The Minister is welcome. I highly commend Senator Boylan on what she has done here. I have chaired a number of debates here at which she has raised this issue. Like many of my colleagues, including Senator Paul Daly, I can support a lot of what is in the Bill. It is really important to acknowledge that, in recent years, the Minister has announced record funding for animal rescue groups, 99 in total. In 2022, he allocated €5.8 million and, in 2021, €3.1 million. I acknowledge that, not in a political way, because th…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. When it comes to debates on education, there is great passion shown by Senators, whether in government or in opposition and whether they are lecturers, teachers, parents or students. While we may differ in opinions, we all have the desire to make the system as good as possible for students. Fianna Fáil is committed to providing education that is accessible to all, cherishes and promotes inclusivity, equality of opportunity and lifelong learning and advances research and innovation. Acce…

But many of them are doing it.

I welcome the Minister and his officials to the House. We are now moving on to discuss the motion regarding Temple Street children's hospital. I call Senator Conway to propose the motion.

You are sharing 16 minutes. If Senator Joe O'Reilly is not here, I will ask Senator Doherty to second the motion. I assume you will share the time equally.

Before I move on to the seconder, I extend a céad míle fáilte to a former Senator, Fidelma Healy Eames. She was a very active Member when she was here. It is nice to see her back. She is a good west of Ireland person like myself. I hope she enjoys her day. Senator O'Reilly is seconding the motion.

Does Senator Doherty wish to make a small contribution?

I will explain to other Members, not that anybody sought an explanation, why I let Senator Doherty in there. Senator O'Reilly was here to second the motion and use his eight minutes. He had other things to do so he just came in to second the motion and did not use the time available to him. It was only fair that we gave that time to Senator Doherty because she was lined up to do it. We will move to the next speaker on my list. Senator Tom Cloonan has sé nóiméad.

That is okay. Some of us get things wrong from time to time.

I thank Senator Craughwell for that thought-provoking contribution. I call Senator Currie. I believe the Senator has the Porterstown gang in the Gallery. I have a name here. They are the Porterstown Panthers. Is that correct?

They are very welcome. I will hand over to Senator Currie.

I have listened to a lot of debates in Dáil and Seanad Éireann. This one has struck me as being one where my colleagues on all sides are hurt by what happened, in particular Senators Conway and Clonan. I know from speaking to party members and the Minister how deeply upsetting this is for him. He has been unfortunate in that a lot of things have landed on his desk. Most people accept he is a very good and hard-working Minister and is determined to get the bottom of this. I wish him well. I now call on him to addres…

I will mention one or two good stories and request that the Minister come to the House to discuss an issue. Yesterday was a huge day for our area because the N5 bypass, which has had an up-and-down history in recent years, was sanctioned by the Cabinet and will proceed immediately. Taking into account the work that will be done around towns and villages, the whole project will be worth €450 million. That is a clear statement that this Government is committed to rural Ireland and to giving it funds. The Leader has b…

Cúpla focal deasa ansin ag an Seanadóir Flynn.

Senator Carrigy has to come in, I want to come in and Senator Conway has asked to come in. I do not want to cut Senator Dolan short but I ask her to sum up as quickly as she can because the Minister of State has to come back in also.

Very quickly.

I hope it will be okay to give Senator Carrigy three or four minutes because Senator Conway also wishes to contribute. To accommodate everyone else, I will defer my contribution other than to make one comment before the Minister of State responds.

I thank Senator Carrigy for his co-operation. I ceded my time and Senator Carrigy cut his time so Senator Conway will have two minutes.

I thank Senator Conway for his co-operation. I thank all the Members for contributing to an extremely important debate. I had asked Senator McGreehan to take over the Chair for a few moments while I made a contribution, but I will leave it because I am not going to hold up the Minister of State. Before he responds, I will express my appreciation to him regarding the N5. I happened to be talking to the chief executive officer of Roscommon County Council last night. This is a major development for him and he asked me…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus leis na Seanadóirí freisin. I thanked the Senators, but as I always do, I thank the staff here who look after us during all debates. I thank the ushers as well.