Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Gabhaim buíochas leis mar tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé an-ghnóthach agus faoi bhrú. The Minister is very welcome. I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here. He has a lot going on and I appreciate his time in the Chamber. The rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, is a capital investment fund that has been hugely successful. It has transformed many towns and villages the length and breadth of the country, including in counties Cavan and …

I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive response to my Commencement matter. I thank his Department for the speedy way it is progressing this project, which the people of Kingscourt are hugely excited about. I commend everyone involved in this project, including Cavan County Council, the local development committees and everybody involved, along with all the political voices who have been trying to push this project forward, none more so than the local councillor, Clifford Kelly, who has been a champion for …

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon. Speaking on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on inland and marine fisheries. As the Minister of State knows, Ireland's waters are among the most valuable natural resources. With a coastline of approximately 7,500 km, one of the longest in the European Union, our maritime area is central to our economy, our environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities across the country. Fian…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Un…

I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

I welcome the Minister back to the House. We in Fianna Fáil welcome the opportunity to debate this Bill and fully support the objectives behind it. This legislation represents a significant and necessary step in modernising and consolidating Garda powers, ensuring that they are exercised within a clear, coherent and constitutionally sound statutory framework. It responds directly to recent judgments handed down by the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union that highlighted shortcomings in the …

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow morning at 9.30 a.m.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach seo inniu. I thank her for taking time out of her schedule to be here. The topic I want to discuss is one I know is close to the Minister's own heart, namely, the interim special school in County Monaghan. I know that the Minister of State kindly gave up her time last week to visit that school and a number of others. The visit went down a treat so I thank her for her time there. As the Minister is aware, the parents of County Monaghan have been campaigning for a number of…

I thank the Minister for her response and concur with her 100%. There was a very warm feeling from her visit last week. Every time I go into or come out of that school, I feel good because, as the Minister herself said, speaking to parents and hearing how the opening of that school has transformed their lives completely is a hugely positive thing. I commend everyone involved in getting this open. We look forward to the expansion to the rear, which will potentially consist of six modular units. In tandem with that, …

I second the motion. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach seo inniu. Like Senator Wilson, this is the first opportunity I have had to converse with her in the Chamber and I wish her well in her new role. I take this opportunity to thank the men and women of the Defence Forces for their excellent service to the country at home and abroad. They do us proud every time they put on their uniforms and we are deeply indebted to them and their families for their service to the State. It is fair to say the Minister h…

It is not agreed.

A Leas-Chathaoirleach, I am happy to withdraw.

Hear, hear.

I lend my voice and support to those involved in the campaign in relation to dog attacks on sheep. As we know, the lambing season is just beginning and is a very busy time for farmers. Unfortunately, the incidence of attacks on livestock is on the increase. Last year, 2025, there was a 4% increase on the 2024 figure. There were some 287 attacks by dogs that involved almost 2,100 animals, and two thirds of those, some 1,600, were sheep. It is a very traumatic experience for the farmers involved, not just from a fina…

Tá fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais chuig an Teach seo ar maidin. The Minister of State is welcome back to the Chamber this morning. I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here. I would like to discuss the chronic need for additional funding for local and regional roads in counties Cavan and Monaghan. This is despite the fact that last year record funding in excess of €19 million was allocated to County Cavan and over €18 million was allocated to County Monaghan. That was a €1.75 million increa…

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response. As I said, the council conducted a survey recently on the quality of the roads in County Monaghan and 24% were found to be in the worst possible category. This clearly proves that there is a chronic need for additional funding for local and regional roads. That report is with the Department and I also mentioned it to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I hope the Minister of State will convey to the Minister that there is a chronic need in both Monaghan and Ca…

Today, my thoughts are with the family of the late Columba McVeigh as they will spend yet another Christmas without locating the remains of their beloved Columba. I was saddened yesterday to learn the search that had been taking place on the top of Bragan Mountain in County Monaghan had been stood down, unfortunately without a positive result. Columba McVeigh was 19 years of age when he was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA. Over 50 years have gone by now and the family still longs to find the remai…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach agus cuirim fáilte ar ais arís eile go dtí an Teach seo tráthnóna roimh an Aire. I thank the Minister sincerely for his efforts in relation to his attendance in the Chamber. It is appreciated by all the Members. He is giving his time freely and it is appreciated. To conclude my contribution and following on from the contributions of my two learned colleagues to my left, the whole area of social media seems to be in many ways a bit of a runaway train at the moment. We are tryi…