I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senators Mary Seery Kearney and Regina Doherty - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on Government funding for St. John's Ambulance Ireland in light of the breaches of child protection laws as laid out in Dr. Geoffrey Shannon's report. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on…

It is great to have the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, here as the line Minister and I now call on Senator Doherty.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:Senator Vincent P. Martin - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Naas mobility network integration project which was selected under the pathfinder programme in October 2022. Senator Lisa Chambers - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the uptake of the deep retrofit grant through one-stop shops; and his plans to deal with any …

I welcome the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, to the House and express my thanks and delight that there is a senior Cabinet Minister again here today for our Commencement matters. It is always good to have senior Ministers taking Commencement matters and I thank the Minister for being here today.

I welcome the group from Sunshine Days who are here as part of their summer camp experience. The boys and girls are welcome. I hope they have a pleasant experience in Leinster House.

To clarify, there are three motions on planning before us. Was the Senator referring to all three motions or only the first?

I think the Gaelic Grounds in Armagh was a fitting venue for the final last Sunday, and it was a tremendous occasion.

I welcome members of Athy Women's Sheds, who are guests of Senator Wall. I hope they have a very pleasant visit. I thank them for being here and for the advice about how to stay calm. We will be very glad to hear it.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the House. Before we begin the debate, I welcome to the Public Gallery guests of Deputy Nolan from County Offaly. It gives me great pleasure to welcome one of my oldest and dearest friends from Cork, now living in Massachusetts, Dermot Luddy, and his family - Daniel and Aidan Luddy and Morgan and Michaela Gunning. They are here on a visit. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I hope they have a good visit to Dublin. I know they are heading back to the Sta…

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator John Cummins - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to amend the regulations governing domestic septic tanks to allow those who purchased homes with an unregistered septic tank post 1 February 2013 to avail of a grant for remediation works. Senator Annie Hoey - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on gratuity payments made to…

I welcome Craig Hogan from Edmund Rice College in Carrigaline. He was a transition year student last year and is now in fifth year. He has a keen interest in politics. He was here before with the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, Senator Currie, Deputy Higgins and former Minister, Deputy Bruton. Craig has a huge interest in politics and current affairs. He is welcome. Perhaps one day he will be a Member of the House. I also welcome the father of the House. It is good to see Senator Norris. I thank him for being h…

It gives me great pleasure to welcome, from London, the niece of our colleague and friend, Senator O'Loughlin. Naoise is welcome. She is here on work experience and she can be proud of her aunt. She is a wonderful Member of the House. With the permission of the House, I call the father of the House first, as he might have to go.

I congratulate Senator Carrigy for all the work he is doing, and Roisin Deery and all the staff on the OWL programme. It is a wonderful opportunity. I thank the Senator for what he is doing. I encourage Members who have not participated in the autism training, as part of our quest to be the first Parliament to be an autism-friendly one, to do so.

I thank the Senator.

I thank the Senator. I welcome Deputy Mairéad Farrell and her guests to the Gallery today. They are very welcome to Leinster House and I hope they have a very good visit. I thank the Deputy for being here.

I thank the Senator.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the following draft regulations: Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023; Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023; and Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023.

I welcome to the Public Gallery the Duleek Revival summer youth programme, which is a group of teenagers from Tidy Towns. They are between the ages of 13 and 16 and are engaged in a great amount of volunteerism in cleaning up litter and in Tidy Town enhancements during the summer. They are here as guests of Senator Keogan and they are very welcome. I thank them for being here. It is great to see young people who are in the middle of their summer holidays both being in Leinster House and volunteering. They are very …

In this Second Stage debate on a Private Member's Bill, the combined opening speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators have six minutes. The Minister of State has 15 minutes and the proposer has five minutes to reply. I invite Senator Clonan, as the proposer of the Bill, to speak. I also welcome Senator Clonan's family to the Public Gallery, Dr. Aideen Moran, Eoghan Clonan and Ailbhe Clonan. Eoghan has been the leading research assistant in this Bill. I would say he ha…