The sweets for children remark was disgraceful.

For the love of God.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae would rather rent out the hen house.

What way are you voting, Danny? Did Michael tell you?

What way are you voting, Danny?

How is the Deputy voting?

How is Deputy O’Donoghue voting?

Millionaires corner.

Because the Minister of State is worried-----

Fair deal.

It is because of the eviction ban.

I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — the Department of Education confirmed this month that 58 school building projects were paused from going to tender or commencing construction due to a lack of funding; — the failure to publish the full list of delayed school building projects has caused enormous concern and uncertainty for school communities, with some schools being told their project is delayed and others assured that work will proceed; — any delays to building projects that were due to start in 2023 will l…

This will help to break through many of the stigmas attached to the issue of autism. We want a status report at the end of this month on the provision of special education classes for children with additional needs, and we want movement on the national autism strategy. We have been calling for a national autism strategy for years. We stand with parents who are absolutely exhausted dealing with a challenging diagnosis in their families, who expected to be able to turn to the State for help, support and compassion, b…

Your speech was great though, Rose.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 15, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “ Administering a substance with intent (“spiking”) 20. The Act of 1997 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 12: “ 12A. (1) A person who administers to or causes to be taken by another person (‘C’) a drug or other substance- (a) knowing that C does not consent to what is being done, and (b) with intent thereby to stupefy or overpower C so as to enable himself or herself or any other person to engage in …

I will take the Minister at his word. We have to accept the world in which we live and the very damaging effects of the act to which this amendment relates. I know the Department is always concerned with having too much law and believes that there is enough existing law to do the business that courts have to do but I do not think you can have too much law in this area. As I said earlier, we are not really dancing on the head of a pin here. We cannot have a situation where spiking is shoved in under poisoning legisl…

We had good engagement with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and we have had positive engagement here, but it needs to come to a point of agreement and we cannot delay this forever. We are sticking strongly to our view that we need to have it as a stand-alone offence. We will work with the Minister on Seanad amendments and if that is not successful, we will introduce a stand-alone Bill. We appreciate that the Minister may need to engage with the Garda Commissioner and departmental officials. We hope we will be in a po…

Was the Taoiseach watching?

Very good. Did the Taoiseach learn anything?

I am asking about the review of the configuration of schools in Raheny, a process that has left many people very dissatisfied. Will the Minister consider intervening in that process so that a more comprehensive view of the schooling needs in Raheny can be ascertained?