This vote of confidence reeks of hypocrisy and opportunism. I stand in absolute support for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who remains dedicated to the Department of Justice and in support of An Garda Síochána in its relentless pursuit of upholding law and order, while Sinn Féin shamelessly prioritises political point scoring. Instead of showing unity and stability in the face of such heinous crimes as those witnessed on 23 November, Sinn Féin choose to exploit the situation, sow division and, in its words, take out…

Similar to other Deputies, I want to raise the issue of the accessibility of our national games, the controversy following the publication of GAAGO schedule for 2024 and the ongoing inquiry by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in regard to the licence for GAAGO, which was originally designed for an international market but is now exclusive in showing games on a domestic basis. I want to ask in regard to the remit of the GAA and RTÉ, our national broadcaster, which has exclusivity not just on the fr…

Given the recent controversy surrounding RTÉ, reform of the TV licence is a matter of great importance and we look forward to seeing what plans are formed by Government regarding the future funding of this sector.

I thank the Minister for her response. I would welcome her thoughts on the decision about RTÉ's future funding. It is anticipated that this decision will be made in the first half of 2024. Clarity around Government's plans for reform of the TV licence becomes front and centre in this regard. While I accept the difficulties regarding the publication of the technical working group's report, we need to start this conversation. We have seen a significant decline in the licence fee revenue, particularly following the co…

I certainly agree with that sentiment. We had the independent broadcasters before the Oireachtas last week and Fine Gael itself had a delegation. Local radio is very important across Ireland. There are over 3.7 million listeners of local radio. They need to be factored into the reform of the TV licence and should be placed front and centre alongside RTÉ. We all know RTÉ has argued that the TV licence model was broken. Its thoughts would be focused on direct Exchequer funding. I know this is something that both the …

Future patterns of media consumption are likely to be shaped by several key trends. These trends will have a significant implication for public policy. I would be grateful to hear the Minister's thoughts on the future direction of media consumption.

I thank the Minister for another comprehensive response. I would add that the media landscape is becoming more complex as more of the public consume their media from different platforms. There will be a growing need for media literacy and education as a result. We can see that, around the digitalisation and the streaming services, there is a huge shift now to consuming content on demand through platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. As legislators, we may need to address consumer competition issues. As I …

While I accept the merits of the €10 million support scheme for businesses, for me and for those I represent along the western seaboard, it does not go far enough. The exclusion of the hospitality sector, especially, is a major concern in this regard. I ask that we revisit this and look to put an additional package in place. A scheme of €10 million will only touch the surface of what is required. Taking Mayo itself, we have over 4,000 refugees from Ukraine. A huge proportion of them have been relocated to the likes…

Diabetes has a major impact on the Irish healthcare system. It counts for a significant proportion of annual spending. However, there is a lack of clarity and transparency around how this money is being spent specifically on diabetes priority actions. I call on the Government to take the following steps to address the issue: develop a comprehensive national diabetes strategy to direct policy; establish a diabetes patient registry to collect and analyse data on the prevalence, incidence and complications of diabetes…

In the wake of the unsettling events that unfolded in Dublin last Thursday, is it worth examining the Children Act 2001? It needs to be revised in light of the concerns that emerged. Video footage clearly depicts a mixture of individuals, both adolescents and adults, who are easily recognisable in appearance and clothing as well as the use of bicycles and electric scooters, engaging in an act of violence which is deeply disturbing. We now need to strengthen the Judiciary with the necessary tools to effectively puni…

As we gather this evening, the victims of the atrocious stabbing incident in Dublin remain first and foremost in our thoughts and prayers. We also give thanks to the heroes who intervened in what was a terrible situation. The appalling knife assault followed by the chaotic rampage of a mob in our capital starkly contradicts the values we hold dear in this country. It is disheartening but not surprising to witness the despicable political opportunism emerging in this Chamber in the wake of these events, particularly…

Cryptocurrency tax evasion is a matter of growing concern, not only in Ireland but worldwide. It is an evolving landscape. It is essential to ensure tax compliance strikes a balance with innovation and investor protection. I would like an update from the Minister on the actions taken by the Department to combat this issue.

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. It is crucial for Members of this House to understand the cryptocurrency landscape, which while evolving rapidly presents complex tax challenges. I am interested to hear from the Minister the amount raised in tax by the State from crypto-assets. If he does not have that figure he might give it to me in writing. Cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly mainstream. I would be interested to hear what steps are being taken to educate and inform the public of the tax o…

With the various types of crypto-assets, such as stablecoins and utility tokens, and with the privacy focus around cryptocurrency, it is important to have information in the public domain about what types of revenue the State is generating in this space. As we have said, people are looking for innovative areas in which to invest, such as digital assets. We certainly need a monitoring and tracking tool to ensure crypto transactions are reported, given their decentralised and pseudonymous nature within the sector. Th…

A commitment on page 15 of the programme for Government is to prioritise the report on the future of the western rail corridor and take immediate action. I have repeatedly raised the project in this Chamber and will continue to do so on behalf of the people of counties Mayo, Galway and Sligo. The western rail corridor is a vital piece of infrastructure along the Atlantic economic corridor, yet its development has been frustratingly slow. It is now an important component of the all-Ireland strategic rail review, con…

I wish to address energy security and the potential for indigenous gas supply in Ireland, recognising the need for gas as a transition fuel until renewables are fully brought online. Ireland currently imports a significant proportion of its gas, leaving us dependent on imports once Corrib is no longer viable. Europa Oil and Gas has requested an extension of its exploration licences at the Inishkea site, which is next to the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo, to complete further survey work and find a partner t…

I ask the Tánaiste provide an update on the ongoing efforts by the Department to boost numbers of permanent personnel in the Defence Forces. Additionally, I would like to hear his thoughts on the current situation regarding recruitment and retention within our Defence Forces and any plans or initiatives to address concerns.

I commend the Tánaiste on the efforts he has made to enhance recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces. I have taken note of the commitment to increase recruitment by 2,000 by the end of 2028, as well as the various strategies the Tánaiste has outlined that have been devised to bolster recruitment and address the existing shortfalls. The comprehensive packages encompassing aspects like pay, conditions, equipment, accommodation and medical provision are evidently improving the situation substantially. What are…

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I note his key interest in both the marine and the Naval Service, and it is certainly an area where we certainly need additional resources to enhance the security of our offshore equipment. Our gas connectors play a pivotal role in these endeavours and the involvement of our Naval Service in this capacity is indispensable as we lay the foundations for new infrastructure offshore. In regard to the Naval Service and psychometric testing for potential recruits, I understand there…

I express my gratitude to the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this crucial topic for discussion. It certainly holds significant importance for the people of Mayo. There is an urgent need to extend the emergency department and advanced medical assessment unit, MAU, at Mayo University Hospital, MUH. I emphasise the increasing need for action to support the capital investment programme for healthcare services at MUH. The people I represent deserve improved healthcare services that meet their needs in a timely and effici…