I thank Deputy Gibney for outlining very clearly why services need to be included in this Bill. I will further develop that case because the Government is making a fundamental mistake in not including services. I will outline some of the international law, practice and findings in relation to the West Bank and what is going on. It is deeply disappointing that the Government has decided to exclude services from the Bill. This effectively significantly reduces the impact of the changes. The argument that Blinne Ní Gh…

We want to raise an issue of deep concern to the community around Griffith Avenue, Glasnevin, in relation to a proposal – which seems to be going ahead – to sell the An Post depot on Griffith Avenue. This has been publicly advertised for sale. Will the Minister of State set out what is planned on this? We have a number of issues of concern to the residents. They really want to stop this happening.

I again express the deep concern we have for our constituents in Glasnevin and Drumcondra. This service delivery office has been an important local service for the community, and this is happening in the context of the removal of a number of local services like local transport infrastructure, bus changes, the closure of Whitehall Garda station, the loss of parking, restriction on transport and ongoing disruptions. This area also has an older demographic. Residents are deeply concerned that changes being made to ess…

I thank Independent Ireland for tabling this motion. As my colleague said, we would not agree with all the proposals set out, but this is an important debate that needs to happen. When we look at what is going on right now across the country, we can see that people are really struggling. They are not just struggling financially; they are struggling to get around on public transport and they are struggling with the lack of basic infrastructure. This is the fundamental problem. Ireland is not working for people. It i…

I am not sure whether we are speaking on all the leasuithe now.

Ceart go leor. Tá an ghéarchéim tithíochta sna Gaeltachtaí uafásach ar fad. It is time to give a direct role to Údarás na Gaeltachta to deliver affordable housing in the Gaeltacht areas. Táim ag tacú le Conradh na Gaeilge agus grúpaí pobail eile, ar nós Tintéan agus BÁNÚ, agus iad ag lorg cumhachtaí breise don údaras ionas go bhféadfadh sé talamh a cheannach ar mhaithe le tithíocht a sholáthar. It is very clear that the future of the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking community and the future of the language itself is …

I want to come back in on this. Fianna Fáil has had a history of developing housing in a very progressive way in the past. This is a time for new initiatives, a time for vision and a time for radical action on the housing crisis, nowhere more so than in the Gaeltachtaí. It is absolutely central that we listen to the organisations on the ground. Tá na heagraíochtaí Conradh na Gaeilge, Tinteán agus BÁNÚ ag lorg an róil sin don údarás. Tá ról láidir á lorg acu a thabharfadh cumhacht tithíochta don údarás. These organi…

An féidir liom teacht isteach?

Cén fáth?

I will not get caught with that one again.

Tairgim leasú Uimh. 11: Ar leathanach 13, idir líne 3 agus líne 4, an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach: " "(7A) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás talamh a cheannach, tithíocht a fhorbairt agus láithreáin sheirbhísithe a dhíol chun tithíocht a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht.".

Tairgim leasú Uimh. 12: Ar leathanach 13, idir líne 3 agus líne 4, an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach: “ “(7A) Tabharfaidh an tÚdarás tosaíocht do thithe inacmhainne a sheachadadh é féin sa Ghaeltacht.”.

Tairgim leasú Uimh. 13: Ar leathanach 13, idir líne 3 agus líne 4, an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach: “ “(7A) Ceadófar don Údarás tithe folmha agus tréigthe a cheannach go héigeantach sa Ghaeltacht ar mhaithe lena n-úsáid chun tithíocht inacmhainne a sholáthar.”.

I am broadly in agreement with the Bill. The expansion of the NTA is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the NTA has serious issues. If you speak to residents of my constituency in Finglas and Glasnevin, you know there are significant issues. It is one of the biggest issues I have had to deal with since I was elected. Complaints come into my office about the NTA and bus services. There is a real issue with the lack of accountability and engagement. There is a real issue about the connection between the NTA and th…

Will an tAire outline the role the Department plays in tackling dereliction, vacancy and the underuse of buildings in rural towns and villages and the plans he has in that regard? In particular, will he outline the way in which the Department is co-ordinating with local authorities and Departments to ensure that funding is linked to housing, transport and community services? Is fadhb an-mhór ar fad í seo.

Is fadhb an-mhór iad na tithe folmha agus tréigthe, agus na foirgnimh thréigthe freisin, i mbailte agus sráidbhailte ar fud na tíre. The State has failed, from Spiddal to Fermoy to Carrick-on-Suir and Loughrea. When driving around the country, I see so many derelict buildings. It is scandalous. It is such a shame for these towns, many of which I have visited. I visit relatives down the country and see this. Dereliction is still visible. The town centre first policy is clearly not working. The policies are not worki…

I want to respond to the claim about social media clips. That is disingenuous. I do not know whether a memo went around Cabinet to try to suggest calling out the Social Democrats for just doing this for social media. It is very demeaning to an elected Member of the Dáil-----

-----to turn around and say he is just doing this for social media. That is very demeaning and disregards the people who have voted for me and us. I am doing this because it is what I know and see. The Minister has pointed to areas that are working and where something has been done. I can point to just as many areas and towns where policy is not working and there are still derelict buildings. Is he denying that there are derelict buildings in towns and villages across the country? Derelict houses and buildings are …

I did not say "nothing". I said "not enough".

When?