Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. He is welcome to the House. I would like to discuss an issue about which a number of grieving families have contacted me recently. It is the delay in their ability to hold the funerals of their loved ones due to a hold-up in carrying out post mortems in a number of counties throughout the country. The problem can become even more acute at weekends and on bank holidays. As I am sure the Minister of State can appreciate, the delays in getting loved ones returned to them add another …

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I welcome the fact that a standing committee is looking at this issue to address the areas where a shortfall in the service exists. It is a very emotional and sensitive time for families and it is important that the State does all it can to ensure that the delay in conducting post-mortems is addressed as a matter of urgency. I am happy that all the relevant stakeholders are getting together to ensure an adequate service is available regardless of which p…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I thank my learned colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly, for sharing his time on this very important issue for the people of Cootehill. I thank Dr. Fiona O'Hanlon, Claire and Ms Kerry Mullen for their great work in Croílár na Drumlíní in Cootehill. They do an awful lot of volunteer work. They do excellent work for people of Cootehill and, indeed, the wider area. The one thing they are missing is a family resource centre base. They were disappointed the last time out wh…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, for the work they are doing in this area. I understand they have both introduced new policies and legislative changes to strengthen the system and ensure it is rules-based, efficient and aligned with other EU member states. As others have stated, we need a system that is fair but firm, and that respects both the dignity of the people trying to access better lives for themselves in…

Next Tuesday.

I, too, welcome Senator Boyle and the good people from Donegal to the Gallery this afternoon.

I was about to say that; the Chair beat me to it. Tá fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais chuig an Teach seo inniu. The Minister is very welcome back to the House this afternoon for this very timely debate in relation to our Defence Forces and the defence of our country. Indeed, I would like to commence where the Minister left off and acknowledge and thank the men and women of the Defence Forces for the fantastic service they give to this country. We are deeply proud that they act on our behalf and I would like to thank the…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon. Over recent years, I have frequently raised the issue of the retirement age of 70 years old for Bus Éireann drivers. Today, I raise it again, seeking an update. This practice discriminates against people who are capable of providing a valuable service, and a much-needed one at that. Many people, me included, feel it is unfair that drivers are not able to continue to drive a bus after their 70th birthday under Bus Éireann contracts. These people may …

I thank the Minister of State very much for his response. I welcome the fact the review is complete and hope we are getting near to the endgame with this. We cannot lose sight of the common-sense approach to all matters, and there is a very common-sense approach to this issue. Nobody is talking about being reckless here. Individuals of 70 years of age and older will have to pass the necessary medicals, have the necessary licence in place and all that. Surely to God we can find a role for those people who are fit, a…

We often hear about many acts of wanton vandalism that occur throughout the country. Unfortunately, at Drum Lough near Drum in County Monaghan last Sunday night we had one such incident that would leave you scratching your head. There is a jetty there that was constructed using recycled plastic over 20 years ago. It was constructed primarily to assist wheelchair users or anybody who has mobility issues to go onto the lake to do a spot of fishing or just relax. Someone decided it would a good idea to set the jetty a…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach ar maidin. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and I thank him for taking this Commencement even though it is not under his area of responsibility. Today, I wish to talk about the disability service for both adults and children in County Monaghan. We were delighted in November 2024 when the then Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte - now Senator - officially opened the Rainbow Lodge children's respite service in Urbalkirk, in County Monaghan. It was a de…

I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive response from the Minister, Deputy Foley. I very much welcome the commitment within that statement that funding has been ring-fenced, if I can use that word, to keep Rainbow Lodge operational until such time as a new facility is in operation. As I said earlier, there was some concern that perhaps that was not the case. This will go a long way to alleviating concerns that parents had voiced to me. On the development of adult respite services, mention was given to …

I too give a big céad míle fáilte to the good ladies from Lisdoonan, County Monaghan. They are all very welcome to the Chamber. I will take today's opportunity, like I have done on a number of occasions, to raise the chronic condition of local and regional roads in both counties Monaghan and Cavan. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of substantial development and funding in the road section, the net result of which is many local roads in both Monaghan and Cavan have reached a state where they are impassable. I am…

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this country and worldwide, killing more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer combined. I welcome a new initiative, a pilot scheme being undertaken by a number of GPs in north County Dublin and the Beaumont RCSI cancer treatment centre, which received over €4.9 million in funding from the Irish Cancer Society. The purpose of this screening programme is to identify at an early stage the signs of lung cancer so that treatment can…

Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Gabhaim buíochas leis mar tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé an-ghnóthach agus faoi bhrú. The Minister is very welcome. I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here. He has a lot going on and I appreciate his time in the Chamber. The rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, is a capital investment fund that has been hugely successful. It has transformed many towns and villages the length and breadth of the country, including in counties Cavan and …

I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive response to my Commencement matter. I thank his Department for the speedy way it is progressing this project, which the people of Kingscourt are hugely excited about. I commend everyone involved in this project, including Cavan County Council, the local development committees and everybody involved, along with all the political voices who have been trying to push this project forward, none more so than the local councillor, Clifford Kelly, who has been a champion for …

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon. Speaking on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on inland and marine fisheries. As the Minister of State knows, Ireland's waters are among the most valuable natural resources. With a coastline of approximately 7,500 km, one of the longest in the European Union, our maritime area is central to our economy, our environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities across the country. Fian…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Un…

I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."