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there by-elections on, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle? Sorry - I will certainly respect the rules of the House and take that point, but I also take the serious point the Deputy made because it is a serious issue. There are people feeling hurt today and we have … evidence and debates that we will follow and work our way through. That is what we should be doing in this House. However, that is different to making comments grouping people based on race, religion or ethnicity. I am quite sure it was unintentional but those comments have

means a public transport system worthy of a European capital and of every town in this country. It means honest investment in the housing and water and energy infrastructure that our economy and society need. It also means giving clear direction to the public service, because when clear … concert with social partners from 1987. It also delivered during the pandemic. The public service will do it again if we in this House are clear about what we are asking it to do. Lemass once said that a rising tide lifted all boats. He meant

goes. I have mentioned these matters previously, both at the committee of which I am a member and in other debates in the House. I am of the view that we should create something similar to Silicon Valley in the midlands, in the triangle comprising the lands between … They are all living in my area, which they are entitled to do, but they have very high-income jobs, which means that houses prices locally are being pushed up. Equally, because all of the companies they work for want to locate in the Dublin area, the increase

Minister of State, Deputy Canney. I have no doubt the response from the Department will outline the rich history of the old rocket house station and the importance of the Coast Card to our coastal communities in north Wexford and south Wicklow. As the Minister of State comes … April 2024. I thought that was great and that we would see progress. The general election happened and I ended up in this House. On 15 May 2025 I raised a Topical Issue debate taken by the Minister of State, Deputy Troy. He told

genocidal slaughter of more than 75,000 people in Gaza, the levelling of Gaza, the destruction of all the schools, most of the housing, the infrastructure, the hospitals and the mass murder of men, women and children. That continues despite the claim that there is a ceasefire. While … failure to pass Senator Black’s Bill, which was instigated in 2018. How many times did we stand up in this House and how many times did people take to the streets - long before 2023 - to plead with successive Governments to impose sanctions? How many times

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the need for a statutory community engagement standard. Deputy Emer Currie - To discuss … their similarities to gambling and the potential risks posed to minors. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the rising costs of living across housing, energy, insurance, childcare and essential services and long-term affordability for households in Ireland. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil - To discuss social infrastructure provision in Kildare

thank the Minister of State. Every one of us in this House knows of a local project, very often an energy project, in respect of which communities were angry about how developers engaged with them, or about whether they engaged with them at all. Instead of constantly dealing … lives, engagement happens early enough to shape it before all the important decisions are made. If we want climate projects, roads and housing developments to proceed more quickly and with less public opposition, we need proper national standards that every developer must follow before applying for planning permission

that is the position, what must also be acknowledged is that in keeping with the spirit of the referendum, this House agreed to reviewing the operation of the Act in a debate in late 2018. Section 7 of the 2018 Act legalising abortion in Ireland provided for review … agreed without objection and without a vote on both Committee and Report Stages. It stands to reason that all Members of the House, of all parties, agreed that a review of the legislation should be carried out, adjustments to the law made on foot of such a review

there was an argument before this House that does not remark on the tragedy of the loss of 10,000 human lives. The argument is that there is too much time to hesitate and we must remove that time. If the position of the Social Democrats … desperate, some are under intense emotional pressure and some believe they have no supports or no alternatives available to them. Instead of this House building a society that says we will help them, stand beside them and be there because they and their child matter, the answer increasingly

require amendment and careful scrutiny, I believe that the essence of what it seeks to address deserves debate and consideration by this House and the health committee. I say that for the following three reasons. First, this is fundamentally about women's healthcare. We know there are women … system is have unequal access to healthcare. That is why this issue warrants examination by the health committee and further examination by this House

abortions taking place in Ireland each year, which is an unbelievably sad reality, yet today a political party in this House is seeking to remove one of the last provisions that offers a small glimmer of hope that the life might be saved. We are still … rising at an alarming rate. Will the Social Democrats rush to scrap the three-day wait instead of working with others in this House to try to deal with the issue of coercive abortion? We have soaring abortion numbers, including coercive abortions, and we need to deal with

important that we facilitate open and frank discussion and consideration of issues. We must respect the input and views of all in this House. Constructive debate is always helpful. I do not need to repeat all of the information the Minister has outlined but I will … indicated her willingness to engage constructively on the issues raised in the debate. We urge the Social Democrats and other Members of this House to take up that offer. By doing so collectively, we can do right by all of the women in Ireland

people, and to have them not blaming the people the Taoiseach represents - the developers, the landlords, the people who get rich from the housing crisis. Instead, it is better to blame the people from Congo or wherever else. Regarding the council flats and the rents issue, the Taoiseach … been published yet, which points to massive increases in council rents. We can look towards the plan to merge cost-rental and social housing

that Ireland has the lowest rate of roadside breath testing in the European Union. That should concern every one of us in this House. We must, therefore, recognise a very simple truth, that technology alone will not solve the road safety crisis that we face. Nonetheless, I want … active travel. Better and safer walking and cycling infrastructure not only supports climate and health goals but it saves lives. I assure this House and the Minister of State of the focused work that is ongoing by the transport committee. We intend to provide leadership by identifying concrete

these types of provision by regulation, as has been the case in respect of the Defence Forces. The Minister should answer to the House as to why he has not done that. In the absence of such a move, the only inference that can be taken is that … that will ultimately be used to carry out biometric recognition in respect of Irish citizens. That is deeply concerning. For that reason, this House should put on the record where it stands on this issue. This will come back to bite the Government if it does not accept

recognition technology in order to assist our police force in tackling serious crime, security matters and missing persons cases. Most people in the House recognise that, for those serious issues, there is a need for the use of that type of technology. However, there is also a consensus … Committee Stage, that this is something he will give consideration to by way of regulation, he has not assured this House that he will be pursuing that route. It is for those reasons that I will be pressing the amendment

practice, together with an explanatory memorandum outlining the safeguards, limitations and parameters governing the use of biometric analysis and biometric categorisation, before each House of the Oireachtas.”. With respect to amendment No. 7, in response to a previous amendment, we heard the Minister cite the code of practice … adopted, the answer to the question as to where the code will end up is very cloudy. It is critical that this House stipulates in legislation that after the first two years, there will be a comprehensive review. The reviews will take place on a five-year basis

carrying out of biometric analysis. The code of practice for the carrying out of such analysis will be laid before the Houses. This means that the Houses will have the opportunity to scrutinise the code alongside what is required under the provisions in section 47A. In the context

change the title of the Bill and make other consequential amendments required to take account of the changes above. I thank the House for the opportunity to discuss this motion to include relatively short but important amendments to the Defence Act 1954 on Committee Stage of the Criminal … would appreciate Deputies' support on progressing these important amendments to the Defence Acts as expeditiously as possible. I commend this motion to the House

reach our climate targets in the area of public transport, will be successfully judicially reviewed in the courts. I want to take the House back to the decision of the Supreme Court earlier this year relating to Coolglass and section 15 of the climate action Act. Coolglass Wind … seen to have a positive climate impact. We are wilfully doing that today. I want to put it on the record of the House that this Bill will not advance big public transport projects. It undermines and lessens the chance that they will get planning permission. It particularly

number of projects or programmes, I believe it would be disproportionate to require each designation order to receive an individual assent from both Houses of the Oireachtas. The focus of the Bill is on accelerating the pace of critical infrastructure delivery. This is within the broader framework … purpose and which ones may trap infrastructure investment in process without purpose. I do not believe that adding a requirement for both Houses of the Oireachtas to positively approve each and every designation order would be an efficient use of time. It could add an additional and unnecessary

intention of my amendment is that it could go through the Houses of the Oireachtas in a matter of hours. That is the amount of time that would be needed. It should not be causing any delays. It could happen within a matter of days. Indeed … made a designation, it is not as if the project just stalls in its entirety until the designation order is ratified by the Houses of the Oireachtas. There is still work that can go on in the project. I wish to press the amendment

need to have a sense of perspective in how we debate things. Yet, young people do leave the country for different reasons. The housing issue is similar all over the world. It is far more difficult to buy a house in Canada or Australia, for example, than

conveners of the all-party Oireachtas cycling group, Deputy Ciarán Ahern and I were delighted to host a cross-party cycle around Leinster House today, and thanks to all the colleagues who took part. We need to see the Government step up and provide proper investment for cycling … help reduce emissions from fossil fuels and reduce dependence on private cars. I ask the Taoiseach and those on all sides of the House to commit to supporting cycling

should be able to give us that data. I am suggesting that it publish that on a monthly basis, like the Department of housing publishes the homeless figures. That is to show transparency. We want to work constructively with the Government and the NCSE to quell the amount … very clear on what that would be. The data is there. It is just not being published. It happens in the Department of housing with the homeless figures. This is a way of showing that transparency and quelling that panic that is going

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update for defective concrete blocks regulations for side-by-side construction; when they will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37734/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of defective concrete block grant recipients that have applied for the increased remediation option grant in each county that the grant scheme operates; the number of those recipients who have been awarded

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on recent developments at an organisation (details supplied); and if he is satisfied that the funding provided by his Department is being managed in an appropriate manner. [37772/26

Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current planning laws regarding the development of quarries; the plans to reform these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37817/26

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reports received by the NPWS concerning alleged unlawful habitat destruction in each of the years 2021 to 2026 to date; the number of incidents inspected or investigated; the number that proceeded to enforcement

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for details of any geographical areas that are currently without locally funded NPWS posts, as well as funded but not filled NPWS posts, for conservation ranger, district conservation officer and regional manager roles or equivalent

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for details of the most recent date on which any NPWS posts in geographical areas currently without locally funded posts, or sanctioned but unfilled posts were advertised, broken down by region and role, for conservation ranger

Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department or any bodies and agencies under its aegis use, or have in the past used, software and or products from a company (details supplied); the duration and cost of the contract

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding with an organisation (details supplied) and his Department, in light of the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Committee report published under Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan by Minister

Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with representative countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; and if he will detail the engagement undertaken

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason local authorities are no longer accepting properties under long-term leasing arrangements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35932/26

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35936/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the final turnout for Vote 34, including capital and current expenditure and all subheads and programme level outturns, for each year from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [35946/26

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his engagements with representatives countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35951/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which councils accept self-declarations in terms of owning properties abroad when a person from abroad applies for local authority homes. [35969/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how long immigrants must be habitually resident in Ireland before they can apply for local author homes. [35970/26

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a case involving a family in County Kildare (details supplied ) whose applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme (CTCCS) were verbally confirmed as approved in November

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently consider a waiver in respect of planning permission for short-term lets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36088/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the monthly breakdown, on a national basis, of adults in emergency accommodation categorised as Irish citizens, EEA/UK citizens, and Non-EEA citizens, for each month from April 2022 to the most recent date available

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any assessment has been undertaken regarding the impact of inward migration and international protection trends on demand for emergency accommodation since 2022; and if so, to provide details of such assessments. [36233/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has considered introducing a standardised national dataset recording the immigration status of persons accessing homeless services; and if not, the reason for same. [36234/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of adults in emergency accommodation who previously resided in International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation before entering homeless services, for each of the past 24 months. [36235/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the National Homeless Action Committee has discussed the impact of migration-related demand on homelessness services; and if so, to provide the dates and summary outcomes of those discussions. [36236/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has examined the reasons why nationality data is not collected in respect of children in emergency accommodation; and whether any legal, GDPR or operational barriers have been identified. [36238/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeless families in emergency accommodation where at least one adult is recorded as a Non-EEA citizen, for the latest period available. [36239/26