Earlier this month, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly released a report on the status of priority infrastructure projects. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly does amazing work in identifying not only the needs and gaps in provision but also the possibilities that could be implemented. There are a number of absolutely crucial transport infrastructure projects which have been identified for years in the north west but are still not shovel-ready. What is missing in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal that we h…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis as ucht a post nua. Although migration has increased in recent years, it has always existed. The likelihood is that the level of people on the move in future will only grow, as has been mentioned, due to war and climate chaos. People move for a variety of reasons, including to escape war, conflict, oppression and poverty. They want to make a better life for themselves and their families. All of us want the same things. We want to earn enough to suppo…

I also want to offer my support to my colleagues on the motion on Gaza. I commend Senator McDowell on bringing it forward. I have spoken a lot here over the last couple of months about breast density. During the week, I received the following communication from a constituent, which I will read out: Dear Nessa, I am a 51-year-old woman who was recently called for my first mammogram, which took place in Sligo. I had heard you speaking on Ocean FM about breast density and so I asked a professional operating the machin…

We have all said it here today that sport is at the heart of every community in Ireland, both rural and urban. There is a GAA club with a presence in nearly every parish on our island of Ireland, as well as in the UK, Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australasia, Asia and every continent of the world inhabited by humans where there are people who have Irish roots or identify with their Irish roots. This shows the intrinsic value we place on sport as an expression not just of our nationhood but also as of our identity …

I have just spotted Keith Henry in the Visitors Gallery. There might be a Ballymote bunch here. Most people probably know that Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of an infected tick. This is a potentially serious illness, but it can be prevented through a number of precautions. When Lyme disease is contracted, it can be treated with antibiotics if it is diagnosed in time. If it is not diagnosed or not treated early enough, Lyme disease can have devastating consequences for those w…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Could I get a commitment that all local authorities will be obliged to put up signs? Some have. Kilkenny County Council is bringing it onstream as well. The long-term side-effects are so detrimental and it is something that can be prevented with a bit of awareness. For example, there are signs in Cork. There is a Lyme Resource Centre. There are two QR code on the signs. People can scan one of the QR codes with their phone and that will bring them straight to the HSE i…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am going to return again to the matter of the western rail corridor and the other examples of significant underinvestment and neglect relating to the rail network in the west and north west. I will be echoing much of what Senator Duffy said. Most of these matters I have raised in one form or another since I have been in the Seanad and the transport committee. I could be called a trainspotter at this stage. However, the trouble with being a trainspotter in the north west is that you ar…

My request is very basic and relates to the need for the Minister for education to make a statement on the status of Scoil Mhuire's application for a new school building in Carrick-on-Shannon. I will give a bit of background information. Scoil Mhuire is the largest primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon, which is a very big and ever-growing town in County Leitrim. The school is located right in the middle of Carrick-on-Shannon and was one of the earliest proponents of the amalgamation of the two schools. The schools …

There is, therefore, no date or commitment yet. I ask the Minister of State to look favourably on this matter. He mentioned that the impact of climate change is part of the assessment. I will cite an example of how unfair it is when there are two campuses. In 2024, schools were encouraged to apply for solar panels. As there are two school campuses, only one application was accepted but the school still has two electricity bills. A new Gaelscoil in Carrick-on-Shannon, which is very welcome, was afforded €4.5 million…

One school will become run down and one will serve an affluent area. Middle-class children will attend one school and Scoil Mhuire will be cynically run down because of the lack of an appropriate school building. Scoil Mhuire submitted an application in 2016. It is the main national school in Carrick-in-Shannon, so a new school building is a matter of urgency.

I commend Senators Ryan and Murray on introducing this Bill. I also suffered early miscarriage loss. As Senator Ryan said, every loss matters. No matter what the stage of one’s loss, it will place a physical, emotional and psychological trauma on one. Under the current system, women losing a child at under 23 weeks often find themselves having to return to work, many still experiencing very physical symptoms such as bleeding and cramps, which only adds to the emotional and psychological suffering experienced. This …

I welcome the Minister. Fáilte, a Aire. Thankfully, at this stage, there is general society acceptance at all levels that bereavement and loss are not restricted to those who are formally and legally married but, as we have said here today, this was not always the case. This Bill is largely thanks to the campaigning work of Johnny O'Meara of Tipperary in highlighting the glaring inequality of treatment between married and unmarried couples. I welcome the intent demonstrated in the Bill to extend pension rights to s…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I am delighted to be having this conversation and see there is such enthusiasm for this debate. All of us speak so warmly and fondly of the postal services because the post office network has traditionally played a special and significant role in all of Irish life, from before and after the foundation of our State. The local post office holds a special place, which we can see here, in people's affections. The services that are provided - we have all said this - go way beyond the r…

I want to raise the ongoing debacle and farcical situation regarding the placement of a surgical hub in the north west. I live in Sligo. We were assured that a surgical hub would be provided in Sligo University Hospital. We were assured by the Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin, that part of the deal of going in with the Lowry group was that the surgical hub would be based in Sligo. At a HSE regional health forum meeting in April, it was stated that plans were progressing and Sligo would be the base for the hu…

No one is disputing that we need a fair and efficient emigration and migration policy but the motions under discussion are serious in nature and will have a significant impact on the rights of people who have sought protection here. There is an inherent danger in rushing through any legislation and when legislation pertains to the rights of people who could subsequently be removed from this jurisdiction and therefore be unable to avail of any appeal process or rectification of errors, the legislation deserves prope…

I commend my fellow Senator, Nicole Ryan, on her honesty and bravery and for bringing home the importance of not only this Bill but also this amendment. I worked with children and young people in child protection for many years and I could see the shame she was talking about. I could see the realisation that "My house isn't like everyone else's house" and the long-term trauma caused as a result. Senator Ryan is fantastic. That is why she is a great Senator and will continue to be. It is for her bravery and her hone…

The Minister of State is very welcome and I thank him for coming in. I also welcome Sarah Benson. It is fantastic that she is here. I thank the original signatories of the Bill, Senator Clonan and the former Senator Martin, and Senator Noonan for introducing it again and allowing us to be part of it. I have just come back from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions biannual conference. The general secretary and the president of the ICTU raised what has become an epidemic of violence against women and girls. It is becom…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. As all the Seanadóirí have noted, we in Ireland produce food of the finest quality. In recent years, we have become increasingly aware of the importance of generating local markets for sustainable local products and services. I will focus in my contribution on farmers markets and the benefit they provide environmentally, economically and socially for local communities. Products and services that are delivered and consumed within the region in which they are created…

Should all native agrifood have bilingual packaging?

That would be great.