I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I welcome the €100 increase in child benefit. I see people struggling on the ground on a daily basis. They are leaving food behind in shopping centres. We see it all the time. The Government says it is the increase in the cost of living and how it impacts on people, but I see a lot of greed in the shops. In local communities as well, I could go to one shop in a certain area where a bottle of Lucozade is a €1 and right across the road, the bottle of Lucozade is €2. We have to look at that. We also have to look at th…

I will not take long as I have only one question of the Department of Justice. Where is the Department? Where is its statement on what took place on Sunday on the streets of Dublin when homeless refugees' tents were burned? This used to happen years ago to members of my community. Back then, I never saw Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil come out and support the community. I know the Taoiseach made a statement but I am looking for leadership from the Department of Justice. I understand the Department of Children, Equality, D…

I thank the Minister of State for being here today. Having free transport on election day is a no-brainer. It will create the opportunity for some people from very poor communities to get out and vote. That is a no-brainer. Today, however, I will focus on the issue of young people being able to vote. Much of the time, we undermine our young people. We do not value our young people's views and opinions. In my early days, I was a youth worker who was involved with young people in Ballyfermot to bring about equality a…

My contribution will lead on to a point I am trying to make around racism and discrimination. I love working here. I have met friends who I would have thought were enemies, if you like, before I came in. I have a good relationship with the majority of other Members. I genuinely feel I am an equal Member in this House who is able to vote and get up and have my say. Last night, I got a taxi home from town. The taxi driver refused to take me into my house on a halting site. If I went on to be the President of Ireland,…

Would the Senator say the same about Russia and Ukraine?

Unfortunately, I was not able to be here last week due to not having a babysitter for the girls. To be watching the event at home with my child and to be part of our Parliament was brilliant. One could feel the vibe outside when President Biden was here. The Cathaoirleach's speech was incredible and we have much to be proud of, making it to news and other channels all over the world. I have the height of respect for the Ministers, Deputies McEntee and Harris. I would have said that as Minister for Justice, the Mini…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I move Amendment No. 8. In page 10, line 33, after “ 13 ” to insert “of whom one shall be nominated for appointment by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission”.

Under the original head of Bill proposed by the Minister of State's Department, a nominee from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was included in the membership layout. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission understood that having it as the nomination body for one of the lay positions was a guaranteed in-build of human rights and equality expertise within the layout of commission membership. This was welcomed, but was removed in the draft Bill while the legislation as it stands states that human…

This is a little like our political system. We need the people in our courts to look like us and to be from our communities as well. I understand that having IHREC would play a role in that too. Where is the black judge in Irish society? Where is the judge who is a member of the Traveller community? We know many people within our community have gone on and practised law and have been barristers. I welcome the appointment of Susan Fay as a judge to family court law. She worked with members of the Traveller community…