Before I read out the Commencement matters, I welcome the Canadian ambassador to Ireland to the House. H.E. Nancy Smyth is organising a trade delegation to go from Leinster House to Canada. I thank her for being here; we are grateful for her presence.
Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad
I look forward to travelling to Canada shortly.
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:
Senator Lynn Boylan - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on engagement with European colleagues on the exploitation of Palestinian natural resources under the memorandum of understanding between the EU, the State of Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt signed last year.
Senator Lisa Chambers - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to extend the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee to students attending Marino Institute of Education for the 2023-24 academic year.
Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to make a statement on her funding proposals for newspapers and radio stations to facilitate the coverage of local authorities and the courts.
Senator Aisling Dolan - The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on school capacity reviews in Country Galway, including Ballinasloe.
Senator Tim Lombard - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on her plans to resolve the capacity issues at Clonakilty Community College.
Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the need for a refuge centre for domestic abuse victims in the Cavan-Monaghan area.
Senator Marie Sherlock - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on Ireland's recycling levels and the EPA’s forecast that Ireland will miss its targets under its EU obligations; and his plans to introduce legislative changes to re-municipalise waste collection systems within local authorities areas.
Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Health to update the Dentists Act 1985.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Boylan, Chambers, Boyhan and Dolan and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.
We will wait for the Minister of State. He will be a couple of minutes.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 10.48 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 10.54 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 10.48 a.m. and resumed at 10.54 a.m.