Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As somebody who grew up and worked on a farm, I thank the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, for highlighting International Day of Rural Women. My mother was a powerful force on our farm and 30-odd years ago she was probably the only woman in the mart able to reverse a tractor and trailer. That is changing, however. I was involved in the visit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, to County Galway. He was at Maam Cross mart last night and there were quite a few women in attendance, along with quite a few men. They were farmers who wanted to hear what he wanted to say. Ms Maria Walsh MEP also attended and spoke about the importance of women's voices in agriculture. The Minister will meet women to highlight this importance in the forthcoming Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, negotiations.

As Fine Gael spokesperson on further and higher education, I look forward to attending the UCD Student Union meeting this evening to discuss Government support for students accessing affordable accommodation. In the budget, through the Department led by the Minister for Further and Higher, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, we have increased the income eligibility criteria for the SUSI grant by €1,000 and added €200 to the grant while decreasing the distances applying to the adjacent grant from 45 km to 30 km.

I also highlight the Global Wave of Light. In Ballinasloe, Portiuncula University Hospital will join many others illuminated by pink and blue light tomorrow, Friday, 15 October, from 7 p.m. to mark pregnancy and infant loss. Throughout Ireland and across the world landmarks and buildings will be lit by a pink and blue light as part of a continuous wave to recognise, acknowledge and remember babies who have passed away due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and other causes of infant loss. The Global Wave of Light asks all of us, including families, loved ones and supporting organisations, to join together in remembrance. I hope I speak for all my Senator colleagues in saying that our thoughts are with women, their partners and families who suffered this type of loss.