This time, we have an out-of-breath seconder.

Yes, I suspect I would have family members on the team. I thank Senator Murphy.

I join with Senator Malcolm Byrne in sending very good wishes to Deputy Alan Kelly. I had the privilege of serving on the Council of Europe with him for two years. He was an extraordinary and effective representative there for Ireland. I wish him and his family well.

I thank the Senator and invite the Leader to respond to the issues raised.

Ar dtús báire, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht na hócáide iontaí seo a eagrú. Tá sé an-mhaith. Mo chomhghairdeas leat. Is cúis áthais dom Linda a fháiltiú anseo inniu. Tréaslaím go mór leis an obair iontach atá ar siúl agat ar son ár dteanga agus ár n-oidhreacht. Tá sé an-oiriúnach go bhfuil tú linn chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh. Is cúis áthais dom chomh maith mo sheanchara, an iar-Sheanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú a fháiltiú inniu, agus in éineacht leis, uachtarán Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éire…

It is a very special day for the House. May we have many such healing and wonderful days in the future. If only Linda’s example could permeate out to the rest of the world.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, for his comprehensive reply. I also thank colleagues for their participation in the debate.

Sula nglaoim ar Cheannaire an Tí, tá ráiteas beag le léamh agam faoi Sheachtain na Gaeilge agus na grúpaí stiúrtha. Cuirtear tús inniu le Seachtain na Gaeilge, an fhéile idirnáisiúnta Ghaeilge lena ndéantar ceiliúradh ar ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr dúchais. Leanann Seachtain na Gaeilge ar aghaidh ón 1 Márta go dtí Lá Fhéile Pádraig agus, le linn an ama sin, iarraim ar Sheanadóirí an Ghaeilge a úsáid sna himeachtaí aon am is féidir leo. Tá sé sin iontach tábhachtach. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a ghlacadh freisin chun…

Is ábhar bróin dom bás an iar-Sheanadóir Ó Murchú a chur in iúl don Teach. Professor John A. Murphy, who has passed on, would have been known to some Members of the House. Members will be aware that Professor Murphy was a Member of this House from 1977 to 1982 and from 1987 to 1992. He died yesterday. He was a renowned historian and lecturer and had a lifelong association with University College Cork, UCC. He received a scholarship to study history and Latin in 1945 and was appointed professor of Irish history at U…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his remarks. It is important to reiterate it is Ireland's policy to achieve the two-state solution and that Ireland totally condemns all breaches of international law and all denial of human rights, and that we are unequivocal about that. That is not in any sense to be interpreted, as is sometimes said, as some form of antisemitism. It is quite the contrary. It is a belief in the rule of law and order. Ireland is very conscious of the historic, appallin…

I thank Senator Gavan. I thought for a moment that he was going to exercise discrimination against Senator Boylan by taking up her time.

Senator Gavan has already offered a welcome, but, from the Chair, I officially welcome the ambassador–head of mission of Palestine to the Visitors Gallery. She is very welcome. I welcome the other visitors also. They are all very welcome. It is good to see an interest in the proceedings.

I welcome the Minister. His handling of this situation is exactly how the Irish people would want it to be done on all fronts. There are three words that come to mind as I think about this - medieval, barbaric and tsarist. We are back to the worst of tsarist Russia. Innocence is suffering. I saw a news headline on my phone that stated 350 civilians have died in Ukraine, including 14 children. The 64 km long convoy of tanks approaching Kyiv this morning was quite shocking. The suggestion that the people of Kyiv shou…

I call the leader of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe, Senator O'Loughlin.

I understand Senator Ahearn is sharing time with Senator Lombard. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Minister. I also thank colleagues for the number of Members who took part and stayed to ensure this was a very good debate. The gravity of this situation is very clear and the response of Members matches the situation we are in. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is tráthnóna speisialta agus an-tábhachtach an tráthnóna seo. Táimid ag plé le cúrsaí Eorpacha, rudaí atá riachtanach, an-réalaíoch agus an-tábhachtach dúinn go léir ag an mbomaite. Tá deacrachtaí faoi leith againn san Eoraip anois. Tá siad ag cur isteach ar gach rud agus tá díomá, eagla agus faitíos orainn mar gheall orthu. Beidh muid ag plé na rudaí sin níos déanaí. I welcome our distinguished MEPs - Mr. Billy Kelleher, MEP, Ms Grace O'Sullivan, MEP, and Mr. Seán Kelly, MEP - to the Chamber. We are honoured to ha…

I thank Mr. Kelleher for an interesting, wide-ranging and good scene-setting address. It should hopefully provoke responses. Europe has probably been the greatest peace process of all time. This person contributed immensely to the peace on this island when he was national president of the GAA, through his removal of the ban. He did much to advance understanding on the island. It is my great pleasure to now invite Mr. Seán Kelly to address the Chamber.

Táimid an-buíoch díot. Now it is a particular pleasure to welcome back - as everyone here did informally earlier in the corridors and elsewhere – one of our own. While former Senator Kelleher is a former distinguished Member of the Seanad, I personally served with former Senator O’Sullivan and many people here did. She was one of our very respected, warm and excellent colleagues. It is a homecoming day for her. She very recently left us, so we welcome back former Senator O’Sullivan and we look forward to her addres…

I thank Ms O'Sullivan for that address. It is lovely to have her back. One of her big, stated objectives is to hand over the planet to the next generation in better condition than we got it, if we can. That gives me a great cue to welcome the young people to the Visitors Gallery. What we do here is completely about their future. I am delighted to welcome them. We will move now to the addresses by party spokespersons. We will stick rigidly to times. We have three minutes per spokesperson. First, to speak on behalf o…