I again thank the Senator for raising this very important issue around the need for refuge spaces for those fleeing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I note her good work to date on the matter and her continuing good work in the area. It is our intention that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one. In line with key recommendations of the audit of responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the Government agreed to establish a dedicated statutory agency that will b…

The agency will come within the remit of the Department but it is essential that this agency will have cross-government support and involvement so that it is not purely a Department of Justice concern.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current position on the major building project for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Dominick Street, Dublin 1. I know that Senator Fitzpatrick has done Trojan work on schools and young people in the area and I was delighted to meet with Senator Fitzpatrick at the north inner city youth diversion project recently. Her constant commitment to young people is very much welcome. I also know that the Minister, Depu…

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and Senator Fitzpatrick for her raising of this very important issue around Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire. The Department of Education’s published national development plan allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, the Department is assessing its work programme and priorities in the context of its available funding. It is also engaging with the Department …

I thank the Senator. Amendments Nos. 41 to 44, inclusive, are being taken together. Their purpose is to amend section 63, which is an important section. Section 63 provides for amendments to the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, including the insertion of a new section 45A to provide for the qualification of certain legal academics for judicial office as an additional basis for qualification. The new section 45A provides that a person who is a legal academic or who is the head of a faculty in an educationa…

The purpose is retaining the new provisions extending eligibility to legal academics while modifying the requirements somewhat. This may come from a different perspective to that of Senator Ward, specifically reducing from 12 to ten years the standing term of years required for an employed legal academic or as part of the eligibility requirement of the head of faculty in an educational establishment. The provisions of the new section are balanced. As I have indicated in respect of another amendment, it seems reason…

There is no requirement in this legislation, as drafted, for somebody to be a citizen. I will not comment on the change from 15 to 20 years but the Senator has made his opinions very clear. Regarding the core requirements set out for academics, these are, I expect, the minimum to apply. Obviously they would have to demonstrate to the commission their ability to apply good judgment. I agree that to sit on the Bench, being able to form an opinion is only one step towards what would make somebody a good judge. A perso…

The standard compulsory retirement age in the public service was consolidated, following the enactment of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, to the greatest extent possible at the age of 70. This position represents current Government policy and is a position which the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform seeks to implement in a consistent manner in order to protect the integrity of the policy. In short, Government policy is to maintain a stand…

We have been notified of a requirement to amend the Bill arising from the recent change of title as it relates to the now Department of Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the several references to the Minister for Public Expenditure in the Bill which will now need to be changed. It is the advice that we will seek to bring forward amendments on Report Stage in the Seanad.

I will bring those suggestions to the attention of my officials.

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Eireann" and substitute the following: "acknowledges the Government's response to the significant increases in energy prices for households and businesses due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; notes that: — the Government introduced an unprecedented package of supports to protect consumers, including a €2.4 billion package of supports during 2022, and an additional package of once-off measures worth €2.5 billion was included in Budget 2023; — in February, th…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 7, line 18, to delete “to amend the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015;” and substitute the following: “to amend certain provisions of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, including for the purpose of making further provision in relation to the levy to be paid under that Actand the roll of practising barristers;”. I should first say that a significant fire has broken out at Wexford General Hospital. Our thoughts are with everybody there and I hope there are no injuries. Parts of t…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 7, line 19, after “2015;” to insert the following: “to provide for the Data Protection Commission to issue a reprimand to a controller or processor in certain circumstances and” This group of amendments relates to the Data Protection Act 2018. Amendments Nos. 2 and 3 amend the Long Title, while amendments Nos. 22, 23, 25 and 26 clarify that the Data Protection Commission will resolve a complaint by issuing a reprimand on the basis of the various non-statutory inquiry options that hav…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 7, line 22, to delete “for that purpose,” and substitute “for those and other purposes,”.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 8, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(3) The Bankruptcy Acts 1988 to 2015 and Part 5 may be cited together as the Bankruptcy Acts 1988 to 2023.”. On Committee Stage I flagged my intention to bring forward an amendment to section 46 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988. That section sets out the process for certifying the vesting of a bankrupt property in the official assignee after bankruptcy adjudication in the High Court. However, I am not now proceeding with that intended a…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 8, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 6B of Act of 1956 4. Section 6B(4) of the Act of 1956 is amended, in paragraph (c), by the substitution of “subsection (1) of section 16 of the International Protection Act 2015” for “subsection (2) of section 9 (amended by section 7(c)(i) of the Act of 2003) of the Act of 1996”.”. On Committee Stage I highlighted the intention to bring forward technical amendments to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act …

I move amendment No. 6: In page 11, line 11, to delete “exceeding” and substitute “exceeding,”. This is a group of technical or typographical amendments. Amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, are minor technical amendments to improve the drafting of provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, inserted as amendments on Committee Stage. Amendments Nos. 13, 27 and 29 update the title of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to reflect a recent change of title…

I move amendment No. 7: In page 11, line 32, to delete “course of” and substitute “course of,”.

I move amendment No. 8: In page 12, line 2, after “child,” to insert “step-child,”.

I move amendment No. 9: In page 12, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 16A of Act of 1956 8. Section 16A(1) of the Act of 1956 is amended, in paragraph (c), by the substitution of “subsection (1) of section 16 of the International Protection Act 2015” for “subsection (2) of section 9 (amended by section 7(c)(i) of the Act of 2003) of the Act of 1996”.”.