I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business.

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh. I thank all Senators for their contributions. We started with Senator O'Loughlin, who welcomed the ambassador from Ukraine, condemned the ongoing invasion and acknowledged the four-year anniversary. She was joined by Senators Murphy, McCarthy, Craughwell, Clonan, Higgins and Conway in raising the matter of Ukraine. Senator McCarthy talked about the resilience of the Ukrainian people and asked that No. 58, motion No. 1, be taken before No. 1 and I am happy to support that.

The motion proposes:

That Seanad Éireann:

- reaffirms its support for Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of the Russian Federation’s illegal invasion and calls on the Government to do as much as possible to maximise Ireland’s role in renewing international efforts to secure a just and lasting peace based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Senator O’Loughlin raised the Chinese New Year and the fact it is the Year of the Horse. She also raised the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Horse Racing Ireland statistics on the importance of horse racing and training, the sport horse and the whole industry to the Irish economy. I acknowledge that. She also called for a debate on eating disorders as it is eating disorder awareness week, in the context of the doubling in the number of admissions to hospitals for eating disorders in 2025, particularly among those aged between 12 and 25.

Senator Nelson Murray, joined by Senators Flaherty and Joe Conway, raised the shocking tragedies on our roads over the weekend in which seven people died across the island. She mentioned Mia Lily Keogh O’Keeffe who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in her town. She highlighted a number of areas or initiatives that could be brought forward. Fine Gael had a Private Members’ debate on this matter last week. As the Senator said, little did we know that there would be such tragedy subsequent to that debate. It is something that certainly needs to be kept on the agenda going forward.

Senator Harmon raised housing supports for renters and the fact that rents are increasing. She called for a debate regarding winter supports and the student accommodation strategy. I will request a debate with the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, on those matters.

Senator Flaherty called for a debate on SNAs. He acknowledged the work across the Government, including that of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, Deputy Naughton, and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, to change the stance on this. The letters, as we know, were sent out by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. The Minister and the Minister of State have confirmed there will be no reduction in the number of special needs assistants for the next school year. After a meeting of Government leaders last night, it was agreed that all schools reviewed by the NCSE and allocated additional resources will receive them in the coming year. I will request a debate with the Minister and the Minister of State on this matter as soon as possible.

Senator Flynn also raised the issue of road safety. She highlighted people wearing black clothes – I see it too - when they are walking, cycling or on scooters. I acknowledge that.

Senator Duffy raised his concerns about a recent tragedy at a harbour in Mayo. He called for the proper maintenance of piers and harbours. There is a scheme under the fisheries investment fund for local authorities to apply to the Department of the marine for funding for safety measures at piers. The Senator might be able to check with the local authority whether there was a maintenance programme for the pier in question. He is right to stress the importance of routine cleaning and maintenance of piers and slipways. He also spoke about the service level agreement between local authorities and contractors for this type of work.

Senator Boyle called for a vascular team to be established in Letterkenny because renal patients awaiting dialysis have to go to Galway for simple initiatives, such as putting in lines and so forth. I ask the Senator to put down a Commencement matter with the Minister to get a more direct response from the Department of Health on the plans it has for the provision of dialysis and renal teams in Letterkenny.

Senator Andrews spoke about Dublin City Council, AHBs, HAP tenants and the ongoing maintenance concerns he has with regard to particular flat complexes. He might submit a question to the Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, about the liaison he and the Department have had with Dublin City Council on these issues.

Senators Cosgrove and Higgins raised the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026. I have to disagree with them on how we dealt with the Bill last week. I do not believe progress was being made. There was filibustering on three amendments, which only called for reports. We spent three hours talking about them. We only managed a vote on one amendment. We could have made a lot more progress and we could have had better use of time.

Senator Cosgrove also spoke about wages not being high enough for people to pay rent. I know that the pressures people are under are intense. The new legislation will provide security of tenure to residents and so forth. I will call for a large debate on housing with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to discuss these matters.

Senator Joe Conway also raised the issue of road safety and called for a change in driver behaviour. I know he made suggestions or recommendations last week during the debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney. All of these things are in the mix in terms of what initiatives can be taken.

Senator Tully raised the issue of childminding and pointed out that childminders were in the audiovisual room last week. She talked about regulations being considered by the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the possibility of rates and other issues she felt were not necessary. She may wish to put down a Commencement debate on the matter but I will request a debate on the whole issue of childcare with the Minister, Deputy Foley, as well.

Senator Higgins has again raised Ukraine and the need for the championing of international law and the UN Charter. Senator Martin Conway also called for a debate in relation to Ukraine. I will request a debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I think she is due in over the next couple of weeks anyway for a debate on foreign affairs, and she will be in the House tomorrow on defence matters.

I thank all Senators for their contributions this morning.

I thank the Leader for outlining the Order of Business. Senator Aubrey McCarthy has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 58 (1) be taken before No. 1." Is that agreed? Agreed.