My apologies.

I want just to say goodbye to Aertel.

Aertel is a symbol of a simpler time. The number for the Premier League scores was 221, and at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoons we wore down those buttons on the remote refreshing the scores. It was where we got the League of Ireland fixtures as well. Goodbye, Aertel.

I thank the Minister for outlining the changes made in the Dáil. We are obviously disappointed that the levy has not been prescribed in the Bill, but we look forward to the work coimisiún na meán will undertake on the content levy. It will be an extremely important funding stream for the industry. I welcome the independent production element to the scheme and the addition of Screen Ireland. I think I had an amendment to that end. It is important to both the RTÉ independent production fund and this production fund t…

I speak for Senator Higgins and myself in thanking the Minister and her officials for their engagement. It is a real example of how, when sufficient time is given to the parliamentary process, we can improve legislation together. Some of the amendments the Minister has spoken about today were proposed in this House. I thank the Oireachtas committee and its staff for the time put into the Bill.

I will begin by welcoming the changes to the regulations on who can give blood. I am delighted that the ban on donations from men who have sex with men has come to an end. Many people played a role in this, including these Houses, NGOs and the Government. LGBT activists and groups have long advocated for reform of this discriminatory restriction. All donors will now be asked the same questions about their sexual activity regardless of gender or the sexual orientation of the donors or their sexual partners. This cha…

I feel it is important to again highlight the rushed nature of this legislation. The Minister's rationale for the rushed process was that a constitutional challenge was ongoing. A response to a parliamentary question tabled by my colleague, Deputy Mark Ward, states, "The constitutional challenge was adjourned on the basis that wardship would be abolished in orderly fashion via an Act of the Oireachtas", and that remains the case. Legislation of this magnitude cannot be rushed to accommodate such external considerat…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

May I commend the Minister on the amendment?

I second the amendment.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I agree with Senator Vincent P. Martin about CAB moneys being reinvested in our communities. As long as I can remember, Sinn Féin has been calling for just that. That would be a very welcome move. In addition, it should be designed out as well, as it is a very important contribution in terms of designing public spaces for people and communities. For example, better lit streets and more trees, in particular, are good in terms of discouraging antisocial behaviour. As elec…

Well said.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House and thank him for brining forward these regulations, which we will not oppose. It is good to see him in good health. These proposals were discussed at the committee but I thank him for the explanation he has given of what is proposed. We fully accept there is an emergency in regard to people seeking international protection. It is not ideal to use commercial premises for accommodation but we recognise the urgency of the situation. Recent events show that when the Go…

I apologise that I must leave the Order of Business early. The Government has once again demonstrated that it is unwilling or unable to deal with the housing crisis. This weekend, a Government memo confirmed a housing budget underspend of almost €500 million so far this year. Just days ago, the Minister finally acknowledged what most independent experts and Sinn Féin have been saying for a long time, namely, the targets the Government is setting are too low. The Government effectively admitted that even if it meets…

We had asked the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, before he had to leave, to explain the rationale behind section 8.