I agree with Senator Craughwell. I understand, as ever, that Senator Higgins is coming from a reasoned place but I think the issue was addressed by the Minister for Defence during the Committee Stage debate. We must, as a House, trust that the Minister of the day will make the right decision. I am also conscious of the fact that the triple lock still applies and there are still procedures in place to prevent going beyond what was intended by legislation. I have not tabled an amendment on this matter but rereading t…

I do not agree with the amendment. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, used NATO as an example on Committee Stage but as the Senator said he used the example of mine clearing in the context of the co-operation that goes on between the Irish Defence Forces and NATO. My understanding is, and I am open to correction on this, the other structures that are in place to protect our involvement in international operations remain. The notion that the definition in section 1 of the 2006 Act could be stretched to where Senator Higg…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus roimh an mBille. Tá an-bhród orm a rá ar son Fhine Gael go bhfuilimid i bhfabhar an Bhille seo. Is ceart agus cóir dúinn mar Oireachtas a bheith ag éisteacht i gcónaí leis an Ard-Chúirt, ach go háirithe, agus leis na cúirteanna go léir agus a bheith ag féachaint ar an méid atá déanta acu, go háirithe ó thaobh na hAchtanna ó na Tithe seo agus conas mar a chloínn siad leis an mBunreacht. It is very important that we take on board the decision of the Supreme Court in the Ellis ca…

I am not sure how to follow that, although I am perhaps unsurprised as Senator Keogan has gone back and forth and taken different approaches to this crisis over the past year and a bit. She has contradicted herself on a number of occasions. It is unsurprising that she uses language about experimental vaccines that we know have worked. The vaccine programme has been a universal success in this country and I have complimented the Minister on that previously. That is not to say I am uncritical of how we have dealt wit…

I rise in support of this motion. We have had much discussion this evening about the various aspects of the plan, particularly its regional aspects. One of the issues about which I have been in contact with the National Transport Authority, the Minister for Transport and the head of Dublin Bus is 24-hour bus services for Dublin. Many people from Dún Laoghaire work in the city centre. It is only a bus ride away and we have the famous 46A which connects us with the city centre. It is one of the flagship buses in the …

In recent weeks we have heard a lot about spiking - the Leader has made public statements on it - whether it is by needles or putting something into the drinks of people who are out in public socialising and doing their thing, having been allowed to be out in public again after such a long time. I have looked at this issue. Some of the early messaging that came out on it from the HSE and other groups was to tell young women that they needed to be careful and they needed to watch their drinks. As the Leader said in …

The recent decision of the Polish constitutional tribunal to essentially upend the rule of law in Europe is creating a flashpoint. What are the next steps, particularly for the European Parliament as opposed to governments or the Commission? I mention the rule of law like-minded group which I understand involves a lot of the Nordic and Scandinavian countries but not Ireland. Should Ireland be in that group? I ask about China, specifically its actions against Lithuania and the pile-on that is happening there. There …

I will not take too much time, but it is important to recognise the value of this session. It is a very good idea and is the first time we have seen genuine interaction at this level between our representatives in Europe and Members of the Oireachtas. In this case, all the MEPs are also former Members of the Oireachtas and the fact that two of them previously represented Dún Laoghaire endears them hugely to me. We are blessed in Dublin to have such a strong team at European level. They are clearly on top of their b…

I support the calls for a debate on antisocial behaviour, but also on general disorder in public and the lawlessness we have seen. I have raised this issue in the House previously. Much of that antisocial behaviour and, in particular, that lawlessness is directed towards people who are not Irish. That is a particular aspect that we need to address. Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting two Slovak-born men who were recognised by the Slovakian Government for their contribution to society. One of them, Joe Veselsk…

We had this discussion on Committee Stage, with regard to Senator Higgins's amendments. I appreciate very clearly the difference between an exemption and a defence, and I understand where the Senator is coming from. In the context of amendment No. 2, which adds in the words "whether for profit or otherwise", I can see the value in that and I do not have a difficulty with that. On the proposed insert in subsection (3), I wonder if two issues arise there. My understanding is that it expands the provision of the defin…

Anois.

I welcome the motion. An entirely common-sense provision is being suggested by the Minister of State. Considering that this measure relates to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, including Article 5, as mentioned by the Minister of State, it is good that these motions are discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Constitutionally, it is appropriate that the relevant measures be ratified by both Houses. In the context of European legislation, it has stood us in good stead that these things interact…

I wish to respond to some of the issues Senator Higgins raised. There are two things primarily, the first of which is the suggestion the Minister made in his speech and the case for this amendment. I think, if I have understood what the Minister said in his last response, that the opposite is the case. I do not see how this amendment in any way addresses the fact that these issues might arise quite rapidly or during a recess, for example when the Houses are not sitting, which would create a significant difficulty. …

Dé Máirt seo chugainn.

I want to mention the platform, Speak Out, that was launched this week by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. Speak Out is an anonymous online platform that allows students and staff to report incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, bullying, cyberbullying and everything in between. It is to operate across our third level institutions. It must be a welcome thing. It is wonderful that there is an anonymous online platform that makes it as easy…

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to deal with this issue. He will be aware of the history of sail training in Ireland. For many years, including during my childhood, although I was never a trainee on it, I was often on board the Asgard II, which many people throughout Ireland will fondly recall as a sail training vessel that worked for many years with people from non-sailing backgrounds, that is, people who would never ordinarily have had an opportunity to get on a sailing boat and to experience what it…

I thank the Minister. I am delighted to hear that there is that level of engagement. I really am grateful to the Minister for his commitment to this. It is obviously important that this goes through the right channels and is done in the right way to ensure a sustainable programme over a period of time but I really do hope that no political difficulties prevent this important scheme from going ahead. I say that as one who comes from the capital of sailing in Ireland, Dún Laoghaire - although the Minister, as someone…

I welcome the decision by Facebook to remove the page of one particular far right activist who has propagated misinformation and conspiracy theories for a long time. That is a welcome move, however, at the same time we recognise that there are many other pages online that are ignored by Facebook, such as pages that spread misinformation and abuse about which nothing is done. A great feature of the Internet is that it is a forum for free speech and people can express what they think and what they like. On the one ha…

I thank Senator Currie for the initiative behind this motion and her words. She has an insight into the matter that many of us do not have. Some of us do. All of us have connections with Northern Ireland and Britain. The reality is that, over generations, we have been inextricably linked with those parts of these islands, if I can put it in those terms. My own grandfather was from Claudy, County Derry. Everybody on this island has connections with the North. My sister lives in London. She is married to a Welshman. …

I would like to join with other Members who remarked on the passing of Paddy Moloney, who was a Blackrock resident. He will be missed for his good humour and patience with people as much as for his skill and music. He was a great member of the community and someone who contributed at every level. I was aware he went into hospital last night but I am sorry to hear that he passed away. He will be greatly missed. I also want to comment on what has been said about antisemitism. I join with calls for a debate on that su…