Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising that critical issue for rural Ireland.

It is my great pleasure to welcome the teachers and pupils from St. Finian’s Community College in Swords. Is it a primary school? No, I apologise, it is of course a secondary school. Forgive me. There is a glass panel between us. They are all very welcome and it is great to have them in the Houses of democracy observing what we do. I hope they will be impressed by some of it and perhaps it will inspire one or two of them to consider coming here in later life.

They heard the Minister responding to a matter raised by Senator Boyhan. They will now hear an educational matter being raised by Senator Ahearn. This is the stage of the day when we address issues raised by individual Senators. Later we will have another opportunity for Senators to speak about the issues of the day. I think the pupils will no longer be here for that session as it is an hour away, but it is great to have them in the House.

I call Senator Ahearn to present his Commencement matter.