I too welcome the ambassador and wish all Austrian citizens here a very happy national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the order of references of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Defamation (Amendment Bill) 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.15 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 3, Housing Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Committee and Remaining Stages, t…

Go raibh maith agat. I also welcome the ambassadors to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I thank all the Senators for their contributions this morning. Senator O’Loughlin acknowledged the new role for Séamus Boland of Irish Rural Link and Macra na Feirme. We wish him well in his new role with the European Economic and Social Committee. I have no doubt that he will do a tremendous job. She also welcomed the advocacy of and progress made by Jason Poole and his sister regarding Jennie’s Law. I wish that undertaking …

I move: That Seanad Éireann – - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Michael Calnan; - 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 the people of Ireland.

I move: That, in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight pursuant to Standing Order 110 – (1) A Select Committee, which shall be called the Seanad Public Consultation Committee (“the Committee”), shall be appointed to facilitate direct engagement and consultation between members of the public and Seanad Éireann on specific issues related to the legislative powers of the Seanad or an issue of public policy. (2) The Committee shall consist of twelve members includ…

At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 4 November.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the appointment of members to the Seanad Select Committee on EU Scrutiny and Transparency, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, back from committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, statements on higher education, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude at 6…

I thank all the Senators for their contributions this afternoon, starting with Senator Rabbitte and Senator Scahill, who both raised the issue of Croí, and we know the valuable work it does in support of those who suffer from a heart condition, whether that be stroke, heart failure or heart attack. Both Senators are right that there is a need for greater awareness of the differences between a heart attack and heart failure and of the signs of stroke and what can be done. They mentioned a range of possible symptoms,…

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 111A of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following members be appointed to the Seanad Select Committee on EU Scrutiny and Transparency: Senators Garret Ahearn, Victor Boyhan, Pat Casey, Alice-Mary Higgins, Garret Kelleher, Eileen Lynch, Michael McDowell, Conor Murphy, Malcolm Noonan, Anne Rabbitte.

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 7th October, 2025.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach chuig Seanad Éireann. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht a bheith linn ar maidin chun cur i láthair a dhéanamh dúinn faoi chúrsaí sa tír seo agus trasna an domhain. Tá sé ráite go minic ag daoine liom, nuair a chastar orm iad, go bhfuil an domhan trína chéile faoi láthair, go háirithe in áiteanna cosúil le Gaza, an Bruach Thiar, an Úcráin, an Liobáin, an tSiria agus an Éimin. Tá guth láidir ag an tír seo, agus tá muid á úsáid san Eoraip, sna Náisiúin Aontaithe agus i gcruinnithe foirmiúl…

I propose that we restrict the speaking time of remaining Members to one minute to allow the Taoiseach to respond.

The Order of Business is No. 1, the third report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, on the amendment of Standing Order 111A, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 – Committee Stage (resumed) to be taken at 1 p.m. and to adjourn at 4 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 3, statements on the all-island rail review, to be taken at 4.30 p.m and to conclude at 6 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocat…

I thank all Senators for their contributions, starting with Senator O'Loughlin, who raised baby loss awareness and the great work of Féileacáin. I concur with her comments. Féileacáin should be supported at every opportunity. Senator O'Loughlin also raised an issue about a local library and complaints from people in relation to the use of space for people with disabilities. It is a worrying development. I hope that a resolution can be found and that the adults and children who were using those services find an alte…

As I understand it there will be a motion at 1 p.m.

It will be up to the other House to decide in relation to that. There will obviously be a thorough debate over the course of two hours on that. From experience at Cabinet and knowing other Ministers who have gone through this, it is a personal strain on them but it is part of the democratic process as well and we respect that. Senators Craughwell and Joe Conway raised the issue of defence spending and the €1.49 billion being spent on defence. They called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Harris. I will request…

At its sitting on 15 October 2025, Seanad Éireann passed the following resolution: That Seanad Éireann expresses its deep sadness on the death of James Doolan, 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 the people of Ireland.

I move: "That the report be adopted, laid before the House and printed."

The Minister of State is very welcome. First, I acknowledge and commend both the Department of Transport and the Government on commissioning the all-Ireland strategic rail review and the advocacy of the then Minister, Deputy Ryan, and that of the Minister of State. The review is a coherent document and it gives us a picture of where we are at the moment and where we can get to in that vision, which is important for our rail network. The renewed investment in the country's rail infrastructure is very welcome. For to…

I propose that we extend the sitting for an additional ten minutes. We will call the Minister of State to respond at 6 o'clock.

I welcome Delegate Kerr. I hope he has an enjoyable and productive stay. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements of the sitting of the House on Thursday, 16 October 2025, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025, referral to committee, to be taken upon the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, statements on budget 2026 - Department of Enterprise, To…