Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I move:

Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2023 (without debate)

- Statements on Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine (not to exceed 3 hrs 47 mins) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Local Authority Housing Maintenance and Repair, selected by Sinn Féin.

Wednesday's business shall be: - Motions for Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024 [Votes 1 to 6] (back from Committee, to be moved and decided together by one question, without debate)

- Motion re Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024 [Votes 16, 29 and 34] (without debate)

- Motion re Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of the Health Act 1970 (Section 45(3)) (Classes of Persons) Regulations 2024 (without debate)

- Motion re Opt-in to Directive on Combating the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse Material (to conclude within 57 mins)

- Motion re Extension of Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (to conclude within 57 mins)

- Research and Innovation Bill 2024 (Amendments from the Seanad) (to commence no earlier than 4.30 p.m. and if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 5.39 p.m. or after 1 hr, whichever is the later)

- Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 (Report and Final Stages) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 9 p.m. or after 3 hrs 21 mins, whichever is the later) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Neutrality and the Triple Lock, selected by People before Profit-Solidarity.

Thursday's business shall be the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 (Second Stage) (if not previously concluded, to adjourn either at 5.45 p.m. or after 4 hrs 1 min, whichever is the later).

Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Commission for Future Generations Bill 2023, sponsored by Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh.

In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:

(i) the Dáil may sit later than 10.32 p.m.;

(ii) in the event the Taoiseach is unable to attend for questions pursuant to Standing Order 46(1), the allocated time for Government business may commence at the time when such questions to the Taoiseach would normally be taken: Provided that the time allotted to Government business shall also be extended in accordance with the arrangements for the Statements on Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine; and

(iii) private members’ business may be taken later than 6.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine, with consequential effect on the commencement times for Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Education, and topical issues;

2. the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2023 shall be taken without debate; and

3. the Statements on Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine shall not exceed 3 hours and 47 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply thereto:

(i) the arrangements for the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the arrangements agreed by Order of the Dáil of 30^th July, 2020, for 3 hours and 20 minutes, and the Resolution of the Dáil of 20^th September, 2023, providing for two minutes for non-aligned members, save that the time allotted to the first Government speaking slot shall be extended to 45 minutes;

(ii) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and

(iii) members may share time.

In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that:

1. the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the extent that the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m. and shall adjourn on the conclusion of the weekly division time, which may be taken later than 8.45 p.m., and shall in any event be taken on the adjournment of proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022, or where those proceedings conclude within the allocated time, on the conclusion thereof;

2. the proceedings on the Motions for Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024 [Votes 1 to 6] shall be taken without debate and the motions shall be moved together and decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair;

3. the proceedings on the Motion re Presentation and Circulation of Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024 [Votes 16, 29 and 34] shall be taken without debate;

4. the proceedings on the Motion re Proposed Approval by Dáil Éireann of the Health Act 1970 (Section 45(3)) (Classes of Persons) Regulations 2024 shall be taken without debate;

5. the proceedings on the Motion re Opt-in to Directive on Combating the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse Material shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 57 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply thereto:

(i) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:-

- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State - 10 minutes;

- speech by representative of Sinn Féin - 10 minutes;

- speeches by representatives of the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People-Before-Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group - 5 minutes per party or group;

- speeches by non-aligned members – 2 minutes; and

- a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; and

(ii) members may share time;

6. the proceedings on the Motion re Extension of Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 57 minutes, and the following arrangements shall apply thereto:

(i) the order of speaking and allocation of time shall be as follows:-

- opening speech by a Minister or Minister of State - 10 minutes;

- speech by representative of Sinn Féin - 10 minutes;

- speeches by representatives of the Labour Party, Social Democrats, People-Before-Profit-Solidarity, the Regional Group, the Rural Independent Group and the Independent Group - 5 minutes per party or group;

- speeches by non-aligned members – 2 minutes; and

- a speech in response by the Minister – 5 minutes; and

(ii) members may share time;

7. the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the Research and Innovation Bill 2024 shall commence no earlier than 4.30 p.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 5.39 p.m. or after 1 hour, whichever is the later, and shall not be resumed on Wednesday; and

8. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 9 p.m. or after 3 hours and 21 minutes, whichever is the later, and shall not be resumed on Wednesday.

In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that:

1. (i) the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders shall be modified to the following extent:

(I) topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the adjournment of proceedings on Second Stage of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, or where those proceedings conclude within the allocated time, on the conclusion thereof;

(II) Thursday evening business, i.e., Second Stage of the Commission for Future Generations Bill 2023, may be taken earlier than 8.12 p.m. and shall in any event be taken on the conclusion of topical issues, with consequential effect on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and

(ii) the Dáil on its rising shall adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 11^th June, 2024; and

2. the proceedings on Second Stage of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned either at 5.45 p.m. or after 4 hours and 1 minute, whichever is the later, and shall not be resumed on Thursday.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the Order of Business agreed?

Deputies:

Not agreed.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy McDonald.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise again the issue of safety in Dublin city centre. Sadly, today, we have had another incident on Parnell Square where children have been left frightened and traumatised. People who live in the inner city of Dublin and its communities are sick and tired of the ongoing antisocial behaviour and the sense of threat and dread, sick and tired of the lack of support and services, sick and tired of Government hollowing out these communities and sick and tired of the fact the Garda resource is stretched beyond imagination.

They are absolutely incredulous of the fact that the Government claims the city centre is safe. I am very sorry to tell the Taoiseach - I say this as a proud Dubliner - that is not the case. We need serious action and proper investment of resources. The Taoiseach had a lot to say about setting up a task force in respect of Dublin. We have heard nothing back on that, and today we have circumstances in which small children and their parents are now very afraid again, which is not acceptable. We need statements on this and we need a concrete plan from the Government once and for all.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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We need a debate and legislation on ethics in public office. This is long overdue. We are nearly a decade on from the Mahon tribunal. Ethics are not optional extras. We have now had another example of "go away" money from a developer given to, in this case, a candidate in the local elections from the Taoiseach's party. I know the candidate in question has said she is suspending her campaign but she will still be on the ballot paper with the Fine Gael logo beside her name. The Taoiseach is still relatively new. What will he do in terms of legislating in this area? When will we have the debate? What does he say to the constituents of rural Drogheda about the candidate who will be on the ballot paper with his party's logo beside her name?

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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We need a debate on climate targets and how we will deal with our emissions in this Dáil. Today, for the second year in a row, the Environmental Protection Agency has said that even if the Government implements all its policies, it will still meet only 29% of the reductions it is meant to meet, as opposed to the 51% target. What we see from this Government is spin over action. As regards the warmer homes scheme, it is taking two and a half years for people's homes to be completed. We have a Minister four and a half years into a term who is now announcing an infrastructure package and electric vehicle charging points, when there was a target and they were needed years ago to ensure people could move to EVs. We are in a crazy situation where we have so much talk, press releases and spin about what the Government is doing on climate but the reality and evidence are very different. We need the Government to move on climate action now and to commit to make sure it is doing what it says it is doing.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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A number of weeks ago, the Housing Commission the Taoiseach set up issued a damning report about the failure of Government policy to address the absolutely dire housing and homelessness crisis. We have been asking since then for a debate on that report. We were led to understand last week that such a debate would take place, yet it is not on the schedule for this week. Given the absolute anger and despair being expressed by hundreds of thousands of families affected by this housing crisis, particularly in the teeth of elections, it looks as if the Government does not want this debate in advance of the local elections because the report is so damning. That is outrageous if it is the case. There is room on the schedule later this week to have a discussion on that report. We got indications from the Government that we would be allowed to have that discussion, so the Government should allow for those statements this week, before the local elections take place.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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I raised again last week the migration treaty not being scheduled for debate here today. We tried on the Business Committee to have it included. There is time on the schedule, so the Government is deliberately hiding and burying the migration pact until after the local and European elections because it is getting it on the chin everywhere. It is the same situation with the hate speech legislation. That is also buried until after the election. Of course, the Government will not even mention the WHO pandemic treaty, which is being derailed, no thanks to the Government because it gladly went along with it. Why is the Government trying to evade debate in this House about a burning issue that is out there for everybody who is knocking on any door or going near any area canvassing? It is the number one issue, as polls have shown.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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No, they have not.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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We have a situation now in Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Dundrum House Hotel, which was housing Ukrainians, with 60 international protection applicants going in there now as well. All over the country, in every town, village and hamlet, this is going on and the Government will not debate it in this House. We have had two debates thanks to our Private Members' time, one lot of statements and no other debate about it here in the past 15 months.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have been briefed on the incident which took place in the north inner city this morning. I understand An Garda Síochána has made an arrest. I thank An Garda Síochána for its swift and effective response to this incident, but I am also sure that people who were in that area, particularly children who witnessed this, would be very distressed. Thankfully, nobody came to physical harm, which I know we all welcome, but I understand An Garda Síochána has maintained ongoing patrols in the area, including at both opening and closing times for educational facilities.

I call on any witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward to the Garda. There has been an arrest made. The city centre task force has been established and is due to report in July. David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, has been appointed to chair it and I am sure can engage with interested public representatives in the House.

I am happy to have a debate on ethics in public office. We will get an update from the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on any legislative proposals in regard to that. The Cabinet today agreed to several hundred amendments to the planning Bill that will come back to the House on, I think, 11 June. One relates to that issue of spurious objections or seeking money from developers to withdraw an objection, which is never acceptable.

On climate targets, the Business Committee can seek how best to do this. There are always lots of requests for lots of important debates. I am very happy to have a debate on this. The EPA figures today, as that agency will acknowledge, do not fully factor in or model in a number of initiatives, including our biomethane strategy approved by the Government today and other initiatives such as traffic plans around our city. There is a demanding agenda in relation to climate but I am happy to have a discussion because there are reasons to be positive. We are seeing retrofitting numbers soar. They are up 80% in one year. Our fuel use for heating fell considerably in 2023 as a result and we need to build on that positive momentum.

In relation to the Housing Commission, we would love to debate it with Deputy Boyd Barrett because he was almost giddy with excitement in here last week about it. I would love to know if he supports all the 83 recommendations. I do not think he does. I do not think he supports reference rents.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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If we get a chance to debate it, we can discuss that, as promised.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I get a chance to speak too, if that is okay. I do not think he supports reference rents, incentives for landlords or any private investment fund.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I do support reference rents.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There are 83 recommendations. The Minister has published our view on each one of them.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I campaigned for reference rents.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Maybe the Deputy will do the same in relation to his. We can certainly have that debate but there was a lengthy debate on Housing for All in the House as recently as last week. Unfortunately, some Deputies decided to adopt a position on the report before they read it.

To respond to Deputy McGrath, I have never known someone who is against something-----

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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We will have a debate then. You promised a debate last week. When?

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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This is utterly damning.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please allow the Taoiseach without interruption.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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When?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Boyd Barrett, the Taoiseach is responding to Deputy McGrath.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I just asked him when.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have just answered. We are not having another a debate this week. We had one last week. We have lots on the agenda this week. If the Deputies want to schedule it for the Business Committee, they should go for it.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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We tried at the Business Committee and you voted against it.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have never known anybody to be as enthusiastic about wanting something to come back into the House to vote on, which he is so vehemently opposed to. I have never known somebody so eager to have the Government table something for adoption which he wishes to reject.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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You are hiding from the debate.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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That will come back in due course at a time of our choosing.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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The people will let you know.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Are the proposed arrangements agreed to? Agreed.

We move to questions on policy and legislation.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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There were 113 patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick yesterday; the figure is 110 today. At the end of April, the Taoiseach deployed a HSE support team to the hospital to address pressures on health services in the mid-west region. A month on, nothing has changed. University Hospital Limerick remains in a constant state of emergency and is under huge pressure every single day. The Taoiseach needs to stop with the window-dressing and take real action to make a difference. UHL needs 288 additional beds. We need the Government to fast-track them. UHL is short of the staff it needs. The Government needs to lift its dangerous recruitment ban. The mid-west needs a real health plan, including increased step-down and community beds and a review of the closure of Ennis and Nenagh emergency departments. The people of Limerick and the mid-west deserve better than the chaos the Government is delivering.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have never heard the former Chief Justice Frank Clarke described as "window-dressing" before. He is carrying out a major report into UHL. The fact the Government has appointed a former Chief Justice, the top former judge in the country, to look into the situation outlines the seriousness we attach to a number of concerning incidents which have happened in the hospital. We have seen record levels of investment and staff and have now asked HIQA to carry out a review, including - to address the Deputy's point about the region - whether there is a need for a second emergency department in the mid-west.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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We will need to debate the Housing Commission report. It is a big document but we will need to do that very soon. There is stuff that can be done quickly, which needs to be done and which would, I am sure, have agreement on all sides of the House. I am referring to recommendation 52.5.b on the raising of income limits for access to social housing supports and the cost rental scheme.

The limits were reviewed a couple of years ago but they are out of date. In the last week, councillor Brendan Ryan and I have spoken to people who may not be able to take a job for fear that they will lose their place on the council list. If they did, they would not qualify for any other housing supports. This could be done quickly. I ask the Taoiseach to do so.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Smith. I look forward to a full debate on the report of the Housing Commission. I appreciate the practical point the Deputy makes about things that could be done quickly. As he says, social housing support income levels and income levels for other schemes have been increased. We need to be alert to any kind of poverty traps where people trying to work find themselves falling outside the scheme. I will ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the Deputy with an update on his plans in this area.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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I ask about investment funds buying up housing. Early this year, 85% of new-build homes in Belcamp Manor were bought up by a fund. The Government's 10% stamp duty on bulk purchases is clearly not working and is not stopping this practice. Earlier this year, the Government voted down a proposal from the Social Democrats for a 100% stamp duty, which would effectively eliminate the bulk purchase of homes. The Minister for Finance has said that he is not going to increase the 10% stamp duty any time soon, yet yesterday the Taoiseach said there was plenty of scope to do more in this area. How much longer is it going to take the Taoiseach to make up his mind on this? When is he going to act? Will he increase the 10% stamp duty to a more effective rate?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy knows, we have taken two measures already, namely, the higher stamp duty rate and the planning changes brought in by the Ministers, Deputies McGrath and O'Brien, respectively. We are continuing to keep this under review. That is what we voted on in January. I said we would continue to examine it. My party also put it in our manifesto yesterday for the local elections. Generally, these matters are addressed at budget time.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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All eyes are on Rafah. The Taoiseach spoke earlier about the horrific scenes that the world watched - children being burned alive who had fled from elsewhere in Gaza, like a million other people, to Rafah before being targeted by Israel. Can the Taoiseach tell me whether any Irish-exported technology was used in the preparation of that massacre or in the close to 40,000 other deaths? Regarding the AI targeting that is happening, is any technology exported from Ireland being used in that? We know that more than €70 million worth of technology which can have a dual use was exported from Ireland. It can be used by the military. It was exported to the Israeli state, the defence industry or companies with connections to the defence industry? That has been given licence by the Irish State. We know that since 7 October last, technology worth €32 million has been exported. The Taoiseach said earlier that it is not enough to condemn and there needs to be action. Can the Taoiseach, at the very least, stop the issuing of export licences for dual-use goods to Israel?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have no knowledge in relation to that but we are acting as a Government. We are taking practical actions on a constant basis to support humanitarian aid, to try to bring about a ceasefire and peace, to recognise the State of Palestine, to work at a European level in relation to the association agreement and to recognise that the best way for peace for Israel and Palestine is a two-state solution.

Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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I raise the issue of the agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, a support scheme for farmers. The scheme has two main shortcomings. First, as we are all aware, the weather was horrendous up to a few weeks ago so a lot of the work initiatives are behind time. Second, there are some outstanding payments, even from last year, for some farmers. I would be grateful if the Taoiseach could raise this matter with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Two things could be done. First, some more flexibility should be introduced into the scheme and, second, any outstanding payments should be honoured promptly and in full.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Berry for raising this issue. I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to revert directly to the Deputy.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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We all want to respect the hedgerows and biodiversity but ladies and gentlemen are going around in cars and vans taking on the role of officers of some State body or something. They are part of an NGO which is intimidating ordinary workers driving machines, cutting hedges for health and safety reasons by order of the county council and sometimes for farmers to stop cattle from going over the ditches when the fences are being contacted by briars and weeds. These people are pulling in, causing a danger to traffic and the tractor operator and telling them that they are breaking the law. I understand it is the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, that deals with this. I commend the NPWS officers for engaging with contractors and farmers and being reasonable. We have no time in this country for NGOs that want to act as legal people to try to bully people out of their jobs.

They bully contractors and farmers. This is a shocking situation from a funded NGO-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you, Deputy. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, will respond.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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-----that people can do this and take the law into their own hands.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I am not sure exactly what issue the Deputy is referring to. Certainly, he is correct regarding the role of the NPWS in the enforcement of the Wildlife Act, which is currently under review in my Department in respect of hedge cutting and other issues. If the Deputy provides the information to me, we can certainly investigate the matter for him.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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Several deadly US Airforce Osprey aircraft crashes have taken place in recent years, one of which occurred in June 2022 when five US marines were killed in southern California. Following this, the US Marine Corps published its investigation on 21 June 2023 which stated that the mishap was due to an unpreventable mechanical failure and not any error on the part of the pilots, crew or maintenance personnel. Despite the publication of this report, a US military flyover, including Osprey aircraft, flew over Dublin as part of an American football event in the Aviva Stadium on 25 August 2023. This was just two months after the publication of the crash report and just two days before a further three marines were killed when their Osprey aircraft crashed during a training exercise off the northern coast of Australia. Three months later, eight airmen were killed in another crash in Japan. Following this, the US military grounded all its Osprey aircraft until the beginning of this year. Did the Minister know about this report published by the US Marine Corps in 2023-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy's time is up.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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-----before Osprey aircraft were given permission to fly over Dublin in August that year? If not, why not? If so, why was this allowed before the safety recommendations were implemented?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Pringle for raising the issue. I am sorry I do not have information to hand on it but I will ask the Minister to answer the Deputy's question directly.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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On 1 January this year, the limit for derogation was reduced from 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha. Individual farmers are finding it very hard to calculate their exact position. With banding and the allowance for feeding low-protein feeds, they find it hard to know what their exact stocking rate is. Will the Department of agriculture send a statement to each farmer in derogation for each month from June onwards in order that farmers can know the exact position and will not exceed the new imposed limit?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is a very sensible suggestion from Deputy Cahill. I will convey it to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to revert to the Deputy. The next big thing on which we all need to unite and pull together is making sure we maintain the derogation. The first step in Ireland's national effort regarding that is the European elections on Friday week when we need to elect MEPs who understand the importance of it.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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Some 3,800 homes are due to be built on the Irish Glass Bottle site yet only 350 of them will be social housing. How can the Government justify the low level of social housing and the unaffordable but so-called affordable homes on that site? The Government needs to buy more social housing and genuinely affordable homes instead of allowing 75% of them to go to private ownership and almost certainly be bought by private vulture funds. It needs to ensure that people who live and work locally are prioritised so they can continue to live and work in their community. When will contracts be signed? Will the Government ensure that it and Dublin City Council purchase extra social and affordable homes on this site?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Andrews for raising the issue regarding the Irish Glass Bottle site. This is an issue which the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has also raised. I will ask the Minister for housing to come back to the Deputy directly on the point he made around the affordable and social housing on the site.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I have raised this issue a number of times previously. Up to 10,000 people in east Cork have been subject to boil water notices on and off for almost eight years now, through no fault of their own. This could cost some families up to €500 per annum. Will the Government consider providing some compensation for families towards the cost of this given it is the fault of the State in not providing adequate drinking water as it should? I am told it will be at least another 22 months before the problem may be resolved. It is an extraordinary expensive for some families who must buy plastic bottles, boil water and so forth. It has gone on for about eight years now.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the issue. I can hear the frustration in his voice on behalf of his constituents in east Cork. I will ask both Uisce Éireann and the Minister for housing to come back to the Deputy and me on this matter.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I raise the issue of sound barriers on motorways. There is major development around the Dunkettle interchange.

While that is most welcome, with that development comes increased traffic on the roads and the greater likelihood of noise to emanate from that. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is up to TII to provide sound maps periodically. It does that but when the sounds are found to be above the acceptable norms and decibel levels, there is no provision for the TII to provide noise barriers or other mitigating measures it may deem necessary. It says it is the role of the county council. The county council says there is no fund for it to draw from to provide those mitigating measures. I am acutely aware of the timing coming up to the budget. I ask that this be given consideration. I would like the Taoiseach's opinion on the matter.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, tells me it was raised with her last week, I think, in the Seanad. It is an issue the Government will look at. I am conscious, regardless of where the responsibility lies, that it is a real frustration for people. In the run-up to the budget, let us see if we can address this. I will ask the Minister for Transport in the first instance for a review.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I have raised previously the atrocious condition of local roads across rural communities including in my county of Monaghan. Local roads are in the worst state seen in decades because the Government has underfunded councils. It now appears that rather than addressing the shortfall at a time when the Government is increasing fuel costs, we have been told by industry that TII plans further unexpected cuts to road projects. It seems the Government hoped this news of cuts would be kept under wraps until after the local elections. I ask the Taoiseach today whether the Government intends to provide councils with the additional funding they need to restore our local road network or if it is the case that the Government proposes to reduce the number of road projects being completed this year.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We intend to invest more in roads, the TII and local authorities including in Cavan and Monaghan.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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That is not what it is telling the industry.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I expect news very shortly.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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I also raise the issue of dual-use exports to Palestine. As has been said, since 7 October, €32 million worth of dual-use export licences have been granted. In granting a dual-use export licence, the Department of trade is supposed to consider the human rights record and respect for international law of the destination country. Surely, since 7 October, everything we have seen would suggest that there is no respect for human rights or international law. Equally, everything we have seen in the brutal occupation of Palestine would suggest that there is no respect for human rights or international law by the Israeli Government. I do not understand how we are still granting licences to export €32 million worth of dual-use goods to the Israeli Government. In light of the recent ICJ ruling and the brutal assault on Rafah, surely we should review our dual-use licensing.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter. I believe this matter falls within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, in the Department. I will talk directly to the Minister of State and come back to the Deputy.

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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There is a commitment in the programme for Government in relation to sanctions for contempt of court violations against social media companies. The Taoiseach will recall that the last time I was a backbencher, I brought forward a Private Member's Bill regarding contempt of court. It is important that we prevent any conduct that abuses, prejudices or obstructs the administration of justice. It is vital that we move this forward and fulfil our commitment in the programme for Government. It has been on a statutory footing in the UK since 1981. It has been called for on many different occasions, including by the Law Reform Commission and the former Chief Justice, Susan Denham. The Jobstown trial many years ago is not something we want to see again. I ask that it be expedited in the programme for Government, I hope, through this Administration.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I know Deputy Madigan has had a long-standing interest in this issue and I thank her for raising it. I am eager that any outstanding issues in the programme for Government are advanced and progressed. I am sure the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, is working on this. I will get an update from her for the Deputy.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I am glad the Minister for Social Protection is beside the Taoiseach. She might be able to answer this question. She recently announced changes to jobseeker-related benefits. I was contacted by a woman from County Mayo who has worked 30 hours a week cleaning a school for eight years. Every summer, she is forced to sign on. She told me she dreads the summer, every year is a struggle and she sometimes waits all summer for the payments to be sorted. Something has to be done for the many people like her who, through no fault of their own, will be left without pay during the summer.

I ask the Minister how the changes to the jobseeker's pay-related benefit affect the many workers like her, and in her situation?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am glad to announce I have approval from Cabinet for the pay-related jobseeker's payment. I think that is a step in the right direction. It is to protect people so they will not have a cliff edge drop in their income if they are unfortunate enough to lose their job. I will start to bring that legislation through the Dáil this evening. I take the Deputy's point about the particular people who are laid off during the summer months and will outline those issues when I address the Dáil later.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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It is really important as there is a lot of anxiety around that.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach is aware that the Government will be seeking the advice of the Attorney General on whether constitutional referendums will be necessary if Ireland is to sign up to the WHO pandemic treaty and to the EU migration pact. Has the Attorney General offered any views on these matters yet? Second, does the Taoiseach agree with me that whether or not constitutional referendums are required, these changes are of such fundamental importance that the opinion of the people should nevertheless be canvassed? There is provision, specifically in Article 47 of the Constitution, for referendums to take place on matters that do not involve an amendment to the Constitution.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will have to seek an update from the Minister for Health on the WHO pandemic treaty. I am not personally aware of any advice in that regard. On the EU migration pact, I am confident of the ability of the Government and the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt in and there will be no legal requirement for a referendum. We are certainly not proposing one but we are proposing plenty of time in this House for people to debate and tease through the provisions. We obviously also provided extra time to the justice committee, at its request, to consider it.