Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, as you all know our great friend and Clerk of the Seanad, Martin Groves, and the assistant clerk, Bridget Doody, retired over the summer. They let us know in their notification to us that they will miss us dearly in their retirement. I want to thank them sincerely on behalf of Seanad Éireann for their great service to Seanad Éireann and the roles they occupied, their professionalism and the incredible knowledge they had on the workings of the Oireachtas …

I join with the Senator in extending the sympathy of the Members of Seanad Éireann to the family and friends of Patrick Gerard Murphy, who was a great councillor. He overcame many challenges, and they never stopped him representing all the people of his constituency in Cork South-West on the Beara Peninsula, of which he was immensely proud, and they were proud of him. I thank the Senator for remembering him today.

Dáil Éireann has agreed, on 16 July 2025, to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on concerns regarding irregularities in registration on the main and supplementary voting registers and the inappropriate use of polling cards. Senator Laura Harmon - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the student contributio…

I welcome the Minister of State, Christopher O'Sullivan, to the House. He is most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the Belgian ambassador to Ireland, Karen Van Vlierberge, who is leaving us shortly. She is going back to Europe. She tells me that she is bringing an Irish dog and an Irish cat with her, so she will be taking a small part of Ireland. She is joined by Deputy Catherine Callaghan, who has been appointed as the convener of the Ireland-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group. We greatly appreciate the support of the Government and people of Belgium d…

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome my fellow county men and women who are here today. They are guests of Deputies Danny and Michael Healy-Rae. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I hope they have enjoyable day in Dublin. We will all be back up the weekend after next for another enjoyable day in Dublin, please God, and we will be bringing Sam Maguire back home.

Before I call the next speaker I welcome the delegation from Kerry who are up here on a scouting mission in advance of the all-Ireland football final.

They are guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. They are most welcome and please God we will all bring home Sam Maguire the weekend after next. I thank them for coming in. Senator Joe O'Reilly is next, who does a great version of The Gallant John Joe about Cavan and how they won the all-Ireland final.

I thank the Leader. I join with him in thanking Bridget Doody and all the staff in the Seanad Office. I thank Martin Groves for his great work and wish him a happy, long and successful retirement. I thank all the Senators for their courtesy to everybody on the Seanad team. We do not always agree but we always agree that the part we play in democracy is important in terms of scrutinising legislation. Holding Government and the institutions of the State to account is an important part of democracy and that is part of…

I welcome Anne Marie Lenihan to Seanad Éireann. I also welcome the Minister and thank him for being here.

Amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 2 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 1. Amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed?

Not agreed. We will discuss them separately.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on proposals for a Gluas light rail system for Galway and whether the project will be included in the national development plan. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the delays for driving tests in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister of State…

We have a slight change in running order. The Minister of State, Deputy Moran, has agreed that we will take Senator Kennelly's item first.

I welcome guests of Deputy John Connolly and Senator Ollie Crowe: Mick and Caroline Walsh, their kids Dylan and Lucy and, more importantly, dad Tom Walsh. It is great to have them here from Rosscahill near Oughterard.

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome Tullow Men's Shed group from Carlow to Seanad Éireann today. I hope they enjoy their trip as guests of Deputy Catherine Callaghan.

Like an All-Ireland final, perhaps?

I did not expect you to let it go.