Anois.

The deadline for businesses to apply for the increased cost of business grant expires on 1 May, which is in less than seven days. Small businesses such as shops, hairdressers, pubs and cafés can apply to have 50% of their rates bill returned to them. For example, a business with a rates bill of €8,000 in 2023 can get a grant of €4,000 or 50% of the rates bill. For businesses with a rates bill of between €10,000 and €30,000, the maximum grant is the lesser of 50% or €5,000. That amounts to a good grant. The uptake o…

I thank the Minister for being here. His schedule is a very busy one and I appreciate him taking the time to respond on this Commencement matter. Everyone can agree the phrase "April showers" has taken on a whole new aspect this year, with torrential rain saturating the ground across the entire country. When people's livelihood and the welfare of their animals or crops are so seriously affected by something over which they have absolutely no control, it has to take a toll on their mental health, no matter how stron…

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response. Like myself, he was born and raised on a farm so I know he gets this and knows exactly what we are talking about. As he alluded to, farming can be a lonely occupation where people work on their own and have a lot of time to think. At this time, farmers and their families are under severe mental health pressure. It is incumbent on us to make sure any farmer experiencing difficulty knows there is a clear pathway for them and help out there. I plead with anybody not…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this morning. There are 390 filling stations located along the Border in counties Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Louth and Donegal. All of them will suffer financially as the Government restores the full rate of excise duty on fuel on this side of the Border while the UK Government has decided to postpone its increase due to cost-of-living pressures. Filling stations on this side of the Border will pass on the increase, adding 4 cent to the price of a litre of petrol an…

I thank the Minister of State for the response. It is vital the Government gets the impact this would have on Border filling stations, many of which are located in my own county of Cavan as well as in Donegal, Leitrim and Louth. This will have a devastating effect. While I am disappointed the Government is proceeding with the increase on 1 April, I take some solace from the fact the August increase may not happen. I earnestly implore the Minister of State to do all he can to ensure the August increase does not happ…

I second the amendment proposed by Senator McGreehan that No. 11 be taken before No. 1. The Irish Cancer Society's national Daffodil Day takes place this Friday, 22 March. A total of 99% of the funds it raises every year is through voluntary contributions. I thank the Irish people for their continued generosity in that regard. Some of the statistics relating to cancer are quite frightening. Every three minutes, someone in this country is told that he or she has cancer. That equates to roughly 40,000 people per year…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House today to debate the Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023. I thank him for outlining the general draft of the Bill. It is imperative in any society that citizens have access to the courts in a prompt timeframe and that courts will be properly resourced. Having an efficient court system that provides timely access to justice is of central importance to any society. The courts exist to protect our rights and uphold the rule of law. At some stage we are likely to have …

The Minister of State is welcome back to the House. The Bill brings us in line with international best practice and it is only right we progress it. In addition to the two previous points I made, there is also an issue with costs. There is a more expeditious way of dealing with costs. Overall, I am fully supportive of the Bill. From a Fianna Fáil perspective, we would be delighted to see it pass through the House without delay.

Next Tuesday.

I welcome the Minister of State. The Central Bank has recently confirmed that large numbers of mortgage holders whose loans were sold to vulture funds are unable to use the ombudsman service to make complaints if they are in dispute over the handling of their loans. It is estimated that up to 100,000 borrowers have had mortgages sold to vulture funds, with credit servicing firms acting on behalf of the funds. We now know that a legal loophole exists whereby thousands of people have no access to the Financial Servic…

I thank the Minister of State for his response to this very important issue. As he outlined, all we are seeking is that if these individuals who have had their loans sold to vulture funds, in many cases without their knowledge and consent, feel they have a legitimate complaint to make, there will be someone who will be able to listen to them. Currently, they do not have that avenue or mechanism. Therefore, I respectfully suggest that the Government move fast on this so that people who find themselves in this positi…

In 2022, 901 animals were attacked by dogs: 755 sheep and 77 cattle were attacked. Unfortunately, that figure is on the rise. The scene of a sheep attack by dogs is truly horrific, apart from the financial burden it inflicts upon the farmer and his family. For example, losing ten pregnant ewes could cost as much as €2,000 to replace. Apart from the financial hardship, there is also the psychological damage it does to the farmer and the family’s mental health and well-being. I compliment my colleague, Senator Erin M…

Now.

I, too, welcome the Minister back to the House this afternoon. I also commend our Labour Party colleagues on bringing forward this very important motion. It is a very timely motion and, from a Fianna Fáil perspective, we are very happy to support the motion as outlined by the Labour Party Senators this afternoon. This is motion we can all agree with. Everyone wants safer communities, be that in this city or in any other city or, indeed, any town or village in the country. Much reference has been made, and rightly s…

A report issued this morning shows that the commercial property vacancy rate is at its highest level in ten years. There are something like 30,000 vacant commercial units across the length and breadth of the country. Here in the city I understand there are 19 office blocks, eight of which are brand new, that have not been occupied and are lying vacant. This is in addition to a further 15 in suburbs of the city. This is at a time when the housing situation is at its highest point and surely it would make sense for a…

I, too, wish to join with others in congratulating the Deputy Leader on her great performance at the weekend. I certainly wish her well from here on in. Bualadh bos on her performance. I would also like to mention Senator Ward, who equally performed well. It shows the quality that lies within the four walls of this particular room.

Today, and many times previously, I have spoken about the digital age and how it is moving at a pace that no one can stop. No one wants to stop it. It is a train that, unfortunately, not everyone is capable of buying a ticket for or getting access to. I have in mind those people who call to my office, including elderly people, who find it difficult to get a bus ticket as they have to buy it online and for whatever reason they are not capable of doing so. I was heartened this weekend by a story I heard about an inte…

I call for a debate on the future of small businesses in this country, particularly at a time when, unfortunately, we are beginning to see shops and small bars and restaurants closing their doors, which is a very sad sight to see, not just for the town or village where that business is located but, indeed, for the entire community and local economy. Many people told me that part of the problem was when the VAT rate increased or reverted back to 13.5%. That has had an adverse effect on many small businesses and smal…

As other Members did yesterday, I pass on my sympathies to the Bruton family on John's sad passing. I was taken by the contributions here yesterday from Senators and, indeed, by those of Members of the Lower House, in particular his brother, Richard, who gave a lovely and moving tribute. To John's wife, Finola, Richard and all the members of the Bruton family, I pass on my deepest sympathies and thank them for their very dignified service to this State through the years. On a more joyful note, I am glad to report t…