I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:
Senator Pauline O’Reilly - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the number of school books that are unusable after the end of each academic year.
Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the measures in place to recruit and retain foster carers.
Senator Rónán Mullen - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the work of the Interdepartmental Committee on Proposed Referendums on Family, Care and Gender Equality, to include an update on the views expressed in the submissions received arising from its public consultation.
Senator Tim Lombard - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on recruitment and retention plans for the Naval Service.
Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the provision of 95 homes on Ratoath Road, Dublin 7.
Senator Erin McGreehan - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the carbon sequestration of agricultural land and carbon emissions of farm enterprises.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected Senators Pauline O'Reilly, Malcolm Byrne, Rónán Mullen and Tim Lombard and they will be taken now. I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Fitzpatrick on the ground that the relevant Minister has no official responsibility in the matter raised. Senator Erin McGreehan may give notice on another day of the matter that she wishes to raise.