I thank the Minister of State for attending. What prompted my raising this matter is something that many of us have likely experienced, namely seriously poor road services. To be clear, I am not talking about general wear and tear or the occasional pothole; I am referring specifically to roads and footpaths that have been dug up by utility companies to carry out necessary works, which is understandable, but that are then left in a patchy, uneven and basically unacceptable state. From what I understand, when a utili…

I thank the Minister of State. I will continue to wear a helmet as I drive my car around the area. All joking aside, I do not feel that reinstatement is happening to acceptable standards. We are putting in very nice roads, which are like a patchwork quilt. I will follow up on this with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and chase up the utility companies and local authorities about certain areas. From what I can see, even from my journey to work today, reinstatement is substandard and not acceptable.

On 2 April, I tabled a Commencement matter regarding what I believe is a systemic failure in how our healthcare system is responding to young women in their 20s and 30s when they are referred by GPs to breast care clinics with the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. We are constantly delivering a clear message to women that they should know their own normal and that early detection saves lives. We promote this through workplace talks, school programmes and public awareness campaigns, a number of which I have perso…

I want to be clear I am no expert on Duchenne muscular dystrophy or DMD as it is commonly referred to. However, since a young boy from Tallaght was diagnosed with this condition, I have come to understand the immense challenges faced not only by the patients but by their families as well. From what I gather - and I am open to correction on this - treatment options in Ireland are limited to not much more than steroids and a wheelchair. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes th…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate his acknowledgement of the urgency of this matter. When the marketing authorisation is granted, I would really appreciate it if we could work together to ensure that this product gets onto the Irish market quickly. I would like to see it fast-tracked by whatever means necessary. I personally cannot look at a video of a child who is able to walk now and watch the time pass by. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to make this medication available in the m…

I wish to highlight the significance of the Alzheimer’s tea days taking place across Ireland today. Now in its 31st year, this national event, organised by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, brings communities together over a cup of tea to raise vital funds and awareness for the 64,000 people living with dementia and their families. The funds raised today support essential services, such as daycare, home care, dementia advisers and a national helpline, which are lifelines for many families navigating the challenge…

I acknowledge the profound impact of Darkness into Light and pay tribute to one of its founding figures, the late Johnny Fox, a man I am very proud to say I knew. He was a Tallaght man and he definitely contributed to my childhood and made me the person I am today. He was a significant influence during my childhood. Since its inception in 2009, Darkness into Light has grown from a modest gathering of 400 people in the Phoenix Park to a global movement with over 100,000 participants in Ireland and abroad last year. …

I commend my colleague, Senator Fitzpatrick, on bringing forward this Bill. The truth is simple. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, on the street, and in their place of work but that sense of safety is under threat. It has already been mentioned today that Ireland now has the highest level of retail crime, per capita , in the world. I will let that sink in. Retail crime costs us an estimated €1.62 billion every single year. This is not just a statistic; these numbers represent real businesses, real …

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, DMD, is a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakening. It is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood, primarily affecting young boys. Worldwide, one in every 3,500 baby boys is born with DMD, with symptoms typically starting between the ages of one and five. Here in Ireland, approximately 110 people are known to be living with DMD, the majority of them under the age of 18. These young children face tremendous challenges, including diff…

Before we start, I welcome the representatives of the Union of Students in Ireland, the National Women's Council, Rape Crisis Ireland and the Irish Council for International Students.

Before I call the next speaker, I would like to welcome Mr. Colm Gannon from the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, ICMEC, to the Gallery.

Senators McCormack and Collins are splitting time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Minister of State for attending the Seanad. Over the course of our lives, it is estimated that one in seven women will develop breast cancer. Each year in Ireland, there are approximately 3,600 new cases and around 23% of diagnosis occurs in women under the age of 50. Currently, BreastCheck is offered to women aged 50 to 69. I am aware that following submissions, including mine, HIQA is reviewing the expansion of the BreastCheck programme. What is the status of this review? Looking beyond Ireland, we ca…

I welcome HIQA's movement on this. I hope the Government does the right thing and lowers the age for breast cancer screening to 40 and informs women on their breast density. However, with the systematic failures I have outlined where younger women were sent away from a breast care clinic, I do not feel I have received an answer. Generally, when a doctor refers a woman the lump has to be in her breast for eight weeks. She can then have a four-month wait before getting a breast care clinic appointment. That four-mont…

For the information of Senators, the combined speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes. All other Senators will have six minutes. I call Senator Pauline Tully to move the motion.

Is that agreed? Agreed.