I move amendment No. 16: In page 59, lines 4 and 5, to delete “and other data-gathering devices”.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 59, line 26, to delete “and other data-gathering devices”.

I acknowledge and welcome the Minister's acceptance of the point we made about the need for a guarantee of regulation, rather than just a possibility of regulation, of data protection in the application of these factors. In that sense, I support and welcome amendments Nos. 30 and 37. Amendment No. 37 is almost an identical version of our amendment, amendment No. 38, but with the placings added. In that context, we are quite happy to accept amendment No. 37 instead of amendment No. 38, as it does the same work. I al…

I move amendment No. 34: In page 60, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: "(8A) Cameras operated by or on behalf of a road authority under this section shall not be equipped with facial recognition technology, and no data obtained using such cameras shall be processed by the road authority using facial recognition technology, or be passed to third parties for processing with facial recognition technology."

Amendments Nos. 34 and 40 seek to insert a clear restriction. One question we have is around having clarity on what is included in the description of data-gathering devices. Amendments Nos. 34 and 40 would make clear what is certainly excluded. There would be clear "restrictions on use of facial recognition technology" in conjunction with cameras or data-gathering devices under this Bill. These amendments would ban the use of facial recognition technology within the cameras; the processing of data from the cameras …

The amendments the Minister has just put in may go some way towards amendment No. 40, in that there may be powers. They do not provide an assurance that the powers will not be used in that light at all. It was not addressed whatsoever because while regulations may be made under amendment No. 40, the regulations do not specify it. I draw the Minister to a core principle of Europe, and of Ireland as part of Europe, which is the precautionary principle and the principle of do no harm. With respect to suggesting we are…

I move amendment No. 38: In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “Report on extension of eligibility for work-related payments under Scheme 19. (1) The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the potential to extend eligibility under section 18(3) fora work-related payment to all relevant persons who were resident in a relevant institution for any period of time, including those who were resident in institutions for less …

I move amendment No. 39: In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “Report on extension of eligibility for provision without charge of health services under Scheme 19. (1) The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the potential to extend eligibility under section 18(4) for provision without charge of health services specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) of section 34(3) to all relevant persons who were resident in a relevant…

I appreciate that the Minister is giving rationales in respect of the enhanced medical card. I do not believe they stand up. If we are talking about what occurs on the basis of need, experience and the commission's report, we must note there are major problems with that report. One of these is that the direct testimony of those who experienced harm in the institutions was not properly reflected in the findings of the commission or, indeed, its recommendations. So much of it was confined to the confidential committe…

I just-----

We might come back to section 50 on Report Stage. My concern in respect of when this aspect will be utilised is founded in the context where I believe other institutions and other care arrangements need to be covered. In that event, it must be ensured that if other institutions are recognised, it is not simply an historical recognition solely but also provides that those who were in those institutions will be able to access the scheme. I refer to an intersection potentially in the addition of more institutions and …

I move amendment No. 40: In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “Report on extension of eligibility for payments and provision without charge of health services under Scheme to mixed-race children placed in other institutions 19. The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the potential to extend eligibility for both payments and provision without charge of health services under this Act to persons who, as mixed-race chi…

I move amendment No. 41: In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “Report on provision of additional payments to those who experienced racial abuse or discrimination 19. The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the potential to make provision for supplementary payments, in addition to any entitlement under this section to a general payment or work-related payment under this Act, to relevant persons who were subjected to…

Let us not refer to what is being offered as a "common experience payment". That is what was given in Australia and it had a different set of parameters. The offer under this scheme is not a payment based on experience; it is a general payment based on days of residency. That is what is in the Bill and what is being given. I spoke yesterday about references to an all-encompassing general payment. There are similar issues with talking about a common experience payment. Let us call it what it says it is, which is a g…

I move amendment No. 42: In page 14, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “Report on provision of additional payments to those who experienced medical experimentation 19. The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the potential to make provision for supplementary payments, in addition to any entitlement under this section to a general payment or work-related payment under this Act, to relevant persons who were subjected to non-co…

I note that the pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, which still operates in Ireland, has declined to apologise for its vaccine trials in mother and baby homes between the 1930s and 1970s, despite the company's own documents showing it conducted seven trials at homes during these four decades. It is unacceptable that the scheme does not provide redress for the medical abuse of persons subject to illegal vaccine trials. It is baffling. We have discussed this. I acknowledge Senator Boyhan, who has personal experien…

Again, we need to do better than regretting that a very large company with a legacy of systemic abuse of the vulnerable does not want to do more. We need to know what we can make it do. I will press my amendment because it refers to one approach. Again, the amendment my colleagues and I tabled yesterday sought the State to examine its legal options. I think that the State does need to examine its legal options and simply requesting information is not enough. As I stated yesterday in respect of the congregations, we…

I move: “That Seanad Éireann: recognises: - the important contribution of lecturers, postdoctoral researchers and PhD researchers to teaching and research in our universities and higher education institutions; - that without such a contribution our universities and higher education institutions would not function; - education is a public good and should be treated as such; - education and research have a vital role in addressing the most pressing environmental and social challenges in our society and must be suppor…

I am sharing time with Senator McDowell. These important initiatives and debates allow us to look a little deeper and go a bit wider on important topics. In this case, the motion relates to an issue that affects all our higher education institutions and universities, which Senators McDowell and Mullen and I represent. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to the House. I regret that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is not here given that he previously …

I thank the Minister of State. I am glad the Government is not opposing this motion and I hope many of the points will be taken up in the coming period. He has indicated that some will be taken up and others may be followed up further. I know those in the Gallery will also be watching that with interest. I will address a few of the points. On the question of there being many different operational needs and reasons for these insecure contracts, I suggest that it is not solely a matter of operational need, but a matt…