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sync with the majority of the Irish population. Some 47% do not want the leader of our country to go to the White House on our national holiday and give publicity to a dangerous demagogue, colonialist, racist and sexual predator, while 35% do. The Irish public is again … that we are in moral bankruptcy when it comes to these issues? The single biggest fear of American multinationals pulling out was the housing crisis that the Taoiseach has created - nothing else. Has the Taoiseach seen the videos from Minnesota? People shout across the streets, "They're coming

People on the other side of the House were sneaking regarders of the Maduro regime. It always strikes me as extraordinary that the main Opposition party attended his inauguration. That is the difference in the House here. Let us be under no illusions

heart goes out to her family, particularly her mother, who is determined to ensure action follows this awful tragedy. Nothing we in this House can say can lessen the loss, but we owe it to Grace and to communities across our city and country to ensure that this … occurrence in Dublin South-Central and in many urban areas around our country. It is an issue that has been raised in this House on numerous occasions by Members on all sides. Before the 2020 general election, we in Fianna Fáil made a clear commitment that gardaí would

that these storms are going to come more often and will be more severe. We need to be better prepared. The Minister for housing made an extraordinary accusation on Alan Corcoran's show on South East Radio this morning when he accused Met Éireann of guarding information … essentially, withholding flood warning information about this storm event. Does the Taoiseach agree with the housing Minister that Met Éireann is guarding this information? If so, what is he going to do about

Taoiseach says time and again that housing is the number one issue for this Government, and he accepts that there is a housing crisis. Notices to quit are on the increase in every county, including mine, Waterford. Last week, I met with three families, all of which have

that should never have occurred. We had cases where some local authorities were spending €50,000 to €60,000 on the refurbishment of houses. The whole purpose of the tenant in situ scheme was to stop people going into homelessness immediately, so the house was purchased. Suddenly

have stood in this Chamber previously asking about flood alleviation and what will be done in terms of planning. As I told the House on those occasions, I have personal experience, with my German family, of the effects of flooding. Four years later, things are not great from … with preventing them in the future? It is about funding for councils to deal with the effect of flooding and rainfall on council housing

that consistently failed to co-ordinate and deliver. In County Meath, the Government's legacy is one of broken promises. We have unaffordable housing without adequate water and wastewater infrastructure in Dunboyne, Duleek, Kells and elsewhere. Communities in Ashbourne, Ratoath, Kells and elsewhere are without working public transport … priced off an electricity grid prioritised for data centres. We have estates built without the playgrounds, parks or community centres that make a house a home. The Government's proposed solution to this self-made crisis is to restrict the public's right to planning justice and silence

infrastructural deficit lies behind so many of the problems we discus every day. Whether we are talking about flooding, commuter chaos or housing, what is really under discussion is the consistent failure of the Government to build and sustain the infrastructure that Ireland needs. The International Monetary Fund … comes to infrastructure. This is the key reason Ireland, a rich country, can feel poor for too many people. The transport links, housing, hospitals and utilities befitting a rich country are just not there. Over the past decade, this Government has managed to waste a boom. While

Minister, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, on those but at the same time these are emblematic of the issues we are facing in north Kildare. Houses are being built by the thousand in my constituency, which is great and ultimately that is what the Government desires, but at the same … communities behind that. Kildare has another problem to go along with these issues. Towns like Leixlip, Kilcock and Naas are thriving as regards housing but ultimately their town and village centres are not thriving. Large-scale URDF funding has not gone into these towns and villages

just shorten journeys. It would lesson the gridlock in Portlaoise town and in Mountmellick, and it would free up hundreds of acres for housing development. A lot of housing development is being pushed to Portlaoise but we do not have the infrastructure. Both Mountmellick and Portlaoise need relief

constituency and all around the country who put in submissions and object to proposals because they want infrastructure and facilities tied in alongside housing. In areas like the Clonburris strategic development zone, it is a very poor SDZ. Adamstown is a little bit better. There … areas around my constituency where the Government is putting in lots of houses but no infrastructure. It has to make sure that it follows up like with Dart+ South West, for example, or the Luas to Lucan and increased capacity for the Luas to Saggart. All these things

where we are as a country. There is a commitment from a multi-annual funding perspective, and it shows delivery, whether it be housing, energy, transport or water. In order to achieve delivery, however, we need co-ordination. I can give the Minister of State just one example … will have will reduce and the cost of what it will have will increase, making it less affordable for people to actually build houses and infrastructure at a time when we need rates to be competitive. I ask the Minister of State to take that point on board

welcome the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. We need to act to ensure the delivery of housing and other infrastructure. I thank the Minister for his engagement on private wires, which is a huge priority for me. It is all about delivery for the people of Ireland … installed, with some estimates putting the number even higher. The model is simply: allow plug-in systems, finance them through savings in affordable housing and privatise them for households. Doing so could cut bills

Confederation signifies the extent to which there is democratic input into decisions proposed by the European Commission that need the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The negotiated agreement has two main aims and components, one relating to the necessity of ensuring public security by means … option that can arise after the agreements are concluded by the EU and the Swiss Confederation. I commend these proposals to the House and seek the approval of the motions for the signing and conclusion of the agreement concerned

design, a form of bulk data processing. They apply to the entire travelling populations, not solely to people suspected of an offence. The House is being asked to approve this opt-in against a backdrop where European courts have repeatedly warned against general and indiscriminate data collection, where … bulk data relating to the vast numbers of people who are not suspected of any offence. That fact alone places responsibility on the House to ask questions about necessity and proportionality. We are told correctly that safeguards exist, that the agreement limits processing to terrorism and serious crime

aspects of this Bill. This rushed, panicky approach leads me to believe it will be only a matter of time before these Houses are dealing with amending legislation to fix new problems, which will undoubtedly emerge in the implementation of this Bill. If we are to have … their legislators looked through every line of what the Minister described as the most significant piece of migration legislation to come before these Houses in many years

should not conflate inward migration with international protection. I agree with Deputy Kelly that racism should have no place in this debate, this House or public commentary. The right to claim asylum is at the core of international law and Irish values. That said, we owe the public … operation with the common travel area. I welcome the Bill, and I look forward to engaging constructively as it progresses through this House

avail in any way of supports from the State but 100% to contribute to it. As has been noted in this House on a number of occasions, we need those people. They are keeping our hospitals and restaurants open, staffing our hotels and contributing at every level … more directly connected to mine. In terms of residential areas, Booterstown is probably closer to me. Again, at that centre, Merrion House, none of the problems foreseen by some people locally have materialised. Just over 100 people are living there, which is a small number really. The problems

make people feel welcome, but because of different things, people are also scared of the unknown. If someone arrived to the Minister's house tonight and knocked on the door, would he open the door and invite them in if he did not know them? Would he open … door and invite him in if they did not have the paperwork needed to enter his house? No, he would not. Why do we use one law for one thing and another law for the other? This Bill is very important and it is very important that

today. There is an investigation under way. We did act at the time in respect of legislation. I recall that Deputies across the House – including, on our side, Deputy Paul McAuliffe, in particular, and Deputy John Lahart – pressed for legislation to deal with the scourge of scramblers … then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, the Minister, Deputy Browne, and Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, legislative changes were brought through the House to tackle the scourge of dangerous driving and the antisocial use of scramblers and quad bikes. Those changes were introduced by means of the Road

need €20 billion a year to get to 50,000 to 60,000 houses a year. Let us put aside the soundbites and ask ourselves a question. How do we get to 50,000 or 60,000 houses per year because that is what is required

harmful imagery; and to increase the timeframe under which summary proceedings for an offence may be instituted. I welcome Margaret Loftus to the House. On behalf of Deputy Máire Devine and myself, I am pleased to introduce this Bill. Unfortunately, Deputy Devine, who is Sinn Féin’s spokesperson … sharing those images. I hope all TDs will support the Bill's quick passage through the Dáil. I commend it to the House

trade agreement, Irish trade has exponentially grown as a result of that CETA trade deal. There is a lot of opposition in the House to it, which I find hard to comprehend. Many Irish small and medium-size companies have done well through exporting goods and services. Many … deals can be ratified. CETA, for example, was a provisional agreement. We have yet to ratify it but are bringing legislation to the House to do so. Notwithstanding that fact, it has entered provisionally and we have had tremendous growth. A very good document was commissioned

resulted from it. The US President did not turn up at G20, although he met with President Ramaphosa earlier in the White House. I had good meetings with President Ramaphosa during our visit to South Africa. There is a degree of self-confidence in the South African approach … Africa invited Ireland, which speaks volumes for the Irish position on the issues Deputy Boyd Barrett raised. Despite what gets said in the House, South Africa was minded to invite Ireland because of the role we play globally. We are serious. Our officials attended about 130 meetings

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26881/26

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any proposals are under consideration to remove or reduce the rate of VAT applicable to housing adaptation works for persons with disabilities, including children, in their primary residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24093/26

Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a review has been carried out, or is planned, of the VAT treatment of housing adaptation works for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24094/26

Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any measures are under consideration to address the impact of VAT costs on housing adaptation works for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24096/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will remove VAT on housing insulation products, residential doors and windows to reduce retrofitting costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24239/26

being given to targeted tax measures for families with children, particularly school-age children, in light of the continuing pressure of childcare, housing and household costs. [26050/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26852/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26871/26

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will report on the progress of the housing investment and policy impact working group. [14449/26

agreed and widely used system that acts as a unique identifier of each non-government organisation, charity or voluntary/community organisation or approved housing body to enable traceability of public funds; if not, if there are any plans underway to develop such a system; and if he will make

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26858/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26877/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26851/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26870/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth the options available to a mother who currently lives in Castleknock and is bidding on a house in Malahide (details supplied). [25369/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26850/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas [26869/26

third parties (details supplied); the title and final cost of same; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26848/26

same, if applicable; to provide a breakdown of where costs were incurred; and whether the report is published and or laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26867/26

Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding implementing the regulation RENURE (REcovered Nitrogen from manURE) which the Commission formally adopted on 9 February 2026; when it will be transposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views that legislation is required to ensure that acoustic deterrent devices ('pingers') are not used on Irish coastal waters against a resident dolphin for the purposes of attempting to force the dolphin to abandon their

Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has concerns about the use of an acoustic pinger in a small bay in County Clare where there is a resident dolphin which means significant harassment and disturbance of the dolphin (details supplied). [25880/26

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the current and projected funding arrangements for the establishment of the Building Standards Regulatory Authority; the reason for the absence of dedicated budget line items since 2024 to support its development and implementation

Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards being put in place in the development of revised regulations governing cabins, modular units and similar accommodation in domestic gardens to ensure that such developments do not give rise to unintended negative impacts

Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount Cork City Council paid in 2025 following the boundary redraw; and how much they will pay in 2026. [23532/26