Many here will know Conrad Bryan. He is the director of the Association of Mixed Race Irish. This morning, an amazing exhibition, "Shame - European Stories" was launched. For anyone interested in running in the elections for the European Parliament, this exhibition is not just about Ireland but about Irish people and other people across the European Union. It has been produced to a high standard and includes the individual narratives and photographs of people. There was a meeting and launch at 12 o'clock. This exhi…

I concur with the Cathaoirleach's comments and welcome the Minister for Justice. She is no stranger to this House. We value the fact that she is the front-line Minister and has ultimate responsibility for the administration of justice, policing and many other aspects of her Department's work. I thank her for being here. I appreciate her coming to the House to deal with this important matter. When we talk about policing, the key word is partnership. It is critical that we engage with our city and county councillors,…

I thank the Minister for a comprehensive six-page response to a three-line Commencement matter. She has clarified a lot of it for me. She has clearly said and reminded us – and it did not dawn on me until I was sitting here – that Dáil Éireann has passed this legislation, maybe subject to changes. I am anxious that this legislation come to the Seanad. The majority in the Seanad is replicated by the political affiliations in Dáil Éireann. I presume it follows that there will be support for it. More important are the…

I welcome the Minister of State. I feel the pressure of trying to follow that contribution from Senator Cassells. I fully agree with him. He is a passionate sportsman. He speaks with great knowledge and conviction on sport. He made a good and strong opening contribution. The key concept the Senator talked about was the power of sport. It is a powerful thing. There must be a greater focus on sport in our local communities. Many of the smaller clubs have always struggled. Much of people's energy is taken up in making…

Very early this morning, in a packed Aviva Stadium, the Taoiseach launched a seminar on agriculture and climate change and the challenges around it. I thank the Ministers who were present and acknowledge the level of organisation and the impressive line-out of speakers. The seminar will be on all day. I acknowledge the work of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his two Ministers of State. Listening to the presentations this morning and the high-level engagement with people, it was clear that we h…

That is what I have done.

I thank the Labour Party for tabling this important and timely motion. It is using its Private Members' time. We have had much discussion about this matter. There are four members of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage here. The committee completed a very substantial work on urban regeneration in May 2022. To be fair to all the Members here, they played a very active part in that. There was unanimity among us. We all live in villages, towns or cities. Senator Cummins is fiercely committed …

He is going in the spring.

I concur with colleagues in relation to Senator Norris. I will circulate a copy of the publication in question. The Senator has confirmed that what he said in the interview was correct and that is his decision. He has good plans. We wish him well and we will have another opportunity to celebrate. I thank in particular Senator Mark Daly and other members of the portraits committee. Despite huge opposition, as Senator Norris said, his portrait is hung high in Leinster House. I think he is one of the only active polit…

I welcome the Minister to the House. This is an important Bill. We have had some good discussion here. There have been some reoccurring themes, but it is important when we talk about the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023 that we have some regard for the retailers. There are many aspects and sides to this debate, so I want to talk a little about the convenience stores. They play an important part in all of our communities. The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, CSNA,…

Thank you very much, Minister, and again thank you for coming to the House.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, to the House. Our next Commencement matter is in the name of Senator Maria Byrne and concerns the available supports for student nurses and midwives.

Like Senator Murphy, I wish to discuss horticulture. The Deputy Leader is an active advocate for the industry in north County Dublin. I know from Bord na Móna and others in the horticultural sector that they appreciate her hands-on connection and that she has visited them in the field. I wish to convey that feedback to her. I welcome the announcement yesterday by the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, about the horticultural crisis fund. I believe it was the third announcement of the scheme. I welcome the heavy em…

And furniture.

I wish to raise two issues relating to housing. While we had a debate on housing yesterday, I wish to bring up two issues I did not have the opportunity to bring up then as I was chairing that session. The first relates to the rural housing guidelines, with which we have a serious issue. Over the past five or six years, I have consistently written to various Ministers and Ministers of State about rural housing guidelines. I do not need to lecture anyone in this House who represents rural communities on the problem …

Yes.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

First, I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I particularly thank Senators Boylan, Ó Donnghaile, Gavan and Warfield for this simple, but important, Bill. Following on from what Senator Boylan has said, there are things happening in Europe. They are, perhaps, too slow. We should not wait. We have a strong record. We have the Green Party in government. It is appropriate, and the right time, to pursue this legislation. It can always be amended, improved and changed, but let us send out a strong signal that we …

I welcome the fact we will have the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in for a 90-minute discussion on Housing for All. While that is welcome, it is perhaps not enough, but ultimately that is a matter for the Members when they accept the Order of Business. Given the pressures on the Minister and the lateness of the day, I do not purpose to pursue the matter. I ask that we bear in mind that today's focus is on Housing for All. I wish to raise the issue of planning and An Bord Pleanála. We still do …