I do not have any points to make. I have just been listening to the debate. I support the Bill. It is important, but there is something missing, that being, supporting people who have dogs, including people from poor communities. I do not believe in having dangerous dogs or just letting dogs loose. For example, one halting site has had numerous problems with dogs recently. It is the site I lived in myself – Labre Park. For me, having animals is great for people’s mental health. We know that among Traveller men, one…

Excuse me. I can give the Senator a few examples of State discrimination if she wants. Trespass legislation is one example of State discrimination. I support the Senator’s Bill. I am not saying I do not support it.

I did not. It is State discrimination. I am not saying that the Senator is racist and I apologise if she is hearing that. However, what I hear from this debate from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is that anyone who wants to own a dog should-----

Yes, exactly, but not like a theory test or having a licence to have a dog.

All I am saying is that we are missing the point here, and that point is supporting people who want a dog. Again, I support the Senator’s Bill. However, some people do not have the price of dog licences or even know or have the information to get a dog chipped. I am not saying it is just members of the Traveller community; it is members of all communities. I have a family dog at home in Labre Park, Hector. He is chipped only for the past two or three years and I have had him ten years. He is well looked after. It i…

I know Senator, but this is what I am here to do. I am here to make sure there is no discrimination towards members of my community. My brother has dogs. I have one brother who is a drug addict, and I have another brother who has loved dogs his whole life and looked after dogs, and he never tipped off a drug in his life – never. That kept him away from addiction. For some people in all walks of life, dogs and animals are very important to have for their mental health. We see that in the World Health Organization as…

Some people do not have €20.

This week is Traveller Pride Week. Last Thursday, I was privileged to present an award for intersectionality to Ms Annmarie Sweeney. I want to mention that today in advance of Traveller Pride Week. Traveller pride came about 12 years ago. I remember the Irish Traveller Movement asking me whether I would participate in a video about being a proud Irish Traveller. I would not do it because I was not proud, because society was not proud of us as a community. I have changed a lot in those 12 years when it comes to reco…

I bring up issues that affect the Traveller community all the time.

I was not going to speak on this Bill due to time and making sure my colleague, Senator Frances Black, had her full six minutes. First, I thank my colleagues, Senators Lynn Ruane, Alice-Mary Higgins and Frances Black, for their commitment to the Palestinian people way before 7 October. Recognising Palestine as a state yesterday was absolutely welcomed by all of the Irish people. It is a cop-out for the Minister not to support our Bill today. One of our colleagues said that support today will be action tomorrow. No …

Excuse me, Senator. I am speaking.

When the Senator is ready. Is that okay? Okay. Again, an estimated 200 children are dying a day in Palestine. In six months, that will be more than 10,000 children. Ten thousand children will have died, with us sitting by, having weapons there in our name. Our Bill is very easy. It is a no-brainer Bill. If we really recognise Palestine as a state, we need to put our actions with that. We cannot be all talk. That is one thing about this Government. We are talking the talk but we are not walking the walk, unfortunate…

I gave the Senator a little bit of leeway. That is making up for giving out to him earlier.

Senator Carrigy, I apologise that I did not see you indicating until the Minister of State rose.

Senator, please

When is it proposed to sit again?

Before the Minister of State comes in, I officially welcome him to the House. I am really looking forward to working with him in the future. I wish him every success in his new role.

Before we move on to the next Commencement matter, I welcome to the Chamber members of the Seapark Residents Association of Malahide. It is lovely to see young people in the Gallery and they are very welcome.

I ask Senator Dolan to bear in mind that the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, is standing in for the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

I surely to God am. Thank you, Acting Chair. I thank Senator Clonan for all of his work on issues that impact people with disabilities in Irish society and his work on the autism committee. It is clear that in this House and on the disability matters committee, people genuinely care about the rights of people with disabilities and we are making some progress. Having the expertise of people like Senator Clonan and Senator Higgins, who is a member of the disability matters committee and has been doing this work for a…