I thank the Cathoirleach for bringing forward a proposal for a formal vote of sympathy for the former Fianna Fáil Senator Mary White. When I think of Mary White, I think of a very successful entrepreneur, a politician, a republican who espoused the values of a true republic and someone who spent much of her time on this. I knew her well and she was a great friend of mine and a great visitor to my home. I had many a long day and evening with both her and Padraic. They were an incredible, dynamic couple. For me, what…

I welcome the Minister to the House. It is great to see her here. I thank her for coming here to give this matter the attention it deserves. I acknowledge the Civil Engagement Group for its proposal. It is one I support on the basis that the group has made a strong case here on the restrictive nature of the Institutional Burials Act 2022. I want to remember for a moment Catherine Corless, the absolutely fierce objections she faced when she unveiled the information she had found in her endeavours, and the frustratio…

I welcome the Minister and I thank him for facilitating our statements on bluetongue today. I know the Minister has had ongoing engagement and will continue to do so. We may have submitted parliamentary questions to the Minister's office in the last few days in relation to this subject. I know the Minister is committed to coming back to us and I want to thank him for doing that. I also want to acknowledge the very significant and important role of our chief veterinary officer within the Department. It is an amazing…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We very much appreciate his giving his time. The Minister of State has eight minutes to set out his stall. Group spokespersons will have ten minutes each and time may be shared. The Minister of State must be called to reply no later than 6.53 p.m. It may be earlier but that is the guideline. Statements must conclude by 7 p.m.

The next slot was identified for the Independent Group but there is no one taking that slot. I note Senator Noonan has to leave to attend a committee meeting. He is a member of the Cross-Party Group and will have ten minutes. He has indicated he will share if that is okay with all of the Members here. Is it agreed we take them next? Agreed. The rota after that is clearly set out. The Cross-Party Group will take this ten minute slot, the next slot is for Senator O'Loughlin for Fianna Fáil, then it is Sinn Féin, whic…

You are going to share?

The Senator can say that as it comes up. Senator Noonan, is it two minutes and eight minutes?

The House.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator Collins is next. She is sharing time with Senator Tully with five minutes each. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On the proposed Order of Business, I am pretty confident that the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 will be discharged today in a timely fashion. I encourage all Senators to come together and respect the different positions taken. There has not been a lot of time. The Order of Business proposes that this Bill be discharged today and a motion for earlier signature by the President be taken. There is no counter-proposal as of now, so it is important we just get on with the business and listen…

First, I wish to pay tribute to Larry Butler. He was a man I knew well. I served with him on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. He had served, prior to that, on Dublin County Council when it arched out into Dún Laoghaire before the merger. I knew him to be a great character; that he certainly was. He was a great colleague and mentor. He was a man who believed in keeping his feet on the ground and keeping in close contact with his constituents. He went on to be elected to the Seanad and he was a man I worked clo…

I wish to raise two matters. There have been some contributions in respect of SNAs. I was also in the Dáil this afternoon to listen to Taoiseach’s Questions. This is not over yet. I will not quote what the Taoiseach said, but I ask people to have a look at his responses, including to some of his backbenchers. This is huge campaign. I welcome that is has paused for the moment. What we need is absolute clarity on the issues involved. I do not doubt that everyone, all parties and none, support the need for additional …

I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to take this Commencement matter and the next Commencement matter.

You would always be welcome back.

I thank the Minister of State. We greatly appreciate his time here and we really appreciate him coming to the House.

The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, is very welcome to the Seanad. We greatly appreciate him giving us his time to deal with the next two Commencement matters, the first of which is from Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee and relates to reading classes for children with dyslexia.

I thank the Senator. Before we go to the Minister of State for his response, I welcome part of a group of Senator Kennelly's guests from Presentation Secondary School in Listowel, County Kerry. It is timely that they are with us because Senator Clifford-Lee has raised an issue in relation to special reading classes for children with dyslexia. It is an important point in terms of education. I welcome the students and their two teachers, Norma Dowling and Louise McAuliffe. They are the first half of a bigger group co…

Before I call the Minister of State to respond, I welcome the second half of the guests of Senator Michael Kennelly from Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, County Kerry, including their teachers. The Senator certainly has a following. He has a lot of people here today. I hope they all enjoy their day. This is the Commencement matter debate of Seanad Éireann, which takes place every day. Topics are raised by different Senators. It just so happens that these two are about education, so they are particularly int…

They might go over and live on your side.