I will make some comments about the EU migration and asylum pact. This pact strengthens fortress Europe, and what has fortress Europe done? More than 3,000 human beings lost their lives in the Mediterranean last year. Between the years 1993 and 2023 there were more than 50,000 documented refugee deaths as a direct result of fortress Europe, which the Government and its allies in Europe now want to strengthen. Why do people flee their homelands and travel often dangerous journeys to come here and to other European c…

The Irish Property Owners Association issued a call on Monday for the abolition of rent pressure zones. It was backed by the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers whose chief executive, Mr. Pat Davitt, said, "many, many landlords are renting ... their properties way, way under the rent". They are not getting market rent for their properties and, "The market needs to relax and let those properties into the market at market rent - that’s all we’re asking." Mr. Davitt is hoisted by his own petard there. If…

There are currently delays of up to four or five months to obtain an appointment for an Irish residence permit at the Cork city immigration office at the Anglesea Street Garda station. This is causing havoc for people from outside the European Economic Area, including problems with employers and landlords and with opening bank accounts. For some, it makes it impossible to travel home for family emergencies such as the death of a parent or a serious illness of a child. There were nearly 9,000 non-EEA nationals livin…

For the third week in a row, I raise the issue of water in Cork city. The privatisation of water has proved disastrous in the UK. Creeping privatisation is proving disastrous here now. When Cork City Council was responsible for supplying water to households, the water, as a general rule, was clean and safe. When Uisce Éireann took over and hired a private company to design, build and operate the new Lee Road waterworks, things began to go wrong. Some €40 million later, the water is dirty and discoloured thanks to a…

The survivors suffered abuse; they suffered trauma; they suffered pain. They were children and now most of them are elderly. They feel strongly that this Bill does not represent justice and genuine redress. They are right. It is important that their critical voices are heard in this discussion. Tom Cronin, a member of the consultative forum said, "The Government is using this Bill to masquerade the fact that it is ignoring the views of survivors once again. The Government repeatedly consults survivors and then igno…

George Nkencho was shot dead by an armed garda in his family's front garden on 30 December 2020. He was shot five times - twice in the back. Yesterday, we learnt that the garda who shot him will not stand trial. George's grieving mother, his sisters and brothers, a working-class migrant family, will now have to fight a long and hard battle for justice - even for basic information - as many others have had to in the past. On Tuesday, the State apologised to the Stardust families. The House rose in standing ovation a…

Standing Orders state that a Member shall not be prevented from raising in the Dáil any matter of general public importance. It is matters of public importance that I intend to raise.

This case was always going to be a litmus test for the State on how it treats the issue of race.

In 2024, Ireland is not the land and Dublin is not the city of 100,000 welcomes for migrants or people of colour. A racist riot shook the city last November. A migrant was killed some weeks ago for speaking his own language. What message does a decision not to even send this case for trial send------

I am stating a fact when I say-----

Ceann Comhairle-----

Will I be given my time back?

I will not.

I will be censored on the floor of the Dáil for raising opinions-----

-----that are matters of legitimate public debate.

The rules of the House state-----

The rules of the House state-----

-----that a Member shall not be prevented-----

-----from raising any matter of-----

-----general public importance------