Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, who are here for the world Parkinson's association conference, which is being held in the Powerscourt Hotel in the next few days: Professor David Burn, president of University of Galway; Dr. Susan Fox, president-elect from Toronto; Dr. Jennifer Gorman, secretary of Barrow Neurological Institute, Chicago; Professor Marcello Merello, secretary-elect of head movements disorders from Buenos Aires, Argentina; Professor Carolyn…

The combined speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators will have six minutes. I welcome the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, to the House, for this important debate. The debate will commence with the proposer of the motion, Senator Tully.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Dr. Orla Murray and Helen Rose, who are guests of Senator Curley, to the Gallery. I also welcome the guests of Senator Cosgrove: Róisín O'Sullivan and Chloe Higgins. They are welcome to Seanad Éireann. I now call Senators Curley and Fitzpatrick.

Ceart go leor.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Mary to the Gallery. Her husband Joe is also here but he happens to be on the wrong side of the glass here. She is sitting with great friends Karen and Michael Eccles. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. They are between two great people in the O’Reillys. I thank Joe for all his years of service to Seanad Éireann. I thank Mary as well because behind Joe is Mary keeping him on track. I thank Mary for being here. I call Senator Scahill.

Before I call Senator Flynn, I welcome the Community Action Tenants Union from Ballymun and Finglas. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for being here.

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 Health to make a statement on the critical shortage of general practitioners in Ireland. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the current policies of the emergency services in relation to flooding. Senator Patricia Stephenson - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an u…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to the House.

Before I call the Senator, I welcome guests of the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Verona Murphy, to the Gallery from Piercestown National School. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I am sure the Ceann Comhairle told them that when they visit Seanad Éireann, part of the experience is that they have no homework for the rest of the week. I ask them to make sure if there is anyone giving them any homework that they write to me and I will sort it out.

Before I ask the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business, as we do in Seanad Éireann on the passing of a former Member, we have an expression of sympathy and a minute's silence. This is by way of a tribute to the former Members' contribution to this House, but also to Ireland, and in recognition of their service to the State. On this occasion, we are honouring the memory of a former Member of this House and a former TD and Minister of State, Brian O'Shea, a son of Tramore, County Waterford. Brian was educate…

Before I call Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, there is a resolution before the House signed by all the leaders of the groups in the House in relation to the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa rescue, where six prisoners who were involved in the Fenian rising were rescued by the captain and the crew of the Catalpa . I read from the resolution: - those prisoners rescued - James Wilson, Thomas Darragh, Martin Hogan, Michael Harrington, Thomas Hassett and Robert Cranston - and their suffering in harsh and cruel conditions in F…

On a procedural issue, I ask Senator O'Loughlin to move the amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 57(3), motion re 150th anniversary of the Catalpa rescue, be taken before No. 1.

I thank all the Senators for their input. I wish to express my sympathies to Mrs. Dempsey and the Dempsey family on the passing of Molly and I thank them for being here today.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome a group from Ballyphehane in Cork city. They are from Ballyphehane Tidy Towns, Ballyphehane Community Association and Ballyphehane Togher CDP. They are most welcome. They are guests of Senator Harmon. Anois, glaoim an Seanadóir Craughwell.

Before I call Senator Gallagher, I welcome members of the Ballyphehane Community Association from Cork, who are guests of Deputy Rice.

Standing Orders allow for Members to intervene during the debate. You can ask a Member if they will give you time to ask a question. It is up to the Member in possession-----

You are entitled to interrupt-----

Standing Order 40 allows you to intervene if the Member allows it and then extra time is given. That is just a point of clarification on that. Next is Senator Collins.

Senator O'Loughlin has moved an amendment to the Order of Business, which was seconded by Senator Harmon, "That No. 57(3) be taken before No. 1." Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House.