I am raising an issue of safeguarding. It is something that comes up regularly in the House and Senator Stephenson has referenced it in the context of school transport. The FAI was before the Oireachtas committee on sport and its main reason for being there was to discuss safeguarding. Imagine showing up at an Oireachtas committee to discuss safeguarding without bringing your safeguarding officer. That is an own goal straight away. I compliment Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan and Senators Ní Chuilinn and Comyn on their q…

I welcome the Acting Leader. Today, I am going to raise something that was raised yesterday with regard to the fuel crisis. It was raised formally by Senator Kennelly, and I am raising it here today as well. It relates to do with regulation and guidelines around solar farms. I am calling for a debate on solar farms. I am calling for the Minister, or one of the four Ministers in the Department of housing, to come before us. Last week's Commencement matter was enlightening for me to say the least to realise that the …

I thank the Minister for his opening remarks. I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on the statements on the school meals programme, in particular on the recent nutrition review and survey findings. I begin by saying clearly that I am supportive of the school meals programme. I believe it is one of the most important supports we can provide to children and families across Ireland. The programme is about much more than providing a meal at lunchtime. It is about ensuring that a child can sit down in school alongsi…

I thank the Minister of State for being in the House this afternoon to take this Commencement matter in relation to Merlin Woods in County Galway. Merlin Woods is a place of sanctuary for many people, both physically and mentally. It is also the habitat of many animals. It is regrettable that, in the past few weeks, Galway City Council has commenced the felling of 3.5 acres of trees in Merlin Woods. We understand that a number of the trees fell during Storm Éowyn and the removal of those trees is essential but fell…

I thank the Minister of State. His closing lines summed it up. It is the role of the NPWS. Unfortunately, in its commentary and that of Galway City Council, no engagement seems to have been done by either of the two organisations locally. I appreciate the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, will bring it to the attention of Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, but I ask the latter to intervene and to talk to the NPWS and, in his role in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to the …

The proposer of the motion will have 16 minutes and there will be six minutes for every Senator thereafter.

The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, can indicate whenever he wishes to speak, if that is okay.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome guests of Sabrina Brennan to the Visitors Gallery. I welcome John, Joan and Seán Brennan. They are all very welcome here today.

Senators Linda Nelson Murray and Gareth Scahill are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Senator is sharing time.

I propose the suspension of the House.

Through the Chair, it is unfortunate that I was not allowed to come in. I hope that I can still speak and I do not wish to allow the suspension of the House without-----

No, with respect to the Acting Chair, I will take it up now. I thank the Acting Chair for her time as she has been sitting here waiting for a Minister to show up to take my Commencement matter. It was Commencement matter No. 4 in which I was to raise Portumna Forest Park. While I understand the Minister is in the Chamber and quite rightly so, I am disappointed that there was not cover from the Front Bench to facilitate. I always thought the procedure was that when a Minister takes that chair, they never leave it un…

I thank the Acting Chairperson and I thank the Minister of State for making such an effort to be here. I really appreciate it. He was in the Dáil Chamber and I saw that. It is just unfortunate the somebody from the Front Bench could not have covered him at this moment in time because he cannot be in two places at one time. I raise Portumna Forest Park. It is a park under the control of Coillte which happens to be under the Minister of State's remit. At the outset, I wish him the best of luck in that portfolio. Port…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. It is greatly appreciated. While I hear what he is saying in relation to Storm Éowyn, I hope Coillte can look again at the recreational space, which is the amenity space, and at where the toilet block would be or the picnic area could be. If it could review that as one phase, along with signs and walkways, it would be greatly appreciated. Coillte is doing phenomenal work. It is great to get the up-to-date figures in relation to the 40,000 visitors. That …

The Minister is very welcome to the House. I am glad to make an opening contribution and I want to acknowledge that State investment in early learning and childcare has more than doubled, with approximately €1.5 billion in 2026. Budget 2026 provided €1.48 billion for early learning and childcare, supporting the national childcare scheme, ECCE, the access and inclusion model and core funding. Childcare goes beyond crèche- or centre-based childcare provisions. I agree with Senator O'Loughlin that it is also the after…

I am wearing sandals today. Good afternoon to everybody. I warmly welcome the Minister for justice's bringing his memo to Cabinet where he seeks to criminalise extreme violent pornography. For too long, this has been a glaring gap in our criminal law. The High Court has confirmed that possessing extreme pornography material is not an offence in this jurisdiction. This is simply not acceptable in 2026. The evidence before us is stark. Research from the Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy, SERP, Institute shows t…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, to the House.

The Minister of State is an expert on Cavan roads at this stage.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026 – referral to joint committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.2) Regulations 2026 – referral to joint committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No.3) Regulati…