I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

Everything has already been said by people who are much more informed about this matter and much more eloquent than I am but I will highlight some of the things that have been brought up with those of us in the Labour grouping by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, ICCL, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Nasc, IHREC and a number of other organisations that have expressed fair concerns about the legislation and about whether the limited time available for scrutiny of the Bill and related amendments allows us to h…

I congratulate the Minister on his elevation to the leadership of the Green Party. I wish him the best of luck in everything he does with that in the next couple of months. While I welcome this discussion on migration, I echo Senator Seery Kearney's sentiments that it can, ultimately, make one very nervous. We can see how easy it is for snippets and conversations to become manipulated online and all sorts of things end up in all sorts of places. It is important, however, that we face into and have these conversatio…

I also want to be associated with the remarks made about the late John O'Mahony and to pass on my Labour Party sympathies to his family and to all who knew him. This Saturday, 13 July, the Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin march will be held. They are meeting at 12 noon at the Garden of Remembrance. I encourage everyone here to attend but if Members cannot attend, to take the time to learn about the reality of life for trans and intersex people here in Ireland. Only two weeks ago, I went through a litany of actions w…

For Pride month and indeed Pride week, I want to talk about a key part of my community that continues to be left behind. As much needs to be done to improve the lives of trans people here in Ireland, I will list out some of the ways we can improve trans people's lives in Ireland and there might be something for parties to consider as we are in manifesto-writing season and, perhaps, thinking about programmes for Government the next time around. These are all things which have come up through consultation with the co…

I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery Senator Mary Seery Kearney’s goddaughter, Amy Kearney, who is back again. I also welcome the Senator’s parents, Pat Seery and Patsy Maheady Seery, and other members of her family, including her daughter, Scarlett Seery Kearney, and her sister, Michelle Kearney and sister-in-law, Rosemary Kearney. They are all incredibly welcome.

The only way to keep going is to put the question on section 53 to the House.

I ask the Senator to keep to the section, please.

I thank the Senator. Senator Keogan has indicated. I will then call Senators Clifford-Lee and Mullen.

I welcome the guests of Senator Garret Ahearn, the group of 14 from India, from the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry who are in Ireland for a couple of days, visiting and sightseeing but also seeing some of our parliamentary systems. I wish them a marvellous visit. They are most welcome to the Chamber and to the Upper House.

I join everyone in referencing Natasha O'Brien's bravery in coming forward. We had a conversation in this Chamber where Senators Doherty, Chambers and Pauline O'Reilly moved a Bill specifically about character references. We went through the Second Stage of that. Is this a time we need to have that conversation again? Where is that legislation and will it be moved forward? At the time, we spoke about changing a culture that puts victims on trial. Over the past few days, we first saw the bravery of Natasha, but othe…

Could the Senator stick to the amendments?

I do not wish to interrupt the Senator but I want to acknowledge visitors in the Gallery who are about to leave. Could the Senator indulge me and allow me to welcome them? After that, the Senator will be more than welcome to resume. I welcome the young people who are here from Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg, who are witnessing democracy fully in action here today. I hope they are enjoying the hearty debate going back and forth. They are more than welcome here. They are guests of Senator Dolan. I am welcoming them now b…

I ask Senator Mullen to speak through the Chair and for all Senators to speak to the amendment.

Senator Mullen must speak to the amendment, please.