I thank the Minister of State for outlining the progress on the farmers charter. It appears it is imminent, which is really positive. It has been a long time in the process, but that process has been consultative, which I welcome. While considering the general scheme of the agriculture appeals (amendment) Bill 2024, I raised the issue of the farmers charter because it goes hand-in-hand with the appeals process and the matters of fairness and transparency. That is important. I ask that the Minister of State consider…

Today, I wish to advocate for the former residents of the Westbank orphanage in Greystones, County Wicklow. Deputies and councillors in Wicklow will have been bombarded over the last weekend with literature that was given door to door and to every person on the street of Greystones last week. Many of us will know how the Westbank orphanage was excluded from the redress scheme. Former residents believe that they should have been included in the residential institutions redress scheme. I share that belief and I call …

I welcome our distinguished guests from Kenya, who are very welcome. I hope they have a successful visit to the House and to Ireland. I welcome the Dublin city task force, which the Government made preliminary announcements about yesterday and today. I understand a substantial announcement is to be made on Thursday. However, there are serious questions about local government. A very successful Seanad committee is still working on the issue. The Leader is involved with that committee. People are asking what happened…

I will take up the option of covering off the three sections here and now. I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for her time and her commitment to this area, which I know is a major priority for her. I thank Senator Clonan for introducing the Bill and also the co-sponsors of the Bill, which includes the Independents, Civil Engagement Group, Labour Party, Sinn Féin and Green Party. This is a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Disability Act 2005 and the Equal Status Act 2000 and to provide for related matter…

I wish to advocate on behalf of our health workers. It was interesting that the previous Senator spoke about Limerick. I know from people who are canvassing to be elected mayor of Limerick that one of the biggest issues after housing is health and the hospital. I think the local elections, particularly in Limerick for the mayor, will effectively be a plebiscite on the Government and our health services. The shocking situation in Limerick is an absolute disgrace. It is clear that the public and the electorate are pa…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Colm Burke. It is the first time I have had an opportunity to congratulate him on his appointment. I say "Well done" to him. He is no stranger to this House. I really appreciate his being here. I thank the Green Party for proposing this important motion on loneliness. I acknowledge the enormous amount of work that former Senator Keith Swanick did in this area. He was a Senator for several years. He assembled an impressive group of people and produced a document called A Conne…

I raise the issue of ash dieback and the €79.5 million package for farmers that has been announced by the Government. I cautiously welcome the package, and I will explain why in a moment. The package represents a significant change of heart on the part of the Government, which originally did not want offer a package in respect of ash dieback, a matter that has been raised many times in this House and in the Dáil. Clearly, the stage of the electoral cycle we are at has helped to progress the package at this point. W…

I particularly welcome it. Canvassing and reconnecting with the people on the doorsteps are working. This is democracy at work.

Senator Kyne is keen on green issues this afternoon. It is about time. This is democracy at work. People in rural constituencies are giving it to politicians in the neck, so well done. The devastation caused by this fungus has a major impact on the incomes of pension funds, investors, farmers and foresters. That is why I cautiously welcome the package. Quite frankly, it is not enough. A farmer and county councillor from County Roscommon wrote to me today to say that he got a price of €3,000 to cut down one tree. Th…

Does the Cathaoirleach want someone to carry his bags?

First, I welcome the Minister of State here, thank him and tell him that I visited Lough Funshinagh in the beautiful County Roscommon and that unique and most beautiful and stunning SAC. I met many people in Coolnageer, Curraghboy, Knockcroghery, Ballagh and Rahara. My first thought was I found people who were welcoming, engaging, resilient and positive. I spent much time with the Beattie family. I thank them, because I know they are tuned in to our proceedings today, for their hospitality and their tea and coffee …

I raise the issue of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA. I commend Mr. Francie Gorman, the IFA president, on the good body of work that is his manifesto, which has been published, for the European and local elections. It is a substantial body of work. I thank and commend the IFA and Mr. Gorman, as president, on the manifesto, his leadership and guidance and the succinct and clear asks set out in the manifesto. I am a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I was elected to the …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. I know he is taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I thank the Minister, who I know is involved in Government business today. He communicated with me yesterday that he could not be here. I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to take this Commencement matter, which relates to early childhood care and education. I suppose that says it all. That is the kernel of the case that I am going to make. The matter I raise is the early childhood care…

I appreciate that. We are all on the one page. We all know the significance and importance of early childhood care and education. It is a wonderful service. It needs ongoing money and support. The benefits of an equal start and support for families and children in their communities are enormous. I take on board what the Minister of State has said about the CCC and that it will now reach out to the Taney preschool to see what can happen. I ask that the Minister of State bring the matter back to the relevant Minister…

She turned him out well.

“We failed you when you needed us the most.” They were among the opening words of the Taoiseach today in the Dáil Chamber when he was delivering a State apology to the victims of the Stardust fire. We have to think back to that eventful night of the eve of St. Valentine's Day, when many of us would have been around. Certainly, I was around then. People were out enjoying themselves when that fateful event happened on that tragic night. What was powerful and moving about some of the words I heard from the Taoiseach t…

I will use my few minutes today to welcome an Seanadóir Malachai O'Hara. What a proud day it is for him. On this special day, I welcome his family to this very important Chamber, Seanad Éireann, a place of many voices. As part of our general deliberations on the celebration of the Seanad, our previous Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, titled a section "Northern Voices". We had a very healthy and great debate. It is great to have not only a Northern voice, but someone with an accent as beautiful as the Senator's as …

And Senator Craughwell needs to do his homework.

I express my thanks to the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, for his service to the State and to the Government. He has done amazing work and can hold his head up with pride. He has achieved much, and it is a time to be gracious and thankful for his very considered leadership. He went out on a limb and took risks and has to be admired for that. He got many issues over the line. We do not get everything over the line, but he can be very proud of his achievements. I want to raise the issue of the mother and baby redress sc…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to the House.