I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters; Senator Paddy Burke - The need for the Minister for Education to review the contracts and employment conditions of primary school teachers given the need for the introduction of a special rate of pay for teachers in rent pressure areas. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Education to increase funding for the 2024 summer programme due to the significant increase in numbers participating in the p…

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Catherine Ardagh - The need for the Taoiseach to make a statement on the establishment of a south city initiative to support the long-term economic and social regeneration of the area, similar to the north east inner city initiative launched in 2016. Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion to make a statement on the steps being taken …

I welcome the Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to the Chamber. Senator Ardagh has four minutes.

I welcome to the Public Gallery and to the House an esteemed Member, Richard Bruton TD. You are very welcome. Maybe you are making a comeback to the Seanad as a future career. You have a guest with you as well. You are very welcome to Leinster House. Céad míle fáilte.

I welcome the guests of Senator Burke from Castlebar. I also welcome the sister of the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, who is in the House too. I am glad our guests from Castlebar are here with the father of the House. He has been here a long time and is still serving.

I remind members of all hues in the House that the FAI, IRFU and the GAA are not Government Departments. The Leader has no direct responsibility for where matches are held, who watches them or how tickets are purchased. I am allowing a certain amount of latitude but I remind Members that the GAA is not a Government Department and the Order of Business is not about bringing the president of the GAA or whoever else into the Chamber. I call an Seanadóir Martin Conway.

By the way, I will also mention the Arts Council, the Opera House in Cork and the Gaiety Theatre, in case Senator Lombard thinks I am picking on the GAA. I am not. I am talking about everything. The Order of Business is for raising matters of Government responsibility in respect of which the Leader can give a reply. My apologies, Senator Conway, I will set the clock again.

Senator Conway, without interruption.

I remind my good friend Senator Conway that in the same way that the Government allocates money to the Department of Defence, the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána or the Army, and we do not ask the Garda Commissioner to come here to explain how he spends the money-----

No, no. Thank you. Anois, glaoim ar an Treoraí chun freagra a thabairt ar an Ord Gnó.

Is the Order of Business, as proposed, agreed? Agreed.

The Senator is encroaching on the time of Senator Wall.

I am sorry. I am wrong. The Senator has another minute.

Senator Kyne is next and he has six minutes if he is sharing time.

I welcome to the Public Gallery the ladies' group from Kiltimagh, County Mayo, who are guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary. They are very welcome to the House and I thank them for being here. The next speaker is an Seanadóir Maria Byrne.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters; Senators Lynn Ruane and Frances Black - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on his response to the request made by the Gaza Freedom Flotilla to permit one of the humanitarian vessels forming part of the flotilla to operate under the Irish flag. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his plans to ensure the protec…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, to the House. Senators Ruane and Black have two minutes each.

Míle buíochas. I thank Senators Black and Ruane. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Brien. Tá ceithre nóiméad aige.

I call the Acting Leader to announce the Order of Business.

Before I call on Senator O'Loughlin, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors' Gallery Michelle Roberts, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, who is joining us today and is accompanied by her husband, Greg Roberts. They are very welcome this afternoon. Céad míle fáilte go dtí Teach Laighean. Welcome to Leinster House. I thank them and I thank the ambassador, Gary Gray, for his great work in strengthening the friendship between our countries. I thank them for being here this afternoon. I welcome …