I thank all the Senators for their contributions this evening. Senator O'Loughlin acknowledged the number of events for St. Brigid's Day, especially in Kildare. The Senator also commented about the sad passing of Vivian Carroll. He was a stalwart of Newbridge and Kildangan. May he rest in peace. His family and friends are in my thoughts.

Senator O'Loughlin also welcomed the fact that Grace's law, which proposes to ban the use of scramblers in public places, has been approved by Cabinet.

The Minister proposes to introduce a total ban on scrambler use in public places and to strengthen the existing enforcement powers of An Garda Síochána. We look forward to the legislation progressing to publication and to it being debated by these Houses.

Senators Noel O'Donovan and Pauline Tully referred to roads funding and the condition of roads in Cork and Cavan. Senator O'Donovan called for additional funding for maintenance and drainage, discretionary drainage funding and investment in the N71, which is the only national route in Cork South-West. He stated that he has tabled Commencement matters on the issue. I will request a debate on our national road network and on local county roads in particular.

Senator McDowell remembered his late friend and colleague, the former Deputy and Senator Máirín Quill and her sister Ita. He remembered Máirín as a dignified person who was kind, well read and sophisticated and who was particularly interested in those in need. Senator McDowell stated that you could not meet a more gentle, sweet-natured person. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Senators Nicole Ryan, Stephenson, Kennelly and Conway referred to flooding and to the State response to it. We will have a debate next Tuesday on the issue of flooding and storm preparation at which time Senators will have an opportunity to raise all the issues that have arisen in recent weeks and other issues relating to flooding. Senator Kennelly mentioned Listowel in this regard. Other Senators mentioned Graiguenamanagh in Kilkenny and other areas. We have seen successful projects as well. Clonmel is a case in point where investment has been made by the OPW. That investment has worked and has prevented additional flooding. Hard solutions can work, but there may be a need for better flood warnings and detection systems. I also refer to the softer environmental possibilities.

D’ardaigh an Seanadóir Curley ceist maidir le Gaeilge sa tríú leibhéal. Tá sé ag lorg díospóireacht maidir leis sin. Labhair mé leis an Aire oideachais. Beidh díospóireacht againn maidir leis an nGaeilge thart ar Lá Fhéile Phádraig sa Seanad leis an Aire, an Teachta Calleary, ach labhair mé arís leis an Aire, an Teachta Naughton, maidir le díospóireacht faoin nGaeilge agus faoin gcóras oideachais.

Senator McCarthy raised the issue of Katie Taylor and recent charitable donations she made to Tiglin. He also referred to an issue Senator Andrews raised last week regarding Croke Park. I will engage with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, on that.

Senator Clifford-Lee raised the issue of the school building programme, particularly in the context of investment in her area of Rush and Fingal. Some 105 projects were detailed to progress to tender and construction over the course of 2026 and 2027, totalling over €1.6 billion of investment as part of the first tranche of the roll-out of the national development plan. These projects aim to deliver 27,000 additional and modernised school places. I acknowledge the Senator's concerns about the absence of schools in Rush from the list. I cannot give a definite answer about why they were not on it. The Senator may wish to put down a Commencement matter. She referred to the Minister's constituency. While Galway got ten schools on the list, there were four in Galway West, including St. Joseph's Special School. That represents 3.8% of the total school projects. I do not think it can be said there was an undue preference shown to the Minister's constituency. Galway East got five schools on the list and Galway-Roscommon go one. I am sure that was not the official Fianna Fáil view on the matter. I am sure Senator Crowe and Deputies Connolly, Albert Dolan and Daly would all welcome the investment in Galway schools, whether it is for Galway East, Galway West or Galway-Roscommon.

Senator Boyle referred to the important role of air travel from Donegal and to concerns around changes being proposed to the service and the impact these could have. I ask him to table a Commencement matter in order to see whether he might get a more detailed response from the Department of Transport regarding what exactly is being proposed, whether things have been set in stone, whether there can be agreement on the matter or whether changes can be made.

Senator Costello referred to the recent meeting with Dr. John Kennedy, a former oncologist. I wish her well in regard to her advocacy on the issue of breast cancer. She also mentioned the cancer dashboard.

Senator Scahill mentioned the Cloonfad water scheme. Four times last week, water supplies in the town were interrupted. The Senator referred to the update from Irish Water and the fact that it has indicated that it will replace 5 km of water pipe in the vicinity, which is certainly welcome. There is no certainty in relation to that happening, however.

The Senator asked for a debate on Irish Water. I will raise that.

Senator Craughwell referred to security issues, particularly in the context of the recent visit by the President of Ukraine, drone incursions, the need for investment, the forthcoming Presidency of the European Union and our ability to defend ourselves. These are all very genuine issues. The Senator is a very active member of the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security. The Minister for Defence is due before the House on 25 February for a debate on security issues.

Senator Flaherty referred to Horse Sport Ireland and HR issues. I ask him to put down a Commencement matter on this issue, particularly as it is quite specific.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly mentioned AI. We had a debate on that last week. I am not sure if she got an opportunity to get raise some of these issues. She spoke about scapegoating, digital IDs, the banning of social media and watermarks on videos or images, be they on Grok or other platforms. If there are specific issues further to the debate last week that she wishes to raise, she may table a Commencement matter.

Senator Ahearn rightly raised the important role of family carers, the work they do for their families and, in many cases, for neighbours and friends and the saving to the State. He mentioned a number of issues, including the possibility of tax exemptions for carer's allowance and carer's benefit and other changes that could be made to tax credits. I will request a debate with the Minister for Social Protection on this important matter. I know this that the letters issued recently did give rise to some concern. Carer's allowance and carer's benefit are and always have been taxable. Carers were required to submit annual returns, so the change is that this onus will be taken off them. I know the wider point the Senator is making with regard to whether there should be tax exemptions on that. I will request a debate on the matter.

Senator Andrews referred to sulky racing and the recent unfortunate and deplorable scenes where a horse was whipped and kicked to get up after racing on Dollymount Strand and on a national road. The Senator called for those involved to be reported or to report themselves. I certainly concur with him in that regard. Of course, sulky racing is illegal without authorisation, but there are issues of enforcement that certainly need to be brought attention to An Garda Síochána. I agree that anybody with dashcam footage should make it available to An Garda Síochána. I acknowledge all involved, namely My Lovely Horse Rescue and the local vet who was involved in putting the poor horse out of her misery along with her unborn foal.

Senator Mullen referred to the Irish Council for Civil Liberties' Know Your Rights campaign and disinformation. I know this has been raised a couple of times in the House. I am delighted that clarity has been provided to the effect that there is no legal obligation or requirement regarding people's preferred pronouns. As I said in my original response to Senators Mullen and Sarah O'Reilly, it is a matter for the Department of Education and Youth and boards of management to issue circulars. Doing the latter is certainly not the responsibility of NGOs, and certainly not those funded from abroad.

Senator Conway raised the issue of businesses and flooding, welcomed the changes made by the Cabinet and called for both a national conversation and a debate with the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs on accession countries and our Presidency of the EU. I will certainly request that the Minister of State come to the House for a debate. I am not sure that the priorities have been fully finalised, but perhaps it would be an opportunity for Members to raise issues that they would like to see as part of that. I will request a debate with the Minister of State.