I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Buttimer, atá anseo chun plé a dhéanamh ar shábháilteacht ar an mbóthar N20 idir Corcaigh agus Mala, go háirithe ag an bpríomh-chrosbhealach ag Mainistir na Móna.

As he is from Cork, the Minister of State will be very familiar with the N20 national primary road between Cork and Mallow and the difficulties faced by local residents in many communities along the route in crossing the road safely. Residents of Waterloo, Whitechurch, Grenagh, Rathduff, Burnfort and Mourneabbey, the latter of which will be the main focus of this Commencement matter, all face similar dangers and challenges crossing the road and going about their daily business, going to work and bringing children to school.

These safety concerns have been exacerbated by the significant increase in the volume of traffic on the road in recent years. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, has stated:

The existing N20 is not designed for the volume of traffic it is now carrying. The annual average daily traffic reached nearly 18,000 in 2025, an increase from 15,000 in 2016.

The parish of Mourneabbey, south of the town of Mallow in County Cork, is one of the communities that are dissected by the N20. The majority of the community's facilities in the parish, such as Clyda Rovers GAA club, Mourneabbey Community Centre and the local crèche are located on the western side of the N20, while a significant proportion of the local community live in the Burnfort area, on the eastern side of the road.

Local councillor Liam Madden, who raised the issue with me recently, was interviewed on RTÉ Radio 1's "Drivetime". He highlighted the dangers faced by local residents multiple times each day in crossing the road. He described the road as having traffic volumes similar to those of a motorway but without any of the safety infrastructure, such as overpasses or underpasses, that we would associate with our motorways. We are told we have a hierarchy of road users in an effort to protect the most vulnerable when it comes to road design and safety provisions. At the top of this hierarchy we are supposed to give priority to pedestrians, who have no protection whatsoever in the event of a collision. Then come cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists. Below these we have car and van drivers, who have the protection of their vehicles in the unfortunate event of a collision, and finally bus and lorry drivers.

According to an article by Geraldine Herbert in the Irish Independent in May 2024, "The purpose of the hierarchy of road users is to give greater protection to pedestrians and cyclists and to highlight that those who can do most harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce risk to other road users." As traffic volumes have increased on the N20, it seems insufficient consideration is being given to the hierarchy of road users and to the needs of pedestrians and local residents in relation to their own safety.

The difficulty with the Mourneabbey junction compared with places like Rathduff, New Twopothouse and Buttevant, which are also on the N20, is there is no town or small village in the parish directly on the road that would require a lower speed limit to be observed and make an intervention such as a pedestrian crossing or other traffic calming measures viable options.

We are all well aware of the progress being made between the Department of Transport, TII, Limerick City and County Council and Cork County Council on the delivery of the M20 Cork-Limerick motorway, but even the most optimistic forecasts indicate that delivery will not happen for at least nine or ten years. I am also aware of the ongoing contact between Cork County Council and TII on the more immediate concerns and the possibility of an intervention prior to the delivery of the M20, even if it is temporary in nature, to make the road safer for the local community. This is what Councillor Madden and community groups in the Mourneabbey area are looking for, but for these talks to result in a positive outcome a commitment to enable a solution to be delivered is needed. I sincerely hope such a provision can be made either directly in budget 2027 or through TII to deliver safer road infrastructure for the community of Mourneabbey.

I dtús báire, gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an ní iontaigh agus thábhachtaigh seo maidir leis an mbóthar M20 agus na bóithre máguaird a phlé sa Seanad. I thank him for raising the M20. He is right that the safety concerns are real. The volume of traffic has increased and there is a real fear on that road. I commend the Senator on working with Councillor Liam Madden on raising the matter here and being advocates for it. Councillor Madden met me at the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, conference last week and spoke about it as well. The points the Senator makes are very important in the context of the advancement of the M20 motorway. I wish to use this opportunity to highlight the important work that has been undertaken so we can develop, as the Senator said, safe pedestrian access and egress on the road as well as cycle infrastructure across the country and more specifically at this place in Cork.

I confirm the Government's strong commitment to active travel. There will be €360 million a year until 2030 for a €1.8 billion investment between now and the end of the decade, which builds on over €1 billion invested since 2021. This means we have had almost 1,100 km of new walking and cycling infrastructure. That has been in many different guises, but in particular the safe routes to schools initiative. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, cannot be here and sends his apologies. He has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding for active travel. The planning, design and construction of individual active travel projects is a matter for TII.

It is important, as the Senator said, that we all work together to ensure we make this road safer. On that safe pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to enable local people to safely cross the N20 road, he is right there is no big settlement pattern like a village in the place he spoke about. I have been advised the population settlement of Mourneabbey has been included within the preferred route option for the N20-M20 road upgrade project. This road upgrade project includes provision for a shared use active travel facility that is expected to primarily run alongside the road. The route will be separated from the road via a substantive verge or barrier to provide a safe and segregated corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. This walking and cycling infrastructure will provide communities, including those of Blarney, Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Banoge, Croom and Patrickswell, with a safe and accessible means of sustainable travel. However, a transport hub for Mourneabbey has been proposed and is welcomed. Mobility hubs are where people can change mode and integrate with public transport via park-and-ride car and bike parking facilities. The Senator is right that is a bit of time away so there is a need for urgent action on the point he has made here.

The N20-M20 road upgrade announced three years ago is at design and environmental evaluation phase. This is expected to conclude later this year with the submission of a business case to the Department of Transport. It will go for Government approval under the infrastructure guidelines and then An Coimisiun Pleanála. However, in the timeframe the Senator speaks about, it is important we see TII and Cork County Council look at short-term measures. I believe there has been engagement between the two bodies on available budgets so we can improve active mobility in the region and I am told that work is ongoing. I am very conscious this is an important and a well-used road where there have been fatalities and near misses and accidents involving pedestrians and motorists. I highlight to the House that Cork County Council has been allocated just under €20 million from the NTA and TII to support over 70 active travel and greenway schemes this year.

For me as a Minister of State in the Department, it is about ensuring we work with the Senator and Councillor Madden. What we have outlined here are prime examples of where intervention can join those dots in the interim and improve the lived experience of the residents and local people who use this road daily. I assure the Senator of my ongoing support. I will take his remarks back to the Minister and TII. We must continue to ensure we have not just connectivity and sustainable transport choices but safe roads. There is huge concern along the N20 at the moment and it is in all of our interests that we do what the Senator has asked and put in place a suite of measures to improve that point.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Going back to the "Drivetime" section that included reference to the issue we were discussing, there was a lady on who was living on the Burnfort side who said some mornings it can take up to ten minutes for her to take the right hand turn towards her place of work in Mallow. That results in people taking risks, so I welcome everything the Minister of State said. The crux of the issue is what is being looked for is a short-term solution prior to the delivery of the M20. Nobody is looking for a commitment of funding to a prohibitively or excessively expensive project that would only be short term in nature. I reiterate there is ongoing communication between Cork County Council and TII about providing the funding to enable them to come up with a temporary solution that will allay concerns and make the road safer for users in the Mourneabbey area prior to the delivery of the M20.

The point the Senator made is that in the short term we have to intervene. He is right and I concur with him in a personal capacity. The timeframe for the delivery of the new Cork-Limerick motorway is long and the timeline is perhaps uncertain. In that sense, we have to work with the residents who are facing real and urgent issues on the road. I thank the Senator for his advocacy. It is not the first time he has raised this matter with me. I commend Councillor Madden, who has been very proactive on this. He is right to articulate travel issues and the risks and the Senator is 100% correct that people take risks on the road. As a consequence, we have had accidents and loss of life. In the overarching scheme of things, Government is committed to the delivery of an upgrade of the N20. It is a key priority with €3.5 million allocated to the project this year, but this is about more than connecting Cork and Limerick. In the short term, we cannot allow the people of Mourneabbey or Burnfort to continue to be afraid or to take a risk in crossing the road. I will sit with the Senator again. I will advocate for this to the Minister, National Transport Authority, TII and Cork County Council to ensure we prioritise it in the short term, because a short-term measure is needed. Anybody who does analysis of roads will recognise this road is critically important but also that it is very dangerous. I commend the Senator on raising it.

I thank the Minister of State very much for coming to the Chamber and addressing that. We will pause for a moment to allow the next Minister of State to enter the Chamber.

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, a good morning. The next matter is in the name of Senator Kyne.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. I am not sure why the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, had to leave seeing as he works in the Department of Transport, but nonetheless the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is very welcome. I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this matter. It concerns the National Transport Authority, NTA, with which the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, works, in the Department of Transport.

The NTA originally had a Dublin remit, which since than has fortunately been broadened to a national one. It has a very important role in projects like active travel and bus routes across city and county councils.

We need to move away from Dublin-based decisions to regional on-the-ground staffing where they can meet with county councillors, residents and council engineers in relation to projects that are important to local communities. For example, the 424 bus passes through Na Forbacha agus Bearna. It is a successful bus route. It is full on many occasions and it does not stop but passes by residents who are waiting. We need NTA officials who are able to see that, and able to come down to Bearna and to Na Forbacha to see full buses passing by, to realise that a solution is needed which is either additional capacity, higher frequency or a new bus route starting in An Spidéal and travelling through Na Forbacha and Bearna into the city. More regional structures in relation to the NTA would be beneficial to that relationship on the ground with councillors.

Having Dublin-centric decision-making, whereby there is liaison and maps and projects may be sent up from local engineers to the NTA in Dublin, is fine. However, nothing can beat the on-the-ground relationships that allow people to see what is happening on the ground and meet with councillors. Our councillors are at the coal face. They are meeting with residents and hearing about issues in relation to active travel or the need to extend a footpath further to meet up with new houses or to remove bad bends. Whatever role they may have in relation to active travel such as safe routes to school, the need for new pedestrian crossings or new bus stops or shelters where they may be warranted would be easier done by having people in regional areas - Galway city and county in my own case - so that the staff will get to know the engineers and the councillors on a personal basis. They will be able to discuss projects and bring forward projects knowing what is possible and what is not.

The NTA does a wonderful job but it could do even better by having regional structures, regional offices and staff on the ground engaging with local councillors in their own localities. While it has a national remit, are there any plans with the Department of Transport to provide such structures and staffing? Is there an issue with funding? Has this been discussed? There is great merit in this idea. Dhéanfadh sé an-chiall dá mbeadh oifigí réigiúnacha trasna na tíre ag tacú le comhairleoirí agus le hinnealtóirí, ag obair le pobal chathair na Gaillimhe, Chonamara, Chontae na Gaillimhe agus na n-oileán, ag freastal ar na ceantair seo, ag casadh le daoine, ag dul go dtí cruinnithe, agus ag breathnú ar rudaí ar an talamh. Dhéanfadh sé sin an-chiall. Tá mé ag lorg tacaíocht ón Roinn Iompair ar an ábhar seo. Tá súil agam go mbeidh sé sásta breathnú ar an gcás seo agus ar na deiseanna a bhaineann leis an moladh seo maidir leis an gcóras náisiúnta iompair, is go ndéanfar cinneadh airgead a chur ar fáil le foireann a chur i bhfeidhm ar an talamh go réigiúnach i nGaillimh agus sna contaetha eile trasna na tíre. Táim ag súil go mór le freagra an Aire Stáit.

I thank Senator Kyne for the question. The official reply raises a number of issues in relation to regional representation and the money and work that has been done by the NTA in Galway and its hinterland. The Government and the Minister are responsible for the policy and the overall funding but it is the NTA that delivers, plans and develops it in line with the statutory responsibility for providing transport. There are a number of issues on which it is working with Galway city and county councils in terms of developing funding. The Senator's overall point relates to its national remit and the fact that its national office is in Dublin, in the context of the search for solutions and good transport initiatives throughout the country. In particular, Senator Kyne speaks about Galway, which is one of the fastest growing cities and communities in the country.

We look at the information that is provided at local level, both to Oireachtas Members and at local authority level. They need to have proper engagement with the local authority to address the challenges on the ground because Oireachtas Members and members of local authorities are constantly engaged with the resident communities and indeed with their own communities as well. They know the challenges. Clearly, there is a deficit in relation to delivery. Local knowledge is very much to the fore and solutions can be found very quickly. However, they are then engaging with an office that does not have the detailed information in relation to it. It is a sound suggestion in terms of having proper engagement with local authorities and the NTA. It is also important as Ireland is developing and has developed over the past while. The development of the regions will be a key, massive component of how we deliver. As Galway has seen huge development over the past while, which will continue into the future, it is important that we engage and use the expertise of members of the local authority and Members of the Oireachtas to ensure early engagement in relation to challenges being faced in the community right across Galway city and county.

I will certainly bring the proposal Senator Kyne put before me to both the Department of Transport and the NTA. If we are to have balanced regional development, we must make sure the information that is readily available locally is fed into national policy. As we have seen in many policies, if it comes from the ground up it is always better received locally and easier to implement. The challenges and the shortcomings are there. I take the point the Senator has raised in relation to Galway city and county. I will engage with the NTA and the Department of Transport to ensure we can look at what he is proposing in Seanad Éireann today. It is a sound and sensible suggestion. In the official response, we have a number of issues in relation to Galway and the development of infrastructure right across Galway, but the key point is that there is better engagement locally with Oireachtas Members, local authorities, local authority engineers and the communities so that we can deliver the best possible results in terms of transport infrastructure throughout Galway city and county.

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response. It is clear to me that this proposal makes sense to him. I thank him for coming in and for the response from the Department of Transport. I am sure he will agree that the NTA is delivering for regional Ireland, including County Galway. It has a very important remit but it could do even better. It could do things even quicker and have better decisions by having more local, on-the-ground representation in relation to the points I have raised. Further consideration will be needed on the wider legislative amendments required to extend the NTA's remit. These amendments will be progressed in a separate, wider Bill, according to the script that has been provided. Something like regional offices would be a win-win for the NTA and for the local authorities throughout the country in terms of providing a better service, quicker decisions and a more on-the-ground view of what is required within both urban and rural communities.

In regard to the Senator's points on further expansion and further change in legislation, that will come in due course. There is serious engagement by the NTA, the Department of Transport and indeed the whole of the Government in relation to funding for Galway for transport infrastructure as well as other issues. The wider point is that if there is a link from the local authorities and the communities right up to the national office, many times some of what can become big issues can be seen earlier on in the process and can be resolved locally. I certainly will bring the proposal back. I will ensure it is given huge consideration at both the NTA offices and in the Department of Transport.

Before we move to our next Commencement matter, we have a packed Public Gallery and I wish to welcome some of our guests. Students from Marino Institute of Education are most welcome to the Seanad. We also have visitors from Cairdeas Clubhouse, guests of Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí. They are welcome here today. They picked a beautiful day to come. Hopefully, they will enjoy the rest of their tour and visit. We also have Mr. P.J. Bohan and Mr. Des Dalton in the Public Gallery, guests of Senator Garret Kelleher. I hope they manage to catch him in action.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach seo ar maidin. I thank the Minister of State for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here.

We can all agree that our roads have taken a severe battering from incessant rain over the past number of months. Roads are badly damaged everywhere, from country, local and national roads to our streets and motorways. In addition to funding from local authorities' coffers, a sum of €718 million in State road grants has been allocated to local authorities for the improvement and maintenance of both regional and local roads around the country. That was before the war in Iran erupted, however, which has caused the price of diesel, petrol and home heating oil to hit our pockets.

As the Minister of State will be aware, oil is a necessary component in bitumen and tar. It will no doubt have a severe impact on the cost of road maintenance and, by extension, the number of roads that can be repaired and maintained. Some local authorities have already reported price increases of approximately 25% for road maintenance materials. In many instances, they might not meet their targets this year as a result.

In my area of Cavan and Monaghan, roads are in a critically poor state. For example, Monaghan has the second highest rural road network density in the country. Monaghan County Council has stated that it has experienced an approximate 25% increase in costs that it believes is directly attributed to the conflict and war in the Middle East. Monaghan County Council received €17 million from the Department of Transport this year for local and regional works, and it also contributed €5.8 million from its own coffers to repair those roads. More than a quarter of its total annual budget is dedicated to road maintenance.

Local authorities use data from the pavement, surface and condition index, PSCI, to monitor the condition of local and regional roads. Roads are surveyed and given ratings from 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent. Based on the most recent data, almost 400 km of Monaghan's local and regional roads are categorised as being in very poor condition. These are roads that are susceptible to the formation of potholes. This is almost double the national average. The cost of fixing the 190 km of road needed to bring it down to the national average was previously estimated to cost €33 million, based on 2024 construction figures. However, due to rising inflation in the cost of materials and contractors, this figure is now estimated at approximately €46 million. That is an increase of €13 million in two years, which is staggering. I think the Minister of State will agree with me in that regard. The council says current funding levels are not sufficient to eliminate the maintenance backlog.

County Cavan is in a similar situation. Funding of €234 million is needed to remediate the 1,140 km of road in this category. By contrast, the planned €55 million funding for road works on sections of the worst roads in the county seems like a drop in the ocean.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, so too will the uncertainty as to how this will negatively affect our budgets and the number of roads it will be possible to address. Clearly, we have a serious problem. The funding we have received to date, although welcome, is totally inadequate compared to the needs of both counties. From talking to the Minister of State's colleagues in County Cork, I am sure the situation there is somewhat similar. It is an issue that needs to be addressed. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.

I thank Senator Gallagher for his question. I welcome the opportunity to speak to the House on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien. I understand the question relates to the provision of additional funding for road maintenance due to the rising cost of materials. The Government is strongly committed to protecting our existing road network. The improvement and maintenance of our regional and local roads are the responsibility of local authorities. Funding for such improvements and maintenance is provided through council resources and the State's road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work that is funded is a matter for the local authority concerned. The vast majority of grants provided are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the existing road network, with the remainder invested in new roads, bridges and road realignment.

There has been a significant increase in Exchequer funding in recent years, with €718 million provided for our regional and local roads this year. This will facilitate an increase of €26 million for road protection and renewal work. Due to the level of use of our regional and local road network, the primary focus of investment is on protection and renewal because these roads play a critical role in supporting economic activity and community links throughout the country.

There are three main regional and local road grant programmes that account for most of the grant funding available to local authorities. First, there is the restoration maintenance grant for pavement sealing works to protect the road surface from water damage. Second, the restoration improvement grant supports road strengthening works to lengthen the life of the road. Third, the discretionary grant allows for a range of activities, including pothole repairs, edge strengthening, renewal of signs and lines and winter maintenance. The level of funding allocated for each of these is based on the length of the road network within a local authority area.

It should also be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities' own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment towards regional and local roads.

The Senator raised the issue of funding arrangements that have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. Under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with our national development plan, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII.

We have had many briefings in the past couple of weeks, particularly since the outbreak of war. A lot of local authorities have been looking at their budgets and the escalating cost of the contracts. They are concerned about the impact the rise in oil prices may have on contract prices and the outputs in that regard. When it comes to increasing funding, the Government and the Department are continuously looking at the effects increased oil prices are having on every aspect of our society. We have put in place over €750 million of funding to help people who are severely affected by oil prices, but the Senator's point about additional funding is one I will take back to the Department of Transport. It is one Monaghan County Council and every other local authority have been raising with us because they are seriously concerned that their programme for 2026 may not be reached as a result of the increased cost of some of the contracts. It is concerning. Obviously, the ongoing war in the Middle East is hugely concerning. It is affecting all of our lives and we have to make the best possible decisions in order to future-proof. We do not know how long the war will continue. I will respond further in my closing comments.

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I fully appreciate that this is not his area of responsibility and that he is taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of Transport. Coming from rural Ireland where we have no train network and a limited bus service, the only show in town to get from A to B for many families is the local and regional roads. The condition of the local roads in Monaghan and Cavan has reached a critical stage. School transport is being affected because some bus drivers are refusing to go up certain roads. Home help carers are struggling to tend to their clients in the morning and evening. We have a serious problem. We need additional funding. Even before the war in Iran started, we had a serious issue with regard to roads funding in both counties.

We need additional funding in order to address that and I am heartened by the fact that the Minister of State will take the message back very strongly to the Minister that Cavan and Monaghan are two areas in particular that need special attention because of the condition of the local road network in both counties, unfortunately.

I thank the Senator. He mentioned Cavan and Monaghan. I come from a very rural part of north-west Cork as well so I understand the importance of the local and regional roads. It is crucially important, as we look at the economies of the local communities, cars and transport. We are a long way from public transport, as the Deputy alluded to in his statement. I take the point very seriously and we have to make sure that we have adequate funding in place, albeit that we have increased the funding again this year and over the past number of years for the local and regional roads. We are really trying to catch up and the Senator mentioned school buses, home helps and so forth, and the condition of the road. That is something I will reflect very carefully on because it is important that we can keep the wheels of the economy going in rural Ireland as well and that we protect it. We understand the challenges that are there and we protect it. There has been an increase in funding over the past number of years and again this year but the concerns are that the increase in funding is now going to be eroded by the effects of a war that we have no hand, act or part in. It is a serious concern as well. I will reflect on those and the Senator can rest assured that the Department of Transport, the Ministers and the whole of Government understand the challenges facing many and all communities across both urban and, in particular, rural Ireland, as the Senator alluded to in his statement.

Before we move to our final Commencement, we have a busy day in our Visitors' Galleries today. I welcome our distinguished guests to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery, and those in our Public Gallery as well. I see we are packed out with the St. Laurence's Boys' National School, Stillorgan. They are all very welcome guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Neale Richmond. Our Cathaoirleach always says that when you visit the Seanad, you have no homework for the rest of the day but I am mischievious as Acting Chair and I like to say no homework for the rest of the week. I hope that has not caused too much bother. I am getting a thumbs up from the teacher. Go raibh maith agaibh. Tá fáilte romhaibh go léir. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.

We will move to our final Commencement and An Seanadóir Chris Andrews.

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I suspect he is in to defend the indefensible because genocidal Israel will be coming to the Aviva Stadium to play Ireland. I find it absolutely staggering that the Government will welcome Israel here with open arms. It is beyond belief. The Government constantly expresses concern and condemnation over what apartheid Israel is doing in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran but never acts to ensure Israel faces consequences. Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and has starved Palestinians to death. It is a terror state and it has dismantled international law. It has faced no consequences for all the terror it has inflicted on the world.

What I cannot understand is why the Government, which regularly condemns Israel, never takes action. Words are meaningless to Israel. It needs to see action. The game with Israel is a prime example of the Government speaking out of both sides of its mouth. On one side of its mouth, we have the Government saying it is going to pass the occupied territories Bill and suspend the trade pact with Israel but, on the other side of its mouth, it will welcome Israel to come here and play football. In what word does that make sense? Israel flouts international law every hour, day, week, month and year. The Irish Government is spineless and does nothing to hold Israel to account. In fact, it does not do nothing - it welcomes Israel here to play, which is worse than doing nothing.

Israel should not even be in UEFA and FIFA. We hear people saying that politics and sport should be separate and never mixed. The reality is that sport is political and there is no changing that fact. With genocidal Israel using football to sportswash their apartheid and genocide, sport and politics are intertwined whether people like it or not. The Palestinian Football Association has said that 565 Palestinian footballers, coaches and referees have been killed in Gaza by Israel's genocide, one of those being Muhammad Khalifa, who came here to play teams across Ireland. He is remembered fondly by his family and also by his Irish football family. The killers of Mr. Khalifa could be here in Ireland when Ireland plays Israel. That is just not acceptable.

Given this fact, how can UEFA and FIFA allow Israel to take part in world football? Poland refused to play Russia when Ukraine was invaded and there were no consequences for Poland, so why can Ireland not refuse to play Israel? The reason is that the Irish Government is spineless. That is what the evidence indicates. If the match goes ahead - and I sincerely hope it does not - what plans has the Government in place for screening of Israeli players, management and supporters? What security screening does it have in place for the team, management, players and supporters of Israel? Will players, management and supporters who have participated in genocide be allowed to come and go without any consequences? Will the killers of Mr. Khalifa, if they are here, be allowed to come and go without any consequences? Will the Government just turn a blind eye to those coming here to play and support genocidal Israel? If it does come to light that one of the team or supporters were involved in genocide, what proactive steps will the Government take to ensure they are held to face the consequences?

The Football Association of Ireland, FAI, president and CEO need to ensure that they do not facilitate sportswashing by genocidal apartheid Israel. Senior management in the FAI knows what is going in Gaza and that hundreds of footballers have been killed by Israeli forces, so they need to listen to their own members and stop the game. The FAI congress said no to Israel, and the CEO and president need to listen to their own members and not do the Government's bidding.

I thank Senator Andrews for raising the matter. The performance and integrity of our top athletes on the international stage has had a very positive impact for us, as Irish sport provides the world with a window into Ireland and the Irish people, both at home and abroad. International success for our top sportspeople enriches our country in a variety of ways. Many of our fondest memories are centred on Ireland’s achievements on the global sporting stage. These achievements have been a cause of both celebration and inspiration for the public and will continue to do so into the future. This is why the Government is committed to supporting Irish athletes competing at the highest level of international competition.

There have been many calls for Irish sporting organisations to boycott or exclude Israel from international sporting competitions in the context of the genocide in Gaza. They include calls for the Football Association of Ireland not to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel this autumn. All national governing bodies, NGBs, including the FAI, are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions. The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures. In addition, neither the Government nor Sport Ireland have a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations. International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations, in this regard UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs.

The FAI has decided to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel in September and October, in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA, and having consulted with An Garda Síochána and other key stakeholders. The Government respects and supports the FAI’s decision to do so. The FAI has briefed both the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan and the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue on this matter, and I understand it will be engaging with the Norwegian Football Federation to learn from its hosting of a match against Israel last year.

I should also be clear in that Ireland continues to have grave concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to ensure that the people of the Gaza Strip have adequate supplies and services. The Government remains committed to working with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza and to advancing a sustainable peace plan. Ending the conflict and addressing the huge challenges facing the Palestinians in Gaza has implications for regional security and stability. We want all parties to adhere to their commitments in full, desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed and to continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure implementation.

In relation to this match, however, the FAI has made its decision to honour its fixture commitment and has set out its reasons for doing so. We must acknowledge its independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision.

I thank the Minister of State. The Government is trying to defend the indefensible. The Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, lost the plot a few weeks ago when a few idiots threw flares onto a pitch. He threatened every organisation and he was going to ban footballers and football teams, yet he has no issue playing Israel which is committing genocide and has killed 565 Palestinian footballers. He has no issue with that, but at the same time there have been no answers. When visiting team supporters, management and players come here, what security screening will be in place to ensure that if somebody has been active in genocide they are held to account? The Government are like spineless ostriches with their heads stuck in the ground, not willing to do anything to upset the Israelis or the US. There needs to be security screening. That is the very minimum the Government should do.

The Irish Government, and the Irish people in particular, have been very much to the forefront in advocating for Gaza and the Palestinian people going back over many generations but particularly over the last number of years. We have been one of the leading countries within Europe in voicing the huge concerns we have and the huge humanitarian crisis that is continuing there. We have been very much to the forefront in relation to it. We were probably one of the first to raise it and have continued to raise it. The Government is acutely aware of the challenges within Gaza and of the huge humanitarian crisis that continues to be there.

On security, we have a very robust security system at our ports and airports for people coming through. That will be upheld by the various authorities; I assure the Deputy of that. As a Government and as a people, we have been very strong in our concerns and challenges in relation to what has been happening in Gaza, not just over the past number of years but going right back over generations.

I will turn to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery once more now that I have the names of our visitors, who are the family of a very key member of our staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas, one of our ushers, Darren. I welcome his wife, Tina, and their nine-year-old daughter, Caoimhe. I understand poor six-year-old daughter Oonagh drew the short straw and she is in school today. I have no doubt we will welcome her again one day. All of us are so grateful for the wonderful work Darren and all the other ushers do in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Welcome and enjoy the rest of your day.