As previous speakers said, the Bill brings with it a number of positive changes for consumers, including stronger consumer rights, protection and remedies. With the explosion in online trading, digital streaming and downloading and the move away from the high street and local traders, this is so important. Once upon a time, if you wanted to buy a television, you walked to your local main street and bought one from the man your mammy would have known or the shop your family would have gone to. If there was a problem…

The 50th anniversary of Ireland's membership of the European Union is a major milestone in our history. Fianna Fáil campaigned for a Yes vote in the referendum on joining the EEC on this day 50 years ago. At the time, 83.1% of the Irish people voted Yes to Europe. It has been great to grow up in the heart of Europe and so many of us cannot remember a time when Ireland was not part of the European Union. We have been part of the EU for a generation and have seen what support from our neighbours can mean. During the …

I also have huge concerns. At the moment, 438 applications from County Carlow on the system have been flagged for documents that the applicant has yet to submit. That is only Carlow itself and with that is the problem of the timescale. People can be waiting weeks to hear from the Passport Office that their documents are not fully complete and that is really unacceptable. I do not like to criticise the Passport Office but we knew this was going to happen. The staff are totally overworked and the waiting time to get …

No, only for information-----

I welcome the funding but I must agree with previous speakers. We were all delighted at Christmas when the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, announced funding for the pantomimes. Many had to be cancelled at short notice because of Covid. We have an excellent company in Carlow, Striking Productions. It had to cancel all of its shows, which had been booked out. I met the Minister. A portal was opened for the company to apply for funding. Striking Productions still has not received its funding. I am trying to contact…

We know the important role that an independent and well-functioning media sector plays. I ask the Minister of State for an update on the Future of the Media Commission report, including when it will be published.

As we progress in our discussions on the future of media in Ireland and see progression of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022, which is absolutely vital, it is vitally important that the debate and discussions around this are open and informed. The release of the Future of Media Commission report is a central part of this. I welcome the creation of the Future of Media Commission and I recognise that it was tasked with some challenging, wide-ranging topics to consider, such as how we can put in place a…

Yes.

The Minister of State spoke about Carlow and I met a representative of my local radio station last week as Mr. John Purcell was here in Leinster House to visit the Dáil.. One thing that was highlighted was the funding. The Minister of State is aware that local media are vital in rural Ireland. They provide real information in real time and do a great job of fighting wrong information. What are the supports for Carlow and Kilkenny's KCLR station? It is important for the future. Throughout Covid, we all saw how impor…

The next few weeks are very important. When the report is published we will have to look at the next steps in terms of actions on its recommendations including a framework. It is very important. We all know now, especially as politicians, that media play a significant role within our own lives and in how we communicate to the public and how our information is received.

I thought I could come back in. I will never not take an opportunity.

I am sorry I missed the Minister of State’s contribution. I was at the national child safety summit in Croke Park. It was an excellent event and well done to all involved, including One in Four. It was an enlightening experience, and this is a matter that must be addressed in the long term. When somebody comes to us for help, the only thing we can do is to offer that help. By the end of May, we are expecting that between 29,000 and 33,000 Ukrainians will be seeking accommodation in Ireland. We must do what we can t…

I raise the issue of housing adaptation grants and the discretion of local authorities to sort out issues. It is Government policy to keep people in their homes as long as possible. I am working with a 103-year-old lady, who has an excellent family. She had some minor work done in the past two years to have her home’s roof and heating fixed, and she came to me a few weeks ago about getting her windows and doors refitted because of the cost of heating and her age. The council has told me it will not carry out any mo…

I have spoken to guardians this week and they told me how delighted they are to see this legislation being brought back better in this Dáil term. As previous speakers said, this seems to have been going on for years and it is good that this legislation will soon be passed in this Dáil. I see the changes the Minister has made. I know he made them because he listened to stakeholders but, most important, he has listened to children on this - the children who never have a voice. Our current guardian system has huge iss…

The Deputy has 15 minutes. Is that okay?

Five minutes each. Perfect.

I agree with the three speakers and with the Minister. This was probably one of the most important issues that we raised on Committee Stage. Again, all information was crucial here. That is the one issue we were all firm on, as the Minister was himself. He has given that commitment, that people who access their information can get all their information or, as the Minister said, if they tick a box to choose whatever information they want, they can to get it. This is good. I know the Minister has listened to us. It i…

I agree with the previous speakers. Based on all our meetings and from listening to Professor Conor O'Mahony, these amendments are very important. They are amendments we had looked for and I welcome them. It is important for people to know that the Minister is going to make provision for a tracing inquiry to be launched. The timeframe is another huge issue that the Minister is addressing. The committee has worked so hard on this. These amendments are really welcome and will have a huge impact on adoptees.

As the Taoiseach knows, from 1 May, the south east will have a technological university with five campuses, 20,000 students and 6,000 graduates per year. This is absolutely excellent and will be a game changer for Carlow. We have two excellent colleges at Carlow IT. I compliment the Taoiseach and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, on their work on this. I have a question about the integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick's into the Higher Education Auth…

I thank the Minister of State. The issues I wish to raise are intertwined. I have raised previously the need for a proper ambulance in Carlow with the Minister. While I appreciate having the opportunity to speak to the Minister of State again, the last time I was here I was told Carlow was second on a priority list for a new ambulance base. My understanding is that is true, but that refers to the south east. I have since found out that there is a national list and I am finding it very difficult to find out where Ca…