Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Before we move to the Order of Business, I welcome the head of mission to Spain and the staff from the Spanish Embassy here to mark Spanish National Day. They are accompanied by Deputy Michael Cahill, who is the convenor of the Ireland-Spain Parliamentary Friendship Group. They are very welcome and I hope they have an enjoyable day on their national day. Ireland and Spain have enjoyed a centuries-long relationship that goes all the way back to the 16th century, with the signing of the Treaty of Dingle in 1529. This bond has only grown as the centuries have passed, with many Irish pilgrims making their way along the Camino de Santiago, and those who have sought refuge in Spain in the aftermath of the Flight of the Earls in 1607.

Today we share strong cultural ties, with Spanish people being the fifth largest tourist group in Ireland and countless Irish people having made previous memories on holiday in Spain, given 2.3 million Irish people visit Spain every year. Many Spanish people travel to Ireland, not just for tourism but to learn English and Spain is Ireland's second largest EU market for English language training. The result has been a huge number of Spanish people having spent time in Ireland during their adolescence, continuing and strengthening our centuries-long friendship. To the 40,000 Spanish people who call Ireland home and to everyone in Spain, we wish them a happy national day.

I call the Leader to outline the Order of Business.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I also welcome the head of mission and Deputy Cahill. I wish all the Spanish citizens living here a happy national day.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 12.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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I would like to bring up the horrible issue of graffiti. More and more, when I travel through towns in County Meath, graffiti is becoming a major issue, especially in Navan, the town I come from.

Graffiti is criminal damage and it is against the law. The people doing it may not think they are causing much harm but this can come with a huge economic cost to the building owners. There are clean-up costs, it is unsightly and there is an increased fear of crime in the area. It encourages other crime, people do not want to see this near their home and it can discourage investment in a town.

Places like Venice, California and Copenhagen provide legal spaces for artists to work. Should we consider something like this? Should we have tougher penalties? I think we probably should. How do we stop it? Some lovely historic buildings are being destroyed. One that comes to mind is the lovely Spicer's Bakery on Kentstown Road in Navan. It keeps being destroyed by graffiti and it is really sad to see it. I would appreciate a debate on this to consider how we can tackle graffiti in our towns and villages and whether there should be tougher penalties against it.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise the issue of a pilot project run in Cavan-Monaghan and Sligo-Leitrim that recently came to an end, called Retrofit Ready. It was a programme under the Department of the environment's Climate Action Fund. Cavan County Local Development and Monaghan Integrated Development and the equivalent development groups in Sligo- Leitrim, employed a person in Cavan-Monaghan and a person in Sligo-Leitrim to talk to individuals and groups about trying to retrofit their homes. They advised them about the warmer homes scheme and the different SEAI grants available on the ground. In particular, they were able to talk to people about whether they were entitled to the fuel allowance. If people are, they can apply to the warmer homes scheme.

Many people were not aware they were entitled to the fuel allowance and had not been claiming it. There was a huge uptake of the programme and a lot of people have got works done to their house or are in the process of getting works done. Some of these are very old houses that need a lot of work under the warmer homes scheme or the SEAI grants. Unfortunately, the pilot programme came to an end a few weeks ago. Could it be rolled out on a nationwide basis? It was really worthwhile for not just those four counties, but throughout the State. The Minister might comment on that.

Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail)
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Gabh mo leithscéal, everybody, we had a little timing issue this morning. We were under the misapprehension that the Order of Business was at 11 a.m. so I was downstairs in committee; I apologise. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak.

I spent a very interesting morning with a group of business professionals on St. Stephen's Green who were launching the CFO 100 list for business and finance. They were also having an interesting panel discussion on AI and next generation finance. It was a wonderful insight into where multiple different sectors of industry are, not just those from the large technology companies or large businesses, but also SMEs, business owners and entrepreneurs. There was a really good take on where we are within the working world outside the gates of Leinster House with regard to the use of AI in the working world.

Could the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, be brought in for an update on the important work she is leading in the establishment of the national AI office, which was funded in the budget this week and is due to be opened in August 2026? When the Minister of State has an opportunity, it would be great to have her in the House to get an update on that important subject.

Now that the budget has been published and people are digesting and working their way through it, I call their attention to the very important HIQA report that came out relating to Limerick and the mid-west in the week prior to the budget. I acknowledge the work been done and all the stakeholders who contributed to that.I want to put on record the feedback I have been getting from my community in Limerick. People were not surprised by the stark results laid bare in the report. Their immediate question was what are we going to do about it. With that in mind, I request that the Minister for Health would come into the Chamber and give us some time to discuss this. It is really important.

In Limerick we are facing into another winter that is likely to be a strong flu season, if what is happening in Australia is anything to go by. We know already that we are going to be under severe pressure. We are already under pressure and we know we will not be able to cope. I would welcome the opportunity for the Minister to come into the House to discuss what short-term measures she is able to take to support UHL.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I rise today to speak on a matter of grave urgency and moral clarity. I refer to the modern persecution of Christians, in particular in Nigeria, which has reached levels that many experts now describe as genocidal. According to the World Watch List 2024, more than 365 million Christians worldwide faced high levels of persecution, and nowhere was this crisis more acute than in Nigeria. In 2023, of the 5,000 Christians who were killed for their faith worldwide, 90% were killed in Nigeria. This year, the situation has worsened. Reports reveal that 7,087 Christians have been massacred in Nigeria in 2025. That is 32 killed every single day for their faith. More than 19,000 churches have been destroyed since 2009 and millions have been displaced. This year, a massacre in the town of Yelwata saw 200 Christians slaughtered overnight by jihadists. Victims include women, children and the elderly. This is not random violence; it is targeted, systemic and ideologically driven. Groups like Boko Haram and other militia are waging war on Christianity in Nigeria. Priests are being kidnapped, churches burned and entire communities erased from the map, yet the international response has been muted.

I echo the calls made in Westminster for the UK and the EU to prioritise freedom of religion or belief in foreign policy. I call on the Government to likewise hold perpetrators accountable through sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Let us not be silent. Silence is complicity. I call on this House to condemn these atrocities, to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and to ensure that Ireland's voice is heard on the global stage in defence of religious freedom.

Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)
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I want to speak briefly on two aspects of the budget. As a newbie Senator, this is the first opportunity I have had to witness and see how the budgetary process works. As a member of a party that is in government, I also had an opportunity to see how the issues we raised formed part of the budgetary process.

Regarding the 9% VAT rate, I put on record the appreciation of the many businesses in west Cork that sought a reduction in VAT and contacted me in recent days. I thank them for their work in campaigning for it. I also want to call out the hypocrisy I see from some Opposition parties that are now opposing this, rejecting it and not supporting the 9% VAT rate that has been introduced. As has rightly been said, these businesses in our communities are not just coffee shops and restaurants; they are the hubs of our communities. They are busy businesses. I have seen the books of many of these businesses. They are struggling with costs and the increased cost of doing business. This is a measure that will ensure stability and sustainability in the years ahead. I call on many of the Opposition parties to look back at what was said in recent months, prior to the formation of the Government, and what their position was on the issue. I know full well the promises made by the Social Democrats, especially in west Cork, in the programme for Government and the calls that were made. Members should look back at what was said.

Like all Members, disability is an area I am very passionate about. We have a respite crisis in this country. I am delighted to welcome the additional €600 million put into the disability budget. It is important that the Minister with responsibility for disability would come to the Chamber as soon as possible to discuss respite.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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Before I begin this morning, I have just noticed that my Seanad colleague, Senator Andrews, has walked back into the Chamber. It is good to see him back safe and sound.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I thank Senator Comyn.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I genuinely hope that today is the day we see a permanent and lasting ceasefire, an end to the genocide, and a return of all the hostages to their families.

Closer to home, the buzzword at the moment is "living experience". I would like to speak on behalf of my two children. We have all gone through a journey of travelling from Drogheda in County Louth to UCD for the last four years. One is continuing for the next year. It is an impossibility to commute from Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland – a de facto city – to get to UCD for a 9 o'clock lecture. There are three private coaches that say they will get people there on time, but it is an impossibility. You are either 45 minutes late for your first lecture at 9 o'clock in the morning or you are forced to try to live in Dublin. We know the pressure that is on everybody trying to live in Dublin. I have done it for four years with my two children. It is an impossibility. They are being forced to sleep on couches or to drive, which again is an impossibility for most youngsters at the moment, because of the cost of the travel or the cost of insurance. We must look at improving bus services, in particular for large commuter towns. We are talking about the largest university and the largest town, yet you simply cannot get to a lecture on time. I would like to have a debate in the House with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, not only on the position in Drogheda, County Louth, and in Dundalk, but also right across the country, to make university much more accessible to everybody.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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Like my colleague before me, I welcome Senator Andrews back. I cannot wait to hear the stories about his ordeal. It is good to see him return safely.

Following on from the budget, I want to acknowledge the €130 million in grants for older people for housing adaptations; the €140 million for the retrofitting of social homes; the €558 million in funding for residential and community energy schemes from the SEAI, including the warmer homes scheme; the better energy home scheme; the national home energy upgrade and retrofitting scheme; and the community energy grant scheme. In tandem with welcoming that funding, I acknowledge that the Department of further and higher education has allocated €65 million in funding to ensure the critical skills requirement for the delivery of housing and infrastructure, as set out in the national development plan, is achieved. This funding will allow for increased apprenticeship registrations and will help us to move forward on targets to achieve 12,500 apprenticeships annually by 2030, as set out in the programme for Government.

In that regard, I call for a debate in this House, possibly inviting the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, or the Minister, Deputy James Lawless, to discuss how we are going to achieve that. The allocation of this money is much needed, including for apprenticeship places. When I looked back at the apprenticeship review for the year, I saw that last year the increase in plasterers was 3%, the increase in plumbers was 13%, and the increase in apprenticeships in wood manufacturing and finishing was 3%. We need a targeted focus on increasing the number of apprenticeship places in order to achieve the targets for the 2030 plan. I also call for regional balance in the location of the apprenticeship places.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Before I call on Senator Andrews to speak, I welcome him back. It is good to see him here safe and sound. I look forward to his contribution.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I thank everybody for their good wishes. It is nice to be back. The surroundings are a lot nicer than I have been used to for the last month or so.

On 1 October, Israel kidnapped citizens of 44 nations from international waters.They were on a humanitarian mission, a non-violent peaceful mission. Despite kidnapping 44 citizens from 44 nations, Israel faces no consequences. It is remarkable that it has been allowed to act with impunity in committing countless war crimes, genocide and man-made famine. It has also dismantled the international rules that have applied for many decades. Its act of piracy against the Global Sumud Flotilla was just another example in the very long list of international crimes. As I said, it was a non-violent humanitarian mission looking to bring in baby formula and medicines. We had baby formula on our boat.

I am very thankful for all the support we received while we were in an Israeli prison. In particular I thank Irish Sport for Palestine which was really supportive to me and the group. On a daily basis it holds Israel to account in terms of sport. I also thank the ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness, who was fantastic. I thank Evan Cunningham in Israel who came into the prison to meet us and was very reassuring. I know they are working under very challenging conditions. They were very reassuring and professional. I also thank our ambassador to Greece, Ciara O'Floinn, and Leah Palleschi who were unbelievably kind, supportive, reassuring and professional. I thank Mary Lou McDonald, our party leader and Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire for their support from start to finish. Their support meant so much to family and friends. I also acknowledge the Minister, Simon Harris, for the empathy he showed to us. His calls were very much appreciated and very kind. I acknowledge the Department of foreign affairs which did so much to help the Irish delegation when we were released. We are forever grateful for their assistance.

Being part of the flotilla was a huge privilege and I met many amazing and inspiring individuals. It is now more important than ever to keep the momentum going, to keep protesting and to keep our eyes on Gaza and Palestine. We need to keep supporting justice for Palestinians. On the recent deal between Israel and Hamas, any respite that Palestinians get is welcome. It will be welcome to see all hostages released. I sincerely hope that the deal will bring justice. Obviously, peace is the objective and it is really important that we get peace. However, without justice there will be no peace. Palestinians have not had any justice for decades. We need to see Palestinians get justice. If there is a real justice, this deal will work. It remains to be seen whether justice will be built into this deal. If there is no justice, there will be no peace in the long run.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank Senator Andrews for his courageous journey. He walked his talk. It is great to see him back. Clearly, a few days away from home grub is good for the old diet; he is looking well. I ask him to mind himself. It was a huge undertaking. I think I speak for most people in this House in saying he can be assured of our support. It is traumatic. There will be days of unwinding. There will be recurring nightmares of the horrific issues he has seen and encountered. He is brave and courageous. I am proud that he is one of our colleagues in the Seanad. He not only brought a light to the issue, but he brought a light to himself and to the Upper House, something I am very proud of.

I am going around with the IFA budget 2026 document. One would think it is a bible. Everyone stops and asks what I am doing with it; the budget is over. I want to acknowledge and thank the IFA. While I have had many differences with it from time to time, it put enormous work into its pre-budget submission. Its representatives engaged and spoke to many of us about issues. I want to highlight one issue that it has highlighted today which is that tillage funding falls short of political commitments. It is not about a blame game, but we have a serious crisis in tillage. The IFA has worked hard to highlight that and highlight the economic benefits to our rural communities, to the wider community and to the international community, and the challenges around it. The budget announcement of €50 million for tillage growers was short of the €65 million it sought. Can we have a debate about tillage? Tillage is critical to this country. There are many other crops we should be looking at. Premier wheat for use in distilleries has been mentioned. I call for a serious debate on the tillage sector. I acknowledge the enormous work the IFA did in its pre-budget submission. All is not over and we will have other opportunities for it to continue to engage with us. That is part of the democratic process. I wish it well.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I also warmly welcome our colleague Senator Andrews back. I commend him on what was a truly heroic effort on his part to shine a light on the issue. In due course, I am sure we will hear some of the haunting stories. I join my two colleagues in wishing him well in the upcoming days. I wish him and his family well with his transition back to Irish life.

I would like a debate on the property owned by the State, specifically agencies like the OPW and local authorities. In my county there are a lot of vacant properties owned by various elements of the State, including CIÉ, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann and the OPW. I can think of three buildings in a town in Clare that are boarded up and could be used for something more productive than they are being used for at the moment, which is nothing. The Department of housing needs to do a deep dive in collaboration with other Departments and agencies to do an inventory of the number of buildings in State ownership that are derelict or vacant and to see what can be done to bring them into use specifically for housing. Not enough is being done in that space to identify properties. I can give specific examples in my county and I am sure my colleagues here can give examples of buildings they are aware of that have lain vacant for decades.

Coupled with that, we need another layer when it comes to the State agencies, specifically local authorities, purchasing properties. While I fully understand and accept that the CEO of a local authority has to have autonomy from elected members when purchasing property, there needs to be another layer of accountability. I am looking for a debate on accountability for local authority CEOs when purchasing property. On another day, I will allude to why I am raising that particular issue.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
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I start by welcoming my colleague Senator Andrews back. I am glad he is back. As they would say in Cork, fair play to you, boy, for what you did.

I wish to raise the issue of farm safety. Already this year there have been 16 confirmed deaths following accidents on farmyards and in fields, and obviously others could be added to that list. This number is higher than the figure for the whole of 2024 and so obviously there is a problem there. Nine out of those 16 were people over the age of 65. Decisions taken with regard to machinery, livestock and heights have led to these people's deaths. I would like the Minister to come to the House to explain his plans to highlight safe procedures in agriculture.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I would like a debate on Iran. We are in election mode. The way we deal with elections here and the way they are dealt with in Iran are very different. I visited Iran with a delegation from this House and I can say that the people are just like us. They drink coffee, laugh, joke and enjoy life, but if you come the wrong side of the regime, they hang you. In 14 months, 1,850 people have been hanged. The way they hang them is horrendous. They put a noose around your neck and they lift you up and allow you to strangulate rather than a drop hang, so it is not just hanging, it is absolute brutality. They are hanging up to nine people per day so we need to establish what Ireland's position on this brutal regime is. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on that if he can.

I read today is that Singapore has organised that small and medium-sized industries will have free cybersecurity protection for a year. What are we doing about cyber protection within the SME sector? In the next short period, small and medium-sized industries in this country will be responsible for adherence to the EU Cyber Resilience Act, the NIS2 directive, the Digital Operational Resilience Act, DORA, and the GDPR. There is so much coming through. Board members can be struck off for life for failing to meet their requirements and organisations can be fined. Imagine being a manufacturing company today. You have to manufacture goods that will be cyber-resilient for life. That means re-engineering and redesigning. It involves where you are getting your chips from if it is based on chip technology. We have CCTV in this House. I do not know if it is still provided by Huawei. If it is, where did the chips come from and who is watching us? Watch the watchers, that is why I say, so I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on that if he can.

Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)
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On behalf of the Sinn Féin, I welcome back our comrade Senator Andrews and say how proud of him we all are. It is really important that we keep the focus on Gaza and the peace deal that it is hoped will happen. We remember the ongoing mission and the five other Irish citizens who are in an Israeli prison.

I will address endometriosis today. Over the past few months, there has been an unbelievable turnout at public meetings on endometriosis we held across the country. Women have been coming out in their hundreds to share their stories, pain and determination to be heard. This campaign has shown the real strength and courage of women who have been ignored for far too long. A few weeks ago, the Minister for Health indicated that she was listening and might finally take action, so I was gobsmacked to discover that there was no funding allocation in the budget for endometriosis specialist care. This disease affects one in ten women, yet there are women who are still waiting over a decade for a diagnosis, travelling abroad for surgery and paying out of pocket for private treatment because the public system simply does not provide the care they need. We need to see specialist multidisciplinary centres established and properly funded, clear referral pathways so women are not bounced from one doctor to another, training for GPs and front-line staff to recognise and respond to symptoms, and investment in research and public awareness so that this condition is finally treated with the seriousness it deserves. I am calling for an urgent debate in the Seanad on women's health, especially endometriosis, because women's health must be prioritised and not pushed aside once again.

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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East Galway and possibly many other areas around the country are being scourged by the conversation around the regulation of the provision of solar farms. I accept there is a real need for an increase in energy capacity. The issue concerns the conversation around solar farms, the lack of regulation and the review of wind farm guidelines. I am calling for a debate with the Minister with responsibility for regulation and provision. There was a very powerful presentation last week in the audiovisual room on the matter from various groups around the country. I know of developments in Kilconly in north Galway, the solar farm opposed by Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea Against Solar Sprawl, AMASS, and Ryehill. I know of solar farms of 1,000 acres of good arable land. When we do not have regulation, they go rogue. That is the reality. We need energy but maybe we need a conversation about small nuclear reactors. We are bringing in power generated by nuclear power through the interconnector so we need a grown-up conversation about what the solution might be as opposed to killing our countryside. It is clean, green and efficient. I am by no means an advocate for nuclear power but I see how communities are being split, divided and torn apart and this is wrong. Could the Leader facilitate a debate? I have no doubt that, in his area, he has come across a lot of wind turbines as well.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank Senators for their contributions. I start by welcoming back Senator Andrews. I know he had a strong advocate in Senator McCormack, who made ample phone calls on Wednesday evening looking for a debate on Thursday, which was facilitated. I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, who came to the House on that. Senator Andrews has been a strong advocate on Gaza and his advocacy and publicity around it are important in highlighting the issues. The Senator mentioned peace and justice issues. We hope we will have peace and the deal that was agreed yesterday will work, the hostages will be released, the ceasefire will hold and humanitarian aid will flow. The Senator is right. We need to continue efforts to highlight injustice and deliver justice for the citizens in Gaza. I acknowledge all others who have spoken on the matter as well this morning.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of graffiti in her own area in Navan and other areas in Meath and the possibility of having legal spaces for it. Finding such places would be the first step while the second would be targeting those who engage in illegal graffiti. It is certainly unsightly. It is not just found in this country. We see it in different parts of the world. It is not nice, particularly on historic buildings, but anywhere on private or public property. Perhaps this could be raised as a Commencement matter with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a more direct answer regarding funding possibilities.

Senator Tully spoke about the Retrofit Ready pilot project. I am not that familiar with it. I presume it is being done through the SEAI or the Department, so perhaps the Senator can put raise it as a Commencement matter.

Senator Scahill also raised matters relating to retrofitting and funding for it. He also called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, and the Minister, Deputy Lawless, on apprenticeships. I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, on Tuesday and she will be coming to the House in the coming weeks to talk about apprenticeships. I know the Minister, Deputy Lawless, is due to come to the House as well to speak about his areas, so we will certainly have an opportunity there to raise those matters.

Senator Dee Ryan spoke about business professionals and called for a debate on AI and the national AI office, which has been committed to under the budget, so I will request that from the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth. I am not sure where it is planned to locate it but it is an important step. I know an Oireachtas committee on AI has been established of which many Members here are part. I am sure we will get updates on that in due course. The Senator also spoke about the HIQA report. I have requested a debate on this report as it relates to the mid-west and to Portiuncula hospital, so I will request that again of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Senator Keogan talked about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Persecution of anybody for religious beliefs is wrong and certainly the atrocities in Nigerian are to be condemned. I will request a debate on that. She talked about freedom of religion and beliefs. We can all agree, irrespective of religion or beliefs, that there should be freedom to express and to practice those religions and beliefs, both in this country and around the world. I will request a debate on matters in Nigeria.

Senator O'Donovan raised budget matters, including the 9% VAT rate and the importance and appreciation of small business owners. He has also called out the hypocrisy of some parties, in particular the Social Democrats and party leader Deputy Holly Cairns in advocating for the 9% VAT rate and the separation of hospitality and accommodation prior to the election and now advocating something else. He is right to call out hypocrisy on that matter. He has also called for a debate on respite care and disabilities. On 4 November, the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, will be in the House to talk about matters pertaining to disability, the disability strategy and the budget.

Senator Comyn raised the issue of public transport from Drogheda and the inadequacy of the service in ensuing people are brought to UCD and other universities on time. I will request a debate with the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, on that matter. There is always a need for increased public transport. The more public transport that is provided, the more demand there is. If buses are provided every hour, there is a demand to have them every half hour and if they are every half hour, they should be every 15 minutes, and rightly so. That change, together with better bus shelters for comfort, is needed to encourage better use. The BusConnects projects and the bus lanes in different areas are also important to ensure there is a speed and efficiency of travel.

Senator Boyhan raised the tillage sector and called for a debate. He mentioned the €50 million for the tillage sector and I wish to acknowledge the work of the Minister, Deputy Heydon, in delivering that. It was important. It was one of the top issues in farming this year. Tillage is often weather-dependent. The sector is dependent on international grain prices. There have been particular challenges in the sector this year so the funding was absolutely needed. I will speak to the Minister. He was in the Chamber prior to the budget on all matters and many Members advocated on tillage issues. I will request a debate with him.

Senator Martin Conway raised the matter of derelict properties and properties owned by the State. There were initiatives in the budget regarding the extension of the living city initiative and changes in the rules from buildings pre-1915 qualifying now to pre-1975. That is welcome and I hope that will make a difference to private properties. Regarding State-owned properties, one would hope there is an inventory somewhere in every State agency that owns property but also that they have plans for that. Sometimes, they may be held up in respect of funding, design, planning permission or whatever. However, no local authority or State agency should have property that is just sitting there. I will request a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works on that matter.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony raised the matter of farm safety and the 16 people, nine of whom were over 69, who passed away this year. It is a very high figure and behind each of those figures is a family, loved ones, neighbours and friends. We will request a debate again. We have spoken with the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae. He is agreeable to come in but Senator Paul Daly has requested that mental health be brought into that debate as well so we are trying to see if we can have two Ministers in at the same time. That is not always practical but we are seeing if we can arrange that.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of Iran where 1,800 hundred people were hung, or as he said, strangled in the past year. There really are atrocities going on in different parts of the world that are hard to fathom. I will certainly bring that up with the Tánaiste. The Senator called for a debate on cyberprotection and he mentioned Singapore and what is going on there. I will certainly request that.

Senator McCormack mentioned the situation in Gaza but also endometriosis and called for a debate with the Minister for Health. I will organise that. Funding of €3 million was provided for research into endometriosis in UCD. That is important. I will request the debate with the Minister on the matter or the Senator might table a Commencement matter to get a more direct response on that particular issue. Finally, Senator Rabbitte raised the issue of renewables. We all say we need more renewables but when the rubber hits the road and there are applications in a local community, whether it is solar or wind, or even nuclear if it came to that, public meetings would be packed out on this. I have seen it up and down the country. People are not happy with projects like this whether they are onshore or even offshore. People are not happy with the impact. I am not sure what the solution is. Guidelines can be brought in but these may not be positively received in some communities. I will request a debate with the Minister for climate, Deputy O'Brien, on this. Every political party and none has talked about the need to increase energy security and increase renewables but when we drill down into it, there are issues. There are certainly communities that are very upset about those matters.