Today, Wednesday, 19 November, is World Toilet Day. We know just how vital it is that each and every one of us has equal access to clean toilets that are appropriate to our individual needs. Going to the toilet is something all of us have to do. We all need to be able to go to places without worrying about going to the loo. It is natural for most of us to go out and not think about it, but for people with complex disabilities, a lot of thought has to go into it. In 2008, Ann Healy started an Irish campaign for incl…

I apologise to the Minister of State for not being here at the start. I was availing of the heart screening service, and it was confirmed that I do, in fact, have a heart.

This is a really welcome opportunity to discuss Irish Water and water services in general. I commend the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy James Browne, on the work they have started and the announcement they made this day last week. I am from a very rural constituency where the largest town has 11, 000 people and it is otherwise all villages. The announcement last week of the wastewater treatment plan is really welcome. I agree with my colleague Senator P.J. Murphy that what we really need is consistent d…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon for this motion regarding migration. I call Senator Kelleher to move the motion.

I apologise for interrupting, but before the Senator gets into the flow of it, will he indicate if he is sharing time with Senator-----

Perfect. I thank the Senator very much. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before we move on, I welcome guests of Senator Aubrey McCarthy. They are local historians from Naas. You are very welcome this evening. I would also like to welcome Councillor Yemi Adenuga, a Fine Gael county councillor. You are very welcome here as well this afternoon while we are having this debate.

Before I move to Senator Gallagher, I welcome Senator Stephenson's mum, Marga Foley, to the Gallery this afternoon. She is very welcome.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Senator has managed to make six minutes out of three. Well done.

Amendments Nos. 11 to 19, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I think you should, if you do not mind. I thank the Minister. He has about a minute left.

I thank the Minister. Before we report progress, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Grealish. He has a number of the Carnmore hurling team members with him this afternoon. As a Portumna person, we know exactly their strength, and they are very welcome to the House this afternoon.

I thank the Minister of State for being in the House. Sometimes the sign of something good is when cross-government Ministers are working together. Having both Ministers of State here this afternoon shows two Departments that take farms, farm safety and farm well-being seriously. It also shows collaboration. I thank the Minister of State for being in the House for her opening remarks. It is not often that it happens but it is important to recognise it. We are speaking today to emphasise two interlinked but often ov…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: - "Seanad Éireann resolves that the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025 be read a second time on this day 12 months, to allow for the issue of travel supports for victims of domestic and gender-based violence be tabled for consideration by the Government." I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025. I commend Senators Stephenson, Cosgrove, Noonan and Harmon on bringing …

I thank the Leader for being here today. I am going to raise an issue relating to an event that both he and I attended recently in Galway at Croí House. We met with Dr. Niamh Hannon and members of the Croí House about the future of cardiovascular health in Ireland. It was a very informative session that we attended. Among those present were some as young as 22 years of age who have had a stroke. Family members were also there and we heard about the impact on people's lives when somebody has a heart attack or stroke…

The Taoiseach has shown not only strong leadership at home but a consistent and principled voice for peace on the world stage. From the beginning, Ireland, under his guidance, has taken a clear, firm stance on key international matters and we have not been silent or slow to act. The Taoiseach has ensured that Ireland's voice is heard, calling for peace, justice and respect in international law. That moral leadership matters. On a domestic matter, I completely agree with Senator McDowell. When we look domestically a…

The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is very welcome to the House this evening. I echo his words of good luck to Mr. Jim Meade. He has been a phenomenal CEO and has worked very well with everybody across both Houses. I have every faith in the Minister of State to get that rail line opened from Claremorris to Athenry. He has even converted me, and I was hedging my bets for a long time with the greenway and the blueway and the railway. I am absolutely converted. It is the right thing to do. Covid showed us that. We …

East Galway and possibly many other areas around the country are being scourged by the conversation around the regulation of the provision of solar farms. I accept there is a real need for an increase in energy capacity. The issue concerns the conversation around solar farms, the lack of regulation and the review of wind farm guidelines. I am calling for a debate with the Minister with responsibility for regulation and provision. There was a very powerful presentation last week in the audiovisual room on the matter…