As it is 3 o'clock and we are supposed to take the Finance Bill now, I have to call the Leader to respond on the Order of Business. I apologise to the Senators who have just arrived. We normally give 50 minutes for the Order of Business.

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. Senators O'Loughlin, Comyn, Keogan and Andrews raised the horrific massacre in Bondi Beach. We offer our sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives. I commend those who tackled the perpetrators. The issue of antisemitism was raised by Senators Keogan and Andrews. The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, stated that there has been no rise of antisemitism.

Senator Keogan also raised concerns about the renaming of Herzog Park. This has been suspended and we await the outcome but, as I have said here before, we cannot rewrite history in this country.

Senator O'Loughlin also raised the increase in VAT on immune tonics, which are being treated as luxury goods. I ask that she submit the matter for debate with the Minister for Finance as a Commencement matter, or perhaps raise it while the House deals with the Finance Bill, which we will be taking very soon.

Senator Nelson Murray raised the matter of the insurance report and the discrepancies between Injuries Resolution Board fees and litigation costs. The point is valid and the Senator has made a number of suggestions, including having a massive media campaign, asking the insurance companies why their profits are up and setting a cap on legal fees. I will request a debate on insurance.

Senator Collins raised her visit to Limerick Prison and made a number of valid points regarding the Prison Service and early intervention. I will request a debate with the relevant Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, on prisons and early intervention.

Senators Joe Conway, O'Donovan and Duffy raised the sea fisheries debate and the negotiations that took place at the weekend, in particular the blocking of the Hague preferences. They have called into question the Common Fisheries Policy, saying it has failed and that a debate is needed on the matter. Senator O'Donovan said he feels betrayed over what happened and that there is perhaps a need for a legal case and an urgent review. I will request a debate. The relevant Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, was before the fisheries committee this morning and I am aware that he has put a lot of work into this. A couple of weeks ago, we agreed in this House, with some amendments, to a Private Members' proposal on the Common Fisheries Policy, and on to trying to strengthen the Minister's hand in the associated negotiations.

Senator Ruane, supported by Senator Murphy, raised the question of homework. In this regard, I welcome and acknowledge the attendance in the Gallery of Brion. Senator Ruane raised very valid points on Brion's behalf in relation to homework. Different people have different strengths. Some may have no issue with homework and some obviously have issues with its role and the time spent on it rather than doing other things. Some are stimulated by different approaches and do better if they opt for these. Some may be more academic and others may be more practical. The Senator has raised very valid points on which I will engage with the Minister. I suggest that Senator Ruane request a Commencement debate with the Minister for education to have a fuller debate on this matter.

Senator Harmon raised the student accommodation strategy and student rents. She also raised assessments of need, having regard to the Department of education. We are told the Department is removing the requirement for a diagnosis to enrol in a special class or special school. It is working to ensure that addressing applications due by October 2026 for the 2027 school year will reduce pressure on the assessment-of-need system. I ask the Senator to request a specific debate with the Minister for further and higher education on the student accommodation strategy and increasing student rents. The Minister will be in the House tomorrow and may be happy to answer questions on these topics if the Senator gets a chance to ask them.

Senator Comyn raised the importance of community volunteer groups in Drogheda and acknowledges the importance of charitable giving at this time of year.

Senator Scahill raised financial services and used the example of the credit union in Elphin, which is still maintaining services online and through ATMs and drop-in services. It is important that county and rural towns have access to services, particularly for the elderly. The Senator gave a case in point.

Senator Scahill also raised the issues of vacant commercial properties and the statutory instrument being debated in the Dáil today, and indeed in this House as item No. 3.

Senator Crowe raised the Office of the Planning Regulator, which came into being owing to the fallout from what I believe was the Mahon tribunal. A new advisory board is being set up on the workings of the Office of the Planning Regulator. I hope that will provide greater oversight of the office's role.

I hope that will provide for greater oversight in relation to that office's role.

Senator P. J. Murphy raised the ongoing issues in Clonmoylan, Ardgraigue and Barroughter bogs and spoke of the need for engagement with the Minister. He might put down a Commencement matter or engage directly because the time is tight on this. I have no doubt that if a contract is ending and there are no alternatives provided, the Minister and Department will have to ensure there is either an extension of the contract or some other recompense. I ask him to put down a Commencement matter on that issue.

Senator Andrews raised the glass bottle site, the Luas extension and the lack of new infrastructure. I am not awfully familiar with that part of Dublin but the Senator could put down a Commencement debate on the issue with the Minister to get a direct response.

Senator Kennelly raised a worrying issue regarding the misuse of ambulance services. He mentioned this was brought to his attention by Councillor Angie Baily. He demanded a number of things, including clearer protocols about non-emergency calls, sanctions for misuse and operational safeguards. Those are all common sense suggestions on that important issue. The Senator might ask his colleagues on the health committee to raise the whole issue of the National Ambulance Service. That might be an opportunity to bring this issue directly to the ambulance service.

Senator Gallagher and Senator Boyhan raised the vacant property grant and the recent acknowledgement of additional grants. The grant for vacant properties has been hugely successful in bringing houses back into use and tackling dereliction.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of head and neck cancer again and called for an audit on theatre time. I ask that he raise that directly with the Minister or put down a Commencement debate. Theatres have a certain throughput and they also have to have time for cleaning and disinfection. In relation to the exact management of theatre space, I would have to submit to the specialists on that.

Senator Brady raised the fox hunting Bill in the Dáil tomorrow and a number of concerns people have. He also referred to dogs being attacked by foxes recently. I acknowledge his bringing together of a number of organisations in the audiovisual room last week on this matter. The Senator also called for Deputy Coppinger to apologise for comments she made on radio during the week when she called many farmers cowboys. He will have to take that up directly with the Deputy or the other House.

Senator Boyhan raised rural housing again. I will request a debate with the Minister for housing. I know rural housing is hugely important. There may be reasons the guidelines have not progressed from a draft form since 2005. Without the input of politicians and if this was let to many Department officials, there would be no rural housing or very limited rural housing. It is politicians who are to the fore in ensuring, through councillors' work on local development plans and through our work here in the Oireachtas, that rural planning is still allowed. It is a valid issue and I will request a debate on the matter.

Senator Duffy raised safe routes to school funding, particularly for Kilmurry National School. I know there will be announcements on that this week. I hope for positive news in that regard.

Senator Davitt, speaking on behalf of Councillor Paul Hogan, raised baby loss certificates for babies lost up to 24 weeks. I can only imagine the very difficult situations that arise for mothers, fathers, partners and wider families. The Senator called for these certificates to made available. I ask him to put down a Commencement matter because it is a very important issue, which would get a direct response from the Minister.

Senator McCarthy raised the DRIVE initiative and stated that not enough prosecutions are taking place. I am not sure whether the law needs to be amended, improved or made clearer about this. If the Senator puts down a Commencement debate for the Minister for justice, he may get a more direct and better response on that very important issue.