The Minister of State is welcome. I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. The Galway city ring road is a vital project, not just for Galway city but for Connemara and the region. It is something I have long spoken on. I have been a long-term supporter of not only the Galway city ring road but also its predecessor, the Galway city outer bypass. It has had a long and chequered history in terms of commencements, judicial reviews and hearings in the High Court, the Supreme Court and di…

I thank the Minister of State for that response from the Department of Transport, which provides a lot of information but, clearly, does not answer the question. I appreciate that. I am still confident that the Minister will look at this project seriously, and that it will be at the heart of the NDP review within the Department of Transport. This response provides some of the history but, as I said, it goes back 25 years. The people of Galway city and Connemara probably raise their eyebrows when they hear about it …

The Order of Business is No. 1, Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee Stage (resumed), to be taken at 1 p.m. and to adjourn at 3.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, statements on farm safety and mental health, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude at 5.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister of State at the Department of Health not to exceed ten minutes, group spokepersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four m…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. I welcome Dympna Daly-Finn from Roscommon to the Gallery. I hope she enjoys the day. Senator O'Loughlin welcomed, as we all do, the ending of the hunger strikes and the resolution to those issues. It is always important that engagement happens and that meetings happen to sort these things. The Senator also raised the issue of childminders, as did Senator Tully, particularly issues in relation to possible commercial rates. I will raise that with the Minister, as I suspec…

I welcome the Ministers of State, Deputies Healy-Rae and Butler. I thank Senator Paul Daly for suggesting this debate take place on this very important issue. Senator Brady has asked me to speak on social farming and the need for additional grants in terms of visitors coming to farms in that context. He also asked me to raise the possibility of engaging with marts about grants to improve safety for workers and farmers at our marts. I happened to come across a remembrance mass or service during the summer. I think t…

I thank Senator McDowell and the Independent Group for bringing forward these tributes. As Leader, I was happy to facilitate holding these tributes to the late Billy Lawless. I welcome Anne, Amy, Helen and Mary to the Visitors Gallery. I also welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, Councillor Anna Grainger, Ms Tracy Young, who worked with Billy, and all his family and friends. I have a short note from the former Leader of the Seanad, now Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, who …

I move: That Seanad Éireann: - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Billy Lawless; - 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.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2025, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, statements on the post office network, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, time may b…

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. Starting with Senator O'Loughlin, she welcomed Templeogue Women's Shed and called for a debate on supports for men's and women's sheds. I will certainly try to organise that with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, at the earliest opportunity. We all agree that men's and women's sheds are hugely important for local communities as a place for people to gather, share ideas and have a bit of a laugh and a bit of fun. The Senator also acknowledged Berney Brothers' Saddles an…

Yes.

A debate takes place every year on the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.

Come back to us for debate.

A debate, yes, absolutely. The Minister will be in at that stage, and then there will be a motion, which will either be agreed or Senators have the right to oppose it if they so wish.

I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2025, copies of which were laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 16th October, 2025, be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food in accordance with Standing Order 79(2)( b ), which, not later than 20th November, 2025, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 84, and Standing Order 86(2) shall accordingly apply.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach. The Minister of State is welcome. I thank him for accepting the invitation to come here to talk about our national parks. I also join other Senators in paying tribute to his predecessor, Senator Noonan, in his former role as Minister with responsibility for heritage. I also acknowledge the increase in investment that has been brought to bear over the past number of years and what is also planned for the future. I should say, as per my Standards in Public Office Comm…

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Robert Troy, to the Chamber. I want to raise speech and language services and a specific family, whom I will not identify, that have contacted me regarding services in the Connemara area. A child, soon to be four years old and due to start school in September 2026, was referred to the HSE for speech and language in August 2023 before he turned two years old. He was diagnosed with an expressive language …

I thank the Minister of State for his response on behalf of the Department of Health. It gave a lot of plans but did not give any specifics in relation to improved services or any timelines. It stated that these changes will bring about improvements to service across the country, including in Connemara, but where, when and what age will this child be when improved services are made available to him? I will engage further with the Department of Health and the HSE on this issue. I reiterate that it is not acceptable …

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding expressions of sympathy on the death of Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, statements on the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude at 6.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators not to ex…

I thank all Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. I join colleagues in congratulating President-elect Catherine Connolly. I wish her well for her term of seven years. Her inauguration will be on this day next week. I know she will do the country proud. I also join the tributes paid to Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy for her life of service, humility, comfort and humanitarian work and various other facets in this country. Senator O'Loughlin paid tribute to former Councillor Noel Bourke of Edenderry, Coun…