I agree with my colleague, Senator Carrigy, regarding the backlog in the warmer homes scheme. It is important we deal with that issue. Like other Senators, I welcome the retrofitting programme. While there will be snags, there is nothing that cannot be worked out. The one-stop shop idea is fantastic because it will bring the programme to the people, who can visit the shop to discuss their circumstances in the context of retrofitting. Of course, the fact people can break up the retrofit, begin with one part of their…

Yes.

In one way, I hope the Leader does not have a definite date for the sports capital grants as there will be a hell of a rush for the door to get on the phone to the club secretaries and chairmen to give them the good news because everybody wants to get that first. I am sure they will come and I am sure they will be welcomed and, hopefully, most sports groups in the country will be happy. Like others, I want to pay tribute to Leona Maguire on her fantastic win. I have a link to that. I used to produce a radio show an…

Like others, I welcome the Minister of State and this particular legislation. As we now know, this provides for the statutory prohibition of fur farming and will impact on the three active farms in the State. It is important to point out they were acting lawfully but the legislation is to compensate them as they are about to lose their businesses and certain people will lose their jobs. The Bill governs the nature of the compensation scheme that can be provided to ensure that mink farming operators are to be compen…

It is nice to see Senator Pauline O'Reilly in the role of Acting Leader. Well done to her. I agree with Senator Gallagher with regard to the debate on credit unions. I wish to mention the decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, to reinstate a derogation for farmers to burn green waste. Of course it is not the ideal solution but there is no other solution at the moment. Often, farmers have to cut away material that is then left lying in fields, particularly where there are …

I rise with much sadness after hearing of the death of Noel Treacy from east Galway and maybe it has already been mentioned. He was an extraordinary successful politician. Mr. Treacy was first elected in a by-election in 1982 and he retired in 2011. Recently he fought a battle with illness and when I spoke to him four weeks ago he was in great form. He served in a number of junior ministries and was a very active politician. He was one of the best politicians that ever came into Leinster House. I know that he would…

I agree with everybody that this day, St. Brigid's Day, is very important. As others have said, Senator O'Loughlin has campaigned very strongly on this issue. From speaking to her earlier, I am aware that she is very proud today. I want to return to the issue of Mr. Richard O'Halloran. Like many in this House, I campaigned for his release. It was great to see the five happy faces on Saturday. Everywhere I went, including the most rural area in my constituency, people were saying it was a fantastic, happy day. I wis…

I am not going to take up all of my time. There is no point repeating a lot that has been said already. This is good legislation. It is part of what the Government is doing on workers' rights. The public is way ahead of us on this. Most people make a serious effort when they are in a restaurant to make sure the staff get their tips. One of the problems that has arisen is that while we are moving more into being a cashless society, people are a bit slow to get the tip added on to their card. It is only beginning to …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as an ábhar seo a chur ar an gclár oibre inniu. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. I wish to speak briefly today about two very important projects in the Galway-Roscommon region in relation to our health service. One is the building that is now being built at Portiuncula Hospital. If I am not mistaken, it received planning permission in 2017. The building is badly needed for patient accommodation. The second project is at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon…

That was a positive response on the crucial developments at Portiuncula Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital. I was delighted to hear the Minister of State say that, as part of the works on the former, the electrical and natural gas network had been upgraded and the medical gas infrastructure had been modified and upgraded. I hope that we can move the project at Sacred Heart Hospital ahead as quickly as possible. I expect the planning application to be before Roscommon County Council shortly, after which it will be f…

I thank the Minister of State and Senator Kyne. I know that this project is important to all who live in the western region.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan.

That was a most interesting discussion. I thank the Minister of State and the Senator. I also wish to thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, and the other Senators involved in the Commencement matters. As always, I thank the staff.

I was always going to find this difficult today. I am very hurt, upset and annoyed over recent developments, in particular the murders and the treatment of women. I listened to Senator Boylan and I know what happened to Senator Hoey and the lewd acts they had to witness. If I am not mistaken, one of their Fine Gael colleagues has had a similar experience recently. It is shocking and outrageous. In regard to that lewd act, I believe we should look at bringing in a serious sentence for men who would carry out such ac…

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

I welcome the Minister of State. I have no doubt about his commitment to this massive project. The sentiment expressed by everybody is that we must speed up this roll-out as quickly as possible. There have been hindrances along the way, of that there is no question. Covid-19 has been a difficult issue with all these projects. Covid has been a difficult issue for these projects and it does not help with running a smooth situation when hit by a pandemic such as this. I accept the Government is ramping up this project…

First, I want to welcome Senator Flynn back and congratulate her. I was not in the Chamber last week on her return. Yesterday, County Roscommon and the Galway part of the Galway-Roscommon constituency welcomed the great announcement on active travel. A great many issues have been with us for years like the need to extend footpaths, walkways and cycleways, to take away dangerous bends and so forth. For the first time, we have seen a Government providing money to sort out such problems. I was in contact with a number…

I thank the Minister for being here. I pay tribute to him for the manner in which he has handled this matter and the courage he has shown in every county throughout the country, where he has met the grassroots and farmers in rural communities and listened to them. I was at one or two of those meetings. While 90% of the people present were excellent and there were hard debates, the Minister did take some abuse. In general, it has been accepted that he is doing an excellent job. He has taken a lot of the anger out of…

Nice try.

It was a very good try.