I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on Wednesday and Thursday, 27th and 28th September, 2023: (1) The Seanad on its rising on Tuesday, 26th September, 2023, shall adjourn until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 27th September, 2023, and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) Commencement matters shall be taken at 10 a.m. and up to six matters may be selected by…

I move: That Seanad Éireann recommends Mr. Séamas Ó Concheanainn for appointment by the President as An Coimisinéir Teanga .

I thank the Acting Chairperson and welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I have raised this issue with the Minister previously. I am aware that it has been one of the Minister's key policy areas in terms the deep retrofit scheme and ensuring that we can make our homes more energy efficient, not only to address the climate challenge - we need to retrofit homes to meet our emissions targets - but also to address increasing fuel poverty and the challenges of heating homes. We have set, as the Minister has said, a very …

I am aware of some of the statistics the Minister has quoted. We were coming from quite a low base so when we see a 150% increase or a doubling in numbers from 4,000 to 8,000, it is positive and going in the right direction. However, genuinely from my experience of applying through the one-stop shops, I know that shopping around brings back the same quotes. There are issues. Making an application is required in order to get a quote. I ask the Minister to have his Department check how many of those applications resu…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023, back from committee, to be taken without debate on conclusion of Order of Business; No. 2, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023, back from committee, to be taken without debate on conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éire…

I thank all Members who contributed today. Senator O'Loughlin welcomed the launch of the sports capital and equipment programme, which was also welcomed by Senators Burke and Cummins. There are important changes. Not only have the amounts gone up, but any project now applying for money must now show equal access for men and women. This is not at the point of application but when clubs go to draw down the grant they must show the works have been done. It gives clubs an opportunity to apply for the grant, but to have…

Yes, but the Senator drew a correlation between that and the arms industry, which I felt was perhaps a personal interpretation but not quite her words. I wanted to clarify that point. The European Defence Agency has many positive projects. I think there is an acceptance that, as a small island member state, we do not have the capacity to protect our airspace. We rely on the UK to do that. We do not have the capacity to protect our maritime space, which is bigger than our land space. We are a small country. I do not…

I assume the Deputy would like a response to the issue he raised. The point is that there is sometimes a particular individual interpretation of what co-operation is and what it looks like. It is the right of other Members to disagree with that. The Government would obviously disagree with that particular interpretation. I have no difficulty scheduling a defence debate in this House. I have no issue with that at all. I think it is important that we discuss those issues, that all views are facilitated and that peopl…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations 2023, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 30th June, 2023.”

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Fees for Certain Applications) Regulations 2023, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 30th June, 2023.”

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. XX) Regulations 2023, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 23rd June, 2023.”

I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government, on 4th July, 2023, agreed to nominate Andrew Forde, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Colin Harvey, Eoin Ronayne, Noeline Blackwell and Dr. Salome Mbugua for appointment by the President as members of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, recommends, pursuant to section 13(1)(b) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 (No. 25 of 2014), that Andrew Forde, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Colin Harvey, Eoin Ronayne, Noeline Blackwell and Dr. Salome Mbug…

For the information of Members, I will be moving a motion of sympathy for former Senator and Deputy Brendan Daly on the conclusion of the Order of Business. It is great to see Senator Norris in the Chamber this afternoon. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 13 July 2023, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for a regulation of the European P…

I thank all Members for their contributions. The father of the House, Senator David Norris, spoke first. He called for condemnation of the supply of cluster bombs by the United States to Ukraine in its war effort to defend its territory. Many Members will agree it is a really sad move in this war that those bombs are being sent. We know Russia is using those bombs as well but that does not make this the right move. I certainly hope the supply of those bombs will be reflected upon. It is also within Ukraine’s power …

I move: That Seanad Éireann - - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Brendan Daly; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad on its rising on Wednesday, 12th July, 2023, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 13th July, 2023, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Commencement matters shall be taken at 9.30 a.m. and up to six matters may be selected by the Cathaoirleach for discussion; (b) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended; (c) The Order of Business shall be proposed at 11 a.m.

I move: That Seanad 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 Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transfer of proceedings in criminal matter…

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: - “Seanad Éireann resolves that the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023 be deemed to be read a second time this day 12 months, to allow for time to further examine the issues raised in the Bill alongside ongoing work that underpins significant developments around a program of transformation in disability services.” I thank Senator Clonan for the Bill. He has been a fantastic advocate for people with disabilities long …

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a meeting of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on Arranmore Island, County Donegal, without debate, to be taken on conclusion of Order of Business; No. 2, Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 – Report Stage Amendments and Final Stage, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1 or at 12.15 p.m., whichever is the later, the proceedings thereon shall if not previously…