First and foremost, on the tariffs, we all understand there is no win here. Deputy Moynihan spoke about the discrepancy between North and South now and obviously there will be ongoing issues in relation to partition. However, be it 10% or 20%, neither is beneficial. There has been a lot of conversation on future engagement. First and foremost, it has to be about negotiation. I expect a significant amount of our conversation with the European Commission and other stakeholders throughout Europe will be about supporting our own business and ensuring we do not cut off our nose to spite our face. I also accept Europe will have a plan for circumstances where we do not have successful negotiations. It is about protecting and engaging, and this will suit nobody, including those in America and particularly those at the lower end that Donald Trump constantly says he is out there to support.

Sentiment score: 0.16

97. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the recent meeting of a group (details supplied); if there is a work plan for this group for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16112/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I seek an update on the recent meeting of the construction sector group, whether there is a work plan for this group for 2025 and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter. This takes in all the construction stakeholders. We could have an over-and-back discussion concerning the 40,000 houses last year, but the fact is there was a failure to deliver that number. We are where we are, so how do we get beyond this point? We have all talked about new methods of construction, but much of this has been just talk. In some instances, we are still talking about pilots.

Sentiment score: -0.10

Can more detail be provided on those discussions? We have all heard about the issues that exist in this area. The Minister mentioned the need to ensure we have an adequate workforce pipeline. We know there are constraints now. Additionally, how much conversation was there concerning new methods of construction? We have recently seen 3D concrete printing and several such houses have been built in Muirhevnamore, Dundalk. While that is not a solution to the housing problem on its own, it is part of a solution along with modular construction and all those other methods. We have seen major development companies being able to use timber frames and so on to do things on a massive scale. Talking to developers, though, the issues are still going to centre on planning. In dealing with the State, the issue will be the multiple planning constraints. Beyond that even, it is going to be about the obstacles in the way of drawing down funding. If we could get some more detail, we might be able to see that we are going to get beyond our constraints. This is before we talk about the ESB or Irish Water.

Sentiment score: -0.04

It would be very useful to have a greater level of detail regarding the issues they put out there with the planning system and infrastructural obstacles and the workforce piece, and then if there is a timeline and even projections. While I accept that some of this will involve public works and we will also have works that happen in the private sector, it is what we are looking at even percentage-wise as regards using some of these new methods of construction. Many of us come into this Chamber and end up talking about the absolutely crazy rents, people who find themselves in brutal situations as regards evictions and the issues we have with the new constraints around the tenant in situ scheme. While we see that there have to be some temporary solutions in the sense of a ban on any increases with regard to rents, we need to be able to increase supply. If we have all the stakeholders in the room, it is vital that we know what the actual constraints are, some of which we have heard ourselves, and then those solutions and whether there are timelines and projections.

Sentiment score: 0.07

101. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the engagements there have been between his Department and other Departments in 2025 on the delivery of necessary flood protection schemes in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16111/25]

Sentiment score: 0.06

I wish to ask the Minister of State about the Department's engagements on the delivery of necessary flood protection schemes in the State. This is a follow-up to the two parliamentary questions I asked him previously to which I received written answers. It is that whole idea of everything from the minor flood mitigations, the works that are being done regarding coastal protections and the interdepartmental group. The national coastal change management strategy report referred to the need to build up a body of work. Combined with delivering on CFRAM which in my constituency had to be reviewed on the basis of the flooding during the huge rains in Cooley in 2023, there is a huge body of work to be done, particularly in the part of the world I live in and I am very interested in the Minister of State's answer.

Sentiment score: 0.26

I would appreciate that. The interdepartmental group has responsibility for delivering on policy and we saying we cannot have enough protections and mitigations. We know we are dealing with rising sea levels. When we talk about the likes of Dundalk, we are talking about a significant amount of redeemed land. Therefore, we were under pressure from the beginning. There are many houses under sea level and I have already heard much conversation regarding those who cannot get flood insurance or house insurance. Many of my neighbours would fall into that particular bracket. Some of that should be solved by delivering on CFRAM. I ask the Minister of State for a written update on that, although I do not expect it now. I got some detail regarding some of the CFRAM works that have been done but I ask for a timeline for the delivery on the sizable pieces that need to be done, particularly in and around the Dundalk area. Again, when will that body of work by the interdepartmental group be available, following the review looking at natural flood protections and at what you would call unnatural protections that we have seen in the likes of Holland? I had an engagement with the Dutch ambassador in the last while.

Sentiment score: 0.18

It is necessary to make these interventions. All these schemes are very important because we have seen the huge issue with flooding in the last while. We are talking about better preparations for extreme weather conditions. It is absolutely vital we see delivery of these particular projects. I did not expect the Minister of State to come back with specifics. The Dundalk-Blackrock south relief scheme is really needed. Planning applications need to be submitted by quarter 2 of 2027. In fairness, I got a written response on that but we must ensure there is delivery within those timelines and then beyond that, a wider piece of work needs to be done. That is the bit I asked about, that is, the interdepartmental group. When will we have the interdepartmental group's body of work and a more detailed plan on all those mitigations, including everything from the natural to the unnatural flood protection schemes that can be put in place? We have seen some of this work expertly done in places where farmers agree to allow certain parts of land to be flooded. They flood, the water recedes quickly and everyone gets back to normal but it also saves many homes.

Sentiment score: 0.28