I thank the Minister of State for coming here in person. I acknowledge Senator Boyle and Senator O'Donovan for leading off on this Private Members' business about the fishing sector. I do not believe it is ever too late to discuss any of our native and primary industries. In some ways, it has been the poor relation of agriculture, no doubt, since we joined the EEC, which is now the European Union. That is not to say it does not have a future and does not need continued assessment and support. I welcome the appointm…

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 – Second Stage, 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 the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 2, Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Pr…

I thank all Senators for their contributions this afternoon. One of the most common themes was recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, raised by Senators O'Loughlin, Clonan, Higgins, Duffy, Comyn, Flynn, McCormack and Cosgrove. I join them in paying recognition to this important day, and indeed 16 days of awareness-raising about violence against women. Senator O'Loughlin also talked about catfishing and the need for evolution of technology, and called for a debate with th…

The Order of Business is No. 1, report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval of Seanad Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2025 - back from committee, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude at 1 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 eight minutes, all other …

I thank all of the Senators for their contributions. The common theme was one of best wishes to Senator Wilson on his birthday. I join the other Members and wish him well. I hope he enjoys the day and the weekend.

I am a bit hoarse this morning. Senator Costello started off with a number of local organisations. I wish CARP Killinarden, the people behind the south Dublin age-friendly strategy and Tallaght TU Dublin well in their endeavours. In particular, I wish CARP Killinarden well on their 30 fantastic years working for the local community. Senator Boyle raised concerns about the domiciliary care application form. I agree with him that it is certainly onerous. For some parents, it can be arduous and take a long time, and a…

I move: That the fourth report of the Committee of Selection be laid before the Seanad.

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

We knew that.

The Minister of State is very welcome. I acknowledge the work done by him and the Minister on the housing plan. As I said yesterday, it is in all our interests that the plan succeeds. Investment in Irish Water and the requirements of the company are key to the delivery of homes. I compliment Uisce Éireann, in conjunction with Galway County Council, which has been working on this over the past 20 to 25 years, on the amount of work done in the Galway area. I can start with works in Moycullen, Oughterard, Clifden, Let…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and the former Minister, Deputy McEntee. When my colleagues and I wrote this motion, we wondered how it would be received. It has generally been received respectfully. Of course, there are differences - that is understandable - but thankfully we have had in general a respectful debate on what is a very important and sometimes emotive topic. There were 15 in my mother's family. Ten…

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. I welcome the Minister of State. There are three of us here who wish to raise this matter. It is an important issue. The former Minister, Deputy Ryan, in October 2024 on behalf of his Department and perhaps on behalf of the Government - I am not sure and maybe the Minister of State can clarify that - wrote to the President of the European Commission regarding the greening of our corporate fleets. It is a good idea. With An Post, the ministeri…

Given that the Minister of State is in that Department, has he any views on this matter in relation to the severity and impact? He has three colleagues who have raised this. It is a serious matter. Will the Minister of State be taking up with the Minister the concerns expressed by Members here? As I said, this could have serious impacts in relation to the car rental sector. While it does make sense in other sectors, I do not see it making sense and nor should it proceed in the present fashion in terms of the car re…

I welcome the Icelandic delegation, and I hope they enjoy their stay in Ireland. The Order of Business is No. 1, Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to be brought to a conclusion at 6 p.m. by one question put from the Chair, which shall in relation to amendments include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 2, motion regarding the earlier signature of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025, to be taken at the conclusion o…

I thank all Senators for their contributions today. There were three common themes. I join everyone here who expressed their sadness at the passing of Chloe, Alan, Shay, Dylan and Chloe in that tragedy in County Louth and expressed their sympathies to the parents, families and siblings. How difficult it must be for the siblings of all those who lost their lives. I also think of the communities and all of those who knew and loved the deceased. I certainly concur with Senator Gallagher that we should have a minute's …

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 Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2024 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30.

The Minister of State is welcome. I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. The Galway city ring road is a vital project, not just for Galway city but for Connemara and the region. It is something I have long spoken on. I have been a long-term supporter of not only the Galway city ring road but also its predecessor, the Galway city outer bypass. It has had a long and chequered history in terms of commencements, judicial reviews and hearings in the High Court, the Supreme Court and di…