The recent drowning of Joachim McNulty from Belderrig in County Mayo when his vehicle slipped off a pier is a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise pier maintenance around the country. This happened on the anniversary of a similar drowning off a pier in County Donegal. I extend my thoughts and sympathies to Joachim's family. Along with Darren Forde, they are now starting a campaign for the maintenance and proper improvement of piers because dangerous moss-covered pathways and piers and inadequate protections pose real and preventable dangers to the public. They need Government support. Will the Taoiseach commit to funding local authorities properly to carry out this work, to launching a nationwide pier maintenance programme and to introducing a public awareness campaign on the risks of slipways and piers?

My sympathies go out to Joachim's family. It is quite a shocking event and very distressing and traumatic for the family. There has been extensive investment in piers over the last number of years. A significant amount of Brexit adjustment reserve funding was allocated to piers. I am of the view that we should continue to invest in piers the length and breadth of the country. We are an island nation and safety is paramount. Local authorities have obligations in this regard as well, as do some port authorities. The consistent annual provision of funding is key in getting to grips with the numerous inlets and piers, including smaller piers, around the country.