I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about this important task force, to which, as my colleague pointed out, we offer our full support. We know that vaccination programmes save lives. There can be no equivocation on that and they must, in and of themselves, be supported. When we speak this evening, the words of Dr. Mary Favier are in my mind. More importantly, she said that vaccines themselves do not save lives but that getting vaccinated saves lives. That is what is important. Talking about it and planning f…

I want to address some elements of Brexit but I want to first raise with the Minister an issue that was brought to my attention early this morning. It relates to an apparent rush in deportations under the Dublin III Regulation. This is being done despite an assurance given by the Taoiseach that save for in the instance of national security, there will not be deportations during the course of this pandemic. I refer the Minister to the words of Dr. Lucy Michael, an expert in integration, diversity and equality. She a…

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak in this debate. There is no disputing that Covid-19 has turned our society and our economy completely upside down. It has brought great difficulties and has asked many hard questions of the people. In particular, it has put pressure on healthcare and medical workers. I want to talk briefly about student nurses and midwives because they are one group who have experienced the sharpest edges of this pandemic. This is a timely opportunity, therefore, to rem…

I want to raise the issue of Aer Lingus workers, many of whom are in the Tánaiste's constituency, as well as mine, so I am sure they have been in touch with him. Once again, they are having difficulties accessing their basic social welfare entitlements. This time, the UP38 forms are being filled in incorrectly. An email I received from one of the workers states: If these forms were filled out right by Aer Lingus staff could have money owed to them in their bank accounts within 24 hours. Staff are desperate as they …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I have had some experience of the Central Mental Hospital in my capacity as a union organiser. Very few people in this House have ever been in it. Not only have I been in it, but I have been in it on many occasions. When conducting a ballot for industrial action with shift workers, I have had occasion to be in it until 3 o'clock in the morning. I should point out, however, that I have never been in it for reasons other than work. The hospital is not fit for pu…

I am sure the Minister of State is aware that 491 jobs are in the balance at the moment. Liquidators have been appointed to the Arcadia group, which runs shops such as Topshop, Topman and Wallis, as well as concession stores. I am sure the Minister of State will agree the first objective must be to save these jobs and to do so to the greatest extent possible. I join Mandate, the workers' trade union, in calling on the Government today to ensure we do not have a Debenhams mark II. What steps will the Minister of Sta…

That reply was very disappointing. The Minister of State said the Government would do all it can to protect the jobs, but is it going to do anything, however small, to protect the workers' collective agreement? Of course, we all hope that it will not come to it and that the jobs can be saved. We all recognise, as the Minister of State pointed out, that high-street retail is under pressure. That is nothing compared with the pressure these workers will be under working through the busiest time of year in a crowded se…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will be sharing time. I feel very privileged to bring forward this very important legislation which seeks to deliver a much-needed support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, a statutory entitlement to domestic violence paid leave. Today, let us not forget, is the final day of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Quite simply, the Bill seeks to provide for a period of paid leave for people who are the victims of domestic abuse. I welcome that the Government…

Legislation has a role in offering protections in the workplace to ensure that victims' rights and entitlements as employees are both enhanced and protected. The provisions in this Bill will enable victims to take the necessary time off work to seek support, find accommodation and attend court in a structured and a supportive environment. I will read the words of a survivor of domestic abuse about the difference this Bill would have made and how important it is that we get it through all Stages as quickly as possib…

This has been a very important debate. The people watching it may include some who are experiencing domestic abuse. They are more likely to be women. They will see a unanimity of purpose from their political representatives on this issue, given that the Government is not opposing our proposals in this legislation. That is really important. However, I would prefer if the Government were supporting the Bill rather than simply not opposing it. I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that this not a motion or a pro…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this very important workers' rights issue. The denial of basic shelter and hygiene facilities, and for the avoidance of any doubt that is access to a toilet, for these workers is nothing short of a disgrace. They are left waiting out in the freezing cold and the rain while their students take the test in the instructor's car. The Road Safety Authority, RSA, will not let them use these basic facilities in the course of their work. I will quote what some of …

The Minister of State says that the health and safety of workers should be our priority and she is dead right, but it is not the case if a person cannot access a toilet in the course of his or her work. I like the bit where the Minister of State describes taking a driving test. I think we all know how that happens. The Minister of State talks about the need to protect the building and the health and safety of the workers. We are not seeking to put anyone's health and safety at risk. We are talking about the health …

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing time with na Teachtaí Patricia Ryan and Martin Browne. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to introduce the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Amendment) Bill 2020. Its purpose is to protect workers in their workplaces. That is its one and only aim. The Bill proposes a straightforward amendment to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 to make workplace outbreaks of Covid-19 notifiable to the Health and Safety Authority, HSA. Such proa…

Yes, of course. I do not want to start a row with the Minister of State, but with the greatest of respect, when he says that the issue is being looked at, while I am sure this is not how he intends it, it sounds a little like it is being kept in file in a filing cabinet. I am happy that we are having the debate and that the Minister of State has had the opportunity to outline what the Government intends to do. I am pleased that this Bill is not being opposed and I look forward to debating it on Committee Stage and …

I often hear Deputies in the Chamber declare they have an interest in a matter that is under discussion. I declare my interest now which is that I very proudly represented nurses for a very long time. Usually when Deputies are declaring an interest it is because they own a pub but I am very proud of my work record and to have represented nurses. I was very cross yesterday to hear the Leader of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte’s party claim credit for the nursing degree. It took a great deal for me not to burs…

Can Deputy McDonald get her answer?

I move: “That Dáil Éireann: notes that: — in five weeks’ time the pension age is due to increase to 67 years of age on 1st January, 2021; — legislation needed to stop the pension age increasing to 67 in January has not passed through the House; — every worker in the State makes a considerable tax contribution throughout their working life and should have the right to retire at 65; — some workers want to retire at 65, while others want to remain at work, where they are able and willing to do so; — numerous employmen…

The Deputy did and he just apologised for them.

I have heard a lot of talk in here and, to be honest, a lot of guff as well. The Deputies on the Government benches should be entirely ashamed of themselves. Workers watch what goes on in here. They see the pathetic attempts by the Minister and her pal on the backbenches to deflect and avoid talking about the fact that this means €45.40 a week to workers. That might not mean an awful lot to the Minister. It probably does not. It is probably just pin money to her, but not to people who have worked all their lives in…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 to allow for employees to carry over untaken leave in a year where it was not reasonably practicable for an employee to take some or all of the leave to which the employee was entitled as a result of the effects of Covid-19. To avoid any confusion, I was looking to come in on Questions on Promised Legislation.