Again, unfortunately I cannot accept the amendment. The DNA Act provides that if a sample is incorrectly labelled or insufficient and must be retaken a superintendent in the district must be informed. This is being changed in the Bill to a superintendent in the division. The section is a transitional provision, which states that if a superintendent in a district was informed before the Bill comes into effect that it is deemed to have been a notification to a superintendent in the division. This is all that is requi…

I thank Senators Flynn, Higgins, Ruane and Black for bringing forward this very important Bill. I understand it is Senator Flynn’s first Bill. I congratulate her hugely on bringing forward this very important legislative contribution. I want to acknowledge the very genuine intentions of all of the sponsoring Senators in bringing forward this Bill. The objective of this Bill is to remove from the Statute Book language that is outdated and fails to reflect the full horror of the sexual abuse involved in images of chi…

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this very important matter around the issue of Garda Operation Copóg, the aim of which is to target the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Limerick. The Government is acutely aware of the sustained and significant damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to communities and safety. The continued destruction of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for An Garda …

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising the very important matter of Operation Copóg, which targets the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Limerick. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, GNDOCB, is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. The bureau's work is supported by Garda divisional drugs units nationwide and by all gardaí working in local communities. The GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law e…

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter on the urgent need for the upgrade of the N25 national road between Midleton and Carrigtwohill, County Cork. It is not the first time the Deputy has raised it. He has been raising it consistently with the Minister. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 19…

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the important issue of the funding of the N25, to upgrade it between Carrigtwohill and Midleton. In particular, the Deputy raises the important concerns around safety, employment and housing. I will certainly bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister's attention. As I mentioned, the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton project remains on the list of projects included in the national development plan. Approximately, €616 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided to TII for n…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue of the future of Desmond Castle in Kinsale, a beautiful town I have visited on a number of occasions. His passion for the heritage and culture of that part of County Cork is well known. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy O'Donovan. Desmond Castle in Kinsale, which is also known as the French Prison, is one of more than 700 national monuments throughout the country that are conserved, maintained and ma…

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter of the future of Desmond Castle in Kinsale. As I said, this is a complex project with several elements, all of which will have to come together when work starts on the site. Appointing the specialist design team is the first step in the process, which has begun. While it was anticipated the repair and conservation project would be well advanced at this stage, the impact of the pandemic on work programmes and the redirection of internal resources cannot be o…

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising the important issue of staff shortages in Galway City Council which have led to the cancellation of some essential services in the city. I would like to clarify that under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, the chief executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority. I am aware that Galway City Council has some current staffing gaps which have been exacerbated by the impact of the Covid…

I am representing the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Unfortunately, I do not have a specific answer on the need for approval by a Department in regard to extending panels or hiring specific staff, but I will bring that to the attention of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and endeavour to get an answer for the Deputy. I will finish with an important point which, bearing in mind the concerns raised, puts the situation into context. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges to local authorities in respect of the delivery of…

I thank Senator Maria Byrne for raising this important issue. According to the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019, the term "gift voucher" means any voucher, coupon, document or instrument, including in electronic form, that is intended to be used as a substitute for money in the payment in whole or in part for goods or services, or otherwise exchanged for goods or services. This legislation, which provides requirements in relation to gift voucher contracts, was brought into Irish law in December 2019 by …

I again thank Senator Byrne for raising this important issue. We all know people who have been affected in terms of reducing balance fees. It is often only when a person presents a gift card given to him or her by a loved one that he or she realises the value has been reduced to a low amount or, in some cases, zero. It is incumbent that people purchasing vouchers are informed of the application of these fees. On behalf of the Minister for Finance, this issue will be raised with the European Commission in the contex…

I thank Senator Boylan for raising this very specific question on amending the Juries Act to allow for inquest jurors to be paid while they serve. I understand that the Senator is raising this point in the context of the Stardust inquests. The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for many families and communities. I again offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the 48 young people killed in that fire over 40 years ago. As the Senator may be aware, there…

I again thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. The conduct of inquests is entirely a matter for the senior Dublin coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane, and her independence in the context of such matters is set out in the Coroners Acts. Nine pre-inquest hearings have been completed to date. The ninth took place last week, on 19 January. My Department is committed to ensuring that the new inquests into the Stardust deaths, as well as the families involved, are provided with all relevant supports. To this e…

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who unfortunately cannot attend today, I thank the Senators for raising this very serious topic. I know that the Minister has offered to come into this House as early as possible and at a date that can be agreed to make statements. I want to begin by offering my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ashling Murphy and her community as they mourn and grieve the loss of a much-loved and talented young woman. Her funeral mass yesterday heard that her death had take…

On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senators for raising this very serious matter. We all know there is no single solution to ending violence against women and tackling it requires a multifaceted approach, with genuine engagement and partnership across all sectors of our society. We need sufficient supports and services available throughout the country, appropriate legislation, an effective policing response and a cultural shift within our society, as I referenced earlier. I assure Senators that the Government is wo…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue which he has consistently raised in the House. The programme for Government commits to recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland and states that the Government will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the general data protection regulation. The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and protection of the data privacy rights of EU citizens, which is critica…

I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I cannot give a direct answer to his specific question. I would be loath to anticipate, in any way, what this independent review is going to propose. The Department has carried out recent reviews quite quickly where necessary. I expect the answer will come in a short time. The Department of Justice continues to monitor the impact of the GDPR implementation, of any possible future regulatory changes and of any changes within industry, and to liaise with the DPC to ensure i…

Last year was a particularly challenging year in the fight against domestic sexual and gender-based violence as we dealt with the effects of Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions that resulted in an increase in reported incidents. Less than two weeks into the new year we are reminded of this yet again with the senseless murder of Ashling Murphy, a young school teacher barely starting out in life. I extend my profound sympathy to Ashling’s family, friends and community. Everyone in this Chamber shares a common goal.…