It was good to welcome the Taoiseach to Fairview yesterday for the Land Development Agency, LDA, sod turning at Richmond Village, which involves 779 homes within a close shout of the city centre. The tenancy mix has not yet been determined. Does the Taoiseach agree that affordable homes for purchase is probably the best way to give citizens a stake in their communities? Does he agree that while the LDA has this mandate, in theory it probably could be strengthened further, although it will involve resourcing? Will h…

I join colleagues in underlining just how important it is that we get this Bill right. The Critical Infrastructure Bill is really important legislation for this Dáil. We in Ireland are living with the legacy of many years of underinvestment in capital infrastructure, as my colleague has said. We see it very clearly in the lack of essential flood defences in particular in so many constituencies across Ireland. My colleague, Councillor Clodagh Ní Mhuirí, has highlighted the need for climate adaptation projects at loc…

The proposed new Garda headquarters for DMR north at Northern Cross is a project has been in the works for several years now. In my first speech in this Chamber, I raised this issue as a priority for the growing communities on the north side, in Belmayne, Balgriffin and Clongriffin. Despite the money being allocated in the sectoral investment plan in December, which I welcomed, it seems we are no closer to getting all our ducks lined up. We have been told again and again this year that the Office of Public Works, O…

We had very severe flooding in the basements of apartments in Clongriffin during Storm Chandra some weeks ago. There is a bit of a question over whether the emergency response payment scheme actually works for apartment dwellers. In following up with the Department, we got a response saying that the Department does not track addresses against claims under the ERP. It is very difficult to understand how we could determine whether a scheme is working or not, particularly when handing out State support, when we are no…

Unfortunately, Deputy Tóibín is gone. Twice he asserted that the Government had burned through 200 million tonnes of carbon in the past two weeks. I would love to see him stand that allegation up. It seems like an enormous figure. First, I welcome confirmation from the Tánaiste that the Government is planning to take action on the issue, that a plan is being worked on at the moment, that decisions are to be taken at the next Cabinet meeting and that whatever will be done will be targeted. I want to ask Sinn Féin ho…

Where is Sinn Féin’s targeting of its proposal at those who need help the most?

What programme of activity would Sinn Féin cut-----

I am sorry, Chair-----

Is féidir liom críoch. I have no legislation. I have a motion.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Níl aon reachtaíocht agam; níl agam ach rún.

What programme of activity would Sinn Féin cut to pay for these reductions? As the Opposition finance spokesman well knows, the estimated cost of reversing carbon tax increases in the past two years is well north of €300 million. That money directly funds energy upgrade works, schemes for those in or at risk of energy poverty, the fuel allowance, the working family payment and several other vital schemes. It is populist politics but poor policy-making. It is easy to make assertions like that from over there but gov…

He moved it at the start.

I was behind him at the start. He did move it.

It has been a tough enough number of weeks for many families and school communities. I, like other Members of this House, have heard from parents across north Dublin who had serious and understandable concerns that their children would lose essential care and support ar scoil. While I welcome that this matter has been resolved for now, we must do better. There are clear lessons for the Government. It is not acceptable that parents of vulnerable children are left searching for answers online, on social media and lis…

My question today is about the significant energy cost pressures that many have felt in recent months and the impact that has in particular on SMEs across the country. What measures is the Department taking to acknowledge the increased energy costs on businesses? Will the Minister of State make a statement in that regard?

As part of the engagement at the climate committee - Deputy Pa Daly will attest to this - we had representatives of the business sector in talking about the barriers they face in transitioning and achieving climate targets. One of the points they raised was how little consideration is given to cost proofing of climate plans and transition measures to get across to a low-carbon environment, particularly for SMEs. They mentioned low visibility of costs for all the different plans and the affordability of the energy t…

I agree with that. The committee also looked at energy affordability in December. Interestingly enough, the ESRI was of the view that there was not a particular issue with price gouging because if there was, you would expect to see a lot of new market entrants into the Irish energy market if there was a lot of profit to be made. It did not seem to see that. It was an interesting observation from the ESRI at the time. Once again, I encourage a very sharp focus on the costs of the energy transition for small business…

Mar a dúirt Teachtaí eile, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire as ucht a poist nua. Go n-eirí léi. Tá muid ag súil go mbeidh muid ag oibriú le chéile chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh. I want to get an update from the Minister on the pilot single application system for post-primary school admissions.

It is good to hear that the pilot across the 15 schools is progressing well. It is also a good idea that we trial a system like this with schools and learn across a few different areas before we do it nationally. Families, and parents in particular, know how difficult it is to secure a school place for their children, especially those seeking special education places. This is going to be particularly relevant and important in that area. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, mentioned earlier the amount of…

Duplicate school applications are an area where this could help because parents are naturally applying for multiple schools and schools think every application is a bona fide application. While it is, not every child will show up for every application in every school. That is where a system like this would be helpful. I look forward to hearing about the feedback later this year and the pilot being rolled out. I might follow up directly with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, separately in relation to that part…