I welcome the ambassador, the First Vice Speaker and my good friend Yevheniia from Ukraine. We must use every occasion we can to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

I am also delighted to welcome three young people from Avista whom the Cathaoirleach mentioned and who join me today in a job-shadowing experience in the Seanad, so a very special welcome to Elio Rabbitte, Danny Dowling and Franziska Klien. Franziska works in a bakery in Clondalkin and Blackrock.

She promises the next time she comes in to Seanad Éireann, she is going to bring cakes in for all of us. Danny is working in Elverys Sports in Blanchardstown and he has promised us all discounts when we go in, so there is going to be a big rush in. I thank Joey Long for bringing our three special guests in. It is really important we have opportunities like this to promote inclusion and participation. I really hope the four visitors enjoy their visit today. They will be doing a tour. They were working really hard in my office this morning. We are going to go for coffee and if anybody wants to join us at around 4.15 p.m., they are more than welcome. This is Avista's 100-year celebration. Happy birthday to Avista, all who work there and all who use the services. They do tremendous work supporting people with intellectual disabilities to develop independence, life skills and trying to ensure they have opportunities to find work. Elio tells me he is available for work so if anyone here wants a good worker, he is a good man.

It is sad that employment rates among people with disabilities are very low. However, I know from conversations in the last few weeks that both the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Deputy Norma Foley, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Dara Calleary, have very clearly said this is going to be a priority during the Irish EU Presidency. It is something we really want to focus on because we all love the opportunity to come in here and work every day. Everybody should have that right. I also want to mention the OWL programme, which is an excellent programme in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I want to give a shout-out to the Irish women's rugby team. It was an absolutely incredible performance from them on the weekend. I send my congratulations to them.

I have exceeded my time. I wanted to speak about a young girl called Maxine Maguire, who I taught in junior infants and who sadly passed away nine years ago. There has been a long journey for justice and she deserves more than just the next few seconds so I will save it for tomorrow's Order of Business.

I am starting on a sad note today. I offer my condolences to the families and friends of the three people who lost their lives on the roads in Donegal over the weekend. It was heartbreaking for the county during the weekend. My thoughts are with the families affected and with their friends.

I also want to recognise national organ donor awareness week and highlight the importance of organ donation. Organ donation saves lives and gives hope to people and families waiting for transplants. It is a truly generous gift that is the gift of life and it can make a huge difference in someone's life. I encourage every family to speak to their loved ones and let their wishes be known around organ donation. One simple conversation can help so many lives and can give the gift of life.

I know personally how it can make a big difference. My late mother-in-law received two kidney transplants, one from a living donor and one from a deceased donor. Her family was so grateful. She had so many great years because of organ donation. She saw her two daughters grow up and her grandchildren, who she doted on, make their first Holy Communion and their confirmation. Sadly, my wife has been waiting five years for a transplant. I see first hand what she goes through every day. She never complains. As she always says, you have to keep going. Organ donation will make a big difference to families with sick loved ones, so I ask people to please have the conversation with their family and their loved ones. Have the conversation. On the darkest day for families, a loved one can make so much of a difference to save lives by donating organs. Keep other people alive. Please, let families have their conversations and give the gift of life.

I give my sympathies to Senator Boyle and all the family on the passing of his mother-in-law. It is a sad loss for them all. On the issue of organ donation, as Senators will know, last week we lit up Leinster House green in recognition of organ donor awareness week and the issue Senator Boyle raised around having the conversation, letting loved ones know your wishes and making sure that conversation is had well in advance of any unfortunate incident that might happen.

It does transform and save lives so I thank the Senator for raising that issue this morning.