I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Scheme in draft: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) (Revocation) Scheme 2025, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 2nd December, 2025.

I am speaking on this issue because Senator Casey is away in Brussels this week. Fianna Fáil supports these motions because they are practical, timely and necessary. They recognise how far our banking system has come since the global financial crisis and they remove obligations that are now outdated and fully replaced by modern European regulation. These schemes were created in 2008, when Ireland faced a financial emergency. Our banks were under severe pressure, and urgent action was needed to stabilise the system …

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Scheme in draft: Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Revocation) Scheme 2025, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 2nd December, 2025.

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber this afternoon. I also welcome this legislation, which, as she outlined, will allow workers whose contract has a retirement age of 65 or under to work to the State pension age of 66, if they so wish. It will allow those who wish to bridge the income gap experienced by persons who are required to retire at an age lower than the age at which they can access the State pension to do so. Workers may still retire at 65 as per their contract if they so wish, but there are man…

Next Tuesday.

I raise what is, unfortunately, becoming an increasing problem across Ireland, namely, damage to public property and public facilities such as playgrounds and community parks. This week, we have seen it in the form of arson at a playground in Coolock, where it is likely to take four to six months for the equipment to be replaced. Last month, newly installed toilets in St. Anne's Park, Raheny, north Dublin were destroyed by fire and a playground in the north inner city was damaged in an arson attack over the Hallowe…

Today I want to raise the issue of how our planning process works, or does not work in many cases, if we are being honest. All Members will be aware of projects being bogged down in endless delays and appeals tied up in court for years on end. The system should be for those who have an actual interest in the planning applications in question, not those seeking to push some sort of agenda. The Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, has said as much recently, and his office is currently drawing up legislation to achieve t…

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and thank her for being here. This is a topic I raised earlier in the year in a Commencement matter with Senator Curley. It is an issue that could be resolved quickly enough in a straightforward manner and I hope today's debate will help that goal. As has been outlined, dyslexia is a learning difference that affects about one in ten students, manifesting on a spectrum from mild to severe. As Members will be aware, it is legally recognised as a disability under both Irish and EU…

I wish to raise the issue of tourism, in particular how we gather tourism data. Members will be aware that the Central Statistics Office collects and publishes tourism figures. The figures for 2025 have not been positive. The figures published last week showed that from January to September this year there were 4.85 million foreign visitors. This compares with 5.24 million foreign visitors in the same period last year. Expenditure so far this year by tourists was €5.7 billion, down from €6.6 billion at the same tim…

I welcome Anne, Amy and family and friends here today. Billy was a fellow Galwegian and someone I had the privilege of knowing for the majority of my life. He was a gentleman who valued family above all else, which is what led to his move to the United States in the late nineties after his daughter won a rowing scholarship to Boston College. Billy was a noted oarsman as a young man and was very involved with rowing in Galway city. Billy and Anne were very successful in Chicago, building a number of successful hospi…

I welcome the Taoiseach. I will keep it Galway. Galway city's population is expected to exceed 120,000 in the coming years. As he is aware, the ring road is one measure that is essential for reducing traffic congestion, improving retail connectivity and supporting the continued economic development of Galway. We need it, and I was pleased that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, included it earlier in the year, but I am concerned about the project being bogged down in an endless planning process, as it has been for many …

I welcome the Minister and thank him for joining us to talk through budget 2026 from an enterprise, trade and tourism perspective. The budget was very positive for Irish businesses and companies that have invested in Ireland. It reflects the Government's commitment to supporting our businesses and its determination to continuously attract foreign direct investment that will further strengthen the Irish economy. Our economy has rebounded well from Covid but it is important not to take that for granted, particularly …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, to the Chamber. Fianna Fáil believes in the vibrancy of the SME sector. It is critical to Ireland's future economic success. With 99.8% of all businesses in Ireland being classified as SMEs, it is essential for the overall health of the economy that we do as much as possible at all times to support their continued growth and development. As I have often stated in this House, they are the backbone of the Irish economy and are particularly important in towns and village…

I thank the Minister, Deputy Calleary, for joining us this evening. I welcome the introduction of the My Future Fund scheme. First, it addresses a growing problem that affects many workers in Ireland, namely, the lack of retirement savings. For years, a traditional State payment has been the main source of income for people when they stop working, but the truth is the State pension alone often does not provide enough to live comfortably. As life expectancy increases and the cost of living continues to rise, many pe…

I congratulate Martin Hughes on being appointed as Clerk of Seanad Eireann and wish him well. Ahead of budget 2026, I want to raise the challenges facing pubs across the country and the scheme that the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has proposed that would go some way towards addressing those challenges. As Members will be aware, 2,000 pubs across the country have closed their doors in the past 20 years. Outside Dublin, the number of bars has fallen by 25% in that period. I am referring not just to the closures of…

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I compliment her on the great work she continues to do. This is a topic that has touched every family in Ireland. Thankfully, we are now speaking about it much more openly, which is needed. This Bill is an important step forward for mental health care in Ireland. It modernises our legislation with a more compassionate approach that puts people and their rights at the centre of the system. One of the things about this Bill that should be acknowledged is how it protects…

Members will have seen reporting this morning of the comments by the Minister for justice at the Institute of International and European Affairs about a case currently before the Court of Justice of the European Union and its expected outcome. In short, he advised that the likely outcome is that asylum seekers will soon be entitled to damages from the State for its failure to provide them with accommodation, while Irish homeless people and homeless people from other EU member states will have no such right. As the …

The decision will not be finalised until September at the earliest. We need an urgent debate on this topic after the recess. I would be grateful if the Leader would request that the Minister for justice come to the House to talk through the issue in depth as soon as possible.

I highlight that the first ever under-23 all-Ireland camogie final will take place this Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. It is a battle between Galway and Cork and throw-in is at 2 p.m. I encourage anyone in the area and from my county to attend and see history in the making, as the camogie association has rightly marketed it. I wish both teams well, although I am hoping the cup's first trip will be westward. Similar to Senator Stephenson, I raise the reporting done this week by The Journal on the failur…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: - "Seanad Éireann resolves that the Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 be read a second time on this day 12 months, to allow sufficient time for the development of Government legislative proposals, in line with the principles of this Private Members' Bill." I welcome the Minister, Deputy Burke, to the Chamber. I thank Senator Ryan for sharing her personal story. It is a very heartfelt story and I wish her all the…