If the Minister asks anyone in Kilkenny city or, I am sure, in his town of Wexford, he will be told the best structure of democracy they had - in Kilkenny's case since 1609 - was the corporation or the borough council. The stripping of that title is depriving people of a pride they had in that office, the office of mayor and the office of those who were elected to serve the citizens of, in this case, Kilkenny. I am asking the Minister to go back to the drawing board and to understand that a seven-person borough com…

I wonder who the task force asked. I am aware it asked elected representatives, possibly, for their input and view but what about the people who are demanding it - the citizens we say we represent here? They are demanding something very different, not just accountability and transparency, which much be improved. They are asking for direct access to local democracy where decisions are made that affect their lives. They are asking for direct input through their public representatives about budgets that are passed, wh…

I thank the Tánaiste for that. I wish to welcome a group of students from Trinity going into their third year, who are accompanied by a very special member of Senator Sharon Keogan's family. I wish them well in their day here in Leinster House.

Can we stick to the question, please?

That is not the purpose of the question. We will move to the next question.

Allow the Tánaiste to answer.

Two cases in my constituency concerning farming families have been dealt with in the course of the business of this House and the committees. Dan Brennan is one of them. It was agreed that an expert, Dr. Seán Brady, would be appointed to provide the Department with a report. Dan Brennan is an excellent farmer. He has been waiting for the outcome of this since 1990. I have been told, through a response to a parliamentary question, that the Department cannot say when it will be concluded. The second case relates to a…

Yes.

A number of them.

The Select Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has completed its detailed scrutiny of the Victims of Sexual Violence Civil Protection Orders Bill 2025 and, in accordance with Standing Order 185, has recommended that, for the reasons outlined in its report, the Bill should proceed to Committee Stage.

We commence our debate with a statement from the Minister, Norma Foley, followed by one from the Minister of State, Emer Higgins. The 25 minutes are to be shared, I think.

Before I go to the next speaker, I welcome the ladies from Ballybofey and Stranorlar to the Public Gallery. They are here with Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher. I hope they enjoy their day in the Dáil with him. I also extend a very warm welcome to all of those in the Public Gallery who are here specifically for this debate. They are very welcome. We will now move to our next speaker, Deputy Graves.

Before I call on our next speaker, I welcome all of those in the Public Gallery. I hope they are enjoying the debate and finding it informative. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I particularly welcome Peter and Briege Rust from Dundalk, who are here with Deputy McGreehan, and Deputy Cormac Devlin's friends and neighbours.

I extend a welcome to Deputy Heneghan's former teachers and class who are in the public Gallery. They have a lot to answer for. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy the debate.

The time is up, Deputy.

I understand Deputies Michael Collins, O'Flynn and O'Donoghue are sharing time equally.

Are the proposed arrangements for the week's business agreed to?

I call Deputy Carthy.

I call Deputy Collins.

Are the proposed arrangements for this week's business agreed to?