Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. While we are waiting for the Minister for Education to come in, I welcome Senator Ahearn's brother, Patrick, to the Gallery. Conall is our newest and youngest visitor to the Seanad Chamber and Patrick's wife, Laura, is here as well. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I am sure Senator Ahearn will have a successor in Conall at some stage down the line. Not just today but maybe in the future, a long line of Ahearns will serve in the Oireachtas.

I welcome the Minister to the House for the next Commencement matter. Five Senators are offering on this. As a result of the division earlier, we have limited time for this. I am aware the Minister wants to give more time to this. Each Senator has a minute to outline his or her particular question. The Minister will respond and I will divide the remaining time among the Senators with the Minister to respond again. Senator Wall is first.