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need to be developed, including the one in Tallow. My colleague Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy has raised this matter consistently at council level. The project relating to Tallow is important and needs to be delivered. All five projects are at an advanced stage and they need to be properly

responses from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, have the environmental assessments carried out and, ultimately, can drive on with this project. While it a complicated scheme with turloughs, groundwater, rivers, swallow holes, etc., this project needs to be progressed as a manner of urgency. Right

onshore wind energy generation. I am not too sure that is appreciated even in Ireland. We will continue to build on that. The programme for Government includes a commitment to 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar energy and 5 GW of offshore wind … when it comes to storage. On the issue of tidal, I have been to Wales where I saw fairly experimental - or, certainly, embryonic - projects in place to harness tidal energy. There has been some research in Ringaskiddy in respect of that. If I am honest, however, it seems

thank the Taoiseach for his reply. It is vital the project gets €3 million this year, otherwise the contracts will end on 11 April and the work will stop. I have been around long enough to have noticed that it was halted in 2002 and 2012, at huge … Port and Rosslare for the trucks and the bypass of Tipperary town is included in that. It is badly needed to keep this project alive

between the insurance industry and the State. It involves the investment the State is making in a quite significant number of flood relief programmes and the degree to which those flood relief programmes should also impact future insurance, which sometimes can be problematic in the aftermath

time ago. I want to address a number of issues. Deputy Ó Broin is using the RTB data for scaremongering. Those were his projections from that data. I completely reject his conclusion. I do not know what his conclusions or projections are based on but they are certainly

from the affordable housing fund across 22 local authority areas. From budget 2026, cost-rental homes will be exempt from corporation tax, making projects more viable and ensuring the 25% discount is maintained. The rent tax credit, introduced in budget 2023, has been of significant help for renters … benefiting in 2023. In budget 2026, the credit was extended for three more years, until the end of 2028. As promised in the programme for Government, the amount of the credit will increase gradually over the lifetime of this plan. A lengthy eviction ban or rent freeze would

Questions Nos. 1 to 16, inclusive, together. The Government has placed agriculture and rural development at the heart of its work and the programme for Government sets out our ambitions to do more to grow our agrifood sector and see our rural economy and rural communities thrive. Government … Government and, above all, by farmers themselves. By way of example, one can look at the success and implementation of the ACRES programme, which is part of Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy strategic plan. This work is relevant to multiple Cabinet committees and will see €1.5 billion allocated

must do everything possible to help these farmers and ensure they are adequately compensated. Due to the increased cost of the bovine TB programme in recent years, the Government's focus should now be on reducing the levels of the disease and, if at all possible, eradicating … This will reduce the impact on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme, which has risen year on year and stood at over €121 million in 2025. The Government must do everything possible to eradicate this disease

which funds the large-scale slaughter of badgers. The truth is they are scapegoats for the spread of bovine TB. We have a programme that is killing more and more badgers yet the incidence rate goes up and up. It is over 66% at this stage … refuses to fund this programme any more. It means the public is funding €100 million a year. Will the Taoiseach commit to end the mass slaughter of badgers? We need to move to 100% vaccination and have implementation of biosecurity measures to actually deal with the problem

herd incidence has started to reduce in recent months. In June the Government agreed to introduce additional measures to the bovine TB programme following extensive stakeholder agreement. The bovine TB action plan was launched in September underpinned by scientific research and veterinary expertise. The aim of the action … plan is to reset the programme in the context of putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation. Those measures are targeting both transmission between wildlife and cattle, which does happen, and transmission between cattle. There is a heavy emphasis on vaccination in the action

Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg. Michael Cusack primary school. It is a scoil lánGhaelach. There were 452 pupils enrolled last September and 480 are projected for next year. This school was designed for eight teachers. It has prefabs. It is a fabulous school with lovely education going … prepared in an area where an autism class being taught. It is quite chaotic. The school has planning permission for a new build project and has gone through all of the statutory phases. It kills the school to think that it will not get that new build

sort of bubble. The Deputy may have his political differences with me, but the economists in the Department of Finance stand over the projections. The ESRI and the Central Bank projections, published in December are there for him to see. I have outlined, as was outlined

instinctively agree. I do not mean to be pedantic but the programme for Government says we will consider measures. I take very seriously the programme for Government and we should continue to consider these measures as well. We had it looked at last year in the tax strategy

thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Government is progressing the commitments in the programme for Government to further reform the insurance sector in Ireland and ensure transparency, affordability and availability of insurance for all consumers. Significant progress was achieved through the 2020 action plan for insurance … coming weeks. The Government is firmly committed to addressing the cost and availability of insurance through implementing the reforms set out in the programme for Government and the Action Plan for Insurance Reform

good understanding and has hit the ground running on these issues. It is not right. We are putting forward a programme and there is huge commitment by the Government. A total of €180 million is being put into this matter currently and more money will be pumped into … disadvantaged areas or whatever - the better. It is a great leveller in terms of giving people the best possible chance. The DEIS programme looks at making sure pupils stay in school and get the best possible outcomes from school. That may be difficult in some circumstances

absolutely assure the Deputy this will be led from the highest level. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that this be a whole-of-government approach. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, have directed all our ministerial colleagues to engage … will go on but I do not think they will have to because there is genuine interest in ensuring the success of this programme. Fáiltímid roimh an bplean gníomhaíochta do sheirbhísí poiblí. Bhí moladh ann do gach Roinn agus bhí an Roinn in aice le gach moladh. When

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for confirming that. I understand that the LEADER programme is a five-year programme and that there may be peaks and troughs, but a €10 million reduction in the budget this year compared with last year is still €10 million of a reduction

need investment. I support that but I am very disappointed by the Minister's lack of commitment to reopening the shovel-ready projects scheme that was there. I have a few examples. The Fairfield community association is operating out of a house it owns in Fairfield. It deals … their real fear, and my fear, is that when they are ready to go, the funding will not be available for this project. These are volunteers. Where is the support? There is one other thing I will ask the Minister to really take on board. Should we have

recent times. We have also seen the results of the recent survey by the Claims Conference which demonstrate that, despite an existing strong programme of Holocaust education in Irish schools, 12% of those surveyed had never heard of, or were unsure if they had heard of, the Holocaust … Holocaust did not happen and many more again were unaware of the numbers of Jewish victims. These figures are outstanding and alarming. The programme for Government contains commitments to give effect to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism and to the implementation

political, economic and cultural connections, grounded in our shared history, values and commitment to a rules-based international order. Under the Global Ireland programme, Ireland significantly expanded its diplomatic presence in Canada opening new consulates generals in Vancouver in 2018 and in Toronto in 2022 complementing Ireland … leaders. In addition, last week, the Minister for further and higher education, Deputy Lawless, launched the de Chastelian scholarships. This is a new programme that is jointly funded by the Irish and Canadian Governments. I visited Toronto in September. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McEntee

capital plan last week was a really important step. We have got to start somewhere. It gets a lot of school projects moving but I also know other schools are saying, "Hang on, we want to move too". My message to them is that we will keep working … with them and constructively engaging, and there will be more projects moved in the time ahead

former party leader and then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, flanked by other Fine Gael and Labour Party Ministers, turned the sod on the project. It was a nice photo op but nothing more. The press release from the developer, BAM, said that a 6,000-capacity multi-purpose venue … hear what he has to say to the people of Cork about the Government’s failure to deliver on these key infrastructure projects for our city

Clontibret to the Border and Ardee to Castleblayney roads schemes are crucial to the north-east region for various reasons. Where the project scored the highest in an appraisal by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, was on safety, being appraised as highly positive for safety, which is the highest … suspended due to funding constraints. Therefore, my first request as we debate road safety today, is whether we can do a reappraisal of projects which are currently underfunded and give an additional level of priority on the basis of safety. Second, I welcome that recently during oral questions

fully understand that there were over 1,000 submissions. At least 900 of those were in support of the flood relief programme proceeding. It is extremely important because these are residents who are living in Blackpool. They are third and fourth generation people who are living there … Twelve years from a major flooding event, that scheme is now almost completed. It is important now we give priority to this Blackpool project

interim measures being implemented to monitor and secure Irish airspace between now and the fast-tracked 2028 delivery date of the Military Radar Programme; the reasons for the recent decision by the National Security and Defence Policy Branch to pause the broader National Aviation Security Strategy

Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence to give an update on the armour modernisation programme; if vehicles have been identified for purchase; the most recent estimated cost of the modernisation effort; and the date by which the vehicles will be delivered to the Defence Forces. [43593/26

plan for the transformation of the Defence Forces, which have been pushed out again by Government, and which will result in major defence projects, such as the anti-drone CUAS system, being delayed again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43740/26

Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government [41394/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any assessment of the pilot project in Killarney related to the use of single-use coffee cups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42387/26

recent assessments that RCP8.5 (or equivalent high-end scenarios like SSP5-8.5) is no longer considered a plausible or realistic baseline for climate projections due to outdated assumptions on coal use and emissions trajectories; to detail which emissions scenarios are now used as the primary basis for Ireland

Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes completed under the better energy warmer homes scheme work programme and the average cost per home since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42820/26

proposed hydrogen demonstration fund will be completed; the level of funding being considered; whether the scheme will support both green and blue hydrogen projects; who will administer the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42972/26

Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures being taken to support hydrogen demonstration projects before large-scale offshore wind generation becomes available in the early 2030s; if EirGrid has identified locations where surplus renewable electricity could support electrolysers before

Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 2 December 2025, if she will provide an update on the actual and projected appointments under each stream identified to date in 2026, in tabular form. [42642/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Defence whether she remains confident that a contract for the Armoured Vehicle Replacement Programme will be signed before the end of 2026, in line with the timeline set out in the Detailed Implementation Plan. [43374/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the level of capital funding allocated to transport infrastructure projects in County Westmeath and County Longford under the current National Development Plan. [41501/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of transport-related projects in Westmeath and Longford currently awaiting approval or funding allocation. [41505/26

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the progress made on active travel and greenway projects in counties Westmeath and Longford. [41508/26

West, including any statements of grid adequacy or required upgrades; the findings in terms of any impediments to the immediate rollout of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/26

Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the internal assessments, modelling or analysis carried out by Iarnród Éireann, the NTA or relevant agencies on projected electrical load, traction power demand, or the suitability of existing grid infrastructure for DART+ South-West; the results of such analysis in terms

allow the NTA to continue operations of transport across the country and the additional finance to support the rollout of planned BusConnects projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42367/26

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered a motorway project proposal (details supplied); whether this would be feasible along sections of the M50 beside Castleknock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42743/26

Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined the further expansion of free public transport for children, as per the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42772/26

engaged with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Cork County Council regarding funding for the proposed N72 Firville to Newberry junction improvement project; if funding will be allocated to allow the scheme to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42873/26

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport the estimated timeline for the completion of the Metrolink project; the estimated cost for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43834/26

Finance if he plans to review the changes to tax treatment as a result of Brexit of Irish employees involved in share programmes with UK employers, in particular in the instance of unrealised gains on stocks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter

expected State receipts arising under the relevant EU banking and State-aid arrangements is expected to be fully drawn down during 2026; the projected timing of those receipts; and whether the anticipated scale of those receipts provides a basis for abolishing or amending the outbound payment restriction applying

Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether Revenue has considered commissioning, conducting, or participating in an independent survey or research project to estimate the scale of the illicit vaping market in the State, similar to the annual illicit tobacco consumption survey; and if he will make

asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to specify when level of indicative tax cuts are contained within the annual progress report revenue projections. [43313/26