I second the motion.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I know he has been here for a while today. This is a really important motion. We know that for people to use public transport, anywhere in the country and not just in our cities, they need to feel safe. From our research among public transport users, 93% of people say they have witnessed antisocial behaviour. My colleague has pointed out myriad cases. It seems that on a weekly basis we hear of assaults and attacks on public transport, not just in our cities, but through…

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach and our new Leader on their new terms. I wish them both very well. I am delighted, with my colleague, Senator Crowe, to introduce the Remuneration Information and Pay Transparency Bill. I would like No. 18 to be taken before No. 1.

Yes, I propose that No. 18 be taken before No. 1. The Bill obliges employers with more than 50 employees to publish the salary scales of the job positions they have on offer. There will be some form of redress in the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, using the current employment infrastructure. The Bill will also prohibit employers from asking potential employees about their salary histories. I am delighted to introduce the Bill. My colleague, Senator Crowe, will second the proposal. I also wish to mention what …

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make further and better provision for equality between employed persons by providing for transparency in respect of matters relating to remuneration, and for that and other purposes to amend the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2021 and to provide for related matters.

Next Tuesday.

Today is very much the Cathaoirleach's day. It is his family's day. I congratulate him, Conchobar, his wider family and all his friends and colleagues. I was very fortunate to have worked very closely with him in the last Seanad. We had good times together. On my very first day he, having been around for some time before, was able to show me the ropes. He acted as a mentor to me, for which I thank him. He is definitely still someone I would go to for advice. I have done so. I hope his ear will still be open. I am d…

I stand again today for my colleague, Senator Clifford-Lee. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. It is always great to see her. She has done some super work in mental health and in her portfolio. I wish her the best of luck. Fianna Fáil will be supporting this Bill. The Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022 is somewhat akin to the Finance Bill and Social Welfare Bill, arriving in November or December every year just like Santa. The measures within are designed to support risk equalisation and sus…

Yes, the perinatal clinics also. I also refer to the funding that has been allocated for IVF. The Department has done a lot of work and has covered major areas. The consultants’ contract that was agreed last week was a significant body of work. I do not know if people realise the amount of time and effort the Department and the IHCA have put into it. We will see the benefit of the removal of that significant bottleneck when we go to hospital.

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Now.

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Now.

I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2°of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare Bill 2022 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

I welcome the Minister to the House. Fianna Fáil welcomes and supports this Bill, which is designed to give legislative effect to a range of social welfare measures that were announced in September. The cost-of-living budget helps families to cope with the ultimate impact of huge rising prices and inflation across Europe. There is no trickle-down side to this budget; it is direct and substantial aid, with those most in need seeing the biggest benefit. The single biggest measure, costing nearly €900 million, is a pe…

I wish to discuss the Probate Office. Each year, €50 million is held up in probate. That is a great deal of money that could be in the economy. The delay is due to there only being two official probate officers administering estates. The Probate Office is doing its best, but it just does not have the resources. There is no customer service whatsoever and there is no means of getting an update for solicitors or lay applicants. This issue needs to be examined. If the Acting Leader brought it to the Minister, I would …

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, for coming to the House. I thank everyone present, especially our guests in the Gallery: Ms Rachel Morrogh from the Irish Cancer Society; Ms Suzanne Dowd from the Irish Cancer Society; and Mr. Sam Russell, who is a cancer survivor. These guests are most welcome. I thank them for everything they have done in preparing, advocating and championing this legislation. Cancer survivors owe them a huge debt. It is a great hono…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire chuig an Teach inniu. I am delighted to speak on the school transport scheme today. For so many families, not just those in this particular calendar year but going forward into the future, this will be transformative in how they carry on their days, especially working families and parents. Having a free school transport scheme will be transformational. Parents will not have those difficulties of picking children up from and dropping them off at school. It is really hard for anyone to sta…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: "the Bill be read a second time this day 12 months to allow, amongst other things, for a comprehensive consideration of the implications of the Bill through engagement and consultation with other relevant Government Departments and the Attorney General and an examination and response to the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality and its recommendations, including any proposals for Constitutional reform.” I th…