I welcome to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery the newly appointed US consul general in Belfast, Mr. James Applegate, who is joined by our colleague and friend, Deputy Fergus O’Dowd. The are also here with Ted Danowitz and Peter Glennon from the US Embassy in Dublin, who are no strangers to us. Mr. Applegate is very welcome to Leinster House. I hope his tenure in Belfast is successful. I commend Deputy O’Dowd on his chairmanship of the Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the great work he is doing. Our guests are very welcome to Leinster House.
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on progress on Ireland's artificial intelligence strategy and on engagement on the development of the EU AI Act. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the residential zoned land tax in the context of budget 2024 and proposed changes to the liability date of the tax and land map reviews. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the commencement of the provisions of the Road Traffic and Roads Acts 2023 relating to scramblers. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the benefit of the national fares strategy to commuters in south Kildare. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and they will be taken now.