Another person is starting to speak and Members are continuing to argue back and forth. That is not okay. I call Senator Blaney, without any interruptions.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick and others in the party and, indeed, Senator Cummins and the Ministers of State, Deputies Peter Burke and Noonan, for their work on this. It is important that we deal with the electoral process like this and the setting up of an coimisiún toghcháin will be a major step forward in the protection of the democracy in the State. We heard much talk here about outside influences and money. I would like the younger generation to realise how hard p…

Amendments Nos. 33 to 36, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 38 and 40 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Amendment No. 41 in the names of Senators Higgins and Ruane has been ruled out of order because of a potential charge on the Revenue.

Amendments Nos. 42 and 43 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 44 and 45 are related and will be discussed together.

Amendment No. 47 has been ruled out of order as it does not arise out of committee proceedings.

When is it proposed to take next Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank Senator Boyhan. We all accept that was very sincerely put.

I wish to express my thanks to the Minister, his staff, the staff of the House and all the Senators who participated in this great engagement on a number of occasions.

I thank the Acting Chairperson for his courtesy, as usual, in giving me the floor on this issue. I am delighted it is being taken by my friend, the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. Coming from Mayo originally, I am sure she is familiar with the N5 route. We all know what has happened with that project. Unfortunately, the contractors who were to construct the bypass from Scramoge to Ballaghaderreen have run into difficulties. I have spoken about this on many occasions in the Seanad and previously in the Dáil. The…

The Minister of State has given quite a positive response, which we do not always receive. I am delighted to hear about the improvement scheme between Moneylea and Carrowntoosan. Improvements to Frenchpark junction are also really important. These are areas that have caused concern to the public for many years. There is also very good news in regard to the retendering for the N5 project. I hope it will be up and running before too long. It is really good to hear that expressions of interest have been received. I am…

I support Senator Mullen in his comments on Cardinal Zen. It is an appalling way to treat anybody, and it is only right we show our support for him. When we are in this Chamber we sometimes howl and growl on behalf of individuals and groups, which is our right, and we must do that for the public, but I always believe we should look also at positives that come out in life. Senator Horkan mentioned the post offices. There was commitment on the part of the Government - and Senator Horkan and I are members of Governmen…

I am glad to be in the House to support Senator Martin's Bill. I extend a céad míle fáilte to all the people in our Gallery and a major thank you to the people who gave us a wonderful presentation this morning. I am sorry that I had to come into the Chamber when the bells rang but I was enjoying the presentation. I pay tribute to Senator Martin for bringing this Bill forward. More than a year and a half ago through a Commencement matter I brought the same issue to the House but it was in the middle of Covid, down i…

I welcome the Minister. He really has had a baptism of fire since becoming Minister for Health. He had no ministerial experience, and I do not mean that in any disrespectful way, but he has shown good leadership. He has settled very well into his brief. He is dealing with a lot of issues that had not been dealt with for years and particularly in relation to the National Maternity Hospital, he and his officials took a very wise road. Despite all of the assurances and reassurances given, he decided to pause the proce…

Fearaim céad míle fáilte roimh na daltaí agus a múinteoirí as Cill Dara. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to the House. The Minister of State was always very strong on educational matters. The matter I raise this morning relates to St. Teresa's Special School in Ballinasloe, County Galway. Last November we were very proud that the Taoiseach, the Minister for Education and others came to Ballinasloe and gave the go-ahead for a new school for St. Teresa's. St. Teresa's has been based at the enterprise c…

I thank the Minister of State. His response is quite positive and I am delighted with it. The Minister of State mentioned the temporary classrooms which were put in place in the not-too-distant past. The school principal is very happy with that accommodation for now. As the Minister of State said, it is on the move and it is most important that things are happening. As the Minister of State said in his reply, contact will be made with the school in the coming weeks, I hope in the next month or two, to proceed furth…

We move now to our final Commencement matter. The Minister of State is very busy this morning as he has also to deal with this matter in the name of Senator Kyne, who is very welcome to the House this morning. This Commencement matter deals with the need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the review to be conducted under section 18(3) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 in respect of the functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Senator has four minutes to intro…