I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, to delete lines 31 to 36, and in page 10, to delete lines 1 to 8 and substitute the following: “ “14A. (1) The Minister may decline to appoint, or remove from office, a coroner or deputy coroner if he or she— (a) is, or has been, convicted on indictment of an offence, (b) is, or has been, convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty, (c) is, or has been, sentenced to a term of imprisonment for an offence in respect of which he or she was convicted, (d) has, or has had, a …

I agree with Senator Horkan that it is important to take on board what the Coroners Society of Ireland is saying. It has written to the Minister and to Members of both Houses. Engagement with it is important. I said this on Second Stage. I know a public consultation was opened by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in October. I was aware of it. It seems the Coroners Society of Ireland was not consulted. It claims it was not. I cannot say anything beyond what it said in its letter. However, in those circumstances in part…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 10, line 12, to delete “and section 6A(6E)”.

Before the Bill passes, may I make one comment?

I again acknowledge the importance of this legislation. I acknowledge that a sunset clause is coming on 21 February and we have to do something about that. I will say, however, with respect to the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, who has nothing to do with what I am about to criticise, that it is not appropriate to bring legislation such as this to the House and say Committee, Report and Final Stages are to be taken and consideration of the Bill is finished. We were given no time to submit amendments. An 11 a.m.…

At the outset I should declare an interest insofar as I appear frequently in coroners' inquests as a barrister in this city and elsewhere in the country. I do not have any pecuniary interest in this legislation. It is just to say this is something of which I have a great deal of practical experience and understanding. It is important to point out the value of the coronial service. What it does is something that is not done by any other branch of the State. There is no other body that carries out the function it car…

I want to say a few words because there has been an awful lot of back and forth on this. I would not want there to be any suggestion that the Fine Gael Senators were not involved in this at its core. I certainly spoke to the Minister.

I will get to you in a moment, Sir Humphrey. The reality is that everybody worked together on this. To be honest, we were disappointed and would have liked a different result. We also understand the rationale behind the decision and why, although the Minister has ceded some ground, she stuck by her faith in the community safety partnerships. My colleagues would want me to say that possibly every one of them interacted with the Minister on this issue on one level or another. Unfortunately, I was listening to Senator…

Will the Senator take a question?

I am asking if he will take a question.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Tánaiste. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht a bheith anseo don díospóireacht thábhachtach seo. I want to respond to the last speech in which it was asserted that the approach in this motion is somehow not condemnatory of China. It is very clear from the words used, expressing concern and opposition and outlining a list of serious issues, including coerced testimony in the context of Jimmy Lai's trial, and referring to repression of the independent media, destruction of the culture in the context …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht an ábhair seo a roghnú mar cheann de na nithe i dtosach suíonna. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. The issue I am raising today relates to Irish Aid activities. I wish to put on record my praise for the manner in which Irish Aid operates. Ireland has a model of humanitarian aid and relief that has been copied by other countries around the world. It is something that comes without strings attached. One of the things that works particularly well is tha…

I join with the Minister of State in his condemnation of the Hamas attacks. They were so senseless, so selfish that they have sacrificed Palestinian children for the cause of Hamas. Nobody shies away from the criticism of Hamas in that regard. I watched the UN General Assembly the night before last and the vote that was presided over by Dennis Francis. I agree that it is good that the motion for a ceasefire has been passed. I am disappointed by how few European Union states saw fit to vote for it. I do not understa…

Very reasonable.

I have a point of order.

I am conscious of what the Cathaoirleach has said in respect of Standing Orders. Standing Order 55 states-----

This is a point of order. Senator Ruane raised a point of order under Standing Order 55-----

I am entitled to make the point.

It states that where such a proposal is made, it "shall be put forthwith". In my respectful submission, for the order of the House, that should be taken before Senator Gallagher is allowed to continue.

She did, a Chathaoirligh.