I thank the Minister of State for being in the House this afternoon for this important motion. I also thank Fianna Fáil for tabling the motion. There is no doubt that people across the country are feeling the pinch and are under pronounced pressure. That situation came to boil over the past number of weeks. It is worth reiterating that like the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, another external factor in Iran has caused huge upheaval in fuel prices and other energy costs, which has affected agricultural contra…

Today I would like to raise DEIS status for schools. It is a brilliant programme for schools that benefit from it. I got a benefit from it in my own time in primary school. I call for the Leader's support in arranging a discussion with the Minister for education on schools that have missed out on either DEIS status or the home school community liaison element of DEIS support. I think in particular of Scoil Naomh Bríd in Ballycastle, an area that I raise regularly on the floor of Seanad Éireann. It is a three-teache…

I wish to raise the shocking increase in the levy on local radio stations announced yesterday by Coimisiún na Meán. As we know, local radio stations across the country are the beating heart of every community. They provide updates in times of emergency and keep us informed on issues of the day such as local democracy, justice, sports or community involvement. This levy is a devastating blow for local radio stations. Coimisiún na Meán is there to regulate radio stations and puts enough pressure on these independentl…

I have raised on many occasions here on the floor of Seanad Éireann how important and strategic the River Moy is in County Mayo. It begins in east Mayo and flows through north Mayo and out to the Atlantic Ocean. It has been fished by many people. It is known nationally and internationally. The late and great Jack Charlton fished there many a summer after World Cups. Later this afternoon the climate, energy and environment committee will have a discussion on the salmon decline in the River Moy. I would like to take …

This matter kind of explains itself. I thank the Minister of State for being here. The ask is that Mounjaro be included in the long-term illness scheme through the medical card. I was contacted by a constituent in my home county, Mayo, whose husband has unfortunately been sick since 2010 and is a cancer survivor. His health is declining and the cancer treatment has caused a number of severe side effects. He is unable to work and his wife is his full-time carer. They have two teenage children. There are a lot of pre…

I acknowledge the members of the Behy Irish Countrywomen's Association, ICA, as they head out the door, and wish them well on the rest of their visit and trip. I know Margaret is celebrating her birthday today. They might wish her a happy birthday; I know she is here. I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I understand there is work under way. I know she has taken the point based on my contribution anyway, but I want to reiterate that we need to do whatever can be done to support the inclusion of Mounjaro. It…

Very similarly, in relation to public transport and improving services for commuters in County Mayo, I would like to raise an issue that has been highlighted to me on many occasions. In my role on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, I have been advocating for a shelter at the Manulla Junction platform. For those who may not be familiar with it, in County Mayo there are two train lines, one originating in Ballina and the other beginning in Westport. They meet at Manulla Junction, which has no road or vehicu…

Today I reiterate my call for supports for every sector affected by the fuel crisis. One group I mentioned yesterday, and whom I have been working on behalf of and advocating for to Departments and departmental officials, is ferry operators who connect citizens of islands right across the coast of my own county of Mayo, but also across the whole country. They are equally impacted by the fuel crisis. Supports and packages that are being devised for all of the industries must include ferry operators and support their…

Thank you, Senator Gallagher. I now move to Senator Boyhan, who is sharing time with Senator Keogan. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Deputy John Connolly and his visitors to the House. They are very welcome to Seanad Éireann.

The Senator is forgiven.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I will share time with Senator Kelleher and he will speak first.

The people of the nation are hurting. Over the past number of weeks in every community, town and village, the protests and demonstrations have reflected huge frustration and anger across the community. It has left a sour taste this afternoon in the Seanad and the Dáil and has divided us. It has divided us in reaction to a fuel crisis that has shocked international markets across the world. We are facing an international crisis. As a country, we have always worked well under pressure, whether that be the financial c…

Do they have homework?

There is a vote in the Dáil.

I welcome the Minister of State to the floor of Seanad Éireann. Something I, along with my colleague, Senator O'Donovan, have raised continuously, is the maintenance of piers, harbours and slipways across the country. Indeed, in my home county of Mayo, it is something I have advocated for as a county councillor, and more recently as a Member of the Oireachtas. Something that sadly has borne out our worst fears was a recent tragedy at Belderrig pier, where Joachim McNulty sadly lost his life. I have met Joachim’s da…

I thank the Minister of State again for his reply. His commitment to meet the family is greatly appreciated. To follow up on Senator O’Donovan’s point, the investment in piers and in repairs to piers, slipways and harbours is welcome. It can be more. On the specific aspect of maintenance, the resources supplied by local authorities is something we need greater understanding of. We need safety audits and assessments in respect of all our piers, harbours and slipways. We need to find out the cost of making them safe …

I want to highlight on the floor of the Seanad an event I attended at the weekend in my home county of Mayo on the community futures programme. This programme identifies an area, generally a rural hinterland. In this case it is Brackloon, which is a series of townlands that have come together to devise a plan, future and strategy for their community. The programme engaged with 279 submissions from 345 households in the area. It identified community needs. It identified opportunities within the area and identified t…