Amendment No. 7 is a technical amendment to update the referencing in the Bill. The asylum procedures regulation was amended on 24 February of this year by two EU regulations regarding the application of the concept of a safe third country and the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at European level. These are EU Regulations 2026/463 and 2026/464. Section 2 is the interpretation section of the Bill giving definitions for terms used throughout the Bill. The purpose of this amendment is to insert the…

I thank the Deputy very much. I will raise that with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Browne. Just so the Deputy is aware,the Government has provided a €150 million fund to end long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns and cities under the urban regeneration and development fund. This dedicated €150 million fund allows local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties, residential or commercial, and to carry out any associated works needed to derisk or improve the properties. I am sure that the very eff…

Does the Senator mean return hubs?

I thank the Deputy. I regret to say that I am not aware of the detail of the issues he has outlined but I will raise them with my colleagues, the Ministers, Deputies Naughton and Lawless. I do not know whether the issue is in respect of English language classes but generally there is good funding for ETBs. Obviously, if moneys are being reduced, there must be a reason for it and I will engage with my colleagues in respect of it and ask them to get back to the Deputy on it.

Yes.

My understanding is that the regulations did also deal with that issue. We are not opting into that, however, as it is optional, so it is of no concern.

Sorry, we did opt in but we are not going to provide for it, I am instructed.

It is the same issue throughout the country. People are extremely concerned about the rising cost of diesel and petrol. The Government is well aware of that. We need a measured, well-thought-out response. The Deputy says everyone is affected by it. That is the case, but not everyone is affected to the same extent by the increase in fuel costs. The Government needs to have a look at this in terms of what is the appropriate response, whether it be in excise duty or elsewhere. It is also needs to give consideration to…

We did opt in but we are not going to provide for it, is my understanding.

We did opt into the safe third country and the safe country of origin. We did not opt into the returns regulation or the returns hub aspect of it. That is what I am informed. We did not opt into it.

I thank the Deputy for bringing the issue in respect of Ballycommon to the attention of myself and the Dáil. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Browne, in respect of it. I know that he is bringing forward proposals that will allow a builder to build up to 40 houses for, I believe, fewer than 120 or 150 people and that Uisce Éireann will then be obliged to connect them. I will raise the matter with the Minister. It sounds like it is essential that we get those houses constructed in Ballycommon so that people can l…

A "returns hub" is a term that is used. As the Senator will know, the European Union at present is proposing a returns regulation.

The war started on, I think, 28 February. We are 19 days into it. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the Government needs to consider what it is doing in respect of a response to the rising fuel costs. As I have indicated, it is being considered by the Government. I believe that there will be a response but it is not appropriate to rush it on the basis that we need to just get it done quickly. Let us get it done right as opposed to quickly.

That has not been agreed. It is in discussion at present. In terms of identifying third countries outside the EU to where failed asylum applicants would be sent, that is something that is proposed by the Commission in the draft returns regulation, which has not become a regulation as of yet. That is not an issue that is a live issue, if that is the issue of concern to the Senator.

Accessibility for wheelchair users is fundamental, particularly for children in schools. I will raise the matter with my colleague in the Department of education, the Minister, Deputy Naughton. I will see whether the issue can be reviewed. Perhaps Deputy Cairns could provide the details to me or the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, in order that we can pass them on to the Minister.

Sent to Albania or somewhere.

The Deputy is right that human behaviour is the biggest cause of fatalities and accidents on our roads. I know he is not suggesting otherwise, but people themselves need to recognise that looking at their phones and consuming alcohol or drugs will expose them not just to risk of fatality and car crash, but also to being apprehended by An Garda Síochána. That will result in increased insurance costs and time off the road and make it very difficult for their lives professionally in the future. I have spoken to the Co…

That will not apply, no.

Local Link is hugely important to people in rural constituencies such as the Deputy's and, indeed, throughout the country. I do not have the details in respect of the Dunmanway-Clonakilty route. I will raise it with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to see if we can get an answer in respect of that and come back to Deputy Collins. I just do not have the specifics of it at present.

These amendments relate to the rights of beneficiaries of international protection. I have brought forward amendments Nos. 9 and 271. Amendment No. 9 is a technical amendment which defines "guardian" as having the same meaning as in the qualifications regulation. The purpose of amendment No. 271 is to allow for amendments to the Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, which will be brought forward on Report Stage and will rely on this definition. Amendment…