I do not think Deputy Ó Murchú will take umbrage if I describe him as being a bit of a rascal in some of his line of questioning but he raised serious points concerning businesses, if perhaps a little bit more philosophically when it comes to the politics of today.

On supports, two areas are receiving an immediate response because of the report by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment, referenced by Deputy Quinlivan. It is important to acknowledge how tough it has been for many businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors. I do not just mean tough in general, but also due to many of the legislative and policy changes that have been introduced in the Houses and supported by all parties present. The majority of these businesses are small, if not m…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

I would like to thank the Senator for her tireless campaigning for this development. It is the sixth time she has raised it in this Chamber and the second time with me. I know her work on the Moore Street advisory group has been key to the progress. I am happy to give her an update on where we are at and what is coming but first I wish to pick her up on one comment. I love Moore Street. I grew up going down Moore Street and Henry Street. The Senator will be no different herself. It was just part of our childhood an…

I absolutely share the frustration and do not equivocate on that. Apart from the unresolved planning matters, however, significant preparatory work remains to be done, with designs to be finalised, before tenders can be invited. It would be remiss of me or the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, to make promises that might later turn out to have been unduly optimistic, but I will absolute convey the sentiments the Senator expressed. I want to touch on what has been done over recent months since we last spoke in th…

I am grateful to the Senator for raising this timely and pertinent issue. A robust consumer protection framework is in place in respect of mortgages and other credit agreements. The consumer protection framework seeks to ensure that all Central Bank-regulated entities are transparent and fair in all their dealings with borrowers and that borrowers are protected from the beginning to the end of their mortgage's life cycle. In addition, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman plays a vital role for consumers of…

Should it be necessary, the Minister for Finance has indicated that he is, of course, willing to consider a legislative amendment to address the issue raised by recent ombudsman decisions, if that is possible. In that regard, the Minister has asked the Department of Finance to engage as a matter of priority with the ombudsman and Central Bank on the issues raised and to obtain the necessary legal advice from the Attorney General's office. This matter is being actively pursued in as speedy and thorough a manner as p…

Senator Lombard knows that if I was going to start talking about the Inishannon bypass, he would be the first to call me out by telling me it is nonsense and I should know better. I am not going to do that. I admire and I am very grateful for the Senator's constant campaigning on this issue. Having sat in his office in Bandon and having spoken to the local businesspeople and residents of that fine town, I know how pressing this issue is and that the lack of progress on it has not only caused frustration but has sto…

I fully understand and appreciate the Senator's frustration. Even though we have seen €58 million in Exchequer funding being allocated to the national road network, both in Cork city and county in 2024, that is of little comfort to the people of Bandon, who simply want to see progress on this vitally important infrastructural and societal project. As I said, I have made a commitment to the Senator to take this forward and I remain at his disposal. As a Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Em…

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, asked me to pass on her personal thanks to the Senator for his understanding of the situation this morning. She appreciates him taking the time to talk last night. Regarding the specific needs of the Creaney family in Athy, she has taken the correspondence the Senator provided her office on board. While the relevant points in the correspondence of September 2022 were entirely valid at the time, the position has developed greatly in the interim. The Minister of State, Deputy R…

I want to underline that the Government shares the Senator’s absolute concern. Of course, I will bring back the message that is being heard loud and clear by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the entirety of her team. The Minister of State will continue to be heavily involved in advancing the roadmap for service improvements in order to, among other things, improve the assessment of need process and the recruitment of health and social care professionals to our disability services. In this regard, there i…

An amendment made to the Bill in this House required further amendment. The amendment was made by the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, in the Dáil yesterday and now returns for consideration in this House. By way of background, two amendments were made on Seanad Report Stage, one each to sections 9 and 10 of the Bill, which amend sections 15 and 16 of the principal Act, respectively. Those particular amendments clarified the obligation that where the consideration of an appeal or an Article 40 application pr…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh. Tá brón orm ach freagróidh mé as Béarla. I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue. I welcome the opportunity to outline the position in respect of it on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. An Post is a commercial State company with a mandate to act commercially and, as such, day-to-day operational matters, including decisions regarding the size, distribution and future of the network, are matters for the board and the management of…

Go raibh maith agat. I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. The case from the perspective of sustainability for local businesses and the environment and for the protection, preservation and promotion of our national language is well made and completely understood by me and, indeed, by the Minister, Deputy Ryan. The process is in play. An Post is going to try to do everything possible because it does not wish to see services ultimately move over to Abbeyside and Dungarvan. It wants to keep the post off…

I thank Deputy Troy sincerely for raising this matter. He has particular insight and knowledge that not everyone in this House has concerning the importance of trade missions and, indeed, the importance of speaking truth to good friends. Everyone in this House knows the scale of devastation we are witnessing in Gaza. After more than 150 days of brutal conflict, some 5% of the population there is now dead, injured or missing. More than 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied or separated from their families. Be…

I again thank the Deputy for his comments. We all agree that the Government has certainly not been silent when it comes to this brutal conflict in Gaza nor have we been inactive. We have to back our words of condemnation with proactive approaches, building alliances within the EU and the UN as well as putting our money where our mouth is by backing the actions of the ICJ and UNWRA. More importantly, we will not sit out this issue. I know some people in this House and outside this House say that there should be some…

I sincerely thank Deputy Murphy for bringing up this issue. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this topic with Members on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I understand that the Deputy’s question primarily relates to the current system for calculating funding allocations for the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network. I will provide some information for clarity. I know Deputy Murphy is all too familiar with it. I will then deal with the specifics on funding, if that is agreeable to the …

I again thank Deputy Murphy and reassure her that the Government is fully committed to the protection and renewal of our new road network in each of the counties in the jurisdiction of the State. The Department believes the methodology is an equitable and proportionate approach that allows fairness and transparency throughout the process and also prevents unintended consequences. I fully appreciate the points made by the Deputy. I understand them and her frustration. I fully appreciate that the issue has been commu…

Tairgim: Go ndéanfar, de réir na bhfasach agus Bhuan-Ordú 184, breithniú ar ailt 1 agus 2 den Bhille a chur siar go dtí go mbeifear réidh leis an Sceideal. I move: That, in accordance with precedent and Standing Order 184, consideration of sections 1 and 2 of the Bill be postponed until the Schedule shall have been disposed of.

I am happy to hear from any Deputies indicating in this very important debate. I am pleased to present the Bill before the House today for Committee, Report and Final Stages. Addressing the Dáil last Thursday, 29 February, I was both heartened and encouraged by Deputies' unanimous support for Ireland's participation in the Unified Patent Court, UPC, and the holding of a referendum on that question, with some holding opinion on support for the referendum until the wording is published. On all sides, various importan…