Although it was not what prompted the question, the Minister of State will have heard from the Climate Change Advisory Council yesterday in regard to the electricity sector and the reports on the challenge of meeting our targets. We had a roundtable last week involving members of the Oireachtas climate committee and some of those in the offshore wind sector. Both of those examples paint a similar picture of ambition but a failure to implement at pace and scale the type of change that is required. We talk about a lo…

This echoes previous reports from the CCAC which point towards progress in terms of legislation, regulation and planning but, repeatedly, there is an implementation deficit. Last year certainly saw an implementation deficit. We need to be energising 1.6 GW a year of new renewables, new grid scale and onshore renewables but, instead, it was just 0.6 GW last year. What is the Government going to do to ensure those onshore renewables are delivered? There are obviously issues with the planning system. Time is of the ab…

I want to ask the Minister of State the measures he is taking to address surplus renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect surplus energy to energy-poor households; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Minister of State is familiar with the EnergyCloud model, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has said positive and encouraging things about it. The Minister of State used the words “dispatch down”. He is the Minister of State with responsibility for the circular economy, and it is a waste of energy. Poor people’s hot tanks are there, waiting to be charged and store that energy. They are immediately available and there is a need to link one with the other. I am not entirely sure from the response the Minister …

To be clear, my colleagues Deputy Ó Laoghaire and Senator Boylan will be making our submission tomorrow. I think the deadline is tomorrow.

We will clearly say we believe there is an immediate strong and positive role for EnergyCloud and, in the future, for other technologies for an improved grid, improved battery storage, and everything else that goes with that. I want to know if the Minister of State supports it. If he does support it, what needs to happen is for ESB Networks and the CRU to come together with EnergyCloud to ensure the regulatory processes are in place. The potential is immediately there. They are essentially working on a pilot basis …

The Minister of State's response seems to be in the wrong tense because that consultation has already happened. EirGrid knows exactly the response. The Minister has a responsibility to find out exactly where that project is. Deputy Carthy is absolutely right. If, as the Minister of State says, EirGrid, ESB Networks and the CRU are considering their next steps, that is a direct collision course with communities and will further delay this project.

I have a similar question. I hope for the successful implementation of the scheme. I believe it has been reported that less than 1% of the machines have performance issues. Is there proper oversight regarding internal malfunction of the machines? What training regimes are in place to ensure they are operational as much as possible? People are now seeing an increasing number of bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo on them. Is the Minister of State satisfied that the transition period will run according to schedule…

I want to go back to that question of whether the Minister of State is satisfied. It is positive we are seeing increasing numbers of cans and bottles on the shelves with the return logo. Is he satisfied that this transition is going to continue? There were initial problems - more than problems - with databases and barcodes not matching up and lots of teething problems. I echo those points on accessibility. The Minister of State would have heard them loud and clear at the committee as well. It is a piece that needs …

Ursula von der Leyen damaged the credibility of the EU in her actions and utterances and through her partisan interventions in support of Israel during the onslaught on Gaza. In offering Netanyahu and his regime unconditional and unqualified support, she has effectively provided political cover for the genocidal destruction that is happening. Ireland needs to take a stand on this. I do not think it is good enough for the Tánaiste to say that elections will be taking place and we will wait and see the outcome of tha…

Regarding the Tánaiste's response, it is deflection to say let us look at this thing in the round and that we are not being fair and are not looking at the humanitarian contribution of the European Union. Ursula von der Leyen is not entirely responsible for the humanitarian contribution of the European Union. What she is responsible for is her own public utterances, which demonstrate clearly on her own behalf, and not on behalf of the people of the European Union, her unconditional and unqualified support for Israe…

The scourge of institutional abuse is a stain on our collective history. As a former Bethany Home resident Patrick Anderson McQuoid is quoted in The Journal yesterday as having said, it is the "shame" of Ireland. It is also shameful that Patrick will be denied redress by the Minister. Under the auspices of the State, thousands endured pain, abuse, trauma and neglect. This suffering produced a lasting impact, not only on their lives, but also on the lives of those close to them. There is no doubt that survivors dese…

The planned increases on taxing fuel are not sensible or fair. Fuel prices have risen a staggering 30% over the past three years. If the Government proceeds with its proposals, these tax hikes will result in Irish households paying among the highest prices for fuel in Europe. Once again, Ireland is an outlier for all the wrong reasons and the Government has done absolutely nothing to get to grips with this situation. Now is not the time to heap more pressures on ordinary workers and families who have been absolutel…

I am interested in the strength of those teams and the vacancies there as it relates to the huge demand for services.

It is difficult capture all the details and I would appreciate getting the tables. I asked the same question a year ago. Similar to the picture across the State, there is a significant vacancy rate. Whatever about posts being allocated, 36% were vacant, which is more than one in three. CDNT2, which covers a large urban area, had 49% vacancy. I recognise that funding is provided for posts but the issue is with demand for services and the vacancy rate. I presume those teams do not have the full complement of staff. T…

I thank the Minister of State and I look forward to getting those figures. It is the exact same paragraph as I had from last year on the significant recruitment challenges. Will the Minister of State speak to the issue of recruitment and retention? She may be checking figures. While I do not want to put her on the spot, they are a long way off what I have here. If she has clarification on the figures, I would be happy to hear it. Regarding the recruitment and retention challenge in the sector, are we training enoug…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue for debate. It is a very important matter, not just the delivery of the new school building for this community but also the contingency in the meantime. That is something I hope the Minister of State can discuss. I commend the whole school community at Dunshaughlin Community National School, including the principal, Ms Slevin, the parents' association, the teaching staff and, of course, the student population. There are a number of factors I would like th…

On behalf of the parent's association, I want to read a number of questions into the record. The Minister has received these questions and I would appreciate it if the Minister of State could also raise them with her. What is the duration of the rental contract between the GAA and the Department? Are there plans in place for accommodation during the academic year 2024-2025? Will the Minister provide a specific date for when lot 7 will progress to the next stage? Will the Minister explain the reasons behind the dela…

Parliamentary questions are already in.

I wish to make the same point. Deputy Whitmore says she does not know how we have ended up here with a rhetorical piece, but if anything this is par for the course. We are bolting on a piece that is obviously an afterthought. There was a decision made that we need to reconfigure and shift responsibility from one Department to the other. There is merit in that, but it is safe to say we in Opposition have often found ourselves in the position where the Government brings in rushed legislation, which it is trying to dr…