I acknowledge Councillor Gaffney, who was with the school group that just left. I thank the 16 Senators who spoke to us this morning about different issues impacting their areas and on a national level. It is always important that we have this level of debate.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the overnight developments relating to the threat to Greenland and tariffs. She acknowledged the Taoiseach's steadfast position and approach on supporting a unified EU response. I know the situation is evolving. There is certainly one thing we can say, which is that, whatever about anything else, the American President is good at getting headlines every single day and dominating the news cycle. While this has been averted, we know that the Taoiseach is heading to Brussels this evening for a special meeting of all EU leaders about the threats, which we now know have passed. At the same time, nothing can be taken for granted. We are living in an ever-changing world and the ever-changing egotistical position of President Trump. It is only right that we must prepare for different situations from a united EU position.

Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about the active travel announcements and how important it is to see the final part of the Royal Canal Greenway being invested in. It connects communities and provides safety for those who wish to travel on it. The Senator also highlighted the recent €1 billion announcement for the housing activation office. It is significant. Local authorities have to make their applications for it. I imagine the reason this had gone under the radar is that, in fairness, there have been many good, positive announcements over the last week, so unfortunately, some of the good news tends to get buried.

Senator Kennelly gave a heartfelt speech about former Senator Gerard Lynch, who we are mourning. I will be putting forward a motion afterwards. I often heard former Senator Ned O'Sullivan, a fellow Listowel man, speak about the esteemed public representative. We join in the condolences to the Lynch family and to Fine Gael.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the Zelenskyy visit and said it was not perfect. There is no such thing as perfection in anything, but I believe the visit went well. The Minister spoke about this yesterday during the debate. Decisions have to be made in the best interests of security. If that means bringing in other European countries to help to support that, that is absolutely what we have to do.

Senator Craughwell also spoke about the survey about sexual assault within the Defence Forces. Anywhere where sexual assault is happening, it needs to be called out. The Senator makes a point that it is possibly happening in other areas that are not being highlighted. Everywhere it happens, it has to be highlighted and called out for what it is.

Senator Craughwell also said that I made a habit of mentioning things in Kildare in my speech about the Army yesterday.

I will never apologise for mentioning anything about Kildare; in fact, I want share a bit of good news. I raised two issues, one of which was the Curragh swimming pool. Last night, I was informed the pool will be open to local schools and community clubs three days a week going forward. It was well worth mentioning again.

Senator Collins spoke about MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion. Other MEPs also joined in on the anti-Mercosur issue and ensuring the deal went to the European court. Ireland has made its position very clear. It is not supporting the Mercosur deal and that will continue.

On the chair of Bord Bia, he was appointed through a public process in 2024. I understand Bord Bia is meeting this morning in respect of the position. We certainly should not undermine the importance of Bord Bia. It is an incredible organisation that does incredible work outside Ireland in terms of exports. We await the results of today's meeting. I do feel that the Minister for agriculture should step in at that point.

Senator Rabbitte spoke about supporting small communities, particularly primary and secondary schools that do not have the opportunity to avail of large sporting facilities. She is absolutely correct. Very sizeable grants have been given throughout the country, and rightly so, to support local sporting clubs. It is unfortunate for those smaller areas that do not have the wherewithal in terms of having an all-weather pitch. The Senator outlined costs of €300 to rent a pitch for an hour, €500 for a bus and some money to the referee. That is a huge amount of money for any small school community. The Senator is absolutely right that there needs to be a policy to the effect that clubs that receive funding should be able to support other clubs in surrounding areas during daylight hours. We will ask the Minister to come in and address the matter. We will bring it to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue. I have no doubt he will be very amenable to trying to do something in that regard.

Senator Boyle spoke about Killybegs Community Hospital where 13 beds are lying idle and the day care centre has not resumed. It is awful to see beds idle. I understand from what the Senator said that it is down to the recruitment of staff. He is looking for an update. I suggest the Senator submit a Commencement matter, particularly in relation to recruitment for the Killybegs hospital.

Senator McCarthy spoke about the justice system and how it responds to one-punch attacks. These are acts of serious violence but sentencing can be inconsistent. There are concerns about concurrent sentences, guilty pleas and a lack of clarity in relation to sentencing. The Senator is right in saying that we need public confidence in the framework. It needs monitoring. We will ask the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, to come in and have a debate on that. He is no stranger to this House at the moment. We understand that sentencing is down to the Judiciary.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony spoke about foreign direct investment and how important it is. She said that in Cork there is a problem with the lack of office space, which militates against the proximity to an airport and a university, and all of the elements that would make for a really good site for foreign direct investment. I know from dealing with IDA Ireland in Leinster that it is a problem everywhere. It would seem that a lot of companies now want to come in to ready-made offices, which is a big capital outlay, and they would have a very high spec in that regard. It is an issue and we should ask the Minister for enterprise to come to the House for a debate. All of us want to see balanced FDI across the country.

Senator Duffy spoke about active travel funding, saying he was disappointed by a lack of investment in Balla and Westport. Local councillors and the community were very involved in highlighting the projects that were needed there. The Senator made the point that we need to align funding and investment with what is happening on the ground. I suggest that he put in a Commencement matter in respect of those two areas. Generally speaking, it is wonderful to see the investment in the greenways and blueways, and in active travel.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the Mercosur deal and Bord Bia. I have commented on those issues already. Senator Clifford-Lee raised an issue that was highlighted in The Irish Times this morning about Dublin's northside lacking in terms of a maternity hospital. The Rotunda hospital has wonderful staff and nurses but it is not fit for purpose. The Senator mentioned that the Rotunda has the highest birth rate in the country. This year the millionth baby will be born there, a very significant milestone. At the same time, women in labour are being transferred to other hospitals as far away as Drogheda, which is just shocking. It would appear that this seems to be at a crisis point, particularly with towns and villages in north County Dublin, as well as north Dublin, increasing in size all the time. We need to ask the Minister for Health to come to the House for a debate on that, and we will certainly do so.

Senator Boyhan spoke about childcare places and the public and private elements of childcare. I certainly agree. There is room for both. Childcare is complex. Different families have different needs and they should be able to choose what they can. Of course, availability is very important as well. I thank the Senator for his kind words about the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her announcement yesterday, which certainly is ambitious. I think it is excellent. It is wonderful that eight centres are going to start this year, including one in Shanganagh Castle. We have to look at many different models of childcare that work for those who deliver the service and those who avail of it.

Senator Costello paid tribute to Ziva Cussen, as did our colleague yesterday. Ziva by all accounts was a wonderful young woman. Despite her own diagnosis at 21, she never ceased to campaign for younger women and for better services in terms of highlighting early intervention and early diagnosis. Well done to Senator Costello for working with Ziva on Too Young to be Heard. It would seem that Ziva lived a very full life despite her diagnosis. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and community. Senator Comyn said only yesterday that the whole town of Drogheda is absolutely devastated by the passing of Ziva.

Senator Cosgrove said that 100 years ago ten men were released from prison in Leitrim. They had been in very difficult conditions, with two of them dying soon afterwards. We certainly will ask the Minister for culture about placing a commemoration plaque. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. We should always remember those who gave their lives for our country.

Senator Ryan commended the work of the Garda in Limerick over Christmas. It is great to hear very positive feedback about the increased visibility in terms of revitalising the city centre. It is a shame it cannot be maintained all year round. Listening to what the Senator said about the scheme in Cork bringing in a permanent high-visibility force, it is certainly a way to go. It will be interesting to see. I agree that we should ask the Minister to come in and talk to us about delivering that in Cork, and delivering in Limerick of course. We also hear that from towns and villages right around the country. That high visibility piece is really important and we will look for a debate on it.

Senator Conway spoke about the inclement weather we are having. He is right; we did have a discussion with regard to looking for a debate in relation to weather preparation readiness for extreme weather events. We will certainly will put the call out again to have a debate in the House with the relevant Minister.