Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire. Is onóir an-mhór é a bheith roghnaithe mar Aire Rialtais. Ba cheart dó féin agus dá mhuintir a bheith fíorbhródúil as an éacht seo. Tá áthas orm labhairt sa díospóireacht seo. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go bhfuil Seachtain na Gaeilge againn gach bhliain agus go bhfuil ráitis tiomnaithe di sa Dáil. Chuala mé píosa gairid ar "Drivetime" ar RTÉ inné. Bhí Caitríona Ní Chualáin, láithreoir le TG4, ag rá go raibh sí ag streachailt chun cead pleanála a fháil ó Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe…

I wish to raise the issue of DEIS. The previous Government made huge inroads in modifying and overhauling DEIS but even more can be done. I will give an example of Shannon town in County Clare. There are five primary schools and two post-primary schools, all of which are within a few hundred yards of one another. Two of the schools have DEIS status but the rest do not. In a town such as Shannon, there is high level of transience, with many people renting. The most recent census, which gathered the data used by Poba…

I want to make a big push in support of the additional school accommodation application that has been made to the Department by Scoil Seanáin Naofa, better known in my locality as Clonlara National School. Last September I brought the principal, Donnchadh Kelleher, and the chairman of the board of management to meet with the then Minister, Deputy Foley. Subsequent to that, there has been correspondence over and back with the building unit in the Department. Now is the time to approve it. The school is in a decrepit…

I thank the Minister State for that. That is indeed a very positive update. The school has applied for the replacement of its old prefab classrooms. In total, there are five classrooms in an older block of the school that was built in 1968. The school has applied to the Department to replace these and provide a new staffroom and entrance area. The classrooms are small, draughty, cold and damp. The walls are decaying on the roof has perished. I have first-hand experience of some of these classrooms because, as the M…

I thank the Minister of State. This is really good news. I am aware that representatives of Clonlara school are watching this morning. This amounts to a new school, but, for all the reasons I have outlined, it is desperately needed. There is also an inaccessibility issue because, as one notes if coming in the main doors of the school or going down the corridor, the school is built on two levels. It is a split-level building and there is a very precarious ramp. In the past, there were children who had to use wheelch…

I would like to welcome ambassador Larysa Gerasko and the Ukrainian population to our Dáil Chamber this evening, and all those who are in the Public Gallery. It is very hard to believe it is now three years since the war in Ukraine began. I remember the morning it began. I was in my office watching "Sky News" and there was huge fear for the capital that Russian troops would advance on Kyiv. People said it would not last two or three days. There was talk that President Zelenskyy may have to flee to America - can we …

At the outset, I want to congratulate the Minister on her new role and, indeed, the Minister of State. I have full confidence she will do a great job in this Department. It is a tricky Department but it matters to all of us. Everyone goes through life's processes and as we all care for older people and for communities, it is a very important Ministry. Unfortunately, in my county, far too many older people fear entering the acute healthcare system because University Hospital Limerick, UHL, is the point of access to …

Go raibh maith agat a Theachta. Anois leanfaidh muid ar aghaidh go dtí an Teachta John Connolly.

Anois an Páirtí Sinn Féin. Does Deputy Cullinane wish to speak again? Deputy Mitchell is listed.

No problem. Bear with me. We move to the non-party group and Deputy Toole. Dhá nóiméad, le do thoil.

As the Taoiseach knows, I speak a lot in this Chamber about Shannon Airport and advocate for it. I was delighted to see the Government take on my proposal that Shannon be a test bed for new forms of aviation over the lifetime of this Government. Indeed, it is in the programme for Government. I would like to hear some expansionary thoughts from the Taoiseach as to what that role could be. The future mobility campus in Shannon, which many Ministers have visited, could play a major role in this. A few years ago, I tra…

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth. How wonderful to say "Minister" before her name. I am delighted to see her elevated to this position. This is a proud time for her family and for County Cavan. I believe she is from Bailieborough. I often see it on her social media. It is a proud day for her community to have one of their own not just in the ministerial ranks but holding the seat of Government during this session. It is a proud day and I am delighted to see her in that position. I am glad to have …

For the information of Members, it is proposed to group amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 6 and 7 for the purpose of the debate.

The Ceann Comhairle might stop the clock until the Sinn Féin Members stop rambling on there.

I wish to raise the issue of homes and businesses in County Clare, though it is also a national issue, who cannot get flood cover on the insurance policy. Those that can pay a huge amount for it. The industry tells us it is all about the principle of risk equalisation. One house gets flooded so all must pay. That is fundamentally wrong. There has been a lot of remedial work undertaken in the lower Shannon and elsewhere in this country to ensure flooding does not occur but the industry continues to penalise homeowne…

I do not think I have ever praised Deputy Michael Healy-Rae but it is great to see him on this side of the House. After the election, everyone had a mandate to sit here. Some chose to come over here, make a difference and not speak out of both sides of their mouths but only from the side that could deliver and lead on policy. I welcome hearing the Deputy speak as a Minister of State of Government. Fair play to him. One of the big positives in the programme for Government is the abolition of the means test for carer…

I congratulate the Ministers of State, Deputy Martin Heydon and Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, on their appointments. Deputy O'Sullivan is a good friend of mine and while I am delighted to see both Ministers of State in their positions, I think Deputy O’Sullivan is going to do a particularly good job. People often get appointed to roles they have half an interest in, but anyone who knows Deputy O'Sullivan knows he has a colossal interest in the natural heritage of this country, particularly offshore habitats and on…

You are doing a lot of standing for Facebook there, Thomas.

Through the Chair.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for taking this question. What actions have he and his Department taken with regard to the loss of jobs at Aer Lingus Cargo at Shannon Airport? I refer to the devastating announcement made to employees there on 7 August.