I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. He has five minutes.

The Minister of State is welcome. I acknowledge the work of my colleague, Senator Nelson Murray, in drafting this Private Members' business and advocating for businesses up and down the country that face issues with insurance. Insurance has been a huge issue in this country for some years. In fairness, the Government has done a lot. The 16.7% increase recommended for personal injury guidelines is excessive. I fully concur with Senator Nelson Murray on that. A lot of good work has been done by Governments in recent …

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement debate. The Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, is welcome. I am delighted to see a Minister of State actually from the Department of education taking an education Commencement debate. I am here to raise the plans for a new school for Scoil Chaitríona junior and senior school in Renmore. I previously raised a similar Commencement matter in, I would say, 2020 and the then Minister, Norma Foley, attended and replied on behalf of the Department. Since t…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and for offering to take this back to the Department. The Minister of State mentioned a further review of all decant options within the red-line boundary of the current school. Perhaps the Department is looking at facilitating the existing pupils within the existing site boundary. I am not sure whether that is feasible but, if the design team feels it is, that is progress and a solution. However, the school must be kept abreast of those developments as it is in limbo. The…

I welcome the ambassador and wish her and her people living in Ireland and across the globe on Sweden's national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on Ireland's economic outlook to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude at 3.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than t…

I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning, starting with Senator Rabbitte, who gave sound advice ahead of the bank holiday weekend and indeed ahead of the summer to those who will be swimming to take care, be safe, abide by signs and to swim near lifeguards. It is important that people take care over the weekend and over the summer. She quite rightly talked about the possibilities of advancing the curriculum with regard to swimming. We should certainly have a debate on that matter when there is an o…

Before we move on to the next speaker, I welcome the guests of Senator Goldsboro, who are students and teachers from Lisnamrock National School in County Tipperary. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy the day. I also welcome Karen and Grahame Cotterill, guests of Senator Mark Daly. I hope they enjoy the Senator's hospitality during the course of the day.

I thank the Minister for being here and accepting the invitation and for his contribution. I welcome the guests of Senator Aubrey McCarthy, Paul and Cheryl Fox and Brenda Lawlor from the Euromovers association. I hope they enjoy the Senator's hospitality for the rest of the evening. I also welcome Deputy Richard O'Donoghue and his guests to the Chamber. Finally, I welcome the Cathaoirleach and his guests to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and wish them well for their day here.

I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming to the Chamber today to discuss the important issue of competitiveness. I wish him well in his portfolio. It is safe to say the economy is strong and the employment statistics are very strong; however, as others have said, we must not be complacent. The threats from global uncertainty and tariffs from the United States have to be taken seriously. I am aware that the Minister has had a number of trade missions. The St. Patrick's Day visits, although sometimes frowned u…

Senator Noonan has two minutes remaining. He is sharing time with Senators Cosgrove and Stephenson. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next speaking slot is for Sinn Féin. I understand Senators Andrews and McCormack are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Plymouth branch, and Professor Catherine Shannon, who are guests of Deputy Paul McAuliffe. I hope you enjoy the Deputy's hospitality for the rest of the evening. I hope you enjoy the proceedings.

I welcome the ambassador and wish him and his people well for their national day. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 29 May 2025, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, statements on the local democracy task force, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokesperso…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. I will start with Senator O’Loughlin, who commented on her meeting in Athy with Jane Sanders and suggested that Bernie Sanders be invited to address the Seanad. It would be a matter for the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, CPPO, at a later date to determine whether that was in the offing. She also commended the Civil Defence on its 75th anniversary and raised the tragic case of Fiona Pender, as did Senator Clifford-Lee. Our thoughts are with Fiona’s …

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sitting of the Seanad on Thursday, 29th May, 2025: (a) Statements on Gaza. Statements on Gaza shall be taken at 9 a.m. and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 11 a.m. The opening contribution of the Minister shall not exceed 10 minutes, the contribution of Group Spokespersons shall not exceed 10 minutes, all other Senators shall not exceed…

I welcome the Minister of State. I wish him well in his endeavours and with the local democracy task force. I acknowledge the work by his predecessors John Paul Phelan, Deputy Peter Burke and senior Ministers on the Moorhead report. We need it fully enacted. I commend representatives of LAMA and the AILG on their work on behalf of elected members lobbying and making representations. Will the Minister of State provide clarity on town councils? I think he said they would not interfere in the workings of the municipal…

I move: "That notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Seanad today, statements on the local democracy task force shall conclude at 6.20 p.m., if not previously concluded."

I thank the Senator. The Minister of State has ten minutes to conclude.

Yes, go on.