I was heartened yesterday to see a large protest in Dublin city centre in support of the provision of funding to promote cycle safety, organised by the Dublin Cycling Campaign and cycling.ie. Over 500 cyclists took time to tell the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, that the current allocation of funding to promote activities such as walking and cycling was a meagre 1% of total transport expenditure and totally inadequate. Recent cutbacks in the transport budget of the Dublin City Council have potentially led to existing plans for infrastructural development to be scrapped.

This is regressive, to say the least.

I was a keen rural and urban cyclist while living in the Netherlands for ten years. It is clichéd at this stage to want to emulate the Dutch on cycling issues, but there is a good reason for this. The Netherlands has turned cycling not only into a transport solution but also a positive attribute of the cities and regions. A country with more cyclists is more liveable in and attractive, with less air pollution and traffic congestion. It is more attractive for both inhabitants and tourists. A fine example of this is the recently opened Waterford greenway cycling and walking system which was largely started up on a voluntary basis. It is open and very attractive. It has safe infrastructure and is already attracting tourists and allowing the people of the south east to see more of their beautiful countryside along Ireland's Ancient East. A vibrant cycling sector can serve as a source of jobs in sales, rental and repairs much as the implementation of infrastructure can provide direct employment. Tourism is one of our largest industries. We must always strive to ensure Ireland is welcoming and a safe destination, particularly for heritage enthusiasts who come here to see our outstanding natural beauty.

The issue of cycling safety has been brought into stark relief recently with the death of Donna Fox on the streets of Dublin and the tragic deaths of 11-year-old Tim Ross as he was cycling to school in County Offaly and 13-year-old Daniel Roche, as he was cycling home near Drogheda. I wish to hear from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, whom I do not believe to be much of a sport, on what he is going to do to tackle the urgent issue of funding and restore faith in cycle safety on the roads. I would like to hear his vision for cycling and walking in the lifetime of the Government.

I echo Senator Grace O'Sullivan's words and condolences to the families of those cyclists who were killed so tragically on the roads. I endorse what she said in calling on the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, to outline plans for cycle safety and increase the level of cycling on the roads. During the term of the previous Seanad, I organised an Oireachtas all-party cycling group for those of us involved in cycling and keen to promote both cycling and greater cycle safety on roads across the country. I hope Senator Grace O'Sullivan, other Members and I can work together to set up a similar group in the lifetime of the current Seanad.

I welcomed the opportunity to speak to the Taoiseach and raise a number of issues with him last week when he came to the House. We have since heard from the UK Prime Minister, Ms Teresa May, on providing greater clarity on the timeline for Brexit. It is welcome that we will have a further debate tomorrow, in which we will be able to discuss Brexit.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House on a future date specifically to address a different matter I raised with the Taoiseach on Thursday, namely, the situation in Syria, the appalling bombardment of civilians in Aleppo, in particular, and the abandonment of the peace process by Russia and the Syrian Government. We need to hear from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the action Ireland proposes to take in ensuring a stronger stance is taken, unilaterally and at EU level, against Russia to try to bring it back to the negotiating table to ensure some respite for the besieged civilians in Aleppo. In particular, the Minister should be calling in the Russian ambassador to explain to him the actions of the Russian Government in breaking the ceasefire and returning to this appalling bombardment.

I renew my call to the Leader for a debate on higher education funding. At a conference in Trinity College Dublin tomorrow morning, with others, Senator Lynn Ruane and I will be speaking about higher education funding models in the wake of the publication of the Cassells report. I ask that have that debate on the floor of the Seanad also.

When will we have a date for Report Stage of the Labour Party Private Members' Bill on collective bargaining rights for freelance workers? Government time has been promised for it. I hope the amendments from the Government will be ready next week. The Leader might confirm the timeframe for it.