I have received notice from Senators Pat Casey and Ollie Crowe that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, they propose to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to make a statement on the impact that level 3 Covid-19 restrictions will have on the hospitality sector; and if immediate supports can be provided to ensure the survival of the sector.
I have also received notice from Senator John McGahon of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the contingency plans in place to ensure the continuity of primary school education in Covid-19 hotspots.
I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to make a statement on primary school substitute panels.
I have also received notice from Senator Jerry Buttimer of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to provide an update on the Lower Lee flood relief scheme.
I have also received notice from Senator Mary Fitzpatrick of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to consider updating the Living City initiative to stimulate renovation and regeneration of vacant inner city and rural town commercial properties.
I have also received notice from Senator Eileen Flynn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to make a statement on the outstanding nomination of a Minister of State to the portfolio of Traveller accommodation.
I have also received notice from Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline whether the Government will cover the costs of citizens in the Northern Ireland to ensure they retain their right to hold a European health insurance card post Brexit.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the Government’s languages strategy; and to outline the plans in place to increase the number of second level foreign language teachers.
I have also received notice from Senator Rónán Mullen of the following matter:
An gá go gcinnteodh An tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge agus do phobal na Gaeltachta trí thacaíocht bhreise i mBuiséad 2021, go háirithe trí mhaoiniú breise a chur ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge agus d’Údarás na Gaeltachta bunaithe ar an bplean infheistíochta atá aontaithe ag 80 grúpa Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta.
The need for the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to ensure equal treatment of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht community by providing extra support in budget 2021, especially by the provision of extra funding for Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta based on the investment plan agreed by 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups.
I have also received notice from Senator Seán Kyne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to make a statement on the flood defences in Clifden, County Galway.
I have also received notice from Senator Aisling Dolan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on funding commitments for Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
I have also received notice from Senator Garret Ahearn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to make a statement on the proposed extension of parental leave from two weeks to five weeks.
I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the role of the data controller in community closed-circuit television, CCTV, schemes; and if she will review the situation that exists in Monaghan town.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected Senators Casey and Crowe, who will share time, McGahon, Sherlock, Buttimer and Fitzpatrick and they will be taken now. I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Mullen on the ground that it anticipates the statements on the budget that are scheduled to take place in the Seanad on Wednesday, 14 October 2020. Senator Flynn has withdrawn her Commencement matter that I had originally selected. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.