I wish to raise a very important issue that affects the community in Miltown Malbay. For the past two weekends, there has been no water. We all know that the international Willie Clancy festival is starting there this weekend, and it goes on for a week. It is one of the major international music festivals in the country. Tens of thousands of people will visit Miltown Malbay for the week, and the community have no confidence that the same problems will not arise again. Irish Water must urgently address this issue to…

Before I begin, I acknowledge our good friend and colleague, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd. I echo what the Cathaoirleach said about his immense contribution to public life in this country, which will have an indelible legacy. I welcome his guests. I congratulate wholeheartedly our new Deputy Leader. I have no doubt he will bring his vast experience as a Dáil Deputy, Government Chief Whip, Minister and genuinely decent, kind, sincere person to the job of Deputy Leader. In the last number of months of this House, we need sol…

Hear, hear.

That is out of order.

Hear, hear.

I join in commending the bravery of Natasha O’Brien. It is when people waive their anonymity, tell their stories and explain what has happened and how abhorrent they feel their treatment was that we see change. I have no doubt but that we will see further change as a result of Ms O’Brien’s bravery. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, has made significant changes. She met Aimée Foley and me for two hours following Ms Foley’s experience with the judicial process. I have no doubt that when the time is appropriate, she will …

I also welcome the ambassador to the Chamber. Ireland and Luxembourg have had a fantastic relationship for many decades and I wish the ambassador and all people from Luxembourg living in Ireland a wonderful day on Sunday. It is their national day and a day we all celebrate with them. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the sittings of the House on 25, 26 and 27 June 2024, without debate, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business; and No. 2, Health (Assisted Human Reproduction)…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all colleagues very much. My job becomes an awful lot easier because of the wonderful people in this House across all parties. Back in 2012 or 2013 when the people voted to retain the Seanad, they were actually very inspired in terms of their decision because that is how people like me can achieve and be in the position I am in today. I thank our great Deputy Leader, Senator Doherty, for asking me to be Acting Leader today. Seven Senators raised very important issues on the Order of Bu…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on 25th, 26th and 27th June, 2024: (1) The Seanad on its rising on Thursday, 20th June, 2024, shall adjourn until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, 25th June, 2024,and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Commencement matters shall be taken at 1 p.m. and up to six matters may be selected by the Cathaoirleach for discussion; (b) …

I second the motion. I welcome the Minister of State. From working with him for many years, I know his commitment to this area. I thank our good friend and colleague, Senator Kyne, for the work he has done on this motion. I echo his commendation of Professor Kerin and all the people in the west of Ireland who do such phenomenal work. This motion is important because it seeks fairness and geographical equality in the treatment of cancer. I acknowledge the thousands of volunteers who help out in this area, including …

I thank Senator Ahearn for a very interesting Commencement matter and I thank the Minister for his time. I know he had a Cabinet meeting this morning and that he is very busy, so it is very much appreciated. We now await the arrival of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte.

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is very welcome to the Seanad Chamber. As always, she is very giving of her time with us here. I call on Senator Gallagher to proceed with our next Commencement matter.

I thank and commend Senator Gallagher on raising this important issue and, indeed, I commend the Minister of State. What the Minister of State is doing is like pulling teeth, but incrementally she is making a huge difference right across her portfolio through a common-sense approach and a little bit of cop-on where it really matters. I thank her for her time because we know how busy she is.

The Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, is very welcome to the House.

I thank the Minister of State for his time this afternoon. We realise how busy he is. I think we all agree that a pragmatic approach would be best in this regard. I thank Senator Byrne for tabling the Commencement matter.

I join in the congratulations as well. I also join in commending our colleague, the Acting Leader, Senator Clifford-Lee, on her important work with the IPU, which is fantastic. I also congratulate the two Senators who were elected as MEPs. They are two very capable ladies - our Deputy Leader - a former Leader, and a former MEP and soon-to-be former Senator, Lynn Boylan. She will be missed from the EU scrutiny committee, of which she was an active member. She will bring her undoubted expertise to the European Parlia…

What has happened has happened, but we need to see a medium- to long-term strategy that is fair to people from Ukraine and fulfils our international protection obligations but it also fair to the businesses and communities that are affected. We need to start this process by having the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, in for statements to see what his plans are in this regard, because at this time, I do not know what his plans are, and we should know. Finally, before I finish, I commend our colleague, Senator Gavan,-----

-----on running a very fine campaign for the European Parliament. It was not his day this time-----

-----but I have no doubt his day will come very soon.

I thank the Senator and thank the Minister of State for taking the time to come here this morning to answer this very important question.