Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval of Seanad Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2025 - back from committee, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude at 1 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 four minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than eight minutes to reply to the debate.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge the incredible work of the Community Addiction Response Programme, CARP, Killinarden, and congratulate and thank it for 30 years of service to the community, which it is celebrating this week. CARP Killinarden has always been more than a service. It is a lifeline, a source of hope and a powerful voice for people and families affected by addiction. Its commitment to compassion, dignity and change has transformed lives and strengthened the community in ways that cannot be measured. I thank the staff, volunteers and everyone who supports CARP Killinarden. Their dedication, belief in people and tireless efforts make a real difference every single day. They do not just offer support; they offer a pathway forward. That is something truly worth celebrating. I honour their work, impact and the many hundreds of lives made brighter in the past 30 years because of them. I congratulate CARP Killinarden on 30 fantastic years and here's to many more of making the community stronger.

I will take a moment to encourage people in the south Dublin area to take part in the upcoming consultation on the south Dublin age-friendly strategy 2026 to 2030. This is a real opportunity for people to shape the future of our community, not just for older people today but for all of us as we age. The consultation takes place on Thursday, 27 November, at the Maldron hotel in Tallaght, with registration from 9 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., and the sessions will start at 10 a.m. It is chance for people to make their voices heard on issues like housing, transport, safety, health, community spaces and the supports that help people stay connected and independent. People's experience, ideas and even the challenges they see day to day are vital in shaping a strategy that truly reflects the needs of south Dublin. Nothing about our community should be decided without the community itself, so UI ask people to take part, share their views and help build an age-friendly south Dublin that works for everybody.

I am also delighted to share the news of an exciting development for my community of Tallaght and the official launch of Áras Thuaidh at TU Dublin, which is a brand-new space created to support collaboration, innovation and meaningful engagement on campus. This new facility represents a major investment in the future of education and community partnership in Tallaght. The launch will take place today. It will be hosted by Dr. Deirdre Lillis, president of TU Dublin, and will be formally opened by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Lawless. I would love to have been able to attend to witness what will be a wonderful celebration of what Áras Thuaidh will offer, that is, a modern, welcoming environment that will support learning, partnership and community growth.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I raise an issue that is causing real hardship for families, namely, the filling out of the domiciliary care application forms. These forms are far too long and technical. A couple of families who contacted me in County Donegal described the process as overwhelming. One mother told me she spent weeks gathering and filling out paperwork only to have her application rejected. Nothing changed on her appeal but it was granted. This is crazy. Parents feel they are begging for an allowance to which they are rightly entitled. These families are exhausted caring for children with significant needs. They should not have to fight for access to essential supports to which they should be entitled. The stress and anxiety this is causing are unacceptable. We need to be supporting these people. They are saving the country a fortune by looking after people with special needs.

I urge the Minister for Social Protection to review and simplify the forms, provide clear guidance and ensure families can receive assistance when filling out these forms. One mother said she spent two weeks gathering information and filling out this form and there was nobody to help her. She is looking after her child at the same time. Surely, we can put something in place when these forms come out. I saw one of them. They are so long and technical. Somebody should be available to give a hand to the mother or father to fill out these forms and take the stress out of this.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I raise a number of colliding issues that are of great urgency. One is the presence of a Russian spy ship, Yantar, not far from Irish waters. This is a surveillance vessel which is part of the Russian order of battle. It has been in Irish waters almost consistently for a number of years now. It is obvious, based on the circumstances, that it is mapping not just our subsea oceanic fibre optic cables that connect transatlantically and carry one third of European Union data between Ireland and the United States, but all the cables that connect continental Europe with the United States. These pass through Irish waters at some point where they drop off the continental shelf. It is clear that we do not have the capacity to sufficiently monitor or intercept or shadow these vessels, and that is through no fault of our Naval Service. It is because of the erosion of Óglaigh na hÉireann over the last number of years. It also brings to the fore the fact that we are not in a position to provide the basic, minimum level of security for our Presidency of the European Union.

I do not have a watch, Chair. I apologise; I do not know where I am on the time.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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The Senator still has more time.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I will not take up the full three minutes but at least I have some idea.

All these issues around defence, security and intelligence are coming together. We are not in a position to generate intelligence meaningfully. An Garda Síochána is the primary intelligence agency in the State. It does not have the resources, national technical means, signals, etc. It just does not have them to proactively generate intelligence. All these things together are bringing forward a very profound question around defence and security.

Also, on the political horizon, we have a united Ireland. It is coming, ready or not and irrespective of what anybody has to say about it, it is going to happen in the next ten to 15 years. We need, therefore, to have a proper debate in this Chamber about how we prepare for that. In any all-island settlement, we are going to have to redesign public expenditure and reform, social protection, education and health, but we are also going to have to fundamentally redesign policing, the administration of justice, defence, intelligence and security. I do not believe that Óglaigh na hÉireann and An Garda Síochána will exist in 15 years' time. They will have been replaced by something like "Police Service Ireland" or "Defence Forces Ireland". Who knows?These conversations have to take place. It is suggested that we are going to have legislation put through this House before Christmas to abolish the triple lock. It is all part of the same conversation. I am asking that we have a proper, calm and rational debate, like the statements on migration last night, about neutrality and what the future is for defence on this island.

Conor Murphy (Sinn Fein)
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I agree with the proposition put forward by my colleague, Senator Clonan.

I draw attention to some of the work that is already going on in relation to that, albeit at a lower level. I very much welcome the announcement by Queen’s University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology, DkIT, yesterday of the creation of the first all-island university college, which is a very exciting proposition. As someone who lives not far from DkIT and who represents communities in that Border area, I am keen to ensure that they have access to the best opportunities on their doorstep. More importantly, this could be the first step towards a more consistent and accessible education system across the island. My party colleague, Deputy Ó Murchú, has raised this with the Taoiseach and he has indicated support from the Government for it. I very much look forward to this development.

That coincides with evidence given to us at a meeting of the Good Friday Agreement committee earlier this week by the all-Ireland congenital heart disease research programme and the All-Ireland Cancer Research Institute on some of the terrific work that has been going on at an all-Ireland level in the area of health. Those joint services have contributed to stopping people from having to go off the island for critical medical interventions. This is particularly the case for children with heart disease. Services on both sides of the Border have moved to a position where they are now world leading due to the collaboration that has been undertaken in the last ten to 15 years. Professor Frank Casey, who gave evidence to the committee, suggested that developments in congenital heart disease can be replicated in other areas of medicine. Last week in the North, the chair of the British Medical Association, BMA, the association for GPs, was arguing for an all-island GP service to become available. Discussions at the committee outlined the benefits of collaboration in research, including the economic benefits, in terms of protecting life but also improving quality of life and enabling people to continue to make an economic contribution. The case is very well made and has been underpinned by support from the shared island initiative, which is very welcome and beneficial. The evidence is clear, not just in terms of the health benefits but also in terms of the economic benefits across the island. What we really need to see is Departments coming together to provide a consistent approach across all areas of medicine that require this type of collaboration. I ask the Leader to raise this with the Minister for Health and to arrange a debate in this Chamber on collaboration between the Departments of health, North and South, in the interests of all of the people that we serve across this island, in terms of both the health and economic benefits.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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I have just come from a presentation on pancreatic cancer in the audiovisual room, which the Leader and other colleagues, including Senator Boyhan, also attended. It was hosted by our colleague, Senator Mark Duffy. Today, we mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day, a day to shed light on one of the most aggressive and least understood cancers. Pancreatic cancer is often called the silent disease because symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue can be mistaken for something minor. That silence is deadly. Most patients are diagnosed far too late and Ireland's outcomes reflect that. Only about 10% of patients here survive for five years compared with more than 80% to 90% for breast and prostate cancer, respectively. Unlike for those cancers, though, Ireland still has no rapid diagnostic clinic for pancreatic cancer. That gap costs people precious time. A specialised referral pathway could speed up diagnosis and determine far sooner whether surgery, which is the best chance of survival, is possible. Right now, families are losing weeks navigating a system that simply is not built for a fast-moving disease. Professor Gráinne O'Kane, who was part of the presentation team in the audiovisual room, recently spoke of the psychological trauma of not being able to offer Irish patients every possible option. We can change that. With organisation, investment and political will, we can build the kind of rapid-access service that patients deserve.

Today is about awareness and awareness can save lives. When people know the symptoms, understand the risks and push for early evaluation, we improve the odds. It is also a day to honour the courage of patients, survivors, families and caregivers. I think today of Bernie, the mother of Aislinn Swanick and the mother-in-law of a good friend of mine and former colleague in this House, Dr. Keith Swanick, who died three weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her symptoms, which included indigestion, pain on the left side and fatigue, sounded ordinary but they were not. The Swanick family is turning the GP surgery in Belmullet purple today in her memory and Aislinn continues to fundraise for Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, a voluntary organisation unapologetically demanding better survival rates and better care. On 8 December, 11-year-old Julian Swanick will release a Christmas carol in honour of his nanny, Bernie, to help raise awareness. It is important that each of us speaks as often as we can about this silent killer.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Thank you, Senator Wilson. I allowed you a bit of latitude because today is your birthday. I wish you a very happy birthday. It is a significant one, so enjoy it.

Senators:

Happy birthday.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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It would be remiss of me not to wish Senator Wilson a happy 80th birthday. He is looking very well for the times.

Today, I rise in response to an article that appeared in the Irish Farmers' Journal this week. To be quite clear, I am not against trade deals. Journalists from the Irish Farmers' Journal went to Brazil, undercover, and visited a lot of towns and villages. They uncovered widespread illegal access to across-the-counter antibiotics. For anyone who does not understand, antibiotics have to be on prescription only in EU countries. To discover that antibiotics are widely available over the counter in the same way as sweets and cigarettes is worrying, especially when we are dealing with food and the food chain. This must call into question the Mercosur trade deal. I would urge our Ministers and MEPs to argue, in the context of the Mercosur deal, that we must have the same traceability standards and stringent rules that apply to food production in all European countries, and especially in Ireland, where we have microchipping, genomics and tagging systems. These rules apply from farm to fork here but now we see that there is a trade deal on the table that will allow beef that can be injected at any stage with an antibiotic that can be bought across the counter, which is very worrying. It is worrying because that beef might actually be on the shelf in Europe at some stage. This is an issue that must be kept on the agenda.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I will follow on from what Senator Wilson said because I was in the audiovisual room as well. I thank the representatives of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland and Senator Mark Duffy, who hosted today's event. We heard some very harrowing stories about personal experiences. We are now almost at the end of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.It is timely because before we engage on a new strategy, we need to do an analysis of the outgoing strategy, from 2017 to 2026, which ends next year. I ask that the Leader, in the near future, invite the Minister for Health to the House to discuss specifically the cancer strategy.

We heard clearly today that people can get an early diagnosis with pancreatic cancer but, because there is a lack of a rapid pathway for diagnostics and treatment, their lives are cut terribly short. As we heard today in the evidence, people are now presenting in their 30s and 40s, and many are dying. Cancer is a horrific illness which affects the entire family. It is an emotional drain on people. Today, we had a call from Pancreatic Cancer Ireland on this, the national designated day for pancreatic cancer. We have to respond because too often, we go into the audiovisual room or into briefings and hear a lot of talk. There is a lot of noise in politics. The association has made a request of us today and we need to respond. The most positive response we can make is to have a discussion on pancreatic cancer in the context of the bigger national strategy for cancer. I hope this happens soon. I intend, as I hope others do too, to fill these galleries with people who experienced cancer. It will be a much more impactful debate if people who have walked the journey and suffered are in with us for the dialogue. I ask that this now become a priority and secure support across these Houses, which I have no doubt will be the case.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
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I start by wishing my good friend and colleague, Senator Wilson, a very happy birthday. I think we all agree he is looking very well for 70. Today is World Children's Day. On this date in 1959, the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted and on this date in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted. This day, 20 November, is a very important day with regard to children. I have just come out of a meeting of the committee on children and equality at which we discussed child poverty and child deprivation. I think we can all agree that a child should be allowed to be a child. Children should have happy, carefree days and enjoy the world while they can. Unfortunately, poverty and deprivation prevent many children from doing that. As legislators, we should take every opportunity we can to help children to make sure there is funding for any programmes which, as I say, will allow a child to be a child.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Last week, only a few weeks before the Christmas holiday season started, it was announced that there would be no Christmas market in Dublin Castle this Christmas or next Christmas. I understand the reason for this next Christmas as our Presidency of the EU will have implications for the use of Dublin Castle, but for this Christmas, it is hard to understand. This market has been around for a number of years and it is been very much enjoyed by families and individuals during the festive season. It has been a centrepiece of Christmas in Dublin city. This cancellation is a setback for Dublin, which already has an underwhelming Christmas atmosphere compared with other cities. We should be competing with the likes of Munich and Copenhagen, with their Christmas charm which draws tourists from across the world. I hope we do get to that level in the future.

Dublin can go toe to toe with any country in Europe in terms of its history and wealth, yet we consistently underperform in the context of the public realm. We are hollowing out everything that makes our city unique, notable, cultural or historic, in the search of easy governance and foreign investment. We do not build public benches or toilets because we say it will lead to antisocial behaviour. We do not maintain our historical sites because that does not make us any money. We do not build houses or trains because that is too expensive. We do not build new museums, cultural spaces or landmarks because that is too ambitious. We let our city fall into overpriced dereliction and still expect tourists to visit. Even more importantly, we do not encourage Irish people to stay and it easy to see why. It is because it easy for them to see a better life abroad. Dublin can be a truly great city but that will not happen until we abandon this current narrow-minded path and get serious about showcasing our history, enabling our culture and making this city a safe and affordable place that people want to live in and visit.

I also congratulate Senator Wilson on his 70th birthday. It is amazing that he has got to 70. I think it is a shock to everyone as much as himself.

Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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I raise what is, unfortunately, becoming an increasing problem across Ireland, namely, damage to public property and public facilities such as playgrounds and community parks. This week, we have seen it in the form of arson at a playground in Coolock, where it is likely to take four to six months for the equipment to be replaced. Last month, newly installed toilets in St. Anne's Park, Raheny, north Dublin were destroyed by fire and a playground in the north inner city was damaged in an arson attack over the Hallowe'en weekend. In the previous month, there were arson attacks at playgrounds in Ringsend and Lucan. In my county of Galway, we have also had this vandalism in recent months, at the Milltown playground and at Barna sports park, for example.

Taxpayer money funds these facilities and it is clearly a multimillion euro problem at this point. That is without considering the valuable Garda and fire officer resources that are used when they have to attend such sites. It seems the perpetrators of these acts are carrying them out without concern of being caught or fear of any consequences, even if they were somehow caught. It is not acceptable for community facilities to be consistently and repeatedly damaged by a very small minority. We need a plan to crack down on this, whether it by is enhancing the level of CCTV security at such facilities or legislation to change the punishment for these acts, because the current situation is simply unsustainable. I ask the Leader to raise the matter with the relevant Ministers.

Before I finish, I will just say that it is younger looking he is getting. I wish Diarmuid a great day and a happy birthday.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I, too, would like to wish Senator Wilson a happy birthday. Reaching the new figure of 21 is always wonderful and I know he will enjoy himself as he always does. We wish him well.

The debate on last night's Private Members' motion was very powerful and some of the contributions were outstanding. I commend the House on having a good quality, respectful debate and it was good to have the Minister for State, Deputy Brophy, in for it as well. Along with the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Leader and others, I attended the audiovisual room this morning for a powerful presentation on pancreatic cancer. I second the proposal that the House have a debate specific to the national cancer strategy. We need due diligence on the strategy we are coming to the end of and a briefing on what is proposed for the next one.

Cancer supports in this country overall are actually excellent and when cancers are caught in time the results and what can be achieved are amazing. However, when they are not caught in time, there is the problem. Something that was not achieved in the current cancer strategy was early diagnosis of some cancers, pancreatic cancer certainly being one of them. I know that whatever the condition is, whether it is people losing their eyesight or having a hearing impairment, if it is caught in time, there is some chance that a lot can be saved. For example, four in five people who lose their sight in this country do so unnecessarily because of lack of early diagnosis.

Something probably needs to be done to encourage people to do more screening of their health in general, but certainly of their senses. When it comes to early diagnosis the Government has a huge role to play. Investment in early diagnosis is clever because it saves money in the long run and it gives quality of life to our citizens. That is most important. I look forward to a debate on the national cancer strategy and perhaps also a debate on screening for sensory loss.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I, too, wish my learned colleague, Senator Wilson, a very happy birthday. I sit beside him as sometimes he needs assistance to go from A to B, but Members can rest assured that I am always here for him. On a more serious note, I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for agriculture to come into the Chamber so we can have a discussion on TB incidents in our country. TB has been around almost as long as Senator Wilson. Unfortunately, we cannot seem to get a handle on it. To be honest, that baffles me.

Unfortunately, in the part of the world where I live, the incidence of TB in Monaghan, Cavan and even Meath is particularly high. We are scratching our heads as to why that is. During the first six months of this year, I think as a country we have spent €55 million on compensation and so on in relation to TB. It is clearly a big issue and one we need to get a handle on. It is a hugely traumatic event on any farm. Many farmers say that it ranks next to a death. It is hugely frustrating for a farmer or family to see the stock they built up wiped out by TB. It is also very taxing mentally. At the moment, the compensation levels being paid out to farmers after outbreaks add another layer of hardship on top of that hardship. That is very unfair.

The current compensation levels for cattle are capped. This is a particular sore point in relation to pedigree animals. Whether it is a dairy or suckler herd of high quality, that farmer is not being compensated fully. Whenever he or she goes to replace that stock, they do not have the money to do so.

It is clearly a big issue and one that needs to be addressed. I respectfully request that we ask the Minister for agriculture to come into this House as soon as possible to have a discussion on TB. It is a pretty big issue and getting bigger in the part of the world where I live.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you." No one else sang; that is all I am saying.

I am here today to speak again about insurance and the action plan for insurance. As we have seen over the past number of weeks, insurance is still rising for motorists and businesses. In October the Central Bank of Ireland published the national claims information database, NCID, annual private motor report 2024 on motor insurance cover in October. Guess what? Premiums have risen by 9%.

One of the key actions in the new action plan is the development of a transparency code for the insurance industry. The code will require insurers to provide simple, understandable explanations on how premiums are formed and what broader factors influence pricing. Can Members imagine an Ireland where we understand how our insurance premiums are calculated?

This will be hugely beneficial to anyone taking out an insurance policy. The code will ensure that the insurance market operates with integrity, builds trust and that consumers are empowered to make informed decisions. Will the Leader find out where we are on this important reform?

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I was going to sing, but I was beaten to it. I wish to be associated with the well-wishes to Senator Wilson. I also support the call for a debate in this House on the national cancer strategy. We were at a good discussion this morning, and with the current strategy coming to an end next year, it is timely we have an opportunity to debate it in this House.

I am hearing more and more stories of UK-branded vapes being sold in Ireland. A lot of them are being sold across the counter and a lot on street corners. While it is not illegal to bring them into the country, they should be rebranded and should include the proper safety messages and notices.

There needs to be a discussion on that because it is an illegal sector when they are being imported and sold wholesale. I have heard stories coming up to Christmas that people are making significant savings by buying these illegally imported vapes and selling them on. People are unknowingly buying and using vapes that are unsafe, potentially contain out-of-date substances and do not have the proper safety messaging. We need to protect the businesses in Ireland that are doing things properly by having a debate on this issue and trying to come up with a mechanism to stop this. We want to see more people in our society reach the age of Senator Wilson. I believe that people using these improperly branded vapes could have a detrimental effect on that so I call for that discussion.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all of the Senators for their contributions. The common theme was one of best wishes to Senator Wilson on his birthday. I join the other Members and wish him well. I hope he enjoys the day and the weekend.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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Sing.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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Yes

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I am a bit hoarse this morning. Senator Costello started off with a number of local organisations. I wish CARP Killinarden, the people behind the south Dublin age-friendly strategy and Tallaght TU Dublin well in their endeavours. In particular, I wish CARP Killinarden well on their 30 fantastic years working for the local community.

Senator Boyle raised concerns about the domiciliary care application form. I agree with him that it is certainly onerous. For some parents, it can be arduous and take a long time, and assistance would be of benefit. I will raise that with the Minister, Deputy Calleary. Perhaps Senator Boyle could ask his colleagues on the social welfare committee to raise it at that forum as well.

Senator Clonan called for a debate on defence and security, while Senator Murphy called for a debate on the North-South shared island initiative and North-South health co-operation. There are common themes there and I will request a debate with the new Minister for foreign affairs and defence, Deputy McEntee.

Senators Wilson, Boyhan, Conway and Scahill referenced World Pancreatic Cancer Day. I commend Senator Duffy on organising this morning's briefing held in the audiovisual room. The main ask from Pancreatic Cancer Ireland is that there would be at least one rapid diagnostic pancreatic cancer clinic where patients can be seen and investigated within two weeks of referral. I will take that up the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I will also call for a debate on the national cancer strategy. The cancer strategy has been successful over the years. The problem is that the lower hanging fruit or easy wins have been achieved. It is becoming harder and harder with every strategy to have that level of success, but it is still important that we endeavour to improve cancer survival rates and access to treatment and rapid diagnoses. I will certainly bring that up with the Minister.

Senator Brady raised the matter of the article in the Irish Farmer's Journal, which relates to its visit to Brazil and concern about the use of over-the-counter antibiotics in Brazilian cattle and that Brazilian beef would find its way here if the Mercosur agreement were ratified. I agree that the excellent beef standards, traceability of livestock and farm to fork procedures that we have in this country and are renowned for have to be maintained in any trade deals across the world, and that includes Mercosur. I will request a debate with the Minister for agriculture on this issue.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony raised the topic of World Children's Day, the conventions on the rights of the child and the work being done at committee level on child poverty and deprivation. The mantra that we should allow a child to be a child is important. Children are the products of the environments in which they are raised. The State needs to be there to provide support where parents do not have the wherewithal or where there are other issues that are impacting on a child's life. Unfortunately, where you are born, the circumstances you are born into, the family you have and the pressures you are surrounded by are in some ways a postcode lottery. I will request a debate on the rights of children as well.

Senator Andrews raised concern about there being no Christmas market in Dublin Castle this year or next year. I do not know the exact reasons there is no Christmas market this year in Dublin Castle. I invite the Senator to come down to Galway, where Eyre Square is already looking splendid with the wonderful Christmas market and the Ferris wheel all lit up. For people in Dublin and tourists alike, it is important that there is investment in terms of the public realm and the Christmas atmosphere.The Senator might put down a Commencement matter on exactly why there was no Christmas market this year in Dublin Castle.

Senator Crowe rightly raised the issue of damage to public property. We have seen a number of examples in the last couple of weeks of damage and destruction of playgrounds and play facilities. They are so important for children and young people. To see those facilities blatantly destroyed, it is hard to fathom the mentality of it. I will certainly bring it up with the Minister as well, in respect of whether there is a need for additional investment in CCTV or other ways of ensuring that valuable State investment and that valuable asset for a community are protected.

Senator Gallagher called for a debate on TB. It is a scourge that has been with us for so long. It has a huge emotional and mental impact for farmers, particularly where there is full destocking of a herd. The Minister, Deputy Heydon, has received an additional €85 million this year to compensate for TB, bringing the total to €157 million. That is reflective of the increased rates of TB and the increased value of our beef animals over the last couple of years. It is certainly important, and the cap on pedigree animals in particular is an issue that has been raised with me recently as well.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the topic of insurance premiums and the proposed code. I will check out exactly where that is at. Certainly, transparency and visibility on how premiums are calculated is crucial. I will raise that as well.

Senator Scahill raised the health concerns about UK and improperly branded vapes being available here in stores. I do not know if they are illegal or not. One assumes they have to approved by the Irish medicines agency or the EU medicines agency. Perhaps the Senator will put down a Commencement debate for the Minister for Health on that issue.

Senator Duffy spoke earlier about the briefing. I commend him and welcome Niall Rochford from Ashford as well. Personal testimonies were presented in the audiovisual room earlier in connection with World Pancreatic Cancer Day. I have read out the key ask that at least one rapid diagnostic pancreatic cancer clinic be set up, where patients can be seen and investigated within two weeks of referral. We will certainly take that up further with the Minister. I thank our guests for their attendance today and for briefing and inspiring so many Senators to raise this matter this morning. We intend to follow up on their concerns.