I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on progress in applying in Ireland the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government as set out in the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities report in 2023. Senator Alice-Mary Higgins - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the measu…

I must interrupt the Senator.

That is all right, but-----

It may all be a matter of public record, but-----

In case there is a prosecution pending or anything, I just want the Senator to be careful in this regard.

Did Senator Boyhan have any money on the horse?

Senator Boyhan does outside bets a lot. He always backs himself.

I call on the Acting Leader to respond.

Dáil Éireann has passed the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Bill 2024, changed from the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024 on 23 October 2024 to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

Dáil Éireann has passed the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Bill 2024 on 23 October 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has passed the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024, on 23 October 2024, without amendment. Dáil Éireann has passed the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Bill 2024, considered by virtue of Article 20.2.2° of the Constitution as a Bill initiated in Dáil Éi…

Notice has been received from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mark Daly - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on reciprocal driver licensing agreements with states in the United States of America, Australia, and all Canadian provinces. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for disability to provide an update on advancing the Errigal Truagh Special Needs project through time-related savings in…

I thank Senator Conway for taking the Chair while I ask this question and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, for coming to the Chamber to take this question. It is about an issue that affects many Irish emigrants who return home. Often their driver licences are out of date and they have to take the driver test again, even though they may have been driving for 20, 30 or 40 years. Not only does it cost them a lot of money but it is an inconvenience. It also affects many citizens of Canada, Australia and t…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. On the issue of political will, we can see what happened in Canada as a result of one individual, our ambassador, taking the issue on board. On the response that the RSA determined that such an agreement would not be possible without putting in danger road users in Ireland, that is a wholly unacceptable response in that all of those states will have, as I understand it, agreements with Canada. Drivers, therefore, can exchange their Alabama driving licence with a Canad…

Before I call the Leader to outline the proposed Order of Business, I welcome the Austrian ambassador, H.E. Ms Melitta Schubert. Austria will be celebrating its national day at the weekend. We are truly honoured because the ambassador is a descendant of the composer, Schubert. Not only that, but her grandfather sang in front of the Emperor of Austria in the Vienna Boys' Choir 100 years ago. That was 100 years after Schubert did exactly the same thing. Schubert is famous for " An die Musik " and many other compositi…

I call Senator Horkan.

I will give the Senator a moment and call one of the other Senators.

I welcome pupils and teachers from Killina Presentation Secondary School in County Offaly. Thank you for being here. As it is the unwritten rule of Seanad Éireann, you all get off homework for the rest of the week and, as I always say, you should have come on Monday or Tuesday. So for the rest of the week no homework and like a good politician, I will extend it to next week as well and the week after, if we can stretch it. Senator Alice Mary Higgins has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 8 be…

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Cathaoirleach, and the mayor is most welcome to celebrate the Nobel Prize being awarded to such a great organisation. We acknowledge his leadership in that and hope he will continue to be a voice for peace as next year we mark the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed more than 100,000 instantly and many more in the months and years that followed. Anniversaries are an opportunity to reflect and remember, but also an opportunity to recommit ourselve…