Senator Kyne is looking for the Minister, Deputy Harris, to come to discuss this morning's welcome announcement. The announcement one year ago that the Minister was offering new routes for our young people to get third-level education outside of the CAO points system was welcome. The fact we are doubling the offering so quickly is a real intention to recognise that the CAO process is sometimes difficult. I have done it three times with three of my eldest children - two perfectly, and one completely messed up - and …

I thank the Senator. Senator Conway spoke about the Wayfinding Centre, which is a lovely and wonderful initiative that was opened by Vision Ireland yesterday with the support of certain Departments. It allows people with mobility issues to access public modes of transport, to make sure they can navigate them and, if they cannot, for the State to learn why they cannot so we can make changes. It is really wonderful. As I have said, Senator O'Loughlin opened today's proceedings by talking about the wonderful woman of …

Sure. I think I will be finished by then. I echo the Cathaoirleach's words about the €50 million announced unanimously, supporting the decision made by all 27 leaders this morning to allocate €50 million of current MFF funding. It shows the strength of unity in the European Union behind Ukraine against the illegal invasion by Russia. The €50 million will be made up of grants and loans to the Ukrainian people through the MFF. This legislation will allow us to increase Ireland's allocation to current 2022 to 2027 MFF…

Next Tuesday.

I propose a suspension until 1.15 p.m.

I probably will not take five minutes. I want to concentrate on the ask. I commend my colleagues on the breadth of this motion. I thank them for their commitment over the last couple of years. They have done a stellar job. I know they could do ten times as much if they were let but I put on record that their commitment really shines through. I commend the HSE on the near-annual recruitment of NCHDs. We have this two-year rotation and go off to other countries to make sure we get our doctors back so that we have jun…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

On our group's part and our party's part, I express the real sadness we felt about the news we got about John Connor's passing on Saturday. I will not outline again his esteemed career, which you have just outlined for us, a Chathaoirligh. He was undoubtedly a public servant to his core. While you are correct in saying he was a man of real intellect, he was probably one of the most humble people you could talk to. There was no hifalutin loftiness about him. He knew as much about international affairs as he knew abo…

The Order of Business is No. 1, the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken today at 12.45 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after three hours by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 2, motion regarding statement for the information of voters in relation to the Thirty-ninth A…

I thank the Chair and everybody here. I did not realise until recently the value of kindness and how much it means to people when they are distressed, so thank you. Senators Conway, Ahearn and Dolan, led by Senator Casey, are looking for a debate on the hospitality sector. We hear daily of the struggles, not just from Adrian Cummins, who is famous in nearly every household at this stage, but also from so many hard-working people who are supplying not only jobs but also the services that most of us rely on in our to…

I move: That Seanad Éireann - - expresses its deep sadness on the death of former Senator Tom Hussey; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution, as a member of Seanad Éireann, to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to his locality and the entire Irish people.

Tairgim: GO ndéanfar an ráiteas atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Rún seo a fhorordú mar eolas do vótálaithe, de bhun alt 23 d'Acht an Reifrinn, 1994 (Uimh. 12 de 1994), i ndáil leis an togra chun an Bunreacht a leasú, atá ar áireamh sa Bhille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023, agus is ábhar do reifreann bunreachta. An Sceideal An Bille um an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023 – Páipéar Ballóide Uaine Ráiteas mar Eolas do Vótálaithe Fiafraítear díot sa reifreann seo an …

It is younger people are retiring these days. I wish Tom every happiness and continued joy as he retires. All of our staff who work around here, particularly our ushers, are consummate professionals. Tom's kindness and wisdom during my time here has been hugely beneficial. I want to genuinely thank Tom for everything he has done for me, on behalf my Fine Gael colleagues and indeed all of us. The Order of Business today is No. 2, Appropriation Bill 2023 - all Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m., and the proceedings th…

I will start by addressing the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023. Senator Boyhan referred to the scheduling of debates and the calendar of the Parliament and the Seanad. To be clear, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill is incredibly important legislation and will make enormous leaps to help our Garda Síochána, as the Cathaoirleach suggested, continue to do its job, which is keeping us safe. It is getting more challenging, as we all know, week in, week out. It is a Bill that needs robust…

I am sure she is here in her office.

The proposal will be to adjourn sine die. I want to add my voice to the sentiments expressed about the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza. I welcome Senator Higgins back. It is lovely to see her. I could never put into words what she expressed this morning. She is very eloquent. She admits she is emotional but that is what makes her contributions so powerful because she is very personal. I really hope that she spoke for all of us today. I thank her for her contribution and acknowledge everybody else's good wishes.…

I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning. The issues myself and Senator Craughwell are raising predate his tenure as Minister of State at the Department of Transport but they are current issues. We have been raising these concerns in the Seanad for months. The process to award the tender for the new search and rescue contract is utterly flawed. I refer to the exclusion of the Irish Air Corps, because they had suggested they would use an AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter, and the subsequent awarding o…

There is something really worrying in the Minister of State's response. He is telling me that the CHC contractor must fully co-operate with the Minister in the transfer arrangements. Is he telling me that the Minister stands over the fact that 80% of the staff of one of our bases will be gone from January before that base becomes fully operational in October 2024, therefore, putting people's lives at risk? Are these the instructions and direction of the Minister and the Department who the Minister of State says are…

I would like to support the UN request for a ceasefire in Gaza. I do not say that due to any particular ideology. I think I stood here a number of weeks to say that Israel had an absolute right to defend itself arising from that horrific attack on 7 October, but I think we can all see the humanitarian need and the needless loss of life on our screens every single hour. I support our Taoiseach on what he said yesterday. I absolutely support the chairman of the UN in his relentless request for a humanitarian ceasefir…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the orders of reference of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude no later than 1.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and that time may be shared, and the Minister to be given no less tha…