The starting point for any discussion on this Bill must be the reality facing families in Offaly. Last year, I revealed that 525 children across the children's disability networks serving County Offaly were waiting for an assessment of need. Families are entitled to ask why, after years of reviews, strategies and reform programmes, waiting lists remain unacceptably high and legal timelines continue to be breached. The State's first duty must be to ensure that children receive assessments and supports when they need…

Last week, I met the Offaly IFA branch at the Ploughing Championships in Tullamore. It was emphasised to me and many other politicians, including our MEPs, that it is vital that a CAP budget of at least €500 billion is secured in the upcoming negotiations. If that is not secured and, for instance, if there is a 42% change to the CAP budget, in my county of Offaly, it would lead to a loss of €9.1 million every year from 2028 to 2034 and a loss of 100 jobs every year for that period also. It is extremely concerning. …

Tá áthas orm deis a fháil labhairt ar an mBille seo anocht. Tosóidh mé ar na rudaí atá sa Bhille. Before addressing the substance of the Bill, I want to make a simple point to the Government. If Ministers are unwilling to support this Bill because of the potential cost to the Exchequer, why are they equally unwilling to embrace measures which would cost the State absolutely nothing? Why, for example, does the Government continue to maintain the ban on the commercial sale of turf? There would be no significant Exche…

I want to begin by wishing my colleague Deputy Michael Healy-Rae well. I understand he was subjected to an unprovoked assault earlier today. I wish to condemn that in the strongest possible terms. As I said, I wish him well. Tá áthas orm labhairt ar an mBille cumhachta a bhaineann leis An Garda Síochána. I begin by acknowledging the extraordinary work carried out every day by front-line members of An Garda Síochána. They are the men and women who respond to domestic violence calls at 3 a.m., deal with antisocial be…

Tá áthas orm labhairt ar an rún seo agus beidh mé ag tacú an rún seo atá os ár gcomhair. Ireland's military neutrality is not some relic of the past but a living, vital expression of our sovereignty and our democratic independence and it is being dismantled right in front of our eyes. The announcement on the removal of the triple lock was not just mishandled; it was a watershed moment when one of the most far-reaching changes to Irish foreign policy in decades was confirmed. Let us call it what it is: the death rat…

The schools are out, summer is well and truly upon us, and for most families this will be an opportunity to enjoy spending time with their children or grandchildren. Others will watch the kids being able to spend more time with their friends. For some families, however, this summer will be a continuous nightmare, and it will be spent trying to keep their teenage children from ending their own lives before they can access vital services. One of those families is in my constituency of Offaly. It involves a teenage gi…

I thank the Tánaiste for his response and assistance. I directly informed the HSE about this situation, and I received an acknowledgement, but I will reach out to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and, with the consent of the parent, will pass on all details. My concern is that this is an emergency situation, and it was not treated as such in Offaly CAMHS. For any parent to be told that they may, or they could, get an appointment at the end of September-early October when their child is clearly in distress is n…

The Tánaiste will share my profound horror at the recent brutal murder of Jamey Carney, the absconding of her so-called partner to Jordan and the wider pattern of escalating violence against women that was raised earlier. Will the Tánaiste also agree that no aspect or provision of the International Protection Act should ever inadvertently give cover to someone or hamper An Garda Síochána in the effective discharge of its duties in terms of releasing information on those suspected of such crimes, regardless of wheth…

There are serious and ongoing concerns regarding the lack of access to occupational therapy for elderly people. I am dealing with a situation where an elderly man of 90 years who worked all his life and paid his taxes cannot get access to an occupational therapy appointment despite at least eight separate medical referrals. I have followed up myself and sent an email to the HSE and the local primary care centre and also the Minister because it is simply wrong, and this man is not the only elderly person I am dealin…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. There are certainly constructive and long-overdue elements within this legislation, particularly the reforms proposed around judicial reviews. For far too long, communities, local authorities and applicants have been trapped in cycles of chronic delay - delays that frequently extend into years. We all know of cases where judicial review has been used not as genuine oversight but as a tool for procedural abuse of the courts. Anything that brings greater clarity, tighte…

I wish to raise serious concerns again about the dental system and the total collapse of dental services for medical card patients and the lack of timely assessments for schoolgoing children. I and others have noted that this has really regressed. In the 1980s, as schoolchildren, we all had those timely assessments but we seem to be going backwards. It is getting no better. Even PRSI patients have had a number of benefits that they would have got in the past eliminated. There are a number of issues regarding dental…

I begin by briefly addressing the motion concerning Ireland's opt-in to the proposed EU directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences. I have no difficulty with supporting proportionate, targeted measures that genuinely strengthen our capacity to tackle the illegal trafficking of weapons, particularly those entering the EU from conflict zones or through organised criminal networks. I do want to be absolutely clear, however, that this directive is about criminal law harmonisation an…

I wish to speak about the Criminal Justice (International Cooperation on Electronic Evidence and Other Matters) Bill 2026. It is a Bill that gives the State and the European Union sweeping new powers to obtain, preserve and transfer electronic evidence at extraordinary speed. I raise a simple question: why is the political will so strong in some areas but so weak in others? When it comes to digital surveillance and cross-border data demands, the State is prepared to move mountains. This Bill creates a system where …

There are moments in this Chamber when the sheer disconnect between political rhetoric and the political reality becomes almost unbearable. If Sinn Féin truly wants to build a future worth having, it should start by protecting the children who are meant to inherit it because while Sinn Féin tours the country promoting its future of Ireland commission report, which is full of language about hope, opportunity and the next generation, the very same party is here assisting in the passage of laws that guarantee no futur…

I am happy to speak on the critical importance of the tourism and hospitality sector, particularly as we face mounting challenges that threaten thousands of jobs and the viability of businesses right across rural Ireland. In my own constituency of Offaly, tourism supports 2,200 jobs, so I stand firmly with Offaly hoteliers and the Irish Hotels Federation in their call for targeted Government intervention to protect this vital industry. As I stated earlier this year, we must deliver measures to safeguard the long-te…

Tá áthas orm deis a fháil labhairt ar an mBille Airgeadais seo atá os ár gcomhair tráthnóna inniu. As an Independent TD for Offaly, I have consistently highlighted the intolerable burden of high energy and fuel costs on families, farmers and hauliers across my constituency. I accept that this Bill seeks to provide some temporary relief in that it increases the diesel rebate scheme cap to €120 per 1,000 litres for qualifying road transport operators, until the middle of this year. It also implements cuts to mineral …

I will be supporting the measured and balanced amendment proposed by Deputies Collins, O'Donoghue, O'Flynn and Fitzmaurice. Let me make clear that I recognise the grave humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the continuing heartbreaking loss of innocent civilian life. No one with a conscience can look at the suffering of families and children there and remained unmoved. I also unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism, violence and attacks on citizens and civilians, wherever they occur, such as the barbaric attack …

We are told constantly that Ireland must prepare for a changing world: automation, the green transition, AI and new labour market demands. Yet, when we examine how this Government is actually managing the National Training Fund – the very tool meant to deliver those skills – an interesting picture emerges. Through a series of recent parliamentary questions, I have exposed the reality. In 2025, the National Training Fund ran a surplus of €283 million. Levy income reached €1.297 billion while spending was just €1.014…

Beidh mé ag tabhairt tacaíochta don rún seo agus tá áthas orm an deis a fháil labhairt ar an topaic fhíorthábhachtach seo.  Beidh mé ag tacú leis an rún seo mar cuireann sé na deacrachtaí atá ag daoine atá faoi mhíchumas os ár gcomhair go soiléir.  Tá sé ríthábhachtach go bhfuil rún mar seo againn arís mar bhí topaicí mar seo os ár gcomhair cheana. I am happy to get the opportunity again to speak on this very important issue. When it comes to disabilities, we keep saying the same thing over and over again. I taught…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As I said earlier, I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. As the Deputy is aware, passports, in particular children's passports for family holidays, are an important topic for Members as we approach the busy summer travel period. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade wishes to assure Members that the passport service is in an excellent position to deliver on the demand forecast for the rest of the year. Last we…