I join the Leader in welcoming the delegation, who are friends of the Leader from Ballyheane and Ballintubber in County Mayo, and from Tarbert in Kerry. I also extend a special welcome to her dad Michael and thank him for allowing us the pleasure of the Leader as a Member of the House. I thank her for the work she is doing. She was in my office earlier. It is great to have her here. We have a brother of former Senator Dan Kiely with us too. He is very welcome to the House this afternoon. I know that Senator Mark Da…

I concur with the Leas-Chathaoirleach that Congressman Neal has been a very good friend of Ireland and not just in recent times. The hallmark of a politician is that in his local base in Springfield, when you talk to people from Springfield, they had the same regard for Congressman Neal then as they have now. I thank the group for coming here. Enjoy your visit to Ireland today.

I join with the Senator in congratulating the young people in Cabra on winning this prestigious award

I welcome to the Public Gallery Councillor Alan Cheevers with Merlin College, Galway, students along with their teachers Mr. Aaron Staunton and Ms Sinéad Ní Neachtain. Tá fíorfháilte roimh chách. Míle buíochas libh as ucht an turas go Teach Laighean a dhéanamh. I hope you are made very welcome and have a very powerful visit to Leinster House, the seat of our parliamentary democracy. I hope you have a very educational and pleasant day. I thank all your teachers for their tremendous work as the school year comes to a…

Before I call the leader, as the Cathaoirleach who invited the president of the GAA to the House last week and as a member of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, I think the comments of all Members of the House are valid. I commend Members on their balanced approach to the issue that has dominated all of the commentary of most people in the country since last Saturday night. I had the privilege of being in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday night. It was a tremendous match. The week before, we had an equally good hurling match. Th…

I reiterate to Senator Clonan that he is entitled to write to the committee, to attend any meeting and to request that the issue he has raised be put on the work programme. He can talk to his group about replacing Senator Craughwell to give him more status than as just an ordinary Member. He is entitled to do that.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Emer Currie - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the need for additional childcare places in Dublin West. Senator Maria Byrne - The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the application for an extension by Catherine McCauley special school, Limerick. Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Further and …

Before I call the Deputy Leader, I welcome the multinational adult education group from Ukraine, Egypt and Nigeria. The members are all very welcome and I thank them for being here today. I hope they have a very enjoyable visit. As a former director of adult education, I stress the importance of returning to education, staying in education and, more importantly, adult education. I thank the group for being here today.

I welcome to the Public Gallery the students from Scoil Áine Naofa in Lucan, whom I had the pleasure of meeting on the way in. They are the pupils of rang 6 and are with Mr. Somers and Holly. They are all very welcome today. I hope they have a very enjoyable visit and wish them good luck in their new school next year. I hope they and Mr. Somers have a very pleasant and enjoyable end of term. I thank our visitors for being here today.

Senator Carrigy might email Members in advance of the training next week. It is important that we support him. The Ceann Comhairle and I have committed to that.

I welcome the pupils and teachers from St. Cronan's national school in Swords who are in the Gallery today. They are very welcome to Leinster House and I hope they have a very enjoyable visit. They are here for our Order of Business where Members can raise issues to the Leader of the House.

I thank the Senator. Tá taim caite.

I hope people will show an awareness for the time in future contributions on the Order of Business. Before I call the Deputy Leader, I would like to express to Senator Flynn that I was disappointed to hear her contribution this morning and of the incident last night. She is an equal, valued Member of this House and accepted by all of us. I am glad Members have expressed their support for her in the Chamber this morning. We will stand with her in the elimination of racism and discrimination, which have no place in o…

Speaking of May Day, I remind all Members that Commissioner McGuinness will be here next Tuesday at 12 o'clock. I encourage Members and those in their political groupings to attend because it is important we celebrate May Day in this Chamber with an address by an Irish Commissioner.

I welcome to the Gallery our friend and colleague, the former Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives and now His Excellency the Ambassador of New Zealand to Ireland, Mr. Trevor Mallard. The ambassador is very welcome, and I thank him for being here this afternoon. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mary Seery Kearney - The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the adequacy of the oversight of cash-for-gold outl…

Before I call on the Minister of State, in the Gallery today we have Aisling Heapes, who is a fifth year student in Kilrush Community School. She is here on work experience with Senator Garvey. She is very welcome. I hope she enjoys her stay in Leinster House.

The time is up.

The Senator had an opportunity to speak and the Minister of State has replied. She is entitled to raise the issue again at a later date. We must move on.

I welcome a delegation from the Polish Embassy, which is led by H.E. Ms Anna Sochaska, ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ireland. They are very welcome as it is Poland's Constitution Day. I congratulate the ambassador and the people of Poland on the great celebration of Poland's Constitution Day, which is celebrated on 3 May. The embassy held a celebration last night, with some Members of the House, and there will be a further celebration tonight. I welcome the ambassador and her team, which is comprised of M…

I welcome the Leader back from her nuptials. We are glad to have her back. Congratulations or comhghairdeas.