I thank the Minister of State.

To add to what my colleague has said, the population catchment around St. Luke's is significant and has grown significantly over the last decade. It includes parts of south Kilkenny sometimes known as Waterford. From our meetings with the hospital team, it is clear there is an especially critical need for these posts to be filled. As my colleague said, four medical assessment unit, MAU, consultant general physicians, one consultant respiratory physician, one consultant cardiologist, a consultant dermatologist, a co…

I thank the Minister of State for the answer. We certainly recognise that there has been significant investment. However, the posts and capital projects we are talking about are absolutely vital given the population increase in the catchment. What has happened in St. Luke's over the past five years in particular has been something truly phenomenal and the staff are under severe pressure while trying to deal with the increased numbers. I welcome the additional investment but it is still not enough. These posts we ar…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.

I will make a few points in this important debate. In general, the State buying military equipment is not really like going down the central aisle of Lidl or Aldi. We are buying capability. Armoured cars, ships and anti-drone capability come with people, weapons, training, doctrine, locations, storage and, of course, time. They are human-resource heavy and I do not see a huge effort. I welcome that the numbers in the Defence Forces are moving in the right direction. Young people watching social media and TV see ple…

I move amendment No. 9: In page 18, line 21, to delete “endeavour to”. This is a very simple amendment to change the words "shall endeavour to" to "shall". So, it is removing the words "endeavour to". This amendment is to oblige the EPA to make decisions within the timeline specified by the regulations. This is how the Planning and Development Act 2024 was written. I know because I have flashbacks to that time. The Bill has been written so that the EPA can continue to endeavour to make timely decisions but never ha…

I do, quickly. I will not delay the proceedings. I absolutely appreciate that. I have had engagement with IBEC on this. Certainty is really important and by leaving the "shall endeavour to", it leaves it very open-ended. Many of the challenges we are having with licensing and with planning are not because of judicial reviews necessarily or environmental objections. They are actually because of resources across various agencies of the State such as the EPA, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and so on. By havin…

I move amendment No. 10: In page 18, line 29, to delete “endeavour to”.

I move amendment No. 11: In page 19, line 1, to delete “endeavour to”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 27, line 16, to delete “endeavour to”.

I move amendment No. 22: In page 27, line 23, to delete “endeavour to”.

I move amendment No. 23: In page 27, line 40, to delete “endeavour to”.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Tá an Ghaeilge ag dul trí chineál athbheochana faoi láthair. Tá níos mó daoine ag foghlaim na teanga anois ná mar a bhí ag aon am riamh. Tá sé seo tábhachtach ní hamháin chun an cultúr a cheiliúradh, ach ionas go mairfidh an teanga féin. Athraíonn an ceol agus an cultúr go tapa; mar sin, tá sé tábhachtach a chinntiú go n-úsáidimid an deis seo chun cabhrú lenár dteanga ní hamháin maireachtáil, ach fás. D'fhoghlaim mé an Ghaeilge ag am nuair nach raibh fíordheis ann í a labhairt sa scoil …

Yes. My colleagues and I will share time. I will make a very short contribution because I have a committee meeting. I appreciate-----

-----being allowed to come in at this stage but I felt it was important to speak on this matter. I am conscious that today is Susie Long's 60th birthday. Susie was a good friend and for those who may not remember, her courage in speaking out on the Joe Duffy show about her delayed cancer diagnosis after he read out her letter resonated with families all over Ireland and beyond. She spoke about the need for the ending of the geographic lottery for hospice care in Ireland. She found herself lucky in that she was care…

Fanfaidh muid leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Moynihan. Tá brón orm ach níl an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Moynihan, anseo go fóill. Mar sin, leanfaidh muid ar aghaidh leis an Ní i dtosach suíonna in ainm an tSeanadóra McCarthy. We will come back to Commencement matter No. 2 when the Minister of State arrives.

It is important that the Senator be informed if the relevant Minister is not going to be present.

I suggest that the Senator should proceed.

I fully support that. I have made the point on numerous occasions that if the line Minister or Minister of State is unable to attend for whatever reason that, at the very least, the Senator would be informed of that. It gives the Senator the option to withdraw the Commencement matter and resubmit it at a time when the Minister can be present. That is a very valid point.

I thank the Minister of State.