Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Trade Marks (Madrid Protocol) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 – back from committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No 2, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Designation of Sligo County Council) Order 2024, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (Section 11) Order 2024, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2, without debate; No. 4, motion regarding the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 – instruction to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 3, without debate; and No. 5, Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 – all Stages, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 6 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, only include those set down or accepted by the Government, with the time allocated to the opening remarks by the Minister in the debate on Second Stage not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate, with Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I support the Order of Business, as outlined.

As we all know, at 2 p.m. there is going to be a protest outside Leinster House by the hospitality industry. This is an industry that provides important services and good jobs, in particular to younger people, for example students, which helps them through college. They are the essence of what makes the streets in communities, villages and towns survive and thrive. When we go out to engage in leisure activities or to meet somebody socially, it is nice to have the opportunity to be able to pop in someplace for lunch, a cup of coffee or whatever. If we look at the possibility of not having these industries, we would be far the poorer for that. I will be standing with those in the hospitality industry because they need more supports. While certain supports were provided in the budget, I honestly believe we must go further than that. We need to have a debate here in the House with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on how we can support the hospitality industry.

I also want to speak briefly about the Peter McVerry Trust. There is a lot in the headlines and on various programmes on the Peter McVerry Trust. We all acknowledge that Fr. Peter McVerry has done great work - noble and important work - to support those who need a roof over their head. We have heard about the concerns relating to poor governance. Given the significant public funding the trust gets and the fundraising for it that goes on around the country, it is important that the matter is highlighted.

I wish to talk about the model of care and the supports, or lack thereof, for the Peter McVerry house on Eyre Street in Newbridge, traditionally known as the Michael Garry House. It provides a home for people who did not have a roof over their heads. The local St. Vincent de Paul group ran the house. It is what is known as a "dry house", which means residents could not participate in taking alcohol or drugs. It is a model that worked very well. We must acknowledge that some or even many of those who require housing have addiction issues.Unfortunately, at the moment, the Peter McVerry house in Newbridge is no longer a dry house and this is leading to antisocial behaviour and causing challenges and problems for businesses and residents. I have witnessed some of these antisocial incidents and they are on the severe end of the scale. The Peter McVerry house does not provide a rehabilitation process. When I compare it with places like Tiglin, run by Aubrey McCarthy in Kildare, or the Sister Consilio model, they provide a pathway to help support those with addictions. I believe this is what should also be followed in the Peter McVerry house in Eyre Street. Kildare County Council signed the contract and I have had conversations with it. I believe it should revert to a dry house model and there should be that rehabilitative element to help people get on a pathway to improve their own lives.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 17 be taken before No. 1. This concerns the Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill 2024, which will revolutionise the situation for disabled citizens in the State who cannot get the services, supports, therapies and surgeries they need. It would take control away from the HSE and put it into the hands of disabled citizens and carers. I thank my colleagues in Seanad Éireann for signing the Bill, co-sponsoring it and supporting me. I got support from across the House from almost 30 of the 60 Senators, from all political parties, including my colleagues in Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Seanad Independent Group, the Civic Engagement Group, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. This legislation will bring us into the 21st century. We are 30 years behind the rest of the European Union and the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Bill is based on every bit of research and consultation that this Government and previous Governments have done with disabled persons' organisations right up to and including the disability action plan launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, before Christmas. I am delighted to introduce it. I understand Senator Lynn Ruane will second the amendment. The Bill is of huge significance to me as a parent and a carer, and I really appreciate that support from my Trinity College Dublin colleague.

I also want to raise the situation that confronts our troops in Lebanon. I have been writing in The Guardian and have been interviewed in the Financial Times and Der Spiegel. It is recognised internationally that our troops are in a very dangerous moment. They are not safe and are in harm’s way. Benjamin Netanyahu, with his words demanding that UNIFIL evacuate from south Lebanon, is using the same language he used to threaten Gazans and the Lebanese in the villages there with imminent death. This signals to me that it is not just a local, spontaneous decision by commanders on the ground to open fire on the UN but it is Netanyahu’s political and military strategy. We need to apply pressure. The United Nations 50-nation coalition in Lebanon cannot be forced out of that country at gunpoint by Benjamin Netanyahu. It speaks to the heart of the rules-based international order and the integrity and authority of the United Nations.

I ask that when our troops return in November, we have a civic reception for them. We welcome home our Paralympians, Olympians and soccer teams, and rightly so. We should do the same and recognise the service of these young men and women, some of whom are teenagers of 19 years of age. They are putting their lives on the line in the cause of peace to help save the lives of those Lebanese men, women and children who have not been able to evacuate or flee. Blessed are the peacekeepers. I hope we can have a civic reception for them. Perhaps we might invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to the House to discuss that.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I am delighted to second Senator Clonan's amendment to the Order of Business.

Briefly, before I propose my own amendment to the Order of Business, it is important to put on the record the importance of low-threshold accommodation when it comes to addiction. It is an extremely important entry point. Other references to addiction treatment are people looking for support for addiction, whereas when someone ends up in a wet house, he or she is there because it is a hostel and he or she is seeking housing. It is very important we support low-threshold accommodation for people who may need housing and who also may be street drinkers and need good access to a roof over their heads.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 16, the Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024, be taken before No. 1. The Bill contains a number of amendments to the Parole Act 2019, which provided for the establishment of the Parole Board and set out the procedures to be follow by the Parole Board and by parole applicants during the parole process. Under the 2019 Act, where the Parole Board deems it necessary, information gathered by the board in the parole process can be withheld from an applicant and their legal representation under special circumstances, which is a real block to the natural course of justice.

The special advocates Bill seeks to amend the 2019 Act to provide that, in circumstances where information is withheld from an applicant during the parole process, the applicant would be appointed a special advocate to represent their interests in the parole process. The Bill takes inspiration from an equivalent legislative provision in Northern Ireland which sees special advocates being appointed in certain cases by the Advocate General to appear before the parole commissioners. The Bill recognises there may be circumstances where information gathered by the Parole Board in reaching a determination ought not to be disclosed to an applicant or his or her legal representation. The amendments contained within the Bill reflect my belief that relevant applicants ought to be appointed an advocate to represent their interests when this occurs.

With regard to the appointment of a special advocate, the Bill sets out the circumstances where this ought to occur and the roles and responsibilities of an advocate, once appointed, in his or her representation of an applicant. The Bill additionally provides a definition of what constitutes exceptional circumstances. The Act does not clarify currently what special circumstances are, so it can be applied carte blanche without ever explaining what type of information or supposed evidence is being reported to the parole office and without the person ever having to appear before the court or ever having to be questioned by An Garda Síochána about the supposed evidence it has. This Bill seeks to rectify that to give fairer access to justice. The Bill provides that exceptional circumstances exist in the parole process where information shared is likely to pose a threat to the security of the State, is harmful to the public interest, is likely to facilitate criminal activities or pose a hindrance to law enforcement.

I formally propose the amendment.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Ruane has proposed that No. 16 be taken before No. 1.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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Yes.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call the next speaker, I welcome former Cathaoirleach, Liam Cosgrave, to the Gallery. He is most welcome here with his guests. I thank him for being here and I am sure he is glad not to be in the hot seat anymore.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I will flag at the beginning that I will oppose Nos. 2 and No. 3 on the Order of Business, simply because I believe both of those items need further debate. It is a pity that we seem to be compressing everything at the moment. We all know there is an election on the way very shortly but these issues are very important and we need to debate them. I flag this to the Deputy Leader.

I see SIPTU has stepped up its campaign of protests against the HSE's pay and numbers strategy. I am not surprised. I had a Commencement matter on this topic last week. I have been contacted since by a number of staff members, particularly but not exclusively from UHL, to speak about the fact we are understaffed in our hospitals. The INMO is balloting for strike action. I do not know how we square this circle. We have a €24 billion surplus and yet we are understaffed. According to the INMO, we are 2,000 nurses short across the hospital system right now. When I tabled a Commencement matter last week, I was told the number of new staff hired, which frankly is missing the point. We need to examine the demand for services and see if we have safe staffing in place. The clear message from the INMO and SIPTU is that we do not have safe staffing in place. What we have is effectively the moratorium under another guise. We have ceilings and caps on recruitment.Crucially, it means directors of nursing across our hospitals do not have the power to make hires. They need to have the power, when they need to hire a nurse for here or for there, to go ahead and do it. They do not have that power; it is restricted from them. I am really concerned about this. We are heading into winter. We have significant staff shortages. We still have no idea of a plan in respect of UHL in particular or indeed across the hospital network. We have a Minister for Health who, frankly, is always missing in action. I cannot tell you the last time he actually came in here for a Commencement matter, certainly not in the last three years. We really need an urgent debate on this, even in the limited time we have left.

The second topic I want to raise is what is happening in Palestine. I was at the protest at Shannon on Saturday. It was not given sufficient coverage. There were thousands there. They were drawing attention in particular to the role Shannon Airport continues to play in supporting US military and in support the conflict, the genocide that is going on there. I do not see how we can square the circle. If we are against what the Israeli Government is doing, how are we turning a blind eye to what the US military is doing in support of that through Shannon? This includes direct flights from Shannon to and from Israel. The pictures we saw at the weekend of people burning in their tents, my God. I am only hearing the word "genocide" from this side of the House. Why is that? Why are we not absolutely clear that what is happening in Palestine, in Gaza is genocide? Why are we not taking action against it? Before this Government finishes I would like to see the occupied territories Bill passed. We need more than just words. We need actions.

Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)
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Like other Senators, I commend our brave and courageous peacekeepers in Lebanon. I welcome the news reports today of fresh advice from the Attorney General to Government on the occupied territories Bill. I do think it would be appropriate that we would have an early debate as soon as that advice becomes publicly available.

Today I want to specifically echo the calls of the families of our peacekeepers. They have been publicly asking the telecommunications service providers Vodafone, Eir and Three to provide free calls and roaming to our soldiers in Lebanon. There are more than 350 of them now. The families are very confident that the troops - their sons and daughters - are well trained, competent, professional, courageous and brave. The families really want to know and hear that as often as possible. They have made an appeal to the Three mobile service provider. Other international mobile service providers have facilitated a waiving of charges for other troops internationally. I ask the House to join and support the parents' call for the mobile phone operators to provide free roaming and calls to all of our troops deployed in the Middle East.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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An election must be very imminent. I do not see a Fine Gael Member in the House. They must know something the rest of us do not.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Senator not to refer to people who are not present. It is a Standing Order.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I am just saying. Leader, I am getting the run-around. It is not often I get the run-around from Ministers but I am getting it, on a very serious issue. Maybe the Leader's intervention might help me to get the matter resolved. A gentleman who is blind is not entitled to a primary medical certificate, which means he is excluded from the disabled drivers and passengers scheme. Vision Ireland called on the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to review the existing medical criteria to include vision impairment under the scheme. When I contacted the Minister of State, however, her Department sent me to the Minister for Finance. Then I was sent back to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who has now sent me to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I prefer not to have the run-around, to tell the truth. I like things to be dealt with very straight. I ask the Leader to please intervene. I will send her on the details today. She might be able to get an answer to this question for me.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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I second the proposal of Senator Clonan in respect of the organisation of a civic reception. I know civic receptions are usually for city councils but perhaps there is some methodology that can be used to arrange it.These people are peacekeepers. Their work is particularly testing at this time. It is appropriate that we recognise them in this way.

Fireworks constitute an important issue at this time of year. I witnessed the back part of a home, which served as a workshop and a hangout area for the family involved, being destroyed over the weekend as a result of arson. The latter was perpetrated by a number of young people goofing around with fireworks. It has had a devastating impact on the family. The family pet was almost burnt alive. As we head into this time of the year, what happened at the weekend brings home to us that there are individuals who are making money from vulnerable young people to whom they are selling illegal fireworks. While I do not wish to dampen spirits or be a Scrooge about this, there is a responsibility on parents who purchase fireworks for young people and for those who trade in them. The consequences can be fatal in some instances. A small difference could have resulted in the house of the family to whom I refer being burnt down. Elderly people living in nearby houses would have been under threat if it was not for the fast action of the fire brigade, which ensured the fire did not spread. Everything could have been different. It is important to use this Chamber to highlight this issue and the threat that exists. We need to do more about the sale and supply of fireworks at the earliest opportunity.

Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael)
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Earlier today, I finished reading the report of the Charities Regulator on the Peter McVerry Trust. The report contains details of serious breaches of governance, which will be discussed by a different forum at a later stage. Like many others, I have been canvassing in recent weeks. Approved housing bodies provide services to people coming out of homelessness or to those with addiction issues in areas of the city where there are developments, particularly apartment blocks. In many instances, there are inappropriate or a complete absence of supports for these high-need, vulnerable people.

The use of both restricted and unrestricted funds for the provision of day-to-day services lies at the heart of the regulator's report. I wonder whether approved housing bodies are tendering against each other to provide these services. In any event, I am seeking a debate with the Minister for housing, Deputy O’Brien, on this matter and on the appropriateness of the tendering process and the requirements within it that allow for people with high needs to be put in apartments without adequate support services being provided. Not only is this terrible for the people who need highly supported living arrangements, it is also terribly to the detriment of the other people living in the complexes to which I refer, many of whom find themselves living underneath apartments in which taps have been left running or fires have been started. These people live in a constant state of nervousness. Approved housing bodies are getting money from the State for the provision of the services that are causing those who live in the vicinity of the people in receipt of them to have absolute nightmares.

We need the Minister to come before the House. We need a debate on the appropriateness of what I have outlined. I must reflect the need of the people in the Dublin South-Central constituency to see that someone is held accountable for those living among them who are in receipt of the supports to which I refer. There must also be accountability when it comes to the appropriateness of renting apartments in these developments to people who clearly need supported and sheltered housing.

Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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I formally second my colleague, Senator Ruane’s amendment to the Order of Business. I support Senator Gavan’s recommendation about our nurses, from student nurses up to those who are trying to put together teams who are managing entirely unwieldy situations in our hospitals. We need to look at a crisis not only in recruitment but also in retention of our nursing staff. For a country with the resources it has to have to draw so deeply on the goodwill and extra hours of the nursing personnel is unacceptable and there must be a complete review of how these issues are approached.

I also wish to speak briefly on northern Gaza and Lebanon. An earlier speaker welcomed that the Attorney General seemed to have reviewed his advice in respect of the occupied territories Bill. Of course I welcome that and we look forward to it, but it is very important we would not go into an election with the suggestion we might in the future do a revised version of the occupied territories Bill and that there is no need to worry as that is enough. It is not enough, especially when we see the crisis that is unfolding currently. It is also crucial to remember the context. The International Court of Justice changed the context somewhat but not the facts. In fact, our Bill was always legal. It was what was required when we look to the fact of illegal settlements on occupied land. All the International Court of Justice has confirmed is the duties of third states being to not entrench and support through trade those illegal settlements on occupied land. It is simply a confirmation of what we knew.

That is an action we need to take because it is the right thing to do. What we need to do in terms of pressure points on Israel is a whole other set of actions we need to take. That means cutting off the flow of money we are seeing through the association agreement and ensuring we are not complicit in the flow of arms through Shannon, as was mentioned. It is interesting that we were told the occupied territories Bill was not legal but now it possibly is, and similarly we were told not to worry about flights over Ireland but then the reports told us that flights are carrying arms over Ireland and we do not know whether they are going to be used in Lebanon or in the appalling things we are seeing unfolding in north Gaza at the moment. There is a huge responsibility on this and in relation to dual use. Will the Leader arrange for us to have a debate, in particular before the end of this term, in respect of those actions that can be taken on arms flights and, in particular, dual-use goods where the licences have been issued by our State to feed the technology of war?

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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Well said.

Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail)
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Like other speakers, I send my thoughts and prayers to all our troops in Lebanon and the Middle East and all the UNIFIL troops.I thank the soldiers for their service. I thank their families, who spend every day worrying about and praying for their loved ones. I support the calls to have a civic reception for our peacekeepers if they return home.

I ask for a debate on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. I very much welcome that the Attorney General will be providing new legal advice on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. The Bill was passed by this House, and there is overwhelming support for it. In light of the new circumstances, the Bill should be passed by the Oireachtas as a matter of urgency. We all agree that what is happening in the region is absolutely deplorable. Israel is constantly flouting international law and is not being held accountable for it. We, as a State, need to hold it accountable as much as we can.

I acknowledge the gathering of small business representatives outside Leinster House today and their call for support to keep their businesses up and running. They have called for the restoration of the 9% VAT rate. I support that measure for the hospitality sector, in particular, and also for the hair and beauty salon sector, which is struggling under the increased cost of doing business, including the increased cost of hiring and keeping people in work. These are vital industries in small, local communities. They support many of our sports clubs and charities. We must find a way to reduce the cost of doing business and ensure these crucial businesses are viable into the future.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I refer to one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway in the country, that is, the Ardee to Castleblayney road. It forms part of the N2, which is the main Dublin to Derry road. Since 2013, 18 people have lost their lives on the road. My heart goes out to all the family members whose lives have been changed forever. The Government recently committed €600 million to the upgrade of the A5, which is the stretch of roadway that runs from Monaghan to Derry. I very much welcome that. Unfortunately, no such commitment has been given in regard to the Castleblayney to Ardee road.

People living along the Castleblayney to Ardee route are asking why that section of the same N2 road has been left out of funding. So far, €5.8 million has been spent, in two phases, on this particular stretch of roadway. All that is needed now is €900,000 to complete phase 3 and thereby cement the taxpayers' investment in this roadway to date. It is impossible to attach a price to the loss of a loved one on the road. However, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, has a formula whereby it maintains that the cost to the State of a fatality is something like €2.8 million. When one considers that all that is being sought in this case is €900,000 to complete phase 3 of the section of roadway between Castleblayney and Ardee, particularly in the context of the provision of €600 million to a different stretch of the N2, it is very hard to fathom why the money would not be given. I would be grateful if the Deputy Leader could organise a debate with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to discuss how we can secure the allocation of the €900,000 that is required to progress the upgrade of this road in 2025.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank all Senators for their contributions. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the hospitality industry and the day of action that has been organised today by the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Vintners Federation of Ireland, supported by Irish Small and Medium Employers. The Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, has committed to a review of the costs of doing business. Significant changes have been made over a number of years that have put pressures on businesses.The changes have not been made for nothing, however. They have been made to support workers, such as the increases in the minimum wage and statutory sick pay. That said, there are significant pressures on businesses. I know there was a huge focus on the VAT rate in the budget, but clearly decisions were made to focus - in terms of the tax package that was available and committed to - on workers, the USC changes and threshold changes in tax. There was a significant package of support for businesses, including the €170 million power-up grant, which will provide €4,000 before Christmas to the businesses that received the increased cost of business grant previously. There have been a number of other changes as well that would benefit certain businesses, such as the VAT registration threshold being increased to €85,000 for goods and €42,500 for services and an increase to the small benefit exemption limitations from €1,000 to €1,500. Therefore, we do acknowledge that there are pressures. We acknowledge the protest, which we take very seriously. As I said, there is a review into the cost of business. It is an issue that we obviously have to keep a huge focus on. Those issues affecting the hospitality sector and small business were also raised by Senator McGreehan.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised the Peter McVerry Trust and the issue regarding the Michael Garry house in Kildare, which was a dry house that then became a wet house. I accept there are different models. Senator Ruane spoke about this, as did Senator Seery Kearney, in the context of the Charities Regulator's report and approved housing bodies. The point regarding the appropriateness of certain accommodation is valid. We want to ensure that anyone who is getting a house, whether that person is elderly or has addiction issues, gets the adequate services and supports. It may not be appropriate to have individuals in certain accommodation, when the best place, for their own sake, in terms of achieving those supports may be elsewhere. There is a balance here in all these things. Certainly, we could have a debate with the Minister on those matters.

Senator Clonan asked that No. 17, the Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill 2024, be taken before No. 1. I am happy to agree to that. I acknowledge his work and the support he has received from across the House on that matter. The Senator also spoke about the very difficult situation our troops in Lebanon are facing and has called for a civic reception for our troops when they return, something I agree with. Whether it is called a civic reception, a military parade or whatever, I certainly agree with a recognition of the service of peacekeepers in that part of the world. A number of other Senators spoke in support of that as well.

Senator Ruane raised the low-threshold accommodation for those who need help. I agree with the Senator's point about the appropriateness of certain types of accommodation. The Senator has also asked that we take No. 16, the Parole (Special Advocates) Bill 2024 before No. 1. I am happy to agree to that.

Senator Gavan raised the INMO and the pay in numbers. I know both unions appeared before the health committee in recent weeks, and they have raised concerns about the statistics being provided by the HSE and the Department of Health. There are differences of opinion regarding those statistics. The INMO would believe that the nursing statistics include midwives, student nurses and section 39 workers who transferred to hospices, and that other countries do not include those in their statistics. There was a bit of a difference in that regard. I know there has been an increase in the number of nurses in recent years, which has been acknowledged by the INMO. However, there is still clearly a need for that. The Senator also mentioned the Minister for Health. In defence of the Minister, he appeared before the health committee on three separate occasions last week for three separate items, namely, the children's hospital, legislation and another matter that I cannot think of at the moment. The Senator also renewed his call for a debate on the issue of the flights to Israel and the use of Shannon Airport. I will again request that the Tánaiste come in as soon as possible to discuss a range of issues, be it Gaza, Lebanon, the Occupied Territories Bill once the Government receives advice next week and Shannon.

Senator Fitzpatrick has welcomed the progress - if you call it that - with regard to the Occupied Territories Bill. I certainly acknowledge the work by Senator Frances Black and that both Houses have passed this legislation.The Taoiseach, Deputy Simon Harris, requested updated legal advice on the Bill. That was after the International Court of Justice found in July that Israel’s settlement policies and exploitation of natural resources in Palestinian territories were in breach of international law. The Government leaders heard there are still complex legal issues and many challenges to be dealt with before the Bill can be enacted. Formal written advice will be provided to the Cabinet next week. I hope to see progress on a Bill that has cross-party support in both Houses.

Senator Keogan raised an issue relating to a primary medical certificate. I am happy to try to pursue the matter. However, the Senator could ask a colleague in the Lower House to table a parliamentary question to the Minister for Health in respect of it or she could raise it as a Commencement matter here.

Senator Dooley agreed with Senator Clonan’s suggestion about a civic reception. He also talked about the dangers posed by fireworks. The season is upon us when we may hear about accidents and, unfortunately, people being injured, hurt or losing limbs in certain cases or property being destroyed. Fireworks, when properly used, are a pleasure and give enjoyment. However, they are also a danger to properties, lives and pets. I acknowledge that.

Senator Davitt called for a debate on councillors' pensions. I will ask the Minister for housing to come before the house. I acknowledge the work of Government in recent years, particularly by former Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, and the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, who pushed through the reform of councillors pay, which was widely supported. There are still issues for what they get for the class S PRSI contribution.

Senator Higgins supported Senator Ruane’s proposals on the personal advocates Bill. The Senator also referred to our nurses. She requested progress on the occupied territories Bill, dual-use goods and trade with Israel. I will request the Tánaiste to come before the House to address those matters.

Senator McGreehan touched on a number of issues, including those relating to businesses, the Middle East and UNIFIL troops.

Senator Robbie Gallagher brought up an issue regarding the Ardee to Castleblayney Road, where 18 people have lost their lives. He spoke of the money committed in respect of the section of the A5 that runs from Monaghan to Derry. An investment of some €900,000 is needed to allow this upgrade to progress. I ask the Senator table a Commencement matter on the subject. I will also send it up the line to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, asking that he comment. That concludes the Order of Business.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Clonan moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 17 be taken before No. 1". The amendment was seconded by Senator Ruane. The Deputy Leader indicated he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

Senator Ruane moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 16 be taken before No. 1". The amendment was seconded by Senator Higgins. The Deputy Leader indicated he is prepared to accept this amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Is the Order of Business, as amended, agreed to?

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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Not agreed.