The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) (Revocation) Scheme 2025, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Revocation) Scheme 2025, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1 without debate; No. 3, Finance Bill 2025, a certified money Bill - Committee Stage, to be taken on conclusion of No. 2 and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 4.50 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to recommendations, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; and No. 4, the Mental Health Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed) to be taken at 5.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 8 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Local Link has been a lifeline for people in many rural areas. There was huge investment put into it during the term of office of the previous Government. The service in my area has been a tremendous success. I refer to the 888 route, by means of which people from Athy, Monasterevin and Rathangan can travel to Allenwood. People are using the route on a regular basis. We are also rolling out another service to Suncroft.

There are two points about the service that need to be made at national level. While the service is in situ , there are a number of places where it is not possible to place bus stops because they are not deemed to be safe. Of course, safety is hugely important. When the authorities in Scotland introduced that country's version of Local Link, they put the proper infrastructure in place. They put in stops where buses could pull in safely. As a result, everyone was clear as to where they could get on and get off buses. The system here lacks that clarity. I am seeking a debate with the Minister for Transport in respect of rural transport regarding how we can make it safer and more accessible by investing in the type of infrastructure to which I refer with our county councils.

Many of the buses being used are too big. We really only need mini buses for many of the short journeys people need to make. Some of the larger buses are quite empty. Because of their size, it is more difficult for them to pull in safely. We need to look at that as well. I look forward having a debate on the matter, possibly in the new year.

Today, Australia has banned under-16s from certain social media platforms. We need to have a debate in relation to that matter. Fianna Fáil carried out a survey and is currently engaging with Coimisiún na Meán. Some children as young as four have access to smartphones. The average age in this regard is six. There is no doubt that being able to engage online has many benefits and advantages. Unfortunately, however, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. We need to have a serious conversation, both in this House and, of course, within society more widely.

The final issue I wish to raise relates to secondary schools. Projects relating to two schools in Kildare South are proceeding to tender stage. I refer to the Cross and Passion College, CPC, in Kilcullen and the Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge. Despite these projects, the schools in question are not going to be able to accommodate the growing population. We still do not have a date for project relating to the new Curragh Community School. While the councillors in the area are zoning land for educational purposes in the Kildare-Newbridge municipal district, we do not have any sense from the Minister about the need for urgency that exists regarding the the primary and secondary school.

While the councillors in the area are zoning land for educational purposes in Newbridge, we do not have any sense from the Minister about the need for urgency that is there for both the primary and secondary school. I would like a debate in the House, particularly in relation to the commuter belt areas.

Sometimes we get asked by people of a younger generation and various generations what politics is about and about the importance of it. Today's results in terms of the extension of a derogation explains the importance of politics and representation in politics, where we listen, understand issues, lobby and try to persuade decision makers of the importance of certain policy decisions. Today's decision on the extension of derogation is not just a win for the farming community, it is a win for the totality of rural Ireland and the rural social fabric in our communities. I pay tribute to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, those at all levels of government and Department officials, but in particular, our Minister for agriculture, for their work in securing the derogation for this country. It was a particularly difficult topic over the past number of years, but the Minister has taken it on quite seriously, engaged with farmers, listened and visited west Cork during the summer months. We have all seen his conviction in terms of supporting it, and we have achieved the result with an extension. Some 66% of Carbery Group suppliers in west Cork are in the derogation. Some of these are big farmers with 200 to 300 cows, but 43% have zero to 70 cow operations and 77% have 70 to 120 cows. It is actually small, indigenous farmers within our communities who are going to benefit from this derogation. I put on record my appreciation for the Minister's involvement.

Following on, as with any issue when there is a win, there are challenges going forward in other areas, and in terms of the fishing community, there are important decisions coming up. With successes, we always move on to the next issue. I wish the Minister well in terms of those issues that are going to be coming up because sustaining rural life, whether in terms of fishing, farming or tourism, is really important. Yesterday, I visited Bere Island, on the periphery of west Cork, to see some of the challenges they have there, living on a rural island. There are still some challenges there. However, today is a positive day. Tomorrow and so forth we will have other issues to raise, but I put on record the appreciation for the Minister for this result, because it is positive. Let it not go unsaid either that there are challenges in terms of water quality. The farming community has acted well so far, but there are still challenges. The committee that was set up by the Department, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste is an overall water quality committee, not a derogation committee. It includes EPA members and Department officials. Let us work ahead to improve water quality in the years ahead. However, this is a positive decision for rural communities and sustaining our rural fabric.

I would like to address two things, the first of which is a recent report from the Ombudsman for Children warning of the rise of so-called extremism among the youth. The first thing to say is that extremism does not appear out of thin air. It is a response, a backlash, to a deteriorating situation in this country. Furthermore, when we look at what has been labelled as extremist among the legitimate cases, we too often find views that most people for most of history would have called common sense.

This is the Government's latest trick. Slap the word extremist on anyone who dares to question it. It is a way to villainise the ordinary people, ignore its own horrific level of failure, and scapegoat the natural backlash as the work of some shadowy agents spreading addictive, nefarious ideas online. This study from the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is a perfect example of that. It is framed as if young people are clueless victims, brainwashed by extremists lurking in the dark corners of the Internet. That framing is insulting. It assumes our young people have no agency and no ability to think critically, and we are conveniently led to the conclusion that the State must swoop in to save young people from themselves.

Let us look at the methodology. Twenty-eight schools, hand-picked from a list of 200, many already linked to OCO programmes, voluntarily participated. There was no random sampling, no definition of extremism and no weighing for gender imbalance. This is not robust research; it is a narrative dressed up as data. For that reason, it is worthless as evidence for policy.

If the Government wants to understand why people are angry and are pushing back, it should start looking in the mirror. The greatest extremism in Ireland is extremism of failure. We have failure on housing, immigration, law and order and basic governance, and until that changes, the backlash will continue, no matter how many surveys are published pretending otherwise.

The subject of tone deaf responses leads me to the second issue I want to raise. We have all seen the Government's video, released over the weekend, telling young people how to cope with moving back in with their parents. How to cope is not policy; it is capitulation. It is an admission that the Government has failed so spectacularly on housing that the best it can offer is a demeaning pep talk. Instead of fixing the crisis it created it is telling our young people to grin and bear it, as if losing independence is just a lifestyle choice. That is not leadership; that is gaslighting.

I want to speak about the need to bring the minimum wage for those under 21 and those on apprenticeships into line with the wider workforce. Currently under employment legislation, people under the age of 21 have a lower minimum wage than the rest of the working population. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions believes this is unfair and exploitative. The removal of sub-minimum rates of pay was recommended by the Low Pay Commission following a report by the ESRI on potential economic impacts. Despite this, the Government has reneged on a previous commitment to phase out sub-minimum rates of pay, postponing the change until 2029. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, "That No. 14 be taken before No. 1."

I want to speak about my Private Member's Bill that will be before the House tomorrow evening, the Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024. Colleagues should know that this Bill seeks to address long-standing and well documented challenges facing local democracy in Ireland. I hosted a briefing on this recently but not many people turned up, which was disappointing. This legislation is rooted in a simple but fundamental principle. As we all know, our local authorities cannot function effectively unless the people elected to lead them are properly supported, equipped and empowered to fulfil their roles. Local government is the tier of democracy closest to our communities and councillors are always the first point of contact for citizens. They are the advocates for local need, the monitors of service delivery and the democratic guardians of local plans, budgets and policies. Successive reports from the Council of Europe, the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, academic research conducted by Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, and Maynooth University and the Local Democracy Taskforce have highlighted the growing pressures and expectations placed on councillors, alongside widening gaps in support structures, training and resources. The intention of this Bill is not to upend existing systems or reopen debates about the balance between local and national responsibilities. Rather, it is to ensure that elected members are provided with the professional supports, protections and working conditions required to carry out the increasingly complex statutory and representative duties expected of them. These duties now span housing policy, planning oversight, community development, climate action, local enterprise, transport and much more but without adequate training, administrative support and clarity around entitlements, we risk undermining the very people responsible for shaping and scrutinising decisions that affect every household in this State. The Bill is designed to be constructive. It compliments rather than duplicates the work of the Local Democracy Taskforce and seeks to give legislative effect to many of the concerns raised across all 31 local authorities. I look forward to working constructively with colleagues across the Seanad. I hope this Bill will be supported by the Department, as well as by local government representatives. I thank the AILG and Local Authorities Members Association for attending the briefing.

I also want to very quickly ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to come to the House to provide an update on the supports being provided to artists who are being evicted from the Ormond Art Studios and The Complex in Dublin. This is an issue that we should debate in the House.

I begin with a note of gratitude for my colleague, the Minister, Deputy James Browne and the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, who provided essential emergency funding in my hometown of Drogheda over the weekend. A freak incident caused a large section of our Christmas lights to collapse, bringing down masonry and seriously damaging a car. It was nothing short of a miracle that no one was seriously injured or worse. There has, however, been significant disruption at one of the busiest times of the year, but overnight, Louth County Council has worked to get the streets open again. I urge everyone to come into the town and shop locally when they can.

With that in mind, I raise once again the issue of the prohibitive toll on the M1 at Drogheda, a toll that uniquely penalises local people. We are the only citizens in Ireland who must pay to directly enter and leave our own town. There have been numerous attempts over the years to remove or reduce the toll, but I would like to offer a practical solution: that drivers entering Drogheda to shop or visit locally, and who exit within three hours to return home, should have their toll cancelled or significantly reduced. It is a simple measure that could be implemented with existing technology and it would provide a real boost to local businesses, particularly now when so many are struggling after recent events and a lot of closures in our main town centre. Encouraging local people to enter the town at the moment would be a great help. Therefore, I call on the Minister for Transport to come before this House to debate this issue urgently. This fee is taking a heavy toll, quite literally, on the local economy in Drogheda and it is time for a fair and creative solution.

Today, I rise to remember the late, great Paddy Cooney. He was a Member of this House and a member of Government for a number of years. I grew up with my grandmother and father who had great time for and empathy with the late Paddy Cooney. He was a fierce worker, and so it was when he put his name on the ballot paper. He always seemed to get elected in the Longford-Westmeath area. He was a man with a fierce integrity and dignity and I suppose that shone through in his ministerial roles. He held a number of roles in Cabinet. He served as a Senator and an MEP. He worked tirelessly for the constituency of Longford-Westmeath and he served as Minister for Justice when we saw a lot of troubled times in this country. He made decisions at those times that were very tough to make but he was man enough to make them. I would like to say to his family and extended family that he will be sadly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

I wish to let Senators know that we will be doing a minute's silence for the late former Senator, Minister and TD. I pass on our sympathies to his family and friends, and his constituents, whom he worked so hard for down through the years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I want to touch very briefly on the issue of the commission of investigation that has been established by the Government to investigate the handling of historical child sexual abuse in our day and boarding schools. I do not want to comment on the case that was made yesterday other than to say it clearly hit the media last night. There have been a lot of communications with all Oireachtas Members in relation to Willow Park in Blackrock. However, I wrote a brief note to the Minister for education last night and, to her credit, at 8 o'clock this morning, I received a detailed response. There is one I want to put on the record and I thank the Minister, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton.

In essence, without sharing the full content of the letter, I have now had clarification that the commission of investigation has been established by the Government to investigate the handling of historical child sex abuse in our day and boarding schools. The chair is, of course, Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath. He was appointed on 1 October 2025. The commission is independent in its role and duties and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to talk at any great length about it here at this point in time other than to say the survivors will be engaged with and notified of the due processes to follow.

What was very important in this correspondence from the Minister this morning was that a high-level interdepartmental group, IDG, has been established to advise the Government. My concern here is that this group will look at the issue of a potential redress scheme. Clearly, there is no redress scheme in place.

There is no power to award redress under the terms of reference of the commission. There are two parallel sets of work here. There is the commission doing its investigation and there is the important high-level interdepartmental group set up by the Minister and they are running parallel to each other. As parliamentarians, we have to be vigilant. There has been a lot of debate and engagement on various pieces of legislation. In due course, in the first quarter of next year, I ask that we have the Minister for education in to fill us in on the interdepartmental aspects of this important work. The Minister is on the record now. I can make the letter available to the Leader. I ask that we follow this up in a timely manner in the first quarter of next year. Let us not lose sight of it and let us be there to support the various people involved, in this case the survivors. The Minister has an important interdepartmental group looking at the parallel issues of redress and who will ultimately pick up the tab for that redress, or partially pick up the tab for it. Could the Leader bear that in mind and keep it on his schedule for the early part of next year?

Today, I want to draw the attention of the Leader and Members to a vital cross-Border road safety initiative that was launched in Donegal yesterday by An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. This campaign will run until 5 January and comes at a crucial time as we approach the festive season. The focus from the PSNI is on "the fatal five" behaviours, which the Garda refers to as "key lifesaver offences". They are driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, using mobile phones while driving, speeding and failure to wear seat belts. These behaviours are not minor infringements, they are the leading cause of deaths on the road. So far this year, 168 lives have been lost on Irish roads, including ten in my own county of Donegal. Behind each statistic, a family is grieving and a community is shattered. I urge everyone to speak to their loved ones about dangerous driving habits before it is too late. A simple talk could save a loved one's life. I commend the joint initiative and call on all Members of this House to highlight this message. Everybody comes out when there is an accident. Let us have a talk with our loved ones before they have an accident and get them to slow down. Road safety is everybody's responsibility. Let us make this Christmas a season of joy and care, not a season of tragedy.

Today, I want to support the good news about Ireland's nitrates derogation and to speak for a few moments about it. It is very important to recognise that 7,000 farmers throughout the country are availing of the nitrates derogation. What does this actually mean? Because of our unique grassland environment and the mechanisms that we have in this country that are not available to other European countries to support the dairy industry, it allows for farmers to operate at 2.5 cows per hectare versus 1.6 cows per hectare, which would otherwise be the case were we to lose our derogation. This is about water quality but it is also about recognising the progress and the hard work that has been done by farmers to ensure that we have seen significant improvements in water quality. I recognise the work that was done by the Tánaiste; the Taoiseach; the Minister, Deputy Heydon; and their officials. I also recognise the work that has been done by so many farmers across the country who supported and implemented many of the measures that were brought forward. The reality is that too often there is a stigma whereby farmers are blamed for a reduction in water quality. It is important that we recognise that improving water quality is an issue for everybody. That is why we have the Cabinet subcommittee on water quality. It is a recognition of the fact that we have to bring big business, Uisce Éireann and the EPA around the table, as well as farmers, and ensure this continues to be a priority. I come from the younger generation. Only one in every 20 farmers is under 35, versus the one in three who is aged over 65. If we want to have young people getting into farming and taking it up as a career in order to provide them with an income, we have to ensure that measures like this continue into the future.

There is increasing antisemitic sentiment in Ireland, which is completely unacceptable. It is a cancer in society. There are so many members of the Irish Jewish community who have made such a positive impact on society and they should be celebrated. Chaim Herzog was not one of these. Israel's crimes did not start on 7 October 2023. Israel's crimes started decades before then. People can argue the merits of renaming Herzog Park, but to hear our Government Ministers refer to a man who perpetrated ethnic cleansing of 200,000 Palestinians and mass displacement of Palestinians from their homes as a good man who achieved great things is an insult to human decency. Almost all the reporting offered a distorted version of Chaim Herzog's legacy. A full and honest account must include both the positive and deeply troubling elements of his life. Recently, Israel's foreign minister said that the Irish Government was antisemitic and the Irish ambassador to Israel, ambassador McGuinness, was ill-informed, to which the ambassador replied:

I'm glad to hear you mention the scourge of antisemitism but I would've thought that it must be carefully managed and not used for political gain. Antisemitism is a scourge and must be countered and therefore, don't you think facts are important?

Ambassador McGuinness's comments could equally have been presented to the Irish media and Government Ministers. What also was deeply alarming was that Government Ministers jumped at the opportunity to accuse people of antisemitism instead of challenging the assertion that Ireland is antisemitic. Despite some increase in antisemitism, we are clearly not antisemitic as a country but the media and political leaders leant into this narrative to score political points.

Being anti-Zionist and anti-colonialist is not antisemitic. The Government knows this and should challenge this, but it fuelled the narrative for political gain. These sort of false claims shuts down discussions rather than allowing us to critically analyse the facts. The media participated with Government Ministers in shutting down the debate. This is a dangerous precedent. It should be the people of Ireland who should decide on the naming of parks, not political interference from Government Ministers and abroad. It is important to have the Minister in here to debate the issues around antisemitism and what is acceptable and what sort of interference by the Government is acceptable.

I would liek to bring up the subject of health insurance. There was a net increase of over 13,000 people in the number of people who acquired health insurance in the third quarter, according to Health Insurance Ireland. There are now 2.54 million people in Ireland with health coverage, which seems like a massive number. About 10% to 12% of people in the UK have health insurance. The average premium here increased by €56 quarter on quarter from €1,830 to €1,886 as several insurers increased the price of their plans. VHI increased by 3%, Laya by 4.5% and Irish Life Health by 3%. Irish Life Health has stated it will increase its prices again by 5% in January. The health insurance levy unfortunately will also be increased this year. This is like the stamp duty that helps fund the community rating system. It allows younger people to help pay for older people. Regarding competition in the market, there does seem to be a lot of companies here offering health insurance. There are only four or five companies. Like all types of insurance, having more competition helps the price pressure, product differentiation, quality of service, innovative plans, market entry and exit, risk pooling and negotiation power. I would like the Leader to establish from the Department of Health what it is actively doing to ensure more competition in the market.

I wish to highlight discussions on urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, and rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, funding.

As the Leader knows, the URDF is a substantial fund for urban regeneration development. We have benefited from it in the innovation quarter of my home town of Ballina. Proposals around additional URDF projects need to be pursued in consultation with the local community, no matter where that is and what town that is. There are proposals and discussions for the quay area in Ballina, which is the jewel in the crown in terms of the setting of the town. There is a very vibrant business community there. Indeed, it is a very vibrant and active recreational location. It employs over 100 people. The businesses that are there are very much complementary to the whole area. I ask that in any discussions on urban regeneration and development, we act in a cohesive and inclusive manner, we make sure interventions are made not to displace businesses but to support them, and we pursue projects that are not unnecessary but are practical to make sense for businesses. Boho Barista, Coast Hair, Noo Chocolates, Bella Beauty, Paul Kilcullen Physical Therapy, Roots Wellness, Studio Five Reformer Pilates, Ella and Joe, and Turning Tides are among some of the on-site businesses that offer a positive lifestyle experience in this part of the town. Other businesses in the area include Quay West, Keane's bar and shop, and the Ice House Hotel. Any intervention that is made - I refer, for example, to outdoor seating, covered and sheltered seating, proper lighting infrastructure or car parking facilities - needs to be done in a way that makes sense for the businesses and the visitors who enjoy that space. There are many boat users and outdoor recreational users in that area, and it needs to be practical and make sense for them. Therefore, I am calling for the businesses on this site, which contribute so much to the area, to be consulted and listened to properly before any measures or interventions are carried out.

I welcome the students from Kiltra music school. They will perform in the main hall at 5 o’clock for the Christmas lights ceremony. It will not be outside just in case anyone gets blown away. I thank the guests of the Ceann Comhairle.

I would like to raise the issue of student accommodation rent increases. We saw over the weekend reports that the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, and the Minister for further and higher education, Deputy Lawless, are at odds on how often there should be student rent hikes over the coming years. The Department of housing believes there should be no return to market rents until 2029 and the Department of further and higher education believes there should be at least two rent hikes in that time period. My position is that there should be no student rent increases. It is extremely worrying that this Government, which has increased student fees while calling it a decrease, is now proposing to increase student rents as well. Last year, according to the student union in University College Cork, 28% of students there went to class hungry because of student poverty. The president of Munster Technological University has said that housing is now the biggest access barrier to further and higher education. That is a really stark thing for a president of a college to say. We know that more and more students - those who are not coming from overseas - are having to stay at home with their parents in their childhood bedrooms and are commuting long distances. This is contributing hugely to congestion in towns and cities across the country. Whose side is the Minister, Deputy Lawless on? Is he on the side of students and families or is he on the side of developers? The State should be stepping in to support students and families, rather than passing on the costs to them to entice developers who are already making millions of euro in profits.

I second the proposal from Senator Cosgrove.

I call for a debate on the wider trend of small towns losing essential financial services facilities. In the recent budget, additional funding was provided for An Post, which was very much appreciated. We have all received correspondence following that. We had a recent debate in this House on the provision of access to cash to try to ensure that those in predominantly rural areas will be served by and have access to these facilities. Despite that, I read last week that the credit union in Elphin in north-west Roscommon is being closed and that there are no plans to reopen it. There was talk that there were some structural works that had to be done in the vicinity, but in any other urban area, such works would have happened while the service was still being delivered or the operators of the service would have found temporary accommodation.

I was contacted recently by representatives of Bannon's service station in Bellanamullia, which is agency for An Post. Due to what they have been told is communication disruption, their cash machine has been taken out. This means that they can no longer provide that service. We need a debate in this House on the provision of rural financial services to ensure that the most marginalised and isolated in our society have access to financial services and the cash that they need.

I compliment all the rural traders in Roscommon predominantly, though I am sure the effort has been replicated across the country, who have been out in recent weeks hanging Christmas lights. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the lighting ceremonies in Castlerea and Boyle in Roscommon. I also attended the Christmas market experience in Roscommon town. There was a similar event in Monksland. I compliment all those voluntary committees and encourage people to support those small rural businesses that put so much work into our rural communities.

The Senator is shining a light on Roscommon.

It is the only light.

I wish to comment on the weaponisation of international sanction regimes designed to put pressure on those responsible for human rights abuses but instead being used against advocates for human rights. Francesca Albanese has again spoken in the media about the financial sanctions brought against her by the US and the crippling impact this is having on her. She has, in effect, been removed from the global banking system. In addition, the US has been openly attacking the International Criminal Court, ICC, by placing sanctions on key officials. These are targeted attacks designed to delegitimise and undermine human rights bodies and we simply cannot stand idly by while institutions designed to protect international order are being attacked. Francesca Albanese has said, "It is important that people understand the extent ... [to which] the United States, Israel and others would go to silence the voice of justice, the voice of human rights." She also said, "We are frail and we are weak only if we are isolated." Therefore, our support for her is crucial.

The Tánaiste has stated that Ireland remains a steadfast supporter of Francesa Albanese and the UN. When those we support are attacked and punished for doing their jobs and for upholding international law, how do we react? If we do not actively support those responsible for implementing international law, and indeed if we do not uphold it ourselves, we risk the unravelling of these institutions. Frankly, the whole concept of international law is today balancing on a knife-edge. What Ireland does in the fact of that matters. Ours is a country which has championed neutrality, peace and human rights, and to which other countries across the world look to as a moral anchor on the global stage.

Israel is actively killing people, imprisoning others without trial, denying Palestinians their basic rights and attempting to wipe out an entire nation, and the US Administration is sanctioning those trying to hold the Israeli state to account. I ask that we have a debate on international law in this Chamber. We need a serious debate on our role in the world because in the face of conflict across the globe and the ICC being attacked and undermined, we risk the very existence of international law that we, as a small island nation, depend on.

Some time ago in the Chamber, I raised the issue of the N53, which is the road that links County Monaghan and County Louth, and travels through County Armagh. The condition of that road is very poor. It is very narrow in places, and needs funding to bring it up to a standard that would be capable of accommodating the current volume of traffic.

It was always a very important strategic route for that particular part of the world, but now even more so with the great, exciting, substantial news of the partnership between Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology, DkIT. Everybody in the region is hugely excited about that because DkIT will now have university status. Let us hope that the partnership will be up and running by September 2026. It will add another layer of importance to the strategic nature of the N53 and the need to upgrade this hugely dangerous roadway, which has a high volume of traffic on it. Approximately 5,500 students currently attend DkIT, not to mention lecturers and other staff who attend the college. Many of them come from counties Monaghan, Cavan, Louth and Meath and even as far away as Dublin. It is a hugely important road for the region and there is a chronic need for it to be upgraded. I would like the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, to come into the House so that we can have a debate on the matter and explore the possibility of finding moneys to upgrade this road from the shared island fund. The partnership between DkIT and Queen's University is very much a shared island initiative. It is hugely significant and important. We need to make sure people can access that particular facility in a safe manner from the part of the world I come from.

Following up on the issue of the nitrates derogation, it would be useful to have the Minister, Deputy Heydon, in here at some point. He is claiming a victory on this but it is a pyrrhic victory in many ways. We have three years now to look at the alternatives and at what the future is for the derogation in Ireland. Could it be the unthinkable, a future without derogation? What might that look like? It might look like a regenerative model of agriculture that takes into account significant changes in our climate over many years and the fact our water quality is not improving. Regardless of what is being said, it is not improving and agriculture is partially responsible. There are other causes too, but farmers need to be supported and led into a scenario where there could be long-term payments for delivering co-benefits for water quality, nature and climate. We will head into this cycle again in two years, on this Government's watch, and we will be in that derogation panic again. It is important for the Minister to come in here to explain what his plan is over the very short period of the derogation.

I also want to raise the work of Down Syndrome Ireland. I attended an event with Down Syndrome Kilkenny and the support groups and families. Many family members were looking very tired after looking after their children over the past year. Many of them have to voluntarily raise funds for speech and language services. These are vital services for these children who can go on to live full, productive and happy lives in the workforce if this support is given at a critical early stage. Unfortunately, it is all down to the Down Syndrome Ireland groups across the country, largely. Many of them are exhausted from the work they have to do and from voluntarily raising funds to pay for speech and language services that should be provided by the State. There are black spots across the country. The south east, where there is a huge lack of services, is particularly bad. I ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

I raise an issue I have raised a couple of times here previously. I cannot even count the amount of calls I had on the matter over the weekend. I am standing here on behalf of hundreds of families in County Limerick who have voiced their disgust and anger at the Government's decision to vote down the Bill on wind farms last week. As the House will know, I have raised multiple times the fact that County Limerick has three proposed wind farms about to go up. New guidelines were drafted for this in 2016. That is ten years it has been sitting there and not published.

Last year, Government had the opportunity to allow legislation go forward for those guidelines to be published only for us to see them pushed out for another year - another year of communities being torn apart and uncertainty about whether the height of the wind turbines that are being put up are at the height they should be and whether the setback distance needs to be more. I have raised how future planning permissions in rural areas will be dramatically reduced because of wind turbines going into the wrong places. What really got to people most was Ministers attending public meetings in County Limerick, telling people in these communities they stood with them, but then voting against them last week. I wanted to put that on the record. It would be nice if we could have a debate in the House in order that we might be able to push something forward for these communities to get a bit of guidance on what is allowed in terms of the height, the setbacks and the areas in which they are going.

We heard Senator Boyhan ask the Leader if he could prevail on the new Minister for Education and Youth to come to the Seanad and talk about institutional redress. I want to add to that. I do not know how these things are done but maybe we could prevail on her to do a double gig. This week DCU published an interesting piece of research called the Teacher Occupational Wellbeing Research. It makes for grim reading because four out of five teachers report burn-out symptoms and undue stress from curricular change and many other inputs into their working lives. We have in this country a greatly improved pupil-teacher ratio but it is still above the European average. It is items like that which we might profitably discuss with the Minister and all the other things that attend to curriculum change and ancillary pressures that come with that, such as parental expectations and so on. I prevail on the Leader to explore those issues with the Minister, perhaps sometime in the new year. I think it would be a very profitable debate and would be very informative for the House.

The issue I wish to raise is on the Order of Business itself. It is the proposition to take without debate the motion regarding about the credit institutions (financial support) (revocation) scheme and the credit institutions (eligible liabilities guarantee) scheme 2025. I am very concerned this is a deregulation of the banking sector and that it is to be done without debate, particularly in circumstances where I do not believe we have been provided with adequate detail. The advisory note attached to the motion states there are a number of obligations set out in the credit institutions (financial support) scheme and the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme that continue to apply to Bank of Ireland, AIB and PTSB group companies. If these schemes are revoked, it seems, there will be less obligation on the banks in terms of reporting to the Minister and Central Bank on compliance, risk management, executive pay, etc. Some of these may be covered by other legislation or EU regulation, but that does not seem to be the case for all these obligations. I do not believe it is good practice to have a change to banking regulations pass through the Seanad without debate or guarantees that these changes in no way reduce the banking regulation in this state. It is a poor way to do business. We have all been elected to this House to provide a degree of scrutiny of what the Government is doing and to ensure that we are holding to account decisions, particularly legislative decisions, that affect the people of the State. To allow motions like this through without debate is bad practice and, for that reason, I will be opposing the Order of Business as it includes this motion today.

I welcome more guests of the Ceann Comhairle from the Kiltra music school. We will be listening to them later in the main hall.

During the visit of President Zelenskyy, Ireland was lucky. The drones out in the Irish Sea could have been a catastrophe for the arrival of the President of Ukraine.

What would that have done for Ireland? It would have highlighted the abuse or neglect of the Defence Forces and Ireland's defence and security by the Houses of the Oireachtas and not just the Government. Parties in this House have been involved in the Dáil and Seanad since 1998 when we started to run down the Defence Forces to where they are today. There is much speculation in the media about why the drones were not shot down. Firing 7.62 mm calibre ammunition into the air where civilian aircraft are flying is nonsense. Are there rules of engagement and, if there are, where are they? I am not aware of any rules of engagement. Was there co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces with respect to aid to the civil power? Many questions need to be answered, and they need to be answered in a public forum, not in some Cabinet room and not in some back room of this House. It needs to be in public. The public need to be reassured that this State is a safe place. Imagine the embarrassment if the leaders of the governments of the EU 27 refused to come here for a summit because this State is not safe?

We really need to get our act together. Four years ago, the Commission on the Defence Forces reported and absolutely nothing visible has been done. We are talking about going to procurement now for anti-drone equipment. This is being done now in December 2025, when we are taking over the Presidency of the EU in July 2026. This is nonsense, absolute nonsense. We need to have a debate in this House. I did already ask for the Minister for Defence to come in. I want the Minister to come in as a matter of urgency. Let us have an open and honest debate.

A number of disability advocates are outside the gates of Leinster House today. We all agree they should not have to be here, but they are. They feel the need to impress upon us the dire circumstances they find themselves in. Budget 2026 was an opportunity to enact real change for the disability sector, but in reality it left disabled people worse off by more than €1,000 in some cases. We saw the €400 disability support grant wiped out as well as the €250 electricity credit. These were key supports for homes already living in energy poverty.

What is the result of these cuts?

Disabled people are being forced to choose between buying food or turning on their heating. That is unacceptable in any case but in a country such as Ireland, it is a complete failure by the State. The Government, the Minister for disability and the Department know that disabled people have increased costs to meet and that one in five of those who cannot work due to disability lives in consistent poverty. They have that data and the Department has that data; they are aware and they know. They have commissioned reports that clearly show the increased costs associated with disability. It cannot be a lack of awareness but rather, I have to assume, a lack of care. How else can you explain away the cuts made in the recent budget?

I ask the Government to please not abandon disabled people who have been forced into protesting just so they can afford food and heating. I would appreciate this being brought to the Minister's attention, and I will raise it at the social protection committee. We need to ensure there is an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities. The reality is that there is an urgent need, and it must be addressed.

I wish to mention a former neighbour of mine, Trevor Deely, who has been missing for 25 years. He was a young man of 22 when he went missing. He was last seen in the Haddington Road area of Ballsbridge. I lived in Woodlands right opposite his house. Trevor's family includes his brother Mark, who used to play football on the green, and his father, Michael, who spent 24 years looking for his son. We must remember Trevor, not only for the mystery surrounding his disappearance but also for the guy we remember him to be and for how his family loved him. Certainly, he was very included in the community. I ask us all to join the Garda in appealing for more information, if we know anything, no matter how small or insignificant we might think it to be. The passage of time of 25 years does not diminish the importance of truth and his family deserves answers. His brother, Mark, was on the news two days ago appealing for closure. I ask the public to help the Garda.

The other matter I wish to raise is the local housing concern at Ringfort housing development in Rathmolyon, County Meath. Five years after paying deposits, the people who thought they were going into homes, including expectant mothers and ordinary families with plans for the future, are now locked out of them. They are trapped in a legal and financial debacle. The collapse of Meathamatic has left five families facing losses of over €250,000, which is totally unacceptable, given that contracts were signed and payments made. It is not just a financial issue; it is a human one. Families with young children are facing another Christmas without a home, who believed and did everything possible and correct to own their home. I call on the Department of housing, Meath County Council and the relevant authorities to intervene to ensure the contracts are delivered and these people get the houses they bought.

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin complimented the success of Local Link. I certainly agree with that. She called for a debate on the issue of rural transport. We will try to arrange that in the new year. The Senator also acknowledged the ban coming into effect in Australia, which should be in effect at this stage, on social media sites for under-16s and requested a debate on the issue. The Senator also called for a debate on the need for additional secondary schools in the commuter belt area, particularly in her county of Kildare. I will try to arrange that.

Senators O'Donovan, Cathal Byrne and Noonan raised the issue of the nitrates derogation. Senators O'Donovan and Byrne acknowledged the role of the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and the successful negotiations on extension of the nitrates derogation. They also acknowledged the issue of water quality, as did Senator Noonan, and that there are still challenges to do with water quality. I acknowledge that as well. I compliment the Minister, Deputy Heydon, in particular because I know he has done an amount of work from the get-go in engaging with ministers for agriculture, the Commissioner and various stakeholders on this issue over the years.

Senator Keogan raised the issue of extremism and talked about a recent survey. I am not sure how that was initiated or carried out.

There are proper methodologies in relation to sampling and reports such as this. I certainly hope the methodology was correctly carried out. Senator Keogan raised the video from the Department of housing. I would have to say I am not sure if that was the best use of funding. It was well intentioned, no doubt, but I am not sure it was wise.

Senator Cosgrove requested that No. 14, the National Minimum Wage (Inclusion of Young Persons, Apprentices and Interns) Bill 2025, be taken before No. 1 and I am happy to support this.

Senator Black raised the Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024, which is on the Order Paper for tomorrow. I look forward to the debate and getting the response of the Minister on it. She also raised concerns about the eviction of artists from Ormond Art Studios. I ask her to table a Commencement debate on it because it is quite a specific issue.

Senator Comyn commended the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and the Minister, Deputy Browne, on the emergency funding following the accidental breakage of the Christmas lights in Drogheda. She also raised the possibility of imaginative thinking regarding the reimbursement of tolls in Drogheda. Perhaps she can raise this at the transport committee or table a Commencement debate.

Senator Brady acknowledged the passing of the former Senator, TD, MEP and Minister, Paddy Cooney. Our condolences to Mark, Michael, Edward and Catherine. As the Cathaoirleach said, we will have a minute's silence tomorrow for Paddy Cooney.

Senator Boyhan raised the commission of investigation into the handling of historical child sexual abuse in day and boarding schools and the inquiries, and called for a debate on these in the new year. I will certainly request this from the Minister, Deputy Naughton.

Senator Boyle quite rightly gave a safety warning in relation to our roads and the dangers of drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs, the use of mobile phones, speeding and the non-use of seat belts. Certainly we hope that people throughout the country and those coming home for Christmas have a safe holiday and safe Christmas period.

Senator Andrews quite rightly spoke about increasing antisemitism and the attitudes therein. He also mentioned Herzog Park and gave out about some of the commentary on it. I do not think there is any point in rewriting history. I know there are certain sensitivities regarding the renaming of public spaces. Perhaps there needs to be a formal procedure and policy on the matter. I do not think, in the context of sentiments internationally, that it was the wisest thing to attempt to proceed with renaming it.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of health insurance, called for increased competition in the market and spoke about what has been done in the sector. I will certainly engage with the Minister with responsibility for insurance on this.

Senator Duffy raised URDF and RRDF funding, particularly in relation to Ballina. Any engagement has to be through the schemes, and the applications come from the local authorities. It is beholden on Mayo County Council and Ballina municipal district to engage with local residents, local stakeholders and elected representatives on any proposals, particularly ones that are far reaching or impact on businesses. I will certainly engage with the Minister on this matter.

Senator Harmon raised student accommodation and rent increases. I would say I am very sure that the Minister, Deputy Lawless, is on the side of students and wants to ensure there is an increase in the provision of student accommodation for students up and down the country.

Senator Scahill raised issues on small towns losing financial institutions. This is a very important issue. The loss of a bank, a credit union or an ATM impacts hugely on any business. I certainly welcome the changes enacted recently with regard to access to cash. I will request a debate on this matter with the relevant Minister.

Senator Stephenson spoke about the weaponisation of sanctions regimes and the breaking of international law. I am not sure we can have a debate on international law. I am not sure exactly where that would be followed up but we will request a debate with the Minister for foreign affairs on this matter.

Senator Gallagher raised the N53 between counties Monaghan and Louth, which passes through County Armagh, and the need for funding. He suggested shared island funding. I will request a debate with the Minister for Transport. As it is quite a specific issue, he might raise it as a Commencement debate.

Senator Noonan spoke about water quality and called for the Minister to come to the House debate the issue of water quality and the nitrates directive. He also acknowledged the fundraising of Down Syndrome Ireland and said that, unfortunately, it is doing the work of the State in providing speech and language services.

Senator Collins raised the issue of wind farm guidelines. I have said here before that most political parties, and probably all, are supportive of increasing renewable energy, but how that looks in practice is a difficult issue, whether it is onshore or offshore. Finding suitable sites onshore is extremely difficult. However, she is right about the pushing out over many years of the wind farm guidelines and I will request an update from the Minister on that.

Senator Joe Conway acknowledged the report from DCU about burnout and stress among teachers and requested a debate, which I will request from the Minister, Deputy Naughton.

Senator Conor Murphy raised Nos. 1 and 2 and indicated his opposition to them. I confess I do not have all the information I need on that, so I suggest that Nos. 1 and 2 be postponed until tomorrow. I will seek additional information, and if it is in order to have a debate, I will arrange it.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of drones. There is a meeting of the defence committee tomorrow about that matter and we will see whether we can make progress on it.

Senator Martin Conway raised safety issues on the N67. I will request a debate with the Minister for Transport or the Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter on it.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the issue of disability activists, the role of the disability sector and budgets. There has been an increase of €600 million this year in disability budgets and I hope it will make a difference to the important work that takes place.

Senator McCarthy remembered Trevor Deely who has been missing for 25 years and his family who have suffered for so long in his absence and our thoughts are with the family today. He also raised the issue in the Ringfort housing development in Rathmolyon, which Senator Nelson Murray raised a number of weeks ago as well. I will seek an update on that situation as well.

Before I put the question, I welcome fourth year students from the Intermediate School, Killorglin, Deputy Cahill and Councillor Cahill. I thank them for coming today. It is the unwritten rule and protocol that there is no homework for the rest of the week when people visit Seanad Éireann. I just want to make sure that is known.

Senator Cosgrove proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 14 be taken before No. 1", which was seconded by Senator Harmon. The Leader indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment.

Amendment No. 2 to the Order of Business, proposed by the Leader, is "That Nos. 1 and 2 be taken tomorrow, 10 December 2025".