The normal parliamentary functions of any democracy are not stunts or cynical. They are entirely appropriate and it is entirely within the right of the Opposition to move a motion of no confidence, not least when Government parties lose their majority.

On Saturday morning I had a fantastic visit to Davitts Gaelic Athletic Club, just off the Falls Road, to mark the celebrations for Eid. It was the first large-scale outdoor celebration of Eid in the North. It came off the back of the unfortunate arson attack carried out against the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association's centre in April of this year. I was joined on that visit by the First Minister designate, Michelle O'Neill, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tina Black and the MP for the area, Paul Maskey. It was great to see an event that was so welcoming, diverse, warm and positive coming from an incident of such intolerance and hatred. I commend the organisers from the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association and Davitts Gaelic Athletic Club. Whether at a venue like Davitts where hundreds of people could gather or in other iconic venues and locations like Croke Park, it is fantastic to see the GAA open up its facilities for celebrations of our diversity and all the richness and benefits that brings. Long may it continue and more power to their elbow going forward.

We all know of the strength and leadership many of our Gaels show in communities across the country and in an ever-growing number of clubs around the world. I welcome the Gaels le Chéile initiative. Since May 2021, more than 12,000 Gaels have signed a letter calling on An Taoiseach to prepare for constitutional change. That momentum is building and growing all the time. I commend the Gaels involved with that initiative. For any Gaels in this House who want to add their voice and their signature to that letter, they can do so by visiting gaelslettertotaoiseach.ie. I encourage everyone and anyone to be part of that positive initiative and encourage An Taoiseach to lead the charge and fulfil his constitutional and, indeed, party political obligations to ensure we have a positive conversation, plan and engagement on constitutional change.

I pay tribute to my colleague Senator Chambers for the work she has done and I wish her well with the launch today. I hope to be there at some stage. It is good news from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence about the extra spending in defence over the next number of years. One of the most important things is to ensure pay and conditions are looked after. Military equipment is important but the men and women are number one. I pay tribute to Senator Chambers because when we were in opposition we did a huge amount of work on this. I am not taking from Senator Buttimer's comments. We did a huge amount of work on this, led by Senator Chambers and her namesake, Deputy Jack Chambers, who was spokesman as well as Senator Chambers, then Deputy Lisa Chambers, at that time. It is important that we give credit to every side in this matter. I reiterate that the men and women of the Defence Forces, who have been neglected so badly for so many years, must be the number one priority in this review and this extra expenditure.

Hear, hear.

It is also a proud day for anybody from the Roscommon-Galway area. Galway is in an all-Ireland senior football final. We wish the team well. I am sure Senator Crowe will have more to say about that if he is here this morning.

The Leader has been very involved in the issues schools are having in setting up special needs classes. I have come across a huge problem with a school in Roscommon. Everybody, including the experts dealing with the children, the teachers and the principal, have done everything they can to set up this class.

It appears as though the National Council for Special Education is just going against them. I cannot understand it. I will not mention the school but the Leader will know what I am talking about. The Minister and others are trying, in a major effort, to get this matter sorted out. We need to sort it out for parents, teachers and, most of all, those children who need special needs education.