Many homeowners in County Clare who are affected by defective concrete blocks are looking at us to deliver fairness, clarity and a scheme that fully works for them. While I absolutely welcome the progress made with the new IS 465 standard, which finally allows for the scientific testing of foundations - that was a crucial step - the reality is that testing alone cannot fix a home. Families are currently left in a difficult limbo where science acknowledges that the foundations of their homes are compromised, but the…

The Oireachtas education and youth committee, which I chair, recently compiled a report on school meals. It is a fantastic scheme led out by our colleague, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and was hugely supported by the Minister, Deputy Foley, when she was at the Department of education. One of our recommendations is that we abolish water charges for schools. The meals are free in the classroom but the water children drink from the school taps is charged for. A lot of schools are in arrears on their water bills. I d…

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The imposition of a passenger cap was ludicrous and never worked. It is quite unique in world aviation. The removal of it was always inevitable. On the eve of the last general election, I remember the main party leaders, both Government and Opposition, saying that this would have to happen, with various promises being made in the lead-up to voting day about how this would happen through legislation were they in government. I want to go through some of the con…

I am glad to have speaking time in this debate. I was born in 1982, so I spent much of the 1990s in primary school and secondary school, finishing up in 2000. During all those years the schoolyards were, I think, tougher places than they are now. I was a teacher before I became a TD and I think the school I taught in was quite soft and inclusive. However, certainly when I was in school, you shot insults from the hip like a gunslinger. Usually those insults were homophobic and they were thrown around the schoolyard …

Is the amendment being pressed?

The Minister of State may go ahead.

Okay. So, the amendment is being pressed.

The debate is finished. I am going to put the amendment. The question is that the amendment-----

Okay. Proceed.

We move on to amendment No. 4 in the name of the Minister. It arises out of committee proceedings. Amendments Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

We will now proceed to the voting block. I thank Members.

I raise the issue of St. Joseph's Secondary School in Spanish Point, County Clare. A beautiful school, its enrolment has doubled across the last decade. With that growth have come certain difficulties for the school. At the moment, 216 female students in the school have to use four toilet cubicles. That is all the students have. The school has been approved for ten more toilet cubicles but the approval just sits on a shelf. The school keeps sending in the paperwork the Department requires but it is getting very lit…

Pursuant to Standing Order 194(3), it is reported to the Dáil that the Long Title has now been amended.

Amendment Nos. 4, 7 and 69 are related and may now be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 5, 6, 70 and 71 are all related and may be discussed together.

Amendment No. 10, in the name of Deputy Kelly, has been deemed out of order.

The Deputy has made her point. We have to try to speak to the amendment but I hear what she has said.

Does the Deputy wish to press the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 13 and 14 are related and may be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 15 and 16 are related and may be discussed together.