Similarly, I note again in relation to section 40, it is a disservice to democracy that we deny the opportunity to persons to put themselves forward for election in the case of a casual vacancy or by-election. These are backward steps for democracy and it is deeply regrettable they are in the Bill.

I will be brief. I am proud to co-sponsor the Bill brought forward by Senator Martin. It is a really good piece of work. I hope it is speeded through the Lower House. It will affect every corner and hedgerow across Ireland. If we look to something with wide-reaching implications, it is this legislation. Senator Martin mentioned two halves in terms of the Seanad and the Dáil but there are also two parts to this. We are looking to protect our pollinators. The vital importance of pollinators has been spoken about for …

I pick up where Senator Warfield finished, which was on education. Concerns have been expressed in the House about education. One of the key tools is education that reflects the experiences of minorities in the State and the fact that there is gender, sexuality and ethnic diversity, as well as all the other categories discussed in terms of protected characteristics. That understanding and acceptance from an early day and it not being treated as something frightening is a matter of reality about the people who are h…

Excuse me, that is quite a significant accusation to make. Earlier, there was reference to particular organisations and their engagement in school training.

I formally second my colleague, Senator Ruane’s amendment to the Order of Business. I support Senator Gavan’s recommendation about our nurses, from student nurses up to those who are trying to put together teams who are managing entirely unwieldy situations in our hospitals. We need to look at a crisis not only in recruitment but also in retention of our nursing staff. For a country with the resources it has to have to draw so deeply on the goodwill and extra hours of the nursing personnel is unacceptable and there…

We need to be clear about what is in front of us. It would be misrepresentative to present it either as the reform we need of the Seanad or even as a first step towards that reform. What we have now is not the beginning of a path to reform; rather, it is the latest play in what has been a litany of blocks, delays and obstructions put in the way of Seanad reform by governments for a long time, but in particular by the current and previous Governments and the two parties that have worked together in them. Being reall…

Exactly. I am aware of that. That is why I am acknowledging that. The public said they care about the Seanad and want a say in the Seanad. That was the mandate from 2013. As a result of that, there was a brief acknowledgment. There was the Manning report, which was initiated to look to the ways in which we can widen and open the Seanad, make it more inclusive and ensure that people have a say in it, and the excellent recommendations brought forward in that report, with the group chaired by Maurice Manning. Then the…

The Seanad Bill 2020 is also before the House. I want it acknowledged that it is on the Order Paper and in front of the Houses.

I also want to indicate my support for these constructive amendments from Sinn Féin. It will be useful to have no fewer then one member with lived experience. The lived experience of those who have experienced gambling addiction is very important. Equally important is the experience of those who have been impacted by harmful gambling behaviours. As Senator Wall said, we could all give examples of persons who have lost their family, of families who have lost their house and all financial security, of people who have…

I will be brief.

I will. I make these comments with respect, especially for Senator O’Reilly, who has done a great deal to highlight this issue for years, but it is important to clarify what we are seeking in these amendments. They are not about making the Bill more prescriptive or narrower. Rather, they are meant to widen the authority’s mandate and ensure that it does not run up against claims that it is only meant to be doing X or Y. It should be able to do the kinds of work it needs to do. We leave the detail of how it does so …

I regret that the Minister of State is not able to accept these amendments. I think they are all really constructive and they are amendments coming from people across the Houses who have looked to highlight these issues. It has taken a long time to get to the point of having a gambling regulator and it is absolutely appropriate that people would try to offer constructive proposals to make sure that it works well and is effective. I do not think that is micromanaging, and I do not think any of the amendments put for…

To be very clear, I have never suggested the Bill is not about prevention. I have said that is the purpose of the Bill and I know it is being introduced because there is a recognition of this issue. I am sorry if that is how my contribution was construed. That is exactly why we have the Bill and it is what it is trying to do. I am saying, however, it should be named in the functions of the authority, precisely because it is the ultimate goal. It is the rationale behind the Bill, so let us put the rationale behind t…

I move amendment No. 48: In page 25, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(b) to monitor trends in gambling activities in the State,”.

I move amendment No. 49: In page 25, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(b) to take measures to reduce or eliminate compulsive and problem gambling,”.

I move amendment No. 52: In page 25, line 38, after “activities,” to insert the following: “including the harms and dangers posed to individuals, families and communities by problem and compulsive gambling,”.

I move amendment No. 53: In page 26, line 5, after “activities,” to insert the following: “having particular regard to the harms associated with excessive and compulsive gambling,”.

I move amendment No. 54: In page 26, lines 5 after activities, to insert the following: “and emerging trends and technologies in the gambling industry,.”.

I move amendment No. 55: In page 26, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following subsection: “(p) to monitor international best practice in the licensing and regulation of gambling activities,”.

I move amendment No. 57: In page 26, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(b) the need to ensure that persons recommended to the Minister under subsection (2) are not affected by conflicts of interest, ”.