The Tánaiste is welcome to the House to speak about this important subject that has an impact on many whom we represent around the country. Despite what a colleague said earlier, there has been absolutely no lack of leadership in relation to the Government. Many difficult decisions had to be made and will continue to be made. The emphasis from the Government and Government parties at all times has been about saving lives and livelihoods. I spoke to many business owners in south Kildare in the aftermath of last Frid…

I move: That Seanad Éireann calls for action in the area of maternity/paternity leave for county and city councillors. I thank the Seanad Office, the Cathaoirleach's office and my colleagues on the administrative panel for supporting this motion and co-signing it. I appreciate the help and support of all members of the administrative panel, Senators Wilson, Ahearn, Conway, Moynihan and Ó Donnghaile, in getting this motion to the floor of the House. I thank the Minister of State for being here to listen to the debat…

I thank the Minister of State for being here to listen to all of the contributions. I thank my fellow Senators for their very pertinent thoughts and suggestions. There is no doubt that the role of the councillor is very much valued in this Chamber. It is very much valued also in the communities where councillors serve. It is nearly fashionable to slate public representatives, but when it comes down to the kernel of it, when people are looking for solid advice and when people are in a situation where they need suppo…

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

It is lovely to be greeted by the Acting Chairperson's smile when we stand up to speak. I welcome the Minister of State. I know how passionate and compassionate she is regarding services for older people. In this instance, we are talking about a specific service that is sad but needed. Dame Cicely Saunders, who founded the hospice movement, said, "You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life." Those words are important. The hospice movement has given great dignity, respect and comfort to m…

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I am pleased to see this issue is progressing. I point out that the HSE's palliative care service three-year development framework she mentioned, including the development of the 15-bed inpatient unit, was for 2017 to 2019. It is already two years out of date. I would have thought we would have proceeded with it. However, it is really good news that HSE estates is developing the costed, timelined plan for the development, which is to be ready for the end of this year.…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I join with Lucy Kennedy and Auntie Bessie in wishing all aunties around the country a very happy aunties' day. I have the privilege of being auntie to 17 nieces and nephews. Aunties play a very important role in our lives, and thanks to Auntie Bessie for heralding that. I want to raise a number of issues. On Garda numbers in Kildare, and particularly in South Kildare, we have consistently had the lowest number of gardaí in the country and it is tell…

The Fianna Fáil Party would like to be associated with the sympathies and regrets about the esteemed former Senator. We accept the Order of Business as outlined. This is disability week. It is important that we recognise and acknowledge that. One way we can do that is by wearing purple. My own county, Kildare, has a number of events this week. Significant buildings around the county are being lit up and 250 disability network flags are being flown. It is also putting much emphasis on the Just a Minute card, or JAM …

I wish to share time with Senator Malcolm Byrne.

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. He may remember this time last year I raised in a Commencement debate a matter related to horticultural peat, which he addressed. It is a matter of sadness that a year later we are having essentially the same debate. There is at least a heightened sense of urgency and willingness to do something about the issue, more or less because of the Bill. I am very pleased to co-sponsor the Bill. I and many others have spoken on numerous occasions about the ridiculous sit…

I support the Order of Business and congratulate Christy Kelly on behalf of the Fianna Fáil team in the Seanad. He is a true legend. Not many people have a 40-year career in the Oireachtas. The best of good health and happiness to Christy, Paula and family. I also wish to congratulate a wonderful Kildare man, Christy Moore, a pure legend, on receiving a lifetime achievement award last week. Christy is very much cherished by the people of Ireland, not just the people of Kildare. He is authentic and has great honesty…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. After listening to the Minister's earlier statement, I wish to highlight two matters. I am glad he put an emphasis on the uniqueness of every child. Every child going into the care system is unique, and is unique when he or she leaves. That must be celebrated and supported. The Minister also acknowledged that children in care have different and varying needs, necessitating individualised care. That is massively important in terms of care planning. There were almost …

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am, of course, happy to share my time. The very first Commencement matter I raised in this House was on this exact issue. Here we are a year and a half later and the situation is only getting worse. I am speaking on behalf of tens, if not hundreds, of families who are at a complete loss due to their children not being offered any secondary school place for next September. We had this situation last year and it was only alleviated by an extra class being taken by Newbridge communit…

I assure the Minister of State that Kildare County Council has been involved in looking at all the proposed sites with the Department. I agree with him about having the site located in an appropriate place. I accept the statement he has given us but there is nothing new in it that will give either of us comfort regarding the provision of the school places that are needed for next September. That is where the pinch point is. We need provisions in place to make sure that every child in south Kildare has a secondary s…

I support the Order of Business as outlined. As tomorrow is International Men's Day, I would like to express my wishes for a good day to all of my male colleagues here.

It is an important day because it celebrates the positive values that men bring to their families, to their communities, to the world and, in this case, to the Seanad and the Dáil. The day has gone from strength to strength. As we hear a lot about International Women's Day, it is important that we celebrate International Men's Day. The day is important to me because it is also my dear departed dad's birthday. It is a day that I will always remember. One of the six pillars of International Men’s Day is to improve ge…

I have no doubt that the Taoiseach has been in this Chamber many times as a Minister, but this is the first time he has been here as Taoiseach. We are deeply honoured to have him here and this side of the House is incredibly proud to have him as Taoiseach. Tomorrow is International Men's Day, which I spoke about earlier today on the Order of Business. The theme this year is true equality between men and women. I want to wish the Taoiseach a happy International Men's Day. He is a champion in terms of gender equality…

Two days ago I spoke about the price of tickets for the match between Ireland and Portugal this evening. I am glad to say that the FAI has capitulated and refunded the difference between the cost of a ticket for a child and a ticket for an adult in terms of the person of whom I spoke. That is really good news. I referred to the company that sold the tickets online but it still has not replied to either myself or the individual. Of course, we all wish the Irish team well tonight. Last night, I watched a recording of…

Finland is officially the world's happiest country and that is not unrelated to the fact it is 75% covered in trees. We all know the therapeutic benefit of trees. I often go for a walk in Killinthomas in Rathangan, in Moore Abbey in Monasterevin and Mullaghreelan near Kilkea Castle and derive great benefit from it. Of course, today, we want to talk about the commercial aspect of forestry, why it is so important to us and why we absolutely need to have urgent action. I thank the Minister of State for being here and …

The Minister of State has a minimum of ten minutes and can actually take 20 minutes.