Anois glaoim ar an Treoraí chun freagra a thabhairt sa díospóireacht. Leader to reply.

Dáil Éireann has passed the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 on 29 May 2024 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 Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the use of Hearns Hotel, Clonmel, County Tipperary as a facility for international protection applicants. Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on agreement on a single point of inspection for oyster fishermen to avoid dupl…

I welcome Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to the Chamber. The first Commencement matter is in the name of Senator Garret Ahearn. A Sheanadóir, tá ceithre nóiméad agat.

Glaoim ar an tAire anois agus tá ceithre nóiméad aige.

The Senator is well over time.

The Senator is abusing the privilege on Commencement matters.

Before I ask the Acting Leader to read out the Order of Business for the day, I want to welcome the Croatian ambassador, H.E. Davor Vidiš, to the House. As Members will know, we are celebrating the Croatian national day this week. I take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Croatia on their national day, known as Statehood Day, which is being celebrated today. Today Croatia commemorates the day when the first multiparty parliament was constituted in 1990. It is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Vidiš to the Dist…

Before I call on Senator Currie, I want to welcome the students from rang a trí in St. Andrew’s National School in Lucan, led by Rebecca, who is the daughter of Senator Currie. They are a wonderful group of students. I met them earlier in the corridor and they were full of life, inquisitiveness and great conversation. I also thank their teachers for their great work. As I said to them earlier, the tradition in the Seanad is that they will have no homework. It gives me great pleasure to call on Senator Currie in the…

I wish to join with Senator Byrne in wishing all candidates every success. I thank everybody involved and participating in the democratic process. I also wish Seán Defoe a very speedy recovery, and well done to him on his broadcast yesterday. Senator Lombard is next, and I thank him for agreeing to let Senator Currie go before him.

I will cut across the Acting Leader for a second to welcome the students and teachers from St. Cronan’s Senior School in Swords. They are very welcome. Céad míle fáilte. I hope they had a pleasant visit to Leinster House. I thank them for being here. In keeping with the custom and tradition, I bestow on them homework off tomorrow night rather than tonight because they will not get homework at school today I hope.

Then it will be for the first day back after the mid-term break.

The Acting Leader is giving me good advice. I thank her.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Lynn Boylan - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on plans to establish enduring commitments to energy security that ensure any proposed State-backed gas reserve is temporary, does not increase gas demand and aligns with climate obligations. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on G…

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the Chamber and thank him for being here. It is always good to have a Cabinet Minister here for Commencement matters. The Minister is no stranger to us and I thank him for that. Glaoim ar an Seanadóir Lynn Boylan. A Sheanadóir, tá ceithre nóiméad agat.

Before I call the Minister of State, cuirim céad míle fáilte roimh na daltaí as Scoil Fhursa, cathair na Gaillimhe. Tá céad míle fáilte roimh gach duine. I hope they have a very pleasant day in Leinster House and to celebrate their visit, I hope they will get homework off tonight and tomorrow night. They have no homework tonight and the teachers need a break from the ceartúcháin. I thank Senator Boyhan for informing us that this is the first visit of the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, to the Seanad for Commence…

Homework off.

Before I call Senator Boyhan, I welcome the second group from Scoil Fhursa in Galway. They are very welcome to Leinster House. I hope they have a very enjoyable day. Like their friends, colleagues and classmates, we will give them no homework tonight and tomorrow night in celebration of their visit to Leinster House.

Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome Deputy Michael Collins and his guests to the Chamber. They are very welcome.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins.