I have notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on the extent of trade between Ireland and Canada and to outline how the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA, between Ireland and Canada has helped develop this trade.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the request by the Irish National Teachers Organisation for access to continuing professional development and well being, including social, personal and health education, the Stay Safe programme and anti-bullying supports.
I have also received notice from Senator Ivana Bacik of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the status of an application by Harold’s Cross Educate Together Secondary School for the construction of a permanent school building.
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 provision of a permanent extension to the Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, County Cork.
I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the potential impact on road budgets, future funding and completion of road projects for 2021.
I have also received notice from Senators Róisín Garvey and John McGahon of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the progress being made in tackling the issue of plastic waste.
I have also received notice from Senator Fiona O’Loughlin of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to allocate funding for the provision of a second bridge at Newbridge, County Kildare.
I have also received notice from Senator Rebecca Moynihan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy to provide increased funding to local projects working with young people caught up in drugs, with particular reference to the targeted response with youth, TRY, programme managed by the Donore community drug and alcohol team.
I have also received notice from Senator Garret Ahearn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress of St. Anthony’s Nursing Home, Clonmel, County Tipperary.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to legislate to create safe access zones for hospitals.
I have also received notice from Senator Mark Wall of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to address the professional therapists waiting times and lists for children in south Kildare.
I have also received notice from Senator Rónán Mullen of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the importance of reopening places of worship, on a limited basis with appropriate safety measures in place, to facilitate Holy Week and Easter ceremonies for people of all Christian denominations.
I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to develop a successor plan to the Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland: Health Service Executive Breastfeeding Action Plan 2016-2021.
I have also received notice from Senator Emer Currie of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the allocation of additional medical interns in 2021.
I have also received notice from Senator Lynn Boylan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage to make a statement on the need for planning to consider the cumulative impact of data centres.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected Senators Byrne, Boyhan, Bacik, Lombard, Gallagher, and Garvey and McGahon, who are sharing their time, and they will be taken now. I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator O’Loughlin on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility in that area. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.