Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)

It is because it is a national route. Priority has been given to schools in every single county by the local authorities. Obviously, there is a particular situation with this, but we certainly would echo our support. Every child going to school should have a safe route to school.

Senator Brady spoke about the Ryder Cup and what a great achievement it was for Europe and the Irish players. The behaviour was appalling. I remember going to the last Ryder Cup in Ireland. I am not a golfer and do not know a lot about golf, but I remember being really impressed with the decorum and respect that everybody treated everybody else with. This weekend's behaviour was shocking to see. We will not put up with that when the Ryder Cup comes to Ireland. We absolutely will not. We are proud to host it. It is important to host it. I have no doubt that Adare will be a wonderful host, but that type of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated. It should not have been tolerated in America.

Senator McCarthy touched on practically every single Department in terms of priorities for the budget. He spoke about businesses and he was right, in that we have to support SMEs. We need to have targeted measures for them.

The Senator also mentioned homelessness. It remains a consistent priority for the Government. It cannot and will not be ignored. I have no doubt that there will be strong measures in this regard this.

Senator Comyn spoke about the greater investment needed in youth work and called on the Minister for education to come and have a debate on same. I would agree. The informal parts of education need as much emphasis and investment. Our young people need to have, outside of the formal education process, a place where they can flourish. For some, they do not flourish through education but will through other types of youth work. We support that and will look for a debate on it down the line.

Senator Nicole Ryan also spoke in support of the amendment regarding Gaza, again outlining the daily horrific situation that people find themselves in.

Senator Flaherty spoke about Ireland having done a lot in relation to Gaza and Palestine more widely. He is right in saying that no country has done more. That recognition has been given by the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland. I have had several conversations with her and she has repeatedly said that the Palestinians themselves, including those in Gaza, recognise that the Irish Government has done more than any other government in terms of being a very small island. When we consider that we started the whole call for a two-state solution and now there are 150 countries doing so, that is really important. It is also important in terms of the Commission and the Israeli business deal. We have to acknowledge that the Commission finally has started work in that regard.

Senator Cathal Byrne spoke about the issue of tillage. I attended some of the agriculture committee hearings yesterday. He is absolutely right. Listening to those involved, they need Exchequer support and a policy change. There is a big issue whereby native grain is not being used and there is a lack of clarity around that. There needs to be differentiation. That is the biggest priority and there needs to be a marketing campaign. Senator Byrne has looked for a debate on this. The Minister for agriculture was here for two hours with the Fine Gael debate last night, and I am sure the Senator had the opportunity to raise it then.

Senator Black seconded the amendment to the Order of Business. She spoke very strongly, as she has always done, in relation to supporting Gaza. However, I think it is unfair of the Senator to say that there has been no real action. She knows that we spent a very intense period at the committee before the recess examining the occupied territories Bill and making strong recommendations. I honestly do not think it is fair to say that nothing is happening. She spoke about a seven-year-old child comforting a five-year-old child. That is heartbreaking. Children grow up so quickly. Children should never see what they have seen or have to cope with what they are doing.

Senator Scahill spoke about the storm and the impact it has had and has looked for the report and the review. We support that.

Prior to the start of the Order of Business, I was in discussion with Ministers with regard to taking an emergency motion. This should be something we all collectively do. I understand from the calls I made and from making calls during the Order of Business that the Taoiseach is not available. He is abroad, as Senators know. Apparently, there is going to be a debate in the Dáil, so the Tánaiste will be tied up with that, but I have managed to get the Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, who is willing to come to the House to take that debate today. I am going to formally read that into the record. That will be between 1.39 p.m. and 3 p.m. today. I will now outline the Order of Business, as changed.