I join others in commending Senator Norris. I am mindful of the parents throughout the country who are dealing with conditions or illnesses in their children that might have been picked up had the service provided for in the Bill been available some years ago. Most of us have come across somebody in our lives who is struggling with a child who has a terminal illness or who is suffering with cystic fibrosis or some other condition. To have one's child given a sentence of death early in life is tough going. Senator N…

We often use the expression, "time is of the essence", in this House but it was never more vital than in this case. I am delighted and proud that Senator Norris asked me to be a signatory to this Bill. I am also delighted that everybody in the House seems to be supportive of it. Hopefully, the Minister will tell us in six months that we are ready to move and the interim report has answered any questions that need to be answered. I hope parents and, in particular, young women who are pregnant and experiencing all th…

I second the motion proposed by my colleague, Senator Higgins. Legislation is flying through this place at the moment, with all Stages being taken in one sitting and so on. She is 100% correct in what she has said. I join the Cathaoirleach in complimenting the Irish Defence Forces but I will qualify what I am saying. Words of respect for the Defence Forces in this House and the other House are shallow when we look at the way our Defence Forces have been treated. I refer in particular - and I know I have the Cathaoi…

I would like a debate on it.

It is regrettable that again we find ourselves running through several Stages of a Bill. I understand that a large number of people in the forestry industry depend on the legislation getting through. I understand urgencies of all sorts but running through Committee, Report and Final Stages of a Bill does not do the public any service whatsoever. In terms of the amendment, as my colleague, Senator Norris, has said, information is power and the public have a right to know the decisions that are made. Our amendment is…

I do not want to delay the House, but I must address the allegation of crying crocodile tears or wanting to prevent legislation from passing through all Stages in the House. I am shocked that the former Leader of this House, a stickler for procedure whom I have always admired as a parliamentarian, would refer to Senators' wish for legislation to go through all Stages in a proper and considered way as crocodile tears.

I support the Bill fully and, as the Minister of State can see, so do most of my group. There are no crocodile tears here. We just wish to do the public the service we are paid to do.

Looking through the amendments on which my colleague, Senator Higgins, has just been speaking, I note that she has gone into the minutiae of the detail, as is typical of her. She understands that, while the Minister of State can give all the assurances she wants - and I know she gives them in the best of faith - there is still the question of those who come after her. The Senator is trying to ensure that fairness runs the whole way through the system so that, when the Minister of State leaves her office - to move o…

I move amendment No. 50: In page 7, line 30, after "appeal." to insert the following: "Where, after a vote of the sitting Committee, the majority of the Forestry Appeals Committee is of the opinion that an oral hearing should be heard in relation to an appeal the Chairperson shall, as soon as may be, fix a date and place for the oral hearing. In the case of a tied Committee vote the Chairperson of that Committee will be the deciding vote on the holding of an oral hearing.". Not unlike the first amendment we propose…

The Minister is very welcome. I congratulate her on her elevation. First things first. I have in front of me two series of questions that were sent to her Department, the first on 20 August and the second on 9 September. To date, I have not received answers in respect of any of them. They were raised on behalf of parents, principals, boards of management and teachers and it is not good enough that I was not able to get answers in time. Having said that, I offer the Minister my congratulations on getting the leaving…

I wish to share time with Senator Norris. I welcome the Minister to the House. Ireland is lucky to have the Minister continue in his post-----

-----as Minister with responsibility for foreign affairs and defence because we need both now. Undoubtedly, the UK Internal Market Bill is the most controversial legislative measure ever put forward by the UK Government. It can be challenged on many legal, constitutional and political fronts. I fully support the measures outlined in the motion from Fianna Fáil, but we must be realistic as time is of the essence here. As a former member of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, I can…

-----that this is not the way to do things.

We have discussed the issue of Jadotville veterans in both Houses several times and every county council in the country is putting forward motions. There are only eight of the recipients of distinguished service medals and military medals for gallantry who are still alive. I think it would be a terrible shame if we lose any more of them before we give them the honours that were recommended for them 61 years ago. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Defence where he stands on this right now and to see whether we…

While I appreciate Senator Warfield's qualities and I am sure he will see his day come, I will be supporting Senator Joe O'Reilly. I am delighted to see him as a candidate. As my colleague Senator Boyhan said, if the Senator's party had not nominated him, we would have nominated him. That is how highly thought of he is in this House. I note that the Leader mentioned the only post the Senator has not yet challenged for is that of President of Ireland. I would be very happy to advise him on that when the time comes--…

-----as I have some experience in that area. I wish Senator O'Reilly well.

We do not have to take all Stages today.

It is an affront to democracy-----

How is the House of Commons organising votes? Obviously, that is no excuse. The House of Commons managed to put three or four-----

Public health guidelines are a different thing. It can be arranged.