I have received notice from Senators Timmy Dooley and Martin Conway that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, they propose to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the decision by the Irish Coast Guard to stand down the Doolin Coast Guard unit and his Department’s engagement with the Irish Coast Guard in the matter.
I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the review of the guidelines for the hospitality and live entertainment sector as published on 22 October 2021.
I have also received notice from Senator Seán Kyne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the plans for the electoral boundary review for local, Dáil and European constituencies following the census in 2022.
I have also received notice from Senators Pat Casey and Fiona O'Loughlin of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the management of the deer population in counties Wicklow and Kildare.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his Department's contacts with the EU regarding tariffs on fertiliser.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to make a statement on the introduction of the universal basic income for artists and art workers.
I have also received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the plans to ensure the viability of the sheep sector, including the status of the wool feasibility study.
I have also received notice from Senator Ollie Crowe of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the plans to address antisocial behaviour in Eyre Square, Galway, including the provision of additional gardaí in the area.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the plans to provide maternity leave for local authority elected members.
I have also received notice from Senator John Cummins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the number of vacancies in district veterinary posts with responsibility for the TB eradication programme, in particular in the Waterford and Cork areas.
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 increased uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine since the Government announcement on 19 October of the continuation with the requirement to show the EU digital Covid-19 certificate.
Of the matters raised by the Senators suitable for discussion, I have selected the matters raised by Senators Dooley and Conway, who are sharing their time; Sherlock; Kyne; and Casey and O’Loughlin, who are also sharing their time. The matters will be taken now. I regret I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Crowe on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.