Today, 15 Senators contributed on the Order of Business and I thank each one of them for that. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about artists, creativity, the protections they need from AI and the damage AI can do when there is not copyright protection for artists' important work. She congratulated Des Egan, a Newbridge poet, on a milestone birthday. She also spoke of Áine Lawlor's retirement from RTÉ and wished her well. She called for a debate on antisocial behaviour on blueways and spoke of the impact an alleged assault has had on people in Ballyteague, County Kildare. I am happy to raise that with our Leader.

Senator Kenneally spoke of the impact on Killarney National Park of a wildfire in recent days and expressed his gratitude to the firefighters, the helicopter crews, the NPWS and all the first responders to the fire. I join him in thanking the first responders and recognising that, while we have had quite a lot of publicity about the heatwave and sunny weather, it is also having an impact on the ground and is making conditions more susceptible to wildfires. In Mount Leinster in my county of Wexford, I see the impact they have on the native landscape, flora, fauna and biodiversity, as Senator Kenneally said. He also spoke about the great success of the Horizon Festival in Ballybunion and the huge crowds in attendance. There is no doubt that they are very good at putting on festivals and entertainment in Kerry.

Senator McCarthy welcomed two guests to the Gallery, Emma and Adam, who he is hosting in Leinster House. He also welcomed the Belgian ambassador. He spoke about the real-life consequences of difficulties experienced by people up and down the country in accessing housing. At my clinics in Wexford, I hear the harrowing stories and see the enormous difficulties in the private rental market. The Government is bringing forward initiatives in relation to planning and speeding up delivery of infrastructure and supports around housing.

That will certainly help. There will be more positive stories like Adam's story.

The Senator also spoke about Mr Price, having met key workers and staff there. Mr Price now has 75 stores. It uses a different type of hiring model, employing workers directly from community involvement schemes. I am very familiar with the community involvement scheme process, having been the chairperson of a scheme for many years in my home area. I recognise the important contribution that the scheme can make in taking people from long-term unemployment, giving them opportunities and allowing them to get the training, support and wraparound services they need to get back into the workforce.

Senator Andrews wished Argentina the very best of luck in tonight's World Cup match. I am sure there will be more than a few people cheering for Argentina tonight. He also spoke about South Bank in Ringsend, and the impact the enormous crowds of people attending concerts in the Aviva Stadium are having on local residents. He called on Dublin City Council to live up to the agreements that were previously in place to provide portaloos and support the local area. There is a real impact on people living beside the stadium due to the enormous crowds coming in. I feel there is also a responsibility on Dublin City Council to allow for that and to support local residents in the area. In fairness to Senator Andrews, he has spoken about this before in the House. I am happy to take it up with the Leader.

Senator Andrews also spoke about his meeting with Jodie, who has Friedreich's ataxia, and the challenges she has faced. He referred to the difficulties that are currently being experienced by patients who have this awful, cruel condition, in particular, the difficulty they are having in accessing the Skyclarys medicine. Having met some of the patients yesterday when they were in Leinster House, I recognise the enormous challenges in getting access to that medicine. I accept that a final decision was not made yesterday by the HSE as to whether it is going to make it available for public procurement. My understanding is that there are four more weeks until a final decision, so hopefully, that will come through. I am happy to raise it with the Leader.

Senator Costello also raised the issue of Friedreich's ataxia and the medicine Skyclarys. She highlighted that after two years of waiting, patients need to know the timeline in order to have certainty. She called for a debate on orphan drugs and the early access schemes. It is certainly something that I am happy to raise with the Leader.

Senator Ní Chuilinn spoke about the important work that is being done on providing designated funding for women in sport. She spoke about the important distinction that exists between celebrating women in sport and being outraged by what is wrong, as well as the importance of being solutions-focused and proactive. I know that we will shortly have an announcement by the Minister on the sports capital grants scheme. I recognise that in the last round of funding, there was a requirement for equal access for both men and women in any sports group that would receive funding. I believe that was an important step in the right direction.

Senator Boyhan spoke about the exempted development legislation that is currently before the Lower House. He called on the Minister to make available and release the 900 public consultation submissions that have been made on exempted development. I am happy to raise that with the Leader.

Senator Boyhan also raised the meeting that is taking place this afternoon with the Minister for education and the planning and building unit. I know, from my own engagements with schools, the very high level of demand currently in the system to secure extra classrooms and more space for schools. This is a welcome opportunity to make direct representations to the staff who work in the planning and building unit.

The Senator also spoke about the IFA's pre-budget submission, which I understand is taking place this afternoon. As somebody who comes from a rural county, I know first-hand the important work that the IFA does in representing not just farmers, but all of those who live in rural Ireland, and the important representational role it has as part of the budget process.

Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the local democracy task force. She called on the Government to respond to its recommendations, building on the Cathaoirleach's work in the previous Seanad. I was a local councillor for two terms, totalling five and a half years. I know how difficult and challenging the important first-responder role of a councillor on the ground is. I know how important it is that they have certainty facing into the 2029 local elections as to what changes are going to be made, not only to their role, but to boundaries and to the balance of power between the executive at the local authority level and the elected members. I am certainly happy to raise her request for a two-hour debate on local government with the Leader. This is very important. It should take place at the earliest opportunity when the House comes back.

Senator Boyle spoke about home care for the elderly. He gave an example of an 81-year-old mother who has currently lost mobility and is suffering repeated falls. She has been approved for home care but has not been able to secure somebody to do that important work. In the last budget, we saw a record level of investment in home care, but the reality is that the challenges that Senator Boyle spoke about are going to continue because we have an ageing population. The Government will have to invest significantly and ramp up the provision of home care hours by ensuring there is a steady supply of trained professionals who are available throughout the country. The Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, is doing important work in this area. I am confident there will be progress in this area coming up to the budget.

Senator Tully raised the cross-border healthcare directive. She spoke about a constituent who had an operation in Belfast under the provisions of the directive. However, because the consultation with the consultant took place initially in Monaghan, the HSE refused that application. I encourage Senator Tully to perhaps raise this as a Commencement matter. There is an appeal mechanism through the HSE and the ombudsman. Perhaps that is an avenue for her constituent to pursue. In general, there should be greater clarity on the provisions of the healthcare directive. I have seen first-hand some of the difficulties that individuals have had in accessing the cross-border healthcare directive, particularly when many of the conditions do not seem readily apparent when people first apply.

Senator Gallagher also raised the issue of Friedreich's ataxia and the Skyclarys medicine. He highlighted that this medicine was approved in the US in 2023 and by the European Medicines Agency in 2024. However, an individual decision for patients in Ireland has not yet been made. I am happy to raise that with the Leader. I hope the request for further information by the medicines board here will bring certainty and clarity to that situation in the next month.

Senator Scahill referred to Councillor Micheál Frain’s contribution in raising the need for a 24-7 staffed Garda station in Ballaghaderreen. He spoke in particular about the different challenges that exist for gardaí based in rural Ireland, and the increased distance that has to be travelled to respond to situations by members of An Garda Síochána in rural areas when compared to urban areas. As a result, there is a need for a new model of rural policing. We are having a debate tonight on a Private Members' motion on the challenges in rural Ireland, so that might be an opportunity to raise it directly with the Minister. I know how passionate Senator Scahill is about this issue. I will bring it up directly with the Leader as well.

Senator Joe Conway raised the awful abuse that was inflicted by the convicted paedophile, Bill Kenneally, in Waterford. The Senator spoke about the State apology that took place yesterday to the victims of that awful evil.

Senator Conway spoke in particular about how it was not only put forward by the Government but also supported on a cross-party basis.

The Senator also raised the situation of the artist Emily Conway from County Mayo, who received an Arts Council bursary in recognition of her important contribution as an artist but which has created a scenario whereby her application for a blind pension has run into difficulty. I encourage him to put that down as a Commencement matter.

Senator Shane Curley spoke about the need for special education modules to be made mandatory for teachers, perhaps in a similar way that CPD exists for other professionals. He highlighted in particular the impact their comments and contributions can have on a pupil, particularly pupils who have special needs, although it might not be the fault of the teacher as they may be unaware. He called for a debate to take place with the Minister for education, and I am certainly happy to raise this with the Leader.

Senator Paraic Brady spoke about Councillor Michael Boyle in County Donegal, who spoke about the impact the hosepipe ban is having on rural farms and dwellers. The Senator particularly highlighted the fact that if we have 20 days of fine weather, there always seems to be, as sure as night follows day, a request by Irish Water to reduce the consumption of water. I am happy to raise that with the Leader.