Is that agreed? Agreed.

Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta.

Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta. Leanfaimid ar aghaidh. An chéad duine eile ná an tAire Stáit, Malcolm Noonan. Tá deich nóiméad le roinnt. You are sharing with-----

I ask Deputy McGrath to continue, please.

Speak to the Bill, please, Deputy McGrath.

Deputy McGrath must speak to the Bill.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until division time this evening.

The Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment has completed its consideration of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 and has made no amendments thereto. We will take Leaders' Questions at 12 noon.

Fan réidh. I will ask for a suspension until 12 noon. Is that agreed?

The opportunity was available and there were speakers from the various parties.

The debate has now concluded.

The debate has concluded and I am asking for the suspension of the House until 12 noon, when we will take Leaders' Questions.

Third level colleges attract huge numbers of students who require accommodation. A preference for that accommodation being beside the college is very much a reasonable requirement, especially for first-year students. While private operators are providing some accommodation, what additional efforts are being made by the colleges to make accommodation available to students? Do they have access to the necessary funding to deliver that accommodation?

The struggle even just to find accommodation, let alone to get accommodation that is reasonably priced, is a huge issue for students. Being close to the college is an important requirement to so many as well. A recent USI survey in Cork indicated that 27% of students were in purpose-built accommodation, much of which was privately operated, with very little from the colleges. Clearly, the colleges need to increase the availability of accommodation. When I raised a very similar question this time last year, the then…

Often when we think of student accommodation, the purpose-built units or the apartments might be the first in mind, but there are also houses. While we see the challenge there for the technological universities, other colleges seem to be able to move in more flexible or different abilities, such as in Limerick, where they were able to buy houses.

I know the C and AG's office has a view on that. What level of control or assurance is there that while colleges are operating in that space for accommodation, they are getting value for money and ensuring that they are giving the maximum number of students accommodation?

I raise the ongoing boil water notice impacting on people in the Macroom, Carrigadrohid and Canovee area. It has been in place since last August. There was a short reprieve and, bang, it was down again within five days. That is putting pressure on local residents, who have to boil or buy water, for a prolonged period. Last night I met Siobhán, who outlined her fear at not being able to trust the water and not being able to wash a head of lettuce or brush her teeth. She cannot depend on the quality of the water; she…

I thank the Minister of State for the reply and the various details supplied. She indicated that crews are out working to facilitate the lifting of the boil water notice. It would be very reasonable for people locally to know what it is the crews are doing. What is Irish Water doing? What action is being taken? What did Irish Water do to have the original boil water notice lifted on 25 September? Surely it should be able to provide some indication of what action, if any, it took in that regard. People do not have f…

Just one speaker, Deputy Stanley.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn, there is one speaker please. Le do thoil.