Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the ambassador to the Chamber and wish Cyprus very well on its national day.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on budget 2025, from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, to be taken at 4.15 p.m. and to conclude after 90 minutes if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than five minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 2, statements on budget 2025, from the Department of Finance, to be taken at 5.45 p.m. and to conclude after 90 minutes if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than five minutes to reply to the debate.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I rise to play tribute to a former colleague and friend and a member of the Cathaoirleach's party - Micheál "Spike" Nolan. He was a true Kildare person and a true Newbridge person. I soldiered with Micheál on Newbridge Town Council, and with his dad prior to that, and on Kildare County Council. Micheál served as mayor of Kildare twice and ran for the Seanad. Many people would know him from that campaign back in 2011. Micheál was a wonderful family man, a wonderful community man and a terrific Sarsfields supporter and he deserves to be remembered in this House for all the work he did. He died suddenly last week at only 53 years of age. I extend my deepest sympathy to his heartbroken wife, Deirdre, his children, Rebecca, Tadhg and Jack, his mother, Ursula, and his brothers, Brian and Kevin. I know the House will join me in that. He was an excellent servant for public life, the community and football.

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend the launch of the Fuchsia Appeal 2024. I congratulate Cormac Kirwan and Brigadier General Colm Campbell on all their work. Houses are coming on stream in Limerick and Cork and Newbridge is next to be prioritised. I recommend that everybody support the terrific work that Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann does. The feeling there was very much saddened by the sad news of the tragic passing of former Commandant Andrew Brady - again, somebody whose family I know very well in Kildare. At his funeral yesterday, he was spoken about as a soldier's soldier. He was a very fine person. His father, Jim Brady, also served and was a founder of PDFORRA. Andrew is survived by his three-year-old daughter, Ella, and his wife, Deirdre, who is a former soldier. Andrew was the epitome of a good soldier and deserves to be remembered in the Seanad.

The final issue I wish to raise concerns Pollardstown Fen, which is 13,000 years old and recognised nationally and internationally for its ecosystem. About six weeks ago, a significant quantity of water was taken from Pollardstown Fen and the levels have fallen below 30 cm. This was done to replenish water levels on the Grand Canal, particularly the Shannon line. The flora and fauna in the fen are dependent on a consistent level of water for their survival. Waterways Ireland is launching its biodiversity plan and this does not fit into it. Waterways Ireland has been contacted. I am concerned and have written to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, but I would like to see it taken up by the Seanad.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I join with my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin. Andrew was a very fine soldier and his wife, Deirdre, was a very fine soldier. It was very sad being in Kildare on Sunday and seeing a number of people outside his house. It was a massive gathering. I could not make it to the funeral yesterday. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Iran looks like it is about to make an attack on Israel. It looks like it will be ballistic missiles.My mind is with the men and women of the Defence Forces who are serving out there in this most intolerable situation. I know the Tánaiste has reassured us they are safe. However, the Tánaiste has asked all Irish citizens to leave Cyprus, or, sorry, to leave Lebanon. I am going back a few decades there; the old mind is not the best. How do they leave? There will be no flights out of Lebanon. Once again, we find ourselves in this country not having a heavy-lift capacity within our Defence Forces to be able to bring people out in an emergency situation such as this. We must watch news bulletins over the next 24 hours to see how things go.

I had a communication this morning from Councillor Liona O'Toole in west Dublin and she was speaking about rapid-build homes. We all know that when the emergency is over, these homes will need planning permission. If they cannot get planning permission, they will have to be taken apart. Everything about them says they can be taken apart. They were erected and put together. They can be taken apart, like Lego. She asked how this will be done and was met with laughter because nobody believes they can be taken apart. In a situation such as this where there are rapid-build homes put together without planning permission put into areas where people are being assured they will be taken apart afterwards, let alone the expense and costs we learned of yesterday, where is the oversight in the country where something we were told would cost €200,000 now costs €440,000? Somewhere along the line there is a total lack of supervision of what goes on in this country. It seems as if money is thrown out like confetti at a wedding. It is just wrong in every sense of the word. I believe Councillor O'Toole and her colleagues in west Dublin are entitled to answers. They have tried to get these answers through the Minister's office and are not getting them. I ask the Leader to make representations on their behalf and to see if she can get the office of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to give them answers and some reassurance that buildings that have been erected without planning permission can be taken apart and the grounds can be put back to what they were before this started.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I call for a debate on the residential zoned land tax. The budget generally is very welcome but for farmers and the Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, particularly, which circulated its budget 2025 submission, it is very disappointing. I know there will be a debate later but unfortunately I will not be present because I have to engage with another group outside of this House. It is disappointing that I have to stand up in this House and say on behalf of farm groups how disappointed they are. Members will hear later from them on the national airwaves. I will predict one thing, which is that this residential zoned tax land debacle will be a huge issue.

I acknowledge Deputy Catherine Connolly, who has asked numerous questions on my behalf in the Oireachtas during the last ten days. From one of those questions, we have a breakdown county-by-county of lands that would fall under the scope of this tax. I will read the figures for the record, although they are on the Oireachtas website: Cork City Council, it is 205 ha; Cork County Council, it is 490 ha;Fingal County Council, it is 675 ha; and the list goes on. It is approximately 6,200 ha, which amounts to more than 15,000 acres of land. All I am saying, as will farming communities in the coming days, is that genuine farmers involved in active agriculture should be exempt.

The IFA submission on the budget states that:

The 3% annual market value tax is unjust and disproportionate to its income generation capacity and represents nothing more than a land-grab exercise. Despite numerous government commitments to exclude it, active farmland remains within scope. [And that] ... [has to] change.

Well it has not changed. It has been a disappointing budget for farm organisations but we will have another day. I like to debate these things in a calm and rational way. Let us be fair. I will paint a scenario and will then sit down, and I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence. A farmer has 200 ha in County Meath that is now subject to this residential zoned land tax. He can have an exemption for 12 months. The Minister has stated that there can be a period of exemption to 2025 if the farmer seeks to change the zoning, which amounts to down-zoning.The farmer will have to go back to the Bank of Ireland or whatever financial institution he has borrowed money from and use the lands in question as collateral for farm enterprise. He will be told that there is no way he can change the zoning. There is an issue here. Clearly, neither the Government nor the Minister for Finance, who said we would have a solution this week, have been able to deliver. This is going to be a really hot political debate. Hopefully, we can look at the matter rationally and debate it in the coming weeks. I ask the Leader to facilitate a meaningful engagement with the Ministers for housing and agriculture in respect of this tax. I would very much appreciate it.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I call on the Minister for Justice to come in here to discuss Garda numbers and Garda personnel in general. You would not think we would be talking about this, judging by the number of gardaí outside this building today, but we have a serious problem. On Thursday, 19 September, at 3 p.m. in the Balbriggan area, a crash involving a lorry and a car occurred. The Garda was called but no officers arrived at the scene. The owners of the vehicles involved were forced to manage the traffic impeded by the accident while waiting for their vehicles to be removed. Nobody from the Garda station arrived. I rang twice that evening. This is a public road and there was a collision involving a lorry and a car. What happened is a shameful and shocking demonstration of the failure of the Department of Justice to ensure that An Garda Síochána is properly resourced. Where were the gardaí that day? They were up here. There were thousands of gardaí around our city that day, protecting these Houses and the people in them.

The position when it comes to recruitment and retention of gardaí is abysmal. In recent years we have witnessed a disturbing increase in crime rates across Ireland, from petty thefts to violent assaults. It is undeniable that our streets are becoming less safe. This surge in criminal activity is directly linked to the dwindling number of gardaí. Our brave men and women in uniform are overworked, underpaid and undervalued. As a result, many are leaving the force. Few others are willing to join. The Department of Justice bears a significant responsibility for this crisis. It is its duty to ensure that our gardaí are adequately supported in terms of resources and morale. The current state of affairs suggests a glaring failure on its part. Those in government can write that we are going to recruit 1,000 gardaí in every budget going forward. The reality is that we are not getting anywhere near that number each year. We must ask ourselves how we can expect our gardaí to protect us when we do not protect them. The Department of Justice must take immediate and decisive action. This should include increasing funding for recruitment, modernising training facilities and providing better pay and working conditions for gardaí.

As this is budget day, it must be stated that the Government should do more in the context of making financial provision for the Garda. The safety of our citizens is paramount. It is the foundation upon which our society is built. Without a robust and well supported Garda, we cannot hope to tackle crime effectively.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I join Senator O'Loughlin in paying tribute to former Councillor Micheál "Spike" Nolan, who, as she said, was absolutely a gentleman. He was a wonderful person who served his area with distinction, as did his late father. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for drawing attention to Councillor Nolan's passing this morning. Our sympathies go to his wife, Deirdre, his children, Rebecca, Tadhg and Jack, and his mum, Ursula. Our deepest sympathies to the family of Andrew Brady also.

Barry Ward (Fine Gael)
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I want to raise something that is an issue not just in my area, namely the ability of the Garda to chase criminals who are using fast electric bikes and other means of transport to deliver drugs. This is a major issue. I have raised it with local gardaí, who are anxious to deal with the problem. These vehicles are being used by criminals, for example, in parks that are surrounded by houses, to deliver drugs and carry on their trade. It is dangerous. There have been incidents in Kilbogget Park in my area, for example, where they hit and killed a dog. Gardaí are afraid to chase them because if they do, it ends up in a high-speed chase, the consequences of which can be very serious if the individual hits somebody or comes off the bike. I do not know what the answer is but I would like us to have a debate on this matter. We need to equip gardaí or give them the resources to deal with this major issue. We should certainly indemnify them in circumstances where they decide to chase someone.If people come off their bikes through their own bad actions, that should be their problem, rather than the problem of An Garda Síochána. We should consider a debate on that matter.

As today is 1 October, I wish to mention that this is National Breastfeeding Week. It is important to recognise Ireland has lower breastfeeding rates than it should. They are lower than those of most of our European neighbours. It is important we acknowledge that and do what we can to encourage breastfeeding. On Thursday morning, I will be pleased to welcome award-winning lactation consultant, Roisin Sullivan, who works for the HSE as a public health nurse in my own area, to the Houses. She is coming here with a number of breastfeeding mothers. They will be at the coffee dock in Leinster House 2000. I encourage as many people as possible to visit. It is about making this normal and something we see all the time. We do not see nearly enough of it. We should be doing what we can to encourage and normalise breastfeeding and accommodate people to breastfeed wherever they can.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I will not speak on the budget; we will speak about that issue later. I acknowledge there has been major investment in sports. Sport capital grants were announced last week and they are really helpful. There needs to be, however, a special emphasis on swimming and the ability of people to actually get into the water, particularly with regard to swimming pools and even access to beaches. I came across two examples of this issue over the weekend. Parents are waiting 18 months to get swimming lessons. They are really frustrated by the system. The only way to get a swimming lesson is to join the leisure centre and then pay for swimming lessons afterwards. It costs approximately €1,000 for leisure centre membership and potentially another €180 for six weeks of lessons. That is really significant for families when it comes to trying to get kids into the water and afford such chaotic bills.

In my part of the world, while we have a wonderful coastline, access to that coastline is an issue. We have really wonderful beaches in places like Oysterhaven. A wonderful swimming class happens there too. Amenities like a changing area or even a pathway into the sea to help people get into it would be helpful. Small money spent on beaches would do so much to help people to enter the water. I am calling for a debate on how we can increase our capacity, as a nation, to get swimming lessons going. A dual approach must be taken, one which involves both people who get into salt water and those who need to get into a swimming pool. We need to have investment in both projects for that to happen. One of the projects is big and the other is small but both will have a huge impact on our society.

Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I echo a lot of Senator Lombard's comments on access to swimming lessons. The Ceannaire will recall that I previously asked for a debate regarding our coastal communities and, in particular, the question of investment in beaches.

The Oireachtas committee on the arts previously raised the need to invest in musical theatre and theatre more generally throughout the country. After the GAA, amateur drama and musical theatre account for the largest number of individuals involved in any voluntary activity. I hope a debate will be scheduled on our report on investing in community, voluntary and regional arts. The report recommended a number of things, among them the need to invest in a capital arts programme similar to the sports capital programme, the need for musical theatre to be recognised distinctly as an art form by the Arts Council and, equally, that funding channels be made available for the development of amateur theatre and musical theatre in Ireland, specifically by providing supports to the Drama League of Ireland, the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland and the Association of Irish Musical Societies as the representative bodies within that sector. Amateur theatre is going from success to success throughout the country. It is critical the Government responds to that. I hope the Leader will schedules a debate on our report and that the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, who has done a lot for investment in the arts, comes before the House to respond on those issues.

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased there was a decision in the High Court yesterday regarding the Shannon LNG project in Ballylongford in north Kerry. The decision by An Bord Pleanála not to give the go-ahead for that project was overturned. I had the pleasure of proposing this project.The year before I became a Senator, when I was mayor of Kerry, almost 18 years ago now, I proposed that project. It was put on what is called "fast-track planning", but we are still dealing with it. Of course, it has been bedevilled by all kinds of objections, some genuinely based but most spurious. The project has the support of 99% of the community of the region. It would be a huge boost for the economy there. A whole generation of young people, including past pupils of mine, are pulling pints in bars in New York and working in construction in Australia. They could have been at home raising families during this period. They would come back on the spot if there was sufficient work for them.

Many Members in this House, mainly our Green Party colleagues, opposed the project. I understand their concerns but I wish they would read closely what the project developers are saying. They have given a commitment that they will not be using fracked gas. You can say something many times and it is still ignored by the objectors. It is a big day. An Bord Pleanála will have no option now but to give planning. The Government has done its damnedest to stop it. I look forward to a huge development for County Kerry and maybe the creation of 500 to 1,000 jobs. It will revolutionise the economy in our area. Our Leader might keep on eye on it to make sure the Government does not do any damage.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I will be watching it for you.

Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform Members about an event I attended on Saturday in Longford. A community health awareness day was organised by Kiernan Structural Steel in memory of the late Andrew Jackson, a young employee of the company who tragically died 12 months ago. We thank Kiernan Structural Steel for organising the event, at which organisations such as sports organisations from throughout the county and further afield were represented and health awareness talks were given. It was a fantastic day not just for adults but also for children to make them aware of the importance of mental health and mental health supports. All the funds raised from the event went to the local Longford counselling service and Pieta House. I thank Frank and Dolores Kiernan and their staff for taking the initiative on behalf of one of their staff members who tragically passed away. They put their shoulders to the wheel by putting on a fantastic local event in the local athletics centre. About 1,000 people attended over the day from young kids, my own included, to elderly adults. I want to acknowledge that somebody took on this initiative. I compliment them on that.

There will be further discussions on the budget today but I want to compliment my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on the significant social welfare package that has been put in place with supports for all families, including those who are working. In particular we will see a double child benefit payment in the lead-up to Christmas, which is extremely welcome. I put on record our thanks to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and all our Government colleagues across the three parties for what has been a fantastic budget to support everybody in our economy.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Glaoim arís ar an Treoraí. I call the Leader, Senator Lisa Chambers, to reply to the Order of Business.

Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Members who contributed today. It was not as busy as other days, given the day that is in it, but still important points were raised.

Senator O'Loughlin gave a lovely tribute to Micheál "Spike" Nolan. I did not know the man but obviously he was a very active councillor in the Newbridge and wider Kildare area and served his community with distinction. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

She also highlighted the Fuchsia Appeal which is open for Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann, which is a really important organisation. We commend it on the work it has done in opening up accommodation for former soldiers in Cork and Limerick, as the Senator mentioned, and Kildare is on the way as well. That is a really important support for those who have left the Defence Forces. They are still part of the defence community.

I join others who have expressed their condolences to the family of Andrew Brady, including his partner, Deirdre, and their little girl, Ella. It is a tragic and sad death in the community there. I can only imagine the heartache that is being felt locally.

I take on board the points raised by Senator O'Loughlin about Pollardstown Fen and the biodiversity issues. It might be worthwhile to raise it as a Commencement matter to get further information from the Minister on it, as it is quite specific.Senator Craughwell raised the ongoing issue of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the potential for Iran to take further actions against Israel in particular. I share the Senator's concerns about our troops in Lebanon serving in UNIFIL. As the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Martin has said consistently, the situation on the ground there is under constant review. The families here at home, who are understandably very concerned, are being communicated with regularly. I take the Senator's comments regarding the evacuation of Irish citizens, but consular assistance will be provided for anyone who is in need of it. We are watching every day as to how the situation is unfolding there. The Senator also raised concerns about rapid-build homes. I suggest that he submit a Commencement matter on the topic. He raised specific issues regarding a Dublin council area and a local councillor there. The Senator spoke about the cost of these rapid-build homes rising from €200,000 to €442,000 and the potential to dismantle those homes and reassemble elsewhere and the land value would be included in those costs.

Senator Boyhan has asked for a debate on the residential zoned land tax. We will be happy to debate on that after the Order of Business is agreed to during the debates on public expenditure and finance. That is the debate, basically. A Minister of State from the Department will be here and the debate will be about the tax measures announced in the budget. A solution has been put forward by the Ministers. Obviously, it is quite widely documented that there was not a consensus at Government level, particularly between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, on this issue. The ability to apply for an exemption for next year is a welcome relief, that the 3% tax will not be coming through the door in the coming months. That is something to work with. Those who are actively farming the land can apply for the land can apply for that extension. That was requested, that those actively farming would be facilitated and not be caught by that tax. That is an important development.

Senator Keogan spoke about Garda numbers, the justice portfolio and a particular incident in Balbriggan. I am not aware of the full details of that particular incident but I know the Minister for Justice has secured additional funding in the budget for extra Garda numbers and every effort has been made to increase numbers. Many of those new recruits are probably going to the greater Dublin area. I certainly would like to see some of new recruits being more dispersed across the country, that rural areas would see an increase in Garda numbers and that we do more to try to get more into the force. We have to make sure it is a good place to work. It is a fantastic career and there is a huge public service element, of course, to being a member of An Garda Síochána. Every effort has been made to increase the numbers in the force.

Senator Barry Ward raised issues around fast e-bikes and the ability of gardaí to chase those individuals. The vehicles are new enough on the scene in terms of the speed they can go at, and we are probably still catching up to a certain extent as to how to deal with them and police them properly in communities. I take on board that there is a particularly acute problem in Dublin. I commend the Senator on raising the fact that it is National Breastfeeding Week. We have a lot of work to do to increase our breastfeeding rates. For example, in my own county of Mayo, I know work is under way through the CYPSC co-ordinator and Tusla to make Mayo a breastfeeding-friendly county. I think that is happening in other counties as well to try to promote it, normalise it - of course it is very normal and natural - and see more of it for mothers to feel comfortable doing it in public spaces which we might not have had heretofore. Again, there is a lot of work to be done there. We are among the lowest in Europe in terms of breastfeeding rates. We need to tackle that and help mothers.

Senator Lombard spoke about investment in sports, the huge sports capital allocation announced last week and has advocated for increased funding and support for swimming and swimming lessons to make sure that every child has access to swimming lessons. His contribution was supported by Senator Byrne.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the Oireachtas committee on arts and the report it finalised recently. I am happy to schedule a debate on that report with the Cathaoirleach. He raised the issue of a capital programme for the arts here, similar to the sports capital programme. It is an excellent idea and will be well received across the country. Not every kid is involved in sports, but they may be excellent at drama, arts or music. That should be equally supported as well. It would be a fantastic addition to Government funding for those activities.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan has welcomed the High Court decision on the LNG project in Kerry which overturned a decision by An Bord Pleanála. It is welcome news for the area. He made the point of how often something can be said before it sinks in around not using fracked gas. We would all share the concerns about the use of fracked gas and would not support that.We have to be realistic about keeping the lights on, however. We are moving towards a greater reliance on renewable energy, but we have a way to go yet. We still need to keep the lights on. We need something to fuel industry, agriculture, homes, schools and businesses. All of that needs energy from somewhere. I am a big proponent of offshore floating wind. I think that is where the solution lies, but we are a decade out from harnessing that, even if we were to start moving a little bit more quickly, which would be welcome. In any event, we will keep on that. We do still need to keep the lights on in the interim. The Senator also made a good point on the economic boost for the region with regard to jobs and investment there.

Finally, Senator Carrigy spoke about the community health event held in Longford remembering Andrew Jackson, a former staff member there. He also complimented his party colleague, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on achieving a very good social protection budget, which was delivered by the Government today.

That concludes the Order of Business.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome John McCullagh, the former Irish ambassador to Türkiye, who is in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery with guests from Türkiye. They are very welcome. Céad míle fáilte. Enjoy your visit to Leinster House.