I am practically tearing my hair out as, I know, is Senator Chambers, about the inequality in our healthcare services around the country. Time and time again, we are told that things are opening up for women in maternal healthcare and they simply are not. We are not seeing it on the ground. We should not have to take to Instagram, which I have seen countless women do, or Twitter and Facebook to shout for our own rights. It should be a given that there is transparency within our healthcare system with regard to mate…

I thank the Fine Gael Senators, particularly Senator Seery Kearney, for their work on this and welcome the Minister. Young people have had a particularly difficult couple of years. The fact that we are talking about this today shows that we value them and acknowledge that difficult period and that we must make moves to ensure it does not have a negative impact on their lives. One thing about which I am particularly passionate is youth participation. Since the children's right referendum in 2012, we have seen a step…

I welcome the Minister. In order to tackle the housing crisis, of which every one of us is acutely aware and, I believe, wants to solve, the boom to bust nature of housing must be eliminated. Cost rental is the key that will free us from this boom-to-bust housing model that has dominated Ireland. Given time, it will calm the market across the board and allow people to have a forever home. It allows people to rent their home for the duration of their lives, at a rate that depends on their income. They can rent a hom…

Senator, you want to raise a point. You can raise a point of order.

You cannot have a conversation across the Chamber. The point has been made and it has been answered. I call Senator Boylan.

I have been informed that they word "lying" should not be used in the Chamber.

Senator Boylan, I will give you some more time.

Senator, if you want to interrupt, you can ask for that. Do not speak across the Chamber.

What is the point of order?

I am unsure of the accusation, Senator.

We will move on without interruption.

The Senator can be allowed to continue without interruption. She has chosen not to withdraw.

I thank the Senator.

The Senator had two minutes to allow for that time.

I thank Senator Ward.

When is it proposed to sit again?

It is good to be here in the convention centre again, where Deputies have been sitting. Contrary to some perceptions, it is not costing the State any more money. It is being paid for today because Deputies are in later today. Often I stand up here and speak about breastfeeding, periods and the different stages in the lives of women. One thing I have not spoken about is something I was alerted to yesterday. There is a conversation ongoing in Irish society about the menopause. The fact is that we do not talk about it…

The Senator can engage with the Minister of State afterwards.

I thank Senator Seery Kearney and the Fine Gael group for bringing this motion forward. It is timely and important following the Covid-19 pandemic. On many occasions I have found myself saying in the House that Covid-19 has had a huge impact on a particular section of society. It is absolutely true that it has deeply impacted those on the margins of society in ways we will be addressing for some time to come. However, when it comes to those who are cared-for as mentioned in this motion, such as older persons, vulne…

It is good to see Senator Casey in the Chair today. I thank the Minister for Education for coming in to the Seanad today and it is very much appreciated. I wish to refer to the Galway Educate Together Secondary School and Cuan na Gaillimhe Community National School, which is a Steiner school. I have spoken to the Minister about them before and I mentioned one of them on the floor of the Seanad during the Order of Business. It took many years of activism and parents really pushing for the Galway Educate Together Sec…