Members will be aware that Professor George Eogan, who was a Member of this House from 1987 to 1989, passed away on Thursday, 18 November. Professor Eogan was widely regarded as one of the leading archaeologists of his generation. He is perhaps best known for his work in Knowth. He was born in Nobber, County Meath, and was always proud of his Meath origins, and a proud GAA fan. Meath was proud of him, and in 2016 the George Eogan Cultural and Heritage Centre was opened in the county, named in his honour.

He had a long and distinguished academic career and was a notable scholar of Bronze Age Europe. It would be difficult to list the numerous honours he received or the books and journals in which he was published. He will also be remembered as a teacher and a mentor. His leadership and commitment to Irish archaeology was recognised by his appointment to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach in 1987. A quick perusal of Seanad debates during his time shows his contributions in areas such as education and national heritage, and also in topics as diverse as planning, agriculture, human rights and Northern Ireland.

At this sad time, my thoughts are with his family. On behalf of the House, I wish to convey my sincere sympathies to his wife, Fiona, and his children, James, Maeve, Deirdre and Clíona, and to his extended family and friends on their sad loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the draft Planning and Development (Large-scale Residential Development Fees) Regulations 2021 and its referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Sectoral Employment Order (Electrical Contracting Sector) 2021, referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, Private Members' business, Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) Bill 2021 - Second Stage, to be taken at 2.45 p.m., and not withstanding anything in standing orders, the proceedings thereon shall adjourn after 90 minutes; No. 4, statements on the National Development Plan 2021-2030, to be taken at 5 p.m., and to conclude no later than 6.30 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not exceed seven minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 5, statements on the mother and baby homes redress scheme, to be taken at 7.30 p.m., and to conclude no later than 9 p.m., with the time allocated to opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, all Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

The format for expressions of sympathy is SO 142(1). Before the Order of Business, the Cathaoirleach will announce the death of former Senator Eogan.

When the Cathaoirleach calls the Leader, the Leader shall indicate that she will move a motion for expressions of sympathy by the House at the end of our Order of Business, which I will do. When the Order of Business has been agreed, the Cathaoirleach will call on me, the Leader, and I shall move the motion to that effect.

We will then stand for a minute's silence, if the motion is agreed.

The Fianna Fáil Party would like to be associated with the sympathies and regrets about the esteemed former Senator. We accept the Order of Business as outlined.

This is disability week. It is important that we recognise and acknowledge that. One way we can do that is by wearing purple. My own county, Kildare, has a number of events this week. Significant buildings around the county are being lit up and 250 disability network flags are being flown. It is also putting much emphasis on the Just a Minute card, or JAM card, so that if people are suffering in some way when trying to make themselves understood, being able to show this allows the person who is receiving the card to have a little extra patience and understanding. It is important.

I commend Limerick City Council. I heard on the radio this morning that it has launched an application for those who have wheelchair accessible vehicles. We all know how difficult it is when driving around cities and towns, trying to find a parking space. Imagine trying to find a space that is wheelchair accessible. It is really difficult. It is a wonderful initiative. I express the hope that other councils can take this up. People can download this application and immediately know where there is an available parking space for those who have a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Yesterday, I took part in a walkability survey in Rathangan. It was associated with disability week. It was done with transition year students. We walked around our town and looked at spaces that are barely accessible for those who are able-bodied. We all acknowledge the importance of walking or cycling to school, but we have to make sure that those routes are safe, both for those with disabilities and those who are fully abled. I commend the transition year students and their teachers on the project that they have undertaken. We will present that to Kildare County Council along with local councillor, Anne Connolly.

I want to mention two other areas. It was with dismay that I read an article in The Sunday Times about an Irishman and his British husband who live in England. They have two children. They received a parental order under British law, which is recognised in Ireland, but the Department of Foreign Affairs refuses to grant their son, who was born through surrogacy, an Irish passport. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 states that a person is an Irish citizen from birth if, at the time of his or her birth, either parent is an Irish citizen. Their marriage is recognised by our law and the parental order, but while this married couple and their two children are part of a constitutional family, recognised by Irish law, and they absolutely should have a right to pass citizenship onto their children, this has not been agreed to. In this day and age, it is a disgrace and we need to call it out.

The Connecting Ireland initiative is important for our rural areas. There is a new plan for a connection from Athy to Rathangan. It is important that we extend that to Allenwood. The blueway goes through Allenwood and Rathangan, and through Lullymore heritage park, which we are proud of. Many people from Rathangan work there. Some work in community employment schemes. If they do not drive, they have to get taxis. The Connecting Ireland initiative needs to be extended.