Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

First I want to speak about an event that happened last week on the other side of the Atlantic in a town called Freehold in New Jersey. Freehold, of course, is the home town of Bruce Springsteen. I am sure many Senators will remember me recalling here how Bruce Springsteen's great-great grandmother on his father's side, Ann Garrity, came from my home town of Rathangan in County Kildare and travelled to America in 1852. When she went, she brought a seedling of a copper beech with her which was planted and became a t…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding appointment of member to the Committee of Selection, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding appointment of member to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, Finance Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 11.30 a.m. or on conclusion of No. 2, whichever is the later, and to conclude after 75 minutes, if not previously concluded, with the ti…

I am still busy writing on the last issue. I thank all 13 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business this morning. We started with Senator Fitzpatrick who spoke about the verdict of the jury in the case involving the awful stabbing at Parnell Square. Many of us were brought back to the day of 23 November 2023 when that awful tragedy happened and what ensued in Dublin after it. As the Senator said, much changed for that little girl, her family, the whole school community and the larger community. I listened t…

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 109 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Senator Cathal Byrne be appointed to the Committee of Selection.

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 110 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Senator Cathal Byrne be appointed to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.

As Ireland begins its EU Presidency at a very pivotal and challenging time, I wish all of those involved from the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, all the best and of course all those in the Department of foreign affairs, in particular Aingeal O’Donoghue, the ambassador to the EU. She is going to have a very busy six months. Having been in the embassy in Brussels a number of times, the people we have there are absolutely dedicated. They are top c…

That is no problem at all. I am happy to do it.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this Commencement matter. The issue I raise is occurring in Newbridge, which is the town I live in, but I am very appreciative that it is an issue not just there but in many large urban areas and, indeed, in other towns in County Kildare. I refer to the urgent issue of youth antisocial behaviour. In recent weeks and months, we have been subject to the actions of what I can only describe as a gang of marauding youths, some of whom are as young as ten. It …

I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge that the Minister came down to Newbridge at my invitation and met with local business owners, not specifically in relation to this issue but other antisocial behaviour that was happening. As a result of that, we got extra gardaí, which was important. We need to have more. I will say two things: it is good that there generally is a reduction in harmful and aggressive behaviour by young people and this is a tiny percentage. Most of the young people we have are wonderful yo…

It was wonderful to meet so many in Dublin at the Pride march on Saturday. It truly was a great reminder why community and visibility still matter. Showing up is always important and is a small way of saying that everyone deserves to belong. As primary schools are winding down this week, I wish all of the students and, of course, their teachers, SNAs and support staff a very happy holiday. As we gear up towards September and the new budget, it is important that we support the INTO request for a reduction in class s…

I commend my colleagues on bringing this motion forward. It is important we debate it. It is clear the proposer, Senator Scahill, has put a lot of thought into it. I commend him on that. I come from a place in north-west Kildare that has suffered seriously on many occasions from a lack of electricity. I would say, on average, it has been nearly two or three times per week in the past year. I know the impact that has on families, farmers, those who are working, those with young families and older people. It has to b…

I too welcome the Slovenian ambassador. It was lovely to meet him and of course his team. I know that when James Joyce lived in the nearby city of Trieste, there were many visits across the border. I spent a night or two in Slovenia - not unexpectedly - and had a really lovely experience. Happy Independence Day to all of you and to all the Slovenians who live here in Ireland. The Order of Business today is Nos. 1 and 2, motions regarding the continuance of certain provisions of the Offences Against the State (Amend…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. We are getting away lightly this morning. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use and the report it brought out yesterday. Many meetings took place and 161 recommendations were made, which hopefully will help to guide us to a health-led approach, which is important. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick and to all who served on that committee. I also thank the members of the citizens' assembly, chaired by Paul Reid, for their work. I thank all those who gav…

I am thinking of all of the Poole family now. Jason has become someone that I know well at this stage. We have become friends. I am thinking in particular of Nevaeh, Jennie's daughter. Just before we came in, Jason was chatting about the family and where they are at. He said she had her last day in primary school and her graduation but it was a really difficult emotional day for her because she was one of the few there not to have her mam. That is a very difficult place for anyone to be in but Nevaeh can rest easy …

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I have no doubt that aside from his professional commitment to this, it must have a personal impact on him as well. I thank him for prioritising it. My former Seanad colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, was very much to the forefront in drafting a Private Members' Bill. I would like to thank her for all the work she has done. That is not to take away from the Minister of State, Deputy Troy's absolute commitment. He prioritised this and I thank him. This is s…

I second the motion.

I thank my colleague Senator Fitzpatrick for proposing this motion, as well as our colleague, Deputy Paul McAuliffe, in the Dáil who has done extensive work on this matter. As Senator Fitzpatrick has outlined, many of the Dublin councillors in particular have been involved in helping to develop a policy that would absolutely support, in their instance, the city of Dublin. What we are proposing here is something that possibly could be brought in right around Ireland. Again, it would be totally up to those who are el…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, for coming to the House - in fairness, he is always ready to step up and serve in whatever way he can - but I am disappointed the Minister for Defence is not taking this Commencement matter. I have tabled a number of Commencement matters about the Curragh over the past year and the Minister has never come in to take any of them. I had the opportunity to speak to her briefly about it, as well as communicating via numerous emails. The situation in the Curragh is absolutely …

I certainly welcome the continued engagement with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which has undertaken an initial scoping and I believe this is the way forward. I am also pleased to hear that there was a meeting between the Department of Defence and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on Wednesday last and the fact that it was positive. This cannot come soon enough. My strong message coming back from here is that those appropriate next steps will not only be identified but will be implemented. It is of…