I second the amendment proposed by Senator McGreehan that No. 11 be taken before No. 1. The Irish Cancer Society's national Daffodil Day takes place this Friday, 22 March. A total of 99% of the funds it raises every year is through voluntary contributions. I thank the Irish people for their continued generosity in that regard. Some of the statistics relating to cancer are quite frightening. Every three minutes, someone in this country is told that he or she has cancer. That equates to roughly 40,000 people per year…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House today to debate the Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023. I thank him for outlining the general draft of the Bill. It is imperative in any society that citizens have access to the courts in a prompt timeframe and that courts will be properly resourced. Having an efficient court system that provides timely access to justice is of central importance to any society. The courts exist to protect our rights and uphold the rule of law. At some stage we are likely to have …

The Minister of State is welcome back to the House. The Bill brings us in line with international best practice and it is only right we progress it. In addition to the two previous points I made, there is also an issue with costs. There is a more expeditious way of dealing with costs. Overall, I am fully supportive of the Bill. From a Fianna Fáil perspective, we would be delighted to see it pass through the House without delay.

Next Tuesday.

I welcome the Minister of State. The Central Bank has recently confirmed that large numbers of mortgage holders whose loans were sold to vulture funds are unable to use the ombudsman service to make complaints if they are in dispute over the handling of their loans. It is estimated that up to 100,000 borrowers have had mortgages sold to vulture funds, with credit servicing firms acting on behalf of the funds. We now know that a legal loophole exists whereby thousands of people have no access to the Financial Servic…

I thank the Minister of State for his response to this very important issue. As he outlined, all we are seeking is that if these individuals who have had their loans sold to vulture funds, in many cases without their knowledge and consent, feel they have a legitimate complaint to make, there will be someone who will be able to listen to them. Currently, they do not have that avenue or mechanism. Therefore, I respectfully suggest that the Government move fast on this so that people who find themselves in this positi…

In 2022, 901 animals were attacked by dogs: 755 sheep and 77 cattle were attacked. Unfortunately, that figure is on the rise. The scene of a sheep attack by dogs is truly horrific, apart from the financial burden it inflicts upon the farmer and his family. For example, losing ten pregnant ewes could cost as much as €2,000 to replace. Apart from the financial hardship, there is also the psychological damage it does to the farmer and the family’s mental health and well-being. I compliment my colleague, Senator Erin M…

Now.

I, too, welcome the Minister back to the House this afternoon. I also commend our Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward this very important motion. It is a very timely motion and, from a Fianna Fáil perspective, we are very happy to support the motion as outlined by the Labour Party Senators this afternoon. This is motion we can all agree with. Everyone wants safer communities, be that in this city or in any other city or, indeed, any town or village in the country. Much reference has been made, and rightly s…

A report issued this morning shows that the commercial property vacancy rate is at its highest level in ten years. There are something like 30,000 vacant commercial units across the length and breadth of the country. Here in the city I understand there are 19 office blocks, eight of which are brand new, that have not been occupied and are lying vacant. This is in addition to a further 15 in suburbs of the city. This is at a time when the housing situation is at its highest point and surely it would make sense for a…

I, too, wish to join with others in congratulating the Deputy Leader on her great performance at the weekend. I certainly wish her well from here on in. Bualadh bos on her performance. I would also like to mention Senator Ward, who equally performed well. It shows the quality that lies within the four walls of this particular room.

Today, and many times previously, I have spoken about the digital age and how it is moving at a pace that no one can stop. No one wants to stop it. It is a train that, unfortunately, not everyone is capable of buying a ticket for or getting access to. I have in mind those people who call to my office, including elderly people, who find it difficult to get a bus ticket as they have to buy it online and for whatever reason they are not capable of doing so. I was heartened this weekend by a story I heard about an inte…

I call for a debate on the future of small businesses in this country, particularly at a time when, unfortunately, we are beginning to see shops and small bars and restaurants closing their doors, which is a very sad sight to see, not just for the town or village where that business is located but, indeed, for the entire community and local economy. Many people told me that part of the problem was when the VAT rate increased or reverted back to 13.5%. That has had an adverse effect on many small businesses and smal…

As other Members did yesterday, I pass on my sympathies to the Bruton family on John's sad passing. I was taken by the contributions here yesterday from Senators and, indeed, by those of Members of the Lower House, in particular his brother, Richard, who gave a lovely and moving tribute. To John's wife, Finola, Richard and all the members of the Bruton family, I pass on my deepest sympathies and thank them for their very dignified service to this State through the years. On a more joyful note, I am glad to report t…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank her sincerely for taking time out of her busy schedule to be here this afternoon. The topic I wish to discuss with the Minister of State is one she and I have discussed numerous times, which is the chronic lack of respite services for children with disabilities in County Monaghan. As the Minister of State knows, parents are at their wits' end. They are exhausted and at the end of their tethers looking after and caring for their loved ones, which they will do as …

I thank the Minister of State for her positive response. Respite has been a problem for many a long year and long before she came into office over three years ago. Again, I thank her for taking on board the issue that particularly arises in County Monaghan and, indeed, to a lesser extent in County Cavan. She has delivered the positive news that €15 million is ring-fenced. The Minister of State mentioned Steadfast House, about which the Minister of State and I spoke. The facility only operates 36 weeks in the year b…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House this morning. I thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to this Commencement matter. As I am sure the Minister of State is aware, red tape, form-filling and unnecessary and complex paperwork is the bane of every single business in this country, notwithstanding the importance of due diligence and clear reporting to Revenue. It is important that the Government would be cognisant at all times of the current additional cost, including additional staff i…

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response, which has given me comfort. Several businesses to which I have spoken appear to be unaware that this is coming in on 1 January, however. I welcome that Revenue will take a sympathetic, understanding and flexible attitude to this going forward but my main concern relates to small businesses. Large companies are probably better placed to handle an additional requirement such as this, but there is an additional time and cost factor here, particularly for sm…

I have been listening attentively to the debate to this point.

It is fair to say there is a great deal of confusion among Members. In fairness, Senator Craughwell, along with my colleague Senator Chambers, has been a constant voice in the whole area of security and cybersecurity.