This is the third time this has been dealt with this way this year - three committees.

A Chathaoirligh-----

Correct.

I thank Deputy Daly. I hope he will stay because otherwise I will be speaking to an empty Chamber and I will-----

I know you are. I was just saying that.

We also have the Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, coming in, so there is someone in the Chamber to hear me. It was great to finish on words of wisdom and lived experience from Deputy Daly. He is always there to give us all advice in relation to healthcare, and it is great to hear somebody speaking to the Bill. I have been six years in the Department of Health. This is possibly my fifth or sixth time speaking on this Bill. I look forward to a stage when we will not have to speak on it, that we will get the legislation tha…

I move: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, the proposed arrangements as set out in the first Revised Report of the Business Committee are hereby agreed to.

These are exceptional circumstances on the nomination of Members of Government.

The revised schedule accommodates this and ensures we continue with Dáil business, and the Taoiseach will take his questions tomorrow instead of today.

I welcome those in the Gallery to Seanad Éireann. I welcome the opportunity to be here today for statements on the important topic of farmer mental health and farm safety. I am joined by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae. I thank Senator Paul Daly for requesting these statements, which cover an important topic. At the ploughing championships in September, we jointly launched a new free programme of mental health supports for men, which I will speak about today, but it is great to continue our co…

I move: Wesnesday's business shall be: - Motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2025 (without debate) (any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2025 [Votes 2, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42 and 45] (without debate) (any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Social Welfare and Automatic Enrolment Retir…

In response to Deputy McDonald, under Standing Order 35(3) and as the Taoiseach said earlier, the Minister met Harvey's parents this afternoon with the Tánaiste, Simon Harris. I will speak to the Minister about Deputy McDonald's request and try to table that for next week. In response to Deputy Gibney, the occupied territories Bill is receiving priority publication by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. In response to Deputy Murphy, I would give a similar answer in relation to the CHI. In response to Deputy Co…

I thank the Deputy very much for his question. There were 4,047 children on the CAMHS waiting list nationally in September 2025, a decrease of 97 from 4,144. We have seen a reduction of 445 children in the last five months. I have taken to the car and visited 21 CAMHS teams in the last five months to try to get under the bonnet as to why some teams are doing really well and some are not doing as well. In 2025, CAMHS teams received funding of €170 million. An additional €30 million was provided in the last two years…

I thank the Deputy for this important question. All emergency departments should have a separate, quiet assessment place. That is in Sharing the Vision. I will liaise with the REO, Tony Canavan, in relation to why that is not the case. To support people who attend emergency departments in crisis, across the road from Galway University Hospital, in 2022, I opened a crisis cafe to support people while they wait to attend the emergency department. We have seen an 18% reduction in those who need to attend the emergency…

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Finance Bill 2025 - Financial Resolutions (without debate) (to be moved together and decided by one question; any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Second Stage) (to conclude within 3 hours and 34 minutes, with any division claimed to be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage on Wednesday) Tuesday's private members' business shall be Second Stage of the Education (Affordable School Uniforms) Bill 2025, selected by Sinn …

I commend the Deputy on not missing an opportunity. I have taken notes on all the issues that were raised. I believe that what Deputy Murphy has raised is covered under tomorrow's statements on international protection processing and enforcement. That debate will be on for three and a half hours and will be taken by the Minister for justice, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. The Deputy will have the opportunity to raise his concerns about safety then.

No. There is no need to. The Deputy can still raise it under that. I have taken on board what has been asked in relation to energy, Fastway Couriers, and the nitrates derogation, on which we had a lengthy discussion this morning. All are important and will be considered at the Business Committee meeting.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the delivery of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital. There are 12 external reviews related to maternity care at Portiuncula. Seven of these reviews have now been completed. I understand the very natural worry that developments in Portiuncula may be causing for many women and families who attend or who had planned to attend for Portiuncula maternity hospital. I also acknowledge and offer support to those women…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I acknowledge and appreciate his knowledge of the situation on his doorstep. In some cases they may be patients he has worked with previously. I accept his passion about that. He is absolutely right. We have to prioritise patient safety not only at Portiuncula but across all maternity units in Ireland. The Minister and the Department of Health are continuing to work closely with the external management team, the HSE clinical leaders and families to ensure that the ne…

I welcome the opportunity to address the House today on the vital issue of men’s health, and in particular, men’s mental health. This is not just a health issue; it is a societal issue, a family issue and a personal issue. It affects every community in Ireland. When we speak about men’s health, we are speaking about fathers, sons, brothers, grandsons, partners and friends. We are speaking about the people who build our homes, teach our children, run our businesses and serve in our Defence Forces. Yet, too often, me…