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before them. When somebody goes to seek counselling or therapy, that confidentiality, privacy and sensitivity matters. I will not say something in this House that turns out to be legally wrong but the Government will try to get as close to what the Deputy suggests as is possible … Rape Crisis Centre, which has a very significant degree of expertise. I will commit the Government to working collaboratively and closely across the House on this matter and will specifically engage with the Minister for justice on the issues the Deputy has raised

media should also be considered. I am not disagreeing with the Deputy on this. I do not think anybody in this House, regardless of party politics, will disagree with the idea that counselling notes should not be part of a criminal trial. I accept fully the logic … seeing if there is the possibility of making further changes. I do not want to make a commitment on the floor of the House that I cannot deliver on, but I am committed to having that conversation with Government colleagues and coming back to the Deputy directly

Minister for housing issued a directive to local authorities to rezone land. However, there is an opportunity for developers to abuse this. They could buy land that is not currently zoned for housing and sit on it to wait for a change in zoning. The Coldcut site, which

sports clubs, autism families and others that he highlighted. In light of his raising it I will ask the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, to take a specific look and to come back to him with an informed view on this … also going through a process of meeting with chief executives of country councils individually, that is, myself, the Taoiseach and the Minister for housing. I will arrange that we meet South Dublin County Council shortly. I will come back to the Deputy

such a courteous way. I am going on my memory here but I believe we did increase the income thresholds for social housing in the previous Government. I acknowledge that we probably need to do more on this over the lifetime of this Government … sometimes people can miss out on eligibility and, therefore, there can be a poverty trap there. I will talk to the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, about his plans on this and specifically the issue Deputy Boyd Barrett raised in relation to Dublin City Council and its decisions

ironic and a real slap in the face to everybody faced with rising motoring costs is that we proposed a motion in this House last week and put real solutions on the table, but the Government voted down each and every one of those solutions last night. Toll … going up. What does this Government do? It votes against measures that would reduce those tolls. Deputy Doherty moved a Bill through this House to ensure that insurance premiums and prices would come down and the savings would be sent on to the customer. What does this Government

high and in energy bills that are artificially inflated by the lack of insulation in those homes. This is not just a housing issue but a public health, climate and social justice issue. We know what cold and draughty homes do to the people who live in them … date when the roadmap would be achieved. He could not and now we understand why. Last week the Government published the shiny new housing plan and the commitment to introduce a minimum BER for rental properties has been entirely abandoned. Another climate measure that would help hard-pressed

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 Michael Cahill - To discuss funding and support for the Killarney innovation centre. Deputy Catherine Ardagh - To discuss … discuss the need for immediate intervention and humanitarian assistance in Sudan. Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss the need to revoke the Dundrum House hotel IPAS contract following a High Court decision. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss the remediation scheme for apartment owners. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss

aspiration for all families. The Government is committed to ensuring such aspirations can be realised. That is why we published the Government housing action plan last week, which commits to delivery of 300,000 homes to the end of 2030, including 90,000 starter home supports … understandable concerns of the Deputy and the families concerned, there are clear laws of contract and legal frameworks governing the purchase of houses that should be enforced. I am aware State support has been drawn upon by both the homebuyers and developer concerned. I understand help

against the crimes that Israel inflicts on them and promises sanctions while in the other breath it reassures its friends in the White House that it is going to do nothing at all, and the consequence of that is that despite promises for nearly ten years … ongoing basis and there is not a single sanction. It is shameful. Stop dancing to the tune of Donald Trump and the White House; the enablers of the genocide in Palestine. Do what was promised to the Irish people. Do what is right for the Palestinians

work would have been done over the summer and that we were ready to have the legislation passed through the Houses before Christmas. We are nowhere near that stage. Has the United States Government, in any way, shape or form, verbally or in writing, put pressure … just hiding in plain sight. We have to do better than this. We have to bring this legislation through all the Houses of the Oireachtas and show some moral courage and leadership

clear the strength of opinion held across the House on the situation in Gaza and, indeed, in the West Bank and on the importance attached to this draft legislation. The programme for Government commitments to prohibiting the imports of goods from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory … general scheme before the House delivers on this commitment. Trade and services are considerably more complex than is the case with goods. There remains considerable legal uncertainty as whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. We also have to take account of practical issues with

welcome the delegation in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery to the House, including the speaker of the People's Republic of China. I ask my colleagues to extend a warm welcome - a céad míle fáilte - to our guests from the National People's Congress who are here … benchmarking visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The delegation is accompanied by the Ambassador of China to Ireland, H. E. Mr. Zhao Xiyuan

decision. That is all the Labour Party can do. The Deputy told an untruth when she said that the Government has no social housing targets. She knows full well that the housing plan is very clear

scale of Ireland's ambition and the targets we have set, if you compare our housing plan targets with the United Kingdom, Germany or the Netherlands, on a per capita basis, our targets are nearly double their targets in terms of what they propose. Ours are approximately … Germany's is 4.8 and the Netherlands is 5.5. No one matches the ambition of this country in terms of house construction and planning

programme of Uisce Éireann to improve wastewater treatment capacity and meet best practice in managing its existing infrastructure. Last week, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage published a sectoral plan for water services and water quality. This includes record investment of €12.2 billion, largely allocated … Uisce Éireann to support the delivery of the additional water services capacity required to deliver the Government's housing plan and to improve water quality. This investment will help to deliver the Government water action plan, Ireland's roadmap to protect and restore our rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal

understand that fish life is important, but what about the lives of Johnny and Mary, living in a house that has been flooded? The people in Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Inistioge are going to bed at night from November to March wondering if their houses will be flooded

memories they had with their young children will sustain them in the time ahead. I thank the Deputies for raising this in the House. In regard to Deputy McGuinness's contribution, I will talk to Irish Water. I cannot get involved in every single case. This relates … houses. Surely the county council and Irish Water should knock heads together and get that issue sorted if the water mains are 500 m away. Deputy Heneghan has left the Chamber. He has gone with the swimmers; I would say they are gone too. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised

cruelty that does not make life any better for any ordinary person in this country. It does not build one more house or make one more house available. It does not deal with our crisis in public services or anything else. It just makes life harder

speak on this issue on behalf of children and families who have been let down. I am devastated for them. Deputies across the House are angry and upset because what unfolded in our paediatric spinal service is not just some abstract policy failure. It is a human tragedy … suffer because of a broken system that could not protect them. That is exactly what happened. In my previous contributions in this House, which I firmly stand over, I said that when the State asks families to trust us with their children, we must be worthy of that

wish the Minister well as she tackles this issue. There is no one on any side of the House who does not want to see children get timely access to the care they need. I commend the advocates who have long been calling for a statutory public inquiry … tirelessly campaigned, both before Harvey passed away and since his untimely death, for better healthcare for children. Last year, I asked in this House why Harvey was removed from the waiting list without his parents’ knowledge. Today, as we speak, Stephen and Gillian still do not have

policy; to continue our record level of investment in infrastructure while we reform delivery; to pull every lever we can to deliver increased housing supply; to wisely manage our resources to deliver better public services as our population grows; to protect jobs and back businesses and farmers … this Government. We have much work to do and we remain intensely focused on delivery. We have just published the new national housing plan and we will shortly publish an action plan to accelerate the delivery of essential infrastructure - key priorities for every member of this Government

party of statements and blusters. We in the Labour Party will not throw Ukrainian people under the bus for a headline. Indeed, our housing spokesperson, Deputy Conor Sheehan, rightly called out the Government this month for the huge lack of clarity it gave the Ukrainian people living … news that it plans to provide greater support to the people of Ukraine or that the amount of time Ukrainian refugees are housed in State accommodation is to be examined and potentially reduced from 90 to 30 days? I fear we, like others in Europe, are slipping into

thank the Deputies from all sides of the House and Ministers for their contributions today. I will reply to some of the points in order to provide clarification but from the get-go, I welcome the overwhelming, if not total sense of solidarity between this House

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 Rose Conway-Walsh - To discuss the proposal from An Post to move operations within Mayo. Deputy Michael … discuss the need for immediate intervention and humanitarian assistance in Sudan. Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss the need to revoke the Dundrum House Hotel IPAS contract following a High Court decision. Deputy Emer Currie - To discuss town regeneration in suburban Dublin villages. The matters raised by Deputies Richard

Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the liability of early years services to commercial rates; and to clarify the changes that have taken place with Tailte Éireann inspections [21977/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Taskforce on Local Democracy; the expected timeline for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22022/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a detailed breakdown of the costs relating to the temporary work of the Taskforce on Local Democracy and the associated report submitted on 4 March 2026; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on an implementation plan relating to the Taskforce on Local Democracy; the expected timeline for the publication of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22024/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure more balanced regional development and population growth distribution in the term of this Government;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22025/26

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all Section 42 (1A) Planning and Development Act extensions that have been applied for and granted with details of each application including, the location, and number of residential units

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 5 March 2026, to provide a copy of the review of PPP bundles 4 to 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22203/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 5 March 2026, to outline the communications to local authorities regarding the transfer of delivery of PPP bundles 4-7 to direct delivery by local authorities; the funding stream

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people who are working under the CPO activation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22205/26

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of the determinations under the defective concrete blocks scheme that were made under the enhanced scheme, and from the previous scheme, for Mayo homeowners, with a breakdown by options

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria or methodology used to prioritise the order in which appeals are processed regarding the defective concrete blocks scheme; and the reason there appears to be significant variation in processing times, such that some appeals

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to ensure consistency, transparency and fairness in the processing of appeals; and whether his Department intends to publish processing timelines or a standard framework for appeals to provide homeowners with clarity

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to cases where homeowners are excluded from the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme due to the absence of a certificate of completion prior to 2021, despite the fact that

Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline whether any legislative amendments or administrative measures are currently being considered to address situations where homeowners are effectively excluded from the enhanced defective concrete blocks grant scheme due to technical compliance issues, despite clear

Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government is considering permitting modular homes on privately owned land to be used as rental accommodation. [22233/26

Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will raise the ceiling cap from the present figure of €425,000 in Limerick for the first home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22243/26

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an updated timeline for the delivery of PPP Bundles 4-7; if the new completion dates differ from the original dates; the difference between the original and new completion dates; and if he will

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm if any funding allocated to the delivery of PPP Bundles 4-7 has been spent before the change to delivery model to Local Authority direct delivery; if so, the amount which has been spent

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the extent of detrimental impacts on bird habitats from ongoing water pollution at Lady’s Island Lake SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22280/26

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action that has been taken by NPWS to protect habitats and plants within Natura 2000 sites at Lady's Island Lake from ongoing water pollution; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the exact number of vacant and derelict properties identified in the Roscommon–Galway constituency; and the number brought back into use under the Croí Cónaithe and other schemes to date, in tabular form. [22320/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the progress made on a revised Guide for the Rapid Operationalisation of Community Support Centres, based on the experience of its operation over winter 2025-2026, as his Department committed to in their

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a list of all community support centres that can be operationalised in the case of extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22395/26

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management's review of all local authority severe weather plans and flood plans, as referenced in his Department’s Review of Storm Éowyn

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the work underway to increase resilience in internal communications systems during extreme weather events, as referenced in his Department’s Review of Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement