Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire Stáit agus an Tánaiste chuig an Seanad inniu. Táimid an-bhuíoch díobh as ucht a bheith anseo chun cúrsaí idirnáisiúnta agus trádála a phlé linn. Guímid gach rath orthu lena gcuid oibre don téarma Rialtais atá faoi lánseol anois. I will speak about the importance of the basic concepts of co-operation and working together. In our local Tidy Towns group in Ballincollig, we speak about the importance of a bheith ag obair le chéile dá chéile and doing the best we can collectively for our…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O’Donnell, as ucht teacht isteach chun buaileadh linn chun na hábhair thábhachtacha seo mar gheall ar chúram tacaíochta agus seirbhísí níos láidre a chur ar fáil do dhaoine aosta. Cuirimid go léir fíorfháilte roimhe. It was Mahatma Gandhi who said the true measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. That point was made by a previous speaker. At a time of budgetary surpluses and relative economic prosperity it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we do ev…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach.

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Ar an gcéad dul síos, déanaim comhghairdeas leat as a bheith tofa don dara huair. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go geal leat i do dara tréimhse mar Chathaoirleach an tSeanaid. Like everybody else, I congratulate Senators on their election or appointment to the Seanad. I have been very encouraged and heartened by the contributions that have been made to date. While it is interesting to hear of topics that are of particular concern to individual Members, it is very clear we also hav…