The Minister of State is welcome to the House to discuss this important legislation. Like others, I welcome the legislation. It is a much-needed step forward. For too long, we have watched our Defence Forces deplete in front of our eyes, so much so that the numbers are down to an all-time low. It is an indictment of successive Governments over the past ten to 15 years that we have allowed this situation to develop. We have now reached a line in the sand, if you want to put it that way, with the report that we have.…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I, too, welcome all our guests this morning, especially the young man who I met on the way in the door with Deirdre. The ambassador is also very welcome. The Order of Business is No. 1, Private Members' business, the Air Navigation and Transport (Arms Embargo) Bill 2024 – Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders to conclude at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and …

Gabhaim búiochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I thank all the Members who contributed to Order of Business here this morning, and into the afternoon at this stage. We kicked off with Senator Casey who talked about the Department of Finance circular about those who have a right to take leave in order to upskill themselves with regard to lifesaving. One group he talked about was the first responders group, of which Senator Casey has been a strong advocate since I came into this House. I had the pleasure of meeting a group…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach inniu. I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for taking the time to be here. A few years ago, the schools summer programme, commonly known as July provision, was quite limited in its scope. At the time, it was offered to children with particular special needs. It did not include many children for whom the summer holidays were a time of regression and difficulty. The much-welcomed expansion of the programme in 2021, post the Covid pandemic, has been remarkabl…

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. She highlighted the work of the staff and the SNAs in this area. Without them, we would not have a summer programme. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude for their work in this regard. As the Minister of State outlined, the scheme has been a great success. The numbers participating are increasing year on year. I welcome that €40 million has been allocated for the programme this year. It would appear, however, that because the numbers participating a…

I have raised many times the challenges facing small businesses as a result of the increased cost of doing business, inflation and cost-of-living pressures. Unfortunately, this is very relevant in the food sector. Between January and April, there were more than 200 closures of small restaurants and cafés. It is not confined to that sector. Food is vital to the pub industry, accounting for 35%, on average, of pub turnover. In some cases, the figure is as high as 50%. I very much support the call made by pubs that th…

In 2019, Glaslough village in County Monaghan was crowned all-Ireland Tidy Towns champions. It is customary for the President of the day to visit the winner as part of its celebrations. Unfortunately, as we know, in 2019 Covid was among us and that visit did not happen. However, last Saturday, President Michael D. Higgins and his good wife Sabina stood over a commitment and came to the village. It was a beautiful, remarkable day. In many ways, Glaslough is a remarkable village. Everyone turned out, from the very yo…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am somewhat disappointed the Minister, Deputy McEntee, was not in a position to attend the debate this morning, bearing in mind it is the 50th anniversary. I appreciate she is busy, however. I appreciate the Minister of State taking time out of his schedule to be here to take this Commencement matter. On Friday this week, President Michael D. Higgins will visit Monaghan town to lay a wreath to commemorate the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, some 50 years …

I thank the Minister of State very much for his comprehensive response to my Commencement matter. They say that justice delayed is justice denied. That is very much the case in respect of Monaghan and Dublin. Fifty years on, a shadow continues to hang over the town of Monaghan. That shadow will remain until those survivors, whose lives' journey has moved a good bit on, get closure for their families, which they would like while they are still around. I sincerely hope they get that closure 50 years on. We hope the p…

Next Saturday, the picturesque village of Glaslough will open its arms to President Michael D. Higgins, who is going there to celebrate the national award it won in 2019. Unfortunately, during the Covid pandemic he was not able to visit. However, he will be going to Glaslough on Saturday to celebrate its success. We look forward to that. The various Tidy Towns groups and volunteers we are all deeply indebted to are busy making sure that their villages and towns are looking their absolute best. We commend them on th…

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Ulster Senior Football Championship final between Donegal and Armagh. It was really a remarkable occasion. It was a day that gave us everything. We had sunshine, rain, thunder, lightning and a magnificent game of football that ultimately went to penalties to decide the winner. However, it is not so much the game I want to talk about here this afternoon, but the venue, St. Tiernach's Park in Clones. It was a truly magical day. I left the pitch an hour and a half or tw…

I welcome the Minister of State back to the Chamber to discuss this very important issue. I pay tribute to the Minister of State and his officials for the significant amount of work they have invested in this legislation, which is fairly comprehensive and detailed. I commend him on tackling this very important issue. Our legislation needs updating. It is very much behind the curve with regard to gambling and the curse of gambling. We must take a step back and reflect on those who suffer from addiction in this area.…

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach seo inniu. The most recent statistics from the Garda on domestic violence reports show that in excess of 54,000 reports were made in 2023. That is an 8% increase on 2022. I will share a few other statistics I found truly shocking. It is estimated that one in three women has experienced psychological violence from a partner at some point in her life. One in four Irish women has experienced physical or sexual viol…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I am delighted that his contribution mentioned the word “priority” and the fact Cavan and Monaghan were being prioritised for this refuge centre. That is a positive development and I am delighted the Department is very much behind it. I know work is actively taking place between Monaghan County Council and Cavan County Council to progress this matter. I am heartened by the fact the Minister of State is telling me that, as far as the Department is concern…

The old adage that prevention is better than cure springs to mind when one considers the gap we have in screening newborn children in this country. Unfortunately, we are very much a negative outlier in Europe on this. We are in the bottom half of the table, which is very disappointing. There had been developments quite recently in this regard in that a newborn screening advisory committee was set up in 2019 but unfortunately, in the intervening five-year period, only one new test has been delivered, which is very d…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. The subject matter that I wish to discuss with him is one that we discussed here some time ago. I have also discussed it with many of his colleagues in recent times. I refer to the absolute necessity for the provision of emergency funding to address the serious deteriorating condition of local and regional roads across the country. The Minister of State and I come from rural Ireland. We know the importance of local and regional roads. For many of us, they are the only…

I thank the Minister of State. There is no doubt that the adverse weather conditions have had a detrimental effect on our local and regional roads and the Minister of State accepts this. I understand and accept that €650 million has been allocated towards the road network but it is simply not good enough. I appreciate that the Minister of State has been handed his statement by the Department of Transport. However, with respect, the time for talking about this is over. I have raised this at numerous Fianna Fáil Parl…

Anois.