Thank you. I welcome the students from Castletroy College in Limerick who are guests of Deputy Brian Leddin. They are very welcome this afternoon.

Anois glaoim ar an Treoraí chun freagra a thabhairt ar an Ord Gnó. The Leader to reply to the Order of Business, please. Have I missed somebody?

Is anybody missing?

No.

Sorry, Senator Craughwell is looking at me.

Sure it is just to give you a dirty look for Sunday.

Sorry.

Senator Craughwell probably wanted a second round.

He can have it. Most people got second rounds in their contributions this morning.

I did not. I stuck to my limit.

Sure there is not long left to go now.

I thank the Members who contributed this morning to the Order of Business.

First, Senator Gerry Horkan welcomed yesterday's budget, and said how the mark of a good budget is when there is not very much to say about it afterwards. He said that things have gone well. I take on board the Senator's comments on hospitality. Certainly there is a body of work to be done on the cost base for business. A business support scheme was announced yesterday. There is a commitment from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, to examine the cost base for business. I think the Government is keenly aware of the pressures, particularly on labour-intensive small and medium-sized businesses.

I join Senators Horkan and Craughwell in condemning outright the missile bombardments from Iran on Israel. It is completely unacceptable and an escalation in conflict in the Middle East. I listened to the Tánaiste speaking on the radio this morning, when he said we have to continue to pursue peace and advocate for a de-escalation in tensions. That is what world leaders are committed to doing.

Senator Conway spoke about the budget and its measures for those who are visually impaired. He advocated, as he always does, for that section of our society. He also welcomed the free travel pass for companions of those with the free travel pass. He also asked for a debate on the VAT issue. That debate was yesterday, in terms of the debate on the budget. It is unlikely we will have a specific debate on VAT in the weeks ahead.

Senator Boyhan asked for a clarification of the rationale for the residential zoned land tax. The rationale is to try to deal with land hoarding. Land that is serviced and zoned for housing should be used to build housing because we are in a housing challenge in this country. I think the Senator has correctly put it on the record but my understanding is that a person who is actively farming land that is currently zoned for residential use can apply to be exempt from that tax. So that is the position in that regard. I met IFA members who were very concerned that the tax was coming in. The news that an extension can be applied for, in circumstances where somebody is actively farming the land and therefore clearly not land hoarding, will provide them with welcome relief.

The Senator also sought a debate on the hospitality sector. Again, we had a debate on the Budget Statement yesterday and that would have dealt with the tax measures. The matter was given a good airing yesterday.

It was not adequate.

Senator Vincent P. Martin has moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 13 be taken before No. 1". I am happy to accept the amendment, which relates to vehicle registration. I commend the Senator on bringing the Bill to the House. I concur with his complimentary remarks about Naas Athletic Club. I wish the club well with its centenary celebration, which is a great milestone to reach.

Senator Ardagh welcomed the budget as well. She particularly focused on the disability sector and the numerous tax measures such as the incapacitated child tax credit, the carer's tax credit and means disregard, and the carer's support grants. There is a lot in the budget to support those who are most vulnerable. The Senator also welcomed the extra funding for IVF and HRT under the health budget.

Senator Cummins asked for a debate on aviation policy. My response again to the Senator is that I have requested a debate with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, but the debate has not been scheduled yet or I have not gotten a date from the Minister. We will explore if it is possible to get the Minister of State at the Department of Transport to come into the House. The Senator once again raised the €12 million matching funding that is needed in Waterford. Again, it is a matter for the Minister for Transport in terms of funding that. The Senator, to his credit, has consistently raised the issue on the floor of the House.

Senator Craughwell has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 160, motion 3, be taken before No. 1". I am happy to accept the amendment this morning. I concur with the remarks the Senator made on the Middle East. It is important that we continue to discuss those issues on the floor of the House because they are of grave concern to the world order and to geopolitics. If there is an all-out war in the Middle East, it will have a major impact on this country in terms of oil and the impact on trade. We certainly want to see a de-escalation in hostilities and the protection of civilian lives. I take on board the Senator's remarks about the class D payments.

Senator Cassells has welcomed the fact that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will host its autumn meeting in Dublin over the coming days. I served on the assembly in the last term and it was a huge honour to do so. It does fantastic work. I find it interesting to see how the topics have evolved in the last four years because of the major global conflicts. It is apt that the discussions today will be about conflict resolution and peace. It is really important to keep that to the forefront. I wish the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, the very best in those discussions today. I commend Ms Bernadette Mathews from the interparliamentary unit here.

Hear, hear.

Ms Mathews and her team have done a lot of work to bring the conference here. The event has been a number of years in planning. It is a huge logistical operation to organise the event in terms of transport, accommodation, dining and everything that goes with it. I wish the team here and the Irish delegation the very best over the coming days.

Senator McGahon was looking for progress on the primary care centre in Dundalk.

Senator Keogan raised issues in respect of the junior cycle SPHE curriculum. I have some of the video that was put out online. We will request a debate. I am not sure if we will have a time for a debate in the coming weeks, but we will see how things shape up. Perhaps these issues are a suitable topic for a Commencement matter as they are quite specific in respect of the junior cycle SPHE curriculum.

Senator Dooley, not for the first time, spoke about the really sad passing of Aoife Johnston and the ongoing challenges at University Hospital Limerick. As the Senator pointed out, many Members raise the challenges at the hospital on an ongoing basis. I am sure the call for a public inquiry will be considered by the Government and all aspects of that will be looked at. Mr. Justice Clarke's report makes for very stark reading. It sets out that very concerning failings in care happened and that her death was avoidable. Again, I express my sympathies to family of Aoife who are no doubt in the midst of extreme grief at this time as well.

Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the housing budget yesterday. She also raised an issue concerning UCD and disability supports for certain students. I ask the Senator to submit a Commencement matter on that issue.

Senator Lombard welcomed the fact that we now have a tax on vapes and e-cigarettes as a result of yesterday's budget. The tax is really welcome. There is no doubt that the companies that produce vapes and e-cigarettes are targeting children and young people. They are trying to get them hooked on these products. The colourful packaging and flavouring are aimed at children rather than adults. I think they are despicable companies. I hate to see vape shops on any of our streets and towns. They are a blights on our town streets and our communities. Everything we eat is a public health concern now. Vapes have slipped in through the back door. We now need to take them and get rid of them.

They should have put €5 on them.

Senator Seery Kearney welcomed the budget and said it was good for families. She welcomed the focus on smartphone use among younger people. It was announced in the budget yesterday that schools will be assisted financially to get rid of phones during the school day, thereby allowing children to be children and allowing young people to go to school without being distracted by their phones. I think it is going to take a joint effort across all of the school community - parents and teachers - because I hear from younger people that they would love to have a break from their smartphones but every young person needs to be in the same boat. It is very difficult to be the only one without a phone, so the measure will require a collective effort. It is acknowledged that the impact that smartphones and social media have on the well-being and mental health of young people is a significant public health concern. It is something that the Government is taking very seriously.

Senator Seery Kearney also spoke about the shocking case for the Sinn Féin organisation and the references provided to an individual who is under investigation for child sex offences and accessing certain material. It is shocking and there are child protection questions to be answered on behalf of the organisation. It is an incredible story that has come to light due to good journalism. That concludes the Order of Business.

I thank the Leader. Before I put the different propositions to Members, I welcome to the Public Gallery the students from the Swedish secondary school, who are here as guests of Deputy Ó Broin. They are welcome to Leinster House and I hope they have a pleasurable experience. I wish them céad míle fáilte.

Senator Vincent P. Martin has moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 13 be taken before No. 1." The amendment was seconded by Senator Craughwell. The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment.

Senator Craughwell moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 160, motion 3, be taken before No. 1."