The Order of Business is No. 1, Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 1 p.m. with proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 2 p.m. by the putting of one question by the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 54, motion 1, Private Members' motion regarding maternal mental health supports, to be taken at 2 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours; and No. 2, Private Members' business, Maternity Protection (Child Bereavement) (Amendment) Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I extend the sympathies of my own party and indeed the House to the people of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia. It was absolutely shocking to wake up this morning and listen to the breaking news that ten people have been killed and 29 injured in a school shooting in a small community. We know how absolutely devastating this is for the community. I was in Canada just before Christmas, and had the opportunity to meet some terrific Canadian people. Our ambassador there is doing a wonderful job. I extend our very deepest sympathies.

The original building at St. Paul's Secondary School in Monasterevin was an old building at the centre of town. Thankfully, the school got a new building after a 12-year campaign. The new building, which was opened officially the year before last, is absolutely fantastic. It is a wonderful asset to the whole school community, and indeed, to the people of the broader community. There was a question regarding what the old school building would be used for. I had tentative discussions with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, on having an apprenticeship school there. North-west Kildare and south Kildare do not have an apprenticeship school. I learned last week that the actual building and the site have been sold to Lidl. That is not bad news in itself, because the town needs a new large shop. That is good news for the community, but I am concerned that the Department of education sold a building without scoping it out for an educational purpose. I would really like to see that money being used for community purposes, such as the purchase of Moore Abbey, which was the home of John McCormack and is up for sale. That would be a wonderful premises to be acquired by Kildare County Council, with support nationally of course, to be used for the community. Not alone is there a very fine house and grounds at Moore Abbey, which is actually beside the new St. Paul’s Secondary School, but there is a swimming pool there as well. The Muiríosa Foundation has used this premises for residential purposes. A swimming pool would be a great boon to the people of Monasterevin, Rathangan, Kildare town and the hinterland. It is important to raise that and to look for support from the Seanad.