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handouts. They are looking for fairness. At the beginning of May, the Labour Party put practical and fully-costed proposals before this House and before the Government in the form of a mini budget. We proposed measures to help PAYE workers keep more of what they earn, targeted … asking for special treatment. They are asking for fairness and practical action. The Labour Party has put practical solutions before this House. Families cannot wait until the next budget. They need action now. I will touch on some of the stuff my colleague, Deputy Nash, has said

very much valued in our communities and who create local employment, but they are closing their doors. It can be small shops, public houses or gift stores. These are people who were able to manage before, who are involved in different types of personal services, like hairdressers … going to deal with that in the coming years. The measures we take, such as those that were voted on in the House last night to support an LNG facility in this country, are very important. I believe we need to have more debates about this matter

immediately. If the worry is the danger, let us bring it in as a pilot scheme for new-build social and affordable housing and apartments delivered by local authorities and approved housing bodies, and allow people to save money immediately. Again, the issue of home heating oil must

property just to provide a roof over their head. Businesses have to deal with the cost of electricity. I have stated in the House several times that there is no sign of a regulator. Every day since Bord na Móna closed, the cost of electricity has gone … people who were outraged that the prices at the pumps were going up each day. I told the Government that in this House on 24 March, when it offered 3 cent on green diesel and home heating to the people. It offered 3 cent and 2 cent

Presidency, Ireland will work tirelessly to advance concrete measures that strengthen our security, resilience and defence. As I have said before in this House, it is imperative that the EU and its member states continue to provide Ukraine with the support that it needs but that we actively … confident that we will do so again on this occasion. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across this House, with our European partners and with all stakeholders to ensure that Ireland’s Presidency is a success, and most important, one that delivers for people in Ireland

European Union comes at a defining moment for Ireland and Europe. Communities across the Continent are facing soaring living costs, deepening inequality, housing crises, climate change and growing international instability. The Presidency presents Ireland with an opportunity not just to just chair meetings or hold photo opportunities … Ireland must champion a pro-social Europe that delivers for working people. Across the European Union, families are struggling to afford basics like housing, childcare, healthcare and energy. Economic growth means little if it fails to improve people’s lives. Climate action remains one of the defining challenges

goes from fleece to fabric. It is a wonderful family and I am delighted to have the opportunity to mention it in this House. I wish it well in the markets it will engage with through trade within the European Union and beyond. Like other speakers, I acknowledge … China. We are not going to offend them. The other 16 countries that are out there do not offend them. Members of this House have travelled out there. Members of the Government have travelled out there when they were in opposition, but there are different standards now because

State €13 billion, it is crucial that the Government prioritises climate in its EU Presidency plans. The Irish Government needs to get its house in order and it needs to get our housing stock in order at the same time. We need to ramp up renovations, particularly

might start by recognising a very strong European who was a former Member of this House and who passed away on Monday. David Andrews was a TD for Dún Laoghaire and was somebody who showed on a number of occasions as Minister for Foreign Affairs his commitment … ideals of Europe. He is a great loss. I wanted to pay tribute to him. I have not had an opportunity in the House to pay my respects to his family, to his wife Annette, his sons David and Barry, and his daughters, Mary, Sinead and Claire. Déanaim

return to the issue of a bilateral returns policy with Britain. The Minister and other Ministers have put on the record of the House on numerous occasions their belief that between 80% and 90% of international protection applicants are travelling here via the common travel area. It would … useful if the House could get a report on any progress that has been made on securing a bilateral arrangement with Britain

under zero tolerance. The capital assistance scheme, CAS, stage 1 application for a refuge site in Monaghan was approved by the Department of housing last October. Work is ongoing towards submitting a stage 2 application, which will include further detail and costings on the full extent of works … process, I regret, takes on average 75 weeks, with construction typically taking 15 to 18 months. Safe Ireland is the lead approved housing body on this development. This new refuge facility will include 12 independent units of refuge accommodation, along with essential ancillary services, thereby strengthening domestic violence

short-term accommodation. The ultimate solution is that the person who is the abuser is the person who should get out of the house as opposed to the woman having to get out of the house and end up in a refuge for lengthy periods. That is legislative

rural Ireland in respect of this issue, particularly advocating for young couples and young people generally to be in a position to build houses in their localities, very often on their land. This will be of significance in helping to sustain rural communities across the western and south … course, the Chorca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht and others, which are of significance to him. I think that the Gaeltacht provisions will facilitate one-off housing in those areas, particularly in villages and towns across south Kerry and the Kerry area more generally. This will be significant. On the timeline

were born in Ireland. Approximately 12 had Irish connections. Our relationship is deep and familial, diasporic, economic, cultural and artistic. Visiting the White House and the President is a symbol of all of that, and is an important moment. All the agencies of the State are engaged that … Deputy outlined well, is enormous. Sometimes it almost amuses me the degree to which it is simply dismissed by certain Deputies in the House as something of no value and that should not feature at all in our consideration of what we do on occasions such

fuel infrastructure built in this country will not have basic climate analysis applied to it – climate analysis that almost all parties in this House agreed on only a couple of years ago – shows how far the Government has retreated on the issue of climate. A fundamental … debating in a couple of minutes, which also has the exemption. That norm was seen in the Critical Infrastructure Bill that this House passed a number of weeks ago. Time and again, this Government is exempting some of the biggest fossil fuel-polluting proposals from an analysis under

Coimisiún Pleanála, which are the bodies responsible for making very important planning decisions. They will never be perfect and neither will this House. However, their being bypassed is a matter of concern that I want to emphasise on the record of the House. We are speaking about this

between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(4) The Minister shall, not later than 12 months following commencement, lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report reviewing daa’s compliance with the directions of the Minister.”. This amendment seeks that the Minister should within … months following commencement, lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report reviewing DAA's compliance with the directions of the Minister because, as we all know, there is a lack of trust in the north County Dublin area in what the DAA has done

insulation. This person said that as they typed the message in their back garden, planes were flying directly overhead, every window in the house was open and their four kids under seven were in bed. This person added that their house has not been noise-insulated

that any future Bills or primary legislation would come to the AI committee, that would be extremely helpful because, as colleagues across the House have said, the AI committee has developed an expertise there. What is frustrating is that the AI committee members were not informed when … when those designated regulations will be finalised and whether they could be shared with members of the AI committee and, indeed, with the House. It is a significant and welcome clarification. It gives the office real standing and ensures our framework is firmly aligned with

childcare. It was a real barrier for some parents, especially women, getting back to work or finding full-time employment. There are new housing developments where the buildings allocated for childcare are empty and childcare providers say there is a real battle to provide services there because … bureaucracy and lots of reasons and it is just not cost-effective - that is one of the issues. If we have new housing developments where there is a promise of childcare facilities as part of them but they are not being provided it is a failure of Government

aware of couples who have delayed starting a family because of the pressures bought about by the combined costs of childcare and housing. That is not their failure but a failure of Government. This is one of the wealthiest states in Europe. There is no excuse for parents … still paying over €800 a month per child for childcare while also facing soaring housing, energy and commuting costs. In my constituency, over half of childcare services in Cavan have waiting lists while in Monaghan almost two thirds have. That tells its own story. Families are paying

cost of childcare and make it more accessible. In my own constituency of Dublin Bay North, we have a lot of new housing estates with young families and the waiting list for childcare places is simply huge. The fact is it is stopping many people from returning … their biggest issue and two thirds also raised the problem of extra pressure due to staff shortages and stress. Everybody in this House will agree that the people we entrust to educate and care for our children should feel valued and that starts with fair

floor. It is one of the more important motions we have spoken on. It is 36 minutes past midnight in the House. That is a great testament to everybody who has stayed here to contribute to the debate and be part of the debate. Childcare … disappointed with this Government and duped by this Government, to say the least. That needs to be on the record of the House. I respect the spirit behind the motion. I do not agree precisely with the measures within it but I plan to support it tonight

parents a choice and gives them freedom and that is what we need within the sector. Core funding has been lambasted in the House tonight and generally as well as not providing enough funding and supports to our early childhood care providers but the facts do not bear … possible in the upcoming budget to achieve this and all our important goals in childcare. Some parts of the motion before the House tonight appear contradictory. In one part, it is claimed that we need more childcare places for children aged under one and in another, the Minister

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out his response to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s report on homelessness published on 18 June 2026. [48577/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made towards publishing guidelines for solar energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40853/26

Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made towards publishing guidelines for battery energy storage projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40854/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an assessment has been undertaken regarding the impact of vape and smoke retail outlet proliferation on commercial vacancy patterns, retail diversity or traditional retail activity within town centres; and if he will make

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the development of national planning statements for critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/26

Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the engagement his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the review of their memorandum of understanding; to confirm if details of the review process have been provided

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning legislation currently permits local authorities to regulate or restrict the concentration or clustering of vape and smoke retail outlets within towns, villages or city centres; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to introducing planning or zoning controls relating to the density or concentration of vape and smoke retail outlets within urban areas; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has issued planning guidance to local authorities relating to vape and smoke retail outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40877/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if vape and smoke retail outlets are classified under any distinct planning-use category for the purposes of planning and development legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review has been undertaken regarding the visual impact of vape and smoke retail signage, illuminated advertising or outlet clustering on historic streetscapes and town centres; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the importance of ensuring that all public places are accessible; if he will ensure that planning permission and building control sign off by local authorities is contingent on compliance with part M accessibility

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support introducing a requirement that all new public facing premises and any premises undergoing refurbishment provide as a minimum a step-free access and at least one accessible unisex toilet; if he will

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 1694 of 14 April 2026, to clarify if the Southern bridge mentioned is being built on private land; to detail the cost to date of this bridge; and if he will

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will release the details of providing a plebiscite for the change of place names under the Local Government Acts 1946 and 1955; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether data is collected regarding the number of persons presenting as homeless or seeking emergency accommodation due to domestic abuse, broken down by local authority area and year; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that planning permission restrictions are eased to the extent to allow for an increased number of homes to be built for young families (details supplied); and if he will make a statement

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an urgent update following the National Monuments Service meeting of 10 February 2026 with the archaeological licence holder in relation to a site (details supplied); whether any decisions or directions have issued since

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any interdepartmental working group currently exists examining housing insecurity, financial exclusion or homelessness risks among victims of domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41153/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any national forecasting model exists regarding future refuge accommodation demand arising from housing pressures, homelessness risk and population growth. [41168/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla maintains any national data regarding homelessness, emergency accommodation use, or housing instability among care leavers following the cessation of aftercare supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41012/26

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of care leavers known to Tusla who entered emergency accommodation, homeless services or supported housing settings within two years of leaving care in each year since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41013/26

longitudinal outcome tracking regarding care-experienced young adults following discharge from foster care, residential care or special care settings, including outcomes relating to housing, education, employment, mental health or addiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41014/26

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in emergency medicine, emergency medicine registrars and senior house officers in emergency medicine that were on duty each night between 8 May and17 May 2026 inclusive, between the hours of 8pm and 8am at Letterkenny

will confirm if any proposals around three-yearly reports and funding recommendations produced by Coimisiún na Meán will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40561/26