I thank the 15 contributors. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin spoke about the success of the Bloom festival, which has been a success ever since it started over a decade ago. It has increased in size and it is a good opportunity to have a debate on horticulture, something we have not had in the Chamber for quite some time. I will contact the Minister's office to see if that is possible. She also spoke about the Palestinian dancers who need visas. It is an obvious thing that we should be able to accommodate. The Minister should be able to facilitate that in some way. Not only is it the right thing to do, it should be done on the grounds of compassion and support. We as a Government have always tried to support the Palestinian people and give them some sort of normal life. There are lot of people from Palestine in Ireland. If people are coming over for an event it is something we should support.

Senator Michael Kennelly spoke about driving tests in north Kerry, the demand for which has increased dramatically. A lot of people are waiting. That has a huge impact on people who need to take a driving test for a job or, more commonly, if they are travelling to college. There is significant demand and people have been left waiting for a long time. I will contact the Minister's office for a debate on that. This is an issue not only in Kerry but in other counties across the country where there is huge demand for tests and people have to travel much further than their home town to get a test in an emergency.

Senator Tom Clonan spoke about the violence in Belfast last night and condemned everything that happened, as I do. He outlined what a lot of people are thinking if they are being honest with themselves, namely, that there is outrage about particular types of violence and people, yet other violence that has happened in this country has not attracted the same sort of emotional reaction and it is very obvious why. I agree with him. He spoke very passionately. He also mentioned the debate on the Order of Business yesterday and my response to it in regard to him being a former Army officer. I would remind him that I did not raise the issue. He raised the issue that he was a former Army officer and because of that expertise he should be listened to. I said simply that there were other former Defence Forces members in this Chamber, such as Senator Craughwell, and in the other Chamber, such as Deputy Callaghan, and they have very different views to him. All I was suggesting was that they have a background and expertise very similar to his but they have opposing views. Perhaps he is sensitive to the criticism, but that is all I said.

Senator Joanne Collins asked for an amendment, which I am happy to accept, regarding voting rights for 16- and 17-year-olds. It is something that should be debated and considered. We also need to encourage people to get out and vote. It is not just about getting more 16- and 17-year-olds involved in politics, which should be done from an educational perspective; we also need to encourage them to see why it is so important to vote. It is to be hoped such a debate would also encourage 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to vote. I am more than happy to facilitate that amendment.

Senator Patricia Stephenson asked for a debate on the greyhound industry. I am more than happy to do that. I will talk to the Minister's office to see if that is possible. She outlined her views and research on the greyhound industry. There are obviously differing views on all sides. It is an industry that is a livelihood for an awful lot of people across the country. People love animals, including dogs. There are always issues in every industry and I am more than happy to debate the industry, a debate which has happened in this Chamber and in the Lower House. We will try to see if we can facilitate that as soon as possible.

Senator Alison Comyn spoke about childcare. She outlined the major changes to childcare which are significant in terms of reduced costs and fee caps. That is all well and good, but if services do not have spaces what is the use? A lot of investment has been made in childcare, which is welcome. More needs to be done, in particular for new estates built with a childcare facility in the plans that is sometimes not completed for whatever reason, such as developers or costs. Young families moving into those estates assume there will be a childcare facility, but then find it does not exist. From my perspective, I have two young boys and know the importance of childcare and childcare facilities, in particular, but not always, for the women of the house in terms of going back to work. Childcare is a real worry for some people in terms of being able to go back to work. It is a financial worry for families, but also for individuals because people want to go back to work, have normality and get back to normal life after a number of months or a year.

Senator Mark Duffy spoke about wind two farms proposed for Mayo and outlined his objection to them. He made a very good case about the proposal going against the county development plan. Councillors are there to put forward county development plans. They know areas better than anyone else and are elected to represent the people of an area. Gerry Coyle and Jarlath Munnelly are experienced councillors who know what is good for their area. If they, along with Senator Duffy, are raising concerns, those concerns should be taken on board. There is normally a consultation period in place. Senator Duffy is very supportive of renewable energy and wind farms in general, but obviously only in the right place. A Commencement matter with the Minister could be helpful.

Senator Sharon Keogan spoke about the IMF report on AI and the impact that could have on employment. That is why we established a Committee on AI at the start of this term. Many concerns have been expressed about the opportunities AI can create. In truth, we are all in the unknown in respect of what can happen with AI. We can certainly have a debate in the House on it. I will contact the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, as soon as possible.

Senator Chris Andrews spoke about the women's game last night, which was a brilliant performance. It was obviously upsetting - what can one do about a goal when there is a bicycle kick into the top corner? It is harsh on the girls. They have done us incredibly proud. I have no doubt they will do us proud again in October and qualify for the World Cup. They are a great team and bunch of individuals and an inspiration to the whole country.

And Ringsend.

That is true. The Senator spoke about Serca Darcy. As public representatives, unfortunately we all know of people who get very sick due to breast cancer or other long-term illnesses, look for supports and do not know where to go. All of us advise people in our constituencies on what they are entitled to or could get. There is uncertainty. It is important that someone with a young family who loses a wage can access help. It can be very stressful. The woman the Senator mentioned should be able to qualify for medical cards and so on. She is a hairdresser, therefore the 9% VAT rate will have a big impact on her business later on in the year.

She had to close down her business.

The VAT rate was introduced to support hairdressers in particular. I accept people who are out of work for a long time do not know where to go or for what they qualify. That is our job. We should promote that more. I find that is what we do when we are in our constituencies.

Senator Pauline Tully spoke about ash dieback in Cavan. A Commencement matter with the Minister would be worthwhile because there is a financial support package for people who have ash dieback. It does not apply to hedges along roads. It could be worthwhile to bring the Minister in on a Commencement matter.

Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke about the Bill before the Dáil today regarding counselling notes that can be shared with representatives of alleged perpetrators in courts. The Bill will come to the Seanad and we will have an opportunity to have that debate.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy spoke about the Irish Rail IT project and listed five or six projects that have been overpriced or which were not value for money.

However, there have been a lot of value-for-money projects that have been completed on time for less than the allocated money. The obvious example is broadband. It was delivered on budget and on time. There are a lot of road projects that have been delivered on budget and on time, albeit I accept that he named a number of projects where that has not been the case. All of these matters can always be dealt with at the public accounts committee. Where there is public spend, the committee can bring anyone in to seek accountability.

Senator Linda Nelson Murray spoke about Tidy Towns and how well Navan was doing in comparison to its neighbours in the county. That happens everywhere. In my village in Tipperary, we always compare ourselves to our neighbouring villages and whether we beat them every year. Obviously, that encourages more people to get out to help their community, which is important. Stickers from vapes being put on bins is a simple thing. It seems so small but if it is constantly done, it has a big impact. We will talk to the Minister for the environment, Deputy O’Brien, to see whether we can get something done on it. As the Senator said, it is like chewing gum. People need to be aware of the visual impact it has on the area.

Senator Eileen Lynch spoke about the INTO briefing. A good Tipperary man, Brendan Horan, is now the president of the INTO. Its ask for an increase in teacher numbers to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio is reasonable. Obviously, there has been huge investment at a capital level in education. Over the number of years when the Minister, Deputy Foley, held this portfolio, there were reductions in the number of pupils per class. The more we do and the better we do, the better kids’ education in schools will be. That is what we are all fighting for. It is a good opportunity for the Minister, Deputy Naughton, as the new Minister for education, to come to the Chamber to have a pre-budget debate on this. We will try to make that possible.

Senator Rónán Mullen raised LGBT colours being used in public buildings. He answered it himself at the end when he responded to Senator Andrews. In this building, the committees on Members’ interests make decisions on behalf of all of us. There are groups within different public Departments that make decisions. One person alone does not decide to put up a flag. With regard to costs, I cannot imagine it is a great cost to a Department or this building to put up a flag, whether it is the Ukrainian, European or LGBT flag. Everyone has different views on this, and I totally respect that. Certainly, in this building, we have colleagues who are on the committees on Members’ interests who make decisions on our behalf.

Senator Joe Flaherty raised the retirement of Dr. Ali and the contract for his replacement. An agreement was put in place that there would be three half days included to service the area of Lanesborough, but that is not being done. Obviously, if it is in the contract, it should be followed through on. The Senator may wish to discuss this with the Minister because it is not something we would have a debate on in this House. He could submit a Commencement matter on it. I am more than happy to write to the Minister on the Senator’s behalf to deal with it. As the Senator said, if we can fight the Rotunda to follow through on contracts, it should happen in Longford or anywhere else.

Senator Collins has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: “That No. 12 be taken before No.1”. It has been seconded by Senator Andrews. The Leader has indicated that he is willing to accept the amendment. Is that agreed? Agreed.