I thank the Minister of State and acknowledge his role in the sports capital grant. To see the fund increase under previous governments from €70 million to €170 million and then to €270 million in the previous round has been absolutely fantastic. This Government needs to continue to support and invest in sporting organisations right across the country. The caps on the regional, local and equipment grants were €500,000, €200,000 and €70,000, respectively, in the previous round. It is my strong view that grants need …

As the Minister of State knows, I have a number of projects and I am sure we will discuss them at length in due course. I want to pay tribute to his colleagues in Killarney as well. Ken and the lads have been fantastic in any dealings I have had with them on existing schemes to new ones going forward. I welcome the Minister of State's commitment to the LSSIF to open in late 2027 or early 2028 as provided for in the programme for Government. We have some key infrastructure projects in my constituency that I look for…

We hear a lot about teacher shortages, and the Government rightly says it wants to attract experienced teachers home from abroad but the reality on the ground can sometimes tell a different story. Teachers returning from abroad, including places like Dubai, are finding that years and sometimes decades of experience simply are not being recognised on the incremental salary scale. The justification given is that this work was done in private schools, even where those schools operated under rigorous inspection and acc…

I want to raise a very practical measure that could support families and community sports. Will the Government consider introducing targeted tax relief for households and families on their memberships of sporting organisations? Many families in my constituency are under serious financial pressure to give their children the opportunity to be members and join multiple sporting organisations, whether it be soccer, hurling, camogie, athletics or swimming. The list goes on and on. If they want to play additional support…

Yes, all sporting organisations.

I am delighted to debate the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026. I firmly believe this legislation has the potential to have a transformative impact on our younger people, much like when An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, led the way in introducing the smoking ban in the early noughties. This is regarded to this day as one of the most significant and effective pieces of public health legislation in the history of the State. As a father of four young daughters, I am acut…

I appreciate the opportunity to be here this evening to speak and make statements related to football. I have a couple of points I would like to make, My initial point is to say a massive thank you to all the clubs in the country, especially in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, to all the volunteers, all the executive, all coaches, all parents and all players. It is a fantastic asset to have for a community. I have seen at first hand incredible developments in Kilkenny and in Carlow in soccer facilities, soccer i…

I thank the Minister of State. We are out of time.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the measures announced by the Government to address the ongoing fuel and energy cost crisis, which continues to place real and sustained pressure on households, families and businesses right across the country. I cannot but comment on the pure hypocrisy of Sinn Féin on the far side of the House, whose previous speakers unanimously opposed last night’s motion to help families and businesses right across the country. Last Thursday in this Chamber, the deputy leader of Sinn Féin c…

The only thing we ever get from Sinn Féin Members is a permanent "No". That is their contribution to Irish politics, a permanent "No". There is nothing to them and nothing in them. They would want to start coming forward with proper, credible policies instead of just going against everything.

When you are against everything, you are for nothing and Sinn Féin is for nothing.

They are going out and whinging with no credible proposal being brought forward. Last week they said they would bring forward a 20 cent reduction. Why, five days later, do they go against a 22 cent reduction?

Why did they all vote against it?

The Deputy is talking out of both sides of her mouth as usual. The country can see through it and we are all sick of listening to her and her colleagues. They are going at it the whole time, left, right and centre. There is nothing to them. There is absolutely no substance and they have no credibility. Everybody can see through it.

It is important to acknowledge that action has been taken and that action is absolutely welcome. The reduction in excise on petrol and diesel alongside a significant cut to the NORA levy will provide immediate and tangible relief at the pumps, not just "No" politics for the sake of "No" politics. For many working people, particularly those in rural areas, who rely heavily on their cars, that relief cannot come soon enough. Equally the decision to extend supports for home heating, particularly for more vulnerable ho…

You are against everything, Cathy.

I am delighted to see so much engagement in relation to the Common Agricultural Policy because, for Ireland, this debate is not simply another EU policy negotiation. As the Minister himself said, it is about the future of rural communities, family farming and food production in a country where agriculture remains one of our most important indigenous industries. As negotiations around CAP 2027 begin to take shape, Ireland has to ensure that its voice is strong and influential in Brussels through the Minister, the Mi…

I welcome the Minister's comments and the fact a strong CAP is not just about agriculture but it is about the future of rural Ireland. When farming thrives, rural communities thrive alongside it. Local businesses, schools, services and sports clubs all depend on vibrant rural economies so this finance will be key to that. CAP 27 must provide meaningful supports to help young farmers enter the industry and invest in their farms for the long term. Historically, Ireland has played a really constructive role in shaping…

In Carlow-Kilkenny, the reality facing students, parents and school staff is very different from the picture that is often presented by the Government. We are seeing steady population growth, more young families and increasing demand for school places, but the delivery of school buildings is simply not keeping pace. Across the country, and specifically in my constituency, schools are relying on prefabs that were meant to be temporary but have now become long-term fixtures. Children are being taught in overcrowded c…

I am delighted to hear that additional funding will be made available. I look forward to engaging with the Tánaiste to deliver these projects. In Carlow, schools like Borris College and St. Mary's Academy CBS are under pressure. The projects are ready to go. They just need the green light from the Department. If we move over to Kilkenny, the situation is just as concerning. Kilkenny City Vocational School and Coláiste Pobail Osraí are waiting on their new shared campus. Castlecomer Community College and Coláiste Ab…