I thank all Senators for their contribution this morning. I will start with Senator O’Loughlin who acknowledged TradFest and, indeed, AbleFest, which is an inclusive music repertoire for neurodiverse children and adults. I certainly concur with that and wish them well in their initiative. Certainly, it is very inclusive and welcome. She also, along with Senator Comyn, raised the passing of Ziva Cussen, who was an initiator of the charity, Too Young to be Heard, which amplifies the voice of victims of breast cancer, particularly young victims. While the Senator has said that cancer mortality rates are falling here, there are issues in terms of mastectomies and reconstruction and delays in the system. She also said construction should be part of the whole treatment. I certainly concur with that. Perhaps if the Senator puts down a Commencement matter she may get a more direct response from the Minister.

Senator P.J. Murphy raised the issue of drug use and related crime and intimidation in the south Galway area, including the issues that have taken place recently such as threats to burn houses, the burning of cars and intimidation. He has called for a special drug unit to visit south Galway on this matter. Drug use is something that is becoming more prevalent. Those who socially use drugs, perhaps, are not aware of where they come from and the issues at stake for people. For those who become addicted, that has an impact on, first, themselves and their health but also on their family. Certainly, the Senator is right to raise the issue of intimidation and the corrosive impact that there can be on families and parents, particularly elderly parents where there are drug debts that have to be repaid. People are put under huge pressure and stress. Sometimes, intimidation and violence are used. Certainly, I acknowledge that. The Senator may wish to raise that directly with the local gardaí in the district, which I am sure he has.

Senator Keogan raised the issue of children in State care.

She made the point that certain agencies are not accounting for the movement of vulnerable children who may be trafficked or abused. In some cases, records are clearly incorrect. The Senator talked of the need for a debate. I will certainly request a debate with the Minister for children on this matter.

Senator Tully raised the issue of childcare waiting lists. Clearly, there are issues with these lists. The Government’s focus for the last number of budgets has been on reducing the cost of childcare for parents - those who were lucky enough to find a place. Clearly, there is now a need. We saw a recent announcement in relation to the ramping up of places, in particular, public places. With those providers that are outside of the core funding model, the parents are not benefiting from the reductions in fees that we have put in place in recent years. We need to increase the public provision of places where there are gaps or where communities have insufficient capacity. We do not want to remove the private providers, but to supplement them to ensure there is the addition of public places. We have also seen the changes that have taken place with regard to the pay of those in the early childcare sector, which is to be welcomed. It was an issue that was raised by SIPTU and other organisations, certainly in Galway.

Senator Boyle raised the issue of rural planning permission, particularly on the N56 in Donegal. He has requested a debate with the Minister. There is an ongoing issue with planning everywhere, but in particular with regard to traffic coming out onto primary, national and secondary routes. Transport Infrastructure Ireland in general puts in submissions or objections to pretty much every application on a national road, and asks the local authorities to take cognisance of national guidelines in this area. I will certainly request a debate with the Minister in relation to rural planning.

Senator Craughwell commended the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Carney, on his speech at Davos, and said that Trump must be tackled. Obviously, President Trump is the democratically elected President of the United States. The best way that the citizens of the United States can lessen the powers of a President they are not happy with is through the mid-term elections in November. It will be a decision for voters in the United States as to how they wish to vote in those elections. Clearly, threats against sovereign states, parts of the European Union and the membership of NATO have to have consequences for those organisations. I certainly hope that the powers that be across the European Union and NATO strongly react to those threats.

Senator Duffy commended the Mayo person of the year, Darren Forde. He also raised an issue that I have come across myself, that is, cars that are abandoned at the side of the road, whether they slid off due to black ice or following an accident. Your inclination is to stop and check if anyone is in there, as I have done myself, but you could be causing a hazard by pulling in, or causing a further accident. Senator Duffy talked about the need for safety equipment, including tape that can be put around the car to show that it has been checked and there is no one in it. Perhaps that would be a nice package or gift for somebody who passes a driving test, for example, and is something the Senator may wish to pursue. I agree it is a good idea.

Senator Collins raised the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, its referral to the European Court of Justice and the decision of MEPs. Obviously, MEPs will have a vote on that today. I am sure they are very conscious of the concerns within the different political party groupings and of their memberships, Oireachtas colleagues, councillors and citizens of the country. I know a number of MEPs have clearly stated they are opposing Mercosur and some are in favour. I would like to think that anyone who does so has balanced all of the issues at stake. We have certainly discussed it within our own political party, and I am sure others have done that as well.

Senator Nelson Murray welcomed the commitments on active travel, as did Senator Scahill with regard to active travel, greenways and safe routes to school. It is all very important funding that is very much needed and very popular among local communities. The volunteers who raise issues can now see that there is a funding stream and a methodology through the local authorities, different bodies and Departments to provide and allocate funding for greenways and active travel. Bus shelters are very beneficial. Some people have to use public transport, and some wish to do so, but standing out in the rain is not something that makes that journey attractive. We will do what we can to improve the number of bus shelters. There are sometimes issues in terms of getting land or the location of bus stops, which can take some time, but where they work out, they are of huge benefit. I certainly agree with Senator Nelson Murray regarding the needs of the commuter belt, including Meath. I hope her advocacy works for those areas that need additional bus shelters.

Senator Scahill spoke about the Ireland West Camino. Walking, trail walking and hiking are hugely beneficial for one's health, both physical health and mental health. As he rightly said, they are becoming increasingly popular. I again acknowledge the investment from the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, in that whole area.

Senator Mullen referred to leaflets from a number of NGOs in relation to preferred pronouns and the use of preferred gender toilets in our schools, and to the laws and policies in this area. Policies come from the Department of education and from boards of management, not from NGOs. That is where these policies should emanate from, not from NGOs. If the Senator wishes to put down a Commencement matter on the particular issue to the Department of education, he might get a response on that.

Senator O’Reilly raised the issue of carers. I know he is a strong advocate for those involved in caring - I will not say it is a profession because it is caring and looking after loved ones. As the Senator rightly said, they save the State so much money. As the Senator knows, there has been some discussion on it this week. Carer’s benefit and carer’s allowance are and always have been subject to income tax, but carers were required to submit annual returns, so that has changed. The point he is making is whether it is fair and just to have carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit taxable. Perhaps the Senator will put down a Commencement matter to the Department of Finance, or we will raise it directly with the Minister for Finance as we engage in the process of preparations for budget 2027.