Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad
The Seanad selected four priority matters for debate today: wind energy strategy and curtailment, UCD’s Ukraine trauma project funding, school bus driver eligibility over 70, and storm-resilient telephone infrastructure.
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:
Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on wind farms, in particular the updating and changing of wind energy strategies and energy curtailment.
Senator Gerard P. Craughwell - The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure funding is available for University College Dublin’s Ukraine trauma project for two missions planned in 2026.
Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the review of the eligibility of drivers over 70 years of age to drive smaller school buses.
Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on plans for telephone infrastructure nationwide following repeated storm damage.
Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the opening of additional beds and associated supports at the new Central Mental Hospital.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Collins, Craughwell, Gallagher and Scahill and they will be taken now. Senator Victor Boyhan will be selected tomorrow.
I welcome the Minister to the House. The first matter is from Senator Joanne Collins, who has four minutes.