Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I share the sentiments expressed earlier by Senator Currie that it is difficult to concentrate on the day-to-day business, but we are lucky to be able to do it so we need to do that.

I also wish to be associated with the condolences for the family of our colleague, Senator Paul Daly, and the family of Professor John A. Murphy. From reading about Professor Murphy, and indeed when I studied history in college he was one of our eminent history scholars, he had said that if there was one thing he could change in his life it would be the quality and availability of education. The Higher Education Authority is currently working on a new access programme for higher education for 2022 to 2026. This is hugely important because it is really about giving the opportunity to those who would not have the opportunity to go on to further education or third-level education. We are referring to those from vulnerable backgrounds, people from a Traveller background, and people with disabilities who do not have the opportunity to go on to further education. I believe this is one of the most important debates we could have in the House. It would be appropriate given that this plan is at a preparatory stage now. When Professor Murphy was talking about the quality of education he was also talking about our teachers.Support for our teachers is always important.

I will briefly raise another issue, which relates to CHO 7 to which Kildare belongs, and the lack of neurology nurses. Tallaght University Hospital is the main neurology centre for people from Kildare and west Wicklow. It is short of neurology nurse specialists. There are only 2.5 where there should be 20. I ask for this to be taken as a priority. We need 100 extra nurses throughout Ireland, and 20 in Tallaght University Hospital.