I will send the notes to the Deputy.

That is not the same scheme.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to respond to some of the issues raised in the debate on the Sinn Féin motion on the increases in fuel excise effective from 1 August and 9 October this year. Sinn Féin has expressed the view that the restoration of excise duty of 1 April should be reversed and that both the final restoration of excise duty due to take place on 1 August and the carbon tax increase on 9 October should not proceed. I have noted the discussion this evening and want to respond by re-emphasising th…

Schoolbooks are free.

I thank Deputy Nash for raising this issue with me this evening. I love Drogheda too. My mother went to school there. She was in the Drogheda Grammar School for many a year, although it was many years ago. It is a small city that I visit regularly. I appreciate Deputy Nash's passion, which is shared by my colleague, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, whom I know Deputy Nash has worked very well with for many years. He will soon be leaving this House and I know he will be missed by many. As Deputy Nash is aware, the living city …

I again thank Deputy Nash for his contribution here this evening. I repeat that the special regeneration areas are designated by the Minister for Finance on independent advice. We respond to the advice and we look at the maps of the regeneration areas, as they are sought and provided. I said quite clearly to Deputy Nash that like any tax expenditure, the living city initiative is kept under review. As I am sure he will appreciate, decisions regarding tax incentives and reliefs, whether in respect of the introductio…

I sincerely thank Deputy Collins for submitting this important Topical Issue. As this House is no doubt aware, Ireland is a full supporter of multilateralism and is committed to effective international tax co-operation through various forums including the aforementioned OECD and the UN. Ireland is contributing constructively to the process at the UN to develop a framework convention on international tax co-operation that embodies the principles of fairness, transparency and inclusivity for all member states. The ne…

I will restate a few points. I acknowledge that the reports were made by a UN committee. The Government also has a position. We cannot always take everything as read. On the process and the vote the Deputy mentioned, I will provide exact clarity. It is important to recall that Ireland signed up to the OECD two-pillar solution in October 2021. We intend to follow through on our commitment in that regard. From our perspective, it is critical that the emerging UN process, which the Deputy outlined, and the OECD proces…

I sincerely thank Deputy McGuinness for his contribution and the entire committee for sponsoring this motion. I also thank everyone who contributes to the work of this committee both in terms of the secretariat and within Deputy McGuinness's office. I was still a member of this committee when we began the discussion on this report, as the Deputy will recall, but in the context of this afternoon I have noted the final report of the joint committee entitled Report on Politically Exposed Persons. It is evident it was …

I thank the Deputies for their contributions and the Ceann Comhairle for his declaration of interest. Many important points were made. It is clear that this subject is of great importance, not just to those of us who are Members of these Houses, but to anyone connected to us or our colleagues or to anyone with an interest in entering public life. I acknowledge the work that has gone into this report, including the research conducted, the request for stakeholder evidence and the identification of recommended actions…

You voted against it every single time.

Read the Constitution.

I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024 to the House. In line with Article 46 of the Constitution, the Bill sets out a proposal for an amendment to the Constitution and, if passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, a proposal will be submitted by referendum to the decision of the people. This proposal has received widespread support and we are able to consider it here today thanks to the positive cross-party engagement recei…

I thank all of the Senators for their contributions to what is a lively and important debate. I accept the more general political comment that this is a very technical piece of work. It is going to be difficult to engage with people. I do not hide from that for an instant but it will require frank and open engagement, and clear and honest facts. I have been involved in quite a number of referendums, long before I even joined a political party or got involved in politics. I got involved in campaigning for referendum…

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday.

I sincerely thank Senator McGreehan for bringing forward this very important issue. At the outset, I will take the liberty to address my response not just to Senator McGreehan, but to the school kids who are in the Visitors Gallery because this is really important. We are dealing with a very important issue for every one of them and they are very welcome to the people's House and the Parliament. As the Senator knows better than any of us, the increased participation by women in STEM, but also in the workforce and p…

My office is always open to the Senator. I mean that sincerely. Last year, we increased national funding for local enterprise offices by €9 million. We gave them additional funding so they can not only maintain current programmes but can do more programmes. However, if the team in County Louth feel they do not have sufficient resources, the Department will of course be more than happy to engage directly. I expect any application to be viewed positively and, more importantly, I would like to see at least another thr…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024 here today. Essentially, the Bill will provide a statutory basis for the transfer of Microfinance Ireland into State ownership, under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Before commenting on the specifics of the Bill, I wish to give some background on and context to, as well as an update on, the work of Microfinance Ireland. Microfinance Ireland was established…

I thank the three Deputies for their contributions. I would like to particularly thank Deputy Quinlivan for his chairing of the Oireachtas joint committee and its proactive work in the pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. As ever, it is really appreciated in relation to parliamentary work. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle can clarify - is "rascal" an allowed word in this Chamber? I am not too sure.