Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Thirty seconds.

We will go to Question No.-----

Deputy Connolly has been waiting patiently. I will allow him one minute to ask a supplementary question.

48. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his discussions with his EU counterparts on the EU-Israel association agreement. [38053/25]

Let the Minister of State respond please.

This Government is protecting renters. Not only are we protecting renters, we are moving as quickly as possible on this. In line with last week's Government approval for the urgent drafting of legislation to extend and expand the operation of the RPZs, I welcome the publication of the necessary legislation, the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill, for urgent enactment today. The reality is that…

Fianna Fáil supports the Bill, which will provide for a new method of calculating the local property tax liabilities in advance of the new valuation period set to commence in 2026. The proposed changes to local property tax will mean that most homeowners will remain in their present valuation bands, which is to be welcomed. Base local property tax charges will increase a small amount in proportion…

I was a councillor on Kilkenny County Council for ten years. Kilkenny County Council increased its property tax by 15%. The benefits that came to every single community in the county were unbelievable. Footpaths were upgraded and additional lighting was put in. There was investment in playgrounds and remedial grants, which went from €34,000 to €200,000. Each council had a discretionary fund which …

-----came up with a concrete proposal as to how it was going to do this. Not once did Sinn Féin say which playgrounds it would shut down, which roads it was not going to fund, which libraries it was going to close or which community groups that get amenity grants in the constituency were going to lose funding as a result. All we are hearing from Sinn Féin is soundbite after soundbite. I will not s…

17. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30835/25]

Hear, hear.

Two and a half minutes, is it?

I appreciate the opportunity to speak here this afternoon on such an important topic. As Deputies know, the housing crisis is the single greatest issue facing this generation. I, like many of my colleagues, have spoken to so many people who still feel locked out of the property market. They are, perhaps, living at home, or are young people living abroad because they see a better quality of life an…

I think the Leas Cheann-Comhairle has the time wrong. I thought it was five-----

I think the Leas Cheann-Comhairle is wrong.

88. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the flood relief schemes in progress or in planning for Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27771/25]

I have seen first hand the devastating impact that flooding can have on homes, businesses, people, families and communities. I understand the flooding problem cannot be eliminated but it can be managed and mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or impact. It is in that context that I ask for an update from the Minister of State on flooding projects that are in planning or in progress in Carl…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I get that flood relief schemes are complex projects and there is a lot of detailed engineering analysis, public engagement, etc. I will focus on the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme specifically. In 2018, funding was announced for this project following significant funding in 2016. The Minister of State was in this role i…

I thank the Minister of State and genuinely acknowledge and appreciate his support for new schemes. I know he is doing everything he can. We spoke privately about these on a number of occasions. Regarding tranche 2 flood relief schemes, and we spoke about Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch, there are other schemes in Kilkenny, such as Freshford, Piltown, Inistioge and Thomastown in particular. They ar…

The Garda vetting process is in urgent need of reform and is proving frustrating for volunteers in community groups and sporting organisations. I acknowledge and recognise the importance of Garda vetting in order to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults. I understand its main objective is to indicate whether somebody has a criminal record or is a threat to a vulnerable person. If someone wa…

20. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with rural affairs and community development will meet. [18744/25]

It was a great weekend for my constituency. Both Carlow intermediate and Kilkenny senior camogie teams went on to win the Leinster finals, which was a massive achievement. I am very much involved with both counties and teams, so I wish all of them very well. Commiserations to the Taoiseach on Cork’s harrowing defeat, but I am sure they will bounce back. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their …

121. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on negotiations taking place at EU level on the Common Agricultural Policy 2027+. [25604/25]

Chap on CAP is the correct term. As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture, I welcome these statements on the Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP strategic plan. Fianna Fáil believes the Irish family farm is the social, economic and cultural pillar of our rural communities and that is why we are committed to ensuring CAP remains strong. The current CAP provides €9.8 billion to Ireland f…

Like previous speakers, I have serious concerns about the significant delays to driving tests across my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. A solution to this issue needs to be accelerated as soon as possible. We have to allocate new testers to locations throughout the country that are experiencing long delays. The delays drivers in Carlow and Kilkenny are facing are just not acceptable. People spend…