The Order of Business is No. 48, motion 1, Private Members' business in the name of the Fine Gael Senators, a motion regarding higher education, to be taken at 5.15 p.m., with the time allocated for the debate not to exceed two hours.

I thank all Senators for their contributions here today. Senator O'Loughlin and Senator Nelson Murray raised the issue of insurance. I know certainly that Senator Nelson Murray has been a strong advocate for insurance reform, the limiting of unjust claims and, as result, trying to keep insurance costs low for businesses. I will ask the Minister to come in to the House to have a debate on this very important issue. Senator Boyle again raised the issue of the National Ambulance Service and gave the testimony regardin…

The Minister is welcome. He is the third custodian of this Department at Cabinet level since its formation. I wish him well in the years ahead. There has been considerable innovation in recent years, including the creation of the technological universities which have worked very well. We now need to look at the future investment in those, including the borrowing framework for student accommodation within our technological universities. This is a very important commitment in the programme for Government, and I hope …

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024, Second Stage, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 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 and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Private Members' business, Protectio…

I thank all the Senators for their contributions this morning. Senator O'Loughlin raised the important issue of concern on the global lay-off of 20,000 employees by Intel. We certainly hope Intel in Kildare is not impacted. The Senator has called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Burke, on competitiveness. Senator Stephenson also called for a debate on the issues of the minimum wage and the delay to the putting in place of the living wage until 2029. The Minister has indicated a concern regarding the living wa…

Yes, I know, absolutely, but it went too far, and I think they are feeling the backlash on that now. However, the Senator is right, of course, that there is no comparison between their comments and the atrocities in Gaza. Senator Comyn raised the issue of special school places as well. I will request a debate on that matter as soon as possible.

That concludes statements on youth diversion. I welcome Rob Lahiffe, who works with the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and guests to the Chamber. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re expressions of sympathy on the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, statements on forestry, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude at 6.30 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 and time may be shared, and the Minister to …

I have no problem agreeing to Senator Fitzpatrick's request. I thank all Senators for their contributions. Martin Groves is in good company, having been mentioned in the same breath as Pope Francis. I have spoken to Martin and, if he wishes and in his own way, we will see what he is comfortable with in terms of valediction at a future date. He will certainly appreciate all the comments here today. I acknowledge all the tributes to Pope Francis - we will have a minute's silence after the Order of Business - and to a…

Okay. I hope the Taoiseach will come to the House before the summer recess. This is a matter the Senator may wish to raise. He does raise valid points on the importance of faith. There are many people of faith both in words and in deeds as well, which is important.

I move: That, as a tribute of respect to the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, Seanad Éireann sends an expression of its profound sadness and sympathy on the death of The Holy Father to His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

I welcome the Minister of State and the review of the national planning framework being legislated for. The 2018 framework provides a basis for review and revision. It allows us to guide and tweak policy, based on the needs of 2025, while at the same time not reinventing the wheel. We need to plan for the million or thereabouts extra people that we will have in the country between now and 2040, never mind those who are already here, who we have to house, employ and care for. This is a very significant challenge. We…

It would be a game changer and I have been a long-term supporter of it. Galway city is the earmark for the minimum target population of 122,000 by 2040. This would be an increase of 36,000. It is a tall order when one considers the traffic issues around the city and the lack of progress on the Ardaun concept, which was a new town that was envisaged back when Adamstown was being envisaged and commenced in Dublin. It is a new town immediately to the east of the city near where the motorway ends. We have not seen a lo…

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2023 – Report Stage and Final Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m.

I thank all Senators for their contributions on today's Order of Business, starting with Senator Goldsboro who raised matters pertaining to the Department of Education. I will ask the Minister to come in for a debate on matters of special education. A lot of progress has been made by her and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan. They have made a good start and I hope they will continue that work. I will ask the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to come to the House to talk about funding for the National Education…

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on flooding, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 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 and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 4, Private Members' business from the Labour Party, Prohibition of Advertising or Importu…

Okay.