I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that the Health (Amendment) Act 2020 (No. 19 of 2020) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on the 10th day of November, 2021 and ending on the 9th day of February, 2022.”

I agree to the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader of the House. Last Thursday, we had some very welcome news for the north west when we had the official announcement of a technological university for the north west, comprising a multi-campus structure across eight campuses at Castlebar, Galway city, Killybegs, Letterfrack, Letterkenny, Mountbellew and Sligo. To say it was a significant day for the region is an understatement. This technological university marks a significant change in how we offer third le…

I extend a welcome to all our MEPs. It is fantastic to have them here this afternoon and we welcome the engagement. My question is probably best directed to Mr. Andrews. He said at the outset that they do much work on the Brexit area. The Seanad has a special committee, which I chair, on Brexit. One issue that we are grappling with, for which we are yet to find a solution we can recommend, is around the democratic deficit in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland now comes under the customs union and Single Market rule…

I join the Cathaoirleach in his comments on Sir David Amess. His death has sent shock waves through politics here and in the UK. Most worrying was the commentary to the effect that somehow it was justified because of the job he was doing or the party he was a member of. This is a cause for concern for all of us. It is something to be vigilant about. We send our thoughts, prayers and sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues and to the community he served with distinction for so many years. The Order of Busin…

I first propose, as suggested by An Cathaoirleach, that we hold one minute of silence in respect for David Amess.

Senator Fiona O'Loughlin started the Order of Business today and paid her respects to Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Brendan Kennelly and Sir David Amess. A number of colleagues also paid respects to Máire Mhac an tSaoi and Brendan Kennelly. Senators Mullen and O'Sullivan recited very beautifully some poetry for all of us, which was a pleasure to listen to. It is not something I would be capable of doing and I am always very impressed when people recite such things. Senator O'Loughlin raised a very important issue around the…

The Senator said that the representatives of the organisation will be in Buswells Hotel tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for anyone who is available to pop along to show their support. It is very important for us to support those awareness campaigns. Senator Mullen paid tribute to Máire Mhac an tSaoi and Brendan Kennelly. I also responded to the issues the Senator raised about the Bill proposed by Senator Gavan. Senator Ward finished off the Order of Business by drawing attention to the Speak Out facility that ha…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Regulation (EU) 2021/693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Justice Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No. 1382/2013, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, statements on budget 2022, with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the Minister of State'…

The first comment was from Senator O'Loughlin. She referenced the Jacob family. I pay my respects to the family and hope they get Deirdre back. It is right and proper we show solidarity in this House for their long suffering. The Senator also mentioned the national heritage site proposal at the Curragh. I agree it is a unique site and deserves to be protected. With regard to the Yellow Flag programme on inclusion in schools, if there is that level of demand from schools, we should certainly facilitate it. It is fan…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measure: Regulation (EU) 2021/693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Justice Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No. 1382/2013, …

As today is budget day, I will have an opportunity to address the House later on my views on the budget that has just been announced. I wish to raise two items on the Order of Business. The first is a radio interview I heard as I was driving to Leinster House. I am not sure if other colleagues heard it. One of my colleagues beside me is nodding. It was the story of a young boy, Adam Terry, and his mum, Christine. It was one of the most heart-breaking radio interviews I have ever heard. This boy who is ten years of …

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. It is incredible that, in budget 2022, we are discussing the spending of such large amounts of money across so many sectors when we are still coming out of the pandemic and recovering from what has been an extraordinarily difficult time for Ireland. Given that there are other jurisdictions very close to ours that are looking at their budgets and proposing cuts to spending rather than additional spending, we can be proud of our country and Government for delivering a b…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union entitled the Interim Report on the Impacts of Brexit, to be taken at 1 p.m. and not withstanding anything in Standing Orders to conclude at 2 p.m., if not previously concluded, with time allocated to the opening remarks of the proposing Senator not to exceed four minutes, all Senators not to exceed four minutes and the Minister's contribution not to excee…

I thank all of the Members who have contributed. I concur with the remarks made by Senator Norris and many other colleagues in the House on the death of the former Deputy, Mervyn Taylor. I extend my condolences, and that of the House, to his family, friends and to the Labour Party on the passing of a colleague. Senator Murphy kicked off today's discussion by raising two issues. One was the old age pension, in the context of the budget, and a request for a significant rise so as to look after the elderly in our comm…

I will go no further than that. Senator Cummins raised the issue of Irish Water and the infrastructure deficit. It is a particularly acute issue in rural parts of the country, where smaller towns and villages were at the back of the queue. I welcome the additional almost €100 million in funding for those particular areas that should hopefully see an acceleration in the development of infrastructure that is needed. Without Irish Water infrastructure, we cannot build housing, so it goes hand in glove with the Housing…

Perhaps that is the case with some banks. There has been a shift with younger generations using online banking predominantly, but that does not cater for all members of society. We are in a transition period where some people are feeling left behind. That is something we need to be very mindful of. Access to ATMs is really important. Many smaller towns and villages do not have many, if any, ATMs. That is also a big problem. The Senator also raised the issue around carers, which is an important issue to keep to the …

I move: That Seanad Éireann shall take note of the Report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union entitled ‘Interim Report on the Impacts of Brexit’, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 8th July, 2021. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, to the Chamber for the debate on the interim report of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, titled "Interim Report on the …

We all concur with the hope that some day we might see the UK return and see the entire island be a part of the EU. The Minister of State will have taken from all the contributions during the debate that Brexit is still very much a live issue. If it was not for the pandemic, we probably would have had greater discussions on the impact of Brexit throughout the country. He rightly pointed out that one of the key objectives of our committee was to give a platform to those businesses, citizens and communities affected …

Yes.

Last week in the Chamber a number of colleagues spoke about Ireland's energy supply. At the weekend there were reports from the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, that Ireland is facing a tight few years until 2025 in terms of our energy supplies and that engineers were undergoing training for potential blackouts this winter. This is a really serious situation that I am sure has caused much concern right across the board. People are wondering what we are going to do to addr…