I thank Deputy Ward for raising this matter in the House today. The Government recognises the environmental benefits of incentivising the uptake of transition fuels such as HVO in place of heavier pollutants such as auto diesel. While HVO has a part to play in the here and now, Ireland must, nevertheless, move to more sustainable methods of transport in the medium to long term. In relation to private transport the Government remains committed to incentivising the uptake of more electric vehicles, something which De…

I thank the Deputy for his further comments. As mentioned, the tax treatment of 100% HVO used in place of diesel is already incentivised through the tax system. On a VAT-inclusive basis, 23% less excise duty is charged on 100% HVO fuel when compared with auto diesel. The renewable transport fuel policy also sets out a pathway for the achievement of the climate action plan biofuel targets and EU renewable energy directive targets for an increased share of renewable energy in transport. This is achieved through the r…

I thank the Deputy for bringing forward this very important Topical Issue today on behalf of the parents and children involved. This Government is committed to the provision of additional special places for children with special educational needs. Budget 2026 has already provided funding for over 400 new special classes and at least 400 new special school places for the 2026-27 school year. It was intended this would create almost 3,000 new special education placements for 2026. This would be in addition to placeme…

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this issue. I note he has raised it on many platforms, not just this good House. I also note his advocacy for our local roads, but especially how important it is for those living in rural parts of our country who do not have access to regular buses or light trams. I thank him for tabling this Commencement matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I will bring back any arguments the Senator has to him. Local authorities are responsible, by statute, for the …

I thank the Deputy again. I outlined all the work the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is doing. It is important to remember the vast majority of students with a special educational need are supported to attend a school, most of them in mainstream with a cohort attending special schools. I once again acknowledge the parents. It is very important we bring issues like this to the House. I will make sure the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is aware of this school and that the NCSE reaches out to those parents a…

I appreciate the Senator's comments. I will make sure to bring these back to the Minister for Transport. I assure the Senator and the House that the Government is fully committed to the protection and renewal of our road network. Our vast interconnected road network is essential in connecting people, businesses and communities, so we must continue to protect it. As such, the Department of Transport allocates significant funding towards regional and local road maintenance and improvement each year. For those grant t…

I am taking the fifth Topical Issue proposed by Deputy Cahill.

I thank Senator Lynch for tabling this matter. The matter of infrastructure investment to support road safety, as well as quality of life for people who rely on the N22, is important to the Department. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, desi…

In line with the national development plan and Government policy, the Minister for Transport has allocated national roads funding in a manner that seeks to achieve the following outcomes: the protection and renewal of the existing national roads network; progressing major projects in or near construction; and progressing major projects that are preconstruction but well advanced in the development pipeline. It is important to note that, in 2026, approximately €138.66 million in capital Exchequer funding was allocate…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:" notes that the Government: — remains deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices; — is acutely aware of the impact on households and businesses of the recent increases in the cost of energy, and is actively monitoring the current geopolitical situation and its impact on costs; — has taken significant action to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy by in…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill 2026. The Bill introduces protections for those targeted by strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as SLAPPs. SLAPPs are abusive court proceedings which are not taken to assert a right or seek genuine redress but to prevent, restrict or penalise public participation by threatening and intimidating people or organisations engaged in public criticism or debate.…

I thank the 11 Deputies who contributed, namely, Deputies Ward, Gannon, Devlin, Ó Snodaigh, Kelly, Butterly, Callaghan, Collins, O'Donoghue, Tóibín and Gogarty. Many of the questions posed by the Deputies were answered by other Deputies, but I will do my best to go through many of the questions that were posed. Most of the Members raised the importance of the SLAPP legislation. The most recent data from the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe suggests that 34 SLAPP cases were filed in Ireland between 2010 and 2025. …

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)(b) and 188(1).

I thank Deputy Sheehan for raising this matter. He said he has raised it on numerous occasions in this House. He outlined the huge success rate of CCTV in Moyross and Limerick. CCTV across the country makes us feel more secure in the community and in our own homes. Community safety is a top priority for me, with delegated responsibility for youth justice, and for my Department. Everyone has the right to feel safe and free in their communities. Community CCTV plays a huge role in achieving this. CCTV in public place…

I represent a similar constituency with significant intergenerational disadvantage and intergenerational trauma. We do not have widespread CCTV in Dublin South-Central but I can absolutely see the benefit of it. The Deputy makes a compelling case for ensuring this deadlock in relation to funding is overcome. I will be certain to pass on his requests to the Department. The Government is progressing nationally a new framework for the authorisation and operation of CCTV schemes through Part 5 of the Garda Síochána (Re…

I thank the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion today. I thank the Before We Die campaign for leading this initiative. I am grateful to Lorraine Doyle, from Dublin South-Central, for having spoken to me. I met her in relation to the campaign. From my own experience, I know just how much energy it takes to advocate for someone you love. Believe me when I say that as a public representative it is much easier to advocate for people who you are not related to or do not have a vested interest in. I know th…

I take this opportunity to thank everyone here and acknowledge the constructive spirit in which Members have engaged with this Bill since 2022. There is a shared recognition across the Houses that this legislation will make a meaningful difference in people's lives, as described by Senator Nelson Murray. Today marks a significant step forward for cancer survivors in Ireland. This legislation will give people who have overcome cancer fair access to mortgage protection without being penalised for their medical past. …

This is a minor technical amendment to change paragraph (c) of the definition of the "biometric analysis" in section 43A to add the word "including". The definition of biometric analysis is intended to afford An Garda Síochána the ability to utilise automated recognition and categorisation of physical, physiological or behavioural human features of known and unknown persons for the purposes listed in the Bill. An added functionality of paragraph (c) is its use in locating a missing person. The addition of the word …

I thank Deputy Carthy for his support for this legislation. I also note the other issues he raised in relation to wider criminal justice and Garda issues. However, I will go back to discussing Deputy Kelly's amendment, tabled by Deputy Sheehan. The amendment made in the Seanad to section 43C(2) is to allow, where necessary and appropriate, An Garda Síochána, in the context of international co-operation, to utilise biometric analysis, subject to a code of practice. The code of practice must be laid before both House…

Live FRT will be dealt with in separate legislation. I believe we have sufficient guardrails in place in this legislation. The amendments from the Seanad pull international co-operation into the purposes for which biometric analysis may be utilised. This means that where gardaí wish to utilise biometric analysis in the context of international co-operation, the safeguards in the Bill will apply, including the use of tests that are necessary and proportionate, and that there must be human oversight. A written list o…