While not directly included in the action plan, I have a question about the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025, particularly the right-to-be-forgotten provision for cancer survivors seeking mortgage protection insurance, as alluded to by the Minister of State. Will he confirm that mortgage providers will embrace that provision? Has there been any dialogue, input or feedback from them in this regard?

I have pressed the Tánaiste on this before, as I have done his predecessor. I reiterate the fact that asset values are rising and have been steadily rising over many years. This applies particularly to the family home. At the same time, families are smaller and, as my colleagues are saying, it is not always a direct inheritance from a parent to child. Sometimes, it goes elsewhere in the family or even outside the family. In light of the fact that prices and incomes are rising, I stress that there is absolutely no i…

Has any engagement by the Department occurred with the insurance sector following recent severe weather events, including both Storm Bram and Storm Chandra? These storms have caused real damage and anxiety for many households that are now trying to cope with the aftermath. Could the Minister of State outline what specific engagement has taken place to date and how the insurance sector is responding to these interactions?

I thank the Minister of State. As more claims are processed, households now fear that making a valid flood claim could lead to exclusion from further insurance cover or sharp premium hikes, which compound their vulnerability to future weather events. I met many of these households and families over the last few days and weeks in Dublin Rathdown, which was particularly hit by the recent Storm Chandra. These families understand the sector's challenges, but they need protection against being priced out or dropped enti…

I appreciate the Minister of State's and the Department's proactive interaction with the insurance industry. Will he confirm whether his Department's engagements with the insurance industry have included discussions about the role insurers could play in preventing future flooding? In particular, has he explored the possibility of insurance companies contributing in some way to resilience measures such as funding local flood prevention works, supporting community level defences, or even co-operating on schemes that …

This is my first Dáil engagement with the Tánaiste in his position as Minister of Finance. I take this opportunity to wish him all the best in that role. I look forward to working with him in his capacity as Minister into the future. What, if any, plans does the Tánaiste have in place to examine either the rates of capital acquisition tax or the relief thresholds for gifting or inheriting?

Inflation has risen sharply in recent years. Nowhere is this more evident than in urban areas, particularly in Dublin. The median house price in the capital now stands well above the €400,000 group A CAT threshold, yet there has been no recent adjustment to this threshold to reflect this mismatch between asset value and tax policy. This discrepancy often results in a difficult outcome where an individual inheriting a family home from a parent suddenly faces a significant tax liability. This often forces people to e…

Individuals who are childless, by choice or otherwise, now make up nearly one in five adults but are effectively penalised under the current capital acquisitions tax regime. Without children to access the larger group A threshold, they are relegated to the much lower group B limit of €40,000 applicable for siblings, nieces and nephews, or even just the €20,000 under group C for all other cases. This means a third of the substantial value of an inheritance, which is often a family home, is paid out in tax liability.…

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Supplementary Estimates before the House today for the Department of Taoiseach and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. I understand that these proposals are not about allocating new funds for fresh initiatives or discretionary spending. Instead, they represent essential expenditures that arise from legal obligations. These obligations come from decisions taken by independent bodies that operate beyond the direct control or influence of the Government. Specifically, …

Four out of five suicides in Ireland are male. This figure is deeply distressing and behind every number is a man, often young, often in the prime of his life, whose loss devastates families, friends, and communities across the country. Every one of these deaths leaves a ripple of grief that stretches far beyond the immediate circle. It not just a statistic; it is a husband, a son, a brother, a team-mate or a colleague. Ireland has shown leadership in this space before. We were the first country in the world to pub…

Ukraine applied for EU membership in February 2022 and was granted candidate status not long after that. Since then, significant progress has been made, with the screening progress reportedly completed in September 2025. Will the Taoiseach provide an update on the current status of Ukraine's accession talks, progress made on any required reforms - if that information is available - and the key milestones that remain? Precisely how is Ireland supporting Ukraine's accelerated integration into the Union, especially in…

Internationally recognised digital hubs like Station F in Paris have profoundly transformed their local and regional economies by attracting start-ups, venture capital and cutting-edge innovation ecosystems. The Government has signalled strong backing for digital hubs as cornerstones of Ireland's economic competitiveness and future growth. Sandyford Business District is at an advanced stage of planning its own large-scale digital innovation campus. This is uniquely suited due to its strategic location, quality infr…

In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in Russian drone incursions into airspace of several EU member states. These were accompanied by threats to energy and transport infrastructure. Both the European Parliament and the Council have called for a stronger, more co-ordinated EU response including potential joint air defence measures, tougher sanctions and new protocols to address aerial and hybrid threats. Could the Taoiseach outline Ireland's position in these ongoing EU discussions? Specifically, is Ireland adv…

I note June is a non-VAT-due month yet receipts so far have been relatively robust, with cumulative VAT up by €0.6 billion at €11.6 billion, albeit reportedly about €100 million below profile. Will the Minister comment on the significance of these figures?

While the increase of €0.6 billion in cumulative VAT receipts is encouraging, there are signals of underlying volatility. VAT is approximately €100 million behind profile, as I stated. Although modest in percentage terms, that may indicate emerging trends. Will the Minister elaborate on what the Department interprets as the trend in VAT collection so far this year? Specifically, does the Minister anticipate receipts will realign with projections or could the gap widen as the year progresses? The programme for Gover…

In light of the urgent issues in housing supply, IBEC recently proposed that the Government address apartment construction viability directly by reducing VAT on new-build apartments by 5% and discontinuing development levies on such projects. Its analysis suggests these actions would reduce direct State-imposed costs at a cost of about €86 million, which is less than the shortfall between VAT receipts and the departmental profile. Given the number of apartment completions has reportedly fallen considerably this yea…

Could the Minister confirm the number of taxpayer units that have made claims for the rent tax credit since its introduction in December 2022? With budget 2025 further increasing the credit to €1,000 for individuals and €2,000 for jointly assessed couples, will the Minister comment on the scale of uptake and effectiveness of this credit in supporting private renters and make a statement on how it fits within the Government's broader strategy to assist those struggling with high rents?

We are all acutely aware of the persistent challenges facing renters. The rent tax credit introduced in budget 2023 at €500 has been a tangible intervention for people grappling with higher rental costs. This credit was subsequently increased to €750 and reached €1,000 for individuals and €2,000 for couples in budget 2025. Since its inception three years ago, it has offered meaningful assistance to many, easing pressure from rising rents and providing relief for thousands of families and individuals. Recognising th…

The Minister will probably appreciate that most of the questions he is asked between now and October will be to seek his plans for the upcoming budget. Could he provide an update in the meantime on the overall awareness and uptake of the rent tax credit since its launch? My understanding is that the Department of Finance estimates that around 400,000 renters are eligible to claim this relief. In its initial year, some 250,000 to 270,000 taxpayer units made a claim for the credit. By early 2024, claims across the fi…

With the rapid advancement of commercial drone technology, Ireland is witnessing increasing interest from companies seeking to launch drone delivery services. I note in particular a proposed operation in Dundrum which has generated significant public attention and raised questions about the adequacy of our current regulatory framework. Given concerns around safety, privacy, noise and the integration of drones into the suburban environment, I ask the Taoiseach to outline the steps being taken to ensure robust regula…