I was picked, but I swapped.

Thank you. Apologies.

I would like to join with the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, on the anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. These were a series of explosions which killed, maimed and ruined many lives and created intergenerational trauma which we are still seeing today. A total of 34 innocent lives, including a full-term unborn child, were taken that day. It was probably one of the bloodiest days of our Troubles and, as my colleague said, we still do not really know the truth of what happened that day and th…

I thank the Minister of State for attending the Chamber in the stead of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly. As we know, earlier in the week, a group of prominent oncologists wrote to the Taoiseach outlining the crucial need for new and recurrent multi-annual funding to the national cancer control programme in 2024 and to commit to ring-fenced funding to enable full delivery of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Why do they do this? They do this because cancer patients and survivors deserve nothing less. That is why…

I also welcome the children from the primary school. It shows that our national cancer strategy has been hugely effective but we can always do more, particularly with regard to screening. It would be great to see the extension of lung cancer screening programmes. Every person we treat requires a yearly scan post treatment and when he or she is in remission, so it is so important we put the money and investment into ensuring post-diagnosis and post-remission scans are in place for families because people have to liv…

I will speak to this section of the Bill. I thank the Minister for coming into the Chamber and bringing this legislation to Committee Stage. I was not able to contribute on Second Stage. This legislation is part of the programme for Government. Ultimately, it allows for safe access, dignity and privacy to those availing of termination of pregnancy services. The legislation will create safe zones of 100 m from an entrance or exit to a premises where obstetricians, gynaecologists and GPs provide these services. All o…

I welcome the Bill. It has the full support of the Fianna Fáil Party. It is great that social welfare payments will be extended to children aged 18 who are still living at home and in full-time education. That will be of huge benefit across the country and it is one of the main points of this legislation.

I thank the Minister for attending. Fianna Fáil supports this Bill. It is a small, but practical, Bill and has three elements. It started its life in the Dáil mainly as a child maintenance Bill but has since grown practical legs. Regarding the International Protection Act 2015, it is important to have on record that Ireland has welcomed 2.3% of those who have fled Ukraine to the EU since the war began. This has been a significant response from Ireland. The number of weekly arrivals remains high. That number, includ…

Next Tuesday.

I so move.

I also want to join with my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney. Many of us were watching the screens in our own offices and were absolutely stunned by the treatment of Senator Clonan. Children who have a disability deserve to be treated like any other child or citizen of our country, whether this is in relation to getting services from the HSE or having their representative table a question in the Dáil or a Commencement matter in the Seanad. I was shocked that Senator Clonan was threatened with having to leave the Ho…

I also congratulate the chair of the autism committee, Senator Carrigy. In our various groups, we all tried to push our colleagues to ensure that they did the training and we were pushed by the Senator. It was well worth the effort. I raise the issue of buy now, pay later services. Many of us because of our age - I am middle aged - use mainstream banks. Revolut might be as far as I go in terms of being creative in my banking but younger people are able to access many online apps. They have these buy now, pay later …

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. A strategic plan is probably one of the most important documents in all organisations. Much of the time, organisations do not spend enough time considering a strategic plan. I note that a board will be put in place and the establishment of the board has already been discussed in the Seanad. I add that it is important that people from a wide variety of backgrounds and different levels of An Garda Síochána are on the board. People involved in the community should al…

Yes, between the gardaí and the local people living in the area and there is great feedback. There are great channels of communication between the local community and An Garda Síochána. It is important we get information, not only about the bad stuff we read about. A lot of good stuff is going on as well and An Garda Síochána has an important role to play. I thank the Minister for acknowledging the main organiser of that event, who is a retired garda, John O'Sullivan. It is a difficult job.

I just want to bring in the community element of the strategic plan. I am giving an example of how the interaction-----

My point is there should be huge interaction with the community policing aspect and input into the strategic plan. I would like to see community involvement in the membership of the board. It is important that people have a say. If we re-invest-----

-----in our communities, not only the elderly, but also the younger section of society, we will see massive dividends being paid as regards less crime on the street and people feeling-----

-----more of a sense of belonging.

Will the strategic plan be on public view in local Garda stations? Will there be any input from the public into the plan before it is decided upon and presented to the Minister?

As Senator Chambers said, some people will not be able to access a plan like this, particularly those with a disability. A lot of information from other Departments is only accessible online and not everybody has an email address or access to broadband. Could we get an assurance from the Minister that the plan will be on display - possibly in every Garda station in the country - and that there will be an option for people to submit any submissions or recommendations not only online but also in person at a Garda sta…