I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak about this important issue, particularly at a time when an international summit on climate change is taking place in Copenhagen. When I listened to the contributions of Senators, I was encouraged to hear they are convinced about the [...]

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and the opportunity to make a statement on the agriculture and agrifood sectors. Like many others, I acknowledge the range of challenges facing both sectors. Senators referred to climate change, trade agreements, the pressure of large multiples pushing down the prices farmers get for their produce, the [...]

The Minister is very welcome. Since his last visit to this committee, Ireland has been allocated the new research and innovation portfolio in the European Commission. I wonder what the Minister’s view is of the importance of this portfolio to Ireland and to the post-Lisbon strategy. To what extent does he believe the post-2010 Lisbon [...]

I welcome the Minister of State. As a former psychologist and someone who managed a project for young people who had had their first serious experience of mental health difficulties, including psychosis, I also welcome the opportunity to conclude my reply to the Second Stage debate on the Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008. [...]