Which we got last night, actually.

I acknowledge Councillor Gaffney, who was with the school group that just left. I thank the 16 Senators who spoke to us this morning about different issues impacting their areas and on a national level. It is always important that we have this level of debate. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the overnight developments relating to the threat to Greenland and tariffs. She acknowledged the Taoiseach's steadfast position and approach on supporting a unified EU response. I know the situation is evolving. There is certai…

I move: That Seanad Eireann - - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Gerard Lynch; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution, as a member of Seanad Éireann, to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

Our guests are most welcome. I hope they have an enjoyable day. Today sees the start of TradFest in Dublin. It is the largest folk and traditional music festival. It is really important in celebrating Irish cultural identity and I recommend that people get to many of the events. One of the things that is really notable about TradFest is that it partners with AbleFest, which is the largest inclusive musical festival and which will be run over two days at the National Stadium. It provides a place for neurodiverse chi…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, for being here for a very important motion from the Fianna Fáil grouping. We have seen significant progress in recruitment and retention over the last number of years. Year on year, for the past three years, we have seen recruitment increase, which is important. It is also important to acknowledge the ongoing innovation by senior military management and the Department of Defence in relation to structures and methodology on recruitment and retention. It is a job worth do…

I thank the Minister for being here. I really appreciate it. I take this opportunity to formally congratulate her on her new role. I was able to do so informally, but it is important to also do it formally. What I am raising today will not be new to the Minister because I happened to bump into her at the Young Scientist exhibition and took the opportunity to speak to her about the situation in the school at the Curragh. Of course, I have been in email contact with her office on an ongoing basis. It is coincidental …

I thank the Minister for her response and her interest and concern in relation to this matter. I understood from my meeting in the week before last with the principal and the teachers that an application had been submitted through the KWETB. I will phone the principal directly after this engagement. The school has a good working relationship with KWETB. I would be concerned if the Department had not received that application at this point. Obviously, that is a clear priority. I want to hear from the Minister that o…

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I wish to express sympathies to the people of Spain on the most horrific rail crash that occurred there on Sunday last. I believe 41 people have been confirmed dead, but the number of fatalities continues to rise. Almost 150 people were injured, 12 of whom are in critical care. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been bereaved and with all of the volunteers, safety workers and aid workers who assisted at the scene. I congratulate the New…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Appropriation Bill 2025 – All Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, time may be shared, the Minister to be given not less than seven minutes to reply to the debate; and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; and No. 2, motion regarding the earlier signature of the Appropriat…

I thank every one of the Senators this morning who wished everybody a happy Christmas and gave their thanks and gratitude to Martin and the team, to the ushers and to all who work in Leinster House and have extended across both the Dáil and the Seanad. I want to be associated with that. I thank all of the Members for their collegiality in terms of every time I step into this role as Deputy Leader, mainly every Thursday, but also as leader of the Fianna Fáil group. I thank all of the other groupings within the Seana…

Now.

Now.

I thank the Minister of State for being here. Obviously, I am disappointed the Minister for education is not here but I was informed yesterday that the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, would be taking this Commencement matter instead. There are two parts to this story. Curragh Community College was originally built for 140 students in the middle of the Curragh camp for the families who were living there. The schools in Kildare town and Newbridge reached capacity and it was agreed in 2018 that the Curragh community…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, for her response. I am aware of the two-phase process that was committed to. If phase 1 had started at this point, I do not think we would be here discussing it because there would be an opportunity for the existing students in Curragh Community College to transfer over. Mention was made of working with the patron bodies to ensure the accommodation is appropriate for school needs. The existing accommodation is most certainly not suitable. I want this to be taken as a pr…

As we call out the horrific actions in Gaza and the West Bank in this House, so must we call out the appalling actions on Bondi Beach over the weekend, where 15 people were callously murdered on the first day of Hanukkah as they gathered to celebrate their faith. Our very deepest sympathies must go to the families and community of all of those impacted. Our thoughts and prayers go to all the members of the agencies who came to try to help and support those injured and the families of those who died. Many of us have…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 - referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion on the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude at 1 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, the contributions of group spokespersons not t…

I thank all of the Senators who contributed this morning. Senator Crowe spoke about a concerning development in the US in relation to people who are applying for a visa to be able to travel there. There has always been a lot of travel between the US and Ireland for work, study, leisure and business. I was there last week. He is right to highlight the concern that people will now have to show their social media for the last five years when making their application. We all know the attraction of social media and the …

I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 9th December, 2025, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 79(2)(b), which, not later than 17th December, 2025, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 84, and Standi…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. I know it does not fall under his brief but he has a keen interest in supporting proper infrastructure around the country. He has visited Newbridge, County Kildare and witnessed the congestion at the bridge. This bridge is the only entrance to Newbridge, a growing town with a population of over 30,000. There are five schools, one of which recently received permission to go to tender process next year to increase its capacity from 650 to 1,000. Anoth…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He mentioned the Department was providing funding for three strategic regional and local road improvement schemes in Kildare, including the Newbridge south orbital relief route. This bridge is part of the relief route and fits exactly into what he talked about. I acknowledge the Department made an allocation to the council in support of the preparation of a business case. That business case has been back with the Department for about eight months. I was looking for an…