The Minister of State is most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

A vote has been called in the Dáil. We will suspend the House for the duration of the vote so the Minister of State can attend.

We will resume our debate on the motion on the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) and Section 51(3)) Regulations 2006. Next to speak is Senator Costello.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Alison Comyn - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the provision of funding for a fully-staffed, 24-hour national helpline for male victims of domestic abuse. Senator Teresa Costello - The need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on Internet access in rural areas. Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. He is most welcome. I welcome Mary Charlotte Peacock and Tobias Zimmerman to the Seanad Chamber. They are most welcome. They are guests of Senator Duffy.

Before I call the Leader to announce the Order of Business, Members will have been saddened to hear of the death Tony McKenna, of a former Member of this House and a former county councillor. Tony was born in Borrisokane in 1939. He spent some of his early years in UCD. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1965 and pursued a postgraduate diploma in remedial education. This reflected his lifelong belief in access to education for all. Tony was a vocational teacher who touched countless lives. His leade…

I welcome St. Michael's secondary school, Finglas, to the Seanad. I also welcome the grand-niece of Senator Michael McDowell who is here as well. I was very honoured to meet her earlier and I thank her for being here. Councillor Peter Feeney from Galway is most welcome, as is Amelie Gardiner from Salerno Secondary School, who is on transition year experience with Seán Kyne. There is no homework for the rest of the week for everybody; that includes Councillor Feeney.

Senator Craughwell should be allowed to speak, without interruption.

Cuirim fáilte roimh na cuairteoirí atá sa Ghailearaí anois, a guest of an Seanadóir Aubrey McCarthy, Declan Muddiman, tá fáilte romhat; agus guests of an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Christopher O'Sullivan, students from Summercove National School, Kinsale, County Cork. They will be delighted to hear about the rule of the Seanad, even if it is a guest of a Minister of State from the other House, we still have a rule of no homework for the rest of the week for all visitors to Seanad Éireann. Anois, cuirfidh mé an cheist.…

I thank the Minister for coming to the House. Before I ask Senator Davitt to outline the proposal in the motion, I welcome former Senator and Cathaoirleach, Mr. Pat Moylan, to the Seanad Éireann. Pat was elected in the 1997 election to the 21st Seanad on the agricultural panel. He was also nominated by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and served with distinction as the Cathaoirleach of this House from 2007 to 2011. He was preceded by Rory Kiely and succeeded by Paddy Burke. I remember his time as Cathaoirleach. Mr. Moyla…

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the CEO of Galway Chamber, Ms Karen Ronan, who is a guest of Senator Collins. I also welcome to the Public Gallery members of Templeogue Community Men’s Shed who are guests of Deputy Brophy and Senators Boyhan and Fitzpatrick.

Is the motion agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to make a statement on flood measures for Newbridge, County Kildare. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the review of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024. Senator Joe O'Reilly - The …

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Before I call on the first speaker I wish to welcome to the Visitor's Gallery Mr. Bobby Nealon from Virginia and Scranton. I think that is Scranton, Pennsylvania, the home place of former US President Joe Biden. Mr. Nealon is father to Annie, who is working as an intern with Senator Duffy. The family has strong Ballina and Mayo connections. You are most welcome to Seanad Éireann, Bobby.

I call on the Leader to announce the Order of Business. I will do the welcome after he has done so.

Ba mhaith liom cuir fáilte to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador from Bulgaria. The ambassador is here to mark the Bulgarian national day on 3 March. It marks the date of national liberation and restoration of the Bulgarian state after nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule. The Irish connection dates back more than 100 years. A County Limerick man, from Bruff, no less, James Bourchier was a champion of national interests in Bulgaria. He led the delegation from Bulgaria that was involved in the negoti…