Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response and Senator Casey for raising this issue which is a concern of every public representative. The Irish Kidney Association has done much work advocating for its members, many of whom have no choice but to go into hospital every week. As they cannot delay their dialysis they need to be protected as much as they can be when going into hospital. I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I know the Minister of State will welcome the Member who will take over as Acting Chairperson from me, Senator Hoey, who has chaired many meetings as president of the Union of Students in Ireland. That organisation represents hundreds of thousands of students and I have no doubt that Senator Hoey will do an excellent job in chairing the Seanad for the first time. I welcome Senator Hoey in taking over the Chair and I thank the Minister of State.