I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to have a discussion on a really important topic that has an impact on all of our lives. 1898 was the year that local government came into being and local councils were set up. My grandfather, Joseph O'Loughlin, was on the very first Kildare County Council. He died when my father was only seven, so we did not know him but 20 years after that, my father was elected to serve. Many years after that I was elected to serve in another area so I can say, with great pride, …

I thank the Minister for coming back in to take this matter. I really appreciate it. We are all conscious of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, which was launched in October 2021. It is a very important plan. Its key objectives concern increased access, enhanced connectivity, improved frequency and innovative solutions. It is managed by the NTA working with other partners such as Rural Link and TFI. It looks also at town bus services. It has certainly had quite a lot of success. I have seen first-hand the …

I note the fact that 240 towns and villages have been newly connected to the public transport network. That is welcome. There have been 61 new connections to healthcare facilities and 41 to higher education facilities. That is notable and laudable, and we need to say "Well done" to all those involved. I am pleased that the 888 route is expected to launch next month. That is important. We need to get the timetables. I am also pleased that the Suncroft-to-Newbridge-Kildare route is at an advanced stage. It will not c…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sittings of the House on 28 and 29 May 2025, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 2, statements on public procurement, to be taken at 11:45 a.m. and to conclude at 1.15 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 each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, time may b…

We started with Senator Fitzpatrick, leading for Fianna Fáil, talking once again about the very distressing scenes and news coming from Gaza, including wilful starvation and the murder of more than 50,000 people, 70% of whom are women and children. Every day in Gaza, at least ten children lose at least one limb. Just think of the lifelong consequences for them. Yesterday, we saw the horrific shooting in Washington of a young couple who were about to get married. An Irish diplomat was present. We also saw the Israel…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on 28th and 29th May, 2025: (1) The Seanad on its rising on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025, shall adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025, and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) Commencement matters pursuant to Standing Order 31 shall be taken at 10.30 a.m. and up to eight Commencement matters may be selected by the Cathaoirleac…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I thank Kfm, my local radio station, for its excellent service in public broadcasting and bringing issues of concern to all our ears. This morning, I learned through Kfm that there was a cancellation of midwifery services in the primary care centre in Athy. Many expectant mums were given less than 24 hours’ notice and were told that they would have to travel to Portlaoise hospital for subsequent services. Maternity services are hugely important. It is a sen…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. PDFORRA is a great organisation. It was founded in 1990 and represents in excess of 6,500 members of the Defence Forces. I was fortunate enough to have known the founding member, Mr. John Lucey, who worked closely with Mr. Jim Brady from my area of Kildare. In recent days Mr. Mark Keane has stepped down after eight years as president. He is a fine person who served with great distinction and dignity. I wish him well and thank him for all the work he did. We…

I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, for coming to the House to take this Stage of the Bill. There are a few people I wish to thank for bringing this Bill to fruition. First, my former colleague and Senator, Lisa Chambers, who put a lot of work into this Bill. It first appeared under her and my name but she was the lead on it and it is important at this point to thank her for that work. I thank all the people who contacted me, particularly in the past three months, regarding the absolute necessity to have catf…

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

This is the first time Senator Ahearn has taken the Order of Business during this mandate, so I wish him well with that. All of us across the country were absolutely shocked when, nine years ago, we heard of the appalling murder of Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, Liam, Niall and Ryan, by their husband and dad. I was very moved over the weekend to hear her sister Jacqueline Connolly speaking eloquently about the impact that horrific tragedy had on their family. I had not realised there had been two previous tragedi…

I extend my welcome to the Chair of the Good Friday Agreement committee, Deputy Devlin, and his interns. I also welcome the students and teachers from Rush National School, whom I met coming into the Chamber. I indicate my intention to move a motion to have a minute's silence on the death of former Minister Paddy O'Toole at the end of the Order of Business. The Order of Business is No. 1, statements marking National Biodiversity Week, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to conclude at 3.30 p.m. if not previously concluded…

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the fact there are half a million people facing starvation. There is no doubt we all feel devastated by what is going on since the horrific attacks on 7 October. Nothing can ever take away from how horrific those attacks were, but what has happened since has been completely disproportionate. The Senator is right in saying we need to recommit to calling for a ceasefire and, collectively, to recommit to looking for a two-state solution. I spoke recently…

There are eight now. I raised the issue on the floor because I was disappointed to see there were only five submissions and the closing date was 19 May. As the Senator said, it is an important area. A lot of good reforms have been carried out. Those who have concerns need to put their submissions in. The Senator is absolutely right to highlight it. Senator Craughwell spoke about Ryan Cornelius, who has been in prison in Dubai for 17 years. I genuinely do not know anything about the situation but I note his wife is …

I move: That Seanad Éireann expresses its deep sadness on the death of former Senator Paddy O'Toole, conveys its sincere condolences to his family, and expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution as a Member of Seanad Éireann to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I wish to bring up the escalation of antisocial behaviour. I have no doubt that this issue crosses many of our paths across the different areas in which we live. Obviously, antisocial behaviour can happen in any estate and comes from people of different backgrounds. It is not something that is just related to council tenants; it can happen in private estates as well. When local authorities are housing people who have caused problems before and have a histor…

Today is a special day. It marks the 80th birthday of a Kildare icon who is known nationally and internationally, namely Christy Moore. He is somebody we are very proud to call a son of Kildare. There is no doubt that his songs have been the soundtrack to so many of our lives and tell us stories with honesty, humour and great heart. I thank Christy on his special day for the music and the passion. I wish him joy and health at this time. Somebody who formerly worked in this House sent me a TikTok video at the weeken…

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements to mark Europe Day 2025, to be taken at 12 noon and to conclude at 1.30 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 and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Our opener this morning was Senator Shane Curley, who spoke about the issue of waste and surplus energy due to the lack of storage, while at the same time we have fuel poverty. It is really good to hear about the pilot scheme in Galway relating to the energy cloud initiative and that 150 families benefit from this. The Senator is correct to say that Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, who is now a Minister of State, and Deputy Paul McAuliffe brought forward a Bill on this issue. I think …