It is great to see the Acting Leader, Senator Currie, in the hot seat. I say, "Well done" to her. I listened carefully to Senator Keogan's contribution. I would argue that our international and national obligations are not mutually exclusive. We have obligations in both contexts. What I would like to see happen is a resolution of the issues that affect us nationally because that will, by extension, resolve the issues arising from our international obligations. I had occasion to be in a hospital recently and almost all of the nursing staff there were Filipino. Were they not there and if we were not able to rely on the tens of thousands of workers who come here from abroad, our health service would essentially collapse.

Well said.

I think of a number of areas that we really need to be looking at right now. Senator Gavan and I would agree that we need to start looking at the US military's use of Shannon Airport. As a country, we are better than that. We do not need to be facilitating the refuelling of American army jets and planes in Shannon Airport. I know I am an outlier in Clare in expressing that view. It would not be a popular view in County Clare but we need to start looking at this situation, especially when we see what is happening in Palestine and the fact that America is not using the influence it clearly has to get a ceasefire over the line. There are lots of issues like that, low-hanging fruit, where we can do the right thing. We must get on and do the right thing.

Finally, I would like a debate on the need for an employment strategy for people who have been give permission to remain in this country. We need a strategy for people who have come here, who have sought refugee status and been granted it, and who are willing, able and want to work. Some of them cannot leave direct provision centres because they cannot find alternative accommodation. Some of them have no car to get to work. These people could make a huge contribution to our construction and service industries if there was a comprehensive strategy in place. I would like a debate on a comprehensive employment strategy for people who have been given permission to remain in this country.

Well said.

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Members for their contributions. If the Polish ambassador was still here I would congratulate him on his country's constitution day. I, too, want to express my sympathies to the D'Arcy family and the Fine Gael party on the death of Mr. Michael D'Arcy Snr., who made a significant contribution to Irish politics as a Minster, Deputy and Senator.

Senator Fitzpatrick rightly brought our attention to the sports and culture Department's large-scale infrastructure fund. I agree that this is vital infrastructure. It complements the work we are doing very successfully with the sports capital grant and equipment grants. I am more than happy to support the Senator's suggestion that Dublin City Council makes an application under that fund for the home of Bohs in Dalymount Park.

The Senator asked for an update on the Taoiseach's commitment to set up a new task force in Dublin city. She is concerned about the north inner city and the task force's role. She is looking for some consultation on this and we will write to the Taoiseach about that.

Senator Paddy Burke again raised the issue of houses that are lying idle because they are beside routes earmarked for the Department of Transport and the wasted resource this is in the middle of a housing crisis. I absolutely agree with him and we should write to the Minister of Transport on this with additional urgency.

I will stop the Acting Leader briefly to welcome to the House the students from Coláiste Dún an Rí, County Cavan, who are guests of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. They are very welcome and I hope they have a very positive and good visit to Leinster House. Céad míle fáilte rompu.

Senator Craughwell expressed concern over the transparency of funding that goes towards overseas aid and development, but he also mentioned NGOs. There is an audit process for any public funds to ensure they are being used correctly. We can, of course, send on the Senator's concern but I also suggest he contact the public accounts committee on this issue.

Senator Sherlock made a really good point, following May Day yesterday, regarding apprenticeship pay, how it should not be a barrier to our ambitions for apprenticeships, especially given how important they are for the pipeline in construction and other crafts and trades, but also its importance in valuing and respecting the vital work apprentices do. We should write to the Minister for further and higher education for an update. If the work has progressed, we need to know the status of that work.

Senator Gavan spoke on similar issues, following May Day, and the importance of the trade union movement. I assure the Senator that we all take the issue of bogus self-employment very seriously. He raised a very specific case, and again, perhaps, he should raise a Commencement matter directly with the Minister for Social Protection, but I see no issue with us passing on the information, as the Senator has suggested.

Senator Murphy raised the issue of connectivity to nursing homes, which again is vitally important. We have many nursing homes in Dublin West, including Marymount Care Centre. It is one of those nursing homes that does not have a footpath to it and cannot be accessed in any way other than by car or by bus. We have an issue regarding social isolation when it comes to our older people, so it is a really good idea that we elevate how important it is that nursing homes be included as part of our active travel initiatives.

Senator Lombard raised the issue of oral health and requested a debate on this matter. This is very timely as well. It has been in the news quite a bit recently that there are 23% fewer dentists in the HSE than are required, that this is impacting on our schools programme and our children's oral health, and that an action plan has been sluggish in its implementation. I also want to raise the issue of the lack of regulation that seems to be a problem as well. This is a very important debate we should have in the House.

Senator Keogan spoke about the activity yesterday related to securing Mount Street. Let us remember that the purpose of that was to provide much improved, safe, healthy and sanitary conditions for the well-being of international protection applicants. I am sure this is a process and will take time but the Government is absolutely committed to ensuring the safety of those individuals.

In her remarks about EU migration pact, the Senator said we need an Irish solution. We only have to look at what is happening in the UK to know that an Irish solution, taken by ourselves alone, will not work considering that illegal immigration, according to the UK, has very much increased since the UK's safety of Rwanda Bill was first put on the table by Priti Patel in 2022. This has eroded the UK's reputation on international law and human rights obligations.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of screening for newborns and that 200 babies' lives could be saved. I agree with him that this makes perfect sense and is something we should consider as part of our business in the Seanad.

Senator Conway spoke about the importance of the critical skills list, the many visa national citizens we have in the country and migrants who are working in areas that are incredibly important to the functioning of our society, including nurses but also in areas such as IT, and how well our country is doing in the ICT sector. I see it myself every day in Dublin West. Senator Conway also spoke about giving more opportunities to international protection applicants to work, and that is something the House could very much support as well.

I welcome the students in the Public Gallery from St. Cronan’s National School in Swords. They are very welcome. They have joined us at the end of what is called the Order of Business, where Members of the Seanad, of which there are 60, can raise matters of national, local and international importance. The students are very welcome to Leinster House and I hope, as part of their visit, that they find it educational. There is a custom as Cathaoirleach that we would bestow on you an evening off homework. Perhaps that might be given to give your teachers a well-earned break. Céad míle fáilte romhaibh ar fad to Leinster House. I thank you for being here.