Amendments Nos. 35 and 36 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I start by welcoming the extension of the hot school meals programme announced by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and the Government yesterday. To think there will now be an extra 900 primary schools included in this programme is fantastic. I looked at the list from my own county and 27 extra schools will get this. This is fantastic because we know that at least children will get this very important meal. I do not know anybody who does not welcome this and I hope it will be extended further. It is very important th…

Yes.

Fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. He is very welcome, as usual. I agree with much that has been said by Senators Cummins and Boyhan. I am very much of the opinion that this is an independent commission and we must have trust in an independent commission. Tinkering with what an independent commission has done, when it seems to have done a good job, would not be a good thing, so I am glad that no amendments will be accepted on this. On 30 August last, the Electoral Commission made its independent recommendation to the Oire…

The Senator has had enough time, in fairness. I have been more than liberal with him.

I thank the Minister of State for taking all four Commencement matters this morning. I also thank all the Senators, including Senators Ahearn, Ruane, Gallagher and Kyne for having their Commencement matters before us. I thank, as always, the staff of the House, including the ushers, for their help.

I first want to support the comments made by Senator Boyhan about agriculture regarding the extraordinary figure of more than €19 billion in exports. We should also recognise why must deal with environmental issues. Farmers are well tuned into that and will make some of the necessary changes. We must realise that this is huge for our economy going forward. We need to be careful about at times saying things that can damage that business. There was more than €19 billion and there are 145,000 people who are employed i…

I will continue for a moment on the rail issue because I want to go back to the issue of the Sligo to Dublin route, particularly the Sligo to Connolly Station route, though I know it goes from Longford to Pearse Station as well. We still have a situation where you cannot get a cup of coffee or tea on that line. It is very disappointing that, months after it was reintroduced in other parts of the country, it does not apply to this line. It makes people feel they are being treated as second-class citizens. I cannot s…

I-----

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Carrigy. I join the Senator in paying tribute to Louis Belton, a man with whom I was very friendly. We did not agree on politics but we had many good meetings and greetings. When I would slag Longford, he would always remind me that I was born in that town. He was never long in telling me that. He was a dapper dresser, as people around here would knew, and always to be seen dressed to the nines. Louis was a really nice man and I express my sympathy…

Hear, hear.

This morning I welcome the announcement from yesterday of the opening of the 2024 scheme of investment for the horticulture industry. It was announced by our own Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I have long been an advocate, as I know Senator Boyhan has, for the horticultural sector and its importance. We all acknowledge and realise that the sector has been falling behind colossally in some situations. Energy costs are a huge issue in the production of commercial horticultural products and therefore this €10 mil…

I will not delay proceedings. I want to look at it from a different angle. I know, as do Senators Carrigy and Garvey and people on the Government side, from talking to the public that people were saying this would never happen and it is almost there. It is very important we get that message across. This is really good for the consumer, whether we are talking about a commercial perspective or the domestic perspective. It just shows that when everybody works together - officials, Ministers, coalition governments or w…

I want to continue on where Senator Dolan has left off in saying this is really important for County Roscommon. Senator Dolan has adequately outlined the situation regarding the site – a brilliant site in the heart of Roscommon town. We want this in our county; we want it to be achieved. We were asked by GRETB to come together on this and bring it forward. In fairness to the Minister, he has led the way on this with the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins. The Government is very strong on apprenticeships, putti…

I am very enthused by the Minister's enthusiasm for this project but I mention, and I am sure Senator Dolan would as well, the efforts of the CEO of Galway-Roscommon Education and Training Board, David Leahy, and the members, including the elected members who are really enthusiastic about this. It is great to hear the Minister saying this is what is needed in County Roscommon. Obviously we have to wait for certain outcomes but the response he has given us is positive and I welcome that.

There is a group called the forgotten farmers that the Leader and most people in rural areas will probably know about. It is a group of farmers who established their agricultural holdings before 2008 and were under the age of 40 but did not qualify for Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, aid. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, we as a party and, I am sure, others have done much for the forgotten farmers but we have not got over the line in terms of supporting them, which was promised. I ask that we write to the Ministe…

I welcome the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and her officials. As we begin proceedings, I welcome the Edmund Rice active retirement group all the way from Waterford. They are here as guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I hope they have a lovely day and thank them for calling into the Seanad. I call on the Acting Leader, Senator Wilson, to move that the Bill be recommitted in respect of amendments Nos. 57 and 61.

For the information of Members, please note that the House, by agreeing to the motion to recommit, allows a Committee Stage-style discussion on amendments Nos. 57 and 61 only. That is, Members may speak more than once on each of those amendments. In respect of other amendments, I would like to remind Senators that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage, except the proposer of an amendment, who may reply to the discussion on the amendment. Also, on Report Stage, each non-Government amendment must be seconded.…

Amendments Nos. 3 and 4 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Amendment No. 5 has been ruled out of order.