I hear what Deputy Keogh is saying in relation to the impact of costs but as she knows, neither the Government nor the relevant Department plays a role in formulating or approving the proposed income or expenditure of Coimisiún na Meán or in setting the levy. The preparation of those annual estimates of income and expenditure under Section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Act requires Coimisiún na Meán to submit such estimates to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. It is important to note that the Minister…

This ties back to the previous conversation we had about public service broadcasting and the importance of the separation of the Government from the distribution of funding in relation to achieving good public service in broadcasting and media across the country. That is why Coimisiún na Meán was established on a statutory basis. It then has a legal duty to set its levies in relation to that. The Government, as we just discussed, is giving significant funding with over €15 million distributed last year through Coim…

I thank Deputy Gibney and the Social Democrats for tabling this motion and I apologise for not being here at the outset of the debate. Based on the debate in the House today and the debate on the Sinn Féin Private Member's motion last night, as well as from the discussions we have on a regular basis in this House, it is very clear that this House and the people of Ireland have significant concerns about Israeli actions in Palestine and the dire and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. I reiterate that Israeli …

I move amendment No. 2: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes: — that the Irish people are deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region, particularly the situation in Palestine, and that the Government is committed to working with key partners to end the conflict; — that Israeli actions in Palestine consistently contravene international law, and the Government continues to press for appropriate action, both at European Union (EU) and international le…

The FAI has stated that it intends to fulfil both fixtures against Israel in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA and the Government acknowledges the FAI’s independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision and any decisions it may make in the coming days. The performance and integrity of our top athletes on the international stage have a very positive representational impact for Ireland, as Irish sport provides the world with a window into our country and the Irish people, both at home and abroa…

The FAI has decided to play the fixtures against Israel in accordance with their obligations as members of UEFA. While there is speculation that the FAI may request that UEFA allow the game to be moved to a neutral venue abroad, this is ultimately a decision for the FAI to make. While the decision to fulfil the fixtures, or not, is a matter for the FAI, it is important to note that not fulfilling the games could have serious sporting consequences for the Irish team, including losing points, relegation in Nations Le…

At an operational level, I understand that the FAI is continuing to engage with An Garda Síochána to ensure appropriate preparation for and policing of the home leg of the fixture. The FAI is also engaging with the Norwegian Football Association which hosted a match against Israel in November last year to see if any learnings from its experience can be applied to preparations for the upcoming game in Ireland. Norway played the away leg of its World Cup qualifiers against Israel in Debrecen, Hungary. The FAI is also…

In addition, the FAI has engaged with the Israeli Football Association, which has confirmed that it does not expect a significant number of Israeli fans to travel to Ireland for the fixture. In accordance with UEFA rules, home legs of fixtures cannot be played in another jurisdiction unless concerns are raised about the capacity for the fixture to be held securely and safely. In this instance, An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it is prepared to police the home game. While there has been a wholesale exclusion of …

No such international consensus exists in relation to Israel. The decision made by RTE in December 2025, to neither participate in nor broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s ongoing participation has been referred to in debates. This was an independent decision taken by the State broadcaster, which is legally and editorially independent of Government. Sport Ireland, which is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, is the statutory body with responsibility for the developme…

The funding delivered via Sport Ireland to NGBs is not tied to the operational or administrative models used by NGBs, nationally or locally. All NGBs are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance and decision making, including regarding the organisation of and participation in, international sporting competitions. As Minister of State with responsibility for sport, I have no role in how NGBs organise their sports-----

-----or in their day-to-day operational functions and nor, indeed, does the Oireachtas or Government. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene-----

I thank the Cathaoirleach.

The FAI is completely within its rights to fulfil its international fixtures, and the Government acknowledges its right to do so. For these reasons, the Government proposes to amend the wording of this motion, as submitted to the House.

I thank Deputy Ó Cearúil for raising this very important issue. I recognise his strong work on it and on developing a national AI workplace transition programme and leading out on it in the context of meeting with employers, unions and the relevant Ministers. The Deputy's work within the political system has been pioneering in relation to this matter. It is appropriate that we are discussing it here in the Dáil this morning. This is something that will have to take up much more Government and Oireachtas time in the…

I acknowledge the relevance of the proposal and policy approach the Deputy has put forward. The Government has to focus on seeing how we can ensure workers are retained within companies. That is absolutely the Deputy's focus. The Government obviously takes the need to retrain and reskill people seriously. I have already outlined on behalf of the Minister for further and higher education the different steps being taken, whether it is the roadmap for technology skills for the future, the statement of ambition on digi…

I join in welcoming the group from the Skerries Educate Together national school. I hope that they all enjoy a tour of the Dáil and their day here. I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this matter. I also thank him for providing the real-life experience and feedback given by Mr. McCague, principal of St. Macartan's College at a presentation. The feedback has been presented in a very authentic way and is totally based on the principal's experience of education and working with young people. I thank the Senator for …

I thank Deputy O'Gorman for raising this issue. I join with him in recognising the distress the tenants are experiencing as a result of this very traumatic event, and also recognise his advocacy on their behalf, as well as the very stressful situation they remain in as a result of no longer being in their apartments. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for housing and the Department of housing. The Deputy raised a number of very pertinent and urgent questions in his contribution and I certainly will ask the …

I again thank the Senator for raising these important issues. I assure him that online safety is a priority for the Government. Legislation and regulation are a vital part of minimising the availability of harmful and illegal content, especially for children. However, we need to ensure that those laws are effective, capable of being supervised and enforced in practice, and do not go beyond what is proportionate. The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O’ Donovan, has made it a priority theme for …

I assure Deputy O'Gorman that I will immediately relay this back to the Minister for housing and his Department and ask them to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the really important questions he has posed. I understand the real stress that affected residents are experiencing, where they are not clear on what the situation is or the obligations for support to them when the provision of hotel accommodation runs out tomorrow and the immediate challenge that will arise for them. In regard to landlords, it …

I thank Deputy Brennan for raising this matter. I have been asked to respond to him on behalf of the Minister for Transport on the issues he has raised here. Storm Chandra, as the Deputy outlined, brought severe winds, prolonged heavy rain and extensive flooding across multiple regions of the country. It caused significant disruption to our regional and local roads and communities, with the intense rainfall leading to several rivers bursting their banks and extensive surface flooding. More than 120 roads were rende…