I call on the Deputy Leader, Senator O'Loughlin, to respond.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. We are getting away lightly this morning. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use and the report it brought out yesterday. Many meetings took place and 161 recommendations were made, which hopefully will help to guide us to a health-led approach, which is important. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick and to all who served on that committee. I also thank the members of the citizens' assembly, chaired by Paul Reid, for their work. I thank all those who gave of their lived experience and the different agencies that have been involved. I spoke during the week about Cuan Mhuire and about the support it gives to those who suffer from addiction. I also acknowledge the work that Senator McCarthy is doing in that area.

I appreciate there has been a lot of discussion and debate. We need to have a debate here in relation to it. Senator Fitzpatrick is right in that everybody is focused on one of the 161 recommendations. There needs to be a balance struck. We need to do everything we can to support those in addiction but more importantly, to help to prevent addiction happening in the first place. Senator Fitzpatrick also spoke about Pride weekend and how important it is that we celebrate our LGBT community and to think of those who struggle with their sexuality so that we will be mindful of them. I wish that everybody enjoys the LGBT celebrations around the country safely and inclusively. I certainly look forward to participating in the Dublin parade on Saturday as I always do.

Senator Mark Duffy spoke about the extreme weather events and the tourism opportunities that are there. When we see the level of heat around Europe and that 40 people sadly died in France, it is quite shocking. Other countries are obviously having their own issues. It is important that we market Ireland as a cool location for holidays. I have no doubt that Tourism Ireland will take that up.

Senator Clonan talked about his Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill, which the Minister, Deputy Foley, is considering at this point. As there is an ongoing pilot project, it is important to allow that time and space in order to have the conclusions and recommendations from that. I will seek a meeting for the Senator with the Minister, Deputy Foley. However, it is also important to recognise the work that the Minister, Deputy Calleary, is doing on the cost of disability and on employment opportunities for those with disabilities. That is going to be a key element of our Presidency. It is not fair to say that nothing is happening while we have this stay on coming to the next Stage of the Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill. I support personalised budgets on a personal basis.

Senator Andrews is consistent in relation to the issue of the Israel-Ireland match. He spoke again today about the decision the FAI has made. It is a very difficult position for the Irish players. We have to recognise that. The FAI at least has brought clarity to it because for quite some time there was a "will they - won't they" situation in relation to it. It has stated it intends to fulfil the fixture against Israel in accordance with its obligations as a member of the UEFA. We know, as a matter of record, that it had objected to Israel playing in the first place. It is important that we acknowledge the FAI's independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision. The performance and the integrity of our top athletes on the international stage has a very positive representational impact for Ireland, as Irish sport provides the world with a window into our country in many different ways. If our athletes and players are competing we need to support them. Ultimately, it is for international sporting federations to make the decisions in carrying out their competitions and who may participate in them.

Senator Martin Conway looked for a debate in relation to our emergency services, particularly the Coast Guard. Interestingly, last Friday I had the opportunity to visit a Coast Guard station in Westport. Being from Kildare I do not have many such opportunities. It was really interesting. This is a new station that the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers, turned the sod on a number of years ago. He went back to visit it when it was finished and I had the opportunity to accompany him there. We had some of those who work nationally on Coast Guard operations and are based in Dublin. I asked about volunteerism versus having the possibility of retained people. This was one of the most enlightening engagements I had. There are 27 volunteers in Westport. We saw where every one of them has the gear they must wear, we saw the boats and the patrol vehicles which are needed and used. The most interesting part was from the lead, whose name I cannot recall at this moment. They are such committed individuals. He himself is one of the 27 volunteers. He reckoned that if we brought in a retained service now, that he does not believe he would have any. Volunteerism suits the job and the role that they need to do. If they went down the road of retained firefighters, everybody would have to live within ten miles. If they are on call they absolutely have to drop everything and be available. Over the past number of years, in terms of being able to send the call out to the 27 volunteers they have now, they are absolutely well able and have managed every single time to get the manpower in that they needed.

It was interesting to have the conversation and I am reflecting on it now. Senator Conway has asked a very pertinent question. It was the question I asked and that was the answer I got. It is no harm to have the conversation on a wider, more national basis. I thank the Coast Guard station in Westport for facilitating my visit. It was really interesting. I also thank everybody who works nationally as part of the services. Senator Conway also spoke about respecting lifeguards by heeding their safety advice. He also called on people to be careful when using barbecues on warm days.

Senator McCarthy spoke about homeless students. Very recently we learned that there are around 345 students who have reported being homeless. It is awful to see that. It is particularly difficult when students are estranged from their families and that situation is not taken into account when SUSI grants are being allocated either.

Only yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with a professor who spoke about how a lot of colleges are changing to providing three-day modules to ensure students only have to find accommodation for two nights. It is not just accommodation that is a problem but it certainly helps that if a student must travel quite far from home or pay for expensive digs that he or she will only have to do that for two nights. More importantly, students want to work. Two of those days will probably be spent in college and one day will be spent online. Interestingly, students will now have between four and five days to work and earn. We always talk about the ability to work and earn in terms of apprenticeships but now it also seems to be coming into universities. To be fair, the Minister, Deputy Lawless, has unveiled an ambitious plan for student accommodation. It will take some time to get there but we are certainly working towards a situation where no students or, indeed, anybody should be homeless.

Senator Craughwell spoke about the triple lock and some of the incorrect information that is floating around. He also spoke about the assumption that the triple lock is broken. It is not that we are getting rid of the triple lock. The proposal is to change it to a double lock and that is the type of language that we need to use. He mentioned the assumption that peacekeeping would cease. The opposite is the case. At this point in time, other countries like the UK, Russia, America and China have the veto. Are we, as a country, comfortable with that? I do not personally believe that we are. However, we need to take the emotive language out of it. By having more autonomy to make ethical and responsible decisions, there may be more opportunities for our soldiers. I know that soldiers gain valuable experience when they serve abroad and that opportunity is hugely important for their careers and experience. Finally, I agree with Senator Craughwell that the triple lock is completely separate from Irish neutrality and after the recess we will have an opportunity to debate it further.

Senator Murphy O'Mahony spoke about the commercial outlook for marts and how many marts have reported a loss in sales of up to 13%. The Senator is right that the marts play a really important part, not just in terms of business but as a social point for farmers and their families. A visit to a mart is always enjoyable. We will invite the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to speak about the issue. The former Minister for agriculture, Deputy McConalogue, visited every single mart in this country. On those occasions he held a meeting with all public representatives and those within the IFA and farming communities. That was an important initiative because it brought Oireachtas Members and councillors from all parties in to marts. These politicians may never have been in a mart before but it gave them a sense of the value of marts to the community. We certainly need to put in supports to ensure that marts are valued and viable.

I thank Senator Boyhan for drawing our attention to the National Botanic Gardens. He has reminded me that I have not been there in quite some time and I need to visit. The Senator is right that the gardens are an incredible asset, as is the arboretum in New Ross, which I visit regularly.

It was good of the Senator to tell us about the appointment of Dr. Noeleen Smyth. She sounds like a very qualified lady. We have some wonderful State assets in the form of gardens and parks and it would be good to have a debate about all of them. Avondale Forest Park is an example. I take pride in the fact that my grandfather studied forestry in UCD. He was one of the people who stayed at the location and planted the trees that are there now. The recreational value of all the gardens and parks is important. Finally, we thank the retiring director.

The Senator also mentioned the painting of John Foster that is on display in Leinster House. Certainly, all Members will look for that.

I thank all of the Senators for raising these matters and I have given all my responses.