I have three questions for the Minster. I will ask them individually and I will be brief, so I would appreciate it if the Minister would give brief answers to allow me get to the other questions. First, the tariffs on steel imports into Northern Ireland potentially could affect construction costs in the Republic. A 25% tariff is being applied to most steel imports into the North, including reports of steel destined for the Republic, and because the two ports on the island of Ireland that are best capable of handlin…

I thank the Minister. I take it from that that it is being looked at because it would be an unfair and unintended consequence if we were penalised just because we do not have those deep port facilities. The second question is on the potential impact of Brexit on low income households in particular. Two years ago the ESRI estimated that the cost of a trade deal Brexit could be approximately €900 per household. We do not know the actual cost as it is playing out at the moment. We do not know how that is being absorbe…

The ESRI did a very good piece of work on this two years ago and I believe it would be a good idea to ask it to analyse this to see what the impact is and if its original estimations hold. Regarding my final question, I have concerns in terms of a level playing field and the agreement and that the UK Government has indicated that it intends to erode workers' rights further in the UK. That could affect us the most as the closest country to the UK. Will the Irish Government be monitoring any relaxation or lowering of…

I raise the issue of people sleeping rough who are being turned away from emergency shelters. I raised this issue with the Taoiseach before and despite his assurances people continue to be refused access to emergency accommodation even though beds lie empty. The circular issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, in December regarding this was weak and ineffective and fell far short of what was needed. In the RTÉ Prime Time Investigates programme on homelessness broad…

I am sharing time with Deputy Cairns. I welcome that there is a deal. I thank Michel Barnier and his EU negotiating team for working so hard to conclude a deal in very challenging circumstances. It is worth noting that it is a very unusual situation to have a reverse trade co-operation deal in place. None of us knows exactly how much damage it is going to do because there is no precedent. I wish to address three points relating to key weaknesses I see in this deal in terms of the level playing field provisions, inc…

I acknowledge the significant amount of work that has been done on Brexit and Brexit preparation and readiness by the Government and by officials. Over the years, the amount of hours that have been put in is something that we in this House can all be proud of. I know that work will continue. I also thank the negotiating team, led by Mr. Michel Barnier, for its work and for its incredible patience and perseverance throughout this process. It is something that we, as Europeans, should all take pride in. Several Deput…

With regard to the Debenhams workers, the Taoiseach has been asked when he will bring forward legislation to protect workers in such situations. He replied by saying that he has done what he can within the law. When will the Taoiseach change the law so the Debenhams workers and other workers in such situations are properly protected?

I wish to address the Taoiseach's comments on the necessity for everyone to do as much as they can to be prepared for 1 January in the context of Brexit. I fully agree that we face huge challenges in the agrifood sector and fisheries for exporters and importers and, if there is no deal, households, who could face increases to their bills of more than €1,000 per year. In the Government's comments to date there has been no comment as to how it would assist households in the case of a no-deal Brexit. Plans to assist b…

I will respond to a comment from the Minister. He said there was significant engagement between officials in his Department and the Oireachtas joint committee dealing with housing. That is absolutely the case. It is also the case that the Minister wrote to the committee seeking a waiver of pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. Instead of agreeing to that waiver the committee, whose members take their constitutional role as legislators and scrutinisers of legislation very seriously, offered to facilitate the Minist…

This issue is not a new one. The initial directive on environmental impact assessments has been in place since 1985. There has been plenty of time to get this right but choices have been made not to get it right. The first case on this issue, the Derrybrien case, was taken in 2008, 12 years ago, so there is no immediate rush on this issue such that it would necessitate the Bill going through the House without sufficient time allowed for scrutiny of it. I remember the Minister stating how much he respects the Consti…

My amendment No. 6 would allow for public meetings and for online meetings and would provide for public meetings not to take place during emergency periods, such as Covid. It is essentially about good decision-making in the development plan process, which is very important. If we are to have good decision-making, we need the public to be well informed on it. I do not believe any of us could say with confidence that the public has a good understanding of development plan processes. We need to do more to ensure great…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, lines 2 and 3, to delete “or an online public meeting) as it considers appropriate” and substitute “and online public meetings) to ensure effective public participation is provided for, but any such requirement to hold a public meeting shall not apply if an order under section 3(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2020 applies at the time to the administrative area”.

These amendments seek to improve these sections of the Bill and make it more transparent. I hope the Minister agrees to them. I cannot see a reason that he would not. Amendment No. 8 strengthens the language from "appropriate" to "essential", which is a higher bar. Amendment No. 9 requires the Government to provide more information to the public about why it is making an order for an emergency period. There is no reason for the Government to oppose that requirement. Amendment No. 10 will prevent cherry-picking of t…

I would just like to hear the Minister's reply.

I thank Deputies Duncan Smith and Eoghan Murphy for bringing forward the proposal to have this matter debated today and to mark this anniversary. It is important and worth doing. We should be very proud of Ireland's role and the principled stand it has taken over generations against nuclear weapons. Mr. Frank Aiken, Ireland's delegate to the UN in the 1950s, played a crucial role in the formation of the original Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its subsequent signing and ratification. More rec…

I agree with the other Deputies on vaccines. There should be more time for debate. There should be a questions and answers session as well in order that we can raise the issues we want. We should sit on Friday to facilitate that. We should be doing the same with regard to Brexit. I raised the issue on the Order of Business last week. We want these issues to be dealt with in questions-and-answers format. Time has been allocated on Thursday evening for questions and answers, but it is more for statements and speeches…

I ask the Minister to stay for a couple of minutes as I want to address the local connection rule. I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing this Bill before the House. It is positive that the Government is dealing with this and taking a constructive approach. On the local connection rule, the Minister was very clear in media comments some weeks ago that no one was being turned away. The Minister now acknowledges that there has been an issue on the area. He has written to local authorities about it. People were being tur…

That is good. I acknowledge the changes that are happening on the ground as a result of the letter. It is too soon to say for certain what will happen but those who have been refused emergency accommodation are now being engaged with and dealt with, which is very positive. The Minister's actions on this are making a difference, but more clarity would be useful. When we are given information from official sources, it is important that we question it as much as possible. There is often a difference between what peopl…

Are the meetings monthly or weekly?

Are the meetings on every week?