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Fáil created and that Fine Gael has presided over for years. To make matters worse, data centres are now being prioritised ahead of housing development in the middle of a housing emergency. Sinn Féin is having none of that. That is why we introduced legislation to ensure housing

Before Profit Deputies for tabling this really important motion. On behalf of the Labour Party, I brought a relatively similar motion to the House back in June, calling for targeted energy credits funded through a data centre levy as well as the introduction of a moratorium … what data centres are being used for and if we want to support these purposes. We spend a lot of time in this house talking about the dangers of AI, reining in AI and regulating the use of social media so that it does not harm our children

this is a gap in the law and we agree. Not only do we agree but so do over 75 Members of this House who have co-sponsored this Bill with us. I am not aware of any other Bill that has ever come before this House that … many people. I applaud the fact that there is a cross-party consensus on this from every party and group in this House, who have supported this provision as a sensible measure, not to reopen a debate on ancillary issues but to acknowledge there

regard to what is critical infrastructure for small and medium businesses that are really dependent on energy and also in terms of the housing that is needed to house employees in areas. It is about getting that balance and addressing what is needed here because businesses cannot expand … workers, who sustain our economy and communities. The Bill seeks to put public interest first, ensuring that scarce grid capacity is prioritised for housing and essential infrastructure. It is a practical Bill that I hope the Government will support. It makes absolute sense. It is urgent given

move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". I am very pleased to introduce this Bill to the House, following its passage through Seanad Éireann. In fact, we had five days of debate in the Upper House during which the Bill was very carefully considered … Garda Síochána, and that the safeguards contained within it reflect the values of our constitutional order. I commend the Bill to the House and I look forward to hearing what colleagues have to say in respect of the proposed legislation

because he or she is a Member of the Oireachtas is an attack on democracy. We should all resolutely stand together in this House in condemning any such attacks. People are entitled to have different views politically but what we will not tolerate is people being targeted … powers. I welcome the fact there is broad agreement and a broad welcome for that. We all support An Garda Síochána in this House but it is important to acknowledge that gardaí have very considerable powers. It is important that we set out in legislation what those powers

Defence Forces on peacekeeping missions. It is not enshrined in our Constitution. It is a legal mechanism that was agreed in this House. To deploy our peacekeepers, our troops, under these current arrangement, three things are required, namely, a UN Security Council mandate, Government or Cabinet approval … military alliance is the basis of our neutrality, not the triple lock. The triple lock is a legal mechanism introduced through these Houses which governs how we deploy our Defence Forces on peacekeeping missions. We were a neutral country before the triple lock was introduced and we will

welcome the opportunity to respond and reflect on the contributions made by Members on the other side of the House. In these discussions, much has been said about military neutrality, the triple lock and Ireland's engagement with international partners. The central question before us is whether reforming … Government. I suspect that, if it is to be determined by the Government, it would also require the wishes of this House to be taken into account. Again, it is not as if there has been a usurpation of the wishes of the Irish people in any malign

that we have had these discussions on a number of occasions. I look forward to debating this as the legislation comes through the Houses. It is important that we have these discussions, and that we have a debate as to what exactly is in the Bill, what … Defence (Amendment) Bill was received on 9 June. The Bill was published on the Oireachtas website and will be progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas as quickly as possible. Obviously, we are on the last sitting day, but my intention is that we would bring

ignored, obstructed and, as Deputy Nash said, were having doors slammed in their faces. This is the second time this week in this House we have talked about the actions of vile, despicable paedophiles who were allowed to prey on innocent children and young men in this country … were treated in terms of this. In fact, it is not that long ago I remember people making the point, not in this House, that there was no need at all for an inquiry in relation to this. I am really pleased we have gotten to this point

There is certainly an urgency across this House. I do not say this to be provocative on an issue where I hope we can all work together, but nobody on any side of the House has brought forward legislation to try to make progress. We have had multiple … 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

would clearly have to have a Belfast dimension as well as a Dublin dimension. I do not think one-upmanship in the House assists this because we all have ideas and they are all valid. I do not think there is any one Member or party that … Republic joined NATO. What kind of reaction would that receive? What kind of reaction would it receive on the opposite side of the House or this side of the House? As Deputy Gogarty asked - and I am not outlining a personal position on this - what if we said

perceptions of life. My maternal grandfather fought in the First World War and were it not for the pension paid into that house, my mother would not have had the quality of life that she enjoyed. My mother was shaped by the experience and always had a deeply … positive view of the UK. That being said, I was raised in a house where Fianna Fáil was consistently supported. We are a party in our 100th year and have played a central role in some of formative issues of our time such as our Constitution, our entry

reality is that many of the people in the constituency that I represent do not have a front garden or back garden. Their houses open onto narrow streets, yet very little account has been taken of that in the decision to move to wheelie bins or caddies. With … people right across my constituency who are in desperate need of appropriate accommodation and who are crammed into three- and four-bedroom houses where there could be 16 people. It is an inhumane squeezing of people into tenement-like conditions, and it is landlords who are facilitating

inner city. This is due to several factors, including short-term tenancies, a high number of tourist lettings, flats, apartments, terraced houses and an overall lack of storage space provided for wheelie bins. Despite it being mandatory for households to be able to separate their organic waste, this … communities, both urban and rural. On a final note, a Cheann Comhairle, I give my thanks to you, all the staff in Leinster House and all the ushers and caterers for their work over this term. I know Leinster House does not shut down for the next

forever, but because reducing the payment now will make an already difficult situation significantly worse for people fleeing war, for hosts, for our housing system, and ultimately for all of us in the State. I spoke on this issue in the House last year when we debated … next. People do not suddenly find affordable rental homes. They do not suddenly qualify for HAP. They do not suddenly move into social housing. They enter into an accommodation system that is already buckling under the weight of unprecedented demand. A simple question should be asked. Where exactly

Burke to the Public Gallery. Since this morning, a 15-year-old child has been sitting in protest outside the gates of Leinster House. Cara Darmody is highlighting the fact that the State breaking its own law. I refer to the law which states children's needs must … children involved has gone from 15,000 to 22,000 children. How can people who write the laws of this country in this House break them outside the gates? The Taoiseach has accused the recent fuel protesters, the Irish men and Irish women fighting for their livelihoods

more extensively. The refuge centres serve a great purpose, but they need to connect more directly with local councils to ensure that whatever housing is needed is delivered. That would require more funding for local authorities, but if we are to address this issue, all of the negative … impacts experienced by people being abused must be considered. I have come across families where the couple continues to live in the same house, the woman continues to be abused, and the Garda and local services are aware of it, but it is extremely difficult to get that

town centre first, TCF, policy, published in February 2022, is a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The policy sets out a framework to facilitate and resource the regeneration of Irish towns to ensure they are vibrant, viable and attractive … policy and I will continue to work with the Ministers of State, Deputies Cummins and Buttimer, in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and we will have a joint Departments of rural and community development and housing and local government event later this year in Waterford

within the Gaeltacht. One of the big elements of the Gaeltacht has obviously been the ability to raise families in the Irish language. Housing is a very important element of that and there are significant campaigns currently out there as a result of the lack of proper housing … there were major concerns those guidelines would have the effect of reducing the Irish spoken in Gaeltacht areas if we sought to house a large number of English speakers in those Gaeltacht areas

stuff. His inputs and those of Deputy Ó Snodaigh are always considered. As he knows, the primary responsibility lies with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The draft statement is, in my view, one that strengthens the planning system’s support for the Irish language … introduction of a new policy approach applied consistently across the country, providing more certainty for people wishing to build a new house in a rural area and the avoidance of prescriptive local policies that see different standards applied between neighbouring counties and, indeed, sometimes within a county. Currently

thank the Deputy for the opportunity to update the House on the position of the James Weir nurses home on Cork Street in Dublin 8. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The Health Service Executive is responsible … public expenditure circulars and the HSE's property protocol. The HSE continues to engage with the Department of Health, the Department of housing, the Land Development Agency, local authorities, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the Department of An Taoiseach in relation to its surplus

call on the Minister for housing and local government to intervene in a most urgent matter in County Kerry where subcontractors to Uisce Éireann are being left to wait for two, three or four months without being paid for work that has been carried out. This … speak. It is disgraceful carry-on by Uisce Éireann. It is not acceptable. Will the Minister of State request the Minister for housing to intervene to ensure contractors are paid within a reasonable timeframe especially after submitting their invoices? They should be paid within two weeks

sure the Minister of State will be struck that while often in these Houses when we have debates there is disagreement, this is an issue about which there is cross-party agreement and even unity. It has had an impact on every family and every community. The Minister … debates or discussions shows there is a lot more that unites us around particular issues. The suggestions coming from all sides of the House are about how to come up with solutions. As Deputy Troy mentioned, I hope the Minister of State will meet the Alzheimer Society

five years after the Wasted Lives report told the Government this had to end. Adults with intellectual disabilities are facing another heartbreaking housing crisis because of the State's failure to uphold their human rights. That injustice is what sparked the Before We Die campaign which, in turn … somewhere for that person to live. That is not planning; it is negligence. Only 2% of families surveyed had a formal written housing plan for their adult son or daughter with an intellectual disability and 92% still rely on a parent as their primary carer. Independence means having

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to publish the new rural housing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18859/25

Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason South Dublin County Council or an AHB purchased an entire apartment development in Rathfarnham for social housing and failed to allow any to go on the market for either affordable-rent or affordable-purchase

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that he has received the Housing Agency's review of rent pressure zones, and to publish the report. [18981/25

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage , further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 8 April, the reason the current outstanding strategic housing development application list waiting to be determined by An Bord Pleanála (ABP) is no longer available on the ABP website

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the methodology and data sources used by his officials for housing needs assessment of an average of 50,000 new homes a year to 2040 as set out in the revised national planning framework. [19207/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he plans to safeguard crucial programmes like Housing First while several of such organisations are in crisis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19220/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the total spend on retrofitting of housing units by local authority, in tabular form. [19249/25

Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the number of affordable houses, cost rental and cost purchase, homes planned for Cork City and County Council and on the targets he has set for same. [19251/25

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 2 April 2025, the number of approved housing bodies (AHBs) whose memorandum and articles of association allow for the sale to tenants of residential properties; the number

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department is taking to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals are protected in emergency accommodation settings; if comprehensive training on LGBTQ+ competency is mandatory for council housing and homeless service staff; and if he will

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the justification in the Programme for Government commitment to continue to support one-off, rural housing (details supplied). [19395/25

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider advocating for a ban on data centre construction in areas of high housing need (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19404/25

Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the amount of funding allocated local authorities to support the Social Housing Secondhand Acquisitions Programme in 2024 and 2025, by local authority; the proportion of the funding that is already committed

Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any financial supports or assistance schemes are available to help tenants who are transferring from a local authority property to a housing agency property with the cost of furnishing their new home, particularly for working

Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his understanding of the number of social homes that will be available as part of the first phase of development of the Irish Glass Bottle site; the proportion of these which will … three beds, respectively; the price of affordable homes on the development; and if he will make a statement on the affordable housing list in respect of the site. [19557/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the ban on the granting of planning permission to build new houses outside 60km per hour speed limits on national primary and secondary routes will be lifted, following the reduction in speed limits across

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans that are in place to provide additional resources to An Bórd Pleanála to speed up the whole planning process, get more housing units built; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide details of the manner in which once-off payments and once off commissions or bonuses are treated in the estimation of a persons entitlement to HAP; if he is aware that … people who have spent years on the housing list are being removed due to a once-off payment which puts them over the limit, even though their salary is well below the threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20055/25

Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP payments allocated through the inter-authority movement of housing assistance payment scheme in each of the years from 2021 to date, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will

Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total monies paid out or committed by his Department to each local authority in respect of building social houses and apartments and home purchase for each of the years 2014 to 2024, in tabular

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received, granted, refused, or are currently being processed for the social housing tenant-in-situ scheme since it was reintroduced in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what immediate measures are being implemented to address the critical shortage of rental properties available under the Housing Assistance Payment scheme, given that only 41 such properties were available nationwide in March 2025, representing just

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the total number of residential development applications with An Bord Pleanála at present; the number of residential units involved in total in these applications, including all applications, including one-off houses and applications

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm which body is responsible for providing a full technical review of a defective concrete block grant scheme application; whether responsibility is with the Housing Agency or the relevant local authority; and if he will

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses purchased by each of Carlow County Council and Kilkenny County Council under the tenant-in-situ scheme in each year since the scheme was launched; if his Department refused any such purchase