Search the record

wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Martin Daly - To discuss plastic and reconstructive surgery services in Roscommon University Hospital. Deputy Erin McGreehan … reduce the risk to children who require MRI scans under anaesthetic. Deputy Seán Kyne - To discuss the protection of historical and generational rights to seaweed on the west coast. Deputies Gary Gannon, Daniel Ennis - To discuss the procedures governing planning application decisions in Dublin 7. Deputy Sorca Clarke

away money in a big piggy bank for a rainy day. People feel it is raining on them right now. That is the frustration we have and the frustration felt by the vast majority of ordinary decent people who just want to get on with their lives. They … other day that in the past, back in the 1970s and 1980s in this country when things were terrible, people could buy a house and have a future. Today, people are saying their children will not be able to do those things. These are the issues that

housing, I have to wonder if he even feels convinced by his own words. We do not just have record rents and record house prices; we have record homelessness. We are talking about more than 17,000 homeless people, including more than 5,500 children, and the Taoiseach … again. Does he accept that people renting these cabins, these sheds in people's gardens, will not have any protection or any renters' rights? Is he okay with that? If not, what is he going to do about

does the Tánaiste expect people to find €1,800 for a refill? That is the reality people are facing. People are getting hit right now. This is why I introduced emergency legislation today to cut the price at the pumps and the price of home heating oil. People … means nothing to somebody who is out of home heating oil today. It means nothing to the elderly person in a cold house tonight, afraid to turn on the heating. It means nothing to the parent who has to travel and commute to work and is finding

giveaway and left out in the cold. The Government boasts a budget that contains targeted permanent measures. They are targeted, all right. There are giveaways for developers and large restaurant chains, but it is disappointing for so many others, including students who face a €500 fee increase; parents … people without a home. The height of the ambition in this is capped at investing more in hostel accommodation, not on ending the housing disaster. You know it is a bad budget when the Minister is forced to boast about retaining the Christmas bonus. There are welcome measures

housing waiting list continues to grow and the affordability crisis continues to worsen, especially for low- and middle-income families. Rising rents and house prices continue to push working-class families further away from home ownership. After almost 15 years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments … increase in the populations they serve. The problem is getting worse. Sinn Féin firmly believes that every person, family and community has the right to recover. Our alternative budget would have made this promise a reality. Despite Government promises to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions, budget

State, Deputy Dillon. I thank the members of the Social Democrats for their contributions this morning and thank all Members of the House for their varied and interesting comments. I begin by reiterating that the Government fully acknowledges the concerns raised in this Private Members' motion regarding … future policy decisions; supporting consumer empowerment measures, including initiatives to improve price transparency, promote informed purchasing decisions and enhance public awareness of consumer rights. These actions reflect a balanced and proactive strategy which addresses the root causes of concern while preserving the integrity and independence of our regulatory

organised crime extends far beyond financial loss. It inflicts profound social harm and erodes the fabric of our communities. Everyone in this House will be aware of the devastation that drug addiction has on young people. It destroys their lives. We really need to repeat that consistently … full investigation is under way. I am acutely aware of the importance of balancing these enhanced powers with the protection of fundamental rights and I want to provide reassurance on this point. It is crucial to emphasise this Bill is built upon a foundation of robust judicial oversight

feel safe, secure and at peace. For many of the homeowners, that is not the case. Instead, they are going home to houses that are literally falling apart around them, with cracks in the walls and floors and shifting foundations. These are homes that no longer feel safe … make a permanent decision based on standards where even the science is still evolving. That is not fair and it is not right. Families did not build these homes incorrectly. They did not create the defective materials and they certainly did not write IS 465. The State chooses

impacts on those children. We are trying to give them the best possible opportunity. You only get one childhood. My Department and Departments right across Government, particularly the Department of Social Protection, are making sure that we are investing as much as possible into capturing the reasons … Taoiseach to ensure we are doing everything that can be done across Government to tackle child poverty. I assure all Deputies in the House that we understand. We know that, when you meet parents and families who are experiencing child poverty, you can have all the statistics

here this afternoon for the final Stage of the Mental Health Bill 2024. Following more than 40 hours of debate in both Houses, I am very proud of the final version of the Bill being brought before the Dail today. Following extensive Committee Stage debate in this Chamber … treatment for adults. We have made changes to the criteria for involuntary treatment and treatment without consent. We have included a statutory right to information on advocacy supports. We have aligned the Bill with the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, the Child Care Act and the Assisted Decision-Making

left, right and centre that the Comptroller and Auditor General found, was he wrong? Is the Minister saying he was wrong? Deputy Carthy rightly called the Minister out when he said he saved tens of millions of euro. That only adds to what we are saying … moment is robust, and he believes what is there at the moment is the level of transparency that I, the Members of this House and communities should have. I do not buy into that, and I do not believe it. I believe in much higher levels of transparency

nothing has been done in relation to flood relief. In fact, I would point to significant progress and money that has been spent right across the country delivering flood relief schemes that are really helping to protect homes, communities and businesses. I accept the Deputy's point that … remains the position. We now need to see how we can accelerate flood relief schemes. I am not just saying that today. The House will remember that we published the accelerating infrastructure task force report just before Christmas. We will be bringing to this House a critical infrastructure

point around the urgency of this, and the Government genuinely does too, but we also have to just make sure we get it right. I am conscious there are local authorities around the country that do very a good job and that are also very busy. This … authorities. Once this becomes a national tax there has to be that consistent approach. I agree with the Deputy about dereliction and the housing emergency, absolutely, but dereliction more broadly is a real issue. We will get to some of this later as well, but this

Ireland and Canada enjoy a strong relationship based on a common history and a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order. I am pleased to say there have been a number of positive developments in this relationship in recent months, including the visit … Economic and Trade Agreement by 2026. This is very important. It will be interesting to see, but I hope all Members across this House support the passage of this deal. It is very important, not just for the deal in and of itself but also for the message

appropriate. We will continue to support public awareness campaigns and the development of digital tools to ensure consumers can compare prices, understand their rights and make informed purchasing decisions. Empowering consumers with information is one of the most effective ways to promote competition and drive down prices … ensure that the grocery sector operates in a fair and competitive manner. We remain open to constructive dialogue with all Members of the House on how best to support consumers and promote transparency in the retail sector. However, we do not believe that the measures proposed in this

tragic; it is catastrophic. Ireland must speak with moral clarity and courage. As I have said before, and as many people in this House have said, what is happening is clearly genocide. Ireland has long supported the two-state solution and advocated for peace but peace without justice … killed and over 3,000 injured while trying to access food at militarised distribution centres. Aid is barely trickling in. The UN has rightly called it a teaspoon of aid where a flood is needed. The decision by Israel to take control of humanitarian aid through private contractors

will do to develop those land banks and reporting to the Dáil weekly and monthly. That is the only solution, ultimately, to the housing crisis. He should be finding that sort of information out. Church Fields is another land bank which is being developed slowly. The other … will get the teachers, nurses, therapists and essential workers we need to end so many of the problems we face right

realised it was not quite being upfront. It knew what was coming down the line after the election with the results for its housing targets. Ireland's electricity prices are going to remain the highest in Europe and as our over-dependence on imported energy becomes further entrenched … that we still have no offshore wind or even planning permission granted for it off the west coast. We will continue to blow right past our climate targets and we are going to risk up to €8 billion in fines. The Government's punitive, inequitable approach to climate

Government refers to support resources being made available to "others who support the Government". Who is being referred to there? Am I right in assuming that the groupings referred to are the Lowry group and the Healy-Rae group and that the others being referred to are those … case that they will vote on a case-by-case basis? Are there any other aspects to this agreement that the House should be aware of? Are there any other agreements in relation to Government support

thank the Deputy for bringing this to the House and raising such an important matter. It gives me the opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary role our healthcare workers played during the pandemic. They went far beyond the call of duty, working on the front line, treating Covid-positive … high-exposure environments before PPE, vaccination and widespread community transmission were established. As I understand, there are approximately 159 employees - the Deputy is right; that is the figure we have also been given - still on this scheme. Most of these staff have been supported with full

tribute to the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, who spoke earlier of his instrumental role in establishing the equality caucus here in Leinster House and about working with the staff equality team. We are very fortunate that within politics now, in all parties and none, there are many … matter of serious concern. I am also very proud of the role Ireland is playing at a global level in promoting LGBTQI+ rights. While not everything is perfect in this country, we have come a long way. We have further to go. Unfortunately, our gay brothers and sisters

that the best way to consider acting on this is at an EU level. That is how we acted in this House in the past, as the Deputy will recall, at the start of the war in Ukraine. Due to the interconnectedness of the EU energy market … also clear on the position of many of my EU counterparts, that working together at an EU level is the right way to go. That is why we will formally be discussing this in Luxembourg on Friday week

political gesture, but as a necessary support for our households, particularly in rural Ireland. This Bill is a step in the right direction. It pushes transparency and accountability, but legislation alone will not keep homes warm. People need practical help and they need it now. Energy … what the powers in Europe think Ireland is: laggards in relation to renewables. People out there are trying to put solar on their houses and on the roofs of their sheds. The pittance grants they are getting are shocking compared with those in other countries in Europe

herself, and I am sure she will pursue this. There is a direct correlation between supply and demand and affordability. The Deputy is right. We all want to see more affordable homes. We know that one of the things that drives up prices is if there is more … local authorities that think they have done enough. We need to over-zone land because not all zoned land actually correlates to new housing developments. Every local authority now needs to look at what it can do to make sure there is enough zoned land. What we will