Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad
The Seanad scheduled four topical matters for immediate discussion, including drug treatment courts, the Adare rail line, Killybegs hospital beds and Killarney nursing unit, while other Senators were deferred to another day.
I welcome Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to the House.
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:
Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the review of the drug treatment court and plans to roll out drug treatment courts nationally.
Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of a rail line and new platform in Adare, County Limerick.
Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on a timeline and staffing plan for the reopening of 11 beds in Killybegs Community Hospital, County Donegal.
Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the opening of the new community nursing unit in Killarney, County Kerry.
Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to ensure the provision of the public service obligation on routes deemed not to be commercially viable, in particular the 64 bus route in Tubbercurry, County Sligo.
Senator Joe Conway - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the timeframe for approval to proceed to tender and construction at Newtown School in Waterford.
Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the surgical and emergency departments in Cavan General Hospital.
Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the introduction of a temporary order, similar to the Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences Held by Relevant Persons) (Ukraine) Order 2022, that would facilitate people returning temporarily from the Middle East due to the current situation in Iran.
Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the provision of adequate funding to address ongoing water supply and infrastructure issues relating to the Allenwood reservoir, County Kildare.
Senator Maria McCormack - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on funding for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, engagement officers in County Laois and the wider midlands.
Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the community CCTV scheme and plans to ensure it is available in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.
Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the extension of the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles contracted under the school transport scheme.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Mary Fitzpatrick, Joanne Collins, Manus Boyle and Mike Kennelly and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.