I have raised the issues and challenges faced by cross-Border workers many times in the Seanad Chamber. They are a significant impediment to the growing all-Ireland economy and the prosperity across the island that we wish to see. Those challenges have been exacerbated by the Brexit experience, by the fact that the North was taken out of the European Union by the British Government against its own democratic wishes. The pandemic and the change in working conditions and arrangements have also added to some of the ch…

I join with those who have offered condolences to former Senator Bonner's family and to our colleague, Senator Craughwell, on his sad loss over the course of the past number of weeks. During the summer season, most people expect that political debate goes to bed but in relation to issues of our Constitution and the future on this island, the debate was very much alive over the latter days of the summer, should that be the foolish remarks of the new Prime Minister, Mr. Burnham, in dismissing the prospect of a unity …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. On behalf of Sinn Féin, we will also be supporting the motion concerning this proposition that is in front of us today. The purpose of sharing this information is an important one. As the Minister said, it does assist in the prevention and prosecution of serious crime. We know that serious and organised crime does not stop at national borders and drug trafficking, human trafficking and other forms of organised crime activity operate internationally. Effective international co-operation …

I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(5) Within twelve months of the commencement of this Bill the Minister for Housing shall lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the implications of Part 2 of the Bill for returning Irish migrants, and in particular those Irish citizens returning to live in Ireland following extended periods of residence in other jurisdictions to ensure that the operation of the habitual residence conditions do not act as a barrier to Ir…

I move amendment No. 16: In page 16, after line 39, to insert the following: “(i) the household or members of the household were refused access to emergency homeless accommodation provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988”. I will speak to amendment Nos. 16 and 17. The overall aim of this Bill, as has been asserted by the Minister, is to take the current eligibility criteria for social housing and put them on a statutory footing, creating a new appeals mechanism for those refused access to social housing. W…

I move amendment No. 17: In page 16, after line 39, to insert the following: “(i) the household or members of the household were removed from emergency homeless accommodation provided under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988”.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 17, to delete lines 12 to 16 and substitute the following: “(6) A social housing appeal shall be made to an independent appeals office located within the Housing Agency within 28 days of the notification by the housing authority to the household concerned of the making of a determination in respect of the application or reassessment for social housing support concerned under section 20.”. This amendment reflects the same issue in relation to appeals and the independence of the appea…

I want to begin by acknowledging the letter from the Minister of State in relation to some of the points that I raised on Second Stage. I note the time pressure in relation to this so that it can take effect by 2 August. I also take some heart from her comments that there will be a phased approach to the implementation of the AI Act, and that it will be open to further measures as part of this work. The number of amendments we are dealing with today highlights that there is a lot of work to be done in relation to t…

I move amendment No. 12: In page 16, line 17, to delete "Board." and substitute "Board, and, insofar as practicable, shall ensure the recommended persons collectively possess expertise and experience in— (a) artificial intelligence and computer science, (b) human rights and equality law, (c) trade union and worker’s rights matters, (d) consumer protection, and (e) civil society engagement”.

I will be brief because I spoke on the previous Bill when a different Minister of State was here. I acknowledge the work that was done on this and the engagement with all of the organisations to make sure that everybody was comfortable with where we were going. People have said that cancer strikes every family in Ireland. My own family can be included in that. This was an injustice for those who could not avail of services and opportunities because of the treatment they have had. Anything we do in this space is abo…

I would like to speak about a Bill that is due to be debated in the Dáil later. The Bill in question relates to preparations for reunification and follows on from a report of the Good Friday Agreement committee in October 2024, less than two years ago, in which all parties agreed that the Government should take the necessary steps to begin the preparatory work that would obviously be required before a referendum is held. It is in all of our interests to make sure that the process towards reunification is democratic…

I move recommendation No. 2: In page 6, to delete lines 1 to 22 and substitute the following: Many families across the State are rightly appalled by the Government’s decision to withdraw the fuel tax cuts that were introduced most reluctantly in April. The decision may not make much of a difference to the Government but for ordinary people, increases in petrol and diesel in September, October, November and December will make a significant impact on their quality of life. September through to Christmas is already a …

I move recommendation No. 5: In page 7, to delete lines 20 to 24.

I move recommendation No. 6: In page 8 to delete lines 1 to 6.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. This is an important piece of legislation and is clearly central to establishing the institutions, powers and penalties required to implement the EU AI Act. Under that Act, Ireland is required to have a working regulatory framework in place by 2 August. While this legislation will ensure compliance, it does not alone ensure protection for citizens from the harmful effects of artificial intelligence. There are opportunities for improvement across many aspects of the Bill. Sinn Féin…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “ ‘organising or facilitating travel for the purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide’ shall be construed in accordance with section 4F;”. I was going to speak on a group of amendments.

My apologies for being late. I accept responsibility for not having moved the first amendment. The series of amendments to this section, in my name and the names of my colleagues, is necessary to lay a foundation for later amendments to define circumstances in which it would be an offence to join, train or recruit for an armed force that is engaged in crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. This is not anything fanciful. The existing legislation ignores the greatest terrorism crimes of our time, which are…

I thank the Minister of State for her assurances that these matters are already covered. The experience in Europe, and these laws reflect European laws, is that there has been an unwillingness to do anything about the genocide and those involved in perpetrating it. Many of them come from European countries, join the IDF and go back home again. People with lead responsibility in the Israeli Government have travelled to European countries and there has been no follow-through on the legislation. If it is simply a matt…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “ ‘providing training in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide’ shall be construed in accordance with section 4F;”.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 3, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “ ‘receiving training in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide’ shall be construed in accordance with section 4F;”.