I too support the Independent colleagues in the Seanad and commend them on tabling such an important Bill. Since my election to the Seanad in 2016, the issue of scoliosis, the lack of services for children with scoliosis, the delays and the suffering have been a constant topic of debate and conversation in these Houses. It is clear that these families and the children in particular have been let down by the State over a long period of time. As the mother of young children, I can empathise with the parents who see t…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

It will come as no surprise I wish to speak about Natasha O'Brien and the very brave leadership she has displayed during the past week. I am really struck by her bravery, poise and leadership on this issue, having experienced an unbelievably horrific attack. For the past week, we have all felt shock and we are only absorbing the impact of the decision to suspend, in its entirety, the sentence imposed on the person who assaulted her. Looking at Natasha O'Brien in recent days brought the bravery of Ms Lavinia Kerwick…

I propose that the Minister be given a couple minutes to read the-----

Perhaps if a Member keeps talking while the Minister is reading, could that-----

At this stage, I should not be naive, but in my naivety I was going to ask our colleagues to amend their social media accounts to reflect the position that any misapprehension or misunderstanding had been cleared up, but I know that is not going to happen. Of course the regulatory authority is going to check the sex offender register. Any suggestion that it will not or that it will just casually look over something is completely erroneous and is insulting to the people who will work in it. Everybody wants to safegu…

I will be extremely brief. This is a wonderful day for everybody who has worked so hard to get us to this point. When the Minister came into office, he promised a revolution in women’s healthcare. He is delivering that revolution and I am grateful to be part of it. I thank everybody who put their hearts and souls into this. I was very proud to be part of the special committee on international surrogacy. We produced a good report and I am happy this legislation is based on it. The rights of children born through sur…

I, too, welcome our colleagues from the Irish Cancer Society. I thank them for all the work they have been doing. They are assisting us in our work in the House. I thank them on behalf of everybody who has felt the benefit of the Irish Cancer Society. I thank the Minister of State very much for coming to the House to discuss this very important motion tabled by Fine Gael colleagues. I commend all of them on working on this, in particular Senator Kyne. I know the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, …

I propose that we suspend until 6 p.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 to be taken at 3.15 p.m., 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, Senators may share time and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

I thank the ten Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. I congratulate Senators Doherty and Boylan, who were successful in the European Parliament elections and will soon take up their seats. I commiserate with Senators Gavan and Blaney and with the Leader.

Gabh mo leithscéal. It was really significant to have six Members of this House contesting the elections to the European Parliament. In addition, a former Member of the House, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, was successful. When I was first elected in 2016, I learned a lot from him. It was fantastic to see him succeeding. I commend everybody who put their name forward, whether they were successful or unsuccessful, in both the European Parliament elections and the local authority elections. Our democracy depends on people puttin…

The guests are very welcome. I hope they enjoy their trip. Senator Wall also raised the issue of spoiled votes and, more concerning, the incorrectly stamped ballot papers, which resulted in approximately 1,000 votes around the country being deemed invalid - again, shocking. Senator Wall also raised the issue of a sewage spill in Athy and Uisce Éireann's inability to respond to Kildare County Council and the people living in Athy over that issue. That is unacceptable. If Uisce Éireann cannot respond to local authori…

Before I start, I welcome Cathy Wheatley from the Irish Families Through Surrogacy and Ivana Holub, who is a surrogate and who gave evidence before the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy. They are very welcome. I know this is a very big day for them. I thank the Minister, for his run-through of the Bill but mainly for prioritising this issue since he came into office four years ago. Something that I and my colleagues - I see Senator Ardagh sitting behind me there - have been passionate about is providing a …

In fairness to everyone in the House, we need to move on.

Next Tuesday, 18 June, at 1 p.m.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Employment Permits Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 3 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 139, motion 2, Private Members' business regarding reform of waste management, to be taken at 3.30 p.m., with the time allocated for the debate not to exceed two hours.

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I thank the 15 Senators who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Malcolm Byrne, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, raised the recognition today of the state of Palestine which was done in tandem with Norway and Spain. I think most people in Ireland welcome this. Other Senators raised the issue also. The position is that we recognise that a two-state solution is the only way forward for the region. At the moment Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are not committe…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President, on Wednesday 12 June 2024, to be taken without debate on conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024 - Second Stage, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. and to conclude at 5.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed 15 minutes, group spokespersons…

I thank the 15 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business. Senator O'Loughlin, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, was first and she spoke about Bruce Springsteen and his connections with Rathangan. I was suffering from major FOMO over the weekend looking at absolutely everyone I know, including my husband, going to the Bruce Springsteen concert while I was at home. Between that and Girls Aloud, I think I was the only person in the country who did not go to a concert at the weekend. I am in favour of support…