I was not referring to you. I am apologising that you were not picked.

I was apologising that we could not add you as you swapped. I was not referring to you. Let me finish-----

The Commencement matters are very important. They are Members' opportunity to raise a matter with a Minister in the House. It is not good enough for a Government Department to tell a Member, at whatever hour of the day, that there is no Minister available. I want to thank Senator Ardagh for her co-operation yesterday in that matter.

I will have a meeting about it and a review. Only two Members have been picked this morning for the Commencement matters when there should be four. I ask all Members to remember that Commencement matters are their opportunity to raise a matter with the Minister. We should not allow a Government Department to say there is no Minister available when there are 30 odd Ministers in government. I have received notices from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Tom Clonan - the n…

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Martin Heydon, and I thank him for being here. The first matter is in the name of Senator Clonan who has four minutes.

Senator Fitzpatrick is first, I think.

I call Seanadóir Paddy Burke, the father of the House.

I welcome the students from Swords, Scoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa Sinsear, who are here in the Gallery. They are very welcome and are guests of Deputy Farrell. I had the pleasure of meeting them in the corridor. They are a wonderful group of students. In keeping with the tradition, I have offered them homework off tonight. They have said "No" and that they want to do homework but I think that that might change when they get home. I thank their teachers and all of the staff in the school for looking after them. I hope t…

The Senator has raised a very important topic. I call Seanadóir Clonan to speak now, please.

I welcome to the Public Gallery the guests of Senator John McGahon from CBS Dundalk, County Louth. They are joined by Maria Doyle, who is known to many of us, and the parents. They are very welcome. I thank them for being here today. I hope they have a pleasant visit and make sure that Senator McGahon looks after them properly.

Congratulations to all involved, and well done to Senator Byrne on treading the boards.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on plans for a new farmers' charter of rights. Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the pilot school bus schemes to be introduced on foot of the recommendations contained in the School Transport 2030 review. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister …

I welcome Minister of State, Senator Hackett. Céad míle fáilte. An chéad chainteoir eile ná an Seanadóir Victor Boyhan.

Senator Dooley is a long-standing Member of the House. The uachtarán of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is not here to defend himself-----

I call Senator Joe O'Reilly.

Apologies, I should have called Senator Clonan.

The president is not here to defend himself.

To clarify, the request for an invitation to uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael was made in the name of Senator Gallagher. It is before the CPPO. I wish to inform Members that this is not a committee room; this is the Chamber of Seanad Éireann. If the uachtarán or any guest is asked to address the Seanad, it is not in an adversarial way. It is an honour to be asked to address the Seanad. I wish to clarify that for Members. It is not a committee room and therefore there is no back and forth.

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome the guests of Senator Clonan. They are transition year students. I welcome Lulu and Emily from Kildare town and Athy and Theo Galligan and James Barron from Blackrock College. Theo is a cousin of Deputy Niamh Smyth's. I hope they have all had a very enjoyable time with Senator Clonan in their transition year work experience. I thank them for being here. I hope they put what they have learned from their experience here to good use in the future. Go n-éirí leo go léir.

I thank the Senator. Tá an t-am caite.