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Dublin. The vast majority of people in these communities have retired or are hard-working people, and they just want to do the right thing. They want to make a positive impact on their local communities, but the criminal elements there who seek an illegally gained quick profit … disposal order is reduced from seven years to two years. This is a welcome amendment. It ensures that assets, such as houses, can be returned to the communities quickly. The immediate appointment of a receiver to assets is also extremely welcome. Once in place, this will ensure that

time and time again. In regard to employment supports, the issues facing disabled people cut across government. That is why the national human rights strategy for disabled people is a key focus. It adopts a whole-of-government approach with individual Departments and State agencies responsible for planning … first half of next year so that they will be available for consideration in the budget 2027 process. All of us in this House recognise the concerns raised by the people who live with the daily reality of disability. We all want to further enhance the supports available

them in doing so and protect those who are not yet capable of doing so. The unfortunate reality for some Deputies in this House is that climate change is real and it is accelerating. We have just emerged from a summer of extreme weather events both at home … Labour has consistently put these measures at the centre of our climate proposals. Not only are they climate measures in their own right, they will also help with the cost of living not just today or for this electoral cycle, but in the long term. Households that

limit for social housing but not able to get on the ladder to get a mortgage or a loan to buy a house are the people who are caught here. Some of them are now passing middle age and some of them are nearly at retirement age. They … billion headroom here. People will ask how did the Government get it so wrong but I think it got it so right. The Government has put money into the pockets of developers, landlords and large hoteliers. That is what the Government has done. That seems to be what

country should have a say in such an important national issue. People are strongly opposed and very concerned. Like every Member of this House, I recognise that Europe faces significant security challenges. Conflict continues in multiple regions, as we know. Governments have a responsibility to assess those risks … terrible mistake. I hope that Government TDs will not go along blindly with their Government leaders but, rather, will do the right thing by the Irish people and the people they serve and vote against it. For that reason and for the sake of preserving the principles that

infrastructure. The reality is that one of the reasons we are so vulnerable is because of the huge gaps in our infrastructure. Our housing system is in crisis. We do not have a motorway between the second and third largest cities in the State. Public transport is inadequate … absolutely shocking. We express our condemnation of violence, whether against protestors or others, and call on the Iranian Government to respect the rights of protestors to demonstrate for their fundamental rights

worlds of applied research in AI and data analytics and their commercial deployment by businesses. I encourage all my colleagues across the House to look at the upskilling and training opportunities available through CeADAR. It recently launched an online course, AI for You: Introduction … risk-based approach means that only those systems which could pose high risks in areas such as health, safety and fundamental rights will be subject to its rules and obligations. The vast majority of AI systems will not be subject to any regulation systems under

friends with. There is a young Palestinian living in Marino in my constituency, Amir. His family are in Gaza. His house has been blown up. His mother and father were doctors. All of their life savings are gone. They have nothing to go back … rolling hunger strike for Palestine, refusing food to protest the repression of the Palestine Action group and the denial of the basic legal rights they are facing. Some are already in serious medical distress, with healthcare withheld and punitive measures imposed, yet they continue their strike in solidarity

concerned that the NTA focus tends to be myopic. I get off the bus on O'Connell Street and walk up to Leinster House at the beginning of the day and do the reverse in the evening. I have to say that I seriously envy this city … issue. I refer here, and I stand to be corrected, to the breach of Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to live well within their communities. That is not really feasible if they have to give 24 hours of advanced

election promises, like snow on a ditch, it is gone. There is no living wage for workers. It has been pushed right out, way beyond the term of this Government. In fact, there is arrogance in this Government's claim that it will somehow be re-elected … public transport. It is very hard for them to access employment. It is very tough for them to get out of the house some days. It is near impossible if they do not have the money to power up their mobility devices. They were told it was dangerous

tortuous process. As an Opposition Senator and TD, I sat in on many meetings where I heard, as Deputy Ahern rightly said, departmental officials saying, "The Attorney General says" and "The Attorney General's advice is". We never saw the Attorney General's advice … Labour Party have a long track record of improving transparency and accountability in governance in many different pieces of legislation before this House over many years. We see this as an in keeping with that spirit. We are disappointed that the Government sees fit to oppose

outlook, not only on Europe, but on the world. When we see our investment overseas and the employment that we create right across the globe today, it shows how confident we have grown as a country and how we have invested and delivered, not only here at home … rely on our neighbours. The same applies to energy. We have had some difficult debates over the past couple of weeks in this House with regard to gas reserves and the strategic need for security, with others proposing we just rely on our neighbours. What happens if there

This feature was used at scale to create harmful and illegal content, in particular the nudification of people, including children. I want the House to know that the Government and I share the widespread revulsion at the fact that platforms have allowed the non-consensual nudification of images … assess and mitigate risks that their services may create in relation to the proliferation of illegal content online and the protection of fundamental rights, including protection for minors. The Artificial Intelligence Act introduces legal requirements that aim to ensure a high level of protection of health, safety

talk about it in a way that is not helpful and essentially disengages a vast number of the people who have a right to ask questions. Two weeks ago at the Committee of Public Accounts, we talked about the significant amount of money that is spent on IPAS … from the Departments that deal with this. I have seen significant issues in my area. The State has used places – such as Ryevale House near me – where there was no proper planning permission or water resources, and no proper education provided for the people. I would question

aquaculture sites, in processing operations and in the distribution of seafood. It helps to sustain vibrant rural and coastal communities across Ireland. Right now, however, the sector is under significant pressure. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, and I share many of the concerns raised during the debate … Brexit to the sector and the extension to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, TCA, has also been raised in the House. I know it was a significant frustration to the sector that Ireland did not get some quota back from the UK in the discussions which

necessarily need to legislate for the whole country but we have to be able to empower and enable local authorities to find the right system for their areas because, as somebody who grew up in a very rural area, I know the challenges with regard to fly tipping … work and everything she does here. I also thank all of the staff. There are many staff we never see in Leinster House, particularly those of elected representatives, in the Bills Office and in all the other areas. I say thank you to our cleaners, the catering staff

sexual offences, sex for rent, changes to bail, remote hearings, electronic documents for court, DNA analysis, issues with outdoor seating for public houses, face coverings and an issue I truly welcome, namely the disregard of convictions relating to consensual same-sex activity. That is as diverse … very specific cases, as he said, in relation to people getting a fair trial. I doubt it. There will be legal challenges left, right and centre. I believe there will be a precedent set then and it will fall. I need the Minister to think very carefully

application-based statutory process for the disregard of historic convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between men. It assigns to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, the responsibility for reviewing applications and for issuing disregards. In the scheme for which I have approval from Government … said earlier, the legislation is now in an advanced stage of development and I intend to very shortly bring it before the Houses by amendment to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. Turning to the Bill under consideration today, its Short Title specifically states

Nakba. I have just come from the audiovisual room where I met Lubnah Shomali, who reminded those on the left in these Houses that our demands are far too moderate and that we should be looking for the world. In May 2024, Ireland finally formally recognised the State … word salad today. It is spineless. The Government cannot stand up to its colleagues in Europe and speak up for what is right. It has failed the Palestinian people, and the Irish people because the Irish people do not like this. I take absolutely no pleasure in telling

having the confidence of the House and wish her well in the term ahead. It is important to thank all Members of the House for their contributions and for raising many pertinent, relevant and real issues. I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice, in particular, for his balanced and genuine approach … play. The chief executive of the ESB was very quick to come in and speak about raising prices, but the Deputy is right. That is why the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, met the communication providers and they have a role. The level of customer service by the communications

prosecuted. In many respects, I have concerns about the way certain matters are addressed by courts under civil law jurisdiction and the rights that we take for granted in this jurisdiction may not be as openly available to citizens in other European countries. That is not to call … transposes the EU e-evidence package. It is important and it will benefit us. In the final analysis, our job in this House is to look at this Bill and the manner in which it transposes that package. Does it do it in a way that still serves

people who go to bed at night worrying about the next day and how they are going to pay bills to keep their house warm and feed their children. Instead, sided with the rich who go to bed and wake up the next morning even richer … pocket, the Government voted against the Social Democrats' Developer Profits Transparency Bill. If it genuinely believed that it is doing is the right thing, the Government would let the public see the numbers. It will not do so, however, because it knows they are indefensible. Section

That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to introduce the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025 to the House. The Bill completed its passage through the Seanad with some constructive engagement. At its heart, this Bill is about safeguarding public health, protecting … those in the retail sector. They want to have a fair and balanced approach to commercial activity. Second, it does not change turbary rights. The Bill does not change the current rules in respect of turf. People with turbary rights can continue to cut, gift or sell turf

people who are born intersex but its legal consequences are much broader. Section 2 would insert into the Gender Recognition Act a right for every person resident in the State to change their recorded gender to female, male or non-binary. This is a particularly significant provision because … make a significant change to our legal framework. In conclusion, I again acknowledge the absolute importance of the issues raised and assure the House that the Government is committed to progressing the legitimate interests of those seeking legal recognition. However, for the reasons I have outlined, the Government

talk about savings that have been achieved in the Department through decisions made by me and the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. The House will be aware that prior to me and the Minister of State coming into the Department, very significant spending was ongoing for accommodation … budget of €9.5 million to provide funding for immigration and international protection programmes, including the removal of people who do not have a right to reside in the State. There will also be increased investment in additional staffing and resources across the immigration system with