Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Public Gallery members of Longford Men's Shed and thank them for being here today. They are accompanied by Deputy Joe Flaherty who will, I am sure, look after them and make sure they see all the Chambers and some of the other rooms that we have available for their enjoyment. I thank them for coming to Leinster House and to Seanad Éireann. I call Senator Currie.

We resume the discussion on amendment No. 23. Amendments Nos. 23 and 24 are physical alternatives. Amendments Nos. 23, 24, 103, 124 and 125 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed. Senator Higgins was in possession. Does she wish to continue?

Dáil Éireann has passed the Sick Leave Bill 2022 on 18 May 2022 to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an cathaoirleach of the Congressional Friends of Ireland and of the Ways and Means Committee in the US House of Representatives from the great state of Massachusetts via Ballyferriter, Congressman Richard Neal. I welcome the United States ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Claire Cronin. I also welcome the congressional delegation, Congressman Kevin Brady from Texas, the co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, Congressman Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, Congressman Dan Kildee from Michigan, Con…

Thank you, Congressman. I would like to inform the House that that was the longest-standing ovation anyone has received in my time in this House. Thank you for your thoughtful contribution and your quote from a great Senator who led us 100 years ago, W.B Yeats, as you concluded your remarks. Each of the group leaders will now make a contribution and then we will have some concluding remarks from Congressman Neal. I call on the Leader of the House, Senator Doherty.

Congressman Neal has received great words of praise, all of which are his due. I ask him to respond to Members.

Last night, I presented Mr. Neal with an Irish flag that had been flown from the same building that Thomas Francis Meagher flew a tricolour from for the first time back in 1848. When he was asked of its meaning, Meagher said: "The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between orange and green and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Protestants and Irish Catholics may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood." I could not imagine that when he said those words nearly 175 years ago, he would…

I have received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the investigation into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I have also received notice from Senator Joe O'Reilly of the following matter: The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for disability to make a statement on the delay in initial appointments and assessments of needs for chil…

I welcome the Minister to the House. It is appropriate that this would be the first Commencement matter, as Senator Robbie Gallagher is from Monaghan. Today is the anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Senator Gallagher, along with the Taoiseach, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and many others, attended a ceremony to mark the anniversary of that awful day earlier.

I take this opportunity to thank the Minister for coming in today, for taking this Commencement matter personally and for addressing Seanad Éireann. I know that she is a very busy Minister but for the families, their loved ones and the victims, it is important that this issue is raised in Seanad Éireann on this day, the anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and I thank Senator Gallagher for bringing that Commencement matter before the House today.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2022.

I thank Senator Buttimer for outlining the Order of Business. Before I call the first speaker, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery Representative Fran Hurley from Chicago. She is a founding member and one of the national co-chairs of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus, which has more than 1,100 members and representatives in all 50 states. I welcome Representative Hurley and wish her the best of luck. I am sorry about the weather but there is nothing we can do about that. However, there is noth…

I have received notice from Senator Fiona O'Loughlin that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the appointment of an education welfare officer to support the Curragh-Kildare school completion programme. I have also received notice from Senator Micheál Carrigy of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the provision of additional post-primary spec…

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Peter Burke, to the House.

I apologise for interrupting the Senator. I ask that there be silence in the Public Gallery.

I join Senator Buttimer and other colleagues in welcoming the students from Listowel, which is a great town. I hope there are future writers among them. Listowel is famous for its writers. One of the great writers from Listowel wrote a letter to Brendan Kennelly, who, in turn, had written to one of the people working at the newspaper The Kerryman . In the early days, Brendan Kennelly was not as good as he became. He got a letter back stating that in his writings he was making all the right mistakes. I hope the stud…

W.B. Yeats was more famous as a writer than as a Senator.

Thank you, Senator, for your telephone call about this topic. Given your experience, it is always important to learn from experts and people who have such knowledge, as you do. Obviously, we are in discussions with the Defence Forces and we are getting a briefing from them in advance, but the topic you raise is a very practical issue in terms of avoiding all elements of harm and I will share that with the Ceann Comhairle. Thank you for raising the issue.

I thank the Senator for raising that important issue this morning.

Before I call on the Leader to respond, I would like to make a few comments. As Senators know, all politics is local. Next Saturday is the 60th anniversary of our local barber opening his shop in Kenmare. Pete Hanley, who is on Henry Street, just a few doors down from my-----