I move amendment No. 23: In page 12, line 21, to delete “Regulation;” and substitute the following: “Regulation. Under this Act, all records relating to the adoption or informal care arrangement of a relevant person are considered to be that person’s personal data, regardless of whether that data is shared with another person. Personal data in relation to a relevant person, includes but is not limited to: (a) personal data in terms of the relevant person’s physical, mental, and physiological identity, including but…

I apologise for being late. I listened to Senator Pauline O'Reilly's opening contribution on my phone while on my way to the Chamber. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As ever, he is very welcome. I commend anyone who puts in the work and brings forward a Private Members' Bill. I also sympathise with the Senators on the motion to delay. I have experienced that on a number of occasions, particularly around electoral reform issues. The voting at 16 Bill was delayed on two occasions in the last term. On th…

I commend some of the previous speakers, including Senator McGreehan for speaking personally. I welcome the Minister to the House. He has been at four or five events today and probably more besides. We appreciate his coming to the Seanad and always giving time to hear our contributions. For years, childcare and the early years sector have been underfunded. This State last year was ranked one of the lowest EU member states for investment in this area. The resulting burden on families raising children is immense. Hou…

I agree with previous speakers. The RTÉ programme made for some uncomfortable viewing because any case of misuse of public funds, we can all agree, is troubling and uncomfortable. The lack of oversight, the way in which these cases were investigated and the failure to publish reports were concerning. I will use this debate as an opportunity to touch on some adjacent ethics legislation. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, initiated a review of all ethics legislation last November …

I will point out to the Minister of State that the Government has about 40 Senators in this House. My own group numbers four. A member of the Labour Party group is in the Chair, while members of the Civil Engagement Group and Sinn Féin are in the Chamber. We are all very much in it.

I move amendment No. 82: In page 40, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: "(1A) Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (1) may not include regulation of commercial communications.".

Not yet because we will speak to the group first.

It is grouped with amendment No. 83.

I move amendment No. 87. In page 44, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Duties with regard to regional balance 8. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 39: “Duties with regard to regional balance 39A. (1) All public bodies engaged in the distribution of State moneys for the production, screening and broadcast of audiovisual or sound content, including but not limited to RTÉ, Teilifís na Gaeilge, Screen Ireland, and the Commission, shall ensure that these …

I appreciate that the Minister will not accept the amendment and that she appreciates the intent behind it. Prior to Report Stage we could think about how we might write into legislation how the coimisiún might recommend on how to improve the balance of investment from a regional perspective, which is also there in the amendment. Perhaps we could have a discussion about that prior to Report Stage and come back to the House regarding how the coimisiún would advise and report.

Is the Minister open to adding to legislation at any point that an coimisiún might report on certain things?

I will withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to resubmit it.

I move amendment No. 88: 88. In page 44, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “Duties to whole community of island of Ireland 8. The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 39: “Duties to whole community of island of Ireland 39A. RTÉ and Teilifís na Gaeilge as the national public service broadcasters shall endeavour to ensure that in the event of any graphic or pictorial representation or map of Ireland that is broadcast or used in a broadcast to depict data or in…

I probably take exception to the argument that I have crossed the line in terms of editorial independence in RTÉ but I hear what the Minister is saying. I am simply making the point that it is a matter of considerable frustration to citizens, both Irish and British, in the North when their region is not included in the items that are-----

I will withdraw the amendment.

I will speak to amendment No. 148. It was a recommendation by the joint committee in its pre-legislative report. I know the Minister has given a rationale about how financial harm is not content, which is required to be regulated under the audiovisual media services directive. We accept that Ireland is in the process of finally establishing a gambling regulator. If this amendment is not accepted by the Minister, which presumably it will not be given her previous response, we can put in an amendment on Report Stage …

I welcome the Minister and our guests in the Visitors Gallery. It goes without saying that there can be no electronic border, just as there can be no hard border, on the island. As the Minister said, it is unnecessary, unjustifiable and inconsiderate of our island of workers, families, tourists and students. Thankfully, the Seanad is united in one voice and on the same page. I thank Senator Ó Donnghaile for bringing forward the motion on behalf of the team and I thank all the parties for supporting it. It calls on …

I welcome both the Minister and our guests in the Public Gallery. These are their Houses and they are very welcome here. I welcome also those who are watching the debate from elsewhere. The apology the Minister made on behalf of the State is welcome. I have no doubt it will have been a difficult moment for many people. It has come on the same day we have learned that no agreement has been reached with the religious orders in regard to contributing towards redress for survivors of mother and baby homes. As my party …

The recent report of the Children's Rights Alliance gives all of us an opportunity to reflect, ten years on from the children's rights referendum. The name of the report is Voice, Rights, Action! and it calls for the lowering of the voting age to 16 for elections in this State. There are two Bills on the Order Paper that aim to lower the voting age to 16 and 17 for local and European elections. The last Seanad witnessed what was probably the most co-ordinated campaign to lower the voting age to 16 and 17. It was pr…

I wish to speak in support of the amendment and perhaps give my colleagues some time to consider their approach. As other speakers have said, the section gives the commission power at any time to dissolve a committee. I assume that would apply to this committee as well. A report was launched by the Children's Rights Alliance recently which, among other things, called for a lowering of the voting age to 16. I will read a statement from Tanya Ward of the Children's Rights Alliance: Ireland has made great strides to s…