I thank the Minister of State, and Senator Seery-Kearney for raising this important issue. We realise how busy the Minister of State is, so we thank him for coming to the House.

I, too, welcome the Slovenian ambassador. I wish him every success and enjoyment on Slovenia's national day. I commend him on deciding to march in Dublin Pride. That is wonderful. At 5 a.m. this morning, I dipped at dawn at Lahinch beach. I did so in solidarity with people who suffer sight loss. Many Senators will be aware that today is the longest and brightest day of the year. It is the summer solstice; a day of positivity, energy and hope. It is a day of encouragement but also of ambition. Unfortunately, 18 peop…

I am grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to a truly extraordinary person. I knew Mary Jackman since my young days in politics. I come from County Clare and Senator Jackman represented Limerick. As I went through college and went on to become a councillor, I got to know her extremely well. She was always full of advice. She was not afraid of being critical when she felt it was necessary, which is a sign of a true person of decency and integrity. I got to know her particularly in latter years when she and her…

Before we move on to Senator Gallagher, I acknowledge three young people from Clare who are here with us in the Gallery, namely, Mya O'Malley, Neila Ryan and Gateeva Rusk. The three of them are welcome. I believe they are doing some important work with our colleague, Senator Garvey, on her important Private Member's Bill on youth mental health. We all know of the difficult challenges in youth mental health. The fact that they are inputting their experiences, considerations and what they are learning from their envi…

I know the Minister of State is leaving us now. I thank him for his time in the Seanad this afternoon.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and thank him for giving his time.

As my cousins' children attend the school in question, they will be delighted with this update from the Minister of State and the pending good news.

I thank the Minister of State. Let us hope it is resolved. I know the wonderful work the staff in St. Christopher's in County Longford do every day.

I thank the Senator for raising that important issue.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and taking all four Commencement matters. We know she is very busy.

I second the Cathaoirleach's proposal of no homework for the ladies from Foxrock. I would have no problem in extending an invitation to my good friend Senator Boyhan to join Senator Ward and the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, if he wishes to run in Dún Laoghaire for Fine Gael.

I, like other colleagues, met INTO representatives yesterday. It was a very fruitful engagement. When the representatives come to see us, they usually come to us with what I would describe as very reasonable requests. The average class size at primary level in Europe is 20. Our average is 23. Over the past three or four years, significant progress has been made – I believe our average was once 26 – but the INTO is asking that we reduce it by two, to 21, in the upcoming budget. We would all support that. If we can m…

The Minister is very welcome to the House. Too often there are situations where the Minister comes before the House because the news is not good and he is challenged on various issues. However, today is a good news day. What is being rolled out in the investment in our health services across the length and breadth of the country is breath-taking. It is to the Minister’s eternal credit that he has ramped up the capital investment programme, because unfortunately there have been decades of underinvestment in this cou…

I know this is a big issue in the Senator's constituency. Hopefully that will work out.

Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome Councillor Patrick Murphy from west Cork, who is joining us today as a guest of Senator O'Donovan. He is welcome to the House along with his guests, Anna Mae, Caroline and Seán. I hope they enjoy Leinster House. It always looks better when the sun is shining. They are very welcome and I hope they have a great day.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir O’Donovan. Before the Minister of State speaks I echo all that has been said on this important Commencement matter. I have heard firefighters in my area, Ennistymon, articulate exactly the same set of concerns and frustrations. Both Senators articulated the case extremely well.

Given the importance of the issue, I will use the Chair's discretion and give my colleagues a minute each to respond.

Before we suspend, I wish Tristan the very best. Hopefully, he will get the resources he requires in September. What is happening is completely unacceptable.

I raise an issue that was dealt with in a Commencement matter put forward by Senators Gallagher and O'Donovan. Their message needs to echo out loud and clear from the House. I refer to the situation whereby volunteer firefighters are struggling financially. They are constrained because of the nature of their job, which means, in the first instance, they must take a post that is located geographically close to their base. Second, their job requires a boss who understands that when the beeper goes, they have to run. …

This is an important Bill. Sometimes, the good things that are done in this House go unrecognised. It is extremely important that we recognise this is a good Bill. It might be technical, but technical Bills can sometimes have a profound effect. The Minister's officials, his wider support team and the staff of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel deserve credit for the small, incremental steps that have been taken over recent months and years. They are making a real difference to people's lives. I echo Senator Ga…