Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to hear Jason McCarthy will be okay. We have to absorb the budget details but I wonder how much additional money, if any, has been allocated towards ambulance services. It is maybe worth looking at and making the case for over the coming period. It is a great shame if that has not been done. We will have statements on the budget later this evening so I will resist the urge to turn the Order of Business into statements on the budget, which I am sure the Leader will be glad to hear.

This Saturday will see a large coming together of civic society, political parties and the culture and arts sector in the 3Arena, still known to many of us as the Point Depot, for a conversation on Ireland's future. It is being convened by the Ireland's Future organisation, which is very ably chaired by our Seanad colleague, Senator Black, who will take part on the day. It is indicative of what I spoke about last week and what I have been speaking about with other colleagues for a long period in this institution and outside it. The conversation around the type of Ireland we want to build for the future is live, dynamic, increasingly inclusive, exciting and very hopeful. I am very encouraged by the broad participation in Saturday's event. I am also very enthused by the opportunity it offers us. Certainly, the Seanad plays its own part in that. Senators can be very proud of the part they will play under the Chair's leadership through our Seanad Public Consultation Committee to look at this issue. Our first meeting will take place on Friday afternoon.

I did not want to let this week pass without referencing that very important event. It comes off the back of a whole range of local meetings that have taken place throughout Ireland and internationally, in which many Senators, from their respective parties or none, have been involved. If people have not signed up for Saturday's event, I encourage them to take part. It will be an exciting day. I thank and commend the organisers on it.I look forward to taking part but, more so, to the work in the time ahead of ensuring we deliver that new and agreed, and ultimately united, Ireland.