Before I speak on this important Bill, I want to echo Deputy Wynne's words in expressing my thoughts and sympathies to the injured PSNI officer, John Caldwell, and his family, friends and community on the terrible news of the shooting last night in Omagh. I also note that tomorrow we are marking one year's anniversary of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. I know we had a moment's silence in this House earlier to mark that. I commend Deputies Wynne and Andrews for bringing forward this important legislation whi…

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Yesterday, the Taoiseach revealed to me in this House that the Government will make a decision on whether to extend the eviction moratorium in the next two to three weeks. The current moratorium will end on 31 March. By the Taoiseach's own account, the Government is giving itself until 15 March to make a decision. However, people across the country have already been given notices to quit and many families are counting down the days until they will be without a home. Does the…

We can disagree about the name of the package of measures the Government announced yesterday. However, I would like us to at least be able to agree that those in rental accommodation should be given some clarity about when the announcement will be made regarding whether the eviction ban will be extended. Will it happen before the St. Patrick's Day recess, for example? People deserve to know this. This is not just a call coming from the Opposition. We saw The Business Post reporting warnings from Grant Thornton that…

I wish to express my disappointment at the way this is being handled by Government. As it happens, the Labour Party was happy to sign up to the original draft of the motion circulated to us by Government. We believe it is very important that all of us, on a cross-party basis, express solidarity with the people of Ukraine in the way that was originally intended. When that motion was not agreed, we understood a new version might be circulated for statements tomorrow. This announcement was made by the Minister of Stat…

I express, in strong terms, my disappointment and concern at the way this has been done. For those of us who signed up in good faith to the original text of the motion - I have now read the Government's proposed motion that just came through - it is most inappropriate that there is such a short timeframe for Opposition leaders to prepare significant enough speeches of five or ten minutes. This is most unfair and it is most unfortunate to do this about such considerably important issues. As the Ceann Comhairle said,…

I want to raise the serious news that Google has announced that it plans to cut 240 from its Irish workforce. My thoughts today, like those of all of us, are with those individuals who are affected by this announcement and with their families. Of course, the job losses will impact those employed by Google within my own constituency of Dublin Bay South, in particular, where Google has a very significant presence. Indeed, it has a significant level of engagement with local communities in Ringsend, Irishtown and aroun…

I thank the Acting Chair for his forbearance. There is a severe lack of competition in parts of the Irish banking sector. While new fintech platforms like Revolut have mounted a challenge to the existing banks, there has been a concentration of power in the hands of fewer big banks in respect of areas like mortgages and business lending. This is a concern. There are also serious concerns about interest rates on mortgages for those whose loans were sold to vulture funds. My colleague, Deputy Nash, has proposed more …

The Taoiseach said he has no plans for fundamental reform of the Office of the Attorney General. I ask that the Taoiseach look at the Bill my colleague, Deputy Nash, and I drafted to reform the Office of the Attorney General. The Bill in question is currently with the Bills Office for review. In it, we propose several much-needed changes to the Office of the Attorney General. First, the Attorney General would be required to have regard to the overall public interest, not just the narrower legal interests of the spe…

I do not think so. We have advice to the contrary.

We know that the key risks facing the country now include the risks associated with the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. I know we will be having statements on this issue shortly. Of course there are also risks arising from the economic consequences and rising inflation rates. A key risk in Ireland that is of our own making is the risk caused to our economy, economic growth and jobs by the lack of availability of housing. This risk has been identified by IBEC and Grant Thornton, as we saw in the Business Post la…

As we mark the first anniversary on Friday of Russia's brutal and horrific invasion of Ukraine just one year ago, I am proud to speak on behalf of the Labour Party. I start by paying tribute to the immense courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people as they have experienced the horrific firepower of Russia over the past year. I pay tribute to President Zelenskyy, his Government and our friend here in Ireland, the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Larysa Gerasko, for her steadfast advocacy on behalf of her country and h…

As homelessness figures continue to break records, we know many people are entering homelessness from the private rental sector. It is nearly two weeks since the Dáil debated a Labour Party Private Members' motion putting forward eight constructive measures to alleviate the worst effects of the housing crisis, including the extension of the eviction ban. The Government voted against our motion then and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage did not even attend the debate. There is a second Private …

In today's mini-budget, which is not a mini-budget, we will see a decision to bring forward more one-off payments. This is an admission that the Taoiseach and the Government got it wrong in budget 2023 and that wages and social welfare payments in particular are still too low. After these new one-off payments are made, the reality is that incomes will still be too low and will not keep pace with inflation and skyrocketing prices. We know 1 million people have fallen into poverty and one in five working people is of…

What work is being done to ensure greater Government co-ordination in policy decisions being taken at Government level with regard to the accommodation of refugees and those seeking asylum and international protection? For months, I have consistently raised the need for a more co-ordinated approach on the part of Government to the provision of accommodation and of information to communities throughout the country that are offering such a warm welcome to those who came here to seek refuge. We have called for a publi…

It was subsequently rolled out by the states.

We welcome the establishment of the citizens' assembly on drug use, but I ask the Taoiseach about the status of the commitment to establish a citizens' assembly on the future of education. Is there a timeline for its establishment and will it examine both the future purpose of the education system and the issue of separation of Church and State within the education system? Second, building a better society is a strategic priority of the Taoiseach's Department. In that context, I ask whether the Taoiseach is aware o…

I wish to raise two specific issues. In October, the Labour Party brought forward a motion calling for pay rises for workers in the community and voluntary sector, in line with Building Momentum. Indeed, the Fórsa national executive has backed a proposal for strike action in section 39 agencies funded by the HSE. At the weekend, the Minister for Health announced €81 million in once-off funding for providers but that will not address the long-term pay issues. Will the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditur…

Governments of the world can be split between those who are climate leaders and those who are climate laggards. All of us want to ensure that Ireland is in the first category rather than the second, showing leadership on climate and not lagging behind others. Let us look to some examples of leadership by different governments. In Wales, the Labour Government has taken the radical decision to halt future road-building projects due to climate concerns. In France, the Government is moving to ban short-haul flights whe…

No comment. When we are asking people to come along the way with us to a net-zero future, we need to see the Government introducing climate action policies which will show benefit in the short term. We need to see carrots and not just sticks. We need incentives and not just sanctions when it comes to climate action. Yesterday, the Taoiseach confirmed to me during Leaders' Questions that the "I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-a-budget" mini-budget will be launched next Tuesday. We will hear some clarity then as to the measur…

First, I echo the Tánaiste's words on Ukraine as we approach the first anniversary of this horrific and brutal war. I will be speaking at the Ireland For All rally this Saturday to show solidarity with those who have come here seeking refuge. I also look forward to speaking at an event on 24 February, organised by the Ukrainian community, to mark the anniversary of the brutal war. In his response to me on the measures to be introduced on Tuesday, the Tánaiste has given no reassurance as to their environmental impac…