Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate our two new Senators and look forward to working with them. This is an historic day for both and I wish them all the best for the rest of the term.

I join other Senators who raised the plight of Ms Vicky Phelan and discussed how brave she has been. As the House knows, Vicky comes from Limerick. I compliment her and her family on the strength and power shown in interviews. Were it not for her, many of us would not be calling on the Leader to arrange for a debate on the importance and future of CervicalCheck and to find out what went wrong. The Minister has been encouraging people, but particularly women, to proceed with the various checkups that are available. I support Senators' calls for the Minister to be invited to the House to debate the CervicalCheck situation.

I attended the inaugural apprenticeship awards ceremony last night with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton. The competition was sponsored by the Construction Industry Federation, CIF, and the ESB. I congratulate the hospitality section of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and the Limerick College of Further Education, which jointly submitted a culinary skills entry. It was wonderful for them to reach the last seven.