Has the Department commissioned an analysis of trends in landlord exits, reductions in rental listings or changes in small landlord participation following the introduction of rent regulation measures? I am cautiously optimistic that this will be a blip. Will the Minister provide details of available findings or regional trends where available?

It would be fantastic if we could and I hope we can. The housing crisis needs this. The RTB’s own data is telling us about the small landlords, those with one or two properties, who are leaving the market at an accelerating rate. To touch on the [ vacant above the shop grant ], I welcome the scheme and the work that has been done but I wish to ask a question about it because it does need to be re-examined. I know from speaking to the Department that it is currently being introduced and there may be amendments to it…

If we are trying to increase supply, the grant should be more beneficial when more units are being built. I was a councillor in Dublin city. I understand that the vacant and derelict register need to be updated. I am asking for an urgent review. Regarding the company ownership restriction on the vacant above the shop grant, the Minister acknowledged, which I welcome, that passive surveillance by people living above shops reduces antisocial behaviour. That would be very beneficial. People I represent are waiting for…

Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine a bhí ag caint inniu ar son an Bhille seo, agus i gcomparáid leis sin, gach duine a bhí ag labhairt faoi na rudaí atáimid tar éis a dhéanamh ar son na Palaistínigh. Tá mise ag iarraidh labhairt chun a bheith cinnte go dtuigeann an tAire nach bhfuil an méid ama atá caite againn ag déanamh athruithe don Bhille atá an Seanadóir Black tar éis obair na gcapall a dhéanamh air maith go leor. I am supporting this Government as an independent. I said multiple times that it is how I believe I c…

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. In my opinion, there is one simple choice. Do we trust women? This is a very personal decision, it is a healthcare decision and women must be placed at the centre of it. An abortion is not something any woman or any couple enters into lightly, and by the time that decision has been reached, there has already been reflection, and there has already been discussion, fear, emotion and heartbreak. This is why the mandatory three-day waiting period is wrong. For many wom…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter. I want to bring it down to what matters for north Dublin. The strategy is listed in the programme for Government. It sits at the centre of the road safety plan. It is fundamental and will protect lives. It is about the drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and families who have lost loved ones in the constituency I represent and nationally. In recent months, Dublin Bay North has seen arson attack after arson attack. I would love for some of the CCTV footage to be used by …

I welcome the recent discussion about nuclear power but, economically, would it not be more viable for us to decentralise our grid with the private wires Bill and bring in long-duration energy storage and alternative energy storage abilities, be it gravity, green hydrogen or any of the newest things that are coming to the market? We saw how much the UK project went over its budget and I would love to see the cost-benefit analysis of nuclear compared with renewables.

I echo the urgency for the occupied territories Bill to be passed. I welcome the Minister, Deputy McEntee’s confirmation in the Dáil last week that it is to be introduced soon. It is not quick enough, however. Regarding the Taoiseach’s statement on EU engagement he had in March, what other engagement has happened between Ireland and the German Government on how its plug-in solar scheme was adapted? It is a quick investment. The savings would be seen in customers' bills. I did my own calculations. Some €150 million …

Gabhaim buíochas le gach Ball a labhair inniu. I welcome the opportunity to speak on International Nurses Day. I welcome all those in the Public Gallery. I sincerely thank all the nurses, midwives and my relations, both those in north Dublin and across Ireland, for the extraordinary work they do every single day. It is not just a profession for them; it is a profession built on compassion and skill. We have all seen, either through our experience or that of our family members, the brilliant work they do. They care …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. People across Ireland are exhausted. They are exhausted by constant worry about bills. I welcome engagement with the Department, but it is not happening fast enough. I submitted a parliamentary question on the October 2024 consultation on EU Directive (EU) 2024/1711. There were five submissions from the ESB, Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis Éireann, Energia and the Electricity Association of Ireland regarding plug-in solar. Can what they said about plug-in solar be made availa…

Ever since entering this House, I have always made it clear that my politics are pragmatic and solution focused, and I will not say things that cannot be backed with real figures. I understand that money cannot grow on trees. I am a realist. I like to be inside the tent not on the outside throwing rocks and getting nothing done. I was an engineer before I came in here, so I have always been focused on solutions. One of the most frustrating things to me is that since negotiating the programme for Government, I have …

My constituents saved up, bought houses and are paying the property tax. What proportion of that directly affects them? Regarding the lifting of the passenger cap, the programme for Government clearly stated it should be as soon as possible, so that needs to be addressed. Regarding the 2024 plug-in solar, I know I have raised a lot of issues, so I hope the Minister's officials are watching and will get back to me. I believe this needs to be addressed. When I wrote this speech, I was under the impression the Tánaist…

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine agus mé i m’oifig ansin. Aontaím le go leor rudaí ráite, go háirithe faoin gcaidreamh idir an tAontas Eorpach agus Iosrael. I mentioned it earlier in the House. Níl sé maith go leor nach bhfuilimid ag déanamh ár ndícheall le haghaidh sanctions agus the OTB. I welcome that the Minister said that she has consulted with the Attorney General. I urge that this be done urgently. Europe Day is a moment to reflect not just on what the European Union is, but what it can be. I welcome Deputy…

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine.  Aontaím le go leor rudaí ach an rud nach dtuigim ná two weeks ago the Opposition was asking to collapse the Government where no financial measures could be passed and now it is asking for a mini-budget. We are in very unpredictable times and need to have a stable Government. How could any financial measures have been passed if the Government had collapsed as the Opposition wanted?

I am asking how could the Opposition, after a general election-----

I did not interrupt you, Deputy Kenny.

I did not interrupt you either, Deputy Sheehan. A general election would take four weeks.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. If there was a general election in three or four weeks, due to the count and the formation of Government, there would be a long period when nothing could be passed. Is this performative? I want to show solutions. The Government has provided €775 million but it could introduce more supports. In respect of the 2024 plug-in solar report, in a response to a parliamentary question I submitted, six key stakeholders took a negative view of plug-in solar. I have requested the consultati…

Tá mé ag lorg nuachta faoin infheistíocht do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas, go háirithe i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh ach nationally chomh maith leis sin. I would appreciate if the Minister would give me a detailed timeline for the next step for recognising the associated costs for people with disabilities.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Táim buíoch as an bhfreagra sin and the continued engagement with my office. I commend the staff in his office for their hard work as well as the Minister himself. What is absolutely clear is that the cost of disability must reflect the reality. In north Dublin in my constituency, we have the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA, the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC, and multiple disability organisations. I have been speaking to them about the urgency needed, not just in the winter, but also…