I thank the Minister. We do not doubt her commitment and appreciate her work in the area very much, as doubtless do the artists to whom we are referring. I ask the Acting Leader to propose the suspension of the House until 2.30 p.m.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I move: That Seanad Éireann: agrees that: - there is a need to deliver a fairer, more efficient, and more reliable public transport system for all; - it is necessary to incentivise greater use of public transport in order to meet climate targets as set out in the climate action plan; - it is important to make our public transport more affordable for everyone and not just for commuters in bigger cities; recognises that: - currently the short hop zone includes all stations in the Dublin area from Kilcoole to Balbrigg…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, for returning to the Seanad. She has had a long afternoon in the Chamber but we are always pleased to see her. I am pleased my Fianna Fáil colleagues in the Seanad agreed to use our Private Members' time for this important debate on public transport and on extending the short-hop zone to 50 km, which would include the towns of Newbridge and Kildare and more - there are six towns that would be affected - in addition to extending a me…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

If we are to meet our climate targets, we need to make public transport more reliable and useable but, crucially, more affordable. With the cost of living gone up so much, people need to see that it is considerably cheaper to use public transport than to drive, if we want to take cars off the road. The NTA will soon introduce a fairer fares initiative and in a meeting I had with its officials, they said it would look at a per-kilometre cost both inside and outside the zone equally which is most welcome. I rest my c…

I thank my colleagues for their support for the motion. That support seems to be pretty much cross-party in nature. Other issues were raised during the debate, but, in framing this motion, I felt it was important to stick to one matter because public transport is so complex and there is so much we need to do, particularly in the context of connecting rural communities. I really believe that extending the short hop zone and including a medium hop zone is important. The Minister of State stated that she is generally …

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak on this. I thank the Minister of State for joining us in the Seanad. I commend my colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, who has worked tirelessly in this area. He is very passionate about extending the franchise for the Seanad vote. Discussion on the need to reform the Seanad is not new. We could stack reports on Seanad reform a mile high. I know the Cathaoirleach took time over the summer to go through them all. I concur with my colleagues who say it is the time t…

We should acknowledge the fact that the British Prime Minister has gone-----

I find it very hard to follow that contribution. I acknowledge Senator Seery Kearney's honesty and bravery in telling us her story. I acknowledge that Stephen's life mattered and welcome his parents, Caroline and Martin. I have no doubt that the death of a baby is one of the most devastating experiences any parent will face and, sadly, many families have such an experience every year. I can totally imagine how families are struggling with that loss. It is important to acknowledge that October is national pregnancy …

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I wish to congratulate Ms Noeline Blackwell on an international award she received last night. PILnet is a global non-profit organisation that connects the legal profession around the world to ensure law works for all and Ms Blackwell has done incredible work in the area of domestic violence. She works on a national level but I often hear her on my local radio station, Kildare FM, KFM, so I have no doubt she is on local radio stations right around the country advocating for victims of domestic violence. It is a ver…

I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for affording me the opportunity to address the need for a domestic violence register in the country. I appreciate the Minister's taking the time to come to the Chamber to respond to this important Commencement matter. Saturday, 1 October should have been Jennifer Poole's 26th birthday. She was a lovely, vivacious young woman with two young children. Very sadly her life was taken from her in April last year and this certainly should not have happened. At the recent Fianna Fáil Ard-Fhei…

Any time we are discussing domestic violence, it is important to say to those listening that if they recognise these signs in regard to somebody else or themselves, there is help and support out there. The helpline number is 1800 341 900. I thank the Minister for her response. It is important and it is clear that this is a priority for the Minister and the Government given that the Minister is actively looking at setting up a register for those who have committed domestic violence. I accept that it is simply not go…

I thank the Minister of State for being in the House for this debate. This is not my first time speaking on the issue of summer provision and I have no doubt it will not be the last. It is really important to recognise progress when it happens. Education is hugely important to people on this side of the House. Senator Malcolm Byrne and I, as spokespersons on education, really value what the summer programme can bring to the many children who need it, as well as to their families and communities. I especially welcom…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I am delighted to welcome my mum. It is her first time in the Seanad. It is great to have her here for a short period. Last Saturday should have been Jennifer Poole's 26th birthday. She was a lovely, vivacious young woman with two children. Sadly, her life was taken from her in April last year. This should not have happened. On Saturday, her brother, Jason, joined Deputy Jim O'Callaghan and me to talk about the horrific trauma that his family suffere…

I am pleased to contribute on behalf of the women in the House. I have no doubt my colleague, Senator Chambers, will also speak. I wanted to speak on this matter for a number of reasons but mainly because I come from County Kildare, very close to the Curragh, which is obviously the heart of the Defence Forces. The Minister is very welcome. It is good to have the opportunity to have a debate on the high-level action plan on the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. We have been waiting for this for just ov…

I will address the first point that Senator Lombard raised regarding school transport. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, committed to doing her very best to ensure she got funding to address the school transport debacle particularly regarding those who previously had concessionary tickets. I am happy to confirm she received that extra funding. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, was very understanding of the situation so many families and students found themselves in. My …