Is that agreed? Agreed.

County Galway needs a stand-alone minor injuries unit. It has a population of 362,000. Limerick, Dundalk and Cork all have stand-alone minor injuries units. There are only nine of them in the country. Our nearest one is in Roscommon. While I appreciate the valuable work done in Roscommon, I have no doubt the staff are serving the population of their own county while also trying to support Galway, Mayo and Offaly. In a county the size of Galway, with its population of 362,000, a stand-alone minor injuries unit would…

The Minister is very welcome to the House. I support the motion. I really welcome it on the basis that as the Leader said, Ireland is a leader in the medtech industry. When we have created an environment to attract industry, we are educating people to the highest level and we see what the Government has put in place with the research and innovation fund in our third level universities, it makes perfect sense to me that the Minister would explore the opportunities to see how we can ensure we have equity of access an…

I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning to take this important Commencement matter on Toghermore House. Toghermore is a HSE site in County Galway. It used to provide valuable mental health support services, but it has now moved into a more community setting within the town of Tuam. The site is still under the ownership of the HSE. Proposals have been made to transform the site into a centre of excellence for equine therapy, combined with putting in football pitches for the local ladies and incorpo…

I welcome the commitment of the Ministers of State, Deputies Higgins and Brophy, and all colleagues within government to the Toghermore site. It is important for me, in the few seconds that I have to lay this out, to say that I totally understand the mental health services and supports that are being delivered within Toghermore House. I totally understand the commitment that has been made in relation to the excavation works that are going on in Tuam at the mother and baby home. They are all within the buildings. I …

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That Seanad Éireann:”, and substitute the following: “recalls that: - a Housing for All Expert Group on Conveyancing and Probate was established in late 2023 to review the processes in Ireland and recommend changes to reduce costs and delays for home-purchasers; - this group published its Final Report and Recommendations in July 2024; - the associated Implementation Group was established in September 2024 to oversee the implementation of recommendations; - it is in…

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

I raise an issue relating to schools, particularly secondary schools, which at this time of year have an awful lot of games on. They have hurling and football matches they need to complete in a timely fashion. Like everything else, there are finite resources of Astroturf pitches for games to be played on. Under the last two iterations of the sports capital fund, all funding released to clubs around the country came under four pillars: community, schools, diversification and disabilities. It is disappointing to hear…

I wish a good morning to the Deputy Leader. I, too, want to be associated with the good wishes for the season of goodwill. I thank the Deputy Leader, the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the staff of the Seanad Office and the ushers for the support they have given not just me, but everybody here for the past 12 months. It is greatly appreciated. I have something for us to put in the calendar for when we come back in the new year. Can we have the Minister with responsibility for local authorities - perhaps it is a matter for th…

This morning I want to raise the issue of safeguarding. We saw a very positive development last week from the Department of Health and led out by all of the Ministers involved in safeguarding. It was the publication of a policy framework for adult safeguarding. For far too long we have been looking for a framework when it comes to adult safeguarding. The real reason I am standing here is, first and foremost, I would love for us to have statements on adult safeguarding when we come back in the new year. There are re…

I have no doubt the Leader will ensure the relevant Minister will come to the House for statements on this issue. I have spoken in the past about the Brandon case in Donegal. We had the Grace case in Waterford. We have many cases and we have to put these learnings into action. There is no point in having reports if we do not have proper frameworks. This is a really positive step but we now need to understand what is the meat that will go on the bone to ensure there is proper protection and a proper rulebook for how…

Now.

Now.

I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on the Order of Business. Garda vetting is an age-old problem here in Ireland. Unfortunately, we do not have a straightforward system approach. If someone applies for a number of posts and is being offered the opportunity of work, unfortunately, an application for each has to be submitted to the Garda vetting office. What I am proposing is no different from what we are looking at in relation to age verification for children online. Can we have a verification system that is…

The Minister is very welcome to the House today. I invite him to introduce the Bill.

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive opening statement.

Before I move on to Senator Tully, I welcome to the Gallery the visitors from Naas Women’s Shed. They are led by Barbara Hennessy, I believe. They are guests of the Minister, Deputy Lawless, so they are seeing him in operation here today. I hope they have a lovely trip around this beautiful building.

I call the Minister for his closing remarks. It is great to have a Minister in the House who uses the word "agile", which means that they are prepared to make changes as they see fit. Not every Minister has that in their speech so it is important to acknowledge it.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.