I accept it is an issue. My starting point is that one-off rural housing should be maintained. I believe it is the right of rural people to build on family land without question. We have technology available to us to deal with water quality issues. If septic tanks are working properly, there is no issue. It is the language that concerns me as a person from rural Ireland, knowing the position of people within the Department. I understand the environmental concerns and I am not against addressing them. If a septic ta…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on 16 and 17 July 2024, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the arrangements for the Report Stage of the Planning and Development Bill 2023, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; and No. 3, Planning and Development Bill 2023 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to adjourn at 9.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, and the sitting shal…

I thank the Chair and all the members that contributed today. I welcome Jim and his guests to the Chamber also. I want to take the opportunity to welcome our new Seanadóir, Nikki Bradley, to the Chamber and as a Member of Seanad Éireann. I wish her the very best for her term. Many Members rose this morning at the outset to thank all of the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, be it Mr. Martin Groves and the team, an Cathaoirleach, the Bills office, the catering staff and everyone who makes this place tick. It is …

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on 16th and 17th July, 2024: (1) The Seanad on its rising on Monday, 15th July, 2024 shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 16th July, 2024, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Standing Orders 29 and 30 shall stand suspended; (b) There shall be no Order of Business; (c) The business to be taken shall be confined to the item set out…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, in the event of the Committee Stage of the Planning and Development Bill 2023 being completed on Wednesday, 17th July, 2024, the Report Stage of the Bill shall be taken on Tuesday, 24th September, 2024, and amendments proposed to the Bill shall reach the Clerk not later than 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 10th September, 2024.

I welcome Eileen, Julie, Chloe and Matthew. They are very welcome here today with Denis, it is lovely to have them in the Chamber. I concur with the Cathaoirleach's remarks and wish Senator Doherty the very best on her resignation from the Seanad and ascension to the European Parliament. She was a fantastic Member of this House, a great colleague, somebody I worked very well and very closely with between being Leader and Deputy Leader. She was a great person to work with, always straight-up, never took anybody shor…

I thank those Members who contributed to the Order of Business. First to speak this morning was Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. She welcomed the announcement yesterday by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Jack Chambers, of the summer economic statement, which outlines the budgetary parameters for the upcoming budget in a few months' time. The Senator made the point that the economy has been well managed, there is space to do some work on the budget and that the Government has done a good job in making sure that the public…

I had not heard about it and do not know the individuals, the mum or the child, in question. It is horrific that it could happen in a developed country. We must ensure that children are given every opportunity and that healthcare is delivered for children. Most importantly, above any other members of society, children must come first. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is working day and night to try to solve the scoliosis issue, to alleviate the pressures and the waiting lists, but it is proving challenging. As I said…

I will move a motion at the end of the Order of Business to pass an expression of sympathy on behalf of the House on the death of former Deputy and Senator John O'Mahony. I concur with the Cathaoirleach on John in that he was a lovely man, a real gentleman. It was very sad to hear of his passing. I express condolences to his wife Gerardine, his five children, all the family, his community and his Fine Gael colleagues. He was a fantastic Mayo football manager and a representative for County Mayo. He was a very kind …

I thank the Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the French election results. We all breathed a sigh of relief at the outcome, which was not expected a number of weeks ago. It gives cause for reflection in all EU member states in terms of the direction we are going in our politics. The Senator also raised concerns regarding commuter fares and that the planned reduction in fares beyond short hop zones will not go ahead in September. I suggest that she put forward a Commenc…

I move: That Seanad Eireann - - expresses its deep sadness on the death of former Senator John O'Mahony; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution, as a member of Seanad Éireann, to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

I move: That, in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight pursuant to Standing Order 98(2)(b), the Orders of Reference for the Seanad Select Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments, as agreed by Order of the Seanad on 7th December 2022, as amended on 4th July 2023, be further amended as follows— (1) By the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (5): ‘(5) the Committee shall have power to require any Government Department or …

I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government on 2nd July, 2024 nominated Emily Logan for appointment by the President as An tOmbudsman Póilíneachta, recommends, pursuant to section 171(3)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, that she be appointed by the President as An tOmbudsman Póilíneachta.”

I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government on 2nd July, 2024 nominated Emily Logan for reappointment by the President as a member of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, recommends, pursuant to section 65(1)(b) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, that she be reappointed by the President to be a member of the Commission.”

The Order of Business today is No. 1, Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023 - Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken at 11.45 a.m.; and No. 2, Private Members' Business, Protection of Private Residences (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill 2021 - Report and Final Stages to be taken at 12 noon or on the conclusion of No. 1, whichever is the later.

I thank the Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin congratulated the Irish National Stud and Gardens in County Kildare on being named one of the top 10% of attractions in the world by Tripadvisor. It is a fantastic accolade for the stud. I have no doubt it will attract increasing numbers of visitors over the summer and beyond. Well done to those involved. The Senator also acknowledged the turning of the first sod at the €200 million investment by Diageo at a brewery in Kildare. The pr…

The killing needs to stop. I do not know what else I can say. We must continue to keep the issue on the agenda. It is unlikely we will be able to debate it next week because the schedule is fairly well set. We can only hope there will be a ceasefire soon. Senator Malcolm Byrne highlighted that we are continuing to live longer into older age, which is very positive. He made the point it is important to be as healthy and fit as possible and referred to the need to increase activity and exercise, and I certainly agree…

I also welcome our visitors. The Order of Business today is No. 1., Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 – Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Defence (Amendment…

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I also thank Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. The first Senator to speak was Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who again raised the case of Bláthnaid Raleigh who this morning spoke again on Radio One. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about how moved she was by the young woman's interview this morning and that it would be a good interview for everyone to listen to. Certainly the case sent shivers up the backs of anybody who listened to the details of it. It was an horrific attack. I…

Next Tuesday.