Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, we got rid of them all. They left you. I will take responsibility as best I can for that.

Senator Duffy raised the tragic fatality of James Moyles. We remember him and his family. He talked about safety on our national routes. I know he has engaged on that. TII funding is due. I am not sure if an application has been made for that project. Funding is available through low-cost accident schemes and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. I ask the Senator to continue to engage through the local authority and the directors of services to see what can be done there. We will try to get the Minister for Transport in at some stage to talk about overall projects and roads funding.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins talked about the trip to Washington. I do not know what will be raised or said. I am not sure the Taoiseach knows what will be raised or said at this stage. It depends on how it will go. We all hope it is not a repeat of what we saw recently. It is a ceremony, a tradition and a time to raise issues. I know a previous Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, raised the issue of migration when he was there for the first time. I am not sure how that is going to play out. Regarding other Ministers and what they may or may not say, I remember when I did St. Patrick's Day trips in my time that a booklet was issued by the Department regarding messages, as it were. I am not sure exactly what will be raised. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, will be here later for statements on the diaspora. Perhaps he might wish to comment on this matter.

Senator Byrne talked about the Oilgate to Rosslare road project. I know it is something his predecessor, former Minister of State, Paul Kehoe, worked hard on. A Commencement debate might be in order. We will get the Minister in to talk about road funding.

Senator Bradley talked about the courageous man who suffered a tragic accident and became an amputee. It is quite astounding that prosthetics would cost that much. I know the Senator is engaging with the Minister on it. Perhaps we can wait and see what she comes up with. I know these things can be looked at in the context of a future finance Bill or changes to eligibility under the social welfare code. As well as dealing with the Minister for Health, I suggest that the Senator deal with the Minister for Social Protection.

Senator Davitt welcomed the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish, and Fr. Des Walsh. He talked about night-time flights and the impact on the economy. He called for the Minister, Peter Burke, to come in to speak on his brief. I will request that.

Senator Ní Chuilinn raised the lack of development checks, which is quite worrying. When I was in school, there were development checks for youngsters at different stages. I know they go on routinely. It is unusual and not right that they would be missed in her area. I ask that she engage directly with the Minister. We will try to get statements or a debate on the matter in this House.

Senator Flynn raised special school places. We will try to get a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, on this matter in the coming period. I know there were announcements about special classes recently and think there are to be further announcements too. No child should be left behind. It is always a concern for parents when they cannot get that class. I sometimes wonder if you are better to ensure that your child is enrolled in the school before declaring that the child has a disability. That seems counterintuitive, but I sometimes wonder whether there are schools that give the cold shoulder to the most vulnerable because it is easier not to accommodate them than to accommodate them. It is a concern. I will call for a debate on that matter.