Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. As the Minister of State knows, we will have a referendum on Friday. We do not know what the results will be but it is certain that we will see the closure of thousands of primary schools all around the country to facilitate the vote. While I appreciate this may bring some joy to some of the students and indeed the staff, it causes childcare difficulties for many parents as a result. I am not in any way suggesting that primary schools are childcare providers but it causes a number…

I join the Minister of State in thanking all of those involved in the electoral process because, without them, we would not have the democracy that we have. While this causes inconvenience to schools, the Minister of State will be aware that one of the primary reasons that I raise this as a concern is the effect on parents. If a school closes and they have existing childcare arrangements, they may need to make different arrangements as a result of the school closing. I believe the Electoral Commission's review of t…

I am sure the Leader will join me in noting the fact this is a golden period for Irish athletics and, in particular, she might extend our congratulations to all of those athletes who performed so well at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, particularly our female athletes, who are doing this country very proud. I echo the remarks of Senator O'Loughlin concerning the question of the reinstatement of pupils’ complex needs in the allocation of special education teaching hours. I am somewhat concerned by the chan…

In terms of freedom of expression, there is a Senator here who regularly talks about misinformation. She is finally being called out and she should apologise.

I will start by echoing the call by my colleague Senator Fintan Warfield for a debate on the Report on Inclusion in Sport compiled by the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, otherwise known as the "RTÉ committee". We do a lot of other work, including that which we did in respect of the report. The report contains a number of very effective recommendations. It would be useful to have a debate with the Minister on the recommendations and the findings from what is a very collaborativ…

Like the Leas-Chathaoirleach, I welcome the students from St. Tiernan's in Dundrum and our guests from the European Court of Justice and I offer a particular welcome to the Estonian ambassador. Ireland and Estonia have a long range of links and friendships. Tallinn is a beautiful city so I recommend that anyone who has not been to it definitely visit Estonia. Apart from recognising independence, we appreciate the fact that we live in a free and democratic Europe. Our values are very much shared based on human right…

We were discussing tax breaks for gym membership earlier.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I too welcome the ambassador of Ukraine, H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, and the ambassador of Lithuania, H.E. Mr. Marijus Gudynas, who are friends to many of us in this House. I hope our words today show the solidarity across these Houses with them and the people of Ukraine who must always be in our thoughts. I thank the Minister of State for being here because I know he has provided leadership on this issue. The Government has been particularly strong in doing whatever we can to support…

That will be the Minister of State's next job.

It was a pleasure to have President Franklin in the Houses. I also welcome that the Speaker of the Senate of Canada and her delegation are with us today. I wish to be associated with the very appropriate remarks regarding the late Michael O'Regan. I raise the question of funding support for amateur theatre and musicals. As Members probably know, the amateur theatre festival circuit is about to begin. Drama groups throughout the country are preparing to compete in festivals with the hope of reaching the all-island f…

I am sharing time with Senator O'Loughlin. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Tánaiste. Everybody in the House will agree with the sentiments he has expressed today and in international forums, which reflect the horror of the people of Ireland at what we are witnessing in the Middle East. We can debate the politics of everything else but it is critical that there be an immediate ceasefire. It is deeply regrettable that the US chose to veto the motion at the UN today calling for such a ceasefire. The actions of Israel are a com…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan. When the Minister of State and I were in school, we learned all about the Gulf Stream and the importance of the flows in the Atlantic. I am very alarmed by recent reports from Utrecht University on one of the longest studies of the impact of climate change on the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation current and the fear that it is going to collapse. The wor…

I thank the Minister of State for his response and I am glad the Government is looking at the potential impact across a range of sectors. As he said, this may not happen this century but there is a real risk of it happening. We are already seeing a lot of strange weather events as a result of climate change. I would be concerned if Government policy is that it will put Noah's Ark on top of the Sugarloaf or whatever, and that this could be the approach, but I am happy that in order to try to address some of the conc…

I welcome the decision of the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, to sign off on the regulations that will finally allow local authorities to use CCTV, drones and other technology to catch illegal dumpers and those who are engaged in fly-tipping. Members will be aware this has been a long-running campaign of mine and I am grateful to the Minister of State who certainly took it on board. When we enacted the legislation late in 2022, I thought we would be in a position to move forward but the delays rested with the loca…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank him for taking this Commencement matter, which concerns the issue of Garda vetting. I am sure the Minister of State is quite familiar with the issue. We have a National Vetting Bureau and the legislation is in place. The Minister of State will understand the frustration of many individuals and organisations seeking Garda vetting. Let us use the example of a childcare worker who wants to work with their local GAA club. He or she again must get Garda vetting. If that person …

Unfortunately, the interdepartmental vetting review group was established three years ago. We have heard previously that the report was imminent. I think the Minister of State knows as well as I do the frustration many of the voluntary groups have with their volunteers having to go through this process. I would be grateful if the Minister of State could indicate whether mandatory revetting and cross-vetting proposals that were being considered will be included so that when people apply once and qualify, they may ne…

I also welcome the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive. The opening remarks of both Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly were very inclusive. I think we wish them all the best in their work. I also want to wish a special best of luck to Andrew Muir, a friend of mine who is the first openly gay Minister, as the new Minister for Agriculture. I know he has already set to work. It is important that this House does wish them the best in their work. I want to raise the Irish Independent story which has bee…

I am generally quite happy with the proposals for vetted researchers. I agree with Senator Ruane that it is important to get vetted researchers and that they get access. My concern is a more general one. If there is a desire to appeal against a decision of an coimisiún, the only way to do so is through a court challenge. I would prefer for there to be a quicker way. This may be something that could be determined by the regulations or the way in which an coimisiún works but under the legislation, where a vetted rese…

I move amendment No. 24: In page 38, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “(9) (a) The Commission shall permit an Appeal to a designated Commissioner on the determination under subsection (5) by- (i) the person seeking designation as a vetted researcher under this Section, or (ii) by the very large online platform or the very large online search engine named under subsection (7), provided that the Appeal is made within 14 days of the notification of the determination in writing and outlines the grounds…

I move amendment No. 25: In page 38, line 39, after “parties” to insert “, which may include very large online platforms or very large online search engines”.