I can see the Senator is passionate about this project, as he is about many issues. It is clear that because of the historical context, all concerned are anxious that it is done correctly. That is why the contract is under way for the enabling works and all of that. Like many projects it is on a journey now that will be irrevocable in terms of the staging. It has reached significant milestones and from my experience both in here and in the other House over 23 or 24 years, when projects get on that pathway, sometime…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is an issue I am very familiar with as a result of his continued lobbying. I had an opportunity to meet with the Deputy and some representatives of the fishing community who use Burtonport Harbour. All work in relation to Ireland's exclusive fisheries zone comprises law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclus…

I assure the Deputy that I will make every effort to ensure that he does not have come in and be as passionate as he is about this issue. It is something that I am aware of. I am working to try to find a resolution. I take the Deputy's point about the language that is sometimes used to set out the reasoning, with terms such as "business case", "headcount" and "personnel". Having travelled the road in the Deputy's presence, it is clear to me that there is an issue here that has to be resolved. I commit to doing my b…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes: — that the Irish people are deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region, particularly the situation in Palestine, and that the Government is committed to working with key partners to end the conflict; — that Israeli actions in Palestine consistently contravene international law, and the Government continues to press for appropriate action, both at European Union (EU) and international le…

What way is the wind blowing?

This is the lad who is going to have a Luas in every county in Ireland.

A Luas in every county in Ireland.

I move: That Standing Order 194 is modified in accordance with Standing Order 241(2) to provide that it be an instruction to the Committee in relation to the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026, that the Committee has power to make amendments to the Bill which are outside the scope of the existing subject matter of the Bill in order to amend the Turf Development Act 1998, in order to increase the statutory borrowing limit of Bord na Móna , and to change the title of the Bill and make other consequential amendments req…

I thank Deputies for their contributions. I appreciate the assistance of Members of the House in enabling this minor but important legislative change to be discussed as part of the Gas Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026. This will enable the Government to expedite a measure which ensures Bord na Móna's future as a vital contributor to our green transition. Deputy Daly raised the issue - we may get to it as part of the second debate on the Bill - about the relationship of the Bill to the tragic incident that occurred in C…

We will get the translation later and find out what we have agreed to.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 9, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 9D of Principal Act 4. Section 9D of the Principal Act is amended— (a) in subsection (2)(c), by the insertion of “, notwithstanding subsection (10)(b),” after “and”, and (b) in subsection (10)(b), by the substitution of “Subject to subsection (2)(b), all” for “All”.”. These amendments enable the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to provide funding to enable the continued operation of the safe electric s…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 9, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 9F of Principal Act 5. Section 9F of the Principal Act is amended— (a) in subsection (2)(c), by the insertion of “, notwithstanding subsection (10)(c),” after “and”, and (b) in subsection (10)(c), by the substitution of “Subject to subsection (2)(b), all” for “All”.”.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 40, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 22 of Turf Development Act 1998 23. Section 22(1)(b) of the Turf Development Act 1998 is amended by the substitution of "€1,500,000,000" for "€650,000,000".". Amendment No. 3 inserts into the principal Act a provision amending section 22(1)(b) of the Turf Development Act 1998. I have already outlined the reasons for this change when introducing the motion to instruct the committee. I thank Members for allowin…

I move amendment No. 4: In page 40, line 12, to delete "(Amendment)" and substitute "and Miscellaneous Amendments".

I move amendment No. 5: In page 40, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "(2) The Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998 and section 23 may be cited together as the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 2026.".

I move amendment No. 6: In page 40, lines 13 and 14, to delete " and 19" and substitute ", 19 and 23 ".

I move amendment No. 7: In page 3, line 5, after "1999" to insert the following: "to provide for the funding of functions of an Electrical Safety Supervisory Body or Gas Safety Supervisory Body appointed under that Act by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities;".

I move amendment No. 8: In page 3, line 19, after "2014;" to insert "to amend the Turf Development Act 1998;".

I thank the Deputy for his question. I know of his significant interest in this issue. I have met with representatives of the National Inshore Fishermen's Association and other representatives of the inshore sector and am very much aware of the challenges facing the inshore sector. I am also very much aware of the challenges facing the inshore fishery sector as a result of more recent quota drops, changes to their lives and livelihoods and the impact that climate change is having. Ireland's €258 million seafood dev…

There are additional supports available through Bord Iascaigh Mhara. These are aimed at supporting both the commercial offshore and inshore sectors by means of the various schemes that have helped fishers to survive through difficult times. Shortly after my appointment, I tasked independent consultant Kieran Mulvey to engage with the entire fishing sector to look to see what potential supports could be put in place. I am awaiting his report, which I expect to have shortly. I expect there will be some recommendation…