Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the ambassador and wish him and his people well for their national day.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 29 May 2025, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, statements on the local democracy task force, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 3, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the extension to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021, to be taken at 6.30 p.m., with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed five minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed two minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than five minutes to reply to the debate.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. On Sunday, I had the immense privilege of meeting Bernie and Jane Sanders in Athy, County Kildare. This came about through the wonderful work of Colm Walsh, who has developed the Made of Athy series and discovered that the ancestors of Jane Sanders came from Athy. As a couple, Jane and Bernie are absolutely inspirational. They have worked so much for people who are vulnerable and marginalised and have done a lot of work in the area of social justice. Revitalising democracy is a big part of what they do, not just in America but also around the world, through engaging with various groups all over. I understand they have been in Ireland several times. I am aware that Senator Sanders is to speak tonight in Vicar Street but I ask the Leader and Cathaoirleach whether it would be in order to invite him to address the Seanad. After all, he is an Independent, so nobody could say we were siding with one side of the House or another. The next time Mr. Sanders comes from the US, I would like to make this proposal.

I noted that last week saw 75 years of the Civil Defence movement. It is a wonderful group of volunteers. I have often had to engage with them on community events in Kildare, where we have a group of absolutely excellent, really dedicated volunteers. This is the case all over the country, no matter whether it involves helping the emergency services or helping local communities. I understand the Civil Defence has 3,000 different duties every year. I want to give a shoutout to the Civil Defence movement all over the country. It was great to see it recognised by the President last week.

We are all watching the news in relation to the Fiona Pender situation. Very sadly, Fiona went missing almost 30 years ago. About six months ago I was in Tullamore and saw the walkway dedicated to her and the memorial. We know she will never be forgotten by the country, especially her family and friends. Sadly, both of her parents have passed away. When thinking of Fiona, I also think of my former neighbour Deirdre Jacob and many others, such as Annie McCarrick, Jo Jo Dullard and Trevor Deely. Every year, there is a national missing persons day. People have been seeking the establishment of a database of unidentified remains. We all remember the circumstances in Galway some years ago when Denis Walsh Jr was identified 25 years after he had gone missing. His body had lain in a morgue for 25 years. We have had advances regarding DNA, so it is really important that there be a call for an official record of unidentified bodies lying in morgues or graveyards. This needs to be addressed and maybe we could ask the Minister for Justice to come in to talk about our missing persons. There are 860 of them.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I wish to address the lack of electric vehicle, EV, chargers. People are getting frustrated. Everyone I talk to likes their wee electric car but there are serious problems with the infrastructure. Electric car sales are good and that is good as it shows we are going in the right direction. However, I was approached by a man at the weekend about charging infrastructure. He headed off down to the hospital in Galway and on the way he wanted to charge his car. When he got as far as Ballindine the chargers were full. He went on to Tuam and it was the same. He made it to his hospital appointment, which was great. Then he started looking for a charger but could not get one. He headed back, but when he got to Tuam all the chargers were full again and it was the same in Ballindine. He had to go to Claremorris to find a charger, which added two hours to his journey. There should be chargers on that stretch of road.

When I was in Killybegs a Portuguese man was hooking up his car and I went over to him to chat to him and see how it was going. He was very annoyed. He showed me the map. When you leave Killybegs there is only one charger in Falcarragh, one in Gweedore, two in Dungloe and only one in Glenties. We are taking tourists in here and we are promoting everything, yet we are not putting the infrastructure in for these people to come. I would like it if we could have a debate on it. The EVs are starting to work, but they are not going to work in rural areas like Donegal. I can see us going back to diesel cars because the infrastructure simply is not there. Is there anything the Government can do or can we do something through Europe to get these filling stations funding to put in chargers? The man I spoke to told me there were three chargers for every fuel pump in Portugal. We would be lucky to have three on the whole road from Galway up to Donegal, which is a road the Leader knows. It is something that needs to be looked at seriously. Maybe the Leader could see what he can do for me.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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As a Senator who was elected to the House from the cultural and educational panel, I want to delineate a happening in the last while that shows there is a crossover between politics and culture. The occasion was the winning last week of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival by Jafar Panahi, an Iranian director who gathered all the laurels at the festival for a film called "It Was Just an Accident". It outlined his experience in detention in Iran. The film also centres on the confrontation by five victims of torture in prison of their former torturer. I look forward to seeing it. Sometimes when we are looking at things like that we get a ray of hope. When he arrived back in Tehran yesterday afternoon there was no governmental attempt to arrest him. He was welcomed by a substantial group of people who could assemble in the airport to welcome him. He made the point it was a blow for freedom and when he came out of the terminal a lot of the protesters shouted "Women, life, freedom". As a people we would like to think we would bring pressure to bear on Iran and indeed all states around the world that countenance and use judicial killings of their own citizens. That was probably the most buoyant message from Panahi in his victory in Cannes. It is something we can all take away. Judicial killings are going on and it is time we spoke out against them.

Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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I want to take a moment to address the horrific scenes we witnessed in Liverpool yesterday. What unfolded on the streets was utterly disgraceful, violent chaos that left innocent people injured and a city shaken. There is absolutely no place for such behaviour in any democratic society and we stand in full solidarity with all those affected - the injured, their families and the wider Liverpool community, who will be reeling in the aftermath from hereon in.

I turn to an issue that speaks to the kind of society we do want to build, one that supports, uplifts and empowers young people. Youth work is not a luxury but an essential service that offers young people safe, voluntary spaces to be themselves, grow, thrive and develop the skills they need. Unlike school or social services, youth work is chosen by young people and that choice builds trust, confidence and resilience within them. The Opportunities for Youth strategy promised a clear implementation plan by the end of 2024 but that has not happened. The sector has been sidelined, with funding, participation and youth spaces all hanging in the balance. We were told a project management agency would be procured in early 2025. Has that happened? I am not sure. Has the promised cross-government forum been established yet? Again, I am unsure. I call for a debate with the Minister for Education and Youth on this because the youth sector deserves answers and young people deserve a lot better.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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I had a really positive experience at the weekend attending two Street Feasts in Tallaght. On Saturday, the community of Bancroft came together for what I think was its fourth annual Street Feast. I have watched this event grow year after year from a small gathering four years ago into something we jokingly compared to Electric Picnic. The weather may have been wild but no one was deterred and spirits were high. On Sunday, after our weekly litter pick, Tallaght Village Tidy Towns and Tallaght Community Council hosted another Street Feast, this time right in the main street in Tallaght. Again, the atmosphere was fantastic, with good food, great music, lively conversations and children running around forging the next generation of friendships. As a public representative, it is genuinely uplifting to step back and witness my community be so united, with neighbours chatting, sharing meals and simply enjoying one another's company.

Street Feast is Ireland's national day of street parties and neighbourhood celebrations. Now in its 15th year, it took place across the country on 24 and 25 May, encouraging communities everywhere to gather for food, conversation and connection. Since its launch in 2010, it has continuously grown. Last year alone, over 75,000 people took part. In an age where we are more connected digitally than ever, it is events like these that remind us how important it is to connect in person with the people living right next door to us. That is the mission of Street Feast, to turn strangers into neighbours and neighbours into friends. It does not matter where you live, whether an apartment, a house or shared accommodation. All you need is a willingness to connect and a space. Street Feast makes it so easy to bring people together, even providing free DIY party packs.

This initiative can play a role in tackling loneliness, promoting inclusion and strengthening community resilience, values that align perfectly with our national goals on social cohesion and community well-being. Whether you are in a city or a rural town, Street Feast offers an invaluable opportunity to make your neighbourhood a better, kinder and more connected place. In Tallaght this weekend, we showed how it is done, with heart, humour and a whole lot of community pride. I encourage any community that has not taken part to give it a try next year.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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Colette Campbell, Theresa Morgan and Bernie Cranley are the names of three of the five women who so tragically lost their lives over the weekend on Irish roads. A driver, three pedestrians and a cyclist, these women were killed in counties Clare, Meath, Wexford, Louth and Tyrone, four within an eight-hour period, bringing the number of fatalities on our roads so far this year to 67, including 19 pedestrians and six pedal cyclists. It is clear we have serious concerns and issues we have to address on our roads, particularly when it comes to more vulnerable road users like the elderly, cyclists, pedestrians and the very young. We may never know what happened in each of those separate incidents that resulted in such heartbreaking loss for each of those five families but, as was said after the tragic death of Garda Kevin Flatley weeks ago, we need a drastic reset with regard to our safety measures and how we view those we share our busy and ever more dangerous roads with. It is not only down to safety measures and enforcement either. Drivers need to be educated about sharing the road and respecting pedestrians and cyclists. We need to enforce rules against speeding, mobile phone use and illegal parking on footpaths or cycle lanes. We may need stricter penalties for dangerous driving behaviours, particularly in pedestrian-heavy zones. With that in mind, I invite the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to the House to debate what measures we need to take to protect the more vulnerable road users, be that through improved lighting, wider paths and cycle paths, longer crossing times at pedestrian crossings or whatever it might take to stop these road deaths in their tracks.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Leader for facilitating and arranging a briefing today with the Minister of State with responsibility for local government, Deputy John Cummins. It is only an hour and a half, which is somewhat disappointing, but I know that is all he has. Given that a very high percentage of Senators are elected by sitting county councillors, it is very disappointing. If we do not complete our work today, I ask we bear it in mind and have another session when we come back after the recess. It is an extremely important subject. I know from numerous emails I got this morning from councillors that they are engaged. They will be tuning in and they are expecting a lot from us. I do not know what the Minister of State is going to say, but the councillors are putting pressure on us, and rightly so, to advocate for them and I do not think we will have sufficient time. I hope we will put in more time at a later date. I am conscious that in the past few weeks, the lack of engagement by some Ministers in terms of their availability and time is an area of concern. There is another mechanism and another forum where I will vent my concerns on that, but I wanted to flag this to Senators, including the Leader.

I ask for a debate on the status and the recommendations of the Housing Commission. In yesterday's edition of The Irish Times, there was a story about the €1.3 billion wastewater project for Dublin, although it also impacts on Meath and Kildare. Effectively, there is a slowdown on this project and Uisce Éireann is saying that this is presenting a major difficulty for the roll-out of houses. There is a serious concern that these delays to the greater Dublin drainage, GDD, project, which will serve over 500,000 people, will lead to major roll-out issues for housing, given that it relates to an infrastructural deficit. That has to be a challenge and one on which we need a debate. We also need a debate to tease out all the recommendations. A lot of money, time, effort and expertise went into the Housing Commission and we should at least tease out those issues as part of a detailed debate within this House.

Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail)
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I also raise the issue of Fiona Pender and the search for her body that is under way. Senator O'Loughlin raised this matter. It is a story that has haunted us all. We all want a good outcome for her brother, now her only serving next-of-kin, whereby her body and that of her unborn baby - Fiona was seven months pregnant - are found.

I raise the need for a debate in the House regarding addiction services for women in particular. We know from the statistics that women face specific barriers in accessing services. There is a stigma attached to women suffering from alcohol, drug or gambling addictions, which can be very disruptive in their lives. Women are often reluctant to come forward at an early stage and to seek support because quite often they fear that their children will be taken into care if they do so. That then spirals and huge harms are done to the person and their family. We need a good debate with the Minister in this House specifically on addiction services for women. I would appreciate it if the Leader could organise this debate.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate the young people, families, staff and volunteers at Cabra For Youth, which is a youth service in Cabra founded over 17 years ago that engages with young people and their families. It operates both a mainstream youth service and a justice youth diversion programme. The service engages with young people from eight years of age right up into their early adult years. Last week, Cabra For Youth launched its strategic plan for the next five years. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, for making time to come out to the youth service and launch the plan.I am one of the founding directors of that youth service, going back 17 years, along with other founding directors: Joey Furlong, Paul O' Farrell and Niall Counihan. We have new directors now, including Paul Hennelly, Catriona Kenny and Peter Treanor. I thank everybody who worked on putting together the strategic plan, most particularly the young people and their families and the staff. We have an incredible project leader in Mary Carroll, and Anita Meehan, our administrator, is the glue that holds it all together. They are an example of how, when a community comes together over time, with some funding from the State, it can have a direct impact and effect on young people's lives and the lives of their families, their outcomes and their ability to achieve their full potential.

I am proud to say that, over the past 17 years, a number of young people and their families have come through. None of us goes through life without needing help and support at a certain time. Each one of the young people who have engaged have come for different reasons but they have found in Cabra For Youth a place to be themselves, a safe and friendly space, and a place to make friends, develop relationships and to find out who they are. It is really important but youth work is largely undervalued in our society. I would like us to have a debate in the House on future funding of youth work services. It is very important that it seen not as informal, casual, or nice to have but as an essential in our communities.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I wish to raise an incident that happened in Newcastle West in County Limerick last weekend. Vile videos were sent to me of fighting on the streets between two different groups. They were absolutely disgusting to watch. People were being kicked in the face while they were on the ground. One person was knocked out, jumped on and punched about 20 times while he was knocked out. This happened on the street parallel to the Garda station. I do not know if it is a lack of gardaí. The gardaí in Newcastle West are phenomenal. They work so hard but they cover an area of more than 2,700 sq. km. There are two 24-hour Garda stations to cover the entire place. There are eight Garda stations in areas surrounding Newcastle West but the majority of them are open for one hour on a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m, and there is one that opens from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. We all know it is in the evening time and at night when this kind of stuff kicks off. From what I have heard, it started in a pub and was pushed out into the street. I would love the Minister to come in to discuss Garda numbers in our rural towns and villages. I keep hearing we need to get more gardaí into the cities but our rural towns and villages really need support. Our gardaí need support, including from administrators in Garda stations taking the calls that are coming in. We need extra gardaí and more patrol cars.

Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming the Minister for Justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, to Limerick. He had a very full and busy day, with a long itinerary that started with inspecting the construction of the new Garda station that is under way at Newcastle West. We expect that development to be handed back to the State in the summer of 2026. He then went on to Limerick City, and I accompanied him on his visit to Limerick Prison and to a briefing with gardaí at Henry Street on the community access support team and the results so far from that innovative new pilot programme between HSE mid-west and the Garda. He went on to meet with members of the business community who are predominantly involved in retail and hospitality in the city centre and then on to the Bedford Row project, a voluntary organisation that provides support for the families and loved ones of prisoners. Finally, we finished at Adapt House, on what was my second visit in just a short few weeks. We wanted the Minister to see the fantastic work being done there by one of the largest women's refuge centres in the country. The common theme across each of the sites we visited was drug and alcohol addiction. The governor of Limerick Prison, Mark Kennedy, and the director general of the Irish Prison Service, Caron McCaffrey, highlighted to us that 80% of prisoners arriving into Limerick Prison are suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, or both. When we went on to visit other organisations with the gardaí, members of the community access support team talked to us about how much de-escalation of situations fuelled by, or originating in, drug and alcohol addiction they are dealing with. The families in the Bedford Row support centre talked about how their children and their lives are impacted by their loved ones going to prison. I ask that we invite the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drug strategy, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, to address the Chamber and update us on the goals of the programme for Government in this very important space.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I call for a debate with the Minister for the environment, Deputy O’Brien, to come in to talk to us about the big problems we are seeing with the return scheme. It turns out that 90% of the plastics collected have been shipped overseas because it is just not worth processing them here. In 2024, it is estimated that we sold 1.7 billion cans and bottles, but only about 900 million have been returned. That leaves 800 million cans not returned, but they still get a 20 cent per can or bottle bonus on their year-end balance sheets. This feels like another sneaky tax, since the return scheme pockets all the money from the cans and bottles that do not get returned. We need the Minister in here to explain why we cannot recycle these plastics in Ireland and what all the extra profits from the return scheme will be used for. Consumers are already paying for recycling bins, so this feels like they are getting hit with a double tax.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Paul and Theresa Clerkin from Waterford, along with John Clerkin from Dublin and their cousin Vinny; Kathleen, Anthony and Ava; Cindy and Randy Flander; and Terance and Sue Franz from Chicago. I welcome the people from the city of Chicago, and from Iowa. My grand-uncle served as a parish priest in Iowa for 27 years, so I especially welcome everyone from Iowa. They are all guests of Senator Maria Byrne. I thank them for coming to Seanad Éireann today.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Today we had a very strong dog welfare presentation in the audiovisual room. I thank everybody who came to it. I thank Working Animal Guardians, Greyhound Action Ireland, Greyhound Awareness Cork and Ban Bloodsports, who all attended and were part of the presentation. Working Animal Guardians, WAG, and five other groups took a judicial review against the Government to have an appeals process for the XL bully ban recently, and there still has been nothing from the Government. Where is the review and when will this decision be made? Dog owners are in limbo.

Some of the facts presented by the groups were mind-boggling and staggering. I did not realise that 5% of all racing greyhounds are dead by the time the race is over or shortly after. In 2024, 202 dogs died racing. Some €19 million of taxpayers’ money is going to the greyhound racing industry every year. In 2019, “Prime Time” highlighted that 6,000 greyhounds died because they could not run fast enough. The death rate is as high today as it was then. They highlighted at the presentation that traceability is an absolute shambles. In March 2021, there was a commitment that there would be four care homes set up for greyhounds, but only two care centres have been set up since then. In 2024, those two care centres got €291,000. Do you know how many dogs they rehomed? Thirty-six dogs were rehomed. This means the cost of rehoming a greyhound by these care homes works out at €8,000. It makes the bike shelter look like good value. This is where €19 million in greyhound funding is going. This funding needs to be investigated independently. I ask that there be an investigation and that we have the Minister in to discuss it. You could not make this up. Rescues do a lot better. There were reports recently that a kennel in Roscommon was raided and 50 dogs removed because of the shocking condition they were in. This was reported in the newspapers. Greyhound Racing Ireland knew about the shocking conditions six months ago. This needs to be investigated again but not by the Department; we need an independent investigation into this. There are so many issues we are failing dogs and animals on.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I rise to welcome my relations in the Gallery. I hope they enjoy their visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas today and particularly to the Seanad.

I raise the issue of BusConnects, particularly in Limerick. There has been a delay in rolling it out. Back in 2021, Limerick Chamber, along with the business park outside Annacotty, commissioned a report which showed there was no bus connection to the business park. The nearest bus stop is 2.5 km from the business park, where there are more than 3,000 people working. Businesses carried out a survey and the chamber carried out a survey. There is huge support for bus connection between this business park and the city in order that people can get to work safely and on time in the morning. However, BusConnects seems to have forgotten about it. I ask that the Minister for Transport come to the House to discuss this all-important issue. It is about job security. Businesses cannot expand if people cannot get to work on time. It is a huge issue in Limerick. I know there is a delay in the roll-out of BusConnects and it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I commend the O'Farrell family on the constant and dignified efforts they have made to ensure there is justice for Shane O'Farrell as well as reform in our judicial system. To think that 14 years on the family is only now getting an apology from the Government is heartbreaking. Their son's killer had 40 previous convictions and he should have been in jail when Shane was killed. The Courts Service of Ireland stated that his prison sentences were never served because of administrative error. Shane's killer had 12 convictions from Lithuania but nobody checked his criminal record before he came into Ireland in 2004. This is something that is still a huge issue in this country today. He ran amok for two years, walking in and out of District and Circuit Courts. He consistently broke the law and yet remained free through years of incompetence, negligence and ineptitude by the State agencies. The Courts Service has admitted that, in error, it filed away the appeal papers and the appeal was never heard. Shane's killer never served his sentence. Had this error not taken place, he would have been in custody on the day he killed Shane. It is truly heartbreaking for any parent to have to bury their child. It is a pain many of us would be incapable of understanding. Shane O'Farrell was failed by the courts, the Probation Service, the Garda and the Department of Justice. Those same State agencies are failing this family to this day. The State has been no help. If anything, it has heaped trauma on top of trauma on this family. I welcome the apology today. However, apologies are all well and good, but accountability is what is needed. We need a public inquiry into Shane O'Farrell's death. This is the only way to bring peace to his family and at last get a meaningful sense of justice for Shane and his family.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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This morning I noticed the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Harris, made some very strong statements regarding what is going on in Kyiv. We talk about the genocide in Gaza and the war criminality of the likes of Netanyahu. We should be aware that Putin is equally a war criminal. Donald Trump told us during the election campaign that if he was elected, he would have the war ended within 24 hours.We are three months in and there is no sign of that war ending. We need to be aware and discuss the fact that there appears to be absolutely zero intention on the part of Putin and his allies in Iran and the Middle East to end the war. They are quite prepared to see it go on. Hundreds of missiles are being fired into Kyiv and various other cities in Ukraine. Maybe the time has come for a debate on Ukraine again and to put Ukraine front and centre for a short time in this House. While the war in Gaza, and the absolute annihilation of the people of Gaza and their homes, is terrible, what is beginning to happen in cities in Ukraine is similar. It is time we called out Putin for his fun and games claiming he wants peace talks while he is firing hundreds of thousands of missiles. We also need to look at the Iranian regime, which is providing him with drones to attack Ukraine. We have skin in the game because we have provided support to Ukraine. I hope we will continue to provide support to Ukraine but we need to discuss it and up our game in this area. I would appreciate it if the Leader could arrange a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for foreign affairs.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions. I will start with Senator O’Loughlin, who commented on her meeting in Athy with Jane Sanders and suggested that Bernie Sanders be invited to address the Seanad. It would be a matter for the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, CPPO, at a later date to determine whether that was in the offing. She also commended the Civil Defence on its 75th anniversary and raised the tragic case of Fiona Pender, as did Senator Clifford-Lee. Our thoughts are with Fiona’s family nearly 30 years on from her disappearance. We hope there will be closure in that case in the coming days and weeks.

Senator Manus Boyle raised electric vehicle, EV, infrastructure. I appreciate it is an issue. While things have improved, there certainly is a way to go in ensuring there is adequate infrastructure and that the range concerns people have as a deterrent to purchasing EV cars can be rectified. I will certainly ask for a debate with the Minister for Transport and the Minister for environment in that regard.

Senator Joe Conway mentioned the Iranian situation and the awarding of the Palme d’Or to a director there. I will certainly have some engagement with those in the free Iran movement and I wish them well in that regard. The Senator mentioned there was cause for hope and I very much agree.

Senator Ryan has sent sympathies to the people of Liverpool. We all join with the people of Liverpool who are watching over loved ones. Hopefully, all those impacted by the incident yesterday will survive. Senator Ryan also called for a debate on youth and youth work, which I will certainly request. Senator Fitzpatrick also requested a debate on the issues of youth. She talked about Cabra for Youth, the strategic five-year plan and the need for friendly spaces for young people to live their lives in. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Foley, in that regard.

Senator Costello raised the fourth annual Street Feast. I congratulate the people of Tallaght on what sounded like a wonderful weekend. I know a number of Street Feasts will be held in different parts of the country over the coming weeks. In Galway, we have one in Moycullen on 6 or 8 June and I will look forward to that.

Senator Comyn raised road fatalities, particularly among vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately, they are all too common. While we had a debate recently on road safety, I will request the Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien, to look again at this. It is possibly an issue that can be raised at the transport committee. If the Senator is not a member of that, she can engage with her colleagues in order that the issue can be pursued as a work item there. Senator Boyhan raised the discussions today on the local democracy task force. He asked for a debate on the Housing Commission reports, which I will certainly request with the Minister, Deputy Browne.

Senators Clifford-Lee and Dee Ryan spoke of alcohol addiction and addiction services for women, and they called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. I will certainly request that with the Minister of State. There is still an issue with some Ministers of State getting their delegated functions, which has gone on for far too long. I have brought this to the attention of the Government. It is hoped that will be sorted soon to allow many Ministers to come to the House to talk about their specific areas of expertise.

Senator Ryan also talked about the visit by the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, to Limerick. It sounds like it was a busy, productive and worthwhile engagement over that day.

Senator Collins raised justice issues and concerns about happenings in Newcastle West. She requested a debate with the Minister for Justice and I will certainly request that as well.

Senator Keogan requested a debate with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, on the issue of the deposit return scheme. The scheme is certainly well-intentioned. I do not believe the intention was in any way for anybody to make profit out of it but to encourage full recycling of materials. That is why the incentive of the initial levy is there. It is fully recoverable if you return your can or whatever. I can request a debate. However, if the Senator wishes to put down a Commencement matter, she might get a more direct and immediate response.

Senator Andrews raised the issues of dog welfare and animal welfare. I apologise for missing his briefing today. It is an issue in which I am interested. I was at a committee meeting at the time that was on. The State is going to amend the regulations and incorporate an appeals mechanism. That is important in regard to the XL bully, which is banned. I will request that a Minister would come in. Part of the issue is that some of the functions lie with the Department of Rural and Community Development and others, in terms of animal welfare, with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, I will ask the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to come to the House to address the issues of the welfare of dogs and dog breeding establishments.

Senator Maria Byrne talked about BusConnects. I am surprised a local business park would not be connected as part of BusConnects. It would appear to be quite an obvious issue. She may wish to put down a Commencement matter to raise the issue. Part of the problem is that Ministers are not directly involved with these matters. The NTA is directly involved and, therefore, it is sometimes not answered by a Minister. It is an important issue. The NTA will be before the transport committee today or tomorrow. I do not know whether there will be an opportunity in that regard, but I expect there is a lot of interest in that particular matter.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the tragic case of Shane O'Farrell. I welcome the fact there is to be an apology today. I do not know whether the Minister will make any other announcements. I certainly hope so but I do not know. I cannot speak for him. I welcome the fact the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is making an apology to the family of Shane O'Farrell.

Senator Craughwell raised the ongoing war in and invasion of Ukraine and called for a debate. I will certainly ask for a debate. Despite all the other incidents across the world, in particular in the Middle East, we cannot forget the situation in Ukraine. The Tánaiste will be in the House on Thursday to discuss the issues in Gaza. I will certainly request a further debate on Ukraine in the coming weeks.