I have received notice from Senator Paul Gavan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the industrial action taken by the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association.
I have also received notice from Senator Lisa Chambers on the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the return to full day services at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo.
I have also received notice from Senator Emer Currie on the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the specified conditions which allow telecommunication mast developments not to be considered exempted developments under planning regulations.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan on the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the current status of draft regulations for planning exemptions on the installation of solar panels on farm buildings and other structures, including timelines for environmental assessments and public consultation.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne on the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the regulation of jet skis.
I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher on the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on transportation charges for people with disabilities accessing services in community healthcare organisation, CHO, area 1.
I have also received notice from Senator Seán Kyne on the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to clarify the legal position under the road traffic legislation regarding insurance in the event of an accident involving a vehicle that is unable to secure a National Car Test, NCT, appointment due to ongoing delays.
Of the matters raised by the Senators that are suitable for discussion, I have selected those of Senators Gavan, Chambers, Currie and Boyhan and they will be taken now. I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Kyne 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 they wish to raise.
Before we go to our first Commencement matter, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery state Senator Ed Reilly, who has served since 2009 in the state Senate in Maryland. He has described it as a cooling Chamber, like our own Seanad, for legislation coming from their House in Annapolis. The Senator is most welcome, as is his wife. We are delighted that they are able to be here and we send our best wishes to everyone in Maryland. Of the Senator's 16 great-great-grandparents, 12 had Irish heritage, so he certainly goes a long way back. All politics is local.