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topics itself. SpunOut does a fantastic job. An official in the housing Department retweeted it. I am not going after that official. They were well intentioned and they thought they were doing the right thing. These things happen

still there. This should not be happening. Hard-working taxpayers have a right to know what has happened. Can the project be taken over by the Department to ensure the site is developed to house students if what is planned does not go ahead

year-olds to be responsible, to inform themselves and take their right to vote very seriously because they have a stake in their communities. They know the decisions that are made in this House affect their future. The reality is that it has worked in other countries. There

thank the Deputy. First, the Secretary General of our Department rightly pointed out that policy choices must be made, and we are making them. Certainly, that is why we are investing in housing, the grid and water infrastructure. These are the three pillars that will support sustainable development

additional capacity. It is a significant amount of money. The Deputy is right, however, about the number of properties around the place that are empty and were designated when they were being built to support housing developments and are not being used as childcare facilities. There

this country will ever provide them with the fundamental need and human right of a home. The people we need - nurses, teachers, doctors, tradespeople and therapists - have emigrated because of the lack of affordable housing. At a housing summit yesterday, Sherry FitzGerald said it is likely that just

every day, there is no health without mental health. Reflecting its importance to us all, a lot is happening in mental health right now. The second implementation plan for our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, was launched in April 2025, providing a policy delivery roadmap … work together, across all parties in the House, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health difficulties, to promote the message that recovery is possible and to deliver legislative reform so that quality services are accessible in the right place at the right time. Over the past decade

waiting for guidelines on one-off houses in rural areas for a long time. We need to deal with the issue of the Gaeltacht. We must facilitate people from the Gaeltacht to live there. We must also take into account the rights of Irish speakers … speakers within Gaeltacht areas. That needs to be addressed. We have seen a bit more flexibility when it comes to one-off rural houses. I do not think there are too many in this House who come from rural backgrounds or who have huge rural areas in their

before it. EnergyCloud will try to use the surplus or wasted renewable energy on the grid to heat up a boiler in a house for someone who is struggling. I ask the Department to look into this. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, about this … House talking about this. It is not privatising our grid. It is not like when we changed out from telecoms. It is about removing the monopoly from the grid. It provides an alternative when grid constraints or inefficiency block renewable regeneration of energy. In the right context, they

moment suggest those things are not tricky, but let us deal with the numbers. According to the latest summary of social housing needs assessments, 61,000 households are on council waiting lists, although we know a large number of them are single people. About 49,000 households … government are genuinely interested in getting this proposal right and are willing to work with all of us in opposition to address it. I look forward to all the Opposition being invited up to the Custom House, having tea and biscuits with Nina and the team and teasing

European Political Community in the latter half of 2026. In response to Deputy Gannon's remark about hearing the voices at the White House and so on, I say that we as a party have always believed in multilateralism and talking to people, even those we disagree with … Europe. Therefore, it is right that Europe takes security issues very seriously. If a hybrid attack happens on this country or if somebody with whom Vladimir Putin has an issue ends up being poisoned on Irish soil, if Members of this House have not taken strong enough action

work that has gone into it. It is an important all-party motion clearly condemning the attacks by Israel on civilians and human rights activists, including Irish citizens, participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla seeking to deliver aid to the beleaguered and starving population of Gaza … Irish citizens and other human rights activists, including more than 300 European citizens, aboard this flotilla. The welfare and safety of people aboard has to be a priority of the international community and the collective priority of those of us in this House. I returned last week from

mould is creeping into children's bedrooms. These are not statistics; they are real people living in fear and paying mortgages on houses that may not stand in six or seven years. The current redress scheme is failing them. Costs are spiralling and homeowners are being asked … House and every Minister in government to stand behind these people, deliver 100% redress and give them the dignity, safety and justice they deserve. This is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about restoring hope and fairness to those who have done everything right and have

Irish diplomats were nearly killed recently. The UN Commissioner for Human Rights said 80% of Palestinians killed were civilians and added that 70% of the Palestinians killed in residential buildings or similar types of housing were woman and children. They were not combatants or proxy fighters who volunteered … will always condemn the attacks of 7 October, I will always say I love the Israeli people and I recognise the right of the Israeli State to exist. Jesus, though, as well as loving the Palestinians, we have to feel for them. We have to do everything

Ireland, there can be certain ways that local authorities and national government can work together to try to advance a response to the housing challenges. I would point out, though, that we are seeing in Mayo, for example, one of the largest drawdowns in the country … balance right. We felt it was a prudent use of taxpayers' money for apartments. We thought the need in that regard was more acute in terms of the viability issue and a better use of money as opposed to a wider tax measure on housing. Such wider measures

deliver houses. In that context, there is one bridge in Celbridge. It was there 200 years or 150 years ago, when the population might have been 300 to 500. The population of Celbridge, which Mark Ward and Eoin Ó Broin know because they live right across from

funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, are focused on eradicating any sub-standard conditions that have arisen in aging flat complexes, and this directly addresses the issues raised in the collective complaint to the European Committee of Social Rights at the Council of Europe … demolition and re-build, comes to fruition; — the Government has shown its commitment through National Development Plan funding of €20 billion for housing, which includes support for Dublin City regeneration; — a number of funding channels are available to local authorities to support regeneration projects, including the Social Housing

obvious that this House, and indeed the people of Ireland, have significant concerns about Israeli actions in Palestine and the dire and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. I reiterate that Israeli actions in Palestine consistently contravene international law and the Government continues to press for appropriate action … Government acknowledges its right to do so. The Government has no legal authority to interfere with sporting fixtures and our amendment to the motion reflects that position. The Government proposes to amend the wording of this motion, as submitted to the House. I wish the ladies’ football team

this House, I spoke again with my Spanish counterpart about trying to take a co-ordinated, European approach to ensure the upholding of international law. As Members will recall, Ireland signed a joined statement that recalls that any violation of international law or the human rights … available to us with other European countries to uphold international law, seek accountability and hold Israel to account. I will keep the House updated on these next steps. However, in the first instance, colleagues will understand that my absolute responsibility and priority, and that of the Government

feel like it has the latitude. I know that exceptions can be made. I understand how awful it is for people on housing lists and I never come in here to plead a personal case for someone. I am doing it simply because it really does not feel … people and they want to do right by this but they clearly do not feel like they have the wherewithal to do it. I will absolutely feed into the strategy, but perhaps if there were a signal from the Custom House, that might encourage them. I reiterate that

homes, and securing those homes for purchase by homeowners; — as of Q4 2025, since May 2021, a total estimate of 63,962 houses and duplex units received planning permission, with conditions restricting the bulk purchasing or multiple sales to a single purchaser; — based on provisional data from … effect regarding family homes, and the Government has rightly not applied those to apartments, as it recognises the positive role institutional investment needs to play in developing apartment supply as set out in the Delivering Homes, Building Communities housing plan; and — Budget 2026 included a suite of taxation

experience. They are, however, expensive to build. It is far more expensive per square metre, for example, than a two- or three-storey house to build an apartment block with multiple storeys, lifts and all the other services that go with it. That takes investment. As much … deserve that development. I do not know if I am right about this or not. I have some sympathy for the aspects of this motion that address the gazumping of local communities and taking away a whole housing estate that has been built and should be made available

further progression routes into higher education and to tackle financial barriers that continue to discourage participation. At a time when we face housing shortages, infrastructure deficits and climate obligations, investing in apprenticeships is not optional; it is essential national planning. Future skills are not only technical skills. Creativity … seriously invest in teacher recruitment, continuous professional development and classroom supports. Innovation cannot simply be downloaded onto schools with the resources. While we rightly discuss technology, we must also discuss inequality. Technological change can deepen inequality if governments fail to intervene. We already see worrying divides in access

most passionate and sincere contributions in this House from people whose concern is palpable about what we see transpiring before our eyes. Our inboxes over recent days have been inundated by correspondence from members of the Irish public right across the country who are concerned, troubled and heartbroken … they have taken and whose children and women they have slaughtered but to the State of Israel. The State of Israel has a right to exist. I respect and love the Jewish people but I deplore, detest and reject Netanyahu and his people. We should not, however

Over the past five years, just over 100,000 houses were built, with a net migration figure of almost 400,000. This is basic arithmetic that the Government fails to understand. It is very frustrating for people right across the country. In the past number of weeks, students … capacity of the economy is simply unable to cope with this huge increase. A Savills report recently outlined that the ratio of housing delivery to population growth was 1:4, which represents one of the worst ratios in the western world. Yet, the Government and many in this