I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to the Chamber. I understand the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, is at Cabinet this morning so I appreciate her taking this matter. My question is in relation to the western rail corridor which I have raised on numerous occasions in this Chamber. Last week, quite disappointingly, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, both attended an EU meeting where they welcomed the inclusion of Galwa…

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. Three reports have been published on the western rail corridor in recent times. The Minister of State rightly referred to the EY report, which has been completely discredited. As to the response it received, to say there was criticisms of some aspects of the report is being very kind. I will not delve into it further on this occasion. I often wonder how the JASPERS review might have viewed Knock Airport when it was in its infancy. The airport would not have…

I will make a final plea. When looking at the rail network map for the country, an entire region - the west and north west - does not feature. County Donegal has no rail link, County Monaghan has no rail link and the service to County Mayo is fairly limited, yet we have emissions reduction targets in transport of 75%. That will not be achievable if we do not connect one third of the country by rail link. As to the requirement of ministerial approval from Northern Ireland, the message needs to get back to the Minist…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (Appointment of Registration Body) Order 2022, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Finance Bill 2022 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 1.45 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.45 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to …

Senator Norris was the first Senator to contribute this morning. He rightly raised concerns around the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the appalling track record of human rights abuses. Many migrant workers lost their lives while building the many stadiums which now host the games. Many other members of this House have raised similar issues over recent weeks and months and would concur with the Senator's remarks. Senator Norris also raised a particular issue around bins in Dublin city. He was quite critical of Dublin C…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (Appointment of Registration Body) Order 2022, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 18th November, 2022.

It is a great honour to address the Seanad as leader of the Fianna Fáil grouping in Seanad Éireann. Today is an historic day as we participate in a special sitting to mark the centenary of the first sitting of the Seanad. We do not often hear much about those first Members so it is welcome to have an opportunity to look back on those who first served in this House and to mark their contribution. There were some notable an interesting Members of the First Seanad including, as has been pointed out, W.B. Yeats, as wel…

The Minister is very welcome to the House. It is great to have a debate on this issue. It is great to hear the Minister recount what happened, the details of which we will never see printed in the media. It is great to hear the work that was done by not just the Minister but also the background team, the civil servants, the lawyers and everyone working together to achieve what ultimately was not the full desired outcome but was a good outcome nonetheless. As the Taoiseach has said, climate change is the biggest cha…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Thursday, 8 December 2022, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion regarding the arrangements for the ceremonial sitting on Monday, 12 December to commemorate the centenary of the first sitting Seanad Éireann and the arrangement for the sittings of the House on Tuesday and Wednesday, 13 and 14 December, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, motion reg…

That is tomorrow.

I thank all Members for contributing to the Order of Business today. Senator O'Loughlin started off by welcoming the advancements in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022. She welcomed, in particular, the €2.5 million in funding provided through BAI for local radio stations and highlighted the important work that they do. She raised concerns about the broadcasting of public information around local government, local sporting events and called for them to be included. She spoke about community neurorehabi…

Next Tuesday.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding extension of period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate.

I will be accepting the motion as put forward by Senator Craughwell and seconded by Senator Wilson. I welcome also H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, the Ukrainian ambassador, to the Gallery. It is always great to see the ambassador. I thank the ambassador for her consistent attendance in these Houses and engagement with Members across both Houses. It is welcome. Senator Malcolm Byrne kicked off this morning. The Senator spoke about the motion as put forward by Senator Craughwell, and Senator Wilson in full support. Senator M…

I thank the Cathaoirleach.

It is interesting whenever I respond to questions raised and give my views that I am interrupted when I do so. I did not interrupt any Member in this House when he or she was making his or her contributions because I have my opportunity to reply at this juncture. That is the way that the House works.

Heckling will not stop me saying my piece. I challenge as well the response to Senator Malcolm Byrne, who raised the record and the facts in relation to Sinn Féin and Russia. Last week, Senator Gavan put on the record of this House a challenge to two members of Government who were doing their job on trade missions and he linked that to human rights abuses in Qatar. I disagreed with that connection. Today, however, the Senator is not facilitating other Members doing what looks to be something quite similar. The Sena…

Of course. Yes. It has been kind of a lazy response from the Department in that it is quite convenient that there is a private operator servicing most of the needs of the area. It probably gets it off the hook to a certain extent. However, it is not providing the service that Bus Éireann could and should provide. There needs to be a service. There are black spots across the country where there just is not adequate public service. It is not even close. If we are to meet our climate targets, we need to get public tra…

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 December, 2022 and ending on the 31st day of May, 2023.

Next Tuesday at 1 p.m.