Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 - All Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m., and proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 2.15 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, with time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister on the debate on Second Stage not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate, and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; No. 2, Finance Bill 2024 - All Stages, a certified money Bill, to be taken at 2.30 p.m., and proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 6.30 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to recommendations, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, with time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister on the debate on Second Stage not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes and time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate, and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I want to speak about an issue I have been discussing recently with Noelle O'Connor, the brand creator of The Kind Brand Company. She has been working with Kelsey O'Donnell, the head clinical nurse, and Dr. Shirley Potter from the Mater hospital skin cancer unit in relation to skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland. A total of 13,000 cases are diagnosed every year, which is expected to double by 2040. We have a high rate of diagnosis and, sadly, a high mortality rate. The situation is alarming. We need proactive preventative measures. The recognition of sun protection factor, SPF, as an essential item and exempting it from VAT would make it more affordable and more widely used and would play a crucial role in combating skin cancer. It is an important ask. The UK did that relatively recently. As we approach election time, I call for support to make SPF moisturisers and different types of product VAT-free. We rightly did the same with period products. It is time to look at this now.

I also raise an issue of public safety, policing and our wider judicial system in Kildare. I recently attended a community gardaí meeting in Newbridge. We had almost 200 people there. I did not have to go to the meeting to know and understand that people do not feel safe in their communities in Newbridge, on the streets or in their own homes. We need to look at a wide range of different interventions that we can make. Looking at the judicial system, we only have one judge for the District Court in Kildare, who has to deal with thousands of cases every single week. Some relate to family law and there are significant delays. I know from discussing this with gardaí that they are frustrated with the system. I have called before and am calling again for another judge to be assigned to County Kildare with its growing population. We also need to have new legislation to reduce the bar of what antisocial behaviour is defined as. It is difficult for the gardaí and for others to deal with that.

Lastly, as spokesperson for education, it is important to state that Fórsa is rolling out a good call about extending permanency to school caretakers and looking for pension rights for caretakers and secretaries in schools. It is important that we support that.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome Andrew Kelly to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. He is here on work experience. He is a transition year student. He is a son of our friend and colleague, Richie Kelly, who works with us here in Leinster House. Andrew is very welcome. I hope he does not learn the work habits of his father and the tricks of us. Céad míle fáilte. I previously welcomed the daughter of the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, to the House, who is here on work experience too. I thank her for being here too.

Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)
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We all have our own interpretation of how we have arrived at the happy condition of prosperity but I will not go into that. Now that we are in a prosperous and good budgetary position in this country, the great contemporary challenge is to end the waiting lists for assessments of our children for conditions such as autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia and so on; to improve the services after the ending of those waiting lists; and indeed to end waiting lists and similarly intervene in CAMHS. Two initiatives have been taken by the Government in this regard which are welcome. One is the special Cabinet subcommittee set up by An Taoiseach dealing with disability. The other is the greater investment in places for health professionals. One of the issues here is capacity, the number of speech therapists, psychologists and so on. We lack the number of professionals. A new, strong emphasis has to go on this. We have to use initiatives involving private professionals, cross-Border initiatives, east-west initiatives and indeed any initiative that will get the waiting lists down and encourage and improve the number of professionals we have. There is a dearth there. There is a problem with the difference in conditions between section 39 personnel and straight government people who are paid directly from the Ministry. It behoves us in the Seanad to give this issue priority at a time when we are in a position to deal with it. We should debate it and look at creative solutions. A number of us in this House have a background in education. If we do not intervene very quickly with children, the results are catastrophic. If there is not early intervention with teenagers with psychological difficulties and so on or sometimes psychiatric issues, again it is even more catastrophic, with some awful results. This is an important area. I am asking the Leader to see how we can go about dealing with it as a House, to have rolling debates on it and put it at the top of the agenda at a time when we are in a position to deal with it and should tackle it.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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There is going to be a general election called within the next day or two. I have three asks: three reoccurring themes that I have worked on for many years in my time here in Seanad Éireann. The political parties are now going about their manifestos and making promises and commitments. Not all of them will enter into the new or eventual programme for Government. It has always been a source of disappointment to me that the majority of Members in this House could not see the way to supporting the inclusion of children who were farmed out from State institutions to farmlands, who had an awful ordeal. Many of them have come in to see us and talk to us. Only last week I was involved in a documentary that was filmed in my house. I was asked what were the great highs and lows of my time in the Seanad. I had to say that while I had many highs and am happy and looking forward to coming in here again, my lowest moment was the time when we could not see fit to unite together to bring in support for children below six months in terms of some fair redress. When I talk about redress, I mean social supports, health supports, counselling and housing. I am not talking about money. There has to be an acknowledgement. It is deeply sad for the individuals locked out of the system. We will have other opportunities and must move on and be pragmatic. I ask that parties seek to include that in their manifestos and eventually in the programme for Government.

The next issue is about honouring commitments. We know many people and parties committed to the abolition of the universal social charge, USC. We know that low-paid workers are suffering and having to pay what was a temporary tax. I took the time to google a number of political posters and campaign slogans today. Clearly I could see the faces of many politicians, many of whom are now gone but many of whom remain here. I ask that they make it another priority. I certainly intend canvassing for a number of candidates in this general election and I have already encouraged them to raise the issue at the doors and in the media.

Finally, I call for the establishment of a national forestry authority. Clearly we need one. I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, but I believe we need a progressive forestry business model. We need to improve the scale of planting and the delivery for forestry. We need to eliminate disincentives and anomalies. We need to review the tax policies around forestry. We need to embrace the private and public sectors. That can only happen under a stand-alone national forestry authority. We need to address ash dieback. Let us look also at the current legislation which imposes replanting obligations which tie down landowners. We must be flexible in terms of our land use.

I will finish on those three asks. Can we work together to incorporate them into the manifestos? Can we endeavour to get them over the line for the programme for Government?

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome representatives of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, which is a national charity. Its mission is raising awareness of early detection and survival rates for oesophageal cancer. We are joined by Carmel Doyle, CEO, Dervilla Downey, Sharon Cooney and Anthony Doran. They are guests of our next speaker, Senator Martin.

I also welcome the students from County Wicklow whom I had the pleasure of meeting earlier in the corridor. I think they are from Kilcoole national school. They are very welcome with their teachers. As is customary in the Seanad, we will offer them homework off tonight and tomorrow. It is probably our last week of term. It is their first week back after the mid-term so we will give them two nights' homework off, if that is okay.

Vincent P Martin (Green Party)
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I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 11 be taken before No. 1, in order for me to introduce my Bill entitled the Public Health (Antacid Products) Bill 2024. The Bill proposes that warning notices be displayed in places that are selling and supplying antacid products. It is a vital warning, I would submit, concerning the danger of prolonged use of such products. Individuals should go to the GP to investigate the matter at the earliest. Unfortunately, over 70% of people in Ireland wait over three months before going to the GP with symptoms of oesophageal cancer, which include difficulty swallowing and ongoing chronic heartburn. Early detection of this cancer makes a real difference in survival rates. My own dad, Vinny, Vincent J. Martin, died from oesophageal cancer.

I welcome today in the Visitors Gallery Carmel Doyle and her team from the Oesophageal Cancer Fund. They do brilliant work creating awareness on a day-to-day basis. I hope the publication of this Bill today will trigger a conversation and shine further light on the work they are doing.

Recently, the Israeli Parliament voted to ban operations in Israel by the UN agency for the Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. If this transpires, it will turn a humanitarian catastrophe into a humanitarian apocalypse. Before our very eyes, Gaza is now an industrial-scale death camp. What we are witnessing in the Middle East is one of the purest forms of evil. What I mean by that is an evil which shows no respect at all for human life. Some people, and they are not just on one side, believe they can slaughter innocent men, women and children for the sake of their objectives. The events of 7 October last year triggered this spiral of death. That event was also evil. Murder is murder, genocide is genocide, hatred is hatred. There is no such thing as a greater evil. Evil is evil. The completely disproportionate and barbaric response to the horrific events of 7 October is utterly reprehensible.The evil deeds of today will contaminate generations to come with a deep and frightening hatred. Those seeds are being sown right now. We will reap the whirlwind for generations to come.

Finally, I will mention the record-breaking sports announcements a few days go. This Government recognises accessibility to sport, physical and mental well-being and community cohesion. I acknowledge the Green Party Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, for what she delivered, especially for Kildare, that is, €3 million for the Sallins amenity lands - they worked so hard - and €1 million for improved facilities in Naas CBS. The fundraising committee there have worked day and night. It is volunteerism at its best, and at long last it is beginning to be recognised by this Government. I hope the next Government takes the next further steps in this vital campaign of community wellness and accessible sports for all.

Frances Black (Independent)
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I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 10 be taken before No. 1." I am introducing today my Private Members' legislation, the Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024. I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Flynn, for seconding the Bill. This Bill is very simple. If passed, it would amend the Local Government Act 2001 to require that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage would create a new scheme to support the work of local councillors in their roles as public representatives.

Specifically, the Bill would extend the staffing supports we receive as Members of this House to every elected member of each local authority in Ireland. All of us in this House know the invaluable role our Seanad Office staff play in our work. We know this place would grind to a halt without them. However, local councillors across the country are doing the hard work of representing often large geographical electoral areas containing thousands of constituents without any administrative support at all. In the context of the massive decline of over 600 local representatives since the abolition of town councils in 2014, the expectations on councillors are now huge, unrealistic and growing, and councillors absolutely need more support. They have to contend with real and difficult local issues at the coalface, a large volume of correspondence and represent people and communities and politics at the levels closest to the actual reality of people's lives.

I am a member of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. We heard during our hearings on the future of local democracy that the challenges faced by our councillors across the country are very serious. It was a common theme across all the submissions we received, and our report published last month must spur us into action. That is why I am introducing this Bill today; we need it. Today, the Seanad can send an important message to all our councillors that we believe their work to be absolutely critical, the role they play in Irish democracy is vital and they should accordingly be entitled at a minimum to the same administrative support in terms of staffing that is given to all other elected public representatives in Ireland, including all of us here. We cannot continue to deny councillors the help they need any longer. We must do something to support them. I commend the Bill to the House and ask for support from all Members.

Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein)
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I wish to begin by proposing an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 9 be taken before No. 1." This refers to the Public Procurement (Collective Bargaining and Collective Agreements Criteria) Bill 2024. It is clearly going to be a very busy day next Tuesday in the Seanad. This Bill relates to the EU minimum wage directive, which should have been transposed into law by this Government but it has failed to do so. The directive itself deals with the issue of collective bargaining coverage. It sets a target of 80% collective bargaining coverage, and my Bill is a means of getting to that target by ensuring for the first time that collective bargaining is valued and weighted in terms of the public procurement process. It is something that is particularly important given that this Government worryingly said there is no new legislation required with regard to that EU directive, which really shows that the Government has no commitment whatsoever to increasing collective bargaining coverage in this country. However, that will be a choice that will be put to the electorate in the next number of weeks.

I also want to raise the occupied territories Bill and the disgraceful decision of the Government yesterday to basically kick it into the long grass again. I want to put on record my clear view that neither Fine Gael nor its sister party, Fianna Fáil, have any intention of ever passing the occupied territories Bill. That is entirely clear from this point of view. Not one economic measure has been taken against Israel for its perpetration of genocide. It is not so much what we can achieve through that economic measure as a signal and sign it would send to the rest of the world that we must and can do more.

I will go through the average statistics with regard to Gaza. Each and every day in Gaza, on average, 115 people are killed, of which 46 are children, 31 are women and 38 are men; 266 people are injured; 27 people are missing under the rubble; and 5,480 people are forced from their homes. Yet, this Government in the face of that genocide has decided to take no meaningful action. The ambassador should not even still be in this country. The Government has copped out and it is a mark of shame in that regard. It will not even tackle the issue of arms going through Irish airspace. Even when the Minister, Deputy Ryan, was told in advance by The Ditch that we would have arms going through Irish airspace, he took no action. What is happening in our airport in Shannon continues to be nothing less than an absolute disgrace. Saying it is against genocide and then deciding to do nothing about it is absolutely disgraceful. This is the record of this Government and, as I said, it is a mark of the deepest shame.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith agat. I welcome the second group of students from Kilcoole Primary School in County Wicklow. They are very welcome; céad míle fáilte. In keeping with a request earlier in regard to their colleagues and school friends, we are going to offer them two nights homework off as well to celebrate their return from mid-term and potentially our last week in the Seanad.

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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The Cathaoirleach and others will be aware that overnight a landowner and business owner in my constituency has been elected as President of the United States. Obviously, we want to send him and the country our best wishes. Let us hope that kind of divisive rhetoric that was very much part of the campaign will now be set aside. I am mindful of the comments of a former Governor of New York, Mr. Mario Cuomo, when he said that in America, they campaign in poetry and govern in prose. Let us hope that at some point in the not too distant future we can see that kind of bile and rhetoric that was part of the campaign set aside. America, as a world superpower, plays a really important role in the lives of so many people across the globe. Let us hope that from an Irish and European perspective, we can find some common ground to work towards in addressing the very many crises we face.

On a domestic note, I am conscious that we are in the dying days of this Administration. Those of us who are knocking on doors will be very familiar with some of the issues that are coming up. One that is raised on a nightly basis is the issue of petty crime, a lack of law and order and antisocial behaviour. Much of it is emanating from petty criminal gangs and maybe more minor criminal gangs. We have come to assume that when we talk about criminal gangs, it is the Hutches, the Kinahans or whoever. However, there are other criminal networks dotted throughout the country in every medium-sized town and village. We need to target those. I hope the next Administration will seek to put in place a special unit within An Garda Síochána to target those criminal networks that are wreaking havoc and instilling fear in villages and towns right across Ireland and, in particular, in areas of the constituency of County Clare.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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Like most of us-----

Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)
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I also want to second Senator Martin's proposal.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Steady, steady, steady. I know it is the dying embers of the week.

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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The health service is one of the key issues that we all hear about every night we are out knocking on doors. First, I want to acknowledge Bantry General Hospital. The health service is mentioned when one knocks on the doors of people who live in the constituency of Cork South-West but these people also want to praise and acknowledge the staff and management, and what has been done in Bantry General Hospital, particularly over the last four and half years. There are two multi-million euro investments happening there, which are really important for the region and the hospital has real capacity. One of the figures we have is that the hospital has six full-time consultants at the moment, which is an amazing statistic. We also have nearly 20 house doctors. We have more than 300 whole-time equivalent staff in the hospital so nearly 600 staff. The hospital is a huge economic driver for Bantry and the entire surrounding area. It is an outstanding stand-alone hospital with its rural hinterland.

I want to acknowledge the good work that is happening at the hospital, the investment and what it means to the Bantry, Skibbereen and Clonakilty region. The hospital is a really important entity. I do believe that we need to talk up the hospital because, disappointingly, some people want to talk down what is happening there. We need to acknowledge the actual good work that is happening there, the staff, the management and the amount of throughput at the hospital. I find it disgusting that people want to make the project into another political football; that should not be allowed. We need to acknowledge the staff and the amount of work done so that we can move forward with the next phase of the redevelopment that is happening there. We have had much progress and that just needs to be acknowledged.

Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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On the issue of weapons passing through our sky, until such a time as we have an airforce that can intercept and interdict we can do sweet damn all about it. Talking about it is of little value, action is what is needed.

The Leader will know that I have spent quite a lot of the period of this Seanad working in the area of cybersecurity. I brought a number of delegations to Talinn in Estonia where we were shown the best of the best by NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, CCDCOE, and CR14, which is another NATO training centre. This had led to the establishment of two security operating centres with one located in Dundalk and one in a co-laboratory in Blanchardstown. There is also a cyber awareness programme in Limerick ETB.

I am delighted to inform the House that we sought funding for a cross-Border initiative through the PEACEPLUS programme and CyberQuest has been awarded €8.5 million over the next five years to bring cyber and IT skills to 2,000 participants, many of whom are outside of the education and employment areas. This is a really good initiative to bring young people, who to all intents and purposes have been disaffected, into a vibrant career.

I also congratulate Enterprise Ireland on its cyber initiative to establish a grant of €3,000 to allow companies to assess their cyber security systems. In addition, Enterprise Ireland has laid on €60,000, which is up to 80% of the cost of bringing cyber awareness and cyber security programmes up to speed within organisations.

We really have to wake up to the cyber threat that exists in the world and it is not all bad actors of countries. Some of it is just people operating out of their bedrooms.

The bottom line is that the network and information systems 2, NIS2, directive, is coming. So unless we do something about it we will be found once again caught.

Pippa Hackett (Green Party)
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We have all watched the events unfold in the US. While many of us hoped for a different result, and a recent poll by the Sunday Independent indicated that 76% of Irish people would have voted for Kamala Harris, democracy moves in mysterious ways so we have to respect the process and respect the result. People in the US have chosen Trump. They know what he represents and they have voted for him.

Of course we are on the cusp of our own election here in Ireland and we, too, have our fair share of scaremongers, doomsters and naysayers. We have people who claim we are a failed state, people who say that the country is on its knees so we need to rip it all up and start again. We can and we will do better because that is what Ireland does. Ireland builds on successes and learns from mistakes. We do this by being progressive, not regressive. We need to stay grounded and genuine, and not get caught up in the mire of lies and misinformation. A vote here in Ireland leaning into a vision similar to that sold by Trump would send us back to the 1980s, which was a conservative, dark and miserable Ireland that wallowed in its own misery, from which it was hard work to escape.

What makes Ireland great now is our caring and generous character, respect for others, diversity and our desire to do the right thing by nature for communities across this country and across the world. We do not always get it right but we can and will do better because that is what Ireland does. Those are the values we should hold on to as we move forward into this election, the result of which will see us through the second half of this decade of change. So let us stay positive and progressive, fair-minded and firm in our determination to stand up for our principles, people and the planet.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I call the father of the House, Senator Paddy Burke.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The new Electoral Commission was set up to look after both the Dáil and Seanad elections, constituencies and the electoral register. I call for a debate on how the electoral register is commissioned and maintained and what changes the new Electoral Commission has made or is making. I ask because I have not seen any great changes to the electoral register. Some people are not on it while other people are listed a number of times and, therefore, we need a debate. This House is an ideal one in which to have the debate. We should have a very simplified way to register. It is much easier to register now because people no longer have to go to their local Garda station as part of registering. A debate here would be very helpful and would bring us all up to speed on how the electoral register is compiled.

I wish to be associated with the remarks made by quite a number of Senators here yesterday when they thanked the staff of this House. I thank them for the great work that they have done here over the past four years. I thank them for all their assistance. I do not think we fully appreciate the great work that they do. Sometimes we sit very late in this House and amendments, for example, are put forward yet they are on the clár the following day. Staff here have a huge responsibility because the Bills that are passed here are the ones that the ordinary people of this country must abide by and work by. The staff work very hard and diligently. To conclude, I would like to be associated with the remarks made by the other Senators and thank staff for what they have done for us over the past number of years.

Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail)
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I join with Senator Burke in paying tribute to the staff here as we come towards the end. We will be here a while yet but Senators will know what I mean. Obviously the Taoiseach will call an election very shortly so I thank the staff for the work they have done at all times. I thank them for their support and help, it has been a pleasure to work with them.

I wish to raise the regrettable failure by the Government and the HSE to deliver a badly needed 20-bed rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital. Let us remember that we have only one rehabilitation facility at the National Rehabilitation Hospital unit in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. In 2015, a 20-bed unit was promised. Then the Minister for Health, and now Taoiseach, Deputy Simon Harris, allocated €7.5 million to get the project up and running. Eight years have elapsed and nothing has happened. Deputy Naughten and I and others have pushed the issue to see what is wrong and identify where the project is being held up. The Roscommon University Hospital committee met the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, when the endoscopy unit was opened in 2018. I know that representatives of the hospital committee have since also met the current Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. However, nothing has been done.A design team was put in place for stage 1 of the process and tenders were received, but that is seemingly where the project stopped. In Boyle, the HSE met the current Taoiseach, Deputy Harris, back in 2018. Obviously, I will not be able to submit a Commencement matter now, but will the Leader contact the Taoiseach’s office? This delay is unacceptable. We need to get the project moving, and not only for the west because this unit was to be a backup to Dún Laoghaire. We still really only have one rehab unit in this country whereas this project was to be a new 20-bed unit to serve much of rural Ireland.

Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the staff in the Seanad Office and the Cathaoirleach’s office and all those Senators whom I have had the pleasure of working with over this term.

I second the amendment proposed by Senator Gavan and will propose an amendment of my own, namely that No. 8 be taken before No. 1. There is a severe need for secure and affordable artist workspaces across urban and rural Ireland. A recent Dublin City Council audit found that there were only 529 artist workspaces in Dublin. In a city that has an office vacancy rate of 17%, that is scandalous. Given all of that unused space, there is an obvious market failure in the arts sector. It demands Government capital support and investment, although our national cultural institutions, art centres and theatres can and should provide more artist workspaces as well. The Arts Council has been pushing for that. However, we need a once-in-a-generation investment to address the need for artist workspaces. In that context, I have proposed a Bill that would confer functions on the Arts Council, which can already be provided capital money, to acquire, develop and manage affordable artist workspaces, including artist-run ones. Recently, we saw the closure of more night clubs and bars across Ireland. The failure to reform night-life licensing laws tells me much about this Government. For all its talk and political posturing, it has failed to get this important Bill over the line and we have the earliest closing times for bars and night clubs in Europe. I commend the campaigners who have worked tirelessly, including Give Us The Night, over the past term but who have been left disappointed by the Government.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I next call Senators Davitt, Maria Byrne and Flynn, in that order.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
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I will briefly raise a matter we have discussed recently, one that is a significant topic for many Senators. I welcome Councillor Charlie Farrelly and his good wife to the Chamber. It is lovely to see them. I have been discussing councillors’ pensions since before the Moorhead report, which recommended that a commission be set up in May 2024 after the local elections. Since then, I have been dealing with the Minister, Darragh O’Brien, and the line Minister of State, Deputy Dillon. In fairness, both have taken on board and agreed with the concept that, no less than any other public servant when leaving a position, for example, an Oireachtas Member, councillors are entitled to a pension outside the lump sum they are guaranteed. I am delighted now to be able to write to inform Members and councillors that this has been recognised and agreed for the first time with the Minister and Minister of State and that it will be addressed. It needs to be addressed urgently. The Minister of State and the Minister have written to me agreeing that the commission is to be set up at the first available opportunity. Please God, the problem of the inaccuracies and shortfalls in pensions for hard-working councillors will be addressed when the next Dáil is formed. If I am returned, I will keep working on this issue for councillors. It is a priority. Councillors are the hardest working politicians in Ireland and the lifeblood of our political system, and they are entitled to a pension.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
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Those of us who are returned to the next Seanad – please God, I will be one of them – might be able to address this issue.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Well said. I welcome Councillor Farrelly and his good wife.

Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I wish to be associated with the thanks to the staff in the House for everything they do, from the ushers to the staff of the Seanad Office. Mr. Martin Groves and his team are fantastic in the work they do to ensure that everything is up to speed. I wish them all the best.

The main reason I rise is to discuss an issue I have encountered that affects many small businesses. I work closely with the Limerick City Business Association and the chamber of commerce. Small business is suffering. The power-up grants were great and welcome, but many businesses are falling through the cracks in terms of being able to access them. If a business is in rates arrears or on a payment plan, it cannot access the grant. The 9% VAT rate needs to be reconsidered. That probably will not happen this side of an election, but it needs to be addressed by whomever is in government in the future, especially for the hospitality trade. Hotels are doing well, but small businesses face issues of staff retention, wage costs and increases in the price of food, insurance, etc. Hairdressers are affected as well. They need to be considered. I do not know who the new Minister for Finance will be, but whether I am back in the Seanad or elsewhere, I will be lobbying for small businesses to be addressed. They provide employment for more than 270,000 people, so we need to look after them.

Eileen Flynn (Independent)
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I second Senator Warfield’s proposed amendment. I also second Senator Black’s amendment. I am delighted to be a co-sponsor of that legislation. Senators are aware from our interactions with them that local councillors’ workload has increased greatly over time. This has been recognised in some respects by increasing the representational allowance in recent years, but Senator Black’s Bill would provide councillors good supports. Why not give county councillors basic workers’ rights and support on the ground? Many councillors work and live within their communities, so it is common sense that we support them.

Thankfully, the Traveller committee is today launching its final report of this Oireachtas term. It is a report on the inequality that Travellers endure in the justice system. I look forward to launching that report today. I hope that the new Oireachtas picks up on the important work that has been done over the past four and a half years with and for members of the Traveller community.

As other Senators have said, it has been a privilege for me to be here for the past four and a half years and to have had the opportunity to make good friends in this House and the Dáil and build up relationships with people. Most important, it has been a privilege to be a representative of the Traveller community and other ethnic minority groups.I think I have done a good job. If I am re-elected, I hope to continue that work.

John Cummins (Fine Gael)
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Many Senators in this Chamber are very passionate about the issue of school places for children with additional needs. In my teaching career before I came into this House, I had the opportunity to see how it really works in practice and it works well. My own school had three ASD classes and those students were fully integrated with the wider school population in the teaching of all the main subjects. I have seen the benefits both for students with additional needs and for the wider school population as regards teaching empathy and understanding. That is a really positive thing for society. The model is a really good one but the availability of classes is a challenge. In my own area of Waterford, we have had 12 additional ASD classes delivered for the 2024-25 school year but we need significantly more. We now have a total of 70 across primary and post-primary. While many schools are very proactive and want to take on special classes, other schools really need to step up to the plate. It is important to say that. The Department of Education needs to support those schools that are willing to open classes but we equally need to be quite firm on those that have been reluctant. Significant additional capital moneys were allocated in the budget to open 400 special classes across the country for the 2025-26 school year. I want to see a significant number in Waterford. I am happy to work with the schools and with parents in that regard. However, there needs to be more joined-up thinking between the Department of Education capital unit and the new Minister of State responsible for special education, whoever that might be. That Minister of State does not have a designated capital budget. That rests with the Minister for Education. Please God, I look forward to working with the next Minister for Education and Minister of State with responsibility for special education, whoever they may be.

Tom Clonan (Independent)
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In advance of the election, I thank the Cathaoirleach and his predecessor, Senator Mark Daly, for welcoming me into this House. I also thank Martin Groves, all of the staff in the Seanad Office, the ushers and everybody else who is part of this community for their support. I particularly thank my colleagues here in Seanad Éireann for all the support they have given me in the short time I have been here and for supporting my disability Bills. I wish each and every one of them and their families the best of luck in the upcoming campaigns. I wish them well.

With regard to elections, it now looks likely that Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States of America. My initial interest in Donald Trump is in the context of the appalling conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. As pointed out by Senators Gavan and Martin previously, 45,000 Palestinian men, women and children have been butchered in the last 395 days. That is 45 children every day. Two children are murdered every hour. Since we came in here this morning, half a dozen or perhaps eight, nine or ten children, including infants and six- and seven-year-olds, will have been butchered. An order based on the rules of international law, including international humanitarian law, has been torn up by Hamas in its genocidal attack on 7 October, by Hezbollah in its indiscriminate attacks on Israel, by Mr. Netanyahu and by Mr. Putin in his criminal invasion of Ukraine. I am interested to see whether Donald Trump will stand up for the international rules-based order. There is no pretence of a battlefield any more. It is now the case that the innocent civilian population is the primary target. They are not collateral damage. We have femicide at an unprecedented level. We also see infanticide and urbicide, the destruction of cities, whether Zaporizhzhia or Gaza. That is genocide. These are the seeds being sown, as Senator Martin has said. Israel is sowing the seeds of its own destruction and the destruction of the Middle East but we will inherit this international non-rules-based order. I urge the Irish Government to persist in its moral leadership in calling out these crimes against humanity and war crimes and not to take instructions from foreign embassies.

Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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As with everyone else, I thank the staff, my colleagues and everybody involved in keeping the Houses running. However, I must be honest. Halfway through this term I became somewhat disillusioned with politics and with where power is concentrated and where it flows. I had to a lot of soul searching to re-establish the idea that politics can work, although it must look radically different from how it looks now. Looking to America and the western world's failure to protect the people of Gaza, it feels like we are living in a non-reality where truth no longer matters. Even though it might seem noble or whatever to thank people within this House, I want to thank the activists in every arena I have worked in, including those involved with the issues of addiction and Gaza. Over the last two years, I have spent more time in the prisons system than I have in here and I can tell you now that is where I have been reminded of truth. People living on the fringes and margins who have been excluded and isolated for a very long time are much more honest people because they live the day-to-day reality of an ordinary citizen. Going into an election, if any of us are lucky and privileged enough to be re-elected, we need to ensure it is not these walls that inform what politics is and what the truth is. We must spend much more time working with ordinary people and with people we might not necessarily understand or agree with. If we can do that, we can move to much more unconditional support and acceptance and a much more radical form of equality in Ireland. We have not seen that for a long time. We should come back here with a much more radical approach. "Radical" is not a dirty word. It is not associated with the fringe edges of anything. "Radical" can mean massive change and massive upheaval in a system that is not working for a great many. I thank everyone who has worked with me over recent years and the people who have continued to support me to be here.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I call an Seanadóir Keogan, whom I thank for her forbearance.

Sharon Keogan (Independent)
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I will start off my congratulating President Donald Trump on his win. The people have spoken and President Trump is their choice. This should be a wake-up call for Ireland's politicians with regard to pushing agendas that are not in the best interests of the Irish people. Rising inflation, the cost of living, homelessness, crime-ridden cities, dereliction, drug-infested areas and no-go cities are just some of the many issues that resonated with voters in the United States. Are we any different here? Patriotism will always win over globalism when the political system does not work for its citizens. We must embrace the challenges that are ahead of us as an economy and engage with the new administration in the coming weeks to ensure that our economy and our fiscal policies are ready to deal with any shocks that may unfold. It is always better to be sitting at the table, discussing and engaging, than to be outside the door. We Irish must always strive for world peace and engage fearlessly for that peace, even with those with whom we do not agree.

Another issue I want to raise this morning relates to the €4,000 Power Up grant the Government has announced. I want to make something known to businesses that are not in the retail and hospitality sectors. If you select the "other business" option on the application form this morning, you will not get the Power Up grant. You must press the button for retail and hospitality businesses. Only then will you get your €4,000 Power Up grant. That is a warning for all businesses this morning to ensure they are able to access that €4,000 grant.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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Before I call the Leader to reply to the Order of Business, I congratulate the President-elect of America and the Vice President-elect, Donald Trump and JD Vance, on their election. As Members know, Ireland is celebrating a centenary of diplomatic relations with the United States. We as parliamentarians will work with the new Administration and the new Congress to ensure the shared goals of Ireland and America are further developed. We wish the new Administration well.

I may not be here tomorrow, so I thank the Members of the House for their courtesy to me in my term as Cathaoirleach. It has been the pleasure and privilege of a lifetime to serve in this position. My job has been made easy, and difficult, by all of you. I thank Senators for the friendship and spirit that we all entered into in this debating Chamber, which is the Upper House of the Oireachtas. I also thank the staff for their dedication and commitment not just to the Houses of the Oireachtas but to the people of Ireland. That is the parliamentary community.

I refer to how Members think we rule amendments Bills to out of order. As other Cathaoirligh will testify, Martin Groves and I will sit down, go through amendments and debate them. We will make decisions not because it is yea or nay but because it is the right thing to do. We do that, and I know you do as well.

I thank Senators. I wish well those going for election. I wish well also those not seeking re-election. There may not be anybody in that category; I am not sure. I thank Senators for making the past two years of my term as Cathaoirleach a pleasure and enjoyment. I also sincerely thank staff members.

Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Members who contributed. Quite a number of Bills were put on the Order Paper today. I will be accepting all proposed amendments that were put to the House today.

Senator O’Loughlin spoke about skin cancer and its prevalence. She made a call that skin protection products should be VAT free. That is certainly worth considering. She also spoke about public safety and policing in Newbridge and that people do not feel safe. She also made a call that caretakers get permanency and pensions, like school secretaries.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I will stop the Senator for a second; my apologies. I welcome the guests of the Ceann Comhairle, Tommy Callaghan and Camillus Walsh. Céad míle fáilte.

Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail)
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Senator O’Reilly spoke about the need to put an end to the waiting list for assessment of need. That is an admirable campaign and one we can all get behind.

Senator Boyhan has three asks. He spoke about children in institutions. We know the Senator’s long-standing work and advocacy in that space. He also made calls on the USC and a national forestry authority.

Senator Martin proposed that No. 11 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept that. I agree that oesophageal cancer is an important topic that needs further awareness. He also spoke about Gaza, as did many colleagues, and made an important point about funding and the facilitating of work by UNRWA that the Irish Government has continued to fund, despite pressure not to do so going back quite some time. It does important work and it is incredible to think it would not be allowed to continue its work. It will only lead to further death and misery. The Senator also welcomed the record-breaking sports funding announced by the Government this week, which was fantastic to see. Sport is in every part of the country and it is important for communities to get that funding.

Senator Black proposed that No. 10 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept that amendment and support the proposal that we look at support for elected members at local authority level. Of course, we would always support that.

Senator Gavan proposed that No. 9 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept and support that amendment as well. He made comments on the occupied territories Bill. He will be aware that the Tánaiste has been before the foreign affairs committee on this Bill. There are challenges to enacting it but he has given a commitment to do that and proceed with the Bill. That is the position of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I think we were unsure where Senator Dooley was going with his initial comments when he spoke about a landowner and a business owner in County Clare, that being President-elect Donald Trump. The result is the result, and of course we respect the democratic process in another country. That is the position. The Senator also commented on law and order coming up at the doors. I have also got those comments at the doors. People, particularly in rural communities or at night, are not feeling safe. There is a job of work to be done with the justice Department and that portfolio. It will come down to more gardaí on the streets and increased Garda numbers.

Senator Lombard spoke about Bantry and the economic developments there.

Senator Craughwell spoke about his continuous work in the space of security and cybersecurity. He spoke about the PEACEPLUS programme as well and funding under that.

The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, spoke about the US election but also made a point that to build on what we have achieved in this country, we need progressive policies, we need to do better and we will always want to strive to do better. I support that position also.

Senator Burke requested a debate on the work of the Electoral Commission and the registers. It is unlikely we will get that debate before the end of this term but it is a debate worth having. There is much work to be done there. The Electoral Commission has been tasked with quite a large body of work and it is important. The registers are not in the best of shape in many parts of the country and updating is needed, and that is not happening at the level we would like it to happen.

Senator Murphy spoke about the rehab unit that was promised in Roscommon hospital in 2015. It is important because, as we all know, everyone is travelling to Dún Laoghaire and it is very difficult to get in. These are people in the most vulnerable situations with the most critical, life-altering and life-changing injuries. Having to wait when in that position is heartbreaking for the individual and the family concerned. We need more rehab spaces and we need them in the west, not just in the east, so we can have a better spread of supports at those critical times for patients and their families.

Senator Warfield proposed that No. 8 be taken ahead of No. 1. I am happy to accept that amendment on affordable space for artists. There is an opportunity there with the office vacancy in the city to repurpose some of that for artists. It would be space very well used and good for the city. There is ongoing commentary and discussions on the impact on the city of working from home and people not coming into the city centre. This could be part of that solution, so it certainly merits looking at.

I take on board the frustrations about the night-time economy and closing times. It varies between smaller provincial towns and our capital city. That needs to be looked at as well. Genuine concerns were raised about later opening times, people drinking more and pressure on the Garda, but I think that can be addressed. I would like to see that moved forward. There is space for differing approaches in different parts of the country, depending on the size of the urban centre. It merits progressing.

Senator Davitt made a call again for pensions for councillors, which was contained in the Moorhead report. I am happy to support that proposition.

Senator Maria Byrne raised issues concerning small business, as she has done regularly. I am very aware it is an ongoing challenge for many small businesses to keep the doors open, especially cafés, restaurants and labour-intensive businesses like shops and retail units. The VAT rate not coming back down to 9% was a massive source of disappointment for many businesses. I think the bigger picture is that the cost base for businesses needs to be addressed. The Power Up grant is a big help but it will not address all of the challenges there. Rates need to be looked at along with all of the other costs associated with running a business. We need to keep businesses open, keep the doors open and protect jobs.

Senator Flynn spoke about Traveller committee launching its report on inequality in the justice system. I commend the Senator and committee on their work. I wish them well on the launch of that report today.

Senator Cummins spoke about school places for children with additional needs. Two thirds of all school places for children with additional needs were put in place by this Government in this term in the past four and a half years. It has been a huge body of work, but we have a long way yet to go to make sure there is adequate provision right across the country at both primary and second level. It is a huge source of stress and pressure on families who are already dealing with a pressurised situation. It is a top priority for this Government and I have no doubt it will be a top priority for the next Government.

Senator Clonan spoke, as he has often done, on the harrowing and horrible situation in Gaza that we watch every day of the week. Words do not adequately describe the situation on the ground there and the many children who are killed daily. We have to hope and push for a ceasefire, that humanitarian aid can get in and, of course, for a release of all hostages.

Senator Ruane spoke about politics, the changes in politics and the need for radical change to make sure politics can deliver for all people. I am not sure radical change is needed as such, but while the country is doing well, we need to make sure that is felt by everybody in the country. That means building on the progress we have achieved to date and still bringing forward new ideas and new policies to address those constant challenges we have to face in the country.

Senator Keogan congratulated President-elect Donald Trump. She spoke about the issues that caught the attention of the American voters, such as rising inflation, dereliction and other key issues.There are similar issues no matter what country we look at. Whether it is the UK, the US, or other European countries, the same issues are spoken about, be they crime, housing, education or health. We are not that different but it is fair to say our politics are not as divisive. This does not mean there are not challenges and people feeling their needs are not being met. The challenges are more stressful for some families than for others. We do have to look at this. Thankfully, inflation has stabilised here but prices are still very high and the cost of living is still a big issue, as we are hearing on the doorsteps. We are getting this back. Housing, of course, is a top issue, as is health. Depending on the door we are at and what stage of life somebody is at the top issue might shift slightly but health, housing and the cost of living are the top three issues in the country.

A very important point was made about the Power Up grant. It is one of the measures the Government is using to help businesses with rising costs to make sure we keep doors open and that we are pro-business and a good country to do business in. This must be a priority of the next government.

I am conscious this is probably my last occasion to take the Order of Business as the Leader of the House. It has been a huge honour and privilege to do this role. I am assuming the election will be called this week, as the Taoiseach has indicated. It is the worst-kept secret. I see Deputy Michael Ring in the Gallery. I wish him the very best on his retirement from national politics but I am sure there is something to come in the next chapter. It has been a pleasure to work with him over recent years in Mayo. He has done great service for the county and for the west of Ireland and, of course, for national politics in his various ministerial roles. It is great to see him in the Seanad.

It has been an honour and a privilege to work with Opposition and Government Senators. For the most part we all got on quite well. I have found this to be a very collegiate and constructive House. We do not always agree but respect is shown to Members across the divide and everybody gets an opportunity to have their say, to stand up on the floor of the House to make their point, and to put forward policies and Bills. It is a credit to the House and how it works. We have done fantastic work as a House in amending key legislation over the past four and a half years. We have proved our worth and how essential the House is. We might not always agree but I believe the legislation we pass is better because of the work done in the House.

I thank my private secretary, Orla Murray, whom Senators know very well. Many of them have been in constant contact with Orla behind the scenes on a weekly basis. They know the incredible Trojan work she does to schedule the business and keep the House ticking over. She works with all sides in making sure Members' views are heard and listened to.

I also thank Martin Groves, Bridget Doody, all of the Seanad team and all of those who work in the Chamber, taking the notes and doing all of the communications. A lot of work goes on that is not seen on the floor but the House would not operate or work without it. There have been many late nights and stressful times but we always get through it.

I also thank the Cathaoirleach. As Leader, it has been lovely to work with him as Cathaoirleach for the past two years. We have done a good job as a team to keep the House going. It has been lovely to work with such a good colleague and somebody who has been very good to all Members.

I thank my colleagues in Fianna Fáil. I have been the group leader for the past five years. It has been an incredible honour to work with such a fantastic group of Senators as part of that team.

I wish everyone well. I hope those contesting elections have a safe number of weeks. We will have the Dáil election and the Seanad campaign will kick off thereafter. It will be a long few weeks and months ahead so be safe on the road and be safe at the doors. It is fantastic to see the democratic process in place and that we have an opportunity to have open and fair elections in which we can cast our votes to elect our public representatives. It is something that we should never take for granted.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Leader on her tenure. I welcome our friend and colleague Deputy Ring on, perhaps, his last visit to Seanad Éireann as a Member of the Oireachtas. He has served the people of Mayo with distinction. His guests are Evan Lynch Boyd and Eamon Lynch. They are very welcome. Céad míle fáilte roimh gach duine.

Amendment No. 1 to the Order of Business in the name of Senator Vincent P. Martin is that No. 11 be taken before No. 1. This was seconded by Senator Dooley. The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 2 to the Order of Business in the name of Senator Black is that No. 10 be taken before No. 1. This was seconded by Senator Flynn. The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 3 to the Order of Business in the name of Senator Gavin is that No. 9 be taken before No. 1. This was seconded by Senator Warfield. The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 4 to the Order of Business in the name of Senator Warfield is that No. 8 be taken before No. 1. Senator Flynn seconded the amendment. The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.