Absolutely.

I am sure that in respect of anything the ambassador requires from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, we will be able to facilitate that directly.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. As the Taoiseach indicated, I will address some of the economic and EU external issues discussed at the most recent meeting. The European Council in March endorsed the political emphasis of the Versailles declaration insofar as strengthening Europe's economic base is concerned. This includes unlocking the full potential of the Single Market to underpin the green and digital transitions essential to Europe's future prosperity and well-being. The leaders also endorsed the strategic priori…

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words about the National Botanic Gardens. More often than not when I am in the Seanad to speak about the role of the OPW, it concerns another element of its work with which I deal, namely, coastal erosion and flooding. This debate gives me a chance to speak on a lighter note about another element of the OPW. The Senator is right when he suggests it is one of the best jobs in government. I do not have to go outside this Chamber when looking for a testament to the role of the OP…

The Senator will be glad to know that yesterday the OPW launched a guide to filming at many of its historic properties, including the National Botanic Gardens, Emo Court and Sceilg Mhichíl. The OPW's investment programme for our heritage portfolio, along with its partners in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, requires a lot of money but we are investing heavily in it. I pay tribute to the OPW staff who operate that facility, the architects, the design team and everybody else behind the scenes…

In relation to works at Carlow Castle, OPW have just completed the structural remediation works to the south eastern tower following storm damage and the site has been open once again to the public since October 2021. Additionally, some localised fencing has been placed on site to keep visitors back from the face of certain walls within the castle complex. These areas require further structural investigations and assessments and provision has been made in this years budget to allow for these surveys to be completed…

Each year, the Heritage Services division in the Office of Public Works carries out a programme of international and domestic marketing actions to promote all heritage visitor sites in its management and care. The megalithic tombs of Loughcrew are an extraordinary part of our national heritage which are particularly vulnerable and require careful conservation and management. Unfortunately, in recent years there have been increases in reports of damage to archaeological monuments including Loughcrew Cairns.  As a re…

On behalf of the Office of Public Works, OPW, which does a great deal of work with Wexford County Council on the issue of flooding, I wish to take this opportunity to extend my sympathies and those of the OPW to the family of the late Billy Kinsella, his wife, Rita, and his son, Conor, on his recent passing. He was working in the aftermath of a recent storm. Wexford County Council has worked hand in glove with the OPW during many of the storms that that part of the country has faced. I thank the Deputy for her ques…

As I made clear at a meeting convened by the chairman of the Enniscorthy municipal district of Wexford County Council, Councillor Cathal Byrne, and as the Deputy will have heard on the quays in Enniscorthy alongside the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, and others, this is not a question of money, so it is not fair to refer to it as such on the floor of the Dáil. The Deputy and other public representatives heard me say that this had to do with a planning process. I have outlined in the Dáil once again that th…

As I said, this is part of a process in which the Minister cannot interfere. I said at the time, and I reiterate it again on the floor of the Dáil, that the process is open-ended for very good reason. If it was not open-ended and a time constraint was placed on it people would also have a difficulty with that. They would say that because of the time constraint the process needs to be extended. The Arterial Drainage Acts are laid out in a manner which gives the Commissioners for the Office of Public Works access to …

I did not interrupt the Deputy. Mr. Enright is working with us to try to deliver this scheme along with other schemes in Wexford. He is doing an excellent job to get it delivered. As soon as the OPW is in a position where it can get confirmation of the scheme, if we can get confirmation of it, we will deliver it.

In 2019, the OPW completed a flood relief scheme at Bellurgan at a cost of some €700,000. It protects 35 properties. The evidence provided by the CFRAM programme, which was launched in May 2018, supports the Government's €1.3 billion planned investment in flood relief through the national development plan as part of Project Ireland 2040. One key output of the CFRAM programme was the flood risk management plans that contain proposed flood relief measures informed by costs, benefits and environmental factors to addre…

I was in County Louth with our colleague, Deputy O'Dowd, not too long ago, where I met with officials from Louth County Council. In the case of Annagassan and Termonfeckin, the CFRAM process investigated possible structural flood relief measures for both but economically viable schemes have not been identified. The OPW is undertaking a review of the risk in both communities and the likely costs and benefits of the scheme will be included in that. The OPW has put in place a process for undertaking such a scheme viab…

There was a bit of poetic licence.

Given the pertinent issue Deputy Farrell has raised, I am sure the discretion of the Chair will be exercised and some leniency can be given. On Deputy Ó Murchú's questions, Louth County Council has the option of progressing some of the minor issues through the OPW's minor works scheme. We are encouraging local authorities to work with us on that. In fairness to the council, it has a very proactive history of engagement with the OPW. I was very impressed with the engagement I had with the county manager and senior o…

I am sure the Deputy sitting behind Deputy Farrell, as well as Deputy Ring, Senator Kyne and others are equally interested. I will come back with a fuller answer.

I will send her the details.

I will take this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and providing me with the opportunity to address this matter. I understand that Irish Water has taken in charge more than 170 group water schemes since it took over responsibility for public water services from the local authorities in January 2014. Irish Water is continuing with this process as schemes are upgraded and funded under the Department of Housing, Local Government and H…

I will certainly raise the issue the Deputy has articulated with the Minister of State, Deputy Burke. I recall that when the issue of group water schemes being taken in charge was discussed in a previous Dáil, a lot of the issues raised by the Deputy I also raised as a Deputy on the Government side. It is a pity that the Deputy's party was not as supportive of group water schemes when the abolition of water charges was raised. As she knows, people in group water schemes pay for water. When people were paying for wa…

I am glad the Deputy has accepted it.