Ministers to update Cabinet on fuel support scheme

The ministers for transport and agriculture will this morning update Cabinet on a fuel support scheme for several sectors including haulage, construction, agriculture, quarries, and fisheries.

The scheme was drawn up in the aftermath of widespread protests over rising energy costs.

The Government opened the coffers recently and allocated more than €500 million in energy supports after blockades caused major disruption.

The details of these schemes are now being made public.

Up to 120,000 farmers and 1,500 full-time agricultural contractors will receive financial aid.

Combined with the earlier excise cuts, the package will result in an effective reduction of €274 in the purchase of 1,000 litres of green diesel.

The payments will cover the months of March up to the end of July.

Some €15 million has been allocated to a fuel support scheme for fisheries and aquaculture.

Last night, the Government party leaders agreed that building contractors and quarries would also be covered by the scheme.

While as many as 50,000 vehicles, including buses, could be eligible for the Road Transporters Support Scheme.

The Department of Transport estimates that an average sized haulage business could be in line for a payment of €16,230.

'Right to be Forgotten' legislation for cancer patients

Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State Robert Troy will today seek Government approval for the 'Right to be Forgotten' legislation for cancer patients.

Ministers will be asked to approve amendments that will ensure cancer survivors who have been ‘cancer free’ for five years are not unfairly penalised when applying for a mortgage.

This is a reduction from the current seven years.

The memo to Cabinet also proposes increasing the threshold in mortgage protection cover from €500,000 to €650,000.

It is estimated that reducing the remission period to five years could result in an additional 139 cancer survivors each year becoming eligible to have their cancer history disregarded when applying for mortgage protection insurance.

The legislation, which is expected to be passed by the Oireachtas before the summer recess, replaces an existing voluntary Code of Practice.

Memo on free travel for those fleeing domestic violence

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary is bringing a memo to Cabinet on a new Domestic Violence Travel Supplement.

This is a free travel scheme for those fleeing domestic violence.

It will be non-means tested for the first three months and the payment figure will be based on what the person involved requires.

This move follows consultation between the minister and the Social Democrats' Senator Patricia Stephenson who introduced legislation in this area last year.

New report examining how to use Artificial Intelligence ethically

The Taoiseach will bring a new report to Government which examines how to develop and deploy AI ethically.

The aim is to support economic prosperity, the environment, and the betterment of society.

It sets out five priority areas and actions to guide the responsible development of AI in Ireland.

Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless will seek Cabinet approval to draft legislation enabling a partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Queen's University Belfast.

This will establish the first full university presence on the North–East corridor and create the first all-Ireland university.

Special tribunal on crime of aggression against Ukraine

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee will update Government on proposals to support international accountability in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This will include the next steps towards Ireland joining the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and ratifying the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

Later today, Minister McEntee will conduct a review of the 128th Infantry Battalion at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, ahead of its deployment to Lebanon.

The minister will reaffirm Ireland’s enduring commitment to peacekeeping, acknowledge the professionalism and service of deploying personnel, and pay tribute to the support of military families.