I second the motion. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, to the House. I thank my Labour Party colleagues for their assistance in tabling this very important motion. In particular, I thank my colleague, Senator Sherlock, for all her hard work in preparation for this important matter, and the work she continues to do with the three unions that she has named, that have been involved in the Oireachtas committee process as well. The issue I want to concentrate on is illegal dumping, which I and o…

It is good to see the Acting Leader. I welcome our visitors from Western Australia. I know they are no longer with us. My son is in Australia at the moment. It is very important we continue to have links with Australia, and it is great to see our visitors here. I also congratulate Breda Disney, as the Cathaoirleach did, on her service in a school in Newbridge. I congratulate her and Liam and wish them the best in retirement. I want to raise the Housing Commission report, which was leaked or published - we are not s…

Before I call Senator Horkan, I welcome the pupils and teachers of Rush National School to the House. You are very welcome to Leinster House and the Seanad. I hope you have a very good day and enjoy your visit.

I welcome the Minister of State. I welcome opportunity to speak on this very important Bill. I also want to welcome our good friend, Mr. Mark Bradshaw, to the Public Gallery. The Minister of State will be familiar with Mr. Bradshaw's advocacy in respect of gambling addiction over many years. I thank him for his continued support for those who are dealing with gambling addiction. As I have done previously in this House, I will begin by commending the Minister of State on his work and on that of his Department in res…

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?

I, too, welcome our guests from the Republic of Kenya. They are very welcome to the House. I also join with the Cathaoirleach in sending condolences to the D'Arcy family on the passing of Michael senior. I thank him for his service over many years. I also join Senator Craughwell in asking that the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, come before the House to discuss pensions for uniformed service personnel. It is an issue that is raised with me regularly and something the Cathao…

Níl sé. Tá dha nóimead agam. Go raibh maith agat.

Gabh mo leithscéal. The Minister indicated there will be some school transport changes that particularly relate to the area of 4.5 km. There are 32 young children attending the Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen. They who live in the Ballysax-Curragh area. They have been told they will not get bus transport to that school in September. This is simply unacceptable. They are being told they should attend the new school on the Curragh but as we know that new school is being developed in Kildare town, which will be…

That is no problem.

I am used to being in injury time.

Unfortunately, we lost during injury time last night.

I am very proud to be a cosignatory of the Bill. I thank Senator Clonan for asking us to cosign it. I also thank him for his continued advocacy for disability services and people with disabilities, and all the services they should be entitled to access. It is something I deal with daily, be it in the area of transport, education or housing provision or in access to healthcare. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. She will not be surprised when I again bring up the assessment of need. It is something I …

I thank the Senator. I take his point. I call the Minister.

I want to raise several issues today. The first concerns emergency electricity credits. We all know that 2.2 million households will benefit from the worthwhile and needed €450 million that was announced by the Government in recent months. The reason I raise this issue today is that, in response to a number of queries I have had in the last couple of days, particularly around low usage by electricity consumers, what I have been told by both the CRU and the Minister is that the credits have been taken up by 95% of e…

I welcome the Minister and thank Fianna Fáil colleagues and Senators for tabling this very important motion on school places. It is very timely. I have contacted the Minister a number of times about issues in Kildare South. My colleague mentioned that already this evening. This is not a new problem there. The Minister spoke about the new model but I contend it has not worked for us in Kildare South. The motion states the model has not been working lately, and I agree. One of the biggest concerns about school places…

I thank the Minister and welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, to the House.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Before calling on Senator Ward, I welcome our guests from Gaelcholáiste Ceatharlach, Carlow, which is just down the road from my home. They are guests today of the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan. You are very welcome and I hope you enjoy your day in Seanad and Dáil Éireann.