I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. I extend a happy St. Brigid's Day to all Members. Pretty much every Member who spoke this morning acknowledged the day. This is the first year that we will have our new bank holiday, which is great. It is one of the positive things following the pandemic that we were able to do for our citizens, to get that extra day off for people. At the beginning of the Order of Business this morning, Senator Murphy spoke about home vacancies, which is a particu…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad on its rising on Wednesday, 1st February, 2023, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023, and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) Commencement matters shall be taken at 9.30 a.m.; (b) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended; (c) The Order of Business shall be proposed at 10.30 a.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the protocol and arrangements for President Roberta Metsola's address to a joint sitting of both Houses of the Oireachtas on Thursday, 2 February 2023, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) (Amendment) Bill 2022 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to adjourn at 7 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 3, Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisi…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. Senator Conway spoke this morning, as he has done previously, on issues around the payment outstanding to many hoteliers across the country housing refugees and providing food and board. I will ask for an update from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. However the newly-appointed Minister of State in that Department, Deputy Joe O'Brien, will be in the Seanad Chamber on 15 February. There wil…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to any meeting of the Seanad on Thursday, 2nd February, 2023: ( a ) the ordinary routine of business shall be interrupted no later than 1.15 p.m., and the sitting of the Seanad shall stand adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 8th February, 2023; ( b ) at 2 p.m., the Seanad shall be enjoined with Dáil Éireann to constitute a joint sitting of both H…

Yes.

He does, yes. The Cathaoirleach has thrown me a little. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 26 January 2023, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, statements on wind energy, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Sen…

Senator Crowe spoke about the expected increased in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector. It is at 9% and is due to increase to 13% on 28 February. This issue was also raised by Senator Lombard. I acknowledge that businesses are facing significant costs with particular pressure on the hospitality sector because of the number of refugees coming into the country, many of whom are being accommodated in hotels. In addition, the cost of products and materials has gone through the roof. As a result, it is a very chall…

Notwithstanding the Order of Business, I propose that statements on wind energy be taken at 1 p.m.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad on its rising on Wednesday, 25th January, 2023, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 26th January, 2023, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Commencement matters shall be taken at 9.30 a.m.; (b) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended; (c) The Order of Business shall be proposed at 10.30 a.m.”

I propose that the statements on wind energy conclude at 2.30 p.m.

It is good to have the Minister in the Chamber for this really important debate. I know we met recently to discuss this particular issue, particularly the impending announcement of the phase 2 policy for offshore wind. I am very optimistic about it and I think there are lots of opportunities. However, as somebody living in Mayo I want to put on the record that I want to see an advancement in terms of planning and preparation for floating offshore wind off the west coast of Ireland, including Mayo, Sligo, Donegal an…

At the outset I pay tribute to and thank my predecessor, Senator Doherty, who, I think we can all agree, did a fantastic job over the past two and a half years in this position. It has been a pleasure to work with her. We are still working as the same team. It has been great to have such a smooth transition thanks to her office in the past few weeks in particular. The Order of Business is No. 1, the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) (Amendment) Bill 2022, Second Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m. wit…

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. Senator Kyne spoke and has mentioned Inland Fisheries Ireland on a number of occasion. You will be aware, a Chathaoirligh, about the sensitivities around that issue. I will request a debate on the issue with the relevant Minister and see if we can get it scheduled, albeit that might be a challenge. Senator Murphy spoke about An Garda Síochána. We all concur with his remarks about the awful attacks on members of An Garda Síochána. Senator Craughwell…

I am thrilled for the Cathaoirleach. He is deserving of the position to which he has been elevated. I welcome his husband Conchobar and his family, friends, nieces and nephews. It is great to see his party colleagues, the Tánaiste and ministerial colleagues, Deputies and of course, all the Seanadóirí as well. Having got to know him over many years - the last term and this term - I have no doubt that he will do a fantastic job as Chair. He is passionate about Cork and even more passionate about his party, Fine Gael.…

I move: "That Senator Mark Daly be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach." It is my pleasure and honour to propose Senator Mark Daly for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. He was first elected to Seanad Éireann in 2007 and, as has already been alluded to, he has been a poll-topper ever since. He is widely known for his huge work ethic and his extensive interest in foreign affairs, the Good Friday Agreement and the constitutional future of the island of Ireland. He is known also for his tremendous work representing Senators…

I am not sure what he saw. Maybe he saw an opportunity to build a friendship. I recall when I was a local area representative for our party, I got a call from Senator Mark Daly. Obviously, I was thrilled to get the phone call. I was not expecting it and he was the only Senator who reached out through that period. He assisted with many representations I had in the constituency that I was not able to deal with at a local level. It shows the way he approaches the role of Senator, in that not only does he work on behal…

I propose the adjournment of the House until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 24 January 2023.

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I want to extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the Rooney family on the passing of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon. It was incredibly sad to wake up to the news today that one of our soldiers lost his life on a peacekeeping mission. It was a life lost in the service of his country and the UN, and a reminder to all of us that all of our soldiers - the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann - who serve abroad on peacekeeping missions put their lives at risk every day that …

I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.