And no homework.

I move amendment No. 17: In page 19, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: Amendment of section 19A of Criminal Evidence Act 1992 16. The Criminal Evidence Act 1992 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 19A: “19A. (1) In this section— ‘competent person’ means a person who has undertaken training or study, or has experience, relevant to the process of counselling; ‘counselling’ means listening to and giving verbal or other support or encouragement to a person, or advising or …

I move amendment No. 19: In page 23, to delete lines 18 to 21 and substitute the following: “(b) there would be a real risk of an unfair trial in the absence of such disclosure.”,”.

I move amendment No. 20: In page 23, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “(g) by the insertion of the following after subsection (11): “(11A) Where an applicable record containing analysis, opinion or interpretation by the record-maker is adduced in evidence in proceedings before a jury, the court shall give a warning to the jury outlining the nature and limitations of such evidence, including that it may constitute a third-party interpretation and not a direct account of fact.”,”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 23, after line 34, to insert the following: “ Review of operation of section 19A of Criminal Evidence Act 1992 17. (1) The Minister shall, not later than 2 years after the coming into operation of section 16 , cause a review to be carried out of the operation of section 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992. (2) A review under subsection (1) shall include an examination of— (a) the effectiveness of the provisions in protecting the privacy rights of complainants, (b) the extent to wh…

I move amendment No. 22: In page 23, after line 34, to insert the following: “Annual reporting and publication of anonymised data 17. (1) The Minister shall, in respect of each calendar year, cause to be compiled and published a report containing anonymised statistical data relating to the operation of section 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992. (2) A report under subsection (1) shall include anonymised information in relation to— (a) the number of disclosure applications made, (b) the number of such application…

I agree with the comments on the Committee on Drugs Use's report. I acknowledge the work that everyone has done on that. As Senator Black said, Senator Ruane's fingerprints are all over it, and it is the better for that. It is important to ensure that we have a health-led drugs policy. On Monday, the housing Minister, Deputy Browne, made particularly bleak commentary on the housing issue. He said he had no idea when homeless numbers might finally begin to fall. He also said that he did not know if the Government's …

And old people-----

-----like me.

I thank the Minister for attending. I agree with Senator McDowell's comments on the civic offices in Camden Yard. He made a number of various points on it, and all were very fair. I have a real concern about the way the funding was put in place for all of that. It felt like it was overnight, but as I have said before and will continue to say, funding for the redevelopment of flat complexes around the city has not been as quick to be found. Pearse House is one example. It is disappointing that the Minister has not m…

I congratulate the Leader. For the last couple of weeks, we were not able to do that from this side of House. It was not going to help him or anything. I really wish the Leader well. Obviously, we have our political differences but we have a lot of shared interests. I wish the Leader and his family well. It is a great honour for Senator Ahearn and I know that he has the qualities that are needed to maintain this role. In 2023, Gary Ward, a young man, died by suicide. That is three years ago. Last March, I raised hi…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I thank the Minister for coming in. I welcome that the Department of agriculture has published a draft general scheme of a Bill to amend the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. Ireland is the puppy farm capital of Europe and this is obviously nothing to be proud of. Nearly six years since policy change in this area was first considered by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, this is the first meaningful legislative contribution that has been made. The Bill is intended to introduce long-awaited measures regarding breeding p…

This legislation is very important and welcome. However, without a cap it will undo everything positive. It will legitimise and entrench puppy farms. It will be really disappointing if there is not a cap on that. What legal reasons are given for not including a cap? Is there a timeframe in which legislation will be drafted and brought before the Oireachtas because it can go on for quite a while? Did the public consultation responses or the dog control stakeholder groups suggest including a cap? If they did, why was…

What was the legal element?

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, for joining us.

I agree with my colleague, Senator Collins. It is right that the three-day rule is hopefully going to be got rid of because it is about choice and respect for women. If I went to a doctor and the doctor told me that I had to think about it for three days, I would find that really patronising. As I do not think it would happen to a man, I do not think it should happen to women either in terms of healthcare. Cuba is facing an extraordinarily difficult economic situation as a result of the illegal trade blockade impos…

I agree with Senator Keogan. It is important that more research is done and that there is more transparency around suicide and the impact of children being taken into State care. I have previously raised the issue of Rathmines post office being sold off, as well as the closures in recent years of post offices on Baggot Street, Kevin Street and in Donnybrook and Ballsbridge. That has had a hugely negative impact on those communities, particularly among the older members. It was announced recently that Rathmines post…