Now.

Now.

I do not want it to dominate my time but I cannot let today go by without congratulating the County Louth football team. We had an incredible 70 minutes of high-octane drama against County Monaghan in Croke Park on Sunday. We are now through to the all-Ireland semi-final. I cannot believe I am saying it. It is the first time since 1957, 69 years ago. I offer my congratulations to Gavin Devlin. It is hard to mention just one man but I will name Dara McDonnell, man of the match. I urge everyone in County Louth to pai…

I welcome the Minister of State. The two motions will be debated together but decided separately. I call on the Acting Leader to move the first motion.

Before we move to our next speaker, I welcome to the Gallery some special guests from the Athlone Flower Club. They are looking blooming lovely if they do not mind me saying so. They are guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran. I hope they have a wonderful day here. They are looking smashing. It is a gorgeous day out there.

As there are no other speakers, I call the Minister of State to conclude the debate.

I support what Senator McCormack said about the horrific Women's Aid statistics published earlier. Domestic violence in this country has reached epidemic proportions. I remind the House that we had an extensive debate on the matter with the Minister for justice on 12 May but I agree with the Senator that we must do anything we can to stop the violence. Last week, I made an impassioned plea regarding the proposed closure of the 14 step-down beds at the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda, saying that it must not happen. Fo…

I also congratulate, formally, Senator Ahearn on his appointment. He has been doing a sterling job so far and I know he will into the future. I look forward to working with him. I warmly welcome his family, who are rightly proud today. They will always remember this date. There are other dates that are permanently etched in the minds of generations of people. It might be the assassination of JKF or the passing of Elvis, but for a young journalist working in the Dublin in the mid-90s, it was definitely the senseless…

I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, about this in person. I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to come to the House today to discuss what may, at first glance, seem an unconventional proposal, but I urge him to hear me out. It is one I believe warrants serious consideration. In recent days when I have mentioned the possibility of a maritime or naval facility in Drogheda, some people have pointed to the tidal nature of the River Boyne, navigational constraints and the challenges associated wi…

We all have to acknowledge that the threat to Ireland's security is real, and we must, at all costs, secure our coast and keep our citizens safe. I am encouraged and thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I am encouraged that my proposal was not dismissed outright. The Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and I are working hard on this to see if it is a possibility. We understand Dún Laoghaire is currently being used. It is a temporary measure. We believe that Drogheda Port, with all of its …

I am very shocked and quite angry at some of the news that is coming from Drogheda, County Louth, today. The 14 step-down beds in Cottage Hospital are under threat. These are vital beds that at times serve very vulnerable and elderly people who are freeing up beds in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital but who cannot go directly home. The beds in Cottage Hospital are to assist these people in making it back home again. The thought that these people might have to travel to Dundalk or even further is just unthinkable. There…

It is too late.

It is closing.

Ten minutes.

Actually, as long as you like. My apologies.

The Minister can wax lyrical.

I thank the Minister. Before concluding, I welcome some very special guests to the Visitors Gallery. We have a group of students and teachers from the Presentation Girls’ School, Maynooth, County Kildare. I see a group of very bright young women. Welcome to the Seanad Chamber. They are guests of Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil. As is customary, there will be no homework for the rest of the week. I hope they enjoy the rest of their visit.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?