The Senator spoke about interrupting someone and now he is interrupting me.

We have spoken on a range of issues but there is nothing more important at EU level at the moment than security and defence.

When we talk about decision-making, one of the faults of the European Union is the speed of decision-making. I just came back this morning from the World Forum in Berlin where I spoke on defence and security and what allied countries can do to support Ukraine and position ourselves to support of other countries that are vulnerable. Taiwan will be an obvious country in 2027. Taiwan controls 90% of semiconductors. If it is invaded by China, it will have a massive impact throughout the world. However, a deterrent to t…

Could we prioritise the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, of road funding for national, regional and local roads in order to have it as soon as possible? There was an indication that it would be announced a number of weeks ago. This is a critical announcement in terms of infrastructure right across the country, particularly in my county, Tipperary. As the Leader will be aware, the N24 goes right through Tipperary, between Waterford and Limerick. It has been something that I have been very vocal …

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. I thank her for being here. To follow on from Senator Costello, the Government is not opposing this motion. Fine Gael is not opposing it and there is good reason for that other than it being the right thing to do. The presentation of it and the balanced approach that Senator Conway has put towards this Private Members' motion outlines very well why this should be taken seriously by Government. When we speak of how it affects one in three people right across the …

Next Tuesday, at 2.30 p.m.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to come in to speak on his portfolio and particularly on family carers. There was a very good briefing last Wednesday from Family Carers Ireland as part of the cross-party interest group. There is a lot of concern and distress among family carers across the country and there are a number of issues they have had to deal with in recent months and years. One is the automatic reporting of carer payments to Revenue. Approximately 34,000 letters have been sent to …

I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the opportunity to raise the issue of defence and security procurement, in particular the importance of ensuring meaningful local participation as Ireland increases its investment in this area. It is clear that public understanding of Ireland's defence and security environment is evolving. There is growing awareness of our vulnerabilities, our responsibilities within the European Union and the reality that decades of underinvestment in defence capability must now be a…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, for his comments. Like me, he has visited Ukraine many times and has a keen interest in the country. I welcome the line from the Minister, Deputy McEntee, that a well-designed local participation framework is both pragmatic and beneficial to Ireland and Irish companies. This is common practice in other EU states. Spain requires significant industrial participation in defence contracts. Finland mandates industrial co-operation for large procurements. Denmark links indust…

Thank you, Senator. Before I call Senator Craughwell, I remind Senators that we are on amendments Nos. 9 to 11 inclusive, with amendment No. 10 consequential to amendment No. 9. There was a bit of confusion before I took the Chair. For clarity and the information of Members, please note that the House, by agreeing to motions to recommit, allows Committee Stage-style of discussion on section 11. That means Members may speak more than once on section 11 and the amendments do not need to be seconded. Essentially, from…

I remind the Senator that we are speaking on amendment Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, rather than amendment No. 12. Before I bring in Senator Craughwell------

Amendment No. 12 is also in the name of Senator Mullen-----

-----but we are not on that. We are on amendment Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive.

I understand. I am just reminding the Senator that amendment No. 12 is on the way. Before I bring in Senator Craughwell, I welcome to the Public Gallery guests of Deputies Malcolm Byrne and Roderic O'Gorman and the Minister, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. They are very welcome to the Chamber today. I hope they are enjoying their visit to Leinster House.

Amendments Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 13 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 12. Amendments Nos. 12 to 14, inclusive, may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I support the Minister of State in how she outlined her concerns. While I agree that there is a stigma attached to it, many organisations, including Shine and SeaChange, have done a lot of good work in trying to break that stigma in mental health. Most of the contributions on this amendment have been about the most vulnerable, and people who are suffering from mental health conditions are vulnerable. When the Minister of State speaks about the possibility of other people being vulnerable, we are talking about are c…

Before I ask the Minister of State to respond, I welcome representatives from the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, who are guests of our former colleague and now Deputy, Malcolm Byrne.

Does Senator Boyhan wish to press the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 56, 68, 105 to 107, inclusive, and 112 are related and will be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Absolutely.