I am grateful for the consideration of the motions today and thank all Senators for their contributions, in particular those in support of the motions. The threat from terrorist activity remains, including from dissident republican paramilitary groups, that warrants the continuation in force of the 1998 Acts and provisions. Likewise, the renewal of section 8 of the 2009 Act is an important contribution to the overall framework of measures aimed at tackling organised crime. Every Senator knows the appalling damage c…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the European Union an…

I reiterate what I said in my opening remarks, which is that the essential priority for the Government in our immigration laws is that they are robust and enforced. People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there obviously must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so. Returns and readmission are fundamental pillars of the comprehensive and credible EU policy on migration. The European Council has consistently emphasised the need for a u…

We are actually engaging in an initial stage which, as the Deputy fully knows, will come back afterwards to the House for full discussion, if we choose to opt in at the end. While the numbers coming to Ireland from Kazakhstan are low, and I accept the point made about applications for international protection in 2022 and the five applications in 2024, opting into the Council's decision to open negotiations on readmission with Kazakhstan would further demonstrate Ireland's commitment, which is important, to a common…

We are not outsourcing to the EU. We are part of the European Union. It is important that we acknowledge that and a common approach is the best, which is why we have opted in to the European asylum and migration pact. It is also worth noting, in light what seems to be a presumption that we are automatically bound by any agreement resulting from negotiations, that the aim is simply to give the Commission a mandate to negotiate with Kazakhstan on a readmission agreement. At that point, once an agreement is finalised,…

All the Government has done with regard to deportation flights is to see the process through, and it is important to recognise that.

There is no desire by the Government to initially move to things like deportation flights. They are an end part of a process where we actually believe people have been given an opportunity to voluntarily return at the start, and for people to engage in leaving in other ways.

It is a complete misrepresentation of the Government's position to say there is somehow any glee or joy in-----

-----communicating on deportation flights, but they are part of it. What we are doing here, as I said, is a process of engagement. I would ask, therefore, that the House would support this exercise for Ireland's opt-in in respect of this measure. I thank the Deputies for their consideration on this important matter.

The motion seeks Seanad Eireann’s approval to opt in to a European Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a readmission agreement between the European Union and Kazakhstan. Readmission agreements play a valuable role in the fight against irregular migration by facilitating the admission to their own country of persons residing without authorisation in a member state. They facilitate and expedite the enforcement of return decisions in respect of irregular migrants and may also function as an in…

In my closing remarks I will highlight what I highlighted in my opening remarks, namely that an essential priority of the Government is ensuring its immigration laws are both robust and enforced. People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so. Returns and readmission are fundamental pillars of a comprehensive and credible EU migration policy, and the European Council has consistently emphasi…

I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this matter today. It is important to note that as Minister of State with responsibility for migration, I do not comment on individual immigrant investor programme applications. In general terms, I can inform Deputy Whitmore that my Department does not receive or hold funds at any stage in the IIP process, nor does it have any role in the administration of an approved project or investment fund. This is a private matter between a potential investor, or investors, and a potential …

If Deputy Whitmore is quoting Fine Gael Ministers it is very important that she does so correctly.

To continue to answer Deputy Whitmore, I am aware that applicants and projects are anxious to receive a decision on their applications. I assure her that the IIP unit in the Department is committed to ensuring that all applications are examined on their own merits and endeavours to conclude decisions in a timely manner. The IIP unit continues to communicate with projects seeking to benefit from investments made in connection with IIP applications, and more specifically with regard to how the terms of the programme …

We will get it to Deputy Whitmore.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me an opportunity, on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, to outline to the Dáil its current position on Scoil an Chroí Naofa in Ballinasloe, County Galway. This project is included in the Department of Education and Youth’s construction programme which will be delivered under the national development plan, NDP, as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an adva…

I will bring that back to the Minister on the Deputy's behalf. I know there were delays with this relating to a change to increase the number of classrooms, as well as proposals by the local authority to alter the road layout and access. This necessitated a new planning application, as I am sure the Deputy is well aware. The final grant of that planning permission for the project, as currently designed, was received from the local authority in September 2023. Under Project Ireland 2040, the Department of Education …

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the Department of Education and Youth’s plans for upgrading school buildings, including CBS, New Ross, County Wexford. As the Deputy is aware, the school had an enrolment in 2024 of 413 pupils. This represents an increase of 4% in the past five years. The Department approved significant capital funding for the school under the additional school accommodation scheme in 2019. The approved project wa…

I take the Deputy's remarks on board and will bring the issue to the attention of the Minister. As I outlined in my earlier contribution, a range of projects are being delivered across the school area. The priority is for the Department to ensure that there are places available for every student for the next school year. In the context of that and the points the Deputy has made, I will bring his views back to the Minister and make sure she is aware of them.

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for giving me the opportunity to reply to him on this issue. The Government is providing €325 million in 2025 for local authorities to buy second-hand properties, with a particular focus on the tenant in situ scheme, where tenants in receipt of HAP or RAS receive a notice of termination. While the clear focus of the Government must remain on increasing the supply of new-build social and affordable homes, a targeted social housing acquisition programme has been, and will continue to be, an …