The Senator has managed to make six minutes out of three. Well done.

Amendments Nos. 11 to 19, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I think you should, if you do not mind. I thank the Minister. He has about a minute left.

I thank the Minister. Before we report progress, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Grealish. He has a number of the Carnmore hurling team members with him this afternoon. As a Portumna person, we know exactly their strength, and they are very welcome to the House this afternoon.

I thank the Minister of State for being in the House. Sometimes the sign of something good is when cross-government Ministers are working together. Having both Ministers of State here this afternoon shows two Departments that take farms, farm safety and farm well-being seriously. It also shows collaboration. I thank the Minister of State for being in the House for her opening remarks. It is not often that it happens but it is important to recognise it. We are speaking today to emphasise two interlinked but often ov…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: - "Seanad Éireann resolves that the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025 be read a second time on this day 12 months, to allow for the issue of travel supports for victims of domestic and gender-based violence be tabled for consideration by the Government." I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025. I commend Senators Stephenson, Cosgrove, Noonan and Harmon on bringing …

I thank the Leader for being here today. I am going to raise an issue relating to an event that both he and I attended recently in Galway at Croí House. We met with Dr. Niamh Hannon and members of the Croí House about the future of cardiovascular health in Ireland. It was a very informative session that we attended. Among those present were some as young as 22 years of age who have had a stroke. Family members were also there and we heard about the impact on people's lives when somebody has a heart attack or stroke…

The Taoiseach has shown not only strong leadership at home but a consistent and principled voice for peace on the world stage. From the beginning, Ireland, under his guidance, has taken a clear, firm stance on key international matters and we have not been silent or slow to act. The Taoiseach has ensured that Ireland's voice is heard, calling for peace, justice and respect in international law. That moral leadership matters. On a domestic matter, I completely agree with Senator McDowell. When we look domestically a…

The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, is very welcome to the House this evening. I echo his words of good luck to Mr. Jim Meade. He has been a phenomenal CEO and has worked very well with everybody across both Houses. I have every faith in the Minister of State to get that rail line opened from Claremorris to Athenry. He has even converted me, and I was hedging my bets for a long time with the greenway and the blueway and the railway. I am absolutely converted. It is the right thing to do. Covid showed us that. We …

East Galway and possibly many other areas around the country are being scourged by the conversation around the regulation of the provision of solar farms. I accept there is a real need for an increase in energy capacity. The issue concerns the conversation around solar farms, the lack of regulation and the review of wind farm guidelines. I am calling for a debate with the Minister with responsibility for regulation and provision. There was a very powerful presentation last week in the audiovisual room on the matter…

I thank the Deputy Leader for the opportunity to raise Portumna Forest Park, which has been raised previously in the Seanad. There are two elements. When Storm Éowyn landed some months back, it did untold destruction. I compliment the work Coillte did to ensure our paths and trails were open all summer. Although they were open, there is still an awful lot of debris from fallen trees. Those fallen trees need addressing. We need them to be properly taken away and harvested. I have no doubt a lot of other trees on the…

I thank the Minister of State for being here and giving us the opportunity to speak on yesterday's budget. I welcome and support it. A lot of good work has been done within it, starting with the carers. While I am absolutely not taking away from what Senator Ruane said, I think the Government had good intentions. A positive signal that we are going in the right direction is the increase in the income disregard from €625 to €1,000 for a single person and from €1,250 to €2,000 for a couple. That is really welcome. I …

I welcome the comments of the Deputy Leader and her update on the Global Sumud Flotilla. I also welcome that the Tánaiste is engaging with our ambassador and providing consular assistance. I, too, want to stand in solidarity with our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, and the others who have been detained. I am aware there is a lady from Galway involved. We are all touched and aware of the situation. It is important to also recognise what is happening in Gaza and call it what it is - a complete and utter genocide. W…

It is a national route. It is TII.

Minister, just before you respond, Senator Ruane would like to make a contribution.

Before I put the question, I welcome Catríona Rogers from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors to the Gallery. She is a tireless advocate for students' well-being. I welcome Deputy John Paul O'Shea and his guests to the Gallery. I know Senator Ní Chuilinn has left. She had transition year students who were here for the entire debate between my colleagues. They are all very welcome.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the introduction of Ireland's new auto-enrolment retirement savings scheme, a landmark reform that Fianna Fáil in government has helped to deliver and a reform I believe represents a fundamental and long-overdue transformation in how we as a society approach retirement. This is more than a policy announcement; this is about making good on our commitment to protecting workers, promoting fairness and planning responsibly for the future. Fianna Fáil has always believed that prospe…

At 10.30 tomorrow morning.

I, too, wish to be associated with the best wishes to Martin Hughes. Yesterday at a meeting of the health committee, my esteemed colleague Deputy Martin Daly brought up the issue of Portiuncula hospital. Bernard Gloster brought complete clarity on the months of speculation as to whether the recommendations of the Walker report were implemented fully or partially, or not implemented. The CEO confirmed that they were not implemented. It is on that basis that I raise the issue of safe, high-quality services in Portiun…

I, too, want to be associated with the remarks to the Maltese ambassador. Today, I am asking for statements on autism to be held. I ask for this due to misinformation in the past number of weeks. It is not wrong to want to understand autism. Research is good, curiosity is good, and we should always try to learn more about the human brain. However, where it goes wrong is when people pretend they have found a solution to autism, as if the problem is the person. That is not science. That is fear dressed up as fact and…