Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025 (Revocation) Order 2026, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1 without debate; No. 3, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 2 without debate; No. 4, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 3) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 3 without debate; No. 5, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 4) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 4 without debate; No. 6, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 5) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 5 without debate; No. 7, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 6) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 6 without debate; No. 8, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 7) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 7 without debate; No. 9, motion regarding Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations 2026, back from committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 8 without debate; No. 10, Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 - All Stages, to be taken at 11.30 a.m. or on the conclusion of No. 9, whichever is later, and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 75 minutes by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister at the debate on Second Stage shall not exceed five minutes, all Senators shall not exceed five minutes, and the Minister shall be given no less than five minutes to reply to the debate, with Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; and No. 11, Development (Strategic Gas Reserve) Bill 2026 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 10, whichever is the later, and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after two hours by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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This morning's news coverage is dominated by calls from medical professionals for a ban on e-scooters. This follows calls for bans on social media. The Government has moved to ban vapes. We are actively engaged as a country in banning a lot of things at the moment and there is very good reasoning behind a lot of these proposals. However, we have an obligation to examine the deeper causes of the behaviour and understand and attempt to understand the causes of the behaviour. That is something we did at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use. Our report included a recommendation for an Irish primary prevention system, particularly for adolescents. I would appreciate it if we could have a debate early in the autumn term on that proposal for an Irish primary prevention system for our adolescents. It would help inform policy, not just in the drugs space but in all areas of mental health, physical health and our social well-being.

I draw the House's attention to the publication this morning of the Government's latest progress report on housing - Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This report details progress that has been made up to the end of this month. While we are all very conscious of the number of people who are still being accommodated in emergency accommodation and that number remains stubbornly high - we all understand the reasons for that - it is important we engage in the debate on housing in an informed way. We must examine the progress that is being made. There was a record supply delivery in 2025 of more than 36,000 homes. In this year so far, over 7,800 homes have been completed. That is just in the first quarter and it is up 33%. More than 46,000 new homes have commenced. There is a lot of activity in terms of supply.

Affordability is a huge issue for a lot of people but, in the last year, more than 20,000 first-time home purchasers acquired their own home. Close to €1 billion has been allocated by the Government for more than 7,900 affordable homes. Progress is being made. It is important that we do not lose sight of that progress. Regarding the reusing of vacant properties, more than 13,000 vacant refurbishment grants have been paid out already and more than 3,400 additional homes are in the process of being converted from commercial spaces into residential homes.

Nobody thinks the job is done. We all appreciate that there is continuing pressure and demand for increased supply and affordability, but I encourage every Member of the House to examine the report and to engage in the debate in a constructive way.

Michael McDowell (Independent)
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I note that the whole scheme of the planning Act is that exempt development proposals are considered by the Houses. It is questionable whether this House has really considered the exempt development regulations. Without debate, we sent them off to a committee. We do not know what it made of them but it reported them back to us and, without debate, we are going to adopt them. That is not what the spirit of the Act required.

On behalf of the Seanad Independent Group, I express our collective gratitude to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Cathaoirleach, Martin Hughes, Aileen Fallon and all of the staff in the Seanad for the great work they have put into making this House function properly and effectively and in making it a pleasant place to be. I often think of Dáil Éireann and compare it in my mind to Westminster, which is a bear pit. Then I think of this particular Chamber where people are polite and kind to each other and listen to each other respectfully. There is no baying or shouting down or whatever.It is a great tribute to the Seanad staff that that spirit continues to exist in this House.

Apart from them, throughout Leinster House there are the ushers, the secretaries, the people manning the committees, the technical staff and the like, the catering staff and the bar staff. All of these people make this Parliament a pleasant and effective Parliament, which operates as a democratic institution of which the Irish people can be proud. I want to express our gratitude to all of them for everything they do. They are not sufficiently thanked but they deserve our thanks.

I will go to what Senator Fitzpatrick mentioned. She mentioned the drugs committee report. I am one of the people who disagrees with the substance of that report. We have to have a real solid debate on it here in this House, not merely a cursory one. It is an issue of fundamental importance. It cannot be avoided, one way or the other. Whatever your views are on it, it needs to be thrashed out. The same applies to the housing crisis, which Senator Fitzpatrick mentioned. Whether we will ever hit the 60,000 target we have set for ourselves is doubtful but at least it has to be said that there is significant production of homes in a period of homelessness.

Finally, we need in this House to have a sincere and realistic debate on immigration, migration and asylum-seeking. All of those issues have to be considered in the autumn. Although coming up to the end of this term we are rushing things through, and the guillotine is well-oiled and slicing this way and that, we have a lot of work to do in the autumn. To prepare ourselves for that work, all the Members of both Houses are entitled to a good break so they can recharge their batteries and address these real issues which the people need to have addressed in this House.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I will raise an issue about small craft registration in Ireland. The Marine Survey Office is responsible for registering all vessels, from large cargo ships to small pleasure boats. Registration is essential for every ship travelling to ports in and out of the EU and other countries. However, the current system is simply not working for small-craft owners. Many are facing lengthy delays, excessive paperwork and requirements that suit larger commercial ships rather than recreational boats. In some cases, owners are being asked to provide an unbroken chain of ownership going back decades which simply is impossible for older boats.

I know of one young couple who applied to register their vessel and paid the required fee immediately. Four months later, they have still not received a survey or any meaningful communication from the Department. In the end, they had no choice but to register their boat in another EU country so they could continue their plans. They are proud Irish people and wanted to sail under the Irish flag but instead have been forced to fly the flag of another country because of the delays in our system. I also spoke to a number of small-craft owners over the weekend and they told me the same. Registering in Ireland is so difficult many choose to register in other countries, such as Poland, instead.

This simply does not make sense. An Irish boat should be able to be registered effectively in Ireland. I am asking the Minister to be contacted to explain why this situation has arisen and what actions will be taken to introduce a straightforward effective registering system for small craft boats without further delay. It is totally wrong when people save, put their good money into a boat and want to go sailing, yet have to go to another EU country to register the boat. There is something wrong with the Department here and it needs to be shaken up.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I want to move an amendment to No. 1 on the Order Paper, proposing an orderly winding down of the accommodation recognition payment scheme in a way that is fair and efficient.

I note today is the last day of Dáil and Seanad sittings before the summer recess. I thank the Leader, as Senator McDowell said, for his kindness and work, the Leas-Chathaoirleach for always being so helpful and supportive, and of course all the staff without whom we could not do our work. I acknowledge the work that the staff across the Houses put in. Of course, I wish all the Members well. I hope everybody enjoys the recess. I think everybody will do that.

It is also important to recognise the amount of work we all have ahead of us when we come back in September considering the scale of the problems facing this country. Government will say, "Look at the positives", but there are a huge amount of challenges. You need not look any further than the housing crisis. Of course, the Government will point to an increased number of housing developments. However, those housing developments are for the very well-off.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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That is just not true.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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You just have to look down at the Glass Bottle site. Ordinary people cannot afford those homes.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You and I both know that they are not the only ones being built.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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It would take the salary of three Senators to be able to afford-----

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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If Sinn Féin did not object to as much housing, we could build more of it.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senator Andrews without interruption.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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It would take the salary of three Senators to be able to afford a one-bedroom or two-bedroom home on the Glass Bottle site. They are clearly not for ordinary working people.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Stop objecting to the housing-----

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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There are 3,500 homes. Nobody in Sinn Féin objected to the Glass Bottle site.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator's leader has.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We supported-----

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You have objected to enough housing in Dublin.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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-----the strategic development zone, SDZ.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You have objected to enough housing in Dublin. Your leader has made a career out of it.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We supported the development of housing on the Glass Bottle site. We worked hard to ensure to get more social housing. Unfortunately, the Government would not do that. Now it seems that the so-called "affordable housing" on the Glass Bottle site will be unaffordable.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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It is such fake news.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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You also have to look at-----

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You know that your party has made a career out of objecting to housing in Dublin.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We have supported the Glass Bottle site.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Look at O'Devaney Gardens, the first affordable house site delivered in more than 20 years.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Please.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We have 18,000-----

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Your own leader objected to it.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Eighteen thousand people are homeless.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Your leader has objected.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Five thousand children are homeless. The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government is responsible-----

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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On you.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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-----for the 18,000 people homeless and the 5,000-----

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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It is on Sinn Féin.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We are not in government. We cannot make the decisions that are required.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but you are weaponising the planning process to block housing delivery.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We would not rely on the market.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You are weaponising the planning process.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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We would not rely on private developers to develop the housing.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senators.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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There are 5,000 children homeless and that is on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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On Sinn Féin.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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You can say whatever you want-----

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Sorry, a Leas-Chathaoirligh?

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Your time is up, Senator.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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In fairness, I did not get much of my time. I should be given a little more leeway given the constant interruptions.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I will give you another 30 seconds.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Thank you.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Can I confirm with Senator Andrews as well that when he moved the amendment, it is amendment No. 1 that he was talking about?

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Amendment No. 1, yes.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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It is not an amendment to the Order of Business.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Item 1.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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It is amendment No. 1 on item 1.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Yes.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Can I have a seconder for it?

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I second the amendment.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Thank you.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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The Government can point to housing and claim that there are huge successes. There is only success for the wealthy, the well-off, the developers and the landlords. They are all delighted with Government policy. When you look at the 18,000 people on the homeless list, the 5,000 children who are homeless, whether the Government likes it or not, it is Government's responsibility.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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We take responsibility for delivering-----

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Sorry, Chair, can you-----

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senator Fitzpatrick.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Even a few seconds without interruption would be nice.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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You have only five seconds left.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You are well over 30 seconds at this point.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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Yes, but I have been interrupted through the 30 seconds.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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You are well over.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I have been interrupted through the 30 seconds again.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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We have heard the speech a couple of times.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senator Andrews, I have to bring in so many more. Could you just wrap up, please?

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I know, but if I was not interrupted all the time.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senator Andrews, you have got well over the time now at this stage.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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I did not get over the time because I was interrupted throughout.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I gave you an extra 35 seconds.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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In which I was interrupted for most of it.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Senator Andrews, please.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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All I am saying is, "Good luck to everyone in the summer."

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I join Senator McDowell in thanking all the people we should thank for the efficient and smooth running of these Houses. He ran through them all. Even if we have had a few ding-dongs over rulings on amendments and stuff, other than that, things have moved well, as they always do. I thank the staff across both Houses.

Senator Fitzpatrick mentioned the drugs report. It is important. Ireland is in a unique position. We have had requests to have that report translated into languages like Ukrainian and others, because people are watching the evidence that has been gathered in Ireland over the past five years, especially before the citizens' assembly and by all the working groups. The world is watching how Ireland has done the most extensive interrogation of drugs policy ever seen, and is waiting in hope to see what we do next to make sure that we move with the evidence. It is not just opinion. Some of us obviously have great emotion about the subject or certain opinions, but what is in the report is evidence-based. One of the issues we focused on was obviously section 3 but that is not the only thing in the report. An Garda Síochána has said several times, unchallenged, that section 3 is rarely used and its use has been going down over the years.

I draw attention to RTÉ's report this week on the drug cases in the District Court and the headline that they are up 8% year on year. The chairperson of the board of the Courts Service, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, said that the rise in drugs cases of a less serious kind had increased the workload of the lower courts. There were just over 30,000 new drug cases before the District Court last year, compared with 27,000 in 2024, yet the Garda, even on national television, is saying it does not really use this law, whereas all the evidence says differently. We need to be clear that this report lays out the facts and we need to challenge people when they say otherwise.

This House will have roughly 45 days off. Two people a day, on average, die in Ireland from drug-related issues. In the 45 days before we come back and sit in this Chamber, roughly 90 people will be dead while we have been off. That is the gravity of the situation with drugs.

I remember I could barely write when I started studying addiction. I was 16 when I applied for an addiction studies course. They would not let me on it because they said I was too young and it was for adults. I fought and fought. I did not know how to write an essay. I had not engaged in school since I was about 12. I had been a drug user myself. I remember making a video because I could not write an essay. I got my two friends, who at that stage, aged 16, were strung out on heroin and had been on it since we were at school at 13, and I made a video essay, interviewing them. I found a video cassette the other day and hope I can get it put on something. The essay was about why they engaged in drug use so young. I could barely write an essay when I started studying this. There are not many things I will claim some level of expertise in, but this is one where I will claim it. I have been obsessed with it since I was about 16. I look forward to coming back in the new year, and not just for 90 minutes. We need a substantial time to discuss this report, whether three hours, four hours or six hours. I would welcome the largest possible slot to discuss the most extensive research Ireland has ever done into drugs policy.

Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I know we are on the cusp of the summer recess but I want to talk about school for a moment. I raise a matter for a future debate or possible Commencement matter with the Minister for education about the inclusion of philosophy as a leaving certificate subject. I have been approached about this issue by Robert Finan, a brilliant Trinity graduate in philosophy from Drogheda who makes the compelling case that the subject is not abstract or elitist, but one with enormous practical value for young people today. At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming how we learn, work and consume information, the ability to think critically and independently evaluate evidence, question assumptions, not follow the herd, and construct reasoned arguments has never been more important. These are life skills, not just academic skills.

I believe this proposal sits naturally within the broader reform of the leaving certificate currently being championed by my colleague Senator Shane Curley. As we reimagine and modernise senior cycle education, we should not only be asking what students need to know, but how they should learn to think for themselves. I hope to bring this forward as a debate or Commencement matter when the House returns in September and I look forward to engaging with the Minister on what I believe is a timely and worthwhile proposal.

I echo the comments made by my colleagues on the cusp of the summer recess. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Cathaoirleach, Leader and all my colleagues. Senators mentioned the background staff, including Martin Hughes, the clerks here, and the ushers as well. I especially compliment the staff who work in the background for me, including my assistant, Anna Brennan, who I have many times introduced as my right-hand woman. I would not be able to manage without her. I hope she has a very restful week. The work will go on here. Just because we are not sitting in the Seanad or Dáil does not mean that we are not working for everybody. I wish everybody some time off, but as for the rest of it, the work will continue.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I join colleagues in thanking so many of the staff here who make it possible for us to do our day-to-day work. That includes not only Martin Hughes and the team here in the Seanad, but also the ushers and all those who make the day-to-day life of Leinster House possible, including those who work in the restaurant, the canteen and behind the scenes. The work they do is very much appreciated. It would be remiss of me, as we come to the conclusion of another term, not to join in what many other colleagues and Senators have said about that.

I want to speak about the local democracy task force and the work done over recent months to prepare that report. I join other Senators in urging the Government, including the Minister for local government, to produce the action plan on local democracy and make it a key priority to work on it over the summer so that the hard-working councillors up and down Ireland can have clarity about what exactly the changes will be as they face into another round of local elections, in particular the boundary report and the terms and conditions of that report. Local councillors find it very difficult that they do not know if the area they represent is going to be part of the ground they will be contesting in 2029. For all involved, it is important that we have clarity and certainty about that.

I urge the Minister to take into account the need to rebalance the power of the executive and the power of local members. It is so important at local democracy level that the voice of the people, through their councillors, is heard loud and clear. I urge him to make that a cornerstone of those recommendations when they come available.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I briefly mention what my colleague Senator Andrews mentioned about the accommodation recognition payment, ARP, and its proposed reduction for those who are hosting Ukrainians in Ireland. I understand that the Government has difficult decisions to make in this regard, and we must make sure that public money is wisely spent, but we also have to consider the human consequences of this. I notice in the last number of months, at our homeless café on Pearse Street, a number of Ukrainians are turning up and that number is starting to increase. The Irish Red Cross warned today that many of the families who are hosting Ukrainians in Ireland will no longer host when the ARP has been wound down.

I am speaking from personal experience. When the war broke out, I took Ukrainians into the organisation, Tiglin. I have travelled to Ukraine and seen first-hand the resilience and dignity of the people. Many of the people I hosted are from Mariupol and have nothing to go back to. They are not just people receiving support but people who have become part of the community here. We should never forget why they came here in the first place. They did not leave their homes by choice. They fled bombs, violence and a loss of everything that they knew as home.

As we review the supports, I agree with Senator Andrews that it has to be fair. I ask that we do so with wisdom and compassion. Let us make the decisions that are financially responsible for the Irish but also recognise the enormous situation the Ukrainians are in.I hope the Minister will carefully consider the concerns raised by the Irish Red Cross.

Just as I was coming in this morning, standing on the lawn at the Merrion side of Leinster House it is hard to ignore the ragwort that is growing on the grass. Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1936, ragwort is a noxious weed. Landowners have a legal duty to prevent its growth, as do councils, etc., and failure to do so can result of a fine of up to €1,000. This is the House that makes the laws. There is an argument that ragwort should not be illegal and then that would be fine. However, we cannot ask farmer councils and ordinary people to uphold the law if we do not do it ourselves. We are the ones who make the law. Either we change the law or we uphold it; we should not be seen to tolerate it.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I am trying to keep people to time because there are a lot of people to bring in and we are under pressure of time. I call Senator Costello.

Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)
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I was taken by what Senator Ruane said. It is not often I have heard her compliment herself but everybody in Tallaght is so proud of her. She has achieved so much and she has huge respect in Tallaght.

I also want to comment on what Senator Andrews said. I think people are bored of the whole "Government let you down" thing. A lot of my constituents, when they get that response from Sinn Féin, just come to me to get stuff sorted out. It is boring now at this point. I am going to buy the Senator a present. It is a book called The Secret. It is about positive thinking and all that. It is really good for the health.

Today, I raise the growing problem of the misuse of nitrous oxide and the serious impact it is having in my community. I am not the first to raise this and I will not be the last but I am constantly receiving reports - one as recently as this morning - about the huge number of dumped nitrous oxide canisters in the community. If there is a car park that does not have a gate on it is left full of these. I have had to clear up car parks with people. It is not just an environmental issue. It is clear to see from the huge quantities of these canisters that recreational use is becoming more widespread in public places. What concerns me most is not the litter, because litter can be fixed; it is the health implications that cannot be undone. A recent study by the RCSI in Beaumont Hospital found a significant increase in cases of young people suffering spinal cord damage linked to nitrous oxide use. The neurological issues can be helped but nobody is making a full recovery on this and that is really concerning. It is also a huge issue with road safety. People are going around with balloons hanging off their lips. I want to know what powers An Garda Síochána has to deal with this. If members of the Garda see someone who is found driving while under the influence of nitrous oxide or are consuming it behind the wheel, are there sufficient drug driving laws or are there gaps that need to be addressed? The Minister will have to come in on this because it is a public health issue, an environmental issue but also a road safety issue.

Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)
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The Irish Cancer Society is in the news today. We met its representatives last week and had a very good engagement over in Buswells Hotel where they were giving us some numbers. I wanted to home in on bowel cancer. There are 2,500 people diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in Ireland. The target for the Irish Cancer Society is that not one patient should wait more than 28 days. Last year, in Our Lady's Hospital Navan, over the whole year 400 people waited more than 28 days. However, in quarter 1 of this year, not one patient waited more than 28 days in Navan hospital for an urgent colonoscopy. I commend the manager, the staff and everybody in the hospital on that. We are very proud of our hospital in Navan. When I saw the numbers it got me thinking about the rapidly growing population in County Meath. Navan hospital always needs to be strengthened, not sidelined. We need investment in that to grow with the population that is growing in Meath, and that Meath people have a hospital that grows with their needs and does not fall behind. I am discussing this with the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. I think every political person who comes from Meath will always want to push for Navan hospital to be continually invested in. I acknowledge the great work the hospital has done when it comes to colonoscopies in the first quarter of this year. I wish the hospital well in its ongoing work in that space and we must ensure we continue the investment in that hospital.

In my last 25 seconds, I say to everyone in this room as we go into recess today that it has been an absolute pleasure to work with them. We have had amazing debates in here from all sides of the Chamber. Everybody, without a shadow of a doubt, is a pleasure to work with. We can achieve things together whether we are in opposition or in government. I thank everybody. It is really nice to come in to the Chamber and I look forward to it every Tuesday. I wish everyone a very nice summer. I hope they drop loads of leaflets, go out to their constituents, talk to them all and fill the air with loads of positivity.

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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I will break the Internet today by not giving out for the first time.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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Is that so?

Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)
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Yes, I am not going to give out. Regardless of what is said to me I am going to be nice today on our last day. I echo what is being said about everybody enjoying their break and the thanks to all the staff in here. It can be very daunting when you first come in but everybody makes you feel like you can do it. It is great to work here. I am going to end by wishing the Limerick hurlers the best of luck on Sunday. I am proposing that everybody in Limerick gets a day off on Monday because there will be mighty celebrations. It is probably too late to bring this up - I should have brought this up about a month ago when I knew we were going to be in the final - but it would be nice to see, maybe for the next one, extra buses and train times being put on. I know it was done for the Kerry games but Kerry seems to take precedence when it comes to transport for some reason. They think they are better than Limerick. I wish the two teams the best of luck, but we are going to enjoy our celebrations on Sunday.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Before I call Senator Martin Conway, I welcome Leryn Stephenson to the Public Gallery. She is a guest of Senator Conway and is visiting from Texas in the United States of America. I hope she enjoys her visit her today. It is lovely to see her.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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I too would like to welcome Leryn to Seanad Éireann. It is a very special trip back to Ireland for her and I hope she enjoys her time here. I also echo the good wishes and the thanks to Martin and all his team who make life so much easier for us here, and I hope all colleagues across the House have an enjoyable summer. They can all come to County Clare on their holidays. We have many beautiful spots that they can visit starting with Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher. There is lots to do in Clare and I hope I see many of them down there over the next few weeks.

When the Leader returns in September, I ask for two quick debates. The first is on the protocols the Department of agriculture uses in culling animals on-site in farms. We need to have a discussion and a conversation on the protocols because they could certainly be improved. I have come across a number of examples lately that are quite distressing. I have to do further research but if the information that has been brought to my attention is correct, it is very distressing. I also seek a further debate on tourism. We have the Walker Cup coming to Lahinch in September and people are very excited about. We also have the Irish Open in Doonbeg this year. Those big tourism events, coupled with the Ryder Cup that is coming to Adare next year, are bringing fantastic revenue and excitement. We need more of these type of events. Any investment the Government makes in big-ball tourism sporting events is well worthwhile, not just because of the revenue generated but also the international coverage we get.

Finally, I commend Cara Darmody, someone the Leader knows very well, who is at the gates of Leinster House doing her two-day protest. I think it is her second in the last year. I commend her on what she has achieved through her advocacy and her campaigning and what she will achieve. I know the Leader would agree with me on that.

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to raise awareness of two cards that people who have a lot going on in their lives use. The first one is called a "No Wait" card and it is used by people who need access to a toilet, often very often, but always very quickly. They show this card to business so that they can get access to toilets. It is often used if there is a queue for a loo that they are allowed go ahead. It is not given lightly. It is there for a reason. It is something that is not spoken about a lot.It is a pity because it is obviously a bodily function and these people need to go when they need to go. I ask businesses to respect this card and work with the people using them.

The next card is the “Just a Minute” card and is used by people with hidden disabilities who may need just a minute longer than other people to get their stuff together or maybe realise what they are being asked. It is particularly used in banks, post offices and shops and means the person does not have to say they do not understand. They can just show the card so that the staff member can see they need a little bit of extra time to process what is going on.

As we head into recess I, too, thank everybody – Members and staff. It has been a pleasure doing business with them. I hope everyone has a good summer, do not work too hard and stay safe. Be kind and be positive. I look forward to working with everyone again in September.

Paraic Brady (Fine Gael)
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I wish to discuss a case that is ongoing all over social media where animals were euthanised on a farm in Roscommon and in County Clare last week. Forget about the rights and wrongs or who is right and who is wrong. The manner in which the animals were euthanised is where I see a problem. I call on the Minister for agriculture to strengthen the regulations around euthanising these animals. There have to be stronger regulations. It was overseen by the Department even though the Department did not carry out the euthanising of the animals. I am very passionate about how animals are treated, as everybody in this House knows, and I would never like to see any animals mistreated. There is an ongoing case of animal cruelty but we need to see stronger regulation around how animals are euthanised.

I wish everyone in this House an enjoyable summer. It is probably the first time I can say all the work is done before we actually go home. With the weather, the turf is home, the hay is done the silage is made and the feet are up. We are surely going to enjoy the summer. I wish all the teams in the hurling and football the very best. I personally would like to see Mayo bring home the Sam Maguire, as would everybody else because I do feel their time has come - let us hope Mike Kennelly is not here – and let us hope it does go west. If it does go west, it will be full of people from all over Ireland. It has been long enough and maybe this is their time. Maybe the bad luck is gone after all.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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I want to raise a couple of points on the Order of Business and the guillotining of the LNG Bill. This is a really significant shift away from Ireland, which previously had a track record where we have a ban on fracking. It was introduced by a Fine Gael backbencher back in a good time when backbenchers from Government parties were able to bring legislation forward and have it become law, which is something which should happen again. It is a very significant measure. It is one we had very detailed scrutiny of in the committee. There is a lot to be discussed here. It should not be guillotined. It is an important thing. I do not think you can get it right but it is one where harm reduction is really important in relation to this legislation and it should not be guillotined.

I also raise a concern that we have eight sets of regulations added to the Order Paper. I do not blame the Seanad Office or the Leader, indeed, for the lateness of their being added. That sits squarely with the Department responsible for planning and development, which has an extraordinary record - I checked back on it – where ten of 11 planning and development Bills in the last decade were brought in the last week of July or the last week of December. It seems like it has a systematic departmental policy of bringing significant decisions through at the last minute. That is something that needs to be addressed. It is a direct pattern. I have looked back. It is always guillotining something through in the last week of July. That is not acceptable practice because planning is part of the democratic structure, the decisions we make about how we want to live together, and it needs proper attention and scrutiny whether you agree or disagree with each of these exemptions. I regret that it is coming so late but also, when we are getting these last-minute measures, the regulations should be circulated. I know they are there to access, but when we are getting these for last-minute decision, that would be a useful measure.

Finally, I commend SIPTU-----

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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Just a comment. We are coming back in September. The assessment of needs piece has been highlighted by Cara Darmody and the school transport issues have been raised, but childcare is also really important. I signal that SIPTU has produced a really important paper and I was very happy to host its launch. It looks at a roadmap to affordable early years care and sets out really practical steps for how we deliver affordability early and quality employment that ends that situation of the revolving door in our childcare services, which I am sure every Member is familiar with.

Laura Harmon (Labour)
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I am speaking again about the issue of Bessborough in Cork city and to call once again on the Taoiseach to act on this. There is still time to do the right thing and to have a negotiation process with the developer now or, failing that, to look at compulsory purchase of this site.

The burial records have been sealed in relation to this. There is an opportunity to legislate and publish these records. The Attorney General could instruct an inquest in relation to this site too. There will be a march on Saturday in Cork city which meets at 2.30 p.m. outside the library. We hope to see cross-party support at this.

I will take the opportunity to read a random selection of names of people who died at Bessborough to put them into the record. Christina Lehane was born 22 December 1938. She died on 29 March 1939. She was three months old. Her cause of death was recorded as “congenital debilities”. For many of those babies who died at Bessborough, the reason given for their death was congenital debility or marasmus, which was essentially starvation. The reason given for these babies’ deaths was often very vague. Kathleen Collins died on 27 August 1926, Bernadette Gould died on 7 August 1943, Thomas Higgins died on 19 July 1977, Patrick O’Donnell died on 10 December 1967, and Paula McCarthy died on 28 January 1990.

I wanted to read a selection of the names into the record but we know 923 babies died at Bessborough. Many women are missing also. If over 800 babies were missing in Ireland now, there would be a national search and a global outcry. We need the truth about this site. We cannot concrete over the past. I encourage the Taoiseach to meet all survivor groups. I know he has met a selection of them but he had not met the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home Support Group which represents over 700 people. It has made several requests to meet the Taoiseach and I feel he needs to meet everyone. We cannot pit different survivor groups against each other. All their voices are important. The Taoiseach needs to engage with all of them.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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Hear, hear.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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Before I move on to the next speaker, I welcome the Shandon Retired Group who are guests of Deputy Marie Sherlock.We also have guests from Grangecon. There is a very special man in the Gallery who is seven years of age today. Happy birthday Ben and enjoy your visit to Leinster House today. They are guests of Deputy Timmins. They are all very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit.

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)
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I support Senator Harmon in everything she has said. I want to raise the ongoing crisis in assessments of need and the impact this is having on families in Cavan and Monaghan. Earlier this year, I was helping a mother whose young son had been offered a place in an early intervention preschool. She should have been delighted but instead she was under huge pressure because to take up the place she needed an assessment of need. We contacted the HSE and I followed up again and again but we received the same template over and over as a reply. He was on a waiting list with no indication of when he would be seen and no recognition of the fact that every week matters to a family who is really desperate.

At the end of March there were more than 21,000 children waiting longer than the legal six-month deadline for an assessment of need. In Cavan and Monaghan alone there are 578 overdue assessments. I commend Cara Darmody on continuing to shine a light on this issue. She is absolutely right when she says children are missing the window for early intervention. We all know that the earlier a child gets support, the better the outcome. These early years are precious. Once they are gone there is no getting them back. Many parents simply cannot wait any longer. They take out loans, borrow from family and empty their savings to pay privately for assessments. This should never happen.

If the HSE cannot provide an assessment within the legal timeframe, then the State should meet the cost of a private assessment. The parent I spoke about got an assessment within two weeks when she went private and it cost €1,800. Parents should not have to pay out of their own pocket because the State has failed to meet its own legal obligations. Disability teams continue to be short-staffed while many newly qualified therapists and psychologists cannot get the supervised placements and recognised experience they need to practise. This is one issue the Government could address. All families want is for their children to get the support they need when they need it and not years after the opportunity for early intervention has gone.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I want to raise an issue that I feel is having a very detrimental and suffocating effect on rural Ireland. This is the declining number of taxis available. It is so bad now that it is causing an economic bottleneck and, in my opinion, is also acting as a social barrier. The figures from the NTA released last May paint a very bleak picture in that 20 counties are seeing a decline in taxi numbers. This is despite the fact that over the past ten years our population has increased by more than 8%. The Border region is particularly badly affected, with taxi numbers down a staggering 20%. My county of Monaghan has seen a decline of 31.29%, which is the worst in all of Ireland. Cavan has seen a drop of 19%, Donegal has seen a drop of 21% and Louth has seen a drop of 16% or 17%. This clearly shows we have a serious problem in this regard.

This is killing the night-time economy especially. People would like to go out and socialise, which we would like to see, and go out for a bite to eat or a few drinks or whatever. It is important that we encourage this type of behaviour. The reality for many people thinking about going into the town or the village this evening is that they would have no way home so they make the decision not to go out at all. This is not what we want to see in rural Ireland. I call on the NTA to address this particular issue because it is affecting the people of rural Ireland very much. We cannot allow this decline to continue in our rural counties. I call on the NTA to address this matter urgently.

I join others in thanking all of the staff in the campus of Leinster House for their hospitality and the manner in which they look after us all year in, year out. I say to all of my colleagues in the Chamber that I enjoy their company, perhaps not all of the time but most of the time I am glad to say. I wish them all a very enjoyable rest during the summer period.

Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)
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There was a lot of negativity in that. We are only allowed the positive today.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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The sun is shining.

Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)
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Can we reset the clock? I will start by mentioning the "parents notify" portal on the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, website for special classes and special places, which has a deadline of 1 September. The whole principle of the early notification this year is to determine demand, plan ahead and provide the special class places and special classes for 2027-28. To clarify for people, the portal is open 12 months of the year but the deadline is to allow the NCSE to plan and prepare a budget. The additional documentation has an extended deadline of 15 September but the documentation will be taken at a much later stage if necessary. The important thing is that people who need the places get on the portal now and identify the demand that is there.

Before we finish up I call for a debate on home care services when we come back in September. We all know the value of carers in our society but an awful lot of the HSE support service staff going into houses are private agency staff and when the person they are looking after goes into hospital or into respite the support they are getting immediately stops. This affects their availability because the staff will not be paid should the person come out of care again. Family carers and people getting the carer's allowance have a 13-week extension, whereby they continue to receive the carer's allowance for 13 weeks after somebody goes in. This is something we need to look at, especially in rural areas where we need to retain the expertise of people who are desperately needed to look after people and extend their time in their own homes.

Like previous speakers, the Leas-Chathaoirleach might allow me to thank the staff of the House, including the ushers and all the catering staff and, reluctantly, all of my colleagues in the House. We do not always get on or agree but there is great respect in the House. I extend a wish for happy holidays to everybody and thank them for the past couple of months. I thank all of the staff. To clarify what Senator Brady said, the work does not stop here and we are not finished for the summer. He may have given that impression but I think he was talking about the fact he had the hay done and the turf home. The real work starts now.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
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All of us were probably at the IFA briefing yesterday. When they gave us the briefing document I saw that it was exactly the same as the one last year and I wondered whether it had got anything it looked for. I was told not really, apart perhaps with regard to areas of natural constraint. I would like a debate on these, which affect farmers where I live. Is there any possibility we could have debate on this? As we all know, farming is different in different areas of the country. The areas of natural constraint payment was taken away in 2008 and we are wondering whether it could be restored to that level. Generational renewal is another area that was also raised. It is difficult, particularly for the farmers I met yesterday from Sligo and Leitrim, who are not full-time farmers. They work part time because we do not all have land like there is in the Golden Vale down in Cork. Could we have a specific discussion or debate on farming in various areas in the country? I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for fitting me in and I wish everyone the best for the summer. The work is only starting now.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for her forbearance and patience with us. I thank Martin and all of the staff of the Seanad Office on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group. It is a tremendous personal honour and privilege for me to serve with all of the Senators. We only operate to our best because of the support we are given by the staff of the Houses and we are eternally grateful. Enjoy your break from us and we will be back with a vengeance in September.

Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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I am very conscious that No. 10 is to be taken at 11.30 a.m. and it is now 11.30 a.m. I will be brief.

I will make a note of any contributions relating to debates for when we come back in September. There were a lot of calls for debates. I will make sure there is a significant amount of time for a debate about drugs, in particular, because it is an important piece of legislation. To anyone who has called for a debate, I hope we will have opportunities when we come back in September. I will record those requests and try to facilitate them as much as psosible.

Unfortunately, I cannot accept the amendment proposed by Senator Andrews. The Order of Business has been lined out and I cannot accept it. I understand Senator Higgins's point about planning and the Department of housing. We have been here for a number of years and she is correct; a lot of it has come through in July. Technically, it is for the Leader to set out the timeline of debates but I understand the frustration when it comes late or when there is little scope for debate. The motions, in fairness, were referred to committee for debate. It is not like they just arrived this morning, but I accept exactly what Senator Higgins said.

Like everyone else, I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Aileen, Martin and all the staff in the Seanad. They have done incredible work over the past number of months. There has been a lot of legislation coming though the House, particularly in the past month. They have put a lot of work in. I wish them and their families all the best over the summer. We will have a busy time coming back in September with an expected by-election to this House, which will create more work for them.

To all colleagues across the House, on a personal level, I thank them for the last number of weeks since I took over as Leader of the Seanad. It has been a busy number of weeks for all of us. I wish them, their families and their staff, who have put in incredible work, a happy summer.

We spoke about positivity. If you just talk about soccer to Senator Andrews, the positivity comes out naturally straight away. That is my strategy with him every time and it seems to work. There is positivity there; you just need to find it in people. I say that half-jokingly. I wish everyone a happy summer. I am looking forward to coming back in September to work on important stuff, as people outlined in their contributions, which we can get stuck into when we come back.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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On a personal note, I too would like to thank everyone for their collegiality over the last 12 months. I thank Aileen, Martin, the staff in the Seanad Office, the ushers and all the staff in the House from the cleaners up. This House would not function without every member of staff within it. I wish Members a happy break. As has been said, many of them will be working in their areas but everybody deserves a break. I look forward to working with them all in September. I thank the Leader, Deputy Leader and Cathaoirleach for their help and support.