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
It was 39 minutes ago at this stage. I am not defending, I am just making the point. You can have a look at it now for the rest of the afternoon or whatever.
We are dealing with amendment No. 3.
I do not want to interrupt but-----
This is not a Second Stage debate; it is Committee Stage, so the Senator should address amendment No. 3.
I did it for 12 and a half years, so I am quite aware of it.
I remind all Members that we are on Committee Stage. We had a very comprehensive Second Stage debate. I ask Senator Higgins to speak on amendment No. 3.
They are not. Amendment No. 3 is being dealt with on its own.
Amendments Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, are grouped.
I thank the Minister of State for his contribution. Many of us have been councillors, including Senator Maria Byrne. Was Senator Gavan a councillor?
He was not, but the Minister of State certainly was, as was I. We all know just how hard councillors work. Senator Black certainly made some valid points in her contribution about how hard councillors work. I do not know of a single councillor who ever went into it for the money, title, status or the possibility of wearing the chain, albeit that some people are fortunate enough to get that opportunity. They work exceptionally hard. We all owe a debt of gratitude to them. Senator Higgins may go ahead.
Amendments Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.
I thank Senator Gavan. The Minister of State to respond.
Yes, amendments Nos. 4 to 7, please.
Amendment No. 6 is grouped, so the Minister of State can make his contribution now and we will let Senator Higgins come in afterwards.
Senator Higgins can make a contribution and the Minister of State will come back in afterwards.
It is all-encompassing.
I will let Senator Higgins in and then the Minister of State can respond to both Senators.
Senator Ward knows more about this area than I because he works in it professionally as a barrister. Senator Ward, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, and I are like Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown on tour because we were all councillors in the same local authority once upon a time. While I am always delighted to see the Minister of State, I would possibly have preferred to see the Minister, Deputy McEntee. We had the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, in the House on Tuesday, when we outlined concerns on Second Stage th…
Are we doing Committee and Remaining Stages today?
Can I make a brief point? The Minister of State alluded to it earlier and it would be good to hear the Government response to the Coroners Society letter. The Government is of the belief there is no issue in terms of the independence of the coroner's role. Is the issue here that they were permanent employees previously or had permanent contracts and now that is being changed? Is that the case, Senator Ward?