I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to the House. As Members will know, today we are holding statements to commemorate Europe Day. In doing so, we acknowledge and honour the most profound impact that the European Union has made on our country since we became a member of the then European Economic Community in 1973. Senator Craughwell will probably remember that, as I do, as opposed to other Members who probably were not even born then. Europe Day, which is marked annually by the Oireachtas, co…

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024.

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 the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the funding available to car recycling businesses. Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the costs to date of the cyberattack on the HSE in May 2021 and the measures put in place to prevent future cyberattacks or technology failures. Senator Róisín Garve…

Boys and girls, he is the father of the House.

Before I call on the Leader to announced the Order of Business, I join everyone in expressing our sadness and sympathy on the death last week of our former colleague and friend, Michael D'Arcy Snr., former Member of this House, TD, Minister of State, and county and town councillor. Michael was a native of Annagh, Gorey, County Wexford and had a long and distinguished career in local and national politics serving the people of Wexford. He began his political career in 1958 when he served on Wexford County Council ha…

It is my pleasure, on my own behalf and on behalf of all Members, to welcome to our Public Gallery the parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Kenya. I wish them a céad míle fáilte. They are very welcome. The delegation is led by the Right Honourable Dr. Moses Wetangu'la, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya. He is very welcome. I thank him for being here with his delegation. I hope they have a very positive, warm visit to Ireland. The bilateral relationship between Ireland and Kenya is v…

Yes, according to the clock.

I do not manage the clock. Lean ar aghaidh.

Again, apologies regarding the clock but I do not control it.

The Senator is in injury time.

I hope it did not cost him like it cost Kildare last night.

Unfortunately, indeed. Anois, I call the Father of the House, Senator Burke.

Glaoim ar an gCeannaire chun freagra a thabhairt ar an tOrd Gnó.

Dáil Éireann passed the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 on 1 May 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

Before I begin, I welcome to the Public Gallery members of the judiciary from the great state of Illinois. I thank them for their great work and for their presence in our august Chamber. I hope they have an enjoyable visit. Céad míle fáilte. There are a couple of Members of the House they could put on trial for many different misdemeanours. We would look forward to hearing our visitors' verdict on their behaviour. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: S…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary.

Before I call on the Acting Leader to outline the business for the day, I welcome the Polish ambassador, H.E. Arkady Rzegocki, and his officials to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. They are welcome. Today, we celebrate with the Polish people and the Polish community in Ireland their Constitution Day, which is tomorrow, 3 May. I extend a céad míle fáilte to the ambassador to the Seanad, and I thank him and the Polish people for their solidarity and friendship with Ireland. In light of the 20th anniversary yesterd…

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

I will do so formally next Wednesday when we return after the weekend, but I join the Senator in sympathising with the D'Arcy family on the sad passing of Michael Snr. As the Senator said, he served in this House from the agricultural panel, and also as a TD. He was a Minister of State too. I sympathise with his son, Michael Jnr., his wife Marie and all of the family. We will do so formally next Wednesday and we will have sympathies at a later time, but I thank Senator Burke for raising that. Michael D'Arcy was a w…

I will stop the Acting Leader briefly to welcome to the House the students from Coláiste Dún an Rí, County Cavan, who are guests of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. They are very welcome and I hope they have a very positive and good visit to Leinster House. Céad míle fáilte rompu.