Keira Keogh

I am a grown woman and I would be really embarrassed if I had to ask the Tánaiste, as my superior, for a tampon. Luckily, here in Leinster House they are freely available in some of the bathrooms, although not all. Although I do not have to ask, many teenage girls must go to their teacher and ask for a tampon or period product, if they are lucky enough that their school supplies period products. I…

A recent report from Barnardos shows that children are going without activities and sport due to a lack of money. A total of 44% of parents surveyed said that they are cutting back on social activities and entertainment, 19% are cutting back on local sport activity participation and 16% are cutting back on school activities and trips. We must close this participation gap. As Chair of the children …

Go raibh maith agaibh for that very respectful debate.

In accordance with Standing Order 85(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time tomorrow evening.

Seanad Éireann has passed the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025, without amendment.

If Deputy O'Donoghue thinks that he has not used AI before, he definitely has. Even if he has not used a particular AI app, if he put a search into Google this evening, he would have got an AI summary whether he wanted it or not. As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence, I welcome this Bill and the work of the Department officials and the Minister of State. It is l…

Sunday was a proud, historic and, I think the Taoiseach will agree, unforgettable day when we welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney to Westport, Mayo but, more importantly, to his ancestral family home in Aughagower village. I thank him and his wife, Diana, as well as the Taoiseach and his wife, Mary, for coming and for being so gracious with their time. It is also really important to thank Colette…

I agree Hannah was the star of the show and that whole group and that powerful moment of inclusion was really special. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments. I am happy to hear that he is talking about family composition. Councillor Donna Sheridan also contacted me. She is working at present with a separated single mother with two children who is trying to leave the family home. The mother is only s…

79. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider measures to strengthen the sustainability of local and regional media outlets serving rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/26]

I join with Deputy O'Rourke in congratulating Charlotte Davis who has her last day with that scheme tomorrow and is taking up a new role with the Western People. It has been a fantastic scheme. Local and regional media plays a vital role in rural communities. However, they are facing rising costs as they continue to operate this crucial service. Especially concerning is the €3.7 million broadcast…

I definitely welcome those funding schemes, especially the new ones that are going to come on board. Money does have to come in if it is going to go out, but that €3.7 million broadcast levy that has to be paid to Coimisiún na Meán is €1 million more this year than it was last year, which is an average 39% increase. For some local radio stations that is translating to €14,000. That was communicate…

I thank the Minister of State. I absolutely appreciate and value that separation between the Minister and Coimisiún na Meán. Given the shock that occurred across the county when that levy was announced, local radio stations in particular are struggling, and ahead of the approaching budget we should make sure they get as much support as possible. Older people in particular really rely on turning on…

We are in the thick of the summer tourism season, despite the rain pummelling down outside. County Mayo has really exciting plans from the wild Mayo strategy, which has just been launched for north Mayo and which will hopefully include a new jaw-dropping suspension bridge at Ballycastle that will have a breathtaking view of Downpatrick Head right down to the continuing restoration, reimagining and…

We have an international obligation to stand up for international law and progressing this Bill is part of fulfilling these obligations. The Bill is an important contribution to upholding international law and supporting Palestinian self-determination. It also fulfils a specific commitment contained in the programme for Government to progress legislation banning imports from Israeli settlements. T…

Given we have the time, we will go to Deputy Ó Broin for a supplementary contribution.

We have time for one more question. Given that Deputy Sheehan turned up to chair the Chamber, he is now getting Question No. 187.

I think so, as is Deputy Sheehan. We will be all right.

Given that we have two minutes and we are gone well past prepared questions, I am going to finish oral questions with the Minister there and move to Topical Issues, or else we are going to Deputy Conor Sheehan on Question No. 197.

I think we will conclude oral questions there. We are gone very far off piste-----

-----which is all right, but we will move to Topical Issues.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the pricing of train tickets between Athenry and Galway. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss the need for the Drogheda north train station. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the rising costs of living for ho…

Is the Minister of State taking the first Topical Issue?

Okay. I call Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan.

I welcome the publication and the roll-out of the National Safety Camera Strategy. It is a significant and overdue step in modernising road safety enforcement, and reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. Mayo, along with Donegal, has the highest road deaths per capita on 2025 data, so this is important for me and for my constituents. The strategy provides a clear national framework, bac…

125. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will consider targeted supports for family-run and seasonal businesses in Mayo that are particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations, in view of the fact that these businesses are often the backbone of the economy in rural areas and require support year round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …