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Chequers - which was published subsequently on 19 September. The Prime Minister and I took note of progress on the UK-Ireland 2030 programme of strategic co-operation since the summit on 6 March on implementation across each of the programme’s four pillars of security, justice and global

return, though, the State must be willing to defend the common good against the narrow and vested interests that try to block every project. If every project is blocked, nothing changes. Like some other unnecessary interventions I have highlighted in this House before, this ultimately undermines public support

importing from France and Britain. Indeed, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, said this year that the interconnector is a major strategic infrastructure project that will play an important role in Ireland's energy security, which is expected to be operational by 2028. This is absolutely great news … future to ensure we can cope with our growing energy dependence and our goals of reducing to net zero carbon emissions. The programme for Government commits to exploring funding models for the renewable electricity support scheme and the public service obligation levy, which would help reduce electricity bills

commercial matters but when households continue to feel squeezed while wholesale prices fall, we need quicker and more honest path through. The programme for Government commits to an independent review of this and this review not only must happen but also has to be acted on. Consumers deserve … aggressively on grid investment. The €3.5 billion earmarked for 2026 to 2030 is welcome but grid delays are driving up costs, slowing renewable projects and undermining energy security. This investment should be front-loaded where possible because every year of delay keeps Ireland dependent on volatile global energy

Instead, we have had what I can only describe as a PR rebranding exercise, repackaging existing supports as a so-called starter homes programme. Again, the Government is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the people. The plan states that giving existing schemes … more delay. I want to talk about land speculation, which we know is making this crisis worse. I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to implement the land value sharing residential zoned land tax to penalise land hoarding and ensure zoned land is developed. During

proposal that the payments should not include payments for retrofitting is also restrictive. Capital funding from the NTF will be directed towards programmes with clear links to training and skills development. Where facilities under those programmes are being modernised or reconfigured to meet skills needs, some refurbishment

hidden costs leave families tens of thousands of euro in debt, it is not redress. Vulnerable families and people are forced to become project managers, find contractors, navigate the costs and engineering disputes and manage dangerous sites. It is simply not redress. Science has moved … everywhere in between, it is coming. We know it is coming. The scheme forces vulnerable people to be builders, quantity surveyors, engineers and project managers. Unlike the pyrite scheme, homeowners must organise demolition, secure contractors, manage site safety, complete paperwork, prefund the works themselves, negotiate disputes and handle

including the timeline for the progress of the Bill, are being considered by the Government. The general scheme fulfils our commitment in the programme for Government to prohibit the import of goods from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Trade in services is considerably more complex than … made it very clear at the very outset when being appointed to this role that I intended to fulfil our commitment in the programme for Government to enact this legislation. We must also take account of practical issues with regard to the implementation should services be included

play a real part in that. Just two weeks ago, I was in Colombia, one of 13 Irish Aid countries, and our programme work there is solely in relation to peace. The experience of Ireland has been put into action to uphold the 2016 peace agreement. I visited … projects with decommissioned FARC guerillas who were being supported by the Irish Government to turn their backs on violence, engage on peace and lead far better lives. This is the sort of thing that we can offer to the world. Deputies in this Chamber regularly refer to this

dealing with it on a day-to-day basis. We are providing, as I said, financial support of €50 million through the ASSAP programme. I agree with the Deputy that it is a really positive programme. It is leading to great work being done, not just

from that, my Department is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to develop Ireland's next nitrates action programme, which is due to apply from January 2026, with the objective of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. These … proposals for the next nitrates action programme are currently out to public consultation and that is due to be completed on 1 December

general, the trade agreements it concludes. This does not mean we have to support every single trade deal. In alignment with the programme for Government, we work with like-minded countries because we have those concerns and sensitivities. We have also analysed the safeguards that have been … have engaged with key colleagues. At the most recent meeting, I met my French and Italian counterparts, continuing the commitment in the programme for Government to work with like-minded countries that share those concerns around the proposal

wish to raise the issue of the upcoming DEIS plus programme that has been announced. I am fearful that it will just be for the major cities. I want to highlight a number of schools, particularly those in Longford town. I ask that schools in towns like Longford … where there are many issues on the ground, are prioritised for the DEIS programme, particularly the national schools of St. Joseph's, St. Michael's and St. Emer's. Another issue I have raised previously is the lack of special school places. We have several families who have

thank Deputy Carrigy for raising this issue. The roll-out of DEIS and DEIS plus, as we have committed to in the programme for Government, is linked to an educational measure but also a child poverty measure. We all know one of the best ways of lifting people … Absolutely, Longford will be considered in that context. As the Deputy will know, there are already 23 schools in Longford in the DEIS programme, with six urban band 1 primary schools, one urban band 2 primary schemes, ten rural DEIS primary schools and six post-primary schools

homes. These units will primarily not be built because of opposition from the Department of public expenditure two days before construction on the project was to commence. Companies had already put substantial investment into the project in terms of both staff and resources. We have a lame duck

environment from the moment construction begins throughout their entire lifetime up to the day they are decommissioned. It is beyond me that for projects of this scale we have no up-to-date regulations or guidelines. Frankly speaking, it is an insult to communities across Ireland that have … grid cannot cope with the supply. Here we are again with the Government putting the cart before the horse. These profit-driven projects are then told to switch off or reduce their generation and they are paid to do it. Last October, that bill hit €115 million

Barnaderg, Shancloon and Laurclavagh to name but a few, and there would be in excess of 150 turbines if all of the various projects at various stages of development go ahead. It is safe to say that north County Galway would be totally unrecognisable if this were allowed … developments. It is an absolute dereliction of duty by the Government. It is the same with solar energy. There is a very large project in Monivea and Abbeyknockmoy in my constituency. We do not have solar guidelines. There are also large gas plants proposed

thank the Minister of State for the response. I totally understand there can be delays to various projects. In nearly all of these cases, if it has got to stage 2b, the land is there and the school is ready to go. Stage 2b seems to be some … sort of bizarre purgatory within the Department. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State talked about 80 further school programmes. All that many of these schools are asking for is a clear timeline. If it is published on the Department website, as the Minister of State

this. Since December 2023, not a blade of grass has been cut or a shovel put in the ground, yet the two projects are being dubbed shovel ready. When I hear people saying we will undershoot our climate actions, it is not congruent that the two villages … still without a sewerage scheme. Can the Taoiseach give us any good news in terms of how these projects can be progressed

library is nowhere to be seen. There has been no public consultation and there is a real lack of transparency now around that project. Cork was promised a new-build public library on Grand Parade and I want to know whether it will be delivered. Will … library be built and delivered in our city for the people? Will the Taoiseach personally ensure that the project he announced will be built and delivered for the people of Cork

this field pro bono to design a bespoke building that is fit for the club's purposes. We need to move this project on. We need the HSE and the Government to support it financially to deliver it. It is going to be a massive undertaking … charity. What is the Taoiseach's office going to do to advance the project

Bill before the House tonight represents a commitment of approximately €350 million per annum in terms of support for renters. The programme for Government commits to "progressively increase the rent tax credit". That remains a commitment in the programme for Government. The priority this year was to extend

equity of €3.5 billion to EirGrid and ESBN. That will allow them to finance the investment that is required in our grid in projects like the North-South interconnector, that one project that will deliver resilience for our grid and will allow

extension and expansion of renewables into our grid, a project that Deputy McDonald's party seems to be flip-flopping on north of the Border. I have met her party's ministers in the North of Ireland, who are for the project; its Deputies in the South

Meath who I knew for years. In his words, "This Government is improving worse." The Government is in reverse in terms of its projections. A total of 30,000 homes were built last year, down from the year before and far lower than the targets. Planning permissions … abroad for contracts at present. Some 30 of the top 50 companies are sending their workers abroad to work because they cannot make projects viable here. We need €20 billion to build 50,000 homes. There is €9 billion going in for social housing, which is great

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken by his Department to broaden access to graduate entry medicine programmes across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/26

asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40471/26

Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places offered to but subsequently not accepted by prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes in the period of 2022-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40472/26

assessed the geographical gaps in further and higher education opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities, particularly in areas where no dedicated inclusive programmes currently exist; the steps being taken to improve regional access for students and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40536/26

minor works capital application (details supplied) which has been with his Department since 2022; the expected timeline for the completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40791/26

that the Government and the Central Bank are acting in accordance with the recommendations set out in the report on the Israeli bond programme of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement

Finance the amount Ireland contributed and received from to the EU Multiannual Financial Framework in the years 2020 and 2025; and the projected amounts for 2027 and 2030. [39896/26

Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for an update on the development of the Credit Union Sector Strategy Project, following its recent launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39630/26

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the projected increase in VAT revenue on home heating oil as a result of the increase in home heating oil price. [39795/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; and the measures that are used to assess progress. [38821/26

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the mechanisms in place in her Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if she will make

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has assessed any potential impact on Irish international development programmes or NGOs operating in Central Africa due to the Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, particularly regarding the protection of vulnerable children and education services

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a detailed breakdown of any projected or committed Exchequer funding, directly or indirectly, to the International Claims Commission for Ukraine or the related Register of Damage under the provisions

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if he will make

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment the status of all proposed offshore wind farm projects off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39467/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment the status of grid connection arrangements for offshore wind projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39468/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the mechanisms in place in her Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if she will make

Strategic Workforce Plan contains branch-specific workforce targets for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; and if she will provide the projected personnel targets for each service branch for 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2030. [39219/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of Air Corps personnel currently in pilot training; the annual training intake capacity; the projected annual pilot output for 2026, 2027 and 2028 [39222/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Defence Forces maintain internal workforce modelling regarding projected shortages in specialist Air Corps roles, including pilots, engineers, air traffic personnel and technical grades; and if she will provide details at a policy level. [39227/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any dedicated pilot, weapons, or tactical crew training programme is being developed in connection with the Airbus H145M helicopters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39246/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if he will make

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport to roll out a major programme of 'new bus stops' across County Meath at locations that have been highlighted by county councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38938/26

based QR ticketing or limited contactless bank card payments on selected public transport services, pending the full rollout of the next generation ticketing programme; if any assessment or indicative costing of such measures has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39286/26

facilitate contactless payment by bank card and mobile wallet services, including applications (details supplied), prior to proceeding with the next generation ticketing programme; if any cost benefit analysis or comparative assessment was undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/26