I thank Senator Costello for raising the issue. I will bring to the attention of the Minister what the Senator has raised. I am not aware of what the hold-up is regarding going through Northern Ireland and what the delay is. Going on what the Senator is saying, she is very passionate about this and is anxious to get this over the line. Genuinely, I do not have the answers for her; I have the script here from the Department. What I will do is bring it back to the Minister and ask that she respond directly to the Sen…

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Burke, who could not be here this morning. I welcome the opportunity to address the issue of employment permit processing and its impact on businesses and prospective employees. Ireland operates a managed, demand-led employment permits system under the Employment Permits Act 2024. This system supports our labour market by enabling non-EEA nationals to take up employment in sectors where genuine skills or labour sho…

I thank Senator Kennelly and Senator Collins for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Burke. I congratulate Senator Shane Curley. I think it is his first time in the Chair. It may be the first of many. In the next Seanad he could be the Cathaoirleach. I thank the Senators for raising this matter. Kostal Group is an independent family-owned company headquartered in Germany serving the automotive market. The group's main activities include the development and manufacture o…

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan. I am taking this Topical Issue debate on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke. I heard the issues the Deputy raised and I hear them in my office. There are many delays in certain types of work permits, in particular in the transport sector. There are many transport companies in the west of Ireland, in particular Galway. I have met many and one of their major issues is trying to source drivers. In terms of bringing in drivers from abroad, the work permit system is taking a lot longer…

I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, who could not be here. I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this important issue and allowing me to update the House on matters relating to it. I want to begin by acknowledging the importance of the very serious kill that occurred on the River Blackwater and its tributaries near Mallow, County Cork, last month and I wish to emphasise that the Government fully recognise the enormous impact this incident has had on local communities, angler…

I thank both Senators. They are concerned about the local shops and business that supply Kostal. It is a major concern always. When there is a multinational in an area, it is not just about the employment they provide; it is also about the subcontractors. I am sure the engagement with the IDA will be ongoing and every support from the Department will be made available to support the company in any way. If any decision is made, there is support available for the workers who might unfortunately lose their job. It is …

I thank the Deputy for his remarks regarding the Government's response to this. I reiterate that the Government takes this significant fish mortality very seriously. As the House is aware, farmers have been asked to escalate their efforts in respect of water quality protection. State agencies must do the same. Moreover, there is a duty on State bodies and actors in the public sector to take a lead in ensuring that the risk of pollution incidents and events is minimised. Incidents of this nature are a significant so…

This Commencement matter was submitted to the Department of Health and then forwarded over to the Minister, Deputy Foley who I answer it on behalf of. I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond. HSE disability services has allocated funding on an annual basis to provide a range of services throughout the country. Funding is spent in line with nationally agreed policy for disability services, while at the same time endeavouring to maximise value. Services incl…

I once again thank the Senator. The HSE recognises the value of MS Ireland and MS care centre support and services to people with multiple sclerosis. Each year the HSE participates in the Estimates process with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and makes a submission for additional moneys to meet the health and social care needs of the population it serves. The disability services make submissions for additional funding for day, residential, respite and home support, w…

I thank the Senator for bringing this matter regarding the process for family reunification in respect of the families under the Gaza medical initiative. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, who unfortunately could not be here this morning. First, on my behalf and on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, I express our sympathies to all the Palestinian people for the difficult circumstances they are encountering. There is no justification for the devastating loss of life and the attack…

I assure the Senator that the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, remains extremely concerned about the situation in Gaza and the Government is committed to supporting international efforts to bring an end to this dreadful conflict. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will continue to support its colleagues in the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Health in further medical evacuation operations. On timelines surrounding the arrival of these people, visa applications from Palestine are receive…

I hope we do not get it if it is what the Deputy is saying.

Come on.

I have been asked by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to take this matter as he is unavailable. I thank Senator Andrews for raising this important issue. I am not familiar with many of the issues he raised, but it sounds as though work needs to be done. I will deliver the speech that was handed to me. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage fully supports many flat regeneration projects, which ensures that complexes with historical disadvantages are placed at the forefront of regeneration. …

I thank the Senator for his contribution. As I said, I am only taking this Commencement matter for the Minister of State, so I am not very familiar with the issues the Senator raised. However, if he wants to send on to me any concerns he has about the area he mentioned, I will pass them on to the Minister and ensure the Minister gets back to him with a response. As I said earlier, the Department of housing is committed to ensuring tenants in social housing are provided with adequate housing that meets the standards…

I am pleased to have been asked to address the Seanad on aspects of my portfolio relating to food promotion and new markets. I was delighted to be appointed to this role in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine last January. I welcome the opportunity to set out the ongoing work of my Department on food promotion and developing new markets for high-quality Irish produce. It is important to put this work in context so I will first elaborate on the vital importance of agrifood to the Irish economy. Our vi…

I thank everybody for their warm welcome. It is my first time in this House officially representing the Department in the role I have. I have been here doing Commencement matters and a few debates for other Ministers. I thank Minister Daly-----

I thank Senators Daly, Boyhan, Brady, Collins, Noonan and Lynch for their contributions. It is great to hear everybody speak positively about agriculture. I will be honest. When I came into the Department in January this year, I did not know a hell of a lot about the export of Irish produce. I grew up on a farm in the seventies. At that time the only export was live animals. Looking back at the seventies, a short 50 years ago, and where we are at now, that would not have happened without the co-operation of the far…

I thought the clock had stopped.

I will soon finish up. The Minister had a good trade mission, which is important. The Secretary of Agriculture in the United States has very strong Galway connections and I was delighted to see the Minister present a Galway jersey to her when he met her in Washington. I am hoping she will make a visit to Ireland fairly soon. The Minister was in Japan and Seoul. That was a very successful trip. It was tough going. The mission was arranged when he was in the role I am in so it was important he went and headed it up. …