Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

That is an issue we need to address, 100%. I completely agree with the Senator. We should have a debate with the Minister on the issue and on what action can be taken. I personally believe it is a matter of resourcing local authorities and having local authorities actually enforce the regulations that are in place. That is not under debate. In the meantime, we all need to call on the public to be vigilant and not to buy puppies from people who take cash only and who only meet them in a car park and do not show the mother of the puppy. It is cruel, unbecoming and something none of us should support.

I say well done to Senator Nelson Murray for giving a big shout-out to the postmen and postwomen who are out there and who will be there come hail, rain or snow over the next days and weeks. They will be delivering parcels and letters from loved ones right up to Christmas. They will bring everybody closer at Christmas, so well done to them. We will write to the Minister to seek an answer on the issue about pensions and, if necessary, let us bring the Minister in for an actual debate on that. This House did a lot of work for the postmasters over the course of the last year, which everyone in the House can be proud about. I know the postmasters were quite pleased with the outcome. However, individual post workers need to be looked after too, and we will do that.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly mentioned the €330 million of taxpayers' money that the Government has allocated for hot school meals. The idea of hot school meals is to ensure that every child has the nourishment to fully participate in the classroom and every child is equal in a classroom, regardless of what or where they come from. When they come into school, they are all equal, they all take their place, and they are all equally supported. It is very disappointing, therefore, to hear Senator O'Reilly's characterisation of what is going on in the schools. I was alarmed to hear that unions are instructing teachers not to support the delivery of hot meals to schoolchildren. This is a very serious matter and it is one the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Youth would be ideally positioned to examine because it is going to take much more than just an Order of Business debate or a Commencement matter here. I suggest that Senator O'Reilly refer the matter to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Youth and I will personally refer it too.

On that, I conclude the Order of Business.