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able to proceed. Whatever one's view of short-term letting in urban and rural areas is, that has created a situation right across the country where, in the overwhelming majority of cases, short-term lets are operating outside of planning law. It is not a bad idea … idea for the Government to have a twin-track approach on the planning side by differentiating areas of high housing demand versus areas where there is a requirement for tourist accommodation. I would like to see the details of all of that. In the interim, a change

programme of reform outlined in the first family justice strategy, which sets out a vision for a system refocused on the needs and rights of children, who are central to many family justice matters. The implementation of more than 50 actions across nine goals contained in the strategy … resolve their family justice issues in as straightforward a manner as possible. The Family Courts Act 2024, which was passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas last November, is a key component of the strategy. The legislation provides for the establishment of family court divisions within the existing

above WHO recommendations for daily noise exposure. There are flight paths over residential areas. When we knock on the doors of houses like we do when we are canvassing and spend a significant time in an estate, it is possible to experience a snapshot of what residents inside … near continuous hum of drones overhead. Some liken it to the noise of a lawnmower. It is fine every now and again right beside you, but not all the time above you. We are used to the noise of passing traffic or a passing train during

drive investment into. I would like to see everybody treated in the public system. That is what this programme for Government and this House is about. It is about Sláintecare and delivering the best service in the public health system. My concern is making sure that happens … that. We want to be the best and for the people of Ireland to have the best experience. The Deputy is quite right to highlight where other countries are doing better. I am always interested in why and how that is happening. I always want to have

what our focus is on; moving forward with the delivery of homes with real solutions for people. If the Deputy is seriously suggesting housing statistics cost his party the election, that is a bit ridiculous. People looked at their policies; that is what cost them the election … plan. Does the Deputy remember that? His leader could not answer a simple question - will the banks lend to buy a home? People right across the country

know enough about the rule. That, in itself, is deeply problematic. Recommendation 6 of the report is to "Protect the privacy rights of children and parties in family law proceedings". It is imperative that this is continued and prioritised. I draw Members' attention specifically to what the report … called for an independent review of Tusla. I did not do so lightly. I repeat that call here today. No one in this House needs reminding of the harrowing reality of the experiences shared by those young people, whose stories were featured on RTÉ just last week

dense residential estates but zero public green space. The people of Meath lived up to their side of the agreement. They bought houses, raised families and built communities but local and central government failed to live up to their side. The Minister of State in his response will … making it happen we get pointed to somebody else or we get a blank response. We have a siloed planning system and communities right across the State - I am talking about my constituency of Meath East and I live in one of this communities - are being failed

sufficient to say the measure is inconsistent with the agreement. I draw the Deputies' attention to the commitment to preserving the right to regulate as reflected not only in the substantive articles addressing this issue but also in the preambles to the agreement, the general treaty structure … consumer protection, privacy and data protection and the promotion and protection of cultural diversity. Yet, Deputies from across the floor of the House come in to tell me that black is white and that it is not the case even though that is what the member states have

most important duties of any Government. I hope that is something on which all of us in the House can agree. Domestically, we in Ireland are advancing a range of measures to ensure the security of our country, to enhance our resilience to hybrid threats and to prepare … investment into the US. In 2023, Irish companies made investments in the US worth more than $351 billion. More than 200,000 people right across the US got out of bed this morning and went to work in Irish-owned companies - Irish owned companies present

time. Over the past 16 months, so many words of condemnation have been uttered in this Chamber, the Seanad and, indeed, chambers right across this world about the genocidal acts that are taking place by the Israeli Government against the people of Gaza and the Palestinian territories. However … Government that finally stood up to the plate, or as one that cowered because there is a bully in the White House or because there is a hostile environment towards those who are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause within the European Union? A bully in the White House

requested in other areas where there were defects and it should not be asked of people in my constituency or others right across the State as the number of victims of this scandal increases. Amendment No. 7 also deals with issues such as retrospective payments, an issue that … income outside of the State pension. Where will they get the €50,000, €60,000 or sometimes €90,000 to rebuild their house? This is not going away. We will be back here and the only thing that will change is that these homes will be more expensive

Every act of this Government so far has, it states, been intended to try to increase supply. Where is the supply of affordable housing? Let us look at what is actually being proposed here. The size of units is being reduced. Windows, balconies and community facilities are being … sustainable solutions that [create and] deliver real value for money." It went on to state: It is critical that we get this right. We are deeply concerned that moves to relax key design safeguards risk undermining the creation of sustainable, high-quality living environments and will create future

Party. My colleague, Deputy Wall, was meant to lead on this motion but rather ironically - or perhaps appropriately - he is stuck in traffic right now coming in from Athy. Apparently he has been there for three and a half hours. This is a timely motion. The M50 cuts … enough to be able to cycle to work and as I pass rows of stationary traffic on my way to and from Leinster House, I often ask myself how many of those people genuinely need to be sitting in their cars. How many are driving into an office

alarmed at this. We have all heard the doctors in Temple Street. We all want to take action on this. While this House might be in recess next week, I will be at a meeting about what we can try to do in relation to this issue … genuinely do not. I think people are so horrified by what is happening that everyone is trying to grapple with what the right thing to do is. There is also a legitimacy to the point the Deputy made about how it is a legitimate form of transport

seats. Ireland is not in Schengen. Ireland shares a common travel area with Britain and we are an island nation. We have every right to control and manage our own borders. Yet, in June 2024 the Government voted to surrender that control. It handed decision-making over … potential fines we will face. This pact was not designed for Ireland. It was not designed for our geography or, indeed, our housing crisis or public services crisis. Incredibly, the Tánaiste cannot outline to the Dáil

acknowledge on the record what people are feeling across the country right now. I understand that families are anxious. Older people are worried about heating their homes. Farmers and small businesses are watching costs rise, week by week. Their concerns are genuine and they deserve to be treated … seriousness, respect and empathy. The war in Iran has destabilised global energy markets. This is a reality that none of us in this House can change but what we can control is how we respond at home. The Government has responded with the largest and most comprehensive support

simply not possible. We cannot ensure that the hard-working, rent-paying residents in Oliver Bond House, St. Michan's House, Pearse House and others get 21st-century minimum standards for rental accommodation without reducing density. There is no urgency or understanding, in my view, of the scale … will be released so that the State, the largest landlord in the country, has the highest possible standards for its rental accommodation when, right now today in Dublin, the worst rental accommodation in our city is rental accommodation the State owns and the Minister is refusing to fund

fair to say there was disagreement on the occupied territories Bill. I believe we, like many other states, are on the right side of that argument. We also spoke about the current uncertainty and all the other issues caused by the US Administration, the Trump tariffs … their members are dealing with at this time relate to the infrastructural deficits we still see. It is not a major shock that housing is a particular issue. We all understand the societal impact of that but, as well as the huge impact on families and individuals

Donegal were particularly affected by Storm Amy, as were those in Mayo, Roscommon and Galway. I extend the sympathies of everybody in this House to the family of Mr. Connors from Letterkenny, who died due to a weather-related incident in Donegal. All our thoughts are with … crews in position in advance. At the peak of the storm, over 184,000 premises were affected by power outages. The Deputy is right about the ESB, which as taken a number of measures. It has taken on additional contractors to manage forested areas where there are damaged

happened. I appreciate that it is not simple and that there are difficulties in getting people out of Gaza right now. Bushra and the people supporting and surrounding her are very clear, however. They will remove those barriers if this Government shows its determination and willingness to bring … record that I believe the Tánaiste and other Cabinet Ministers misled the Dáil in dismissing concerns from Members on this side of the House some weeks ago that the Government's reasons for denying visas for the Palestine GAA group were not actually child safeguarding issues. We have

independent review will similarly end up on a shelf somewhere to be cited in 20 years' time by whoever replaces us in these Houses if there is a continuation of the go-slow Governments we have had to date. In our submission to the independent review … State Act, an end to emergency legislation and the replacement of the current Special Criminal Court with a new, non-jury human rights-compliant system. The independent review group recommended that the Offences Against the State Act be abolished in its entirety with a majority recommending

goal of rent caps and introduces instability for students. It makes long-term affordability impossible to predict. Despite the scale of the student housing sector, this Bill offers no legal definition of student tenancies. Such a definition matters. Without a formal category, it is unclear how or whether … rental laws. He spoke about designating a certain category for student tenancies. He said that could be part of a solution. He is right. That solution is not in this Bill but it should be. To address these problems, I am asking the Minister, perhaps when

issue and not for the first time. I know his professional and political interest and priority in relation to this, and he is right. This is a real time of anxiety for many parents across the country and we are acutely aware of that. I am aware … very significant uplift in special education teachers and SNAs. We have made a decision, which the Deputy and I debated in this House previously, in relation to only proceeding with the review where there was an upward lift in SNAs. That means we were planning for about

made clear its commitment to facilitating and supporting the work of the inquiry to the greatest extent possible. The Bill before the House is another important step towards delivering on that commitment. The Bill deals with the taking of oral evidence before our courts and will sit alongside … with the laws of Ireland and the Government's duty to safeguard the essential interests of the State and the constitutional and other rights of citizens. Successive Governments have navigated similar challenges in the past, including assisting the Northern Ireland courts during the civil proceedings taken

aware, we are living in an extraordinary uncertain period internationally. The consequences of this are being felt in every home and business right across the country. As a small, highly open economy and a net energy importer, Ireland is naturally exposed to movements in international energy prices. However … international situation and have always taken decisions which result in practical supports for households and businesses across the country. The motion before the House does not fully take into consideration the array of supports which have been implemented by Government as a result of the conflict