Visit of Moldovan Delegation

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov was welcomed to Leinster House alongside Minister of State Deputy Byrne and colleagues.

Industrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2026: Report Stage

Opposition amendments sought to prevent IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland grants, consultancy support, loans, investments, land transactions or company formation from benefiting military-related activities, arguing the Bill would enable a covert shift away from neutrality and towards the European arms industry. The Minister of State rejected the amendments, insisting the measures concern green and digital transition, competitiveness and job creation, are unrelated to military matters, and retain existing safeguards.

Migration and Citizenship: Statements

The Government outlined a strategy for a fair, rules-based and sustainable migration system, including faster asylum decisions, expanded State accommodation, a managed transition from Ukrainian temporary protection and a national migration and integration strategy. Proposed citizenship reforms would increase the residence requirement from five to eight years, introduce language and civic requirements, and address self-sufficiency, bringing Ireland closer to European practice. Opposition speakers supported managed migration and enforcement but criticised poor planning, accommodation pressures, delays and the proposed citizenship changes, particularly their impact on people already established in Ireland. Several called for transitional arrangements, stronger community engagement, better integration and closer co-operation with Britain on the Common Travel Area.

Road Safety: Statements

Road safety was identified as a Government priority following a recent rise in fatalities, with 141 deaths recorded by late September 2026. The Minister outlined the second road safety action plan, including 30 km/h urban limits, expanded safety-camera enforcement, improved collision-data sharing, learner-driver reforms, e-scooter restrictions and measures against dangerous driving, scramblers and wrong-way motorway use. Senators called for stronger Garda roads policing, better rural-road maintenance and infrastructure, faster low-cost safety works, improved education targeting young men, and greater protection for vulnerable road users. Concerns were also raised about nitrous oxide use while driving, unsafe school zones, disqualified drivers and the need for better public transport and rail investment.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Ring of Kerry road repairs

Deputy Cahill welcomed funding for the Ring of Kerry road but sought substantially more for its dangerous, substandard sections. The Taoiseach acknowledged his advocacy and said further funding would be discussed with the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Data centres and grid capacity

Deputy O’Gorman cited State bodies’ warnings that data-centre growth could strain the electricity grid. The Taoiseach pointed to a plan-led approach, fair infrastructure costs and major planned grid investment.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Live cattle ferry capacity

Deputy Healy-Rae sought sufficient ferry capacity for live cattle exports to mainland Europe after Brittany Ferries withdrew. The Taoiseach said the Agriculture Minister was pursuing solutions expected before January.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Knocknacarra telecommunications mast

Deputy Kyne raised residents’ objections to an 18-metre telecommunications mast in Knocknacarra, citing inadequate notification and engagement. The Taoiseach said Ministers could not intervene in individual planning matters but would examine the broader issue.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Mid-west sexual assault services

Deputy McGettigan sought a 24-hour sexual assault treatment unit in the mid-west so survivors could access timely forensic examinations locally. The Taoiseach supported the service and undertook to discuss its progress with the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Newly qualified nurses’ jobs

Deputy Crowe raised the stalled recruitment of newly qualified nurses from the University of Galway. The Taoiseach said the HSE was reviewing how to accommodate graduates despite budgetary and staffing pressures.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

National security authority

Deputy Callaghan asked when the statutory national security authority would operate and whether its absence was hindering research opportunities. The Taoiseach said legislation was being developed and interim clearance arrangements were in place.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Abortion three-day waiting period

Deputy Sheehan called for removal of the three-day abortion waiting period and implementation of recommendations from the O’Shea review. The Taoiseach noted ongoing legislative scrutiny of a Bill addressing the waiting period.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

St Anne’s Special School

Deputy Wall sought progress on the delayed replacement school for St. Anne’s Special School, citing leaks, inadequate heating and accessibility problems. The Taoiseach promised to raise the matter again with Ministers.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Cavan and Monaghan road funding

Deputy Carthy sought emergency funding to restore badly deteriorated local roads in Cavan and Monaghan. The Taoiseach acknowledged similar concerns and cited substantial national, regional and local roads funding.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Waterford coronial post-mortems

Deputy Murphy raised the crisis in coronial post-mortem provision and its effect on bereaved families in Waterford. The Taoiseach said locum pathologists were providing interim cover while Departments worked on a longer-term legislative solution.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Cork domino midwifery service

Deputy McGrath warned that staff shortages could curtail Cork University Maternity Hospital’s community-based domino midwifery service. The Taoiseach said it would remain operational, although staffing arrangements would change.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Fuel taxation cap

Deputy O’Donoghue sought a cap on fuel taxation and disputed the Government’s account of increased tax revenues and costs. The Taoiseach rejected the comparison, offered a meeting with finance officials, and stressed that revenue funds essential services.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Family resource centre funding

Deputy Stanley sought budget support for family resource centres in Portlaoise, Mountmellick and nationwide. The Taoiseach endorsed their importance and expressed hope that additional funding would be secured.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

Public sector pay dispute

Deputies supported workers’ planned work-to-rule and strikes, saying the Government was failing to engage on pay. The Taoiseach said substantial pay provision would be made in the budget and negotiations remained available.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation ›

CAMHS compensation scheme

Deputy Daly called for time limits to be abolished for children harmed by CAMHS medication and for acknowledged cases to receive compensation without further litigation. The Taoiseach defended the non-adversarial scheme and said affected young people were not excluded.