The Taoiseach will be aware the programme for Government commits to dealing with asylum applications as quickly as possible to ensure people seeking international protection here do not have to endure long delays to have their cases assessed or determined. Given the significant increase in applications over the past 12 months, it is clear the Immigration Service Delivery, the International Protection Office and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, IPAT, will need extra resources. For example, I understand…

That is Deputy Ó Cathasaigh.

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Bill. The Minister will be aware that I raised this issue on several occasions in the past year. I welcome the introduction of the Bill, which has long been sought by gardaí and their representative associations. The Bill provides for the use of body-worn cameras by gardaí and the expanded use of ANPR technology. It also contains provisions relating to CCTV footage and the recording of phone calls. It is essential that good oversight of data protection be initiated from the …

I thank the Deputy for that. Before we go to the Minister of State, I welcome the boys and girls from the primary school in the Gallery this morning. They are all very welcome to the House. There were a number of chuckles during the Deputy's contribution so I think there is agreement up there in the Gallery. I call the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan.

Deputy Joan Collins was going to share time with Deputy Fitzmaurice. She now has ten minutes herself. Is that correct?

The Taoiseach will be aware of the case of Bernard Phelan, an Irish citizen imprisoned in Iran. Bernard was born in Clonmel and raised in Blackrock, in my constituency of Dún Laoghaire. He was arrested on 3 October last year and is one of a number of European citizens being held in Iran. I understand that Bernard has cardiac and other medical conditions. His elderly father and his family are extremely concerned for his health and well-being. I have raised this matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affai…

I welcome today's discussion and debate around the opportunity to further analyse and scrutinise the new national forestry programme announced on 3 November 2022. I acknowledge the massive €1.3 billion investment in forestry, particularly for rural communities, secured by my colleagues, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. The forestry programme will help us to achieve many of Ireland's national environmental priorities. Forestry has a crucial role to play in meeting Ireland…

I welcome the opportunity to examine and discuss the Human Tissue (Transplantation, post mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill this evening. This landmark legislation includes provisions around organ donation and transplantation, post mortem practice and procedures in hospital settings, anatomical examinations, and public display of bodies after death. The Bill will support organ donation and transplantation in Ireland and aims to make organ donation the norm in situations where the opportunity ar…

I want to start by congratulating and wishing my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath, well in his new role and thanking him for all of the work he did in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I also want to formally congratulate my constituency colleague, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and wish her well in her new role. Turning to the question, I would like the Minister to outline his plans to undertake a review of the income tax system here, as committed to in the programme for Government. A Commission on Taxat…

I thank the Minister and commend him in particular on the work done in relation to the tax credits and the tax bands. The programme for Government commits specifically to developing a circular economy and legislation in that area is being progressed, as the Minister knows. The structural shift to a circular economy should be supported with taxation changes to support labour-intensive sectors that underpin the repair of goods, particularly consumer goods, and retrofitting, in addition to the traditional labour-inten…

I appreciate the Minister's response and look forward to working with him and his officials over the coming months, particularly in relation to the base reform, PRSI, the tax credit system, USC and the income bands. I am sure we will flesh all of that out over the coming months.

Before the Minister responds, I call Deputy Durkan on the same issue.

I thank the Minister.

The Minister will have another minute to respond.

This is one of the last Taoiseach's questions in this Dáil term. We are now 12 sleeps away from Christmas. Many children, having written their letters to Santa, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. I know that Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the elves are very busy making all the presents and the arrangements for them to be delivered across the world. Can the Taoiseach confirm that arrangements are in place for Santa and reindeer to enter Irish airspace on Christmas Eve? It is a tough question for the Taois…

Budget 2023 delivered significant emergency support to cushion households from the worst affects of the energy crisis. One key welcome change was the expansion of eligibility limits for the fuel allowance payment for people over 70 years. The income threshold for those over 70 years has been increased to €1,000 a week. That is a significant and very welcome improvement to the scheme. I thank the Taoiseach and the Minister for making this important change. Will the Taoiseach commit to asking the Minister to arrange …

The Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022 and has made no amendments thereto.

First and foremost, I thank Deputy Bacik for bringing forward this Bill. Having heard what the Minister said on the collaboration that is going to happen from here on with this, it is important to bring into focus the issues that many of the Deputies have spoken about today and the need for us to work as a collective of Deputies representing all coastal constituencies across Dublin, and indeed those who do not but who have a great affinity with the amenity of Dublin Bay. I acknowledge and thank the SOS Dublin Bay g…

The Minister is aware that many doctors signed up to category A consultant contracts during the early stage of the Covid-19 pandemic. Alongside their colleagues in the health sector they were on the front line throughout the pandemic. We in the House are extremely grateful for all of their efforts. Will the Minister provide an update on the progress to date of the incremental credit applications for these doctors? I know this issue is somewhat complex and has been going on for quite some time but they would be very…

Seanad Éireann has passed the Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022, without amendment. Seanad Éireann has passed the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2022, without amendment.