I extend a warm welcome to the Slovenian ambassador. A new friendship group between Slovenia and Ireland was set up this term. It is great to have the ambassador visiting the House. The Order of Business is expressions of sympathy on the death of former Senator Mary Jackman, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 1.45 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 1, Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 2 p.m.; No. 2, Criminal Justice (Incitement t…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all the Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. I welcome our two guests, Mia Galligan and Mya Doocey, to the Visitors Gallery and congratulate them on their really important work. It would have been a taboo subject for many years. When I was playing football, it just was not talked about. I am glad to see there has even been a move away from certain types of clothing and colours that are more difficult to wear at certain times. It is great that we are having those conversat…

Tomorrow morning at 9.30 a.m.

For the information of Members, I will move a motion for expressions of sympathy once the Order of Business for today has been agreed. The Order of Business is No. 1, address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, to be taken at 4 p.m. in accordance with the arrangements set out in the motion agreed by the House on Tuesday, 30 May 2023; and No. 2, Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 5.3…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all Members who contributed. An amendment was proposed to the Order of Business, which I am happy to accept. It was proposed by Senator Boyhan and seconded by Senator Clonan to extend the speaking time of 12 minutes to all Senators. There is no difficulty with that. We are in no rush in the legislation and will give it ample time at all Stages for all Members to contribute to the length they want to. Senator Lombard raised the issue first this morning of the maths exam at higher level …

I move: That Seanad Éireann - - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Paul Coghlan; - 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.

Ms Demetriou is most welcome. It is a pleasure to meet her and to welcome her to Seanad Éireann to address our Chamber. Her speech covered quite a lot of topics but it is clear that despite the distance between our two countries, we share many values, are on the same page on many things and are strong colleagues at European Union level. That is welcome. I concur with her remarks when she lists the many challenges the European Union has faced and will face: the geopolitical situation, the war in Ukraine, migration, …

The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. It has been a very interesting debate so far. It shows the breadth of views in this House. I believe that all views, for the most part, have been expressed reasonably and fairly, and are to be respected across all sides. There are many things that will not be said in the Chamber because cancel culture is real, as pointed out by Senator Mullen. There are many topics that many of us are afraid to speak on publicly or speak about in the Chamber, but we say it outside and we…

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, to the Chamber and thank him for being here to issue the Minister's response. The Minister of State will be aware that hormonal replacement therapy, HRT, has seen somewhat of a resurgence and there has been a huge increase in demand in recent years. This is in large part due to a public information campaign run by the Government on the benefits of using hormone replacement therapy when going through menopause or perimenopause but also because of the work of many indiv…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I note the achievements in women’s health under this Government that have been significant and transformative. We have come from a low base. We had a lot to do and have achieved a lot in recent years. I mentioned the menopause campaign. Of course, the women’s health lead in the ICGP was significant. I worked with the Minister for Health to put that in place, and the menopause measures as well. The problem with the DPS is, because pharmacies will not dispense the full six…

I extend a big welcome to the students and teachers from Balla national school in County Mayo, which is my county. I hope they have a great visit. They have been to the Dáil Chamber already. The Cathaoirleach will be pleased to learn that they are heading to Croke Park next for a tour of the grounds.

They are having a great day on their visit to Dublin. I extend a warm welcome to the Georgian ambassador and congratulate him on Georgia's national day. I thank him for being in the Chamber with us today.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Government commitments on offshore renewable energy, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed six minutes, all Senators not to exceed six minutes, and the Minister to be given no less than six …

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Cummins spoke on search and rescue, as did Senator Craughwell, and on the awarding of the contract and the bases it will cover. It is an important service for the State. Senator O'Loughlin acknowledged and remembered Private Seán Rooney, as did Senator Clonan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Our thoughts are with his family. Senator O'Loughlin also spoke about the census results, details of which are on the front pages of the newspapers today. She p…

I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a further period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June, 2023 and ending on the 30th day of November, 2023.”

I move: That Seanad Éireann supports the Government commitments on Offshore Renewable Energy referenced in the Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind, approved by Government on 7th March, 2023, a copy of which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 17th May, 2023.

I thank the Minister of State. This debate is very welcome. I am from County Mayo. I think there is great potential and opportunity off the west and north-west coasts. I can see the focus is on the east coast and the south for the time being. We are even seeing projects as far up as County Clare, as Senator Garvey detailed. Ultimately, however, when we look 20 years down the line, it will be the west and north west that will drive our renewable offshore wind energy generation. That is where the most wind is and the…

Everybody is very welcome to the Chamber. The Order of Business is No. 1, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 2.45 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 2, Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022 – Committee Stage, resumed, to be taken at 3 p.m. and to adjourn at 5 p.m., if not previously concluded; No. 125, motion 10, Private Members' business, regarding the naming of the new national children's hospital after Dr. Kathleen Lynn, to …

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Murphy spoke about the increasing numbers of motorcycle accidents and fatalities on the roads. It could be in the region of eight fatalities so far this year which is a significant number. It might certainly be an issue to raise as a Commencement matter with the Minister for Transport. Senator Murphy also commented on how the budget should be prepared. I certainly agree with him that budgets cannot be written through opinion pieces. There should …