I rise to speak on the issue that is being raised today in Stormont. I refer to the website commonly known as Escort Ireland. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 criminalises the purchase of sex in this jurisdiction. Yet, this platform exists for one clear purpose; to advertise sexual services to be bought here in direct defiance of that law. It is not a marginal operation. It is a large, highly profitable enterprise, reportedly charging weekly fees for advertisements while hosting hundreds of listings aimed squarely at Ireland.

Public reporting has identified individuals linked to this operation who have past criminal convictions for pimping. Company records show the business was relocated from London to Spain, where it now trades through a Spanish registered company reporting multimillion euro revenues. This is organised, transnational activity, not casual online behaviour. These concerns are now underlined by serious, independent research.

The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy, SERP, Institute, which has called on our Minister for justice to take action, reports stark findings. Hundreds of women are advertised daily across the island of Ireland on these platforms, with over 900 on a single site. The majority are young migrant women, many of whom have limited English. In a four-week analysis of online profiles, the SERP Institute identified 19 of 28 internationally recognised indicators of trafficking and sexualised exploitation. Women presented as independent escorts are, in reality, often controlled by organised crime groups that dominate the sex trade. These websites provide anonymity for buyers, pimps and traffickers while generating millions in profit. If the law cannot reach those who openly organise, advertise or profit from the breach of our laws then we must ask ourselves who exactly is the law for. I call for a debate to allow the House to discuss these issues, particularly as the continued existence of the website in question is nothing short of a mockery of our laws.

I also want to address the online abuse received by my colleague Senator Eileen Flynn. While I disagree with a number of Senator Flynn's opinions, I restrict my criticisms to the opinions and not the woman herself. Comments on Senator Flynn's background as a member of the Traveller community, the way she dresses and the way she speaks are racist, deplorable and, worst of all, intellectually bankrupt. She is the most voted female Senator in the Chamber and she has as much right to be here as any of us. I commend her, and I hope she does not take any of that rubbish to heart. I am a believer in free speech and debate, but such abusive comments hurt our national discourse and, most of all, let down those who utter them.

Hear, hear.

On foot of what Senator Keogan has been speaking about, we will be bringing in the social media companies. They had a policy before whereby Members could contact them directly when there were issues relating to online posting. This is something we will be addressing in relation to the protection of Senators who are doing their work in the House and the level of abuse they receive online, which, sadly, is increasing. Unfortunately, it does not appear that everything that should be done is being done by the social media companies to protect Members of the House.

I concur with Senator Keogan's remarks on the abuse of Senator Flynn. I wish the Cathaoirleach well in his discussions with the social media companies, although from past experience I would not be overly optimistic about how they run their platforms and whether the protection they should be giving to people will materialise.

The spring economic statement released this morning refers to the prospect of a surplus of €9 billion, which is almost twice what had been predicted. Certainly, in the first instance, that will put the Government in a position where it can meaningfully step up on the cost-of-living crisis and the cost of fuel and put some significant supports in place rather than implementing actions of they kind which have been taken to date and which clearly have had very limited impact and only in a certain number of sectors.

I note also the comments by the Minister, Deputy Chambers, that the Government intends to increase capital investment on critical infrastructure. I was at a meeting of the Good Friday Agreement committee this morning that was attended by a number of representatives from chambers of commerce from both sides of the Border. Some were from as far away from the Border as Dún Laoghaire and Bangor, but most were from areas either side of the Border. We were discussing the opportunities that exist and that have already arisen in the context of all-Ireland economic growth, the huge potential that there is for more and the barriers being faced. Some of the barriers identified by the chambers of commerce relate to critical infrastructure such as wastewater treatment, water services, rail and road networks. The chambers of commerce on the southern side of the Border in particular made the point that investment in these on one side benefits both sides and is a benefit to the all-island economy. People recognise the work being done by the shared island fund, and there was a strong call for a structural fund agreed between the British and Irish Governments, and with input from the Executive in the North, to look at the idea of necessary infrastructure across the island. There was criticism of the lack of cross-Border infrastructure planning, which is clearly necessary.

In a context where the economic output, even with all of the challenges, looks significantly good, that is something the Government needs to address.

Other issues raised in the context of cross-Border rebuilding included the whole area of taxation, recognition of qualifications and pensions. There have been promises over many years to have a one-stop shop to address all of those issues but that has not materialised. There is work to do for both Governments in that regard. The all-Ireland economy is growing. It has been growing significantly despite all the obstacles. There is, however, a danger in the time ahead of both economies, North and South, diverging. It is in the interests of this State, as well as the interests of the whole island, to ensure that the economic growth potential is harnessed and that sufficient investment is put in for infrastructure and the removal of barriers in order that it can benefit everybody who lives across the island of Ireland.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the guests of Deputy Mattie McGrath from Tipperary, who are members of Cahir Active Retirement. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I thank them for being here today.

I want to be associated with the comments in relation to our colleague and friend, Senator Eileen Flynn. What she has gone through is appalling. It behoves us all to be there with her and stand with her, and to challenge the social media companies, in particular.

I want to reference two specific items. Today is world curlew day. We have seen some positive results in County Monaghan from the head starting programme, which was run by Breeding Waders EIP, led by Mr. Owen Murphy, down on Lough Ree. This is a collaborative piece of work that involves the National Association of Regional Game Councils, NARGC, through the mink eradication programme, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, local landowners and local communities. It also includes Fota Wildlife Park because they take the eggs from the nests and head start them, incubate them, in Fota Wildlife Park and release them.

I was fortunate enough to be out on Lough Ree with Mr. Murphy and the team last year when the birds were released. There have been some successes, but we are talking about a bird that has experienced a 98% decline since 1980. It is quite shocking. For all of our efforts, the bigger plan needs to be around landscape scale restoration. We have these huge interventions that are taking place. Nest sites need predator control 24-7. We have broken landscapes and habitats. The Government needs to invest significantly. I will use the opportunity of today to welcome the efforts that have been made, are ongoing and are proving successful up around the midlands and in the north west.

The second issue I want to raise is the traditional farm buildings grant. It is a popular grant scheme among farmers. It deals with not only the conservation and restoration of a part of our vernacular heritage but also had an effect because these are habitats for barn owls, swifts and other wildlife. The grant is very popular among farming organisations and farmers in particular. It is administered by the Heritage Council and the funding is in place through the Department of agriculture. Unfortunately, funding this year was cut, for whatever reason. It was not cut by a small percentage but was cut in half from €1.5 million to €750,000. Is it the intention of the Department of agriculture to get rid of the scheme? As I said, it has been oversubscribed in previous years, in my experience. It is about the protection and restoration of local vernacular heritage. It often employs local contractors and local heritage and conservation skills. As I said, many farmers want to hold onto these buildings in their farmyards and the grant scheme has been a real lifeline in doing that. I want to question the Minister in that regard. Why was this really important grant scheme cut in half from 2025 to 2026?