Hear, hear.

I do not agree with this amendment. I do not really understand it either, although I understand where Senator Higgins is coming from in seeking to exclude the Attorney General. I do not understand how the Attorney General who, under section 9, is already entitled to be a member of the commission but, under subsection 9(3), "shall not, as a member of the Commission, have a right to vote on any matter coming before the Commission for a vote." My question, therefore, is what is the purpose of having the Attorney Gener…

I agree with what has been said, not least because this is exactly the same as my amendment No. 16 on Committee Stage. I will say what I said then. Judges are judges; they are not solicitors or barristers. They may have been in the past. I would not even say a few years after they have been appointed but the day after they have been appointed, judges leave behind any professional biases they may have or, particularly, any political biases they may have. A judge on the bench will never disclose what he or she might …

I thank Senator McDowell for the ongoing homage to the amendments I tabled on Committee Stage and their repetition here on the Order Paper.

The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach knows I would not want to do that but I acknowledge that I tabled this amendment as No. 17 on Committee Stage, so I cannot but agree with what has been said about it. Again, I believe there is a move here within the Bill to continue what has been provided for in the initial Stages in terms of what I consider to be preposterous purported balances between the two professions in light of the make up of the Judicial Council. Section 12 currently provides that, obviously, there would be consi…

Does the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach have to report progress?

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire, an Teachta Harris, as ucht teacht isteach chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. This is a question about coroners. As the Minister knows, the coronial service falls under his Department. It is an important service that provides answers to families and friends regarding a particular death. It also provides important measures for people to prevent similar deaths occurring. Many people do not know about the Coroner Service because, thank God, they have not had to deal with it. It is hoped tha…

I thank the Minister. I take it from his answer that a number of matters are in train, which is very welcome. I also noted what he said about new coroners acting in Dublin to relieve the burden on the senior coroner. In fact, in many respects, it is astonishing we waited until the past few years to put them in place. I attended some of the inquests in the Richmond centre, which are absolutely welcome. Of course, as the Minister acknowledged, there is no point in having extra coroners if there is a delay earlier in …

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an gCeannaire. Ba mhaith liom, i dtosach báire, á rá go bhfuil mé chun leasú a dhéanamh agus a mholadh ar an Ord Gnó chun Bille nua a chur faoi bhráid an tSeanaid. Is é sin an Bille um Cheartas Coiriúil (Ógchiontóirí), 2023. I propose to the Leader and the House an amendment to the Order of Business on No. 22, the Criminal Justice (Juvenile Offenders) Bill 2023, which I would like to introduce today. This is a Bill I have drafted to deal with some gaps in sentencing…

Yes, I so propose I am aware that Senator Higgins also proposes an amendment and I do not mind whether it comes before or after No.22.

I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Criminal Justice Act 1990 to provide for non-mandatory life sentences for juvenile offenders in cases of treason and murder, to expand the provisions of section 99 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 relating to suspended sentences to include juvenile offenders, and to amend the Children Act 2001 to allow judicial discretion in setting the terms of a detention and supervision order.

Dé Máirt seo chugainn.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom a rá cé chomh bródúil agus atá mé as mo chomhghleacaithe Fhine Gael, na Seanadóirí Seery Kearney agus Doherty, a rinne a lán oibre ar an rún seo agus a chuir roimh an Seanad é. Táimid ag labhairt faoi ábhar an-tábhachtach ar fad. Is ábhar deacair é ach is ábhar tábhachtach é chomh maith ar chóir dúinn labhairt agus ceisteanna a chur faoi freisin. I pay tribute to my Fine Gael colleagues, Senators Seery Kearney and Doherty. This is a difficult thing to talk a…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach. Is dócha gurb é seo an chéad uair a chonaic mé sa Teach é ón am a cheapadh sa phost nua é. Mar sin, déanaim comhghairdeas leis freisin. The Minister of State will be very aware of the "Prime Time" programme earlier this week which covered the abuse, harassment, racial attacks, shoplifting and general crime being perpetrated against retail workers in Ireland. Anyone who saw the programme will have been shocked by the kind of conduct that seems to be de rigueur for wo…

I thank the Minister of State. At the outset, I really appreciate the fact that he has made clear the Government's view that everybody should feel safe in their workplace and that is at the heart of this. I also recognise what was said about An Garda Síochána and the work being done by the Minister, Deputy Harris, by the Minister, Deputy McEntee. and the future work that will be done to build up the numbers in An Garda Síochána so that we have that visible policing that reassures people as well as providing easy ac…

I wish to raise an issue that is a personal bugbear but is something I see as an increasing issue in Irish broadcasting, that is, the use of British advertising and culturally British advertising, and that of other countries, particularly America, in Irish broadcasting. What I mean by that is the use of British norms, British accents and British terminology in radio and television advertising here. I have two problems with it. First, there is a cultural aspect to it which I personally find offensive but that is les…

Now.

I want to briefly acknowledge what Senator Clonan brought up, which is something I supported initially. I know the amendment was ruled out of order, but the Minister has adequately addressed the issue. I do not think there is a concern around the application of the provisions of this Bill and the previous sex offenders Bill to those in court martial. I hope the Senator will be reassured by what the Minister said on Committee Stage. This is an important update to the legislation. It is welcome and I am glad it has p…

Dé Máirt seo chugainn ar 12.30 p.m.

As we look at the expansion of the Defence Forces that has come following the report on its future by the Commission on the Defence Forces, it is appropriate for us to have a debate on how we can go forward with that, in particular from the point of view of the provision of services around the country. I had the privilege of joining the captain and crew of the LE William Butler Yeats in The Hague on St. Patrick's Day. There are very few groups within Ireland that act for the country of whom we can be as proud as we…