I am not sure I would like to go there again next summer but that is a different day’s work.

I thank Senator Flynn for reminding us today of that awful tragedy and the ten people who died eight years ago. I thank her for her advocacy and work in championing the causes of our fellow citizens.

I wish to be associated with the remarks to the late Chuck Feeney who, through The Atlantic Philanthropies, not only changed Irish life by his, as Senator Byrne said, "giving while living" approach, but transformed the lives of so many people through higher education in the North and indeed, in social policy, in particular around marriage equality and his support of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, at the time. We thank him for his work and his commitment to Ireland and we extend to his family our deepes…

I thank the Leader for her commitment to hold a debate on the events of the weekend. I thank all Members of the House for their temperate remarks, which were condemnatory but also understanding of the situation. I thank Senators for their remarks. Indiscriminate kidnapping and killing are wrong. I had the pleasure of meeting the new Israeli ambassador last week. I met Mr. Amir Ohana, the Speaker of the Knesset, at the EU speakers' conference. The words of John Hume are ones we should all listen to today. He said: D…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to the House and thank her for being here. I remind Members that the Minister of State has ten minutes to speak, group spokespersons have seven minutes, all other Senators have four minutes and the Minister will be called to reply not later than 6.23 p.m., with the statements to conclude at 6.30 p.m.

I thank the Minister of State. A copy of her speech is available to Members. Senators Maria Byrne and Kyne are sharing time. Senator Byrne has five minutes and Senator Kyne has two minutes.

Before Senator Craughwell continues, Senator Keogan has just arrived.

Senator Craughwell has to share time with Senator Keogan. How will they do so?

I want to inform Members that it is now 5.50 p.m. and we are going to conclude at 6.23 p.m. There were five Members in the House who were down to speak. If they want to take four minutes each, we could maybe be flexible with the time at the end. I will call Senator Lombard who was to share time with Senator Cummins. If they want to take the four minutes, I will give them a bit of latitude to do so, because we have time at the end before the Minister of State will be called at 6.23 p.m.

The Senator need not use the four minutes. Go ahead.

The order of speakers is Senators Cummins, Chambers, Byrne, Currie and McGahon. They will have four minutes each, and we will start with Senator Cummins.

Dáil Éireann has agreed on 4 October 2023 to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022. Dáil Éireann has passed on 4 October 2023 the Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Pauline O’Reilly - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the number of school books that are unusable after the end of each academic year. Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the measures in place to recruit and retain foster carers. Senator Rónán Mullen - The need for the Minister for Children, Equali…

It is also an opportunity for us to engage with that person to outline the views Senator Gavan articulated and to press the case that he is making. We have an avenue that we should not be afraid to use. To be fair, Senator Gavan has raised points. I have spoken to representatives of that regime and impressed upon them the need to live up to their responsibilities. The point Senator Gavan made was well said. We could all use his presence to articulate and advocate and be champions of the causes Senator Gavan outline…

At a count centre.

Before I ask the Deputy Leader to reply, I join with Senator Fitzpatrick on my own behalf and that of Members in sympathising with the family of that lady who was killed tragically overnight and to urge anyone with information to come forward. As Cathaoirleach, on my own behalf and that of Members, I extend our sympathies to the family of Edmund Lynch who passed away yesterday. Edmund Lynch was an activist and was a member of the LGBTQI+ community who had been in Seanad Éireann on a number of occasions as part of d…

I welcome the students from Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Coolock, who are guests of Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. They are very welcome. I thank them for being here. I hope they have a very pleasant visit. Sorry, Deputy Leader.

Before I announce the Commencement matters, I welcome to the Public Gallery a very good friend of mine, Mr. Michael Mulcahy, who is from both Cork and Limerick. He plays a key role in Cork business and civic life. I thank him for being here today and hope he will have a very pleasant visit to Leinster House. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the roll-out of Westdoc servi…

Is the Senator referring to the Sex Offenders (Amendment) (Coercive Control) Bill?

That is No. 17.