I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Statements on Bluetongue (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Ban on Investment Funds Purchasing Family Homes, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - International Protection Bill 2026 - Financial Resolution (without debate and to be taken no earlier than 2.12 p.m. and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - International Protection Bill 2026 (Committee Stage) (to adjourn after 8 hours) - Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Report and Final Stages) (to conclude within 1 hour) Wednesday's private members' business shall be the Second Stage of the Work Life Balance (Right to Remote Work) Bill 2026, selected by the Labour Party. Thursday's business shall be: - Statements on Flooding (not to exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024, sponsored by Deputy Martin Kenny. Proposed Arrangements for this week’s business: In relation to Tuesday’s business, it is proposed that: 1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) the time allocated to Government business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for that business and the Dáil may sit later than 10.48 p.m.; and (b) private members’ business shall be taken on the conclusion of the Statements on Bluetongue, with consequential effect on the commencement times for the items following in the ordinary routine of business; and 2. the Statements on Bluetongue shall not exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); (b) 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 (c) members may share time. In relation to Wednesday's business, it is proposed that: 1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders: (a) the time allotted for Government Business shall be extended in accordance with the arrangements for that business and the Dáil may sit later than 9.30 p.m.; (b) the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1) shall be taken on conclusion of Questions on Policy or Legislation for one hour or until 2.12 p.m. whichever is the later; and (c) the weekly division time shall be taken on the conclusion of proceedings on the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025; 2. notwithstanding anything in Standing Order 177(2), the proceedings on Second Stage of the Work Life Balance (Right to Remote Work) Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 2 hours; 3. the proceedings on the Motion for a Financial Resolution for the International Protection Bill 2026 shall be taken immediately following the SOS pursuant to Standing Order 25(1), without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; 4. the proceedings on Committee Stage of the International Protection Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted, and stand adjourned after 8 hours; and 5. the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 1 hour by one question, which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: 1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and 2. the Statements on Flooding shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); (b) 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 (c) members may share time.
Sentiment score: 0.02
I thank the various Whips for their comments. We have a request for four additional sets of statements this week but, as Members know, we are dealing with requests that came in two weeks ago, including for statements on bluetongue and on flooding. Notwithstanding they are all extremely important, I will consult with the various Ministers to see if they can be facilitated as soon as possible. The Order of Business stands.
Sentiment score: 0.16
I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Notwithstanding the fact that we have seen a reduction in suicide numbers between 2001 and 2025 by 28%, we have not seen the same reduction in suicide numbers in the Travelling community. Where once we ranked one of the worst in Europe, we now sit at about 12th. We will have a new strategy in place very soon - the connecting for life strategy. There were over 1,900 referrals into that strategy, which was really important. The Deputy is correct. Our suicide numbers are currently 9.2 for every 100,000. Unfortunately, in Northern Ireland and across the UK, the figure is 14 per 100,000. We have made progress but not enough when it comes to the Travelling community. I recently visited Exchange House in Dublin. As the Deputy knows, I put in place free counselling support for men from 1 September. Exchange House partnered with me and I was able to provide it with €100,000 to provide a 24-7 counselling line for Travellers. I continue to engage with the service. I can speak to the Deputy offline about what else he suggested.
Sentiment score: -0.04