On the immigration reforms being brought to Cabinet by the Justice Minister today, SocDems TD Gary Gannon says there is “cruelty inbuilt” in them.

He says it “could not be further from the truth” that the opposition don’t want to debate these issues + is calling for one today.

Senator Frances Black says she has run out of patience with Tánaiste Simon Harris & the government when it comes to their promise to enact the Occupied Territories Bill.

A key election pledge from FF and FG last year, but progress seems to have halted.

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Re starter homes:

“Why is there no annual targets in this plan?”

“Because we are focused on activation,” Minister for Housing James Browne says.

“We want to get away from yearly targets,” he adds.

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And sin é, Connolly will now make her way to the Áras.

The first round of applause of the day was as Michael D Higgins arrived

A lovely version of Danny Boy by the Army No. 1 Band while we wait for President elect Catherine Connolly to arrive - tough crowd though, no applause. ❌

There’s Sabina Higgins now with a warm welcome from Michelle O’Neill.

We’re in place in St Patrick’s Hall ahead of the inauguration ceremony later this morning. Some final rehearsals for the Army No. 1 band while guests begin to arrive at Dublin Castle.

A colleague has just passed out KitKats while we wait for the action to begin.

Minister for Tourism Peter Burke says the “extortionate” prices charged by some Dublin hotels this summer is something he plans to address in this year’s Budget.

“It really sends out a bad message for Irish tourism,” he says, adding that it’s not acceptable.

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Musician Meryl Streek kicked off the protest with a performance of his song about the housing crisis “If This is Life”

#Raisetheroof @thejournal.ie

“A home is a human right. Dignity is a human right. Our renters cannot be again, put to the pin of their collar and screwed because the government wants to lick the boot of cuckoos and vultures and big investment funds,” Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says.

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People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy says today’s Raise the Roof housing protest outside the Dáil has to be a launchpad for further action.

“We cannot wait for the next election, we cannot wait until there are 20,000 homeless people.”

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After receiving today’s State apology, Shane O’Farrell’s family say they still need answers.

Shane’s mother Lucia has appealed to GSOC & the gardaí to give the family reports related to their son’s death.

“The answers are there…So they should furnish them to us,” she said.