Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in the comments of Senators across the House on the topic of the situation in Gaza. There are no words we can use in the House today that can express the wrong - the sheer genocide, the sheer murder - of what is taking place at the moment. We talk about issues in our constituencies in this country, such as disability and infrastructure issues, but it behoves us all, as legislators and Members of the Oireachtas, to call out exactly what is going on. We can all do more - we genuinely can. I spoke to a group of US students today and they talked about what it is about Irish people and our culture that makes us speak out and means we are seen as leaders on the world stage. We are seen as just that. We are doing a lot and we can do a lot more across all of the political divide. I acknowledge Senator Stephenson for reading the names of those who are no longer with us into the record of the House today. I also commend Senator Black on her work in this area.

I had thought about raising the issue of VAT 9. In west Cork and throughout the country at the moment, we have had many weeks of fine weather. People are out enjoying it, and they are visiting hospitality businesses throughout the country. Even though they are busy, these businesses are, however, really struggling with the increased costs of doing business. Much has been said about the VAT 9 campaign. There have been positive soundings in the programme for Government and reference has been made to a reduction to a 9% VAT rate in the upcoming budget. We need a debate in the House with the Minister for Finance on the matter. We will be coming to the recess period, after which we will have the budgetary negotiations. Businesses throughout the country, in particular small, family-run businesses, need our support, need a discussion on this issue and need commitments from the Government going forward. I would welcome it if a debate could be organised on the matter.