I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 112: In page 55, line 11, after “coal,” to insert “natural gas,”.

These amendments relate to the fact the provisions on mineral development and the changes to the Minerals Development Act 1940 in this Bill, while they specify measures in respect of the prospecting for coal, lignite or oil shale, do not include clear provisions in respect of limiting the prospecting for natural gas. This was an issue that was highlighted as a matter of concern during the course of pre-legislative scrutiny. This is a really important matter given we cannot afford to continue our extraction of fossi…

I will respond, a Leas-Chathaoirligh on the question of natural gas. Unfortunately, there were limitations in the issuing of new licences. The Minister of State mentioned new licences but in situations where, for example, there have been explorations in situations where it was about a renewal of licences, an excessive number of exemptions were provided in respect of the continuation of natural gas extraction in the legislation mentioned by the Minister of State. I tried to address those many loopholes in that legis…

I move amendment No. 113: In page 55, line 11, after "coal," to insert "precious metals,".

I move amendment No. 114: In page 55, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 8 of Minerals Development Act 1940 38. Section 8A(4) of the Minerals Development Act 1940 is amended by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (a): "(aa) where there is the free, prior and informed consent of the local community in full compliance with the Akwé: Kon Guidelines under the Convention on Biological Diversity,".".

I move amendment No. 115: In page 55, line 20, after "coal," to insert "natural gas,".

I move amendment No. 116: In page 55, line 20, after "coal," to insert "precious metals,".

I want to speak to the set of amendments that relate to Seanad reform. Again, because time is unnecessarily constrained, I will be brief. On the very first day of the last Oireachtas, we moved a Bill for Seanad reform. That was back in 2016. We were asked by the then Government, which included one of the parties still currently in government, to suspend our Bill so we would have a cross-party group who would work together in a committee to come up with cross-party legislation. A number of us who are here in this Ho…

I am less confident following the Minister of State's reply given we have been told there are so many functions for the new electoral commission that it cannot take on the Seanad. There is not even a promise that the commission will engage with this issue. Rather, we are being told the reform of the Seanad franchise is not even being considered as part of the agenda for the electoral commission. That completely contradicts much of what we have heard. I will not reiterate everything we have heard about the pretty sh…

I move amendment No. 28: In page 31, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(2) Upon its establishment, the Commission shall be charged with responsibility for undertaking an expedient wholesale review of the Electoral Act 1997, including, inter alia , the Act’s provisions relating to political funding.".

I will comment briefly on this section. I note that I think there is considerable detail. I do not know if we will get to the amendments on it. There are many technical issues in the amendments that have been brought forward around online disinformation, transparency in advertising and so forth, which I may seek to amend on Report Stage. I am concerned about whether the information around demonstrating who is purchasing and paying for advertisements will be visible enough. I am concerned as well about measures bein…

I move amendment No. 29: In page 31, line 18, after "publish" to insert "in plain language". Amendments Nos. 29 to 31, inclusive, are all amendments with regard to inclusion. It is important that we ensure we are expanding our democracy and expanding access to, awareness of and participation in our democracy. I should note that we have other amendments which I will bring forward on Report Stage and I hope to get to discuss today. They look to strengthen some of the measures in terms of gender equality in both repre…

It is not very clear to me why the Minister of State, if he agrees with the principle that information should be shared in these various formats we have outlined and expects that to happen, will not accept the amendments. The Bill has been amended by the Government and, therefore, it is going back to the Dáil. It is not clear to me why the amendments are not being accepted. I am thinking in particular of amendment No. 31 because the legislation stating "as far as practicable" is a problem. That is not sufficient wi…

I withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to reintroduce.