I thank the Minister of State for attending. I compliment her on her new role and wish her all the best. I know how passionate she is about this subject and about finding solutions. I look forward to working with her. My experience with drug and alcohol treatment goes back to when I was part of the mid-west drugs task force, where I served for ten years. Many treatment centres and people doing different things came out of that, which formed support both for the people in addiction and their families. I wish to high…

-----and also to Senator Fitzpatrick with regard her work on the committee. I believe in getting varied views from people who have life experience of this and those involved in the treatment centres. I compliment all those involved in treatment centres because it is not an easy job. It is about building trust as well. Gardaí work alongside many of the centres. It is about building trust with the person who comes forward for treatment, some of them on a voluntary basis and some encouraged by their families. It is ab…

Dáil Éireann passed the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 2 July 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann passed the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, changed from the Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025, on 2 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 Maria Byrne - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on her plans to review the eligibility criteria for the long-term illness scheme to include inflammatory bowel conditions, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to apply the SME test to the proposal for an increase in th…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. In recent weeks I have met an adult and a 18-year-old girl who suffer from Crohn's disease. The 18-year-old girl has been very debilitated over recent years. She spends an awful lot of time in hospital. She has had to drop out of school because of the level of her illness. Crohn's disease and colitis are very debilitating. It is very difficult to get a proper diagnosis because they are hidden diseases in that peop…

I thank the Minister of State for her positive response. I agree with what she said about these rules having been made more than 40 years ago. I know one or two people who have Crohn's disease would certainly love to make a submission to the Department in relation to their condition and maybe even a case study concerning how debilitated and ill they are. Perhaps this might be something the Department might be open to receiving and perhaps the Minister of State might be able to check this out for me. To see how ill …

Absolutely.

I thank the Minister of State.

I welcome Deputy Connolly, his brother Dave and another guest, William. You are very welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit to Leinster House today.

Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome H.E. Georgios Stilianopoulos, ambassador of Greece to Ireland. He is a guest of Senator Keogan. You are very welcome, ambassador. I hope you enjoy your visit to Leinster House today.

I would like to acknowledge that we had a tour group here, the North Wexford Historical Society, who were the guests of Deputy Malcolm Byrne. I welcome Bríd and Gráinne Shaughnessy and Thomas and Samuel Reilly, who are guests of Senator Brady. I am sure they are enjoying their visit to Leinster House today.

I thank the Minister for her attendance. I compliment the colleagues sitting to my left who drafted the Bill. We are all in agreement across the Chamber that we are here to ensure delivery of better healthcare for all. I acknowledge the Minister's dedication and commitment in this regard. I pay tribute to her and her Department. When I was first elected to this House, scoliosis and spinal treatments were happening less and less, with many cases being outsourced. We have come a long way. The fact people are now pred…

I rise today to also support the call in respect of the increased cost of education that was announced over the weekend. In the programme for Government, in the higher education sector section, it is stated: This Government will: Provide more further education and training places nationally. Continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and their families at the start of each academic year, in a financially sustainable manner. That is in…

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and his officials.

When is it proposed to take the next Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take the next Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Dáil Éireann passed the Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025 on 25 June 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the revised timeline for completion of a new school building for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, Dominick Street, Dublin 1; and to confirm the interim arrangements being put in place to provide accommodation for the new school year in September 2025. Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn - The need for the Minister for Health to ma…