I, too, will be taking part in the Ireland's Future event on Saturday in the 3 Arena. Ireland is changing, and thankfully for the better. We may see far-right changes in Europe but I hope for the sake of my children and the next generation that we are a long way from ever having a far-right Government on the island of Ireland.

It genuinely gives me hope to see the good turnout on Saturday on our streets. It is people power and people fighting back. An equally important matter relates to the budget. I genuinely welcome the €2 billion that has been provided for humanitarian supports for refugees but it has been bluntly and openly stated that it is for Ukrainian refugees. While I am a big fan of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, I am in here two and a half years and it is more than a ye…

I have only two minutes in which to bring a matter to the attention of the Minister of State. Not all people from vulnerable communities have availed of the €200 electricity credit that was promised in last year's budget and was meant to relieve families. Again, the most vulnerable in society who share one connection happen to be members of the Traveller community. Twenty-two families share six meter point reference numbers, or MPRNs, in Sligo. Nine families at another site share a single MPRN and therefore receive…

He got more time than some of us.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for giving me the right time to speak. Over the last two or three days, we saw on social media what happened in Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot. I want to put on the record that these young people are not scumbags, thugs or low lifes in society. They have been failed time and again. Their parents and their grandparents have been failed by the State, by previous Governments and, unfortunately, by this Government. Instead of this House and the media calling these young people names, we s…

I thank the MEPs for coming to the House this evening. We talk about the sustainable development goals at a European Union level and I have heard a lot here this evening about poor people and poor communities. At a European Union level, what is being done to engage with the most vulnerable communities such as the Romanian communities, the Gypsy people, members of the Traveller community, and those of us who live in dire accommodation? One of the MEPs has said that maybe we should go over to Brussels. I invite our t…

Was it a minute we all got to speak or was it-----

Okay. Some of us got one minute and some-----

I move amendment No. 49: In page 26, line 26, to delete “24 weeks” and substitute “52 weeks”.

I move amendment No. 50: In page 27, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(13) The Minister shall consult with affected homeowners’ representative groups, including nominated competent building professionals (as defined in Part 2 of this Act) and/or academic professionals with expertise in the fields of geology and materials science (of the homeowners’ choice) in making regulations under subsection (12) .”.

Many of our amendments, which would have made a great difference to people's lives, have been ruled out of order due to costs. It is difficult because the Government has not supported us on any of our amendments that would impose a cost. I support colleagues in saying that this scheme does not provide 100% redress. I will sit down, having said that on this section. I tabled many amendments that would have involved a cost to the State. However, those amendments would have made a great difference to the Bill. I need …

I move amendment No. 57: In page 33, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: “Double Recovery 26. The Minister may, by way of regulations, ensure that the Minister can only subrogate claims from a relevant owner in excess of the full cost of a like for like replacement or remediation of a relevant dwelling. These regulations should allow for the relevant owner to recoup the shortfall between the grant and the full cost of replacement or remediation of the relevant dwelling while preventing the owner from do…

On a point of order, are we not going amendment by amendment, because-----

Perhaps we could just get through-----

I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “ “foundations” means the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level;”. Since I have the opportunity, I would like to say that we should be adults in this Chamber this evening and get through this legislation respectfully for the people. This is not politics, to a certain extent; it is about the people on the ground. Again, I believe that foundations should be included in the Bill. That is my only point.

I do not believe the point is very well made in the Bill. If I did, I would not have tabled the amendment.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 8, to delete lines 34 to 37 and substitute the following: "(11) For the purposes of making a recommendation, the Housing Agency shall consult with— (a) the local authority which made the request, and (b) affected homeowners’ representative groups, including nominated competent building professionals (as defined in Part 2 of this Act) and/or academic professionals with expertise in the fields of geology and materials science (of the homeowners’ choice), from the administrative area of…

I move amendment No. 8: In page 9, line 1, after "with" to insert the following: "affected homeowners' representative groups, including nominated competent building professionals (as defined in Part 2 of this Act) and/or academic professionals with expertise in the fields of geology and materials science (of the homeowners’ choice) from the administrative area of the local authority which made the request, and".

It is inappropriate that a Minister gets to determine the level of damage to people's homes to meet the requirement for inclusion in the scheme. It should be scientific evidence that determines that level of damage. None of us in these Chambers is qualified to do such a thing.

I urge the Minister to accept this amendment, more so than many others. When the grant does not completely cover the cost of reconstructing people's houses, homeowners should be able to downsize in order to fit the cost of the grant they are awarded. I am thinking in particular of pensioners and others of older age who are not entitled to a loan, as my colleagues pointed out. All present know that once one hits the age of 40, it is very difficult to get a loan from a bank. The last time I mentioned a person by name…