I understand that Senators Kyne and Boyle are sharing time.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before we move on, I welcome Senator Joe O'Reilly to our Visitors Gallery. He is accompanied by his wife Mary, his sister Caroline and his son Alexis. I hope they will all enjoy their visit to Leinster House and the Seanad. They are very welcome.

I welcome Deputy Devlin and his guests to the Gallery. I support the motion and thank Senator Kyne and all who were involved in putting it together. Many positive suggestions have been made, one or two of which I will mention. An issue that needs to be examined is the difference between private and public nursing homes and the fact there is possibly not enough public provision. As the Minister of State knows, the waiting lists for St. Camillus hospital in Limerick are unbelievable. Unfortunately, there are not enou…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, for coming to the House to discuss this all-important matter. In recent weeks I have heard from a lot of older people who had heard of others of their own age applying for, and availing of, a boiler grant through the housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people. Boilers have been removed from these grants and it is causing a lot of stress for older people, especially because boilers are quite costly. They can cost anything from €3,000 to €8,000. Th…

I thank the Minister of State. While I understand we are trying to phase out fossil fuels and there are grants for repairs and so on, it is difficult to explain to an older person that he or she has to make changes. In many cases, it is also an extra cost because people have to make adjustments to their existing systems or bring in a new system. For existing householders, including older people, perhaps fossil fuels could be phased out rather than removed completely. I would like the Minister of State to take this …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and his officials. He is no stranger to this House and has been here before.

Bogfaidh muid anois go dtí an Seanadóir Boyle.

As no other Senators are indicating, I call on the Minister of State to respond.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins. We will see him again. He is no stranger to this House.

It is a great honour to welcome my good friend and colleague, Deputy Buttimer, who is not a stranger to this House. He had a long and distinguished career here. He is very welcome this morning. I thank him for coming.

I am delighted to take this opportunity to congratulate Bulgaria and its people on their national day, which takes place this Monday, 3 March, marking their liberation day. I also welcome Ambassador Vanya Andreeva-Malakova to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Many Senators met the ambassador on their way in this morning. Ambassador, you are very welcome. I hope you enjoy your national day of celebration. Thank you very much indeed.

Before we move on with the Order of Business, I welcome Steve and Adam Elsworth, friends of former Senator Paddy Burke. They are visiting Dublin for the first time. You are very welcome and are in the capable hands of Senator Ahearn. Enjoy your visit to Leinster House. Thank you. I call the leader of the Fianna Fáil group, Senator Fitzpatrick.

I remind the Senator that what is happening in the Lower House is not the business of this House.

Thank you very much.

I remind Senator Keogan that she cannot reference people outside of the House, so-----

If she could just be careful-----

Go raibh maith agat.

Go raibh maith agat.

Thank you, Senator.