Search the record

their land, homes and children and their very future. Israel has been emboldened by decades of impunity. It is armed by the United States, Germany and Britain. This is not confined to Gaza. In the West Bank, the expulsions, land theft and apartheid continue. In Gaza, Israel … services, not just goods. The Government drags its feet, asking whether it is legal to include services. The right question to ask is whether we are in contravention of international law by not including services. Let us talk about the shameful decision by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

system, we must ensure that we mirror those rules when we are enforcing the standards that we, as a State, are not meeting. In Kazakhstan, there is no legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Domestic violence is not a stand-alone criminal offence … disappear. Over the past week and a half, I have heard many stories of people who are in the international protection accommodation services, IPAS, system being put into the prison system. That is outlandish. We are talking about the need to increase capacity in our prison system

have the same right as every other citizen to live with dignity, safety and independence and the Government has a legal and moral obligation to provide these services. There are so many basic things we are not getting right. The lack of data collection on the needs that … address this crisis is also an issue. Parents deserve so much better as do the adults with intellectual disabilities. The Minister of State needs to listen to families, support the motion and, crucially, make the changes necessary to provide safety and security to families

family and GP working together. They make a referral to mental health services because they believe the person meets the criteria to be legally detained under the Act, and there is a legal framework to back it up. A consultant psychiatrist will then determine whether the person reaches … place to put a person because they are homeless. We must be very clear on that. It is about all elements of the State coming together. The Deputy might send me a couple of the cases he mentioned to see if I can be of any help

hour protest outside the Dáil and has been joined by Opposition leaders to demand that the Government fulfil its obligations. The HSE is legally bound to complete a full assessment within six months of receiving an application but only 7% of these assessments are completed on time. This … then have to wait for services and this can take four to six months. The child is losing nearly three years between waiting for assessment and getting services. This is generally 25% to 50% of their lives spent waiting for vital services. That has a severe knock

sharing incidents like this online and to allow everyone to investigate it. I thank first responders, An Garda Síochána, the ambulance service and the Order of Malta from Fairview and Marino, who I have in with me today. I thank them for all they do, for how they … reviewed and made more accurate to current driving conditions with the three-point turn. I do not know if the Minister of State ever reversed around a corner but I had to do it for the test and I have not done it since. We still have delays

them around Deputy Ó Laoghaire's constituency, as well as in Dundalk, Waterford, my area and everywhere. Those places are selling products and services all around the world. The fundamental starting point, therefore, is that we support trade because it has led to our economic growth. We must … have been talking and listening to farmers on this issue. We have stated our position in the programme for Government that we have serious concerns, and this has not changed. We are working with member states, and this includes my meeting yesterday with the French Government. The Taoiseach

Disability legislation obliges the State to provide assessments of need for children with disabilities within six months of referral. This early assessment is vital as children use it as a gateway to access therapy services such as psychology, speech and language, etc. It is universally accepted that early … this regard, as was the previous Government. When does the Government propose to implement the law to give these vulnerable children their legal entitlements

think that was recognised sufficiently in the comments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. There did not seem to be any recognition from the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, that whistleblowers are often penalised, smeared, blacklisted and persecuted. Is he and the Government … example, legal aid to whistleblowers should be extended. That is envisaged in the EU whistleblowing directive. It has not been done. We need to be fully compliant with the directive. While there is free legal advice and counselling available, the lack of free legal aid is a major

dealt with. Her response was to say that it is a university and, therefore, not a part of the state. She said she had legal advice, which we believe relates to contract law, which says action cannot be taken. Contract law is superseded, as the Minister will know … floor because the Government has failed to do that and all we get are more and more messages about legal advice from the Attorney General and dropping services from the Bill, which no trade lawyer in the world thinks makes any sense. We do not have legislation

That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — the Irish Coast Guard's search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service serves a vital role in saving lives at sea and supporting emergency responses across the State; — SAR air crews are required to work 24-hour shifts, yet these shifts are being recorded … McGuinness, I have met with SAR crew members from across the State. Those meetings have been detailed, honest and deeply concerning. The crews spoke with one voice. They are dedicated to the job, proud of service and worried about where this is leading. They described a steady erosion

very challenging State care system. We also heard from Judge Dermot Simms, who I had in here last month for a briefing along with GALs to speak to the very serious concerns they have and he has for the national service. On a number of occasions the guardians … where the question mark is over independence. The Minister will know of the issue I have raised many times in terms of the legal representation. I cannot understand how that cannot be maintained in terms of guaranteed legal representation

made strenuous efforts to reduce their carbon footprints in line with Government policy and are doing their best to help us meet our legally binding climate targets. They have rightful concerns about their livelihoods and the value of their produce under this proposed deal. I am concerned about … Ireland. Our local economies have grown around the sector. Traditionally, local supermarkets were established to provide services and produce products for local people who were employed in creameries, co-ops and State agencies. Those of us who live and have grown up in rural Ireland know well

supported by the work of the accelerating infrastructure task force, this morning, with Government colleagues including me, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, published a plan which will include extensive regulatory reforms aimed at accelerating the delivery of critical infrastructure. Today's plan provides … maintain our competitive position in an ever uncertain world. They are also necessary to support our citizens with top class public services, job security, access to housing and all other facilities necessary to enjoy the stability and good quality of life we are all entitled to expect

trade advantage to Israel. My point is that, when we talk about sanctions against Israel for committing genocide, which the Minister of State's Government has recognised is happening, people associate that with the EU-Israel association agreement but all that would involve is the revocation … passed with services included, would do that. All that would do is put in place the measures required by the ICJ ruling. We can dance on the head of a pin as to exactly what sanctions mean and whether removing privileges or meeting our legal obligations comprise sanctions

well. The Deputy is right that we are legislators. We make the law and it is up to the agencies of the State to enforce that law. If the political will is there, it is surely not beyond our ability to develop an innovative solution that is fair … apply. They referred to the UK financial services ombudsman which said, “it had similar problems, but crucially, it was able to help in some instances”. It did not go through in detail what those instances were, but clearly the legal system with which we have most in common

disgrace that this is happening. There is €8.5 billion of a surplus yet we have 15,296 children who are being failed their legal entitlement to have an assessment of need. That is the reality. That is the type of country we live in. Why has this come … child should not be fighting a campaign like this. Every person in this State should have the right to have an assessment carried out in relation to the needs they have and then the services should flow after. That we are in this situation is a shame

deliver enterprise property solutions, once the terms have been approved by the Ministers for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. In relation to opportunities in defence, security and resilience, DSR, the Bill deletes section 8(5) of the Science and Technology … financially, enterprises in the DSR sphere as with other parts of the economy, subject to compliance with all existing controls and legal obligations governing the sector, including rigorous project appraisal, the export controls regime, ministerial powers and Government oversight and the defence procurement safeguards. It does not affect

Housing Commission, this plan will empower the State, partners and the private sector to continue to play a critical part in delivery. This plan is being enabled by the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, €275 billion over ten years, to significantly upgrade … Where necessary, the Government is also removing barriers in the legal and planning systems, regulation and procurement. We will free up the private sector to provide homes at much greater scale by providing more zoned and serviced land for housing right across the country. The Government has delivered

legislation. As we have heard before, fail to prepare and prepare to fail. We heard yesterday at a committee meeting that civil legal aid services are bursting at the seams already. They have not had any increases in fees since 2008. They simply will not be able … area of South Dublin County Council, we have the highest number of people staying in international protection in the whole State. There are 4,200 people there at the moment and it is bursting at the seams. It seems that because the Government is adopting the EU asylum

under the age of 12 months. Since then, the International Court of Justice has ruled on the legal consequences and implications of Israel's occupation. The ICJ has ruled that states have a duty to abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the occupied … territory. It also said that states must take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory. The ICJ further found that all states are under an obligation not to render

Charities Regulator, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, and even An Garda Síochána. When journalists have asked questions about this, they have been met with legal letters. One journalist received no fewer than 11 legal letters, including a letter sent to their entire workplace. The issues include … director's house. To cap it all, there was a lack of concern and a total lack of proper oversight by the State over any of this. This is not some faceless bureaucratic organisation. This is a national institution loved by generations of children and their families

reduce carbon emissions by between 85% and 90% by 2040, following marathon negotiations in advance of the COP30 summit. Ministers adopted a legally binding target for cutting emissions by 85% by 2040. On paper and in principle, it is positive to see this agreement reached, but the deal … reduction be achieved by outsourcing pollution cuts abroad through the purchase of international carbon credits. That get-out clause suggests that EU states will continue to believe that we can buy our way out of climate change and outsource our obligations to countries that have less. This

July, 2026; — Government will also be establishing a new road transporters' support scheme, as well as supports for coach operators providing local link services, at a cost of €40 million per month for three months; — a comprehensive €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors … from renewables which has increased fivefold since 2005, and that in February 2026 wind energy provided a record 50 per cent of the State's electricity; — Ireland has now reached a record circa 8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable generation capacity, up from 4.8 GW in 2020, and renewable

offering me the opportunity to respond. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was commenced in 2023, and it represents a landmark legal reform in this country. The Act replaced the 1871 Victorian-era wards of court system with a rights-based model for tiered decision support arrangements … arising. In the main, experiences have been extremely positive, but action has been taken to address barriers to accessing services and supports. This has included engagement with the legal profession in respect of their role in the EPA application process and the establishment of a dedicated EPA helpdesk