As we have heard here already, and I appreciate Senator McCarthy moving this motion in order to assist the IPAV in what way he can, quite a lot of work has gone into this. There has been over three years of work done. The current CEO of IPAV, Ms Genevieve McGuirk, and her predecessor, Mr. Pat Davitt, were at the front of that work. I think Seán Canney, originally, and Marc MacSharry then carried out a lot of work, and Robbie Gallagher evidently. Quite a lot of different people have helped along the way. There was a…

I too acknowledge the ambassador and her team. I hope they have a happy and peaceful Christmas. To reciprocate with the Cathaoirleach, I wish him, his team, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and all the team here in the Seanad a happy Christmas and hopefully a prosperous new year. It has been a great year for the Cathaoirleach to be in the Chair. I congratulate him on the all the good work he and his team have done during the year. Well done.

I am delighted to be able to welcome our Minister back to the soothing House of the Seanad. There is a nice, easy-going pace here in the Seanad. It is great to have him here in calm surroundings. We do not get to meet in calm surroundings too often, so it is quite nice. In regard to the Minister - I am not going to dwell too long - I would like to put on record that, certainly from my point of view and experience, he is one of the hardest-working Ministers here. Any time you want him or, more important, want him to…

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I will speak briefly about the passing of the father of the Minister of State, Deputy Troy. I know it is a private time for his family. I was speaking to him earlier today and it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge it today. May the light of heaven shine on him. I wish to speak on something that has been in practice in England for quite a while and has not happened here. This came up in a conversation with Councillor Paul Hogan in the last number of days. It is to be able to request a baby loss certificate. It…

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I echo what Senator Gallagher said in congratulating the Minister. Having 29 more judges appointed to our courts system will be welcome. The work burden on judges is ferocious and there is a backlog in certain types of cases. I commend the Minister on this prudent and badly needed legislation. As my colleague said, the Minister for Justice is a very hardworking Minister. I wish him success in his brief. He is certainly getting a good handle on it. I welcome Councillor Áine Smith, who I know well, and all her friend…

I welcome the hard-working Minister. I am in favour of the motion he has brought before us. Coming from Mullingar, I have a lot of links and a strong relationship with horse racing and dog racing in particular. We have a track at Kilbeggan, as Senator Paul Daly mentioned. He has been heavily involved with it over the years. Navan is only up the road and Tullamore is a bit further on from Kilbeggan. I have had great days out and great occasions. I have great friends involved in all these areas and I wish them contin…

I did not interrupt the Senator. I listened intently and I agreed with the point she made.

I am talking about the way it is going and the regulation. I have listened to talk of broken legs and everything else. Where are they not going to break them? On a carousel, is the reality. I am well entitled to make my point, and a very valid one it is.

Fortunately, people where I come from, and thankfully most people, do not have this type of government in place. It is not the popular choice.

I welcome Billy's wife and family. I met Clodagh in the Dearborn previously. She is with us here, as is former Senator Marshall, Deputy Connolly and Councillor Anna Grainger. On the hospitality of the family, I was lucky enough to go to Chicago and enjoy a lot of their establishments when I was there. Billy had asked me on several occasions and I said I would take him up on it on a particular Paddy's Day, which I did. I was delighted I did and had a great experience. The thing that I remember most was the hospitali…

Is that at night-time?

Sorry. I thought it was night-time.

I add my support to the agriculture industry and associated businesses. Senator O'Loughlin mentioned her local saddlery business associated with agriculture and Senator O'Reilly voiced his support for shifting nitrogen targets and the nitrate derogation. I support both Senators. Something I know would be close to the Cathaoirleach's heart is the pension entitlements of pensioners. The Cathaoirleach is very proactive and I ask him not to forget me when the Minister comes to the House, particularly in relation to aut…

I am delighted to welcome the Minister to the House. It is a testament to how hard-working he is that all of the people who have spoken have commented on well he has done in his brief since he started. He should keep up the good work. I have some queries and a question on the local front. I refer to apprenticeship schemes. It is not under the Minister's brief, but he is dealing with business and getting people into work. One of the biggest problems we have now is getting qualified staff for many jobs. As the Minist…

A report on the cost of power today said Ireland was the most expensive country in Europe. It is evidently a massive factor in industry. What can we as a Government do about it? What are the Minister's thoughts?