Tourism is one of Ireland's most important indigenous industries. It is a huge employer, particularly down the country. It is so important to all sorts of businesses around the country. There are 6.4 million overseas visitors into Ireland, bringing €5.5 million into Ireland. We have Dublin in the middle of that, which is a very popular destination. I want to touch on the tourism levy, which I support. It is important we use and develop the offering in Dublin from a tourism perspective. I have raised it here before.…

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate today. The Finance Bill before the House is a reminder of how exposed we are as a country to fluctuations in global fuel markets. While I fully support the measures being discussed today, they are but a temporary solution to a longer term problem. To deal with it, we need to consider longer term measures. To build energy independence, we need to look closer to home for the changes that are required. The last budget extended the €400 tax exemption on income earne…

My question is on the provision of SNAs in a school in my community and the need for better communications from the Department of education. Will the Minister of State provide an update on the SNA review for Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol in Domhnach Míde, Baile Átha Cliath, recognising the uncertainty families are facing, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I spoke earlier this year about the importance of that trust between SNAs and students, which I know he understands, and how central that is to a child’s school experience and their broader development. I welcome the commitment to engage specifically on this item and will follow up with him separately. I also welcome the target of 26,000-plus SNAs. Communication earlier in the year between the Department and the NCSE was very poor and we are heading for the same problem again. T…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The same school has an issue with the summer programme as well. On the school's notification of the summer programme, the quantum has arrived three months later than last year and the school still does not know how many places it can offer. It has only been told that this information will be confirmed this very week. This is an issue that came up during the general election campaign. I remember talking to teachers who were really struggling to make their plans for the summer pro…

There are 139 special schools in Ireland today. They support students with highly complex needs. They need hoists, medical devices, outdoor regulation areas and access to nurses, therapists and clinicians. Their buildings, staffing and day-to-day operations all require essential additional resources to safely and effectively support their students who are just as deserving of an education as everybody else. We know from DEIS that targeted funding can help to make a difference when allocated where it is needed most.…

Thank you for your forbearance, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. My question relates to the review of legislation for dog-breeding establishments that is currently under way in the Department.

I thank the Minister for the update. Ireland is a nation of dog lovers and dogs hold a cherished place in our homes, well ahead of cats. However, it is clear we are playing catch-up on legislation on dog breeding. Dog breeding in Ireland is a growing industry. It is important to say that responsible small breeders do maintain very high standards, but as the sector is growing so too are animal welfare concerns. The Oireachtas agriculture committee heard last month that the number of dogs being put to sleep grew by 1…

It is good to hear the Minister and the Department are taking the issue seriously and I look forward to hearing the recommendations of the stakeholder group. The set-up is a bit unwieldy though. The Department is responsible for annual inspections of breeding establishments but local authorities, such as Dublin City Council, are effectively responsible for enforcement. This creates a bit of a disconnect and a risk of issues falling between the Department and the local authorities. Local authorities may not perform …

My question is about the removal of domestic dwellings from the TAMS solar grant process. What is the rationale for the exclusion of domestic dwellings from that solar scheme and will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

It is positive that there is such demand for TAMS 3 and all the measures in it. It shows farmers are doing their bit in terms of energy and the future. Uptake of renewable energy programmes and mechanisms is hugely positive. Putting them through the SEAI for domestic is an opportunity lost. Maybe the solution is for the Minister to get his hands on some of that budget from the SEAI and move it to TAMS. Farmers are busy men and women. They have a lot to do. One application to cover all of this is still probably the …

That would be positive. I have heard from farmers that the farm home can account for nearly 70% of electricity used, particularly those who are farming dry stock. Removing their homes from the process effectively means the TAMS system does not fulfil their needs. Another way to do it might be to get the SEAI to earmark some of its own budget or have a clear heading for solar PV for farmers or a little more than the €1,900. In reality it is probably more for a farm building. I ask that we encourage ongoing uptake of…

We had no rail service on the northside the last bank holiday weekend, from Connolly to Howth and Drogheda. I get Iarnród Éireann's needs around the ability to do 76 hours of work across a bank holiday weekend and the benefits of that but, equally, we had 12,000 or 13,000 runners coming to the north city centre to run the Dublin city half marathon, and absolutely no rail service to carry them in or out of the north city centre. I understand Irish Rail's position but if we are going to do that, the NTA and Dublin Bu…

My question largely focuses on objective 2 of the national maritime security strategy and how we can improve the security and resilience of Ireland's critical maritime infrastructure. Will the Minister outline the importance of the national maritime security strategy, particularly as it relates to protecting critical infrastructure?

I welcome the national maritime security strategy. It is a very positive step forward. With the EU Presidency just around the corner, this defence issue has rarely been more topical. We face potential threats now that we would not have thought of ten, 15 or 20 years ago. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, for example, puts into perspective how vulnerable we would be if that were to happen to us. The two interconnector gas connections going from Scotland to Ireland will carry 86% of our gas for this winter. …

I really welcome the co-operation with the UK on this matter. Let us be honest: it has technological capabilities and experience in this area that we can really learn from. That partnership is therefore really welcome. I am Chair of the climate, environment and energy committee, and we had a briefing recently from officials from the French embassy and they really highlighted the issues around the Russian shadow fleet and its proximity in terms of its operations close to our waters or, in fact, sometimes in our wate…

I wish to raise two issues regarding the housing assistance payment, HAP, in the context of constituents in Dublin Bay North. The first is HAP discrimination. Is the Tánaiste aware of cases of landlords refusing to take tenants who are on HAP? While this practice is illegal, it is still happening routinely across Dublin Bay North. The other issue is the thresholds that apply. Constituents are being refused HAP support on the basis of their average net income over 12 months. If you lose your job or face a financial …

I wanted to assure Deputy Collins that I represent the hard-working women and men of Dublin Bay North but he ran out before I could do so. I welcome the opportunity to speak about the supply constraints we are experiencing as a result of the fuel crisis. Brent crude is now at $114 a barrel, down slightly from $126 a barrel earlier this week but it remains very high. The World Bank expects energy prices to go up 24% this year, the highest level of increase since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, even if the most acute d…

The Land Development Agency, LDA, is building up a great head of steam now in starting to produce homes at scale all around the country, but particularly in the urban areas where they are badly needed. There are two projects in my area, Clongriffin Central and, just this week, Richmond Village. Some projects the Minister of State will be familiar with in his own area or generally in his neighbourhood are Shanganagh and Dundrum. These are big projects. The planners are saying that apartments are what are required no…

Quelle surprise .