Next Tuesday.

I thank Senators O’Loughlin and Malcolm Byrne for tabling the motion. I commend the families and campaigners who have worked tirelessly to ensure that many children have access to education. This motion is welcome because it lays out the bare fact that, once again, hundreds of young people and families are facing confusion and uncertainty about the availability of school places. We need solutions and an explanation of what the Government is doing to address it. We should not merely acknowledge the problem, which we…

I will speak very briefly about the creative industries in the context of the Research and Innovation Bill 2024, which is coming through the House at the moment. I met with the Department and may submit an amendment to the Bill. I flag the importance of the creative and cultural industries in the future work of the new Taighde Éireann, which will replace Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council. The lack of research in the creative and cultural industries is a significant problem. They are very soc…

I move amendment No. 9: In page 7, line 4, after “writing” to insert “, or by any other manner and in any such system as may be prescribed by the Minister for Justice following consultation with the Minister for Health in accordance with subsection (6) ,”. I am standing in for Senator Gavan, who regrets he cannot be here. I will speak briefly to the three amendments. All three amendments are simple and relate to the lack of a Garda reporting system. They address the issue of Garda warnings and those who take part i…

I am happy to withdraw amendment No. 9 and reserve the right to resubmit it.

I move amendment No. 10: In page 7, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “(6) The Minister for Justice may, following consultation with the Minister for Health, prescribe by way of regulation the systems which shall be used to record warnings issued under subsection (2). ”.

I move amendment No. 11: In page 8, line 3, after “review” to insert “in particular as it relates to evaluating the effectiveness of the system for recording warnings issued by An Garda Síochána pursuant to section 5(1) ”.

I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate her on her reappointment. I also welcome our guests in the Public Gallery. They are very welcome here. It is paramount that Ireland remains steadfast in our commitment to international solidarity for those affected by war and conflict globally, but also that we remain steadfast in our opposition to further EU militarisation and interventionism, two things that further the displacement of people and conflict as well. In our view we should not concede power to the …

The Housing Commission has completed its work on a referendum in respect of housing. I commend the work of the commission. I tabled this matter to give the Minister and the Government an opportunity to discuss the right to housing being enshrined in the Constitution, which the Seanad supported by way of a motion earlier this term. Often, Private Members' referendum Bills in the Dáil from Sinn Féin and others have been defeated by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I understand that a majority report of the Housing Commissi…

I am somewhat confused. My understanding was that two reports had been furnished to the Government but I will bring the response away and consider it further. Back in early November, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, said he expected in quite a short space of time to be able to bring a report and recommendations to Cabinet. The Acting Chair is a member of the housing committee. I am sure members of that committee are also keen to see the report. As my colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, has said in the Dáil, we hope it is not t…

I welcome the opportunity to speak briefly to the Bill. In the coming weeks I look forward to reviewing it in more detail with colleagues and, possibly, to tabling amendments as well. I hope this Bill is not merely the coming together of two existing research funding bodies but is a new departure for promoting research and development in Ireland. Ireland has underinvested in research and development. The White Paper on enterprise states that research, development and innovation are the best ways to generate sustain…

I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 12 be taken before No. 1." Sinn Féin, like many other organisations, people in the public, people in civil society organisations and many political parties, has long supported the naming of the national children's hospital for Dr. Kathleen Lynn. She was a remarkable woman, who at various times was chief medical officer, vice president of Sinn Féin, Captain of the Irish Citizen Army and the first female doctor at Dublin's Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr. Ka…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Children’s Health Act 2018 and therefore to amend the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (Establishment) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 246 of 2007) so as to direct that the National Children’s Hospital be named, in the Irish language, Ospidéal Náisiúnta Kathleen Lynn do Leanaí, or in the English language, the Kathleen Lynn National Children’s Hospital.

Next Tuesday.

As we mark International Women’s Day, we have an opportunity to celebrate women’s accomplishments in Ireland and abroad. Equally, we can use this moment to audit the culture of gender-based abuse and violence and the lack of equality that still lingers. We can also use this moment to call out sexist, discriminatory behaviour and declare that it has no place in an outward-looking and confident republic, nor in any other country for that matter. The history of International Women’s Day stretches back more than 100 ye…

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 €1,823 per month; and the average new rent in Dublin city is €2,349, €1,999 in Galway city, €1,907 in Cork city, €1,907 in Limerick city and €1,537 in Waterford city – an annual increase of 6.8 percent State–wide; - 21 counties have experienced double-digit rent inflation, with Donegal at 20 percent, experiencing the biggest hike in the…

The cost of living, the quality of life, the cost of-----

He is going to say that house prices-----

The tension in this debate is not there because Sinn Féin has created that energy but because housing consumes everyone's life. In smoking areas, clubs, queues for clubs, cafes, among sports teams and on trips, housing and renting consumes the life of everyone. Senator McGahon said people do not care who builds the home, where it is built or about all these regulatory and legislative matters, but we find ourselves in this place because we have had 30 years of bad housing policy and of incentivising the private sect…

Since 2012, house prices have risen more dramatically than wages and that has left a significant number of people, young people in particular, locked out of home ownership and living in the private rental market. People are paying more than 40% of their salary on rent. What are they getting in return? No protection if the home is sold; no protection if the landlord decides to move in; no protection from eviction; no protection if the landlord's family member decides to move in; no protection for your deposit; and c…