Thank you, Deputy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. We will go back to the Sinn Féin Party and to Deputy Pa Daly. Cúig nóiméad, le do thoil.

Thank you.

Thank you. No, you are finished, Deputy. We must keep to the schedule.

I call Deputy Timmins. I apologise, but we must keep within the time limits. Thank you.

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. It is good that there has been a review of the NPF. The previous planning framework was introduced too hastily. It is good that we slow down a little, take stock and review where all of this is going. I know there is a different term used in government but I welcome the appointment of this "housing tsar", as it is being dubbed in the media. It is important that someone in the Department gives a high-level briefing to the Minister of State and Minister so that decis…

I am glad to have an opportunity to speak on this issue. It can be that less is more in these scenarios, instead of having all sorts of suggestions from Opposition benches and backbenches on what course of action the Government should take. This is a very delicate scenario which is evolving by the minute, unfortunately. It is really important that we place full trust in the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Cabinet and negotiators who will attend meetings in Europe and also talk across the Atlantic with our counterparts…

The Seanad has passed the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024, without amendment

To be fair, this has nothing to do with the Bill. I will keep the debate between the posts. If the Deputy would like to speak about section 5, she would be more than welcome. If it involves Gaelcholáistí, it is a different Minister, and the Deputy might take it outside the Chamber.

I have discretion, and I ask the Deputy to speak about section 5.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Conway-Walsh. Glaoim ar an Teachta Catherine Connolly anois.

I might explain this trí mheán an Bhéarla. We have had a discussion already on all the amendments to section 5. We are now discussing section 5 overall before I put the question to the Members very shortly.

Tá baint ag leasuithe Uimh. 8 go dtí Uimh. 11, go huile, le chéile agus pléifear le chéile iad.

I raise the regional airports fund. This programme has been run by the Government for the past number of years. The current regional airports programme runs from 2021 and expires this year. The Government has reviewed it. The programme benefits airports which have fewer than 1 million passengers per annum. Shannon and Cork airports became beneficiaries during the Covid years when the numbers travelling through those airports dropped significantly. The ask of these airports, particularly Shannon Airport in my consti…

I believe a cap of between 2.5 million and 3 million passengers per annum would be within state aid rules. It would also allow those airports to grow and compete more effectively for market share. It is in the gift of the Government to do that. The new programme begins in 2026. I would love to see those airports grow. I do not see why we should allow Dublin to grow to the detriment of other airports. That the national airport should have such dominance - 91% - over other airports is extraordinary among EU member st…

Before I get into the important issue, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for taking this Topical Issue. By way of illustration for anyone watching this debate, I sought to raise this, the most important issue in County Clare at the moment, last week in the Dáil, but it was not selected due to the rigmarole. I only had one speaking slot last week, on laws from the 1820 to 1850 period. People in Clare heard me talking about the Great Famine and everything else when there were pressing issues I needed to a…

I thank the Minister of State sincerely for her response. She comes from County Waterford, a big county. I live on the southern extremity of County Clare, close to the Limerick border. The village of Cross, near Loop Head, is about one hour and 40 minutes from where I live. I could get to the Kildare Village retail park as quickly from my home. That shows how vast the county is. It takes people living in that village an hour and 40 minutes to travel to UHL. When someone has a cardiac episode, the first 60 minutes a…

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this motion. For clarity, Deputy O'Flynn referred to no Government Members bothering to show up here. We are here-----