I thank all Senators this morning for their contributions, starting with Senator O’Loughlin, who raised the issue of prostitution and the recent report from Northern Ireland. She said we were not immune to those issues here. She commended Ruhama and the Rose's House accommodation. She also said we needed to learn from EU efforts and she called for a debate on this matter. We will request that from the Minister, Deputy Jim O’Callaghan. She also raised the sports capital grants, a recent meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, and the issue of scarcity of land for sports facilities, particularly in urban areas. I will request a debate with the Minister of State in advance of the sports capital grants.

Senator Scahill raised a report from the health committee on dental services and the lack of spaces for those applying to become dentists and he called for a debate on the report. That would be a very worthy debate to have. I have suggested previously that retired dentists might be rehired to carry out checks within schools. They would not have to do procedural work but they could have an important role in ensuring that those very important health check-ups were carried out in schools. I will request a debate on that report.

Senator Clonan has raised the Cluain services in Clonmel in south Tipperary and the work it is doing. There are some concerns regarding disability allowance being required to be transferred to Cluain as part of that. He has put down a Commencement matter debate on this but it has fallen between two Departments. We might be able to check to see which Department might be best placed to answer that Commencement matter. There should not be buck passing. The Senator is right that his issue is not being dealt with because of that.

Senator Clonan also raised the issue of disability and asked for a debate. There is a debate today at 4.30 p.m. on disability matters. I am sure there will be a good turnout on that very important issue.

Senators Collins, Cathal Byrne and Martin Conway raised vaping, the proliferation of vape shops and the possibility of legislative changes to ban flavours. Senator Collins spoke about the implications of that. The Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 is due in this House, if not next week, then very soon. There is a second Bill regarding the licensing of premises. A lot of concerns have been raised with me locally on the proliferation of vape shops. Since they are classed as retail, as I understand it, there is no requirement in relation to planning or change of use but there are efforts being made through legislation to introduce licences to ensure that vape shops have to have a licence to open, with perhaps other changes in relation to signage, colours and everything else there also. Senator Collins made a valid point in relation to it. Vaping was always talked about as an alternative to smoking rather than an attempt to bring people into smoking. She raised a valid point in relation to the implications there for her as a former smoker.

Senator Dee Ryan expressed her sympathy to the Faulkner family on the passing of Scarlett and, subsequently, Jason. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Faulkner family, to the parents and extended family, in their sad time. I will request a debate on matters of mental health.

Senator Duffy raised the River Moy, which is a huge asset to Mayo and the rest of the country. The late, great Jack Charlton’s fondness for fishing on the River Moy was acknowledged. Senator Duffy noted the need for accurate data and listening to communities. There is a debate at the environment committee today on this matter and on the reduction of salmon returnees to our waters. There are a number of issues, including climate change and warmer waters, so salmon have to go farther and are at greater risk of predation, such as by seals, as they return. There are also issues of water quality. We look forward to that debate at the committee today.

Senator Boyhan raised an “RTÉ Investigates” programme on RTÉ this evening about the care of Ireland’s most vulnerable. He has encouraged people to watch it. We will wait for the programme to air. If there is a request or a requirement for a debate on the outcomes of that, we will attempt to get that.

Senator Keogan discussed the USC and called for its abolition. As I understand it, it brought in €5.3 billion in both 2023 and 2024. It is a significant amount of money. We have one of the most progressive tax systems in the European Union. We have tried to remove as many people as possible from the USC, particularly those on lower pay, and when the minimum wage rises, the thresholds for paying the USC has also risen. Reducing the tax burden is something I would certainly agree with. We hope the forthcoming budget will look at further measures to reduce the tax burden on our citizens.

Senator Andrews referred to the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, and the issues relating to the FAI match. I am not sure if he put down a Commencement debate on the Ireland match against Israel. I know UEFA is supportive of the match going ahead and there may be repercussions against the FAI were it to be cancelled. I know there are suggestions that the match would be played behind closed doors, boycotted or protested. I think that would be the best way to show the solidarity that people have in support of Palestine and against the actions of Israel on that. The Senator may wish to put down a Commencement matter debate to the Minister.

Senator Craughwell called for a debate on adjudication on Defence Forces awards for Army Rangers and chefs. The Department of public expenditure has said "No". He might put down a Commencement matter debate on that to the Department of public expenditure. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, as well.

Senator McCarthy raised Professor Steve Kerrigan, who addressed the committee on sepsis and early recognition protocols. The Senator is encouraging people to attend the audiovisual room this evening at 6 p.m.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the projected increase of 39% in the broadcasting levy by Coimisiún na Meán. That would be of serious concern. She may wish to put down a Commencement matter debate on the matter but I will ask the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, to attend the House. Coimisiún na Meán does important work in relation to supporting local radio, so it would be slightly strange that there would be an increase of 39% in the levy on them. I will ask the Minister to come in and talk about that.

Senator O’Donovan spoke about the Barryroe oil field and licences. That would be a matter for the Minister for energy directly. I was in that role previously. The former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, put a unilateral ban on any new licence applications. Barryroe has history in relation to licences, so there may be historical licences there to which the Senator was referring.

Some 40% of our electricity now comes from renewables - the Senator has indicated his support for that - and 50% of energy generated in February this year was by using renewables. We have seen a doubling of wind energy in the past ten years. Solar is now the third largest source of indigenous electricity. I accept that no matter which type of energy generation we are talking about, there will be people who are against it and have issues with it, regardless of whether it is oil, offshore or onshore wind or solar, peaking plants or battery plants. There are always campaigns against these sources of energy, so none of the in respect of them is easy. The licensing issue relating to Barryroe is a matter for the Minister for energy. In light of that, the Senator may wish to table down a Commencement matter in order to seek a debate with him.

Senator Martin Conway referred to vaccines, hate speech and misinformation. He commented on the appalling commentary about our colleague Senator Flynn on social media recently. There were previous attempts made regarding hate speech. I am not sure whether there are any plans in that regard, but the Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter to ask the Minister for justice about his legislative plans. The committee on media is regularly involved in discussing this difficult area. Free speech is important. Hate speech and misinformation have to be challenged.