I wish the Minister of State well in his role. I thank him for coming to the Seanad to provide his statement and listen to contributions from Members. I am certainly not an expert in this area. I will defer to colleagues like Senator Manus Boyle with his interest and work in this area over a long number of years. What I have heard from fishing communities over many years, and the Minister of State will have heard this himself, is that we were sold out in 1973, that the small fishermen have been sidelined, that the …

That is up to the Minister of State.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 - Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of the Order of Business, whichever is the later, and to adjourn at 6.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 6.30 p.m.; and No. 3, motion re the earlier signature of the Finance (Local Property Tax and Oth…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. A number of issues were raised but I will start with the one that was raised the most, which was student fees. It was raised by Senators Nelson Murray, Harmon, Scahill, Maria Byrne, Clifford-Lee, Duffy, Cathal Byrne, Boyle, Ahearn and Comyn. I draw people's attention to the programme for Government and to the Private Members' business that was debated in this House on 7 May. It was in the name of Fine Gael Senators and was supported by all parties. The Minister himself …

I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Finance (Local Property Tax and Other Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2025 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

I acknowledge public service broadcasting and the role of RTÉ in showing this footage and going undercover. When you query paying a television licence fee, this is public service broadcasting at its best, unpalatable as it may be to watch and as uncomfortable as it may be for family members, I am sure. I understand from talking to colleagues in the Portlaoise area that there were other family members who did not consent to the footage being shown, even blurred and obscured, because they did not want their loved one…

I also welcome the chargé d'affaires and Councillor Kelleher. I wish the chargé d'affaires well on her country's national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 50, motion 1, Private Members’ business in the name of the Fine Gael Senators, motion re dental services, to be taken at 1 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours; No. 2, Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin raised the recent annual report by Women's Aid and the concerning details disclosed within it. She was supported by Senators Nelson Murray and McCarthy on matters pertaining to Women's Aid. Senator O'Loughlin welcomed the targeted implementation plan and the 985 different actions. She also called for a special Oireachtas committee on gender-based violence. I would be supportive of that. I know the Senator can work through the Committee on Parliamentar…

I move: That the Third Report of the Committee of Selection be laid before Seanad Éireann.

I welcome the Minister of State. According to the Irish Dental Association, diseases of the mouth and oral cavity have a significant impact in terms of pain, suffering, impairment of function and reduced quality of life. To a large extent, oral diseases are entirely preventable. When they occur, however, the damage is not reversible and they can be among the most expensive to treat. That sums up the reason dental and oral health is hugely important. Looking at some of the statistics, according to the Department of …

I thank the Minister of State for that response and his engagement on this matter. Indeed, I thank all Senators for their contributions during the course of this debate. I think the role of Senators, including Government Senators and backbenchers, is not just to clap each other on the back and say we are all wonderful, but to be critical, to bring up flaws, shortcomings and shortfalls and to respond to the needs of our constituents and people who bring matters to our attention. We have done that in this debate. I s…

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

The Order of Business is Nos. 1 and 2, motions re the continuance in operation of certain provisions of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to be discussed together, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than te…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. I will begin with Senator O'Loughlin, who raised a number of issues. She wished those involved in the running of the 160th Irish Derby at the Curragh well. Kildare has a proud history of horse racing. She also mentioned a recent defamation case against Tattle Life, which I had not heard about until recently. I do not think I have been a subject on it, and I hope I will not be. However, those who have and who have been defamed have the right to seek recourse. The Defamat…

I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 32 of 2009) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2025 and ending on 29th June, 2026.

At 10.30 tomorrow morning.

I welcome the ambassador and wish her well on her national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025, all Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m.; with the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 1.45 p.m. 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; with the time allocated to the opening remarks by the Minister to the debate on Second Stage…

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I will start with Senator O’Loughlin, who talked of World Music Day and the importance of the harp. We all agree with that. She expressed concern regarding a course in Ballyfermot that has been cancelled. I do not have the specifics on that or the reasons it was cancelled. Obviously, it was due to funding but I am not sure if there were issues regarding tutors or demand. If the Senator tables a Commencement matter, she might receive a more accurate update. The Senat…

Now.