I ask the Deputy Leader at the earliest opportunity to arrange a debate in the House with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, about Circular 0002/2024, which was issued recently. I spoke to a number of principals in east Clare yesterday evening who made clear to me that this will impact significantly on the work they do as principals. As a result of this circular, they see a further erosion of the hours available to deal with children with special needs. The changes that have been taking place over time do no…

Much like others, I want to be associated with remarks in relation to the actions that need to be taken to address the crisis that has unfolded in the Gaza Strip. I had an opportunity to reflect on that yesterday. I again ask the Leader to try to arrange a debate in this House, if possible, at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss migration and related issues. I raised this issue before. Quite frankly, many politicians from all political parties over the years have tried to not engage in this debate, because…

I welcome the comments of the Tánaiste and a number of Ministers since yesterday evening and their forthright assessment of the current activities of the Israeli Government and the Israeli Defense Forces in the continued attack on the Gaza strip, particularly the ground offensive now under way in the Rafah region. The clear comments from the Tánaiste on behalf of the Government that, if this action continues at the intensity of the bombardment that has started and that is the stated intention of Prime Minister Neta…

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for bringing the Bill to the House. It is technical in nature, a tidying-up exercise resulting from a change in policy in how we manage our water systems. It brings to an end the sorry debacle that was the initial effort at charging for water. There are different views as to how that should have happened and I do not think we will ever reach a consensus on it but we are moving on and tidying up the legislative framework. That is to be welcomed. This opens up an opportun…

Next Tuesday.

I want to echo the sentiments expressed by Senator McDowell. Quite frankly, I was taken aback yesterday by the comments that were made by Deputy McDonald. I think Michelle O'Neill showed great insight and understanding of the situation, but the minute Deputy McDonald was asked about it, it was all about Sinn Féin and about what a great opportunity this would be for Sinn Féin, rather than the people they seek to represent up there. It seems to me that when they are just about to reach a consensus, the old triumphali…

Like others, I welcome the decision of the Supreme Court yesterday in the case of Johnny O'Meara and his family, who took what was a very difficult case for them, I am sure, Mr. O'Meara having lost his life partner and the mother of his three children. Unfortunately, the State challenged the case every step of the way and did so again in the Supreme Court at a time when we are preparing to go out to campaign to change what we understand to be the conventional notion of what a family is. I know there is potential fo…

There are one or two or three Senators who will trot in here and make some outrageous comment and it is gone, and we do not get a chance to challenge it. I would therefore like an open and frank debate here in which those who clearly have a different view from me get an opportunity to debate it and to challenge the Minister on their 30-second sound bites. It gives all us of an opportunity to broaden the debate so that at least the reportage of what happens here then has all of the facts laid out rather than a caref…

It is a sad day for many of us to see Senator Norris reach a point where he has decided to hang up his work in this House. I had the pleasure of getting to know him when I was first elected to the House in 2002. On behalf of a bunch of us then newcomers, I thank him for the way in which he assisted us in feeling at home. It was quite a daunting encounter for the many of us who were elected for the first time to come into a Chamber which is intimate in nature and in which there were powerful speakers and great orato…

I join Senator Seery Kearney in complimenting the group in situ and recognise her for the work she has done. Of course, others have rightly identified that there was an issue that needed to be resolved, but her perseverance, personal interest and legal knowledge and expertise have been very helpful in ensuring parents like her and others will be treated appropriately by Irish law and not be disenfranchised as they have been to date. That is great work. If she had done nothing else, although she has done a lot more,…

They did not want communications around there.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this important issue. She will be aware the agency responsible for the grading of cattle for the various beef schemes has carried out a reclassification in recent weeks. As a result, cows, heifers and bulls that would have been given five-star ratings based on the index have been downgraded. To show the consequences, let me give the example of a farmer in north Clare. Last March, he purchased a Simmental bull with a five-star grading for €4,500. In recent days…

I welcome the Minister of State’s outline of the situation and thank her for that. I believe the Department will have to look at the significant support for farmers who have taken a disproportionate hit in terms of loss of value due to the star rating changes. I ask the Minister of State and the Minister to consider some kind of a programme of compensation that would assist in that. I get that there are some farmers whose position will improve, and best of luck to them, but I am always concerned about the loser her…

Anyone in this House or outside who had the opportunity to see the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last night will recognise the important work that is done by RTÉ as a public service broadcaster. At a time when we are challenged with regard to the funding of such an organisation, it should be a reminder to us that we have a duty as public representatives to ensure that we try to rebuild that funding model to ensure that organisation continues to do its excellent work. The content of the programme was shocking but it …

I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's support.

Apologise and withdraw.

For identifying-----

I join with the Leader in welcoming the students from St. Gerald's College, Castlebar. I thank Harry Gaughan for organising the visit. I had the pleasure of having him on an internship programme for several days a week as part of his schoolwork. He showed great interest and was anxious that his team would come and join him. His team is a big team. If Harry ever decides to go into politics, he will have a fairly significant canvassing team around him. We might not have as much excitement today as we did in the days …

The Senator may have misunderstood. I was talking about the public airways.

I, too, want to be associated with the remarks about the late Tras Honan, somebody whom I knew well. Long before I was elected to this House, I got to know her and I served with her on a number of committees. She was a forthright and brilliant woman, a wonderful character. She had a very insightful mind. There will be an opportunity, I am sure, here for us to express sympathies in greater detail when her family are present. I join with others in expressing revulsion at the horrific knife attack that saw three child…