I raise again the subject of University Hospital Limerick, UHL. I, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and many other Oireachtas Members from the mid-west region attended an informative briefing on Monday of this week with HSE staff from the mid-west who gave us updates on the work being done across the region and the ongoing constraints and capacity issues faced at UHL despite the successful and welcome opening of the 96-bed block last month. The board at UHL, over the course of the recess of the Houses, called on the Governm…

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to take this question on the urgent matter of continued and ongoing funding for CCTV cameras in Limerick. The Minister's presence signifies his appreciation of the seriousness of the matter and his commitment to policing and security in Limerick. Before I get to my question, I thank him and acknowledge the work he has done on the criminal law Bill, which he brought forward just before the recess and which, once it has completed its journey through the Houses and been ena…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. It is reassuring to hear that our first citizen and the first directly elected mayor in the country, Mayor Moran, has engaged directly with him and the Minister, Deputy Browne, on this matter. I wish the Minister and him well in their ongoing discussions and negotiations on this. I hope a temporary solution can be found for funding to prevent the protective notices having to be executed on this occasion and to ensure the service can be maintained. I look forward to engaging further wi…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and call Senator Stephenson.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus leis an Aire, an Teachta Foley, for their time and for listening.

Cuirim fáilte ar ais roimh an Aire Stáit. Gabhaim buíochas leis as teacht isteach sa Teach seo chun mo cheist a fhreagairt. I would like to raise an issue that was brought to my attention by the proprietor of my local grocery story in the village in County Limerick that I am from. This person is the third generation of their family to run the local grocery store in the village. This person is well respected and, indeed, is an integral part of our village life and community. George Lee, the independent grocer, broug…

I acknowledge all of the actions the Minister of State listed that Government is taking to drive down the sale of cigarettes but I question whether this measure will achieve that aim. From discussing the issue with other retailers, it seems to me this will be successful in driving the sale of cigarettes and vapes underground and further into the black market, which is thriving in this regard. Regrettably, it is my view that this measure, should it be introduced without a derogation for small businesses, will be a f…

I raise the issue of policing in Limerick city centre. Just this morning, I spoke to a number of prominent retailers who had a meeting last night with our chief superintendent, Derek Smart, on this issue. We have seen a growth in instances of antisocial behaviour, which we believe is putting people off coming into the city centre and supporting local businesses, and a huge increase in the amount of theft happening in stores across the city centre. While An Garda Síochána is co-operating well with the business owner…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Gabhaim buíochas leis as teacht chun an Tí seo le labhairt agus éisteacht lenár dtuairimí inniu. Fianna Fáil welcomes these statements and this opportunity to contribute to the discussion on further and higher education, research, innovation and science. As the Minister rightly asserted, for us in Fianna Fáil, this area has always been central to our national story along with the belief that education is a great equaliser, the foundation of opportunity and the driver of progress. Expand…

The Taoiseach is welcome to the Seanad today. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and welcome the opening this week of the 96-bed block at UHL in Limerick. As the Taoiseach knows, we have come through a dark time in the mid-west, with additional stress and worry being placed on the families of sick loved ones due to the overcrowding we have experienced at UHL. Since the Taoiseach took office in 2020, he has brought a concerted focus on investment and addressing the issues and deficits we have at UHL. We have see…

I send my condolences to Senator Teresa Costello on the passing of her dad. I also offer my condolences to Independent councillor in Kerry, Niall O'Callaghan, and his family on the passing of his brother Paudie at the weekend. I rise on an issue that was raised with me by my local shopkeeper. George Lee, a third generation family grocer, holds the corner shop in my village of Castleconnell in County Limerick. He brought this to my attention, and I have spoken to others since. It is an issue that will affect many re…

The Minister is very welcome. I take this opportunity to welcome this very important budget for our country as we move forward into uncharted economic waters. We did say that we were going to place an emphasis on infrastructure, housing and child poverty. In this budget, which we hope is the first of five, we have done precisely that. In the context of his Department, I congratulate the Minister on the very pro-business budget he brought forward. In particular, I recognise the increase in the research and developme…

Gabh mo leithscéal, everybody, we had a little timing issue this morning. We were under the misapprehension that the Order of Business was at 11 a.m. so I was downstairs in committee; I apologise. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak. I spent a very interesting morning with a group of business professionals on St. Stephen's Green who were launching the CFO 100 list for business and finance. They were also having an interesting panel discussion on AI and next generation finance. It was a wond…

I thank the Senator very much. Before I call the Minister of State to respond, I welcome Deputy Tony McCormack to the Visitors Gallery with his guests. I thank them for joining us for this very serious motion on the topic of supports and services for patients with head and neck cancers.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Deputy David Maxwell and his guests to the Visitors Gallery. They are very welcome.

Before calling the next speaker, I welcome Deputy Paul McAuliffe and his guests, Maurice and Wendy Thibault, to the Gallery. We are having a discussion on a Private Members' motion regarding supports and services for patients with head and neck cancers. I call Senator Collins.

I join colleagues across the House in offering commiserations to Dr. Mansergh's family and recognise the significant contribution he made to Irish society and Irish life during the course of his career in the Civil Service, the Seanad, the Lower House and as a Minister of State. I echo the commiserations of my colleagues to his family. I rise to ask the Leader if he will call on the Minister for Health to come to address the House at the earliest possible time on the issue of overcrowding at UHL. Just a number of h…

I echo Senator Conway's call for the publication of that review. We in the mid-west are very eager for it to come out, to see what the recommendations are and for the Minister to take action on it. Actioning it is key. We would like to hear what provisions she is making for further capital investment in healthcare in the mid-west region in the coming budget. In my Commencement matter I also asked if the Minister could update the House on what provisions she is making for this winter. We have seen significant long-t…

I thank the Minster of State for coming to see us this morning and delivering that message. I agree with him on acknowledging the significant investment that has been made in recent years. I also acknowledge the huge work being done by the newly appointed regional executive of HSE Mid West, Sandra Broderick, Bernard Gloster, head of the HSE, and indeed the Minister, who has focused on weekend discharging. I wish the CEO of the hospital, Ian Carter, the very best in the work he is doing, which we are hearing is bear…

I thank the Minister of State.