The Order of Business is No. 1, the International Protection Bill 2026 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 7.45 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Private Members' business in the names of Fine Gael Senators, the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) (Amendment) (Work Equipment) Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 7.45 p.m., with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours.

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin commended all those involved in the St. Patrick's Day festival in County Kildare, particularly Newbridge, and around the country. She also mentioned the meeting between the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, and President Trump and commended the Taoiseach on his handling of the meeting. She also paid tribute to the late Dolores Keane. May she rest in peace. I extend our sympathies to her family and friends. The Senator also acknowledged Jessie Buckley …

Seaweed is a wonderful natural product that provides vitamins and minerals like iodine. It is used in seaweed baths and cosmetics and as an agri-fertiliser. It is a valuable commodity for coastal communities and has rightly been very much protected and cherished as part of the heritage of coastal communities. Tá imní ar bhainteoirí feamainne agus úinéirí talún i gConamara maidir lena gcuid cearta feamainne mar gheall ar iarratais do chúig shuíomh dhifriúla ón gcomhlacht Arramara. Is táirge nádúrtha í an fheamainn l…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m.; No. 2, Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1 and to adjourn at 3.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 3, Protection of Employees (Employers’ Insolvency) (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to …

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí go léir as ucht a gcuid tuairimí agus moltaí ar maidin. Senator O'Loughlin, supported by Senator Craughwell, raised the situation in the Middle East regarding the charter flights and acknowledged the work of the Government, including the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on this. I certainly hope it will be the first of many such charter flights to bring vulnerable people out of possible harm's way. Senator O'Loughlin also raised the issue of price gouging at the pumps, as did Senator Br…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Tony McKenna; - 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, International Protection Bill 2026, Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.45 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all over Senators not to exceed five minutes, time can be shared and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 2, Health Information Bill 2024, Committee Stage to be taken at 6.45 p.m. or on conclu…

That is not true.

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin, who was supported by Senators Boyhan and Costello, commented on the LAMA awards. It sounds like a very successful night. The Senator mentioned that 533 projects were submitted. She made the very sensible suggestion that the Ceann Comhairle host a reception for LAMA. I will certainly pursue that with the Ceann Comhairle. I also acknowledge, as Senators Boyhan and Costello did, South Dublin County Council being the successful winner. Senator O'Loug…

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on defence matters, to be taken at 2 p.m. and conclude and to conclude at 3.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time can be shared and the Minister to be given no less than ten reply to the debate; No. 2, Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, Committee Stage, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and to adjo…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin expressed her condolences to the Frisby family in Waterford and Naas on the recent passing of Brian and Grace in an accident. She also spoke about denim day for dementia and the role of the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. She also acknowledged Ireland Reads “Get lost in a good book” day. Senator O'Loughlin also raised an issue regarding metal nitrous oxide canisters and I ask her to table a Commencement matter on this as she may get a direct response …

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

The Minister is very welcome to the Seanad. I thank her for taking time out to update us on defence matters. I know she has a lot of responsibilities in her other Department as well. I acknowledge her recent visit to Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in Renmore, County Galway, where she awarded the distinguished service medals to the chaplain, Fr. Paul Murphy, Private Ciara Shanahan, Corporal Daniel Padden and Private Dylan Geraghty. It was great to see the ceremony and the excitement, particularly among family members of those wh…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire chuig an Seanad chun na ráitis seo a thógáil. Aontaím leis an Seanadóir Mullen ar dtús báire go bhfuil tábhacht ar leith ag baint le tithíocht sa Ghaeltacht, ach freisin le hinfheistíocht sa Ghaeltacht ó thaobh infreastruchtúir. Leis sin, cuirim fáilte roimh an infheistíocht a rinne an tAire agus a Roinn i gCé Inis Oírr. Is infreastruchtúr fíorthábhachtach é don oileán agus do thodhchaí an oileáin. Cuirim fáilte roimh an bhfógra oifigiúil maidir le tosú na hoibre tábhachtaí sin. Maidir l…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

I welcome both ambassadors to the Chamber. You are very welcome. The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on bluetongue, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 5.45 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed six minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, time can be shared and the Minister to be given no less than six minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, statements on the national volunteering strategy, to be taken at 5.45 p.m. and conclude at 7…

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh. I thank all Senators for their contributions. We started with Senator O'Loughlin, who welcomed the ambassador from Ukraine, condemned the ongoing invasion and acknowledged the four-year anniversary. She was joined by Senators Murphy, McCarthy, Craughwell, Clonan, Higgins and Conway in raising the matter of Ukraine. Senator McCarthy talked about the resilience of the Ukrainian people and asked that No. 58, motion No. 1, be taken before No. 1 and I am happy to support that. The mo…

I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad for these statements on bluetongue. This is a worrying time. My colleague Senator Brady has raised concerns on many occasions over the past year about the possibility of bluetongue arriving, and it has arrived. The Minister mentioned the cases in counties Wexford, Wicklow and Louth. Is there interconnectivity or commonality between Wexford and Wicklow, and indeed Louth? Is that a fresh infection, with the possibility of wind-borne midges arriving via the UK? The Ministe…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (resumed) and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m.; and No. 2, motion regarding the earlier signature of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, without debate.