Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Leader for being here today. I am going to raise an issue relating to an event that both he and I attended recently in Galway at Croí House. We met with Dr. Niamh Hannon and members of the Croí House about the future of cardiovascular health in Ireland. It was a very informative session that we attended. Among those present were some as young as 22 years of age who have had a stroke. Family members were also there and we heard about the impact on people's lives when somebody has a heart attack or stroke. Clinicians were also present.

What people might not be aware of is that there are 7,500 strokes every year in Ireland and 6,500 heart attacks. Out of that, the minimum stay in hospital for any one of those people is five days. The cost for five days for the 7,500 stroke patients is €35 million. If they spend a full week in hospital, the cost is €52 million.

The emergency department in Galway has one to two admissions a day that are related to either heart or stroke. The Croí foundation spoke of the need to create a national plan to promote cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, with a major focus on prevention. A national strategy needs to be in place by 2025, with a review and evaluation taking place.

It was amazing to learn also that at the moment in Ireland, 30,000 people are living with the consequences of stroke and 90,000 people are living with the consequences of a heart attack. All those people need access to primary care for physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy - proper rehabilitation to get back to the full functionality they previously had.

There is no doubt there is a need for a strategy and joined-up thinking on it, but there is also a need for a conversation as to where we are going. Given that we are spending more than €104 million between the two diseases, awareness, prevention and education have a role to play. That is the case in particular for the signs and symptoms for heart attacks in women. I was not aware of all of these. Aside from a heaviness or tightness in the chest, there is fatigue - which we always put down to work - indigestion, shortness of breath, pain in the back, nausea, light-headedness, discomfort in the neck or jaw and sweating. It is not always just a pain in one's chest.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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In a totally unrelated way, I too want to raise the work of Croí here today. I was not at the information session Senator Rabbitte attended last week, but on Friday last I was involved in the first Croí 5 km run-walk held outside Galway as a fundraiser.The organisation's major fundraiser, which supported all the amazing work Senator Rabbitte spoke about, took place last Friday night in Salthill. We ran the first one to be held outside of Galway in County Roscommon and it was the first such event to be held there. As Senator Rabbitte said, Croí's mission is to prevent heart disease and strokes, save lives and empower and support families, communities and future generations to take control of their health and well-being.

I highlight this particular event because events like these do not just happen overnight. Generally, someone has an idea. Some family member, neighbour or friend has experienced the support, help and assistance of an organisation such as Croí. I acknowledge the volunteers in County Roscommon, and in Castlerea specifically, who arranged this event last Friday night at 8 p.m. Susan Gaynor, Yvonne Ryan, Breege Callahan, Nial Tully and I formed the initial committee. I also wish to highlight that the transition year students of Castlerea Community School came on board. In organising a night-time event, they got involved in organising something they did not know much about, including health and safety, promotion and fund-raising. They took ownership of it, engaged and delivered what everyone who attended last Friday night agreed was a safe, engaging and very enjoyable evening. We are already talking about making this an annual event to support everything Senator Rabbitte just said about the delivery from Croí.

Senator Nelson Murray spoke earlier about the shortage of blood stocks in Ireland now and called for a debate on this matter. Effectively, the Senator was calling for more education on this matter. We need the very same discussion in relation to Croí and the work the organisation does to prevent heart disease and strokes. It would be very useful if a debate in this regard could be facilitated.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I raise the difference between political ambition and political entitlement. It has come very much to the fore during this presidential campaign. Ambition is when you are not happy with the state of affairs and the status quo and not happy with your role and status in life. To change that situation, though, you put the work in. We have seen two candidates who have put considerable work in over the past number of weeks. It is a bruising contest. Entitlement, then, is when someone is not happy with the status quo, but it is everyone else's fault. During this presidential election campaign, unfortunately, we have seen a growing number of voices and a clamour for those who feel that somehow they should be entitled to be on the ballot without having actually done the work. Those voices, with their growing anger, discontent and disrespect for our democratic processes, are now asking us to spoil the vote. I find that reprehensible and unacceptable. I will tell the House why.

Today, I hosted a group of disabled citizens in Buswells Hotel who are advocating for their role and status in society. Some of them have to be lifted out of bed in the morning, hoisted, toileted and dressed, yet they got in here to make their point in a respectful manner. In The Helix in DCU last week, we had dozens of disabled citizens and carers. Despite the enormous challenges they face, they came in to participate in our democratic process. Now, I do not agree with many of the positions put forward by some of the candidates but I respect each and every one of them and I wish them well in this contest. I noticed last night on Virgin Media how tired Heather Humphreys looked and I have seen over the last couple of weeks how tired Deputy Catherine Connolly is. There is a cohort of would-be candidates here, though, who did not put in the footwork and did not canvass sufficiently to get their signatures. We all know, every single one of us, including the Cathaoirleach and the Leader, that the calculus of numbers is harsh.If you do not have the numbers then you do not get to sit on this seat. You do not get to represent the people who put us here. There is a growing authoritarian and coercive voice in Irish society, which transplants onto the right, that is demanding that we subvert our democratic processes and that is demanding that we spoil the vote. After this presidential election, whatever the outcome, I would like to see a debate in this Chamber about the language and the vocabulary that we need to mobilise to protect these Houses and our democratic processes.

Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
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I want to raise the issue of vital funding to support Team Ireland in the World Butchers' Challenge, a global stage where butchers showcase excellence, creativity and community spirit. It is a thrilling three-hour competition where butchers push the boundaries of craft and innovation. The competition fosters international collaboration, business opportunities and elevates the butcher profession.

The Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland, ACBI, craft butchery apprenticeship, which was established in 2016 is a QQI level 5 two-year programme. It is 86% on-the-job training and 14% classroom training, which is a really good blend that brings real-life experience to the fore. The apprenticeship is helping reverse the decline in the butcher education and skills situation in this country. By way of background, the number of butcher shops has declined by 65% over 30 years and only about 500 independent shops remain, which is a concerning statistic.

The Irish team that competes in the butchers' challenge championship trains most weekends in James Murphy's butcher shop in Carlow completely for free. He has offered them the venue completely for free to allow them to train. They urgently need a venue in the midlands but costs are prohibitive. It cannot be a situation that someone from north-west Donegal travels to Carlow every weekend to train if they get picked for the Ireland team, and that is a logistical challenge we need to discuss.

For context, the Irish team operates on roughly a sixth of the average budget of other nations. Germany invests €250,000 in its team, Australia the equivalent of €300,000, and France €1 million. Ireland is stuck on a budget of €45,000 on an annual basis. Therefore, I urge the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to, one, provide the funding for the rental of venues or support host shops with electricity credits or something to that effect, and two, recognise the value these butchers bring to Ireland's reputation around the world and to our economy, and to invest more heavily in the competition itself for the participants.

As an infamous Waterford butcher said, the small corner shop is the heart of the Irish community, so let us support our butchers who are the fabric of Irish life and give Team Ireland the backing they deserve to shine on the world stage.

Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael)
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I take this opportunity to congratulate Pico Lopes, who is originally from Crumlin. He plays centre back for Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland, has played in the League of Ireland for a long number of years and, due to his father's patronage, is now playing for Cape Verde and will go to the World Cup, which we learned last week. It is an amazing opportunity. He is quoted in the Dublin Gazette today as saying he is the luckiest man in the world. He is; he is very lucky, but he also became a father on Friday afternoon. At 4.30 p.m. his partner, Leah O'Shaughnessy, who is a teacher in Tallaght, went in for a routine check and ended up having a little baby boy called Diego Lopes, so I congratulate the Lopes family.

I realised on my walk down to the local park run, which I do every Saturday, that I know Pico's mother very well but I did not know that Pico was her son. I was very embarrassed that I had not made that connection. Judy Lopes is a secretary in the Loreto junior school in Crumlin and she does great work. I stood on the picket line with her very recently and still did not know she was Pico's mother. Judy was looking forward on Saturday to getting little baby Diego back for Sunday dinner, so I hope that they did. I congratulate Crumlin's Pico Lopes, wish him the very best of luck at the World Cup, and, of course, welcome baby Diego to the family.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I rise with a heavy heart to address two tragedies that have taken place in our nation over the past week. A young man fled war in Ukraine and, within four days, was murdered with unspeakable brutality in Ireland. A girl ran away from a Tusla centre and is, allegedly, raped. What do these two tragedies have in common? They were entirely preventable. They highlight two areas in which our nation has failed totally, utterly and objectively: migration and child safety. What is utterly condemning is that this Government has now received years of warning in both of these areas. For years, I have been trying to raise the issue of children who go missing from Tusla and, for years, communities have raised their fears about the presence of IPA centres in communities such as Citywest, where the rape took place.The response has been silence and denial. Let us look at Tusla's own statement. First off, it declines to mention how long the victim was missing from care. Second, it points out that the poor girl in question had significant behavioural issues, as if that would be any excuse for what has happened to her. How dare they.

We seem to have no idea how many children are missing from Tusla care nor how long they have been missing. Likewise, we seem to have no idea who we are letting into this country and how long they are staying and where. When a real refugee from a warzone comes to our country, we put them in a room to be stabbed 100 times, and if they try to run away to the streets, they are raped.

We now live in a nation where children are not safe under Tusla care and they are not safe outside of it either. Any government with any sense of decency would resign en masse of such outrages but I will not hold my breath in this Chamber for that to happen.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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If you will indulge me, I will use my time to pay tribute to a member of the Fianna Fáil family in County Louth who we lost in recent weeks. It was only at the end of September that I paid tribute to the late Kevin Geraghty, a real stalwart of Fianna Fáil in Collon in County Louth, and yet only two short weeks later, his family lost his beloved wife, Maura. They were a coalition for 62 years. She was in her 85th year. It is a great loss, unfortunately, to the Geraghty family. They had their own little cumann; they had seven children. Between the two of them, they raised some fine Fianna Fáil members.

Maura was also a strong member of the local community. She did not only make the sandwiches. I am told that she could have been a TD if she had put her mind to it but she was busy with seven children, and now many grandchildren. She also took time to be the secretary of the local tennis club, and also president of the ICA, so she really was part of the fabric of Collon and life in County Louth.

I offer my deepest condolences to Ciaran, Orla, Aileen, Dara, Fergal, Oisín and Dónal. Maura and Kevin will both be greatly missed. I hope both their gentle souls rest in peace.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Before the month is out, I want to acknowledge and thank everybody who has been involved with the National Breast Cancer Research Institute in funding raising for breast cancer research in the month of October. Many of us have supported their efforts right around the country. It is incredibly important work that they do. Cancer research is incredibly important. It supports greater survivability, early detection, greater research, reduction in the side effects of the treatments and overall contributes to better health outcomes. I encourage everybody to continue to support them, not only in October but throughout the year, because breast cancer is still the most common cancer among women worldwide. One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Survival rates have increased because research has improved. Where research and effort are put into health outcomes, it yields results for women and their families. I commend everybody who is involved in that work, thank everybody who has supported their work and fundraising efforts and ask everybody to continue to do that after the month has elapsed.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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As a Shamrock Rovers supporter, I support Senator Ní Chuilinn's congratulations to Pico Lopes. Let us hope he does the league and cup double this year and adds to his great year qualifying for the World Cup.

The Government is going to miss its social and affordable housing targets this year. There is too much red tape holding back councils and approved housing bodies. This is why house prices, rents and homelessness keep rising. Three and a half thousand new homes are due to be built - it could be 3,800 new homes - on the Irish Glass Bottle site over the next ten years and only 300 of those will be public homes.It was recently announced that 57 public homes will be acquired by Dublin City Council in the first phase of the development of the Irish Glass Bottle site. Of course, this is very welcome for the 57 people who will secure a new home on that site. However, the Ringsend and Pearse Street communities deserve better and they deserve more than a meagre 300 units out of the 3,800 new homes planned for the Irish Glass Bottle site. There is a drastic shortage of public and affordable housing in the Ringsend and Pearse Street areas. Too often developers are allowed to undermine and circumvent their Part V obligations in order to further line their pockets, with the State failing to fight for the best interests of working class communities. Residents in Ringsend and Irishtown have fought for the last decade to ensure this site will include public and affordable housing and it is important that the local community not be ignored and sidelined. The Irish Glass Bottle site has the potential to completely change the character of the area and it is vital that this development proceed in a way that adds to the community rather than replaces or displaces it. There is a real concern that development of facilities and services will not match the increase in population. Cambridge Football Club is experiencing that issue. It is already struggling to find enough space to cater for the ever-increasing number of young boys and girls playing football. Dublin City Council is unable to support them with resources. The council needs to plan ahead for the increased number of children that will be in the expanded community and the Government needs to support the council in doing this and support clubs like Cambridge.

The long delay of the delivery of the Luas is another huge concern. The Irish Glass Bottle site is only accessible off the Sean Moore Road, one road, and that is already like a car park for hours each morning and evening. Residents in the new houses take their lives in their hands trying to exit their estate because of the poor planning on this road. The delivery of the Luas is really important. It was promised and then withdrawn. It is really important to new and existing residents of Ringsend and the Irish Glass Bottle site. People across Dublin, particularly the south inner city, have been deprived of access to adequate housing for generations. This offers a real opportunity and the Government is not taking it.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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Well said.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday marked the 18th anniversary of the murder of 21-year-old Paul Quinn near Oram in County Monaghan. This young man from Cullyhanna in County Armagh was murdered after being lured to a shed by a number of men. He suffered a horrible, violent death and the perpetrators showed no mercy. Up to ten individuals were involved in beating him with iron and nail-studded bars for upwards of 30 minutes. He was a 21-year-old lad and they broke every single bone in his body. His mother Breege, father Stephen and the extended Quinn family are appealing for information and begging for answers. Breege Quinn has said there is “no justice, no convictions, no accountability” and that “the silence is unbearable.”

In the course of the investigation, 23 people have been arrested, including 14 people by the Garda and nine by the PSNI. The Garda and the PSNI are continuing their investigations. However, Breege Quinn and the Quinn family know there are people in the community who have information and have not yet come forward. Yesterday, the Quinn family renewed that appeal for anybody with information to please come forward and pass that information on to Castleblayney Garda station or any Garda station or to the confidential Garda telephone line, 1800 666 111. I echo the appeal from the Quinn family and the Garda for anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel it is, to please come forward.

Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail)
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I raise the issue of policing in Limerick city centre. Just this morning, I spoke to a number of prominent retailers who had a meeting last night with our chief superintendent, Derek Smart, on this issue.We have seen a growth in instances of antisocial behaviour, which we believe is putting people off coming into the city centre and supporting local businesses, and a huge increase in the amount of theft happening in stores across the city centre. While An Garda Síochána is co-operating well with the business owners, we really need more support. I acknowledge the announcement yesterday by the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, that there have been over 11,000 applications to join An Garda Síochána this year. It is welcome news. The Minister introduced a second application process this year, which is an example of his commitment to increasing the numbers of gardaí available in our communities to help our citizens to feel safe. In the meantime, while we are waiting for Garda numbers to increase, we should be enjoying the benefits of an excellent initiative that began in 2023 when community engagement vans were put into use across the country. I have had positive feedback on them from retailers and business owners in Limerick. However, as I understand it, there is just one community engagement van available to cover counties Tipperary and Limerick. I invite the Minister to the House to discuss the success of these initiatives across the country, and to ask specifically if we can have one permanently based in Limerick city.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the ambassador from the Czech Republic. I was in his lovely country on one occasion in 1999. It was a bittersweet occasion for me because while I was there, on 2 July 1999, we lost a Dauphin helicopter in the sand dunes in Tramore, County Waterford, with the loss of the four Air Corps members on board. That gives me an easy segue into what I want to talk about. That helicopter was based in Waterford Airport, which has had a difficult existence for the past 40 years. Not many people know that Waterford Airport was the airport from where the first Ryanair flight took off, but the success pattern of Ryanair and Waterford Airport could not be more of a contrast. However, I am glad to tell the House that yesterday afternoon the members of Waterford City and County Council voted, almost unanimously, to conjoin with an American private enterprise consortium to develop the airport fully to accommodate big jet planes to land there. They hope to have the project finished by 2027. I commend the councillors because there was a certain amount of opposition to giving away some sections of land. They really put their courage to the sticking place yesterday and I commend them on that. We will not be here on Saturday, but we should congratulate the international airport in Knock on a successful first 40 years. As it progresses towards its 1 millionth passenger the naysayers, like the naysayers in Waterford, have been confounded. It is a great success story and I hope the same will follow for Waterford as well.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I hope you have a Monsignor Horan there as well.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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Before Ireland joined the EU, emigration was a defining part of the Irish identity. Over 10 million Irish people, more than the current population of Ireland, have left this island since 1800, driven by famine, poverty and lack of opportunity. Irish emigrants have flooded into Britain, America, Australia and beyond. They were not always welcome. Irish people were once thrown out of pubs, denied jobs and mocked with signs like, "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs." That particularly applied in Britain. Irish emigrants were stereotyped as violent and lazy. In America they were treated as second-class citizens for decades. Yet today some in Ireland are quick to blame immigrants for housing shortages, job competition or cultural change. It is a bitter irony that a nation built on emigration now turns its back on migration. EU integration brought prosperity, but it also brought amnesia. We forget what it felt like to be outsiders, to be judged and to be blamed.Ireland must remember the wind that once blew against us now blows towards us and how we treat others in that wind defines who we are. Chickens do not soar by blaming the wind. Blame does not lift you; it keeps you grounded. Why do some in Ireland seem so quick to chase the wind blowing from Britain and America? Is it loyalty, habit or just the comfort of familiar gusts? Have they not learned by now that real sovereignty is not found in borrowing breezes but in learning to read the sky and fly your own course. The takeaway for today is that if you want to fly, stop blaming the wind and start building wings.

We hear today about an assault on a ten-year-old girl. Despite thousands of rape reports annually, there is no public breakdown by nationality of perpetrators. Why is this data missing? Who benefits from the silence? Transparency is not optional; it is the foundation of justice. Data drives policy and, without clear statistics on rape incidence by nationality, Ireland risks politicising speculation and public mistrust. Survivors deserve better. Citizens deserve facts. Let us push for reasonable transparency. A total of 6,683 women reported being raped in the past ten years. It is time to have a breakdown by nationality and stop always blaming those who are immigrants to our country.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I also welcome ambassador Pavel Vošalík to the House. He is a marvellous representative of his country and it is wonderful to have him here.

As the winter comes in and the nights get darker, I am seriously uneasy and frustrated regarding the worsening homelessness situation in our country. The most recent figures released by the Department of housing are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. I am involved with the homeless services on Pearse Street and we see individuals every night of the week there. Over 16,000 of our fellow citizens are now on the emergency homeless list and 5,100 of them are children. We have crossed that awful threshold of 5,000 homeless children for the first time. To me, these are not statistics because I know the families. Imagine there are entire classrooms of children without a place to call home.

In the past year alone the number of people in emergency accommodation has increased by 13%. Behind those figures are nearly 2,400 families, about 2,000 young adults and around 252 people of pension age. People who once paid rent, raised families and contributed all the way in their communities are now finding themselves in emergency accommodation and basically living in limbo. As the winter comes in and it gets colder, we are meeting people who are in quiet despair. They are not faceless figures in a report. They are our neighbours, daughters and people in our communities. As Focus Ireland and the Simon Community have said, housing is not just about bricks and mortar. We need wraparound services, supported housing and mental health care and those in addiction need extra supports. Otherwise, we are simply moving people from one crisis to another.

I ask that emergency measures be introduced. In the Lighthouse, for example, every time there is a storm or snow, we have to roll out new initiatives. I am saying let us plan ahead for those initiatives. It is not about politics but about compassion. It is time for the half measures to be addressed.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I call on the Leader to organise a debate on people with disabilities being active, particularly in sport. We have a very proud tradition in this country and a very proud Special Olympics team which does fantastic work in representing us abroad. Equally, our Paralympians do fantastic work representing us abroad and have had many achievements for which I commend them. There are thousands of people with disabilities who do not fall into either category, however. They deserve support to be active. I commend the various sports governing bodies that have programmes that enable people with physical disabilities to be active within their sports.I commend Active Disability Ireland on the work it does with the various Government bodies to promote active physical activity for people with disabilities. However, much more can be done. A number of years ago I pointed out that part of the criteria for the sports capital grant funding should be a declaration and an explanation as to how the facilities are encouraging and promoting people with disabilities and creating access for people with disabilities to their facilities. I am not sure that has happened to the degree that one would have hoped. Therefore we need to do a stress test on the sports capital grants programme to see what more can be done in a positive way to make sure that the over 10% of our population with a disability can be as active as they physically should be and that State is providing support to them in the same way as it is providing support to other people involved in sport. It would be very welcome to have an overall debate with the Minister for sport on what is being done to make sport accessible.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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Last week a 17-year-old Ukrainian boy was stabbed to death in an apartment run by a private contractor on behalf of Tusla. This apartment housed four teenage boys. Two of these boys, alongside a female care worker, desperately tried to intervene.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I will allow the Senator extra time. I know many Members have raised issues of ongoing investigations that will lead to criminal procedures. I want the Senator to be very careful that she does not prejudice any criminal case against anybody by saying anything that would make that criminal case unprosecutable. I want her to be careful when using language. She is entitled to use any language she wants but she must be conscious.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I understand that. Anything I have to say is in the public domain.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I am aware it is in the public domain. However, the Senator has a right to say things here that are not allowed to be said in the public domain and do not get put in the newspapers. What she might say here can be put in the newspapers regardless of any rules in relation to other people. I just want her to be aware of it. All Senators are aware of the Standing Orders. I just want the Senator to be careful.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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Last week a 17-year-old Ukrainian boy was stabbed to death in an apartment run by a private contractor on behalf of Tusla. This apartment housed four teenage boys. Two of these boys, alongside a female care worker, desperately tried to intervene in this horrific attack. I cannot begin to imagine the grief felt by his family. Their child lost his life when he was supposed to be safe in the care of our State.

Yesterday the news broke of a young girl only ten years old who was allegedly raped by a man who had no legal right to remain in this State, a man who had been here for six years as an asylum seeker before being served with a deportation order earlier this year. This child was also in the care of Tusla. In a statement put out yesterday evening, Tusla described how the girl absconded from its care while on a trip in the city centre. To see language such as "absconded" used in regard to a ten-year-old girl is shocking as though she were somehow responsible for the abuse inflicted on her. It is 101 victim blaming. The girl was entrusted to the care of the State and was failed both by Tusla and by the Government's disastrous migration policy. My heart aches for her and her family.

Since 2021, 121 children under the care of Tusla have been referred to the Garda because of child sexual abuse. This is a systemic issue, yet nothing is being done. The issue has been raised tirelessly by Aontú and Deputy Peadar Tóibín. The Government continues to outsource the care of vulnerable children to private for-profit companies, many of which are not regulated. The State is continually failing children. What will it take for the Government to realise we are at breaking point? There needs to be a serious investigation into Tusla as well as reform of the State agency. Vulnerable children deserve the highest standards of care and safety and not to be placed in unregulated for-profit accommodation.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I warmly welcome the ambassador of the Czech Republic, a beautiful country I have visited many times. He is very welcome to the Upper House of our Parliament.I wish to use my time to give thanks and pay a brief tribute to the Clerk of Dáil Éireann. Why do I say Dáil Éireann when I mean Seanad Éireann? Mr. Peter Finnegan formally departs us today. He is a man of immense record, integrity, hard work and commitment. While we will see him around, and it is for Peter to do his own farewells, announcement and speech, I have worked very closely with him in the audit committee of the Oireachtas and other committees here, and I know of his wealth and breadth of experience, integrity and guidance to both Houses. Why I say it in this House is because it is last day for Peter but also he is the Secretary General of the Oireachtas. What an onerous responsibility that is. Members know there is much public commentary about the inner workings of these Houses. It is Peter who heads that up with the commission. I take this opportunity to wish him well. Members will have a lot opportunities themselves. It is important we put it on the record. We have already paid great tribute to Mr. Martin Groves, our former clerk, and I hope there will be confirmation of the clerks in both Houses shortly. I know Peter well. He has done an amazing job. He is here day and night. He is fully committed to the institution and, more importantly, the reputation of this Parliament. He has served us with absolute distinction, way beyond what most Secretaries General would do, and that is not to take away from Secretaries General. I wish Peter and his family every success and say "Many thanks". We would be lost without him. There are always new people coming and I know that he will share his breadth of knowledge and experience with the people who follow him. To Peter and his family, I wish them well and know I join with Members in wishing him well and a happy retirement. I have no doubt he will have more time to do the things he loves to do. Well done to Peter.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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We join the Senator in wishing Peter a long, happy and successful retirement. Anois, an Seanadóir Duffy.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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I welcome to the House the ambassador of the Czech Republic and share in the warm wishes to Peter Finnegan as on his retirement as Clerk of the Dáil. I use this opportunity to highlight the positivity of sport for communities, young people in particular. On my travels here today, I met with the Ballina Town under-17 girls team who had returned to Ireland having competed in Barcelona, where they finished third place in their tournament. The sense of joy from parents, players and coaches at the achievement and experience that has given those young children cannot be overstated. I compliment the coach of the team, Jack Gilmartin. The whole community rallied around this team with a fundraiser that benefited every other club and sporting organisation in town. It is a great example of a model that brings so much joy to a community. I highlight the team this afternoon and wish them well in their celebrations back home this evening. I wish I could join them.

I also highlight Master Harry Thompson, a six-time black belt in mixed martial arts, who has done incredible work for the sport in my local community and, indeed, nationally, working with kids and young people in schools and Foróige groups, and working with people who are disadvantaged and who have challenges, both physically and mentally. He has made a remarkable contribution to the sport. I acknowledge on the record of the House his achievements and his contribution to the local community and nationally.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all the Senators for their contributions this afternoon, starting with Senator Rabbitte and Senator Scahill, who both raised the issue of Croí, and we know the valuable work it does in support of those who suffer from a heart condition, whether that be stroke, heart failure or heart attack. Both Senators are right that there is a need for greater awareness of the differences between a heart attack and heart failure and of the signs of stroke and what can be done. They mentioned a range of possible symptoms, such as fatigue, indigestion, pain, nausea and sweating. We probably all say we have those from time to time, but in many cases they are signs that people can be suffering from heart disease, and if there are concerns, we encourage people to get a check-up and to get seen by their GP.Croí does great work in rolling out awareness and checking, be it at marts or football games. It is very valuable screening work. Senator Scahill also raised this and spoke about the volunteers, the fundraising and the 5 km walk in Roscommon. Of course, there is one in Salthill as well. It is a worthy issue for discussion and perhaps we will have some sort of motion on the issues of heart health and stroke.

Senator Clonan raised the issue of the presidential election and expressed concern about the spoil the vote campaign. He rightly said there are people with disabilities who go to great effort to get up and get out and make themselves available to lobby and advocate, while other people will choose to spoil their votes in this election. He has railed against this and I certainly hope there is a good turnout for the election on Friday. Of course there are three candidates on the ballot paper. There may be opportunities in the future to speak about the franchise and the methodologies of getting on the ballot paper. Perhaps we can have too few candidates but I also suggest we can have too many candidates in presidential elections such as this.

Senator Curley spoke about the World Butchers' Challenge and the importance of craft butchery apprenticeships. He called for additional funding. Perhaps he can table a Commencement debate on this as it is quite specific. I am not sure whether it is for the Department of further and higher education or the Department of agriculture. Certainly it would be a worthy Commencement debate.

Senators Ní Chuilinn and Andrews commended Pico Lopes and wished him well playing for Cape Verde in the World Cup. They also wished the Lopes family and baby Diego well. I certainly acknowledge all of this.

Senators Keogan and Sarah O'Reilly raised the tragic case of a young girl who was raped. The Minister for children, Norma Foley, has tasked the national review panel, which examines serious incidents involving children in care, with carrying out an investigation. She said it is a very worrying case but she is limited in what she can say due to the Garda investigation. There was also the case of the Ukrainian man. These investigations are ongoing and our thoughts and sympathies are with all of their families on what are tragic circumstances.

Senator Comyn paid tribute to Maura Geraghty from Collon in County Louth and her children and grandchildren. May she rest in peace.

Senator Fitzpatrick raised the importance of breast cancer research and the continued need to fundraise and support it. It is a very worthy cause. A number of charities are involved in raising funds. Professor Michael Kerin and the team at the Lambe institute in Galway do tremendous work on advocacy and research. It is very important.

Senator Andrews raised the issue of social and affordable housing targets, and the development of the Irish Glass Bottle site which has been going on for some time. I do not have an update on it but perhaps I will direct Senator Andrews to table a Commencement debate as it might be the way to get the most up-to-date information. I think he knows what is going on there anyway and I certainly hope the site can be maximised and that there is mixed development, a sense of community and facilities provided for the locality.

Senator Gallagher spoke about the trauma of Breege and Stephen Quinn on the 18th anniversary of the murder of Paul Quinn. I have read and listened to Breege in particular in the past. It is a very harrowing case. If there was any case where justice needs to be done, and those involved in the heinous act brought to justice, it is this.

Senator Dee Ryan spoke about policing in Limerick city and called for a debate with the Minister. I will certainly request this. As she knows, policing numbers are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I certainly welcome the increase in the number of those in training, the two intakes per year, and the changes made in the time of the former Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to the Garda entry and retirement ages. I certainly think this has made a difference in terms of the numbers applying.

Senator Joe Conway raised the issue of Waterford Airport and spoke about the difficult period it has endured. He spoke about a new partnership, as agreed by members of Waterford City and County Council, and I hope this bears fruit and that Waterford Airport has a bright future in terms of connectivity. Senator Craughwell raised the history of emigration from Ireland to the US, UK, Australia and elsewhere. As I have said plenty of times, I have ten aunts and uncles in Boston, as well as uncles and aunts in New York, Los Angeles, Perth, Manchester and London. I am only one person. That is a huge diaspora around the world and it is evident of what has gone on throughout our history. He also raised the attitudes to people coming into this country. There are grave concerns in relation to how people are being treated. It has to be said that others have different opinions on that as well.

Senator McCarthy raised the issue of homelessness. He quite rightly said that the homeless figures are not faceless; they are human beings, including children. He called for emergency measures. I will again request a debate on homelessness.

Senator Martin Conway raised the issue of people with disabilities, particularly those involved in sport. He called for a debate and wants changes, particularly in relation to the sports capital grants. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister, Deputy Foley will be in on the first week we are back after the break to discuss the disability strategy. The Senator may have an opportunity to raise it then. That is an all-of-government strategy encompassing different Departments. There might be an opportunity to raise the issue at that juncture.

Senator Boyhan paid tribute to Peter Finnegan and so say all of us. As a former Government Chief Whip, I worked with Peter in the other House. As well as being an absolute gentleman, he is a thorough and dedicated public servant. I wish him well in his retirement, which I suggest is at a young age. I expect he has other things in mind.

Senator Duffy paid tribute to a number of clubs and individuals in Ballina. I hope he gets down to join some of the celebrations towards the end of the week. All those involved in sport in the town of Ballina, be it judo or any other, do their community proud. I wish all involved in Ballina good for the week ahead.