Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)

I welcome Councillor Caroline O'Reilly, who is with us this morning.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach. Gabhaim buíochas leis as a chuid focal. Last Friday, thanks to national and local funding, we had the opportunity to open the Shackleton museum in Athy. Shackleton, as the Taoiseach knows, was from Kilkea, just a few miles away. He is famous for having demonstrated great leadership skills on three Antarctic expeditions, including the famous Endurance expedition. Endurance is an important strength that is sometimes underestimated but that we all absolutely need in politics. Shackleton was not a politician, even though he did contest the Westminster election in 1906. The reason I mention him relates to all the leadership qualities he displayed, namely calmness under pressure, decisiveness and the ability to adapt to changing conditions, highlighting the importance of international co-operation, especially in hostile environments. Shackleton led his crew with unwavering resolve. He did not promise ease; he promised effort. He did not offer certainty; he offered he offered hope. Today, we face our own storms and we must all lead with clarity, conviction and compassion. That is what we deserve from our Taoiseach, and it is most certainly what we get from him.

I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive briefing on his priorities. No matter what side we sit on, all of us here are deeply invested in the future of Ireland. As a nation, we have shown resilience, but it is not just about surviving – we need to help and empower people and communities to thrive.The Taoiseach's voice matters not just in the Dáil Chamber and Seanad Chamber but on the international stage in relation to war and displacement. Through the Taoiseach, Ireland has become a beacon of diplomacy and peace through his empathic and decisive leadership on the world stage. I thank him for his unwavering support for the Palestinians, the Ukrainians and for highlighting the wider threat of Russian aggression against Europe.

Closer to home there are many issues that we all want to highlight but I want to include local voices. Councillors who fight every day for those they represent need to be given more control when it comes to decisions that impact their communities.

It is absolutely essential that we focus on attracting new businesses and investments that support and nurture existing businesses, both small and large. The world of disability, as the Taoiseach will know, is personal to me and welcome that he has taken a very keen interest. The Taoiseach has highlighted the deficiencies in the present system so I do not need to articulate them. Supporting and empowering people with disabilities is fundamental. In the spirit of Shackleton, whose legacy was born in Kildare and forged on ice, we all need to lead with vision. Shackleton did not wait for perfect conditions. He acted with purpose. So must we. Taoiseach, it is an honour to serve.