We do not propose a change in the map at this point. Among the issues that were raised with me, the map was not a prominent one. Maybe it could be an issue for Senator Cummins in Waterford city, but in the engagement my Department had on the scheme, the map was not a prominent issue. The issue was the length of the extension and the time over which the relief could be made available. Other issues were raised, and I have not responded to them all, but among the issues that were raised with my Department, the map was…

This section deals with the relief for capital expenditure on slurry storage, which is somewhat different from the issue Senator Burke raised. However, I am aware of the issue so I am happy to say a word about it. It has been raised a little more with me recently than it has been for some time, and the reason for that is very clear, that is, that solar panels and investment in them is now a far bigger opportunity than it ever has been and is being considered by far more farmers - indeed, not just farmers. First, th…

I am happy to agree to the principle of what Senators are proposing but I cannot agree to this particular recommendation, which relates to a timely matter. I fully agree with their analysis of the issues. In my constituency of Dublin Central, I represent many people who live in rental accommodation that is old and has not seen the investment that is needed not only to make it fit for the future as we battle with climate change but also to keep it warm as temperatures get colder at different points of the year. That…

Institutional investment has had a role to play in the supply of both commercial and residential property. In particular, it has played a role in the increased provision of apartments in recent years. Rebuilding Ireland identified the encouragement of the build-to-rent sector as a key priority in improving the supply of accommodation in urban areas and encouraging professionalisation of our rental sector. However, where such investment brings profit, a fair share of tax must be paid. Senators will be aware that in …

This matter has been the subject of much debate in the Dáil and Seanad in recent years. I am confident we are not seeing oligopolistic tendencies under way in the property market but I want to ensure the tax structure that has been in place for some time is given a thorough review. That will be done next year and it will be done in the same transparent and predictable manner in which my Department reviews other areas of tax policy. If needs be, it will be followed by action by the Minister at that point.

I thank the Senators for raising this matter. The reason I am not proposing to have a further report carried out on this matter is that, in the aftermath of much debate about section 481 over recent years, we have just published a very lengthy report on it in September. It proposed and concluded that this is a section that is performing very well and is playing a very valuable role in the location of important international production within our country and in facilitating much domestically inspired, produced and c…

Before the scheme comes to a full end, and by scheme I mean the regional tax credit as opposed to section 481, I will announce that this matter will be given consideration again. I am certain that will happen. I also appreciate what Senator Buttimer said about the digital gaming credit. It is a part of our economy which has great potential in the time ahead. While I do not have the time to participate in the sector myself, I know it is probably the art form of digital creation of this century. Given our success in …

I propose to respond to recommendations No. 17 to 21, inclusive, together. Recommendation No. 17 refers to reducing the rate of motor oil tax currently in place on diesel and petrol to the minimum rate allowable under the energy tax directive on 1 March. The recommendation also proposes to reduce the rate of motor oil tax on non-propellant use of kerosene to 0% until 1 March 2023. Recommendations Nos. 18 and 19 propose reducing the rate of motor oil tax effective from 1 March and 1 May on non-propellant use of kero…

I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this important matter. Where I agree with the Deputy is on the commitment that the State must have, and certainly this Government has, to give Harry the best possible start in life, recognising the needs he has and the support he deserves for the journey in life ahead of him. The Government is committed to putting in places the therapists that are needed to make a difference. We recognise, of course, that in the provision of any therapy services and any social and health supports,…

I thank Deputy Doherty for again raising this matter. His reminder that Harry, at such a young age, has already undergone a hip operation, which is such a large and significant operation for a child to go through, and the other six children in the school of course reminds me why it is so important to make the funding available to the HSE, through the work of the Minister for Health, to put in place the right roles and posts to assist these girls and boys in their journey of life. It is because of the duty we have t…

I will begin with the latter question regarding how we propose to get to a culture that is different to the culture to which the Deputy has referred. It is by the steps this and previous Governments have taken with regard to the regulation of our banks. It is about the changes that are fundamental in nature that have happened in the regulation of the banking sector since those awful years, months and days of the global financial crisis. It is the reason that since 2013, the Central Bank of Ireland has had legislati…

I have already answered the Deputy's question. The all-too-real scenario at the heart of the decision the Government contemplated on Tuesday morning is that where a person could be offered a job in either AIB, Bank of Ireland or PTSB, he or she could be looking after the IT systems that are vital to the functioning of our banks. That person will be offered a salary and may even be offered a good salary. However, the vast majority of other banks and organisations will not only match that salary but will offer a bonu…

-----and the reality I have to a acknowledge in decisions that are being made by the Government. Of course, I have a duty as to how the harm and grave difficulties of the past can be compensated for so those who were hurt and harmed can be recognised in decisions made and that have been made by the over €200 million of fines that have already been levied on our banking sector to deal with the tracker mortgage scandal. In addition to that duty, I also have a duty to allow our banks to compete appropriately with larg…

I thank the Deputy for raising this particularly serious matter for homeowners who are affected by these fire safety risks. I know the homes to which the Deputy refers and I can only imagine the worry and anxiety many different homeowners are facing. They have a right to be concerned about their safety and the safety of the properties that are their homes. The Government and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, have recognised the scale of this issue and are already working on how the Government can respond to the…

One of the few things of which I am certain is that regardless of what the Government brings forward, it will not be enough for the Deputy.

The Deputy has already decided when the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Government agree proposals in respect of this matter, they will instantly be condemned by the Deputy as insufficient.

What the Government------

What the Government is very aware of-----

I reiterate that the Government knows that regardless of what it brings forward, it will be condemned by the Deputy as being insufficient. The Deputy probably already has the tweet written and ready to go. This is a countrywide issue. Because it is a countrywide issue, we recognise that the number of properties affected is serious. Of course, the Deputies on this side of the House also represent the affected communities. All of us have this issue. As a result, we have to realise and recognise that the costs and com…

-----with a commitment of many billions of euro. The Government absolutely appreciates the trauma and anxiety caused by so many to so many as a result of factors with which the latter had nothing to do. We will shortly bring forward a response to the task force on defects in homes. We will do our very best-----