Can I correct the record then?

On a point of order, I just wish to correct the record. My mother used to say that even the best in class can make mistakes. The Senator was right. I made a mistake. It was an increase of 2%. County councillors now get €29,000. If you look at that in the context of the cost of living, then county councillors have been cut by 6%. I would like to thank the Senator for giving women councillors maternity leave. Thank you, Senator. You are very good.

No, it is €28,000.

The Senator should try running for election as a councillor while being a member of the Traveller community. Those places are not there because of Government parties like his.

Those places are not there because of Government parties like the yours.

Those places are not there because of Government parties like yours. Members of my community do not have those opportunities. If it was that good, why did the Senator not stay on the council?

If it was that good, he could have stayed and done good community development work.

I am seeking a debate on defective concrete. It is not just Donegal where people's houses are crumbling around them; it is happening all over the country. We need to talk about this matter in both Houses. My colleague Deputy Charles Ward wants to include another 40 families in the current redress scheme. This issue is bigger than the 40 families Deputy Ward wants to be include in the scheme. We have not touched on the local authority or the social housing which has been impacted by defective bricks. We need to have…

Yes.

That is so unfair.

No.

Yes.

No.

The door was just left purposely - it is not fair. No way.

Yes.

Yes, she is right.

I welcome the Minister of State to her new role and wish her every success. I care deeply about people with disabilities in this country, about issues of access of care and about having their needs met. When I am listening to myself, I am conscious of referring to people with disability as "them" and "they". Everybody should have equality of opportunity. I do not believe there is any such thing as equality. Everybody is different but it is about meeting a person where they are at and seeing an individual first. I c…

I am following on from other comments this afternoon around putting an end to gender-based violence. You can wear orange all you want and you can be a part of the gender equality committee in Leinster House and be a do-gooder for women. However, when a woman is getting beaten up somewhere in this country, she does not give a damn about the colour of a Member's top or tie or what issue they are raising. What we need is a productive government when it comes to ending violence against women. What we need are spaces fo…

I am following on from Senator Nelson Murray's comments on COPD. I was diagnosed with COPD when I was 28 years of age. As I was a member of the Traveller community, it took me at least six months to a year to be diagnosed with COPD. I remember meeting a consultant in Sligo University Hospital named Dr. Katherine Finan. She was one of the nicest doctors you could ever meet. I remember saying to her to add 12 years to 28 years. She did that. She tested me for COPD and asthma, and I was diagnosed with it. I know what …

For the information of Members and clerks, every Wednesday at 11.30 a.m. in Senator Ruane's office, there is karaoke. They are more than welcome to take part.