I thank the Deputy. I suggest that Deputies please limit their contributions to one minute to allow the Taoiseach to respond.

I have received many queries from Irish people who are returning home to live from parts of Canada and the US and whose driving licences are non-exchangeable. We understand the biggest difficulties facing Irish citizens returning home are the cost of car insurance and applying for a driving licence. While I welcome the announcement to authorise the exchange of Ukrainian driving licences for Irish driving licences, and it is great to see the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, gearing up to accept applications fo…

The number of unfilled consultant posts at Mayo University Hospital is reaching critical levels. I have a responsibility to the people of Mayo to raise this issue as I want our hospital in Castlebar to succeed into the future. With over 700 unfilled consultant posts in hospitals around the country and the age profile of consultants in Mayo University Hospital being much closer to retirement age there needs to be action to get new specialist registrars into our hospital. I understand there are still issues ongoing t…

The Taoiseach discussed the wider implications for Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the areas of defence and energy and the significant impact of high energy prices being felt across the European Union. While I welcome the Government's measures to tackle the energy costs to date, the Taoiseach also said that if Ireland was to reduce its VAT rate, we would lose the EU derogation governing VAT and excise duty. However, he said the Government would seek flexibility around this. Does the Taoi…

We have witnessed 35 days of agony for the people of Ukraine in an act of aggression we never thought would darken our Continent again. As always the Irish people have stepped up to the plate and welcomed with open arms those fleeing inhumanity and bloodshed. I compliment the Government's response to the initial and immediate crisis, working to ensure local capacity and resources are factored into the overall humanitarian response. That response has been hugely important within local communities and for voluntary g…

It was excellent to learn of the funding awarded to the GAA global games development programme in recent weeks. I understand funding of €900,000 has been allocated to 110 clubs around the world. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could provide more information on this recent announcement.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I know from speaking to many people of Mayo descent living abroad that they take pride in the GAA clubs in their respective domiciles and the ongoing links these clubs provide to Ireland. GAA is in the blood of many county people and our conversations never drift too far from Gaelic games. The €900,000 global games development fund is going a long way to delivering projects abroad. It is a useful fund. Is there potential to expand to initiatives beyond sport, such as …

This global games development fund has significantly grown, as the Minister of State mentioned, from 2013, when just over 14 clubs were funded. I understand the fund contributes to one-off events and to activities lasting much longer than that. These projects are invaluable in supporting and nurturing a sense of Irish community. Many have created important links between global Ireland and the local community. I commend the Minister of State on that work. Does he envisage that fund will increase over the coming year…

I also wish to raise the extremely serious situation with Roadbridge. What is happening will have massive consequences for jobs and the future of many subcontractors and suppliers across the country. I call on the Government to step in and provide support to subcontractors caught up in the wreckage of a major company collapse. There are particular concerns with regard to the impact on the many Mayo-based subcontractors and suppliers that are worried about their futures. I am specifically talking about engineering f…

I commend the Minister and the commission on its work on the independent commission's report on the Defence Forces, and the commitment of the Government to ensure the Defence Forces are fit for purpose in the immediate term and seeking to develop a long-term vision beyond 2030. There have been calls for quick movement on the recommendations within the report, and I am aware the Minister is keen to do so, where possible, while understanding there are significant recommendations that must be discussed and considered …

On a day that an expert-led discussion on cybersecurity is happening in Dublin around new attack vectors and around geopolitical tension, I draw the Minister's attention to how we should be significantly strengthening the military intelligence and cyber defence capabilities of our Defence Forces. The commission believes cyberspace is a dynamic and rapidly evolving area and will be a key military domain in the period to 2030 and beyond. I would welcome the Minister's thoughts on the joint cyber defence command manag…

I seek an update on the strategic development zone at Ireland West Airport Knock as the draft Mayo county development plan is nearing finalisation. I know the Tánaiste is familiar with this designation, having visited Knock Airport on many occasions. I note that the draft county development plan and the overall development of the planning scheme is expected to deliver the following gross floor space: more than 95,000 sq. m for commercial business and enterprise activities; more than 44,000 sq. m for aviation, econo…

Many sporting clubs and organisations were not in a position to apply for the 2020 sports capital and equipment programme. We need some clarity around the timing of the next round of the sports capital and equipment programme to ensure clubs and organisations can start their preparation in good time.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. The sports capital and equipment programme funding to local communities is without doubt one of the best investments we can make in our communities. I commend the Minister of State on the recent announcement of the €150 million national pot. It has an enormous impact throughout the country. I acknowledge the Minister of State’s Department and the team in terms of how this was administered. The full review of the 2020 round should be undertaken in a time-limited manner…

I am conscious that in the current round, there remains work to be completed regarding the formal notifications appeals process and the subsequent review of the 2020 programme. I am conscious the Department is working towards drawdowns for successful applications. In fact, I was in contact with the Minister of State's office in respect of even the 2015 awardees. In 2018 and 2022, there were announcements regarding the sports capital programme, so there was a four-year cycle in between. That is a long period for spo…

There is genuine concern around the changes being made to non-domestic water charges. There is strong opposition among rural communities to increases in water charges for non-domestic customers and the changes to the standing charge per water meter. On the one hand, we see the effective doubling of the volumetric charge on water, and on the other, while the standing charge is decreasing for many customers, a charge per meter will see many receiving significantly higher bills, especially farmers. It will be particul…

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for facilitating the debate. Towns and communities face significant challenges and opportunities that require a co-ordinated and comprehensive response, and I certainly welcome this new policy initiative. One important element of town centre first is that it will facilitate a response by towns of all sizes in order that their streetscapes can function as the sustainable and vibrant heart of the communities they serve. Killala, in the north of County Mayo, is a place tha…

We need to take progressive actions now to build safer and stronger communities by building relationships with local communities and civic society groups. It is the way forward for An Garda Síochána to ensure that people feel safe in their communities. It ask the Minister to outline the plans to increase the number of gardaí assigned to community policing in counties such as Mayo.

I thank the Minister for her response. It was excellent to note, in budget 2022, the provision for the recruitment of over 800 new gardaí and 400 Garda staff. I very much welcome that. I note that the ongoing recruitment campaign that is under way is being well advertised and is progressing well to date. With the development of the new strategy statement for the period 2022 to 2024, now is the ideal time for An Garda Síochána to commit to increased community policing. As many Deputies have referenced previously, we…

Certainly, we do have a great community policing unit in County Mayo. It does a great deal in the context of facilitating an informal interaction with gardaí. It goes a long way to addressing some of the antisocial behaviour. It is good to hear that the distribution of resources is under continuous review. Looking at some of the rural towns in County Mayo, such as Claremorris and Ballinrobe, we have seen population increases as a result of the pandemic, where people have moved from urban areas back into rural commu…