I thank the Minister of State. Before Senator Cosgrove responds, I want to welcome Rehins National School from County Mayo, guests of the Minister, Deputy Calleary. He was in just a few minutes ago and he asked that the teachers would ensure that students would not have any homework for the rest of the week, so they might consider that. The Minister said he would put in a word to make sure that happened. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit.

Dublin is in the midst of what is arguably the worst housing crisis since the establishment of the State. Private rental tenants are under huge pressure to make ends meet. Absolutely no progress has been made. Rents are going up every year. Rental property is only getting more difficult to find. Properties available under HAP, which has unfortunately become the backbone of our broken social housing system, are practically non-existent. Prospective tenants need to be making six-figure salaries to come anywhere close…

I thank the Minister for coming in. I welcome the extension of the grant scheme to Fingal and Wexford. It is long overdue. Unfortunately, it took too long for the Minister to reach a decision on the extension of the scheme to these areas. Homeowners in terrible situations have been left waiting for far too long for a decision. They have faced years of uncertainty, with their homes falling down around them. Their inability to sell or safely live in these homes has caused immense anxiety and financial strain. It is i…

Storm Éowyn was the first big test for this Government in the new Dáil term and it took almost three weeks for power and connectivity to be restored to all homes, farms, schools, businesses and clubs. The Government failed that first test but lessons have to be learned. Ministers cannot just sit in meetings or berate Internet providers. We will have other storms similar to Storm Éowyn and power and connectivity will be lost again, especially in rural Ireland. We must do everything to mitigate risks. We must make pr…

I am not sure. The Minister of State might have misheard me.

I think you misheard me.

Can I say something?

I agree with Senator Craughwell's observations. This week, former Secretary General of the Department of Health, Robert Watt, was appointed to lead the Dublin City Regeneration Authority. The authority was established as a result of the findings of the Dublin city task force, which put forward ten key steps to revive the city centre of Dublin. The report made clear the extent of the neglect of our capital city by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and made recommendations that are glaringly obvious for people living in the …

It is disappointing to hear Government Senators looking for time to debate mental health issues when the Government guillotined the Mental Health Bill just last week.

The Minister with responsibility for sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, a couple of weeks ago lost his shit over idiots throwing-----

He lost his-----

Could you just start the clock again?

A number of weeks ago, the Minister with responsibility for sport lost the plot-----

----over idiots throwing flares onto a pitch in Dundalk. He started threatening to pull funding and to ban clubs from playing. It was hysterical. Yet, the same Minister has no problem playing a team that represents a country-----

What did I say?

I am actually not sure what I was supposed to have said there. The Minister with responsibility for sport, while critical of a few idiots and threatening sports groups and clubs about playing, has no issue about playing genocidal Israel in an international match. Israel has killed over 70,000 or 80,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including over 20,000 children. How can a Government Minister stand over playing genocidal Israel when clearly the country is out of control? How can the Government on the one hand talk about su…

Hear, hear.

Sinn Féin fully supports this Bill and the amendments. We commend the Civil Engagement Group on bringing this legislation forward and on progressing it through the House. This Bill needs to be urgently enacted and it would be simply wrong if the Government chose not to support its passage here today. Israel, alongside the United States and Russia, is one of the greatest threats to peace and stability. It threatens to return the world to an era in which might equals right and where human rights are not worth the pap…

A vote has been called in the Dáil. Does the Minister of State need to leave?

As a vote has been called, we need to suspend.