Mark Daly
Administrative Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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 16 of 21.
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the members of the Claregalway Church Choir, who are guests of Deputy John Connolly and Senator Ollie Crowe. You are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. If I was allowed under Standing Orders, I would ask you to sing but I am afraid we do not allow singing here. I have heard a few people sing-----”
“Before I call the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome Councillor Daniel Ennis to the Gallery, along with Paul McCauley and Mason McGuinness from Cór na nÓg. They will be back here some day, please God, in the Seanad or the Dáil. I know there are applications going for the Presidency as well. They might be a bit too young at the moment but we are all seeking applications. In the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, from the British embassy, I welcome George Moore, first secretary, and Ellen O'Donoghue, political officer. I think the O'Donoghues are from Kerry so she might have some relations there. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann.”
“I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for being here today. There was a bit of a mix-up last week with Senator Ní Chuilinn's Commencement matter. I appreciate the Minister coming in specifically to answer this Commencement matter. Before I call on Senator Ní Chuilinn, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery my niece Yvonne Daly, who is also my godchild and will at some stage be selecting a nursing home for me. I ask the Minister to make sure she picks a nice nursing home for me some day in the future. The Minister might keep an eye on her when she does. I also welcome her friend Katie Dillon. They were out at a concert last night and were up bright and breezy this morning to come and watch Seanad Éireann in action.”
“The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Joe O'Reilly, Mary Fitzpatrick and Malcolm Noonan and they will be taken now. Senator Maria Byrne has withdrawn her Commencement matter, relating to the Minister for Health's plans to review the eligibility criteria for the long-term illness scheme to include inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which I had originally selected. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.”
“Senator Malcolm Noonan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the timeline and process for the review of the Heritage Act 1995. Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the implementation of the recent XL bully legislation. Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to apply the SME test to the proposal for an increase in the personal injury guidelines. Senator Manus Boyle - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on road infrastructure in the north west, in particular the A5 project.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the shortage of public health nurses to complete developmental checks for children in Dublin 12 and surrounding areas. Senator Joe O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the ongoing centralisation of speech and language services to Cavan town within County Cavan, with particular reference to risks involved for vulnerable families. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the timeline for the local community safety partnerships to be operational and the process by which the chairs and memberships will be selected.”
“I thank the Senator for being a voice for the people who found themselves in the industrial schools, Magdalen laundries and institutions where so much pain occurred. Before we took the vote, I was reading the names into the record but the recording did not occur. Before I ask Senator Boyhan to take the Chair for the remaining part of this Bill, which I think is fitting and appropriate, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery: Sheila O'Byrne, who was in St. Patrick's Mother and Baby Home, Navan Road, Dublin; Miriam Moriarty Owens, who was in Nazareth House, formerly Pembroke Alms Industrial School for girls, Tralee; Mary Smith, who was in Clonakilty and also in the Sunday's Well Magdalen laundry; and Mary Dunleavy Greene, who was in Mount Saint Vincent's, O'Connell Avenue, Limerick.”
“I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery survivors of the mother and baby homes: Sheila O'Byrne, who was in St. Patrick's Mother and Baby Home, Navan Road, Dublin, Miriam Moriarty Owens, who was in Pembroke Alms Industrial School, later Nazareth House, Tralee, Mary Smith, who was in Sunday's Well Magdalene laundry, Clonakilty, and Mary Dunleavy Greene, who was in Mount Saint Vincent's, O'Connell Avenue, Limerick. Senators may make remarks on the Bill.”
“There is no discrimination. I know that is the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and that is the other Gallery, but that is only a matter of spacing. They are all welcome here. I hope they enjoy their day in Seanad Éireann.”
“We will start again. Before we go to the Bill, I welcome the Newtown-Lobinstown active retirement group, who are guests of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who we are delighted to have with us here in the Chamber. She will be able to welcome them herself. Would she like to welcome the group before I go into the Bill?”
“I welcome Newtown and Lobinstown active retirement group, who are guests of our good Minister, Deputy McEntee, who is here with us in the Seanad Chamber. We thank the Minister for being here. I hope they are all having a great day. The microphone is not working. Can you hear?”
“Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the implementation of the recent XL bully legislation. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Mark Duffy, Joanne Collins, Joe Conway and Robbie Gallagher and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O’Sullivan to the House.”
“Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the national medical laboratory information system amid concerns over delayed diagnostics with regard to cancer and blood tests. Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the Government's planned response to the European Commission's call for Ireland to comply with provisions of the Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating racism and xenophobia. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on his plans to legislate to give local authorities greater revenue raising powers, including his response to the proposal from Dublin City Council for the introduction of a tourist bed tax.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to amend section 161 of the Local Government Act 2001 to remove the salary-based restriction that prevents full-time firefighters from serving as local councillors. Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on housing and services needs in County Limerick towns. Senator Joe Conway - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to make a statement on Ireland's decision to sign up to the Security Action for Europe, SAFE, regulation.”
“Before we suspend, I thank Senator Noonan for chairing. In all my time in Seanad Éireann, I have never come across a case where a Commencement matter did not arrive. This is the first time in nearly two decades that this has happened. Whenever Senator Ní Chuilinn wants it next week, we expect that it will be the first item on the agenda and that the Minister will arrive with the answer to it. We will write to the Department and we will outline that the Seanad expects that, when the four Commencement matters are sent over, the Departments reply back to the Seanad. The fact that the reply never showed up at all I have never seen happen in two decades. I would say this is the first time anyone in the Seanad has ever heard of a response not arriving. I find it extraordinary that a Department did not follow the process and procedure.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome Councillor Keith Connolly; his wife, Elaine, her parents, Bernie and Cathal, and her great aunt, Phyllis Lavin from Mayo. I hope they are enjoying their time in Leinster House, including Seanad Éireann. Keith's family can rest assured he is doing great work both here and out in the constituency.”
“I welcome the Minister to the House. She is most welcome. The combined opening speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes. All other Senators have six minutes. The Minister has 15 minutes, and the proposer has five minutes to reply.”
“Before we commence, I remind Members that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage, except the proposer of an amendment who may reply to the discussion on it. On Report Stage, each non-Government amendment must be seconded. Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.”
“I welcome the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to the House. Before we begin, I welcome, from the Western Carer's Association, guests of Deputy Keira Keogh here to the Gallery on both sides, including the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Also, from Westport, we have a new Senator, Farrah Hoban. Farrah is most welcome here to Seanad Éireann. I thank her for joining us in Seanad Éireann today. We are honoured to have her as a Member. Also here in the Gallery, we have Mary Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene, Mary Smith, Miriam Moriarty Owens and, my good friend, Sheila O’Byrne, whom I know for many years or, I would say at this stage, decades. Sheila O'Byrne is most welcome and I thank her for being here.”
“His great-great-grandmother, Ann Geraghty, came from Rathangan. The twinning group will be, and has been doing, great work over the past two years. We will welcome The Boss when he plays in Rathangan some time in the near future.”
“Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Public Gallery Mr. Charles King, a guest of Deputy James O'Connor, and Ms Ann and Mr. Billy Chambers, guests of Deputy Noel McCarthy. I also welcome the representatives of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, ICA, from Donaghmede, who are guests of Deputy Tom Brabazon. I also welcome the guests of Senator O'Loughlin, the mayor of Freehold, New Jersey, Mr. Kevin Kane, and his wife, Ellen. They are here to sign a twinning agreement on Friday night between Freehold and Senator O'Loughlin's home town of Rathangan. Twinning between towns in Ireland and the United States of America was discussed this morning at a briefing by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The twinning came about because of The Boss - not Senator O'Loughlin but Bruce Springsteen.”
“Also in the Gallery are former cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Niall Kelleher, and, more importantly, his mother, Julia, and all the Kellehers, including son Noah, and Maria O’Donohoe. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann.”
“Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the chargé d'affaires from the Embassy of Slovenia and her husband on Statehood Day, Slovenia’s national day. Slovenia achieved independence in 1991. Ireland and Slovenia work closely together at the United Nations and in the European Union as colleagues and friends. We appreciated its support during the Brexit negotiations. There are nearly 1,500 Slovenians in Ireland who make a valuable contribution to this country and also, I am sure, to their home country. I am sure they are thinking of it today. I thank the chargé d'affaires for being here on Slovenia’s national day. We look forward to celebrating it with her it later.”
“Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - the need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the timeline for the local community safety partnerships to be operational and the process by which the chair and membership will be selected. Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the national medical laboratory information system amid concerns over delayed diagnostics with regard to cancer and blood tests. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected Senators Teresa Costello, Manus Boyle, Fiona O'Loughlin and Chris Andrews and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.”
“Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - the need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the cessation at Ballyfermot College of the higher national diploma course in Irish traditional music performance and traineeship in instrument making, repair and maintenance. Senator Chris Andrews - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his current strategy for the regeneration of flat complexes in inner-city Dublin. Senator Joanne Collins - the need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on housing and services needs in Limerick county towns.”
“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 Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on current funding allocations to anti-littering campaigns and in particular to Irish Business Against Litter. Senator Manus Boyle - the need for the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the improvements in rural transport systems being considered under the national sustainability mobility policy action plan, in particular relating to the routes in the Ardara and Glenties area of County Donegal.”
“Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his current strategy for the regeneration of flat complexes in inner city Dublin. Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on housing and services needs in Limerick county towns. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the delays for driving tests in counties Monaghan and Cavan. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Diarmuid Wilson, Eileen Lynch, Nicole Ryan 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.”
“Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on works for the new secondary school at Magee Barracks, Dublin Road, Kildare. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Health to outline when the sale of psychoactive substances will be banned by designating hexahydrocannabinol, HHC, as a controlled substance and to immediately launch a public awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of psychoactive edibles and vapes. Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the establishment of a new Garda station for the east Meath area.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Diarmuid Wilson - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on his plans to increase fire safety awareness in homes and to ensure funding is available to provide all homes with a working smoke alarm. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make a statement on the installation of a passport printing machine in the Cork Passport Office. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Health to amend Cervical Check's opt-out procedures to allow women who have undergone a total hysterectomy to remove themselves from the screening register without requiring further invasive examinations or GP certification.”
“Before I call the Leader to respond on the Order of Business, I welcome the group from St. Kenny National School from Ballinea in Mullingar. You are most welcome here to Seanad Éireann today. They are guests of the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke. I hope they enjoy the Order of Business. The school holidays are coming up but if they get any more homework between now in the school holidays, there is no more homework by order of the unanimous agreement of Seanad Éireann for the pupils of St. Kenny National School.”
“Before I call the Deputy Leader, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery Councillor Terry Coleman, his wife, Martina, and his son, Chris. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. I thank them for being here. I hope they enjoy their day in Leinster House. I thank the councillor for all the work he does in the city of Cork.”
“On behalf of the House, we will write to the family and friends of State Representative Melissa Hortman, who was recently killed, and to the representatives in Minnesota. She was in Ireland as part of the National Conference of State Legislatures and visited this House on a number of occasions. She led in Minnesota for many years. Unfortunately, her life and that of her husband were taken all too soon. I ask Members to be upstanding for a minute's silence.”
“She was an advocate and strong voice for city councillors for 26 years. It was an amazing achievement for her and a great honour for her family. She was deeply loved by all the people in Connemara, where she spent a lot of her time climbing the mountains and enjoying the wilderness she so preciously protected. She was also a keen cyclist, an advocate and an inspirational figure for the many who came after her. To her children, Lucy, Linda, Wendy, William and Simon, to her sisters and to all her grandchildren, family and friends, ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. I propose a minute's silence for Ms Hederman. The Deputy Leader has offered the condolences of this House and I will also extend them.”
“Before I call the Leader to propose the Order of Business, I know that Members were saddened to hear of the death of former Member of this House, former councillor and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Carmencita Hederman. She was a politician and a great activist and environmentalist when environmentalism was not something that was spoken about. She was a champion of that cause but, in the 1960s, she was also a champion in protecting Georgian and Victorian Dublin from office block development. This led to her election in 1974. In 1987, she was the first woman in 30 years to be elected as Lord Mayor of the city of Dublin. She is fondly remembered from the celebrations of 1,000 years of the city of Dublin. She was a graduate of Trinity College and elected to the university panel of the Nineteenth Seanad in 1989.”
“Before the Minister of State responds we welcome visitors from St. Cronan's Junior National School in Swords. They may not be aware that the rule in Seanad Éireann is that if there is a visiting school there is no homework for the rest of the week. They might not have homework for the rest of the week but they can carry it over. For the teachers there is no work during the school holidays either. You are all most welcome to Seanad Éireann and thanks for coming. Anois, an Aire Stáit.”
“Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on housing and services needs in Limerick county towns. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make a statement on the installation of a passport printing press in the Cork Passport Office. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Duffy, Tully, O'Loughlin and Gallagher and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.”
“Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the introduction of a scheme to fund infrastructure projects through an incentivised deposit scheme for savers in light of the €170 billion in savings currently on deposit in Ireland. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on options to provide support and redress for survivors and affected persons who resided in or availed of the services of Westbank Orphanage, Greystones, County Wicklow. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Health to amend CervicalChecks's opt-out procedures to allow women who have undergone a total hysterectomy to remove themselves from the screening register without requiring further invasive examinations or GP certification.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Health to amend tobacco legislation to include the regulation of advertising and marketing of vaping products and vaping stores to address the proliferation of vaping products targeting young people. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the funding available for housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people in Cavan County Council. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to make a statement on his plans for the post office and fire station buildings at the Curragh Camp in Kildare.”
“Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome Rachel Harper and Allen Bobinac, guests of Senator Aubrey McCarthy. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today and they are with a very fine Senator. I now call Senator Nicole Ryan. Is the Senator sharing time?”
“I welcome the Minister to the House. He will speak for ten minutes. Group spokespersons will also have ten minutes and all other Senators will have five minutes. The Minister will be called on to reply no later than 7.50 p.m., with statements to conclude at 8 p.m.”
“I welcome, as the Senator did, the mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Jason Murphy, and his beautiful bride-to-be. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I am delighted to see Nicola here and we look forward to her returning as Mrs. Murphy in the not-too-distant future.”
“He was a proud Limerick man of course, but also a proud GAA man, working with the O'Tooles GAA club in his adopted city of Dublin. On behalf of this House and, I am sure, the other House, we extend our sympathies to his wife Bríd, their children Gearóid, Ronan, Ann-Marie, Liam and Bríd, his grandchildren and his many family members and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. I ask Senators to stand for a minute's silence in memory of the former Senator, the late Liam Fitzgerald.”
“Before I call the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I inform the House of the sad passing of a former Member of this House and the other House, Liam Fitzgerald, who was a native of Doon, County Limerick. He attended the local Christian Brothers school and studied primary school teaching at St. Patrick's College in Drumcondra, Dublin. He had a great interest in politics, winning a seat in the Dáil in a general election. He also served in Seanad Éireann from 1997 to 2007, elected on the labour panel in the Twenty-first Seanad, and re-elected to the Twenty-second Seanad. Throughout his time in public life, he served the constituents of Dublin North-East with distinction and was known for his kindness and generosity and his encouragement to all the people in his area.”
“I welcome to the Visitors Gallery students from Gaelscoil Chluain Meala, who are guests of Deputy Mattie McGrath. I am not sure whether they will have any homework for the rest of the year until the summer holidays. If their teachers have not let them off homework, they certainly will be let off it for the rest of the week. They can always do a carryover into next year as well.”
“Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the introduction of a scheme to fund infrastucture projects through an incentivised deposit scheme for savers in light of the €170 billion in savings currently on deposit in Ireland. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the revised timeline for completion of a new school building for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire, Dominick Street, Dublin 1, and to confirm the interim arrangements being put in place to provide accommodation for the new school year in September 2025. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion. I have selected those raised by Senators Rabbitte, Conway, Costello and Nelson Murray and they will be taken now.”
“Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Health to amend tobacco legislation to include the regulation of advertising and marketing of vaping products and vaping stores to address the proliferation of vaping products targeting young people. Senator Joanne Collins - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on housing and services needs in Limerick county towns. Senator Pauline Tully - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the funding available for housing adaptation grants for older people and disabled people in Cavan County Council.”
“Senator Linda Nelson Murray - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to introduce an apprenticeship programme for upholstery and soft furnishings. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the necessity for primary schools with more than 700 students to have a second administrative deputy principal to help co-ordinate school activities. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Health to amend CervicalCheck's opt-out procedures to allow women who have undergone a total hysterectomy to remove themselves from the screening register without requiring further invasive examinations or GP certification.”
“I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Anne Rabbitte - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the development of an equine therapy centre at Toghermore campus in Tuam, County Galway. Senator Joe Conway - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the conditions for boards of management in schools in a BAM school bundle that wish to add on a special needs classroom or facility through open tendering. Senator Teresa Costello - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to undertake a review of the no-pet policy in housing provided by approved housing bodies.”
“I thank the Minister for outlining the issues we are addressing on education. Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Public Gallery the Holywell Trust group from Donegal and Derry, led by Mr. Gerard Dunne and Ms Sarah Duddy. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for being here. I hope they enjoy the day. I am sorry about the weather. I hope it will be better when they get back home to Donegal and Derry.”
“We now move to statements on delivering a world-class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures that every child can achieve his or her full potential. I welcome the Minister for Education and Youth back to the House. She will speak for ten minutes, as will group spokespersons, with all other Senators speaking for five minutes. I will call on the Minister to reply when all Senators have made their contributions.”