All Senators from the previous term will consider which Bills to resubmit. One of the Bills of which I am most proud is the amendment to the Gender Recognition Act, which tried to right the wrong of the exclusion of young people from the original Act. The House has a proud record of support and shows of empathy for our trans community, who bear the brunt of attacks on all of the LGBTIQ communities. Before I resubmit the legislation I want to ask the Leader, in line with the programme for Government commitment, when…

I strongly criticise the decision of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Foley, to delay the issuing of the results of the leaving certificate until 7 September. It was supposed to be mid-August. Students have been left high and dry as the Department stumbles from crisis to crisis. Even more unanswered questions remain after the Minister's interview on the "Morning Ireland" programme this morning. It is astonishing that the Minister stated that she did not answer questions in the Dáil because she wanted t…

I want to commend the NGOs in homeless services and addiction services for their incredible work in recent months, as well as Dublin City Council and the HSE. Only 63 homeless people in Dublin were diagnosed with Covid-19 and there was one Covid death. I want to salute the front-line staff whose bravery and dedication ensured Dublin outperformed even the best-case scenarios for Covid-19 mortality among homeless and drug-using populations. Covid is reshaping drug policies around the world. It is amplifying places wh…

This morning, I was proud to stand outside Leinster House with mothers calling for the extension of maternity leave for 12 weeks. Senators are well aware of the petition, which has almost 30,000 signatures from people throughout the State. I spoke with Mary from Drimnagh about the issues facing many new mothers who gave birth during the lockdown. They have not had an opportunity to socialise with their children. Many medical appointments and check-ups have been cancelled. Mothers have been isolated from services. P…

I appreciate the Cathaoirleach allowing me time to congratulate Senator Buttimer on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach. It is a very special day for him and his husband, Conchobar. I am sure the Leas-Chathaoirleach will not mind me saying that in his role as Leader, he was sometimes combative and always well able to wind us up on this side of the House but it proved impossible not to establish a friendship with him. He was always on hand with advice and for that reason, I have a good expectation that he will be a …

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and thank the former Cathaoirleach, Senator Denis O'Donovan, who knows how much I appreciated his support during the previous term. I want to send my condolences to everyone in my party in Belfast who tomorrow will lay Bobby Storey to rest. The road to Irish unity and equal treatment across this island is marked by his contribution. In contrast to the Dáil, there is a huge Government majority in this Chamber and, therefore, the Seanad does not reflect the change the …

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, all of the Seanad staff, Conor Stitt, who served with me on level 6, and Tonie Walsh, an icon of mine who joined me this year in the office. It has been a great privilege to serve as the youngest Member of the Oireachtas. I think I have always been valued as equal to everyone else here. I thank colleagues for that and for their generosity. It has been an incredible privilege to advocate for the things that I love, for arts and culture and for the LGBT community. I …