Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, wish to be associated with expressions of sympathy to the Naughten family on the death of Councillor John Naughten. He was someone I knew for between 15 and 20 years. He was an absolute gentleman. He is a massive loss to Fine Gael but an even bigger loss to his family. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Breda, his children, his mother, and his extended family and siblings, including Denis, who we all know and have known for a long number of years.

I will bring up the issue of school transport. We are six weeks into the school year and transport to special schools is still not being provided to families with children who have special needs. I have been working on a particular case where I have identified an alternative involving another child who has transport, which could bring the child I am working with as well. Yet, we are getting nowhere with the Department when it comes to getting that child brought to school. It is not acceptable. I call on the authorities to address the matter urgently. When an alternative has been put in place that can bring a child to school, it should happen. People should not have to go through letters and emails being sent out from the Department telling them they will not get transport when there is an alternative. It is not acceptable.

I will raise one issue it is important we have a debate on. We look at conflicts in many areas around the world, but this never seems to be mentioned. A large community from the Kashmir region is living in Longford. There have been issues in that region going back 50 years between India, Pakistan and China.I want to find out what is the stance of the Irish Government. It is important to schedule a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs to allow him to put forward Ireland's view on the current situation as it exists. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have all been involved. There have been significant humanitarian issues. More than 20,000 people have died over the last few years but it is never on the agenda. I want to put it on the agenda and allow an opportunity for a discussion on it to put forward our views.