I stand in support of the people of the Lacken-Ballycastle-Killala area and Erris in their opposition to two proposed wind farm developments that are being advanced in both of those areas. These are areas of scenic natural beauty, home to rural areas and people who have faced depopulation and many challenges down through the years. They are resilient communities. Both of these proposals totally contravene county development plans and the wind energy strategy. They contravene "Wild Mayo", which was a Fáilte Ireland document released in Ballinglen earlier this year. What is being proposed will destroy areas with thousands of years of history, including neolithic, ecological and biological history, and precious ecosystems that we celebrate and promote. They will be undermined by both of these developments. We in north Mayo are playing our role in sustainable energy, including wind energy, but these are totally in the wrong location. I object to them and support the opposition of the local community.

St. Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina is one of the tallest buildings in north Mayo. It stands at 46 m. One of these turbines alone would dwarf St. Muredach's Cathedral. At 180 m, these are monstrosities that are being proposed. I ask for the support of the House to support a community that has been very proactive. I compliment both of the action groups, which have been constructive in working with the communities that are constructively objecting to both proposals. Councillors Jarlath Munnelly and Gerry Coyle have been working with me on the rejection of both of these monstrosities, which would undermine the scenic beauty of north Mayo. These companies cannot ride roughshod over communities that were there long before these proposals ever began.

I rise to address the recent International Monetary Fund, IMF, report warning of the impact that artificial intelligence, AI, could have an on employment in this country. I must say that it represents a stark warning to the Government. The IMF has stated that AI could affect more than 40% of the jobs in Ireland and that Ireland is more exposed than most advanced economies to these risks. That should set alarm bells ringing, yet what do we see at the same time? We see major layoffs already happening. Meta is cutting 20% of its Irish workforce, which equates to some 350 jobs, while Oracle is reportedly planning to cut approximately 150 jobs. Government sources are now briefing that further job losses are expected in the months ahead.

At the same time, we continue to rely heavily on multinational tech companies as the backbone of our economy. The IMF has warned clearly that this reliance is itself a vulnerability. Where is the plan to address that? Where is the strategy to diversify employment and protect workers?

There is a contradiction at the heart of our labour market. Youth unemployment still stands at approximately 6%, yet employers say they cannot find workers. This is not a functioning system. It is a failure of policy. We must also be honest about youth emigration. When young people are forced to leave the country to find work, that, too, is unemployment, just exported beyond our borders.

The IMF made it clear that without serious investment in reskilling and upskilling, workers would be left behind, yet we hear vague assurances from the Government that it will have people's backs.

That is not a plan. Unless the Government takes seriously co-ordinated action to align skills with future jobs to reduce our over-reliance on multinationals and to ensure that people can live and work here, we are heading into a period of disruption for which this country is simply not prepared. A meeting with or a briefing from the Minister of State with responsibility for AI, Deputy Smyth, to discuss that would be very welcome.