I move amendment No. 3: After "calls for:" to insert the following paragraph: “- the Irish Government to take decisive action to punish Israel for its failure to comply with its international and moral obligations, including but not limited to, implementing a ban on all economic activity with illegal Israeli settlements, prohibiting the use of Irish airspace for the transit of weapons bound for Israel, and suspending cultural and sporting links with Israel such as the UEFA Nations League fixtures scheduled for late…

I support Senator Stephenson's Bill. It is beyond disappointing the way the Government looks at the other way in relation to the transportation of munitions through Irish airspace. We have to change that policy. I express my condolences to the family of Alex Coughlan, a young man from Blanchardstown who had his life brutally taken. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Alex will be remembered as a caring and selfless man whose kindness touched so many people. I commend An Garda Síochána on arresting two susp…

I first commend the work my colleague Deputy Eoin Ó Broin has done in the area of housing, particularly for those in social housing and private rental properties, by leading the way in showing that there is an alternative model for our housing system. There is a lot of hopelessness among the public right now when it comes to the housing crisis and a lack of belief that the challenges we face in terms of affordability and access to decent housing can be overcome. This is hardly a surprise when we look at the housing…

On a point of order-----

I put a couple of questions to the Minister for some insight-----

-----but I did not get any answer on why he refuses to meet residents in respect of the Irish Glass Bottle site.

I am sorry.

Well, maybe next time the Minister can give some insight into why he will not meet the residents in Ringsend.

I thank the Senator. Before the Minister of State replies I welcome guests of Senator Cosgrove's office. They are an ecumenical group which includes Fr. Laurence Cullen who is parish priest of Geevagh and Highwood in Sligo, Mark Flener who is visiting from the US and Celia Dunne and her husband, the Right Reverend Dermot Dunne, dean of Christchurch Cathedral, who will be retiring from his role this September. We wish you the very best in your retirement and I hope you are all enjoying your visit. The Minister of St…

The next Commencement matter was submitted by Senator Boyhan, but we are waiting for the Minister of State to arrive as there is a vote in the Dáil. While we are waiting on the Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, I welcome the guests of Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee. They are very welcome. When students visit the House, we usually give them the day off homework, but I think there are only one or two guests who have homework.

Exactly. They are very welcome. I hope they have been well-looked-after. I am sure they are. Will Senator Murphy propose that the House suspends for the duration of the vote in the Dáil?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, is outside, so we will just swap over now.

I thank the Minister of State for coming in today. I call Senator Ruane.

I welcome the visitors and guests of Deputy James O'Connor. You are very welcome. I hope you are being well looked after in the Dáil restaurant and the bar.

I extend my congratulations to Deputy Daniel Ennis and to the former Senator, Deputy Seán Kyne, who was particularly patient with Members from this side of the House. He was very accommodating and easy to work with and I wish him well. Personally, I feel very glad for him. Last week, an elected member of Dublin City Council posted a video on social media which could only really be described as Nazi propaganda. The video praises Adolf Hitler and openly expresses support for the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jewish p…

Amending the Dog Breeding Establishments Act has been on the legislative programme since autumn 2020. Nearly six years since policy change in this area was first considered by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, all that has emerged is a general scheme that has not even been published. The changes currently outlined appear remarkably limited. The most significant oversight in these proposals, and one that cannot be overstated, is the complete absence of a cap on the number of breeding females permitted within a dog breeding…

Senator Gallagher must be the luckiest Senator around.

His Commencement matters get drawn every week. I will have to watch the lotto numbers he picks as well.

Before we continue with Commencement matters, I want to welcome the group from St. Mary's in Dunmanway in Cork. You are all very welcome and I hope you are enjoying your day. They are guests of Deputy Holly Cairns. The tradition when you visit the Seanad is that you do not get homework for the rest of the week. Enjoy your trip.