As the Deputy has outlined, this is about people not just being safe but feeling safe. It is about visible policing. That means not just having gardaí in stations and in cars but having gardaí on foot and on bikes and making sure people can see that visible presence in their communities. Even seeing a uniform walking about the streets gives people a sense of feeling safe. However, it is not just about gardaí. It is about making sure everyone is pulling together in health, education, various local services and commu…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." As Deputies will be aware, this is an important and urgent Bill. It will avert a legal cliff edge that is due to occur later this month by repealing a number of legal changes due to come into effect on that date. Those impending changes are causing serious concern for stakeholders, particularly given their implications for conveyancing practice generally and in particular for private right of way and other prescriptive easements that are essential for many farmers …

It is a boy.

I will try to respond to as many comments and queries as possible. Where I cannot or do not, Deputies can, of course, come back to me. I am grateful for what has been the overwhelmingly positive response to this legislation and the support for its passage through the House as quickly as possible. I take on board the comments about, and frustration at, the timeframe involved. There has been a considerable amount of engagement with stakeholders to ensure this legislation is as complete and informed as possible. I tak…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)( a ) and 181(1).

I thank Deputies for their contributions and the general support for the extension of these particular provisions. As we all know, these are extraordinary times. I do not need to say that to anybody here. With the extension of the Act until 31 May 2022, we are taking into account the fact that we are in an extraordinary time. I appreciate that many Deputies have alluded to the fact that this is something that a lot of industries and those in this sector would like to see extended and is something that will be consi…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to bring the Bill before the House. This is an extremely important Bill ,which will enhance the monitoring of convicted sex offenders upon release from prison, leading to increased public safety. I have no doubt that every Member shares my commitment to keeping our communities, and particularly women and children, safe from the trauma caused by sexual violence. This Bill aims to do so by strengthening the powers that currently exist for monitoring sex …

On the Senator's last point, it is my understanding that, under current law, people are able to use all three of the old rules, which are common law time immemorial rules, common law doctrine of lost modern grant and, as the Deputy mentioned, the Prescription Act 1832. I may be corrected on this, but the feeling was that there were more complexities and difficulties with the Prescription Act 1832. As a result, it was decided to go with the common law doctrine of lost modern grant, which obviously means that any per…

As the Senator has rightly said, this is the only element of the 2009 Act that is being kept on in the Bill. The clock will not be set back. That will not happen in any instance, be it the 30 years for the State-owned lands or the 60 years for the foreshore. The longer periods were put in place on foot of the recommendation from the Law Reform Commission. This can be looked at as part of the review I have given a commitment to undertake. We hope the review will start in the new year and be concluded next year. Ever…

Senator Higgins has outlined not just how complex this legislation is, but also how it is interconnected in so many ways. Even though the 2009 Act was brought in to try to make things easier, the reason we are reverting back is that this section of the 2009 Bill just has not worked in this instance. In setting out the terms of reference for the review that will take place next year, I am open to getting the views of Senators and those who are especially interested in this to see where there is a crossover, be it in…

I will come back to the 1832 Act. The view from stakeholder engagement is that it is problematic and difficult and that is why the reference is being taken out. I ask that we have some engagement prior to this going on to the next stage because any further amendments or changes might delay it. As people will appreciate, many problems could arise for individuals if this is not passed on time. However, I want to engage and go through any of the problems Senators might have.

I thank the Senator for her engagement on this issue. I know it is a matter in which she has had a long-standing interest and I appreciate that she has been engaging with my officials for some time. I thank those officials because this has been a lengthy and complex issue and, as all present will agree, it is a matter we need to resolve before the deadline because of the impacts it could have on people. I have moved house and, this week, my new neighbour came to me. My neighbour is trying to sell their home but can…

Tá mé chun labhairt i mBéarla mura miste leis an Teachta. I note the amendment proposed by the Deputy but I stress that all assignments of Garda resources are made within the operational capacity of the Garda Síochána and, especially, the Garda Commissioner. There is a requirement for the Commissioner to ensure, and the language used is "to the extent practicable", that gardaí stationed in Gaeltacht areas are proficient in Irish. The amendment would remove the words and require that to be an absolute. I do not thin…

I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from in putting forward this amendment, but my role as Minister is to support the Garda and the Garda Commissioner in carrying out their functions. Even though it is clear that all members of An Garda Síochána are required to be proficient in Irish, there is a potential in passing the amendment that in some way we would be tying the Commissioner's hands where very specific resources are required in a particular area at a particular time. That is certainly not something I want…

The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, gives her apologies that she cannot be here. The Covid crisis has seen an unprecedented impact on international travel and, as a result, civil aviation globally is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis ever. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels. The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, has met all key aviation stakeholders and her officials continue to engage with airports and airlines. She remains co…

The objective with regard to the aviation sector, not just for the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, but also for the Government over the past year, was to make sure that those who were travelling abroad for holidays or for whatever other reason were not negatively affected. A huge amount of work has been done to ensure that, where possible, refunds have been given and, where they were not given, that vouchers were provided and that the terms and conditions were as flexible as possible. We have also tr…

I thank the Senator for raising such an important issue. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has highlighted this as an issue, although it existed long before now. I have said many times that while we have been asked to stay at home and home is a sanctuary for us, it is anything but that for others. It has placed additional pressure on individuals and, in particular, victims of domestic sexual violence. This is a priority for me. Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges, particularly for those experiencing domestic abuse …

Absolutely. While I do not have the exact figures, we know there has been a significant increase in the number of reports of domestic violence and in Garda engagement with victims of domestic violence over the past year. The numbers increased between 2019 and 2020 and have increased even further since the pandemic commenced. I am very conscious of that. The work we are doing to support victims through Covid-19 will continue as long as it is needed. We will ensure lessons that need to be learned from that will be fe…

First, I thank Senator McDowell and other proposing Senators for bringing this Bill before the Seanad, and I thank all Senators who have engaged with the Bill and contributed to the discussion in the House. Having had a debate on the Bill and given further consideration to issues raised in both this House and the Dáil, the Bill is returning to this House with some Government amendments that were introduced on Committee Stage in the Dáil and passed through all Stages. Before turning to these amendments, it might be …

I thank all the Senators for their support. Senators will see me again, hopefully, next Monday.