I thank the Deputy. Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to the diversification of fuel supply to decarbonise the heat sector. We have massive opportunities there. We have not done well in Ireland. We have one district heating scheme in place in Tallaght, but we have a number of others that we can deliver in the near term. To this end, the district heating steering group report was approved by the Government the year before last. The report contains a suite of recommend…

That European directive was transposed in relation to that. We are not permitted, and rightly so, to provide grant aid for fossil fuel boilers. There are other options, however, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, and other things at which we are looking. We are looking at some supports within that space. We are moving away from fossil fuel boilers. We are doing well as a country with regard to energy generation through renewables. As I said, it was over 41% last year. However, particularly, although not exclu…

We are working on them. This has been ongoing for a number of years but since 2023, consultants have been appointed. It is being screened. We are doing a specific piece of work on noise. That is in my Department. We work with the lead Department in relation to the publication of the draft guidelines. This is not passing the buck; it is just a fact that the lead Department is the Department of housing and local government. We are working in conjunction with it. Once the draft guidelines are published, they will be p…

I thank my colleagues for amendments Nos. 1 and 2, which I am taking together. At the outset, I appreciate the support for this important legislation. We are about to embark on the largest and most significant investment in the grid infrastructure, pretty much in the history of the State and certainly since rural electrification. This Bill is an important part of that because it allows an increase in borrowing and it allows for the first time an equity injection in ESB, which will reduce the overall borrowing cost …

I do not intend to accept either amendment. I have outlined why that is the case. I appreciate the Deputies' remarks but have nothing further to add.

I move the following Further Revised Estimate: Vote 33 — Culture, Communications and Sport (Further Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €1,164,069,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport including certain services administered by that Office, and for payment of certain subsidies and grants and that a sum not exceeding €24,…

Tá mé lánsásta a bheith anseo inniu, mar Aire Iompair agus Aire Aeráide, Fuinnimh agus Comhshaoil, chun an cháinaisnéis a phlé. I am pleased to discuss next year's budget across the Departments of Transport and Climate, Energy and the Environment. Budget 2026 provides almost €6 billion in investment in these Departments. Is í seo an infheistíocht is mó in iompar poiblí, fuinneamh agus comhshaol riamh. Tá níos mó daoine ag úsáid iompar poiblí ná riamh. Tá níos mó daoine ag baint leas as deontais fhuinnimh chomh mait…

I move: (1) THAT for the purposes of the tax charged by virtue of section 72 of the Finance Act 2005 (No. 5 of 2005), that Act be amended, with effect as on and from 8 October 2025, by the substitution of the following for Schedule 2 to that Act (amended by section 70 of the Finance Act 2024 (No. 43 of 2024)): “SCHEDULE 2 RATES OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX (With effect as on and from 8 October 2025) ". (2) IT is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect …

We are talking about cigarettes.

We are talking about Financial Resolution No. 1.

I move: (1) THAT section 291A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997) be amended, in subsection (6)(a), by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (i): “(i) any allowances to be made to a company under section 284 as applied by this section, and any balancing allowances (within the meaning of section 288) to be made to a company in respect of a specified intangible asset or specified intangible assets, and”. (2) THAT paragraph (1) of this Resolution shall have effect as respects…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, plays a pivotal role in protecting, improving and restoring our environment through regulation, scientific knowledge and working with others. As part of this role, there are approximately 900 EPA licences in operation in Ireland which regulate large industrial installations in sectors such as waste, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, intensive agricult…

We will get a copy of it. Apologies, we will circulate that. Tá brón orm faoi sin. Before changes that affect emissions from an existing installation can be made, the operator is required to amend or review the existing EPA licence. This is an important system overall which protects our natural environment and human health. While strong licensing procedures are critical to protect our environment, the legislation should be proportionate and support decisions being made in an efficient manner, within predictable tim…

We banned that.

I thank the Deputies for their contributions here this evening. They were all constructive. Deputy Whitmore raised specific issues and made suggestions, as did Deputies Ahern, Cronin and others. Charges were made about certain things but I will leave them for a more general debate. I welcome the broad support for the Bill. I assure Deputies that as we move to Committee Stage we will be seeking to improve the Bill. The regulations on the timeframe will be done by secondary legislation, which is the better thing to d…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)( b ) and 188(1).

I thank the Deputy for his question on this important matter. As I have previously outlined to the House, the Chicago Convention of 1944 is the main international treaty governing the operation of international civil aviation. Article 35 of this convention provides that no civil aircraft may carry munitions of war in the sovereign territory of a state without that state’s permission. That pertains here in Ireland. This provision is implemented in Irish law in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapon…

Yes.

I take the Deputy's question and statement in the manner in which it has been raised. The allegations, though, that any arms or weapons are going from Ireland to Israel are just wholly incorrect. Irish law is clear. On the examination of the draft report, we have sought legal advice. There is extensive documentation. I do not want to hide any of that but I need to allow it to be assessed properly, particularly should further action be required. On behalf of myself, colleagues and others, I too want to express my so…

Ireland has led in Europe in that regard. There are others who wish to state otherwise - not the Deputy but others - purely for political points. This situation is far too serious for that.