Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No.1, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Planning and Development Act 2004 (Modification) Regulations 2025, back from committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Mental Health Bill 2024, Committee Stage, to be taken at 7.15 p.m. and to adjourn at 9.15 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3, Finance Bill 2025, Second Stage, to be taken at 9.15 p.m. and to conclude at 11 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators, whose time may be shared, not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Earlier, I had the great personal honour of welcoming, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, President Zelenskyy and the First Lady, Olena Zelenska, on their first official visit to Ireland and Leinster House. I thank all of the staff of the Seanad, the Dáil and the Leinster House complex and everybody involved in organising this visit. I know for certain that it would not have happened without them. They made it all look so easy and seamless. I say a huge "Well done" to everybody involved.

President Zelenskyy also met with the Taoiseach and with our own Uachtaráin, Catherine Connolly. The State visit and the meeting with the Taoiseach and the President serve to underline Ireland's commitment to the Ukrainian people. Irish people identify very strongly with the Ukrainian struggle. We identify with the resistance to tyranny and bullying and with Ukrainians' defence of democracy, peace and their sovereignty. Since the war began, Ireland has welcomed thousands of Ukrainians, many of whom are settled, working and living in our communities and adding to them. We can be proud of that achievement. Since the war began, the State has provided more than €380 million in non-military aid to Ukraine, including humanitarian and other forms of aid. More than anything, we say loud and clear again today that we stand with the Ukrainian people. They deserve a peace that is lasting, sustainable and grounded in the rule of law. For that peace to be achieved, Ukrainians have to be at the negotiating table. There can be no peace without them at the table. Any deal that does not recognise their territorial integrity will fall far short of what we should all aspire to, not just for the Ukrainian people but for us, as a European community.

In the time remaining, I want to briefly mention our small businesses and hospitality operators. They are the heart of our local communities, creating employment and providing services but they are under a lot of pressure. Their margins are being squeezed, which is threatening their very viability. There are very strong supports in place. I acknowledge Government supports, from increased cost of business, ICOB, grants to power up grants to PRSI relief, all of which help but they need more to be able to survive. They need targeted support, simplified application processes, rental reform and a cut in red tape. I ask the Leader to bring the Minister of State with responsibility for small business and enterprise to the House, at his earliest convenience, for a debate on how small enterprises and our hospitality sector can be best supported.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I compliment everybody involved in President Zelenskyy's visit, including the Cathaoirleach, the Clerk of the Seanad and all of the team, as well as the staff of the Parliament as a whole. It was a very successful visit. Well done to all involved.

I wish to raise the issue of e-scooters and children under 16. It is illegal for children to ride e-scooters. Legislation was introduced to legalise the use of e-scooters on our roads, but many people on scooters do not wear helmets. There has been an increase in the number of children with acquired brain injuries as a result of e-scooter accidents. Last year, 25 children were admitted to children's hospitals who had suffered brain injuries in e-scooter accidents. The average length of stay for those children was up to 19 days in hospital and some of them are still being treated as outpatients. Parents need to be warned to be very careful about purchasing e-scooters. Legally, children under 16 cannot use them. Those who can use them should wear a helmet at all times. That is a really important message. We need to run an education programme to warn parents about the dangers involved.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I join others in complimenting the staff of Leinster House. Wonderful work was put in by all of our colleagues and those who look after our needs. I also compliment the Cathaoirleach on his speech, which was a wonderful tour de force. However, the visit gives rise to questions on the issue of Ireland's position in the world. We go on with this nonsense about military neutrality and political neutrality, but there are no definitions of such concepts in international law. Customary international law recognises neutrality and non-neutrality.The essence of being neutral is that where two belligerents are at each other's throats, you stand by and let them at it. You do not offer any support whatsoever. I believe we should support Ukraine in every way we possibly could, but we should do it in an honest way. We have given €100 million for humanitarian care. We should give €100 million and let Ukraine do whatever it feels it needs to do that best suits its needs.

The time has come for an honest discussion on our posture in the world. At the start of the Ukrainian war, the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, took it upon himself to declare Ireland was not neutral in the case of the Ukrainian war. Has it ever been debated in this House? Has there ever been a debate in the Oireachtas as to exactly where we stand? The people of Ireland are entitled to know where we stand because, by our actions, we put the country in peril. At the end of the day I am fully supportive of Ukraine and of a credible neutrality that is capable of defending the country the way it needs to be defended. Ireland has used neutrality as a way of not spending money on defence, and has exposed this country to the diabolical situation it is in today, where we are incapable of defending ourselves. I ask the Leader to bring the Minister for Defence and for Foreign Affairs and Trade into this House and let us have an open and honest conversation about neutrality. Give the citizens what they need. Tell them exactly where we stand and stop playing games with words that have no meaning in customary international law.

Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)
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Three weeks ago on 10 November a 51-day hunger strike ended. The Taoiseach wrote directly to four hunger strikers, survivors of industrial and reformatory schools. The letter promised mediation, delivery, recognition and urgency and asked them to end their hunger strike on the basis that solutions were being progressed. They took him at his word. They trusted the Head of Government, and after 51 days without food, with their health deteriorating, they ended their hunger strike in good faith. Yet, 21 days later, nothing meaningful has happened. I will quote from an email I received from them today:

Our resumption of our hunger strike will begin again in the coming days. False promises yet again. Two of us have still not eaten properly since 10 November so weight continues to fall off us. We feel now the meeting was applied to get us off the hunger strike. We are weak and suffering but determined to resume it to the bitter end.

This email really alarmed me. I spoke to two of the hunger strikers today. They have now been told that they will not get a meeting about this until January because the Ministers' diaries are full. They are elderly survivors who nearly died on the doorsteps of Leinster House after 51 days without food and their health has deteriorated. They had five asks and they trusted that when they received the Taoiseach's letter, those asks would be put in process straight away. They are now being fobbed off. After every email they send to request a meeting with the relevant Minister and the Minister for education they are told they will have to wait until January. We need to treat this with urgency. I want this House to ask An Taoiseach for a response and to contact the hunger strikers. They have gone through so much. We cannot let this hunger strike resume. It is not acceptable. We trust that when a mediation process has taken place and promises are made, there must be a follow-up system and proper and clear communication with the individuals so that everyone is protected.

Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 12 be taken before No. 1", therefore putting the Electricity Supply (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 before the House. I brought forward this Bill so that, I hope, later in the week we might be able to reach Second Stage. The whole purpose of the Bill is to address the water levels around the River Shannon which have not been changed since 1934 when Ardnacrusha was put in place. I am seeking to bring forward this Bill and to have a robust debate on it. For far too long we have winter flooding, summer flooding and farms at risks. We also have communities cut off. We had summer floods in 2013, 2019 and 2023. I want the ESB to address how it manages and gauges the levels on the Shannon. With your indulgence, a Chathaoirligh, I hope to get the support to get the Bill through this evening. This is a Bill I cosponsored with Senator Paul Daly.

Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)
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I would like to be associated with the comments of my colleague on the visit of President Zelenskyy earlier this afternoon. It was an honour and privilege to be there. Many of his words stuck with me, but in particular that Europe cannot turn its back on its values. The values behind the European Union are generally unity and solidarity. It is important that we are unified with our Ukrainian friends and our Ukrainian brothers and sisters because they are fighting a war for us on the eastern front of the European Union. It is important that we never forget that and that we are very mindful of it.

I mention a local community group in my area – Rylane Community Park Association. It is a fantastic group that I have been involved with myself. On Saturday last, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, was present to turn the sod on a community hub development. This development has received €1.6 million under the community centre investment fund. Over the past 18 months we have seen the delivery of a grass soccer pitch, an AstroTurf pitch and a playground. What I want to speak about today is the connection fee they are being charged by Irish Water for the development of their community hub. This is a volunteer-led community organisation. The quote they received from Irish Water is €69,500 for a water and wastewater connection fee. It seems absurd and ridiculous that a volunteer-led, community organisation that is not for profit is being charged the same commercial rate as any other commercial business. Irish Water's connection fees are too expensive in general but when it comes to a volunteer-led community organisation, the idea that this group, which has fundraised hundreds of thousands since 2016 has bought and developed its property, successfully applied for funding and still has a small shortfall in terms of the delivery of its community hub, will be charged €69,500 by Irish Water, a quote that is not based on usage but is instead based on the diameter of the piping. It does not take actual usage into consideration at all. In a community hub like that, the taps are not going to be running every day and the dressing rooms will not be used every day. I call on the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to come in here to address this matter because it is absurd that Irish Water is charging these fees to volunteer-led community organisations.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call on the next speaker I welcome Deputy Michael Cahill here today, along with a constituent who is from Ukraine but living in Killarney. I thank Deputy Cahill and his constituent for being here on this historic day when we had the address of her President.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I acknowledge the historic nature of today's visit by President Zelenskyy to Ireland. It is right that we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's aggression. Ireland has offered sanctuary to more than 120,000 Ukrainians since 2022 and 85,000 Ukrainians still live here today. That is something we can be proud of. So many Ukrainians have come to Ireland for sanctuary. While here, they have contributed to our society through their hard work. I have worked at first hand to welcome those who arrived in my constituency to find support and to integrate. I have heard the same stories from so many of them – about having to pay extortionate and, in some cases, ruinous bribes to officials simply to be allowed to leave. We must stand against this corruption, especially when it harms their own war efforts and the lives of their own civilians, and even their own combatants.

In recent days we witnessed the resignation of Andriy Yermak, one of President Zelenskyy's closest aides, following raids linked to what is described as the largest corruption probe in Ukrainian history – an alleged €100 million embezzlement scheme in the energy sector. This is not an isolated incident. Transparency International ranks Ukraine among the most corrupt states in Europe. I chose not to attend the address to the Oireachtas this afternoon. Why? It was because while we rightly condemn Russia's brutality, we cannot ignore the scale of corruption within Ukraine's institutions. Ireland is pledging another €100 million in non-lethal military support and €25 million for energy needs today. This is taxpayers’ money. Before we deepen economic ties, we must demand accountability and robust anti-corruption measures. Standing with Ukraine must also mean standing for integrity and good governance.

Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I second the proposal by Senator Rabbitte that No. 12 be taken before No. 1. I welcome the inclusion of this Bill on the Order Paper and compliment and thank Senator Rabbitte, who did all the spade work on it. I am honoured to have my name attached to the Bill. I was late to the party, but I am delighted. I live on the banks of the River Brosna, which is a tributary of the Shannon. It is vital that the legislation is updated from the late 1920s or early 1930s version to reflect modern-day Ireland and the fact that we are now dealing with different rainfall types and so on. I will not say anything further until the Bill is before the House. I hope the Senator's proposal can be accepted.

I want to be associated with the comments made by previous speakers regarding this historic and momentous day. I take this opportunity to say we should not forget the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, who went about her own business today. They say that behind every successful man there is a very strong and successful woman. The First Lady had meetings today on the side as well. That is what I like to see about working towards the future. She met with our colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy James Lawless, and they signed a memorandum of understanding between UCC and University College Galway and the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. UCD also signed a letter of intent at that meeting. If nothing else, that will create possibilities for the future. It is about education and, hopefully, about young people getting back to normal. It is also about studying and sharing, with students from Ireland going there and students from Ukraine coming here. We have to think positively about the present and the future.

I wish them every success in the coming days. Peace is important. We all cherish and want peace, but not at any price. President Zelenskyy has a tough battle ahead to get what Ukrainians will consider a good deal for peace. I wish him every success. As I say, we will not leave his good lady, Olena, out of the equation.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I thank everyone who was involved today. It has been an historic day, and a great day to be here.

I want to raise the issue of Meentinadea National School. It is a lovely, hard-working school, just off the main Ardaghey to Ardara road. The Cathaoirleach probably knows it. He has probably passed it once or twice. Meentinadea has been the cornerstone of Irish education in the parish of Ardara for over 90 years. It was built in 1932 to replace the old school. In fact, my father and his siblings attended the school. It has served generations of families in the rural Gaeltacht community, keeping the Irish language alive. Despite a proud history of cultural significance, it was excluded from DEIS, even though other schools in the area qualify. A theme of DEIS is to target disadvantaged areas, and Meentinadea National School should definitely fit the bill in that regard. The Department needs to review the criteria and the way the rules are applied. I ask the Minister to take an urgent look at this to ensure the system is fair. Hopefully, Meentinadea can be added to the DEIS plan moving forward. It is a really good, hard-working school. Down through 90 years, so many people have passed through its doors. The Irish language has been kept alive in the parish of Ardara and the surrounding areas. Will the Leader ask the Minister to look at Meentinadea National School? There is a really proud tradition of the Irish language there. It deserves the DEIS plan.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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I want to raise the income criteria relating to people being accepted for the social housing list. At the moment, in Cavan and seven other counties, someone can earn €30,000 as a single person, with marginal increases for another adult or for children in the household. It is €35,000 in 12 other counties and €40,000 in our cities and in areas within the commuter belt. What is happening is that people are applying for social housing and they are accepted onto the list, but it is refused the following year or a year later. The next thing, they are told they no longer qualify for social housing because their income has gone above the threshold. They are distraught because while they might be renting somewhere they can afford at the moment, if they are evicted or get a notice of eviction, they are not going to get anywhere to rent that is affordable for them going forward into a new tenancy. The average new tenancy rental rate in Cavan is now over €1,100. Yesterday, a person told me it was €1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment that she was looking at for herself and her two children. It is not even sufficient for her needs, but that is all she was going to be able to afford.

Frequently, the increase is due to somebody who is working in a low-paid or part-time job, and also getting the working family payment. The latter pushes them over the threshold, but they need that payment to meet the cost of living. I have previously pointed to an unfair aspect of the working family payment. If someone is applying for a mortgage, it is not taken into account as income for that mortgage. They are being penalised both ways. It is pushing them over the threshold for social housing, but penalising them when it comes to being accepted for a mortgage.

I know it is not that long since those rates were reviewed. In view of increases in rents, however, they need to be reviewed again. We should contact the Minister for housing to ask if he will look at the rates again to bring them level across the country, or at least for the areas outside the cities.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, and her guests, David and Gerry Fields and Anthony Harte, to the Visitors Gallery.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I was delighted and honoured to be present today for such a historic occasion and to hear the address by President Zelenskyy at the joint sitting of the Houses. The Cathaoirleach's speech was remarkable and I thank him for it.

As I was sitting there, I was thinking that I am very new to politics, but President Zelenskyy is also relatively new to politics. It is not his first visit to Ireland. His first visit took place eight years ago. It was to my hometown of Drogheda. On 4 November 2017, the President was then an actor and comedian. He brought his comedy troupe, the Kvartal 95 Studio, to the TLT in Drogheda, a 900-seat venue which, I am told, was sold out, with all the tickets being bought by the wonderful Ukrainian community that was there at the time. We now have an even more vibrant community there. Mr. Zelenskyy played in his native Ukraine as an actor back then, a teacher turned politician. The programme was called “Servant of the People”, so it really is a case of life imitating art. You never know what is in your future. If he had been asked then what he would be doing in eight years’ time, I dare say he would not have thought he would be saying he was fighting for his country and that he was doing so ably. We are more than happy to support him with that.

I take this opportunity to offer my congratulations to a wonderful Drogheda author. She was born in Tallaght but has made Drogheda her home. Nicola Pierce has just won the Hodges Figgis history book of the year at the An Post Irish Book Awards for Great Irish Wives. She has written a fantastic book about the wives of famous men, many of whom came through the doors of these Houses, including Matilda Tone, Sineád de Valera and Mary O'Connell. Senators will know the surnames but they may not know the first names. I advise people to buy this award-winning book. Congratulations to Nicola.

Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Fine Gael)
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I want to talk about a campaign that Members will have seen in the media recently about the buses connecting the part of the city in which Chapelizod is located with the city centre. I invite the Minister to come to the House to explain what is going on with the National Transport Authority, NTA, in the context of how it is either communicating or not communicating with the communities in Chapelizod, Islandbridge and Palmerstown. There was a time when six bus routes ran through the village, but because of BusConnects and the plans around that, commuters in the village are now completely cut off from city life, from schools in Lucan and from places in other parts of the city.

Some €4 billion is being spent on the BusConnects project. Bus routes have been cancelled without alternatives being put in place. The NTA has not been answering representations from councillors, TDs or my office. An emergency meeting was called last week for representatives, but that was in response to media coverage as opposed to representations that had been made.I am not sure where the lack of communication is. I would like the Minister to come in and have a discussion about the NTA and what the immediate plans are. An interim bus is needed for Chapelizod, Palmerstown and Islandbridge to get into town. We have schoolchildren trying to get to school in Lucan, people trying to get to work in the city and people trying to get to healthcare appointments. At a public meeting last night, one lady talked about waiting at a bus stop for an hour and 46 minutes. Chapelizod is 5 km from the city. We have commuters coming from Meath, Carlow, Kildare and all sorts of wonderful places, yet people who live 5 km from the city centre cannot get to work easily. There is a proposed new route. The 130 service would go from Clontarf to Liffey Valley. People in Chapelizod need to get to town. They do not need to go to Clontarf. The NTA needs to talk to us about what the interim measure is before the 130 service even starts.

In addition, the NTA was supposed to put bus stops on the bypass before this came to pass and the BusConnects routes and new corridor opened. Those bus stops are nowhere to be seen. I asked at the meeting last Friday if the building of those bus stops could be expedited. I hope the NTA will look at that but, again, where is the communication? People in that part of Dublin city are really at a loss and it is getting dangerous. When it is dark it is not safe to stand at a bus stop for over an hour. I would like the Minister to come to the House to discuss the corridor of BusConnects.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I join with others on remarking on today. What a momentous day for the people of Ukraine, President Zelenskyy and his wife, and, indeed, the Irish Government and this Parliament. These days do not happen without a lot of hard work. I thank the Ceann Comhairle's team in the Dáil and Cathaoirleach's team here. I was not In the Chamber but I heard the speeches and took time off to tune in. It was important to do that and to see the number of people there. I also pay tribute to the Clerk of the Seanad and his staff. It is important to do so.

More importantly, I acknowledge the very significant role of the Ukrainian people in our parliamentary life and processes. I am familiar with many Ukrainians who are working in local government and who are happy and content here. They came here under various sets of circumstances. They are highly articulate, bright and want to play a meaningful role. Some may return, while others may stay, as they are very welcome to do. They make an enormous contribution. Without singling out individuals, I acknowledge the significant contribution of the Ukrainian staff in our Parliament. That sends a clear signal that we are open for business and we are a diverse nation and country. The people from other cultures, traditions and countries who are here are all welcome. I extend a thousand welcomes to them. They are playing a very significant role in our parliamentary life, local government life and business life.

I salute the Government and all who arranged President Zelenskyy's very successful trip. We must learn from it, engage more meaningfully and constructively and have greater integration and educational opportunities. As someone who is from a minority community, I value the significant role the Irish State has given to minorities. Likewise, with the Ukrainian people, they must be supported to retain their language, culture and identify. They are proud of it, and rightly so, and they must be encouraged through diverse education and greater choices in education.

There is a debate, questionnaire and survey on the diversity of education and all opportunities for inclusion and diversity in terms of tradition must be encouraged and supported. I will take this opportunity, particularly with the Ukrainian people, to speak about their educational and cultural needs. Other different groups should be welcomed. I know we welcome them but it is important they are supported, not just today but every day going forward.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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The Ceannaire might recall that last week I asked that the Minister for agriculture come to the Chamber to discuss the recently introduced caps in compensation for farmers whose animals were turned down with TB. Will he re-issue that request as a matter of urgency in light of the up and coming Mercosur deal, which is hanging over us? The news this week that Brazilian beef coming into the EU tested positive for banned hormones and had to be recalled is deeply worrying and concerning. It is hugely important that consumers have confidence in the food products of any nature that are on the shelves for consumption. There has always been a cloud and doubt hanging over food coming from South American countries. Unfortunately, in this instance, beef coming from Brazil has substantiated the concerns many individuals had. Irish farmers, and many EU farmers, have spent thousands of euro ensuring the products they produce are of the highest quality. The money spent on traceability and animal health mean the quality of our food is top drawer. Unfortunately, we will not be competing on a level playing field if the Mercosur deal is passed, in that the standards that are taken as a given in this country, and in the EU broadly, are not mirrored in South American countries. This is deeply worrying and, as far as I am concerned, food coming from South America should not form part of that deal at this time. We need to discuss this issue. I hope the Leader will be able to organise a debate with the Minister as soon as possible.

Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
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Last Thursday evening, I left Leinster House and hurried home to a talk in then Meadowcourt Hotel, which was completely sold out, by Aoife Noone on her Think Smart Cyber safety initiative, which tries to educate parents on the dangers of the online world for their children, and empower them. Parents are extremely fearful of what their children face online. They do not have a clue and feel powerless to try to help their kids to navigate the online world in a safe way. I regard myself as someone who is pretty clued in online and I found the talk extremely informative. I was totally out of touch with what young people are accessing online. Ms Noone and her company, Think Smart Cyber, won the 2024 digital impact of the year award. This is testament to the work she is doing and the impact her company is having for parents as regards the safety it provides to their children once they are armed with the knowledge. I was shocked by what I learned. Think Smart Cyber applied to the community safety fund, through An Garda Síochána, and unfortunately missed out. I would like to have a conversation with the Minister on why that was not rolled out because the initiative could have a huge impact on young people and their parents around the country, if what Ms Noone is doing could be rolled out nationally. I am my party's spokesperson on education and the talk was hugely educational. I learned so much, as did an awful lot of other parents. I encourage having a conversation with the Minister on this.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. I will start with Senator Fitzpatrick who rightly congratulated all involved in the organisation of today's events for the joint sitting in both Houses with President Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena. The Senator expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and mentioned the importance of the non-military aid being given and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Many other speakers concurred with those sentiments. Senator Keogan raised issues regarding corruption and asked if there is any concern about Irish moneys and where they went. That would be a matter, presumably, for the foreign affairs committee or the public accounts committee. The Senator might raise it with her representatives on those committees.

Senator Boyhan expressed solidarity with all of those who are working here and thanked them all. Senator Paul Daly raised issues regarding memorandums of understanding with the universities in Ukraine and Irish universities as well. I acknowledge all who thanked and congratulated everyone involved in the joint sitting today.

Senator Fitzpatrick also raised issues of concern to SMEs, including the cost of doing business, and the need for a debate. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke.

Senator Maria Byrne expressed concern regarding e-scooter regulations and noted that parents need to be warned about what is allowed and what is not allowed. This issue was raised a couple of weeks ago as regards Statutory Instrument 199 of 2024. I will request a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, on the regulations if that is in order.Senator Craughwell called for a debate on neutrality. I will request that the new Minister come to the House to discuss the importance of our being a militarily neutral State.

Senator McCormack raised concerns that the persons who ended their hunger strike after 51 days are now threatening to resume the strike, which is very regrettable. I will raise the matter with the Taoiseach to see why relevant Ministers have not engaged, as the Senator said, and request that they do so.

Senator Rabbitte has proposed that No. 12, First Stage of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 in the names of Senators Rabbitte and Paul Daly, be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accede to that and I wish the Senators well in the Second Stage debate on Thursday.

Senator Lynch referred to the turning of the sod last week by the Minister, Deputy Calleary, for construction of Rylane community centre. She raised concerns about water and wastewater connection fees. The Senator might put that forward as a Commencement debate. It is a matter for Irish Water but the Minister would have oversight of it.

Senator Boyle has concerns that Meentinadea National School in Ardara, which was built in 1932, has been excluded from DEIS status. I ask that he propose this rather specific issue for discussion on the Commencement debate. I will raise the need to review criteria with the Minister, Deputy Naughton.

Senator Tully spoke about the income thresholds for county and city council housing, particularly people on the working family payment being pushed over the threshold. I have requested a debate with the Minister for housing on the overall housing plan, which will give an opportunity for the Senator to raise this issue. In the meantime, she may wish to put forward a Commencement matter.

Senator Comyn congratulated Nicola Pierce on winning An Post history book of the year for Great Irish Wives, which details the lives of women married to famous men, and wished her well with the sales of the book. The Senator also mentioned that President Zelenskyy, in his acting days, visited Drogheda eight years ago.

Senator Ní Chuilinn made a strong contribution on the campaign regarding the Chapelizod bus service and the changes that have been made. It is hard to believe that residents living only 5 km from the city centre are being discommoded in the fashion she described, with people waiting an hour and 45 minutes for a bus. The Senator might put this forward for discussion on the Commencement debate. She could also engage with the Cathaoirleach of the transport committee to see whether representatives of the NTA could be brought in quickly to deal with this specific issue. That might be in order because it is an important matter. I have read some of the information on it online. Changes are being proposed but, clearly, people in the locality are not happy with the service. The Senator is right to raise it.

Senator Gallagher requested a debate with the Minister for agriculture on the caps on farmers whose livestock has been destocked by TB and on the Mercosur deal. I will request that the Minister, Deputy Heydon, come to the House to discuss those issues.

Senator Curley commended Ms Aoife Noone on her Think Smart Cyber programme on the dangers of the online world. I certainly will raise that with the Minister. He also mentioned the community safety fund. I will request a debate on the whole area of online safety.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Rabbitte has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 12 be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated he is willing to accept this amendment. Is the amendment agreed to? Agreed.