Senator Rabbitte raised the issue of CPOs, in particular those relating to the N63 road. I was quite shocked to hear the details that an arrangement was apparently made in 2014, but a landlord has not been paid since. That raises a lot of questions because the individual has suffered a loss of income. As the Senator said, that has caused a lot of stress. We need clarity on CPOs. They are, of course, not just used for roads, bypasses, etc. but also for derelict buildings in our towns. I am conscious of an ongoing is…

I extend my welcome to the distinguished guests. Times are difficult across the world and there is a lot of doom and gloom, some of it merited and some of it not. We all need moments in our lives where we get to witness joy and to see creativity and music. It was incredible to hear so many people speaking about tuning into Glastonbury over the weekend. My youngest brother was there. I have not spoken to him yet but I understand from different communications that everybody had a wonderful time. I know that many peop…

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on nursing homes and care for older persons, to be taken at 11.15 a.m. or on conclusion of the Order of Business, whichever is the later, and to conclude at 1 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than eight minutes to reply to the debate…

This morning's business started with Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, who has been consistent in supporting the people of Gaza and calling out the genocide and war crimes of Israel. The lack of progress and unanimity as to how Europe can support those living in Gaza and the West Bank and call out Israel on its war crimes is, as the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said, a stain on Europe's conscience. The fact that children are being starved and do not have enough water to drink in this century and this modern world is shocking…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to the Chamber.

I thank the Minister of State for being here. It is always good to see him. I raise an issue that I also raised last week. I decided to submit a Commencement matter on it. It relates to a course in the Ballyfermot College of Music, which does excellent work. It has a specific course, a two-year higher national diploma in traditional Irish music performance and traineeship in instrument making, repair and maintenance. It is an excellent course. I understand from one of the tutors, Mr. Niall Crehan, that among last y…

I thank the Minister of State. His response is certainly more positive than I had anticipated in terms of my conversations with those in the sector. I acknowledge that the Minister, Deputy Lawless, said to me that under his stewardship no apprenticeship programme would be cut. That is why I was concerned when I learned about this. I am very happy that the programme is not being discontinued but is operating on a two-year schedule. I also appreciate that the ETBs have an independent function. The programmes need to …

I also extend a welcome to the chargé d'affaires from Slovenia, a beautiful country that I had the opportunity to visit, and to Councillor Niall Kelleher, his aunt, mum and son Noah, who, I understand, is very interested in politics and very involved in Comhairle na nÓg. I hope they have an interesting and good day in Leinster House. When driving here this morning, I listened to the news about the Women's Aid annual report. Some of the figures horrified me. Since last year, there has been a 12% increase in contacts…

I will give the Cathaoirleach the date.

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. I wish her well in her very important portfolio, with the many challenges it has. I acknowledge and commend Senator Clonan on his Bill. I was happy to sign it. I am happy to support it. I have always been an advocate of personalised budgets. I have some personal experience also, which I bring to bear. Throughout the disability matters committee, this was something I was consistent on. I ensured it went into the Fianna Fáil manifesto. I often spoke to the Acting Chair in her p…

I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this Commencement matter. I know she has a particular interest in County Kildare because she told me previously that her mam is from Ballymore Eustace in south Kildare. I am sure all the Minister of State's relatives there are very proud of her success. Fair play to her. I am raising the issue of a proposed secondary school that will for up to 1,000 students. It has been agreed it will be delivered in two phases. Phase 1 will have 16 classes for 425 pupils and ph…

I thank the Minister of State. It is welcome news indeed that a number of tenders have been received and are currently being reviewed, and that the report of the review team will then be submitted to the Department. What is sadly lacking in the response is a commitment to the end date and to enabling students to start in August 2026. I appreciate that a number of steps must be gone through. We had a horrific situation in St. Paul's Secondary School in Monasterevin where a contractor who was not awarded the tender t…

I take this opportunity to wish the organisers of the Kildare Derby Festival well. On Sunday, the 160th Irish Derby will be held. Many will be travelling to the Curragh for the festival. Indeed, many will be travelling to Kildare town as the week progresses. A lot of really good activities are planned, including a Jack L concert in the cathedral tomorrow night. Unfortunately, with possible voting here, I doubt I will make it. I wish everyone involved the best. Racing has a very special place in Kildare. In saying t…

I add my voice of welcome to the ambassador. It was lovely to meet her earlier. We had an opportunity to discuss the collaboration between the University of Limerick and Luxembourg. My nephew, Joe O'Loughlin, participated in that last year and spent six wonderful months in Luxembourg. What really got his attention was the free public transport. When he returned he asked why we could not do that in Ireland. Today is world music day. In honour of that, and in an ironic way, I will speak about the harp, our national i…

The Curragh Camp is a very special place in County Kildare and nationally. It was a thriving community but is not so much now, sadly, because a lot of facilities have been moved from there and a lot of the accommodation for married people and families is no longer available. At the same time, many families were reared in the Curragh Camp. There is still a military community and two schools are still operating from there. My Commencement matter relates to two iconic buildings. The camp dates back to around 1855 and …

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I know he has a sense of the historical, social, cultural and architectural importance of both buildings. I am pleased about this and that he recognises the buildings' significance. I acknowledge that the Department of Defence was not involved in the decision to discontinue the use of the post office. The decision on the fire station was a military one also. Nevertheless, because the two iconic buildings are in the Curragh Camp, in respect of which the Department of D…

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I extend our sympathies to the family of Carmencita Hederman. I remember being fascinated by her as a young child. She was one of the first women in politics that young girls could identify with. She was very much herself. She had a very strong voice and she used it in all of the areas she was concerned and passionate about. I also add my voice of welcome to Councillor Coleman and his family. I hope he has an interesting day here in Leinster House. I will raise a few issues today…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. I am delighted to have the opportunity to formally congratulate her on her position. I do not know how she does all that she does in being an excellent public representative for the people of Cavan-Monaghan - constituency politics is demanding in itself - while also being able to take on a very challenging portfolio with such gusto and enthusiasm. She has totally embraced the three really important areas within her Department. I will mention each of those areas …

A vote has been called in the Dáil so we must suspend the House.

I have received several messages.