The Order of Business today is No. 1, Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 - Committee Stage (resumed) and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion by 4 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 2, Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 4.30 p.m. …

I thank all Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. The first to speak today was Senator Clifford-Lee who again raised the issue of Natasha O’Brien's case that was spoken about by almost every Member yesterday as well. I concur with her remarks on the incredible bravery and leadership Natasha has shown in not just advocating for herself but for women and other victims across the country. It was well put yesterday by many Members. There was widespread anger and disgust at the way that case was treated and…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 3:45 p. m. and to conclude after 90 minutes 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 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 de…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and all Senators for their contributions this afternoon. I note he has left us but I welcome the Slovenian ambassador as well. He was in the Chamber with us earlier, and I wish them well on their national day. The first to speak today was Senator Shane Cassells. I acknowledge that most Senators acknowledged the sad passing of Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh. As I was coming to the Chamber today, I was listening to "News at One" and the piece that was done about him and his life. He was cert…

The Order of Business is No. 1, address to Seanad Éireann by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President, to be taken at 1 p.m. in accordance with the arrangements agreed by the House on Tuesday, 21 May 2024, and No. 2, Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024 – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 3.30 p.m.

I thank the Cathaoirleach and everyone who contributed to the Order of Business today. The first contributor was Senator Fiona O'Loughlin and she spoke about the ongoing count that is still taking place in Kildare. They are on recount number four I believe. I commend the staff as it is a difficult job and I imagine looking at the same ballot papers four times over is challenging. We wish them well. Hopefully, we will see the candidates still in the race for those final three seats over the line shortly. I want to a…

It is a mammoth task but it is fantastic to watch democracy literally in action and to see what is happening. I concur with the Senator's remarks in terms of wishing those still in the mix well and those who have been elected. I take on board the points the Senator has made in relation to the National Advocacy Service and Citizens Information and the important role that it performs. I certainly hope the matter can be resolved. It is an important service for the public. Senator Mary Seery Kearney also raised the iss…

There are other ways, and the bar code was in another country that she visited for election monitoring, of dealing with it. Even for the European count in Midlands-North-West, there was something like 20,000 spoiled ballots. Many of those were not filled in, and that is a different body of work but certainly, not stamping a ballot paper is something we can address. There has to be a solution to that because ultimately, that person has not got their vote counted. It can really make a difference in a local count as w…

I am sharing time with Senator O'Loughlin, three minutes each. The former President Mary Robinson is most welcome to the Chamber. It is fantastic to have a fellow Mayo woman address us today. I am proud as a Senator to have an opportunity to respond to her address in a Chamber where she once served before going on to become Ireland's first female President. We often hear the phrase "you cannot be what you cannot see". By taking up that most prestigious role, President of our great country, she became an invaluable …

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast), to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Health Act 1970 (Section 45(3)) (Classes of Persons) Regulations 2024, t…

I thank all Members who contributed today. Understandably, the main topic of debate was the elections, which I think have been exhausting for everybody, whether you are contesting or supporting candidates, and even being in the count centres until the early hours for the past few nights to watch it in action. It is a fascinating exercise to watch and see the scale of it, particularly the European elections and seeing the ballot papers, the count centre and all of the staff. Credit to those people who are working on…

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 take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitat…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following regulations in draft: Health Act 1970 (Section 45(3)) (Classes of Persons) Regulations 2024, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 16th May, 2024, in accordance with Section 45(4) of the Health Act 1970.

I concur with the sympathy that have been expressed by the Cathaoirleach to the D'Arcy family. We will move an expression of sympathy at the end of Order of Business. The Order of Business today, Wednesday 8 May, is No. 1, motion regarding proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Private Members' business, Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023 …

I thank the Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the challenges of hay fever, as a sufferer herself, and about getting some local help in Kildare. She also referenced the march for Palestine outside the gates today and said she is going to join those who are demonstrating outside. She reiterated the call for a ceasefire and peace in the region. She acknowledged that today is advance care plan day and said that it is important for people to think ahead and plan ahead…

I move: That Seanad Eireann - - expresses its deep sadness on the death of former Senator Michael D'Arcy; - 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 Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2024, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 16th April, 2024.

I echo the comments of the Cathaoirleach with regard to Congressman Tim Kennedy and I wish him the very best for his term. The Order of Business today is No. 1, Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 12.45 p.m., with the proceedings thereon to be brought to a conclusion at 3.15 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; and No. 139(2),…

I do.

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I also thank the Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin welcomed the fact that Diageo will be able to move ahead with its investment into its plant in County Kildare. This will be worth €200 million and will create 1,000 jobs, now that the single objector has withdrawn their objection. I wish the company and County Kildare well. It is a fantastic investment into the area. The Senator also spoke about the memorial ceremony held by the St. Conleth's branch of O…