Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach chuig Seanad Éireann. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht a bheith linn ar maidin chun cur i láthair a dhéanamh dúinn faoi chúrsaí sa tír seo agus trasna an domhain. Tá sé ráite go minic ag daoine liom, nuair a chastar orm iad, go bhfuil an domhan trína chéile faoi láthair, go háirithe in áiteanna cosúil le Gaza, an Bruach Thiar, an Úcráin, an Liobáin, an tSiria agus an Éimin. Tá guth láidir ag an tír seo, agus tá muid á úsáid san Eoraip, sna Náisiúin Aontaithe agus i gcruinnithe foirmiúla le hambasadóirí agus polaiteoirí ó thíortha trasna an domhain.

Uair amháin, bhí coimhlint ar an oileán seo. Tá stair fhada maidir leis an gcoimhlint sin agus an réiteach. Bhí a lán daoine páirteach sa turas sin. Is cuimhin liom an ról a bhí ag iarBhall an Tí seo, Martin Mansergh, a fuair bás le déanaí. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.

Ireland has used its voice over many years to promote peace in conflicts around the world. We are all hopeful that the current peace plan for Gaza will achieve all that is set out in it, namely the full release of hostages, including the remains of those who were killed or died in captivity, the flow of humanitarian aid, a permanent ceasefire and a move towards a two-state solution. In the context of Ukraine, we continue to provide non-lethal aid to citizens. We continue to support the many who have been given shelter here since the conflict began.

Let me turn to domestic affairs. We must have a mature debate on our capability to defend both ourselves and key Irish and European infrastructure that comes ashore here. Capital infrastructure in defence and across all Departments is key to our medium- to long-term development and sustainability.

Our national development plan review is critical to our future. We had a key, positive debate here yesterday on the all-Ireland rail review and the projects relating thereto. I hope to see progress on key projects such as the western rail corridor, including the extension of services from to Claremorris and Athenry, serving Tuam. That would be a huge positive for our region.

Irish Water has done tremendous work in delivering many projects, but more investment is needed. So many smaller settlements have no or limited housing potential due to the absence of wastewater infrastructure. Investment is critical.

I welcome commitments in the budget to invest in our electricity grid, which will be a key driver of future development.

We await the new housing plan with keen interest, as well as our rural housing policy. I worry about the delivery of private housing in rural communities away from cities and larger towns. Some small developers I have engaged with say it is not viable for them to build in the smaller settlements away from the urban centres. A comprehensive examination as to why that is the case is required and a solution needs to be found.

Agriculture, as an indigenous industry, played a key role in our economic recovery after our last recession. Together with tourism, it was identified as a sector that could increase productivity, employment and revenue for the State.

Another key sector in our economy is our multinational sector. I acknowledge the valued and skilled role played by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta in protecting and growing jobs across the State. Investment by the Government in these organisations is very important. The work done by Ministers in trade delegations and by our embassies, consulates and the Ireland House model is to be commended. Investment in next-generation foreign direct investment sites and advanced factories is hugely beneficial in attracting investment from overseas. The expansion of our technology centres and investment in our universities are key drivers in the context of the skilled workforce that we need in order to attract jobs of the future.

The increase in the research and development tax credit to 35%, which will, in turn, increase investment and employment in pharma, medtech and engineering over the coming years, needs to be acknowledged. Our indigenous SMEs will benefit from the increased thresholds allowing access to research and development credits.

While it was not possible in this budget to change tax thresholds, including those relating to inheritance tax, we need to keep pace with rising wages and house and property values over the course of this term in government.

Disability budgets and the recognition of support for carers have been central to budget 2026. These were much needed and deserved. Our carers are unsung heroes in every community. Tréaslaím an infheistíocht a rinne an Rialtas i mbuiséad 2026. Caithfidh muid leanúint ar aghaidh leis an infheistíocht sin sna blianta amach romhainn i tréimhse an Rialtais seo.

Our comprehensive social welfare budget looks after our pensioners, our disabled, carers, jobseekers and so many others, including working families and the bereaved, in addition to mothers through child benefit and supports.

There are so many other areas that I could cover, but time is limited. We have a country with a bright future and challenges that can be overcome due to people, our membership of the EU, the strength of our economy, our commitment to capital investment, the buffer of money set aside and a stable democracy that cannot be taken for granted.