On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 236 of 237 decisive votes (0 abstentions excluded). Read it as a government-or-opposition indicator rather than a measure of influence — the figure is near 100% for members supporting the government of the day and near 0% for those opposing it.
This is the point of the site: contributions keep the party held on the day, not the one held now.
| Party | Recorded as | Contributions | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC | Ceann Comhairle / Chair | 1,575 | 2020-03-20 – 2024-11-07 |
| FF | Fianna Fáil | 299 | 2020-01-21 – 2024-11-07 |
Membership spells on record: FF 2016-04-25–2020-03-29 · FF 2021-04-21–2025-01-29
Before I bring Senator Higgins in, I welcome to the Public Gallery the group from Truagh Spirit, who are guests of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. They are very welcome to Leinster House and Seanad Éireann. I hope they are enjoying their time here.
The Senator cannot contribute again.
Time, Senator, please.
I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, back to the House. He is very welcome.
The Senator said she would be brief.
I call the Minister of State to respond to the debate.
No, the Senator cannot come back in, I am afraid.
When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Like other colleagues, I want to pass on my sympathies to our colleague and friend Senator Rebecca Moynihan on the passing of her mother. Myself and Rebecca soldiered years ago on the old Dublin Mid-Leinster health forum. I have known her for a long time but only heard her sad news today through Senator Sherlock's comments. I am very sorry not to have been aware of it before now but I pass on my sympathies to Rebecca, her husband Barra and her extended family. I also want to pass on my sympathies, more generally, t…
Of course, I mentioned the people of Kerry and you are included in that. We all need to focus on road safety. The idea that people would buy seatbelt blockers to stop their seatbelts beeping is incredible given that one quarter of people who died in road crashes last year were not wearing a seatbelt. We should all make sure that we wear our seatbelts at all times.
I thank the Minister of State for a detailed and comprehensive opening statement. I commend him, his Department officials and the Minister on the work they are doing in this area. It is a comprehensive Bill, as the Minister of State outlined, and I do not believe there is any point in me rehashing and rereading everything he has just said. There are certain things I would like to stress as part of my contribution today. Fianna Fáil welcomes and supports the Bill . As a Fianna Fáil Minister of State, Deputy Browne i…
I had actually picked up the hammer and tipped the bell by accident. It was eight seconds, but I think Senator Ward is okay. As always, I would be lax and generous with time for him in particular, not that he would never need it. As I often say, it is a maximum rather than a target.
When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
When is it proposed to sit again?
I want to touch briefly on Europe Day. I know that there were statements on Europe Day last week but I was in Moldova representing this Parliament as the convener of the Ireland-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group at an event which that country was holding for all of the various conveners of friendship groups across the EU. We remember hearing about what Ireland was like before we joined the EU. The EU has been a huge benefit to us, as the Leader knows through her work with the Council of Europe. EU membership h…
Amendments Nos. 13, 17, 19, 25 to 31, inclusive, 33 and 37 are related. Amendments Nos. 26 and 27 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 25. Amendments Nos. 13, 17, 19, 25 to 31, inclusive, 33 and 37 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Amendments Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, have been ruled out of order due to a potential charge on the Revenue.
Amendment No. 17 is in the same grouping as amendment No. 13, but it has not been discussed as amendment No. 13 was not moved. Would Senator Black like to move and discuss amendment No. 17 now?