It is one factor but it is an important factor and is the basis of the argument here, which is that it does not cater for the role of Galway city as a regional capital. It relates only to the population living in the city and not the population that it serves, many of whom are from the county, and the many who come for healthcare from Mayo or Donegal who also use the roads and the services. That is the whole point. I do not think it relates to the actual role that Galway city has as a regional capital. This is why …

I concur with all the Cathaoirleach said in relation to Dr. Martin Mansergh, who was a man of immense talent. I extend my condolences to his family, loved ones and his colleagues in Fianna Fáil. The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on school transport, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to opening remarks from the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four mi…

I thank all Senators for their contributions, the majority of which raised the untimely passing of Dr. Martin Mansergh. We will have an opportunity to agree a motion later expressing condolences and sympathy with his family and with our colleague, Senator Clifford-Lee, on the passing of her mother, Mary. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse. Senator O'Loughlin raised the 20-point peace plan between the United States and Israel. I certainly hope it will yield the results we all desperately want. I have stated oft…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Dr. Martin Mansergh; - 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.

The Minister of State is welcome. I thank him for facilitating us in the Seanad with statements on an important and topical issue. It is raised every year. I agree that the overall experience is positive. We often do not hear from the people who are happy and do not have an issue. That is a part of life. Many children are brought to school every day without any issue. There are always concerns around the students who are not attending their nearest schools and those who fall just outside the thresholds for primary …

I, too, welcome the ambassador and wish her well on her country's celebrations. I know Malta's national day was on Sunday. I am sure the celebrations are still going on. I had the pleasure of visiting Malta some years ago. It is a beautiful country and the ambassador is welcome here this morning. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of appointments of members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; N…

I thank all Senators for their contributions here this morning. We started with Senator Anne Rabbitte, who rightly raised the issue of misinformation regarding autism, paracetamol and vaccinations. It is deplorable. I am not qualified to say what vaccines or drugs anyone should take for any illness. That is why we have the Irish medical agency, the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. They are the ones that provide expert advice to our GPs and other medical profession…

They will advocate for themselves in the coming weeks and the Irish people will decide. The processes are laid down in the 1937 Constitution, as I said yesterday, which was voted on by the people. People are free to make up their own minds about who they choose they nominate. A lot of pressure was brought to bear on certain individuals. At least that pressure now ends as the nomination process has now closed. I wish all three candidates the best of luck over the coming weeks. I hope it will be a respectful debate o…

I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government agreed on 10th September, 2025 to propose, for the approval of Seanad Éireann, the appointment or reappointment, as the case may be, of the persons concerned to be members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, and pursuant to sections 9 and 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act, 2015, approves the appointment of Simon Barry and William Abrahamson with effect from 1st October, 2025, by the Government to be members of the Legal Services Regulatory Author…

The Minister of State is welcome. I join others in commending her on her stewardship of this Bill, on her work over the years and that of her officials and, of course, the committee, whose members have done Trojan work in their scrutiny of the proposals here. This is a very necessary Bill but it is very complex; I appreciate that. It is complex but crucial legislation that seeks to strengthen the protection given to those who are experiencing severe mental illness and who require admission to a health facility on a…

Before I read out the Order of Business, I welcome Martin to his post and wish him every success over the coming years. I pay tribute to Bridget and the other Martin for their sterling work and support over the past number of years. They were both the height of professionalism in their duties. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re arrangements for the sitting of the Seanad until 2 October 2025, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; and No. 2, statements on migration, to be taken…

I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning, starting with Senator Fitzpatrick, who spoke of the Taoiseach’s remarks to the UN General Assembly on world conflicts, in particular in Gaza, and of the need for recognition of the Palestinian state, as well as the recognition of the Palestinian state by a number of countries over the course of the weekend. We welcome that. The Senator also discussed issues relating to energy prices and requested that the Minister come in to discuss those in advance of the …

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, up to six Commencement matters may be selected by the Cathaoirleach for discussion on each day the Seanad sits from 25th September, 2025 and up to and including 2nd October, 2025.

The Minister of State is very welcome. I thank him for coming in to debate the matter of migration. I acknowledge his work and that of the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, in the Department over the last period since this area has come back to the Department of justice. First of all, I want to join with the Minister of State in condemning racist attacks and the attacks that took place over the summer on young Indian children. That is deplorable, and it needs to be rightly condemned. I acknowledge the work of the Minis…

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

I also wish the ambassador well on her return home and thank her for her stay in recent years in Ireland. I too wish her well on her national day.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 – Committee Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to adjourn at 1.15 p.m. if not previously concluded.

I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning. I will start with Senator Anne Rabbitte who mentioned the particular case, or cases, of compulsory purchase orders, CPOs, in Galway. People had lands acquired for infrastructure projects, which in this case was for road widening and road realignment, but have not been paid. It is not good enough and the Senator is right to raise the matter. For any landowner to be waiting more than ten years to get paid is not good enough. In the first instance, I will rais…

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter this morning. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, to the Chamber to discuss a Galway project. It is great to have a Galway Minister of State who also has a huge interest in rail. Light rail for Galway is a concept that first emerged in the 1970s when the then Chamber of Commerce visited Freiburg in Germany to see how their system served that city. Each decade since there have been renewed calls for a light rail system to service th…

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response. I note the comments of the NTA that it is appropriate to wait for An Coimisiún Pleanála's determination on the Galway city ring road. The concern is that it will be possibly late next year when a decision will be made. The Galway city ring road, if it has to go some sort of oral hearing, may take that long and then there may be court challenges. What determination is the NTA waiting for? Is it waiting for the final determination from the courts or are th…