Malcolm Byrne

My next question will not be reached but it is related to this one as it concerns the efficient use of public moneys. I welcome the launch by the Department of guidelines on the responsible use in public services of artificial intelligence, AI. The Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, and the Minister both launched that document and I commend the Department on it. The use of AI can lead to greater e…

9. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagement with the US President. [27216/25]

I strongly agree with the importance of maintaining our friendship with the United States and that our engagements with Congress must be conducted on a bipartisan basis, notwithstanding the concerns we have about the Trump Administration. I am particularly concerned about recent decisions by President Trump to deny access to international students to Harvard University. I hope that in the plans of…

11. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [16779/25]

I thank the Taoiseach. Ireland's economic success should not be taken for granted. It is critical that we continue to prioritise trade and competitiveness. With this in mind, the Taoiseach might indicate to the House when we intend to fully ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada. Trade and services between Ireland and Canada amount to €10 billion and it is a significant …

What about the unified patent court system?

12. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he plans to modernise basic research equipment in universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26166/25]

With others in this House, and I am quite certain people right across the entire country, we share the horror of what we have been seeing going on in Gaza and across the Middle East. The denial of humanitarian aid to citizens is, as the Taoiseach rightly said, a war crime. The fact that we are now hearing evidence, as Deputy Duncan Smith has said, from a number of trusted humanitarian organisation…

I am happy this debate is taking place. As previous speakers said, nobody is in this House more committed to protecting our biodiversity and natural heritage than the Minister of State. I am appreciative of the work he does personally but I know he is committed to action and not just words. The decision by the former Minister Michael McGrath to establish the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund…

10. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will meet next. [25524/25]

As the Taoiseach is aware, there is overcrowding in every prison in the State at present. That has consequences for the prisoners but also for the prison officers. While punishment has to be part of the prison experience, it is also essential that we address rehabilitation and deter recidivism. We have only two open prisons in the State. Shelton Abbey in Arklow is one of them. It works with Tosú o…

16. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent discussions with President Zelenskyy. [22405/25]

I welcome the Taoiseach’s continued engagement with President Zelenskyy, our continued strong support for the people of Ukraine and our condemnation of Russian aggression. I am sure the Taoiseach agrees with me that under no circumstances should Russia ever have a veto on Irish foreign security or defence policy. On practical examples of action that could be taken, in 1990, when Charles Haughey w…

I thank the Minister for taking this very important debate on a critical issue not only to our economy, but also our society. I also welcome Mr. Francie Gorman, president of the IFA. I have had a lot of very close interaction with both Wicklow and Wexford IFA as well as Macra na Feirme and the other farm organisations. I am delighted that the first female deputy president Ms Alice Doyle is of cour…

This is a long-running saga impacting on the Coast Guard station in Courtown. The Coast Guard at this station serves the coast of north Wexford and south Wicklow. More than 20 individuals regularly and bravely serve our communities in that area. The current old rocket cart station is one of the oldest in the country. It is a limestone building with a very rich history - it was unsuccessfully raide…

I thank the Minister of State. As he can imagine, my frustration is minimal by comparison with that of the Coast Guard and those who support and work with it in Courtown. It serves from Cahore right up to Arklow and beyond. The latest development does represent progress. Although the Minister of State cannot give me a complete timetable, he said the project will be completed by the time the lease …

The OPW would have got it a lot cheaper ten years ago, when it started.

In the recently published HSE capital plan, there is no mention of the planned primary care centre for Gorey. While primary care centres are enormously successful, this has been promised since 2010. During the previous Seanad, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, took four Commencement matters from me on this and she took a Topical Issue earlier this year. There has been no progress by the HSE. W…

We have had no progress.

12. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [22476/25]

Specifically on the work of NESC, similar to Deputy Lahart, I welcome the broad consideration it has given to many issues. As the Taoiseach mentioned, it is carrying out work on artificial intelligence. Critical to this is ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure in place to support a modern digital economy. This includes the construction of data centres. Data centres have got bad rap in many…

If it is agreeable, I will be sharing time with Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere. There may have been a mix-up in respect of the time. I wish the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, well. I yesterday had the privilege of sitting in on the event organised by the Irish Universities Association at which the Minister set out his priorities for the higher education sector. I …

Specifically on Question No. 101, I welcome the fact the Minister has stated clearly it is a priority to continue with the basic income for artists scheme. I agree with Deputy Ó Snodaigh that we are coming very quickly towards August. As a first priority for the 2,000 recipients of the basic income for artists scheme there needs to be an indication as to whether it will be continued for the same 2…

I appreciate the answers the Minister has given and I appreciate that he will make an announcement. I understand he is awaiting the second report but in the first report, as the Minister acknowledged, quantitatively and qualitatively the basic income scheme for artists was viewed as a significant success. It is important for those in receipt of it that some indication is given to them as to whethe…

I know how committed the Minister of State is to the ideals of the European Union and to the peace and prosperity project it continues to be. Our statements today are very important, particularly as we prepare for Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency during the latter part of 2026. It should be noted that under our Presidency in 1990, German reunification occurred. We saw in 2004 the largest acc…