limerick, Clare, Sligo, Donegal and Mayo and other areas. The latest data shows that 3,022 homeowners are at various stages of the scheme. Of those, 326 applicants … people who put in applications are told that they do not qualify for 100% redress. They qualify for the outside walls of their houses to come down, but the inside walls are not being covered. That is specialised work. Contractors like me do specialised work

year-old disability activist from Ardfinnan in County Tipperary, today began a 50-hour sleep-out on Kildare Street in front of Leinster House. Cara is taking this action to highlight the more than 15,000 young people in this country who are overdue an assessment of need … compelled to become activists and campaigners, all to secure basic services and supports which children with additional needs are entitled to as a right. In a country as wealthy as ours it is shameful that so many children have been failed so consistently and comprehensively. The assessment

debates here, I can see the amount of hot air generated. If we put a little turbine at the top of the House, we would be able to light up all of Dublin sometimes. I am a firm believer in investment in renewable energy. We are way behind … exporters of hydrogen as well as other forms of energy, such as electricity, very quickly, if we put in the necessary infrastructure right now and ramp up. I would like a commitment on how soon we can get a hydrogen network operator for Ireland appointed and on getting

remind Deputies that I took the decision as then Minister for Foreign Affairs to refer that legislation to the European Court of Human Rights. To be fair to the new Government in the United Kingdom, it has moved to remove core aspects of the legacy legislation, particularly … need to deal with legacy in a most comprehensive way. It is striking we have not had a debate on Kenova in this House. There is a comprehensive report. It deals with collusion between the British state and loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of innocent people and, indeed

commence no earlier than 5.30 p.m. and to conclude within 30 minutes) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Housing, selected by the Labour Party. Thursday's business shall be Statements on Road Safety (not to exceed 2 hrs 25 mins). Proposed Arrangements for this … with the agreed sequence; and (iii) members may share time; and 4. pursuant to Standing Order 176(2), Sinn Féin shall have the right to nominate a member of the party to move a motion or Bill standing in his or her name. In relation to Wednesday

families and everyone across this country are facing a situation in which everything seems to be going up. It is not just homelessness, house prices and rents but also the cost of petrol, childcare, home heating oil and electricity. It is absolutely everything. There is not a household … increases. We need more action on the cost of living in general and on the cost of childcare, education and healthcare. It is right across the board. The way that this State is set up means that middle-income earners who pay taxes are not only not getting

Minister - only one estate in north Clondalkin was designated "extremely disadvantaged". Fast forward from 2016 to 2023 and six more housing estates were added to that designation. Things have got worse over the years. In fact, things are regressing. The whole area, bar one estate, is either very … player development programme with the education and training board, ETB. That funding is being cut, which will have an impact right across disadvantaged areas. A little known fact is that Roy Keane was one of the first people to go through the ETB in Collinstown school in Dublin

Minister of State for the work done to provide additional special classes in County Waterford. We had a number of debates in the House over the last number of months and the Minister of State committed to improving services. It has to be said, additional classes were made … also has to accept the failure of the State in resourcing disability services. Going back to the 2005 Act that provided a legal right to an assessment of need, the logic of that made sense. Each child would have an assessment that would basically identify the health

While much of today's focus is rightly on rural closures, I want to speak about a different challenge, namely, delivery pressures in rapidly growing urban areas like Dublin West. In my community the problem is not the loss of a post office today; it is whether … infrastructure has kept pace with population growth. Dublin West is expanding at speed. Thousands of homes have been built with more coming. When housing growth is this rapid, public services must scale with it, including postal delivery. An Post has a universal service obligation. Urban communities are entitled