I thank the House for taking these two motions. The two motions before the House today seek the approval of the Seanad to continue in force provisions in the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 aimed at tackling terrorism, and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 in respect of organised crime. Given the nature of these provisions, the Houses of the Oireachtas has decided that they should be reconsidered annually. The Minister for Justice, in accordance with the provisions, has laid reports on the u…

I thank the contributors for their comments. In regard to Senator Gallagher's question on what happens once the review is provided to the Minister, the Minister will consider that review, have a look at the recommendations and any timeline thereafter will depend on the extent of any recommendations made and whether legislation, for example, may be required. I will endeavour to get a timeline for Senator Gallagher. In regard to Senator Ward's contribution, I agree absolutely on the importance of the jury in the crim…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on adding the violation of Union restrictive measures to the areas of crime laid down in Ar…

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Martin Kenny referred to the logic of sanctions and measures to deal with breaches that are necessary and the need to strengthen our laws. I note those comments. I am not sure I agree with his suggestions around controlling capital within the European Union. That is one of the key four pillars of the Union and something that needs to be maintained. Deputy Howlin rightly argued that Russia's actions in Ukraine are not only a gross violation of human rights and an …

I am pleased to bring the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2022 before the House. The Bill, which I am proposing today on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is necessary to address an urgent lacuna in the law regarding the legal basis for Garda court presenters. The circumstances that the provisions are designed to address are of an exceptional nature. They arise from a judgment in a case stated from the District Court to the High Court that found there to be no legal basis underpinning the system of Garda cour…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". The Bill which I am proposing on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, is short in length but very important. It is necessary to address an urgent lacuna in the law regarding the legal basis for Garda court presenters. The specific purpose of the Bill is to establish clearly a right of any member of An Garda Síochána to conduct a prosecution, whether or not that member initiated the prosecution. It restores the system of court presenters which existed…

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I acknowledge the Committee on Justice for providing a pre-legislative scrutiny waiver in respect of this matter due to its urgency. I take Deputy Martin Kenny's point that where a committee waives pre-legislative scrutiny, perhaps a technical briefing could be provided to spokespersons. I will bring that point back to the Department and the Minister, Deputy McEntee. Currently, court presenters in Dublin are generally sergeants and, outside of Dublin, are generally at a…

I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections I to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June 2022 and ending on the 30th day of November 2022. I am here to introduce a resolution to extend the sunset clause in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021. The extension of this Act will allow the hospitality sector to continue to provide for the sale or supply of intoxicating …

I thank Deputies for their contributions. This legislation arose out of the uncertainty that existed at the time. Our licensing law is quite archaic and is made up of amendment upon amendment, in many cases. The uncertainty at the time gave rise, in particular, to concerns around insurance and who was going to be responsible if anything happened. Perhaps in the past we muddled along with the little bit of outdoor hospitality which had been happening. This legislation has been a great success culturally and the amen…

I acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Medical scientists perform a valued and vital role within our health service. Their drive and determination have been key components in our management of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, they were at the front line of the response providing a crucial role in testing. This role has not gone unnoticed. The Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is acutely aware of the on…

Again, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is disappointed the MLSA has initiated strike action. Its vital role and presence in clinical settings across the country was suspended last week, causing disruption across the health service. Its decision to strike was contrary to its commitment under Building Momentum, which states that parties to Building Momentum agree that the industrial peace will be maintained within the lifetime of the agreement. The Minister has outlined that the Department of Health…

I thank Senator Chambers for raising the important issue of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. I know she has consistently raised issues around the importance of the hospital in the Chamber, behind the scenes and directly with the Minister. It is a key priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and the Government to allow more people to engage in services that allow them to remain independent and live in their homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible. The HSE has operational responsi…

I thank Senator Chambers again for raising this very important issue regarding the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. The Senator has consistently pursued the importance of this facility. On the more specific points, I will certainly raise those with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I will ask her to engage with Senator Chambers on it. As the Senator rightly pointed out, it is a priority. It is a policy of this Government to help as many people as possible to stay at home, and to be able to do so with dig…

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter around the thresholds within which telecommunications masts are not considered exempted development and require public consultation. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who sends his apologies for being unable to be here today, I note the current exemptions from planning for telecommunications infrastructure and instances where planning permission is required is as follows. The Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, provides a…

I thank Senator Currie for raising this important matter. Obviously, I cannot speak about a specific case because it would be inappropriate for me to do so. What I can say is that where any person or body is unsure if planning is required for specific proposed telecommunications infrastructure they may, on payment of the prescribed fee, submit a request in writing to the relevant planning authority seeking a declaration under section 5 of the Act on whether the telecommunications infrastructure is or is not develop…

I thank the Senator for raising the important issue of the current status of the draft regulations and planning exemptions for solar panels on farm buildings and other structures, including timelines. To provide some background on the issue, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated regulations, requires planning permission. Various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission are set out in the Act and regulat…

I again thank Senator Boyhan for raising the important issue of the current status of draft regulations on planning exemptions for solar panels on farm buildings and other structures. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, had hoped the new regulations would be in place much sooner but the timeline has been delayed by the necessity to comply with European environmental reporting requirements, particularly those relating to the strategic environmental assessment and habitats directives. However, as I said, the D…

I thank the Deputy for raising the question. As he will be aware, the Department opened applications for the new community safety innovation fund on 11 April. Reflecting the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, in identifying and seizing proceeds from criminal activity, the new fund will use money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in innovative community safety projects. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay of €2 mill…

I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this very important matter. A good chunk of the Dormant Accounts Fund will go into youth justice this year to help alleviate similar issues. The criteria for this fund are fairly broad and I encourage organisations to apply. The main reason that a project would not qualify for funding is if funding could be obtained from another Department or an organisation is already receiving funding for a similar project. Otherwise the scheme is fairly broad. The amount of funding is expected to…

The point the Deputy touches on is correct. Nobody is born a criminal or with criminal inclinations. Young people are often groomed and drawn into crime. The key purpose of the Greentown Project, using evidence-based research, is to tackle the grooming of young people into crime. Money is often used to lure them into criminal activity. That is an important part of our youth justice strategy. The cause of young people getting into crime is also trauma-informed, with them perhaps coming from very difficult background…