I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, after line 31, to insert the following: “Grounds for termination by landlord 2. The Act of 2004 is amended— (a) in the Table to section 34— (i) by deleting paragraph 3, and (ii) in paragraph 5, by substituting “, no reasonable measures can be taken to maintain the dwelling fit for human habitation during the refurbishment or renovation” for “in a way which requires the dwelling to be vacated for that purpose”, and (b) in section 35 by the substitution of the following for subsecti…

Like others, I hope we will get to debate all the amendments despite the short time available here and the very constrained timeframe for Committee Stage debate. I would like to speak in support of amendment No. 1. I indicated earlier that I would support it. There is a lack of clarity with regard to how other sites might be deemed appropriate and what criteria might apply for deeming them appropriate. I asked earlier that the Minister might give a reason for the clause referring to "alternative appropriate sites".…

I thank the Minister for his very full response on our amendments, Nos. 4 and 5. He referred us to section 7(1), but our concern in this regard is that a Minister is not required to take into account the assessments and conditions. Rather, it states "The Minister may". That is the basis for amendment No. 4, which would insert "Subject to subsection (2), the Minister may". We felt the legislation could be strengthened to give another layer of scrutiny in the decision-making process. We just want to ensure transparen…

The drafting could be strengthened without in any way changing the substance. I refer to a requirement specifying that, in considering an application made to him or her, the Minister shall take into account the assessments. This would strengthen the provision and give effect to it in the way the Minister has indicated. That is clearly his intention but it is just a matter of ensuring it is made clear in the text of section 7(1). The drafting could have been clearer to ensure that is the intent.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, line 26, to delete "The Minister may" and substitute "Subject to subsection (2) , the Minister may".

I move amendment No. 5: In page 5, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(2)(a) If the Minister proposes to approve a designated development, whether subject to conditions or otherwise, he or she shall before doing so move a draft resolution in both Houses of the Oireachtas— (i) setting out the particulars mentioned in paragraph (b) , and (ii) authorising the Minister to approve the development. (b) The particulars referred to in paragraph (a)(i) are— (i) a description of the designated development, (i…

It is unedifying to see any attempt being made in the House to engage in political point scoring on both sides on such a serious issue. It is fair to say that across Ireland, communities have been dismayed to see people fleeing the brutal war in Ukraine having to sleep on the floor in Dublin Airport. That is a matter of grave concern, dismay and distress to communities across Ireland that have been so generous in offering refuge to the thousands of people who have had to come here because of the brutal invasion of …

I thank the Taoiseach for indicating that he will engage formally with Opposition leaders and spokespersons on this. I welcome that. It is very important that we ensure the strong political support is there across the spectrum and across Opposition and the Government. We have seen divisions being sown in other countries over this issue and it is really important we do not allow that to happen here. That is really commendable. I also thank the Taoiseach for engaging with me on the Baggot Street hospital site. I have…

I will raise a very serious issue regarding water quality and supply in my constituency of Dublin Bay South. Over the last week, we have had a serious disruption to water supply to households, schools and businesses across Dublin 6 and Dublin 6 west with minimal communication from Irish Water, which is deeply frustrating for residents. In addition, residents in Sandymount and Irishtown have ongoing problems with water quality. I have seen alarming pictures of brown residue in the so-called drinking water coming out…

I thank the Minister. That is very welcome.

I thank the Taoiseach for updating us on his speech to the UN General Assembly. I know he raised the plight of Palestine. I also want to raise with him the ongoing situation in Palestine where we are seeing a very serious escalation of violence by Israel as part of a month-long military campaign in the northern part of the West Bank with more than 100 Palestinians killed so far this year. This intensification of violence is deeply distressing to see. Does Ireland intend to raise this further at the Security Council…

The Taoiseach will agree that access to women's reproductive healthcare is essential to well-being, in particular that of women and girls. I say this as we mark this week the tenth anniversary of the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar. Of course, since then, we have seen the repeal of the eighth amendment and the introduction of very welcome abortion legislation in this jurisdiction. The announcement yesterday by the UK's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the British Government would commission abortion…

I raised the situation in Iran with the Taoiseach last week and condemned the brutality of the Iranian regime against women and girls who have been asserting their rights. I received an extraordinary letter today from the Iranian ambassador suggesting there was exaggeration in my "emotive expressions", that I had been making loaded comments and that my contribution was characterised by misinformation. I take huge issue with the response of the Iranian ambassador and renew my call on the Taoiseach. How can we mainta…

I raise the terrible situation for women and girls in Iran. For nearly five weeks now, the Iranian regime has been using particularly brutal violence against its own citizens following the brutal killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16 September by the so-called morality police. We have seen the start of a new episode in a long and dark chapter of Iran's history. We have seen hundreds of Iranian girls and women beaten, arrested, tortured and killed in the protests that have ensued since. Some of these girls have b…

-----of the Iranian regime. I ask the Taoiseach to cut diplomatic ties with Iran, expel the Iranian ambassador-----

-----and take significant action internationally against the Iranian regime.

There was considerable controversy during summer in agreeing sectoral emission targets for the agriculture sector in particular. My colleague Deputy Sherlock called on the Government to convene a citizens' assembly on the future of agriculture and food production in Ireland. Would the Taoiseach and the Government agree with such an approach? It would enable a good conversation to take place on the difficult questions in respect of how to deliver a just transition to farming communities through lowering emissions an…

I asked about the thalidomide issue.

Yesterday, I raised the tenant in situ scheme with the Taoiseach. Will NESC and the Government look at how to strengthen that scheme as part of the package of measures, including the eviction ban, that will be necessary to keep people out of homelessness and to secure homes for families and individuals into the future? Currently, the tenant in situ scheme has too much red tape and there is inconsistency across different local authorities. Will councils be resourced to buy homes? Will they be given an instruction to…

The "Prime Time" special on O'Connell Street last night revealed the reality of what so many of us already know, which is that we have allowed the main street of our capital city to fall into decline. We also know, however, that policing is a problem across the city centre and not just on O'Connell Street. Indeed, in my area, in the south inner-city, many constituents have expressed serious concerns to me about safety. One local resident spoke about someone having been arrested outside his house who was wielding a …