I have often spoken about the need for multi-agency action to be taken in relation to dealing with the issues of security, safety, antisocial behaviour and criminal activity in real terms, whether in Dublin, Dundalk or anywhere else. I agree with what Deputy Moynihan said. We were all taken by Grace Lynch's parents in relation to the issue scramblers. We heard from the Garda Commissioner about the fact An Garda Síochána would need a framework to operate in, even if it had the training, the drones and all the other …

Also the social media companies.

It is an incredibly worrying time for artists. They are watching as their painstakingly produced works are used without permission to train generative AI that is then directly competing with them. No permission is sought, no payment is made and it is a huge infringement of copyright. It is downright piracy. Not only that, but these AI programmes can produce content in a fraction of the time and with a fraction of the effort. I listened earlier to Danny O’Donoghue from The Script speaking about this on RTÉ. He summe…

He replied that he expected that we would be there in our brown boots and Stetsons. I said I would do my best. That is the reality we are dealing with. We have to ensure that State agencies and semi-State companies do not continue to use artificial intelligence to produce what should be done by artists and is actually stolen from artists. I commend Deputy Ó Snodaigh on an obair uilig atá déanta aige fá choinne ealaíontóirí agus na healaíne. Caithfimid cuid mhór oibre a dhéanamh. The Minister of State has made promi…

The conversation on Irish unity is well under way, but there is no point saying this was not a disappointing week for those who have an interest in furthering that conversation and making sure the preparatory work is done. A considerable number of people in the North felt let down. We are talking about sensible preparations, a Green Paper and a citizens' assembly - a forum instructed by that Green Paper as a means to have the conversation on what a united Ireland would look like. At the end of the day, a united Ire…

How about the Tánaiste working along with this House?

I also commend the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on the work it has done. I thank its members for being here in the Gallery. Like everyone else, I commend Cian and Jordan Adams on the spectacular work they have done in shining a light on dementia, particularly frontotemporal dementia. Early onset dementia has a huge impact on families. It had a huge impact on Cian and Jordan's family when they lost their much-loved mother, Geraldine, at 52. I cannot imagine the impact that had. I was very taken with something Cian s…

The Minister of State would probably say she was a very sensible woman. It was a very difficult situation for my father but St. Oliver Plunkett nursing home was the right place for her to be. It is about providing supports but also about doing the work as regards research. If we can help to save people like Cian and Jordan from the likes of FTD, we need to do so.

I thank Deputy Quaide and the Social Democrats for tabling this motion. I commend the Before We Die campaign, particularly Tony Murray, his wife Susan and their daughter, Aoife. Before We Die is aptly named. At the disability committee, many people have spoken about the fact that many parents feel frustrated and are incredibly worried about what will happen to their adult children with an intellectual disability. They are not sure what the future holds and some even say they feel incredibly guilty because they thin…

We have all had discussions in this Chamber about the genocidal action of Israel with the backing of the United States and the absolute madness of where we have found ourselves. It is particularly painful for those in Lebanon and Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. When we do have the Presidency, it is a means of moving on as much as we can in respect of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and, if we can, getting movement. I have heard from the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Taoiseach …

I have no doubt the Minister of State himself is disappointed by the move that has been taken by the Government and particularly by the Taoiseach. The Tánaiste seemed more open to a dialogue across the House on coming up with a solution for making those preparations, which are absolutely necessary. We are only talking about starting a journey, which should have started a long time ago, to deliver on Irish unity.

I have to agree with Deputy O'Gorman. Everyone in this House accepts the fact that Israel has been involved in genocidal and criminal actions that are unforgivable, whether we are talking about Gaza or the continuation of huge settlements that will break any possibility of a future Palestinian state. I have stated it many times that this is obviously what Benjamin Netanyahu wants to do, Sometimes, there can be an over-focus on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. They are who they are and what they are, but he is the guy who put…

What we are looking for is quite simple, namely, that the occupied territories Bill be as strong as it can, which obviously includes services. Given what Israel has done and continues to do, be it in Palestine or Lebanon - those who want a greater Israel seem to be at the forefront of politics there at this point in time - we can all see that it is a matter of us ensuring that we play our part. It is good to see that others who should have moved faster are now moving or considering moving. That is what we have alwa…

Deputy Ó Broin spoke about how the Planning and Development Act 2024 was meant to be the be all and end all and that there would be no need for all these updates. That is not the position we find ourselves, however. I echo the complaints made by Deputy Ó Broin and others about this legislation being rushed. While we can accept that there are technicalities that need to be dealt with, this is just not the way to do it, particularly in circumstances where Committee Stage amendments needed to be submitted prior to Sec…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the ongoing industrial action at Oberstown. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss consolidation of leases from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to Howth Yacht Club. Deputy Ruth Coppinger - To discuss the sudden closure of an English language school in Limerick. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the development of B…

I raise the issue of the industrial action being taken by staff at Oberstown Children Detention Campus. The facility looks after some of our most vulnerable children who have found themselves in a particular set of circumstances. Care is provided by social care workers and supervising officers both day and night. At maximum capacity, the centre can hold 42 boys and four girls. Since Thursday, 25 June, Fórsa members have been operating a work-to-rule measure after a ballot for industrial action received 91% support.…

I ask that the Minister of State go to the Minister, Deputy Foley, and reiterate the point that this issue, first of all, should not have got here. This is abject failure. We all accept that it would be a difficult place to work and there would be very difficult situations. We are talking about children whom a determination has been made to detain. It frightens me when we hear about assaults on staff and insufficient safety for those who work there and the children detained there. This is not working. The only the …

I am delighted to get this opportunity to contribute to the debate. We know there are huge opportunities in relation to the European Presidency. We know we are in a very volatile world with an awful lot of circumstances changing by the minute and hour. It is fair to say that for all of the positives of the European Union, there are failings. There has been much talk about the failures of Europe, and we can go back to the financial crash and the fact we were not necessarily shown the solidarity we should have been s…

I ask the Minister for an update on the work of his Department to counter money laundering in the State. I am sure that, no more than me, he has been contacted by many people, particularly parents, where kids have been stupid, got messages on the Internet and fallen stupidly into being a money mule, or even other scenarios where they have fallen in with their friends and been used and abused to a degree. In some cases, it is small numbers but still significant, but in others, huge sums have been put through people'…

The Minister is right. It is about getting the message out there that as much as somebody might stupidly fall into this, the ramifications for their future life can be serious, as they should be. It is not only kids who are involved in this. We are talking about some highly sophisticated operations. There is huge money in the drugs business. We know the huge impact it has on individuals and communities. The impact on communities is the reason the Committee on Drugs Use came up with the recommendations that it has. …