I appreciate the Deputy's concerns. I am aware that the Deputy raised the issue about the damage to property with the Taoiseach earlier today. The Deputy says he is not denying climate change but he also cannot deny the severity and the strength of weather events has completely changed over the past number of years. They have become much more frequent and much more severe. It is not a case of a simple solution like draining drains. I will convey the points made to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and to the Ministe…

I thank Deputy McHugh for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. As Deputy McHugh confirmed, it relates to young adults travelling from the South to the North of Ireland using the Leap card scheme. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, the Department is not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The NTA has statutory res…

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of the bereaved and injured, indeed, with the entire community of Creeslough and with all of our public representative colleagues. In the spirit that was engendered in the entire country in that terrible week, I will absolutely ensure contact is made with the Deputy tomorrow to discuss this.

I thank the Acting Chairperson for his good wishes and Senator Sherlock for her amendment on behalf of the Labour Party group. As I mentioned last week on Second Stage, the European Commission's working party on consumer protection and information is currently examining a proposal to improve the participation of consumers in the circular economy by providing better information on the durability and repairability of certain types of products. Importantly, in the context of this amendment, the EU initiative also seek…

I assure the Senator that we are not sitting back and waiting. We are very actively involved in the process at EU level. It would be silly for us to proceed on our own and isolate ourselves from this process by bringing in legislation. I do not think it will take that long. Things are certainly moving a lot quicker in this space, Commission-wise, than even I was aware of before taking up my role. That is the predominant thing. I certainly welcome the spirit of the amendment. Even if we were to address these issues,…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile agus a chomhghleacaithe, an Teachta Ó Snodaigh agus Eoghan Finn in oifig an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, as na leasuithe seo. Táimid ann chun leasuithe a dhéanamh sa Bhille seo agus bhí sin soiléir sa Dáil, nuair atá na rialacha in ann é a dhéanamh. Aontaím go mór le spiorad na leasuithe seo. Seasaim leis an spiorad sin ach tá cúpla fadhb leis na leasuithe agus is fadhbanna móra iad. Leis na fadhbanna sin is é an cinneadh ná dul i gcoinne na leasuithe. Tá an cinneadh sin bunai…

Táimid ag iarraidh dul chuig an áit chéanna. Aontaím leis sin. Tá meas agam ar an Seanadóir ach ní aontaím gurb é an Bille seo an fheithicil chun é seo a dhéanamh. Táim sásta chun cruinniú a eagrú chun go mbeidh tuiscint ag foireann an tSeanadóra ar na fadhbanna atá ann. Tá siad bunaithe ar chúrsaí dlí. Tá buaireamh ann nach gcloíonn an leasú le dlí Eorpach ná dlí idirnáisiúnta. Ba mhaith liom postaeraí cosúil leis sin a fheiceáil i siopaí ach caithfimid a bheith cúramach ó thaobh cúrsaí dlí freisin. Déanfaidh mé i…

I thank the Senator for submitting the amendment. I absolutely understand his wish for older people, in particular, not to be disadvantaged when concluding contracts because of a lack of mobility or technical proficiency. This does not apply only to older people. The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018 prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of age or disability, along with many other grounds. That legislation allows positive action to promote equality for disadvantaged people or to c…

The proposed amendment to section 130 relates to the renewal of subscription contracts. The purpose of the amendment is to make it an unfair term in a consumer contract to charge consumers who are renewing their subscription a higher fee than consumers who are new subscribers. This ties in with the previous amendments. These issues were raised during the Dáil debates. Along with departmental officials, my predecessor, Deputy Troy, as he committed to, did much work in this space over the summer recess to ensure it c…

I thank both the Acting Chairperson, Senator Murphy, and Senator Horkan for chairing the debate. Even though I know Senator Horkan is from the leafy suburbs of south Dublin, he sounded like a man well-practised in auctioneering the way he went through the sections. This is very important legislation and we are anxious to get it completed. Certainly, in relation to the amendments proposed by an Seanadóir Ó Donnghaile, beidh cruinniú ann agus déanfaimid iarracht go dtarlóidh sé roimh an gcéad chéim eile. The work hig…

Táim an-sásta a bheith sa Seanad chun an Bille tábhachtach seo a mholadh. I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the Consumer Rights Bill 2022 to Seanad Éireann. This Bill represents the most significant reform of consumer law in over 40 years. It consolidates and updates existing legislation on the sale of goods and supply of services, in particular to ensure that it is fit for the modern digital age. A core feature of my role in the Department is to ensure we have a fair and effective market that wor…

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh Gníomhaigh. I will not delay. I know all time is valuable here. I thank all Senators for their comments on the Bill and for their personal good wishes, which are all appreciated. I am grateful for the general broad support for the purpose of the Bill as well as some of the constructive debate on the finer details and the acknowledgement of the work that has been put in by the Department officials. This legislation has the improvement of consumer protection at its heart and its e…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Tá áthas orm an Bille fán mBord um Réiteach Díobhálacha Pearsanta, 2022 a thabhairt os comhair an Tí. Is Bille tábhachtach é seo a sheachadann an gealltanas sa chlár don Rialtas an Bord Measúnaithe Díobhálacha Pearsanta, PIAB, a fheabhsú agus a athchóiriú. I acknowledge and pay tribute to the significant work undertaken by my colleague, Deputy Robert Troy, in conceiving and developing this Bill. The former Minister of State's leadership in this area and his work wi…

I would like to begin by thanking all of the Deputies. Gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta as a bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht inniu. I welcome all of the positive remarks about the Bill and the work of PIAB, and I want to acknowledge the work of everybody at PIAB since its inception. It is clear the positivity about its work to date is a tribute to it as well as to the overall record. I also want to thank my officials in my Department who have worked incredibly hard to bring this Bill to fruition, along with all o…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

I thank the Acting Chairperson and Senator Ahearn for their good wishes. I look forward to working with Seanad Éireann as much as possible in my new role. I thank Senator Ahearn for the opportunity to provide an update on the important matter of the review of Irish furniture fire regulations. I thank Senator Ahearn for the opportunity to provide an update on the important matter of the review of Irish furniture fire regulations. My Department undertook public consultation on the current Irish furniture fire regulat…

I assure the Senator that the consultation assessment is finalising at the moment. We will be back with proposals. I extend the invitation to him to submit his remarks to me and I will forward them on to the relevant officials.

Is am dúshlánach é seo do ghnóthaí agus do chlanna i ngach cúinne den tír. Tá an buiséad ag iarraidh an dúshlán seo a réiteach do gach duine. Budget 2023 has come at an incredibly challenging time for families and business, as a significant cost-of-living and cost-of-business challenge related to the war in Ukraine is hitting every corner of our country. This budget places a strong focus on ensuring that our SMEs and the multinationals that invest and employ many hundreds of thousands of our citizens and that help …

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am happy to bring the Bill before the House. It will empower the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to assess, investigate, authorise, condition or prohibit third-country investments based on a range of security or public order criteria. As well as equipping the State with the means to protect itself against threats arising from third-country investments, the implementation of a screening mechanism will also provide reassurance to key trading partners …

I try, a Cheann Comhairle.