We will take approximately 11 minutes and five minutes, respectively.

The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber. It goes without saying that older people have made an incredible contribution to this country. The economic and social success of this Republic is due to the major work, sacrifice and care of previous generations. Many of our older citizens were parents in difficult times in the 1950s and 1960s when money was scarce, opportunities were few and emigration was often the only option left. There resulting sadness and separation were features of the rest of the lives of p…

I will not take five minutes. I thank the Minister of State and his officials for being here. I also thank the Minister of State regarding his enthusiasm for the important role he holds. It is important to say that life expectancy figures place Ireland ahead of the EU average reflecting the country's strides in healthcare improvements over successive Governments. That is important, as is the family support many people receive. Ireland has the fifth highest life expectancy in the EU at 82.6 years. That did not happe…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Order of Business, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the restoration of Bills to the Order Paper, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; and No. 3, the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024 - Second Stage, to be taken at 5.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minute…

I thank all Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin raised a number of issues, including congratulating the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Rossa Mulcahy. We all join her in wishing the Irish team well at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. She also raised issues regarding biodiversity and section 39 workers. I will ask if we can get a statement on those matters at a later date. Senator Nelson Murray spoke about St. Ultan's school in Meath and made a ver…

I move: That the Leader of the House be called to reply to the Order of Business no later than 55 minutes after the proposal of the Order of Business; the contribution of each group leader shall not exceed three minutes; the contribution of every other Senator shall not exceed two minutes; and the reply of the Leader of the House shall not exceed ten minutes.

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 180 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Bills which lapsed by reason of the Seanad General Election, January, 2025, and are set out in the Schedule to this motion, shall be restored to the Order Paper at the stage specified in the Schedule below:

The Minister of State is welcome. I congratulate him on his appointment. I remember all those who lost their lives in maritime accidents across the country - those whose bodies have been recovered and those whose remains, unfortunately, have not been recovered. I imagine it is a very personal and tragic issue for all families of those who have lost their lives. Maritime safety, like safety in any industry or profession, is important. The Minister of State acknowledged in his contribution that he wanted "to take thi…

Okay. Some of them were there. The report made recommendations on the Department of Transport establishing its own investigation unit. It seems counterintuitive to talk about a body having more independence by putting it back under the Department rather than having it on the outside. Ordinarily, we would say we wanted a body to have more independence by removing it from the control of the Minister and the Department and having it outside. As I said, I find that rather counterintuitive, but that is the recommendatio…

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re appointment of members to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion re appointment of members to the Committee of Selection, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, statements on the response to Storm Éowyn, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the M…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin raised the matters of roads funding and bridge rehabilitation works. She asked for more specific funding for bridges. She will have an opportunity to raise the issue with the Minister. I will try to organise a debate on roads funding at some stage. The Senator also raised the issue of agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, payments, which has been ongoing for a number of years. Delayed payments have created challenges for farmers who expect pay…

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 110 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following members be appointed to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight: Senators Garret Ahearn, Pat Casey, Paul Daly, Laura Harmon, Alice-Mary Higgins, Maria McCormack, Michael McDowell, Fiona O’Loughlin, Joe O’Reilly.

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 109 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following members be appointed to the Committee of Selection: Senators Garret Ahearn, Victor Boyhan, Pat Casey, Paul Daly, Seán Kyne, Maria McCormack, Fiona O’Loughlin, Joe O’Reilly, Lynn Ruane, Patricia Stephenson.

I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his promotion to his new role. Storm Éowyn brought some of the most severe winds we have ever experienced since records began, with speeds of 184 km/h recorded at Mace Head and Carna in County Galway. At that point, the recording equipment stopped and lost power. Thankfully – if there is something to be thankful for – the storm happened at night when the majority of people were in bed. I join the Minister in the commiseration expressed to the family of Kacper Dudek, th…

The Minister is welcome. I thank my colleagues in Fianna Fáil for tabling this Private Members' motion this afternoon on the very important area of transport. It is clear that there has been considerable investment over the years and the decades but many more projects need to be brought to fruition. It is important that we see progress not only on delivery but also in terms of the planning. For those that have not been delivered, there needs to be at least a route and a plan towards their delivery. The Minister men…