← LEADERSHIP TERMINAL

SEANAD ÉIREANN · FORMER

Mark Daly

Administrative Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Before I go to the next question, as this is the last sitting day before we break up for the summer, I thank Martin and all the Seanad staff, all the ushers, all the people who work in catering and all the people in the Oireachtas community, including the staff who work around the Upper House, for all their work.

SITTING OF 2026-07-16 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Senator Frances Black and her guests: Shay Black, brother of the Senator, and Erica Pagels, from San Francisco – or, more accurately, Berkeley, which is just outside San Francisco – which is a nice part of the world. I thank Ms Pagels for coming over.

SITTING OF 2026-07-16 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

I welcome again to the Gallery the Black family. Shay Black was here already with Erica Pagels, but Martin Black, another brother of Senator Black, is now here and is also most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Martin told me there were no hard feelings after the Dublin-Kerry game, but that Dublin was robbed. That is according to Martin.

SITTING OF 2026-07-16 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

I welcome to the Gallery two special guests of Senator O'Loughlin, Joeleen Dyland and her son James, who has a huge interest in politics. We look forward to James coming back to Leinster House in the future, perhaps to work in the office with Senator O'Loughlin and maybe later as an elected Member of Seanad Éireann or Dáil Éireann.

SITTING OF 2026-07-15 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its considerations of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2026, the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000) (No.

SITTING OF 2026-07-15 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

There are 10,000 to 15,000 Irish people working in Belgium, many of them EU staff. This year is the 20th anniversary of Belgium GAA, which includes the EC Gaelic Club in Brussels. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Conradh na Gaeilge, the Irish language organisation, also have branches there.

SITTING OF 2026-07-15 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

The complete record

Every one of 1,010 lines we hold for Mark Daly, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 12 of 21.

  1. Before I read out the list of Commencement matters, I welcome Caroline, the sister of Senator Manus Boyle, her husband, John Denney, and their daughters Shannon and Kaythlin. I hope the Senator has always been a very good uncle, namely good in the context of confirmation and first communion and, in particular, at Christmas. Caroline, I hope Manus has always been a good brother. I am sure he has. He is a very hard-working Senator. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins. I will read now read out the list of Commencement matters. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Dee Ryan - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on rural housing planning guidelines.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-19 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  2. As it is now past 6 p.m., I am required to put the following question in accordance with the order of the Seanad of this day: "That section 2 is hereby agreed to in Committee; in respect of each of the sections undisposed of, the section is hereby agreed to in Committee; the Title is hereby agreed to in Committee; the Bill is accordingly reported to the House without amendment; Fourth Stage is hereby completed; the Bill is hereby received for final consideration; and the Bill is hereby passed."

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  3. For the benefit of Members, there is no abstention provision in our Standing Orders at the moment. However, the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight is looking at the issue of allowing Members who are present to abstain, as happens in the Dáil. I will revert to Members on that at a later date.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  4. Before I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business, I join Senator Gallagher and all of the Members who have expressed condolences to the families of Chloe McGee, Shay Duffy, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins and Chloe Hipson, who were in the prime of their lives and looking forward to a night out. Their parents received the dreadful knock on the door that every parent dreads. We also think of the first responders, the gardaí, the fire service personnel, the paramedics and the chaplains and priests who attended the scene because, as the Senator has said, they will be haunted by what they saw over the weekend. I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  5. I welcome Georgia, the stepdaughter of Senator Costello, to Seanad Éireann. She is here on work experience. I hope she is working very hard for the very hard-working Senator and that she enjoys her week in Seanad Éireann. I thank her for coming here. I know she is mortified, but the Senator asked me to do it. What can I say? We also have guests of Deputy Catherine O'Callaghan. The members of the SNP from Scotland are welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. I thank them for being here.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  6. The sovereignty which you achieved in 1918 was taken away from you again, but you succeeded in not only rejoining the free nations of the world but also joining the European Union, where we work together on issues of peace and, particularly, security, given the ongoing challenges that we have on your eastern border, especially with Russia and the war in Ukraine. We look forward to working with you at an EU level on preserving and protecting your sovereignty. Your people here in Ireland are a living bridge between Latvia and Ireland, and on the 107th anniversary of the declaration of independence, we thank you for taking the time out of your national day to come here and celebrate it with all your friends in Seanad Éireann. Ambassador, you are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Go raibh maith agat.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  7. Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome the Latvian Ambassador on Latvia's national day. Ambassador, you are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. On 18 November 1918, Latvia declared its sovereignty and claimed its rightful place among the free nations of the world. We are delighted that you here on your national day to celebrate with us. Our two nations share many historical parallels and a deep understanding of the long struggle it takes to get independence and freedom. That is why there is such a friendship between the people of Latvia and the Irish people. We fought long and hard battles to preserve our culture, language and identity and to secure our freedom, having endured long periods where freedom was denied.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  8. I welcome to the Gallery guests of the Ceann Comhairle. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I also welcome to Seanad Éireann pupils from St. Aidan's Community School, who are guests of Deputy Coppinger. I am sure she has told them that after visiting the House, there is no homework for the rest of the week.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  9. Our guests asked about the workings of Seanad Éireann. I said it would take too long and they would end up losing the will to live if I had to explain all of it. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann, and I thank them for joining us.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  10. Before I call the Leader on the Order of Business, we are delighted to welcome our friends from Iceland - the Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, who is most welcome, along with her delegation. I thank her for being here today and for her visit to Ireland. I know they have a series of meetings with our newly formed friendship group. I am delighted they are going to meet with them. They met the Ceann Comhairle in the other Chamber, and we had a number of discussions on a wide range of topics. Climate change was a key one, along with security for us and them. Fishing obviously has to come into it and our ongoing and enduring historical connections. While we are glancing back over our work together as democracies for the past almost 100 years, we look forward to working with them into the future.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  11. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Before I call on the first Senator, I welcome guests of Senator Neasa Cosgrove from ATU in Sligo, Silvia and Martyna, to Seanad Éireann and thank them for being here. I call Senator Kennelly.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  12. Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on remuneration packages for local authority members and to outline any planned reforms. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters of Senator Mike Kennelly, Senators Seán Kyne, Maria Byrne and Martin Conway who will be sharing time, and Senators Chris Andrews and Fiona O'Loughlin and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  13. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the commercial rates for home-based childminders. Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on the need to ensure that social media companies protect real information on and remove misinformation from social media platforms. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the status of the major building project for Gaelscoil Chnoc Na Ré, Sligo. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the progress made in respect of the re-establishment of town councils.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  14. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on funding for emergency works required at Foildarrig Bridge, Duagh, County Kerry. Senators Seán Kyne, Maria Byrne and Martin Conway - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on proposals for a European Commission directive on the greening of corporate fleets and its possible impact on the car rental sector. Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on funding allocations to tackle social housing voids in Dublin city.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-18 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  15. I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this motion regarding extra time in State exams for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia. Senator Curley, who is moving the motion, wishes to share time with Senator O'Loughlin, who is seconding the motion. Is that agreed? Agreed.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  16. I welcome to the House Mr. David Cairnduff, a guest of Senator Andrews. He is appearing in the musical, My Fair Lady , which was originally based on a play by George Bernard Shaw. It is a production of the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society, which is one of the oldest musical societies in the country. The production is in the National Concert Hall. I am sure Senator Andrews is handing out tickets so everyone will be able to go. The note I have hopes Mr. Cairnduff breaks a leg. That is not official Seanad policy. You should not break legs if at all possible, and certainly not in the Seanad.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  17. Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Councillor Ciara O’Connor to the Gallery along with Ella Horgan and Jayden. Jayden, you are most welcome to Seanad Éireann on your 16th birthday and I wish you a happy birthday. We will all have a slice of cake when Councillor O'Connor buys it in the restaurant. Anois, glaoim ar an Seanadóir Craughwell.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  18. Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the Nenagh active retirement group to Seanad Éireann. They are most welcome. Up Tipp. Thanks for coming. I hope they enjoy the day. I call Senator Stephenson.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  19. Before I call on the Leader to outline the proposed Order of Business, I welcome Councillor Gary Prior from County Leitrim. He is most welcome with his guest, Mr. Seán Earley, who is chairman of the GAA club and chairman of about everything in Aughnasheelin, by the sounds of it, over the past number of years. He was outlining that he was at his first political meeting in a schoolhouse in 1973 at 17 years of age and he has been involved in all community events ever since. I thank Gary for bringing Seán here today and hope he enjoys his day in Seanad Éireann. Anois, the Leader on the Order of Business.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  20. Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make provision to recognise special needs assistants as mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015. Senator Sarah O'Reilly - the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on applicants who missed out on the forgotten farmers scheme. Senator Garret Ahearn - the need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the steps being taken to ensure fairness in recycling obligations for online retailers, including whether consideration is being given to the introduction of a pay-on-behalf model. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Costello, Boyhan, Collins, Gallagher, Lynch and Kyne and they will be taken now.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  21. Senator Eileen Lynch - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the construction of a new multistorey secondary school in Coachford College, Coachford, County Cork. Senator Seán Kyne - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the prioritisation of the Galway city ring road in the review of the national development plan. Senator Nessa Cosgrove -the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the status of the major devolved project for Ursuline College, County Sligo. Senator Malcolm Noonan - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on plans for a national children's health record system for Irish healthcare services.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  22. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Teresa Costello - the need for the Minister for Social Protection to review the partial capacity benefit application timeframe. Senator Victor Boyhan - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on progress on the timelines for the new housing voids programme for local authorities. Senator Joanne Collins - the need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the effects of wind farms on rural communities. Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on compensation measures in place for farmers affected by the recent outbreak of avian flu in their flocks.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-12 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  23. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. We are joined by the Minister of State for the Irish overseas and the diaspora. The tradition of Seanad Éireann is that a copy of the resolution is presented to the family members. Normally, that is done by our postal service, but we are delighted that all our guests are here today. We will go to the anteroom of Seanad Éireann to present that resolution now. We will be joined by our friends, including Ministers and Ministers of State, from the Dáil.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  24. Before I call the Leader, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the Minister of State for the Irish overseas and the diaspora. It is most appropriate that he is with us as we finalise the tributes to former Senator Billy Lawless, given the Minister of State's role in the Oireachtas and Billy Lawless's great service to the Irish overseas and the diaspora.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  25. I will put the time up for indication purposes. We have a lot of speakers who will have about three to four minutes apiece. There will be injury time because nothing actually sticks to time, but the Minister of State is coming in at 1 o'clock. Anois, glaoim ar an Seanadóir Ollie Crowe.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  26. I welcome the leader of the Labour Party, Ivana Bacik, who is here today and who served with Billy with great distinction. If the rules of the House would allow us, I would ask her to say a few words, but I am sure Billy would wish the Deputy not to be coming back to Seanad Éireann. We thank Deputy Bacik for coming here today and showing solidarity with the family. We remember how Billy worked across the aisle with everybody for the betterment of everybody. I thank Deputy John Connolly from Galway for being here and showing that support for Billy was from all parties and none, and to acknowledge his great work.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  27. The citation in the honorary degree he got from the National University in Galway stated: Billy Lawless is one of those unselfish Irishmen who refused to pull the ladder up after him after making it in America. Instead, he committed himself – heart and soul – to helping those Irish, and indeed all undocumented, obtain legal status. To all those who knew Billy, ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Anois, his good friend, an Seanadóir Michael McDowell.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  28. I heard that myself from US Senators from Illinois and beyond who all knew about Billy. He championed the cause of undocumented people in the United States, which resulted in them getting driving licences in Illinois. That is one of his lasting legacies. Billy was then appointed to the 25th Seanad, which he entered in 2016. He was the first Irish emigrant to be appointed to the Oireachtas as a representative of the largest Irish community in the world - the Irish community not living in Ireland. I hope they did not all phone at the one time because it certainly would have kept Tracy very busy if they had. Billy became a freeman of Galway in 2015 and earned the presidential distinguished service award for Irish community supports, which he richly deserved.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  29. In 1982, he became the president of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, but he fell in love with Chicago after visiting with a cousin and emigrated there in the 1990s when things were not going as well in Ireland as they are at the moment. He opened the first of many bars - The Irish Oak - in 1998 and operated many pubs in Chicago, and also restaurants. His championing of the cause of the undocumented Irish in Chicago led him, as ever, to become a supreme organiser. He organised the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition and got more than 1,400 businesses involved in the cause of the undocumented, not just the undocumented Irish but also the undocumented from all over the world who made Chicago and the United States their home. He became a powerful voice in Washington.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  30. Of course, Billy, being from Galway and born in the 1950s, served his time learning his trade in hard work on lifting dairy cans for a creamery. It was of great help to him while he was a rower because lifting full cans of milk would certainly help your training for rowing, but also founding the Tribesmen Rowing Club in 1976 and rowing at all levels, including the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Sweden in 1987. He changed from working in the dairy industry to working in hospitality, which he became literally world famous for, in 1977, buying the Gallows Pub in Galway city - a must-stop place for visitors to Galway - and after that to the Twelve Pins Hotel in Barna.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  31. Of course, Tracy Young worked alongside Billy during his term in the Seanad. Tracy enjoyed her time working with Billy on so many areas of interest, but particularly representing the voice of the undocumented Irish and the Irish overseas. She enjoyed with Billy her time so much that she would be embarrassed to call it working. It was a joy to show up with Billy. If you enjoy what you do, Tracy, you will never work a day in your life. On behalf of the Seanad, we express our deepest sympathies to you on the death of Billy last November. I know it takes a long time to come to terms with a loss, but we rarely have tributes to former Members. There are a lot of former Members of Seanad Éireann and the Leader has tributes to them in the week where they pass away, but to have a sitting of the House is something which happens for very few.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  32. Seanad Éireann was saddened to hear of the loss of Billy Lawless. Those of us who served with him remember him fondly when he served with us as a proud representative of the Irish diaspora and of the 25th Seanad. Before I ask Senators to make a contribution, I welcome Billy's wife, Anne, and daughter Amy, who have travelled from Menlo and Chicago, which are virtually next door, Billy's sisters, Mary and Helen, and the extended family. Your presence here today is greatly appreciated and we are honoured by your presence. Former Senator Marshall is here. Senator Michael McDowell will lead off the tributes. Professor Niamh Brennan, wife of Senator McDowell and a dear friend of Billy and Anne, remembers him fondly as well. Former Senator Marshall served alongside Billy on a number of projects.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-06 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  33. Before I put the question, I welcome the former US ambassador, Ms Cronin, back to Leinster House. Ms Cronin is on a visit from Massachusetts along with the University of Massachusetts students who are over here with University College Dublin doing a global leader programme. This is the students' first semester in college, I believe, so I am sure many of them will be heading to Copper Face Jacks later. I hope you see some of the students there. I would be very disappointed if the students are not in Copper Face Jacks on a Wednesday.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  34. I welcome to the Gallery the ATU Project WAVE group, who are guests of Senator Nessa Cosgrove. Their teachers are here from Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon. They are welcome to Seanad Éireann . Thank you for being here today. We are delighted to have you here.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  35. I join Senator Kennelly in expressing my sympathies to Jim's family. He was a great Kerryman, a great public representative and a great human being. He had an interest in a wide range of areas beyond his beloved Kerry, everything from Ukraine to the United States of America, in which he had great interest. He attended many functions on behalf of Ireland in New York, Boston and beyond. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  36. Before I call on the Minister to reply, I welcome Scoil Chrónáin Naofa from Bray. You are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I am delighted you could come. I do not know whether you heard about the unofficial role of Seanad Éireann, but there is no homework for the rest of the week when you visit Seanad Éireann. If the teachers do give you homework for the rest for the week, let me know and I will write to them.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  37. Senator Martin Conway - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on plans to provide funding for a new maternity hospital in the mid-west region. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Chris Andrews, Shane Curley, Joe Flaherty and Gareth Scahill and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  38. Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the status of the major devolved project for Ursuline College, Sligo. Senator Joanne Collins - the need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the effects of wind farms on rural communities. Senator Linda Nelson Murray - the need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on the need to ensure that social media companies protect real information and remove misinformation on social media platforms. Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make provision to recognise special needs assistants as mandated persons under the Children First Act 2015.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  39. Senator Gareth Scahill - the need for the Minister for Social Protection to increase the telephone support allowance by a minimum of €7.50 and to develop an appropriate benchmark for the payment and expand its use for broadband charges. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - the need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the timeline for commencement and completion of the purpose-built Teach An Saol. Senator Garret Ahearn - the need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the steps being taken to ensure fairness in recycling obligations for online retailers, including whether consideration is being given to the introduction of a pay-on-behalf-of model.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  40. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Chris Andrews - the need for the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a statement on funding allocations to support the League of Ireland. Senator Shane Curley - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on providing additional time for all students with dyslexia and dyscalculia in exams on a national basis for the 2026 State examinations instead of the current plan of carrying out a pilot programme. Senator Joe Flaherty - the need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's large-scale illegal peat extraction report 2025.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-05 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  41. I welcome here today the second part of Senator Gareth Scahill's group. Councillor Valerie Duffy is here as well from Roscommon with a group from the well-being and health committees from Clann na nGael GAA club. I thank them for coming. I am told they are all members of the minor team. I also welcome the members of the Irish Association of French-Language teachers who are here with the former Senator, Deputy Barry Ward.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  42. I welcome guests of an Seanadóir Gareth Scahill from Clann na nGael GAA Club. The health and wellness and well-being committee has its senior citizens and senior members in the Houses. You look a few years over minor. I am not too sure; you might be in the junior team at the moment. Best of luck in your next county championship. The friends of the community in Roscommon are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Thanks for being here.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  43. Her contributions have been widely recognised and she has at least 18 honorary doctorates and numerous awards. In 2003, she was described as a woman known for her fairness, "persistence and a cultivated inability to comprehend the answer 'no'". Sr. Stan has left a lasting legacy in the lives she touched, the institutions she built and the institutions that she challenged. She was a woman of faith and fierce determination and she will be remembered. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis. I ask Members to be upstanding for a minute's silence for Sr. Stan.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  44. Stan championed a radical approach to social justice, supporting rural co-operatives, Travellers, women and people with disabilities. In 1985 she founded Focus Point, now Focus Ireland, one of the largest voluntary housing associations and organisations in the country. Her tireless work for the homeless was rooted in a belief that homelessness was not inevitable but a solvable issue. This was her message and she brought it to successive governments. Her vision extended beyond homelessness of course, and in 1988 she founded the Sanctuary, a centre for holistic spirituality in Dublin. In 2001, she established the Immigrant Council of Ireland to support new arrivals and promote integration. She also founded Social Innovation Ireland to empower young people to share a more just society.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  45. She realised that not only were they suffering from physical deprivation but also from loneliness in and of itself. That became the cornerstone of her life. She worked in Kilkenny in the 1960s and pioneered the establishment of service projects, including social service projects and a school of social education, introducing the first professional training for residential childcare workers. She also spoke truth to power, to the church and to the State, including when she challenged the Catholic Church to use resources to support the poor. The backlash was often swift and severe, drawing criticism from Rome itself. She remained undeterred. She said, "I was silenced. But then I rose up again, started speaking out again." In the 1970s, as chair of the EU-funded national committee on pilot schemes to combat poverty, Sr.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  46. Captain Anthony from the Defence Forces formally has to hand it to the various officeholders, which is one of the unique parts of our democracy. The fact that we have our own Head of State elected by the people is a testimony to us being one of the few countries in the world to have a continuous democracy for 100 years or more. To our President-elect, go n-éirí an t-ádh léi. We were all saddened to hear of the sad death of Sr. Stan Kennedy from Lispole in County Kerry. She was the fourth of five children who grew up on the family farm and was a champion of the poor and those who did not have someone to speak for them. She entered religious life in 1958 and joined the Sisters of Charity in Milltown in Dublin where, first and foremost, she was an advocate for those who suffered from urban poverty.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  47. There was much resistance to the idea of there being a foreign affairs committee but Michael D. Higgins, along with David Norris, insisted on it. The committee has done great service ever since, as have all those who served on it. I was with Michael D. Higgins in Israel and Palestine and we were in Colombia together a few times. He is always great company but also a very strong advocate for all voices in our country and beyond. I thank them for their service. Last week, I received formal notification from the returning officer for the presidential election, Barry Ryan. I am told that this document was first printed in 1956 and that they give these as a notification to the Members, the Cathaoirleach, the Ceann Comhairle, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Taoiseach, the President and the President-elect.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  48. Before I call the Leader to propose the Order of Business, as this is the first sitting day since the presidential election, I take a moment to congratulate our President-elect, Catherine Connolly. I have no doubt that Catherine Connolly will serve with distinction. We all wish her the very best of success over the next seven years during her term of office. Of course we also acknowledge and thank Michael D. Higgins for his long service, not only as President but also as a Member of this House and of Dáil Éireann and serving in the Cabinet over many years. I had the honour of serving with him on the foreign affairs committee, which he helped establish with our colleague, Senator David Norris, many years ago in Buswells Hotel, of all places, where they insisted that there should be a foreign affairs committee in the Oireachtas.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  49. I welcome students from Sacred Heart Secondary School in Cork who are guests of Seanadóir Noel O'Donovan. They were finalists in the certified Irish Angus competition and they met the Minister for agriculture, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. Lucy, Ellen, Ciara, Niamh and their teacher Mary are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I note that Senator O'Donovan had a question in about the Sacred Heart Secondary School and the renovation and construction work, so I will make sure we get around to that Commencement matter in the coming days.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT

  50. Senator Pauline Tully - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the lack of capacity and reliability of the 109X bus service from Cavan to Dublin. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Malcolm Noonan, Dee Ryan, Maria McCormack and Seán Kyne and they will be taken now. I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Pauline Tully on the ground that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.

    SITTING OF 2025-11-04 · READ THE OFFICIAL REPORT