I formally congratulate Senator Ahearn on taking up his position. I had the opportunity to congratulate him on Thursday in his absence, but it is important that I do it again, particularly in the presence of Laura, Jamie, Daniel, his dad and his siblings. It is a great honour indeed for him. I have always found him to be very fair, very engaging and very receptive. He absolutely has the ability to make decisions, and that is something we all have to learn. Also, he has a great presence about him. Meeting dignitarie…

I extend my warm welcome and congratulations to the ambassador. It is lovely to have her here again. It is a lovely country. A delegation from the Joint committee on European Affairs visited Luxembourg recently and was very impressed by all whom they met and all that they saw. I was not part of the delegation but we look forward to the continued friendship between our two countries. The Order of Business is No. 1, Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which is changed from Crimin…

You call and we will be there.

I thank the 17 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business. As Deputy Leader I add my voice to the congratulations to Senators Ahearn and Byrne. In the month or so since the by-election in Galway, I have been working closely Senator Ahearn. We have worked very well together and I look forward to that continuing. It is also really important we have co-operation not just between the two Government parties that are in coalition but that we have co-operation and work effectively with the leaders of all the groupi…

The part of the hospital that has 14 step-down beds and 40 staff is closing. That is very concerning because step-down beds are hugely important and are keeping the beds open for those who need acute and emergency care. While we have people who are not able to go home and live independently for a short period, we have to have step-down beds. The Senator said that the fact that clinics, doctor on call and ambulance services are also located there means it is a very important part of Drogheda and she is right that we…

In terms of the comment, you used the words "caving in".

Sinn Féin had every right to bring this motion forward. It was a separate motion. The similarity with the Social Democrats' motion was the issue of the three-day wait but there were two separate motions. Sinn Féin, or any party, has the right to bring in a motion it wishes to have, so we cannot condemn anybody for bringing a motion in that is within Standing Orders. Senator Murphy O’Mahony spoke about Men’s Health Week and the fact men are sometimes slow to get things checked out. The motto of the campaign this yea…

It gives me great delight to welcome my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Ardagh. It is the first time I have had the chance to address her formally and officially as Minister of State. As a former Senator, she has a special understanding of, and support for, the Seanad. I wish her well in her important portfolio and congratulate her. On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I welcome this debate. Fianna Fáil will not oppose the Bill. I acknowledge that the motivation for this Bill is grounded in humanitarian pri…

The Leader and many of the Senators present will have listened to me speaking about the much-needed second bridge for Newbridge. Today, I feel like shouting from the rooftops that we have been awarded upwards of €20 million to make sure this bridge becomes a reality. It will be part of the southern outer orbital road and the €20 million is for the bridge over the River Liffey and a 795 m strip of road leading up to it. I thank the Ministers, Deputies Browne and O'Brien, for their engagement on this over the last ye…

As the Minister knows, just over five years ago, on 17 April 2021, Jennie Poole was killed in cold blood in just seven seconds by her former partner. Jennie had done all the right things. She had finished the relationship when she saw signs of domestic abuse and coercive control. Jennie's family, much bereaved, started a campaign at that point to make sure her legacy would live on. Jennie was a much-loved daughter of Jackie and Joe, and Joe is with us this evening. She was a much cherished sister of Jason, David, C…

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Meath County Council) (Parts of Administrative Area) Order 2026, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 1 a , Media Regulation Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to ex…

The Senator should come to Kildare.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the 16 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business this morning. We started with Senator Fitzpatrick, who spoke about the EU report which was issued during the week about the challenges we face in Ireland and across Europe with increasing drug use. It is a concern. Senator Fitzpatrick is absolutely correct in saying that we have to view it as a public health crisis, not just a criminal justice issue. In Ireland alone last year, there were 343 people who passed away from dru…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Meath County Council) (Parts of Administrative Area) Order 2026, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 2nd April, 2026.

They are from Newbridge Probus Club. It is a great honour for me to be able to welcome them as well.

I extend a welcome on behalf of Fianna Fáil to the ambassador. I look forward to working with him. I extend a warm congratulations to all involved in Bloom this year. It was incredibly successful and I want to recognise the outstanding achievement of Newbridge native Joe Eustace, who won the gold medal at Bord Bia Bloom for his "Future In Mind" garden. The garden was also named best in the medium garden and planting categories. Joe is only 24 years of age. His dad Ken is very well known for his work in the business…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, for being here. I also thank him and the Minister, Deputy Browne, for listening to those of us at many different parliamentary party meetings who have brought up this issue and feel very passionately that change is needed. It is not just about change, but also balance and consistency. While we believe that rural housing should be a part of addressing the housing crisis, unfortunately, there are many local authorities that feel differently about it, so there is no co…

Next Tuesday.