I have received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to make a statement on the next round of supports for the town and village renewal scheme.
I have also received notice from Senator Garret Ahearn of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that human rights defenders are named stakeholders in future mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the report from the European Commission Directorate General for Structural Reform on the future of higher education funding in Ireland.
I have also received notice from Senator Róisín Garvey of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the waiting times at Limerick University Hospital for colposcopy procedures and test results following a referral under the cervical screening programme.
I have also received notice from Senator Maria Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the strategy to combat energy poverty.
I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on circular letter EUIPR 01/2021 regarding changes to the extension of the duration of planning permission.
I have also received notice from Senator Seán Kyne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the status of the new emergency department at University Hospital Galway.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the appointment of a design team and project progress for the proposed new build for Summercove National School, Kinsale, County Cork.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected those of Senators Boyhan, Ahearn and Malcolm Byrne and they will be taken now. Senator Garvey has withdrawn her Commencement matter, which I had originally selected. I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Maria Byrne on the grounds that it is a repeat of a Commencement matter raised on 9 February. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.