I can certainly do another ten minutes if that is enough.

I am happy to go for another five minutes on those issues.

That is an issue I recognise there is a lot of interest in and we can work through that with a review. Some of this will be addressed through the Kieran Mulvey approach I am taking, which is to go out to all stakeholders, engage with them and listen to their views and concerns, some of which we may be able to advance and progress as part of our future framework coming from that strategy that has been promised in the programme for Government. There are others who I know will reflect on historical aspects. Kieran Mul…

That is an important feature and one I am examining but there is a difficulty. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. An allocation can be made as set out in Article 17, to which the Senator referred, but a decision taken in 2017 by the then Minister to change the policy on allocation following a review was challenged in the courts. I understand it is still in the courts under judicial review. The case was taken against the then Minister and the baton has been passed on to me. The matter is tied up in the cour…

Deputy McDonald has none.

I thank the Deputies for seeking the opportunity for statements on fisheries. I am pleased to discuss the important issues concerned affecting the fisheries sector. I wish to reassure the House that as Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries and the marine, I recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both for the communities that rely on it and, indeed, the wider economy. The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future reflects this approach by committing to securing…

I thank all the Deputies who contributed for their insights and helpful suggestions. I want to correct one matter. I indicated, I think, that I am to meet my UK counterpart on 5 July. I am reliably informed it is 9 July. I do not want anything to be missed on the record on that. To the Sinn Féin Members who talked about their survey, that is a useful piece of work, and I can understand the sentiment many of the people express. I might not agree with some of the suggestions but I have indicated to the Deputies who p…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He will be aware of the engagement I have had with the industry in recent weeks and my commitment to continued engagement with him on the issue. I am looking forward to an opportunity for the committee to address various matters that arise, and I intend to work with the Deputy on that. I will put a few facts on the record first. The fisheries control regulation provides for a Union fisheries control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fish…

The principal objective of the review, which was carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers, was to contribute to the ongoing and future development of the organisation. The areas covered by the review were the organisational capabilities of the SFPA to deliver on its mission for the effective and fair regulation - and I emphasise fair regulation - of the sea-fishing and seafood sectors that fall within its mandate. I have to accept that fishermen, fisherwomen and processors do not believe that it is fair. That is their…

I thank the Deputy for his intervention. He is raising concerns and issues that have been shared with him and with me. I met the SFPA. The people I met and the various sections of the organisation are fulfilling their mandate to the best of their ability. We have to recognise that the authority's role is prescribed in legislation. We are precluded from involving ourselves directly in any decisions it takes. The Deputy raised points that are relevant and that can be discussed at the committee. We also have to recogn…

I thank my friend and former colleague for the gracious introduction. It is the first time I have had an opportunity to be back in the Seanad since my election to the other House. I have fond memories of my ten years here. It was five years at the beginning and five more recently. I thank Senator again for that and I look forward to being back on many occasions in the future. I also thank the Senator for raising this important issue. As she knows, the Government has an energy vision to fulfil the commitment to incr…

The Senator firmly believes in this and is passionate about it. I do not question the sincerity but I have to tell her what the Government position is. She raised an important point about the planning permissions that are required even to get wind turbines in place. There is significant pushback against that on land. The plan is that at sea, we believe there will be fewer objections because it is away from the shore. If it is difficult to get planning permissions for turbines I am sure the Senator will accept that …

I thank Senator Nelson Murray for a comprehensive and passionate expression of her concerns on behalf of her constituents. It is clear to me that they are in good hands with the Senator representing them. I will pass on the comments from the Minister for Health, who unfortunately cannot be here. The Minister sends her apologies and has asked me to communicate with the Senator in advance. I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. Sexual health is a priority for the Department of Health and the Minister …

Not at all. I take the Senator’s point. I wanted to set out in the first instance the position of the Government and the Department as to where they are at. Of course, the comments the Senator made and her presentation will be taken into consideration by the Department and the Government. She identified that there are practical issues on the ground in nearly every constituency. It takes time to get a doctor’s appointment. The Government, in a holistic way, is looking at the evolution of GP services and trying to en…

I welcome the opportunity to wrap up this debate. I recognise, as others have done, the presence of the president of the IFA, Mr. Francie Gorman. I also recognise all farming organisations that act in a very upfront and straightforward manner with us in the Oireachtas. They keep us and the Opposition guided on an ongoing basis about the complexities that exist in the farming sector generally. I thank all Deputies for their attention and comments today on these important issues. As the Minister, Deputy Heydon, outli…

I will take this matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this important issue and offering the opportunity to respond. I know of the Deputy's personal interest in the matter. He has been a long-time campaigner on these issues in his time in the House. Organisations such as An Saol Foundation are invaluable to the disability sector. As the Deputy is aware, An Saol provides specialised care, rehabilitation and community…

The Minister is very aware of this and there is a commitment relating to the planning and the initial acquisition of the site that shows clear intent. Notwithstanding the other aspects I identified, once the Government has committed money in the first instance, the natural expectation is that the project will be built. The Deputy has, in a very direct and open way based on his intimate knowledge and understanding of the project, set out a very clear and comprehensive case. I am sure that he will continue to hold th…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Water supply in the greater Dublin area is dependent on large abstractions, as he knows, from the River Liffey and the River Vartry. To address this, Uisce Éireann is progressing long-term projects to secure our water supply for the future, including two major projects for Dublin and the eastern and midlands region. The water supply project eastern and midlands region was approved in principle by the Government in June 2024. It is a generational project that will…

The Deputy's interest in this matter is very clear. His desire to address issues in his area on behalf of his constituents is commendable and is noted. As I said, our water and wastewater infrastructure requires substantial and sustained investment over a number of investment cycles to bring the systems up to the standard required of a modern service, to provide for population growth and to build resilience in the face of climate change, as the Deputy identified in respect of Sandymount Strand. To address these cha…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I can tell that she has a very personal interest in this, and that speaks to the person she is. I thank her for tabling the matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for housing. The response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a cross-departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy co-ordinated by the Department of Justice. Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims rests with my colleague the Mi…