I move amendment No. 31: In page 18, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(iv) ensure that the circumstances and causes of death are considered in the Post Recovery Analysis and that these are noted in the Director’s report to Government,”. Amendment No. 31 seeks to ensure that the causes and circumstances of death are given priority in examination of the burial site. Amendment No. 41 calls for a report to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the carrying out of functions of the office.

I will withdraw the amendment and bring it back on Report Stage. We will come back specifically with amendment No. 41 because we are disappointed that the Minister could not accept it.

I move amendment No. 32: In page 18, line 36, after “land” to insert “in consultation with eligible family members, where possible and practicable”. Given the injustice and indignity of many of the burials concerned, while it was not possible in every context, we have a lot of empathy with the victims' families and friends. It is important that we do listen to people affected by this Bill. I will not discuss it any further but I will be calling a vote on it.

I move amendment No. 33: In page 19, line 23, to delete “manifestly”.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 22, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(c) a member having expertise in transitional justice,”. I will withdraw the amendment as we wish to discuss it further on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 36: In page 22, to delete lines 12 and 13 and substitute the following: “(c) a member having expertise in transitional justice,”.

I move amendment No. 37: In page 33, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: “(6) Nothing in this section shall prejudice the rights of those who wish to expose wrongdoing by making a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Acts 2014 to 2022.”. Amendment No. 37 seeks to ensure that nothing in this Bill prevents someone from making a protected disclosure on wrongdoing. This amendment is a small addition to section 30. I understand that the Minister of State has the notes in front of her. We ho…

I withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to resubmit on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 40: In page 35, line 31, to delete “or unnatural circumstances” and substitute “, unnatural, suspicious or undetermined circumstances”. I withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to resubmit on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 41: In page 37, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: “Report on forensic examination and recovery and post-recovery analysis of human remains 40. Following the expiration of the period of operation of an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention, the Minister shall cause a report to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the carrying out of the functions under this Part, including the performance by the coroner of their specific functions, in respect of that period of …

I move amendment No. 42: In page 39, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “(2) The public information campaign described under subsection (1) shall be targeted at persons within and outside the State, and shall be in plain English.”. It is important that an information campaign is extended beyond this State because many Irish people emigrated to America and Australia, for example. We, in the Civil Engagement group, believe that the Government should work with people and that people have a right to info…

As always, both in the education committee and in this House, I am privileged to be before such a passionate Minister when it comes to higher education, and I mean that. I welcome all attempts to modernise the higher education sector and I hope we will be able to do that in this Bill. However, Senators Ruane and Higgins and I will be proposing a number of amendments to the Bill to address the serious concerns the Civil Engagement Group has. The Higher Education Authority Act is 50 years old and society and educatio…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) , the provisions of this Act, upon commencement, shall apply to protected disclosures made under the Principal Act or any other relevant enactment prior to this enactment.”. These amendments attempt to make sure that the provisions of this Bill will apply to protected disclosures made before the Bill is enacted. This is the top recommendation that came from pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint C…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) , the provisions of this Act, upon commencement, shall apply to protected disclosures made under the Principal Act prior to this enactment.”.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 7, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(ha) bringing vexatious proceedings against the worker,”. This amendment would mean that bringing vexatious proceedings intended to penalise a worker would be included in the definition of penalisation under the Bill, as per recommendation No. 9 of the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. Transparency International Ireland has also recommended t…

I will withdraw the amendment and seek to reintroduce it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, line 26, after “referrals” to insert “without reasonable cause”.

I move amendment No. 9: In page 12, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(d) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (5): “(5B) A matter concerning interpersonal grievances exclusively affecting the reporting person, as described in subsection (5A), shall constitute a relevant wrongdoing where such interpersonal grievances arise out of the reporting person having made a protected disclosure or where the interpersonal grievance has arisen due to penalisation of a reporting person.…

I move amendment No. 10: In page 12, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(d) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (5): “(5C) For the avoidance of doubt, an interpersonal grievance shall not preclude a person from making a protected disclosure under any relevant section of this Act.”,”.

I move amendment No. 11: In page 12, to delete lines 27 to 32 and substitute the following: “ “ 5A . (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of any other enactment relating to anonymous reporting of wrongdoing, a person who receives an anonymous report of wrongdoing, made in a manner specified under section 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 shall be obliged to regard such a report as a protected disclosure described in section 5.”.