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Minister of State's own deep commitment to her portfolio and to delivering within it. I welcome what has been in the budget in terms of standardising what are some really good initiatives. The biggest issue in mental health is that we have such a patchwork of what … factor relates to hospitals. The major development, which we certainly welcome, is that of advanced nurse practitioners, ANPs, being on-site within our emergency departments to a much greater extent, but it is still not on a 24-hour basis. From the hours

climate action, environment and energy oversees implementation of the programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment, climate action, energy and emergency planning. It considers the wide range of issues that require action in Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient and sustainable future … reduction on green diesel to 7.4 cent and a deferral of the planned increase in carbon tax scheduled for May 1 until the budget, which will impact green diesel and non-propellant fuels such as kerosene heating oil, natural gas and solid fuels. A new €100 million fuel

cold homes. This will be predominantly poorer people and older people at this time when the Government has a massive budget surplus and refuses to use it to protect people. It is incredible. It stands in stark contrast to what went through last night for the hauliers where … Please do not have the Taoiseach going to Donald Trump and the US and saying data centres are our priority when it has emerged that fewer than 2,000 people are employed in data centres, which use more electricity than all the homes in the State combined

support for Ukraine, progressing the EU enlargement agenda and working to successfully conclude the negotiations on the European Union's next multi-annual budget by the end of the year. Many of these issues were discussed at the meeting of the European Council in June. The discussions among … European Council also reaffirmed the EU’s continued support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Leaders made a clear commitment on continued emergency aid amid the devastating destruction and displacement experienced by the people of Lebanon. European leaders also agreed on the need for a potential post

funding available to deliver to the State in different forms. Reference was made to the Apple money. We will have a significant budget surplus. I ask for a response from the Minister to my next point. The requirement of funding referenced is €20 billion. That makes an assumption … homelessness. As I am sure is the case in the Minister's constituency, in my constituency babies are being born into homelessness and emergency accommodation. As parents, how can we stand over that? There are children who have urgent requirements in terms of additional needs, something

Food Vision 2030. This review is not about replacing the strategy. It is about ensuring that it remains ambitious, focused and responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities. This review will involve comprehensive stakeholder consultation because Food Vision 2030 is, and must remain, stakeholder-led. Therefore, when we speak … progressing these recommendations. Some require action in the context of the next CAP. Others have already been acted upon. For example, in budget 2026, we extended the 100% stamp duty relief for young trained farmers to provide greater certainty, and agricultural relief has been retained to facilitate intergenerational

clearly does not see this as the emergency it is. Many areas do not even have emergency accommodation. There are waiting lists for emergency accommodation. The Simon Communities have recently said that the Government still lacks a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness and that … need it for any household, individual or family that faces eviction. There is no lack of money. We have billions of euro in budget surplus. Here is a policy that has been proven to work. It can actually work. I argue and plead with the Minister to reverse

absolutely necessary point today that those with disabilities, who were promised so much before the election, have been failed so miserably. In previous budgets they felt they were being seen for who they were and the cost of disability was being recognised. They were given that payment … becoming outlier advocates and none of this is good enough. We need to make sure we do the workforce planning and take the emergency action to clear these backlogs and we need the Government to stop breaking

professionals, GPs and families on the front lines are raising serious concerns. Mental health services now receive a smaller proportion of the health budget, at just 6%, than they did over three decades ago. That is significantly lower than the UK spend of 9%. This long-term decline … health services is a welcome development, and I acknowledge the significant efforts to roll out self-harm and suicide-related services across all emergency departments. However, we must ensure that these services are properly staffed and extended into the community, where they are equally needed. When we moved

repairs. Of these, 87 are eligible for €11,000 in voids funding and 28 are being funded entirely through the council's revenue budget. The current funding deficit stands at €1.4 million. There is a forecast deficit of €5 million to refurbish 105 units, which leaves a total … call for the elimination of all voids, which they should do. These things should not exist. We are in a housing emergency. As others have said, they are literally the low-hanging fruit. Every day, I hear somebody in this House talk about vacant council homes

harbour funding on itself, promoting projects that local fishers neither want nor need, simply because the Department has to use up its budget or risk losing it next year. That is not strategic investment; it is box-ticking. We need a fairer, more balanced approach, one which recognises … that sustain coastal communities and contribute significantly to the national economy. Local authorities and harbour boards are facing costs for repairs, maintenance and emergency works following extreme weather events. To safeguard all these assets, we must prioritise investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and adaptive coastal management. This includes

capacity. This points to an area of aid that Ireland can provide. It can provide tools to help to rebuild the grid and emergency generators. The Irish Government needs to continue to offer support in this regard. We are blessed by our geographic location, which in modern times … activity in our waters and the vulnerability of our undersea cables. I welcome the increased investment in the national cybersecurity centre in this budget. As our party’s spokesperson on defence, I have met experts and, to be frank, I am greatly concerned with the reactive state

more likely to live in poverty. There is another cost I want to talk about. This cost is not seen in a budget or found in a balance sheet. It is the emotional cost of care; the anxiety for those who to provide care to a loved … five respite houses before the recession and now only has one. Providers are running on deficits. Staff are leaving. Supports arrive in emergencies but never as a right. The National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers has warned that families are in crisis and services are in survival mode

sure Sinn Féin would agree with and that others have articulated, about energy credits and the cuts that were imposed in the budget this year, but this Bill is obviously an attempt to deal more structurally with the whole issue of price hikes, profiteering and price gouging … have of it, brought in legislation, the Consumer Protection Act, which actually empowers the Government to impose price controls when there is an emergency. Why on earth did Fianna Fáil bring it in? It did so presumably because it thought we might need it some time

oversight provided for in this Bill, while welcome, will not address the real problem, which is the dysfunctional method of allocating the health budget. The provisions in the Bill related to corrective actions are a necessary safeguard but we should focus on addressing those problems further upstream. What … babies are well documented. In terms of dental care, the HSE corporate plan also makes a vague commitment to improving access to emergency and routine dental care. When will this happen? Public dental care waiting lists are at breaking point. The medical card scheme is haemorrhaging dentists

private sector and how the State is doing all it can. The State is not doing all it can. There is still a budget surplus. There is still additional funding that could be put in. We have put forward a very clear solution that is about setting … council is not buying additional properties in cases where people are being made homeless. If the Minister genuinely feels this is an emergency, he should reinstate the scheme and go back to the councils and tell them what I understood the previous Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien told

Council of the EU, in the second half of 2026, acting as an honest broker in negotiating workable compromises for an ambitious EU budget and a CAP that underpins the competitiveness and economic and social sustainability of Europe's farming and food sectors. I am very glad … framework for setting maximum residue limits for imported products. While the cultivation of GMOs in the EU remains very restricted, there are emerging technologies that will allow Irish tillage farmers to gain efficiencies in crop performance, which would be very welcome. The use of new genomic techniques, commonly

those; and — immediately reintroduce targeted energy credits and more targeted Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland supports for households in advance of Budget 2027. We are bringing forward this motion today out of a genuinely held concern that this Government is giving up even the pretence of caring about … through is designed to facilitate and placate large energy users. I refer to the private wires Bill, the strategic liquefied natural gas, LNG, emergency reserve, which will import highly polluting fracked gas, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU's, new large energy user policy. Who knows

hours. There is also the crisis café. I have opened many cafés around the country. The crisis cafés have reduced the presentations to emergency departments by between 17% and 18%, and 20% in some areas. I recently opened one in Sligo. I want to speak in relation … another, so we have gone to 17 teams. That will come in due course. It will certainly happen. Other issues relating to the budget were raised. Some 5.6% of the overall health budget is allocated to mental health. However, I got 9% of the available staff next year

over the term of the 34th Dáil, namely "reform" and "delivery". We have much to be optimistic about, such as full employment, budget surpluses and putting money aside for two long term funds to future-proof growth and investment. However, we would be foolish to take this position … roadmap for stability, respect and progress now just as it was in 1998. However, I am uncomfortable if there is an emerging train of thought that constitutional change can only be entertained once the reconciliation of people is achieved. If we are to be true to the Good

delivery further in the short term and secure a sustainable level of supply that will help us to meet fully unmet and emerging demand. Indeed, the past three years have seen an average of 31,000 homes delivered annually. The Government is fully committed to delivering social, affordable … homelessness remains a priority of the Government, and the programme for Government reaffirms Ireland's commitment to working to eradicate homelessness by 2030. Budget 2025 allocated more than €300 million to this end, up €61 million on 2024. The motion calls on the Government to fund local authorities

want to see more extraordinary films like "An Cailín Ciúin" and "Kneecap", works that captured global attention and showcased the artistic brilliance emerging from Ireland. It is not only film; we have become a powerhouse across television, documentary, animation and games. Irish directors, writers, actors and craftspeople consistently … million limit had been reached. There were five previous increases to this cap, reflecting the sustained growth of the industry. Budget 2026 increased Screen Ireland's budget by €2.1 million, bringing it to almost €43 million, a 5% rise. Section 481 offers a tax credit

able to afford it. Some practices cannot accept new clients. When the booklet on entitlements came out after the budget it showed that the income threshold for a medical card is €186. If a single person is on more than €186, he or she cannot have a medical … acute services because, as has been said by others, people wind up there. I know that from staff working in the accident and emergency department in Portlaoise. We have to stop the problem. It is like we are mopping the floor and the pipe is still leaking

within the HSE while another 11 roles had been funded but had not been filled, including five new roles that were promised under budget 2026. That represents 16% of breastfeeding consultants who should have been in maternity hospitals, children's hospitals and public health. This is all because … requires a lot longer than the time I have - and that is around the national plan for infant and young child feeding during emergencies. That deserves much more attention than it has received to date

properties, of which 1,200 are businesses trading every day in the city centre and 900 are homes. Some €20 million of that budget was allocated specifically to maintaining and preserving the city walls, while the bulk of it, approximately €140 million, is for the actual flood defences … things that get lost between the cracks. We concentrate so much of our time here on an area that has got flooded, the emergency response, getting the Red Cross involved and getting grants out to people. The forward thinking for future incidents, particularly in the area of flood