Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This is a really important Bill. After making wonderful progress in this area, road fatalities have significantly increased in recent years. There were 188 fatalities in 2023, which was the highest number since the 192 people who died in 2014. As the Minister of State noted, the figure for this year is very bad, with 45 fatalities up to 19 March. This legislation is necessary. I want to see it swiftly become part of our law. It is important that as we discuss these provisions, we …

Next Tuesday.

I propose we adjourn sine die .

I apologise for cutting across the Minister of State. I was not trying to interrupt him but wanted to ensure we keep within time. I call Senator Crowe. He has ten minutes.

Níl aon Seanadóir eile ag iarraidh focail a rá ar an ábhar seo. Mar sin, tá deich nóiméad ag an Aire Stáit.

Maith thú, a Aire Stáit, agus maith sibh a Sheanadóirí. I thank the Minister of State, his officials, the Seanadóirí, and the people who are working in the House, including Bridget Doody and the ushers.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the latest announcement from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the agri-climate rural environmental scheme, ACRES. This is a very important scheme. Initially, it was intended that it would accept 30,000 applicants but there has been huge demand for it. The Minister insisted that the number of applicants be increased to 46,000. On top of that, an extra 4,000 places were announced in tranche 2 of the scheme and 9,000 applications were received for those places. Yesterday, the Minis…

I welcome the decision by an investigation group in An Garda Síochána to clear a Garda member in the midlands who, during the Covid-19 pandemic, gave an unclaimed bicycle to a poor, unfortunate person living in a rural area. The garda was suspended for three years, his family went through hell and I do not know what his neighbours thought. This type of carry-on is not acceptable. I understand that he gave out the bicycle without filing the proper paperwork but so be it. That should have been dealt with straightaway…

I hope the Commissioner will now follow suit and give him full clearance. I ask that the Seanad send a letter to the Minister for Justice to ensure this type of treatment is not meted out to any other person. We praised gardaí during the Covid-19 period for what they did in looking after people, just as all of the front-line workers did. This case was a terrible injustice.

I asked that we send a letter to the Minister for Justice regarding how Garda discipline is handled. I am sure that is agreed.

Seisiúin ráitis ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge is ea an seisiún seo. Ba mhaith liom ar an gcéad dul síos fáilte speisialta a chur roimh an Aire, an Teachta Caitríona Ní Mháirtín. Cuirim fáilte chomh maith roimh na Seanadóirí agus na daoine eile atá anseo. Is deas an rud é go bhfuil a lán daoine ag labhairt beagán Gaeilge amuigh ansin, ar an teilifís, ar an raidió agus insan Teach seo, and I suppose this is the recognition that it is very important, even if you are not strong with the language to be able to have those cúp…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na focail sin. Beidh sé nóiméad aici chun freagra a thabhairt ar an díospóireacht. Anois, tá muid ag dul go Contae an Chláir. Tá súil agam go bhfuil an Ghaeilge fós á labhairt go flúirseach sa chontae sin.

Is ráiteas deas é sin. Glaoim anois ar bhean a bhfuil Gaeilge láidir aici ó Phort Láirge agus ó Bhaile Átha Cliath. Níl mé ábalta a hainm a rá i nGaeilge, but maybe she can educate us on this matter.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. Bhí sé sin an-álainn ar fad. Iarraim ar Sheanadóir Seán Kyne labhairt. Cloisim go labhraíonn sé a lán Gaeilge timpeall an Tí seo. Tá an Ghaeilge láidir timpeall Chontae na Gaillimhe, nach bhfuil?

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadaóir Kyne agus Gaeilge flúirseach ansin. Glaoim ar an Seandaóir Boylan agus tá súil agam go bhfuil grá don teanga aici.

Anois, iarraim ar Sheanadóir Alice-Mary Higgins.