Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Boyhan spoke acknowledging and welcoming the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Harris, for additional funding specifically targeted at apprenticeships for members of the Travelling community. I concur with the Senator's remarks. He also requested a debate acknowledging the Local Authorities Members Association, LAMA, conference happening today in County Monaghan and also asked for a debate on local authority funding. That request was supported by Senator Buttimer. That debate request has gone in.

Senator Buttimer congratulated and welcomed the appointment of Governor Maura Healey in Massachusetts. I offer my support and congratulations to her as well. It was a fantastic day for the LGBTQI+ community and great to see democracy in action. Best wishes to Maura for her term ahead. Senator Buttimer also requested a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for sport on the awarding of sports events, referencing in particular the Qatar World Cup. We are all on the same page on that. It is a shame that such a fantastic sporting event is marred with controversy and is dirty in every respect. While many of us will want to watch the games, it is tainted and we cannot save it in any way. It is not redeemable. Even the fan experience will be so poor. It is great to see Harry Kane taking a stand. I am sure others will follow. The comments by Sepp Blatter in recent days have been interesting. I think there is an acknowledgement that the wrong decision was taken and was taken because of money and nothing else. It is a shame because it will be forever tainted and it could have been somewhere more positive. That debate has been requested.

Senator Kyne spoke about the LEADER programme and a briefing he attended this morning specifically on the islands and their call for a sub-regional area under the LEADER programme. I am from County Mayo where we have many islands as well, so I obviously support that call. The islands have particular challenges as well as the many opportunities and fantastic things happening. It takes three times more money to do a road on an island than it does on the mainland. They have particular difficulties and challenges in doing day-to-day basic services. It makes sense to separate them out from the mainland when it comes to LEADER funding. Senator Burke has concurred with that request. We have requested a debate with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys, at the earliest opportunity to discuss the whole LEADER programme and our approach to the islands.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about transport in Dublin city, in particular Dublin Central, and the role of the NTA and how it engages with the public. The Senator said it costs €100, I think, to make a submission.