Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I now call on the Deputy Leader to outline the business of the day.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I will move a motion for an expression of sympathy by the House at the end of the Order of Business. The Order of Business is No. 1, the Mental Health Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (Resumed), to be taken at 12.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I would like to offer our sympathies and condolences to the wife and family of Gerard Lynch. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Overnight there have been welcome developments. This House should welcome the announcement from President Trump that he is pulling back from his planned 10% tariffs on eight European countries. Also, most importantly, he is pulling back from his threat to Greenland. Greenland is an independent state and its sovereignty and independence must be guaranteed. It is welcome news and we should send our good wishes to the Taoiseach on behalf of our country. His position has been steadfast. He has asserted that we should work through the European Union, that we should ensure European unity in our response to the US and use our diplomatic channels to deal with all geopolitical and trade issues. These are welcome developments. It is an evolving situation. It is always changing. What is most important is that we work consistently with our partners to assert the values of independence and freedom.

This week, there was a very significant announcement for active travel around the country. Over €350 million will be spent on improving greenways and routes for active travel and this is very welcome. I want to particularly welcome the allocation of almost €36 million to Dublin City Council. The council will use these funds to further extend the Royal Canal Greenway in my own constituency. It runs from the Liffey all the way to the west, running through from the IFSC, up through Newcomen Bridge and Phibsborough and now we have funding to continue it. That is really great news. The Grand Canal, Clontarf and the Liffey cycleway will all benefit. These are really important investments, not just for the city, but also for urban areas. Active travel connects communities and makes it safer for us all to get out of our cars and to cycle, walk and run. This is a really important development, and I wish all the projects well.

Finally, I want to welcome the €1 billion announcement from Government for the housing activation office, HAS. It has not got much coverage. The silence has been somewhat deafening, actually. I do not know if that is because it is €1 billion being given to help activate the delivery of housing in the immediate short term for local authorities and the Land Development Agency, LDA. This is only part of €11 billion the State is spending this year on housing alone, which is a very significant investment. However, I think about all the noise made about other elements and no noise made about this, so I want every one of the 31 local authorities in our country to know there is an extra €1 billion there. People need to know that if they have a piece of land that is zoned for housing, has planning permission on it, and it needs a water or other utility connection or a road they should make their application. It is open and the deadline is in February for applications.

Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)
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I want to say a few words on the passing of Gerard Lynch, our former Kerry county councillor and town councillor, former TD and former Senator from Listowel, my home town. Gerard Lynch served in the Dáil from 1969 to 1977 and later in the Seanad from 1977 to 1981. Across those years, Gerard gave steady, committed service to the people of North Kerry and indeed to the country as a whole. Gerard Lynch was known - as the Leas-Chathaoirleach nicely put it - for his decency, fairness and genuine commitment to public service.He brought the values of rural Kerry and rural north Kerry into national life, as well as his honesty, hard work and understanding of the people he represented. His focus was never on headlines; it was on helping people and improving life in his own community. He stood up for farmers, small businesses and local families, and he carried the concerns of north Kerry with him every day he served.

Outside of politics, Gerard was a neighbour and a community man, someone who gave his time generously and contributed quietly to the life of Listowel and the surrounding parishes. His loss will be felt by many and I offer my sincere sympathies to his family - his wife, Margo, and his children, Mary, Geraldine, Seamus, Paddy, Catherine, Ann, Norma, Bernadette, Mags and, indeed, his late son John. I offer my sincere sympathies to Gerard's family, his Fine Gael family and all who mourn him.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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On behalf of the Independent Group, I express our condolences to the Lynch family on the passing of Gerard. May he rest in peace.

There is something that needs to be dispelled. We constantly hear the Zelenskyy visit to Ireland was extremely successful, there was nothing to worry about and everything went perfectly. Everything did not go perfectly. It was a lucky day in that nothing went wrong. We had foreign police - French, Northern Irish and Portuguese police - looking after the man's security. It was not our own Garda Síochána or Defence Forces. It is outrageous to suggest everything went well. At the end of the day, Zelenskyy came and it was a wonderful visit to Leinster House. It was good that Ireland stood up and welcomed him into the country but it was by no means a perfect visit. There were drones in the Irish Sea which may have put his life in peril. We must remember he is probably the number one target in the world from the Russian perspective. They would like nothing better than to take him out. Let us be honest about it.

I move on to yesterday's debate on defence. I commend the Deputy Leader. The speech she gave was 100% on the nail, all but for the tiny bit at the end about a swimming pool in the Curragh, County Kildare.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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Which we got last night, actually.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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In fairness to her, the speech the Deputy Leader gave was fantastic.

In a recent survey of 6,500 members of the Defence Forces, 58 respondents said they had been subjected to some form of sexual harassment and 40 said they had suffered a sexual assault. We do not know whether the 58 and the 40 are all part of the same group or not.

There is something we need to put on the record, and I think the Deputy Leader will agree with me here. Any form of sexual harassment or bullying in any organisation is totally unacceptable and those involved in it need to be called out, identified and removed from the organisation. However, the only organisation in this country that has had that lens put on it is the Defence Forces. I wonder how much sexual harassment there is in the HSE, the Prison Service, the fire service and the ambulance service? How much bullying is there? I come from a teaching background and bullying was a massive problem in teaching. We are demonising the most loyal citizens of the State. Let us have a survey of all the other State organisations and quantify the issue of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and bullying in the workplace. Let us be honest and open about it. I think the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Deputy Leader will agree with that.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I want to acknowledge the achievement and work carried out by my two colleagues, MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, on getting the Mercosur trade deal referred to the European Court of Justice. I was disappointed that four Irish MEPs voted against that move.

As we have spoken about here, Mercosur is not a good deal for Ireland. It is not a good deal for our farmers or for rural Ireland. This is not over. Just because it has been referred to the court, it does not mean it will not go through. The deal could be implemented on a provisional basis by the European Commission. It will need member state backing to do that, more than likely. The Government needs to do what it did not do last time. It needs to pull the finger out - excuse the expression - to get on to other European countries and get a blocking minority. We cannot have this deal go through. It will be detrimental to rural Ireland, our farmers and other European countries. For the health of our people, we need to know what is coming into the country and what we are consuming. We need to have this deal stopped. I ask for the Government and Minister for agriculture to do what they did not do last time and build a blocking minority.

While I am on the subject of Brazilian beef, it is shocking to hear of the chair of Bord Bia. While in a State position to promote Irish food, alcohol and drink, he was at the same time promoting Brazilian beef in his own company. It is absolutely shocking. I cannot wait to see what happens at Bord Bia's meeting today. If he does not step down, I would expect the Minister for agriculture to step in and demand he does.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Hear, hear. Well said.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome pupils from Mercy school in Kilbeggan. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. As is tradition here, they get no homework for the rest of the day.

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I raise an issue relating to schools, particularly secondary schools, which at this time of year have an awful lot of games on. They have hurling and football matches they need to complete in a timely fashion. Like everything else, there are finite resources of Astroturf pitches for games to be played on.

Under the last two iterations of the sports capital fund, all funding released to clubs around the country came under four pillars: community, schools, diversification and disabilities. It is disappointing to hear that clubs in small parishes that do not have proper, full-sized Astroturf pitches and which need to travel to neighbouring parishes in the county to hold games are being asked exorbitant prices for the use of those pitches in daylight hours. This is not about turning on the lights; this is about getting in the gate. When there are two clubs in one county being asked €300 for a 15-minute warm-up, 15 minutes at the end and to play the game, on top of €500 to hire a bus and €50 for the referee, is it any wonder we have a decline in sport in Ireland?

It was great to have the GAA before the housing committee the other day. "Let's stop now" is one of its campaigns. Let us stop what we are doing to our schools as well. Let the clubs which have resources and which got good funding from the State and the taxpayer open their gates and let in the young people to develop and promote their sport, whatever it is, during daylight hours. I understand the need for lights, the charge for the bus and the charge for the referee, but preventing children participating in school games because of charges is wrong. I request that either the Minister for sport or the Minister for education come before us to discuss the matter.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I raise a concern in relation to Killybegs Community Hospital. There are 13 beds lying vacant. Surely with the pressures on acute hospitals like Sligo and Letterkenny, these community hospital beds should be fully operational and workable.Families in the area are frustrated about the lack of use of these beds and the fact that their loved ones are being moved away to other towns in the county. They feel disconnected from them. The closer they are to their loved ones, the happier they are.

In June of last year, I wrote to HSE management and was informed that the beds had been closed due to staff shortages. I was also informed that there was a recruitment plan in place. That was six months ago. I would like to get an update to see how many people were recruited for Killybegs Community Hospital. The day care centre there used to be in operation five days per week, but is currently down to three. That was a great outlet for the people in my community. Older people could go into the day centre to get their breakfast and dinner and be involved in games. It was a great outlet for them. Will the Leader ask the Minister where matters stand in respect of these 13 beds? Will they be reopened soon? What recruitment has been done in the meantime? It is important for the people of Killybegs and surrounding areas, such as Kilgar, Carrick, Glen and up as far as Donegal town, that their loved ones can call to visit them rather than having to go to Letterkenny or further up the county. Maybe the Leader will make a few inquiries for me.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I wish to raise the topic of how our justice system responds to fatal assaults, including what are often called one-punch attacks. Too often, we are confronted with the devastating reality of a single unprovoked act of violence that can cause catastrophic brain injury or even death, as we have seen recently. For the families left behind, such as children and other relatives, it changes everything that comes afterwards . These are not minor offences; they are acts of serious violence that have permanent consequences. There is public concern that the sentencing relating to fatal assault cases is difficult to understand. It appears inconsistent. The Court of Appeal recognises that these cases exist on a spectrum, namely from incidents involving lesser force to those involving extreme violence resulting in loss of life.

The public are concerned. I have received emails which show that public confidence in sentencing is being eroded. I fully respect the independence of the Judiciary, and I am not criticising any particular judge or highlighting any cases, but we have to ask whether the current framework is clear, consistent and strong enough to maintain public trust. There are serious questions about the lack of clear statutory guidance on sentencing ranges, how prior convictions are weighed and how guilty pleas are treated. There is also the issue of concurrent sentences in cases involving serious and fatal violence. That can significantly dilute the understanding of the public for that sentence. I am not suggesting mandatory sentencing or the removal of judicial discretion, but we need clarity and transparency. We have to ensure that when such harm is done, we understand that the sentencing framework is fair. Public confidence in the justice system depends on fairness, and many people feel that the balance necessary in this regard is not being achieved. I ask that the Minister for justice, Deputy O’Callaghan, ensure that sentencing trends in fatal assault cases are actively monitored. Is further guidance or a review of matters in this regard being considered? Will the voices of victims’ families be considered? This goes to the very heart of justice and fairness.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery H.E. Betty Escorcia Baquero, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia, Carlos Padrón, deputy head of mission, Sergio Ramírez, third secretary, and Carlos Giménez, economic officer. I hope I pronounced their names correctly. I apologise if I did not. I hope our guests enjoy their visit to Leinster House today. We look forward to working with them in the future.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
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I would like to open a discussion on foreign direct investment and how we, as a country, can entice more of this investment. There was a slot on the radio the other morning during which the lack of office space for big companies wanting to set up here was discussed. Cork city in particular was talked about. Cork city is a brilliant place to set up a business. We have a talented workforce, and it is good for family life. We have a good university and there is proximity to the airport and train station. It was highlighted that the lack of office space for any company interested in setting up here is a big deterrent.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I will start on a positive note. The active travel funding is very much welcome for communities right across the country. Indeed, there are some positive projects in my home county of Mayo. However, I must highlight the huge disappointment in Balla and Westport about the fact that funding was provided for either in the context of infrastructure that is much needed. At the Ardboley junction in Balla, a greenway was developed. There was huge expectation that the town of Balla would be connected from the outskirts right into the centre by means of active travel funding. There is a huge safety issue here. There is a special area of conservation, SAC, that has limited it, but there has been major political pressure and huge advocacy on the part of the community, which is doing brilliant work within Balla. After much campaigning, the announcement that final piece of the greenway link, which currently is at a dead end but which would connect outlying areas with the town centre and bring about much-needed improvements in the context of safety, will not be delivered is hugely disappointing for those involved.

We need to get delivery and ensure that we are funding and supporting projects demanded by communities. Often, there are different agendas at play. We need to make sure that we are listening and responding to communities. We need to deliver for communities like that in Balla. I would like additional consideration to be given to some projects that have been left off the list. The project to which I refer is supported by Councillor Donna Sheridan, who is doing great work with the community in Balla. I also support Councillor Peter Flynn in Westport who is hugely disappointed that, with millions of euro announced and raised, a simple stretch of footpath that would have enabled work on the building of 200 houses in Westport to commence was not funded. It was funded to the tune of €5,000. We need to make sure that we are provide funding in line with the asks from county councillors and communities, particularly as they are at the heartbeat of decision-making in this regard. We need to make sure that we align funding in such a way that we can deliver for our communities. I would appreciate if we could write to the Department and the Minister to make sure there is support for these communities.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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The information brought to light by the Beef Plan Movement in relation to Bord Bia is explosive. The fact that Brazilian beef was brought into this country by a company whose CEO is also the chairperson of Bord Bia is extremely damning and undermines public confidence in Bord Bia. Bord Bia is supposed to be promoting Irish beef. However, its chairman’s company is bringing in Brazilian beef. That is scandalous. Irish beef farmers feel betrayed. This news has broken at a time when Irish beef has never been under so great a threat internationally.

There are serious questions for Bord Bia and the Department of agriculture to answer. This man was appointed to Bord Bia by the former Minister for agriculture, Deputy Charlie McConalogue. The advertisement relating to his position stated that candidates had outline in their applications any potential conflicts of interest. Did this happen? Were any conflicts declared? Did the Minister know? Both of these lads need to be hauled before the Oireachtas committee in order that there can be proper scrutiny of their actions. This is a major scandal. Hard-working farmers deserve answers because they have been betrayed by the very entity that is supposed to be looking out for them.

I have made a written complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission asking it to investigate whether all necessary declarations were made and to check whether there were any breaches of legislation. Farmers need answers in respect of this matter.

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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The stark headline in today’s The Irish Times is: “Dublin’s northside needs a maternity hospital that is fit for purpose”. It is a piece written by Chris Fitzpatrick, who is eminently qualified to speak about maternity services across Dublin, having worked in all three Dublin maternity hospitals. The Rotunda is delivering thousands more babies than any other hospital in the State but its plans for redevelopment have stalled. Professor Sean Daly, the master of the Rotunda, recently spoke about the severe overcrowding in the maternity hospital itself, with women in labour regularly being sent outside Dublin, so not even to one of the other Dublin maternity hospitals. Women in labour are being transferred as far away as Drogheda. This is completely unacceptable.

The ageing infrastructure and severe lack of space are impacting women on the northside of Dublin. The hospital is coping with increasingly complex cases where more complex care is needed. The Dublin and north-east region, in which the Rotunda operates as the lead maternity hospital, has the largest regional population, with just under 1.2 million people. The population of this region is increasing at a higher rate than any other region in Ireland. Towns like Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk, Skerries, Donabate and Swords are increasing in population rapidly. This is a young population, with strong demand for maternity services. These people are being failed by the completely inadequate facilities at the Rotunda. The region also has a number of areas suffering from extreme deprivation. Some of the areas with the highest levels of deprivation in the country are within this region. It is also extremely ethnically diverse, which brings its own problems around extra supports needed for those women when they are expecting their babies.

The hospital should be redeveloped at its current location. It can then form part of an expanded medical campus along with the Mater hospital. The metro is coming to the northside of Dublin after a lot of delays and waiting and the Rotunda hospital is ideally located. There are plans for more than 6,000 homes in the Cabra, Glasnevin and Finglas area. North County Dublin is absorbing the housing needs not only of the city, but of Ireland. Thousands of houses are being developed in Balbriggan, Rush, Lusk, Skerries, Swords, Donabate and beyond. This year, the Rotunda hospital will celebrate the delivery of its one millionth baby. With that celebration, I think that the Minister for Health should give a real commitment to the women of the northside of Dublin and put some firm plans in train for the redevelopment of the Rotunda hospital on its current site.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I want to raise again the debate, and the great concern expressed, about childcare places and the challenges around the provision of public childcare facilities versus private childcare facilities. I really stand here today to commend and salute the Minister for children, Norma Foley, who yesterday confirmed that €135 million would be made available for State-led childcare services. That is just the beginning, but I like the ambition of what the Minister is setting out. Her own statement says that this funding is being set aside to provide “high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare”. I like the synergy of early learning, support and childcare as one. It is not a place to house children and fill play hours. It is to help them to develop their cognition, provide supports and give them that advantage when going on to education. We all know it is important that children have early interventions and supports, like childcare.

On the argument of public versus private provision, I think there is potential for public provision, private provision and synergies between both. We have many community buildings in our local authorities that could possibly be used. The Minister has indicated that capital funding will be used to acquire or refit buildings, depending on their requirements. Reading between the lines, though, I think her preferred option is to go for tailor-made, purpose-built facilities. Initially, the announcement is that up to eight buildings will be selected for investment, not next year, but this year, with 100 places per building, which totals 800 places. The State-led initiative is expected to provide thousands of places in the long term out to 2030 using the €135 million as an initial fund and tapping into funds from the national development plan.

I understand the Minister has said she is in discussions with local authorities and State agencies. I would say to our sitting county councillors, though, because I am particularly keen on them and work with them, that they should be raising these issues with their chief executives now, not in six months’ time, to tell the latter to engage with the Minister to see if their local authorities have facilities they could offer.

I thank the Minister for selecting one building in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area at Shanganagh Castle. I am familiar with it. It is built to the highest specifications for childcare but has sat empty for the last nine months. There was a suggestion that it might be hived off to a private childcare facility, but the Minister has stepped in and identified this purpose-built, state-of-the-art childcare facility in an area of demand and need in Shanganagh Castle. I want to be associated with that and to salute the Minister for her courage and ambition in developing the sector.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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Over the weekend, I received the heartbreaking news that Ziva Cussen had passed away. She was just 24 years old. Ziva visited the Seanad on a number of occasions and was present when we held a debate on breast cancer services. It was her strong belief that the system must do better for young women. Ziva was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at just 21 years of age. I first met her in February and we spoke at length about diagnosis, treatment and the realities of living with breast cancer at such a young age. From our very first conversation, it was clear to me that Ziva was someone truly special - warm, engaging, full of life, strong and determined.

Alongside Muireann McColgan and Niamh Noonan, Ziva co-founded the Too Young To Be Heard campaign. Its mission is to challenge the myth that breast cancer is an older woman’s illness, to highlight delays in diagnostic scanning for younger women, and to ensure that young women are listened to. Even when dealing with her own illness, Ziva tirelessly advocated for change. In 2025, she became a patient ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run. She organised fundraisers for Oscar’s Kids Ireland. She made numerous media appearances and raised vital awareness about how, yes, women in their 20s could and did get breast cancer.

Ziva lived life to the full. She travelled and attended many events, always looking so stylish. She went to concerts, the most recent being Ed Sheeran. This time last year, Ziva visited New York, a place she had long dreamed of seeing. She cherished making memories with her friends and family.

This morning, Ziva will be buried, and in truly Ziva style, she has planned the day with no detail left out. My thoughts are with her mam, dad, sister, all of her family and friends, and her beloved dog, Koa.

Ziva, you were too young to experience what you did, but you were not too young to be heard. I heard you and I will continue to advocate and spread your message. Thank you for what you have done for the breast cancer community. May you rest in peace.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
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I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for fitting me in. One hundred years ago this month, a group of ten republican prisoners, including five from County Leitrim, were released from Peterhead prison in Scotland. They were among the last IRA prisoners to be released from British prisons in 1926. This group was arrested by crown forces while engaged in a cross-Border raid in 1922 intended to kidnap high-profile unionists as part of a tit-for-tat prisoner-taking and exchange campaign that continued after the Treaty of 1921. They were arrested and briefly detained in the North before being transported to Peterhead prison in Scotland. These men did not receive political status and were subjected to brutal conditions in what has been described as Scotland’s "most notorious prison", "Scotland’s Alcatraz" and "Scotland’s gulag". The prison conditions were appalling and one of those prisoners, Bernie Sweeney, reported that they were frequently beaten in Peterhead and to such an extent they were often unrecognisable. These prisoners were chained and subjected to hard labour using 7 lb or 14 lb sledgehammers to split the hard granite used to build a harbour that in later years saved the lives of countless sailors and oil rig workers caught off Scotland’s north-east coast during stormy weather. Conditions were so harsh that two of these ten men tragically died soon after their release.I bring it up today because I was contacted earlier this month by Linda MacManus, the grand-niece of one of these men, Joseph Reynolds of Aghacashel, County Leitrim. Joseph joined the IRA when he was 15 or 16 years old and he sacrificed his youth and personal liberty to fight for the freedom of the country that he loved. He went on, like many Irish patriots, to serve in the US army in the Second World War. He died in America in 1988. Linda and the other families of the Peterhead Ten as they are called feel that the sacrifice and contribution made by these men has never really been adequately recognised by the State and they have asked me to raise this matter here in the hope that the Minister for culture will sanction the erection of a plaque or monument in recognition of their contribution to the Irish cause. This group is meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday to discuss how this commemoration can be brought forward. I ask the Leader if he can play any part in bringing the matter to the attention of the Minister, as I know that would be much appreciated by the surviving families.

Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail)
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I commend the work of the men and women of An Garda Síochána in Limerick over the Christmas period and January. I have been speaking to members and representatives of the business community, shoppers, and residents in Limerick city. I am hearing positive feedback to the Christmas policing plan that was put into place by the local Henry Street gardaí over the Christmas period. We had increased visibility of gardaí on the street in the city centre, which really demonstrated the commitment that the gardaí had made to revitalising our city centre and supporting the businesses and the people who live there. The feedback from shoppers and residents was that they felt safer and relaxed and that it led to a positive atmosphere in the city centre over the Christmas period. Unfortunately, because of the limitation on numbers, we are not able to maintain that level of visible policing all year round in Limerick.

However, I highlight the successful scheme that has been rolled out in Cork. In Cork, in November, it was announced that the gardaí were bringing in a permanent high-visibility policing plan for the city centre, deploying 48 additional gardaí to tackle antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and shoplifting that unfortunately can take hold in urban centres across the country. I ask the Minister to please come in and give us an update on that plan in Cork, which we hear reports of the success of, and how he hopes, in time, to roll that out across the country. Indeed, we would like to see it being rolled out in Limerick as soon as possible.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome guests of our colleague, Senator Aidan Davitt, the student council of St. Tola's National School from Westmeath. I hope they enjoy their visit here today. As is customary, no homework for the rest of the day.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I too would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to former Senator Gerard Lynch from Listowel, County Kerry. I did not know him but his reputation certainly preceded him as a councillor, Deputy and Senator. May he rest in peace, and sympathies to his family.

We have had inclement weather in the last couple of days with a lot of rain, which reminds me of something that I raised in the Seanad before Christmas, that is, the need for a debate on weather preparation. We have seen in recent years that we have had extreme weather events and more so than we would have had in the past. While our emergency services are certainly well equipped and capable of dealing with many situations, they need more funding and we need to see greater investment in equipment to support our emergency services. We also need to see greater investment in flood relief and flood protection measures. Going forward, we will see much more of this type of event. I would like to have a debate here to discuss our winter readiness and our readiness for extreme weather events. The more knowledge we have and the more we can input into it from our own experiences in our communities, the better informed we can be, and the better our readiness can be.

I remember 2009 and 2010, when I was a member of Clare County Council. In one year, we were flooded and the following year, we were frozen. On Christmas Day that year, most of County Clare and many parts of the country did not have water because the taps were frozen. On 6 January 2014, our shoreline right across the country was impacted with an extreme ocean event. I would like to see that debate scheduled at some stage in the near future.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge Councillor Gaffney, who was with the school group that just left. I thank the 16 Senators who spoke to us this morning about different issues impacting their areas and on a national level. It is always important that we have this level of debate.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the overnight developments relating to the threat to Greenland and tariffs. She acknowledged the Taoiseach's steadfast position and approach on supporting a unified EU response. I know the situation is evolving. There is certainly one thing we can say, which is that, whatever about anything else, the American President is good at getting headlines every single day and dominating the news cycle. While this has been averted, we know that the Taoiseach is heading to Brussels this evening for a special meeting of all EU leaders about the threats, which we now know have passed. At the same time, nothing can be taken for granted. We are living in an ever-changing world and the ever-changing egotistical position of President Trump. It is only right that we must prepare for different situations from a united EU position.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about the active travel announcements and how important it is to see the final part of the Royal Canal Greenway being invested in. It connects communities and provides safety for those who wish to travel on it. The Senator also highlighted the recent €1 billion announcement for the housing activation office. It is significant. Local authorities have to make their applications for it. I imagine the reason this had gone under the radar is that, in fairness, there have been many good, positive announcements over the last week, so unfortunately, some of the good news tends to get buried.

Senator Kennelly gave a heartfelt speech about former Senator Gerard Lynch, who we are mourning. I will be putting forward a motion afterwards. I often heard former Senator Ned O'Sullivan, a fellow Listowel man, speak about the esteemed public representative. We join in the condolences to the Lynch family and to Fine Gael.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Zelenskyy visit and said it was not perfect. There is no such thing as perfection in anything, but I believe the visit went well. The Minister spoke about this yesterday during the debate. Decisions have to be made in the best interests of security. If that means bringing in other European countries to help to support that, that is absolutely what we have to do.

Senator Craughwell also spoke about the survey about sexual assault within the Defence Forces. Anywhere where sexual assault is happening, it needs to be called out. The Senator makes a point that it is possibly happening in other areas that are not being highlighted. Everywhere it happens, it has to be highlighted and called out for what it is.

Senator Craughwell also said that I made a habit of mentioning things in Kildare in my speech about the Army yesterday.I will never apologise for mentioning anything about Kildare; in fact, I want share a bit of good news. I raised two issues, one of which was the Curragh swimming pool. Last night, I was informed the pool will be open to local schools and community clubs three days a week going forward. It was well worth mentioning again.

Senator Collins spoke about MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion. Other MEPs also joined in on the anti-Mercosur issue and ensuring the deal went to the European court. Ireland has made its position very clear. It is not supporting the Mercosur deal and that will continue.

On the chair of Bord Bia, he was appointed through a public process in 2024. I understand Bord Bia is meeting this morning in respect of the position. We certainly should not undermine the importance of Bord Bia. It is an incredible organisation that does incredible work outside Ireland in terms of exports. We await the results of today's meeting. I do feel that the Minister for agriculture should step in at that point.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about supporting small communities, particularly primary and secondary schools that do not have the opportunity to avail of large sporting facilities. She is absolutely correct. Very sizeable grants have been given throughout the country, and rightly so, to support local sporting clubs. It is unfortunate for those smaller areas that do not have the wherewithal in terms of having an all-weather pitch. The Senator outlined costs of €300 to rent a pitch for an hour, €500 for a bus and some money to the referee. That is a huge amount of money for any small school community. The Senator is absolutely right that there needs to be a policy to the effect that clubs that receive funding should be able to support other clubs in surrounding areas during daylight hours. We will ask the Minister to come in and address the matter. We will bring it to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue. I have no doubt he will be very amenable to trying to do something in that regard.

Senator Boyle spoke about Killybegs Community Hospital where 13 beds are lying idle and the day care centre has not resumed. It is awful to see beds idle. I understand from what the Senator said that it is down to the recruitment of staff. He is looking for an update. I suggest the Senator submit a Commencement matter, particularly in relation to recruitment for the Killybegs hospital.

Senator McCarthy spoke about the justice system and how it responds to one-punch attacks. These are acts of serious violence but sentencing can be inconsistent. There are concerns about concurrent sentences, guilty pleas and a lack of clarity in relation to sentencing. The Senator is right in saying that we need public confidence in the framework. It needs monitoring. We will ask the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, to come in and have a debate on that. He is no stranger to this House at the moment. We understand that sentencing is down to the Judiciary.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony spoke about foreign direct investment and how important it is. She said that in Cork there is a problem with the lack of office space, which militates against the proximity to an airport and a university, and all of the elements that would make for a really good site for foreign direct investment. I know from dealing with IDA Ireland in Leinster that it is a problem everywhere. It would seem that a lot of companies now want to come in to ready-made offices, which is a big capital outlay, and they would have a very high spec in that regard. It is an issue and we should ask the Minister for enterprise to come to the House for a debate. All of us want to see balanced FDI across the country.

Senator Duffy spoke about active travel funding, saying he was disappointed by a lack of investment in Balla and Westport. Local councillors and the community were very involved in highlighting the projects that were needed there. The Senator made the point that we need to align funding and investment with what is happening on the ground. I suggest that he put in a Commencement matter in respect of those two areas. Generally speaking, it is wonderful to see the investment in the greenways and blueways, and in active travel.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the Mercosur deal and Bord Bia. I have commented on those issues already. Senator Clifford-Lee raised an issue that was highlighted in The Irish Timesthis morning about Dublin's northside lacking in terms of a maternity hospital. The Rotunda hospital has wonderful staff and nurses but it is not fit for purpose. The Senator mentioned that the Rotunda has the highest birth rate in the country. This year the millionth baby will be born there, a very significant milestone. At the same time, women in labour are being transferred to other hospitals as far away as Drogheda, which is just shocking. It would appear that this seems to be at a crisis point, particularly with towns and villages in north County Dublin, as well as north Dublin, increasing in size all the time. We need to ask the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on that, and we will certainly do so.

Senator Boyhan spoke about childcare places and the public and private elements of childcare. I certainly agree. There is room for both. Childcare is complex. Different families have different needs and they should be able to choose what they can. Of course, availability is very important as well. I thank the Senator for his kind words about the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her announcement yesterday, which certainly is ambitious. I think it is excellent. It is wonderful that eight centres are going to start this year, including one in Shanganagh Castle. We have to look at many different models of childcare that work for those who deliver the service and those who avail of it.

Senator Costello paid tribute to Ziva Cussen, as did our colleague yesterday. Ziva by all accounts was a wonderful young woman. Despite her own diagnosis at 21, she never ceased to campaign for younger women and for better services in terms of highlighting early intervention and early diagnosis. Well done to Senator Costello for working with Ziva on Too Young to be Heard. It would seem that Ziva lived a very full life despite her diagnosis. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and community. Senator Comyn said only yesterday that the whole town of Drogheda is absolutely devastated by the passing of Ziva.

Senator Cosgrove said that 100 years ago ten men were released from prison in Leitrim. They had been in very difficult conditions, with two of them dying soon afterwards. We certainly will ask the Minister for culture about placing a commemoration plaque. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. We should always remember those who gave their lives for our country.

Senator Ryan commended the work of the Garda in Limerick over Christmas. It is great to hear very positive feedback about the increased visibility in terms of revitalising the city centre. It is a shame it cannot be maintained all year round. Listening to what the Senator said about the scheme in Cork bringing in a permanent high-visibility force, it is certainly a way to go. It will be interesting to see. I agree that we should ask the Minister to come in and talk to us about delivering that in Cork, and delivering in Limerick of course. We also hear that from towns and villages right around the country. That high visibility piece is really important and we will look for a debate on it.Senator Conway spoke about the inclement weather we are having. He is right; we did have a discussion with regard to looking for a debate in relation to weather preparation readiness for extreme weather events. We will certainly will put the call out again to have a debate in the House with the relevant Minister.