Search the record

extremely critical in my time, I can tell you. There are many problems with people being excluded from the Courts Service and legal aid, on which we are awaiting a review. There are many problems with the courts and access to the courts. However, the longer I spend … this because at every stage, it was an acute example of the institution defending itself. That is why we need an independent Courts Service and we need the role of the juries. I see the Minister nodding and I know he agrees with this

nutritional standards and related requirements for school meals provided under school meal schemes funded by moneys provided directly or indirectly by the State or local authorities; to provide for the enforcement of such regulations by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; and to provide for related matters … also had the opportunity to go to Finland to experience the hot school meals programme there. I particularly thank the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, which drafted this legislation. The office is such a help, particularly for new TDs who need that help and guidance. I thank

particularly when it comes to mental health. It can improve and return quickly, particularly following a crisis and during treatment. The Minister of State said she would do them every day if she could but that is not realistic. There has to be a timeframe. Given the fluid … same time, we cannot deny a person’s rights simply for speed. I would like to see a system that guarantees access to legal representation, supported decisions and clear pathways so that the person understands where the courts are required. While we are debating a Bill, this

resolution, are a logical complement of the liberalisation provisions. Together, investment liberalisation and protection ensure a business-friendly environment and provide a stable legal framework that encourages investment flows between the EU and third countries. One such agreement, which combines more open trading alongside investment protection provisions … Ireland's new market diversification strategy. CETA has already contributed to a significant increase in Ireland’s bilateral trade in goods and services with Canada since its provisional application in 2017. That trade increased from €3.2 billion in 2016 to more than €10 billion in 2023, supporting thousands

aside all the really good, strong evidence that has been accumulated through multiple studies by the trade unions, including SIPTU, Fórsa, the Financial Services Union, FSU, and others. Of course trade unions would say that; they are, philosophically, on the left. Let us look instead at the evidence … International Monetary Fund, IMF, and Harvard Business School. Neither of them are bastions of workers' rights, but both of them have produced reports stating that productivity increases and improves for companies when there are strong, flexible work rights. This is something the Government should be leading on, based

timely, effective legal advice. Speed without fairness is not efficiency. It is injustice. Let me be clear. Sinn Féin did not oppose everything in the EU pact. We supported the asylum and migration management regulation because it allows Ireland to return applicants to the member state where they … years. A small number of private operators under this Government are making millions while communities are left in the dark and services are being overwhelmed. The Comptroller and Auditor General has been scathing in relation to this. The profiteering in this sector needs to come

much longer will we stand by and hesitate? The occupied territories Bill is clear. It bans trade with illegal settlements. Goods and services produced on stolen lands should never enter Irish markets because that type of trade sustains the injustice that is happening daily in Palestine. Every euro … entrench an occupation that has been condemned by the International Court of Justice. The ICJ ruling in July 2024 was unequivocal. It stated that an end must be brought to all economic dealings that maintain this unlawful situation. Do we respect international law or do we ignore

congratulate Deputy Smyth on her role, as she said at the beginning of today's discussion, as the first Minister of State with intleacht shaorga in her title. I welcome today's discussion. This is such an important topic in society right now. It will dominate our term … Online Safety and Media Regulation Act and the Digital Services Act. Both of those are good steps but nowhere near where we need to be. Similar to the legislation we have seen in the EU with the Digital Services Act and the AI Act, both were watered down

serious concerns in regard to that. We have courts in this country, in Canada and in Europe. There are already more than enough legal structures in place to deal with whatever disputes that might possibly arise as a consequence of international trade and international agreements. Yet, under this … this in the context of having our own court system. We pass laws in this House. We bring cases to courts. We facilitate services for people to ensure they are protected and the businesses in this country and international businesses coming here are also protected

This is long overdue and much needed legislation that will provide for a legal basis for electronic health records and patient information sharing. More generally, it represents a critical step towards digitising our health services and this is crucially important. Digitisation is an area the health committee … with the Department on and engage on during a public session. However, it is important to note the process of transforming our health service from paper files to digital files comes not just with benefits but also with risks. Privacy and security risks are unavoidable but the majority

provision would deal with that issue. I read section 19A earlier. On paper, it looks like it covers all the important issues. It states counselling notes shall not be disclosed unless it is necessary for a fair trail. Unfortunately, section 19A is not operating the way the Oireachtas … seen the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 signed into law last year, which expands a victim's right to legal representation in circumstances. Deputy Coppinger referred to the character reference issue. At present, the law is that if someone is going to give

customer service portal has 145,000 registered users, 111,000 queries resolved and 60,000 registration appointments made, bringing transparency and basic customer service into a complex system. First-instance outcomes to 31 August 2025 resulted in 81.5% refusals and 18.5% grants, reflecting the mix of cases … Just this morning, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection stated deportations are a “critical element” of a functioning asylum system. It is about a fair, efficient system people can trust. Alongside protection, Ireland runs significant legal routes for those who come here to study, work and join

remind this House the dismissal of a senior civil servant is governed by the statutory framework established under section 5 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, as amended. The failure to provide transparency and accountability on when and how the Government exercised its collective authority in relation … Bill while the existing framework for accountability, human rights, data collection and the basic institutional integrity is consistently failing this House and this State and falling short. Before we grant An Garda Síochána greater powers, this Government must first demonstrate those powers are exercised within a framework

outlined, to provide a specific legal mechanism for the taking of oral testimony before a High Court judge in this jurisdiction for the purpose of the Omagh bombing inquiry. That Omagh bombing inquiry was established by the northern Secretary of State in February 2024 to investigate whether … High Court and Court of Appeal rulings. We are also reminded of how little co-operation this State has got from the British Government on incidents of collusion in this State. I am minded, as we approach the 52nd anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings

rotas and cannot just nip out for an hour or a couple of hours. It is a fact that most of our screening services operate day-time appointments only and clinics rarely operate at the weekend or late in the evenings. This legislation is also something to benefit … will lead to them, for example, being offered fewer hours or affecting perception of their reliability to attend their job. There is no legal entitlement to paid leave for cancer screening and employees are often forced to choose between using annual leave or taking unpaid leave, which many

legal basis we cannot proceed. I believe a satisfactory basis exists within the treaties for a public policy exemption. It is the same type of public policy exemption that we are looking for here. I do not see any reason we cannot do that. The Minister of State … accepting the principle of international law, “... as its rule of conduct in its relations with other States.”. We have a situation where the Department of foreign affairs - the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy McEntee - is bringing in this legislation in full knowledge of what the Department

advice from the Office of the Attorney General. However, we have consistently signalled our intention to proceed with this opt-in, subject to legal advice. In the intervening time, advice has been sought and considered, which has confirmed that there is no impediment to concluding … baseline evaluation of how the EU’s public administration has implemented the convention. However, these activities also require consideration and oversight by member states from time to time. In practical terms, Ireland's ability to contribute is complicated by the fact that we are currently bound

purpose. We have heard that, if introduced as it stands, it could pose serious safety risks and that there are too many legal ends and loopholes for non-domestic installers. We need to ensure that smaller operators are supported to avoid cliff edges. We debate these serious issues … upwards of 6 cent per litre on the cost of motoring; a supposed behavioural tax that cannot drive people to make use of services that do not exist. Other methods of transport lack the needed infrastructure in some communities, such as those I represent in counties Cavan

which are related to fatal foetal abnormality. I acknowledge the motivation for proposing this Bill. Nonetheless, as drafted, it will not achieve its stated objectives and ultimately may prove counterproductive. As the Minister pointed out, the amendment as drafted to remove the mandatory three-day waiting period … guideline development in maternity and gynaecology, responsible for the review update and production of national clinical guidelines in relation to maternity and gynaecological services. It is impossible not to be deeply affected by the stories in the cases where there is a fatal foetal abnormality. However, I must

designed to support autonomy and maximise decision-making capacity. Its full commencement in April 2023 marked a profound shift in how the State understands legal capacity, moving Ireland closer to compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to our own constitutional principles … target. We are therefore entitled to ask whether sufficient planning was undertaken at commencement and whether the DSS, the Legal Aid Board, the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities and the Courts Service were adequately resourced to meet the volume anticipated. Were sufficient court medical visitors

numbers registering enduring power of attorney, EPA. The reality has proved very different, however. I want to relay to the Minister of State the enormous frustration among many people with the operation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. This is not about one single piece … Society of Ireland with regard to engaging only with applicants from start to finish as opposed to just for the legal practitioner statement. The Decision Support Service, DSS, told one constituent of mine there are only three solicitors in the country who are willing to do that single

they are called occupied territories. However, the court does not, therefore, distinguish between goods and services. It leaves it to the states to determine what steps they should take. As Deputies stated, and as was discussed at length in committee, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has made clear that … clearly stated in the treaty. EU member states are similarly bound by international law. In areas where EU member states have pooled their competence, such as external trade, obligations that would normally fall to states are on the EU, including international obligations. However, EU member states are also

prioritisation and pragmatism. In legislation and policy, it is vital to take a stepwise approach similar to other EU member states, focusing first on where the need is greatest and where there is the clearest evidence base. Mortgage protection insurance is a critical financial product tied directly … pronounced and where protections are most urgently needed. Expanding the scope prematurely without the detailed actuarial and legal groundwork we have done here could introduce unintended consequences such as legal uncertainty, which would delay protection for cancer survivors, or indirectly impact other insurance products and premiums

this. This includes more than €513 million in current funding to ensure local authorities can provide emergency accommodation, homelessness prevention and tenancy sustainment services to households experiencing or at risk of homelessness and that these households in emergency accommodation are supported to exit homelessness as quickly as possible … legal questions he posed in relation to what those obligations are, I will ask the Department to revert directly to him with those answers. Again I share concern regarding the really difficult situation these residents find themselves in, and recognise the importance of everyone within the State

EXTRADITION ACT 1965; TO MAKE FURTHER PROVISION IN RELATION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS AND FOR THAT PURPOSE TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE (COMMUNITY SERVICE) ACT 1983; TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT 1992 AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1999 IN RELATION TO EVIDENCE IN CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS; TO MAKE … GIVE FURTHER EFFECT TO COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION OF 13 JUNE 2002 ON THE EUROPEAN ARREST WARRANT AND THE SURRENDER PROCEDURES BETWEEN MEMBER STATES, AS AMENDED BY COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION OF 26 FEBRUARY 2009 AMENDING FRAMEWORK DECISIONS 2002/584/JHA, 2005/214/JHA, 2006/783/JHA, 2008/909/JHA AND 2008/947/JHA THEREBY ENHANCING THE PROCEDURAL RIGHTS