Colm Brophy
Dublin South-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The Minister has outlined very clearly our intention in relation to this matter. We have always been very clear that the ARP would be a temporary provision. It was introduced in 2022 as a response to a crisis, always with the view that it would be phased out. That remains the case.”
“It is important to look at the ARP in the context of what is happening here. We are reducing the payment back to the original rate in order to fulfil the original intention. We thank the people for the generosity they showed in opening their homes to Ukrainians who came to live with us here in Ireland.”
“It is important, as the Minister has mentioned, to recognise and thank all of the people who participated in the scheme, and to recognise the work of the Irish Red Cross and the many people who have made the scheme a success. We recognise that there are difficulties with schemes, and that is why this one has been under constant review.”
“What we want to work towards is a solution which recognises that contribution and which examines how, in the longer term, we can work with the Ukrainian people in our country and with the Government of Ukraine in order to ensure that a pathway exists for them to either continue to live here or, if they so choose, to return home.”
“lreland ratified the convention on International Women's Day, 8 March 2019. Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 is structured around the four pillars of the convention, namely, prevention, protection, prosecution and policy co-ordination.”
“Some of the treaty provisions relate to the justice sphere and, therefore, Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In light of Ireland’s position under Protocol 21, the court determined that two decisions were necessary, one to cover areas coming within scope of Protocol 21 where an opt-in is required and another t…”
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“It is acknowledged that the activities these offences prohibit involve commonplace acts, such as travel, study or indeed, the sharing of content on public platforms, which is now widespread and a daily occurrence in our lives. These are acts that, in a free and modern society, we should be at liberty to participate and engage in and enjoy unconstrained when carried out without nefarious aims. This is why the notion of terrorist intention will always be an essential element required to convict someone of the offences in this Bill with the intentional nature of an act inferred from objective and factual circumstances. For example, it will be necessary to show that the intention was to provoke the commissioning of terrorist acts when publicly sharing messages glorifying terrorism.”
“In recent years, sophisticated digital messaging tools, including high-quality video, assisted by a network of social media accounts, have allowed for the rapid dissemination of terrorist messaging. This has included videos celebrating or praising horrendous terrorist acts like assassinations and terrorist bombings. This Bill rearticulates the offence of public provocation to commit terrorism to clarify that such provocation can be done by distributing messages that glorify terrorism. Conviction for the offences I have just spoken about can lead to a maximum prison sentence of ten years. circumstance as an aggravating factor when sentencing offenders. This recognises the particular egregious nature of luring minors into the world of terrorism.”
“Knowledge that the training is for the purpose of committing or aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of terrorism is required to be convicted of this crime. This means that collecting materials for legitimate purposes, such as academic research, would not be considered to be receiving training for terrorism. Under our counterterrorism laws, it is an offence to distribute public messages aimed at provoking the commission of terrorist offences. Publicly sharing messages with invitations to join terrorist groups, calls to action or denigrating victims of terrorism is prohibited where such behaviour is intended to and causes a danger that terrorist acts may be committed.”
“It addresses threats resulting from actively preparing for the commission of terrorist offences, which can be committed by those ultimately acting alone and training through self-study. It can involve receiving in the making of explosives, chemical or biological weapons and other relevant technical expertise. Like with the offence of providing training for terrorism, there will be a ministerial regulation-making power in terms of prohibiting other weapons and techniques that could be part of such training. This means that should new technologies, materials or practices be developed in the future that could be used to carry out terrorist attacks, there is scope to preclude training in their use.”
“This recognises the need to stem the flow of terrorist fighters in and out of the country, both travelling to and from Ireland, for the purpose of committing, aiding or abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of terrorism and for it to be criminalised. The act of organising or facilitating travel for the purpose of terrorism will also be an offence, with the same elements as the same travel offence save for the prohibited act being that of making arrangements to enable any person to travel to or from the State for the purpose of terrorism. The Bill criminalises receiving training for the purpose of terrorism. This will complement the offences of providing training for terrorism, which is already on our Statute Book.”
“The EU's directive on combating terrorism reaffirmed many of the Union's established counterterrorism measures and terrorist offences. With Ireland having fully incorporated such measures into our national law and practises, it meant that Irish law was already aligned with many of the requirements of the directive. However, new offences were also introduced to tackle the international and cross-border dimension to terrorist threat previously discussed. It remains incumbent on Ireland to now transpose these offences into national law. Travel for the purpose of terrorism is a new offence the Bill incorporates.”
“This provides a benchmark for co-operation and information exchange between national authorities and prevents the existence of legal loopholes that might be exploited by terrorists. Notwithstanding this, the nature of terrorism continues to evolve and adapt. In 2017, in response to the growing threat posed by people travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism, the heightened security threat they pose from returning home and the increasing threats from citizens inspired or instructed by terrorist groups abroad, the EU updated its counterterrorism framework with the directive on combating terrorism. This followed concern expressed by the UN Security Council over these threats and an instruction to UN member states to ensure domestic laws were sufficient to prosecute and penalise such activities.”
“Its passing will also pave the way for Ireland's participation in enhanced EU counterterrorism networks, enabling a co-ordinated and dynamic response to domestic and cross-border terrorist threats. Enactment of the Bill is a commitment in the programme for Government and supports the broader programme commitment to strengthen national security. Ireland already has comprehensive counterterrorism laws, found in the 2005 Act and the Offences against the State Acts. The 2005 Act, in particular, represents a response by Ireland to the shared threat terrorism poses across the EU and beyond. Successive EU counterterrorism agreements have been given effect to in Ireland via this Act. This has resulted in a harmonised definition of terrorist offences with our EU counterparts, as well as minimum rules when it comes to sentencing terrorist offences.”
“I am pleased to introduce this Bill following its recent passage through Dáil Éireann. It marks a significant step forward in ensuring Ireland's counterterrorism framework is robust and fit for purpose in the face of modern terrorism threats. The Bill will amend the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, which I will refer to as the 2005 Act and is a cornerstone of Ireland's counterterrorism laws. It will allow for a broader category of prosecutable offences in respect of terrorist activity. These include terrorist acts with a cross-Border element and cyberattacks where the aim is to cause widespread harm. This legislation is part of Ireland's commitment to bring our terrorism laws into line with other EU member states through participation in the EU's directive on combating terrorism, which the Bill transposes into Irish law.”
“I thank the Senator for the strong, passionate and well-argued argument he made in favour of this. I will take the opportunity to convey his views directly to the Minister, Deputy Burke, to make sure he is aware of the Senator's contribution this morning and give him the opportunity, which I have no doubt he will take, to engage further with the Senator on this. I thank the Senator.”
“In this context, the IDA does not have any immediate plans to open an office in Taiwan and will continue to service the market from its regional office in Singapore.”
“The IDA is retaining its focus on new growth opportunities across its core sectors and territories and continues to target investment from clients originating from North America, Europe, the UK and Asia-Pacific within technology, content, consumer and business services, international financial services, pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and food, medical technologies and engineering and the green economy. Market analysis shows that the majority, approximately 60%, of all Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and Taiwan outward FDI is intra-Asia and approximately 60% of all FDI into Europe from the region originates in Singapore. Taiwan is a distant second. IDA Ireland actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office as part of its ASEAN market development plan.”
“This dual focus on partnering with existing clients and attracting new first-time investors is an important context when considering trade development and market diversification. In this regard, the strategy seeks to build on the IDA's success to date, supporting continued long-term investment through the transformation of the existing client base and leveraging new opportunities associated with FDI growth drivers of AI and digital, semiconductors, sustainability and health. They echo the focus and ambition of the programme for Government in addition to the national strategy on semiconductors and the forthcoming life sciences strategy, which are all designed to underpin the future of these key sectors and position Ireland for new investment opportunities.”
“I thank the Senator very much. On behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, I am delighted to take this matter and to have the opportunity to reply to the Senator. Foreign direct investment, FDI, continues to be one of the key components of the Irish economy. The Minister is determined that Ireland remains a leading location for FDI. The IDA's mandate is well-known and can be summarised as attracting and retaining mobile foreign direct investment to Ireland in support of well-paid employment opportunities across the country. The IDA's 2025-2029 strategy, Adapt Intelligently, aims to safeguard and grow Ireland's existing FDI alongside a continued focus on winning new investment.”
“From the many conversations the Senators has had with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, on this, I know this is an issue about which he is very passionate in supporting on behalf of the people in his area. Of course, I will relay his views and comments to the Minister. She will engage with him further in that regard.”
“The proposed Cahersiveen primary care centre is intended to support the delivery of integrated, community-based healthcare services, including GP services, primary care centres and other multidisciplinary supports locally. Subject to completion of the assessment and the receipt of the necessary approvals, a capital submission will be developed and progressed through the HSE approval process. This submission will outline the preferred location, proposed scope, next steps and indicative timelines for delivery of the primary care centre. A final decision will be made once all viable options are given full consideration.”
“This proposal forms part of the overall appraisal process, which is focused on determining the most suitable and sustainable option to meet the healthcare needs of the people of Cahersiveen and the wider surrounding area. Health infrastructure investment policy aims to ensure that Sláintecare reforms are achieved and that they improve the delivery of capital healthcare projects and achieve value for money. The HSE capital approvals process provides a structured and objective basis for assessing health infrastructure proposals. It examines service need, projected demand, value for money and alignment with national and regional health service priorities.”
“Over the period of the Department of Health’s sectoral plan from 2026 to 2030, primary care centres will continue to be delivered under the primary care centres programme by the HSE by traditional means through the operational lease model. With specific regard to Cahersiveen, which is the area the Senator is raising today, HSE capital and estates has reviewed a number of potential sites in the environs of Cahersiveen and has shortlisted suitable options. Initial due diligence is nearing completion to assess the feasibility, constraints, suitability and deliverability of a primary care centre, as well as to identify the preferred location. As part of this assessment, the HSE is also considering a development-led proposal from a private entity that has been granted planning permission by Kerry County Council in Cahersiveen.”
“On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on the HSE primary healthcare centre for Cahersiveen. The programme for Government commits to opening more primary care centres. Providing a home first approach to healthcare will empower people to receive integrated healthcare in their communities in line with the Sláintecare objectives. The primary care centre programme consists of a network of circa 300 projects being delivered through the operational lease model 2 or traditional means of a HSE build. In addition, 14 programmes were completed through public-private partnership. Under the programme, 181 primary care centres are in operation, 51 of which have been open since 2020. The majority of primary care centres are delivered via the operational lease model.”
“I will convey the Senator's remarks on this to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan. As mentioned, the reform of the criminal legal aid fee structure in the District Court is aimed primarily at improving efficiencies, speeding up case resolution and reducing unnecessary adjournments, while ensuring that those accused of crimes, including those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, are provided with the legal representation to which they are constitutionally entitled. The proposed reform is intended to make the system work better for all concerned. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, looks forward to continuing engagement with the relevant stakeholders and representatives of the legal profession in advance of the introduction of new arrangements, including the full restoration of fees, which is due on 1 July.”
“The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has been engaging extensively with relevant stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and the Courts Service, as well as legal professionals and their representative bodies, on the review and proposed changes to the scheme. Officials from the Department met with the Bar Council and the Law Society in May, July and October 2025 and again in March 2026. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, has written to those two bodies recently offering to meet with them to discuss the proposals.”
“The new structure will also provide for a full separate set fee for each defendant in court on a given day. This reform will be a major improvement on the current fee structure. In considering the need for reform, it is important to note that while criminal case volumes in the District Court have decreased, expenditure on criminal legal aid in the District Court has nearly doubled, from €19 million in 2015 to €37 million in 2024. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration reviewed more than 350,000 District Court cases which took place during 2022 and 2023. The reforms aim to address structural issues identified during this review, such as unnecessary adjournments resulting from the payment-per-appearance model, which also impact those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.”
“The Minister's only objective in making these reforms is to make the system more effective and efficient while ensuring that those accused of crimes, including those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, are provided with the legal representation to which they are constitutionally entitled. The reform of the criminal legal aid fee structure in the District Court will not affect the ability of legal professionals to engage in criminal legal aid work. Neither is it intended to reduce the cost to the State of providing criminal legal aid. Rather, it will improve efficiencies, reduce unnecessary adjournments, simplify the administration of criminal legal aid, speed up case resolution and enable faster payments to practitioners. For cases in the District Court, regardless of the number of appearances, a set fee will be payable to solicitors.”
“I thank the Senator. It is important to remember that the programme for Government contains three commitments in relation to criminal legal aid, namely, to reform the operation of the criminal legal aid scheme; restore the fees, and enact the criminal justice (legal aid) Bill. It is the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan’s intention to fulfil all three commitments. The Minister fully recognises the crucial role played by the legal profession in the effective administration of criminal justice. Equally, the criminal legal aid scheme is fundamental to upholding the constitutional human right to a legal defence.”
“We have ensured that we are now providing a very good, very focused international protection service, which delivers for the people of Ireland in terms of value for money, delivers for communities and delivers in providing services to people seeking international protection.”
“That means the best service in terms of providing international protection to applicants and ensuring we are working with communities through our engagement groups in making sure we have dialogue and an ongoing process of dealing with communities. In particular, we have been very successful in seeing an overall reduction in the number of international applicants coming into our country and seeing that number fall by over 30%. Therefore, by not having to open new IPAS centres and by consolidating the IPAS centres we currently have, we have saved the State millions of quid in terms of actually doing that work.”
“I thank the Senator. I will refer again to the closing remarks I made in my initial reply to her. Since 2024, IPAS has not published the details of specific locations, the resident profile and the occupancy of individual accommodation centres. It is for a very good reason. It is to preserve the privacy, safety and well-being of residents and staff. That is accepted good practice. I am sure the Senator can see there is a need to protect and preserve that privacy and well-being for residents and staff. That is very important. The work that the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I have done has always been focused on wanting to provide what we believe is the best possible service.”
“A total of 34 of these properties are being deployed to meet the needs of vulnerable cohorts of applicants. Three of these properties are currently under review for alternative use outside of international protection. Since 2024, IPAS has not published details of specific locations, resident profile and occupancy of our individual accommodation centres. This is to preserve the privacy, safety and well-being of residents and staff, which I am sure the Senator would agree with.”
“In line with the programme for Government and the comprehensive accommodation strategy for international protection applicants that was approved in 2024, the State is working to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation. The purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in 2025 was a significant milestone in implementing this strategy. Over recent years, this has also included developing some in-community style accommodation for very specific groups of very vulnerable applicants. It is for a very limited scale group of residents for whom standard or group IPAS accommodation would therefore not be suitable. To date, 37 in-community properties have been purchased for the accommodation of international protection applicants.”
“As Senators will be aware, the State has had to respond to a very significant increase in demand for accommodation since 2022, both to support high numbers of applicants for international protection while at the same time responding to the arrival of over 100,000 Ukrainians. In contracting accommodation over recent years, despite significant pressure on accommodation supply, the Department has worked to avoid competing significantly with the residential property sector. The great majority of IPAS emergency accommodation centres are located in group settings in larger properties, such as former hotels and guest houses as well as commercial and institutional buildings. A small proportion for more vulnerable applicants who have special reception needs may be accommodated in smaller scale properties.”
“I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to talk about the work that I and the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, are doing in managing international protection processing and accommodation. At all times, Ireland has endeavoured to provide accommodation and other basic supports to people seeking international protection, as is required under EU and Irish law. The International Protection Accommodation Services, normally known as IPAS, is currently accommodating over 33,000 residents in 305 international protection accommodation centres around the country. Currently, over 80% of accommodation capacity is provided through commercial providers.”
“It affirms our climate ambition across all sectors, recognises the need to protect households and businesses from energy pressures, notes the progress already being delivered and supports a practical, balanced and deliverable pathway forward. This Government is taking decisive action to reduce emissions, expand renewable energy, protect nature and support households through the transition. We have the plans with the legislative frameworks and the investment in place to continue that progress. I conclude by thanking the Deputies across the House for their contributions today. However, as indicated by my colleague, I do not accept the motion before the House and I present the Government’s countermotion in its place.”
“Where we disagree is with a motion that restates commitments already contained in law and that does not reflect the established statutory and parliamentary processes or acknowledge the substantial work already under way across government. The legally binding target of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 is already provided for in law under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act. In respect of the removal of certain provisions in the proposed legislation, it is a matter for the Oireachtas through the established legislative process to scrutinise proposed legislation as it progresses through the various Stages. The Government’s countermotion more accurately reflects the reality of the position.”
“In reality, farmers are supported by a multilayered funding system, including the €1.5 billion ACRES. In respect of data centres, the Government’s position has been clear. We will focus on sustainable development of strategically significant energy-intensive industries, including data centres, through the Large Energy-User Action Plan published only this year and in alignment with Ireland’s broader Government objectives. We will continue to focus our efforts on supports for families and businesses in need through our national energy affordability task force. The Government fully agrees with the need for climate ambition, biodiversity restoration and support for households.”
“Ireland has now reached approximately 8 GW of renewable generation capacity while wind energy supplied a record 50% of the State’s electricity in February 2026. The Government is prioritising offshore wind, with five phase 1 projects progressing through the planning system alongside an unprecedented €18.9 billion investment into the electricity grid. Significant progress is also being made on biodiversity. The fourth national biodiversity action plan is now in place on a statutory footing and promotes a whole-of-government approach. The €25 million Marine Protected Areas LIFE Ireland project supports the delivery of marine protected areas through public participation and codesign. There have been claims that funding for farmers to implement the national biodiversity action plan is inadequate.”
“This included further reductions in excise on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil, along with the deferral of the planned carbon tax increase. This is in addition to the previously allocated €250 million in targeted supports to assist those experiencing immediate financial pressure. It is important to note that budget 2026 also provided a record €640 million for home energy upgrades, including €340 million for the warmer home scheme which provides fully funded upgrades for households experiencing energy poverty. Additional supports also remain available through the fuel allowance and additional needs payments. We are also undergoing a renewable-led transformation on our energy system. Renewable electricity generation has increased five-fold since 2005.”
“There have been claims that Ireland is not making progress on climate action but the facts demonstrate otherwise. The Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent reporting confirms overall greenhouse gas, GHG, emission reductions for a third consecutive year. Furthermore, Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years. That progress has been achieved while the population, housing stock and economy continue to grow. It has been suggested that the Government is failing to protect vulnerable households from recent fuel price pressure. Again, that is not correct. We have introduced one of the most comprehensive responses in the European Union, including the recent €505 million package of practical measures.”
“I thank Deputies from across the House for their contributions to this debate. Obviously, as we have heard, the strength of feeling on this issue is evident. Having sat through this debate, a range of views have been expressed. The Government welcomes the engagement. There are serious issues that require serious and sustained action. It is important to address some of the points raised during the debate. First, I will speak to the contribution we had on bees. As Deputy Heneghan will know, I am the Minister of State in the Department of justice, and we in the Department of justice are beekeepers as well. We have our own bees on the roof of the Department, which contributes to the excellent work the Deputy does with his beekeeping. Our honey is very badly called - excuse the pun - “Just Honey”. There you go.”
“In principle though, I refer him to the earlier point that I was making: that the importance of the ceremony in itself and the actual event - the day, and everything from the judge presiding, the Minister present, the Army band playing and people's friends and family around them - the totality of that in itself is as important in so many ways to the people participating as the process they are going through because it gives a significance to the day. I would be very loath to try and take that away. I do hear what the Senator says about looking at an online ceremony in extreme circumstances but, on balance, we should work towards making sure - as we have done - that people get an opportunity to experience that wonderful ceremony.”
“To reassure the Senator, the only word that I do not like is "shoehorned". We are not shoehorning anybody; we are making sure that the experience that will be available to people in June is the exact experience that they would have got at the original ceremony. We intend to make it a memorable day. I hear what he said about the online ceremonies. God forbid, if there were such a thing as a return of the pandemic or anything else like that again, I would certainly see the validity of that.”
“I hope that helps the Senator to understand why that decision was taken. We will work with any applicant if there is a particular issue around documentation or anything like that. The last thing we want to see is people discommoded because, unfortunately, due to the actions of others, they were very much discommoded and upended in the wonderful plans that they had for the ceremony which we had to cancel.”
“We will work with people on passport documentation to ensure we facilitate them if an issue arises in the intervening period in regard to travel or anything else. On balance, while during Covid it was a necessary evil, as it were, to have the ceremony online, we should not take from the moment that will be with somebody for their entire life - that really wonderful moment where they stand up in a hall surrounded by so many other people, with their family looking on, and they pledge their loyalty and fidelity to the Irish State, and they become a citizen of it. That makes it worth the while. I appreciate that there is an inconvenience for people in it, but I think it makes it worth the while and that the better solution is to have an in-person ceremony rather than reverting to an online one, which we did during Covid.”
“It was shattering for them. It is also incredibly disappointing for me as a Minister of State who would have been involved, and incredibly disappointing for all the staff in the Department who worked so hard to create this really wonderful and memorable day. None of us wanted to do it. Unfortunately, we had to do it because we had to be conscious of the circumstances prevailing to ensure that people would be able to safely travel there but also to get back. In the time allowed I want to very quickly answer a couple of the points the Senator made. We have already offered a place in June to everybody who was involved in the citizenship ceremony. We look forward to meeting them in June to share with them that joy. I fully take his point about co-ordination and putting people in place.”
“I thank the Senator very much. I will commence by referring to the line he used to conclude his contribution. Citizenship should be a moment of great pride. It should be a great moment in life for the people who go through the process. I have had the privilege and the honour of being a Minister of State at these processes for the past year and a half. It is an absolutely great moment. Therefore, it is incredibly regrettable that thousands of people were affected because of the circumstances taking place in our country last week. There were about 5,000 applicants but, as the Senator correctly alluded to in his contribution, there was at least probably the same number again in terms of friends and family. It is great moment, particularly down in Killarney where there is a wonderful atmosphere, and it is an absolutely wonderful day.”
“That is not representing all the people. That is choosing, very selectively, who to represent. Unfortunately for us, this is the worst of representation. It states that if people have access to social media and if they can shout the loudest, then certain parties will weigh in behind them but will not listen to what is happening to other ordinary people.”
“I met one woman at the weekend who was absolutely distraught about the fact that having spent five hours to get to her appointment, the consultant and doctors she was due to see could not get to the hospital. As a result, the appointment could not happen. She said to me that she does not know how to post on Instagram or go on Twitter and that, as a result, no one will hear her side of the story. I fully recognise that people have a right to protest. I fully recognise that people feel real pain over the costs they are experiencing. However, they do not have the right to destroy someone else's life. There has to be a balance. We, as parliamentarians, do not have the right to clearly decide to pick one side because it shouts loudest and people think they can get a political stunt out of it. That is not what democracy should be about.”
“In two minutes, it is very difficult to make a substantive contribution on such an important topic. I just want to focus on one particular aspect. We are all, as someone stated, messengers of the people. We all need to listen to everybody. There is a real problem with the way in which those in opposition, particularly in this Parliament, have behaved in that they listened to the people who shouted loudest in respect of this matter. That is not the entire population of our country. There is a whole section of our world and our society - ordinary people, particularly older people and senior citizens - who last week could not get medical appointments.”
“I acknowledge the great work of the Irish Red Cross, the International Organization for Migration and the local authorities and other organisations that have supported hosting arrangements. I also recognise the great work done by local communities in how they have actively supported families to integrate through access to employment and education. The scheme has been a very effective instrument of public policy that we cannot afford to abruptly lose. Approval of this motion will provide certainty to all involved in hosting arrangements.”
“I want to be clear that the motion relates only to the extension of the scheme for a further year and nothing else. The 2022 Act requires a draft order to be laid before and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. Approval of the motion before Dáil Éireann today is essential to ensure the continuation of the scheme beyond March 2026. Should the scheme's extension be approved by the Oireachtas, we will continue to monitor it to ensure it remains fit for purpose and to allow for an orderly wind-down of the scheme to commence. I take this opportunity to thank all those who have been involved in hosting. They have done more than provide a room; they have provided a sense of belonging.”
“In a continued spirit of unity and support for Ukraine and its citizens, the European Commission has extended temporary protection until March 2027. It is therefore appropriate to make an order to extend the ARP scheme to the end of March 2027. Section 4(2) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 allows us to make such a change to a date considered appropriate following consultation with the Ministers for Social Protection and public expenditure and reform. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I have undertaken those consultations and both those Ministers have expressed their support for the scheme's extension. In considering that extension, I was mindful of the need to continue to make provision for a financial contribution to assist in maintaining the availability of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection.”