I want to be associated with the comments regarding Senator Andrews. He is a true activist and I admire that he had the courage of convictions to go and try do something when words are failing.

Hear, hear.

Everybody seems to be banging their heads off the wall. I admire his courage and bravery.

I raise a matter that has gone under radar because of the all of the other matters being brought up here. As far as I know, there has been zero media coverage on it. I am not sure how many people know that there are four people outside the gates of Dáil Éireann on hunger strike. They are victims of industrial and reformation school abuse and they are looking for justice. I met with them two days ago and they have very reasonable asks: access to a Health (Amendment) Act card and a contributory pension. I understand that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, met with them and had nothing concrete to offer them. This needs to be addressed before the situation escalates. I am extremely concerned for the well-being of these survivors. They have been on hunger strike for 12 days and are showing no signs of giving up. One of the ladies out there is 74 years-of-age. When I spoke to her, I felt she was very fragile. We cannot leave survivors of abuse sitting out in the cold while we all head back home to our constituencies at the weekend. The most vulnerable people in our society should not have to take such drastic action to be heard. I ask that the Minister comes to this Chamber and makes a statement on this today.

I too want to be associated with the comments relating to Senator Chris Andrews and our Independent colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Barry Heneghan, who is also on one of the flotillas as well. It says a lot about the character of the people who go on these missions. It shows us who they are as individuals and activists. They are willing to go to whatever lengths it takes to try to do something in this madness.

Today and yesterday are very holy days in Israel, believe it or not. All of the Jewish people celebrate Yom Kippur. They are among the holiest days in their calendar. They are days of atonement and take place over yesterday and today. It says in Leviticus, "For on this day, He will forgive you to purify you and you will be cleansed for all your sins before God". I certainly hope that those who have caused all these killings and genocide will reflect on what they have done, no matter what God or prophet they follow. It is absolutely horrific what the people of Palestine and those experiencing genocides throughout the world are going through. Whether it is taking place in Sudan, the Congo, or elsewhere, they are too numerous to mention.

I want to thank the Government for something else. The MetroLink railway order came this morning. It is absolutely a fantastic piece of infrastructure that this country has been looking for for the past 25 years. I think it was first mooted in 2001. It was announced this morning and will be 19 km in length and will run from Swords to Dublin’s city centre. However, I am really concerned about the €2 billion that has been allocated for it because the Government has said that it will be establishing a dedicated State delivery body for the MetroLink. I do not want that €2 billion to be eaten up. I hope they set out some parameters in relation to how they are going to spend that money and just get on with building it. Well done to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, and the Government for putting this project on the books to get done.

First, I want to say that I am thinking of the people of Gaza. A guiding light for my work here is that we should shine a light in a dark place. I pay tribute to our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews, for his bravery and courage. He is walking the journey and embarking on a journey. He is a man of conviction and one of our own. It is at times like this that we, as a Parliament, should be united in our support of him and the cause of Gaza. I am more than happy to endorse and support the amendment to the Order of Business today. I also support the great courage of Barry Heneghan, our Independent TD. They are a shining a light and moving beyond words into actions to highlight the terrible injustice of the crisis that is Gaza and, more importantly, its people. It is too easy for us to sit in our comfortable armchairs at 9 o'clock and say it is all shocking and terrible and then turn the button off and walk away. These people are walking their talk. They are courageous and I salute both of them.

I raise one issue relating to Family Carers Ireland. Everyone will be aware of it having received the organisation's pre-budget document. What is interesting about its pre-budget document for 2026 is that it says it has exactly the same asks as it asked for in 2005. There are eight points: the abolition of the carer's allowance means test; a fair and adequate income for carers; a right - an absolute right - to respite; delivery of the statutory home supports scheme; a fully funded carer guarantee; priority supports for children with additional needs; delivery of housing, transport and climate justice; and support for working family carers. I commend the organisation's pre-budget submission to the House. I hope we will take it on board and use our contacts within our party and political networks to once again highlight the need for these key asks. Family Carers Ireland is worthy of our support and we need to support it.