I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to reduce restrictions on the power of the Electricity Supply Board to carry out works concerning the levels on the Shannon Lakes (Lough Derg, Lough Ree and Lough Allen), for this purpose to amend the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1934; and to provide for related matters.

I welcome the Minister of State. We have discussed flooding on many occasions over recent times. I am delighted to participate in this debate. I thank Senator Garvey and her colleagues for tabling the motion. We must acknowledge that for far too long the grief that flooding has caused for communities, families and individuals has not been adequately dealt with, but in recent years that situation has changed. The previous Government, which was a confidence and supply Government, gave a commitment to spend €1 billion…

I was not in the House yesterday so I do not know if this has been already done, but I want to express my admiration and great love of the late Paddy Moloney, who, because of my background in radio and as a voluntary director of a number of festivals, I was privileged to have met. I met him only twice but he left a lasting impression on me. It is amazing to hear the BBC, Sky News, the French media and media across the world referencing the death of the late Paddy Moloney, a brilliant player of the uilleann pipes, t…

Go raibh maith agat, Leas Cathaoirleach, agus gabhaim buíochas roimh an t-Aire Stáit, an Teachta Ossian Smyth. Beidh mé críochnaithe i gceann cúig nóiméad. I will not stand here and say that €2 was given here, €5 was given there and €30 was given somewhere else. However, in my view, considering that we are not yet out of Covid-19, this is an extraordinary budget. This view does not just come from me. I rang a number of people in my part of the country last night and this morning to get an independent analysis. The …

Through the Chair, it was welcomed.

Of course.

On a point of clarification, by what time is this debate to conclude?

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I get very annoyed in all these debates about the horticulture industry. North-east Roscommon, as the Minister of State knows because he has relations I am very friendly with in that region, and the areas around Ballinasloe, Galway and Shannonbridge are major peat areas. They are very seldom referenced in the debates. When we talked about job losses with the closure of ESB and Bord na Móna peat operations, the Minister of State well knows that the area I live in is, I am proud to …

On behalf of our group, I wish to be associated with the comments expressed by the Cathaoirleach and the Leader on the sad passing of Mr. Tom Burke. When I entered the Oireachtas as a Member in 2016 I think he was the first person who snapped a picture of me and my family at the gate. He was a kind and jovial man. Right across the political spectrum, Mr. Burke was much liked and admired. Time is limited, but I will address an issue that our party members have discussed over many months, as has the Leader and many o…

My understanding is that they are not grouped, so we have to move as set out on this paper. Regrettably, we cannot discuss the others now.

How stands the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement.

Amendments Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed. Amendment No. 8 is a logical alternative to amendment No. 7. If amendment No. 7 is agreed, then amendment No. 8 cannot be moved.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit, Deputy Josepha Madigan, as a bheith anseo an tráthnóna seo don díospóireacht seo. I have been listening intently to this wonderful debate. It brings me back to my school days when I was working in my cousin's business, which was a part hardware and agricultural store. I can recall clearly a small number of customers, in particular, men, who would come and buy their goods, whether it was fertiliser, fencing posts or whatever. They would throw down their cheq…

I thank the Senator for her interesting words.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I apologise for having to interrupt the Senator but I must stick to the schedule. This is a very important debate.

I thank Senator Seery Kearney for that little bit of positive news at the end. Before I hand over to the Minister, I will say that I feel privileged to have been asked to chair part of this debate. I have listened intently to everybody, starting with Senator Ward, who must be commended, and Senator Mullen, although I was down in my office at the time. I listened to Senators Ardagh and Higgins and all of the other speakers speak with such passion and sincerity. If the Belarusian people ever want a little bit of an u…

I thank the Minister. I am sure all Senators will agree with me in wishing the Minister well in his endeavours. As we conclude this debate on Belarus, I sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to a valuable debate. I hope any Belarusians looking in are confident the people of Ireland are totally behind them.

I will keep it very brief because I agree with the previous three speakers. I also remind them that there is another city, Galway, and another province, Connacht. I am glad the Minister of State present in the House this evening is from Galway. As I said previously about the aviation industry, Connacht regional airport is what I call the second miracle of Knock. Most people outside the region thought it would not work, but what a success it is. It has been a major success and it is very important to the development…