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many people working in the industry that were put on the record by Deputies. It is a clear indication that everyone in this House values our hauliers and our bus and coach operators and the role they play in wider society, as they should. After all, these … chain roles, including almost 60,000 people in the transport sector. While I am sure Deputies will agree that financial supports are necessary right now, I reiterate, as many Deputies did in their contributions, that this Government also recognises the need to support the haulage, logistics and supply

Like most Members of the House, I met with Iarnród Éireann recently when it gave a presentation and made its officials available to Members to put their case and highlight the issues in their constituencies. I will get directly to the point. The south east, particularly Carlow … that will meet that of the neighbouring properties such as MacDonagh Junction or the hotel that will be built there. It is not right that a company like Iarnród Éireann would not invest in its property and try to keep the image of the city in which

member initiated a process that ultimately twinned Kyiv with Dublin. More recently, when I was Lord Mayor of Dublin, we opened up the house to celebrate Ukrainian independence day. In much more than symbolic terms, Irish people put their hands up to support those who fled war. Almost … leadership in peacekeeping missions in the Lebanon, the Golan Heights, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Mali and Congo, our commitment to the rights of the preyed upon is unwavering. That is why I must conclude by turning to the current events. Some parties have accepted the false narrative

Government's first actions. The Minister will appreciate, immediately, why we start to see distrust among everybody else in this House when the Government says it cares but that was its very first action as a Government. The most recent action, which multiple people have spoken about … Government does support that approach [I think the Minister means the Government does not support that approach] although we fully recognise the right of individuals and organisations to make their own decisions in this regard." My question to the Minister in response is: what does Israel have

increased costs on motorists, they can see it in the Minister's own speech from earlier on. He said that this House should reject the Sinn Féin Private Members' motion and instead support the Government's countermotion on this matter. The Government did not even bother to lodge … insurance companies is laughable. What we propose is not radical. It is common sense. It is fairness. It is not left or right; it is what people need now. The Government should not hide behind excuses anymore or pretend that its hands are tied. It is sitting

home as well as her two brothers. It is such an indictment. I know Cara lives in a lovely house in Ardfinnan. Looking out her back window, she can see the Liam Lynch monument, a man who gave his life for our freedom and democracy in this country … already spent €8 million fighting parents. Just think about. Some €8 million has been spent fighting parents to deny them the rights to which they are entitled under the Constitution. It is a shocking and depressing situation. I salute Cara, her family and her supporters. This situation

obviously made contact with many people in this House and beyond. It was good to see the number of people protesting outside this House, which they should not have to do. I had been contacted by multiple people, including some of the graduate paramedics themselves and members … news that emerged last week is that contact had been made and we heard that the competition was being dropped. That is only right, and it is down to the necessary action that was taken by many of the graduates. I would like some sort of explanation

bulk data relating to the vast numbers of people who are not suspected of any offence. That fact alone places responsibility on the House to ask questions about necessity and proportionality. We are told correctly that safeguards exist, that the agreement limits processing to terrorism and serious crime … scepticism. If we are confident in the framework, then confidence should be accommodated by clarity, clear evidence of effectiveness, clear explanation of how rights are protected once data leaves EU systems, and clear reassurances of what is lawful today will continue to be justified tomorrow, particularly as technology

share their hope for a just sustainable and lasting peace, which respects the rights of the Ukrainian people; — Ireland has, and continues to, rightly provide support for the Ukrainian people by way of aid for non-lethal purposes, including infrastructure, energy costs and humanitarian needs; — the nature … long-standing policy of military neutrality. What the Government is proposing is a decisive step away from that position. The proposal before the House is not a peace initiative. It is not primarily humanitarian. It is a proposal for €90 billion in funding, delivered for Ukraine through enhanced

grid or humanitarian aid and support. The Government has fought for Ukraine in every international forum at which we have speaking rights. Critically, Ireland has provided a home for many Ukrainian citizens and provided 14,000 school places for Ukrainian children in the space of a number … made in recording the trade flows to the EU versus the trade flows to Russia. As I have pointed out in the House previously, it is my understanding that, in 2025, about 44% of exports went to Russia. I absolutely agree that it is unacceptable for any amount

will wait and see. We want to see Netflix, etc., purchasing independent content in this country. If not, the Minister reserves the right to go to Coimisiún na Meán to impose a levy. Ultimately, we do not want a levy put on consumers; they are paying enough … Irish-made television and increased content through our native Irish language. I thank Members for their attention and commend the Bill to the House

welcome the opportunity to speak on the Child Care (Amendment) Bill before the House today. This is very important and timely legislation. I commend my colleague the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, for her work in bringing it forward. Her commitment to strengthening the child welfare and protection system … strengthen the supports that are available to them. The Bill reduces the time after which foster carers can apply for enhanced parental rights, from five years to three years, where an established and enduring relationship with the child exists. This is a child-centred reform. It will help

this had on working families in this country. We all know the impact that their destructive policies are still having on our dysfunctional housing system today, which goes to the root of the economic and social problems we have. We in the Labour Party will not be taking … Government to send a signal to working people in this country that it is on their side. In particular, PAYE workers rightly feel abandoned by this Government. What we are arguing for is the definition of fiscal responsibility, namely, a properly framed mini-budget rather than a drip

clapped in this Chamber, or perhaps it was in the convention centre, for our healthcare workers. I recall going outside my house, like people all across the country, to clap for our healthcare workers and thank them for standing on the front line during the Covid-19 pandemic … need my pay protected till I am able to return. As well as being physically unable the brain fog a huge barrier. Right now I couldn't provide safe care to patients. As nurses we are accountable for our practice. If I return to work and made

that should be taken to give greater protection to juries. Unfortunately again, none of these have been implemented. Those proposals included: that the right of inspection of the jury panel, which may facilitate persons who wish to contact or identify jurors, should be restricted; where necessary, the abolition … urgency and willingness to deal with something that should have been addressed immediately after the Good Friday Agreement. The documents laid before the House as part of the renewal process state that consideration will take some time and the Minister will return. There is a need for accountability

process is happening to convince people to transfer money away from spending on agriculture, social cohesion and important matters like health, education and housing and use that money to buy guns. Brigid Laffan was very clear about it. When she was asked what she meant by Brendan … isolationist. It is about us being a peaceful country, using our voice as an independent neutral country to stand up for what is right in a world run by bullies such as Trump and Putin and the terrorist State of Israel. I express my solidarity with the people

thank Deputy O’Reilly for raising this issue and for offering me the opportunity to speak about it on the floor of the House. The Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing assessments of need, not just in the Deputy's constituency, but at a national … reforms include changes to Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which provides for assessments of need. These changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an assessment of need for their child, nor will they alter the statutory six-month timeline

watching us discussing a motion on congestion and the requirement for flexible work, it is absolutely ironic that a man who left his house before 6.30 a.m. is walking through the door of Dáil Éireann at 10.05 a.m. Why? It is because there were accidents on the motorway … requirements. That is not acceptable. We also need to ensure that this gradual push towards pulling people back into work stops. The right to flexible work and the right to work from home must be enshrined. Where it needs to be enshrined most quickly is with

thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House today on the significant challenges facing our tillage sector. Before I outline the Government's response, I will begin by acknowledging the strain that many farming families in the sector face. Coming … develop the possibility of a sustainable quality assurance scheme for tillage. This will require thorough engagement between all stakeholders but, if done right, it has the potential to help open new value-added market opportunities, particularly in the area of premium food and drinks, where sustainability and providence

thank Deputies for their contributions. I appreciate the assistance of Members of the House in enabling this minor but important legislative change to be discussed as part of the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026. This will enable the Government to expedite a measure which ensures Bord na Móna … than as part of the cloud, there would be a much greater drain on the electricity network. From an Irish perspective, the Deputy rightly identified something when he asked is this the industrial strategy or is this the direction the Government is going and where does our Department

live with threatening partners, which – I am sure the Minister of State will agree - is totally and utterly unsafe. We have a housing system that does not recognise the immediate welfare needs of many homeless women and their families who have fled these violent situations. That needs … unfortunately, being forced to give up their careers due to the lack of and the cost of childcare, not only in Kildare but right throughout the State. The lack of childcare in places like Kildare town, Newbridge and Kilcullen is having a profound impact on women and their

this debate. We saw that investment is needed in Baldoyle and St. Michael’s House. It is needed in St. Michael’s House and across north Dublin, especially, as I am always saying to the Minister of State, in Stapolin Educate Together National School, speaking of SNAs. Regarding … already doing, is going to change that, and I welcome that. The most vulnerable pupils depend on SNAs, and giving a child the right to thrive is the bare minimum. One of the fundamentals of a Government is that we give every single chance to any citizen

contributions to this debate. I acknowledge that they are genuine in bringing concerns about the cost of living to the floor of the House. These are really important issues - emotive but with very real impacts on our people. I am committed, as are all my colleagues across government … fora. With any decisions, whether that be tax changes or wages, there are trade-offs. We have to make sure we strike the right balance between decisions and actions that are fair and sustainable for our workers and our economy, and ones that will not have significant negative

decision by the Parades Commission in respect of a parade down the Garvaghy Road. We in the Government, along with everyone in the House, are deeply concerned with what has transpired. In many ways the events of last weekend were deeply depressing. There is a real risk … involved, is to see how we can create a pathway forward that mediates the community out of the grave risk that overshadows it right now. Beimid sásta gach aon iarracht a dhéanamh agus cabhair agus tacaíocht a thabhairt chun an fhadhb seo a réiteach agus treoir níos fearr

think of this as what if it is me or a person who is wrongly accused. What if that person has their rights infringed? That can be quite pervasive in the impact it has on society, people's relationship with the Garda, the faith in the system … which to demonstrate it in court. I fully recognise the difficulties they face in that regard. I want us in this House to help them and to give them the tools and the equipment they need but I also want to safeguard the confidence the public