I thank the Members who contributed today. It was not as busy as other days, given the day that is in it, but still important points were raised.
Senator O'Loughlin gave a lovely tribute to Micheál "Spike" Nolan. I did not know the man but obviously he was a very active councillor in the Newbridge and wider Kildare area and served his community with distinction. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
She also highlighted the Fuchsia Appeal which is open for Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann, which is a really important organisation. We commend it on the work it has done in opening up accommodation for former soldiers in Cork and Limerick, as the Senator mentioned, and Kildare is on the way as well. That is a really important support for those who have left the Defence Forces. They are still part of the defence community.
I join others who have expressed their condolences to the family of Andrew Brady, including his partner, Deirdre, and their little girl, Ella. It is a tragic and sad death in the community there. I can only imagine the heartache that is being felt locally.
I take on board the points raised by Senator O'Loughlin about Pollardstown Fen and the biodiversity issues. It might be worthwhile to raise it as a Commencement matter to get further information from the Minister on it, as it is quite specific.
Senator Craughwell raised the ongoing issue of the escalating violence in the Middle East, the potential for Iran to take further actions against Israel in particular. I share the Senator's concerns about our troops in Lebanon serving in UNIFIL. As the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Deputy Martin has said consistently, the situation on the ground there is under constant review. The families here at home, who are understandably very concerned, are being communicated with regularly. I take the Senator's comments regarding the evacuation of Irish citizens, but consular assistance will be provided for anyone who is in need of it. We are watching every day as to how the situation is unfolding there. The Senator also raised concerns about rapid-build homes. I suggest that he submit a Commencement matter on the topic. He raised specific issues regarding a Dublin council area and a local councillor there. The Senator spoke about the cost of these rapid-build homes rising from €200,000 to €442,000 and the potential to dismantle those homes and reassemble elsewhere and the land value would be included in those costs.
Senator Boyhan has asked for a debate on the residential zoned land tax. We will be happy to debate on that after the Order of Business is agreed to during the debates on public expenditure and finance. That is the debate, basically. A Minister of State from the Department will be here and the debate will be about the tax measures announced in the budget. A solution has been put forward by the Ministers. Obviously, it is quite widely documented that there was not a consensus at Government level, particularly between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, on this issue. The ability to apply for an exemption for next year is a welcome relief, that the 3% tax will not be coming through the door in the coming months. That is something to work with. Those who are actively farming the land can apply for the land can apply for that extension. That was requested, that those actively farming would be facilitated and not be caught by that tax. That is an important development.
Senator Keogan spoke about Garda numbers, the justice portfolio and a particular incident in Balbriggan. I am not aware of the full details of that particular incident but I know the Minister for Justice has secured additional funding in the budget for extra Garda numbers and every effort has been made to increase numbers. Many of those new recruits are probably going to the greater Dublin area. I certainly would like to see some of new recruits being more dispersed across the country, that rural areas would see an increase in Garda numbers and that we do more to try to get more into the force. We have to make sure it is a good place to work. It is a fantastic career and there is a huge public service element, of course, to being a member of An Garda Síochána. Every effort has been made to increase the numbers in the force.
Senator Barry Ward raised issues around fast e-bikes and the ability of gardaí to chase those individuals. The vehicles are new enough on the scene in terms of the speed they can go at, and we are probably still catching up to a certain extent as to how to deal with them and police them properly in communities. I take on board that there is a particularly acute problem in Dublin. I commend the Senator on raising the fact that it is National Breastfeeding Week. We have a lot of work to do to increase our breastfeeding rates. For example, in my own county of Mayo, I know work is under way through the CYPSC co-ordinator and Tusla to make Mayo a breastfeeding-friendly county. I think that is happening in other counties as well to try to promote it, normalise it - of course it is very normal and natural - and see more of it for mothers to feel comfortable doing it in public spaces which we might not have had heretofore. Again, there is a lot of work to be done there. We are among the lowest in Europe in terms of breastfeeding rates. We need to tackle that and help mothers.
Senator Lombard spoke about investment in sports, the huge sports capital allocation announced last week and has advocated for increased funding and support for swimming and swimming lessons to make sure that every child has access to swimming lessons. His contribution was supported by Senator Byrne.
Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the Oireachtas committee on arts and the report it finalised recently. I am happy to schedule a debate on that report with the Cathaoirleach. He raised the issue of a capital programme for the arts here, similar to the sports capital programme. It is an excellent idea and will be well received across the country. Not every kid is involved in sports, but they may be excellent at drama, arts or music. That should be equally supported as well. It would be a fantastic addition to Government funding for those activities.
Senator Ned O'Sullivan has welcomed the High Court decision on the LNG project in Kerry which overturned a decision by An Bord Pleanála. It is welcome news for the area. He made the point of how often something can be said before it sinks in around not using fracked gas. We would all share the concerns about the use of fracked gas and would not support that.
We have to be realistic about keeping the lights on, however. We are moving towards a greater reliance on renewable energy, but we have a way to go yet. We still need to keep the lights on. We need something to fuel industry, agriculture, homes, schools and businesses. All of that needs energy from somewhere. I am a big proponent of offshore floating wind. I think that is where the solution lies, but we are a decade out from harnessing that, even if we were to start moving a little bit more quickly, which would be welcome. In any event, we will keep on that. We do still need to keep the lights on in the interim. The Senator also made a good point on the economic boost for the region with regard to jobs and investment there.
Finally, Senator Carrigy spoke about the community health event held in Longford remembering Andrew Jackson, a former staff member there. He also complimented his party colleague, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, on achieving a very good social protection budget, which was delivered by the Government today.
That concludes the Order of Business.