I thank the Deputies for their contributions and support for this motion. The challenge we have in dealing with counterfeiting is that we need to have an approach that is across the European Union while also working with other international partners. As has been pointed out, the challenge is, in particular, to protect retailers and customers who often lose out and to make people aware of what is the standard for our currency so those who may not be familiar with our currency are not misled. As I mentioned in my ope…

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The deletion of section 40 by amendment No. 64 arose on foot of concerns that were voiced to my Department about the scope of the power created by this section where there is no judicial authorisation or approval process set out in legislation. The intention behind section 40 was to provide for those limited circumstances where a person refuses to provide An Garda Síochána with CCTV footage of a crime. The Department has, however, listened to the concerns raised and proposes to remove this section. After requesting…

For robustness of language and consistency throughout, there are minor technical amendments to ensure that the Bill, when enacted, is able to withstand the challenges that may follow from those who do not respect the law as demonstrated last Thursday. Greater access to automatic number plate recognition, ANPR, will help with longer-term investigations while reducing the time it takes to collate evidence and track suspects. This will enhance An Garda Síochána's investigations generally and bring benefits in every ar…

There are already explicit references to processing in Parts 3, 4 and 6 of the Bill, relating to ANPR, recording of telephone calls and the processing of third-party CCTV. Amendment No. 6 inserts a new section into Part 2 of the Bill. Amendment No. 57 inserts a new section into Part 5. Amendment No. 74 inserts a new section into Part 7 relating to processing. This is to ensure that where there is a power for the Garda to use a recording device, there is equally a power to process the data gathered from those device…

Amendments Nos. 10, 26, 62 and 68 delete the words "threatens" from sections 11, 20, 32 and 41. Legal advice on this matter notes that this is encompassed by the word "coerces". Amendments Nos. 11, 27, 63 and 69 ensure it is clear that it is an offence to induce, coerce or request without lawful authority a member of An Garda Síochána to commit an offence under the previous subsection. This will align the language with sections 11, 20, 32 and 41, and will ensure the language around these offences is as robust as po…

In the interests of transparency, it is considered appropriate that the legislation should refer to the fact that designations or applications under the Bill will be in writing. Amendments Nos. 15, 28, 32 and 37 serve to make it clear in these sections.

Amendment Nos. 30 and 75 extend the offence provisions for Parts 2, 3, 5 and 6 relating to the making of data unavailable as evidence to Parts 4 and 7 with the insertion of a new offence section within these Parts. The offences set out mirror those in the other Parts of the Bill.

As Deputies are all aware, CCTV is integral to policing and keeping our communities safe. These minor amendments, Nos. 33 to 36, inclusive, 38 to 41, inclusive, 43 to 45, inclusive, 47 to 49, inclusive, 51 to 56, inclusive, 58, 59 and 71, ensure uniformity in language in the Bill around the installation, operation, or both, of CCTV in sections 25 to 32, inclusive, and 42.

Amendments Nos. 46 and 50 ensure consistency in language in the Bill with other similar provisions across the Statute Book. The amendments in these sections, 26 and 27, do not have any effect on the Garda Commissioner's ability to vet local authority employees or contractors who may be installing or operating CCTV schemes on behalf of either the Garda or local authorities. It remains open to the Garda Commissioner to do so to ensure the person is of good character.

For consistency throughout the Bill, amendments Nos. 72 and 73 ensure that the installation, operation or both of the CCTV in Garda premises is necessary and proportionate having regard to the purposes outlined in Part 7. Those purposes include not only safeguarding of persons and property but also the detection, investigation, prevention or prosecution of criminal offences.

I will start by saying how disturbed and shocked I was at the horrendous attack that took place on Thursday outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire. My thoughts are with each of the victims and their families and particularly the young child and her carer who remain in a serious situation. They remain in a critical condition. I know we are all wishing for their full recovery with the support of the dedicated healthcare workers who are looking after them. This was a truly shocking and distressing incident. I commend the …

These amendments are to ensure consistency in language in the Bill with others in the Statute Book. This change does not impact the Garda Commissioner's ability to vet persons in these categories. It remains open to the Garda Commissioner to do so to ensure the person is of good character.

The purpose of amendments Nos. 79 and 80 is to ensure consistency throughout the Bill. They are minor technical amendments to Part 7 to ensure the installation or operation, or both, of CCTV in Garda premises are necessary and proportionate, having regard to the purposes outlined in the Part, namely the safeguarding of persons or property in or around the premises and the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences.

I thank the Deputy for raising the very important issue of the hot school meals programme in Ennistymon Community School in County Clare. The school meals programme funds the provision of food to some 1,700 schools and organisations, benefiting some 300,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to enable them to take full advantage of the education provided to them. Funding under the school meals programme can be provided for breakfasts, snacks, cold lunches, di…

I again thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of the hot school meals programme in Ennistymon Community School in County Clare. The school meals programme is a very important component of policies to provide regular nutritious food to children to help them to improve their daily diet, to encourage school attendance and to encourage extra educational achievement by children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The level of interest in the school meals programme is a clear sign of the need …

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the important matter of the dredging of River Owenacurra in Midleton and the River Kiltha in Castlemartyr in light of recent flooding in east Cork. Flooding has a devastating impact on homes, businesses, people and entire communities. The causes, extent and impacts of flooding are varied and complex. This has been witnessed recently by the community of Midleton during Storm Babet and more recently in County Galway during Storm Debi. The catchment flood risk assessment and manageme…

It is open to Cork County Council to apply for funding under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme to provide mitigation measures for Castlemartyr ahead of the main scheme. Under this scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000. Funding from the OPW is up to 90% of the cost of available approved projects and applications are assessed by the OPW, having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of this scheme…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all the words after “That Dáil Éireann” and to replace with the following: "expresses its deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the death of an estimated 11,000 people, including 5,000 children, over 100 United Nations (UN) workers and 39 journalists; and at the damage and destruction of hospitals, schools, UN Relief and Works Agency installations, bakeries, residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, following Israel's military a…

This grouping consists of technical amendments.