I welcome the progress on the Government's Bill. I hope it will absorb the proposal I am putting forward. The cost to Irish households is already runs into hundreds of millions if not billions of euro because of these delays. I welcome the Government's general scheme. It contains 47 recommendations. I answered as to how my Bill would tackle those 47 recommendations, and I will submit my answers to the Minister. The technology is available. The Taoiseach mentioned battery storage, and I welcome that the Taoiseach me…

There are more jobs to be created. We could get hundreds of thousands of jobs-----

-----for welders, all types of technician and engineers and this is why it needs to be done.

I, too, would like to wish Sarah a very happy birthday.

I agree with the majority of what people have said. This was brought in during Covid. It was definitely a crutch for the hospitality industry. I represent north Dublin. Outdoor seating was recently closed on Drury Street and there is a constant attack on amenities in outdoor areas. At a time when pubs and people are under enormous pressure and we constantly sit at desks, getting out, sitting in the sun with your friends and having a meal, a drink or a pint should be encouraged. I, too, am worried about the number o…

I acknowledge the devastating tragedy on Burrow Beach in north Dublin at the weekend when a 15-year-old teenager sadly lost her life. My thoughts are with her parents, family and friends and the wider community. I want to respect the family's wish for privacy as they grieve their daughter. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis. This tragedy raises a serious public concern that we cannot ignore which is affecting areas in north Dublin and across Ireland. Summer is arriving earlier and lasting longer each year. In that…

It is no surprise that I am discussing energy costs again. The frustration I have today is that the Climate Change Advisory Council again warned the climate and energy committee that Ireland remained exposed to global fossil fuel shocks because of renewable roll-out. At the same time, I have been contacted regarding a proposed infrastructure crossing charge from an already built solar farm being applied by a semi-State body - an unpublished charging structure of €20,000 per megawatt. It is a ridiculous amount to be…

The North-South interconnector is now delayed until 2031. By Government estimates, it will cost up to €100 million. To tie back into what I was saying earlier, the semi-State company's own decarbonising strategy is dependent on 80% of renewables. The Taoiseach is aware of CIÉ. I did not get to the end of my contribution. On the North-South interconnector and private wires, these two were complementary to each other. The main thing is about taking the stress and strain off the grid while these interconnectors are wa…

The Taoiseach left me out.

Aontaím le go leor rudaí is a bhí an Teachta Toole ag rá, go háirithe maidir le daoine faoi mhíchumas. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbíonn muid ag smaoineamh faoi na daoine sin. The Minister of State is aware of the work of Ciarán Delaney in Cork. In Dublin, bíonn go leor daoine faoi mhíchumas ag cur glaoch ar m’oifig. Is é an rud is uafásaí ná a bheith ag éisteacht leis na scéalta sin, go háirithe nuair a mhíníonn siad go raibh siad ag iarraidh dul chun na hoibre an lá sin, but the bus came and there was already someon…

Gabhaim buíochas le gach Ball a labhair ar an rún seo. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Gibney as an leasú a chuir sí chun tosaigh. Nuair atá muid ag éisteacht leis an bpobal, tá sé sin thar a bheith important. Successive polls have shown a consistent majority in favour of neutrality. When we are discussing the triple lock, we need to be clear what it entails. I agree with an Teachta Callaghan about listening to the Defence Forces, but from my own research – the Minister can correct me if I am wrong – I understand …

Is ait an rud é seo dom mar gurb é seo an príomhrud toisc gur innealtóir mé. We have made huge progress in renewable energy generation, but there is growing concern that parts of our grid infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are struggling to keep up with that pace. Since August 2025, renewable generators have been reportedly dispatched down and curtailed, with some operators saying they are receiving no compensation despite supplying clean energy. At the same time, there are delays in implementing grid code re…

Not with apartments-----

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine agus aontaím le go leor rud a dúradh. I will start with the area I represent, Dublin Bay North. I have mentioned previously that Bull Island, in my constituency and a part of the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere, is one of the best places to go to clear the head. Sadly, we have lost the native Irish hare on the island. The last time it was seen was in 2016. The golf club on the island, St. Annes, still has the hare on its crest. I was talking to the club's greenskeeper recently. The Iri…

Has the Department commissioned an analysis of trends in landlord exits, reductions in rental listings or changes in small landlord participation following the introduction of rent regulation measures? I am cautiously optimistic that this will be a blip. Will the Minister provide details of available findings or regional trends where available?

It would be fantastic if we could and I hope we can. The housing crisis needs this. The RTB’s own data is telling us about the small landlords, those with one or two properties, who are leaving the market at an accelerating rate. To touch on the [ vacant above the shop grant ], I welcome the scheme and the work that has been done but I wish to ask a question about it because it does need to be re-examined. I know from speaking to the Department that it is currently being introduced and there may be amendments to it…

If we are trying to increase supply, the grant should be more beneficial when more units are being built. I was a councillor in Dublin city. I understand that the vacant and derelict register need to be updated. I am asking for an urgent review. Regarding the company ownership restriction on the vacant above the shop grant, the Minister acknowledged, which I welcome, that passive surveillance by people living above shops reduces antisocial behaviour. That would be very beneficial. People I represent are waiting for…

Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine a bhí ag caint inniu ar son an Bhille seo, agus i gcomparáid leis sin, gach duine a bhí ag labhairt faoi na rudaí atáimid tar éis a dhéanamh ar son na Palaistínigh. Tá mise ag iarraidh labhairt chun a bheith cinnte go dtuigeann an tAire nach bhfuil an méid ama atá caite againn ag déanamh athruithe don Bhille atá an Seanadóir Black tar éis obair na gcapall a dhéanamh air maith go leor. I am supporting this Government as an independent. I said multiple times that it is how I believe I c…

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. In my opinion, there is one simple choice. Do we trust women? This is a very personal decision, it is a healthcare decision and women must be placed at the centre of it. An abortion is not something any woman or any couple enters into lightly, and by the time that decision has been reached, there has already been reflection, and there has already been discussion, fear, emotion and heartbreak. This is why the mandatory three-day waiting period is wrong. For many wom…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter. I want to bring it down to what matters for north Dublin. The strategy is listed in the programme for Government. It sits at the centre of the road safety plan. It is fundamental and will protect lives. It is about the drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and families who have lost loved ones in the constituency I represent and nationally. In recent months, Dublin Bay North has seen arson attack after arson attack. I would love for some of the CCTV footage to be used by …