Catherine Callaghan
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Quite rightly, as the Minister pointed out, the Presidency has highlighted both the importance of international co-operation and the reality that Ireland cannot currently provide every aspect of its own defence and security requirements. However, let us be fair about that.”
“I thank the Minister and fully support that. Ireland's reputation overseas has been built not only on the professionalism of our peacekeepers but also on the confidence serving personnel and their families have had in the supports and protections associated with overseas UN service.”
“I agree that the maritime security strategy is a great document. One of the lessons of recent years is that threats to national security no longer come solely in conventional military forms.”
“I welcome the Minister's response. As someone who has served overseas, I recognise, as the Minister mentioned, that the future of peace support operations may look very different to those that have shaped previous peacekeepers, like me. Looking ahead, does the Minister see Ireland's overseas contribution remaining focused?”
“With that in mind, what capabilities does Government believe the Defence Forces will require over the next decade to fulfil those missions effectively?”
“While the Minister has outlined some specific capability gaps there in terms of increasing the number of ships and helicopters, technology, etc., does she believe that will help us become less dependent on others and more resilient in our own right? Does the Minister have a timeline for when those capability gaps can be closed?”
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“I would like to use my time to suggest a way to improve cancer care outcomes in counties Carlow and Kilkenny. In figures given to me by the Irish cancer Society, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, in 2024, 47% of Carlow people diagnosed with cancer died from the disease. In the same year, 47% of Kilkenny people diagnosed with cancer died from the disease. We have made significant progress in improving survival rates and expanding access to cancer care. I pay tribute to the men and women who support oncology patients as well as volunteers in the likes of Éist in Carlow and Cois Nore in Kilkenny among other services available in my constituency. However, 365 men, women and children from Carlow and Kilkenny died from cancer in 2024. That is almost one person per day.”
“Following the surveys that have been done, it is estimated that Carlow County Council needs approximately €4 million and Kilkenny County Council needs an estimated €5 million to return those severely damaged roads to pre-flood conditions. Where is the promised funding for local authorities and when will it be released to Carlow and Kilkenny county councils?”
“I wish to raise the state of our local roads in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. While the recent spell of persistent heavy rain has thankfully ceased for the moment, the damage done to our roads in the flash floodings of January this year, particularly in rural parts of Carlow and Kilkenny, is still very evident and is causing grave disruption and inconvenience, disproportionately affecting rural dwellers. I commend Carlow and Kilkenny county councils, which have worked hard at making our local roads passable, but they are a long way from being sufficiently repaired. The reason for that is not the lack of will of both local authorities but the delay in receipt of the emergency funding that was promised from the Government.”
“Will the Minister please ensure that the people who get up to go to work every day are supported in any measure invoked by the Government next week? I am also asking the Government, for now, not to remove or reduce carbon taxes because they are ring-fenced to ensure we can extend the fuel allowance to the most vulnerable and ensure that more Irish homes are retrofitted, thereby reducing the long-term cost of running our homes. As I said at the start of my contribution-----”
“I ask the Government to please keep a firm focus on seeking a de-escalation of this war through the peaceful means of dialogue and diplomacy. I ask it to continue to act responsibly. We need to look at and plan for solutions rather than focus solely on calling out the problem in outrage. We can all do outrage, but it is outcomes that make a tangible difference to people's lives. We need an appropriate intervention and I am happier now than I was this morning, having heard the Taoiseach confirm that appropriate measures to assist households will be finalised in the next Cabinet meeting early next week. I am asking on behalf of the 14,000 people across Carlow and Kilkenny who voted for me that fairness be placed at the centre of this response.”
“People are feeling the sting in their pockets. As I passed filling stations in Ballon and Tinryland on my way to work this morning, I saw diesel well in excess of €2 per litre, which I had never seen before. It is clear to me that this matter affects all households and it requires an appropriate, well-thought-out and fair response, not a knee-jerk reaction. This war is not of our making and it is happening many thousands of kilometres away from us, but we are all feeling its effects, which indicates to all of us how small this world of ours is becoming and how interdependent global economies are. While the focus this evening is on fuel and energy costs, let us make no mistake that without an end to this war, there is worse to come for all of us.”
“If costs like this were borne by central government, it would allow Carlow County Council to more quickly fulfil its ambition to bring Carlow town centre back to life and increase housing supply for the people of Carlow. Will the Government consider funding a certain level of abnormals for local authorities that are developing housing?”
“I would like to talk about housing supply in Carlow. We all agree that a quicker way to increase supply is to utilise existing buildings. I have to give kudos to Carlow County Council, which has made huge inroads tackling vacancy and dereliction, with a particular focus on providing town centre older persons' housing to facilitate the 339 older persons living alone in two- and three-bedroom council houses in Carlow so that these family homes are accessible to families. Carlow County Council has already purchased substantial vacant sites to provide more homes but the cost of abnormals, like decontamination or utility upgrades, is eating away at its allocated budget. I am aware of a site in the council's ownership that will require close to €1 million to be brought to a build-ready position due to the nature of its previous use.”
“Despite the unique opportunities that exist in the craft sector, a recent Heritage Council survey noted that only 9% of respondents advised they had enough apprentices to satisfy consumer demand. For example, there are only 15 to 20 experts to service more than 2,000 thatched buildings in Ireland. Without people and training, this conservation work will be tendered overseas. That will cost the Irish Exchequer an awful lot more.”
“I was at the announcement when the Minister, Deputy Lawless, came to KCETB. It was a brilliant announcement and a very positive day. Deputy John McGuinness was also there. I emphasise that we would like to see it delivered to ensure progress continues. There is a unique cultural value to Irish traditional craft. Irish craft is renowned worldwide for its intricate design, high level of cultural significance and unbeatable quality. In Carlow, Borris Lacemakers provides an excellent example of a unique local product that has achieved international significance, with the lacemakers recently being chosen, alongside other craftspeople, to represent Ireland in the European Parliament.”
“Recently it held the first thatching course in 15 years in Sheepstown in County Kilkenny. That is probably a testament to the rich potential the sector has. As the Minister of State has said, it is critical that apprentices can learn these skills while there are still expert craft persons to train them. He has given some assurance already, but he might reiterate that every possible measure is being taken to expedite the delivery of the national centre of excellence and training in traditional skills.”
“I thank the Minister of State. He has almost answered my next question. It is very heartening to hear we are all thinking along the same lines. It is very important we recognise that over recent years there has been a growth in appreciation for the role of traditional craft works in Irish society. Skills such as thatching and stonemasonry have often been looked at in a nostalgic way as cherished emblems of an older Ireland. I believe, however, and I recognise from the comments of the Minister of State, that traditional skills have a place not only in Ireland's past but in its future as well. Traditional skills will play an important role in the 21st century through the development of the specialist courses in Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board, which the Minister State mentioned.”
“This has been achieved in the face of rising demand for these surgeries. While progress is undoubtedly being made, there will always be more that needs to be done. Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to seeing the Government build on the progress that has already been made to shorten waiting times and to improve outcomes for the children who need our support the most.”
“Paediatric spinal services have not been adequate for a large number of families, but it is important to recognise that progress is being made. Waiting lists are being shortened. Delivery is being boosted for children and parents across the country. GP referral pathways are being improved. Greater numbers of orthopaedic surgeons are being brought into the network. Thankfully, the Minister for Health has led by introducing a central referral process for patients. This will ensure children are seen in the right location by the right consultants and as timely as possible. The work being done by the Government and the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, is borne out in the facts. Waiting times across the board for spinal surgeries are going down. Fewer children are waiting a long time for their surgeries.”
“Following on from a successful first surgery, this child's second surgery was cancelled due to an emergency presenting at the hospital. At the time, I reflected that while it was maybe easy for an outsider to accept this, to a parent there is no greater emergency than the health and well-being of their child. Following representations to the HSE and the Department of Health, that child received her surgery without any further undue wait, and she is in good health and care now. That is a testament to the hard-working staff in the HSE and the hospital. With that in mind, and thinking of the incredible healthcare professionals we have working in Ireland today, I know how difficult it must be to tell parents that their child's needs are not urgent enough.”
“As we carry out this process, I am heartened to see the Government's commitment to a human rights-based, patient-centred and trauma-informed approach, which will allow for the most transparent examination possible of the issue. I look forward to engaging in due course with the formal report of Mr. Farrell, which will come before the Government in the near future. We have all become aware of the shortcomings of the paediatric services offered to spinal patients in this country in the past. The number of paediatric spinal surgeries cancelled due to emergency surgeries or a shortage of ICU beds increased every year between 2022 and 2025. In recent months, I have raised in this Chamber the case of a young child in my own constituency who had been on the surgery waitlist for a period of over two years.”
“I welcome the announcement that a facilitator, Mr. Remy Farrell SC, has been appointed to the scoping exercise and terms of reference for the public inquiry into the spina bifida and scoliosis services. Over the next 16 weeks, I look forward to families engaging with Mr. Farrell to inform the structure of the inquiry. I am a firm believer that when it comes to public inquiries, we must take into account the views of those who have lived through these things first-hand. Across Carlow, Kilkenny and the country at large, there are families who have been let down by paediatric spinal services. If we are to fully come to terms with the issue, we must allow them the space to tell their story.”
“They said that they hoped that my kind, caring and helpful SNA personality will help this country be better. Children, I am trying.”
“A review of it has been ongoing for some time. The challenge relates to the difference in what an SNA is supposed to do versus what they actually do. I really look forward to the updated circular being published. For parents, SNAs and schools, the fact is that no cuts are being proposed, nor will they be. Crucially, no review will happen until after the publication of three crucial pieces of information on the SNA redeployment scheme, the SNA workforce development plan and the updated Circular 0030/2014. What we really need to see when that review comes out is that the parameters upon which allocations are decided must be much more reflective of the realities of the needs that are present in an Irish classroom as we approach 2030. My senior infant class sent me a lovely letter when I first got elected.”
“We place children at the very centre of our days, just like teachers do in their teaching role. Classrooms in Ireland are positive spaces. It is important to put that on the record. The Irish school system is a good system whereby staff - be they SNAs, teachers, secretaries or caretakers - all care about the students that are in their schools. In light of the SNA reviews, I know that people were worried, anxious, upset and angry at the process. To be fair to the SENOs and the NCSE more broadly, they are doing their jobs in line with the circular. It states that all SNA allocations are subject to annual reviews. That is their brief. To be fair, the Department of Education, the Minister, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, are fully aware that the circular is not reflective of the role of an SNA in 2026.”
“This time two years ago, I was working as an SNA in a primary school. At the time, I was under no illusion as to what my job description was because my contract was in line Circular 0030/2014. I was employed, like all SNAs are currently employed, to assist in the care needs of pupils with disability in an educational context. The excellent class teachers who are qualified to teach are responsible, under that circular, for the education of all students in the classroom. That is the current SNA brief. On the ground, however, SNAs, myself included, worked way outside that brief to not just assist the child I was assigned to but also all of the other children in the classroom. Why? It is because SNAs, by their very nature, are kind, caring and helpful.”
“However, the detection of the disease and the robust response from the Government are testament to the resilience of Irish agriculture. Irish farmers work incredibly hard to ensure that their produce is world renowned for the highest possible quality standards. It is that same resilience and appetite for hard work that will catch, contain and control bluetongue over the coming months.”
“Wind speed and direction can also affect how far midges can travel and this could potentially facilitate the spread of the disease. We must remain vigilant. That is why it is so vital that advice from the Department of agriculture be heeded. In cases of suspected bluetongue, farmers should isolate the suspect animal indoors immediately and report the case to the Department. Farmers should also contact their local regional veterinary office. Outside office hours, they should ring the national disease emergency hotline. The detection of bluetongue in Ireland comes as a disappointment, but considering the spread of the disease in Europe, it is not a surprise. With up to 1 million calves due to be born over the coming weeks, farmers across the country are understandably worried.”
“This is exemplified by the decision taken last December by the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to allow for BTV-3 vaccination in Ireland this year. Vaccination remains the only evidence-based control option now available to farmers at risk of exposure. The Minister has led from the front on this issue and I encourage all farmers to consult their veterinary practitioners to see if vaccination is suitable for their livestock. Given that bluetongue is, as we know, spread by midges that cannot survive in Irish winter temperatures, there are grounds for optimism at present. However, we must remain cautious. Midges typically begin to reappear in April and can remain active until November, meaning that as we start to come into summer, the likelihood of infection spreading will rise.”
“These confirmed cases have led to the suspension of both breeding and store cattle being moved from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland. Exports to Northern Ireland are only permitted if direct for slaughter. As we have all learned over recent years, disease does not respect international borders. In my view, the best way of managing outbreaks of bluetongue in both jurisdictions is through a collaborative, all-of-Ireland approach. It is only through close co-operation with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the North that we can restore the important trade in feeding and breeding animals. Farming organisations South and North should be applauded because they have met to highlight the need for close collaboration in this regard. I know that this Government will not be found wanting.”
“Regarding the trade of meat and dairy products, there are no implications for exports to the UK or to most of our international markets. However, movements of livestock to certain EU member states and third countries will be affected now that Ireland has lost its status as free of bovine TB. I know that the Minister for agriculture and his team are working hard to negotiate revisions to many trade certificates for third countries. Indeed, the sudden appearance of bluetongue is a reminder of the critical importance for global supply chains that contingency plans be made and put in place. The Department is engaged in extensive surveillance in Wexford and across the south east to work against and prevent the further spread of the disease.”
“Any farmers who have had a reactor for TB or have faced into their lands being devastated by flooding know the dread, uncertainty and helplessness that can upend their lives without warning. While bluetongue is not a disease that poses a risk to humans and, thankfully, it does not affect the quality of our food, this outbreak is of serious concern to farmers and the agri industry in Ireland. Symptoms of bluetongue can be particularly distressing for the infected animals. Fever, drooling, facial swelling, lameness and ulcers in the mouth are all known symptoms of the disease that farmers must be on the lookout for in the coming months. Devastatingly, among sheep, bluetongue has a mortality rate of up to 70%.”
“I join other Members of this House in expressing empathy for the farmers in the south east who in recent weeks have been unfortunate enough to have had animals in their herds test positive for a form of bluetongue. In Carlow and Kilkenny, and indeed throughout Ireland, farming is not just a job. It is a vocation and a way of life. When disaster strikes, whether through disease or adverse weather conditions, it hits not only the farmer but also his or her family, and is felt deeply throughout the community. Coming from a farming background, I know how it feels to be at the mercy of the elements and the cruel manner in which everything can change in an instant. Many of us in this Chamber can remember the early months of 2001 when an outbreak of foot and mouth disease ground Irish agriculture to a halt virtually overnight.”
“I raise the matter of a Carlow sheep farmer who recently lost 15 sheep in the floods. That might sound like a small number to many but to this farmer, it will present a significant financial impact. One of the sheep was a pure-bred ram and the other 14 were replacements. I acknowledge the supports offered by the Government in the immediate aftermath of the flood, but none of them seem to be available to this Carlow farmer. In fact, the Irish Red Cross said we should go to the Department of Social Protection. That Department sent us to the Department of agriculture, which sent us to the Department of enterprise, and so far, everybody has said "No" Will the Tánaiste provide some guidance and direction on where this Carlow farmer can seek some redress for his lost flock?”
“We should never take it for granted. I know that this Government has no intention of taking peace on this island for granted. I look forward to seeing the joint framework on legacy progress over the coming months.”
“As a former member of the Defence Forces, I understand that justice for veterans without victims is an empty justice. To properly reconcile ourselves with the past, we must take into consideration the views and lived experiences of victims. This is why I am heartened to see the Government taking the lead by engaging with the Government of the United Kingdom on the joint framework on legacy. This framework recognises the crucial importance of co-operation in legacy matters. At its heart lies the conviction that by working together on our shared history, we can pave the way for a collaborative and peaceful future. Today, we are blessed to live on a peaceful island. Our young people have no recollection of what it meant to live through that terrible time. We must always remember, however, that peace is not inevitable.”
“Respect should rightly be given to the dignity and courage shown by victims, survivors and their families over the past ten years. In its final report, the Kenova team highlights serious wrongdoing by both paramilitary and state actors. It exposes collusion by and failures on the part of security forces, condemns the IRA’s brutality and states very clearly that even if crimes predate the Good Friday Agreement, anyone involved, whether terrorists or members of the security forces, should face consequences. I am mindful of the ongoing debate on legacy issues in the UK and the calls by some for a door to be closed on the Troubles once and for all. However, I am of the opinion that we do not learn from history by ignoring it. We learn from history by engaging with it and by listening to those who lived through it.”
“Across 30 years, the seemingly countless atrocities that occurred brought a raw and constant pain to the people of this island. The existence and presence of Stakeknife, acknowledged by the Kenova team to have caused the deaths of more people than he spared, is one such atrocity. This investigation needed to be handled with sensitivity and care for the victims, the survivors and their families, and with a search for truth placed right at the centre of its work. We all agree, on the basis of the findings in the report, that the Kenova team prioritised seeking truth. It prioritised providing long overdue answers to families and demonstrated that meaningful engagement with victims is both possible and, crucially, essential. This victim-centred approach must be, without doubt, the model that future legacy investigations follow.”
“I welcome the opportunity to discuss the findings of the report relating to Operation Kenova. I would like to add my voice to those of previous speakers in expressing gratitude to all of the Operation Kenova team for their work over the past ten years. They have proven, beyond doubt, that legacy investigations and reviews do work. Their stellar commitment has shone a light on a very dark part of this island's history and exposed the institutional failings that helped that darkness to prosper. This investigation delved into what, to say the least, is a very challenging subject for many people. The report makes for very difficult reading. The Troubles were without doubt one of the most difficult and heartbreaking chapters in the history of this State, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.”
“Furthermore, as the Tánaiste is aware, these thresholds last throughout a person's lifetime. This means that if an uncle gives a gift of over €3,000 to their niece or nephew during their lifetime, it is deducted once again from the recipient's inheritance tax threshold at the end of life. With this in mind, would it be possible to amend the rules so that there is a greater exemption for gifts that are given during a person's life?”
“I thank the Tánaiste. I like that response and that well-thought-out way of looking at it from the carer's point of view. I am heartened to hear that tax measures as a whole will be reviewed in the course of this Government. I point out, perhaps again, that for many people across Ireland, factors other than choice determine whether or not they have children. If these people own properties and should they wish to pass them on to their close relatives, the low exemption thresholds mean they will be burdening those relatives with large tax bills. Oftentimes, what happens then, as we all know, a family home that people would like to keep in the family needs to be sold. That is against the wishes of the person who has left it and those of the person who is inheriting it.”
“Therefore, if an individual wishes to leave an inheritance to someone outside their immediate family, as has been mentioned, they are only tax exempt to the first €40,000 of that inheritance while couples in group A benefit from an exemption of ten times that much. With that in mind, how does the Tánaiste intend to work towards bringing our tax system in line with social attitudes and support new family structures by increasing the inheritance tax thresholds for childless individuals?”
“I thank the Tánaiste for his answer. We know - and the Tánaiste knows better than anyone - that over the last number of years Fine Gael has been at the forefront of a changing Ireland where alternative family structures are welcomed and where people do not feel the pressure to confirm to what was once the traditional idea of a family. Fine Gael values personal liberty and it is clearly reflected in the broad liberalisation of Irish attitudes. However, while societal attitudes can naturally evolve over time, laws do not evolve of their own accord. They need political will to bring them up to date. I believe the current inheritance tax is reflective of a different Ireland from the Ireland we live in today. The most recent census data show there are almost 400,000 families without children in Ireland.”
“In terms of the reinsurance schemes, it is important when we are considering about flood insurance that we also consider thatch insurance. I have a constituent in Carlow who was flooded but does not have insurance for flooding. As he lives in a thatched house, he also does not have insurance for fire. I ask that when we are considering reinsurance that we might consider that too.”
“I ask for a tax incentive to be there for families in that regard to set in train that really good habit from a very young age and to keep families being active together and away from their phones.”
“Just to follow on from that question about tax measures to encourage gym membership, I ask that when the review is being done at the end of the year, tax measures for families be looked at. We see young families stuck on their phones. I have two teenagers and a young adult and this year we have got a family gym membership. It is great to be able to go to the gym together. In fairness, our local gym is a testament to the money that was invested in our local sports club, in that it has allowed that facility to be there. Perhaps for parents with very young children, that tax incentive could be given for gyms. It could also be given to leisure centres so that our young children could start learning how to swim, which is a vital life skill.”
“Road tragedies remind us that everything can change in an instant and we should adopt that attitude when it comes to safety on the road. Everything can change for the worse, but it can also change for the better. I commend the RSA on its dedication to Vision Zero and on the outreach and education work it does on an ongoing basis to increase awareness of our own responsibilties on the road.”
“Outside Glenmore in south Kilkenny, a 6 km stretch of the N25 is among the most lethal pieces of road in the country. You are five times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on this section of road than on any other road in Ireland. Similarly, the Waterford to Cahir scheme on the N24 is stalled between stages 2 and 3, awaiting the necessary backing before it can proceed. People in Kilkenny are crying out for this work to be progressed urgently and to curb the senseless and utterly preventable tragedies. The time for talk is over; now is the time to act. I urge the relevant Ministers to do everything in their power to ensure these life-saving projects across the N24 and N25 are progressed as quickly as possible.”
“Clearly we must do more in this Chamber to ensure the message gets through: slow down because speed kills. For families grieving the sudden loss of a loved one in a road traffic accident, it can only feel like a meaninglessly cruel and random event. Last year, over half of the fatalities occurred on high-speed roads, those with a speed limit of 80 km/h and above. Carlow County Council has led from the front in applying a reduced speed limit to the section of the N80 that runs through the county, in direct response to an uptick in recent incidents on that stretch of road. Likewise, Kilkenny County Council's road safety plan has set out a strategic vision for the remainder of the decade aimed at engaging with the relevant stakeholders to bring about a safe environment on our roads.”
“I wish to join with every Member of the House in remembering and paying tribute to the 183 lives that were lost on Irish roads in 2025, the largest number of fatalities on our roads since 2014. Of course, my heart also goes out to those impacted by this afternoon's horrendous bus crash in Dublin city centre and to the family of the deceased and those injured. Every life lost on our roads is a family devastated, an empty chair at the dinner table and a heart broken beyond repair. Of immense concern to me and no doubt my colleagues in this Chamber is the fact that since the end of Covid-19, road deaths have been on the rise in Ireland. Last year, there was an average of 15 deaths per month on the roads in Ireland, an increase on the average of 14 deaths per month in 2024.”
“As we now know, housing delivery is ramping up at an unprecedented scale and solutions put in place by this Government are bearing fruit. This proposed Bill is one such solution. I am confident that in time it too will benefit us all.”
“There should be no reason we cannot simultaneously protect renters' rights while bringing landlords into the market. Presenting Ireland's rental market as a conflict between landlords and renters is a false binary peddled by those who prefer struggles to solutions. In the medium term, the policies outlined in this proposed Bill will bring supply on board, stabilise the market and put roofs over our young people's futures. I acknowledge change will not be instant, nor will it be without worry for some landlords and tenants, as change always brings about fear of the unknown. These measures will undoubtedly take time to become effective and may lead to a temporary rise in rents. I am buoyed, however, by the progress being made across government in the housing market.”
“An ESRI report on the supply-side effects of excessive regulation found that rent controls, specifically after they were tightened, brought about market exits, with the RPZ status associated with significantly fewer rent listings and registrations. If we are to boost supply, we must encourage those who provide it to enter the market. This is not about siding with landlords or renters or vice versa . It is about designing a system that works for everyone by working with everyone. Allowing landlords to reset to market rents for new tenancies will encourage these small landlords, who provide the backbone of rural Ireland's rental market, to open up their properties to rent. A six-year tenancy of minimum duration will provide the security that renters need to live their lives in comfort. Neither party should be at a disadvantage.”
“Landlords with existing long-term tenants under previous conditions found they could not reset rents to reflect market rates legally. Even with new tenants, a landlord's ability to set a new rent was linked to the rate of the previous tenancy, effectively ensuring that small rural landlords were permanently kept below water. Facing rising costs in maintenance, insurance and mortgage interest, these landlords found they were simply not allowed to keep pace with the world around them. Making the only rational choice, small rural landlords decided to leave the market, decreasing rental supply even further and raising the market rates yet higher.”
“As things stand in Ireland's rental market, an entire generation is faced with an unenviable choice - return to your childhood bedroom or pack your bags and emigrate, as many generations before have done. In Carlow and Kilkenny, the picture is no different. A quick scan online yesterday showed that in the whole of County Carlow, only 23 properties were available to rent. In Kilkenny, there were 13 in the entire county yesterday. If we are to provide for renters and protect their dignity, we must get to grips with providing rental accommodation. The Government has identified the problem as one of supply. While the Opposition would prefer inaction, this Government is prepared to do something about that. The key to this approach as envisaged in this proposed Bill is to dismantle the existing vicious cycle of dwindling rental supply.”