Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No.1, statements on Irish Water and water quality, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude at 3.30 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 eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister is to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 3.30 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 eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 53, motion 2, Private Members' business, motion regarding migration, to be taken at 5 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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This morning, we wake to further news reports of an escalation in Russia's war in Ukraine. Europe is at war. While I appreciate that Fianna Fáil used its most recent Private Members' time in the Seanad to raise a debate on this matter, the war is escalating on a daily basis. People in their homes in Ukraine are being bombarded at night by Russian missiles and drones. Last night, 19 civilians were murdered and 66 wounded. We have a new Minister for foreign affairs, Deputy McEntee. Can we have an early debate with the Minister on the escalating war in Europe? It is intolerable at this point and we must, as a strong European nation, urge other European nations to escalate our actions to address the Russian invasion and attacks on the Ukrainian people.

I want to share with the House some good local news. Next year, in 2026, in Phibsborough, the coolest of urban neighbourhoods, not just in Dublin but in the world, construction will commence on Dalymount Park. While it is obviously known as the home of Irish football, Bob Marley, Thin Lizzy and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers have all treaded the boards and entertained the crowds in Dalymount. Next year, construction will commence on the redevelopment of Dalymount Park. It is not just about soccer or football; it is also about community and culture. In this redevelopment, we will get not only a world-class stadium but also community facilities. Although this has taken a very long time - in 2015, I urged Dublin City Council to acquire the site and stadium - and we have had many Ministers for sport, including Deputy Jack Chambers and others, out to visit, I am proud to say we have secured the funding. The development is ready to go ahead, planning permission is in place and the community supports the project, which is a great news story for Phibsborough and Dublin. I congratulate everybody at Bohs for getting it this far.

It would be appropriate for the Leader to write a letter of appreciation to the Pope to thank him for designating St. Mary's - known as the Pro-Cathedral for the past 200 years - on Marlborough Street as an actual cathedral. St. Mary's on Marlborough Street is part of the fabric of Dublin. It is an iconic building but, more important, for Dubliners it is a place of sanctuary and peace. It is just off our main street and is a place many people will wander into on a day up in Dublin. Archbishop Farrell showed great foresight. Many of us were probably unaware that there was a big debate on this issue between Westland Row and St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral and I am delighted to say St. Mary's won and we are getting a cathedral on the northside. I congratulate the Pope and Archbishop Farrell but, more importantly, all the parishioners, everybody who supports St. Mary's and uses the church, the choirs and the volunteers for achieving this great outcome.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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The Senator had a great platform.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome guests of Deputy Cormac Devlin: Ian Kiely, Brian Dowling and Tiernan. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)
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It is a good start to the morning to see there will be a by-election. The blessings have started.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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The Seanad by-election.

Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)
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I rise today to address the growing concerns of home-based childcare providers, in light of new childminding regulations. Over recent months, many childminders have contacted me to express anxiety about the future of their work, work that is essential to families across the country. Let us be clear. Childminders are not opposed to regulations. They support safeguarding standards and accountability, but they are worried that the new system feels too close to a centre-based childcare model being applied to a family home. They fear that the administrative demands, inspections and costs could drive many experienced childminders out of the sector.

If even a fraction of these providers leave, the impact on parents, in particular in rural areas such as the one I represent, will be significant. Flexibility, continuity of care and affordable home-based options could be reduced at a time when families can least afford it. Childminders are calling for proportionate childminding-specific regulations that reflect the unique nature of care in the home. They seek clearer pathways for Garda vetting for all necessary adults, stronger financial support to help with compliance costs and the protection of their privacy, in particular around the publication of home addresses.

The three-year transition period is welcome, but it must be accompanied by a robust mid-transition review. That review must be genuine, transparent and responsive. It should be an opportunity to correct what is not working rather than a formality. I call on the Minister to come to the House to debate the new regulations, strengthen rather than undermine home-based childcare and protect the vital services childminders provide to thousands of families.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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It is like a spring day and I am just overcome by the promotion of Phibsborough. I will have to take a trip out there. I wish the Senator well in the by-election and I wish whoever follows in a Seanad by-election every success. It is great to see such a robust and positive contribution. I would not have an issue with any of it. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick.

On a more serious note, I welcome the INTO. We are all familiar with its magazine. It also published a document, our children our future: supporting primary and special education. When I turned the pages of the magazine, which we have all received, I noted the INTO discussed its significant concerns about staff shortages, in particular in special schools, DEIS schools, Irish-medium education and cited the crisis in teacher supply, in particular in Dublin which is an issue due to the cost of accommodation.

The INTO, Irish Primary Principals' Network and Catholic Primary School Management Association conducted a survey which found that one in five schools could not fill posts. The problem was particularly acute in Dublin, and we know why. I want to wish Deputy Hildegarde Naughton well as the new Minister. I heard her on "Morning Ireland" today. She set out all sorts of ambitions and excitement. We need her to come before the House quickly to discuss teacher shortages and why substitute teachers, special needs teachers and special classroom assistants are now supervising classrooms in the absence of teachers. That is a crisis. Education and children must be key priorities. I salute the INTO general secretary John Boyle and its president, Anne Horan, for their ongoing engagement with the Oireachtas.

Senator Dee Ryan had a Commencement matter this morning on rural housing and I commend her on that. She raised the same issues I did and discussed others. She provided really good examples of how we could address rural housing. It was suggested all we can have at the end of all of this, as the Minister confirmed - I have his response in front of me – is to aspire to have a national planning statement by the end of 2026 under the current plan. I appeal to every Member who has a parliamentary party meeting today in Leinster House to raise this issue if they can. Everyone is genuinely concerned. We have to address rural housing, including one-off rural housing, as part of a suite of measures to address housing. We need all types of housing and we need to take every possible opportunity.

I commend our colleagues. Our library and research team has a platform and issued an open invitation today from now until 1 p.m. I attended a session. A few attended and the service hoped more would come. It wants to engage with people about its enormous work and support for us. I certainly could not do my work without it. It is an independent validated service that is full of integrity and assists us with accurate information. We talk about AI, false information and misinformation. This organisation serves us well and with distinction. If Members can spare few moments in their busy schedule before 1 p.m., I encourage them to visit the service in the coffee dock.

Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise an ongoing issue causing confusion and frustration in communities across Ireland in relation to the IPAS system. I want to highlight specifically the issue in Macroom. Over the past couple of months, residents in Macroom have been left in a state of uncertainty regarding a proposed development of 20 apartment-style units for IPAS accommodation. The application was granted permission. Objections were raised, yet when I sought clarity the Department told me it is not currently considering any properties in the area and planning permission does not mean that it intends to contract a property for IPAS accommodation.

The community has gone through months of anxiety, speculation, rumour and unnecessary division, all because there is no coherent system or proper communication with the community and no transparency from the Government around the IPAS system. Macroom is not unique. The confusion is being repeated in towns and villages across the board. Communities hear one thing from a provider, another thing from planning documents, something different from the Department and nothing at all from the Government. That is not how migration works or how international protection should be managed in a modern and functioning state.

This chaos is a result of policy failure. The international protection system is in crisis mode at the moment. Decisions are taking far too long. Appeals take too long. Deportations are rarely, if ever, enforced. The placement of IPAS centres is being driven by profits and not the need for capacity or planning. Communities are not being consulted or told anything. They are expected to absorb these centres without the Government investing in proper infrastructure for areas.

This approach is failing everybody, including communities and people who are applying for international protection, and it is undermining confidence in the system. We now have a situation where people do not know what to believe, who is responsible or what is happening. This vacuum is dangerous. It breeds misinformation and allows bad faith actors to stoke division. The Government has to take responsibility for that.

Fine Gael is introducing a motion on migration today. We urgently need a full and substantial debate in the House on the IPAS system, its failure and what reforms are necessary for the system. Communities deserve a system that is planned, structured and fair and not one which is chaotic, ad hoc and profit driven. We need a model that reflects that. I ask the Leader to schedule a debate as soon as possible because the current approach is unsustainable and unfair and undermines confidence nationwide.

Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats)
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The Tánaiste said in April that the Government would use all tools at its disposal in response to the genocide in Gaza. He said the occupied territories Bill would be back in these Houses to be passed by the end of November, yet there is still no sign of it. The work has already been done. We have had seven years to hash out the implementation of the Bill. The foreign affairs committee unanimously agreed on a cross-party basis to recommend the full implementation of the Bill, with services. Have any of the committee's recommendations been acted on by the Government?

I do not know what more one can possibly say to delay the Bill because for every half-baked excuse the Government has had a solution has been provided. At the same time, in the West Bank we know the settler movement is emboldened to unprecedented levels, aided by blatant collusion with the IDF. Palestinian villages have been targeted with vicious arson attacks. Never mind the fact that we are legally obligated to pass the Bill, the levels of violence in the West Bank make it more crucial than ever.

We keep hearing ghost stories of reputational damage internationally if the Bill were to be implemented, but no one can say with any authority what that damage might be. We heard from the American Chamber of Commerce at the foreign affairs committee and it said that not one of its members in the past year has voiced intent to pull back its operations in Ireland should the Bill be passed. In fact, we know one company in Ireland is facing a criminal investigation over accommodation listings in Israeli settlements.

Reputation is a two-way street and we have as much to lose internationally should the Government renege on its promise to pass the occupied territories Bill. I want to reinforce the point that the Government could be reneging on a promise made to the electorate less than one year ago. The Bill can be implemented, is legally sound and, in no uncertain terms, it is our obligation under international law to cease trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

The Bill must include services because without services it does not make us compliant with the International Court of Justice ruling and, indeed, international law. I have said in the Chamber before, it is simply that black and white.Frankly, it is the bare minimum. We have witnessed the crime of a generation. In the face of that, why can we not do the bare minimum?

People are watching the proceedings of the Dáil today. A motion on the occupied territories Bill is being brought forward by the Opposition. The vast majority of people in Ireland support the passing of the occupied territories Bill. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank continues to worsen. The passing of this Bill will send a very clear and loud message that our Government went in defence of Palestinians. The failure to pass this Bill suggests that our Government went to defend Palestinians but chickened out at the last minute. I do not think anyone in this Chamber wants that.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome to the Gallery Senator Cosgrove, her niece and nephew Sadhbh and Seán O'Callaghan, her sister-in-law Tara and their friends Muireann, Aisling and Tom. I am glad the Senator is looking after them.

Frances Black (Independent)
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A motion was brought to the Dáil this morning by People Before Profit calling for the passing of the occupied territories Bill, with provisions on goods and services, before Christmas. The motion was supported by all parties. I am so disappointed that the new foreign affairs Minister did not even turn up. This is one of the most important issues on the foreign affairs agenda and the Minister did not even turn up.

I go back to 2019, when Fianna Fáil introduced the occupied territories Bill in the Dáil. At the time, Deputy Niall Collins stated:

If passed, Ireland and her Parliament will be sending a strong message, that it condemns the occupation of territories which are deemed illegal under international law. This Bill, at its most basic, is about upholding international law. It applies to illegal occupations anywhere in the world and not just to Israel and Palestine.

That was what was said by a member of Fianna Fáil, which introduced the Bill in 2019. In the general election debate last year, both major parties said they would pass the occupied territories Bill. In fact, the Taoiseach made a very strong commitment to passing the Bill and said he would strengthen it. Here we are, one full year later, with no legislation and not even a Second Reading. It is listed as priority but the Bill has not appeared. We need to know when the Bill will be brought to the Dáil. The Government has said it is waiting for the Attorney General's advice on whether services can be included. In 2024, the Attorney General said that restricting trade with settlements could be done without problems for services. In June 2025, the Government asked for more legal advice about including services. In July, the finance committee was told that the advice would sought as a matter of urgency. It is now November. Where is the advice? When will the Bill come before this House?

The foreign affairs committee recommended, which included all parties, and unanimously stated that services should be in the Bill. The Taoiseach has mentioned concerns about implementing a ban on services. In 2014, after sanctions against Russia, Ireland banned not just goods but also services and investment. Businesses followed. The ask today is simple: apply the same standard. If it is possible to track and ban services in one situation and one area, why not do it in this one? Spain recently passed its own version of the occupied territories Bill, including provisions on services, in about four weeks. The US is a major trading partner of Spain. If Spain can do this quickly, why can it not be done here? We have been waiting seven years. The Taoiseach has suggested that concerns about US anti-boycott, divestment and sanctions laws, but earlier statements indicated the Bill is about the occupied territory and not a general boycott.

We need a clear timeline for the Bill, the final Attorney General advisory decision on services and a consistent and brave policy stance that can be implemented and tested. The Government is constantly saying it has done so much and that we are one of the main countries in the world that supports Palestine, but it has done absolutely nothing. I ask the Government Members here today to put pressure on their leaders to act with urgency to pass the occupied territories Bill in full, including services, and set a decisive course for Ireland that reinforces our commitment to the rule of law, human rights and responsible foreign policy. I also call on the new Minister for foreign affairs to come to this Chamber today to give us an update on what the delays are.

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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Today, Wednesday, 19 November, is World Toilet Day. We know just how vital it is that each and every one of us has equal access to clean toilets that are appropriate to our individual needs. Going to the toilet is something all of us have to do. We all need to be able to go to places without worrying about going to the loo. It is natural for most of us to go out and not think about it, but for people with complex disabilities, a lot of thought has to go into it. In 2008, Ann Healy started an Irish campaign for inclusive, accessible toilets. It took from 2008 to 2024 to deliver on universal guidelines for changing places in Ireland. Today, Ireland only has only 34 registered accessible, inclusive toilets, which is hard to believe, for people with additional needs who want to make journeys around the country. They are quite restricted in how they can travel. In the past month, Roscommon Community Sports Park, joined the list. Ladies Beach in Salthill is also on it.

I raise this matter because access and inclusion are fundamental human rights. While the guidelines have been printed and a charitable organisation has been set up - I commend it on the work it has done in driving the campaign to where it is today - Ann Healy is still campaigning, along with Aaron Daly, Annette Monaghan and Aisling McNiffe. On a day like today, it is incumbent on us to have a conversation with the Minister, whether it be the Minister for disability, or for housing and local government, as to how we can empower businesses, local authorities and the HSE to make all of their buildings accessible and inclusive for the right of going to the toilet.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I call for a debate in this House on Garda numbers nationwide. Last week, 194 probationary gardaí were distributed across 19 divisions throughout the country. One of the divisions, which happens to be my home division of Roscommon, Longford and Mayo, received no allocation. I have spoken to a number of locals and people who have previously been on the community policing forum. There is a lack of uniformed gardaí for which there is a real demand in our area. Recent surveys, including one by PhoneWatch on Central Statistics Office figures, indicates that burglaries in that district of Roscommon, Longford and Mayo are down 45% in the last ten years. In the last two or three weeks, another report stated Roscommon is the safest place in the country to raise a family. At the time, I said I hoped that would not inhibit our allocation of Garda numbers, which is something we desperately need.

I tried to raise the lack of an allocation as a Commencement matter, but the Department of justice stated it was not allowed to discuss it and it was the Commissioner's role. I tried to reword it in a few different ways to see if I could get it through but, unfortunately, I was kicked back each time. I call for that debate in this House. What other way have we of influencing that and supporting the people in our home constituencies who desperately need to see numbers of uniformed gardaí on the street?

I also commend Senator Fitzpatrick on the uplifting way she opened today's proceedings by complimenting and acknowledging everybody. The one name she left off the list was the Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam. He could possibly get a letter of acknowledgement as well. I compliment her on that.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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At this stage in life, it takes very few things to shock me politically, but I was certainly taken aback to hear Senator Black mention that a motion on the occupied territories Bill was introduced in the Lower House this morning and that there was no Minister for foreign affairs there to hear the debate.I am sure she has a good reason why she is not there but it is a bad signal for us who are interested in seeing that legislation carried through.

I wish to underscore some of the comments made by my colleague, Senator Boyhan, when he was talking about the travails that attend the primary school system as regards the shortage of teachers. A deep irony about the primary school system is that the shortage of teachers is most felt where the need is greatest, namely, in the cities, in DEIS schools, sna Gaelscoileanna and in special education. I was reading InTouch, the journal of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, the other evening and it is a long time since I heard it mentioning the fact that the INTO was contemplating balloting its members for strike action. That is not a step the INTO takes lightly and one it has not taken for many years. This underscores how serious the problem is with the supply of teachers, particularly in our city areas and in areas where they are most needed. I urge all in education and all in the Government parties to lay into the new Minister to make sure she understands that the exigencies that occur are very much alive in primary schools in the country and to ask her to address it with great urgency.

Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
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This morning, I attended SpunOut's 20th anniversary in Dublin City Council and I congratulate the organisation on the milestone. For two decades, SpunOut has been at the heart of youth well-being, and when it was set up, one of the big focuses was on youth mental health in rural areas. I am all too familiar with that. I was a young person who grew up in a rural area and it can be hard, especially in winter months when there is rural isolation, for young people to look after their mental health. I compliment SpunOut on the concept it has been driving for 20 years.

SpunOut provides trusted information on everything from mental health to employment to sexual health, education and navigating the pressures of modern life. It does this in a way that meets young people where they are - online, on their phones - and in language that is clear and simple. We all know young people today face pressures that did not exist a generation ago such as the impact of social media, the cost-of-living crisis, housing insecurity and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health. Organisations like SpunOut are often the first line of support. They are the ones young people turn to at 1 a.m. when they are anxious, unsure or overwhelmed. Put simply, SpunOut's work saves lives. It empowers young people to seek help, to understand their rights and to look after their well-being. It fills a gap that traditional services, despite best efforts, sometimes cannot reach, but this does not happen on goodwill alone. This morning, SpunOut highlighted the need for sustained multi-annual investment in youth mental health supports. It is doing extraordinary work but the demand is increasing. Young people are reaching out more and earlier. That they reach out earlier is a good thing but they are coming with more complex needs than ever before. If we want early intervention and if we want prevention rather than crisis, then we must invest in the organisations that are already delivering it efficiently. That means ensuring SpunOut and the wider youth sector have the resources they need to expand services, strengthen outreach and continue meeting young people with compassion and credibility.

We often say our young people are our future. That is true but they are also our present. They deserve support now, not in ten year's time. Today, I put on record my thanks to SpunOut for its 20 years of leadership and my support for its continued and increased investment required to ensure youth mental health services are not something we talk about but on which we deliver.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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Today is another world day. It is World COPD Day. I know only too well how COPD can affect someone as my beautiful mam had it and, unfortunately, died due to it eight years ago. Some 1,500 people in Ireland will die due to COPD. Having COPD feels like a persistent struggle for breath, accompanied by a chronic cough and wheezing. Symptoms can include a tight chest, frequent lung infections and a lack of energy that makes daily activities really difficult. It is estimated that 380,000 people in lreland have COPD today. It is a condition that affects mainly middle-aged and older adults who smoke or used to smoke. Symptoms usually present when patients are in the 50s and 60s, and I am glad to say that 70% of people who were, or are, diagnosed with COPD, give up smoking.

COPD Support Ireland is an incredible organisation that supports people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It brings together local COPD support from around the country to advocate for those living with and caring for someone with COPD. COPD is an umbrella term for a group of lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While COPD is not curable, it is treatable, allowing people to have the best quality of life.

The theme for our World COPD Day today is: Short of breath, think COPD. What is very important for COPD Support Ireland is the continued support and funding of the HSE's national integrated model of care for COPD and the integrated care programme for the prevention and management of chronic disease. Saying all of this equals the need for more support to help people with COPD. The support of this integrated model of care is crucial as this has been a key driver for improved care in Ireland over the past five years, enabling better connected health services for people with COPD across the country. I urge the Leader to discuss, with the Minister for Health, the importance of retaining the support and funding to help people with COPD.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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Today, I speak about one of the major crises that is affecting Ireland, which is brain drain. This problem has arguably been with our nation for centuries. The latest wave is ongoing since the crash in 2008 but it is lately reaching critical levels. In many ways, we can all come up with explanations or stories to help us cope with or dismiss the issue of brain drain. We say things like it is just a few students going abroad or we have probably have too many graduates anyway and they will come back after a few years when they have made their money and they will settle back in. Such explanations will not cut it anymore because brain drain is no longer restricted to unemployed graduates. It has been steadily creeping higher and higher in our society and our economy as foreign institutions and firms poach leading experts, boardroom members and even CEOs. Most recently, and shockingly, they have now poached our finance Minister.

I wish Paschal Donohoe all the best in his new role and I wish him and his family all the best in their new life. He will be a great credit to himself because, regardless of political differences, there is no question that is he is a man of great intelligence, deep knowledge and good character. I do not think anyone who looks at Ireland can begrudge or question his decision to go, because while Paschal was a hard-working and competent Minister, his achievements were sadly limited by the system and the political environment we have created in this country; an environment of obstructionism, indecision and inertia. On leaving the Civil Service, Flann O'Brien reportedly said it was a pity such a fine institution could not carry a few more floaters. I say it is a dire situation when the institution of Government cannot keep its best and its brightest.

Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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As I was not here yesterday, I add my voice to the condolences and voices of comfort to the five families who were bereaved at the weekend. Along with four members with my family, I travelled to a football game in Mullingar on the N52 in a Volkswagen Golf on Sunday. To say it was a poignant trip would be an understatement because we had heard the news of the same type of car. I wish my remarks to be associated with all the remarks that were passed in the House yesterday.

Based on Senator Keogan's last contribution, I wish to be associated with the good wishes to Paschal Donohoe. I think my colleagues to the left will appreciate what I mean when I say he was one of the good Fine Gaelers. The World Bank's gain is certainly Ireland's loss. That is a fair statement for me to make and to tag anyone with.

Up the road from me this morning, in Cavan, Monaghan and north Leitrim, there is a lot of snow and hazardous travelling conditions, and yet I came up here to sunny, albeit cool, conditions. Winter is coming upon us and the weather is changing here as quickly as Minsters for finance. It was flood issues at the weekend where the councils were out with sandbags; today, they are out gritting. It may be appropriate for us to have statements now on winter readiness when it comes to transport on our rural roads and our protection against all that is coming down the track at us. It is happening so quickly and it is a bit pointless, useless and needless us having statements in this House after storms and weather events. We should have the Minsters in and see how winter ready we actually are.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I support the previous speaker's contribution in relation to winter readiness. It is a very good discussion and very worthwhile.

I extend my congratulations to my party colleague, Paschal Donohoe, on his retirement from political life after an incredible contribution to the State and to society generally. He has had a remarkable political career. I wish him the best. I have no doubt he will do great things for Ireland and the world in his new position.

I call for a discussion with the Minister for sport on the standardisation of sporting infrastructure. Right across the country, we see great examples of sporting projects and facilities. In particular, indoor facilities in the winter months that are all-weather and can be used all year round can have such a positive impact on people's physical and mental health and also for athletes training for competitions. It can have such positive societal value. However, there are gaps in terms of both amenities and sporting infrastructure across our communities. Sometimes, it is because a grant opens and closes and some town gets another facility that it may or may not need as much as another town or settlement. We need a joined-up approach on that. I call for a debate to make sure that, where there are certain populations, they are guaranteed to have all-weather facilities, whether that be indoor or outdoor, for Gaelic games, soccer, basketball and all those different types of facilities, and also less mainstream sports like skateboarding, which is now an Olympic sport. Does every town over a certain population have one? It should. I am also talking about all-weather tracks and pools. We need to have a clear picture of all amenities and infrastructure in every town and village and make sure that we work back from that to positively discriminate areas that need specific types of investment.

If the Cathaoirleach will indulge me in the last couple of seconds that I have, I am hosting the Pancreatic Cancer Ireland charity in the audiovisual room tomorrow. I encourage as many colleagues as possible to come and attend. It is at 10 a.m. It is an incredible charity recently formed. Sadly, 600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year. Of those, 500 pass away within the first 12 months. It is a scourge of an illness. We can do so much better as a country. It is a difficult one to address but there is no better place than starting the discussion. I encourage and ask my colleagues to support it if they can.

Eileen Flynn (Independent)
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I am following on from Senator Nelson Murray's comments on COPD. I was diagnosed with COPD when I was 28 years of age. As I was a member of the Traveller community, it took me at least six months to a year to be diagnosed with COPD. I remember meeting a consultant in Sligo University Hospital named Dr. Katherine Finan. She was one of the nicest doctors you could ever meet. I remember saying to her to add 12 years to 28 years. She did that. She tested me for COPD and asthma, and I was diagnosed with it. I know what it is like to walk with a heavy chest and to be out of breath every day. Last night, we were on the "The Late Debate". I must have had three bottles of water trying to catch my breath. I know the importance of services for people with COPD. One of my best friends worked in the service going back many years. He set it up and some of the community events around COPD. It is important that we talk about and invest in it, because like Senator Nelson Murray, my mother also had COPD and passed away at 48 years of age. I have now got lung failure. I have never spoken about it before. For me, every single day is a struggle with my lungs. As a young woman of 36 years of age, I do not know how long I have with my kids, but I do know that for women and men like me, we need the best services we can have for people with chronic lung disease. I would not just ask the Leader to deliver a message. My request today is that we have a debate on asthma and COPD and that services really be invested in. Even now, I am a bit short of breath. Numerous times, the Cathaoirleach has given me a chance to get my breath in here. I thank Senator Nelson Murray for bringing this up this morning. It is something that is not easy to speak about and people can be judged because of it. Again, it is a debate we should have around investing in lung and heart services in our country.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank you for sharing your lived experience and thank Senator Nelson Murray for bringing up that important matter today.

I welcome guests of Senator Fiona O'Loughlin: Tony O’Halloran, Colm Somers and Alex Byrne. You are all welcome to Seanad Éireann.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I reiterate what my colleague, Senator Shane Curley, mentioned about SpunOut. I was with it today in Dublin City Council. It is an amazing organisation for youth advocacy celebrating 20 years. There was a huge turnout today and I wish the organisation congratulations.

As chair of the Bluebell community council, I acknowledge an important award we received last Friday regarding our Bluebell waterway project. This is a partnership between the Land Development Agency, LDA, and Dublin City Council. We were honoured by receiving the 2025 Irish Planning Institute housing and community project award. It recognises not only planning excellence, but also genuine, community-centred regeneration. I am chair of the community council and the project we are doing will enable 383 new houses to be built in Dublin 12. That is social and affordable housing of a high-quality design with climate-conscious planning. Not only that, but they are fully integrated into the existing fabric of the community. As chair of that council, I have seen the hope this has brought to Bluebell, to the families who want stability and to the older residents who want to remain in the area where they were brought up. For years, we have been told that regeneration must be done with communities. Now, it is being done. This has been spearheaded by Tommy Coombes, who is a community development worker in the area. It is a sign that the Government and local authorities can make a difference. If we can scale this in this city and across the country, let us use this serviced land, regenerate and engage the community early. I acknowledge the LDA and the amazing work it is doing, Dublin City Council and, especially, the people of Bluebell who never gave up on their community. This award belongs to them.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I congratulate Sporting Liberties on securing funding for a full-sized pitch in the south-west inner city. It has taken years of immense work and commitment by volunteers there. There are 8,500 young people in the area but no playing pitches. It is mad to think that, in 2025, there is no full-sized playing pitch in a community of 47,000 people. It is also mad to think that the funding did not come from the State, but a private bank, Mediolanum. I acknowledge its contribution and say "Well done". The Liberties is one of the most disadvantaged communities in the State. The neglect is systemic. We hear the Government talk about how great the sports capital scheme is for developing sports in Ireland. Of course, it is good for those clubs that do access it, but it is only good if they have money and own a facility. Money goes to money, as they say. The sports capital programme works well for resourced clubs, but for a club in a disadvantaged community, it does not work as it should. We need a national sports facility strategy that gets facilities into communities based on need and not on how well resourced the club is. It is interesting to hear Senator Duffy support the need for a national sports facility strategy to get community sports facilities into communities where there are gaps. We all know those communities where there are gaps. They are spread throughout the country, particularly in the inner city. It is really important. The sports capital programme is good at one level, but if you do not have funding and resources and you do not have your own facility, the sports capital programme is no good to you.We need a national sports facilities strategy that works for communities and for sport in Ireland. Ireland is on the bottom of the European ladder when it comes to investment in sport, which makes Sporting Liberties' achievement even more impressive. I would like to acknowledge that. As Senator Duffy said, it would be worthwhile having the Minister in the House to look at a national sports facilities strategy.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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The Deputy Leader will be aware, as will the Cathaoirleach and many other Members of the House, taxi deregulation was brought in to increase competition and make the taxi service, particularly in the bigger cities, more available. I travelled in a taxi last week and the driver was renting the plate for the taxi. It cost him €200 a week. That is €10,000 a year. I understand anecdotally that there are people in this city who have 100 and 200 taxi plates they rent out. Some are absentee landlords - they do not live in the State. There are questions to be asked. Is that contrary to the raison d'être or rationale for deregulation? How sure can we be that those driving taxis in this city have gone through the SPSV test and are safe drivers? How sure can we be they are fully insured? Who in God's name ever allowed one individual to own 200 taxi plates and rent them out at a cost of €10,000 per year? One hundred plates at €10,000 per year is an enormous amount of money and yet most of the Members of this House will know it can be extremely difficult to get a taxi in Dublin because plates are not being issued. Every person has a right to make a living but the rationale for taxi plates was one plate for one driver to make a living, but where somebody has 100 plates, there is something wrong. If the story is true that there are people with 200 plates who are absentee landlords, the plates should be cancelled straight away and the people renting those plates should be able to go to the taxi regulator and buy a plate. I think it is about €500 or €5,000 - it is somewhere between those two figures - and you can make a living out of it. If you pay for the maintenance of your car, insurance and rent, you are probably working the first three days of the week for nothing. It is gross exploitation. There is also the story that some taxis are on the road 24 hours a day. A driver gets out of the taxi at 6 p.m. and somebody else gets in, gets out of the taxi at 6 a.m. and hands back over at 12 noon. It is totally unacceptable. We need to know taxis are regulated properly, drivers are insured properly and they have the necessary qualifications to be a taxi driver in any city in this country. I ask the Deputy Leader to take that up through the party system and perhaps her colleagues in Fine Gael might do the same.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I raise the issue of the North-South interconnector being delayed again until 2031. The real problem is this project does not have the support of the locals affected because of the continued refusal by the Government to even review the possibility of undergrounding this project. The Government could have saved an awful lot of hassle, annoyance and money by working with the people and listening to them. We can see from previous storms how vulnerable our infrastructure is. We should be future-proofing infrastructure by putting the interconnector underground. The recent Supreme Court ruling has big implications for the North-South interconnector. The court decided that landowners could be compensated not just for the exact bit of land where the pylons would stand but for any drop in value to all of their land caused by the power lines. This means the ESB may now have to pay far more in compensation to hundreds of farmers along the route. It could delay the project even further. The case taken by the O'Reilly family in Cavan has effectively opened the door for landowners to receive proper, fair compensation for the real impact these pylons have on their farms and homes. Rural communities are told to put up with whatever is cheapest for the State even when international evidence shows undergrounding is viable, reliable and often more durable in the long run. If the State continues to push ahead with reviewing the possibility of undergrounding, it will show it is not listening to the people in Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Armagh or Tyrone. Just this morning, Aontú received a response to a parliamentary question that the Minister would not answer a question on how many landowners had signed up to the project, stating it was a matter for EirGrid. This response from a Minister is not acceptable. There should be a debate in this House on the matter.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the former Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, on his new position as managing director of the World Bank. It is testament to the standard he brought to his political roles as public expenditure Minister, finance Minister and Minister for transport. He is one of those giants of politicians who did his business right, made hard decisions, said "No" quicker in many ways than he said "Yes" but always had the public interest at heart. The fact his appointment has been welcomed across the board is testament to the skills and qualities we benefited from. A lot of people are sorry to see him go, as am I, but I am still very glad that he gave a commitment to politics for 20 years. Politics is the better for that commitment.

I support Senators Flynn and Nelson Murray on the call for a debate on COPD. It is very important. There are a lot of people suffering, some in silence. Resources need to be deployed in a more targeted way. I would welcome that.

I agree with Senator Craughwell about the taxi industry. We need a review at this stage, particularly regarding knowledge of the city of Dublin, for example. More often than not, taxi drivers use Google Maps, which is not necessarily the best way of understanding the city. There is a lot of work that can be done in that area. It is time for a review. I recall I was working in Dublin - I was not a Member of the House at the time - when deregulation happened. It was a godsend because you could not get a taxi at all any night of the week before deregulation. Within six months, that situation had changed but it has probably gone in the other direction now. A debate and a review would be welcome.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I call the Deputy Leader to respond to the Order of Business.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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We certainly had a busy Order of Business. We know it is World Toilet Day and World COPD Day. Nobody mentioned it was International Men's Day. I wish all the gentlemen remaining in the Chamber a very happy International Men's Day.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I am sorry to interrupt the Deputy Leader. I welcome Millstreet Community School. I know they are on a tour and have to keep to a timeline. They are guests of Deputy Aindrias Moynihan. You are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. As is the unofficial rule of Seanad Éireann, there is no homework for the rest of the week when you visit.

I thank the Deputy Leader for wishing us all a happy International Men's Day.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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You are very welcome. That is why I am delighted to have my guests from Kildare, Tony O’Halloran, Colm Somers, Alex Byrne and some more, joining us. It is a special day for me, apart from it being International Men's Day. If my dad was alive, he would have been 90 today. Many met him and knew him or knew of him. It is a very special day. I am going to have lunch with Kildare men and have a glass of wine, celebrating International Men's Day.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the horrific situation in Ukraine once again, with 19 people murdered overnight and 66 wounded. The war no doubt is escalating and concerns not just for Ukraine but for the countries bordering it are escalating also.The fact that Russia is now making 1,000 drones per day, which are going to be used, is absolutely shocking. It is now targeting the rail and energy infrastructure. When I was in Ukraine about one month ago, that was one of the main things I was thinking about on the train going in from Chem. The trains bring in all of the supplies and the food. They also bring in international delegations to bear witness and to show solidarity. We know that the rail line near Chem was significantly damaged last week. That could have been one of the passenger or supply trains gone. It is really important that we continue to talk and put pressure on Russia, and we will certainly ask the new Minister for foreign affairs to come in, and we wish her well in that position.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about construction beginning in Dalymount in 2026. It is wonderful for the community, and that there are community facilities there. It is a great win for Phibsborough. St. Mary's Pro Cathedral has been a pro cathedral for 200 years and is now becoming a fully fledged cathedral. It is certainly welcome. The Senator asked that we write to the Pope and the Cardinal and thank them. We will certainly organise that.

Senator Kennelly expressed concern about home-based childcare. As we know, childcare is hugely important in our society and communities. There are many different models of childcare, from creche to playschool and childcare within the home where there are registered childminders. It is a concern - I raised it yesterday as a Commencement matter - that there is a lack of clarity on commercial rates for childminders. It is something I certainly will be pursuing. However, as the Senator says, we need to have a mid-term review during the three-year transition to make sure that while it is important to have regulation, we do not need over-regulation. We do not need more red tape. We need these people in the business to give love, care and support to the children of the nation.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the INTO, of which I am a proud former member, and about our children and our future and the issue of staff shortages we have at the moment. It is particularly a concern in large cities where there is an accommodation problem. I have long been of the view that we need to have subsidised accommodation in our cities for key workers like teachers, gardaí, nurses, etc. I believe that is a strategy we need to pursue. He also spoke about rural housing, and I assure the Senator that it is brought up at every single Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting. We absolutely need a new strategy, and we need to be able to support people building on their own land close to their own home.

Senator Nicole Ryan spoke about IPAS and uncertainty. She spoke particularly about the issue in Macroom. I do not know about that situation, but I believe the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, has been clear since he took this position. He has been strong about having a rules-based situation and being firm and fair. The Senator also spoke about the issue of State accommodation. Under the old scheme of direct provision and where the State was paying private people who had accommodation, the average cost was €30,000 per year per person who stayed. The State is bringing that down to €12,000 by acquiring and having State-run provision. It is important that we show empathy to those who come to our shores. I also acknowledge that one in five of our workers in Ireland comes from outside of Ireland. If we did not have those people working in the system, our health system would collapse. Indeed, we have many working in finance and other areas as well.

Senator Stephenson spoke about the occupied territories Bill, as did Senator Black. I refute what they are saying. They are saying that the Government has done absolutely nothing. That could not be further from the truth. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have led the way, both within and outside Europe, in highlighting the dreadful situation going on in Gaza and the West Bank. On the occupied territories Bill, our new Minister for foreign affairs, Helen McEntee, said this morning that this would be one of her priorities. Any legislation that comes before the Houses needs to be robust. A commitment was given in the programme for Government, and it is the first time this was in the programme for Government, so it is unfair of the Senators to say that the Government has committed to this but done nothing. We are only nine months into this Government. I am a member of the foreign affairs committee. We have already, as an absolute priority, ensured that we had all of our hearings and made the recommendations. It is fair to ask for a timeline, but it is also fair to say that while the professionals and those involved in drafting legislation are looking at this, we need to give them space to make sure this is robust. There was comment that there is a concern about businesses, but there has to be a concern. Being from Kildare, I would be concerned if an American company like Intel said that it was going to pull out of Ireland because of the boycott legislation and all of the thousands of people working there would be left without jobs. It is only fair to have a balanced view and to look at the possible impact on business here too.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about World Toilet Day. The work she has done in the past in supporting Changing Places has been really excellent. I recall being with her at the one in Newbridge sports centre. I know it is very well used. The fact that we only have 34 now is certainly regrettable. It is important that we have accessible facilities in public spaces and, I say again, at train stations. It is a disgrace that many of our stations have toilets that are locked all of the time. Not alone should they be open, they should be accessible. That is something we will ask for a debate on.

Senator Scahill spoke about the Garda allocation. We know it is an issue for the Garda Commissioner, certainly in relation to the amount given out last week. I am delighted that there are 13 in Kildare and six in Newbridge. I know we have the largest intake in Templemore. I think they are going in in two weeks. We certainly look forward to having more news about allocations. I accept the Senator saying that it is frustrating he cannot put in a Commencement matter on this. We will ask the Minister for justice to come to the House to have a debate about gardaí allocations and numbers.

I turn to Senator Joe Conway. The Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, took the debate this morning. It is wrong to say there was no Minister available in the Dáil. The Minister of State has shown a huge commitment in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, and he often takes debates beyond that. We can appreciate the Minister for foreign affairs is only reading into her brief at this point. It is unfair to say there was no Minister there. The Senator also spoke about teacher supply. However, I take absolute exception to the words he used. He is an eloquent Senator but for him as a male politician to be encouraging others to lay into a female Minister is wrong and he should withdraw that language. I do not think it is appropriate for this House or any House.

Senator Curley spoke about SpunOut being the heart of well-being, and certainly it has given 20 years of excellent work. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, absolutely supports what it does. We have a number of agencies like Jigsaw and SpunOut that do excellent work. It is important to acknowledge that early intervention is absolutely needed. Young people are our present and need support now, and we all support extra resources for those.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke about World COPD Day. I am sad to hear her mother passed away from that. It is an absolutely horrible disease.We could have a debate in the House and look for the Minister for Health to come and speak about respiratory illnesses in the round. COPD and asthma are really difficult diseases to manage. They certainly lead to a difficult time for those who are suffering. Quality of life suffers too.

Senator Keogan spoke about the brain drain. I remember the Senator talking about her daughter, an Irish lady, doing so well in England, which we were all delighted to hear. She was right at that time to acknowledge that she was doing wonderful things in England. We cannot have it both ways. If we have a situation where Irish people go abroad and do well, we also need to welcome people here to do well.

The Senator mentioned Paschal Donohoe leaving. I think it was a vote of confidence, not just in him but the work he has done in the Government and wearing the green jersey. The work he will do with the World Bank in helping eradicate world poverty will be hugely important. His achievements and the achievements of his colleagues, the former Minister, Michael McGrath, and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, over the last number of years despite Covid, the war of aggression against Ukraine and Brexit, are a real testament to the work that was done.

Senator Paul Daly spoke of extending sympathies to the five families who were so sadly bereaved on Saturday night. We had a minute's silence yesterday. The Senator was correct in speaking about the hazardous conditions in Cavan, Monaghan and Leitrim this morning. We had flooding last week in the south east. Now we have freezing conditions. We will look for the Minister to come in for statements on readiness, how we prepare, what the National Transport Authority can do and what we can do, as drivers.

Senator Duffy spoke about the need to have a debate with the Minister for sport on having amenities in the correct places. Sport provides huge societal value for both physical and mental health. There are gaps in the system but, to be fair, in terms of the awarding system, there are points that take into account issues such as previous grants, whether there is deprivation in the area or whether there is a lack of facilities. The key issue can be whether people are good at filling in forms or not. That is where I think help and support should be given. We could ask that our sports partnerships provide that. It is important to look at emerging sports like padel as well.

Senator Flynn shared with me last night the news of her lung failure. I was sorry to hear it. We will look for a debate on lung health.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy spoke about the Bluebell community council and the Department, local authority and local community working together to deliver 383 new houses. That is really important. It is great to see people working together and achieving that.

Senator Andrews spoke about the new facility in the Liberties for 8,500 young people. We have to commend and thank those involved in that. I agree with the Senator that it is absolutely shameful that this area has been left behind in sport. I understand from previous conversations that a lot of that was related to the availability of land. Nearly all the land in the area had been built on, but it was not about building communities. That is why I am really glad the new housing plan the Minister, Deputy Browne, brought out brings communities back in. It is about building homes and sustainable communities also.

Senator Craughwell spoke about taxi deregulation, which was brought in to increase availability and competition. It is shocking to hear - it is the first time I have heard it - of the possibility of somebody owning 200 taxi plates. That is certainly not in the spirit or nature of deregulation. It is important that taxis and drivers are regulated properly and that we are confident that they are fully inspected and insured. We will look for a briefing on that.

Senator O'Reilly spoke about the North-South interconnector and the delay until 2031. Consultation is hugely important and we need to future-proof. To be fair, we need to have proper and fair compensation for landowners who are impacted.

Senator Martin Conway paid accolades to former finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and expressed support for a debate on COPD and lung diseases.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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On a point of order, I would like to apologise for my exuberant use of the phrase "laying into", but I also take issue with the Deputy Leader in suggesting that I would lay into anybody because they are a female Minister. That was a wholly pusillanimous comment that I would treat a female in any other way, in making a gender-based comment. I ask the Deputy Leader to withdraw that.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I do not.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I ask if the Order of Business is agreed to, I welcome Deputy Cormac Devlin to the Chamber with Emer Kelly and Debbie Baron. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for coming today.