I just want to join my Oireachtas colleagues from the south east on the significance and the importance of both the N24 and N25 and in bringing it to the next stage. It is a massive issue. It is a corridor from Rosslare Harbour from Belview right cross to Cork and over to Limerick. I want to thank the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, for his engagement with myself and other Oireachtas colleagues in trying to get this project over the line. I look forward to seeing announcements today and in the coming weeks. Speci…

I thank the Minister of State. For seven years, I was chairman of the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board. Approximately six years ago, we got word that there was to be a new Kilkenny City Vocational School and that a new Gaelcholáiste in Kilkenny for those who want to be taught through the medium of Irish was going to begin its journey. These were to be two new schools in a campus project on a brand-new greenfield site. This particular project has been stuck at stage 2b for the last number of months. …

Jesus Christ.

All of us in Fianna Fáil absolutely welcome this debate and fully support the motion. The only difficulty I have with it is that I wish an awful lot more money was being put into the greyhound and horse racing industries. I have never heard as much horse manure in my life than what I heard from some of the previous speakers who obviously do not have a clue about rural Ireland. They do not have a bull's notion about the impact and the vital role in the rural and regional economy provided by the greyhound industry an…

Deputy Healy-Rae had his time.

I want to raise the village of Inistioge in County Kilkenny. I am not sure if the Minister is familiar with it. It is the most picturesque village in Kilkenny, if not in the country. It is home to the great Eddie Keher, one of the greatest hurlers of all time, it is home to the fantastic Woodstock gardens and arboretum, a national treasure and a gem in the south east, and it has hosted numerous films down through the years, such as "Circle of Friends", to name just one. However, that village is being strangled at t…

Last week, we saw serious disruption for towns and villages like Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh, Inistioge and Freshford, which are currently faced with significant backlogs for the implementation of effective flood relief schemes. I acknowledge there has been extensive consultations with local communities to achieve a solution that satisfies those communities and the needs of the local environment. However, the delivery has been delayed far too long. The conversation needs to move to action. It is all about implement…

I understand that fish life is important, but what about the lives of Johnny and Mary, living in a house that has been flooded? The people in Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and Inistioge are going to bed at night from November to March wondering if their houses will be flooded come the morning.

The injustice to these communities has gone on far too long.

I welcome every farming organisation here this evening. I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on an issue that lies at the heart of our rural communities, the Mercosur trade agreement, and how we are going to ensure the protection of Irish farmers. As everybody in this room knows, farming is not just a job; it is a way of life for many in Ireland. Our farmers work tirelessly to produce high-quality food while adhering to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards. However, the proposed Mercosur…

The Government has dealt with unprecedented numbers of international protection applicants in recent years, following a decade of geopolitical instability. Ireland strives to maintain a robust, rules-based system for all and to ensure that our citizens are protected through the appropriate enforcement of our borders. It is this Government's utmost priority to ensure that all those who arrive at our doorstep are treated with dignity and respect. We acknowledge the difficult journey that many asylum applicants make t…

I will speak about the construction of two brand-new multi-storey school buildings for the new post-primary schools, Kilkenny City Vocational School and Coláiste Pobail Osraí. These two schools have to be priority projects. Due to increasing numbers, the situation in these schools is unsustainable. They are currently under pressure to provide for existing and future student needs. The next phase of this project will be to release the funding and appoint the contractor. I hope - please God - that in a short time we …

We are counting on the Taoiseach's support to get these projects over the line as quickly as possible.

I welcome these statements on the tillage sector. I know first hand that the tillage sector is a vital part of the agrifood sector. I see it where I am from in places like Paulstown, Danesfort, Callan, Tullaroan, Ballyragget, Mooncoin and Graiguenamanagh, where the tillage sector is as vibrant as ever. It contributes over €1.3 billion annually to the Irish economy yet the sector is in decline. The area under tillage has decreased by 40% in 40 years. According to the IFA, the recent decline in area can be principall…

I welcome the statements on the budget. Like others, I recognise that this is the first of five budgets in this cycle. The key premise and most important thing about this budget is that it is about safeguarding the economy and protecting jobs. That is central to us having the most high-functioning economy in the whole of Europe. That had to underpin any decisions that were made. Previous speakers mentioned the carer's allowance disregard, which was increased to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple. Th…

In addition to that-----

I thought I had more time. I apologise to Deputy Neville.

The tillage sector is a vital part of the agrifood sector. A series of three consecutive poor harvests has severely impacted the viability of the tillage sector in Ireland. What supports are available in budget 2026 for the sector?

I welcome the €50 million additional funding and the commitment given today that a consultation process with key stakeholders will take place. When 1,000 farmers attend a meeting, it shows that there is a problem and a big challenge in the sector. We know the tillage sector contributes €1.3 billion annually to the Irish economy, but the sector is in decline, as the Minister outlined. The area under tillage farming in Ireland has reduced by 40% in 40 years. We are not tilling as much land as we were previously. The …

It was recently reported that the Department of agriculture intends to reopen the technical files on Irish whiskey. Currently, Irish whiskey is defined as a "spirit distilled on the island of Ireland ... from a mash of malted cereals, with or without whole grains of other cereals". By this definition, there is absolutely no requirement at the moment to use Irish grain in the production of Irish whiskey. Is the Minister able to confirm if the technical files will be reopened? If they are, would he be supportive of r…