Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh. I also want to extend my sympathies to the family and to the Cathaoirleach. As a fellow Bandonian, I knew Brian when we were growing up. He used to come to a lot of our debs' balls and graduation balls. He always had a smile on his face. We all thought he was the really cool politician with his long hair and leather jacket and he was a great singer in a band. He is so fondly missed in Bandon. I differed from him politically but he was so well regarded in Bandon and he was only about ten years older than us. Sincere condolences to yourselves and to his family. I also want to mention Grace Lynch. I thank the other Senators for putting the lack of enforcement and regulation on the speaking rota for today. I would really welcome as well that the Minister would come here to address road safety. The issue is getting worse and worse and it is high time we had a serious debate about it.

I also want to speak briefly with my last bit of time about another issue. I had a group with me today in the Seanad, members of the student council from the Ursuline College Sligo. I know Senator O'Loughlin was very gracious and met them here. They came here because they are waiting for a refurbishment in the school. They applied for planning permission over 11 years ago. We did the educational workshop downstairs. It was fantastic to hear about how democracies work and I want to say a big thanks to all the staff here in Leinster House for that. We were very lucky to meet the Minister, Deputy Naughton. The students were able to present her with their petition. It was like politics and democracy in action. I wanted to raise this to make sure it is addressed. I know there are so many schools crying out for the list that will come out soon about refurbishments to schools. This school has been waiting for 11 years and the planning permission is going to run out unless the Minister authorises it to move on to the next stage. The planning permission is due to run out in May 2027, so it is a matter of urgency.

It was the first time many of them had come up here. It would be wonderful to push on further the interest they have in politics.