I agree with the other speakers on this issue. I cannot imagine what it is like for children in care or even that they are in care and are alone and isolated. Then they have to go through the mental health services and not really have anybody by their side to offer a warm smile or somebody who can say they have their back and ask what they want. It is very hard sometimes for adults to communicate, never mind children. In my experience of working with adults, the most difficult thing for them is to communicate what …

I want to come back on the need for independent advocacy. I am conscious that the UNCRC has expressly called for the Bill to end the practice of children being admitted to adult units. Before I go any further, I have to acknowledge the amazing work and how the Minister of State has reduced numbers in this area. I am very aware of how well she has done that and I commend her on that. However, I highlight the fact that the UNCRC has expressly called for the Bill to end completely the practice of children being admitt…

I pay tribute to Dr. Fiona Morrissey. She really engaged when we were doing pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill. Fiona Walsh is here also. I pay huge tribute to her. This came up when we were doing pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill a few years ago. We heard that people with lived experience find the term "mental disorder" deeply stigmatising. I will quote from a recent briefing in the audiovisual room. This was one of the lived experiences: Words carry immense influence, and the labels we use can have serious c…

I support these amendments. It is very important that psychologists are included on the list of healthcare professionals. It is also really important that the wider psychosocial care team is recognised. It is important to recognise the need for psychosocial care and not just simple healthcare. Mental health cannot be understood or addressed solely through a medical lens. While that is obviously very important, it is not the complete picture. Many of the challenges that people face are deeply rooted in a wide range …

It is great to see the Minister of State here. I commend Senator Conor Murphy and his Sinn Féin colleagues on introducing the motion. It is a fantastic idea. I welcome the opportunity to contribute. It is great that the Minister of State is supporting the motion. We are living through a momentous time of opportunity for our country - with reunification closer than ever. We have the hope of a united and shared future, the end of harmful separation and corrosive division and the achievement of national reconciliation…

A motion was brought to the Dáil this morning by People Before Profit calling for the passing of the occupied territories Bill, with provisions on goods and services, before Christmas. The motion was supported by all parties. I am so disappointed that the new foreign affairs Minister did not even turn up. This is one of the most important issues on the foreign affairs agenda and the Minister did not even turn up. I go back to 2019, when Fianna Fáil introduced the occupied territories Bill in the Dáil. At the time, …

On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, I send our condolences to the families of the five young people, all in their 20s, who lost their lives in the serious road traffic collision that took place outside Ardee, County Louth, on Saturday evening. They were all friends and had their lives ahead of them. For that to be taken away is absolutely devastating. I know this has completely shocked all of Ireland, particularly the communities across the north east. I send strength and support to their loved ones and extend…

I, too, welcome all our visitors, including Billy’s wife, Anne, his family, Ian and Tracy, and, of course, Councillor Anna Grainger. I am really glad to be honouring Billy Lawless today. He was an out-and-out gentleman. I have never come across anybody so good, kind and decent as Billy Lawless. He was a man whose life was a bridge between Galway and Chicago, between the old world and the new, between aspiration and action. Billy Lawless was more than just a restaurateur, public servant, beloved friend and family me…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment. I also welcome Senator Chris Andrews back to the Chamber as well. I, too, welcome the ceasefire today. I absolutely endorse everything Senator Patricia Stephenson said. On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, we send our condolences to Senator Teresa Costello and her family on the passing of her father recently. Today, I want to speak on voting rights for those abroad. Before I do, I pay tribute to the late former Senator for the diaspora, Billy Lawless from Galway. Billy was the chair of t…

I wish to read out a press statement that was sent to me by Dr. Mustafa Barghouti MP and leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, today, on the second anniversary of the genocidal war in Gaza. Today marks two years since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, during which Israel committed three war crimes in parallel: a genocide, the collective punishment of the civilian population including starvation, and ethnic cleansing. According to health and medical sources, the Israeli army committed the following crimes …

Shame.

It is absolutely outrageous that what happened yesterday to Irish citizens has been used as a political football and that cheap shots have been made at another party here today. What Israel is doing is beyond belief. It is committing genocide, killing children and breaking international law. The world is watching. None of the governing bodies is doing anything. Plenty are talking about it but there is no real action. What just happened here was absolutely outrageous and I hope that the constituents of the Member wh…

Freedom of navigation is central to the law of the sea and, as such, the flotilla is entitled to sail unimpeded in the Mediterranean Sea. Any harassment or stopping of the flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea's international waters is therefore a clear violation of international law. The participants, as we all know, were all peaceful, unarmed civilians and posed no threat to Israel. They therefore had the right to innocent passage through the territorial waters under the law of the sea. Really, what Israel is doing i…

I was referring to what Senator O'Loughlin said this morning. I said to her that we need action. It is vital that the occupied territories Bill be passed as soon as possible and that it include services. I will meet the Tánaiste next week to discuss this with him. The Bill's passage would send an unbelievably strong signal to the Palestinian people and the human rights activists, including those in Ireland. These are amazing people who are doing unbelievable work in this area. We have to get going and act quickly o…

As the Leader is probably aware, the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail in late August and has travelled for over 30 days towards Gaza to deliver lifesaving aid to Palestinians in the midst of an horrific genocide. Among the aid is baby formula and lifesaving medical care. We all know that in Gaza we are witnessing a 21st century genocide broadcast in real time. We have seen the footage of innocent children starving for the lack of food or medical care, with sunken eyes and visible rib cages, while infant formula is ro…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. This is the first opportunity I have had to congratulate her on her new role. I hope she is very well settled into her brief. I know she is very passionate about this area. My colleagues and I in the Civil Engagement Group look forward to working with the Minister of State in the term ahead, particularly my colleague, Senator Lynn Ruane, who is very passionate about promoting harm reduction in Irish drugs policy and in making our approach to drug use and addicti…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber today. I thank him for being here to discuss this very important issue. We have a collective responsibility to safeguard the safety, dignity and well-being of older citizens, particularly those in nursing homes and care settings across Ireland. It is a matter of profound importance. As recent events have laid bare, we all know there is an urgent need for reform. It is a moral imperative that we respond decisively. Most of us have seen and spoken about the recent …

I move amendment No. 39: In page 6, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “Legal continuity 9. (1) The amendments made by this Act shall not affect the validity of any proceedings, whether pending or completed, or any investigation, prosecution, conviction, sentence, order, requirement or obligation made, imposed, issued or otherwise undertaken before the commencement of this Act. (2) Any offence committed, or proceedings begun, before the commencement of this Act shall continue to be governed by the la…

Am I hearing the Minister of State right in that he is not accepting the amendment?