I thank the Cathaoirleach. The Order of Business started today with Senator Norris. He eloquently welcomed our new Senator to the House and articulated their close ties. We look forward to further exchanges in that regard. Many Senators, almost everybody, rose to welcome Senator Tom Clonan to the House. It is a momentous occasion for the House. Senator Clonan got to his feet on his inaugural debut speech in the House and spoke about his tireless campaigning for people with disabilities, his fantastic son, Eoghan, a…

The information I have from the Minister is that the public consultation on carbon budgets in general was concluded, but the sectoral consultation is still outstanding. I cannot accept the amendment to the Order of Business, but it is open to the Senator to raise the issue directly with the Minister today and ask that there be a delay in the work he is doing. I take on board the points Senator Higgins has made on public consultation and this having happened before it concludes. My information is that there are two …

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Covid exempt regulations - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (Number 2) Regulations 2022 - to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 1.45 p.m. with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed six minutes, the contribution of groups spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes and the Minister to be given no less than five minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Building Control (Amendment)…

I was there.

Senator Buttimer opened to the Order of Business and asked for a debate on the criteria that are applied to the bidding by Ireland to host sporting events. He made reference in particular to the America's Cup, which I know is of particular sensitivity to representatives in the Cork area. The Senator had particular questions around resourcing from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and I have no doubt that he has been in touch with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, …

Fianna Fáil welcomes the continuation of these exemptions for the HSE in order to use certain public buildings as public vaccination and testing centres. The regulations outlined in section 181 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 facilitated the emergency development and change of use of buildings to ensure that any temporary facilities required to respond to the Covid-19 emergency could be developed without the need for planning consent for the temporary period of the emergency. However, these regulations are…

I thank my colleagues in Fine Gael for bringing forward this motion and giving us an opportunity to discuss the crisis in Ukraine and all the matters relating to it. Many Senators, this week and last week, have outlined the horrific things we have been seeing. It feels very close to home because it is very close to home. There are other conflict zones around the world, but this war has, for different reasons for different people, grabbed the hearts and minds of Irish people. The outpouring of love, support and gene…

We need to move people on to more permanent accommodation and not leave people in tents. We need to understand the scale of this and we do not know where we are going. In six months' time, how many will we be dealing with? A colossal number of refugees will be seeking our help. I commend those who have pledged their own accommodation. I believe we have received about 25,000 pledges of accommodation, including spare rooms as well as entire apartments or houses. People are accommodating families in their homes. That …

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

I commend the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his attempt at the Greek language. That was most delightful. I welcome the deputy ambassador to the House and wish her a happy independence day and ask her to convey our condolences to the ambassador on her family bereavement. The Order of Business is No. 1, Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2 p.m., with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, the contributions of all Senators not …

The Senator made her point not just with brevity but also with efficiency, which is always good. It is much harder to convey a point using fewer words.

I thank all Members for their contributions to the Order of Business. Senator Buttimer kicked off the debate by discussing the rise in Covid cases and the health situation. He requested a debate with the Minister for Health, which I have been informed is being requested through the Leader's office. We will get that date as soon as we can provide it. He made a general point about mask wearing and suggested we need to re-introduce it. We will have that debate at the earliest opportunity. Senator O'Loughlin raised a n…

The Seanad Brexit committee has worked on this issue and it is covered in our report. We will have to keep a watching brief on it and continue to highlight it in this Chamber. Senator Craughwell first congratulated the Irish Air Corps on reaching its centenary. It had a flyover this morning. I concur with his remarks and wish the Air Corps the very best. One hundred years is a significant milestone. All of the work and service it has given the State and our citizens is to be commended. I wish the organisation well …

Absolutely. Senator Wall spoke on a couple of issues, firstly agreeing with Senator O'Loughlin on Cross and Passion secondary school. He also asked to expedite the review of housing aid, adaption and mobility grants because of the rising cost of construction. Everyone in every part of the country will deal with that issue. I suggest that the Senator put down a Commencement matter on that issue because it is quite specific. He also spoke about the pressure on our hospitals because of rising Covid cases and called fo…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re referral to committee of the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Office of the Ombudsman) Regulations 2022, to be taken without debate on conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m., with the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all …

If there is definitely no one else coming in the door.

Senator Currie is just in time.

I better get going quickly before I get cut off again. I thank all the Members for their contributions on the Order of Business. Just as I was getting to my feet, a number of contributors walked in in a similar fashion, so Senator Currie and I were joking. Senator McGahon kicked off the Order of Business by speaking about the really sad passing of David Hill. I extend my sympathies and, on behalf of the House, those of the other Senators to David's family. We will have a minute's silence after I conclude my remarks…

Perhaps the Senator has. I will cede to that. I might add that the debate has already happened among the public. On many issues, the Oireachtas can be way behind where the people are at. Nonetheless we have a job to do and it is timely that we would have a debate in the House on that issue. It will probably be a rolling debate that will evolve over time. Certainly it is something we need to do. Senator Craughwell also spoke about the €1,000 payment to front-line workers. I am aware that the Minister, Deputy Michael…

That is a certain level. They were trying to strike the balance. There were so many workers on the front line including in retail, delivery drivers and every aspect of healthcare, but there was a certain level where they put their lives on the line in a very real way. Trying to identify those was not an easy task but I take the point the Senator is making.