Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Icelandic delegation, and I hope they enjoy their stay in Ireland.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to be brought to a conclusion at 6 p.m. by one question put from the Chair, which shall in relation to amendments include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 2, motion regarding the earlier signature of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; and No. 3, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 6 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 2, whichever is the later, and to adjourn at 8.30 p.m. if not previously concluded.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I also welcome our special guests from Iceland. I was privileged to be there for the fourth summit of the Council of Europe. I was the rapporteur, so I worked closely with my colleagues on PACE. I had a wonderful and interesting time, and had the privilege of meeting Vigdís Finnbogadóttir a few times, the first female president in the world. We all have a lot to learn from her. They are welcome.

Sunday was a day of two halves. We woke to the shocking and horrific news of five young people killed on their way for a night out to celebrate and enjoy themselves. We heard more about these five young people - Chloe McGee, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hibson. We heard about their dreams and the roles they were already playing within their families and communities. Our prayers and sympathies go to the parents and the community. Our thoughts are also with the three who were injured in this horrific and tragic accident. Our thoughts and gratitude go to the first responders and to the gardaí who came to the scene. It must have been horrific for them. Listening to some of the local priests, teachers and principals on the airwaves over the last 48 hours, it has been really tragic, and we all feel for them.

Then just after lunch we had that match, and we had Troy Parrott and the Irish team. What an incredible match. What an incredible score. If the presidential election were on in the morning and we could get Troy Parrott's name on the ballot paper, there is no doubt that he would be elected. Our huge congratulations go to Troy and the Irish team, and we wish them well next March when they advance to the next stage.

I finished Sunday evening in the Curragh at the invitation of the Defence Forces, who had the most wonderful concert in aid of ONE, the Curragh Lourdes Fund and the family resource centre in the Curragh.

It is also important to mark the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day. A new report forecasts that Ireland is on track to eliminate cervical cancer within 15 years. That is quite incredible. As we know, cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but it can help prevent the disease by detecting cell changes before they become dangerous. A new test has been designed for women at home who do not want the invasiveness of going to a doctor.

I will also mention lung cancer. It is the deadliest cancer in Ireland, leading to approximately 1,900 deaths per year.That number is expected to grow because it is linked with population and ongoing tobacco-related issues. This week, Ireland launched its first white ribbon for lung cancer campaign, symbolising hope and awareness. I commend Samantha Vaughan, a Kildare women now living in Borris-in-Ossory, who is a lung cancer survivor who never smoked. I wish her well in rolling out an awareness programme in schools, shops and communities.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome to the Gallery guests of the Ceann Comhairle. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I also welcome to Seanad Éireann pupils from St. Aidan's Community School, who are guests of Deputy Coppinger. I am sure she has told them that after visiting the House, there is no homework for the rest of the week.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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On behalf of the Fine Gael Party, I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on his new role as managing director of the World Bank. He said in his speech that it had been the greatest of honours to be a politician in this country. It certainly has been the greatest of honours for me and many people in my party to have worked alongside Paschal Donohoe. He has been a politician for the past 20 years, during which time he was a Member of Seanad Éireann. He is somebody we absolutely admire. During all my canvassing, he was out with me, and I am sure he did the same for everybody else who asked him. He always gave of his time. I wish him very well in his future endeavours.

There is a detrimental impact on small businesses arising from roadworks associated with new roads and implementation of town plans, particularly in retail parks and on main streets. Having raised this issue previously, it really now is time for the Departments of enterprise and local government to work together to find some solution to help businesses through the very difficult time when there are roadworks outside their door, when a new road is being put into a town or other work is being done. I have always said there should be a pause or discount on rates when this happens. Rates are a very valuable source of income for local government and one on which councils depend. However, businesses have reported sales down by 30%, 40% or 50% when works are being done outside their door.

In my home town, the Navan 2030 plan is under way. It is fantastic and the town is looking really well. However, as I have raised previously, sometimes replacing car park spaces with lovely shrubbery may not be the right answer. Some businesses have closed. I previously mentioned a business on Watergate Street that closed after 39 years. This was the straw that broke the camel's back, with traffic coming in and out of the town. In the past three weeks, a brand-new road has opened. The council has done a great job and it will make a difference in the future. Right now, however, trying to co-ordinate the lights means traffic is at a standstill at weekends the whole way from the Dublin Road, right into Navan and out along the Kells Road. Nobody is coming into the town and into the businesses in the retail park, especially, and the town centre.

We must think about the impact on businesses when works are being done. Great work is being done on the fabulous new roads and the fabulous shrubbery and landscapes but it must be done with a co-ordinated approach that considers the impact on businesses. If it does impact them, consideration must be given to how they can be supported during that time. Right now, businesses are not supported when roadworks are happening outside their door. There is no support for them when new roads are being built. It is about time they were supported. I ask that this issue be raised with the Ministers.

Joe Conway (Independent)
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Yesterday, the Home Secretary in our neighbouring UK Parliament outlined significant changes the Government there proposes to make on immigration and the new rules that will apply thereto. We have a common travel area with the United Kingdom and a significant shared land border of nearly 500 km, with its unparalleled 275 crossings being 20 times as many as there are on the length of the USA-Canada border. This poses a great threat and challenge for the Republic because of proximity, language and policing.The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has stated that we need to be nimble and responsive to these emerging developments, with appropriate and timely legislation. I think all Members would agree with him on that, and would agree with me that such legislation, when it is forthcoming, would be more responsive and nimble if it was informed by the inputs of this House. Accordingly, I am requesting that such an invitation be issued gan mhoill ar bith to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration a bheith anseo inár gcomhluadar chun díospóireacht a bheith againn ar an gceist thábhachtach seo.

While I am on my feet, although we did not oppose it, we are very disappointed in the Order of Business agus an bleid atá déanta ag an Rialtais chun an guillotine a tharraingt anuas on the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025 this afternoon. It does matter because it involves energy security, climate goals, economic impact and employee inclusion. It is regrettable that it is boxed into such a small piece of consideration in the House today.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I echo the Sinn Féin Party's condolences for those poor lives that were lost in Louth. As a parent, I can only imagine. It is the worst nightmare to get that phone call, whether it is in the middle of the night or during the day. When my kids are out and they are not home yet, I have my phone on loud and I am waiting. Every time my phone beeps I have to look.

We often speak here about our farming community and how important it is to have our small family farms rooted in our rural communities. This evening, Sinn Féin is bringing forward a Private Members' motion in the Dáil on Mercosur. If this trade agreement goes through, it will see an unbelievable influx of beef to this country. This beef may be injected with hormones, as Mercosur countries do not have the same animal rights or rules and regulations that we have here in Ireland and across Europe. We have such a high standard of beef in this country that we are probably world-class beef distributors. If this trade agreement goes through in Europe, we will have beef coming in that will not go through the same regulatory scrutiny as ours does. The family farm is going to be devastated by this.

There are three different sides to this. There is the family farm, where their beef is not going to be worth what it is now. The price of beef is going to drop if this happens. There is also the climate side, as this will incentivise Brazil to cut down its rainforest to make more space to produce more beef. This beef will come into this country and be sold to hotels and restaurants. We will not see the packaging and will not know whether it is Irish beef that has gone through the same conditions that our world-class beef goes through. People could be sitting in a restaurant eating something that has been injected with hormones. I ask Senators to go back to their parties and plead with them to vote for the Private Member's motion this evening and stop this trade agreement from going ahead.

Frances Black (Independent)
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On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, I send our condolences to the families of the five young people, all in their 20s, who lost their lives in the serious road traffic collision that took place outside Ardee, County Louth, on Saturday evening. They were all friends and had their lives ahead of them. For that to be taken away is absolutely devastating. I know this has completely shocked all of Ireland, particularly the communities across the north east. I send strength and support to their loved ones and extended communities. I would like to read out their names and ages because it is really important to have them recorded here today. We had poor Chloe McGee, who was 23, and Shay Duffy, who was 21, both from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. We had Alan McCluskey, 23, from Drumconrath, County Meath; Dylan Commins, 23, from Ardee, County Louth; and Chloe Hipson from Lanarkshire, Scotland, who was living in Carrickmacross.It is such a tragedy to the families, and to all of their communities and all who are mourning, to lose those five young lives. It is the worst type of traffic collision that could possibly happen.

I also want to mention the rescue services that responded to the accident. Among them, obviously, were An Garda Síochána and the emergency services, including Dundalk Fire Brigade, the HSE paramedics and hospital staff. I am aware that it must have been extremely difficult to attend the scene and I commend all of our first responders and other services for dealing with this in the best way that they could under extremely difficult circumstances.

I have been informed by county councillors from the area that a book of condolence was opened this morning at the civil offices in Ardee where members of the public can pay their respects. We should probably have one here in Leinster House as well today.

This tragedy, with the loss of five young adults, will have a deep impact on families and local communities in Carrickmacross, Drumconrath and Scotland. I know I am not alone in saying that our deepest sympathies are with those families and communities and they will all be in our thoughts and prayers in the coming months while they come to terms with this horrific, heartbreaking loss.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I echo the words of many of my colleagues here today because the tragic news from my home town and home county, County Louth, and the neighbouring counties over the weekend has shaken us all to the core - five young people, with their whole lives ahead of them, gone in the blink of an eye. They were the same age as my own children and my heart breaks for the parents of those beautiful young adults who had so much to look forward to. I agree with my colleague who said your heart is in your mouth every time your children leave the house. Unfortunately, for these families, the unspeakable happened.

I want to honour their memory by reading their names into the record: Chloe McGee, aged 23, from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey, also 23, from Drumconrath; Dylan Commins, aged 23, from Ardee; Shay Duffy, just 21, from Carrickmacross; and Chloe Hipson, also 21, from Lanarkshire in Scotland. To their parents, families, friends and, of course, the wider communities, I am so deeply, deeply sorry. Their grief is unimaginable. I hope they can feel the love, the support and, of course, the solidarity of people right across Louth, Meath and Monaghan and the world who are holding them in their hearts.

Of course, I want to acknowledge as well the first responders and the emergency services at the scene and the doctors and the nurses in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda who did everything humanly possible in the most traumatic of circumstances. Their care, compassion and professionalism deserve all our gratitude. I also want to mention the chaplains who stood beside families and emergency workers offering comfort in moments when words simply could not be enough.

This tragedy must also prompt action. I am calling for a debate in this House on strengthening road safety, particularly on our B roads and our minor rural roads which so many young people travel and rely on every day.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I, too, would like to be associated with the condolences to the families. We in Donegal have had our own tragedies down through the years. The loss of five young lives is so sad. It really is. They were going out, just in the prime of their lives.

Today, I want to express my serious concern about the lack of dental services in the south-west Donegal region covering Glencolmcille, Carrick, Kilcar, Killybegs, Bruckless and Dunkineely since the retirement in May 2025. Since the departure of the dentist, there has been no replacement dentist appointed to the Killybegs dental clinic and it remains closed. As a result, 500 children in the area are currently without access to routine dental screening and treatment under the HSE school dental service. We understand that children are now being referred to Ballyshannon for emergency treatment only. There are major difficulties here for families, with travelling distances significant. The emergency appointments are limited. Parents are told to seek advice from private dentists but this is not financially feasible for many families in my community.This situation is unacceptable and children's oral health is at serious risk. Routine dental check-ups and preventative care are essential to avoid future complications and pain, and their teeth need to be looked after. We appreciate the ongoing pressures on the HSE's dental service, but rural communities have been without a local dentist for the last six months. The absence of a school dentist is having a tangible impact on the health and well-being of children across many schools in my local area in south-west Donegal. I ask the Leader to get on to the Minister to look into trying to get a dentist back in the health centre in Killybegs.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome the Latvian Ambassador on Latvia's national day. Ambassador, you are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. On the 18 November 1918, Latvia declared its sovereignty and claimed its rightful place among the free nations of the world. We are delighted that you here on your national day to celebrate with us. Our two nations share many historical parallels and a deep understanding of the long struggle it takes to get independence and freedom. That is why there is such a friendship between the people of Latvia and the Irish people. We fought long and hard battles to preserve our culture, language and identity and to secure our freedom, having endured long periods where freedom was denied. The sovereignty which you achieved in 1918 was taken away from you again, but you succeeded in not only rejoining the free nations of the world but also joining the European Union, where we work together on issues of peace and, particularly, security, given the ongoing challenges that we have on your eastern border, especially with Russia and the war in Ukraine. We look forward to working with you at an EU level on preserving and protecting your sovereignty. Your people here in Ireland are a living bridge between Latvia and Ireland, and on the 107th anniversary of the declaration of independence, we thank you for taking the time out of your national day to come here and celebrate it with all your friends in Seanad Éireann. Ambassador, you are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Go raibh maith agat.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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The ambassador is very welcome here this afternoon. I note the contribution that Latvians have made to our economy and our country over the last number of years. There are now about 25,000 Latvian people here and they make a marvellous contribution to our country.

We all agree that desperate times call for decisive measures. The Government's new housing action plan for 2025 to 2030 has many welcome elements: planning reform, statutory guidelines and a promise to tackle judicial review delays. These are a step in the right direction and I commend the Government on the ambition, but I believe this plan can go further. We still have a system where a single objector can hold up thousands of homes. If I were the Minister, I would not be hiding behind layers of bureaucracy. I know he has given an instruction to the county councils to get out and build houses. I would bring every local authority and senior planner into one room and tell them to go out and build houses on serviced sites. We had that opportunity last week in Meath but, unfortunately, county councillors from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin decided not to look at the land that was dezoned, that was serviced sites in the 2019 plan. That was a shame because there will be no houses built in my town. There will be no houses built in many towns around County Meath over the next number of years. The Government needs to start talking to its own councillors on the ground.

Regarding rates, Meath County Council's rates are going up next week as well by 10%. Here we are calling on the Government to do one thing and its councillors are doing something else on the ground.

What we see in this plan is a ballooning of quangos, a housing activation office, six new task forces and agencies and billions poured into a complex web of bodies. We already have 500 housing agencies and 31 local authorities. Adding layers will not build homes faster. Government should exercise its executive functions, not outsource responsibilities to a quango complex. Where are all the real incentives? I have said before that we should declare a temporary amnesty on capital gains tax for house owners selling to families, not vulture funds. Remove the stick and offer a carrot. This would unlock thousands of homes overnight. Why is that not in the plan? To reiterate, I still believe that the way forward is to give real powers to councils to build and not merely advise on zoning.Let us fix inequities like the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, where tenants lose €11,000 compared with council tenants when they try to buy their home. Let us cut the red tape, reduce the quango sprawl, and give people the incentives they need to put homes onto the market. That is how we deliver homes and build communities.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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I could not be prouder today, coming from Dublin Central, to heartily congratulate our national team. I give a huge shoutout, obviously, to Troy Parrott from the north inner city. The north inner city and Dublin Central gets a lot of bad press. The media love a bad story. He exemplifies and epitomises the best of the greatest of people. There are the greatest of people in the north inner city. His hat-trick was immense. None of us will ever forget it. It goes down in history. Caoimhín Kelleher's composure and vision and Liam Scales's crucial assist remind us all that football and team effort is what counts. I also give a shoutout to our manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson. His leadership and belief in a group of lads spurred them on and enabled them to deliver the results that have us, for the first time since 2002, in a World Cup play-off. I heartily congratulate them all.

More importantly, all the young boys and girls in Dublin Central and all around the country who are kicking balls should take inspiration. They can do it too. It is an enormous achievement. It is something that has the inner city and capital buzzing. The whole country is united with this, is lifted and bursting with pride because of what those lads have achieved. They should enjoy it. We have a long road to March. We will all travel that road with them. I genuinely believe that we believe that they have the courage to deliver for us all. Comhghairdeas and beir bua, lads.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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Last week, the new housing plan was unveiled by the Minister for housing, Deputy James Browne. I draw particular attention to page 61 of it, where an important and long overdue commitment has been made. In summary, the plan ensures that when a victim of domestic violence must relocate to a new local authority, they will not face barriers in accessing housing supports. Crucially, it provides that victims can immediately avail of the full suite of social housing supports, including housing assistance payment, HAP, and they can transfer the time they have already spent on another local authority housing list. Local authority allocation schemes will also be required to recognise the unique circumstances of victims of domestic violence and prioritise them accordingly.

I especially welcome this inclusion in the plan because, back in November 2023 when I was a councillor on South Dublin County Council, I put forward a motion calling for exactly this change, that victims of domestic violence who move between local authorities should be allowed to carry over their time on the housing list instead of having to start again from scratch. It is encouraging to see that what was advocated for locally has now been taken on board nationally. As elected representatives, we witness first-hand the impact domestic violence has on individuals and families. The Minister's acknowledgement of this reality and the proactive steps taken in the new plan are welcome, but we must go further.

During my time as a councillor, Saoirse Domestic Violence Services offered training to elected members and staff in South Dublin County Council to help us to better support victims seeking assistance. This type of training is invaluable. All elected representatives should be both offered and undertake such training. I have raised this within my party, and we will be acting on it in the near future. I urge all parties and those of none to do the same, ensuring that we are properly equipped to respond to the victims of domestic abuse. It is not optional; it our responsibility. Only with the right knowledge, sensitivity and training can we truly fulfil the commitments that are laid out in this plan.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I also support the congratulations for the Irish team on Sunday. It was incredible and gives the whole nation a lift.I also wish the under-17s. who are playing at the moment - I think the score is nil-all - the under-19s and under-21s well. I am particularly delighted for Troy Parrott who went through a difficult time and who seems to be finding himself. It is a joy to watch. When we see the joy good Irish performances do for us all, it is hard to understand why the Government has continued to underinvest in Irish sport and why it leaves us at the bottom of the European ladder of investment in sport. That is obviously disappointing, but it is not to take away from the joy the Irish team gives us.

The taxi industry here is highly regulated, but Uber is trying to turn it into a jungle. Uber is trying to undermine the taxi industry, the regulation of the industry and the regulator. Uber is trying to force both fixed-price fares on taxi drivers and a race to the bottom. Uber's fares are not actually fair. There is a meter system for taxis in Ireland, and Uber is trying to undermine it. There is no oversight of or transparency in respect of Uber's fixed fare. Uber cannot set the rules. It should not be allowed to set the rules and regulations. That is for the taxi regulator to do. When last I looked, Uber was not the taxi regulator. This action by Uber will lead to reduced incomes for taxi drivers. I suggest that taxi drivers delete the relevant app until the issue is resolved.

The National Transport Authority needs to undertake a review of the Uber fixed-fare contract because there is clearly nothing fair about it. We need to know if the fixed-fare contract is permissible under Irish law.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator might submit a Commencement matter on the subject. I caution him about making charges against companies in the Chamber.

Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
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Seamount College in Kinvara urgently needs a new sports hall. I visited the school last Friday with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and we saw the lack of facilities that exist on campus in Seamount College at first hand. The school has seen a rapid rise in its enrolment in recent years, which is testament to the quality of education provided there. However, we need the resources to keep in step with that. On average, a student loses one full year of physical education, PE, per six years in school because of a 1 km round trip walk to the local PE hall in the town, which is very small. It is good that they have it, but I do not think from a practical point of view we should have a situation where 20 students watch four students play badminton in PE class, which is one practical example a PE teacher shared with us. It is high time something was done. The students have spoken loudly to us; they want action now. Their parents are anxious that this go ahead and the teachers themselves are angry with the conditions in which they have to teach PE. I do not think we can stand over students having to make a 1 km round trip in the driving rain on the Atlantic coast as being fair in this day and age. I call on the Leader to talk to the Minister to have this matter addressed urgently in the context of the next round of sports capital funding.

I also wish to raise the issue of the Local Link bus route between Tuam and Galway city via Corofin and Turloughmore. This is something Councillor Donagh Killilea consistently raised at Galway County Council meetings over the years when I was his colleague. There was an announcement in local media in March that the appointment of a contractor would take place on 20 March. That appointment did not materialised, however. There is major anguish among the local community because there is no alternative mode of transport in places like Tuam and Turloughmore other than the car. We need to provide viable transport routes for people. I would like a discussion with the Minister on this matter to allay the fears of Councillor Killilea and his community.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome Georgia, the stepdaughter of Senator Costello, to Seanad Éireann. She is here on work experience. I hope she is working very hard for the very hard-working Senator and that she enjoys her week in Seanad Éireann. I thank her for coming here. I know she is mortified, but the Senator asked me to do it. What can I say?

We also have guests of Deputy Catherine O'Callaghan. The members of the SNP from Scotland are welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I thank them for being here.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I want to highlight the need for urban regeneration funding for Enniscorthy town. Wexford town, which is located in the constituency in which I live, was delighted to receive €18.4 million in March 2021. With the programme for Government containing a commitment to a similar fund under a town and city regeneration process that is to be put in place during the Government's first year in office, I call for regeneration funding to be allocated in respect of my town of Enniscorthy as a matter of urgency.Wexford County Council has produced an ambitious three-strand plan, which includes the regeneration of Market Square and the historic Enniscorthy Castle and castle quarter, as well as the much-needed regeneration in the Templeshannon area, which is the historic part of Enniscorthy town. I want to know from the Government where exactly we are at with the new fund, when applications can be made to it and when that funding will become available.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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Last week, we marked the new housing plan, which is the Government's long-awaited housing plan. The Taoiseach called it the most unprecedented investment in housing ever. It is the fourth such plan and I really hope it works. When the first plan was launched, we had 800 children who were homeless. This fourth plan is coming at a time when there are 5,286 children homeless. Updated housing targets have been given to local authorities. It is essential we keep the pipeline moving, with clear authority given to the local authorities to zone land that is fully serviced in order to develop these sites. Many of these ready-to-go sites were left out of the early draft variations, despite having confirmed capacity, certainly in my area of Kildare. It is now up to the county councils to amend their plans and include that serviced land - the tier 1 land - to activate the most deliverable sites because families in emergency accommodation are paying the price for the delays. While the Minister, Deputy Browne, has said we are going to have 300,000 houses over the next six years, including 90,000 starter homes, 15,000 affordable homes and 12,000 social homes, certain Opposition parties are already saying this will fall far short. I hope the Minister is successful in this.

I welcome the €2.5 billion given to the Land Development Agency, LDA. I am doing a project with the agency in Bluebell where we won an award last week. It has been wonderfully successful.

I want to ensure this plan empowers local authorities, provides finance, makes sure smaller builders can build and streamlines the planning process, so there will be no more disappointment and the next plan, the fifth, will not lead to higher homeless levels. I call on the Leader to schedule a full debate in the House to ensure the voices of those most affected, namely, families, renters and the homeless, can be heard in this Chamber.

Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)
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In the past few days, people in this country have had highs and lows. I speak with a heavy heart of the tragic loss in Dundalk, where five young lives were taken in a single, devastating incident. The families, friends and communities of Chloe, Alan, Dylan, Shay and Chloe are overwhelmed with grief and we mourn with them. These were young people full of promise and full of dreams. Their absence is deeply felt by every person in this country. I call on the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, and the Road Safety Authority to launch a nationwide review and debate, with a strong emphasis on serious enforcement and safety on our roads. I extend my sympathies to all the families.

It was with immense pride and joy that we celebrated the outstanding performance of our national football team over the weekend in its win over Hungary. I offer my congratulations to the players, coaching staff and all those behind the scenes who made this moment possible. This victory is more than just a result on the scoreboard; it is a moment of unity and shared pride that resonated across every town and village over the weekend, from the youngest kids kicking a ball in the school yard to the oldest citizens who followed our boys in green through the decades of highs and lows. I was at the Armenian game where I met Paul McGrath, Packie Bonner and John O'Shea. There are now new heroes to look up to.

It is with a sense of deep respect and admiration that I acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of my colleague and fellow Fine Gael man, the Minister, Paschal Donohoe, who has announced his resignation from the Cabinet and the Dáil to take up a senior role at the World Bank. He has overseen some of the most challenging budgets in our history, always with a steady hand and clear eye on the future.His departure is a loss, not just to Fine Gael, but to the entire Oireachtas and the people of Ireland. Sinn Féin had a cheap shot today at him, mentioning the last budget was not a great day for Paschal, but he has seen us out of dark days and led us to where we are with an economic boost to this country. I wish Paschal all the best in his new role in the future.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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I raise an issue that is affecting a lot of schoolgoing kids in Roscommon, especially in the Athlone municipal district. This relates to kids trying to get to school on a daily basis in Roscommon town and the unpredictability and unreliability of the school bus service. This has been raised with me by a number of the councillors in Roscommon's Athlone municipal district, namely, Councillors Domnick Connolly and Valerie Duffy. They are highlighting the bus that services areas like Mote Park, Four Roads, Rahara, Curraghboy and Ballymurray. In the last 12 months, there have been at least 12 to 15 occasions when that school bus has not shown up. In the age of social media and always being connected, parents are still only finding out about this as kids are standing on the side of the road as opposed to being notified in advance. I would like to call for a debate on the school bus service once again and on the communication with the parents of the students accessing that bus service.

I stand with my colleague and extend the warmest congratulations to the former Minister, Paschal Donohoe, as he takes on his new role with the World Bank. For nearly two decades, he has been an exemplary representative. His leadership has got us through things like Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and major global uncertainty. I wish him and his family the very best. The one thing I will miss is the "Prime Time" debates on budget day when Paschal regularly taught a lesson to whomever his opponent was on the night on why he had made the decisions and why they were in the best interests of the country.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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I want to express my sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of the five young people who were tragically killed in County Louth, and indeed, to the communities of Carrickmacross, Drumconrath and Ardee. They have all been rocked by this. At the same time, I know that those communities will be a strength to those families and relations in getting through all of this.

I want to raise an issue that affects Cavan. I am from a rural area in County Cavan. There are approximately 3,000 km of local roads in the county. There are three municipal areas. The engineers have told me that they have received funding to repair approximately 15 km of road out of 1,000 km in each municipal area. That amounts to about 1% to 1.5% of the road network per year. At that rate, the road repaired this year will not be repaired again for 100 years. There will be no road left. I am looking at road disintegrating as we speak. The weather has been incredibly wet and is wearing away roads. The engineers tell me when they go out to repair a road for tarring, they have to replace all the culverts. They are very badly damaged because they have been left so long without repair. I am calling for immediate action to be taken to increase the allocation to the repair of local roads in our country. We depend on them in rural areas. The funding is much too low. I am calling for a debate with the Minister for Transport on this issue.

Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)
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I dtosach báire, déanaim mo chomhbhrón leis na teaghlaigh ar fad a bhí bainteach leis an tubaiste uafásach a bhí againn i gContae Lú.

Chomh maith le cuid mhór Seanadóirí eile, tugaim ómós dár gcomhghleacaí an Teachta Paschal Donohoe atá ag éirí as a phost mar Aire Airgeadais. Is duine cumasach tuisceanach cineálta é Paschal. Is duine é atá an-stuama ó thaobh chúrsaí airgeadais de.Bhí sé ag iarraidh go mbeadh an t-airgead againn an t-am ar fad nuair a bhí sé ag teastáil, cosúil leis an bpaindéim a bhí againn agus an saghas sin ruda. Gúim gach rath air ina phost nua mar stiúrthóir bainistíochta an Bhainc Dhomhanda. Nil aon amhras agam go n-éireoidh go geal leis in Washington. Is mian liom an méid sin a rá.

Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael)
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As a former sports journalist, nothing pleases me more than when Irish football makes headlines for all the right reasons on the field of play. I pay tribute to all the Irish teams. They are really showing us that there is a wave of positivity around the game at the moment, perhaps in spite of reported shortcomings at governance level. I pay tribute to all the teams, all the footballers, all the coaches and all the ancillary staff who make these things possible for us to celebrate the way we have done over the past five days. As I said, there is a wave of positivity around the game, the international game in particular, at the moment. It began with Carla Ward's women beating Belgium in that relegation-promotion play-off in the Nations League. The under-17s had a very hard act to follow last Friday night after the exploits of the senior team against Portugal the night before, but they gave us a thrilling penalty shoot-out on Friday night. I am sorry to say that since Senator Andrews stood up, they have gone two-nil down against Switzerland, but we all know what the Irish teams can do when they are behind in big games. There are about 20 minutes left in that match, so the best of luck to them in finishing that off.

To Troy Parrott and his teammates, what can we say about the past number of days? As others have said, it was a source of immense joy. Some of us have children who are waiting and waiting to see a major championship. They all ask us, "When are we going to get our Italia ’90?" We have an opportunity for both senior teams to qualify for the next world cups as things stand. Let us just hope and pray that the teams can continue on this positive wave. I just wanted to pay tribute to the players, all the coaches and the people who make these things happen on the field of play.

Finally, I pay tribute to Paschal Donohoe. I will not pretend to understand the level of work he has put into Irish life in his tenure as a politician, as a Minister and at European level, but I will say that since I met him, his generosity of spirit is one of the things that has stood out for me as a new politician, a new Senator. He is so generous with his time and his sharing of knowledge. He is not afraid to share power, and that is a sign of a real leader. We will miss him a lot not just in the Fine Gael Party but in government and in this country as well.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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It is the sum of all fears as the parent of an 18-year-old, a 21-year-old, a 23-year old and a 24-year-old. Your heart is in your mouth when they go out and you just want them to come home. My heart and my deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends in the communities who have lost those five beautiful young people. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.

I want to raise again the issue of the triple lock. The Cathaoirleach and I have sat on the defence and national security committee and have heard expert after so-called expert tell us that there will be no more Security Council resolutions. Lo and behold, we have one for an international stability force in Gaza, to be headed up by no less a personage than President Trump, with Tony Blair as his second-in-command. As I correctly predicted on that committee over and over again, the days of peacekeeping are over. That term should not be used by Ministers in our Cabinet to describe the activities and the potential future activities of Irish soldiers in any mandated or non-mandated mission going forward. The stability force that is proposed will most likely be dominated by Sunni troops, probably from the Turkish military or the Gulf states, and it will be a fighting force. Hamas has already declared that it will not accept it. That is the future of our foreign deployments. Notwithstanding the merits or demerits of that UN Security Council resolution, by what international authority will we send our troops overseas in the absence of a triple lock? Will we accept a decision from Brussels, from the EU military staff, from NATO? By what international authority? If we do that, it will have no legal standing. It will be de facto an invasion or occupying force. I say especially to our Fianna Fáil colleagues that they need to ask questions of their Minister. He has been publishing statements on digital platforms that show that he is clearly out of his depth, making factually inaccurate observations about the EU's involvement in international conflict.We really need to have a serious debate here in this House because the Government is setting its face against the Irish people. It is a serious error of judgment to go ahead and abolish the triple lock. We should instead invest in our defences and our sovereign neutral status. We cannot even defend ourselves during the Presidency of the European Union. We need to have a proper debate. Forget about this triple lock nonsense and just invest in our neutrality and invest in our defences.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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I, too, would like to be associated with all the good remarks said about the Irish soccer team. I grew up in the Jack Charlton era and recall early mornings and late night socialising and celebrations. I recall the buzz that was around the Irish team and especially how their efforts brought together communities, a country and a nation. The Irish team also brought our diaspora across the water together because everywhere we went everybody loved the Irish. We grew, as a nation, through sport. I wish the Irish teams - management and players - success in everything they do in the future. Let us hope that we will see America again to compete in the World Cup.

It would be remiss of me to not personally thank the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. Since I was elected, Paschal Donohoe took all the newbie Senators under his wing. He has been very approachable and he took the time to sit down and have a chat, which I found remarkable. I have always looked up to him from his time as Minister for Finance when we went through tough times on the buildings, and I was one of those workers who went through it, and we saw what he did for this country at that time. I wish him and his family well in his new move.

Finally, last week Councillor Danny Byrne at his council's meeting raised the issue of e-scooters. I do think we need a debate on e-scooters in this House. I have travelled in and out of Dublin on a number of occasions and witnessed the disrespect that some of the riders of e-scooters show for traffic is remarkable. Unfortunately, we will see a few deaths on the roads if legislation is not brought in regarding the speed limit for scooters and where they can travel. I have seen people on e-scooters weave between middle, outside and inside lanes and we need discussion in this House in that regard.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I rise today to be associated with the words of sympathy towards the families of the five young people who were killed in that horrific road crash over the weekend. No family wants to receive tragic news. It is terrible to hear that five young people lost their lives when they were going out to have their night. My sympathies to them, and to their families and friends. Obviously this tragedy will have a knock-on effect on their outer circle of friends, as well as their family circle.

I wish to thank Paschal Donohoe for his contribution to Ireland with his 20 years of public service, not only as a Minister but as a local councillor. I wish him and his family all the best in his new role. It certainly was a big shock for everybody today to see a steady pair of hands announce that he was stepping down. I think it is a great honour for him and for Ireland that he is now going to work in Washington and I wish him all the best.

Lastly, I agree with the comments Senator Brady made about scooters because recently I saw an older lady get an awful fright when she was nearly knocked down by a person on a scooter on a footpath. We need to bring in proper regulation and ensure the use of scooters is controlled and regulated not only by the Garda but by traffic wardens. I believe that traffic wardens should be given the right to issue tickets to people who unnecessarily use scooters and bicycles on footpaths because many older people do not hear a scooter or bicycle coming behind them. We should have a debate on the use of scooters.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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Small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises are the lifeblood of our of our towns, villages and parishes and the beating heart of community life. I have been contacted, rather sadly, by a few recently. We hear great talk in here about tackling dereliction and preventing the demise of rural communities, but when it comes to supporting the very businesses that keep those communities alive, there are few attainable and tangible supports. These are the family businesses passed down from one generation to the next. They sponsor local GAA teams, school fundraisers, Christmas lights, town and drama festivals and Tidy Towns competitions. They are the employers who keep our local economy afloat, yet the weight of regulation and spiralling costs is pushing some of them out of business.

There are grants, but they are not always attainable. I know of businesses which have tried to avail of them, but have not met the eligibility criteria to be successful in drawing down grants. There is an illusion of help for many businesses which apply for grants, but when they reach for help, they find it is not there and they cannot attain it.

A Small Firms Association, SFA, survey showed that nearly a third of small businesses reported an increase in labour-related costs in the past year alone. They have been hit with new bank holidays, increases in sick days, a 65 cent rise in the minimum wage and a new auto-enrolment pension scheme. In July, the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, said on RTÉ that the lower rate of VAT was not a done deal and he favoured targeted measures. I agree with him. Imagine if those targeted measures had gone to SMEs instead of multinationals like McDonald's, which hardly need State support. If the Government keeps increasing wages without providing targeted supports, then we will see increased dereliction and desolation across rural communities.

I would like to congratulate the Knockbride team, from a small parish in Cavan, who won the Ulster championship in the intermediate section, and Cavan Gaels, who won the junior competition.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
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I express my sympathies on the tragic loss of the five friends in Dundalk. I extend my sympathies to their family, friends and the wider community. It has been a weekend of very mixed emotions. I want to express huge congratulations to the Irish football team. Like Senator Brady, I remember Italia 90 well. There is a new boy in town. The boy Roy must move over for the boy Troy. It is an amazing success. As another Senator said, it is great that a younger generation can see what we witnessed when we were younger and the positivity and hope that came from Italia 90.

I want to discuss sport, in particular how we can improve the rate of swimming among adults and children. The swimming rate in Ireland for adults is about 72%, which is short of the European average. The National Swimming Strategy 2024-27 tells us that swimming as a sport and pastime has increased in popularity. We know the best time for anyone to learn to swim is when they are young and swimming lessons are crucial. Many groups dealing with those with physical and intellectual disabilities and older people know they can experience joy and relief from swimming in a pool. It is a life skill that is promoted.

However, people can only enjoy the benefits of swimming and all that is associated with it when they have access to pools. The national swimming strategy acknowledges that the existing stock of public pools around the country is insufficient, and this is certainly the case in Loughrea, County Galway, something Senator Curley has raised many times. Loughrea has a population of over 6,000 but has no publicly owned swimming pool and the nearest pool is 25 km away.

My area, the north west, has a wonderful elite Olympic swimmer, Mona McSharry. She and her team had to train in a 25 m pool, and is in competition against those who train in 50 m pools. People living in Sligo, Donegal and 21 other counties have no access to a 50 m pool. There are three in Dublin and one in Limerick, but it is high time a 50 m pool was constructed in the north west. The Minister of State with responsibility for sport has indicated that the large-scale sports infrastructure fund need to accessed to provide new publicly owned pools. I urge the Minister of State to consider the hard-working people on the ground who are campaigning for a 50 m pool in the north west and a 25 m pool in Loughrea.

Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)
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May I also offer my condolences on the tragedy of the five young lives lost on the road. It is an unimaginable thing for a whole community, for their families and friends and I want to offer my sympathies to them.

I also wish to share in congratulating the men's national team and its manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson. It has been an incredible few days for Irish sport. It has unified the country in a way that only sport can by bringing people together and celebrating remarkable success. It gives us all a bit of hope going into the longer evenings ahead of play-offs next March. There were young people going into the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday evening to see Ronaldo at the end of his career but now they have new heroes and they are Irish heroes who have grown up across the country, with the likes of Troy Parrott who has done an incredible job of delivering when we needed it most in the crucial last seconds of the game in Budapest on Sunday. I want to thank the whole team. I hope we can support them come March. I also wish North Macedonia the best of luck this evening as well because it would be very helpful to us if it gets a result.

In my remaining moments, I want to highlight the incredible work of the Sunflower Children's Hospice which was launched yesterday. It has already raised €7 million for this hospice which will give great dignity to and care for families and children in their hour need. It is the first children's hospice to be built outside Dublin. Another €7 million is to be raised, so it is no mean feat. It is being led by volunteers and an incredible team of Martina Jennings, Laurita Blewitt and a wider committee of a board of directors and staff which is supported by volunteers in every charity shop of Mayo Roscommon Hospice across the region. I want to acknowledge and highlight that. I wish them well and look forward to supporting them in seeing this project realised.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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First, I would like to be associated with the good wishes to Paschal Donohoe. He has been an exemplary Minister. He has led our finances in a very prudent way. I find him to be a very decent, supportive and encouraging politician. He was always a politician one could approach and he always followed up personally on correspondence or representations to him. I want to put that on the record. I could not say that about everybody but I can definitely say it about Paschal Donohoe and his interest. I mention his attention to detail in this House. As any of us who dealt with him in here through the many years will know, he always took copious notes, followed up, gave a commitment if he could not give an answer then and, within 24 hours, one would have a letter back from him. He was an exceptional politician and Minister and I want to be associated with good wishes. I wish him and his family well as he heads out to the US.

I did so the other day but I want to call for a debate on Delivering Homes, Building Communities. It makes sense to have the two linked together. We cannot have community if we do not have homes and we cannot have homes if we do not have communities so the link is good but we need to drill down into it. I do not want to criticise this national plan for housing and building communities but we need to drill down to the core elements of it and the best way we can do that is in a constructive debate in these Houses. Therefore I ask the Leader to allow ample time for that.

I want to reiterate my concern about rural housing. I have gone through every page of the plan and there is no light shone on rural housing. For rural TDs, Senators and councillors this has to be a major concern. I have received a lot of correspondence about it. All we are told is that some time in the future we will have a national planning statement. There is nothing more than that, just a national planning statement, despite five Ministers writing to me months and months in for the past ten years, telling us that there are draft rural housing guidelines in play and they do not exist. I ask that we have a debate on that.

Finally, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, was here last week when we discussed the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill.To his credit, he followed up and everyone will today have received the briefing note I requested on rural and local communities. That came as an email today. I encourage everyone to read it. It is a really important explanatory briefing note from the Minister. I acknowledge his follow-up and thank him for providing that note because it will be very beneficial for us as we work in our communities.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I, too, express my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and wider community of the five young people who tragically lost their lives in an horrific traffic accident in Dundalk last Saturday night. My thoughts are especially with the families of 23-year-old Chloe McGee and 21-year-old Shay Duffy, both from Carrickmacross in County Monaghan, and the families of 23-year-old Dylan Commins from Ardee, Alan McCluskey from Drumconrath in County Meath and 21-year-old Chloe Hipson from Scotland. I can only imagine the sense of loss and devastation those poor families are feeling at the moment. I express a special word of thanks to the first responders, the gardaí, the paramedics and fire service personnel who attended the scene. I think about them too because I am sure that scene will stay with all of them for many a long day to come. I also think of the three people who were injured and wish them a speedy recovery.

If I may, I will go back to the families. The country is numb at this moment in time but the country will have to move on. Life can sometimes be cruel and throw a grenade at us. Those five families have now been handed a life sentence they will have to live with every day of their lives from here on out. If it is in order, I propose that the House stand for a moment's silence as a small token of our solidarity with the five families to let them know, in a small way, that we are thinking about them and that they will be in our prayers, not just in the days to come but in the weeks and years ahead. As I have said, they have been handed a life sentence. On behalf of all Members of the House, I would just like to let the families know we are thinking about them at this hugely difficult time. We will pray for them in the many tough days that lie ahead.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business, I join Senator Gallagher and all of the Members who have expressed condolences to the families of Chloe McGee, Shay Duffy, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins and Chloe Hipson, who were in the prime of their lives and looking forward to a night out. Their parents received the dreadful knock on the door that every parent dreads. We also think of the first responders, the gardaí, the fire service personnel, the paramedics and the chaplains and priests who attended the scene because, as the Senator has said, they will be haunted by what they saw over the weekend. I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions today. There were three common themes. I join everyone here who expressed their sadness at the passing of Chloe, Alan, Shay, Dylan and Chloe in that tragedy in County Louth and expressed their sympathies to the parents, families and siblings. How difficult it must be for the siblings of all those who lost their lives. I also think of the communities and all of those who knew and loved the deceased. I certainly concur with Senator Gallagher that we should have a minute's silence at the end of the Order of Business. Senators O'Loughlin, Collins, Black, Comyn, Kennelly, Tully, Boyhan, Kelleher and Gallagher all raised that matter. Others may have as well.

The second issue raised was one of celebration, namely, Troy Parrott and the Irish international men's soccer team reaching the playoffs.They certainly gave a lift to the country, not just on Sunday but in the previous match as well. Great excitement was generated up and down the country in relation to it. It is something that very much unites the country when the Irish soccer team does well. We wish them well in the playoffs.

Paschal was another common issue that was raised. We pay tribute to Paschal for his service to the nation and to my own party, Fine Gael. He will certainly be missed within the Fine Gael family, but I also refer to his work in terms of management of the economy, his role in public finances and ensuring that money was put aside, and his working relationship with both the previous Minister, Mr. Michael McGrath, and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and others. He is a gentleman and someone who will be sadly missed.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day and lung cancer disease and called for us to remember those very important diseases and conditions.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the matter of SMEs and called for a rates pause where businesses are affected by roadworks. It often happens when roadworks are taking place, whether it be on a main street or a side street, that businesses could be discommoded for a day, two days, five days, a week or longer. It is an issue that is certainly worth raising. Perhaps she could put down a Commencement debate on that matter with the Minister for local government.

Senator Joe Conway raised the announcements about changes in the UK, and we are closely aligned with the UK on migration with the common travel agreement. Fine Gael has tabled a Private Members' business debate on the whole area of migration tomorrow, and there might be an opportunity to raise that then. I understand the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, will be in House for that matter. Perhaps Senator Conway could raise it then but, if not, we can ask the Minister to come in at another time as well.

Senator Collins raised the Sinn Féin Private Members' business on Mercosur in the Dáil. I understand the Government is not opposing that motion. It fully recognises the concerns raised in the motion and the need for robust trade and sustainability commitments in relation to any importation of beef from the Mercosur countries.

Senator Boyle also raised the issue of dental services in Killybegs. Perhaps he would put down a Commencement debate on this matter. It is quite specific, but it is important that all areas are serviced in regard to dental care.

Senators Keogan, McCarthy, Boyhan and Costello raised the matter of the housing plan. I have requested a debate on it with the Minister, Deputy James Browne. It is an important area and obviously it is in all our interests, in particular those of our constituents, that the housing plan succeeds.

Senator Costello raised in particular a commitment on page 61 of the housing plan in relation to victims of domestic violence who, if they relocate to a new local authority, will not be discommoded in terms of their place on a previous list. That is certainly an important one. I commend her on her work on that area.

Senator Andrews raised the issue of Uber, taxis, the setting of fares, the regulator and the NTA. Again, perhaps he might put down a Commencement debate on the matter to get a fuller response from a Minister.

Senator Curley raised the lack of facilities at Seamount College in Kinvara and called for funding under the sports capital grant scheme. Perhaps there may be opportunities as well from the Department of education. The Senator might put down a Commencement debate on the matter. He also raised the announcement by Local Link in the Tuam and Turloughmore area. Again, he might put down a Commencement debate on that matter.

Senator Cathal Byrne raised the need for urgent regeneration in Enniscorthy. He asked when the new fund would become available. Perhaps he could put down a Commencement debate on the matter in general and it also might be in order to raise the specific needs of Enniscorthy.

Senator Scahill raised the issue of the school bus service and the 12 to 15 occasions that the bus has not turned up. That is not good enough. I am sure he has started with a meeting with the local inspector or the manager in the area. What he referred to is not good enough. Once or twice a term might be forgivable, but 12 or 15 times is not good enough. No matter if the parents are notified the night before or the day before, if there is that level of buses not turning up, it is not good enough. Perhaps he could raise that directly with the inspector or table a Commencement debate for the Minister of State for transport who has responsibility for bus services.

Senator Tully has raised the topic of roads in rural Cavan and the level of funding, which seems to be at a particularly low level in terms of the number of roads that are done every year. Again, the grants for local authorities for roads funding for the next year will be announced in the coming weeks or soon after Christmas.I hope there will be an increase in budgets, but in relation to the specific issue of Cavan roads it might also be an idea to put down a Commencement matter.

Senator Clonan again raised the triple lock and issues relating to peacekeeping and asked by what international standing deployment shall take place. I know he is an active member of the defence and security committee. We will have an opportunity to debate the triple lock when that comes before us. Obviously, there is now a new Minister for Defence in Deputy Helen McEntee. I wish her well in her role and we will see if we can arrange a debate with her once she gets her feet under the table.

Senator Brady raised a concern regarding e-scooters, as raised by Councillor Danny Byrne. E-scooters are regulated under statutory instrument, SI 299 2024. It has references relating to speed, lighting, reflectors and so on. It is probably an issue of enforcement, so I suggest either putting down a Commencement debate or asking Councillor Byrne to raise that directly with the relevant gardaí in his area. Senator Maria Byrne also raised that issue and spoke about Paschal Donohoe.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly raised the issues of the 9% VAT rate, SME costs and the minimum wage. The Low Pay Commission sets the minimum wage and that is then agreed by the Government. The 9% VAT rate was of huge benefit to thousands of small businesses across the country. It was not a case that the main benefactors were large multinationals. Thousands of small businesses will benefit from that, which will help protect jobs and businesses in rural Ireland, but I will call for a debate on SME costs as well.

Senator Cosgrave raised the national swimming strategy and the large scale sports infrastructure fund. I will request a debate on sport and we will have an opportunity. I know we had a recent debate with either the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, or the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan. However, I will request a debate on swimming in particular.

Senator Duffy commended the work and the volunteering spirit of the Sunflower Children's Hospice and Martina Jennings and noted the €7 million raised for such an important cause. It is right to commend them, and I wish them well in their ongoing fundraising. We all hope we will never have to use the services of such a facility but, unfortunately, there will be many parents who will. It is wonderful to see this level of fundraising and commitment to such an important cause.

I ask Members to be upstanding for a minute's silence for those who lost their lives in County Louth.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Is the Order of Business agreed?

Senators:

Not agreed.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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What is the issue?

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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The electricity amendment Bill is not being given enough time.