I propose that No. 2 will conclude no later than 3.20 p.m.

Thirty-five minutes.

Yes.

No. 3 is to be taken without debate. No. 4 is to conclude at 5.30 p.m.

I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his elevation to a senior Cabinet position. I wish him well in the time ahead. I welcome this debate on the cost of doing business. There has been a particular focus, and rightly so, on small and medium enterprises because that is where the pinch is being felt the most. It would be remiss of me not to mention the report that is out today. It was commissioned by the Restaurant Association of Ireland and compiled by Jim Power Economics. The report states that the Irish e…

It is a pleasure to welcome our newest Senator, Malachai O'Hara, to the Seanad today. It is lovely to have a new Member. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group but also on behalf of the House itself, as Seanad Leader, I wish him the very best and congratulate him on his election. I look forward to working with him in the Seanad for the next number of months, or for however long we are here. The Order of Business for Thursday, 11 April is No. 1, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for a regulatio…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and thank all Members who contributed on the Order of Business. I commend Senator O'Hara on his fine maiden speech in the Chamber and thank Members for the gracious, warm congratulations they extended to him. It looks well for the House and it is the manner in which we conduct ourselves in here. It is quite a collegial Chamber. We have our differences at times, but we work well together. I concur with the remarks of many Senators wishing former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar well and thanking him …

I wish the Sinn Féin grouping well, too, as it continues forward. Senator O’Loughlin spoke about an issue relating to community engagement groups in the Rathangan area and how she and her colleague, Councillor Anne Connolly held a public meeting, which had 200 in attendance. All of us know that 200 attending a public meeting is a significant number. I urge the Minister and local gardaí to take on board the concerns raised by those communities. As someone who visited County Kildare very recently, including Kildare t…

-----today, for his extensive service, and wished him well. Senator Conway congratulated all his colleagues on their promotions. Senator Cassells raised a particular issue around the Aviva Stadium, the FAI and increased funding for women in sports. I will request a debate with the Minister with responsibility for sport. Senator Martin has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 12 be taken before No. 1. I am happy to accept the amendment to the Order of Business. Senator Maria Byrne has raised issu…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 2.45 p.m. and to conclude at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, which may be shared, those of all other Senators not to exceed four minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Research and Innovation Bill 2024 – Secon…

I thank Members who contributed today. I acknowledge former TD and Senator, Mr. Ned O'Keeffe, who has joined us in the Seanad Chamber today, and the newly appointed Polish ambassador, who is with us also. I concur with the remarks of the Cathaoirleach regarding the passing of Emmet Stagg. Senator Mullen is right to say this is an historic day. Every Member this morning spoke about the news that was announced shortly after midday, that is, the resignation of An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, as president and leader of Fin…

Trust Senator Horkan to make a memorable contribution today. Good on him. He referred to the recent visits by Ministers and Members of both Houses to locations across the globe in the run-up to St. Patrick's Day. He spoke really positively about the work of our diaspora throughout the world in bringing the Irish message to people and keeping Ireland connected to different parts of the world. The visits across the globe by our Ministers and Oireachtas Members are really important. No other country in the world has t…

According to a new report from GeoDirectory and EY Economic Advisory Services, one in five commercial premises in Galway city is lying empty. The report was published yesterday and reported by Enda Cunningham, the editor of The Connacht Tribune . The report detailed vacancy rates across the country with some very stark percentages, particularly for the west of Ireland. Nationally, the average vacancy rate is standing at 14.3%. This is the highest it has been since GeoDirectory began its services in 2013. At the beg…

I thank the Minister of State. It is interesting there are probably more mentions of the Department of housing in the reply than the Department of enterprise, which was responding today. In any event, why should we be concerned about commercial vacancy? I refer to our national development plan and Project Ireland 2040. The plan runs from 2021 to 2030. Contained in this plan is a commitment that Galway, as our city in the western region and our regional economic driver, would grow at twice the pace of Dublin through…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an EU talent pool, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. and to conclude after 60 minutes, if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed five minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than five minutes to reply to debat…

I thank all the Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin wished President Michael D. Higgins a speedy recovery as he remains in hospital and spoke of our colleague Senator Higgins, who is a family member. We wish the President well in his recovery. Senator O'Loughlin also paid tribute to Councillor John O'Neill, who was buried yesterday having spent 30 years involved in local politics in Kildare. He was instrumental in Senator O'Loughlin's political journey. We extend our sympathies to …

I raise again the issue of the use of hotel accommodation in response to the humanitarian issue of refugees fleeing Ukraine and other conflict zones and the impact that is having on the tourism sector in rural areas, where a lot of tourist accommodation is currently being contracted to the State. I raised this issue with the Minister, Deputy Martin, probably almost a year ago and have been consistently raising the matter. The Minister is well briefed on the issue and Fáilte Ireland keeps her briefed on the issue in…

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate him delivering the response on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Martin, who seems quite reluctant at times to come into this Chamber despite numerous requests to do so. I will pick up on a couple of points. I take the Minister of State's point about sustainability, but that is not really what I am talking about today. We are on a completely different topic but it is always nice to point out the positives happening in the Department as well and we, of course, support that wo…

I also welcome the Bulgarian ambassador as well as the children and the teachers from Booterstown National School. They are very welcome to the Seanad this afternoon. The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion regarding appointment of member to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022 – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to adjourn at 3.45 p.m., if not previously concluded; a…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. First was Senator O'Loughlin, who wanted to draw our attention and pay tribute to the power of parents, and in particular Kathleen Murphy in Newbridge who hosted a coffee morning, and also the Finding Charlie's Voice initiative, which assists children with verbal dyspraxia. The Senator also welcomed the town centre first plans and the announcement today, as did Senator Ahearn, and they congratulated those towns. My town of Killala …