I join with colleagues in remembering those who lost their lives in Creeslough last Friday. While we discussed the future of this island in this House last Friday a terrible tragedy was unfolding in that beautiful village. Over the weekend, like many colleagues have said, and having spoken to family and friends, we were taken by the community spirit and togetherness of the village. I thank all those people who gave of their time and showed their community spirit. I thank the emergency responders from both the North…

Yes, absolutely. I appreciate that.

There has been a lot of talk about the commuting measures in the budget over the past week or so. I welcome the extension of the 20% discount to public transport fares and the extension of reduced fares for young adults to the end of 2023. It was great to receive confirmation that the youth travel card will be extended to those aged 16, 17 and 18 years of age, which we learned through a Commencement matter in this House last Tuesday. Senator Gallagher and I had the pleasure of learning that good news. I have had a …

I welcome the Minister back to the House this evening. He was here previously for discussions on Defence Forces matters but this is our first opportunity to discuss this important report. I thank him for making himself available to us this evening. I also thank those involved in producing the report, including the chairman and all those who were on the committee. That is important to say. They devoted some valuable time and input to preparing this report. It is only right to acknowledge that here when we get the op…

I thank the Minister. He is going to come back to us with all the answers to these questions, as he has said.

The Minister is going to come back to us and let us know. I gave my information and I thank the Minister for correcting it if what he says is the case. The Minister will be aware that the plan we are discussing tonight spoke of an expanded Naval Service. He will also be aware of the importance of our Naval Service as an island nation and in the context of protecting our territorial waters. I am informed that just under 270 personnel have left the Defence Forces so far this year, a figure three times higher than the…

I was contacted last night by the excellent Labour Youth student branch at Maynooth University over its concerns that the proposed student centre and hub will not be going ahead as promised. My concern, which is shared by the Labour Youth student branch, is that students have been paying a student levy towards this building since 2015 with the promise that it would be built in the quickest possible time. I listened to my local radio station KFM on the way into the House this morning where the issue was raised and d…

I welcome the Minister of State into the House and I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. I hope the Minister of State comes with good news. I have heard, in the past number of days, that the young adult card will be extended to 16- to 18-year-olds. I hope the Minister of State will confirm that in his reply. I and, indeed, other colleagues have called for this on a number of occasions in this House. Over the past number of weeks, I have been contacted by a large number of students and pa…

The Minister of State kept us waiting right until the very end to announce the good news, but it is very good news that he announced today, as before. I want to welcome this initiative. As the Minister of State said, it is very positive for students and public travel in this country. The one issue I would like to bring to his attention is the commercial bus operators, to ensure that they are offering this service to as many students as possible. That is essential to this working. Particularly in rural areas, it is …

I will raise two issues with the Deputy Leader. The first is one I am sure other Members of the House have come across in recent weeks. It is the delay in exceptional needs payments through the community welfare officer service. I recognise the important work that our community welfare officers, CWOs, carry out each day on the front line of this cost-of-living crisis. Over many years, I am sure like others, I have worked closely with many CWOs for the benefit of those that need help most. However, the community wel…

I move amendment No. 88: In page 59, line 27, after “ 143 ” to insert “or the adequacy of any explanation for non-compliance,”.

I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 90: In page 60, line 24, after “may” to insert “, with the approval of the Board,”.

I move amendment No. 91: In page 60, line 36, to delete “ paragraph (a) or (c) of”.

I move amendment No. 92: In page 61, to delete lines 1 to 7 and substitute the following: “(6) The bringing of an appeal by a designated institution of higher education against a determination of the Chief Executive Officer under subsection (3) to impose a remedial or other measure on the institution shall operate to stay the coming into operation of the measure pending the determination or discontinuance of the appeal.”.

I move amendment No. 97: In page 63, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “(3) The appointment of a reviewer under subsection (4) may be appealed by the designated institution of higher education concerned under Part 9 within the prescribed period from the service of a notice on that institution under subsection (2) . (4) The bringing of an appeal under subsection (3) shall operate to stay the work of the reviewer pending the determination or discontinuance of the appeal.”.

I move amendment No. 98: In page 63, to delete lines 37 to 40 and substitute the following: “(a) one person having a special interest in or expertise in, or knowledge of, matters relating to higher education or the functions of An tÚdarás (other than a member of the Board, a member of the staff of An tÚdarás, a public servant or a person employed or engaged by an institution of higher education), (b) one person with demonstrable expertise in, or knowledge of, matters relating to higher education at an international…

I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 112: In page 69, line 37, after “university” to insert “or in order to enable the provision of an adequate explanation for any non-compliance”.

I second the amendment.