The Department works closely with the NCSE on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. The need for special education provision is identified with consideration to the statistical data and in regard to any area’s existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the process looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor that has been incorporated into the decision-making process. I a…

I thank the Senator for bringing before the Seanad this important matter regarding pet policy in approved housing body accommodation, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Approved housing bodies are independent, not-for-profit organisations providing affordable rented housing for people who cannot provide housing from their own means, and for particular groups such as older people or homeless people. AHBs also include housing co-operatives, whi…

I again thank the Senator. Sometimes you would not realise who you will be talking to personally about a thing like this. I am a big follower of dogs, in particular. I really like dogs and I like meeting dogs. I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I am replying on behalf of the Minister, Deputy James Browne, as I mentioned. It is important for the views of all stakeholders to be considered. While the distress that pet owners find themselves in when searching for appropriate accommodation for th…

I thank Deputy Ward for raising this important issue. I apologise on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Harris. Ireland is a strong supporter of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons in Hungary. Respect for human rights and the rule of law are fundamental EU values as enshrined by Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. The Tánaiste is very concerned by recent measures taken by the Hungarian Government to restrict the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, including the passing of legislation …

I thank the Deputy. His genuine sincerity, concern and emotion are very heartfelt and that is evident in his statements this evening. Ireland has consistently and strongly advocated for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBT+ persons, including in our relations with Hungary. We have regularly raised our concerns about the serious rule-of-law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. Through our embassy in…

I thank the Deputy most sincerely for raising this matter. I wish to convey the apologies of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Deputy Jim O’Callaghan, who regrets he cannot be here for this matter due to another commitment. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, I thank Deputy Gogarty for raising this issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. An opportunity has arisen for the State to purchase the Citywest campus, a former hotel complex in the outer Dublin region. The purchase is part of a …

Once again, Deputy Gogarty's sincerity and concern are very obvious. I thank him for that. He was also very balanced. The planned facility at the site will enable the fastest and most efficient processing of asylum applications in the history of the State. Applicants who will be part of the migration pact border procedures will be fully processed in less than three months from application to the final decision, which is very important. In terms of application numbers, this Government has seen a reduction in those a…

The Deputy has a wonderful way with the English language. I commend him on his determination and having the patience of being here until this time tonight. I am glad to be here representing the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee. I thank the Deputy on her behalf for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to provide an update to the House on the current position regarding the major school building project for Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, County Wicklow. Delivery of the project has been devolved…

I am sure the Deputy’s constant support for this project will be a great help to its progression. His determination in this regard on behalf of his constituents will be acknowledged by the Government and the Minister. I thank him again for the opportunity to outline the Department of Education and Youth’s position relating to this very important project. As I have outlined, the NDFA has been engaging and will continue to engage with the school to progress this important project. I wish the Deputy every good luck in…

It is the Kerry-Cork economic corridor.

I declare an interest in this debate. For the past 40 years, I have been strongly involved in the provision of housing. I will continue to be involved for the rest of my time in an accelerated and growing way, year on year, despite all the difficulties in that sector. There are issues surrounding this whole debate and why it is happening. An awful lot of people in opposition wanted a debate on housing. It is ironic that there is, thankfully, one representative of the Opposition-----

-----who is willing to come into the Chamber. Other people grandstand, shout and roar about housing. I am glad and proud that this Government is strongly focused. The provision of more housing is one of the main objectives of this Government. We must ensure protection for people who are looking for their own houses or to rent local authority houses or houses provided by approved housing agencies. We have, however, many difficulties to overcome. I wish to highlight an initiative about which the Opposition has been s…

If they were not objected to.

There have been 2,840 objections.

There were 2,840 objections. The truth hurts.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to come before the Seanad this evening. I am very thankful to be in the position I am in, especially now because of the difficulties we have in forestry. Following the recent storm we are in the unprecedented situation that there are 25,000 ha of trees on the ground. Before that happened, we had a very serious situation in forestry, in that not enough farmers were planting forestry. As there are competing schemes, what we in the Department need to do is make it more attractive…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and as I do not believe I have had a proper chance to do this, I wish him every good luck in his very important role. It is very unusual to have neighbours who are so near to each other being so near to each other again here in the Chamber. I hope I can deal with this properly in the time I have. I will go quickly.

I want to deal with everything properly. I really appreciate the Senators' engagement. I will start with Senator Paul Daly. With regard to the 6,000 ha, he made a very important point. They have approval and the Senator asked what is happening with them. Myself and Mr. Barry Delany, who is the head of forestry, are working on this already. In the very near future - I am committing to have it done within the next four weeks - we will be contacting every person who has approval and asking why they have not moved. If …

I just want to make that quite clear. From the Minister, Deputy Heydon, down to me and the other Ministers of State, we and this Government have no intention of reducing the national herd. We will promote agroforestry and make it a good use for people such that they can have cattle, sheep and a piece of land that is covered with agroforestry and get their premium for that as well. This Government is for farmers. We are for our national herd. We are supporting people who worked hard to build up a herd of cows and ma…

I do not want to intrude on anyone’s time. I am very sorry but I wanted to be respectful to everybody by answering all of the questions. When we are talking about the future of forestry, and I am particularly saying this when I hear people inside here saying, "We do not want to plant peat soils", that does not make sense because, like I said, look at what happened before. If we did not plant the peat soils before, we would have no forestry, timber or anything now. I am sure there is logic in what the Senators have …