I thank all the Senators that contributed this morning. We kicked off with Senator Fitzpatrick, who extended fantastic news to us on the improvement and recovery of the young girl and the carer that were so viciously attacked a couple of weeks ago in the city. We very much welcome that. Hopefully, as Senator Fitzpatrick outlined, the young girl and the carer in question will be home for Christmas to spend time with their families. That is good news.

Senator Fitzpatrick also talked about the Land Development Agency and the setting up of a possible €3 billion in funding that has the potential to create 6,000 badly needed new homes for people. We look forward to the development of that. She went on to tell us about her visit to Shanganagh yesterday, where 600 new homes are being handed over. That is very positive news in relation to housing. I believe we are making an impact. Of course, there is much more to do and we all accept that, but it is good to see people being handed new homes. The Senator also talked about Dublin City Council and criticised it for the mismanagement of housing in the inner city, and said that in her opinion, certain parts of the city were being ghettoised. We note her comments.

Senator Keoghan called for a debate with the Minister for Justice on the riots in Dublin. She went on to talk about the three social media platforms, TikTok, Meta and X, and the confusion in relation to what exactly is going on there. She called for a debate with the Minister on that. It is certainly something that we can look at in the new year. I note that the Minister for Justice is due before the justice committee tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. Perhaps that might be an opportunity to raise the issue.

I raised it there.

I know the Senator attended the last meeting of the justice committee with the Garda Commissioner and contributed to it. Perhaps there might be an opportunity for her to address that particular issue at the meeting tomorrow.

Senator Lombard talked about knackeries and the fact that they are closed at the moment, which is a very serious issue for the farming community. There is a dispute ongoing there at the moment. The Senator asked us to write to Minister to see if he can bang a few heads together and try to get a resolution to the dispute. No farmer likes to see a knackery van come near his farm. As someone who was born and reared on a farm, I can say that it is a sight that none of us likes to see. It affects the mental health not only of the farmer himself but the entire family, because as we know, farmers love their animals. We would like to see that dispute resolved as soon as possible.

The Senator also mentioned a briefing that is happening today in the AV room on new medicines. He highlighted the frustrating time delay in getting some of these new medicines approved. In some circumstances, and the Senator included his own family in that, it can make the difference in extending a life. It is important. That briefing is on in the AV room this afternoon and Members are free to attend.

Senator Currie raised the impending toll charge increases that are due to come into effect in January 2024. None of us likes to see these particular charges coming. She went on to highlight, and rightly so, the areas like Castleknock and Lucan that will be affected when people are avoiding the tolls and the charges. That is going to lead to congestion for people within those communities. As someone who regularly uses the M1 motorway, I note that the port tunnel charge at peak times is rising from the current rate of €10 to €12, which is a substantial increase. We are told that, unfortunately, inflation is the key component in this increase. It would be welcome for us to have a debate on toll charges in the new year so that people can get clarity on the funding that is coming in via the tolls. There are 12 tolls in total around different parts of the country where these charges occur. Perhaps we can get additional clarity on where the funding is going. I know the increase is being blamed on inflation at the moment, which is fair enough, and the increase in charges for maintenance and so on. I think a debate along those lines would be useful.

Senator Cummins also mentioned the knackery dispute and called for resolution to it. He welcomed the announcement this morning from the Minister of State with responsibility for sport that Waterford county board has received €3.3 million through the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. Like other Members in this House, I am of the opinion that any money spent in sport is good money, and money well invested. It is great to see all the different organisations getting funding this morning.

Senator Boyhan congratulated the Cathaoirleach for organising an event yesterday evening in the LH 2000 canteen. Unfortunately, I was not around, but I got some feedback this morning and heard that it was a very positive event. I compliment the Cathaoirleach on his work in this area. He said that he set his stall out when he was appointed Cathaoirleach, and that he would talk about and promote gay rights. He has held true to his word. The feedback I received this morning is that it was a good event and was very enjoyable. I compliment the Cathaoirleach for his work in that regard.

Senator Boyhan also raised the issue of ash dieback and requested a debate on it in the new year. Unfortunately, it is a big issue in every part of the country. We will organise a debate with the Minister in the new year.

Senator Kyne also complimented the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, on the large-scale sport infrastructure fund announcement for Connacht and Galway. I agree with the Senator that the provision of €10 million in funding is substantial. It is great to see all sports getting it. In particular, it is great to see Connacht Rugby flourishing like it is. I know that the result did not go too well for them last week, but it is great to see rugby alive and well. Indeed, it is great to see all sports being promoted. As I said, any money spent on sport is money well spent. Senator Kyne did not just talk about the sporting aspect of it, but about the economic benefit it brings not just to Galway but indeed the whole region. It is a good news story. I wish Connacht Rugby continued success.

Senator Gavan referenced some worrying statistics on university teachers. I must say that I was taken aback by his contribution. He noted that roughly one in three, or 36%, is in precarious employment. That is a shocking statistic. It is an issue that deserves a debate so that we can shine a light on it. As the Senator said, it does not just affect the teachers concerned. Ultimately, if we are losing good people, it is our young people who will suffer in the long term. I thank the Senator for bringing that to our attention. We will endeavour to get a debate on the issue in early the new year.

Finally, Senator Ahearn talked about the large-scale sport infrastructure fund and thanked the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for the sports capital funding for his home patch. I will pass on his good wishes, and those of the rest of the Senators on that. On a more serious note, he also talked about the Criminal Assets Bureau. The bureau has done fantastic work in this country.

It has been a hugely successful outfit. That the half a million euro in funding brought in by the online sale that took place last week is going back into the communities is a fantastic aspect of that. As I said, the Criminal Assets Bureau is a good news story. To be fair, setting it up was a great move. It tracks criminals, and any funding it receives from the sale of whatever it might be goes back into the communities affected. That is a very positive point.

That concludes the contributions from all the Senators this morning.

I welcome the family, relations and cousins of our good friend and colleague, Senator Aisling Dolan, to the Gallery. They are all very welcome. They have come from Ballinasloe, Nenagh, Ballydangan and more. They can be justifiably proud of their cousin, who is doing a wonderful job on our behalf and on behalf of the people of her area. The visitors are all very welcome today and I thank them for being here.