This is my first opportunity to speak in the House. I want to comment on a tragic event that happened in my community over the past few days where we lost our icon, the great Galway hurler Michael Coleman. I convey my sympathies to his wife, Mary, his son, Dara, and his daughter, Sinéad, and the wider Coleman family. They have given so much to Galway and to hurling.

If you drive around east Galway, you will see that many farm buildings have been devastated. Some of these are quite historic and are included in the listed building category. As we all know, many of them are used to house cattle, sheep and other animals at this time of year. Some are beyond repair. I am anxious to understand whether the Government has any plan to offer some supports or grant assistance to bring those back into meaningful use again, by way of restoration, preservation or refurbishment.

I join the Deputy in extending sympathy to the Coleman family. I also extend heartfelt sympathies to all of the community in Galway who have suffered significant losses.

I am mindful of the impact of Storm Éowyn and the impact it had on agricultural buildings, as the Deputy outlined. In many instances, buildings have been completely flattened. In that space, the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, grant is available to allow farmers to construct new buildings. I am looking for some flexibility to be introduced in the scheme to see if there is a possibility to include sheds that had roofs blown off but where the general structure still remains. In general, TAMS grants are for new buildings and not for adapting buildings. However, I am looking to see if we can get some flexibility in that space. I am also seeking flexibility in the context of the planning requirements such that in circumstances where, for example, a shed has been completely levelled, planning permission will not be needed for a like-for-like replacement.