I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government agreed on 13th February, 2024, to propose, for the approval of Seanad Éireann, Eilis Barry to be a member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority on the nomination of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and pursuant to section 9 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, approves the appointment by the Government of Eilis Barry to be a member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority to fill a casual vacancy pursuant to section 10(9) of the sai…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 5.45 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Employment Permits Bill 2022 - Second Stage to be taken at 6 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not…

I thank Members who contributed to the Order of Business. First, Senator O' Loughlin wanted to acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas in becoming an advancing disability equality organisation and receiving that award, and for facilitating the OWL programme which has allowed young people with disadvantaged backgrounds to come into the Oireachtas to work and do internships. She said that young people are now aspiring to get on the programme which is very good. She also spoke about struggling businesses that are deali…

The Order of Business is No. 1, European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022 – Committee Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to adjourn at 2 p.m., if not previous concluded; and No. 2, statements to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to be taken at 2.15 p.m. and to conclude at 3.45 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 and that time may be shared…

It is a good job you are fit and healthy and can run into the Chamber and still speak clearly.

I would not have noticed.

I thank Members who contributed this morning. The first was Senator Malcolm Byrne, who also raised the issue of rail transport and infrastructure and the shared island unit and the fantastic work it is doing. It was good to see the Tánaiste announce further funding for the shared island unit and to see those North-South projects being supported. I am not sure I can agree with Senator McGahon on Dublin-Belfast being the economic engine of Ireland. I will always advocate for the west and our city of Galway but we wil…

I welcome the Ukrainian ambassador, H.E. Larysa Gerasko, to the Chamber. We have come to know the ambassador well in recent years. She has engaged extensively with politicians in this House and the Lower House. She has done a fantastic job of keeping the issue to the fore, despite other things happening in the world. It is important that we maintain our focus on what is happening in Ukraine because there is still a war on Europe's borders. It is hard to believe we are two years into this conflict now. There has bee…

Next Tuesday, at 1 p.m.

I welcome our Canadian friends, the speaker, the ambassador and the entire delegation. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I concur with the Cathaoirleach's remarks on Michael O'Regan and extend my sympathies and those of the House to his family on his sad passing. He was one of the very few people - I would say I could count them on one hand - whose tweets I actually enjoyed reading. He was always witty and balanced and he called out and cut through the nonsense. He was a very fair commentator. He espoused th…

I thank Members who contributed today. Anna and her friend are very welcome to the Gallery. Good luck with your work experience here in Leinster House with Senator Flynn. This morning, Senator O'Loughlin raised the issue of post-mastectomy products and their availability and the community scheme that is funded to provide those products to women who have had mastectomies. The issue was also raised by Senator John McGahon. My understanding is that the scheme was only available to those on medical cards. It will now b…

Senator Mark Daly extended his sympathies to Michael O'Regan and his family, as did many other colleagues, including Senator Conway. There were some lovely comments for Michael. We will all miss his wit and his informed analysis of political life and life in general. As I said at the outset, he was a fine journalist. We all enjoyed his commentary. He was still very much involved in Irish political life. Senator Maria Byrne is right that he died far too young. It is very difficult for his family. We wish them the ve…

I move: That Seanad Éireann, in accordance with Article 15.1.3° of the Constitution, hereby determines that the Joint Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community may meet in Galway city, on 8th March, 2024, in order to hear from community groups and populations in Galway city, first hand, on the operation of national and local policies as they affect the community in Galway city: provided that, pursuant to Standing Order 82(3), Members may participate in such meeting from within the …

I thank my Civil Engagement Group colleagues for using their Private Members' time to debate such an important issue. We had statements yesterday as well. Many colleagues contributed to the topic yesterday and made their views known. Fianna Fáil welcomes this debate. It is important that we, here in the Seanad, with our Ministers continue to make sure that this issue is top of the agenda. It is rare that an international foreign affairs issue grasps the hearts and minds of the Irish people. It does not happen too o…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Seanad Standing Order 116 on a proposal for a Council directive on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT), COM (2023) 532 - reasoned opinion, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion re proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of a proposal for the recommendation of a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for …

I thank Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin drew our attention to the 150th anniversary of the death of Ernest Shackleton, who, as we know, was a famous Antarctic explorer with roots in County Kildare. Shackleton's Polar Medal is for sale in the UK and the Senator has asked that the Government consider purchasing it for use in the museum in Athy that is going to open soon. The Senator wished all those involved with the museum well with its opening. The Senator also asked fo…

Yes, that is it.

I move: That Seanad Éireann: (1) notes the agreed Report of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach under Standing Order 116 on the following proposal: - Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT), COM(2023)532, which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 31st January, 2024 in accordance with Standing Order 116(3)( b ); (2) having regard to the aforementioned Report, and in exercise of its functions under section 7(3) of the Europea…

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 the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between t…