I move amendment No. 19: In page 8, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “Written statements from office holders and former office holders 6. (1) This section applies where a relevant head has, under section 5 , acceded in whole or in part to a request for assistance for the taking of evidence from an office holder or former office holder of a designated State body. (2) Before any oral evidence is taken in accordance with sections 9 , 10 and 11 , the relevant head shall ensure that the office holder or …

I move amendment No. 20: In page 8, to delete lines 31 to 33 and substitute the following: “(5) The Minister shall notify the former holder of ministerial office of the request. The consent in writing of the former holder of ministerial office shall be required only where that person demonstrates that acceding to the request would give rise to a substantial and objectively reasonable risk of prejudice to their legal rights or to the lawful performance of functions exercised during their tenure. Any refusal to conse…

I move amendment No. 21: In page 10, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “Questioning of designated person by nominated judge 9. (1) For the purpose of taking the evidence specified in a decision under section 5(3) to which subsection (6)(c)(i) of that section applies, or specified in a decision under section 6(3) to which subsection (6)(c)(i) of that section applies— (a) no person other than the nominated judge shall ask questions of the designated person, and (b) the nominated judge shall examine th…

I move amendment No. 22: In page 10, after line 36, to insert the following: “Questioning of designated person by or on behalf of Chairman 10 . (1) Upon completion of the examination of a designated person by the nominated judge ask questions of the designated person. (2) The Chairman, or counsel to the Inquiry on his or her behalf, may ask questions for the purpose of examining the designated person on any matters arising from the evidence, including— (a) matters arising from answers given to the nominated judge, …

I move amendment No. 23: In page 12, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(5) A person referred to in subsection (3)(f) , (g) or (h) may— (a) propose to the Chairman, to counsel to the Inquiry, or to the nominated judge any questions or topics that the person considers relevant to the evidence being taken under section 9 or 10 , (b) make submissions or representations to the Chairman, to counsel to the Inquiry, or to the nominated judge in relation to the evidence being taken, and (c) apply to the nomin…

I move amendment No. 24: In page 12, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(5) Without prejudice to subsection (4) , the Chairman and counsel to the Inquiry shall be entitled to make submissions or representations to the nominated judge concerning the scope, relevance and permissible extent of questioning under section 9 or 10 .”. This amendment confirms that the chairman and counsel may make submissions to the nominated judge on the scope and relevance of questioning. It reinforces judicial oversight wh…

I move amendment No. 25: In page 12, to delete lines 5 to 10 and substitute the following: “(5) For the purpose of giving evidence— (a) under section 9 , a designated person shall not be compelled to give any evidence which he or she could not be compelled to give in criminal proceedings in the State, (b) under section 10 , a designated person may refuse to answer a question only where answering would give rise to a substantial and objectively reasonable risk of prejudice to a legal right or privilege recognised in…

I thank the Minister of State for his responses to date. Clearly, we have not agreed on all the matters we have brought forward but they were brought forward with good intent. We will study his responses very carefully and go through the observations he has made on the amendments on the conduct of the inquiry and the assurances he has given in relation to the Government's approach to the conduct of the inquiry and the passage of this legislation. We will obviously continue to discuss this in due course.

Our guests in the Gallery are very welcome. I want to raise the issue of the election results in Britain last weekend. I am sure most of us are watching our phones to see developments and what might shape up in Britain with regard to the Prime Minister. That is important because Britain is our nearest neighbour but it is also important for several other reasons. This is the first time the Administrations in the North, Scotland and Wales have been led by pro-independence First Ministers. Michelle O'Neill was elected…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The motion tonight is a brave attempt by the Government parties to put a bit of a sticking plaster over the discontent that spilled onto our roads over the past number of weeks. The offering by the Government in response gives only basic supports to those in the haulage and farming industries and little else for the majority of the public. There is nothing for home heating oil, only delayed increases in the carbon tax and only temporary reductions in excise duties on petrol, diese…

I join my Seanad colleague in acknowledging the events for workers this week. This is trade union week, leading up to the May Day celebrations. We acknowledge the workers who have lost their lives in very dangerous circumstances. As she says, such instances have thankfully lessened over the years. Yesterday, there was a similar ceremony at Stormont which I had the privilege of speaking at over a number of years. It is important on both sides of the Border to acknowledge that and to acknowledge the sacrifices worker…

I concur with Senator Keogan's remarks on the abuse of Senator Flynn. I wish the Cathaoirleach well in his discussions with the social media companies, although from past experience I would not be overly optimistic about how they run their platforms and whether the protection they should be giving to people will materialise. The spring economic statement released this morning refers to the prospect of a surplus of €9 billion, which is almost twice what had been predicted. Certainly, in the first instance, that will…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. We are supportive of the Bill. The Minister of State has outlined the critical role of Microfinance Ireland in the economic infrastructure of the State and the loans it provides to a range of small businesses. As other Senators have said, these are primarily outside of Dublin. As a rural representative, it is always encouraging when we see that level of support for rural communities. The Minister of State referred to the increased demand for Microfinance Ireland. On the one hand, …

I second the motion.

I will refer back to the motion the Cathaoirleach mentioned earlier in relation to the Catalpa escape from Australia 150 years ago. I raised the issue of the anniversary in the Chamber a number of weeks ago and I am very grateful that the Cathaoirleach took that idea forward and put together a motion. I am grateful to the leaders of the various party groups in the House for co-signing that motion. The story of the escape is remarkable. Last October, I had the opportunity to visit Perth and to see the display at Fre…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I speak on this with a profound sense of disappointment about what is proposed, which I do not think will amount to very much in terms of giving people the support that is needed. The Government had an opportunity in the budget to tackle issues in relation to the cost of living. It declined that opportunity, and that now has heaped pressure on households. The issue of the provision of oil and fuel as a consequence of America and Israel's attack on Iran has added more pressure in t…

I move amendment No.1: In page 3, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “Amendment of Section 34 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 1. Section 34 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act is amended by adding a new paragraph after paragraph (2): “(3) The Minister shall, within three months of the reduction of the NORA levy during the period identified in section 37(1A)(b) coming into effect, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report examining the impact of providing this reduction. The report…

That is the Senator's view.

Utter rubbish.

Senator Flaherty has nothing else to say.