This question asks about the construction sector group that is currently undertaking the roll-out of modern methods of construction, MMC, if the Minister of State would like to discuss the issue.

The construction sector group was established by the then Department for Public Expenditure and Reform in 2018 and was a collaborative effort on the part of State and industry. Things like that are very welcome, especially if they serve a public purpose. The group has tried to promote the transition to sustainable construction, known commonly as MMC. The group has produced many good reports. The technology testing centre in Galway has opened, which I welcome. I understand what the Minister of State has said and the…

I completely agree with the Minister of State about the role that MMC can play. However, we know that the percentage of homes being built by MMC remains very small. I do not think the State has created the demand for MMC. We know the industry itself is still in its infancy and it will not grow sufficiently fast unless we are willing to nurture it. That means creating the demand for those services and seeking the help of those services to deliver homes. There are approximately 100 MMC providers in the State but only…

This question relates to an update of the legislation the Government will be bringing forward in respect of freedom of information, FOI, requests.

An issue I have raised with the Minister previously, and that I hope he will look it, relates to the appeals process. We are all aware that people sometimes put in FOI requests that are refused or the information is redacted and after an appeal, that information becomes available. We need to consider that in terms of transparency. FOI is there to provide as much transparency as possible. That kind of thing should not be seen as creating barriers for people to get that information. Most people look at it in good fai…

Deputy Shortall's amendment is a positive one, and I take on board what she said about smaller parties having the ability to engage. That is a valid point. If she pursues it, I will follow that with interest. The amendment, which will require the gathering of more information with regard to details of payments received or fees charged, could be very helpful and it would be interesting to be able to look at it from a departmental point of view and see whether, within certain Departments or in regard to particular le…

I welcome this amendment. The Minister and Deputy Shortall will be aware of my own Bill and the amendments I submitted on Committee Stage, which were not accepted, which proposed to introduce criminal sanctions for criminal infringements. As I argued then, I do not believe administrative sanctions would be a strong enough deterrent. I also proposed shortening the review period of the legislation because as I pointed out then, lobbying is a fast-paced industry and technology develops quickly. Communication can be fa…

I welcome the fact that we are having this discussion on the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022 and, indeed, the work credit unions are doing at the moment and continue to do. It is very important, of course, that we listen to what the credit union sector has been saying regarding the powers and ability it has. I have a particularly keen interest in the issue and I have been quite vocal about the reforms this sector needs to help it not just survive but thrive. I am a proud member of my local credit union and I hav…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make certain amendments to the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 and the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995; and to provide for related matters. I am delighted to be introducing the Standards in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2023 with my colleague Deputy Buckley. Cuireann sé an-áthas orm an Bille seo a chur chun cinn le mo chomhghleacaí an Teachta Buckley. This is another significant piece of legislation we have worked on together in respect of t…

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

For the information of the Dáil, the Minister had to step out to deal with an issue to do with the shooting in Omagh. He gave his apologies ahead of doing so.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh as an ábhar seo a ardú. Tá rud amháin a chaithfidh mé a rá. Nuair atá mise ag déileáil leis na hoileáin agus cúrsaí tithíochta sna hoileáin, tá sé dochreidte cé chomh dona is atá sé faoi láthair, ach go háirithe i dtéarmaí cúrsaí pleanála. Is minic a fheicim ar na hoileáin go ndeirtear linn nach bhfuil daoine in ann pleanáil a fháil mar nach bhfuil nasc acu leis an áit, cé go bhfuil siad ina gcónaí ann an t-am ar fad agus ag obair ann. Tá fadhb mhór againn. Ansin tá na …

Is dócha go bhfuil an cheist seo soiléir ón méad atá inti. An bhfuil plean ann na comharthaí a athrú ó "Inis Mór" go "Árainn"?

B’é an cheist ná an bhfuil an t-athrú sin chun tarlú i mbliana, fiú ar roinnt de na comharthaí. Tuigim an méid a tharla agus a raibh ráite ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga. Caithimid cuimhneamh go bhfuil go leor staire ag baint le logainmneacha agus go bhfuil tábhacht ollmhór ag baint leo. Sin an fáth gur ardaíodh an cheist seo liom agus leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga. An bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire cé mhéad comhartha atá i gceist anseo? An athrófar cuid de na comharthaí sin i mbliana? Fiú más rud é nach bhfuil ach cúpla ceann…

Beidh an obair ar bun i mbliana mar sin agus is rud maith é sin. Is féidir fáilte a chur roimhe sin. Mar a dúirt mé, tá tábhacht stairiúla ag baint le logainmneacha. Tá sé suimiúil do thurasóirí fiú é sin a thuiscint agus an t-eolas sin a bheith acu. Freisin, do dhaoine sa cheantar, léiríonn sé go bhfuil meas á thabhairt ar an nGaeltacht, ar Árainn agus ar na hoileáin nach iad. Is rud fíorthábhachtach é sin agus tá a fhios againn go raibh dualgas orthu é sin a dhéanamh. Is maith an rud é go mbeidh sé sin ag tarlú i…

Iontach. Beidh sé ar ais i mbliana.

I saw yesterday how the Government was in celebratory mode. It was celebrating that Ireland has the fastest growing GDP in all the EU. I am sure this news must have come as great comfort for all of those currently struggling to pay their bills. I am sure all those anxiously waiting for the eviction ban to be lifted must have slept a little easier last night. I am sure spontaneous street parties broke out among the 11,000 citizens who are homeless. In the mind of this Government, the boom times are getting even boom…

The ECB hiked interest rates four times in 2022. It has already hiked rates this year and it is still only February. In line with its policy of forward guidance, it has already indicated that it intends to raise rates by another 50 basis points in March. That means a crisis for many mortgage holders. The Minister will be aware, and I am sure that people tell him in his clinics, in his local shops and at the butchers, about the real pressure they face as a result of these rises. These are people who are now coming o…

The Jenin refugee camp is home to more than 22,000 Palestinians. These refugees were expelled from their original homes in 1948 during the Nakba. Last week, the Jenin refugee camp was subject to another attack which has been described as a massacre. Ten residents, including two young children, were murdered. The Israeli attack was reminiscent of a previous large-scale assault on Jenin in 2002 when Israeli undercover forces dressed as civilians entered the camp in private vehicles with Palestinian numberplates and p…

When our young people and children ask for help we should be able to give them the support they need. We are very lucky to live in a society that has become far more open about mental health and mental health struggles. It is good to see that a generation of young people are growing up who are willing to speak out and say when they need support. It is devastating, therefore, to see so many children failed by the very body that is meant to help them. Different issues with CAMHS have been laid bare again in recent we…