Thank you very much, a Chathaoirligh. I echo Senator Ó Donnghaile's points on the western rail corridor. I note the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action also called for a complete reassessment of the cost-benefit approach previously used and to look to the very real and significant benefits we have seen wherever rail is created. The fact is there is a pull and not just a push factor. When this kind of infrastructure is created, it makes an immense difference, as it would to our whole western seaboard. …

Apologies. I suggest we need to have a debate and discussion on how Ireland can constructively engage around adequate humanitarian support to Médecins Sans Frontières and others during this emergency and, at UN and EU level, what peacebuilding and conflict resolution support we can provide. I acknowledge many members of the Sudanese community in Ireland, including many doctors, have experienced family loss during the past few days.

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Electoral Reform Act 2022 to provide in the functions of An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the review of the electoral system and franchise for Seanad Éireann, and to provide in the functions of An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the review of voting age; to amend the Electoral Act 1997 to protect the right to freedom of association and expression for civil society organisations in Ireland, and to provide for free public transport on polling day; and t…

Next Tuesday.

I will be very brief. I want to speak in support of the planned declaration in Reykjavik, and I thank the delegates to the Council of Europe for their work. I know that Senator O'Loughlin and others have really contributed to bringing us to this point. I also want to highlight that civil society and civil society freedom and contributions are more important than ever, given that we have seen the suppression of civil society across the world. We can cite many examples of that from Türkiye to Georgia to elsewhere. In…

First, I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 21 be taken before No. 1. The other issue I want to highlight is announcements this week by Western Sahara Resource Watch, which published its tenth in a row detailed annual overview of the companies involved in the purchase of phosphates from occupied Western Sahara. The illegally exported and exploited phosphate rock is one of the Moroccan Government's main sources of income from the territory, which it is holding without a mandate under in…

A small point I would make-----

Thank you. It is a very small point in regard to the housing piece. I am delighted with anything that pushes vacant properties into use, but I am very concerned that we have been waiting a long time with the carrots when we have sticks that have not been used adequately. The 0.3% vacant house levy is deeply inadequate. Back in 2017, in the Seanad, we proposed a much higher levy.

The collection in regard to derelict housing is not happening. If we are debating it, and I have heard others raising the issue of housing policy, we need to look to the sticks as well as the carrots.

I second that.

I thank the Department for the helpful briefing document that was forwarded to us. I had raised some questions on these matters. I am noting, as the Minister of State has indicated himself, that the proposal being discussed today is part of a twin set of proposals published in December last year, both of which relate to the new rules around the sharing of advance passenger information. One of the proposals, which relates to border management, did not require an opt-in. I believe, and the Minister might confirm, tha…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, to delete lines 20 to 22 and substitute the following: “ “(c) each subsequent successive period of 3 years, or earlier if the Minister deems appropriate, beginning on the commencement of section 2 of the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Act 2023.”.”. Amendment No. 1 seeks to remove the amendment of section 2 of the principal Act, which changes the review period from every three years to every five. What is the rationale for introducing this change into the principal Act? We know…

I have concerns around how section 4(b) intersects with section 7 in the context of ensuring transparency. I and others have amendments to do with transparency in later sections but I hereby give an advance signal that I may bring forward amendments to this section on Report Stage. The provision concerns a situation in which a person is a body that has no full-time employees and is representing the interests of its members. My concern relates to a circumstance whereby, for example, such a body is funded by a corpor…

I would also look to expand on this area. There are valid points but there are also some concerns, which we can see highlighted. For example, it is important that we do not have measures used as an attempt to create a chilling effect in advocacy on NGOs or civil society. Ireland has been a strong champion for the role of civil society as part of democracy internationally. However, we have had lacunas and problems within our legislation. I understand my amendment No. 12, which I tabled with Senator Ruane, will be ru…

I wish to indicate my full support. This is a very important amendment. It is an example of an area where we cannot afford to get it wrong. We cannot afford come back in five years' time, for example, to discover that the legislation as it was drafted has not been sufficient to protect against this kind of fossil fuel lobbyist. Every year matters and I believe this is an opportunity to get it right in this legislation.

I do not believe that is required but I would be very happy to.

First, I want to indicate my support and that of my colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group for this motion from the Green Party. It is welcome, important and the suggestions it makes are very practical. As Senator Boylan has just pointed out, it is important we and the motion recognise that water is not simply a commodity but in fact a human right, and access to clean and safe drinking water is a human right. Indeed, it is one of our obligations under the sustainable development goals, SDGs. SDG 6 focuses on acce…

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the motion on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information, requiring approval by the House, not be taken today but on a future date. We need a little more information. This is a regulation that states it is for the sharing of passenger information in advance-----

I am happy for it to be taken but I am looking for further information.

Not be taken today.