Budget 2021 is colossal in both scope and spending levels, with an overall package of almost €18 billion. It will do exactly what the country needs it to do at a time of great uncertainty for Irish people and Irish businesses. I am unaware of any time in our State's history when our country and economy faced such severe challenges, with the double threat of a prolonged global pandemic and the possibility of a bad Brexit deal. The Ministers, Deputies Michael McGrath and Donohoe, did a good job yesterday of striking …

I want to raise three issues. The first is the issue of Brexit. This morning, we engaged extensively with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, at the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. While there was a good engagement and a good update on negotiations, the situation is quite precarious and we are in a very vulnerable position. It seems the two key issues preventing a deal being done are the areas of fishing rights and level playing field provisions. The very clear message this morning wa…

I support the Order of Business and all the business to be done this week. As foreign affairs spokesperson for the Fianna Fáil Party, I wish to comment on last night's US presidential debate, the first of three. As with many Members of the Seanad, I am sure, a shiver went down my spine when I heard the current US President use the phrase "Stand back and stand by" when asked whether he would condemn those who support white supremacists. It is very serious that in the United States, which is meant to be a bastion of …

I thank the Cathaoirleach and echo his very nice sentiments to our men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, who have served with the UN, represented our country and made us all proud. The UN and the blue helmet are synonymous with the Irish Defence Forces. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding appointment of ordinary members to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the amen…

The Cathaoirleach might grant the same degree of latitude as I try to respond to the questions Senators raised.

Senator Buttimer called for a debate on the HSE's winter plan. That is a good idea. A request to the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to come before the House has been made. I have been told that we are tentatively looking at Wednesday, 7 October for the debate and that has been confirmed by the Minister's office. I was asked to arrange a debate on the aviation sector. It is my understanding that Senator Conway has sought Private Members' time to discuss that topic. Senators, including Senator Gavan, a…

Several debates have been requested and those requests will be passed on to the various Ministers with responsibility. Senator Gallagher made a poignant point about the sacrifice of the people in dealing with Covid. We are at a difficult point in the pandemic six months in. There is Covid fatigue. People are frustrated and have had enough. I think there was an expectation when this began that it would be finished by now, but we are probably not even halfway at this point. We had a little respite for the summer mont…

No, thanks.

Is it? Good for the Senator. To get back to vaping and e-cigarettes, which are legal but which still pose a threat to public health, we should debate the matter. Senator Pauline O'Reilly raised the matter of issues facing dialysis patients. There are so many vulnerable and at-risk groups in this pandemic and she has highlighted particularly vulnerable patients who are awaiting transplants. Many parts of our health service have suffered because of a slowing down and people not having access to services because all t…

I move: That Seanad Éireann, in accordance with section 8(3)(b) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2018, appoints Senator Seán Kyne to be an ordinary member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in place of Senator Paddy Burke, who has resigned his office as a member of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in accordance with the aforementioned section 8.

I move: That the report be adopted, laid before the House and printed.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders— (1) Seanad Éireann hereby appoints a Special Committee (hereinafter referred to as 'the Committee'), to be joined with a Special Committee to be appointed by Dáil Éireann, to form the Joint Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community; (2) the Joint Committee shall aim for consensus, based on human rights principles, on policy directions in respect of the following key issues affecting the Traveller Community— (a) physical health, mental health…

I move: (1) That a Select Committee consisting of 5 Members be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee to be appointed by Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Disability Matters to consider all disability matters including monitoring the implementation (by Ireland) of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; (2) The Joint Committee shall consider and make recommendations in relation to its Terms of Reference and report accordingly not later than 31 March; (3) For the purposes of parag…

I move: That the Order of the Seanad of 18th September, 2020, relating to the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, be amended in paragraph (1) by the deletion of '5' and the substitution therefor of '7'.

I move: That the Joint Committee on Public Petitions be instructed to review its Terms of Reference as set out in Standing Orders and to lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas within three months of its first meeting in the current Seanad.

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 169 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Bills which lapsed by reason of the Seanad General Election, March 2020, and are set out in the Schedule to this motion, shall be restored to the Order Paper at the stage specified in the Schedule below: SCHEDULE

The amendment provides the opportunity to speak on a couple of issues that will exercise the appeals committee. I have spoken to people on this. We accept that it is contentious and there were many submissions received by the Department on foot of the public consultation. Some of the more contentious issues have been resolved, but forestry is something that will dominate the discourse in many local communities for a time to come. Some of the reservations that local people might have that could be an issue for the a…

I welcome the Minister and thank him for taking this matter. The issue is unaccompanied minors from the Moria camp on Lesbos. It is the largest refugee camp in Europe and home - I use that word lightly - to almost 13,000 men, women and children. The camp was initially built to house fewer than 3,000. Almost two weeks ago, the camp was burned and 12,000 men, women and children were left on the streets with nothing - no shelter, food or water. Security in the camp had already deteriorated prior to the fire, and tensi…

I thank the Minister for the response. It is much appreciated. At the outset, I want to say that I am appalled that Tusla was not given additional resources from 2018 by the previous Minister and Government. That is quite scandalous. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is being asked to take resources from other children in the State to try to fund children coming in from Lesbos. He cannot make that call. Extra resources are clearly needed. After this debate, I will write to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Refor…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: agrees that: - the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union entered into force on 1st February, 2020 and has legal effects under international law; - as of that date, no party to the Agreement can unilaterally change, clarify, amend, interpret or disapply it anymore; - the Northern Ireland Protocol forms an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement, even though the relevant substantive provisions are only applicable from 1st January, 2021; - the full implem…