Obviously, the rule of law is paramount. The charge against him in terms of contempt of court was correct and he does need to come forward on that front, but I do take the Senator's point that it seems a very heavy-handed outcome in terms of the actual offence. Rather than getting into it, I would agree with the Senator that trial by Twitter is not the way we should be doing things. Sometimes the first voice out can be the loudest and can silence other voices. I also believe in the freedom of private citizens to ma…

Absolutely not.

I, of course, agree with the comments of the courts.

I welcome Lord McFall of Alcluith here for this address. I am speaking on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group in the Seanad. I had the pleasure of meeting him last night and again this morning with the Parliamentary Friendship Group. It was clear from our meetings, and from having read much about him in preparation for the visit, that he has a passion for both Northern Ireland and Ireland and a clear and in-depth understanding of the challenges our island faces both North and South. His work in the Northern Ireland off…

I welcome this debate on the Passport Office.

I am sharing time with Senator McGreehan. We had considerable issues with the Passport Office going back a number of months and I was one the Members in this Chamber saying that there were significant issues. I am pleased to see that there has been a huge turnaround. Someone very close to me put in an application online on a Friday and it arrived in the post on Monday, which is a remarkable turnaround time. I pay tribute to the Passport Office for listening to the concerns raised by Members in both Houses. Extra st…

I concur with the Order of Business as outlined. Like other colleagues, a few minutes ago I participated in a photograph that was taken outside the gates of Leinster House to promote breast cancer awareness month. The campaign is very aptly entitled Care for Your Pair, which is a message for both men and women because men can also develop breast cancer.

There is a much lower incidence of breast cancer in men but it is important that we all become breast aware. The photograph was followed by an informative briefing in the audiovisual room, which was given by cancer nurses from the Irish Cancer Society who gave a practical demonstration on what to look out for in terms of changes in breast tissue, the obvious signs and when to seek help. Obviously, we still have a way to go with tackling cancer. We have the fantastic BreastCheck screening programme that commences ex…

I welcome that Ireland has finalised its new Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, strategic plan and that it has now been approved by Cabinet. I commend and congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, and his other Cabinet colleagues on getting the plan over the line. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has described the plan as being farmer-friendly, fair and well-funded. The plan will give Irish farmers nearly €9.8 billion over five years and represents an increas…

I thank the Acting Chairperson. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to the Chamber. I welcome this high-level action plan to deal with the recommendations, some 69 main recommendations, from the Commission on the Defence Forces. I will hone in on a couple of key areas. I will give some personal views and insight into two of them. I welcome the acknowledgement that there is a gender issue but we also must acknowledge that by its very nature we will never have a 50:50 ratio. Ireland is not unique in that regard w…

The ambassador is most welcome to the Chamber. It was lovely to meet him. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion on the arrangements for the address to the Seanad by Lord John McFall of Alcluith, Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, on Wednesday, 5 October 2022, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 113, motion …

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Lombard welcomed yesterday's budget. We can all agree it was a significant budget, with a level of spending not surpassed by any previous budget. My view and that of my Government colleagues is we have delivered on the promises we made to look after the most vulnerable, to give a break to all families and households, and to try, as best we can, to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures every single person in the country is dealing with, no matter…

I move: That Seanad Éireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight that, in accordance with the provisions for the address to Seanad Éireann by Distinguished Persons, The Rt. Hon. Lord John McFall of Alcluith, Lord Speaker, be invited to address Seanad Éireann on Wednesday, 5th October, 2022, and, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply: The proceedings in respect of the address by The Rt. Hon. L…

I concur with the Cathaoirleach's remarks and welcome the Speaker and our Maltese friends to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. They are most welcome here this morning. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Seventeenth Report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion regarding the reappointment of members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of No…

Senator Ward congratulated Judge Síofra O'Leary on her appointment as president of the ECHR. Senators O'Loughlin and Wall concurred with those remarks. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the expanded timetable announced by the NTA, with 12 extra services to Newbridge. She also kindly mentioned Mayo, which is getting an extra service that has been sought for many years, namely, an early train from Ballina to connect to the Westport train. The Senator also spoke about modular housing and the two pilot units without plann…

As I am an honorary member of the ONE, it holds a special place in my heart. Senator Keogan spoke about the need for a Covid inquiry and how a date was yet to be set. I suggest that a Commencement matter raised with the Minister for Health might be the route she should take to get a date for that. There is no fear of accountability in respect of Government action on Covid. We have fared extremely well compared with our close neighbours. Senator Warfield spoke about the need to address student accommodation. There i…

Senator Burke spoke about school transport and asked for the Minister for Education to attend the House for a debate. She will actually be in the Chamber at 6.30 p.m. for Fine Gael's Private Members' business. She also attended the education committee this morning. There are particular pinch points. Free school transport was signed off on by the three Government parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. The intention was good and many families have benefited to the tune of €650. However, there was undoub…

I move: That the Seventeenth Report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight on the temporary amendment of Standing Order 16 and the adoption of new Standing Order 57A be adopted, laid before the House and printed.

I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government agreed on 27th July, 2022, to propose, for the approval of Seanad Éireann, the reappointment of the persons concerned to be members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, and pursuant to sections 9 and 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act, 2015, approves the reappointment of Sara Moorhead, Geraldine Clarke, Shane Galligan, Dermott Jewell and Síona Ryan, with effect from 1st October, 2022, by the Government to be members of the Legal Services Regulatory…

I concur with the Order of Business outlined. I wish to raise three topics on the Order of Business. The budget next week will probably be the most important in my lifetime in terms of its gravity and impact on people's lives. We are expecting not only the ordinary budget but also a cost-of-living package. I am sure many people will have been speaking to local businesses across the country and will know the pressure they are under. While we need to help households, families and citizens, we must also assist small b…