I welcome the Slovenian ambassador, H.E. Stanislav Vidovič, who is in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. On Sunday, the people of Slovenia will celebrate their national day, Statehood Day. I thank the people of Slovenia and the ambassador for their friendship and the ongoing work between our two countries. I congratulate the people of Slovenia on their solidarity with us at key moments in recent years and the ambassador on the significant work he does on behalf of the Slovenian people in Ireland. It is wonderful t…

I thank the Senator and welcome his good wife, Breege, to the Public Gallery. She is a most welcome guest to Leinster House. I thank her for putting up with the Senator. On a more serious note, for Members who have not seen Senator Conway's social media posts this morning, the video of him and a group of approximately 40 people in Lahinch is an extraordinary tale, as were his remarks just now. Like so many others, he does not let disability define him. He is a champion. I congratulate and thank him for his contribu…

I thank the Senator. I welcome the pupils and teachers from St. Patrick's Loreto Primary School in Bray, County Wicklow. The sixth-class students are with us today. They are in their final stretch in primary school. Congratulations to them on their elevation to the next level. As a token of our appreciation, perhaps the teachers will give them homework off for the rest of the week to say thank you. Enjoy your visit, and thank you for being here. We have had Senator Conway, who is a champion of disability. We now ha…

I thank the Senator. Our thoughts are with those people in the sea who were heading towards the Titanic . We hope they are found safe.

I thank Senator Flynn. May I wish the Senator and her committee every success in its deliberation and its work. Go n-éirí leat.

We send our best wishes to Councillor Carroll and Councillor Hoare following their election as respective mayors for the county and city.

We welcome Professor O'Halloran and we thank him for his work and leadership.

I will be here.

I trust Senator Burke will not mention last Sunday in Limerick, I hope.

I welcome the students from St. Paul's School in Leitrim with their teacher Susan Meehan who are guests of the Leader. When I saw the red uniform I thought they were from Cork. All the boys and girls are very welcome. I hope they have a lovely visit to Dublin and to Leinster House today and that they see some good sights. I wish to let the pupils off homework for the rest of the week and to give them a break from the hard study. It is too hot to be doing homework this weather. The teachers also need a break. I than…

I welcome to the Public Gallery students from the St. Joseph's Mercy Secondary School in Navan who are appearing today as witnesses at the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media. Ms Mia Galligan and Ms Mya Doocey are guests of Senator Cassells and are hiding somewhere, as I cannot see them. They are very welcome and I thank them for being here today. I call Senator Cassells to speak now, please.

The Senator should conclude.

I welcome the students and teachers from St. Patrick's Loreto School in Bray, County Wicklow. They are all very welcome to Leinster House. I know they are delighted to be here in the last week of school. I hope they have a good summer and I thank them for their work and studies during the year. I hope their teachers will give them the rest of the week off homework to give them a break.

That is not possible.

As the boys and girls in the Visitors Gallery know, the teachers set the rules. I am governed by Standing Orders, as Senator McGahon knows. I would be very happy to let him speak for as long as he wants. I would love to listen to him speak all day.

I remind Senator McGahon that his good friend, the almost Leader of the House, would advise him that Members who are not group leaders can only raise one matter on the Order of Business, so he should perhaps focus on that. Well said, Senator McGahon.

The next item is tributes to our former colleague and friend, iar-Sheanadóir Mary Jackman. I welcome her husband, Nick; daughter, Nicola Reyna; grandchildren, Nicholas and Sean; sister, Ursula; nephews, Ray and Brian; and friends, Betty Walsh, Michael Dwyer, Dymphna Bracken and Marian Hurley to the Gallery. I also welcome our former colleague and friend, and former Senator and Deputy, Michael Finucane. He is welcome back to Leinster House. We are also joined by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and Deputy Fe…

Cuirim fáílte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Pádraig O'Donovan. The Minister of State, Deputy Donovan is welcome. He was very friendly with former Senator Jackman. I thank him for being here today.

I should have said in my opening remarks that former Senator Jackman's daughter Nicola and her grandsons Nicholas and Seán have come all the way from San Antonio, Texas, to be here today. We are grateful for their presence on this important and powerful occasion. The next speaker is Senator Ahearn, whose late mum served with former Senator Jackman in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

The next speaker is Senator McGahon, whose uncle Brendan served in the Oireachtas with former Senator Jackman.