It is a privilege to be able to stand on the floor of this Chamber and ask questions on behalf of my constituents in Wicklow-Wexford directly of the Tánaiste or, indeed, the Taoiseach. It is critical to economic development that we invest in infrastructure. The Tánaiste will share my frustration about the pace of delivery of certain infrastructure, be it water and wastewater infrastructure, the national grid or transport. I wish to pose a question on transport to the Tánaiste. Obviously, he will be familiar with my…

I would love to have the Tánaiste's confidence that we will see all of this delivered over the lifetime of the Government. I would love to see all of that happening. For commuters stuck in traffic or on an inadequate rail service every day, delivery over the lifetime of the Government will be essential. What the Tánaiste is speaking about in terms of additional rail carriages will need to be delivered over the next four to five years. We will need to see the M11 completed to Rosslare. We will need to see the introd…

I wish the Minister and the Ministers of State well in their important roles. On the diversification of farm activity, I was rather surprised that this question was chosen and that we have reached it. The question relates to wine production in Ireland. This is a growing activity. I would be grateful if the Minister of State would outline the approach of the Department and any supports that may be made available for those who choose to cultivate vines.

I thank the Minister of State. Unfortunately, or fortunately, because of climate change the possibility of growing vines in Ireland has become more extensive. We are fortunate that parts of the country have a similar terroir or soil type to parts of northern France. Indeed, just outside my hometown of Gorey, La Kav vineyard is producing some very fine wines. The Ceann Comhairle will know about the Old Roots vineyard, which is located not far from her-----

They are producing some very fine wines. Indeed, right around the country now quite a number of boutique vineyards are starting to produce wine in greater quantities and of higher quality. There is an opportunity to actively support those farmers and those involved in horticulture who want to move into the sector. In that context, I welcome the statement by the Minister of State.

It is important that we support this growing sector. I welcome the supports that are available already. We also need to promote the development of Irish wines, perhaps through Bord Bia. As the quantities start to increase, there will be an export market for some of these wines. I am very happy that officials are actively engaged on the issue.

I agree with Deputy Aird. One of the areas that is critical in implementing the tillage strategy is enhancing markets. Part of that is the development of a commercial flour mill. As the Minister and his officials are aware, the Kavanagh brothers in Ballycarney, County Wexford, have advanced proposals and are planning to develop a commercial flour mill. I would be grateful if the Minister continued what his predecessor did in indicating the support of the Department for that initiative. With the development of the m…

We will look after the Minister.

This is a very important debate because, as the Minister of State will be aware, the more people we can divert from criminal activity, the better. Apart from being good for the individual themselves, this leads to a significant saving for the State. I agree with colleagues about the importance of community gardaí. Within the communities in which we live, we all know of those gardaí who have been effective in engaging with young people and youth organisations. There has to be an increased emphasis placed on gardaí g…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to create specific offences for the misuse of an individual’s name, photograph, voice or likeness and to provide for related matters. I propose to share time with Deputy Ó Cearúil. The Protection of Voice and Image Bill sets out to make it an offence to publish, distribute or otherwise make public any manipulated or unauthorised use of a person's identity for the purposes of advertising, political messaging, fundraising, influencing public opinion an…

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

I welcome the establishment of both the Cabinet security committee and the national security council and the Taoiseach's strong commitment and that in the programme for Government to take seriously the defence and security of the State, something that is very important to this Oireachtas, particularly in light of modern global geopolitical challenges. This is not just about boots on the ground anymore but about cyber threats the State will face and hybrid warfare. I hope the Taoiseach will give us assurances that h…

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirleach Gníomhach. I thank the Minister of State for taking this very important debate. I was delighted to see him appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. He has carried out the role well in the past. He is holding the role at a very important juncture in Europe's history, but also when we are preparing for Ireland's EU Presidency and when we host the European Political Community in the latter half of 2026. In response to Deputy Gannon's remark about he…

I welcome this legislation. It is quite useful that we look at old laws and where necessary that we repeal them. I commend the Law Reform Commission and indeed the officials in the Department who worked on this. One of the proclamations being repealed is an 1831 proclamation around the stealing of sheep belonging to the Sinnott family of Parkannesley, Ballygarret, County Wexford. The Sinnott family continues to farm in that area. They are quite happy to allow an amnesty if information comes forward in these circums…

There was a reward apparently. The issue I want to raise is related to that, around the repeal of legislation. While much of the legislation here is outdated and traditional, one of the biggest pieces of legislation that dates from that period, from the 1830s, was the commercial rates legislation, on which local government funding was established in Ireland. It was established under the principles that were set out by George IV that led in turn to Griffith's Valuation and so on. We continue to use those outdated me…

Specifically on wellness, we have reached a life expectancy of 83 years in this country which is very welcome. However, the numbers of those aged between 65 and 84 years will increase by 65% over the next two decades and those aged 85 and over will double. That means we will have an older population and it is important they stay well and active. Will the Taoiseach indicate his support, as was indicated in the budget and the programme for Government, for tax relief for gym membership to encourage people to become fi…

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and wish him well in his role. I have no doubt he will be an innovative Minister. The importance of this issue is highlighted by the fact virtually every Fianna Fáil backbencher is looking to avail of the very small amounts of speaking time accorded to back bench Deputies to partake in this debate. I welcome the Minister's clear statement that he supports the Garda and recognises the strong role of gardaí. That is more effective than those who choose to eulogise an ind…

I wish the Minister of State well in his role and welcome his commitment to investment in rail transport. I ask about the Dublin to Rosslare rail line specifically, in which there has been a lack of investment. If we are talking about providing a realistic alternative for rail users, there must be real investment in this railway line. In light of the Minister's previous comments about investment in rail, will the Minister of State outline what he plans to do with this much-forgotten service?

I love how the Minister of State described as a significant change the addition of one "late evening service", as he described it. The late evening service left 45 minutes ago so I cannot avail of it. I am not sure what time the Minister of State regards as late evening. He mentioned the six services available to people I represent in Rathdrum, Arklow and Gorey. Equidistant from Dublin is Carlow, represented ably by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, from which there are 11 services daily. Commuters travelling from Dundalk…

With respect, the only thing being suggested is forcing commuters to change in Wicklow or Greystones. If they are on a train early in the morning and it is wet and cold, commuters from Gorey, Arklow or Rathdrum to the city are expected to change trains. It is not acceptable. The Minister of State needs to be talking about a significant investment. There is discussion as part of the all-island rail review of doubling the number of tracks between Dublin and Belfast to four. I welcome and support that. We ask for the …