I expect my question to be answered.

I want to know what detail Ms Funchion-----

I want to know what detail she objects to.

I thank the Minister of State for very comprehensively outlining what is contained in this Bill. I commend him, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and their officials on their work in respect of this matter. As the Minister of State outlined, the Bill aims to stimulate sustainable development and sustainable economic activity within the licensing system that is designed to protect our environment. We all want to transition to a more sustainable economy. As a result, we need a legislative framework to allow for that to h…

He might prefer not to come back.

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement debate this morning. This issue is something I am very passionate about and I have spoken to him about it previously. There is an urgent need to open more reading classes in north county Dublin for children with dyslexia, and not just in north county Dublin but nationally. Within special education provision, this area is one where we are falling down. Reading classes were first established by Micheál Martin when he was the Minister for education. They are c…

I am happy to hear that the Minister of State is very much aware of the impact of reading classes and schools in transforming the lives of the young people who have been lucky enough to access them. The Government has invested a huge amount of money in mainstream and learning supports but for some children that is not enough. The severity of their dyslexia is such that they require specialised intervention in the form of a reading class. The Minister of State mentioned a report. Will he let me know when he expects …

Now.

I wish to raise the issue of the schools building projects announced last week. The Minister, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, announced 105 projects that will be proceeding to the tender or building process imminently. We were very disappointed not to see the projects promised for Rush. These involve two school buildings on the Park Road campus: St. Joseph's Secondary School and Gaelscoil Ros Eo. These are two schools that have been waiting a long time for new buildings. We worked together for many years to acquire the…

The stark headline in today’s The Irish Times is: “Dublin’s northside needs a maternity hospital that is fit for purpose”. It is a piece written by Chris Fitzpatrick, who is eminently qualified to speak about maternity services across Dublin, having worked in all three Dublin maternity hospitals. The Rotunda is delivering thousands more babies than any other hospital in the State but its plans for redevelopment have stalled. Professor Sean Daly, the master of the Rotunda, recently spoke about the severe overcrowdin…

I welcome this Bill. I thank the Minister for giving such a comprehensive outline of the measures contained within it. Delivery of critical infrastructure is key for the economic and social well-being of this country. This €1.5 billion investment is significant and will help with the delivery of that critical infrastructure. The Minister outlined projects such as extra housing, which is very badly needed, and the MetroLink project. This investment will help to deliver that. Electricity infrastructure is crucial for…

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

I want to raise a couple of matters on the Order of Business but directly refer to the matter raised by Senator Keogan. My heart goes out to the family, friends and children of the latest victim of gender-based violence on this island. Sarah Montgomery was murdered. She was pregnant. She was the mother of two children. When are we going to get real as a society? The number of women, and mothers, being killed in their own homes at the hands of people known to them is shocking. We should not be shocked at this stage …

On the increased costs on businesses from the insurance companies, the ire being directed at the Minister for justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, is misdirected. We all know the current mechanisms lie within the legislation passed by the previous Minister for justice. I will leave it at that.

Talk to Paschal.

I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, to the House for a debate on the roll-out of BusConnects. I was at a meeting last night in Lusk attended by representatives from Skerries, Loughshinny, Lusk and Rush, who are very concerned about the removal of the only direct service to the city, the No. 33 bus, which is due to be implemented next year. The communities have come together because we are very concerned about the lack of a direct bus. It will be replaced under the BusConnects…

I also raise the issue of Fiona Pender and the search for her body that is under way. Senator O'Loughlin raised this matter. It is a story that has haunted us all. We all want a good outcome for her brother, now her only serving next-of-kin, whereby her body and that of her unborn baby - Fiona was seven months pregnant - are found. I raise the need for a debate in the House regarding addiction services for women in particular. We know from the statistics that women face specific barriers in accessing services. Ther…

I commend Senator O'Loughlin on introducing this Bill. It is essential in this day and age that we have effective laws to combat very serious crimes. Previous speakers have outlined the emotional, physical and financial risks of catfishing. However, emotional damage is also done through catfishing. I have spoken to some people who were catfished and they pointed to the loss of trust in people and the loss of trust in doing anything online. Our lives are becoming increasingly online. When dealing with a bank or a sh…

I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad to talk about this important issue. She is going to do well in this role. It complements her previous role as Minister for Education because the education of children is on the same spectrum. As the Minister outlined, there has been unprecedented investment in early years education over the past number of years. Childcare fees for parents have been slashed. Investment in pay and conditions and support for early years education has been unprecedented as well. The educato…