I formally welcome the boys and girls of Cortown National School to the Seanad. We always love to have the opportunity to welcome boys and girls from schools. It is so important that they have the opportunity to come to Leinster House and to see democracy in action. There you saw a perfect example of something that is happening in Meath. We all hope you have a nice day and that you return having learned something about how Leinster House works.

I ask the members of the Minister of State's family to wave.

I know there are two rugby players.

They play with my niece, Freya O'Loughlin. We are getting very colloquial today.

I fully support the Senator. I have exactly the same issue with a school in Newbridge, Scoil Na Naomh Uilig. As I mentioned earlier in the context of another Commencement matter, every school should have a home-school liaison officer, along with all the other services that exist.

The Minister of State is welcome to the House. Fianna Fáil is totally supportive of the work she is doing in this area and I certainly welcome the publication of the Bill. The relevant section was put into the original Bill at the suggestion of me and Deputy Thomas Byrne, who is now a Minister of State, when we served on the education committee in the previous Dáil. We felt it was vital that the Minister of day had the opportunity to be able to direct schools, boards of management and patrons to take on children wi…

I support the Order of Business as outlined. I start by sympathising with the families of former councillors Jerry O'Dea and James Tobin, who very sadly passed away over the last two weeks. We, in Fianna Fáil, are bereft at the loss of two very fine public representatives. They were the epitome of good public service in society and in their communities in Limerick and in Waterford. I extend our condolences to their family and friends and to the wider community. Their loss will be greatly felt. With all that is happ…

I thank the Minister of State for attending to take this Commencement matter. I have always been a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. I firmly believe that society has a responsibility to ensure every person is supported to reach his or her full potential. As legislators, we have even more of responsibility in that regard. The Fianna Fáil Party stood before the people at the previous two general elections on a manifesto of An Ireland for All. People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities an…

I thank the Minister of State and welcome the fact that three development posts have been allocated. I have spoken about a postcode lottery and there is even a stark difference within the county of Kildare. I spoke recently to a mum whose family relocated from north Kildare to south Kildare. In north Kildare, her daughter was receiving all the different therapies she needed but following the move to south Kildare, she has not received anything in the space of 12 months. That is simply not good enough. Of course, th…

I extend my welcome to those visitors joining us in the Visitors Gallery. It is always good to see people who want to see democracy in action. I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader but there are a few things I want to bring up. First, it was a very good announcement last night regarding the extra €100 towards back-to-school costs. We all know the implications to parents of an impending September and it is a very difficult time of the year. Barnardos and the Irish League of Credit Unions h…

We will continue our Committee Stage examination of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2022. I understand Senator Mullen is in control of the Chair. I mean he is in possession.

The Senator does not feel like he is in control but feels like he is in possession. Is that it?

Which amendment is the Senator speaking to now?

As Senator Mullen has indicated, he will resubmit the amendment, perhaps he will-----

I thank the Senator and will now allow Senator Dolan to speak.

I was just about to intercede.

I thank the Senator for pointing that out. We are all the better for knowing that. I was not sure if Senator Mullen was indicating to speak or was trying to get my attention to allow the Father of the House in.

How does the Senator know I am wearing one?

Amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, 47, 184 to 194, inclusive, 211, 213, 215 to 217, inclusive, 274, 275, 314 and 316 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for choosing this important subject as one of today's Commencement matters. I also welcome the young people who are coming into the Gallery. It is always good to have the opportunity to see young people coming into the Chamber, listening and engaging with our process. I also thank the Minister of State for being here. This issue I wish to raise relates to the Defence Forces and the Commission on the Defence Forces, which is important not just to me but also to the defence community in sout…