Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the proposed approval of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes each, time can be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than seven minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, the Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 6.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 1, whichever is the later, and to adjourn after 30 minutes if not previously concluded; and No. 3, motion re the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Scoping Exercise in Response to Requests from Dignity4Patients) Regulations 2026, the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) (Scoping Exercise in Response to Requests from Dignity4Patients) Regulations 2026, the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Children’s Health Ireland Inquiry into Spina Bifida and Complex Scoliosis Services Scoping Exercise) Regulations 2026, and the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) (Children’s Health Ireland Inquiry into Spina Bifida and Complex Scoliosis Services Scoping Exercise) Regulations 2026, to be taken at 7.15 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 2, whichever is later, and to conclude after 75 minutes if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, time can be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than seven minutes to reply to the debate.

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday, the murderer of Natalie McNally, Stephen McCullagh, was found guilty and the details that emerged during the trial were nothing if not horrific. What Natalie endured in her final hours was very difficult to listen to. She was beaten, strangled and stabbed. I am struck by the mammoth task that lies in Northern Ireland to address the issue of violence against women. Thirty women have been murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020 and that figure represents 88% of the women murdered on this island, so there is a huge problem with violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. I was struck by the comments of Sonya McMullan of Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland this morning on "Morning Ireland". She spoke about the problems specifically facing women and girls in Northern Ireland, and particularly about two women who were recently murdered. Amy Doherty, a mother of two, was murdered last Saturday in Derry and Ellie Flanagan was murdered two weeks ago in Enniskillen. These women have been named and their families are in the media spotlight, but they will drift from the media spotlight and the problem will continue.

We need to address the issue of violence against women and girls on an all-island basis. There is a particular problem in Northern Ireland and there are many reasons for that, which have a lot to do with the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland, including the normalisation of violence, the patriarchal patterns of life in Northern Ireland in a post-conflict society, the patriarchy and toxic masculinity.There is also the influence of paramilitaries in violence against women and girls, and the intimidation, threatening behaviour, trafficking and the running of brothels that are undertaken by people who were involved in paramilitary activity. We need to address this as a society. There are also particular issues in Northern Ireland in relation to the courts and access to legal aid.

We all need to engage on this. The conversation needs to be happening here - on this side of the Border - as well. We need to address the matter on an all-island basis. We need to discuss the reasons behind violence against women and how to find solutions. We must include boys and young men in the conversation, because we will not address it until we deal with the root causes in communities. We must improve awareness, education and training, particularly with regard to relationship and sexual education. Learning about healthy relationships is key. We must show our young people that relationships are built on trust, equality and respect. Unfortunately, many young people are growing up in homes where they do not have healthy relationships modelled to them. We need to look at that and understand it. One in three women faces domestic violence and domestic abuse. Their children are witnessing that. We need to break that cycle. We need to have conversations around consent, coercive control and red flags in relationships. As I said, we need to address this on an all-island basis as we move towards a new Ireland.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I want to raise the case of Chloe Maher, a 23-year-old young woman from Coolock in Dublin who died at the weekend. This is a young woman who had no intervention for her scoliotic curve on her spine. She had a preoperative intervention about three years ago, and then nothing. Now she has passed away for lack of a timely intervention. This is the second young adult or child who has died in these circumstances in recent months. Yesterday, I went to the Tullamore Court Hotel and met a mother, Angela Briggs, who is terrified for her daughter because she is not getting any treatment for her scoliotic curve. The fear is that her condition will become inoperable and that she will lose the power to walk, will have to use a wheelchair and may die from complications arising from a lack of intervention.

What is the Government doing with Children's Health Ireland? Why is it not being compelled to intervene and provide the surgical assistance and interventions that are necessary for disabled citizens? I will tell the House why. It is because this is an ableist State in which the Government and its agencies assign lesser human value to disabled citizens. Young men and young women are allowed to die on waiting lists. For shame. I have been talking about this in the Chamber for the past four years. Since the general election, the Government has taken successive decisions that have left disabled citizens and carers in further enduring poverty. We have hundreds of children who are not getting the interventions they need to develop as young citizens. During the statements on disability last week, I raised the case of children in County Galway who are becoming non-verbal and losing the power of speech. Imagine denying a child the power to speak, our most powerful instrument as human beings to mobilise social inclusion and to articulate our needs, concerns and our love. Children are being denied this for want of a timely, routine intervention that is available to citizens all over the EU.I will not let up on this. Before we assume the Presidency of the EU, we need to have a debate in this Chamber about how Ireland has completely failed in its legal obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and we are complete outliers in the European Union. To allow young women and men to die while on waiting lists is not good enough.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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A video is circulating of four young greyhounds in Parteen, County Clare. The conditions they are being kept in are completely unacceptable. An individual passing by heard the four greyhounds crying and upset, so went in to video them. After the video was circulated, Greyhound Racing Ireland inspected the premises and made a couple of comments but gave the premises the all clear. It is very hard to outline here how bad the conditions were. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch four young dogs be treated like this. Subsequently, after the visit, one of the greyhounds was seen wearing an anti-bark muzzle. These are cruel devices. Most people will not what an anti-bark muzzle is; they will just think it is a muzzle. These muzzles stop the dog from barking but they also stop the dog from drinking and panting and, as they stop the dog from vomiting, it could choke as a result of wearing the anti-bark muzzle. These anti-bark muzzles should be illegal. The person in charge of this building should be made to live in the conditions he subjects these dogs to and then he might realise that it is unacceptable. Maybe having a muzzle on the owner of the dogs would be helpful to stop him from talking and drinking and we will see how he likes it then.

All of this raises a number of issues. Why does Greyhound Racing Ireland inspect itself? That should not be allowed. It is like self-regulation: it will not work, it does not work and it has never worked. There should be an independent dog or animal welfare inspector going into premises like this. It highlights the call by My Lovely Horse Rescue for a Garda animal crime unit which could address incidents like this. Why is the Department of agriculture not intervening? It is responsible for greyhound welfare so it should be sending in its veterinary inspectors, rather than the compromised Greyhound Racing Ireland inspectors. Some of the four dogs had no water. The most bizarre fact in all of this is that An Garda Síochána is investigating the kind and compassionate person who made the video - the person who showed some sort of kindness to these poor dogs who have clearly seen little kindness in their lives so far. I also understand, and it is absolutely bonkers, that An Garda Síochána is looking for a search warrant for Clare Animal Welfare so the person who made the video can be identified. I applaud the person who made the video. I say to them, "Well done for showing some compassion, kindness and caring." The person who blew the whistle on this businessman in County Clare is being investigated, yet the businessman who is abusing these dogs faces no consequences. In Wales and Scotland, they banned greyhound racing. We should be doing the same.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
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In this current cost-of-living crisis, all decisions should be made with the needs of vulnerable people at heart. Just over a month ago today, a brave family from County Sligo waived their right to anonymity. This family won their court case against their father, who sexually abused five of his children when they were between the ages of three and 17. The Central Criminal Court heard harrowing evidence of abuse and neglect, including times when the children were left hungry and locked in a room to drink their own urine. These siblings included Jessica, Christopher, Amanda and Helen Farrell, who had to suffer the abuse in silence and in shame and were let down repeatedly by the agencies of the State. Just over a month ago they finally received some level of justice for the abuse they endured as children at the hands of their father. I commend the bravery and courage of these siblings, and their families, who were judged and looked down on for years. None of this was their fault but as children, and as adults, they were forced to live a life filled with shame and confusion. I raise this matter today as we see so many people at the moment are struggling to exist, let alone live.It is essential that we as a State continue to invest properly in front-line public services, such as gardaí, teachers, SNAs, youth workers, social care workers and social workers. Properly resourcing social services like these meant that when these siblings were ready to come forward as adults the services were there for them, were available and were ready to listen, because they had been properly trained and resourced.

As we all know, unfortunately times were not always like this and the family was forced to live through an era when a blind eye was turned. Times have certainly changed for the better but these improvements need to continue and can never be seen as an afterthought. Youth and community services need multi-annual funding and not to always be fighting for crumbs from the table. It is through environments such as youth centres, community centre and family resource centres, and work with SNAs that children and families are supported to come forward and make disclosures of abuse.

A month on, I thank the Farrell family for their bravery and courage. I know from speaking to residents in the constituency I am in that their bravery in speaking out has encouraged, and will continue to encourage and inspire, other children and adults who were victims of abuse to come forward. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business of the Seanad today, that No. 12, the Child Maintenance Bill 2026, be taken before No. 1. The Child Maintenance Bill has taken many years of work since I was elected to the House. I acknowledge the significant contribution of the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers in developing its provisions. A majority of female Senators have signed up to the legislation. While it is disappointing that Government Members have not formally joined at this stage, I remain hopeful it can still be a shared reform across the Oireachtas, as it has been discussed and supported for a number of years by all in the House with full women's caucus support.

The purpose of the Bill is straightforward but deeply important. It seeks to establish a fair, consistent and less adversarial system for assessing child maintenance. Under the proposal, the Revenue Commissioners would conduct administrative child maintenance assessments, using standard formulae prescribed by the Minister for justice, and issue orders for payments before parties would proceed to court. The Bill does not remove the courts' role; rather, it complements it. Where both parties accept the Revenue assessment, it becomes a binding agreement like a court order. Where either party rejects the assessment, the matter proceeds to court as happens today. In this way we maintain judicial oversight while creating a more accessible and efficient pathway for families.

The need for reform is clear. Raising a child requires continuous financial support, and often one parent or carer bears the majority of this responsibility in care and finance. Child maintenance payments are essential to protecting the child's best interests but the current system is complex, lengthy and adversarial. The census in 2022 showed that 17% of family households were headed by lone parents, the majority of whom were women. These families are disproportionately affected by poverty, deprivation and housing insecurity. In June 2025 more than half of the families in emergency accommodation were found to be headed by one parent. This highlights the importance of child maintenance not only as a family law issue but as a measure to counter child poverty.

The Bill also reflects recommendations made over many years, including by the child maintenance review group in 2022 and subsequent policy reviews. It also draws on successful international models, particularly that in New Zealand where child maintenance is assessed administratively by the equivalent of the Revenue Commissioners. This approach has reduced conflict, improved reliability of payments and created better support for children and families. The Child Maintenance Bill 2026 takes inspiration from this approach. By allowing Revenue to assess maintenance using reliable income data, and by creating a standardised transparent process, we can ensure that child maintenance is fair, consistent and focused on the child's needs. This legislation represents a practical and necessary reform and it will reduce conflict between parents, ease pressure on the courts and, most importantly, improve outcomes for children.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I want to highlight on the floor of the Seanad an event I attended at the weekend in my home county of Mayo on the community futures programme. This programme identifies an area, generally a rural hinterland. In this case it is Brackloon, which is a series of townlands that have come together to devise a plan, future and strategy for their community. The programme engaged with 279 submissions from 345 households in the area. It identified community needs. It identified opportunities within the area and identified the demographics of the area and where there might be potential need for investment into the future.

The community futures model is something that needs to be commended. It would benefit every town and village nationwide where the local authority empowers a local community to engage in this process. While there would be policymaking and decision-making from the ground up that was led by the community, it needs to be supported from local authority and Oireachtas level to make the plans and hopes for their community a reality.

A number of issues are identified, such as flooding and lack of footpaths and lighting. However, there are many opportunities in terms of improving connectivity and tourism links within the area, as well as connectivity to the local school and other amenities. They have a very proud heritage and history in the area. It sits at the foot of Croagh Patrick and is a very scenic area. This requires the support of all agencies and authorities to realise their plan, whether that is the tackling of flooding or the creation of playgrounds and more facilities for young people. I wish to acknowledge Tom Kitterick, who is the chair of the community group, along with the whole organisation which has put this brilliant document together.

I ask the Leader to request a discussion on this with the Minister in order that we have the opportunity to have dedicated funds to realise these plans so it is not just something that gathers dust or sits on a shelf but is delivered upon because communities have done the heavy lifting, the consultation and the hard work and have produced really interesting data and proposals. It is now for the agencies of the State, whether that is the local authority or Departments, to deliver and invest in it. We rely a lot on volunteers in Ireland. It is part of how we operate as communities and societies but we cannot over-rely on volunteers. We need to make sure we have actual delivery when volunteers step up to the plate and create a clear plan and a clear ask. We need to make sure that is delivered on.

I commend the Brackloon community, the volunteers and the community futures programme in Mayo County Council and I hope that, across the board, we can make sure we deliver on plans like this for the betterment of communities like Brackloon.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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We have just marked world Down's syndrome day this past Sunday. I always love to see those incredible children and families who are rocking the odd socks. It does raise awareness.

I wish to raise an urgent issue regarding an apparent lack of appropriate special class provision for children with Down's syndrome across the country. New figures from the National Council for Special Education were sent to me by the Louth-Meath branch of Down Syndrome Ireland and they show what seems to be a stark imbalance. Of 88 new special classes sanctioned this month, 87 offer autism support and just one is for general learning disability. Autism classes are, as we know, vital, but this level of concentration is creating a system that does not really reflect the full range of needs among children with additional educational requirements.

Many children with Down's syndrome thrive in mainstream settings but others need access to special classes within mainstream schools where they can receive targeted support while remaining part of the school community. In many areas, however, the only option available is an autism class and most children with Down's syndrome cannot access these unless they have a dual diagnosis and even then they are not always the most appropriate setting for them.

What seems to be missing is a balanced provision of classes for general learning disabilities and speech and language needs. As a result, families are left with no suitable local placement, sometimes facing long journeys or accepting placements that do not really meet the exact needs of their own children. It does not seem to be very equitable and it probably needs to be looked at. I am calling on the Leader to invite the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Norma Foley, to the House to outline how we can possibly deliver a more balance, needs-led approach to special class provision.

Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)
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I rise today to highlight a serious and growing gap in our rental system. That is the lack of accountability within the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, particularly in cases involving landlords who are left without recourse through no fault of their own. We often speak about the need to protect tenants. That is right and the RTB plays a serious role in that. However, fairness when it comes to our housing system must go both ways. It has to serve the tenant and the landlord.I am raising this matter because I have been made aware of a case involving an elderly couple who owned a property that they leased to a tenant who was in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP. The tenant destroyed the house and the owners found it very difficult to bring it back into full working order afterwards. The tenant refused to engage with them and threatened them. The reason I mention that the tenant was in receipt of HAP is that in order to be in receipt of it, they would need to have been registered with the county council. When the landlord tried to raise a complaint with the RTB, it found that it could not serve any notice on the tenant because it did not have their address. In such cases, it is vital that we would have co-operation between local authorities and the RTB. While there is an ombudsman when it comes to the RTB, the way in which it works is that you first deal with your complaint, whether tenant or landlord, with the RTB. The latter makes a decision order and if either party does not comply with that, you can then take the matter to court. However, if you do not have an order, you cannot take the matter any further.

I do not believe that the lack of accountability when it comes to the RTB is fair. We are asking tenants and landlords to operate in a highly regulated system and to meet high standards. There are rights and responsibilities attributed to both, and we need to acknowledge both. I do not think it is acceptable that a State body can initiate a process and then be unable to complete it due to a lack of basic information that should be available. Why is there no alternative mechanism available to ensure that cases can proceed? Will the Minister look at this closely and consider bringing forward practical solutions to deal with these issues?

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I rise today to highlight the lack of transparency and fairness in how commercial rates are handled in large State-controlled campuses, particularly our airports. Across the country, commercial rates are supposed to operate on a simple principle: the local authority levies them and the occupier knows exactly what they owe. In complex environments where a single semi-State landlord controls access, however, tenants often have no visibility into how those rates are calculated, allocated and passed on.

There was a recent case in which a tenant of the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, was allegedly overcharged by huge amounts on their rates. I will not comment further as this is part of an ongoing court case, but it is worth mentioning the allegation as it comes as part of a much bigger and consistent pattern. I have heard similar complaints from constituents as a member of the Industrial and Commercial Panel and there are many on the public record, particularly in respect of our airports. This lack of transparency is not a minor administrative detail. It affects the viability of small businesses, the security of workers' jobs and ultimately the prices paid by the public. When tenants cannot see the basis for the charges they receive or independently verify what proportion of council rates they are responsible for, and when they operate in captive environments without bargaining power, the Oireachtas has a duty to ask whether the system is serving the public interest. Otherwise, we risk allowing the management of the DAA and similar institutions, to run their premises like their own private baronies. Therefore, I am calling for a full debate in this House and for the Government to consider legislative options to regulate how commercial rates are apportioned in such settings. More immediately, the Minister for enterprise should be investigating allegations relating to the DAA and similar institutions. Transparency must be the standard, not the exception.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
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The Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association are working towards merging into a single organisation by 2027, creating one association to ensure equal treatment for all players. The move is long overdue and will ensure equal access to funding facilities for all sports people, young and old, as many inequalities have evolved over the years. It also presents us with a chance to formally include Gaelic games, the actual games, and the unique history of the organisation as part of our primary schools curriculum. We already have an ad hoc arrangement in place whereby teachers, in many instances outside their regular hours, dedicate themselves to the promotion of the games and also Scór and the spirit of the GAA generally. In 2018, UNESCO inscribed hurling and camogie onto the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, recognising them as 2,000-year-old Irish traditions.This status celebrates the games as vital cultural expressions rather than just sports.

Our spoken word and music are already safeguarded within the primary curriculum, and we should show the same regard for our games. The GAA was long linked with the pursuit of Ireland's self-determination. While the modern association is one of inclusion and celebrates all cultures, it is vital that our youngest know the origins of the games that set us, as a nation, apart on the world stage. Not every child will go on to play in an all-Ireland final, but it is incumbent on us to ensure, at the very least, that children leave school with an understanding of the Gaelic games association, its history, culture and values, while also having had an opportunity to play hurling, play or Gaelic football, try their hand at rounders or handball and participate in Scór. We have travelled a significant journey in the delivery of physical education in our primary schools. With our leading sports body on the cusp of a seismic integration, we owe it to past generations and also our future children to ensure the games, culture and values of our forefathers are safeguarded.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the proposed subsidy for haulage and bus companies. The rebate back to January is also very welcome. These past two weeks, the staff in my office and I have been inundated with communications from haulage and bus companies in Donegal regarding the fuel crisis. This is the right decision but, once again, marine does not get a look in. Between quota cuts and Brexit, fishing communities have suffered so much through the years. The Government needs to step in and help the industry. At the moment, it is not viable for fishermen to go to sea in light of the price of fuel. I ask the Government to have a fresh look at this and to have the marine sector included in what is proposed.

Fishing communities all over Ireland, big and small, are holding on by a thread. Fishing families are suffering. Could the Leader emphasise to the Government the importance of fuel for coastal communities all over Ireland and push that marine would be included in this subsidy in order to help fishermen and fisherwomen sustain jobs and local communities? The agriculture sector also needs to be looked at. I have already had four contractors from that sector on to me today to ask why they are not included. These are people who are out working too. They need diesel in large amounts to fuel their tractors. It is something the Government really needs to look at before it gets too far down the line.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I also wish to raise the issue of petrol, diesel, home heating oil and other fuels. The measures that emerged earlier are not even going to make a dent when it comes to what is happening. Diesel alone in County Limerick went up by nearly 60 cent in some petrol stations. Reducing the cost of a litre of fuel by 20 cent is not going to make the blindest bit of difference to somebody who has to get up and drive to work, never mind the likes of home care help or public nurses. When it comes to rural Ireland, they could be driving anything between 20 km and 40 km between calls. They are not going to get a crazy increase in what they are getting for mileage. This is not going to stop. The war is not over yet. To say that 20 cent off the price of a litre of diesel is going to do the job is absolutely crazy.

There are over 700,000 households in this country that use home heating oil. That is what was predominantly used when these houses were built. These are not new houses that use air-to-water systems. They are not in cities, so their owners cannot connect to the gas supply. These people do not have a choice. Not taking anything off the price is absolutely scandalous. This Government is again saying "Screw rural Ireland". That is what is happening, constantly. It is fine if you live in the city and can connect to gas or electricity, but these families do not have a choice. They have to get home heating oil.

The Government can say that we are coming into springtime. Springtime in this country, as we all know, is not actually spring. It is still bloody winter. Temperatures fell to 0°C at night last week. There is no house that can have no heat going on just because it is coming into springtime. We do not work that way.

I have to agree with my colleague across the floor that fishing communities and agribusinesses are really going to suffer as a result of this. It is great that there is a rebate scheme for the haulage companies, which is going to have a trickle-down effect. I get it that if they do not get that rebate scheme, everything will go up in price on foot of the extra costs those companies will incur. However, the same thing needs to be done for fishing communities and agribusinesses as well.

Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)
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I am calling on the Government to waive the student exam fees for the 2026 junior cycle and leaving certificate exams in light of the cost of living. Working families must be protected. For 2026, students are being asked to pay €109 for the junior cycle and €116 for the leaving certificate. While these amounts may seem small, they place a real burden on the working family right now, particularly at a time when the cost-of-living challenges are so significant and the family has more than one child sitting State exams. Indeed, one family I know of has three students sitting upcoming State exams.

We know from recent experience that these fees can be waived without affecting the smooth running or high standards of the exams. During the pandemic, when fees were temporarily removed, the system operated effectively and students were able to focus fully on their studies. In light of this, I call on the Minister for education to debate this proposal and consider waiving the State exam fees for 2026. Doing so would provide genuine relief for working families. It would also remove an unnecessary worry for students and allow them to concentrate and achieve their full potential in the upcoming State exams. Supporting our young people and families in this way would be a fair and constructive measure, and it would send a clear message that we value accessibility and opportunity in education in a time of financial worry for working families in this country.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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I want to formally second the amendment by Senator Ruane to the Order of Business to propose that the Child Maintenance Bill 2026 be taken before No. 1. This Bill has been an incredible and rigorous piece of work spanning almost three Oireachtas terms. I have watched as Senator Ruane has engaged with the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, and all the relevant stakeholders. In the last term, we had full support from the women's caucus right across the Oireachtas for this measure. We hear time and again about the importance of lone parents and the fact that many single parent-headed households are in consistent poverty. The figures there are always much higher in terms of homelessness and poverty, including in our wealth surveys. Situations where one parent ends up effectively doing the majority of the parenting come up time and again. One thing we hear about is the maintenance payments. In fact, they have in many cases become a penalty, with people having their social welfare payments reduced because they are theoretically getting maintenance payments that were ordered towards them. We have heard about all of those problems.

What Senator Ruane came up with and has worked on for years in incredible detail is a mechanism and tool that can and will work. It has a calculation tool in it. We have heard an indication now from the Government that it is looking at a calculation tool that seems to be quite similar in some senses to the very detailed and fair calculation tool developed by Senator Ruane with the legal experts. Crucially, though, the Minister for justice's proposal seems to be locating it in the justice system. It would, therefore, be back in that adversarial space in the family courts whereas what Senator Ruane is doing would locate it in Revenue, as we have seen in other jurisdictions. We would have Revenue assessing what is fair in terms of contributions and maintenance payments.

It is important that the women's caucus previously supported this Bill. It would be really positive if we saw, as we did in that previous term, that same cross-party commitment to moving forward on an issue that has a really important gender equality dimension to it. I am very proud to second the proposed amendment. I commend Senator Ruane on the work she has done to bring it to this point. I strongly encourage cross-party support for something that really could make a difference and work.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a young carers conference. Senator Clonan was also in attendance that day. It was a very enlightening day that was held in University College Dublin, UCD. It was bringing awareness to the fact that, according to Family Carers Ireland, we had an estimated 67,000 young carers in Ireland who were carrying out unpaid care in the family caring for siblings who may have disabilities, parents with disabilities, illnesses or even addiction issues, or grandparents.Many do not self identify as carers and do not realise they may be entitled to support. It is very important that we create awareness of this in order that young people know they are providing unpaid care and are entitled to support.

We need to create awareness in society in general, but in particular across the education sector. Many young people aged ten to 17 are in education. There are thousands more between the age of 18 and 24 who are also providing unpaid care within the family. This affects their ability to socialise and mix with friends or participate in activities outside of the home. It affects their school attendance and ability to keep up with their studies in the school system. Many young carers have mental health issues and experience loneliness. I want to create awareness of the fact that many young people provide care. We need to identify that this is happening and provide supports for those young people.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I would like to raise the issue of the follow-up inspection report to an earlier report by the Inspector of Prisons on Mountjoy Prison. I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the amazing work done by the chief inspector of our Prison Service, Mark Kelly. I have twice requested that the report be discussed by the House because of its importance.

Certain reports are required in legislation to be laid before the Houses. This report was laid before the Oireachtas on 4 February 2026. Within days of that I might have first asked for a debate. The report should be read by every Member of the House. It is a summary report. The inspector began unannounced inspections of the prison, which are carried out every three years. He does not have the resources or time to visit every prison. He detailed a great number of issues and concerns about the deplorable conditions of the prison. I will not relay all of them now because I look forward to a substantive debate in the House on this report. I again call on the Leader for a debate in the House with the Minister for Justice.

The report was debated at great length on RTÉ in its current affairs programmes and was covered by the media. The inspector said on the first day of his 2025 follow-up inspection, following a damning early report, there were 986 people in custody in Mountjoy, the prison was operating at 122% capacity and there were 90 men sleeping on mattresses on the floors. By December 2025, Mountjoy Prison was attempting to house 1,089 men, with 145 people consigned to mattresses on the floor. It is a disgrace. It is about human dignity and rights. I ask the Leader for a very detailed debate on this as early as possible in our schedule.

Eileen Flynn (Independent)
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Last week, Donald Trump made a comment about people with dyslexia and said they were dumb. Over 63,000 children in Ireland have dyslexia. I want to send those children a message to say that they are not stupid or dumb. He is the leader of a country who can say what he wants to say, cause as many wars as he wants and is accountable to absolutely nobody. He is a simple man with a simple mind who judges people. He is a narrow-minded man who does not care about other individuals.

How many mothers have children with additional needs? As we stand in this Chamber, how many children are struggling in school only to hear a statement like that from Donald Trump? If I was the likes of Donald Trump, I would give myself a really good wash, get the orange off my face and act like the leader he is meant to be of the country he is meant to lead.He should be ashamed of himself. Leaders around the world are looking at him and having talks with him because they have no choice. To be so hated and come out and turn on children and people with learning difficulties, calling people dumb, is awful. My mother, Lord have mercy on her, used to say you should never laugh at a fool because he would only get worse, but he is not a fool. If he was a fool, he would not be the President of America. He is a mad man who is full of ego and control. We need leaders around the world to stand up to him and not to be afraid of him. He is causing wars and is now looking to invade Cuba. Come on. We have to, as leaders, stand up to this man. If I was like him, honest to God, I would buy a bar of soap from the pound shop, have a good wash, just sit down with my family, be realistic and not be doing what he is doing with his silly statements and putting down the hard work of mothers and fathers. The world is hard enough without children believing they are dumb because they have a learning difference, not a learning disability.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I agree with Senator Flynn. Senator Tully and I, among other Members of this House, have done an awful lot of work in the education committee around dyslexia and dyspraxia, and we have met young people and seen the opportunities for them. Their disabilities, as some people might call them, are actually their superpowers and we have to give them the opportunity to realise that power.

I raise today the venerable status of Fr. Flanagan from Ballymoe in County Galway, conferred yesterday. He was born in 1886 in the diocese of Elphin, my home diocese. After completing his secondary education in Sligo, he emigrated to the United States and became a priest in the diocese of Omaha. In 1917, he founded Boys Town, a non-profit Nebraskan centre dedicated to offering children, particularly the neediest and most helpless, a new start in life. Many people know the "Boys Town" movie as well. This is another step in Fr. Flanagan being recognised as a saint.

That brings me on to the driving lesson delays we are starting to see creep up again. Last September, the Minister of State committed to a ten-week lead-in time for driving tests. At one stage in recent months, Roscommon was down to six weeks. I now see we are at eight and a half weeks, but many other counties are still well above the ten weeks. I hope it is not going to need the sainthood of Fr. Flanagan to address that issue. I hope it is something that we can address before the summer. I would love if we could have a further debate on that.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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If we take a look at the headlines and stories over the past week, it is clear that this is no country for women. Gender-based violence is rising, and since 2020 there have been 65 women violently murdered across this country. We think of Natalie McNally, a young, pregnant woman murdered in her own home just days before Christmas. Her murderer was convicted of her murder on Monday. Her family is still grieving the loss of Natalie and her unborn child. Last week in Derry, we saw the murder of a young mother in her 20s. Amy Doherty was described by her family as bubbly, with a fun-loving spirit that lifted the hearts of those around her. Another young mother was violently beaten on the road in broad daylight in Tipperary this weekend. Women are constantly warned to take precautions, to be on their guard and not to walk home alone, but this woman was brutally assaulted in the middle of the day as bystanders watched on. Another woman, 23-year-old Kelly Lynch, was found in the Ulster Canal in Monaghan. Despite having 93 injuries, her death was ruled as not suspicious. She was failed by officials on both sides of the Border. Her mother had to set up a GoFundMe page to fund a private investigation. A grieving mother was forced to rely on the goodwill of others simply to find out what happened to her own child. I cannot imagine the pain of grieving your child while having to fight to simply find out what happened to them.When are we going to say enough is enough? We need proper training for gardaí on how to spot and deal with domestic violence. Interaction with a garda could be the difference between life and death for a woman suffering abuse at the hands of her partner. There also needs to be an increase in mandatory minimum sentencing for serious cases of assault as well as a focus on early intervention.

As parents, we need to speak to our sons. The incidence of domestic violence is now an epidemic. If this problem goes unaddressed then we risk the lives of more and more women. I ask that the Leader arrange statements in this House on this issue.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I want to raise the issue of growing pressure on addiction treatment centres across Ireland because what I am seeing on the ground is very worrying. The men's centre in Tiglin has a waiting list of over 80 men. That is 80 people who have put up their hand to say that they want help. Right now, we do not have a place for them. We also do a lot of interagency work and there are no places for 80 people.

The truth is that when a person in addiction puts up his or her hand there is a very narrow window of opportunity to provide help. If we do not meet them at that moment then there is a risk they will be lost to the chaos from which they are trying to escape. I have spoken a lot about recovery in this House. Recovery does not start in rehab but with access, and that is access to detox beds, rehab placement and all of the supported housing initiatives afterwards. Far too often people do the hard work, complete the programme and try to rebuild but chaos ensues when they are sent straight back to the very place where they got ill and they end up relapsing. It is not a failure by the individual but a failure by the rehabilitation system. We need to close the loop where detox ends up with rehab with no gap in between. If people do not find the proper pathway, from detox to rehab to supported housing, then we are not solving addiction but, rather, simply managing it. From what I have seen, we will pay for that in the long run and in the cost of human lives.

I ask the Leader to bring this issue to the attention of the Minister and ask what is the plan to expand the detox capacity, increase the availability of rehab beds and ensure that there is supported housing, with joined-up thinking, for people in recovery. Right now there is demand but the system is not meeting the people where they are at and it is becoming something that we need to urgently fix. Every person on that waiting list is a life that is in the balance yet they are simply being asked to join a queue and wait.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I want to raise the issue of the urgent need for emergency funding following the recent storm that affected roads in County Wexford. Wexford County Council has submitted an emergency application for just over €20 million, which is based on the scale of the devastation that was caused by the recent storm. I support the county council's application for emergency funding.

I recall that in December 2021, when there was similar storm damage, the Government at that time came forward with a €5 million package to help address some of the storm damage, particularly damage to roads and bridges and the impact that the water had on both of those. This time, the damage was far more severe and, hence, the application is far larger.

The programme for Government contains a commitment to provide catch-up funding for roads to local authorities which have well below the national average standard of roads. Unfortunately, Wexford has some of the worst roads in the country and really needs this extra funding. The crews are in place. They are doing their absolute best with the resources that were allocated to them previously. Wexford needs this extra funding to restore its roads to a good standard. The impact on agriculture, on people trying to get to work and on tourism cannot be understated. I encourage the Minister for Transport to make this funding available.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions, starting with Senator Clifford-Lee who raised the issue of violence against women on an all-island basis and commented that some 88% of the women killed on the island of Ireland since 2020 were from Northern Ireland.It is a very damning statistic. The Senator also spoke about the need to address the issue of violence against women on an all-island basis, and the reasons behind this. She referred to the need to break the silence and the cycle of violence, and the causes behind it. Senator Sarah O’Reilly also raised the issue of domestic violence and called for statements on this important issue. Both Senators mentioned Natalie McNally, Amy Doherty and others who have lost their lives in these tragic situations. I will certainly try to arrange a debate on the issue of domestic violence in the coming weeks.

Senator Clonan spoke about Chloe Maher, a young woman who had been a sufferer of scoliosis and who has died. He again questioned and raised issues in relation to Children’s Health Ireland. As the Senator knows, a statutory inquiry has been announced. In the last number of weeks, the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has announced that Remy Farrell is to be an independent facilitator for the scoping exercise that will form the terms of reference for a potential structure of the inquiry. I hope the movement towards the terms of reference will assist in terms of coming to get answers in relation to these particular issues.

Senator Andrews commented on a video circulating from Parteen of four greyhounds in deplorable conditions. One had an anti-bark muzzle. Quite rightly, the Senator asked why Greyhound Racing Ireland inspects itself. If it has not already been done, that might be a question that one of his colleagues might be able to put down directly to the Minister in the other House or it could be one for a Commencement debate in this House. The Senator has also called for a Garda animal crime unit. Again, the Senator may wish to put down a Commencement debate on this matter as well.

Senator Cosgrove raised the abuse in the Farrell family and the courageous coming forward of those people in seeking and receiving justice. I commend them on what must have been a very difficult life they had and I hope there is now some peace and comfort for them.

Senator Ruane proposed an amendment to the Order of Business of the House that No. 12 be taken before No. 1, and that has been seconded by Senator Higgins. Both Senators spoke about the Child Maintenance Bill 2026. I am happy to support that and I look forward to the debate on it. From what the Senators said, it is clear that a lot of work has gone into this and a lot of engagement with the women’s caucus. I certainly hope the Government will be able to see its way to supporting that Bill progressing.

Senator Duffy has raised the community futures programme in County Mayo, particularly in relation to Brackloon. This is where the county council supports a local community to devise a plan for its own future and submissions are sought in respect of community needs, opportunities and so on. He quite rightly said that these plans cannot just be sitting on a shelf.

Senator Comyn raised world Down's syndrome day and called for a debate regarding the lack of special class provisions. This has been raised regarding the Louth-Meath branch of Down Syndrome Ireland. I will certainly request a debate on that matter with the Minister.

Senator Lynch raised the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, and the need for co-ordination between it and local authorities. She referred to the need to look closely at and bring forward practical solutions in cases where there are issues and the RTB cannot help because it does not have, as I understand from what the Senator said, the addresses of tenants. Clearly, there are shortcomings in relation to proper liaison.

Senator Keogan raised the issue of commercial rates, particularly in respect of the DAA and other such bodies. She talked about the proper visibility of rates and commented that there were court cases in this regard. I will request a debate with the Minister. It is the Minister for local government who is in charge of rates. She also may wish to put down a debate with the Minister for enterprise in relation to the DAA.

Senator Flaherty raised the issue of our national games and their importance in terms of our culture. He spoke about the plans in relation to camogie and ladies' football amalgamating with the GAA. I certainly agree with the need to ensure that everybody, particularly youngsters, know the origins of the games and that they are part of our culture, and ensure they have opportunities to play and support the games as well.

Senator Boyle welcomed the subsidy for bus and haulage companies but stated there needs to be more for the marine sector, contractors and farmers.I know that green diesel will be cut by 3 cent per litre, VAT inclusive. The National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, levy on petrol and diesel will be paused for two months, and I understand this legislation may be coming to this House towards the end of the week.

Senator Collins also raised the measures announced today, which will see the price of diesel fall by a total of 22 cent per litre and petrol by 17 cent per litre. The reduction includes a VAT-inclusive excise duty cut per litre of 20 cent on diesel and 15 cent on petrol, which will come into effect at midnight tonight and last until the end of May. The 2 cent per litre NORA levy on petrol and diesel will be paused for two months. This levy also applies to home heating oil and will reduce the price of that fuel by 2 cent per litre as well as the 3 cent per litre cut in excise on green diesel and a temporary increase in the maximum rebate allowable under the diesel rebate scheme, which is administered by Revenue, to 12 cent per litre until 30 June. Heating payments to social welfare recipients will be extended for four weeks and there will be enhancements to a rebate programme for hauliers. Those measures have been brought before the Dáil today and the NORA legislation will be towards the end of the week. Clearly, the Government has responded and stated that these things will be kept under review and monitored.

Senator Kennelly discussed the temporary measures introduced in recent years to waive student exam fees for the junior and leaving certificate exams. They are not being continued. This announcement was based on what happened with one-off measures last year. The Senator may wish to put down a Commencement debate on that to see if any changes are being proposed.

Senator Tully has rightly raised the important role of young carers and the valuable work they do. There are between 6,000 and 7,000 young carers nationwide and supporters are creating awareness of this matter. I will again request a debate on carers with the Minister.

Senator Boyhan asked for a follow-up debate on the Inspector of Prisons report laid before the Houses regarding unannounced inspections. That particularly relates to Mountjoy. I have raised this matter with the Minister and invited him before the House. I understand he is due to come here on 21 April to discuss the Mountjoy report.

Senator Flynn, supported by Senator Scahill, raised the issue of children with dyslexia and dyspraxia and the comments of President Trump. I agree with what both Senators said in that whole area. Like all politicians, presidents will face future elections, in the mid-terms in the case of President Trump as part of the democratic process there.

Senator Scahill also acknowledged the journey towards sainthood of Fr. Flanagan of Ballymoe, County Galway, in the diocese of Elphin and his work on the creation of Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. The Senator pivoted to the ten-week driving test delays and appealed for divine intervention in, or at least a Government response to, what was an important and serious issue. I will request the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, look at that matter.

Senator McCarthy raised the matter of addiction services, the important work of Tiglin, the failure of the rehabilitation system and the need for better in the context of the system not meeting needs and lives being left in the balance. I will request a debate on the issue of drugs and addiction services.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised the need for urgent funding. There is a €20 million request from Wexford County Council to the Department and the Government for the repair of the roads and bridges damaged in recent storms. I will certainly support that. He may wish to put down a Commencement debate on the matter to get a more direct response from the Department.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Ruane has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 12 be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated he is willing to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.