Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other colleagues in expressing sympathy on the passing of Niall Donoghue. It is beyond sad that such a talented young man is dead. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I support Senator Feargal Quinn's comments on the availability of defibrillators. I understand there would be cost implications in implementing the Bill, as with the alcohol strategy. However, we should at least ensure defibrillators are placed in strategic positions such as on a train. In the horrific example outlined by the Senator a person was trapped on a train. It is not my position to say this, but perhaps this is an issue that should be raised on the Adjournment to enable the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the strategy to be followed in such circumstances.

Similarly to the alcohol strategy, as I said, there is an argument that sponsorship should be used. In this case also, some facilities should be put in place in strategic positions where people are not in a position to get to a hospital, such as when they are on a train. In such a case they could be treated without having to stop the train and get off, with all the logistical implications involved. I very much support Senator Quinn's call in that regard.

I wanted to raise an issue that is before the European Council today. It is a proposed measure to bring in an EU digital minimum tax. This would be a dangerous move for Ireland. We have our corporate tax and that is all but sacrosanct, but the French are pushing a digital minimum tax internationally. The French launched a campaign a couple of weeks ago to lobby other European members on the issue. It is a French-driven initiative and it is before the Council today. It is something I wanted to raise so that it is on the radar. I will follow this issue and ensure the potential dangers for Ireland are kept to a minimum.