I commend my colleagues, Deputies Mairéad Farrell and Clarke, on the work they have put into the Bill. Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of any modern democracy and in the pursuit of transparency and accountability, the freedom of information process plays a vital role. Since the formation of this State we have seen Governments go to great lengths to hide official State information. There was infamous burning of Cabinet documents concerning the brutal policy of execution of republican prisoners durin…

It is great to be able to speak about the easing of Covid restrictions. It is a real boost to everybody. It has given everybody a lift and it is welcome. The sporting community probably welcomed the easing of restrictions more than most. Sport plays a large part in our lives. It strengthens communities, teaches young people about health and well-being, and boosts the morale of the nation when we are cheering on our international athletes and stars. Under Sport Ireland, there are more than 40 affiliated sporting bod…

It is hard to know where to begin, because the plight of Palestinians grows bleaker each week. Ireland has been a leader in the pursuit of justice and fairness around the globe, and we have long recognised the importance of Palestinian civil society in pursuing justice and peace. Ireland's lack of action following the recent attacks on Palestinian NGOs is concerning. Last year saw significant increases by apartheid Israel in its targeting of Palestinian civil society groups, the settlements and the use of administr…

This is an opportunity to speak about mental health, which is important to us all. We were in a mental health crisis pre-Covid and now this crisis has evolved into a mental health emergency. Jigsaw, an organisation which we all agree carries out amazing work on mental health among young people, has seen the realities of this at first hand. It has experienced a 42% increase in demand for services. It is well documented that participation in sport is beneficial for our mental health and overall well-being. There is a…

This Bill is welcome. It is long overdue. I understand it was proposed back in the 1970s. It is particularly welcome now. The Construction Federation of Ireland, CIF, has a voluntary register known as CIRI. Credit to the federation for setting up the register in the absence of action by Government. However, when you see the extensive list of building defects around the country, you would have to ask the federation how effective the register has been. I strongly believe that now that Government has decided to act an…

Figures secured by Involve Autism show that up to November 2020 a staggering €63,579 per day was spent on taxis and buses to take children with autism to school in south Dublin. Up to November 2021, that figure increased to €72,704 per day. That is an increase of 14.4% in the cost, so every journey is costing more as the children travel further. That is €72,704 being spent every day just in south Dublin. One wonders how many autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes could be built for that figure. Dublin 6 is an examp…

I welcome the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, to the House, and I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. I recognise and acknowledge the hard work done by my colleague Deputy Kathleen Funchion in ensuring that the Bill and the process has been thorough, efficient and the best it can be. Since the formation of the State, the routes available for accessing of information by adopted people in Ireland have provided little support and few ans…

I commend the Independent Group on tabling this motion. The ownership and governance of the new national maternity hospital are issues of national importance. They are also of great local interest to the community in Dublin Bay South. For decades the National Maternity Hospital has been based in Holles Street, in the heart of inner city Dublin. The local community has an enormous sense of connection to the hospital. Many in the community took their first breath in that hospital, and I am one of them. A large number…

There is no part of Irish society that has not been impacted by this pandemic. Unfortunately, the response to the different sectors has been far from fair and equal, particularly in the sporting community. The rules and regulations on a return to sport during this pandemic have seldom been seen to treat all sports equally. We saw it last month with the sudden decision to allow only vaccinated children aged between 12 and 17 years to play indoor sports. This decision caused much pressure and stress on coaches and vo…

A couple of weeks ago in the Dáil, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said he believed it was not best for Ireland to act unilaterally in support of Palestine against Israeli abuse and terror inflicted on the Palestinians. He said he believed Ireland should work with Europe as a unit to try to deliver a two-state solution. That would all be credible if Ireland influenced other European leaders; unfortunately, we do not. We are takers, not influencers, of European policy. We seem to be passive observers in Europe. Yes…

I thank the Minister of State for facilitating this important matter. In 2004, 62 apartments were part of an affordable housing scheme at Poolbeg Quay, at the end of Sean Moore Road in Ringsend. There was huge excitement for those who got apartments and disappointment for those who did not. In 2004, these affordable homes - two-bed apartments - cost, on average, €146,000. The residents bought them in the belief they would be of a high quality. It was not unreasonable for people to think, when they invested so much …

This is effectively putting the Government on notice regarding the issues that residents of Poolbeg Quay, Ringsend, are experiencing. The financial worry is leading to huge stress and concern. It is having a real impact on residents and families and their mental health. It is important that the Government does not abandon them. The residents are not going to leave this matter. They will ensure everything is done in order to get what they deserve, which is justice and equality. The big institutions should not be all…

I thank my colleague, Deputy Paul Donnelly, for bringing forward this motion to the Dáil. I commend the men and women of Dublin Fire Brigade on their commitment and bravery in carrying out their work. When one looks out the window today, it is notable that most people are indoors, but the fire services are the people we call on if there is any trouble or concern for us or our families. I particularly thank the members of the Dublin Fire Brigade stations in Donnybrook and Tara Street which operate across Dublin Bay …

I thank the Acting Chairman for staying to this hour. I appreciate it. I also thank the Minister for coming in at this hour and giving me the opportunity to discuss this very important matter. Most people will be well aware of the work St. John Ambulance does and the services it provides. We are all used to seeing its presence at a wide range of sporting events including GAA, soccer and rugby games, in the RDS and at various community events. The vast majority of people who are well used to seeing St. John Ambulanc…

I know the Minister is absolutely on the survivors' side; that is not in question. The difficulty is that Dr. Shannon has had no contact from St. John Ambulance. Its representatives talk about engaging in the process but they do not actually do it. If organisations with a clear history of sexual abuse refuse to co-operate with reviews and investigations into these crimes, we need more than speeches and words; we need action with sanctions imposed. We need firm action to force their hand to engage with the relevant …

It is really hard to know where to start when addressing apartheid Israel and its long list of aggressive acts on Palestine. There has been and continues to be much abuse by Israel on the Palestinian people. Among those abuses, which the Minister probably saw at first hand when he was over there on his recent visit, are the illegal settlements that no one can stop, the blockade of Gaza that no one can stop, apartheid Israel's systematic violation of children's rights, the shooting dead of countless children and the…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. As a Deputy for Dublin Bay South, I have seen first-hand the terrible impact the SHD legislation has brought to local communities. Thousands of build-to-rent apartments and co-living units have been developed across the city with little or no regard for affordability or integration into the local community. They are just another cash cow for international vulture and cuckoo funds. Affordability, community and sustainability could not be further from their m…

I acknowledge the dreadful experience of the survivors and extend my sympathies to them. I thank them for the messages they sent to all of us over the past several months and years. The response of the State to those who suffered such immense brutality at the hands of the church has been nothing short of a national disgrace. Sadly, this seems to be the way that successive Governments have treated survivors. Earlier today, members of the Irish Thalidomide Association were outside the gates of Leinster House marking …

I wish the Ceann Comhairle a speedy recovery. Separate to the redress scheme for people who own homes affected by mica, there is a working group within the environment Department that examines defects in housing. Poolbeg Quay residents in Ringsend, who are all mortgage holders through Dublin City Council, have homes with serious defects. There are 62 homes there and this would take significant financial resources to fix. Residents did not create the defects. This is stressful for residents and affects their mental …

It is close.