I am seeking a debate on defective concrete. It is not just Donegal where people's houses are crumbling around them; it is happening all over the country. We need to talk about this matter in both Houses. My colleague Deputy Charles Ward wants to include another 40 families in the current redress scheme. This issue is bigger than the 40 families Deputy Ward wants to be include in the scheme. We have not touched on the local authority or the social housing which has been impacted by defective bricks. We need to have…

Yes.

That is so unfair.

No.

Yes.

No.

The door was just left purposely - it is not fair. No way.

Yes.

Yes, she is right.

I welcome the Minister of State to her new role and wish her every success. I care deeply about people with disabilities in this country, about issues of access of care and about having their needs met. When I am listening to myself, I am conscious of referring to people with disability as "them" and "they". Everybody should have equality of opportunity. I do not believe there is any such thing as equality. Everybody is different but it is about meeting a person where they are at and seeing an individual first. I c…

I am following on from other comments this afternoon around putting an end to gender-based violence. You can wear orange all you want and you can be a part of the gender equality committee in Leinster House and be a do-gooder for women. However, when a woman is getting beaten up somewhere in this country, she does not give a damn about the colour of a Member's top or tie or what issue they are raising. What we need is a productive government when it comes to ending violence against women. What we need are spaces fo…

I am following on from Senator Nelson Murray's comments on COPD. I was diagnosed with COPD when I was 28 years of age. As I was a member of the Traveller community, it took me at least six months to a year to be diagnosed with COPD. I remember meeting a consultant in Sligo University Hospital named Dr. Katherine Finan. She was one of the nicest doctors you could ever meet. I remember saying to her to add 12 years to 28 years. She did that. She tested me for COPD and asthma, and I was diagnosed with it. I know what …

For the information of Members and clerks, every Wednesday at 11.30 a.m. in Senator Ruane's office, there is karaoke. They are more than welcome to take part.

No, it is from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

I brought sweets because I do not have a note in my head but it is a good, uplifting wee hour. I will talk about defective blocks and 100% redress. I know that households are treated differently from services. There are many schools and childcare facilities in County Donegal - I am sure it is the same in Mayo and other counties affected by defective blocks. I am sure Senators would welcome a discussion on what can be done for childcare providers. My two children attend the local crèche in Ardara. It is an amazing s…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 9, to delete “(Amendment)”.

Today we are considering the main change in this important legislation. The Government supported our Bill on Committee Stage in June and we would love to have its support today to change the term "child pornography" and call it what it is, child sexual abuse by materials. In 2022, the then Minister, Deputy McEntee, said it might not be possible to have this Bill. I thank Corey O'Hara, Jessica Bray, and Colm Gannon in Australia for all their hard work on this legislation. From a conversation I had yesterday with the…

It is regrettable that the Minister of State will oppose this legislation. I was speaking to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, yesterday evening and his words to me were, "You kept this Bill alive, you kept pushing and I expect you to nothing more when we have it in the Dáil". My wee girl was 12 weeks old when I come back from maternity leave. My then parliamentary assistant, Jessica Bray, and I sat down and decided this was extremely important legislation. The then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, said it was…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, lines 13 and 14, to delete all words from and including “ “Child” where it firstly occurs in line 13 down to and including line 14 and substitute the following: “ “Child Pornography” with “Child Sexual Abuse Material” within those Acts and other Acts; to ensure legal continuity in prosecutions and proceedings; to clarify the continued application of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; to ensure compliance with international obligations; and to provide for related matters.”.

Sometimes I look at the Seanad as if we are guinea pigs. While the Government will now bring this legislation into the Dáil, taking the work we have done in our offices with the Civil Engagement Group, every other Member of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil here is now on record as having voted against changing the term "child pornography" to "child sexual abuse". It is really important that I say that out loud. I have great friends and colleagues in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. In a few weeks the Minister will take our legi…