I welcome the news today that the Taoiseach has written to the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the situation in Palestine and proposed some sort of economic sanctions against Israel. It is an example of Ireland and this Government standing up to Israel and showing leadership within Europe. I sincerely hope the Taoiseach's letter to the president will result in a chain reaction that will see economic sanctions. I do not agree with expelling ambassadors or any of that. Ambassa…

Now.

I concur with the Minister. This is an important Bill that will save lives. It should have happened a long time ago but it is happening now. I hope it will pass through the Dáil next week as quickly as it did here and that the President will sign it into law, allowing us to get on with the important business of enacting it. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the serious impact of the Leas-Chathaoirleach on this Bill. He has been campaigning on it for years. We were brought back here one August on this very…

It was absolutely the right thing to do, however. I was here on the day. One asked why what was happening did not happen several years previously. It did not but it is happening now. It will save lives, and that is what this is all about.

No homework tonight.

I too welcome Maggie and her family. I would also like to welcome two transition year students, Aoife and Conor, who are doing work experience with me and who are also in the Gallery. I hope they all have a very good day. This Commencement matter has been tabled as a result of a lack of clarity, communication and engagement from the Department of Education with Lisdoonvarna secondary school. A number of years ago, Lisdoonvarna secondary school applied for additional accommodation. The Department said the criteria f…

I think that is reasonably positive news and that people will be happy it is at that level. However, it is only fair and proper that the school be communicated with. Surely, there is somebody in the Department of Education who can provide an update to the school so that it does not have to turn around and run online petitions in order to try to force the issue. It should not be necessary to do that. We are a modern country and there is no excuse whatsoever for people not being kept informed and timelines outlined. …

Following on from Senator Murphy’s contribution regarding the importance of radio, I wish to add to it the importance of regional journalism and print journalism. I received an email from a 17-year-old young lady from County Clare, Isabella Danaher, who has had articles published in local newspapers at home and who aspires to be a journalist. She has also won awards in the whole area. Her big concern is for the future of print journalism and broadcast media in light of the proliferation of online free news sites an…

Like others, I want to raise the issue of the emergency department in UHL. It is shocking that this situation is continuing. I do not blame anybody for it yet everybody can be blamed for it. Something really does need to be done. It is a crisis. It is embarrassing. It is not good for our society and it is certainly not good for the sick people in the mid-west. A debate here on the issue of the emergency department in UHL, with the senior Minister, Deputy Donnelly, in here, is something the people of counties Clare,…

Yes.

I thank the Minister of State because she is always ready and willing to come into this House to answer Commencement matters, Private Members' motions and any other area that she is requested to do so. Her participation is always appreciated and it is appreciated today as well.

I am sure the House would agree with me in sending our very best wishes to Senator Craughwell’s daughter. Please give her the good wishes of the House. Clearly, she is a very courageous and inspiring young lady.

I thank the Minister of State, and we all very much agree. At 2.30 p.m. today, the House is paying tribute to the former Taoiseach, as is the Dáil. The Minister of State's kind comments are much appreciated, and I know the Bruton family will appreciate them as well.

I thank the Minister of State and thank Senator Currie for all the great work she does in this area. It is very much appreciated. Senator Ahearn is next.

I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this very important issue for the young people in Clonmel and I thank the Minister of State for her reply.

It is an extremely important issue. We wish Oxfam the best with its incredibly important work. I thank the Minister of State for taking five Commencement Matters. Her time is valuable.

I know she is busy. We appreciate it because it is important that Ministers and Ministers of State come in and are accountable to the House. She is always very obliging in that regard.

I too stand today to salute a great Irishman, a great statesman and a great human being. I first met John Bruton when I was a student in UCD studying politics and economics back in the early 1990s before he went into government. The one thing about being a member of Young Fine Gael in UCD was that the leader seemed to pop in a lot. He had a huge regard for young people. He went into universities on a regular basis. He may not have been the most popular leader of the Opposition and certainly at times he did not say …

I thank Senator Kyne for raising what is a very important issue and thank the Minister of State for taking the time to attend, which is appreciated.

Before I bring in the Minister of State, I know the experience the Senator is having is certainly reflected in County Clare and, no doubt, in every other local authority area in the country. The figures for this scheme have not increased for years. I look forward to a positive response from the Minister of State.