904. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cumulative impact of the new TB testing rules introduced in April 2026, in conjunction with the current export restrictions, particularly in terms of additional costs, labour requirements, and movement limitations imposed on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35253/26]
905. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered proposals to recognise native honey bee hives as livestock units under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the suggestion that one hive of native Irish honey bees would constitute one livestock unit, with the first four units eligible for €500 per livestock unit and subsequent units for €250 e…
906. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the new regulations granting the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers to compel price and market information; the reasons for the lead-in time before commencement; and the basis for excluding small businesses from the scope of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35255/26]
306. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Education and Youth when it is expected that a school (details supplied) will progress from Stage 2A to Stage 2B of the Department’s School Building and Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33877/26]
479. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the supports available to community sports clubs in County Laois seeking funding for facility upgrades, including floodlighting, dressing rooms and all-weather pitches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33393/26]
480. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the additional supports being considered for local sports clubs facing increased operational and energy costs, particularly volunteer-led organisations in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33395/26]
481. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being put in place to support the sustainability of local and regional media outlets in light of changing advertising revenues and increased digital competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/26]
482. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress being made in expanding investment in community arts, cultural infrastructure and heritage projects outside major urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33397/26]
483. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the actions being taken to improve participation in sport and physical activity among young people, particularly in disadvantaged and rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33398/26]
70. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the progress made in implementing policies to reduce transport-related emissions, including measures to promote electric vehicles and sustainable mobility; and if he will outline any further initiatives planned in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31488/26]
71. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken to improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31489/26]
189. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures his Department is taking to promote active participation and social inclusion through the provision of income supports and employment services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31474/26]
190. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which his Department is currently developing and delivering cost-effective income supports and activation services for jobseekers and families; and if he will outline any planned reforms in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31475/26]
191. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the role of Intreo centres in delivering integrated employment and income supports; and the steps being taken to enhance access to these services nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31476/26]
192. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions being undertaken by his Department to prevent and detect fraud and abuse within the social protection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31477/26]
193. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made in ensuring seamless service delivery between his Department and other Government Departments and agencies in the provision of social welfare and employment supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31478/26]
497. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to secure a new investor or occupier for a former facility (details supplied) in Portlaoise, given its strategic importance as a major modern industrial asset, its suitability for food, pharmaceutical or advanced manufacturing use, and the risk of significant economic loss to the Laois region if the site remains i…
498. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which the proposed Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026 will enable the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission (CCPC) to act more quickly against unfair business practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30553/26]
499. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific supports that are available through Fáilte Ireland to assist in the development and promotion of tourism infrastructure in County Laois and the wider Midlands region, in order to enhance regional visitor numbers and economic activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30554/26]
500. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether consideration has been given to targeted investment or incentive schemes to support the redevelopment of large-scale vacant or underutilised industrial sites for tourism-related uses such as food tourism, visitor centres, or experimental attractions in regional areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30555/26]
294. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure that the Defence Forces are adequately staffed and resourced to meet current and emerging security challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29257/26]
295. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the current status of recruitment and retention initiatives within the Defence Forces; the measures being considered to address ongoing personnel shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29258/26]
296. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the level of investment being allocated to the modernisation of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure; the timeline for the delivery of key capability upgrades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29259/26]
297. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the extent of Ireland's participation in international peacekeeping missions; the plans to expand or reduce such commitments in the coming period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29260/26]
298. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Defence the measures in place to enhance cybersecurity and protect critical national infrastructure from emerging threats, including any role envisaged for the Defence Forces in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29261/26]