I, too, would like to be associated with the lovely words of tribute to former Senator, Deputy and Councillor Dick Dowling. Senator O'Reilly certainly gave a wonderful tribute, and we would all like to be associated with his words. Mr. Dowling certainly mentored some great people in the political world. He mentored the former Commissioner, Minister and Deputy, Phil Hogan. He also mentored Deputy John Paul Phelan. Mr. Dowling made a significant contribution to politics, to this House and to this country. I also pass…

I have listened carefully to the debate. There is a huge amount of merit in what Senators Keogan and Mullen have said, when it is private. The example was given of somebody praying outside a hospital or clinic and being asked by a garda what they were praying about. To me, that is provocative to some extent. I would like to know if the person was praying aloud or praying in silence. Perhaps the garda should not have asked them if they were not interfering with anybody in any way. I believe that people can pray with…

I thank the Acting Chairperson and welcome the Minister of State to the House. Over the past 15 to 20 years, there has been speculation around Ennistymon about the provision of a primary healthcare centre. Ennistymon is located in north Clare, as the Minister of State will be aware. It is near Lahinch, Doolin and other areas where the population balloons when the summer comes. For four or five months of the year, the population in north Clare would be akin to that of a suburban part of Dublin. Ennis has a primary h…

This is a welcome reply in the sense that we are moving now to a stage where the primary healthcare centre in Ennistymon will be provided and we are well advanced in the planning and design process. When does the Minister for Health expect that the primary healthcare centre will be up and running given, as it is acknowledged, there is so much happening in the mid-west? The primary healthcare centre in Ennis is outstanding, so the people of north Clare would be delighted to see this. Certainly, the details in the re…

I thank Senator Sherlock very much. That is a very important issue.

I thank the Senator for raising this extremely important issue.

I thank the Minister of State. It is very welcome that he engaged with the Department when he read the reply that was provided to him by the Department on Senator Currie's Commencement matter. It is extraordinary in this day and age that this situation has been allowed to continue.

As Acting Chairperson, I thank the Minister of State for his time this morning. I know he is busy but we appreciate him being here.

I also welcome Senator O'Hara to Leinster House. As somebody from a minority background, it is wonderful to have somebody here speaking on behalf of Northern Ireland. Senator Ó Donnghaile did a great job and Senator Currie certainly does a great job in that area so I suspect Senators O'Hara and Currie will have many conversations to benefit the people of Northern Ireland. I also congratulate Simon Harris on becoming Taoiseach - the youngest Taoiseach in our history. I have worked with him for 13 years. The Cathaoir…

Like many others I got up this morning not expecting the Taoiseach to announce his resignation. However, he did and I think it was a courageous thing to do. Many people leave politics because they are ordered out and the electorate does not support them. To realise that he has given his best and it is time to move on to do other things when he could have realistically remained as Taoiseach for another year is brave, and it is something we all need to admire and take some leadership from. His record since he entered…

Yet again, I raise the issue of UHL. Today, at least, elective surgery is resuming at the hospital having been suspended for two days due to pressure on the emergency department. A number of things have happened, one of the most important of them being the decision announced today by Mr. Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE, on "Morning Ireland" that the minor injuries unit at Ennis Hospital will now be open 24 hours a day. The necessary arrangements are being put in place to facilitate this. This is welcome. The unit s…

Hear, hear.

Well said.

I move: "That Seanad Éireann agrees to the first amendment made by the Dáil to Seanad amendment No. 13."

I welcome the Minister. The interventions from Senators Clonan and McGreehan were powerful and explained clearly that, as Senator McGreehan rightly said, we needed to create this safe space in order for people to breathe, clear their heads and come to terms with things. People go in and out of these facilities for many reasons – some of them joyous, some of them not so joyous, some of them tragic – but whatever the reason, people need to be able to breathe. I will make an observation about our previous debate on th…

I am speaking in the context of the amendment regarding protesting at Leinster House. I am drawing comparisons with the concerning developments in the United States. We saw what happened on 6 January 2020 and the challenges and concerns there. We have to be careful. I urge the Minister to reflect on and take on board the concerns about the need to be able to protest in the vicinity of Leinster House. That is important from a democratic perspective.

Yet again today I stand up to raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick, UHL. As people heard on the news, today is the third day that elective procedures have been cancelled in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. It is completely unacceptable that we are still in this situation in March. I want a debate with the Minister for Health in the House specifically on UHL. People are just flabbergasted that it is getting worse and worse instead of getting better. I have great sympathy for the people who find the…

I thank the Minister of State. Before I call Senator Cummins, I welcome to the Gallery Isobel Danaher from County Clare and her father, Dan. Isobel is an award-winning student journalist in post-primary school. She has interviewed me over the years and had several articles published in the regional press. I have no doubt this will be her first of many visits to Leinster House. I also welcome her father, Dan, who has been a journalist for decades with The Clare Champion . I hope Isobel will have an informative day a…

I thank the Minister of State and Senator Higgins. I am sure I speak on behalf of everybody in asking her to pass on our very best wishes to President Higgins for a speedy recovery.

Before I call on the Minister of State, I welcome Ned and Mary O'Hara. Ned is a former general secretary of the Irish Postmasters Union and did great work over the years. He is very welcome to Leinster House. I hope he and Mary enjoy their day. They are guests of Senator Carrigy.