I welcome the Tánaiste to the Chamber. I commend all those who took part by giving testimony and evidence as part of this report, and acknowledge the work of all those involved in the formulation of the report. The most important work now begins with the implementation of the statutory review that is to take place. I acknowledge the work and decisions taken by the Government in terms of the statutory inquiry, the setting up of the external oversight body and the reform of the existing mechanisms for making a compla…

We have read in the newspapers and seen the coverage in respect of the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Michael McGrath, and the healthy surplus we have. That relates to the very healthy corporation tax rates that are coming in. Those things do not happen by accident. We are a very favourable country for investment and foreign direct investment because of our good governance, membership of the European Union, being a stable democracy and all of those positive things we espouse. It certainly is a change from a number…

I welcome the Minister. I spoke on this matter a few weeks ago and called for a debate, so I welcome his attendance and interest in the sector. I also welcome the representatives from farming organisations. The INHFA, the IFA, and the ICSA have called for some time for additional supports to compensate for rising inputs and lower prices, notwithstanding the improvement in the last few weeks. I reiterate that call. There was a lot in the Minster's speech but he did not say there will be additional supports provided …

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this matter for debate. I submitted it before the Easter break because it had emerged at that time. I welcome the Minister of State. As he is aware, a suggested draft primary school curriculum framework with subject teaching times was published by the Minister for Education in early March. This has caused some concern among some in my community, Gaeltacht communities and those within the Irish language community. There is significant concern over the reduction in the …

Mar a luaigh an tAire Stáit ansin, luaigh an Roinn Oideachais go raibh polasaí nua á fhorbairt ag an Roinn don Ghaeloideachas taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht faoi láthair. Cuirim fáilte roimhe sin ach, mar sin, cén fáth go bhfuiltear ag déanamh go bhfuil an Roinn Oideachais ag déanamh cinnidh mhóir laghdú a dhéanamh ar an nGaeilge sna bunscoileanna, nuair atá an polasaí nua seo á fhorbairt agus an próiseas comhairliúcháin ag dul ar aghaidh faoi láthair? Ní dhéanann sé sin aon chiall. Ba cheart go mbeadh an cinneadh fao…

Since the mid-1990s, there has been more of a focus in farming on the protection of archeological heritage through the rural environmental protection scheme and its successors. They are now part of the code of practice and recognised as a staple part of a landowner's responsibilities. I have highlighted cases where land is sold, somebody comes into a new plot of land and does not know the history of it, and this being a danger point in some cases for certain archeological features. Perhaps there could be a liaison …

Now.

On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I join in the tributes to Noel Murphy and wish him well in the next stage of his career, whatever that might be. I offer good wishes to his wife Fiona and his children, who will have more time together as a family. Best of luck. I thank Noel for everything he has done over the last number of years in these Houses. The sheep sector is hugely important to this country. It is distributed right across the country, particularly on but not exclusively on marginal lands. It is a sector th…

Tá an tAire Coimirce Sóisialaí, Heather Humphreys, ag déanamh athbhreithnithe ar chlár na mbéilí scoile. Tá an scéim an-tábhachtach do pháistí agus dá gcuid tuismitheoirí i scoileanna DEIS. Beidh an scéim seo ag tosú i chuid de na scoileanna nach bhfuil páirteach i DEIS san fhómhar. Ní raibh aon ardú ar na rátaí ó 2003 ach tá méadú suntasach tagtha ar na costais do bhéilí a ullmhú ón am sin. Iarraim ar an gCeannaire scríobh arís chuig an Aire, an Teachta Humphreys, ag impí uirthi na rátaí a ardú. Tá na comhlachtaí …

I welcome the Minister. I acknowledge Mick Finnegan and others in the Gallery and watching in. I also acknowledge the work and advocacy of Senators Seery Kearney and Doherty in raising in the House the need to publish the report, the delays in this regard and discussion on it. Thankfully, the report has been published. Sexual abuse was first being reported in this country as far back as the mid-1990s. One would have thought these reports and reviews were long done. To think that in 2023 we are still publishing repo…

I welcome the Minister. His statement was very brief. I acknowledge we had an opportunity to engage with the Minister at the joint committee. I am not a member of the committee but I substituted for Senator McGahon. I was contacted by a former board member on foot of that meeting who stated: I would like to clarify my reasons for resigning from the board. My sole reason for doing so was due to the lack of full adoption of the IFI of its legal role as a competent authority under the habitats directive as well as the…

The Minister of State should talk to the former board members too. That would be useful.

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

I thank the Cathaoirleach’s office for selecting this Commencement matter for debate. Coincidentally I attended an information session on Zoom this morning from St. Joseph's Patrician College, better known as "The Bish", in the heart of Galway city. The school has announced exciting plans for the development of the school. It will move to Dangan and a planning permission application for a 1,000 pupil school design is due to be lodged in April. This is badly needed to provide additional capacity for the growing popu…

I thank the Minister of State and the Department for providing the response. There has been engagement between school principals across the region and they do not believe there is duplication of applications. As regards school of choice, I am not being smart but at this stage any school place would be welcome for parents. They are not being picky. All schools are of good quality but it is about getting a school that is realistically proximate to where they live. There are plans in the medium to long term to increas…

We rightly acknowledge the work of National Broadband Ireland, NBI, and the intervention by the State to ensure high-speed broadband coverage across the country. It is great to see connections taking place up and down the country. In some areas, high-speed fibre broadband is available for order or preorder. In some other areas, the network build is in progress. In other areas, the surveys are complete and in still other areas, the surveys are under way. There are, of course, many areas where the survey is pending. …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Luaigh sé an chuairt ar maidin ar Ionad Cuimhneacháin na nlmirceach i gceantar Iorras Aithneach i gCarna agus an €1 milliún a d’fhógair sé ar maidin. Cuirim fáilte roimh an bhfógra sin. Togra tábhachtach atá ann. Thug an tAire Stáit cead don chéad chéim eile, an dara céim den togra sin, dul chun cinn. Luaigh sé freisin an athfhorbairt atá le déanamh ar Choláiste Lurgan in Indreabhán. Molaim an deontas de €314,000 a cheadaigh sé chun iarratas cead pleanála a ullmhú don chéad chéim …

Tairgim.

I welcome the Minister and acknowledge his interest and dedication in engaging with the concerns the Opposition has raised during the course of debates on this legislation. It is always a testimony to a good Minister that he or she is willing to accept that things can be improved and to engage with issues that are raised in the Houses of the Oireachtas. I also acknowledge Vicky Phelan and all the campaigners who have advocated for and on behalf of the Bill and those in the Oireachtas, including Deputy Kelly and oth…

Next Tuesday.