I wish to discuss cross-Border tourism initiatives, focusing on the Carlingford ferry, a ferry service that goes from the shore in Greenore across Carlingford Lough to Greencastle, County Down. It is similar to several other ferries that operate around this island, particularly in Strangford Lough and between Tarbert, County Kerry, and County Clare. Making sure the communities on both sides of the Border are joined up is vital. I bring this matter to the attention of the Minister of State and the Minister responsib…

As I said at the outset of this debate, and as the Minister of State mentioned, the reason I have raised this matter is because of the value and importance of the Carlingford Lough ferry not just to the local community in north Louth but also to the local community in south County Down. While I accept that the concept of this is transport related, and perhaps is an issue that rests with the Minister for Transport, it must be considered in the overall context of tourism and cross-Border tourism. I say the latter bec…

I wish to speak about the vacant homes grant the Government announced a number of months ago. We all know what that grant is. It is an excellent scheme allowing people to get between €30,000 and €50,000 to renovate derelict and vacant homes. I would like a debate on the operation of the scheme which has now been open for three months. I am concerned about how different local authorities are approaching this. It is a classic example of Government introducing a really good policy and funding initiative, but it is dow…

No pressure, a Chathaoirligh.

Absolutely no pressure. Here we go.

This is it. Before I begin, it is great to have both my parents here, and in particular Cora. At 32 years of age, I would not be a Member of this House if it was not for the love and support of my parents over those 32 years, so I thank both my mum and my dad so much.

A very important vote is taking place today in the House of Commons on the Windsor Framework agreement. It is clear that vote is going to pass with a resounding majority. Even parts of the Conservative Party that were for a long time sceptical about it are going to back this deal. That sends a strong message about how important it is going to be to have the institutions in Northern Ireland back up and running as soon as possible. Once we have them back up and running, we can assuage and fix some of the concerns som…

I thank and congratulate my colleagues in Fianna Fáil, namely, Senators Blaney and McGreehan, for proposing this motion. Both Senators have been strong advocates for this on the Good Friday committee, which I sit on, and in this House. I warmly welcome the families. I have met Oliver before. I thank them for being here. I am 32 years of age, from Dundalk and grew up in the 1990s with a concept of the Northern Irish Troubles. So many of the disappeared who have been recovered were buried in the soil of my county. I …

It is clear that we have a significant deal in the Windsor Framework. I say this cautiously, but I think there is cause for much optimism as a result of that. We want to be able to capitalise on that optimism. We want to try to build on the momentum we have seen from Northern Ireland, the Government here and the British Government. What I mean by capitalising on that momentum is being able to now sell the opportunities and benefits the Windsor Framework provides for Northern Ireland and, in particular, the Northern…

The Bills Office has been informed by email that I am moving Senator Currie's amendments today. She is out of the country as part of an Oireachtas delegation, so I apologise on her behalf. She has been a very strong advocate of this Bill for the past two years. I just want to make sure that a couple of her points are put on the record of the House.

I move amendment No. 22: In page 14, to delete lines 2 to 4. In Senator Currie's view, amendment No. 22 requires a straightforward deletion of the requirement to work for 26 weeks before there is an entitlement to request a flexible working arrangement or remote working. As the legislation stands, the idea is that a person still has to prove himself or herself before being entitled to flexible work, which means we are not embracing a new approach to working after all. Some get access to flexibility and some do not.…

What is the procedure here? If I officially moved the amendment, is it up to me to decide whether to withdraw it or is it up to Senator Higgins?

In that case, as I moved it, I will withdraw the amendment.

I move amendment No. 36: In page 17, line 10, after “occupation” to insert “that are reasonable and demonstratable” I apologise to the Minister as Senator Currie is unavailable. I will speak to the overall grouping, in particular amendments Nos. 36, 55 and 57. The point that Senator Currie is quite keen to get across in relation to amendment No. 36 is that whatever the grounds for refusal are, be it for remote or flexible working arrangements, they need to be reasonable and demonstratable. Using existing parental l…

I thank the Minister for his very detailed response-----

Does the Senator wish to come in?

I thank the Minister for his engagement and thank him on behalf of Senator Currie. I am happy to withdraw the amendment. Senator Currie may consider on a future Stage. I apologise that she cannot be here. The Bill has been very close to her heart in the past two years.

I would like a debate on local government and how it is structured. We are now approaching the ten-year anniversary of the abolition of town councils. I say this as someone from County Louth, which has two of Ireland's biggest towns, namely Dundalk and Drogheda. We should consider the re-establishment of some town councils. I am not asking that a council be re-established everywhere that had one; it would be sufficient to ask for a study on towns with a population over a certain number. Such towns should certainly …

Now.

Now.