I have so many notes in front on me now, and I am trying to rearrange today's schedule, so forgive me if I do not get every single piece. We started off with Senator Rabbitte expressing solidarity with Senator Chris Andrews and others. I understand from Senator Ruane that Deputy Heneghan is about three days behind. He is on the next flotilla.

He is anywhere up to a week behind.

We have to acknowledge Deputy Heneghan because we cannot just acknowledge one Oireachtas Member not the other. That is important. Senator Rabbitte rightly called out the genocide that is happening in Gaza. It is absolutely heartbreaking. We are all on the same page. Sometimes it frustrates me when there is a sense that it is one side against the other. We all agreed on a motion under Fianna Fáil's Private Members' Bill last Thursday.

I was really appreciative of everybody working together and of us, as a party, accepting amendments. We should not get into them-versus-us behaviour regarding the issue of denial of human rights and humanitarian aid, as Senator Rabbitte said.

The Senator also mentioned the launch of the foetal alcohol syndrome disorder report published by the RCSI and funded by the Department of children. It is interesting that it is the first study, although other work has gone on in other countries. It is the first step in getting this disorder recognised and creating more awareness of the sad impact that alcohol can have at the time of conception and during pregnancy. This falls between the Minister for Health and the Minister for children, but we will look to have a debate in relation to it.

Senator Boyle spoke about planning issues along the N56 and how people could not get planning permission there and the policy needed to be reviewed. I completely agree. It is the same on the R414 in Kildare. Once safety criteria are met and sight lines are very clear, I believe that people should have the right to build, particularly when it is on family land and so on. I would support that call for the policy to be changed. We will send that matter to the Minister.

Senator Joe Conway spoke about the fish kill in Waterford. It was shocking that 30,000 fish died. A thorough investigation was carried out under the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. The group that came together to co-ordinate it included the EPA, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Marine Institute, Cork County Council, the local authorities water programme, Uisce Éireann, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the HSE. Unfortunately, they were not able to find a definitive cause, which is regrettable, but it is being treated very seriously, and rightly so.

Senator McCormack spoke about the serious breach of international law and about the bravery of Senator Andrews. We will add Deputy Heneghan to that. The Senator proposed an amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator Ruane spoke passionately and eloquently about what was happening in Gaza and the heartbreak that this was causing for every single one of us. Nobody has a monopoly on how bad anyone can feel, because every single one of us in the country feels bad about this.

Senator Curley spoke about Kinvara and the two accidents that happened recently on the road where 900 students have to cross daily. There is no crossing. I do not understand how the safe routes to school programme has not been applied by Galway County Council.

It is a national route. It is TII.

It is because it is a national route. Priority has been given to schools in every single county by the local authorities. Obviously, there is a particular situation with this, but we certainly would echo our support. Every child going to school should have a safe route to school.

Senator Brady spoke about the Ryder Cup and what a great achievement it was for Europe and the Irish players. The behaviour was appalling. I remember going to the last Ryder Cup in Ireland. I am not a golfer and do not know a lot about golf, but I remember being really impressed with the decorum and respect that everybody treated everybody else with. This weekend's behaviour was shocking to see. We will not put up with that when the Ryder Cup comes to Ireland. We absolutely will not. We are proud to host it. It is important to host it. I have no doubt that Adare will be a wonderful host, but that type of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated. It should not have been tolerated in America.

Senator McCarthy touched on practically every single Department in terms of priorities for the budget. He spoke about businesses and he was right, in that we have to support SMEs. We need to have targeted measures for them.

The Senator also mentioned homelessness. It remains a consistent priority for the Government. It cannot and will not be ignored. I have no doubt that there will be strong measures in this regard this.

Senator Comyn spoke about the greater investment needed in youth work and called on the Minister for education to come and have a debate on same. I would agree. The informal parts of education need as much emphasis and investment. Our young people need to have, outside of the formal education process, a place where they can flourish. For some, they do not flourish through education but will through other types of youth work. We support that and will look for a debate on it down the line.

Senator Nicole Ryan also spoke in support of the amendment regarding Gaza, again outlining the daily horrific situation that people find themselves in.

Senator Flaherty spoke about Ireland having done a lot in relation to Gaza and Palestine more widely. He is right in saying that no country has done more. That recognition has been given by the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland. I have had several conversations with her and she has repeatedly said that the Palestinians themselves, including those in Gaza, recognise that the Irish Government has done more than any other government in terms of being a very small island. When we consider that we started the whole call for a two-state solution and now there are 150 countries doing so, that is really important. It is also important in terms of the Commission and the Israeli business deal. We have to acknowledge that the Commission finally has started work in that regard.

Senator Cathal Byrne spoke about the issue of tillage. I attended some of the agriculture committee hearings yesterday. He is absolutely right. Listening to those involved, they need Exchequer support and a policy change. There is a big issue whereby native grain is not being used and there is a lack of clarity around that. There needs to be differentiation. That is the biggest priority and there needs to be a marketing campaign. Senator Byrne has looked for a debate on this. The Minister for agriculture was here for two hours with the Fine Gael debate last night, and I am sure the Senator had the opportunity to raise it then.

Senator Black seconded the amendment to the Order of Business. She spoke very strongly, as she has always done, in relation to supporting Gaza. However, I think it is unfair of the Senator to say that there has been no real action. She knows that we spent a very intense period at the committee before the recess examining the occupied territories Bill and making strong recommendations. I honestly do not think it is fair to say that nothing is happening. She spoke about a seven-year-old child comforting a five-year-old child. That is heartbreaking. Children grow up so quickly. Children should never see what they have seen or have to cope with what they are doing.

Senator Scahill spoke about the storm and the impact it has had and has looked for the report and the review. We support that.

Prior to the start of the Order of Business, I was in discussion with Ministers with regard to taking an emergency motion. This should be something we all collectively do. I understand from the calls I made and from making calls during the Order of Business that the Taoiseach is not available. He is abroad, as Senators know. Apparently, there is going to be a debate in the Dáil, so the Tánaiste will be tied up with that, but I have managed to get the Minister of State, Thomas Byrne, who is willing to come to the House to take that debate today. I am going to formally read that into the record. That will be between 1.39 p.m. and 3 p.m. today. I will now outline the Order of Business, as changed.

We have to put the amendment from Senator Ruane first and then the Deputy Leader can propose her amendment.

It was Senator McCormack who proposed the amendment first.

It was Senator Ruane.

I thought she seconded it.

Senator Black seconded.

Apologies. I will outline No. 1a on the Supplementary Order Paper. Statements on the Global Sumud Flotilla will be taken at 1.30 p.m. and conclude at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister of State not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister of State to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate. On the conclusion of business, the House shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 7 October 2025.