Initially, I want to mention Private Seán Rooney, who lost his life so tragically in Lebanon in December while serving our country overseas. I understand that the United Nations is to award Private Rooney a medal to honour his memory and his sacrifice. This will be a very bittersweet but proud moment for his mum Natasha and his fiancée Holly. I just wanted to say this today and that we here in the Seanad have absolutely not forgotten the sacrifice of Private Rooney. We know the lengths to which our Defence Forces personnel go in order to serve the State. I salute him and them.

The long-awaited census results have finally been released. It is always interesting to be able to trawl through and spot quirky bits of information and data such as the fact we have 10,000 new Irish speakers in Kildare, which is really good. The census is a real treasure trove for data lovers. As expected, Kildare's growth has outpaced the national average. Growth there increased by 11%, which is significant. Of course, population growth and population density are of particular interest to Members in both Houses, especially as we await the report of the Electoral Commission. The fact that Kildare's population has gone up by 11% really leads to the call for extra investment and extra resources. When we see that Kildare County Council serves two Dáil constituencies, it is obvious that we need more resources for our county officials. We also need to have investment in leisure and amenities, which is very important.

The number of people aged 65 and over continues to grow in Kildare, and has increased by 35%. Again, this is significant in the context of putting in place measures for people as they age and grow older. This is why I am particularly happy to be able to help deliver Alzheimer Society of Ireland day care centre in Kildangan, which will open in the coming weeks.

In Kildare, 35% of people work from home at least one day a week. This leads to an increase in business in our local shops. That is welcome, and I have certainly noticed it when I am out canvassing. It is also important to consider this in the context of a flexibility of service when it comes to commuter travel. It also shows that we need to have not just weekly, monthly and annual tickets, we need also to have blocks of tickets.

Thanks to Sinéad Lucey Brennan, I see that 14% of people in Ireland are neurodivergent and 8% have long-term disabilities. We can see too that 53% of our carers are unpaid. That is significant. We obviously need to have the increase in support to them.

The water quality debacle continues in south Kildare, with musty and mossy-smelling water. I have requested a meeting with the Uisce Éireann, because the very least we can expect is that water should be odourless and transparent, with no taste.

I echo Senator O'Loughlin's remarks about Private Seán Rooney. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I am thinking of his family at the moment. It is a very tough time for them. I would also like to remind the House of Private Billy Kedian who was killed in Lebanon on this day 24 years ago. I was there that year as a staff officer bringing journalists out. I am always mindful of the sacrifice our men and women have made overseas. I am also mindful of the precedent set by the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, who, since his appointment a number of years ago, has been very proactive in recognising valour and courage displayed by deceased members of An Garda Síochána, still serving members and members who have retired. Doing so is the action a mature, self-confident organisation. Unfortunately, the Defence Forces Óglaigh na hÉireann is not in the habit of recognising the service and valour of its members. That is a pity, and perhaps they should take a leaf from the book of An Garda Síochána. This is especially relevant in the context of the Jadotville veterans. While they are still alive, it is important that those men be given the recognition they and their families richly deserve.

This morning, I wish to raise the consultative forum on neutrality and Ireland's defence. I really welcome this consultative forum, but I am sorry to say that it is shrouded in secrecy.

Hear. Hear.

The four consultative forums are scheduled to take place in a number of weeks but we have no idea who will be speaking at them. We know there is a Chair, someone who has been very a vocal proponent of US foreign policy and who would be very supportive of Ireland becoming a member of NATO. While this is not problematic in and of itself, it does lead to the perception of an inherent bias before the consultative process even kicks off. Neutrality is such an important part of our foreign policy history over the years. I absolutely and firmly believe that Ireland would not benefit from joining NATO. What we need to do is invest properly in our air, maritime, ground and cyber defences. Who will speak at this consultative forum? Which academics will be involved? I rather suspect that I know the academics who may be asked to speak at this. We have a number of very hawkish and conservative academics who are very pro-NATO. I want to know by what mechanism are people and experts invited to speak. A journalist just announced in the Sunday Times that he will be speaking at it. By what mechanism and by what process can interested parties submit an expression of interest in making a contribution? As of today, the portal on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for submissions is dead. It is a dead link. People cannot make submissions. Can we get some clarity on this? It is really important debate, but I hope it does not get off to a bad start because of opacity. It needs to be transparent and we need to know how people are being invited to speak.