I welcome students and guests of Senator Joe Conway from Italia to the Visitors Gallery. I believe the Senator is downstairs with more students from Italy. I think the best thing to say is "Ciao". After that, my Italian gets very poor. I thank them for being here in Seanad Éireann.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to the House for the Commencement matters, which are submitted by Members of the Seanad on the day previous to sitting. Four of the Commencement matters are selected by the Cathaoirleach for Ministers to come to the House to answer. The first is by Senator Robbie Gallagher. Each of the Commencement matters are a four-minute statement and question by the Senator, followed by a response by the Minister and then a follow-up question by the Senator.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:

Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a statement on the future funding arrangements for women's and men's sheds.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy - the need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the levels of refusals of long-stay student visas for Palestinian nationals in 2026 compared with 2025.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - the need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on a dedicated town bus for Newbridge, County Kildare.

Senator Maria Byrne - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the measures being taken to provide sustainable funding for oral health promotion and prevention services.

Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister of Health to make a statement on the introduction of a mandatory, nationwide and standardised breast density reporting to all women with mammogram results until the HIQA health technology assessment process has concluded.

Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a national planning statement on solar energy development.

Senator Linda Nelson Murray - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the roll-out of the holiday meals pilot programme during Christmas and Easter holidays.

Senator Eileen Lynch - the need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the age eligibility conditions of the early childhood care and education scheme.

The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Gallagher, McCarthy, O'Loughlin and Byrne and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.