Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I also welcome the chargé d'affaires and Councillor Kelleher. I wish the chargé d'affaires well on her country's national day.

The Order of Business is No. 1, report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 50, motion 1, Private Members’ business in the name of the Fine Gael Senators, motion re dental services, to be taken at 1 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours; No. 2, Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to adjourn at 5 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3, Private Members’ business, Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill 2024 - Second Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I also extend a welcome to the chargé d'affaires from Slovenia, a beautiful country that I had the opportunity to visit, and to Councillor Niall Kelleher, his aunt, mum and son Noah, who, I understand, is very interested in politics and very involved in Comhairle na nÓg. I hope they have an interesting and good day in Leinster House.

When driving here this morning, I listened to the news about the Women's Aid annual report. Some of the figures horrified me. Since last year, there has been a 12% increase in contacts and a 17% increase in disclosures. This is the highest figure ever recorded in the 50-year history of Women's Aid. Good work is ongoing within the Government. Only this week, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, published a targeted implementation plan for the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, with 95 different actions across four strands, namely protection, prevention, prosecution and policy. However, increases of 28% in respect of reported physical abuse, 30% in respect of sexual abuse, 15% in respect of emotional abuse and 5% in respect of economic abuse are shocking. I acknowledge that officials across different Departments and, of course, Cuan have been trying to implement upskilling programmes for professionals across health, social care, different services, the Judiciary and An Garda Síochána. However, I am of the view that this matter has gone beyond what the Minister can do. We need a special Oireachtas committee on gender-based violence. I strongly believe that. The special committee on drug use is just starting its work, and we have had special committees in the past in respect of other crisis issues. I would like that message to go forward.

I had the opportunity earlier to go over to Buswells Hotel for the lobbying event hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ASI. It was great to see old friends like Helen Rochford-Brennan and Kevin Quaid. I always admire the peer advocacy that the ASI promotes. It was a great opportunity to engage with the CEO, Andy Heffernan, and his terrific team. In the context of budget 2026, the ASI's ask is in line with the programme for Government. It is seeking four new one-day dementia-specific daycare centres. Having seen the success of the one in Kildangan, County Kildare, this is an absolute must. The ASI wants to expand capacity at four existing daycare centres and to have eight new advisers. It is really important that these elements are delivered. Ireland has about 65,000 people with dementia. Sadly, the number is growing all the time. Equally, however, the research around how to prevent it is getting better. It is important to acknowledge what the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell, has done in terms of his firm commitment to implement the national dementia register. That will be a really big help across the board. I thank all my colleagues who came to the all-party committee meeting last week. I ask everyone for their support in respect of the ASI is seeking in the budget.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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To any man who assaults a woman: shame on you. To any man who monitors a woman, controls her moves, where she is, what she is doing, her finances: shame on you. To any man who grabs his partner's phone to look at who she is speaking to: shame on you. To any man who makes a woman feel isolated, hopeless, suicidal, with nowhere to turn, then shame on you. To any man who allows his children to see any of this behaviour, what impact are you having on their lives? Shame on you.

Today, like my colleague, we read in the annual report for Women's Aid that we have recorded the highest level of both contact by victims-survivors and disclosures of domestic abuse in its 50-year history. Behind every woman and child is a family navigating fear and trauma. In Ireland, one in three women will be subjected to psychological, physical and sexual abuse by a partner or ex-partner. Last year, women told Women's Aid that their partners or ex-partners were subjecting them to a broad and brutal pattern of abuse. The impacts on these women were chilling and ranged from exhaustion, isolation, hopelessness and serious injury, with some women suffering miscarriages. In 2024, Women's Aid national and regional front-line services were contacted 32,000 times. What I learned in all of this is that when a woman is brave enough to get out and leave her partner, 33% of them are still being subjected to domestic abuse. Specialist services are still overstretched and underfunded and therefore challenged to meet ever-increasing demand, especially to meet the needs of more marginalised and minoritised women. Resourcing by the Government and implementation of the third national domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy through coherent cross-government co-operation remains crucial to effectively reduce the scale and impacts of violence against women and children in Ireland.

The Minister, Deputy McEntee, did so much groundbreaking work in this area, including the launch of Cuan, the new statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency. I was delighted to see the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, launching the final implementation plan for a zero tolerance strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence yesterday. We need to ensure we hold a cross-Department approach to support these organisations to do their job. I encourage the Leader to discuss this with the relevant Departments. It involves housing, justice, migration and public expenditure, and we badly need it. As my colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, said, there needs to be a committee set up to discuss it. To think that we are at an overall 50-year high for domestic abuse in Ireland in 2025 is absolutely disgraceful.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I welcome our friends from Slovenia. I wish to speak about the issue of children in Gaza dying of thirst. This is an appalling apocalyptic notion to think that children are dying of thirst, when literally 2 km or 3 km away, there are supermarkets in Israel full of food, water and energy drinks. There is no absence of water for Gaza. There is no absence of food. What there is is a desire and a willingness on the part of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces to murder and carry out an act of genocide by way of forced starvation. This is not famine; it is forced starvation. I have said this before and I will say it again: the Israel Defense Forces and Netanyahu's cabinet is made up of Christians, Muslims, Druze, Bedouin Arabs and Shia and Sunni Muslims. Any criticism of the IDF or Netanyahu is not a criticism of Judaism or Jews; it is a criticism of war crimes, a war criminal and genocide.

It is has been made aware to us in the media that the US Embassy now requires all Irish citizens applying for a visa to the United States to provide all of their social media identities for the past five years and to make all of their settings public. The views and opinions of young people like those in the Visitors Gallery and views of people like myself will be audited to establish whether or not they run contrary to US foreign policy, such as it is, because, to quote the President Trump, "They don't know what the fuck they're doing." It is an on the record quote. It has been made clear-----

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator, with all due respect, I know you are quoting people. You can quote people, but if we all start quoting people-----

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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It reflects the vulgarity.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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-----in the manner that the Senator is quoting, it is not fitting of the House.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I apologise. He said, "what the f--- they're doing", but it reflects the barbarity and the vulgarity of the polity in which we inhabit.

My question for colleagues is this. When we go next year, as I presume many will, to the White House and when we apply for our visas to travel to the United States on political business, will our statements be audited and censored? Will I be banned from entering the United States for calling out the genocide and murder of children by forced starvation? We need to have a debate on this. We need to have the Tánaiste come to the House to fundamentally debate and reassess our relationship in foreign policy terms if that relationship implies an acceptance of censorship of us and our young people travelling on J1 visas. I apologise for the f word; I was quoting President Trump.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I know who you were quoting.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I thought we could quote people. I did not realise. My apologies.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Well, within reason.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I acknowledge the young people from Slí, the sustainable living initiative, from County Waterford in the Visitors Gallery. Their vision is of a global community working together to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for all. Slí is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and ethically conscious community. It tries to empower people through education and action. I commend their ongoing interest and engagement within the community.

Recently, I was at a dog rescue hub. It is heartbreaking. In the dog rescue, there were many XL Bullies and dogs that are claimed to be XL Bullies. Despite the amendments made to the XL Bully ban legislation, legislation has again fallen short in many key areas. This has rescue organisations, legal advocates and dog owners concerned. Privately dogs are being afforded the opportunity for a review process and will be able to apply for the certificate of exemption. What worries rescue centres, however, is that there is no legal provision that allows dog rescue centres or local authority pounds to receive a temporary or interim certificate of exemption. Dogs cannot be homed without a permanent certificate of exemption. A permanent certificate can only be applied for once a dog is placed in a home. Therefore, dogs in rescue centres and pounds are all in a type of limbo and unable to move to homes that would legally allow them to receive the exemption and avoid being put down and killed.

The word "type" is being used to describe XL Bully dogs, but it remains vague and is open to interpretation. The continued use of the term "type" fosters subjectivity and inconsistency, enabling the misclassification of dogs that do not possess core XL Bully characteristics. Dogs wardens across this island have been arbitrarily misidentifying XL Bullies. At the very least, there needs to be proper mandatory uniform training with a written examination for dog wardens. This is the least any professional organisation should have. This vagueness perpetuates the risk of overreach, penalising responsible owners and wrongly targeting dogs who are not XL Bullies. Otherwise, this will continue to lead to misclassification, suffering of dogs and an unnecessary waste of taxpayers’ money. The emotional toll this legislation is having on those working in rescue organisations and council pounds has been well documented. Until these issues are resolved, the legislation will continue to result in unnecessary animal deaths, undermine public confidence and safety, and cause serious distress to those working to protect animals.

Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats)
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Senator Clonan took some of the words - not all of words - out of my mouth in his contribution regarding the overreach of the US Administration in the context of US visas. It is deeply concerning. I am sure most of us will know students who have gone on the J1 visa and have gone to travel, or indeed we may hope to travel ourselves, to the United States and now are fearful that they and we cannot.Irish students are facing a significant challenge in accessing these visas. The new requirements are invasive and undermine the rights to freedom of speech, privacy and freedom of expression. Students having to make public all of their social media profiles and any user handles they have had in the last five years is deeply concerning. Many of our young people are activists that are championing issues that might be at odds with US foreign policy, particularly around Gaza, and this has a really chilling effect on what they feel they can express. Will they have to delete or comb through all of their social media for the last five years out of fear that they may be excluded from this programme?

This programme, as we all know, is considered a rite of passage and is a symbol of our countries' close cultural ties, but the US seems increasingly selective about the values it promotes abroad. It champions freedom of speech when it suits but threatens diplomatic retaliation in other instances. Last week, I spoke about Coimisiún na Meán and the US Administration threatening civil servants working for that organisation if they were to introduce hate speech legislation that the EU has required us to transpose by 7 July this year.

This moment calls for us to have a discussion about where we stand on our international partnerships, where our boundaries are, and what diplomatic channels we are using to push back on what I believe is complete overreach. We need a public response. The Taoiseach has said that he does not approve of the measures but we really need to think about what they will mean for our students and people travelling overseas. We cannot have a double standard when it comes to this notion of freedom of speech. It is not okay that our students are having their freedom of speech curtailed. I would like us to have a really meaningful, open and cross-Chamber debate on this issue. This should not be divisive. We should discuss how we can strategise to maintain our concept of freedom of speech while also addressing issues of hate speech online and protecting our students overseas. This is a scary time and if we see systematic aspects of overreach creeping in, where will we be in terms of our international relations?

Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I also welcome our friends from Slovenia to the House.

I want to raise the issue of the recent coverage of the RSA and its consideration of introducing tractor driving tests and training for those aged 16 and over. As of now, a 16-year-old can just apply for a provisional licence and, without any training, step up on one of the monstrosities of tractors that we see on our back roads now. What I really cannot believe, since this announcement was made, is that there has been some opposition to it. In fact, there has been a lot of opposition to the idea. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 28 vehicle-related fatalities on Irish farms, 12 of them linked directly to tractors. The argument has been made that two thirds of these fatalities were of people who were over 55. As someone who is over 55, I know that it is the initial training that one gets or the habits one forms when one drives for the first time that will stay with one for life. It is the muscle memory and the habitual driving that one will be doing half a century after learning how to drive that counts. People will say that the father, the mother, the farmer next door or the contractor who is depending on these young people to work for the summer will train them but they are not professional trainers and they can train them with bad habits. When I learned how to drive, it was in an old Massey Ferguson 135, which would fit into the toolbox of some of the tractors that are out there today and that young people are stepping straight up onto. They are 150 or 200 horsepower with trailers behind them and can weigh 30 or 40 tonnes in total, when laden.

It is a no-brainer that this has to happen but we have to get it right. We need to invite the Minister in to discuss getting it right and thinking outside the box. The RSA is starting with a blank page on this. It knows its faults and failings with the car driver test and the waiting lists, so it must get this right. Youngsters should be allowed to do the training from aged 15 and a half, six months before they are 16. If they have the training done, they will still be able to start driving at 16. In that way, nobody is losing out on labour for the summer and the youngsters are not losing out on the chance of a summer job and a few bob. Let them have the training done by the time they are 16. They should not lose a year by being told that they have to do training that they cannot start until they are 16. By the time they have the training done, they will have lost a year. A little bit of thinking outside the box is needed so that we can get this one right, but it has to be done. It is a no-brainer. We have to train these kids to drive these tractors properly.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I rise to call for a review of the hedge cutting policy. Rural roads are closing all around the rural counties of Ireland. The farmers are brilliant, with 99% of them cutting their hedges when they need to be cut and looking after them well. However, there are people who are not doing it. There are landowners who are away and others who just do not do it and we need to do something about that. I was elected in June last year and from June to September, I was inundated with phone calls about hedge cutting along roads and at dangerous junctions. In fairness, I took it upon myself to go out with a strimmer some weekends to cut at dangerous junctions because older people were travelling them. I was told that I should not do it but I did it anyway because it needed to be done. I did not do it for the sake of it. Old people were ringing me who did not have line of sight. We are now in silage season. Big tractors are going out onto roads, coming out of farm gates where hedges need to be trimmed. They have their signs up. I talked to two contractors who had their signs up but people were not looking at the signs when they were coming up because the signs were stuck in the grass.

In fairness, the councillors in Donegal have been getting on to me really hard about this this week. Secondary roads are not being cut at all. They say the main roads can be cut if it is dangerous but then when they agree to do it, there is no funding there. That is what I am being told. I agree with biodiversity. It has its place and we really need to look after nature too, but surely there is something out there in this day and age that we can look at in other countries. What do they do? What machinery do they use to do hedge cutting that would not affect the biodiversity too much? Somebody is going to get hurt out there because the secondary roads are not being cut at this time of year, particularly with growth just going mad.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I call for a debate on the diaspora. This morning, a number of Senators, including the Cathaoirleach, attended Iveagh House at the invitation of the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. It was a very important exchange and dialogue with the Secretary General and a number of officials from his Department in relation to the Irish diaspora in its very broadest sense. The current strategy runs out at the end of this year and the Minister of State impressed upon us all that we should tap into our own political, business and personal networks and talk about the Irish diaspora. I contributed to that debate and engaged on the basis that many of the people who left this country did so in the hope of returning, many people were forced out of this country in the hope of never returning, and many who left hoped that one day they would have a new opportunity. That was one leg of our debate and discussion. We also touched on the rich tapestry of sport, the GAA, our culture and arts, which unites a lot of people. The GAA in particular and the arts and cultural sectors have done a lot for the Irish diaspora. That is the really positive side.

The Minister of State is engaging on a tour and is committed to travelling around Europe, Canada, America and Australia to promote this strategy. It occurred to me as I was walking back from Iveagh House this morning that it would be helpful, as the Minister of State did today, if he gave the House a walk through of his ideas and suggestions. It is better to feed into and make contributions on this side of a strategy rather than to be at the end of one.

I want to acknowledge the important and significant contribution the Cathaoirleach made to the proceedings in Iveagh House this morning and believe it is important to set aside some time to hear about the Minister of State's vision and plan. We could also learn about some of the outgoing issues of the current strategy, which runs out at the end of this year. We should work together on a cross-party basis to feed into the strategy for the Irish diaspora. I call for a debate and engagement with the Minister of State and I thank him and his officials for receiving us in Iveagh House this morning.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the approval yesterday by the Government of the city task force, a plan for Dublin city. This is a really important moment in the history of our capital. The plan has three primary objectives, namely, to get more people living in the city, to have safer and cleaner public streets and public spaces. and to have an always-on vibrant city that respects our heritage. They are three no-brainer objectives that we should all be able to get behind. We first called for a dedicated authority to regenerate the inner city back in 2018.Unfortunately, we were not in government at the time, but those who are now in government have thankfully seen the light and we have a city task force. In that intervening period, however, much damage has been done to the inner city and the world has changed. The inner city is the heart of our capital and we must ensure this city task force is successful. I commend the Government on bringing forward a comprehensive roadmap. It is a ten-year plan, which acknowledges and signals the seriousness of the issue and the commitment required to make it successful. There are three phases of delivery and five key strands of work.

Not for the first time, I ask that we have a debate in this House with the Taoiseach on the city task force. It is important, not only for those of us who live in the city, but for our country. Dublin city is the first place that many visitors to this island arrive into. The impression they receive is incredibly important and we must ensure that it not only looks its best, but that it is at its best.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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I address the House about something that happened at the weekend. I visited Dublin last weekend to see a band called Kingfishr in Fairview Park. I compliment the Dublin councils for putting on the events they run. It makes us Irish and unique that we have such talent, including bands like Kingfishr, Amble - one of its members is from my area - The Tumbling Paddies and The Whistlin' Donkeys. These are all groups that are homegrown, like Aslan, U2 and Riverdance. They are the people who sell Ireland for what it really is. In seeing Kingfishr play at the weekend - I had not heard of them; my daughters persuaded me to come to Dublin to see them - I was truly amazed, not only by the respect the band had for the people who were listening to them, but by the lead singer going into the middle of the audience, being lifted by the crowd while playing the mouth organ and the crowd singing back to him. I found the whole experience truly amazing. This is what makes us Irish and proud. Certain other local authorities throughout Ireland might need to take a leaf out of Dublin's book and promote the homegrown talent that is out there. It is really unique to see. This is a group of engineers who gave up engineering. They are now in the music industry and a known household name throughout Ireland. It is truly amazing to see we have such raw talent in our Irish musicians. There are many more examples of such homegrown talent. I felt immensely proud that these were our own. I wish them luck and I hope that our diaspora across the world will go to see them when they visit.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Last night, we held an unscheduled meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security to explore the crisis in the Air Corps. When that crisis first emerged, the Taoiseach was asked about what was happening and he said it was a matter for military management and its to solve. Military management is not the Accounting Officer for the defence situation in Ireland.

Leading up to last night's meeting, my research showed me that it was apparent in 2017 that we were heading for a crisis in the Air Corps as regards air traffic controllers, among other specialties across the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service and Army. In 2019, that was further driven home by the pay commission. Chapter 7, paragraph 7 of its report talks about an impending crisis with specialists in the Defence Forces, and air traffic controllers was one group.

Moving on to March 2021, the Secretary General of the Department of Defence wrote to the Secretary General of the Department of Transport to say it could not take on search and rescue because there was an impending problem with air traffic controllers. In December 2021, a special committee reported on the crisis in the Air Corps, specifically in relation to air traffic controllers.

After 2021, the Minister was not informed until the very last moment. Surely, it is the job of the Civil Service to provide Ministers with timely information so they can plan for the future. The Leader was at the meeting last night. We are now in a situation where a service retention commitment scheme is being put in place but not one air traffic controller in the Air Corps has been offered it. They will be gone out the gate and who will be blamed? Military management will. The Department of Defence has questions to answer and they need to be asked straight away.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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I will speak about the Bohernabreena Classic Car Show, which took place in Bohernabreena on Sunday. In only its second year, this event was co-ordinated as though it had the assistance and expertise of an event management company, but that was not the case. It was down to the time and dedication of the committee of local volunteers, including Paul Barnes, Jeff Bibby, Myles Murphy, Brian Tyrell, John Anderson, Declan Webb, Fergus Walsh, Ryan Barnes, Joe McManus and Mick Brett, and the wider community of Bohernabreena who are too many to mention. The event was sponsored by Karl Goodwin Motors and supported by South Dublin County Council and St. Anne's GAA club. What they achieved was nothing short of spectacular, all while raising much-needed funds for the Irish Kidney Association and St. Anne's GAA club.

To set the scene for those not familiar with Bohernabreena, it is one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland and only a five-minute drive from Tallaght village. The field behind St. Anne's GAA club was transformed from a lush green field into the venue of the classic car show, which featured more than 500 cars and was a dream for all car enthusiasts. It was also the venue for an array of craft stalls and food vendors showcasing our local produce and activities. For the big and small kids, there were carousels, carnival games and GAA challenges. I returned to my youth and picked up a hurl, and I have to say, I have not lost it. There were also competitions. There was so much going on that I am sure I am leaving stuff out. It is an example of what can be achieved when a community works together.

Sunday was a really good day, not only for locals, but for people far and wide. With The Pintmen on stage cracking out the ballads, the atmosphere was electric. Any funding the show received was money well spent and it should get more. I therefore thank and acknowledge everyone involved. It was a memorable day. I cannot imagine how this year could be improved upon, but knowing the community as I do, I know this event will only go one way, that is, bigger and better. Next year, I urge everyone to make the trip to pay it a visit because it is a really good day out.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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Before I make my contribution, I acknowledge the James McNeive Foundation, in memory of James McNeive, who tragically died last year. His friends and family will, over the next five days, climb five peaks across Ireland and the UK. They began yesterday in Ben Nevis in Scotland and will complete their efforts and climbs on Saturday on Croagh Patrick in his native County Mayo. He was from Aghamore. They are raising a huge amount of money for different local charities that are close to the family's hearts. I use this opportunity to highlight the ongoing climb and encourage everyone to get behind and support the fundraising that is taking place over the next few day in James's memory, because the causes include many schools and different charity groups that were close to his heart, including the Irish Kidney Association and Make-A-Wish Ireland.

With the time I have left, I raise a point about CCTV in our towns and villages. Can we have a debate on it? A Fine Gael colleague, Deputy Geoghegan from Dublin, has raised the lack of CCTV in Dublin, but in our towns and villages, it depends on local community groups or initiatives through local authorities and there seems to be a disconnect. For protection in our towns and villages, we need to ensure there is adequate CCTV. There should be an audit of every town and village to see where there is functioning and adequate CCTV in place and where there are gaps. That is from the point of view of safety on the streets, but also to see where gangs are driving through different towns and going undetected. I would encourage a debate on that issue.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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My colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, mentioned Women's Aid. It is frightening to see the report today that 32,000 women have contacted Women's Aid in the past year. That is the highest number ever, and it seems it is continuing to climb. One in three women was being abused by her ex-partner. Behind the number are terrified and isolated women, lost pregnancies and isolated lives. There are also children growing up afraid. I previously spoke about the issue in the House. It shows that abuse does not always end when a relationship ends. For many women, the fear seems to deepen and they are stalked, threatened and controlled. Over 44% say that the response they got from the Garda was not helpful. That is certainly not a flaw but a failure in the system.

Three years ago, as we have mentioned previously in the House, the nation was shaken by the murder of Ashling Murphy, a woman who had her whole life ahead of her. We all hoped it would be a pivotal moment whereby there would be lasting change in this area. The truth is difficult. Women seem no safer now than they were on the day that Ashling died.

We need to act. We need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of male violence against women. Not only that, gardaí need proper and consistent training. Protection orders need to be enforced and women's refuges must be properly funded. The court delays in respect of this sort of violence need to end.

We must also talk about the digital world. Abuse seems to continue online and laws need to be introduced in that regard. It is not about charity; it is about our responsibility to the women of Ireland. They and their children deserve safety not next year or eventually but now.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Public Gallery Mr. Charles King, a guest of Deputy James O'Connor, and Ms Ann and Mr. Billy Chambers, guests of Deputy Noel McCarthy. I also welcome the representatives of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, ICA, from Donaghmede, who are guests of Deputy Tom Brabazon.

I also welcome the guests of Senator O'Loughlin, the mayor of Freehold, New Jersey, Mr. Kevin Kane, and his wife, Ellen. They are here to sign a twinning agreement on Friday night between Freehold and Senator O'Loughlin's home town of Rathangan. Twinning between towns in Ireland and the United States of America was discussed this morning at a briefing by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The twinning came about because of The Boss - not Senator O'Loughlin but Bruce Springsteen. His great-great-grandmother, Ann Geraghty, came from Rathangan. The twinning group will be, and has been doing, great work over the past two years. We will welcome The Boss when he plays in Rathangan some time in the near future.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I will give the Cathaoirleach the date.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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We will all be there. I thank the mayor for coming.

Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail)
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I rise today to raise the decision in recent days on the A5. For us in the north west, it is not just the A5 but is also the N2. The decision by a judge in the Belfast courts has hit the headlines in recent days. It is shocking news for many of us. The first time we had a shock in relation to this was when funding was first put in place for it. The Executive was pulled down in 2016 over an Irish Bill that still has not been passed. There was no beef on the bone. We now have an incompetent Minister who could not take into cognisance a report passed in recent weeks relating to the A5. It is incompetence of the highest order.

The decision has serious consequences not just for the A5 but for any future infrastructural projects. If someone wants to develop or extend a factory and create more jobs, this result has consequences for a planning application. With the consequences of the decision in mind, I ask the Leader to discuss the issue with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Transport. I ask that one of them comes to the House as soon as possible. There needs to be an intervention at an Irish Government and UK Government level to try to rescue the situation. I believe that emergency legislation is required in Northern Ireland to rescue the situation. Input is necessary at that level. I ask the Leader to do what he can to move the wheels.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I second the Senator's proposal.

I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, that implementation of the national dementia registry is to commence. Organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, ASI, have lobbied for it for a long time. The ASI is a brilliant organisation doing great work. It has the voice of people with dementia and those who care and support them at its core. Dementia is progressive and there is no cure. Demands for supports are increasing, with 64,000 people with dementia in Ireland. This is forecast to more than double to 150,000 by 2050. We need to prepare. Some 63% of people with dementia live at home in our communities, with over 180,000 people in Ireland caring for a family member or partner with dementia. Many more people are providing support and care in other ways. We know that the family carers of people living with dementia are often unprepared for their new role. They must adapt to enormous changes in their relationship with the person living with dementia. All of this contributes to stress, strain and carer burden. I know of many cases of couples in their 80s where one partner is the sole carer and many simply cannot cope. While this may be bittersweet to watch, they need more support. Action is required to address the workforce challenges in home care, including training, career pathways, recruitment, retention and funding. We need more services that are dementia-specific for day care. Investing in dementia services now will help to alleviate pressure on residential care and help those who are most vulnerable at home. Home care and respite services are vital supports for carers and families, providing social interaction and rest that can make a hugely positive difference to people's lives and is much needed. The Government needs to commit to funding more of these essential services.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin raised the recent annual report by Women's Aid and the concerning details disclosed within it. She was supported by Senators Nelson Murray and McCarthy on matters pertaining to Women's Aid. Senator O'Loughlin welcomed the targeted implementation plan and the 985 different actions. She also called for a special Oireachtas committee on gender-based violence. I would be supportive of that. I know the Senator can work through the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight to try to push that forward. I believe it would be a worthy committee that would have a lot of work to do. It would be widely supported.

The Senator also raised issues in respect of the ASI lobby and dementia advisers and suggested that their requests were in line with the programme for Government commitments. That topic was also raised by Senator Sarah O'Reilly, who welcomed the signing of the national dementia registry and called for engagement in the House with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell. I will request a debate on the whole issue of dementia. It is a worthy issue.

Senator Nelson Murray also commended the Minister, Deputy Helen McEntee, on the launch and work of Cuan. I certainly agree with that.

Senator Clonan raised the horrific and ongoing atrocities, including forced starvation, in Gaza and the fact there are children dying of thirst. No words that I have can adequately express what is going on in that part of the world. The Minister was in the House recently. I will request a further debate, or indeed ongoing debates, in respect of the topic. It is something we are witnessing.As I have said, I do not have a solution, but I condemn what is going on. I hope the United Nations and European Union can take a firmer hand and that Israel allows much-needed aid to be available to the citizens of Gaza.

Senator Andrews mentioned the sustainable living initiative and the students who were there earlier, and I wish them well in their endeavours. He also raised issues regarding XL bullies and the regulations and mandatory training for wardens. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, on this. There is divergence regarding who is in charge but what is now the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht was involved in the initial regulations. We will request a debate.

Senator Stephenson spoke about freedom of speech and called for a debate on the matter. She spoke about the overreach of the US Administration on J1 visas. I have commented on this a number of times and said it is that Administration's country and rules, which, to a degree, is correct. The Tánaiste has undertaken to engage with the ambassador on these matters. We certainly hope that Irish students can continue to avail of the J1 experience in the coming years. It is important that it be available. We will await further updates from the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senator Daly raised the tractor driving test for 16-year-olds and recent commentary and some opposition from the RSA. He is right, of course, that these are very large machines that 16-year-olds can get up on. He has called for training at an earlier age at 15-and-a-half or 15 to make them better able to drive such machines. He also spoke about the number of deaths on Irish farms involving tractors and said there were 28 such deaths between 2020 and 2024. I look forward to engagement with the RSA on this matter. I am sure the committee on agriculture will also be involved in this in the coming months.

Senator Boyle spoke about hedge cutting and hedge trimming. He has even taken action himself. I will not condemn him because if he is improving road safety at junctions, it is within the law. It is within the law for local authorities to trim roadsides in the off season if it improves road safety and is necessary. Some local authorities do and some do not. There may be an issue of funding or there may not be. Transport Infrastructure Ireland is in charge of trimming and verge cutting on national roads but county roads and regional roads are matters for the local authority. Senator Boyle is right that they will say it is the responsibility of farmers, but at the end of the day, various local authorities operate in various fashions. In most cases, it is a matter for the local authority to go out and spend money on doing this job. In Galway, some of the local councillors have used some of their discretionary funding to support this work, which improves safety on our roads.

Senator Boyhan called for a debate on the diaspora, which I will try to organise. The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, came before the House a number of months ago on this matter.

Senator Fitzpatrick welcomed the approval by the Government of the Dublin city task force, which has three objectives. These are to have more people living in the city, cleaner and safer communities, and a vibrant city. In my view, she quite wrongly tried to suggest that Fine Gael was against this, or tried to stop it, a number of years ago. The then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, was involved in initiating the north east inner city initiative back in 2016. One of his final engagements as Taoiseach was to visit the initiative. It could be argued this was a precursor to a larger task force for the city.

Senator Brady gave a very eloquent contribution on homegrown talent and Irish bands. I concur with everything he said, as would most people. We have seen in the past homegrown talent in larger acts such as U2 and also in lesser known ones. They make a valuable contribution to Irish culture and have become known on a worldwide stage. I wish him well on continuing to promote Irish talent.

Senator Craughwell spoke of yesterday's committee meeting with the Department of Defence. He is well able to put questions, which he did. He had three rounds of questions to the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and to the Chief of Staff. I am sure he will be able to follow up on some of the points at the committee.

Senator Costello thanked everybody involved in the Bohernabreena vintage car show. Certainly from her description, it sounded like a wonderful day. I wish them well in their future endeavours.

Senator Duffy wished well all those involved in climbing the five peaks, ending at Croagh Patrick in Mayo, for the James McNeive Foundation. I certainly join him in this. He also spoke about CCTV in our towns and villages. I know there were issues in the past about the legality of these, which have been sorted, and now it is a case of funding. He can table a Commencement matter to the Department of justice on what funding is available or might be available. Perhaps it might be to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Senator Blaney raised the A5 road, which was also raised yesterday by Senators Boyle and O'Reilly. I put on record again that the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has confirmed she will consider the judgment in full and remains committed to delivering the A5 upgrade. The Minister for Transport and the Department here will continue to engage with their Northern Ireland Executive counterparts on this, with a view to seeing the project move forward as soon as possible. I concur. We have asked the Taoiseach to come to the House, which he has said will not happen before the recess. This is an issue that I am sure Senators can raise with him. Senator Fitzpatrick can also raise the issue of the city task force with him, and other Senators have raised issues such as the shared island fund.