Before I call on the Leader, I, too, would like to be associated with the votes of sympathy to Padraic White on the passing of former Senator Mary White, and also to his brother, Michael White, who lives in Limerick and worked with Enterprise Ireland for many years. May she rest in peace.

I thank all Senators for their contributions here this afternoon on the Order of Business.

Senator O'Loughlin expressed sympathies and condolences to the people of Spain on the tragic train crash and all the deceased, and to all their loved ones. The Senator also raised the volunteering spirit of Newbridge Tidy Towns. She also expressed disappointment over the redundancies in Newbridge Silverware but highlighted the fact that there is still the ongoing showcase and showrooms in relation to Newbridge Silverware as well.

And other providers.

There are lots of them.

There are lots of them. This issue is not just being raised here; it is worldwide. The worldwide backlash on this is to be acknowledged. Hopefully, it will have the desired effect.

Senator Fitzpatrick called for a debate with the Minister for arts, Deputy O'Donovan, on the closure of The Complex in Dublin city. I will request that debate. The Senator may wish to put down a Commencement matter to get a more immediate response.

Senator Murphy raised dereliction in some rural, and indeed urban, areas. He particularly raised the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna, which was subject to fire a long number of years ago and has been left in a sorry state. That is a great pity for the town of Portumna and its hinterland. People having functions, weddings, funerals, christenings and all of that would have receptions there so it is a huge economic loss to the town and hinterland. The Senator called for a debate on dereliction. I will request that.

Senator Flynn raised Traveller mental health. She called for Traveller-specific healthcare wraparound supports and for a debate on mental health.

I will request that. I know the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community is ongoing and that she is a member. I will engage with members of the committee in relation to this matter, as well as requesting a debate. It is an area that crosses a number of Departments. Obviously, accommodation is under the aegis of the Departments of housing and Health, and I will request a debate with the Minister on that matter.

Senator Keogan quite rightly raised the issue of the protests in Iran and the torture, abuse and deaths, which cannot be ignored internationally. We have not seen this on our televisions over the past number of weeks because the footage has been blocked but we have heard the reports and we have seen some imagery that was sneaked out of Iran and Tehran of the issues and the massive protests on the streets. Human rights abuses in any part of the world are to be condemned and certainly the crackdown and what is going on in Iran is to be condemned. I hope there can be a peaceful transition if that is to the benefit of the Iranian people, which I believe it would be. I will request a debate with the Minister on that.

Senator Kennelly raised congratulations in relation to a number of, as he called them, Kerry greats: Aoibheann Daly, the Stripe young scientist of the year, Jessie Buckley on her success; and Ballymacelligott GAA and Dingle GAA on their victories. In the case of Dingle, I also send commiserations to St Brigid's of Roscommon on the result at the weekend.

Senator Collins raised the issue of jury duty and whether there can be exemptions for creche teachers and those who are involved in early years education. The loss of an early year educator to jury duty would perhaps mean that class would have to close or that room would have to close. It is an interesting suggestion. The Senator might put down a Commencement debate with the Minister for justice to see if that matter could be examined.

Senator Duffy raised the Lahardane community futures initiative and commended all those involved in the group, that is, the volunteers, and the plans they have in relation to identifying the issues, the positives and the weaknesses and what is needed in the community. He mentioned a playground and issues of tackling dereliction. Obviously, there are a number of schemes that would benefit the local community there, whether it be CLÁR, if it applies in relation to dereliction. There are possibilities there. I wish them well. The Senator is quite right to say the plan is there and it cannot be put on the shelf. It is important that Mayo County Council, the Department and Oireachtas Members put the plan into place, in conjunction with the local community.

Senators Joe Conway and Mullen raised the passing of broadcaster and author John Quinn. May he rest in peace. I acknowledge him as well.

Senator Conway also commended Ballygunner GAA, who are now all-Ireland club champions, and acknowledged the valiant efforts of Loughrea GAA. Commiserations to all the team and management there in Loughrea.

Senator Ní Chuilinn acknowledged and thanked the Minister for sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, for going to look at the Iveagh Grounds in Crumlin. It is a 17 acre site which has a lot of possibilities in relation to sport. The local authority obviously needs to have a role in that regard as well. She acknowledged and thanked the Minister and hopes to see progress in that area, given the importance of sport across all of our communities and the great successes, whether they be rural or urban. In some communities, it can be an extra incentive to encourage youngsters to stay on the right path. That has to be acknowledged.

Senator Tully raised the issue of special schools and students not being able to stay in those schools past their 18th year because of certain classifications. That is a very interesting issue and she suggested it should be changed to reflect what happens in mainstream schools at the moment. She might put down a Commencement debate to the Department of education and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, on that. It is something that should be looked at. I will contact the Minister about it.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of the increase in the number of dog attacks on sheep. In advance of the lambing season, it is obviously an issue.

He talked about the number of dogs in pounds that do not have microchips despite legislation. He talked about the traumatic impact of dog attacks, first on the sheep that are savaged, maimed and sometimes killed, and also on the farmers and their families, particularly youngsters within the family who see this or have to deal with it.

Senator Craughwell raised the attack in August 2024 on Fr. Paul Murphy in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore. Fr. Murphy has borne his injuries with great dignity and honour. He has commended the three soldiers who were there to save his life and who are to receive distinguished service medals, Ciara Shanahan, Daniel Padden and Dylan Geraghty. I look forward to that ceremony and I know the Minister is due to come down next month to honour those acts of bravery.

Senator Lynch welcomed that the Government opposed the Mercosur deal which is bad for farmers and bad for the health of consumers. She spoke about the protesting farmers in Brussels and said that the deal may be referred to the European Court of Justice. There will be a vote in the European Parliament on that. She called for a debate with the Minister for Health and Minister for agriculture. I will certainly raise it. There has been a lot of discussion on this. She has said it is bad for farmers. It certainly could be bad for beef farmers. I think there are also positives from the deal, but overall the Government made the decision that the impact on the beef sector and on our health was sufficient to vote against it.

Senators Mullen, Conway and others raised the passing of the former Member of this House, Mary White. I am sure the Cathaoirleach, when he is back, will lead tributes to his former party colleague. I did not serve with Mary White but I knew her from the time I was in the other House. She was always a lady and I offer my sympathies to Padraic and her family. May she rest in peace.

Senator Boyhan raised the Simon Communities report which was published yesterday by President Connolly and the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell. He called for a debate on this matter and said he would raise it at the housing committee. I will certainly request a general debate on housing and homelessness.

Senator Cosgrove raised the Amnesty 2.0 campaign, seeking rights to remain lawfully for people who have been caught for years in the direct provision system. She called for the Minister for justice to provide for that. I will certainly engage with the Minister on the matter. Obviously, I cannot do it on his behalf. I do not know what stage these cases are at, whether they are subject to appeals or have been approved and are stuck in limbo in direct provision. I will certainly request the Minister to look at that and I will pass on the Senator's thoughts on the matter, as outlined in her contribution.

Senator Martin Conway called for a debate on international affairs and highlighted the threats to Greenland, which is part of Denmark, a NATO country and a European Union member. There has been an amount of support, both from the Government here and across Europe, in relation to the sovereignty of Greenland, which can only be decided by the people of Greenland themselves but obviously under the protection of Denmark as well. I hope the threats will come to nought and that there pressure will be brought to bear within the United States and from members of the president's own Republican Party.

Senator Stephenson raised the Gaza peace plan and called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on the matter. The peace plan was designed by the United States and there is concern that it usurps or undermines the United Nations in how it is constructed and also about those who may be on the board. I know the Government is looking at it. I will also request a debate with the Minister.

Senator Cathal Byrne called for a debate on road safety. He mentioned specific locations on the N80, N11 and N25 in Wexford, and called for a debate with the Minister for Transport. It is important that these areas identified through local authorities are pushed up the line and put on priority lists for improvement. I am not fully au fait with the locations, the length of road and whether they are part of a bigger project down the line or whatever.

Certainly, the Senator is right to raise them and I have no doubt that he will continue his advocacy, whether through a Commencement matter or in the debate on road safety we will have in the House in the coming weeks. I will request that.