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with cod, haddock and whiting quotas facing zero-catch recommendations. What is facing the Irish fleet in 2026 is a reduction in opportunities right across the sector. We must consider the socioeconomic implications of these recommendations. If the cuts proposed are translated into fishing opportunities for 2026, this … countries do not set unjust unilateral quotas that deplete this precious resource. The emerging situation is extremely challenging. I wish to reassure the House that, as Minister of State with special responsibility for fisheries and the marine, I recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both

lock and undermine Ireland’s neutrality. People ask why Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael do not bring that same urgency when dealing with housing, access to healthcare or the cost of living. It has never been more important for Ireland to protect and assert our long-standing neutrality … most powerfully delivered by an Ireland that is a military neutral. Remember it was the unaligned countries that spoke for Palestine's right to exist while those in powerful military alliances failed to stop the genocide and have in fact financed it and armed the Israeli war machine

thank Deputy Stanley for bringing forward this motion. It is striking that oral health is not much discussed in this House. This reflects a neglect that exists within our State whereby we know that oral health is so important for overall health and well-being … when it is too late. She says that all the waiting times are very frightening and the kids have been failed so badly right now, and that she just has to stand back and watch her daughter be failed in the context of multiple issues. She finds

unethical devices which have the effect of them avoiding paying their share of redress. The Bill stems from my desire to do right by survivors. It is my belief and that of the Labour Party that no organisation, church or State, should be able to hide from … sure that religious orders cannot continue to deploy this indefensible practice. I brought forward this Bill - I have spoken about it in the House on several occasions - in an attempt to be constructive and to ensure we do our bit to make sure that religious orders pay their

becomes clearer that it was a mistake to sign up to the EU migration and asylum pact and that it is not right for Ireland. It is time the Minister of State and his Government acknowledged that the EU migration and asylum pact is not in Ireland … been made in this regard. We should not be opting into proposals under Article 3 by way of motions put before the House. In an earlier debate, I made points to the Minister of State about the flexibility we have as a result of Protocol

Bills Office in the previous Dáil. He has done tremendous work on this Bill and the many others he has introduced to the House. I also welcome our party colleague the MP for Newry and Armagh, Dáire Hughes - he is here with us today - who raised the issue … including those in the North of Ireland. It is simply not good enough for RTÉ to say that there is a broadcasting rights issue and then just forgetting about our northern counties and the people there. I understand there were discussions and meetings between the Irish and British

reasonable. Section 11, therefore, puts forward a simplified defence which seeks to facilitate public debate in the public interest while safeguarding the right to a good name. The new defence requires a defendant to demonstrate first that the statement was in the public interest, second, that they reasonably … have existed at common law on the basis of the decision in Reynolds against Times Newspapers Limited in which the United Kingdom House of Lords in its judicial capacity recognised the existence of a defence for responsible public interest journalism. The purpose of section 26A is, therefore

from 16 to 18 years of age. The Minister for Social Protection will know I have been raising this issue continuously in the House and now I can share the opinions of almost 2,000 families who want and, most importantly, need this change. Disabled people are facing … There is nothing in this budget for those foster carers, and we know how important they are and the care they give right throughout the country at the moment. Childcare, as the Minister knows, is a huge issue for many families in our area. Places like Newbridge

results in a search online or through an artificial intelligence app that are patently false. As a lawyer, I can tell the House that I have seen many instances of that happen in the legal world, thankfully not in this jurisdiction but certainly, if the Internet … progressing - of course we should - but we need to progress in a way that can ensure the protection of the citizenry's rights and the integrity of what they view, for example, on the Internet. Reference was made earlier to the fact that anybody who has done

They are targeted energy credits for people earning under €80,000. We have been arguing for that for several years. Where is the right to remote work? It would greatly help to reduce the cost of the commute. Where is the plan to reduce grocery prices or introduce … applicable VAT rate should have been considered instead. Four weeks ago when we were debating the first round of measures in the House, I asked the Tánaiste to speak to the European Commission on the prospect of reducing the VAT rate on home heating oil, for example, from

thank Deputies across the House for their contribution to the debate. I also thank Deputy Stanley for bringing forward the motion. As the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, announced, the Minister for Health and the Government are not opposing the motion, which provides a chance to update … global oral health resolution, strategy and action plan. Smile agus Sláinte also applies the Sláintecare vision of enabling patients to access the right oral healthcare in the right place at the right time, based on best international evidence and practice. The designing and development of oral healthcare packages

lives, and participate fully in every aspect of Irish life. The accompanying 2025 to 2026 action plan sets out concrete deliverables across safety, rights, protections, health and well-being. From an inclusion perspective there are several areas where continued focus is essential. The first area is education. Young … thrive. Pride, as I said at the beginning, is a celebration, but it is also a call to action. I believe that this House working together can honour both

come home. I am sure there are many more Irish people across the world who would like to return but they see the housing crisis and the ever-rising cost of living as barriers. We must do more to encourage and help them to come home … from a failure to manage the system but equally a failure to communicate with local communities. This has often being exploited by far-right agitators, often from outside of the State, to spread their fear and message of hate. Their distorted and xenophobic message must always be challenged

service rather than privatising their service. If the Minister of State is from the country, like I am, she will see illegal dumping right around the State on every road she travels – on every country road and even in urban settings we see rubbish being dumped … accommodation that could be there for retention is not going to be viable, but what we need to do is to build houses for the Army and others on the Curragh so as to retain Army membership and encourage more to join the Army. That is what

most member states test language and civic knowledge. That matters because an Irish passport is also a European passport. It carries the right to live, work, study and vote in the local and European elections across the Union, so our standards should be in line with our partners … they can plan with certainty. Second, that the Department publish quarterly figures on processing times and returns under the new Act, so this House can track progress. The system should be fair to those who play by the rules, firm with those who do not and in step

introduce clear statutory principles to place the child's best interests at the centre, affirming the right to be heard and requiring proportionate rights-based interventions at all times. It has been broadly welcomed many of the various oversight bodies and practitioners who have long argued that … have had documented cases where children were told to return to unsafe homes or where the responsibility for their welfare was disputed between housing authorities and Tusla. The Bill does strengthen the general duties of care and co-operation but it does not actually give any clear statutory

date when the roadmap would be achieved. He could not and now we understand why. Last week the Government published the shiny new housing plan and the commitment to introduce a minimum BER for rental properties has been entirely abandoned. Another climate measure that would help hard-pressed … that renters already have, as I said, in France and in the UK, and it finally begins to make warm healthy homes a right rather than a privilege. I am supporting this Bill because renters cannot wait for this Government to put their interests first. Climate targets will

record of goodwill. When families fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we opened our doors and we opened our hearts. That was the right thing to do. However, goodwill must behold its shape. It must be fair and it must be sustainable. Across Europe, governments are adjusting their … serious question about the priorities of the Irish Government. This is not directed at Ukrainian families, as the Labour Party suggested in this House earlier; it is directed at a Government that treats groups of people differently based solely on political convenience rather than the needs

penalised. Many of them cannot get retrospective payments and have been forced to accept a flawed scheme or nothing. That violates their constitutional right to equal treatment before the law and it must be addressed. The State's poor treatment of the victims here resembles what it tries … were not given the funds by central government to enforce building control regulations. Building control authorities were unable to test construction materials in-house. Whose responsibility is that? That is on the State. That is on the current Government, which includes the same parties and some

having those powers. When an organisation or people are operating in a way which is diminishing human rights and perpetrating human rights abuses but have assets in our country, it should be possible for them to be seized as well. Obviously, it would require a formula, a methodology … that need them. I commend the legislation and I compliment the Minister and his staff. It is excellent legislation which everybody in this House should support

ucht an t-am agus an deis seo a thabhairt dom. Cara Darmody, a 14-year-old child, will be outside Leinster House for 50 hours starting today, highlighting the deficiencies in the assessment of need system and the impact it has on families. I have … emphasise that this process is to support effectiveness and efficiency within the assessment of need process. It will not affect the statutory right of any individual to access an assessment of need. The Department is also looking at whether there is misinformation or misunderstanding about what an assessment

have more than 5,000 children in emergency accommodation, a figure that is both shocking and shames the State. Yesterday, the Government rightly apologised to institutional abuse survivors. It was a hard-fought for and very much delayed apology. As I have said previously here, I have absolutely … refurbish vacant homes. Everybody knows that is simply not enough. In Limerick, the number one issue raised with me is the need for housing. There are approximately 2,000 people on Limerick's housing list and these figures are growing. People are waiting years without any prospect

young people. If we are serious about being a knowledge-driven economy and a fair society, that must change. Science Week rightly celebrates curiosity but curiosity needs opportunity. In too many schools, especially DEIS schools, science education is held back by inadequate laboratory facilities, outdated equipment and insufficient … researchers; multi-annual, inflation-proof funding for Research Ireland; secure career pathways for post-doctoral researchers; dedicated investment in public good research on housing, health, education, youth well-being, social cohesion and climate justice; and funding streams that value the arts, humanities and the social sciences, recognising that

there is no rebate mechanism to offset the cost. We really need to move on this. Operators that are trying to do the right thing are finding that they are effectively penalised for it. If we want to support decarbonisation in transport, this gap needs to be addressed … know that their concerns have been heard and that their contribution is truly valued. I will continue to raise their issues in this House with Ministers and the Government. The €120 million RTSS and the €100 fuel support scheme are very welcome. They will help, but will

first International Women's Day was observed in 1911 following calls for women's rights, including the right to vote and to hold public office. It was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1975. The day focuses on celebrating progress while urging pay equality, educational opportunities … rape allowed? It is absolutely horrific and joking about rape is part of the problem we have in this society. Outside Leinster House today we will see a protest against proposed development of the mother and baby home site in Bessborough. There are no burial records