I thank the Minister of State very much for her time

Our final matter is in the name of Senator Lombard. It relates to the HSE home support services in the Cork region.

I thank the Minister of State for her time here this morning.

I join with the Leas-Chathaoirleach in welcoming our special guests and I thank Senator Fitzpatrick. Mr. Benicio made a great and significant contribution and input. I have no doubt we will hear more about him in the future. Well done and many thanks. I join with Senator McGreehan in respect of the Irish Thalidomide Association. It is something that has been sitting on all our desks for a long time. Yet again, I too appeal to the Government to re-engage with the Irish Thalidomide Association in its quest for justic…

It is very humid at the moment.

It is good to see the Acting Leader in the Chair today. Well done on that. I very much welcome our distinguished guests in the Visitors Gallery. Today, I want to touch on two issues, the first being the IFA's Manifesto for European Parliament and Local Government Elections 2024. This manifesto covers both the European and local elections. I hear the IFA's asks at the doorsteps and from candidates across the country. What I like about its document is that it sets out key priorities and asks concerning the European P…

I thank the Senator. Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome the transition year students from the Department of enterprise who are here in the Visitors Gallery. I hope they enjoy their day in the Oireachtas.

The next Commencement matter was scheduled to be in the name of Senator McDowell but Senator Dolan requested a change. That is agreeable to Senator McDowell. I am happy to facilitate that request subject to the agreement of the House. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Our next and final Commencement matter is in the name of Senator McDowell and it relates to Rathmines post office.

I, too, welcome Deputy Richard Bruton. I will start with public consultation for the general scheme of the Seanad electoral (university members) (amendment) Bill. Maybe there is a slot for Richard there. There is a public consultation. I happen to sit on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and this area falls into our remit. We will inevitably do pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, which the Government approved last week. It agreed to have a four-week period of public consult…

It is Poolbeg.

I welcome the Minister of State and thank the Labour Party Senators for tabling this motion as part of Private Members' business. As Senator Sherlock has rightly said, the motion is the beginning of a debate on waste. At the outset, I will state that I believe in competition. I believe in the public and the private having fair access to the market and competing. I was a county councillor for many years. Like the Minister of State, I served on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, so I know its experience of managi…

I raise the passing of Tony O’Reilly, or Sir Anthony O’Reilly to give him his full title. Ireland’s agriculture and food sector will be forever grateful for his genius in establishing Kerrygold, Ireland’s premier food and international brand. Tony had the vision and ambition for Ireland and understood and recognised the great loyalty of the Irish diaspora. His Kerrygold premium brand used his marketing skills when marketing was not recognised as a science, as it is today. He did so to tell the story of Irish agricu…

It is good to see Senator Ahearn in the Leader’s chair today. I also join colleagues in sending my condolences to our colleague and friend Senator Moynihan on the unexpected passing of her dear mother at such a young age. We send our sympathies to Rebecca and her extended family. Today I want to talk about the shared island civic society fund. Last week the Tánaiste announced the provision of €1 million for 35 cross-Border projects. The Tánaiste, Deputy Martin, is hugely committed to the shared island initiative, w…

I thank the Minister of State. Senator Clonan has one minute to reply.

I thank the Minister of State for his time. We appreciate him coming to the Seanad.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to the Seanad. The next Commencement matter we will take is in the name of Senator Gallagher.

I thank the Minister of State for his time here this morning. It is appreciated. I thank Senators Clonan and Gallagher for their Commencement matters.

I, too, want to raise a housing issue. I am very much a strong advocate that housing need amendments should reflect the rural circumstances for communities. I have continually raised the issue of rural housing and the need for rural housing. I am sure that the Acting Leader will understand that as she represents County Kildare because many parts of that county are very rural and urban. Today, I call on the Government to ensure that all local authorities are obliged to plan, deliver and support housing in rural comm…

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting what is a very important Commencement matter on the farmers' charter of rights. I thank the Minister of State for coming here to respond. I also thank the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, which, in the past half hour has launched its election guide, which contains questions for farmers and major producers to ask candidates as they come into their farmyards and kitchens. It is a very good document and I encourage people to read it. I also thank the Irish Farme…