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even consider implementing the recommendations of the Kenny report to cap the cost of land, something that would actually reduce the cost of housing. Instead, the Government wants a direct transfer of wealth to property developers and institutional investors without any guarantee this saving will be passed … homeowners. The Taoiseach himself called for the implementation of the Kenny report in 2018. He said he thought implementing Kenny was the morally right thing to do. The Labour Party introduced a Bill in 2021 to implement the provisions of the Kenny report, and much like our motion

centres. As a result, we are not getting any closer to moving to 100% renewables. I refer to the cost in terms of housing, the opportunity cost of 50,000 homes and the construction jobs that I will get onto maybe later. Instead of building data centres - most … report to which I refer regarding our water usage. The costs are multiple, and what you see is the Government deciding that, right down the line, big tech will come before people. What is in the report in respect of water is new. When controversy arose

this defective scheme really shows he does not understand the scale of the problems. What is worse is that local authorities and approved housing bodies have told the Minister and his officials that they have real concerns about what is in front of us. They … this right, and homes have to be demolished and rebuilt, he should build them to modern standards, because the State has to fund this cost anyway. I do not understand why the Minister did not just fund this through the normal social housing capital programme. Incorporating them into

House that I will bring any extension to this to Cabinet and that decision will be made by Cabinet. It is not something we would do lightly. It does not in any way impinge on the climate action worker funding we are providing for groups right across … were to extend it, that would be a matter I would bring back to Cabinet and we will inform the House in that way. I will not be accepting the amendment

chur os comhair an Tí. Gabhaim buíochas leis na Baill a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht an-tábhachtach seo. Deputy McGrath is right. We cannot have this debate in isolation, and it goes back to Deputy Heneghan's contribution about the turmoil in global energy markets. I make … debates in the House of Representatives in America, for example, with American prices, there is now a movement by some of President Trump's own people in the Republican party relating to his war in Iran. Former Minister Eamon Ryan has been criticised left, right and centre here

potential human rights concerns the Minister is more than well aware of. They cause concerns and cause them in some communities more than others. We know this. Deputy Ward has outlined some of those concerns. When I spoke on this matter in the House previously I drew … those members of An Garda Síochána who are putting their hearts and souls into community policing and really trying to get this right. There are some members, plenty of them, who go above and beyond, but the report tells us there is a problem. There are already concerns

last night, as well as from the discussions we have on a regular basis in this House, it is very clear that this House and the people of Ireland have significant concerns about Israeli actions in Palestine and the dire and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. I reiterate … Irish Government continues to press for appropriate action both at EU and international level in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles. Last year the independent international commission on the occupied territories called it out for what it is: genocide, the gravest of crimes

decades upon decades. There is an absolute right for Irish people, through their elected representatives, to look at it. We are introducing legislation. We have proposals in that legislation. There will be a full process of engagement through the Houses of the Oireachtas, which will look

Road Haulage Association and others, which is right and proper. However, the Deputy's question is also quite important because it is harder for some industry sectors to transition, and what they do not need from us in this House is a lecture and attitude they get sometimes

Commission and other institutions. The Deputy is right about the need to continue raising awareness so that we can have good quality jobs for Irish people in the EU institutions. I commend him on bringing the matter before the House

great to have them in Leinster House. The point my colleague and friend, Deputy Neville, makes is a serious one. I know it is one he has been campaigning on and highlighting for quite a while. We have rightly resourced Uisce Éireann to a significant degree

then you meet the people whose houses are flooded, whose businesses have been lost to this and who cannot get insurance. There is a stage in all of this where we have to prioritise property and people's right to live safely without fear of flooding. We have

important that we acknowledge in the House the role Ireland has played over the four years. In particular, I commend the Irish citizens and communities who have worked so hard on integrating people from Ukraine and supporting them, right across my constituency and right across Ireland. What

into homelessness, and the legislation to prioritise housing needs of homeless families. As a member of the children's committee, it has been devastating to hear about the rising levels of child poverty in this country. The Children's Rights Alliance has reported that over a quarter

that view, as does everyone in this House. It is important to say that sometimes because we can tend gloss over it. Such behaviour is a scourge that we must all stay united in our opposition to. The Deputy rightly and specifically raised the issue of gardaí

first time to speak in the House, I express my sincere gratitude to the people of Dublin West who have given me the honour of representing them - I will work every day to show them it was the right decision - to my supporters, who showed

social housing waiting list. They lost nine years on the list. They have no possible exit from emergency accommodation because they cannot afford private rental, if they could find it, and do not have family to stay with. As the Minister's party colleague has rightly said, there … proceed with his suggestion of index-linking the increases, so that annually they keep track of the economy, wages and the cost of housing in the private market

occasions in this House permission on a vote to hold a by-election, leaving my constituents a year and a half without the representation to which they are entitled under the Constitution. The Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin and the then Government denied the constitutional rights of my constituents … junior Ministers? This needs to stop. It is being called out. We will fight this tooth and nail, and not only in this House. Thankfully, Deputy Pa Daly has taken the Government to court. We will allow the courts to decide in relation to this deal

Defence Forces who, as public servants, made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the State during this time. As the Taoiseach has rightly said, this public service remains greatly valued. Regretfully, Brian Stack and his family have been let down by the State, and this has compounded … hands to contribute to reconciliation and to address the legacy of the conflict on these islands. I have spoken before in this House about the need for contrition as we seek collectively to do so. As Austin Stack has set out, he and his family have faced many

What is happening in Gaza right now is horrific and unjust. Israel's actions are disturbing, disgusting and criminal. We are witnessing an evil that is difficult to comprehend. While Israel is blocking the provision of aid and while food is being withheld, Gaza is on the brink … first introduced in this House in 2018. We have been waiting years so act on that now. Second, we must continue to apply pressure at EU level for the full suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement for the violation of human rights clauses. A review alone

House has been firm in its support of Ukraine throughout the more than four years of this war. We have been firm in our support for accountability as a matter of principle in the same way as we have long stood firm on the importance of human rights … sends a message to Russia that it cannot carry on as if nothing wrong has been done. At this point too, the House should understand the financial cost to Ireland would be a proportionate annual contribution towards the administrative costs of the claims commission. It is too soon

huge resentment right across the State. My constituency in Wicklow is certainly no stranger to that. Way back in February 2024 the HSE responded to a request by the Department and put forward a site in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow. This was River Lodge, or Trudder House, in Newtownmountkennedy … just about the failures to deliver critical services within Newtownmountkennedy. Concern was also expressed about the suitability of that site at Trudder House. It was prone to flooding. It was very rural. It was on a back road with no public lighting. There were huge issues about

cannot cope. In fact, in my own constituency office, I cannot cope. I have tens of people coming to me every week about housing and I have absolutely nothing to tell them. In 2024, just 5% of the homeless budget was spent on category 1 homeless prevention … decisions, and rightly so. It says: "Great care would be needed in designing such a policy to prevent inappropriate exploitation of such a measure by the construction sector." It went on to say, in respect of applying differing rates of VAT to different types of housing: Revenue

following the law and that is what should be done, and correctly. I am amazed when I listen to these statements in the House. How anyone can come along with a statement like that, that they have roots in the community, is beyond me. I went down … rightly so if they are genuine, but if those people are not genuine, they should be turned around quickly, removed and sent back to their port of call. That is the reality of it. I am amazed at the statements that are being made in the House today

should be exempt, provided they are built at the back of an existing house. If the garage is at the back of the house and can be converted, it should exempt. This is how we will get things rolling, helping people to put a roof over their heads … someone from, say, Waterford to object to someone building in Galway. We need to bring in a rule that a person has the right to object if they are from that area. Someone from 120 miles to 130 miles away should not be in a position to object