I see that the Minister is staying. I thank him for doing so. We have all been waiting a long time for the national carbon budgets. Like everybody else, I am very keen to see them implemented and to see a new, harder, firmer structure to our climate ambition. We have a duty, however, to make sure we get the budgets right, and we need to be very clear that getting them right does not delay the process. The process is under way. We on the climate committee are not tasked with simply approving or disapproving the budg…

I will be brief because I am conscious that we want to finish Committee Stage today. I am glad to see this being progressed and to see the support across the House. It is important to remember that in the debate prior to the referendum, it was extremely difficult for people to come forward and to talk about their experiences. We had decades of silence when people were intimidated with regard to talking about their experiences, realities and the challenges and choices that they faced. It was powerful when people ste…

The amendments reflect the fact that Senator Gavan and the many lawyers and academics working with Together for Safety, as well as the campaigners themselves, have listened to the concerns raised. I imagine that because there has been a collegial spirit in the approach to this legislation and that because that approach has been so cross-party in nature, then if there are further thoughts, this is a clear message that we are happy to listen to and reflect the Government's concerns. What if there are concerns about, …

I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 15, after “person” to insert “or a series of persons”. I will briefly comment on amendment No. 2. I supported it but again it was an example of the question about pharmacies and the question about students' unions. Those concerns no longer stand now that the amendment has been agreed because it is very clear that it is only the prescribing, so it is only around medical practices and not around places for example where contraception is available or sold. That is an example of …

I move amendment No. 9: In page 4, line 32, after “of” where it firstly occurs to insert “supporting access to or”. With amendment No. 9, I am seeking to ensure that somebody who might be accompanying somebody else - for example, a spouse - would not inadvertently fall under the text of the Bill. However, I am happy to withdraw the amendment now and address the issue on Report Stage. Clearly, we will tease out these issues in the meantime.

I assure Senator Mullen that he is safe in his coffee shop. That is not covered by the legislation and such a situation would not arise. The meaning of the phrase "express or demonstrate" is very clearly, and in a nuanced way, set out and categorised under subsection (2). The latter describes exactly what is included, for the purpose of subsection (1), within the phrase "express or demonstrate". It includes behaviour such as persistent, continuous or repeated actions and interfering with, intimidating, harassing or…

Advising and seeking to influence are at issue but it is not around a person expressing his or her views. Anybody can sit in a coffee shop and express his or her views but not with the intention of either influencing or intimidating another person. The issue is spelled out in some nuance and with some thought and detail under subsection (2).

I commend Senator Flynn on this legislation and, indeed, Ms Jessica Bray in her office and all those whom I know worked closely with her and, of course, the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, the Bills Office and others who have supported the work. I am incredibly proud to have Senator Flynn as part of our Civil Engagement Group. In the course of this Seanad, she has shown herself to be an incredibly strong leader in public debate, as a public representative and as somebody who drives, questions, challen…

Before the break, Senator Chambers spoke about hunger in Afghanistan and the very severe food crisis there at the moment. Yemen, as we know, is also experiencing a very serious famine. Perhaps a debate on food security and famine would be appropriate. An issue that has arisen over the course of the Order of Business relates to the proposed military activities within the 200 nautical miles of Ireland's exclusive economic zone, EEZ. There has been much focus on the Irish Aviation Authority and the information it has …

As I did on Second Stage, I very much welcome this incredibly important Bill. These are areas where there have been shadows of silence on people's experiences for a long time. Even that Second Stage debate was very important for many people, many of whom will have spoken about their experiences or will have had people talk to them about their experiences in the period following it. In general over recent years in Ireland, there has been a breaking of many kinds of silence through the recounting of the individual ex…

I move amendment No. 4: In page 97, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “ Locus Standi in environmental MAC cases and in proceedings to which Part 2 applies 110. For the avoidance of doubt where the applicant for judicial review under this Chapter, or under Part 2 , is— (a) a body or organisation (other than a State authority, a public authority or governmental body or agency) the aims or objectives of which relate to the promotion of environmental protection, and (b) has, during the period of one mon…

The amendment covers similar ground to amendment No. 3, which was ruled out of order. In that amendment, we attempted to suggest some solutions but they would affect the cost, which is why they were ruled out of order. The problem being identified is linked. There are serious concerns in respect of the Bill. Although we heard from the Minister on Committee Stage about all the engagement with environmental groups and the various established actors, environmental NGOs and others, that does not seem to stand up in the…

That is not accurate.

The concerns are greatly exacerbated now. I have huge respect for the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, and we have engaged constructively on other issues but in this regard, this feels like we have had a good-cop, bad-cop piece because we had a Committee Stage debate during which we were reassured that environment, marine planning and protection and such factors were so deeply integrated into this that we did not have to be concerned. They were at the heart of the process and had been there in the thinking an…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 97, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “PART 5 COSTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MAC CASES UNDER PART 4 AND IN RESPECT OF JUDICIAL REVIEW UNDER PART 2 AND PART 5 CHAPTER 1 Consultation and report on Judicial Review under Part 2, 4 and 5 110. Within 6 months of the commencement of Part 2 and/or Part 4 , and/or Part 5, the Minister shall— (a) conduct a public consultation on the effect of this Act on the rights of the public to pursue Judicial Review under those parts, including bu…

I will not speak at length to this amendment. It outlines the need for the Department to conduct a report on all those issues I have already spoken about. We do not need to go over the ground again, but I suggest that the Department may wish to conduct a report in the next two to three months to re-examine the legislation and effect of the Act on all those issues we highlighted concerning access to justice and the Aarhus Convention. I ask the Minister of State to come back to engage with us before, for example, we …

I just cannot accept the analysis that claims that people's rights on environmental decision-making under the Aarhus Convention are constrained to areas where the State would like to use those rights. It is very clear that environmental decision-making, not just planning, comes under Aarhus. It does not just kick in at a certain point. Things that affect the environment, and maritime areas are part of our shared environment and of the ecosystems we are part of, are very much of relevance and importance. In that con…

I wish to make a point on class K contributions, but I will first make a general point. It is unfortunate that we are taking Committee Stage and Report Stage together and on the very last sitting day of the year. There is a lot of emergency legislation and legislation that comes through with short deadlines attached, but the Social Welfare Bill is predictable and something we can plan for. Accordingly, I appeal to the Minister that next year we plan the Social Welfare Bill in a proper way and that Committee State a…

Does the Minister have any comment on that engagement on the question of PRSI and PAYE for the undocumented? Is that something she can engage with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on?

I might engage with the Minister further on it.