I will be very quick. I just want to say that I too have concerns. Senator Ruane articulated the issue very well. Part 2 of Schedule 1 refers to "St. Kevin’s Institution (initially the Dublin Union), Dublin" and lists the concluding year as 1935. I was born there in 1961. That is where it is wrong for starters. I know at least 30 or 40 people who were born there in the mid-1960s. This institution was a place that was very regularly, under very stressful sets of circumstances, facilitating births and within 24 hours…

I had made most of it, I think, but I was just flagging with the Minister that he had spoken with regard to his series of amendments, and I was drawing attention to Schedule 1, Part 2. There are three columns there: the reference number, the name of the institution, and the concluding year. I was talking about St. Kevin's Institution, initially the Dublin Union, and the concluding year was 1935. I was also making the point - and I never have a difficulty in telling my age - that I was born there in 1961. That is fa…

I will be brief. I really only want to flag this and am not expecting the Minister to come back with another response. There are a number of issues here. A lot of these people were not ever abandoned by their families. They were abandoned by the State. It is too simplistic to say that. In relation to the county homes, a lot of these women were held back. They went in as young girls of 16 or 17 and were actually impregnated in county homes. Let us call a spade a spade. I can provide documentation which shows that th…

I will speak to these new amendments tabled by the Minister. I had to step out for a minute to meet three families who are here for this legislation. I reiterate there is now uncertainty. Senator Gavan talked about the issues around Castlepollard. This relates to Schedule 1, Part 2 and the three sections concerning reference number, name of institution and concluding year. There is now a query around the Westmeath home in Castlepollard. I also query St. Kevin's institution, which was initially the Dublin Union, as …

The Minister is saying he does not accept the concluding year of 1935 for St. Kevin's Institution. On what basis? I am telling the Minister it is not correct.

Its use was as a place where women were incarcerated and gave birth, and where their children were taken away from them. Some of these women came from county homes and institutions. I do not want to be more explicit than that. Their children were taken from them and shipped out to these institutions, and they stayed in these institutions for up to 15, 16 or 17 years. These are facts. The Minister's advisers have let him down badly if he believes that is the case. I do not know how he could believe the concluding ye…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also want to take this opportunity to welcome my own colleague and friend, Councillor Anthony Waldron. I also welcome Professor Pat Guiry, the president of the Royal Irish Academy; Councillor Noel Heavey; and our other visitors to the Chamber. I want to acknowledge the work that my colleague Senator Keogan and other members of our technical group have put into this legislation. I have not put a lot into it but agree there is merit in having a special award bestowed on…

First, I associate myself with the Cathaoirleach's words about former Senator Paul Coghlan. He was truly a character and a great friend and he loved this place. Anyone who was here the day he was elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach saw those genuine tears of emotion. He was an emotional type of man, and a great character. He was one of the great people of this House. He was fiercely proud of the Seanad and about its retention on the basis that it would be a meaningful place and network of engagement. He did amazing work…

Yes. Finally, I want to talk about the news that broke regarding the 14 hooded men. What a travesty. We have all spoken in this House about the legacy of Northern Ireland and the dividend of the peace process. There are legacy issues on all sides of this political debate. However, I am glad that we have seen today an apology to these 14 men, half of whom are now dead. It is a travesty. It is a terrible thing that should never have happened. I know I speak among colleagues and friends. I always say that in politics …

I second it.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important matter. I am glad to have the opportunity to talk about it today. I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for agreeing to come to the House to take this matter. I value and appreciate that. I know it is a busy day for him. As he is a key Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I take this opportunity to congratulate him and his Department on the collaboration with Bord Bia Bloom Festival, which kicks off today. Undoubtedly…

I thank the Minister of State for that very comprehensive response. I am particularly interested in his reference to the SHY pilot. It is progressive and good. I am looking forward to monitoring and keeping up to date on that. The in-person consultation with the key stakeholders will provide very valuable feedback in terms of this Commencement matter. As the Minister of State said, all those 27 key objectives in the strategy are robust, strong and achievable. That is good to hear. This collaborative approach, and w…

I want to raise the issue of the rural housing guidelines. We have been promised for years. There have been Commencement matters, parliamentary questions and written correspondence about the need for the rural housing guidelines. Many Senators will be familiar with the Flemish decree, which emanates from Belgium, on findings regarding the European Commission and the right to rural housing. I am not in here to advocate for rural housing willy-nilly at every crossroads all over the place, but I realise and recognise …

The sun is shining.

The Senator should share that press release with me.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. He is taking the next three Commencement matters.

I welcome the students from Balla National School in County Mayo. We have just concluded Commencement matters, which are topics that are chosen every day for discussion in the Seanad, usually as the first business. On my left, is the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, who responded to the Commencement matters and seated in front of me is Senator Garret Ahearn from County Tipperary. The students came in at the tail end of the discussion. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit to the Oireachtas.

Hear. Hear.

I want to plug two events today. Bloom is taking place tomorrow. It is now an international horticultural event. Thousands of people will flock there over the next few days. It is a showcase for Irish horticulture, landscape and garden design and also supports the commercial growers in this industry. I ask the Leader to have a debate around at an appropriate time on the horticultural industry, particularly in regard to food. We are importing food worth millions of euro. It is a shame when we have a wonderful climat…

I am sure that the Senator has a lot of money in his bank account.