I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister of Health to make a statement on the introduction of a mandatory, nationwide and standardised breast density reporting to all women with mammogram results until the HIQA health technology assessment process has concluded. Senator Eileen Lynch - the need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on amending the early childhood care an…

The Minister of State is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. The first Commencement matter is by Senator Cosgrove. She has four minutes.

I thank the Senator. Again, condolences on your sad loss.

You are grand. Anois, an Seanadóir Andrews.

I thank the Senator. That might be an issue for a Commencement matter.

I welcome everybody to our engagement with our MEPs from the Dublin European constituency, including the former Leader of the House, Regina Doherty MEP. This is part of the Seanad reform we have completed over the past few years to ensure that Europe is part of the focus of what we do. The engagement with MEPs has a central role in that link between the Seanad Chamber, Senators and Members of the European Parliament from Ireland and the wider European community. The challenges that we face in Europe and the world a…

We are going to give the MEPs six times that. They will get six minutes each and then the group spokespersons will speak for five minutes in response and Members will have an opportunity to engage with questions and answers. It is meant to be robust and engaging. I really appreciate all speakers all being here. We have not done this by drawing lots or anything like that - it is based on alphabetical order. I call firstly on Mr. Barry Andrews, MEP, to address us.

I thank Mr. Andrews. I now invite Ms Regina Doherty, MEP, to speak.

I thank the MEPs for their opening statements on a broad range of topics. Housing was mentioned as one of those issues that has been weaponised and utilised but it is of fundamental importance to our young people, as we have seen in some reports this week. We will now hear from our group spokespersons from each of our groups, starting with an Seanadóir Fitzpatrick.

I believe the Senator wishes to share time.

Before I call on Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, I want to welcome guest of Senator Shane Curley, Ms Divyanshi Jain, along with guest of Senator Joe Conway, Mr. Kevin Rafferty, from Waterford, who is a former colleague but, I presume, a current friend. I thank you all for being here today.

As agreed by the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, the opening statements by Senators are to be five minutes, and the MEPs will then respond. Each of the MEPs now has five minutes to respond. Our Senators will then come back in for the remainder of the debate, with the MEPs concluding, along with the Leas-Chathaoirleach. We will go again in alphabetical order.

We will go to our final group of Senators before returning to our MEPs. Anois, an Seanadóir Clifford-Lee.

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome guests of Senator Eileen Flynn from Ardara Community Childcare and the Raphoe Community Playgroup. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

I will now call on our members of the European Parliament to give their concluding remarks along with our Leas-Chathaoirleach and myself.

I know-----

As Senators will be aware, notwithstanding that this is a debate-----

Senators have opportunity to interrupt a Senator while he or she is speaking and the Senator in possession can give way or may not give way. The Senator interrupting has 30 seconds during which to make his or her point. Once the Senator sits down, unfortunately-----

It is not about disrespect-----

The Standing Orders are-----