I thank the Cathaoirleach for the shamrock. I do not believe I have worn shamrocks since I was very young. Last Monday, the House debated a Sinn Féin Private Members' business motion on the private rental sector. The Government proposed an amendment which referenced the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I did not mention it on the night as I did not want to pay any disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, who turned up. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, failed to turn up, however. It was reported in …

I welcome the Bill and the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, to the House. Given its length, we were not given much time with the legislation, which was only published yesterday. I am concerned that Members were only given a day to look over it. While we were given notice, the Bill was not provided to Senators until yesterday. In October 2019, the House debated the Parent's Leave and Benefit Bill. A number of Senators were present, including Senator Norris who, unfortunately, is not here today as I know he is interested i…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: notes that: - the private rental sector is dysfunctional with ever increasing rents and decreasing standards; - the average State-wide rent now stands at €1,414 per month and the average new rent in Dublin city is €1,951, €1,370 in Galway city, €1,452 in Cork city, €1,265 in Limerick city and €1,067 in Waterford city - an annual increase of 0.9% State-wide; - too many working people cannot access secure or affordable accommodation, and too many young people are forced to reside with par…

The private rental market is broken. It is dysfunctional, and everybody knows it. People are paying extortionate, sky-high rents and getting no protection in return. They have no protection if the home is sold, if the landlord decides to move in or if the landlord decides to move in a family member. They have no protection for their deposit. They have no protection from people whose name does not even go on the lease. Crucially, they have no certainty in terms of the level of rent people are being asked and forced …

We are proposing-----

This is fantasy.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. I mentioned to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, during one of the debates on the Residential Tenancies Act that Sinn Féin would introduce proposals in a constructive manner. He welcomed that at the time. I am somewhat disappointed that he is not present but this is a priority area for the Green Party in housing and planning and I hope it will live up to that reputation in government. Sinn Féin tabled this motion, but not because we wanted to claim ownership of th…

Some Senators say that our proposals would discourage landlords and investment and affect supply. Rent certainty is good for landlords and tenants; the absence of regulation is bad for them. A culture in which friends of mine are afraid to rock the boat and contact their landlords about the landlords' property is a bad one and is bad for landlords and tenants. Even with a rent freeze, surely rental accommodation would remain a good investment. Who is investing in property in Dublin expecting rents to go even higher…

The next Commencement matter will be taken by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien. I call Senator Gavan.

There are not enough glass recycling centres in Dublin. In many cases, residential glass ends up in public bins on streets.

It is well timed following Senator Higgins. Perhaps the Minister would consider those cases where a minor was given a suspended sentence before the Children's Act applied and the adult now does something newsworthy. His or her case can still follow him or her around. It can be embarrassing, particularly when it is taken in the context of fresh news. I ask the Minister to consider that. I do not think it is fair that someone would be tarred with that brush his or her whole life because the press sees it as somewhat …

On Friday, I raised the issue of nightlife and the night economy. Thankfully, the Leader gave a commitment to invite the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, in for a debate once the night-time task force has published its review. Little did I know that on Sunday the newspapers would lead with the issues around nightlife and the Minister for Justice's commitment to licensing reform. I amend my suggestion to propose that we instead invite both the Minister for Jus…

This issue cannot be separated from real and genuine reform of local government and of the power structure in Irish politics. Governance and decision-making should be made as close to the people as possible. It should be made by people who are elected by the people. The current management structure was introduced in 1940. We consistently, for decade after decade following partition, followed a colonial policy of centralisation. Looking at it today, where do we find ourselves? We have one of the most centralised pol…

Last weekend, the Business Post led with the Tánaiste's statement that there would be no indoor gatherings of more than 50 people until the autumn. While the GAA and weddings receive an awful lot of warranted attention in these Houses, nightlife and the night economy rarely do. That is probably because those who legislate for it, with all due respect, have little experience of that sector.

There is no specific nightclub licence or permit in law. Instead, we have a shocking special exemption order system, which is a ridiculous mechanism that costs businesses hundreds of euro every month in court and solicitor fees, and an additional tax for later opening hours. Millions of euro leave the industry to pay for bureaucracy every year. I understand that the Government has set up a night-time economy task force which is due to report in June. I would welcome a debate in this House at the point when the Mini…

I commend Senator Hoey on bringing forward this legislation and reading the testimonies of people on the front line into the record. What is needed is a permanent solution with fair allowances to be put in place for student nurses and midwives. That should have been done yesterday, it should be done today and it should definitely be done before the next academic year 2021-22. I understand the Minister can do this at the stroke of a pen. The buck should not be passed to higher education institutions, the Nursing and…

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to chair the proceedings. I call Senator Byrne who has two minutes.

The next Commencement matter is from Senator Carrigy.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, to the House.

I will not use all of my time. I think there will be another Sinn Féin speaker in the House. I want to express my support and that of Sinn Féin for the Bill. I also welcome the fast pace of its progress. We would hope to see more examples of such co-operation in this House. We have seen it this year in this House. I think it is more akin to the co-operation we saw in the Twenty-fifth Seanad. I extend my sympathies to all of the families who have been affected by the subject of today's Bill. Of course, it will not c…