The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Meath County Council) (Parts of Administrative Area) Order 2026, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 1 a , Media Regulation Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to ex…

The Senator should come to Kildare.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the 16 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business this morning. We started with Senator Fitzpatrick, who spoke about the EU report which was issued during the week about the challenges we face in Ireland and across Europe with increasing drug use. It is a concern. Senator Fitzpatrick is absolutely correct in saying that we have to view it as a public health crisis, not just a criminal justice issue. In Ireland alone last year, there were 343 people who passed away from dru…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Meath County Council) (Parts of Administrative Area) Order 2026, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 2nd April, 2026.

They are from Newbridge Probus Club. It is a great honour for me to be able to welcome them as well.

I extend a welcome on behalf of Fianna Fáil to the ambassador. I look forward to working with him. I extend a warm congratulations to all involved in Bloom this year. It was incredibly successful and I want to recognise the outstanding achievement of Newbridge native Joe Eustace, who won the gold medal at Bord Bia Bloom for his "Future In Mind" garden. The garden was also named best in the medium garden and planting categories. Joe is only 24 years of age. His dad Ken is very well known for his work in the business…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, for being here. I also thank him and the Minister, Deputy Browne, for listening to those of us at many different parliamentary party meetings who have brought up this issue and feel very passionately that change is needed. It is not just about change, but also balance and consistency. While we believe that rural housing should be a part of addressing the housing crisis, unfortunately, there are many local authorities that feel differently about it, so there is no co…

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil grouping here, I also extend our deepest sympathies. First, I wish Katie McCabe and her team the very best of luck tonight in Grenoble at 8 p.m. This is a very significant match. We are all hearing about another match, but for now, this is very important; it is the World Cup qualifier. Thinking back to when I was growing up, there was not really a thought of women's football being able to compete at this level or indeed at all, so it is fantastic for our Irish women and I wish them all …

Yes. That is very exciting.

They would have to read texts too.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, is welcome to the Chamber. In north-west Kildare - I am particularly talking about Cappanargid, Lullymore into Allenwood, around Robertstown, Caragh and so on - there have been huge issues with water shortages. People have signed up to get communications if the water is going to be turned off, as a managed turn-off. People are not getting that information at all or they are getting it four hours late. In the …

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate that he and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, have responsibility for this but their voices are very strong in terms of the messages they can bring from the floor of this House to bodies such as Uisce Éireann. I beseech the Minister of State to use his voice, as I know he will. There is a very clear explanation for Hillsborough, which I accept. The Minister of State said there are a range of measures in place to address the challenges and referred specifically to the Allenwoo…

I extend my welcome to the ambassador. The Order of Business is No. 1, Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 11.30 a.m, with the proceedings thereon shall if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 2.30 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by Government; and No. 60, motion 1, Private Members’ business, motion regarding the EU-Israel Association Agreement, to be taken…

I thank all of the Senators who contributed today. We started with Senator Comyn. I wish the Senator happy and safe driving in her Volvo EV. She mentioned Edward McCloskey, a Drogheda businessman who won EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. That is always a very interesting contest, with participants from lots of different backgrounds. I had the privilege of being at it once. Obviously, Mr. McCloskey's company is doing very well to win that because there is a lot of competition. WaterWipes, I understand, is the name of it.…

This is an interesting and important debate. I had the opportunity, along with Senator Stephenson, to visit Canada just before Christmas as part of a trade mission to Washington and Canada. We were in Canada for three nights, one in Toronto and two in Ottawa. I was blown away by the level of investment that already exists and the number of jobs that are dependent on trade between Ireland and Canada. This is fact. Ireland is the tenth largest investor in Canada. Canadian companies employ 22,000 people in Ireland and…

I propose a suspension of 20 minutes before we start the next item of business.

I move: That Seanad Éireann: - expresses its deepest concern regarding several measures by the Israeli Government, including executive decisions, military decisions and laws adopted by the Knesset, that contravene human rights and violate international law and international humanitarian law; - deplores the fact that direct calls for the Government of Israel to fully comply with its international and moral obligations, and to revert those measures, have been ignored; - accepts the need of the European Union (EU) to …

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil grouping in the Seanad, I am very pleased to move this motion. The motion is very clear in what it attempts to do. It is expressing our very deepest concern regarding several measures by the Israeli Government that contravene human rights and violate international law and international humanitarian law and condemns the shocking treatment of EU citizens, including Irish citizens, from the Sumud flotilla. The flotilla was illegally detained by the Israel Defense Forces in international wa…