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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach for his forbearance. I thank the House for facilitating Committee Stage today and for the constructive engagement on the Bill on Second Stage. The Bill puts in place the regulatory foundation needed to build public trust in artificial intelligence, Al, so that … role, it will increase organisational efficiency in Ireland to support consistent enforcement of the Act; facilitate co-operation between competent authorities and fundamental rights bodies; and act as Ireland's main interface with the EU and member states for Al regulation. The Irish Al office will act within

additional €5 million that was got was got because of his commitment and determination to keep our post offices open. He was right when he said that the Government can only do so much. Politicians in opposition can only do so much. I really mean this … friendly postman calling to the door and handing in a letter may be the only person who the person in that house sees for the day. The postman might bring a bit of news for people, put a smile on their face, have a bit of gossip

that called for 400 multidenominational schools. This seemed to have disappeared in the programme for Government 2024. Parental choice is a constitutional right and this must be upheld. The glacial pace of change means the Government will fall well short of meeting this target. This is bearing … school that respects their family's beliefs. It is time to make education in Ireland truly inclusive. I urge all Members of this House to support this motion

European Union is enormous, so I am hugely proud to consider myself a European but also to speak on this topic in this House, in the week when we celebrate Europe Day. I am cognisant of the fact that 91% of people in Ireland value our membership … passed in the State have been handed down to us by the European Union, whether health and safety legislation, road safety legislation, employment rights or equal human rights. They have often come from our MEPs and Commissioners in Europe, through directives and other European instruments, to force

families and young people struggling so hard. With that in mind, I want to raise an issue at the nexus of the housing crisis and the crisis of violence against women. For months, the Labour Party has campaigned for the introduction of a safe fund, a three-year … hard-pressed children and families. It does not have to be like this. Ireland is a country of unique opportunity. With the right political choices, we can develop the active state that Labour believes in, which takes responsibility for the welfare of its people. It would

course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2026, for the salaries and expenses of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and for payment of certain grants. Vote 27 — International Co-operation (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding … Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain subsidies and grants. Vote 34 — Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Revised Estimate). That a sum not exceeding €8,946,300,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come

will try my best with ten minutes but I might ask for a little bit of latitude from the House, given that we are ahead of schedule. A number of pertinent issues were raised by Deputies and by the Acting Chair that I will try to address … Ireland. Those who are currently displaced due to the conflict represent more than twice the population of Ireland. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, has rightly emphasised that these figures are not just statistics. Behind every number is a person, a family, a community whose lives have been shattered

past three years, and stops it increasing the price of food, beverages and everything within that sector. It was the right thing to do. I thank the Government for eventually doing it because, otherwise, it will be a circular economy. It will come back around to the same … being penalised by the local authority because the Bill, for people trying to move home to try to save to get on the housing ladder, has not gone through the House yet. We are going to introduce modular units at the back of houses, which will hopefully come

that we have in law. One can buy Viagra over the counter – I would love to have a debate about that in the House. One can have a rhinoplasty procedure performed and there is no mandatory wait. The regret rate for rhinoplasty is 40%. We do not have … most, particularly if they do not have access to GP services in their counties. Some are forced to travel to other counties. The right, the religious right and the far right are pushing back on rights we won in the 2000s and the 2010s. I ask that

this issue yesterday used the phrase “in due course”. That is simply not good enough. Regarding special education, every child has the right to an education that meets their values and their needs. In special education, children are locked out of education based solely on the fact they … With regard to teacher recruitment and retention, teachers are the backbone of schools. The strain on teacher supply is heavily related to the housing crisis that this Government has created. Housing prices are out of reach and unaffordable to many people in need. There are a number

years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction". The manner in which any school ensures that right to not attend religion instruction classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each school must determine the particular arrangements that … actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential. I thank everyone for their contributions to today's debate and I ask the House to support the Government's countermotion

fear and frustration that were evident around the country in recent weeks and how this Government is responding. The Government is responding all right to those who blockaded our streets. While we had genuine sympathy for many of those people, we, the Labour Party, are standing … place incentives to have a number of properties retrofitted together in order that we get to the point that 500,000 houses are retrofitted by 2030. We need ambition from this Government. We are not seeing that. We have to use the resources we currently have and that

surveillance, enhanced compliance activity and public awareness. However, illegal dumping is a complex behavioural and enforcement challenge. There is no evidence before this House demonstrating that introducing exclusive franchise areas would, in itself, significantly reduce illegal dumping. Similarly, affordability is influenced by a number of factors, including labour … eliminate illegal dumping and to accelerate Ireland's transition to a circular economy. However, we do not believe this Bill provides the right mechanism to achieve those objectives. For the reasons I have outlined, and while acknowledging the constructive intentions of Deputy Sherlock, the Government cannot support

motion seo a chur chun cinn. This motion reflects a shared understanding. The Minister of State has heard multiple Members across this House speak about public dental services, in particular for children, that are under significant pressures. Young parents are in urgent need of our support. I urge … every aspect of life. Every child should smile without pain and grow up with dignity and proper care. I believe we have the right vision but we need it to be delivered. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's contribution. Words are not enough

privilege to represent our party in Dáil Éireann and to stand here today as a Fianna Fáil TD. I want us in this House and my party to have ambition for our future for what we can collectively achieve as we move Ireland forward together. The record-breaking … dieback. Our farmers need assistance to get rid of those trees both in roadside ditches where there is a public safety concern and right across the board. In my hometown of Nenagh, the power went out in certain areas. To be fair, we were very lucky

transfer, and constitutes a war crime; further notes that: — sportswashing is a known method for apartheid States to distract from breaches of human rights and other unethical conduct, including war crimes; — the Irish women's basketball team were not financially supported by the Government to boycott playing Israel … Palestine. Dr. Susan Power is the head of legal at Al-Haq, an organisation in Palestine. She spoke in briefing rooms in Leinster House and at a committee meeting. I also heard her at an event later the date. She spoke about how when the occupied territories Bill

information the Bill is seeking to introduce. I will focus now on three key areas in making the case to the House for the deferral of the Second Reading for 24 months. The Bill has the potential to contravene EU law and second, there are concerns over amendments … competitiveness and to provide legal certainty to businesses. It is important that the implementation of EU regulations becomes more effective, striking the right balance between sufficient regulations to protect consumers and EU citizens while allowing our firms to innovate. The Bill has far-reaching effects beyond procurement

constituency of Dublin Bay South I stood with picketers outside schools, hospitals, colleges, cultural institutions, Government Departments and here in Leinster House to support workers. As the Minister will be aware, the outpouring of public support for them was extraordinary. People were cheering, motorists were beeping and schoolchildren … servants who they recognise as needing to see this honest and meaningful engagement from the Government. We urge the Minister to do the right thing now, make that positive step and reach out to the unions

rightly said, and perhaps criticised, that countries across the union are investing more in their national security and defence capabilities. Deputy O'Donoghue rightly charged that Ireland needs to do more in this regard, and we are. Even though we will retain a central policy of military neutrality … overall interests and needs of the union, its member states and citizens across Europe. The Government will continue to keep the House informed about progress with our Presidency programme and I really look forward to future discussions with Deputies. The Taoiseach laid out that he will be addressing

arrive safely back in Dublin. We have seen some commercial flights resume activity. We have plans in relation to chartered flights. Across the House, I know everybody welcomes that work. I thank the Minister, Deputy McEntee, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and officials on the ground … couple of days into a conflict here. We cannot do anything that is knee-jerk. Something that might seem like the right idea today could indeed be the wrong recipe next week or the week after. We are monitoring this, we are working on this and we will

make statements in the House on the programme for Government, I am acutely aware of the people throughout the State who have been failed since the Government took office. We know this has not happened today or yesterday. It has been happening for years … agreement as benefiting Irish SMEs. It will do no such thing. It is a bad deal. It is a bad deal for workers' rights, for the environment and for the public purse and it should not be ratified

debate today is hugely important. It is 29 years since the Good Friday Agreement and this is my 16th year in this House. I have been waiting each year patiently, hoping this debate would happen. I particularly welcome the constructive approach. I listened to every word the Tánaiste … South interconnector. We should drop all opposition to it. That needs to be built. Government departments working with singular focus in all areas, right across government, would bring efficiencies to public services. Along with the strong economic case for reunification, there is also the political and social case

glad to see that it continues to be a main policy priority among Members here. I am sure like many Deputies across the House, access to carer's allowance, home care hours and disability services are frequent issues that are raised with my office. The carer's allowance … only €723 million on home care. We have a long way to go to scale up investment to ensure that people have the right to be cared for in their community. The ESRI has estimated that the projected demand for a statutory home care scheme could increase from

State and I do not share a constituency but we do share the local authority area of South Dublin County Council. It houses the largest number of international protection applicants in the country with 4,200 in total. I have to say that some have settled in better … given to putting an international protection centre in these places on top of everything else I do not think it would be the right thing to do. The Pobal deprivation index should be considered by the Government. This is a very sensible amendment. It calls for an assessment

wrong and unacceptable to add to the trauma of victims and survivors. While of course everyone accepts that we must protect the right to a fair trial in all cases, we have a duty to victims and survivors that must be put at the heart … know some landlords have been exploiting vulnerable tenants. It is two and a half years since the Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing, Deputy Ó Broin, introduced a Bill that would ban sex for rent. The issue should have been dealt with before now. Likewise, I welcome the announcement