I wish to raise the report that was released this morning by HIQA regarding University Hospital Limerick and the three recommendations it contains. My understanding is that all three recommendations are under consideration. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to come before the House as soon as possible to discuss this issue? One of the key things that came out of the report is the need for 90 additional beds at the hospital. That is despite the fact that we will be opening 92 new …

Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome our colleague, Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn and her guests from Fine Gael Dublin South-Central. You are all very welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit here this evening. You are in very capable hands.

When is it proposed to sit again?

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Shane Curley - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the provision of a new school building for Carrabane National School, Athenry, County Galway. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the provision of a school bus service for students from Cavan Town attending St. Bricin's College, Belturbet, County Cavan. Senators…

Before we move to the Order of Business, I welcome Stella O'Loughlin, niece of our Deputy Leader, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, to the Chamber. She is in very capable company and I hope she enjoys her visit to Leinster House.

I am grateful for the opportunity to welcome the ambassador and her team. It was a pleasure to chat with her earlier and to hear about Malta and a few things that we have in common in terms of manufacturing and other industry. Tourism is such a big, important issue to both our countries. and also I know from speaking to her that Malta has a population of about 500,000 people, which, as she pointed out, is a zero less than what we have in terms of five million people. The delegation is very welcome here today. It is…

I wish to be associated with the Cathaoirleach’s remarks about Julie and her retirement. I thank her for everything. I think she is with us for another week or two but I wish her all the best in her retirement. She has always been very kind and courteous and looked after everybody so well. The food and everything has never been a letdown. Julie really is fantastic not only in the job she does but also in how she chats to everybody and embraces life. I wish her and her family the best in her retirement. I received a…

I thank the Minister of State for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I know about her passion for and commitment to this Bill and how long she has been working on it to make sure it is right. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure the Bill is right when it leaves this House. I welcome many of the changes that have been made, but there are one or two things I wish to raise. The Minister of State mentioned that only two people under 17 are currently in this category, but when are we going to have …

I understand Senator Rabbitte is sharing time with Senator Ryan. Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

When is it proposed to sit again?

The Minister of State has ten minutes, all groups' spokespersons have eight minutes and all other Senators have four minutes. Before we move on to this, I want to mention Tawana Bolbolan who is from the US and is interning with Senator Nicole Ryan. She is very welcome and I hope she enjoys her experience here today.

I thank the Minister of State. Before I call the next speaker, on my own behalf I welcome Mr. Martin Hughes, our new Clerk of the Seanad. I am sure some of the Members may not have met him yet but we look forward to working with him. I congratulate him on his new role and look forward to working with him into the future.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Minister of State for being here and I thank all Members who contributed today. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Dáil Éireann passed the Statute Law Revision Bill 2024 on 9 July 2025, considered by virtue of Article 20.2.2° of the Constitution as a Bill initiated in Dáil Éireann, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann passed the Mental Health Bill 2024 on 9 July 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann passed the Planning and Development (Amendment Bill) 2025 on 9 July 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

The Cathaoirleach has received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Teresa Costello - The need for the Minister for Health to provide funding for ExWell classes to ensure all people are given the opportunity to take part in physical activity. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide ring-fenced funding for transport services for those in receipt of adult disability day services to transport them to and f…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to the House and thank him for coming in to discuss these important issues.

We will now have a minute's silence to commemorate the Srebrenica massacre. As Members are aware, this month marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide. Today we commemorate and honour the victims of the genocide, the 8,000 men and boys killed and all those who were impacted by the atrocity. I ask Members to stand for one minute's silence to commemorate the victims of the genocide.