Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re draft Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion re Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Inquiry into the Licensing and Use of Sodium Valproate in Women of Child-Bearing Potential in the State) Regulations 2025; and Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) (Inquiry into the Licensing and Use of Sodium Valproate in Women of Child-Bearing Potential in the State) Regulations 2025, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 without debate; No. 3, motion re the draft Commission of Investigation (Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools) Order 2025, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 3 p.m., 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, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than eight minutes to reply to the debate; No. 4, statements on sport, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to conclude at 5 p.m., 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, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 5, Statute Law Revision Bill 2024 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 5 p.m.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I will raise the fact, with increased funding from the Department of agriculture, that Kildare County Council will be able to hire a new dog warden, which means we will have three in the county to improve dog control issues. That is important in enforcing legislation on the control of dogs and dog breeding establishments, responding to complaints about uncontrolled dogs and, where necessary, bringing them to the pound. A key issue in the responsibility of a dog warden is educating the public on responsible dog ownership and the impact of stray dogs on people, livestock and property, and assisting with rehoming efforts. This an area that could be expanded. A lot of work could be done in schools with the assistance of dog wardens. The Holy Family Secondary School in Newbridge has a school dog, which is terrific in showing children how to care for a dog responsibly. We also have two excellent animal foundations in Kildare. While encouraging licensing and microchipping is very important, as is cleaning up after dogs, we could have a debate on dog wardens and the education part of their role, and on supporting schools to roll out similar programmes.

As the Leader knows, Ireland is very proud of its ongoing participation in UNIFIL peacekeeping missions. Coming from Kildare, I know many who have served in Lebanon and are very proud of it. We know that the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate is due at the beginning of September. It is expected to be a challenging process, with different views on the mandate renewal from members of the UN Security Council. In the event that the UN Security Council does not renew the UNIFIL mandate, under current legislation, Irish troops will have to withdraw from the mission upon the expiration of the mandate. I know that the Government is totally committed to UNIFIL. Its work is key to maintaining security and stability in the region. If the mandate is not renewed, Irish troops will have to withdraw and there will have to be transition period. That is something about which we need to urgently have a debate in this House.

I will raise a query about the National Children's Science Centre project, which was committed to 22 years ago when the OPW undertook a project with a developer in Dublin 8 and planning permission was received. It was then decided to move that to the north wing of the National Concert Hall. Permission was granted for there in 2016, but we still do not have any sight of the children's science museum. It is something important that we should progress towards. Maybe we could have a debate in this House on it.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome guests of Deputy John Connolly and Senator Ollie Crowe: Mick and Caroline Walsh, their kids Dylan and Lucy and, more importantly, dad Tom Walsh. It is great to have them here from Rosscahill near Oughterard.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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I will raise two important issues. The first is housing adaption for disabled people. We all know about the housing adaption grant, and how valuable it is to older people and people with disabilities. More than €3 million is the budget used by my local authority, Meath County Council, which does an excellent job. However, a couple, say, earning only the minimum wage and working full time, are only entitled to €20,000 towards any building works in their home. I have been speaking with Tracy Carroll, who is a strong advocate for all children with disabilities and their parents. If someone has a child with highly complex needs, some of the extensions you need, including downstairs bedrooms, adjusted bathrooms, adjusted kitchens and some outdoor space, can come in at more than €100,000, never mind €20,000. How are couples supposed to pay for this? I appreciate we are doing a good job on disabilities, but when it comes to children with complex needs and adjusting their homes for them and their families, we should allow a reduced VAT rate for building works, when it is for the benefit of the person and his or her family. The UK allows ramps to be built, as well as widened passageways and walls and adaptions to bathrooms, etc., to be totally VAT exempt. I call for us to have a look at this, please.

The second issue I will raise is that of hedge cutting for the safety of people driving. The Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, prohibits hedge cutting and destruction of vegetation in hedges between 1 March and 31 August to protect nesting birds and other wildlife. This ban applies to local authorities just as it does to private landowners and other entities. While the ban is in place, there are some exemptions, for example, cutting or destroying vegetation for road safety reasons is allowed at any time of the year. However, what I am hearing a lot from people in rural areas is that it is getting more and more difficult to get hedges cut, particularly at this time. If people look at the weeds in their garden, they will see how much they are growing at the moment. There is a serious road safety issue.I know this even myself. I live on a rural lane. When you walk up and down and then stand in for a car going by, you are standing in on brambles. It can be a bit dangerous, and for older people driving as well. If we are encouraging people to go out walking and cycling, the situation can be dangerous for them and for people driving if they are at a particular junction. Should we be looking at revising these dates? I know it is a bit contentious, but with climate change, the rigid dates do not always suit weather patterns. Equally, not all hedges are rich in wildlife. In fact, many roadside hedges are not and perhaps modern farming needs a bit more flexibility. I would really like a discussion on this topic to see if we should be bringing the date back into August from 1 September.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 51 be taken before No. 1.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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I second the proposal.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for his accommodation. I have two matters I want to raise. One is the issue of 12 Palestinian families from Gaza who were invited here. They were medically evacuated from Gaza in extremis. These are very sick children who were invited here by the Cabinet, which agreed to their medical evacuation. They arrived just at the beginning of the year. Now that their treatment is under way, they are being told they are going to be decongregated and moved to different parts of the country. This has placed them in an almost untenable position. They are people like Shahad Anwar, who is only 19. She is here with her little brother, Salim, who is 16. These are seriously ill children, with little English. Ibtasem Abo Haaera and her son, Ahmed, who has haemophilia, are being told that at the end of the summer they are going to be removed and sent to other parts of the country. Again, they have no resources, no social connections and no ability to do anything.

We have invited these people here. At the global summit in May, the Tánaiste quite rightly said he was delighted and proud to be able to help these families. Let us think of what is happening in Gaza. In the case of Ibtasem, and Ahmed, her husband and young son, Ameen, are in Gaza, and they do not know what their situation is. People are being slaughtered daily as they queue for water and food. These people are among the most vulnerable. This is an issue that will come to a head at the end of the summer and beginning of September. I ask that perhaps we could have some sort of a debate or a resolution here in the House when we resume after the summer recess. In the meantime, I ask if we could prevail upon the relevant Ministers to assist these people.

I want to refer to statements made in a committee of these Houses yesterday by our former colleague, Mr. Alan Shatter, in which he suggested that criticisms of Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank are antisemitic. I have great respect for Mr. Shatter as a legislator and as a former Minister for Justice, but that is a reprehensible slur on the Irish people. I have said it before: the Israel Defense Forces are a multi-confessional force. They have Jews, Bedouins, Druze, Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims and Christians. Netanyahu's cabinet is also multi-confessional, so criticism of its actions is not antisemitic; it is simply criticism of war crimes and of a war criminal. For this suggestion to be made in response to any criticism by the Irish of the genocide and ethnic cleansing that is taking place is in itself Hibernophobic; it is in itself a racist slur. We all remember "No blacks, no Irish, no dogs". To suggest that the attitudes, views, opinions and moral distress experienced by Irish people when we see our brothers and sisters being slaughtered in this manner is antisemitic is, in and of itself, a reprehensible racist slur against the Irish. When we resume, I would like to have a debate where we could have a clear resolution in this House on our support for the people of Palestine and a push back on anybody who suggests this is antisemitism on our part.

Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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I propose that the Minister for Social Protection be invited to this House to debate the wage subsidy scheme for people with disabilities. This is a vital initiative that promotes inclusive employment and supports employers who are committed to providing equal opportunities. Currently, the scheme provides a subsidy of €6.30 per hour to non-public sector employees who hire people with disabilities. However, despite the 30% increase in minimum wage rates in recent years, the subsidy rate has remained unchanged. There is a growing gap that is creating significant pressure on employers, especially small businesses and social enterprises, and that may undermine the long-term impact and sustainability of the scheme.

A review of the scheme was carried out last year and one of the key recommendations was to introduce regular reviews of the subsidy rate. It is pretty much time we acted on it. If we are serious about workplace diversity, fair wages and equal opportunity, this scheme does need to be strengthened and not allowed to stagnate. Therefore, I am asking the Leader for a full debate on the wage subsidy scheme and to include the need to index a subsidy rate to the minimum wage rate.

Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats)
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I wish to raise the issue of the escalating violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, how these communities face escalating violence every day and how that has intensified dramatically over the last 21 months under the cover of war but, in reality, stems from a long-standing and deliberate campaign of displacement. Just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting two extraordinary individuals, Nassar from a village in the south Hebron hills and a courageous Israeli human rights defender from an organisation called Breaking the Silence, which is made up of former IDF soldiers who have chosen to speak out about the reality of the occupation they have participated in. I heard from them last week that the residents of a village in the southern Jordan Valley near Jericho have begun packing up their few remaining belongings and are preparing to flee after enduring years of settler harassment and military-backed violence. They were given a 48-hour ultimatum from armed settlers, and that was the final straw. This community, like so many others before it, is being erased.

This is not an isolated incident; it is part of a chilling and now familiar pattern across the West Bank, which sees the establishment of illegal settler posts - illegal under both international law and Israeli law - on or inside Palestinian villages. These are bases for terror, from where homes are burned, flocks of animals killed or stolen, food and water stores destroyed and families threatened until the only choice left is to flee. These are co-ordinated efforts to make Palestinian life in the West Bank completely unlivable. Since October 2023, at least 30 entire villages have been forcibly emptied. This is settler colonialism and it is apartheid. Last week, Nassar said today there is an attack, tomorrow there will be an attack and the day after there will be another attack; and they have grown used to this new reality. He also said the agricultural villages of area C are now breathing their last breaths. When Nassar was here, he told me about how his grandfather carried his father away from their home during the Nakba and how his father had done the same with him, and how he had no intention of leaving his home. Now, though, it looks inevitable that he and his family will be forced to flee their home in the very near future.

It is clear that without urgent international intervention this systematic dispossession will continue unabated. We need now to firmly and clearly condemn this violence, support human rights defenders from both Palestine and Israel, and call for the European Union and the wider international community to act as it relates to the West Bank. There must be consequences for those who use violence to displace civilians and there must be accountability for those who fund, protect and arm these illegal outposts. Above all, there must be solidarity with those, like Nassar and our friends in Breaking the Silence, who continue to resist injustice in the most dangerous of circumstances. I seek that we have a debate in this Chamber on this issue as it relates specifically to the West Bank.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I wish to speak about a number of different Palestinian groups. Some have been spoken about already. I am talking about the members of the Palestinian GAA team in relation to their trip to Ireland, but also in relation to the Lajee choir group. Currently, they have had to cancel their trip to Ireland, a trip they were very much looking forward to. The word from Tel Aviv is that what seems to have happened is that the application forms are just sitting here in Ireland.The visa applications are basically sitting on a desk in Ireland waiting for approval. The parents of the children who were due to come here provided their passports and they still have not got those passports back, months later.

I understand that Ireland is potentially experiencing some level of international isolation in regard to its support for and continued solidarity with the Palestinian community. I am not usually one for paranoia but it feels like something is happening in relation to groups seeking visas. Perhaps the issue lies with the Israeli Embassy and relationships have broken down there. Why are applications that have not yet had a decision made on them sitting on desks in the context of trips that are due to take place soon? Forty students who have received places in Irish universities cannot get evacuation flights to come here. We are just coming into the summer now and the academic year starts straight after that but there are students who cannot even apply for their visas. They are being told that they cannot apply for a visa until the evacuation process has been dealt with. Even if that does get dealt with, visas will not be in place to enable them to move swiftly and get on the evacuation list in the first place. Several blockages relating to several different groups seem to be happening all at once.

We need to write to the Department of foreign affairs to get an insight into what it is doing to open up additional diplomatic channels in order to resolve these blockages and give full realisation to our solidarity with the Palestinian community, not just in words but in actions too. I wanted to put on record the situation with regard to the GAA Palestine Group and the Lajee children's choir group, who are awaiting communication on applications that are sitting on an Irish desk, and the 40 students who will not be able to start their studies here in Ireland in September if we do not move on this in the next couple of weeks.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I want to raise an issue of serious concern today that was reported by one of my former colleagues, Mr. John Kierans, in the Drogheda Independent this week relating to ambulance cover in Drogheda and the wider north-east region. Paramedics quoted in the article say that Drogheda is regularly left without a local ambulance as crews are being dispatched long distances for non-urgent calls that could and should be managed differently. The core issue appears to be the advanced medical priority dispatch system, AMPDS, which paramedics say is over-triaging and sending highly trained emergency responders to calls for things like shaving cuts, stomach aches and high temperatures while real, time-critical emergencies go uncovered. This has created a real fear among front-line responders that a life-threatening emergency could occur with no unit available to respond quickly. Do not get me wrong, I know that the National Ambulance Service faces huge pressure, handling over 1,200 emergency calls per day. It has defended AMPDS on clinical grounds but the concerns raised here are credible and come from professionals working on the ground. An awareness campaign highlighting alternatives for patients would be timely. Patients can use GPs, go to their local pharmacist or use the doctor-on-call service. There is a misconception that getting an ambulance to an accident and emergency department will get a patient seen sooner but that is not always the case.

These issues deserve a constructive and transparent discussion. For that reason, I ask that the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, come before the House to address these concerns, clarify how AMPDS is being monitored on a nationwide basis and assure communities in the north east and around the country that they will not be left exposed in moments of serious crisis.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome Tullow Men's Shed group from Carlow to Seanad Éireann today. I hope they enjoy their trip as guests of Deputy Catherine Callaghan.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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Today I want to raise the issue of Glenveagh National Park. We have a wonderful tourist attraction in Glenveagh Castle, located in Glenveagh National Park. We are now at the peak of the season but, unfortunately, the castle itself cannot accommodate visitors on Fridays and Mondays due to staff shortages. Approximately 200,000 people visit the castle every year and it is a vital part of the tourism plan for the national park. The problem is a lack of staff. We need more staff and this has been going on for the last eight months. It is a serious issue. The staff there are working diligently under challenging circumstances and are really keeping the park going. This issue first arose last September and nothing has been done. We really need the Minister to try to get a handle on this. In Donegal, we are so proud of Glenveagh National Park. The castle should be open on Mondays and Fridays. It is an essential part of Donegal tourism and anything we can get to Donegal we are more than happy with. We are very proud of it.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Like an All-Ireland final, perhaps?

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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That was on the other side. I was not going to let that go.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I did not expect you to let it go.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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Now that I have Glenveagh covered, maybe the Leader could arrange for the national tolls to be done away with on Sunday for those travelling from Donegal. We have to pay for everything and it would be great if we could get through and down to Dublin without paying tolls. It is a costly day for every family and there will be four and five from every house travelling. I do not think there will be anybody left in Donegal. They will all be down. It is a proud day for Donegal and I am delighted that the team is in the final. We will give the Cathaoirleach's team a run for it; that is one sure thing.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Sure you are only second favourites.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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Thousands of small businesses across Ireland are crying out for breathing space. In the last few days, we have seen statements from the Small Firms Association, SFA, and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, both of which represent the backbone of our local economy. Between them, they represent everyone from tech entrepreneurs and professional services to family-owned cafés and restaurants, such as my own, that are struggling to keep their doors open. The numbers are stark. According to the Small Firms Association, over half of business owners say they would not be able to survive more than six months without additional supports. Labour costs have risen sharply and commercial rents are climbing. Nearly half of the businesses surveyed say they cannot access the finance they need through the banks. In the restaurant sector alone, input costs have exploded. I have spoken in the House previously about the fact that beef prices are up by 96%, electricity costs are up by 94%, fruit and vegetable prices are up by 50% and staff costs are unsustainable.

The organisations the SFA represents are not faceless corporations; they are local businesses employing local people in every town and village in Ireland. They are the ones that are sponsoring the local GAA teams, the local markets and so on and they are giving young people their first job and creating real community wealth. As I have said before, when the Intels, the Apples and so on leave Ireland, they are the ones that will keep the economy going. We need to move beyond words, so I am asking the Minister for enterprise to bring forward budget 2026 proposals that include a temporary PRSI rebate for lower paid staff, a review of commercial rates and real reform of public procurement to make it accessible to SMEs. If we continue down the current path, it will be death by 1,000 cuts and we will look back and wonder why we let our economy bleed while we all watched.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I attended a briefing for Mayo Oireachtas Members related to the proposed sewage treatment plant in Newport, County Mayo. This proposal has been going on for far too long. The initial proposed completion date was 2023 but the project is still so far off where it should be. What is being talked about now is a completion date of 2030. Raw sewage is flowing into Clew Bay as we speak. Newport is a beautiful, scenic part of County Mayo with a brilliant, vibrant community that is demanding action. We have been waiting far too long for the delivery of this vital infrastructure. The lack of a treatment plant is stagnating economic and housing development and is having a hugely negative impact on the community.We have been briefed on it as Oireachtas Members. My colleague Deputy Keira Keogh has been engaging with the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, on it, and I have also been engaging with local councillors on the ground who are working hard on behalf of the community.

Uisce Éireann needs to deliver on it. It says the hold-up currently relates to MUL and MAC licences that are being held up by MARA, which has no statutory time limit on these licences. We need to move forward and get this delivered. It has been going on far too long.

I compliment Cormac Kelly, the Newport Business Association representative, along with Martin Dillane, chair of the Newport Area and District Development Company, who have been leading as a community in taking this campaign forward. There was a protest this week at the civic offices in Castlebar, and they engaged with Uisce Éireann’s office as well. We need to see action and to deliver on this. It is too important for the people of Newport. We need to do everything we can to make sure that this is delivered on time and with the priority and immediacy that is urgently needed.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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There seems to be one law for Palestinians who are applying for visas in Ireland and one law for Israelis applying for visas in Ireland. There are no restrictions on Israelis applying for visas here. Looking at the recent example of GAA Palestine trying to bring 33 children here to Ireland to play GAA - Gaelic football and hurling - it would be a huge opportunity for the children and mentors. We are all aware that the Minister for Justice rejected their initial application, and they now have an appeal in. I ask that the Minister expedite it. He said he was not going to break the law. GAA Palestine is not looking for the Minister to break the law. They are looking for him to expedite the case so they can travel on Friday, which is their due date to travel. Many families around the country are waiting, looking forward to hosting the children coming over for two weeks to play football and sport. The suggestion that GAA Palestine was looking for the Minister to break any laws is unfair on GAA Palestine. They have put in a huge amount of work. The appeal is in and it should not take months. It can be expedited. We know the Government can do this. We know the Minister for Justice can expedite applications. The information is in. I ask that it be expedited and that the Minister come in here and explain how he could refuse these applications.

On another note, I agree with Senator O’Loughlin regarding a national science museum. It is important that we have a national science museum. However, we should not have one at the expense of the Iveagh Gardens. Irish Children’s Museum Limited is an organisation that has no transparency and is looking to inflict much damage on the Iveagh Gardens. We need to protect the Iveagh Gardens. We can have a museum and we can have the gardens. One is not dependent on the other.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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I raise an issue of daylight robbery, simply, and I will use that phrase. We have seen the meat processors again this week reducing the price of lamb by another 20 cent per kilogramme. Everybody knows what happened in the beef sector over the past number of years, where the same processors have brought the decline of cattle into a state where now we see almost 3,700 fewer cattle killed this week than during the same period last year. Cattle numbers have declined. Sheep farmers all over Ireland are now getting hammered to a stage where they have produced a product, and now we see a product that is only paid to 21 kg. It is after getting hammered two weeks on the trot, yet we see supply and demand is there for the product. However, the factories and Meat Industry Ireland, MII, have continued to rob a sector that is in decline. I ask MII to issue a statement regarding why the processing sector is in freefall. Why has it done this repeatedly? This has to be dealt with. Farmers are being asked to produce a quality food in this country under regulations, yet we have MII, representing the processors, hammering the farmers again. This is robbery of the highest order. This cannot and should not be allowed to continue in this country. If we intend to protect our food, and everybody wants to protect the food source, we must protect the people who produce it.

Malcolm Noonan (Green Party)
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As the EU prepares the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, for the period 2028 to 2035, there are growing concerns that the European Commission is aligning itself with a far-right agenda. The shift threatens to divert financial resources away from the EU’s long-standing commitments to environmental protection, social progress and international development within Europe and globally. While strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and defence capacity is important, and we all agree with that, it must not come at the cost of essential programmes that underpin democracy, sustainability and global solidarity. The EU must raise its ambition not be emulating US-style policymaking but by reinforcing its own values. Funding through the MFF should prioritise support for civil society, democratic institutions and co-ordinated action across Europe and the world.

I share the concerns of many farming organisations this morning as we learn of a significant cut to the CAP budget and plans to merge it into other funding streams. I am concerned too for LIFE programmes, European innovation partnerships, EIPs, and other programmes that reward landowners for environmental actions on land. I visited once such EIP on Sunday last, namely, the Breeding Waders EIP, where Owen Murphy and his team and people from Fota Wildlife Park were releasing nine head-started curlew chicks. Unfortunately, we have to intervene in this way at such a level, moving eggs and incubating them at Fota, because our habitats are in such poor condition and are fragmented. However, it is also great to have such incredibly dedicated people as well as funding in place to help such iconic species like curlew until we restore nature at scale.

What future is there for such programmes if the EU cares more about missiles and drones than it does about nature, farming and social cohesion? I raised concerns here about the MFF some months ago and received assurance that the Government is engaging at a high level within the EU, and it would appear that their efforts were futile. When we return in September, it will be too late. I am of the view that the committee on European affairs and the agriculture committee should meet next week to specifically discuss the gutting of CAP, social coherence and environmental funding at the expense of defence and security. What security do we have when we cannot produce food, protect nature or care for those fleeing conflict and climate chaos? They are saying now that we should do less with less. It is a MAGA-lite budget, and Ireland should not support it.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Gallery guests of Senator Robbie Gallagher, Senator Patricia Stephenson, Deputy Mark Wall, Senator Joe O’Reilly, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher and Deputy John Clendennen. They are most welcome here today. I also welcome Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick. I do not know which ones of those he is under the umbrella of, but he is most welcome. All of them, I assume, are all the way from Kilkenny. Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick is former leader of the AILG and he does great work on behalf of local authorities around the country.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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I wonder if many in the House are familiar with the name Saif Musallet. Unfortunately, that young man’s name has been in the news quite prominently over the past few days, I suspect because he has dual nationality. He is Palestinian but he is also a citizen of the United States. He is a young man from Florida aged 19. He went in the springtime to visit his family in the West Bank and to express solidarity with them. Last Friday, he was the victim of a series of assaults by settlers and he was beaten to death. The fact that he has been in the news is largely attributable to the fact he is an American citizen. There was also an unlikely intervention by Mike Huckabee, who is the ambassador from the United States to Israel, who spoke up for him, unusually, considering some of his utterances in the past. He was not, however, the only one who murdered by the settlers; there was another young man, a 23-year-old, whose name escapes me at the moment. When he was seriously injured from a series of beatings, the West Bank mob gathered around and would not allow the first responders or ambulances to get to him.He died without getting to hospital. It is indicative of the skulduggery going on in the West Bank. For people to suggest that when we draw attention to this in our Legislature that we are somehow antisemitic is a bit rich. Yesh Din is a group in Israel that monitors these things. A little statistic is that 93% of crimes reported by West Bank people go uninvestigated or non-indicted. Of the remaining 7% that are investigated, only 3% end up in convictions. It is statement of the way things are out there.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I want to raise the issue of the increase in scams. Research conducted by FraudSMART shows that 78% of Irish adults are being targeted by scam text messages, emails, calls or online content at least monthly. I know of a woman who used an online portal for a job application only to realise it was a fraudulent website when it asked for her debit card details. We often joke about the early days of scam emails, when an individual posing as a prince or a millionaire would offer millions of euro if someone inputted their details. These were primitive and often it was clear they were fake but scams have become more convincing and sophisticated. They come in the form of text messages from Amazon, An Post, eFlow, customs and banks contacting people. Some of these messages are particularly targeted at parents or the elderly.

One scam that has been going around recently is where a person receives a text saying, "Hi mum, I lost my phone. Can you send me some money?" Many people have fallen victim to this as it is a realistic message to receive. I know one person who fell victim to it and was conned out of €1,500. The payment was traced back to a bank in Longford but it could not be recovered. People are being scammed out of their hard-earned cash and these are not rare or isolated incidents. They happen every day.

I was caught out by copycat websites, with one pretending to be the RSA with regard to paying for a driver licence, a hotel in Dublin and the Canadian Government with regard to an ETA. These companies mimic legitimate businesses to deceive people. Under Irish law this passing off is not treated as criminal. The RSA, banks and other organisations and agencies know this is happening but cannot do anything to prevent it. There is a serious gap in our legal framework. ComReg and the Government must do more. This means tighter oversight of telecoms and payment systems, criminalising passing off and giving customers real-time warnings and better recovery tools.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the spirit of Senator O'Reilly's comments but to reference Longford in relation to scamming is harsh. There was no need to reference the county where the bank account originated.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Flaherty is entitled to make an intervention if Senator O'Reilly allows him to do so.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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With the consent of other Members.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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It is a fact.

Laura Harmon (Labour)
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As we approach the all-Ireland finals I take this opportunity to wish the Cork hurlers well on Sunday. It is deeply saddening we have a group of 33 young GAA players and 14 mentors from Palestine trying to come to Ireland to play and participate in hurling in this country but they are being denied visas. The Minister for justice needs to give an explanation to the House on this. We need to do everything we can in our power as a country to culturally, socially, economically and politically isolate Israel. We need to build links where we can with the Palestinian people when it comes to sport, culture and the arts. I met the Palestinian ambassador this morning as part of the Oireachtas friends of Palestine group. It is certainly something we need to build on.

It would be very useful for the House to hear from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on what is happening at third level and in our universities. A lot of work is happening on building links with academics in Palestine and those in institutions there. It would be good to see how this can be strengthened and how we can build on it. The Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs is meeting today and it is important that we ensure services are included in the occupied territories Bill and that we get it passed as soon as possible. What is happening in the world today is absolutely grotesque. There is a genocide happening. It is being televised and we see it every day. It needs to stop. It is absolutely damaging our humanity and our ability to call ourselves human in this world if we cannot do everything in our power to stop this.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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I second the amendment proposed by Senator Clonan to the Order of Business. Somebody listening to the Order of Business today would be struck by the consistent expressions of horror across the House at what is happening in Gaza. The terms on which we decry it, deplore it and condemn it are very important. The accusation being made against Ireland by senior politicians in the United States, egged on by senior politicians in the Israeli Government, that Irish people who support the ending of genocide in Gaza, who support a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli issue, and who support the maintenance of human rights on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip are motivated by antisemitism, is a deep slur. As Senator Clonan said, it is a defamation against the Irish people and against their Government, and it is wholly insupportable.

I recall that Mr. Shatter, in book he wrote after he lost his seat, made particular reference to the then Opposition spokesperson, Deputy Willie O'Dea, who accused him of arrogance in the course of a debate. In the book, Mr. Shatter says this is a typical antisemitic trope. Antisemitism means hatred of the Jews as Jews. Any group of people in Israel who voice concern about what is happening on the West Bank and what is happening to the Palestinian Arabs in Gaza, including former prime ministers, cannot be accused of antisemitism with any credibility. Therefore, accusing the Irish Government, the Irish people, this House and this Parliament of antsemitism is totally out of order and must end.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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I have come from the committee on social protection, community development and rural affairs. We heard a prebudget submission from the public participation networks, PPN. The representative from Kildare PPN and Siobhan Cronogue from Longford PPN spoke eloquently about the phenomenal work they have done to support integration and community groups throughout the country. However, they also addressed an outstanding issue on the pay of the PPN co-ordinators. We thought we had made progress on this in the lifetime of the previous Government but, unfortunately, it remains a sticking point. At present, only five PPNs are classified as companies limited by guarantee and are on the proper rate, and five others are managed externally.The issue is that the co-ordinators in the PPNs are dealing with local authority staff and people running community safety partnerships, people who are technically on the same level as themselves. Where this falls down is that PPN co-ordinators are paid through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, while those other staff members are paid through the Department of housing. Last year, a payment of €14,500 was given to PPNs for this year. The Department indicated that this could be used to address the grading issue, moving co-ordinators from grade 5 to grade 7. Unfortunately, several of the local authorities said this would not be possible because staff were still employed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht rather than by local government. I ask that we contact the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht as a matter of urgency to ensure this is resolved for staff in this critical infrastructure who work to develop our communities nationwide.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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Many people think that we are all going on holidays tomorrow until the middle of September and that is it, but an awful lot of work goes on behind the scenes both in this House and back in our constituencies that people might not be aware of. As part of that, I acquired a young man who previously worked in Senator McDowell's office, Padraig Monaghan, to do a little bit of work with the Parliamentary Budget Office regarding some submissions I would like to make in respect of the budget the Department of Finance will be looking at in the coming months. I did one on the cost of introducing free broadband for older and vulnerable persons. It was not actually the cost that shocked me but the number of recipients of the household benefits package and how it is set to increase from 2026 to 2030 by almost 100,000 people. The projected number for 2026 is 573,000 people, which would cost €296 million. I also did an analysis of the introduction of a €200 recreational voucher for those aged 16 to 19. The figure was again a little bit shocking. How much it would cost the Government was not too shocking. It would only have cost approximately €61 million. However, the number of young people in 2026 is projected to be 309,000, while it is expected to be only slightly above that in 2030. We have a serious issue with regard to those growing older in society but also with regard to our younger population. I would like the Minister to look at funding these two proposals. They are very worthy causes for the young people and the elderly of this country.

I wish all my colleagues a very happy, healthy and safe summer. I also wish all the staff in these Houses, including Bridget Doody and her team in the office, the catering staff, the ushers, everyone in the Bills Office and all of those who look after us every single day and who make our work a lot better, a safe, happy and healthy summer.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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We would all join in those thanks to Bridget and all the staff in the Seanad Office along with those who provide assistance in drafting Bills, those who work in the catering service, the ushers and all those who keep us safe here in Leinster House. We thank them for all their work and hope they have a break over the summer, including a break from us.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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I indicate my support for the motion put forward by colleagues, to which they have already spoken on today's Order of Business. That motion and every action we can conceivably take are more important than ever right now. I refer to the motion in respect of Gaza and the egregious breaches of human rights we are seeing on a regular basis. It is more important than ever because, along with many people right across the world, I am utterly appalled, ashamed and disgusted at the outcome of yesterday's EU Council meeting. At the EU Council meeting in June, ministers from across Europe were given an internal report from the EU itself outlining the kinds of horrendous breaches of human rights, basic humanitarian principles and international law that have been conducted by Israel and inflicted on the people of Gaza over the past 20 months in particular. We were all surprised when they came out of that meeting in June and said they were not going to act yet. An options paper was circulated. It is very interesting. It outlines many levers. It mentions ten things the EU could do individually and collectively. Something useful and important in that paper is that it makes it completely clear that individual states can ban trade from occupied territories on the grounds of public policy. We have heard lots of different theories in that regard but the European Commission has now acknowledged that it is possible. It also listed many actions the EU can take collectively.

The ministers went into their next meeting with that list of options before them and walked out of it doing nothing and saying they were going to keep a close eye on the situation and to see if Israel would let a little more aid trickle through. They said they had struck a deal to get a little bit more humanitarian aid through. We have not been told what the other side of the deal is. Is the deal that we will keep a close eye on things to see whether some children get drops of water and scraps of food but will continue to close our eyes to the egregious war crimes, the breaches of human rights, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the indefinite detention of medics in torturous situations? I just want to be clear. Europe is destroying its reputation and credibility internationally by failing to act. I would like the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, who attended that meeting, to come back at the earliest possible opportunity in September to report on what Ireland's strategy will be in the next of these EU meetings.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I am trying to get everybody in because it is the end of the session but we are way over time.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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Last night, we had a very robust but good debate on the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025. Of course, the Government guillotined that debate so we did not have a full and frank debate. The legislation is going back to the Dáil today. Deputies were asking me what went on last night so I told them the debate had been guillotined. That is on the record and it is important that we make that very clear.

The headlines in much of the media this morning tell us that the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has said the housing outlook is bleak. It expects no significant increase in housing delivery from 2025 to 2026. Officials from the ESRI told the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight that it expects no significant increase in housing delivery in 2025 or 2026. It expects the Government to miss its housing targets in both years. It said the Government is currently forecast to deliver 33,000 units this year and 37,000 units in 2026, which is well below the Government targets of 41,000 and 46,000, respectively. The ESRI has also flagged issues regarding the labour force and so on. We have a national problem. What occurred to me as I drove home last night, having listened to our debate and engaged with the Minister of State and Members of this House, was how piecemeal the Government's approach to dealing with housing is. This Government is now well established and there is continuity because it has been in government for so long in some shape or form. We need the Government to publish its new national housing policy. We cannot keep putting it off. I am calling for the Government to print and publish its national co-ordinated housing policy to deliver the much-needed homes people in this country are simply crying out for.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
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I also want to offer my support to my colleagues on the motion on Gaza. I commend Senator McDowell on bringing it forward.

I have spoken a lot here over the last couple of months about breast density. During the week, I received the following communication from a constituent, which I will read out:

Dear Nessa, I am a 51-year-old woman who was recently called for my first mammogram, which took place in Sligo. I had heard you speaking on Ocean FM about breast density and so I asked a professional operating the machine do I have breast density? She said that she did not know but that the doctor would tell me. At the time, I did not think anything about it. It did not occur to me that there was no doctor on site. About two weeks after the mammogram, I received a letter from BreastCheck saying that they wished me to come to their clinic in Galway for further investigation. The letter arrived on a Monday and the appointment was on the Friday, so I had only one week of worrying. I arrived at the BreastCheck clinic in Galway where incidentally there was free parking for women to attend in the clinic. I was then told by a very nice doctor that they needed to rescan one breast. I was taken straight in for another mammogram with a different machine to the one in Sligo and this was followed up immediately with an ultrasound using the same kind of equipment used in a pregnancy ultrasound. I was really relieved that the doctor was able to confirm that my breasts were clear of cancer and because I had had the follow-up appointment and the ultrasound, I had absolute faith in her diagnosis. This is how it should be. If there is any doubt arising from a mammogram, it should be followed up. This is what has not been done in the past. It is just wrong. Marian Cullen [who I have spoken about here in the Seanad before] whose daughter Martha has shown such commitment to raising this issue, was a friend of mine and her loss should never have happened. I would like to thank you and your fellow Senators for bringing the matter of breast density to national attention and hope that the follow-up investigations that I receive are now becoming standard throughout the country.

That letter speaks for itself. I want to express the hope that the Leader can bring this back to the Minister for Health so that we can resume this debate in September.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Sin a bhfuil. I know that was a long Order of Business, but I think everybody wanted to make sure they got their points across as we will not be back. I know we are sitting tomorrow, but then we will not be back until September. Anois, the Leader; I thank him for his patience.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning.

Senator O'Loughlin raised a number of issues, including funding with regard to dog wardens. She said she would welcome a debate on the education of young people, in particular, and indeed all people on the care of dogs and the threats that some dogs can pose. She also raised the issue of the UNIFIL mandate. Obviously, the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security has been debating the Bill on the triple lock and other matters, and we have discussed this matter as well. She also raised issues regarding the proposed national children's science centre. Senator Andrews has views on that matter as well.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of adaptation grants. We know the importance of those to people up and down the country. She is right to suggest that the maximum grants have not kept cost with inflation and building costs. Certainly, I will raise that with the Minister. She also raised issues regarding the reduced VAT rate, which is a budgetary issue, and hedge cutting, which is a perennial issue and will, I am sure, be discussed here next year and at local authorities. It seems to be something that is raised constantly. Hedge cutting can take place if there is a road safety concern, particularly at junctions. Senator Boyle has raised this in the past and has carried out some work. It is something that is allowed under the existing legislation.

Senators Clonan and McDowell have proposed and seconded an amendment to the Order of Business looking for No. 52 be taken before item No. 1. I will agree to that. I was engaging with the Department of foreign affairs on a cross-party amendment, but they beat me to it. Their efficiency is to be applauded. I absolutely accept the issues there, and I have to support that. They also raised the issue of former Deputy Alan Shatter's comments at the committee. I have not heard them. I am sure whoever was at the committee gave a robust retort to those comments. Perhaps we might have a debate with the Minister or with Mr. Shatter. Either of the Senators on radio would be worth listening to because there are some very serious issues. I certainly do not believe that Irish people are antisemetic in condemning what is going on and the atrocities and the murder of children in Gaza.

Senator Ryan raised the issue of the wage subsidy scheme and corporate index thinking, particularly for those with a disability. I will maybe ask her to table a Commencement matter. This would be a budgetary matter, so if she tables a Commencement matter for the new session, she could get the response of the Minister with regard to budget negotiations.

Senator Stephenson called for a debate with regard to Gaza. I acknowledge her comments on the area.

Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats)
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On Palestine and the West Bank.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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Yes, I will certainly ask for that again in September.

Senators Ruane and Andrews raised the issue of GAA Palestine. I acknowledge the coverage this is getting, and rightly so. The Minister for justice has made his comments. I know there are appeals going on. The Department stated:

Each visa application is decided on its own merits. However, it is the case that the organisation of an event, no matter how good the intention, does not guarantee that a visa will be subsequently granted. Applications made [particularly] on behalf of minors who are not travelling in the company of their parents must be supported with evidence that appropriate child protection measures are in place during the visit. In all cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria.

This is under appeal. I acknowledge the sentiments expressed here and, indeed, in the emails we have received to our offices on these matters. I certainly hope that a resolution can be gotten on this very important matter.

Senator Comyn raised the ambulances, and an interesting case in terms of the overtriaging of calls, which means that more urgent calls are not being dealt with. I will certainly request a debate with the Minister for Health on the ambulance service.

Senator Boyle raised Glenveagh National Park. I will maybe ask him to table a Commencement matter on this matter because I would not have up-to-date information. It is a staffing matter. I am not sure if there is an inability to get staff or if there is a funding issue but certainly our national parks are important. I will request a debate on our national parks with the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, in the autumn.

Senator McCarthy raised issues regarding small businesses, small firms associations and restaurant associations. Again, he listed a number of budgetary issues that could be looked at, including a temporary PRSI rebate, cuts in rates and, of course, the VAT rate, which is mentioned in the programme for Government. We will have opportunities over the coming weeks to raise budgetary matters.

Senator Duffy raised the issue of the Newport sewerage scheme. I will ask him to table a Commencement matter or raise it through the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Senator Brady raised the issue of sheep and lamb prices and called for a debate on the sector. I am sure he is also raising this at the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food, which could call in representatives from MII to debate this issue. We know the quality product that is produced by sheep farmers in this country. They have had a lot of difficult years. They have the odd good year and it is not right that they have seen a 20 cent cut just like that over the last short period.

Senator Noonan raised the EU multiannual financial framework. There are initial proposals from the European Commission that indicate that from the start of the next EU budgetary cycle in 2028, the Commission plans to pool dedicated agricultural and rural financial supports into a single national and regional partnership fund. This has caused concerns, particularly in LEADER companies, due to the impact that would have on funding and processing and everything else like that. It is looking at amalgamating or merging the CAP with EU cohesion, migration and infrastructure funding. I am not sure of the rationale behind that, but I am sure there will be an opportunity to debate that when we come back. Obviously, the MEPs will have a critical role in that as well.

Senator Conway raised the tragic case of a young man who was beaten to death by settlers. I acknowledge that and give our sympathies to his family.

Senator O'Reilly raised the issue of scams. ComReg has started dealing with that with regard to text scams that are coming through. I have gotten a few of them, which come up as being a likely scam. He has called on groups and organisations to register with ComReg to prove they are legitimate and the numbers they are using for text messages are legitimate. However, there is a wider issue here with regard to vulnerable people - older people in the main, but not exclusively - who are taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals. I will certainly raise that with the Minister and request a debate on the matter.

Senator Harmon raised the issue of the Palestinian GAA team. I apologise; I should have referenced her earlier.She talked about the occupied territories Bill, or the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025, which is the Government proposal. That will obviously have to come through the Houses as quickly as possible once we come back. The pre-legislative scrutiny is being dealt with at the moment and a report should be published and agreed before the recess to allow that to be drafted.

Senator Flaherty raised the public participation networks and funding for those. I will request a debate on that. However, if he can start a Commencement debate with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, he may get a direct response.

Senator Keogan put forward issues relating to budgetary matters, household benefits and free broadband packages for the elderly. She also highlighted CSO statistics on the population getting older, which raise a lot of issues about care of the elderly and all of that. I acknowledge the importance of that and again that is something to engage with the Minister for Finance on with regard to budget 2026.

Senator Higgins raised the EU Council meeting and requested that the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, come to the House in September. I will request that. It is normal that there would be EU Council meeting statements in the other House. I will request on this occasion that he come here to talk about this particular Council meeting and what plans Ireland has, and the informal feedback from other countries regarding these matters.

Senator Boyhan talked of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill. I acknowledge that we unfortunately had a guillotine yesterday. The Bill is scheduled for debate in the Dáil today, so it was out of my hands. It had to get through this House to allow for the turnaround, amendments, reprinting and all of that for the other House today. He also requested that the new national housing policy be published. I know that people are working on that, and it is important they get it right. Whatever proposals are in it, if there are budgetary matters, they will be funded as part of the budget in that agreement. It is important that be got right rather than rushed, whether it is published next week or the week after. I will certainly request, once it is published, that we have a debate in this House on the matter.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Clonan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 51 be taken before No. 1 without debate." Senator McDowell has seconded the proposal. The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept this amendment. Is the amendment agreed to? Agreed.