I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the surgical and emergency departments in Cavan General Hospital. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to ensure the provision of the public service obligation, PSO, on routes deemed not to be commercially viable, in particular the 64 bus route in Tu…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, here this morning. We now move to the first Commencement matter, in the name of Senator Tully.

All I can do is give the commitment to bring the Senator's comments back to the Department of Health and the Minister-----

-----to ask the question. Obviously, the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, will do his best.

I understand that, but I will give the Senator the commitment that we will contact the Department and the Minister's office.

I welcome St. Paul's National School from Ratoath, who are guests of the Minister, Deputy Helen McEntee. They are all very welcome here today. I also give a special shout-out to Eva O'Leary, also with the school, who is the niece of Councillor Keith Connolly who works here in Leinster House. They are very welcome and as is customary here there is no homework for the rest of the week. They are all very welcome. Enjoy your visit.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I rise today to raise the issue of BusConnects in Limerick and the mid-west. The BusConnects programme has been spoken about a lot by the Department of Transport. It has been postponed in Limerick from 2025 to 2027, and we have now received communication that it has been postponed until 2028. The Government is always talking about balanced regional development. Seven of 11 phases have been completed in Dublin, and it is also going ahead in Cork. However, it keeps being pushed back for Limerick. In the context of ba…

I acknowledge that Deputy Michael Cahill from Kerry was in the Visitor's Gallery with John and Michael Shanahan. The Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, was there with her aunt, Mary, her cousin, Claire, and Claire's children, Ella and Liam.

I will interrupt the Senator. I am going to allow latitude so that people can speak to the section, especially where their amendments were ruled out of order because I am conscious that people received very short notice about it.

I will let the Minister of State reply in a few minutes. I have another Senator indicating.

I have another Senator to bring in before I let the Minister of State reply.

I welcome Sr. Helen Keegan and Maureen McGloin from Drumshanbo. They are accompanied by Councillor Enda McGloin. You are very welcome. Enjoy your visit to Leinster House.

The Minister of State without interruption, please

I understand that all four Senators from the Cross-Party Group are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I would like to welcome Brian and Laura Richards from Clonmel in Tipperary. Laura's company, PostItLocal, was at the Newstalk changemaker business awards in the Mansion House today. Laura and Brian are with Councillor Máirín McGrath and they are all very welcome. I hope they enjoy their visit here.

Iarraim ar an Aire freagra a thabhairt ar an díospóireacht.

I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Deputy Martin Daly and his guests. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.

I understand Senators McCarthy and Clonan are sharing time and taking three minutes each. Is that agreed? Agreed.