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additional to but is contained within the Department's fiscal ceiling. During 2024, when the progression of the fund was being explored and agreed, legal advice was sought on proposals to fund some capital expenditure from the fund. The legal advice received notes that an amendment … will add capacity in the system to deliver new skills programmes or expand existing skills programmes to benefit learners and industry, employees, employers and future employees. Decarbonisation will arise as part of refurbishment of infrastructure to enable space optimisation and adaptive re-se of existing building stock

Government is not convinced that this approach is the correct way of achieving it. However, I commend Deputies on their willingness to explore solutions to this problem. In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, one of my main priorities … help they need. Where something like nitrous oxide is widely available and has many legitimate uses, such as catering and in the motor industry, preventing harm is difficult but I know that my Government colleagues share my determination. This has been a really useful debate and I thank

response, including the option of triggering the unsustainable fishing regulation. Commissioner Kadis advised us at the December Council that measures would be explored by which action can be taken against third countries whose actions have caused such substantial damage to this shared natural resource. I reiterate that … fishing fleets, the processing sector and coastal communities. As the Minister outlined, we saw this right from the start when the fishing industry, the Minister, I and others met with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste back in December. We knew where the scientific advice was going. The Minister

could be especially hard hit, with many small businesses coming under extreme pressure and with small exporters that make specialised parts in this industry being exceptionally hard hit. During Brexit, our European allies stood firm with us in protecting both our economy and peace on our island … have not fully harnessed due to our reliance on our hitherto very close relationship with the US but we must look at exploring these markets. We also need to acknowledge that the attacks on democracy that we have seen around the world are concerning. The fact that only

need to end this assumption that the age people can work until is a decision that should be left wholly to employers. Across industries, retirement gaps cause grave worry and real issues for workers. Several years ago, my own mum ended up in this one-year hiatus situation … living longer, which we know they are, the intensity of work in different parts of life also becomes relevant. We need to explore things like a four-day working week and better social floors, including perhaps universal basic income. I say this because, essentially, instead of squashing