Now.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I want to express mo bhuíochas to An Cathaoirleach for selecting this particular Commencement matter and I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Brien, to the Chamber and thank him for his attendance this morning to deal with this matter also. This is a school transport matter and I know that the Minister of State has been in County Roscommon but perhaps not the part I am referring to. I am sure, however, he has been in our region at some time. North-east Roscommon is a be…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. He has clarified a few things regarding the second nearest school, which he clearly set out. He said that the review is progressing, with the second part of the review on the way. He then stated: With regard to the specific issue raised by the Senator regarding the lack of transport in the Roosky and Termonbarry area, Bus Éireann has advised that, in general, pupils residing in the Roosky and Termonbarry area are not eligible for transport to Strokestown post-primary centre as t…

Fair enough.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Byrne, go dtí an Teach.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus leis an Seanadóir. I thank the Minister of State for taking the second and third Commencement matters. I know he has to go off to some other business. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Richmond.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá ceithre nóiméad aige anois.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus leis na hAirí Stáit, na Teachtaí Byrne agus O'Brien, as bheith anseo ar maidin le haghaidh díospóireachta ar na rudaí seo. I also wish to express my thanks to Senator McGreehan for tabling a very important matter. Lastly, I thank Senators Warfield and Ward for tabling such important Commencement matters. Before suspending the House, I wish to express my thanks to all of the Ministers of State, Seanadóirí, officials, ushers and even Senator Boyhan for joining us even though h…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Fitzpatrick agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá súil agam go bhfuil áthas an domhain air a bheith ábalta cúpla focal a rá ar an ábhar seo. Is ábhar tábhachtach é an t-uisce. The Minister of State is very welcome. Of course, this is a really important point and an important debate. I commend Senators Garvey, Martin and Pauline O'Reilly. As Senator Fitzpatrick said, we fully support this. I apologise; I had an appointment outside this House today and I only got back quite rec…

On a point of order, I thought the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, was answering my question, although I could be wrong. Maybe I am wrong.

Who was supposed to answer it?

That is fine.

I accept that.

The Deputy Leader and other Members of this House know that over the past two years, I have constantly raised the case of Robert Pether. Mr. Pether is an Australian citizen, married to an Irish citizen whose children are all Irish citizens. He has been locked up in an Iraqi jail following a most spurious trial in an Iraqi court and is wasting away. I want to acknowledge the efforts of the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, and the current Minister and Tánaiste, Deputy Micheál Martin, as well as th…

I extend a céad míle fáilte and a welcome the teachers and students from St. John's National School, Ballybrack, who are here as guests of Senator Barry Ward, a very active Member of the Seanad. We hope they enjoy their day in Leinster House and shake the hands of many of the politicians here. Maybe it is their future.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, and his officials.

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Acting Leader. The big topic is our finances. We see there may be a surplus of €12 billion. It is worth noting that if we were to take away the corporation tax, things would not be as bright. As long as it lasts and as long as we are aware it might not always be there in such great strength, we have to be cautious. That is why I believe the Ministers, Deputies McGrath and Donohoe, were right yesterday to urge caution on spending. There is no doubt that if there is …

I welcome all the representatives of the sheep farming community throughout the country. I think I see one man I know is from the trade. I was wrestling with a bad knee injury and he offered me his seat but I did not take it up. I heard him say "96 ewes and eight hoggets". Was that right? Little did I think I would meet him here today because I did not know he was coming here today, but he was obviously getting somebody to count the sheep. I welcome him along with Kevin Comiskey, Eddie Punch and the rest of the peo…

I agree with Senator Kyne in relation to the sheep farmers. He made a very fair case about the concerns they have now. There is an issue. I acknowledge that the Minister has spoken to us about this issue. I spoke to him last week and he is going to bring a package forward. It would be a good idea if he came before the House to have a discussion about this. He knows the sector very well, particularly his own county and the west and north-west. He is very aware of the difficulties sheep farmers have at the moment, pa…

He is listening.