I did not get a chance to come in on the Order of Business yesterday. We were all shocked by the comments and the statement by Deputy Naughten that he will not be going forward as a Deputy in the constituency at the next election. I know he will be with us for the next period of time and we wish him well. I wish to acknowledge the help he was to me when I came in here in 2016 and the work he has done, particularly in regard to Roscommon University Hospital, on which he stuck very much to his beliefs. I want to rais…

I am delighted to see the McVittys in the Chamber. I know them from a different job in which I was involved. We became good friends over the years. It is lovely to see them and I will have a word with them in a moment. Like our Leader, Senator Gallagher, I am delighted to be here to support Senator Martin's Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, to the House. As Senator Gallagher has said, we will fully support this amendment. Why would we not? As a party, we are wo…

I remind Members that this debate is to adjourn after one hour, if not previously concluded.

In section 9 we have an amendment in the name of Senators Higgins and Ruane. Amendments Nos. 1, 21 to 29, inclusive, and 31 to 34, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.. I ask Senator Higgins to move amendment No. 1, please?

I apologise for interrupting the Senator, but we have some very excited students from Kiltiernan and Ballyglass schools in County Galway. Being a Roscommon man, I know that county well. I even know about its footballers. B'fhéidir go bhfuil na múinteoirí agus na tuismitheoirí ann freisin. They are very welcome. I know their tour has to move on, but this is the Seanad Chamber. I hope they enjoy the rest of their day. I thank Senator Higgins for allowing this little disruption to her flow and I apologise to her again…

How stands the Senator's amendment?

Amendments Nos. 2, 3, 6 and 18 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Amendments Nos. 4, 5, 14, 15, 19 and 20 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement.

Amendments Nos. 7 to 13, inclusive, 16 and 17 are related and may be discussed together.

We must adjourn the debate. I thank the Minister of State, his officials and Senators.

I am delighted my Commencement matter is being taken. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. It is nice to have the Minister here. I compliment him on the work he is doing in this area, as well as in the Department of Justice. Construction is in a little bit of a crisis because very few entrants to third level are going into construction machinery careers. Potential new entrants have nowhere to go if they want training. The Minister knows that if people want to be blocklayers, electricians, carpenters or plumbers there are…

I am encouraged by the Minister's reply in relation to ETBs throughout the country rolling this programme out. I also acknowledge that he is prepared to meet representatives from the Irish Plant Contractors Association in his office. I am lucky to have someone in the business, unrelated to me, who was able to educate me on all of this. I am told we need to start opening courses for new machines in the industry that are not covered in construction regulations. These include 360 slew telehandlers, mini spider cranes,…

I want to spend my two minutes in thought for the people of Türkiye and Syria and what they are going through. The Cathaoirleach was with me on a delegation which met a Turkish delegation from the petitions committee in the House last week. We had a lovely time and we expressed a lot of views and shared opinions. I found the delegation to be really nice people and it was nice to share thoughts and ideas. Members may remember that there was an interpreter present called Asli who lives in Dublin but is obviously Turk…

I will not welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber because she is part of it. My colleague Senator Paul Daly has led on this today. He said we will not be opposing this motion. I compliment Senator Boyhan on bringing forward what is really a crucial issue and a crucial debate. Discussions like this are very important. Forestry is going to be important as we go forward. Environmentally, if we want to keep some of our farming methods going we have to in some way account for our carbon count. We cannot have the b…

I fully support Senator Clonan and will support the idea of a debate on carers and people who look after those who are vulnerable. That is important. In the context of all that has been revealed in recent times, we need to have a debate. While I understand people might have issues relating to migrants and developing centres, I absolutely deplore and abhor violence and people who are trying to stir up trouble. That is the last thing we want. We should all be resolute on that in this Chamber. By all means, we take on…

I wish the Cathaoirleach, the Leader, the staff and everyone here a very happy St. Brigid's Day. I believe this day is going to become a very important one on the calendar and, it is fair to say, that St. Patrick will not have it his own way from here on in, and will have a little competition. I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I refer to a big ongoing debate on home vacancies throughout Ireland. This is particularly bad in the west of Ireland when one looks at places like Leitrim, Roscommon…

I wish to briefly return to the issue of mental health and the report on the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, situation, which came out earlier this week. I know that many politicians - including the Tánaiste and the Minister of State with responsibility for this area, Deputy Butler, who I think we will accept has done enormous work in this area – have expressed concern. While 39% of those needing the service had to wait 12 weeks or less, the reality of the issue of mental health is that we all s…

Tá sé go hiontach an tAire a fheiceáil anseo sa Teach inniu. Is fear an-ghnóthach é agus gabhaim buíochas leis as a bheith anseo. I welcome the fact the Minister has been to the House on four or five occasions. I also welcome the fact that the Ministers of State at the Department come to the House. In the past there was a very poor record, particularly of Ministers coming to the House. The Minister is doing better than many did in the past and it should be acknowledged. I also want to say about the Minister's state…

Hear, hear.

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and his official to the House.