I formally second the motion before the House this evening. I congratulate Senator Ruane on all her work in this area. I also take note of what Senator Norris said. I acknowledge that the former Senator, Deputy Bacik, was involved in the initiation of this. Obviously, she has moved Houses. I welcome the opportunity Senator Ruane has afforded to us all to speak on such important issues. Bullying and sexual harassment have no place in our third level institutions, workplaces, homes or anywhere in our society. We have…

I second and support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. Since we mark today what is more than likely our last day sitting in this Chamber and the start of the recess, noting that everybody's work in committees and elsewhere will continue, I want to take the opportunity, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, to thank Mr. Martin Groves and all the staff for their unfailing courtesy over the past year. It has been a difficult year for everybody. I thank the members of the Opposition and of other parties an…

I take this opportunity to thank the Minister for sanctioning the drug patisiran last weekend. It was wonderful news for the cohort of 35 patients who have amyloidosis. I am delighted for Pat Tinsley, about whom I have spoken to the Minister and whose situation I have raised several times in the House. This is a life-changing drug. While I appreciate that the access programme has to be put in place, this news is a lifeline for many. I thank the Minister for it. I also thank him for all the work he has done in the a…

Yes, you can.

Thank you, Minister. I think it was important to get that extra clarification.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take next Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take next Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Does the Minister wish to make any closing comments?

I welcome the Minister of State and this legislation. The Minister of State will recall that Senator Chambers and I brought a Commencement matter to the Seanad in April regarding this much-needed legislation on the fair deal scheme. At that point, she made a very firm commitment to honouring farming families and I sincerely thank her for that. This update of the fair deal legislation to enhance protections for farmers and business owners has been a priority for her since she took office just over 12 months ago. I s…

I cannot but be moved and touched by the emotion Senator Craughwell has shown and I empathise with him and feel every bit of that emotion, as I think many of us in the Chamber do. I thank the Minister and commend him on his formal apology to those who served in the "A" battalion and to their families, who have supported them throughout the years. I also acknowledge the fact that the Minister has stated that it is his intention to have two different ceremonies this year, one in New York, at the UN, to recognise all …

I fully support Senator Ruane. I was going to raise that issue. Like her, I was horrified when I saw how Conor had been treated. It is so wrong. His mother eloquently spoke about how he looked out the window waiting for the bus to collect him to bring him to school every single day but, as of now, he has no place to go. It is appalling. No child in this country should be in that situation. I second Senator Chambers's stalking Bill. We must seek to make our country a safer place for women and for all. That Bill cert…

The issue I raise today is housing. Housing is very complex and we deal with it daily in this House and in the Dáil. A particular cohort of people have been forgotten about. I have raised this matter previously with the Minister but I want to have time devoted to it. The cohort in question is the tenants of approved housing bodies, colloquially known as co-operative schemes. A very good scheme was introduced approximately 25 years ago, whereby tenants who were on a housing list and qualified for social housing coul…

I thank the Minister of State. The families and individuals I am talking about are being sent from pillar to post. They are not being given adequate responses from anyone. They are not being shown the respect they deserve. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been in contact with residents and told them that the decision to sell homes to residents is one for individual housing associations. The individual housing associations say it is not up to them. It is clear that mechanisms should be pu…

I welcome the Minister of State. As he embarks on another collaboration this week, I wish him and Aideen the best of good health and happiness in the times ahead. The Bill is extremely welcome. As the Minister of State indicated, the purpose of it is to save companies and protect jobs, which is hugely important. Kildare County Council, together with the local enterprise office, LEO, and County Kildare Chamber, published its economic strategy last week for attracting new investment and sustaining industry and enterp…

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his work on insurance. We have seen payouts come down by 50%, which will surely lead to a situation where people's premiums come down. I know he will keep a watchful eye on that. Over recent years, we have all seen issues, especially in the area of leisure and amenity, where children's playgrounds and play areas had huge insurance bills. We look forward to this changing. I ask the Minister of State and all of those involved in insurance to make sure that happens. Th…

The Minister of State is welcome to the House. The Bill is important and urgent, in light of the decision of the Supreme Court of April last regarding the Zalewski case. It is important that when a constitutional question mark is placed over the State's system for resolving workplace disputes, it has to be resolved. The Bill will give clarity to our legal system for dealing with workplace disputes. Above all in law, we need clarity and consistency, as well as transparency. The remedies provided for in the Bill rela…