The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 - referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion on the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude at 1 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, on which Senators may share time, and the Minister or Minister of State to have not less than eight minutes to reply; No. 3, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 1 p.m. and to adjourn at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3a, Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to conclude at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, on which Senators may share time, and the Minister or Minister of State to have not less than ten minutes to reply.

As Members will have seen, it was reported yesterday that the US customs and border protection is adding social media as a mandatory data element of the electronic system for travel authorisation applications which tourists from dozens of counties, including Ireland, require when travelling to the United States. The data element will require applicants to provide their social media for the last five years. The criteria as cited on the US federal register are so wide-ranging that tourists or business visitors could be stopped based simply on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok posts critical of the US. There has already been a great deal of criticism of this proposal and it is clearly warranted. This is a massive overreach from a country which has long prided itself on free speech. Given the close economic ties between Ireland and the United States, with US companies employing 245,000 people in Ireland, this is obviously particularly important for us. Those economic ties have been built on free travel between our countries with very few restrictions. We must ensure that remains the case. It is important to note that currently, this is only a proposal. In the notice published regarding it, custom and border control said it would accept public comments on the proposal for the next 60 days before a final decision is made. Having said that, it is potentially a very damaging proposal. We need to use that timeframe for an EU response. It needs to be made clear at that level that this proposal is unworkable and illogical. I would be grateful if the Leader of the House would raise this with the Department of foreign affairs and the relevant Ministers.

I want to highlight an ongoing issue that is affecting the communities of Bruckless, The Five Points and Curraghfeehan in County Donegal. On nine separate occasions in the last while, the power has gone out and it is not all caused by storms. I want to thank the ESB crews that come out. On all occasions they turn out and get the electricity up and going again. They are great and it only takes a phone call. However, this is serious issue for vulnerable people and residents, particularly elderly people. I am calling on the Minister and the ESB to explain what is wrong with the line and whether we can get it fixed. Do we need a new line? At the end of the day, a community deserves a dependable electricity supply. Maybe the Leader could try to find out what is going on. The line needs to be upgraded for these parishes.

The brutal murder of two people this week - I refer to the burning alive of a child and his grandmother in their own home - shows the level of savagery that these so-called organised crime gangs have sunk to. It is an enduring and persistent problem. In that context, I want to raise the cases of Mark Noonan and Glen Murphy. Glen Murphy was 19 years old and Mark Noonan was 23 years old with a ten-month-old daughter. On the night of 23 November 2010, they left their apartment in town with their girlfriends to go to Clearwater service station in Finglas - a petrol station I have used quite a lot because I used to stop there on my way to my parents' house - to buy cigarettes, sweets and popcorn. When they arrived at the petrol station, they were executed in cold blood. They were both shot multiple times and their lives taken from them. These two innocent young men, who were first cousins, were executed in a public place, on camera, in Finglas in 2010. In the last 15 years, there has not been one arrest. Family members including Glen's sister, Danielle Murphy, are asking for the Garda cold case team to be assigned to this case and for it to be investigated as a matter of urgency with a fresh pair of eyes.

In the context of national security, I wish to raise the reported alleged presence of what are described as military grade drones in the Irish airspace 20 km east of Dublin Airport. Why were pilots not issued with an alert that there were hostile drones believed to be operating along the flight path into Dublin Airport? I am glad that President Zelenskyy's plane landed safely, but if these drones were considered a threat to his aircraft, and it is reported that they manoeuvred and loitered on the flight path for two hours, why were dozens of Aer Lingus, Ryanair and British Airways aircraft not warned of the presence of these drones? Why were hundreds of Irish air passengers recklessly placed at risk? We cannot get answers to these basic questions because the stakeholders and the key decision makers in the Departments of Defence, justice and the Taoiseach are refusing to come before the Committee on Defence and National Security. We know in Ireland when we do not have governance and oversight, it generally leads to disaster. In the absence of any satisfaction to the committee, I am asking for a very pressing and immediate debate in this Chamber on issues of national security. We are the only jurisdiction in the European Union where there is no parliamentary oversight of security and defence.

In January there will be many TY students throughout the country choosing subjects for their leaving certificate. Choosing subjects for the leaving certificate is one of the most important decisions students make and it is often underrated how important these decisions are. These choices shape academic pathways. They can open some doors and close others. The importance of choosing the correct subjects is often underrated. I would like a helpline to be set up, even just for the month of January, that students could ring to ask questions such as, "If I do physics what does it open for me? If I do not do it, what does it close for me?" Parents could also get involved and just seek a bit of help. It would show the importance of these choices. I know many schools have excellent career guidance but for many reasons students may not wish to interact with a careers guidance teacher. Obviously, parents could also contact the helpline. It is very important that students realise the importance of these decisions.

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on the Order of Business. Garda vetting is an age-old problem here in Ireland. Unfortunately, we do not have a straightforward system approach. If someone applies for a number of posts and is being offered the opportunity of work, unfortunately, an application for each has to be submitted to the Garda vetting office. What I am proposing is no different from what we are looking at in relation to age verification for children online. Can we have a verification system that is universal in its support but reviewed regularly? We need a more seamless process to ensure that people are not held up because the waiting list at the moment for Garda vetting is quite lengthy.

It is also very off-putting for employers because they know the process and know that, when they start recruiting, they might have to wait six, eight or up to ten weeks before having a positive outcome. I am suggesting that the Minister responsible for Garda vetting would come before us and tell us of his or her plans to ensure that we can have a more seamless process for Garda vetting for the future of the workforce in this country.

In the Ireland of 40 years ago, bhí sé de nós againn ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar fhéile Mhuire gan smál ar an 8 Nollaig. De dheasca sin, bhí sé de nós againn ag an am sin na scoileanna a dhúnadh ar an lá. Because of that closure on 8 December in years past, it would not have been unusual for young teachers to celebrate the fact that they had a free day by going into town and having a cóisir agus cúpla pionta i lár na cathrach. Deirtear sa seanfhocal gur fearr déanach ná go brách but 42 years ago a friend of mine was going into town on such an occasion. Having stepped off the bus at Poolbeg Street, he became instantly aware of a crowd congregated around by the River Liffey and people shouting that there was a woman in the water. This guy, Ruairí Ó hUallacháin, a friend of mine, being a doughty man from Blackrock in County Louth and a hardy swimmer, instantly ran over to the ladder, threw off his jacket and his shoes and dived into the Liffey. He was one of the people who received one of the bravery awards last Friday, 42 years later, in which you, a Chathaoirligh, were instrumental along with the Ceann Comhairle. Those honours are awarded by Comhairle na Míre Gaile, the Deeds of Bravery Council, and the award ceremony took place last Friday in the Leinster House Reading Room. Awarded were two certificates, 15 bronze medals, four silver medals along with one posthumously awarded gold medal. In short, tréaslaím le Ruairí Ó hUallacháin as an éacht a rinne sé ar an oíche sin. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis, lena bhean, Joan, agus lena bpáistí, Niamh agus Colm. Go neartaí Dia saol Ruairí agus a fhuinneamh go deo.

I also congratulate Carla Murphy, aged 11, from Waterford, Dawn and Shane McLawrence, and Sergeant Fergal O’Connor from Waterford Garda station in Ballybricken. The bravery awards are wonderful and I congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh, the Ceann Comhairle and all concerned, including the Garda Commissioner, the Red Cross and the local authorities. I am sure I am forgetting somebody. There is a great joint effort that makes those bravery awards such a signal event in the lives of politicians and gnáthphobal na hÉireann.

Hear, hear.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir for remembering Ruairí and all of those who quite rightly received their bravery awards in recognition for putting their own lives in danger while saving others.

Will the Leader arrange for the Minister for justice to come to the House and brief us on the findings and recommendations of the Kenova report. The Kenova report was released this week. It is an investigation into some of the darkest moments in our recent history on this island. Most critically in my area, it looked at the Dublin and Monaghan bombings 51 years ago in May 1974 on Talbot Street. On that day 33 people lost their lives. There are surviving family members who are still looking for answers. We all know that justice delayed is justice denied. I would really appreciate it if the Leader could arrange for the Minister for justice to come to the House to share with the House the findings of the Kenova report and, most importantly, to outline to the House how the Government will implement the recommendations from that report.

Tonight's "Prime Time" programme on RTÉ One will deal with the issue of nitrous oxide, laughing gas. It really is not a laughing matter. This is a really serious public health issue. It is a criminal issue. Youth services, and I am a director of a youth service myself, have been raising this issue for a number of years. It is incredibly dangerous for young people. It can cause spinal injury, neurotoxicity and physical injury.

It is a very serious public health issue. We saw a delay in the public awareness campaign for HHC. We need the Minister for Health to come to the House to outline how she is going to launch a public health awareness campaign that highlights the dangers of nitrous oxide and the criminality involved but, most importantly, a campaign that aims at preventing this by educating young people and supporting them, along with their parents, teachers and youth workers, to avoid such dangers, to look after themselves and to make healthy decisions for themselves.

Last Saturday night at 6.15 an 80-year-old woman left the gate of her home in the village of Castleconnell in County Limerick on her way to mass. Walking up the street she slipped and fell. Unfortunately, this 80-year-old sustained a painful hip fracture. Passers-by on their way to mass came to her assistance immediately, as did neighbours, and the ambulance was called. It took five hours for the ambulance to arrive for that 80-year-old woman. We in Castleconnell live 14 km from the city centre. You can imagine the distress and the upset to all those attending the 80-year-old woman who were told, correctly, by the ambulance and emergency services not to move her. She lay on the concrete footpath for five hours on Saturday night. They brought out blankets and cushions and tried their best to make her as comfortable as possible, but as we can imagine, it was very upsetting for everybody involved. Phone call after phone call was made repeatedly to the ambulance service to ask why it was not there yet and what had happened. I commend all of the neighbours who came to her assistance and supported her, and the off-duty emergency worker who came down to help them. I also commend the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, who got a phone call at 10 o'clock and who went out to the scene and did his best to try to help get an ambulance to her. I highlight this once again as another healthcare horror story in Limerick. I have written to the Minister for Health and I have asked her for a detailed explanation for the pensioner, her family and all those in the village of Castleconnell as to what could have happened to have delayed an ambulance for an elderly person for five hours that left her lying on the cold concrete at night-time in December. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, for raising the matter with the Minister on my behalf.

I also take this opportunity to highlight that, unfortunately, we have not yet received the Minister's recommendations on the HIQA report and her determination as to how she is going to proceed with improving healthcare services for us in the mid-west. I ask the Deputy Leader, if she could, please, to send a message to the Minister to ask if she could give us an update on that.

The recent budget offered pensioners a €10 increase in their old age pension, but this minor increase has been totally wiped out by the decision to remove State funding for medical blister packs. Pensioners will now have to pay around €50 a month to get their medical blister packs. It is a fantastic device because it divides up medication and helps to avoid any confusion. It simplifies taking tablets for people who are taking multiple types of medication. Ireland is increasingly beginning to feel like no country for older men. People who have worked hard, contributed for years to the State and are already struggling to make ends meet find this decision to cut funding incredibly disheartening. I encourage the Government to review this decision. I cannot understand why it would pull funding from a much-needed and much-appreciated service that supports our most vulnerable people.

I wish the best of luck to the Knockbride ladies' intermediate Gaelic football team. They are going to Croke Park this Saturday to meet a Galway team in the all-Ireland club championship final. If you knew Knockbride, it is a tiny parish in rural Cavan. All there is is a shop, a church and a pub. It is a small parish with a huge heart. The team will be stepping out for their county and their club at Croke Park on Saturday and I wish them the very best of luck. I also recognise their sponsors. In a small parish like this, it is usually the local businesses and they do great work in supporting local teams. I wish them the best of luck.

Thursday in County Monaghan is known as "standard day". The standard being referred to is The Northern Standard newspaper, which has been in circulation in County Monaghan since 1839 when it was founded by a gentleman by the name of Arthur Wellington Holmes. It is with great sadness that I bring the news to the House this morning that, after 186 years, next Thursday will be the last edition of The Northern Standard in County Monaghan. That will cause great sadness and regret to many households throughout the length and breadth of County Monaghan. It also had circulation in counties Cavan, Louth, Fermanagh, Armagh and Tyrone. The newspaper was bought by Patrick Smith and family back in 1971 and has been located in The Diamond in County Monaghan since that date. People looked forward to the The Northern Standard coming out on a Thursday because we got the news of the week, be that a report on a football match or a social gathering in Knockatallon or in Inishkeen or wherever. The Northern Standard had the photographs and the reports to match. I suppose it is a sign of our time that provincial newspapers are struggling to survive with the advent of online, but we are losing a great service. To all involved in The Northern Standard down through the years, to all the staff who reported the news to us weekly, and to all of those who contributed and who worked at The Northern Standard office for the past 186 years I say a big "thank you". To the current staff who are losing their jobs I sympathise with them now in the month of Christmas and I sincerely hope that all of them will find gainful employment elsewhere because they are all very good, trustworthy and honest individuals who have done great service to the county of Monaghan. Next week will be the newspaper's last week. If it is in order with the Cathaoirleach and with the Deputy Leader, I would be grateful if they would maybe drop a wee note to those in The Northern Standard to thank them on behalf of myself and all the citizens of County Monaghan.

The FAI and the education and training boards, ETBs, run a player development programme in Ringsend, in Cabra and five other such programmes right across the country. It is a training course and the ETBs fund the bulk of it. Because of the type of course it is, they need a partner and the FAI is that partner. In Ringsend the course has been really good for the community over many years. I know it is the same for all seven communities in which the course is based. The programme has produced some incredible League of Ireland and international players, including Seán Gannon, Daniel Kelly, Abbie Larkin who plays for Ireland, Keith Buckley, Pico Lopes and Enda Stevens. They have produced many more over the years, so it is a really important part of player development and community development. All those players are fantastic footballers and they have been great servants to Irish football.

It seems that the FAI is now pulling the plug on this player development course, which is really disappointing. It only contributes 5%. It is minuscule, a tiny amount of money. When we consider that the FAI overspent by €200,000 on its budget last year, it does feel like grassroots football is paying the price for the FAI's PR moves. It feels like the FAI is turning its back on grassroots football. This is really not acceptable. We all know the FAI has its difficulties but courses like this contribute so much and they cost a minuscule amount of money. If the money from the overspend on the PR companies was put into these courses, they could continue for many more years to come.

While the FAI is cutting back on community services and its involvement in community sport and grassroots football, it is spending more and more on PR. That is completely wrong. We need the Minister to come in to discuss how we manage that. The FAI is saying it is looking at player development, but the reality is that it is not looking at it. It is spending more on PR and less on grassroots football. These are important courses. If it was not for these courses, it is more than likely that those kids would be hanging around on corners. We need to invest in these sorts of projects, not cut back on them.

Today I raise the urgent need to support the full implementation of the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement, DRIVE, programme. It is put together by our task forces, one of which I am the chairperson of. Last weekend's horrific events in Edenderry where a grand-aunt, Mary Holt, and a four-year-old boy, Tadhg Farrell, were killed have shocked the entire country. The possibility that this is connected to drug-related intimidation is shocking and deeply disturbing. It also reflects what is going on in the country. I know in my own role as chair of the task force and with Tiglin that drug debt intimidation is real. It affects the most normal families whose son or daughter has got into trouble with drug debt and now the families are being targeted. It is targeted violence, criminal and coercive control. It is also tearing families apart. The DRIVE scheme, which I launched in the Keadeen Hotel for our area two years ago, was designed to respond positively to this crisis. We need to support it in order to reinforce it and get it off the ground. It brings together the drugs task forces, the HSE and the gardaí, with a specific garda given the charge in the area. It is meant to intervene early and support families. It is practical and evidence-based. I am asking for the Government to give it its full backing. It needs funding, resourcing and a clear mandate going forward. We cannot tolerate what is happening. Families in rural communities are living in fear of criminal gangs that believe they have the power to intimidate families. What happened in Edenderry needs to be a turning point. I saw the vigil last night. The community came out and supported Mary Holt and Tadhg Farrell. We need a commitment for the national roll-out. We need dedicated ring-fenced funding. We also need a clear message from this House that such drug debt intimidation will not be tolerated. No family should ever lose a family member because of drug-related intimidation. We have a model. The DRIVE model is evidence-based and it needs to be supported.

I sound like a broken record when I come into the House these days. Yesterday, the Governor of the Central Bank added his voice to that of Danny McCoy from IBEC on the need for spending in defence. Immediately after that, we find that the Government released a press statement to The Irish Times and RTÉ in which it outlines that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is about to announce €1.7 billion in spending for defence. You would welcome that until you read through the article and find that they mention four helicopters. The four helicopters were contracted in January of last year. It mentioned sonar. Sonar is already contracted. It mentioned the primary radar. We were promised primary radar three years ago. I understand that it is also advanced. Why is the Government advancing as new news something it has reported already? These initiatives were announced in January 2025, in June 2025 and two years ago in the case of the primary radar. A total of €19 million will be spent on anti-drone technology, which will be delivered in the middle of next year. Has anybody realised that we take over the Presidency of the EU in the middle of next year? How long does it take to train people to use this equipment? Where will they train? Who will train them? We disbanded the ground-to-air battery in 2012, so we do not have the expertise there as far as I know. We have to start being honest with the people. Was this press release issued now to mask the fact that a €100 million Government jet will be delivered before Christmas? I understand it is being test flown in the United States at the moment and has been painted in the colours of the Air Corps. Do not get me wrong; we need a Government jet and a way to extract citizens from dangerous parts of the world. We need senior Ministers to be able to travel on Government jets. I have no difficulty with that whatsoever. Once again, why can we not be honest? Why can we not come straight out and tell people the truth and stop the goddamn messing? It is becoming annoying. Apart from that, our business communities now are becoming extremely concerned at the way in which defence and security is being managed.

I thank all of the Senators who contributed this morning. Senator Crowe spoke about a concerning development in the US in relation to people who are applying for a visa to be able to travel there. There has always been a lot of travel between the US and Ireland for work, study, leisure and business. I was there last week. He is right to highlight the concern that people will now have to show their social media for the last five years when making their application. We all know the attraction of social media and the possible dangers that are there as well. To think that one could be held liable for saying something on social media five years ago that might be perceived to be critical of America or the current Presidency, and then to be stopped going into that country, seems a step too far. The Senator outlined that there is a 60-day period during which people can put in their observations. We will liaise with the Minister for foreign affairs and the Chair of the foreign affairs committee, Deputy John Lahart. We will bring it to the attention of our MEPs to try to get a co-ordinated response against this proposal.

Senator Boyle spoke about a situation in an area of County Donegal where, on nine different occasions, people have been without electricity. It is shocking how often it can happen. In many places like the area the Senator highlighted, there does not have to be a big storm to have it happen. In north-west Kildare, similar situations happen. The day before yesterday, the electricity was gone all day until 10 o'clock at night. It is very frustrating. As the Senator said, elderly and vulnerable people are living on their own, etc. I had the opportunity to be at an ESB briefing recently. It is developing a plan. A lot of the problem is the growth of hedgerows and ash dieback coming onto the lines. It is developing a regional response. I feel we are going to see an improvement, but we will certainly bring the message back to the Minister.

Senator Clonan spoke about the horrific events in Edenderry where Tadhg and his grand-aunt Mary died. I know his grandmother Pauline is in hospital. She is seriously ill. We are thinking of her and wishing for her recuperation. The devastation that has been caused in that community is shocking. It is very concerning. Senator Clonan also spoke about Mark Noonan and Glen Murphy, who were killed on 23 November 2010 while going to get cigarettes and sweets in a petrol station. I am thinking of the devastation of their families. The Senator has asked for a cold case review of this situation. We will bring that to the Minister.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony spoke about transition year students choosing their subjects in January as they go forward into fifth year and the leaving certificate. She is absolutely right. It is an important time because the subjects we take define the opportunities and options we have for further education and jobs, etc.

It is a big ask on young shoulders. It is a big responsibility. Sometimes schools have career guidance teachers who are excellent and really help with the pathway, but in a lot of cases that does not happen. The Senator asked for a helpline to support young people in their choices and their parents. We will write to the Minister for education and ask for that.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about Garda vetting and said that there is no clear, straightforward approach. Garda vetting can be required not just for work reasons, but also because we depend on people being vetted for volunteering. The volunteers we have in this country are second to none. It is very frustrating for them and the clubs they want to join when there is such a long waiting list. I think the Senator suggested a universal vetting system that would be seamless and monitored. We will write to the Minister for justice and suggest that. We will wait to get something back and possibly have a debate in relation to it.

Senator Joe Conway spoke about his friend Ruairí Ó hUallacháin who 42 years ago jumped into the River Liffey and rescued a lady. It is really lovely to see this brave deed commemorated 42 years later, as well as the actions of Carla Murphy, aged 11, from Waterford and Sergeant Fergal O'Connor. We send our congratulations to all of those who received awards last Friday.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the Kenova report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. We think of all of those who were murdered so callously and all of the families left bereaved with many questions. Only this week on the radio, "Morning Ireland" played some of the stories again. One story was of a mum who decided to surprise her husband by going into his work, but he had left early. He had gone home, not knowing his wife was on her way in. Sadly, she was caught up in it and killed. We think of all the stories like that and all the heartbreak. Senator Fitzpatrick is right to look for an outline of how the Government will implement the recommendations. We will ask the Minister for justice about that.

Senator Dee Ryan spoke about a horrific situation last Saturday in Castleconnell where an 80-year-old lady slipped, broke her hip and was lying on freezing cold ground for five hours. I am aware of a similar situation, although not in Limerick. I know the family. I was getting calls when that happened. When a vulnerable person is in that sort of pain and distress on the cold, freezing ground for five hours, it is horrific, no matter how many blankets are put over them. They feel really let down by the system. We had a debate recently about the hospital and support services for the Limerick region. Nothing seems to have improved since then. Fair dues to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for going out and to the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, for raising it in the Dáil but this should never have happened. It is regrettable that no response was given from the Minister. We will look for that response.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the Knockbride team being in Croke Park on Saturday. I am sure it is a huge honour for the club and for the women involved in the team. We wish them well. She was right to recognise the sponsors not just of the Knockbride club but of all the local football clubs around the country. Those sponsors provide an incredible service. I hope everybody recognises them when they do their Christmas shopping, rather than just doing their shopping online.

Senator Gallagher spoke about The Northern Standard, which is finishing next Thursday after 186 years. That is really sad to hear. We think of all the staff who have worked there over 186 years and now the last edition is rolling off the printers next Thursday. Senator Gallagher asked that we write to thank the current staff and editors, which we will. We thank them for their service.

Senator Andrews spoke about the FAI and the ETB running training programmes in seven places, including Ringsend and Cabra. They are doing a service not just by producing great footballers but also by offering something incredible to boys and girls in the community. The ETB obviously now needs a partner. Even though the FAI was providing less than 5% of the funding, it is regrettable that it is pulling out. We will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, and we will see if we can get that rectified. It is an awful shame when programmes like these, which are doing great things, are pulled.

Senator McCarthy spoke about the DRIVE scheme, which was launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, and the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. It is a good scheme. We are all aware of people who have been under all types of intimidation because of drug debt. Innocent family members get caught up in this. We need to encourage families to report this to the system that DRIVE has set up. There is a confidential service available. Understandably, families caught up in these types of situations are afraid to go to the Garda because they are afraid of the perpetrators. We need to assure them that this is a very confidential service which will try to help and support them and stamp this horrific intimidation out.

Senator Craughwell spoke about defence spending. I would argue that we absolutely need a new Government jet. There have been safety concerns about the present one for a number of years. On many occasions, it broke down abroad and it was a difficult situation for all involved. For security reasons, there are certain briefings that cannot be out in the public. We will ask the Minister for Defence to come to the House and have a debate, particularly in light of the EU Presidency starting on 1 July next year, to demonstrate that the State has this matter in hand and that ministers and state leaders can come to Ireland safe and secure in the knowledge that they will be looked after from a security point of view and, of course, from a hospitality point of view.