It is lovely to see Senator Gallagher in the Leader's chair today. In April 2021, there were 2,919 people on the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. Some 18 months later, the number has risen to 4,127. In October 2021, there was just shy of 10,000 children on primary care psychology waiting lists. Many mental health services across the country are only open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most children and young people can only access out-of-hours mental health treatment through …

It is lovely to see the Minister in the Chamber. A €169 million winter plan to run from October 2022 to March 2023 was announced on 11 October 2022. Then Senator Buttimer asked for debate on it during the Order of Business the following day. In December 2022, Senator Maria Byrne asked for a debate on the winter plan in the new year in light of the failure to meet targets in recruiting consultants. No debate was ever scheduled and the Minister never came in - not that this matters anyway. Every year, we have a winte…

Hear, hear.

Senator McDowell has spoken very eloquently on the thrust of the Bill and I commend Senator Byrne for bringing this forward. I also have sympathy and agree with the intention and thrust of the Bill. All persons should be able to live in their homes at peace and without fear of abuse, attack and harassment. Some people have spoken about us as politicians, as if we are some sort of precious beings within these Houses. However, we have county councillors throughout this country who are also having their homes attacked…

I am not saying literally in Leitrim. People tend to be poor at estimating distance. From Leinster House 200 m takes one physically into Merrion Square Park or onto the Trinity campus. If one were in the canteen 200 m possibly takes one onto Stephen's Green. That might need to be looked at. Somewhere between 20 m and 50 m would be much more appropriate. The Bill needs quite a lot of work. I would like to see tighter provisions and protections for the right to assembly and freedom of speech included within the Bill,…

I second the proposal.

She was pushed.

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I agree with much of this motion. No one should have to fear for their safety in the course of doing their jobs, least of all those who are out serving our communities day in and day out, as are our bus drivers. The motion states, "this increase is dissuading the public from utilising the transport network". It absolutely is. Reducing fares on public transport was a great call. Making it safe by having constant, regular security on board and making it nice, clean …

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

Please do.

Please do.

It is good to see the Cathaoirleach in the Chair today. Having come back from our Christmas break, we should waste no time beating around the bush. We need to address the single most important issue in this country at the moment: the Government's unsustainable immigration policy and what the Government's response will be to the public's reaction to its failure. As protests continue across the country, the Government must decide what its response will be. Will it double down, insisting that the policies in question …

I am nearly finished. Last week, the Minister stated that Ireland will not be able to find accommodation for all of the refugees and asylum seekers arriving here in the coming weeks. A few months ago, this fact would have been viewed as dangerous-----

-----right-wing rhetoric. Will the Leader please let us have a debate on this issue in the House so that it can be openly debated? Let us look after the people who have come into this country.

It is wonderful for me to address Senator Buttimer as Cathaoirleach. I wish him and his husband, Conchobar, all the best. I am sure that it is a very proud moment for them both. Senator Boyhan was one of the first people that I came to know when I walked in these doors. He is leader of the Independent group of which I am a member. Today was not his day to shine but he has shone every day for me since I came into these Houses. The adversity that he has overcome to sit in these seats in Seanad Éireann has been specta…

I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh. May I say something if you do not mind? Nobody has thanked Aisling.

I am sorry.

I thank the Minister of State for his role in respect of local government over the past two and a half years. He has probably been the most effective Minister for local government and councillors in a very long time, particularly regarding how he has respected the role of local government in our democracy. The pay rise was very much welcomed by councillors around the country along with the supports the Minister of State put in place for them to do their work. This Bill is yet another support mechanism that is parti…

I want to recap the year I have had in here. Some of it has been good and some not so good. One of the best things was the coffee morning we had here on 9 March in solidarity with Ukraine. Some 35 ambassadors came in to show solidarity with the Ukrainian ambassador. We raised over €13,000 for the Red Cross that morning. Then we had the surrogacy committee. Although I might not have got a mention here yesterday, I believe I contributed the alternative voice at that committee. It is important to hear other voices in …