I propose that we suspend the sitting for the duration of the Dáil vote.

I am sorry but there is another vote in the Dáil.

I move that the House stand suspended until the vote is over.

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

We in the Fianna Fáil Party would like to express our sympathies to the family of former Oireachtas Member, Liam Fitzgerald. He was a very kind, affable and effective public representative. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. I also think it would be appropriate that the Seanad would extend its sympathies with regard to the Air India crash. Thankfully, it is not too often that we see aeroplane crashes of that magnitude but it was shocking to see 241 passengers killed, and also those who were in the nursing home on the gro…

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. I was delighted when I saw his name beside this Department and portfolio because I believe he has a unique and innate understanding of the different regions of Ireland, and a great passion for the people of Ireland. He can relate to all of them. I saw that at first hand when he had his previous portfolio. He was traversing Ireland when I had the good fortune to escort him around south Kildare to see some of our local small family businesses, and he was able to respond to them…

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on delivering a world-class education system that breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential, to be taken at 1 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

I thank Senators for their contributions. Senator Rabbitte raised the very important issue of the need for swimming pools in the country generally, and in Loughrea specifically, to support people living in the hinterland. She made an excellent point. To be fair to the then Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, he published a national swimming strategy last September, which included 55 recommendations for improving facilities, provision of new facilities, better coaching and increased…

Sorry, screening for the Israeli military and if they are former members of the military who are coming in. That is worthy of a very specific Commencement matter. It would be difficult to get the Minister for a two-hour debate on that but it is certainly worthy of a Commencement matter. It is also worthy of raising in the foreign affairs committee too. Senator O'Reilly spoke about the RTÉ exposé on nursing homes. Certainly, it was heartbreaking to watch it and we have heard quite a bit on our airwaves since. We hav…

I suggest the Senator liaises with the Department and the council and quite possibly put in a Commencement matter on the specifics of it.

The Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is very welcome. It is great to have the opportunity to say a few words about this really important subject. I am very proud of the record of my party, Fianna Fáil, on education. It is fair to say we are the party of education and, throughout our history, we have established an unmatched record of commitment to education because it is a great leveller and a great enabler. Indeed, it is the bedrock of Ireland's continued social and economic progress. In terms of all of the sig…

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

This is my first opportunity to have a debate in this House with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, since his appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for special education and school transport. We could not have a more committed, compassionate, empathetic person in this role than him. I say that from previous experience on the disability matters committee and in other areas. It does not surprise me at all that he is taking this matter. In so many scenarios, other Ministers are sent to deal with se…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Regarding this instance, prior to the closing date last Friday, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, stated that there would not be a school service provided. The issue is that Bus Éireann has advised that these children are not attending their nearest post-primary school. We know they are not but that is because there are no places. It further advises that there is no existing service so concessionary places cannot be applied for. Some 12 children from one particular estate…

I add my voice to welcoming the guests who are here, and I hope they have an interesting and informative visit to Leinster House. On behalf of my party, I extend our very deepest sympathy to the ambassador of Austria and to the people of Austria on the horrific situation that unfolded in Graz, with the killing of nine people and the maiming of many more. It is shocking to see such a thing happen anywhere in the world, particularly on the Continent of. It is important that we note what took place. This is Pride mont…

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I acknowledge the presence of Deputy Lahart, who is Chairperson of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. I thank the Tánaiste for being here. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and the Taoiseach for their leadership on this matter across the world. I stand here on behalf of my party, Fianna Fáil, thinking of the 54,000 dead in Gaza, their families and their friends. On average, ten children per day lose at least one limb. Imagine the imp…

It is good to have the opportunity to have this debate with the Minister. We appreciate his time because we know how busy he is and how demanding the role is. It is important that we have this discussion. It is one a number of Senators have sought. There is no doubt that we are recognised internationally as a very competitive economy, but equally it is absolutely fundamental that we do not become complacent. There is quite a bit of work to do to make sure that we can meet the many challenges coming down the line. T…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I wish to comment on public service community radio. We have a great radio station in Kildare, Kfm. It provides an important public service. That was how I first heard of this particular situation. Some of the women impacted contacted me afterwards. There is a new modern primary day healthcare centre in Athy which provides a great service, including a postpartum service for new mothers. This is important to facil…

I thank the Minister of State. Like her, I acknowledge the critical role that midwives across the country play in the delivery of excellent services for mums and their new babies. I acknowledge that the Minister for Health has said that she understands the disruption and distress that has been caused. I appreciate that in the Minister of State's answer, she said measures had been put in place to resume the service and that they have confirmed that the antenatal clinics will be operating as normal from this week. Th…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. On Sunday, I had the immense privilege of meeting Bernie and Jane Sanders in Athy, County Kildare. This came about through the wonderful work of Colm Walsh, who has developed the Made of Athy series and discovered that the ancestors of Jane Sanders came from Athy. As a couple, Jane and Bernie are absolutely inspirational. They have worked so much for people who are vulnerable and marginalised and have done a lot of work in the area of social justice. Revita…