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time. It would be odd to have the conversation arising out of these questions without acknowledging that context and backdrop. The Deputy is right that there is too much conversation in the media of what is nearly a gotcha question as to how much a unified island would … There would also be huge benefits from an all-island economy. I welcome her constructive engagement on the discussion we had in this House on the dynamic effects. There would be some upfront costs, of course, but there also would be huge benefits. The idea of having

have seen right across our local communities and throughout Ireland. Specifically on accommodation, 90% of our current accommodation needs in this regard are commercially provided through contracted service providers in the range of settings we are all familiar with such as hotels, guest houses, self-catering accommodation … this area to the Government. Before I finish I want to speak on one issue, which is the troubling rise in far-right agitation and racism we have seen in recent times. There are people who seek to instill fear and division and to exploit what

very interesting debate and I acknowledge the range of views expressed across the House. When I was making notes for my closing remarks, I wrote that I would like to thank all of the Deputies who contributed to this important discussion. I said at the start that … hoped we would have a discussion that was balanced, fair and done in the right way. Most of the contributions were. We need to call a spade a spade. Some of the contributions veered towards an area which I find very worrying. They were contributions that were

join others in sympathising with the family of Grace Lynch. It is an unbelievable tragedy. It is right that the Taoiseach has moved quickly to close out some of the legislation. Well done. I will be glad to read about what that will entail today. Those same legal … some cases, living inside houses is absolutely absurd. We need to get a lot tougher on this. The same principles are probably interchangeable in this regard. If people want to own a horse, they must be responsible. No one has a God-given right to own an animal

Murchú. As the House is aware, as far back as 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel was compliant with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel … should have a review. The review has taken place and has found, quelle surprise, that Israel is in major breach of its human rights obligations and Article 2 of that agreement. I do not believe this can be a consequence-free zone. The European Union cannot find

businesses. We see a world that has become more dangerous, more volatile and full of uncertainty. We on this side of the House are absolutely aware of the concern and anxiety that is causing for many in our country, whether that be small businesses trying to keep jobs … Minister, Deputy Chambers was right. The Minister and I, and the Government, are very clear on what we can do and what we want to do in this regard. I cannot stand here in front of the House today and say that the level of payments that

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 … more important than EU pacts. These include the right of the Irish people to know that 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

disappears. Where do the rights and everything else go? When people have, under pressure, signed over residuals, when the DAC disappears, that right, the means and the ability to take down funding and take down those residuals still lie with the producer. None of this is suitable … housing or healthcare. We almost have single transferable speeches. If anyone goes through the record, they will see the exact same points having been stated. We all want a thriving film industry that is sustainable. For that to happen, it must be ensured that people have their rights

thank all the Members for their interesting contributions. It is fitting in this House, as we represent the sovereign will of the Irish people, that we pause to reflect on the past, present and future of the European Union and Ireland's unique and valued place within … here now. European Union membership has been key to that. We have shaped our society as well, reinforced our commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We have opened opportunities for citizens to live, work, study and travel across the Continent. That is why support

housing delivery with community infrastructure and social infrastructure. We have had significantly increased supports for the development of social infrastructure across the State. In the last Government, we had one of the biggest interventions around developing community and sports infrastructure, for example, which is being seen right across … wider national development plan and this will continue over the next five years to give headroom to Departments and Ministers to complement housing delivery and economic infrastructure with the need to build sustainable communities. This is why transport infrastructure is extremely important in parallel as well

alongside Madeleine ffrench-Mullen, she established St. Ultan's Hospital for Infants in Dublin. This was at a time when poverty, poor housing, disease and inadequate childcare devastated working-class communities. Dr. Lynn worked tirelessly to improve the lives of mothers and children. She was a doctor … hospital after Dr. Lynn is the right and progressive thing to do and would go some of the way in helping rewrite, update and reimagine our history. She is a powerful example of courage, compassion and, dare I say in this House, public service. What we are primarily

Dundalk - were rightly condemned and nobody condemned them more than my friend, Joanna Byrne. However, the response of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, response was absolutely disproportionate. In fact, it was snobbery towards soccer fans. It was like putting a plague on all our houses. Threatening to stop … life. Grassroots clubs in my area are the mainstay of our communities. They keep our young people on the right road and they do not get enough credit or support. In my area the Coldcut land was recently bought by a speculator who is hoping to develop that

variety of different political persuasions - some of the right, some of the left and some of the centre - that the best way to consider these issues is at a European level. That is not a new phenomenon in this House. It is also what we did when

Deputy's points on board. He is right about the contribution to the economy that arises from having the student inflow here as well as the visiting families and so forth. When I was growing up, my own house was home to many visiting students of many nationalities

meant. We should engage collaboratively in this House, whether at relevant Oireachtas committees or wherever the appropriate place is, to identify what we want the system to look like into the future. The level of investment now, quite rightly, is very high. The number of people

scheme administered by the Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government and known as the Enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme; ‘rental agreement’ means an agreement or arrangement under which one party grants to a qualifying individual the right to occupy all or part of a dwelling, subject

Opposition motion that was passed earlier in this House, and in doing so, it has signed up again to passage of the Bill. We in the Opposition will continue to hold the Government to account on that. On workers' rights and the adequate minimum wage directive, just last

context of the reform agenda. The House will understand that this is a complex area that requires consideration before a scheme is brought forward. There are broader operational and policy considerations I want to explore and get right as the new Minister in the Department. I am conscious

from the rich history and heritage that the House has to offer. I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan that the time is now for the suspension of the agreement because Article 2 is not being complied with. All human rights have been abandoned. The weaponisation

thank the Deputy. He is right to mention the primary role the Defence Forces play and carry out with distinction. We all feel a great sense of pride, which we have been talking about in the Houses this afternoon, when we see our troops abroad. I think

issued. Many of the people who got those notices were waiting incredibly long periods for social housing. Their rent was subsidised by the housing assistance payment, HAP. Today, the gap between HAP and new rents is already too great for the vast majority of those people. If another … properly, do it right, listen to the experts and to those people who know better. He ignored us, Eoghan Murphy ignored us, Darragh O'Brien ignored us and now the Minister is ignoring us. The consequence will be more housing failure. There are eminently sensible amendments

hope this Bill will not damage the relationship journalists have confidential sources. We have to be able to protect journalists and their right to be able to hold people in power to account. That is important. I will raise a number of serious issues that arose in Cork … homes petrol bombed, we had shootings and we had vicious attacks using knives and other deadly equipment. We had a case where the house of a woman and her two young children was petrol bombed for no reason because criminals - and that is too good of a word

Department get behind them. Serviced sites on the edge of villages could be one quarter of an acre where people build their own houses. These would be in walking distance of the local shops, school, church and sports field, with connected water, sewerage, Internet and electricity. There … right beside the N7 motorway and the local railway station in Monasterevin is within a five-minute drive. The pumping station there has sewerage capacity for another 150 homes but Uisce Éireann is refusing to allow this to go ahead. It refuses to connect the existing houses

trust. I am not a clinician, and I do not think she is one. Although some are clinicians, most Deputies in this House are not, but we depend on clinicians to guide us when we develop specialist services, for example, and when we get sick. That came into … that have cited governance failures, management failures, clinical failures, ethical failures, conflicts of interest, failures relating to open disclosure, and many more failures right across the system? That creates real problems for Children's Health Ireland. The Minister is new to her post. I have no doubt

housing fall foul of legal challenge because of poorly drafted and enacted legislation or non-compliance with our European and international obligations. I state that not necessarily for a response but because these are very serious issues. These are issues the Minister's predecessors did not get right