I second the amendment.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 20, to delete lines 13 to 39, to delete pages 21, 22 and 23.

Will the Minister of State comment on whether she will support the amendment?

That is fine.

I welcome the Minister to the House. Automatic enrolment has been a topic of conversation for a considerable time. Sinn Féin supports it in principle and has long advocated it. However, we are not satisfied with the structure outlined in the Bill and consequently will not be supporting it on this Stage. Should substantial changes be made during its passage, we will consider supporting it on a later Stage. Automatic enrolment is necessary because many workers lack adequate pensions to support them in retirement. Mor…

I move amendment No. 16: In page 32, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(4) An employment permit shall include contact details for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Workplace Relations Commission.”. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This amendment, while technical, is straightforward. It does not change a lot in the grand scheme of things but it could have a huge impact on the people affected by it. The amendment seeks to facilitate the inclusion on employment permits of the con…

I thank the Minister of State for her very genuine response. It is really important that people know, particularly if they are new to Ireland, about the support available from trade unions. Contact details for unions that can help and support them should be included as part of the work permit. I would prefer for this to be in primary legislation so I will agree to disagree with the Minister of State on that point. That said, I appreciate where she is coming from.

I move amendment No. 27: In page 49, after line 37, to insert the following: “(ii) in the 2 years preceding the day on which the application was made the person or employer who has made the offer of employment has been convicted of breaching employment legislation pertaining to any of the following: (I) employment permits; (II) national minimum wage; (III) organisation of working time; (IV) paternity leave and benefit; (V) payment of wages; (VI) protection of young persons; (VII) sick leave; (VIII) workplace relati…

The employers who break employment law are putting all other employers at a competitive disadvantage. We think there should be a sanction for those employers convicted of breaking the law of the State and who have treated their workers disgracefully. The Minister of State said we want to blacklist them. For two years, they should have no access to hiring vulnerable workers.

I move amendment No. 31: In page 62, after line 40, to insert the following: “Changing employer 40 . (1) An employee that has been granted an employment permit shall be permitted to change employer— (a) after an initial period of 12 months has elapsed since the employee concerned first commenced employment in the State pursuant to an employment permit granted to him or her, or (b) in instances where it has been demonstrated that the employee has suffered exploitation, or any other unforeseen circumstances as determ…

I welcome the Minister of State. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this important motion. I welcome the debate on waste management. I will focus my remarks on the municipalisation of waste disposal. I have been proud to see my colleague and comrade, Councillor Daithí Doolan, playing a leading role on this issue in Dublin City Council over the years. A coalition of political parties and trade unions brought their demands in this regard to the Oireachtas last year, organised by Fór…

As has been mentioned a number of times, this Bill provides for the establishment of two funds - the future Ireland fund and the infrastructure, climate and nature fund - to support State expenditure from 2041 in a sustainable and consistent manner. However, there are risks to these proposals that could be disastrous in terms of the State’s ability to spend and respond to the housing and health crises as well as meet our climate targets. The serious flaws with these proposals mean that Sinn Féin will not be support…

I do not think I have ever hit the target. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I welcome the progression of this Bill, which contains a number of important provisions regarding sexual offences and human trafficking. I acknowledge the hard work of a number of campaigners, including Women of Honour. I also acknowledge the many victims who have waived their right to anonymity in sexual violence cases in an effort to encourage others to come forward as well. Some of the recommendations have come as a result of their bravely. This …

Today, as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, my colleagues in the other House will bring forward a motion on those bombings. Much cross-party support has been indicated to us in advance of the motion and, indeed, in advance of previous motions in 2008, 2011 and 2016, all of which were unanimously adopted. Despite that, however, the unfortunate fact remains that to date no progress has been made in the search for truth and justice. Any progress which has been made has been largely …

I will begin by acknowledging that this Bill represents a significant step forward in the context of addressing the issue of gambling in Ireland. I take the opportunity to recognise the selfless and tireless work of the countless individuals and families who have highlighted the harms caused by gambling. We are here because they spoke up and refused to allow this harm to continue. There can be no doubt that an overhaul of the regulation of gambling in the State is long overdue. Research produced by H2 Gambling Capi…

I raised this issue quite recently but I want to raise it again and ask for a debate. I want to express my frustration and disappointment with the current level of vacancies on State boards under the remit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, which is responsible for these appointments. According to a new response issued to my party colleague, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, almost 50% of the boards for which the Minister has responsibility currently have vacancies and four of these boards ar…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I commend my colleague, Senator Clonan, not only on bringing this Bill before the House but also on all his tireless work on disability issues. People with additional needs, their families, friends and communities have been failed by the State for a long time now, yet we are one of the richest countries in the world. What is our vision for our country? Is it a society in which all citizens, including those with additional needs, are offered equal…

I thank the Minister and his officials for meeting me to discuss the Bill and the functions of the agency, which these amendments address. Culture is mentioned throughout the Bill and that is a welcome addition. The culture and creative sectors, which incorporate arts, heritage and audiovisual media, are essential for who we are and for our international reputation. It is a lightning rod for our well-being. It is rewarding, uncomfortable, entertaining, exciting and provocative and it is a constant challenge to us a…

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 12 be taken before No. 1. No. 12 is our Bill to amend the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 to ensure that the online content and digital output of our country is preserved in order that citizens and researchers within the country and abroad are guaranteed permanent access to the online intellectual and cultural memory of our country. The National Library of Ireland has the legal responsibility to collect every physical publication in the State. It …

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 to ensure that the online, digital output of the nation is collected and preserved so that citizens and researchers, within the country and abroad, are guaranteed permanent access to the intellectual and cultural memory of the nation.